Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The SCABRA3 Nuclear Gene Encodes the Plastid RpoTp RNA Polymerase, Which Is Required for Chloroplast Biogenesis and Mesophyll Cell Proliferation in Arabidopsis1[W]

In many plant species, a subset of the genes of the chloroplast genome is transcribed by RpoTp, a nuclear-encoded plastid-targeted RNA polymerase. Here, we describe the positional cloning of the SCABRA3 (SCA3) gene, which was found to encode RpoTp in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). We studied one weak (sca3-1) and two strong (sca3-2 and sca3-3) alleles of the SCA3 gene, the latter two showing severely impaired plant growth and reduced pigmentation of the cotyledons, leaves, stem, and sepals, all of which were pale green. The leaf surface was extremely crumpled in the sca3 mutants, although epidermal cell size and morphology were not perturbed, whereas the mesophyll cells were less densely packed and more irregular in shape than in the wild type. A significant reduction in the size, morphology, and number of chloroplasts was observed in homozygous sca3-2 individuals whose photoautotrophic growth was consequently perturbed. Microarray analysis showed that several hundred nuclear genes were differentially expressed in sca3-2 and the wild type, about one-fourth of which encoded chloroplast-targeted proteins. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR analyses showed that the sca3-2 mutation alters the expression of the rpoB, rpoC1, clpP, and accD plastid genes and the SCA3 paralogs RpoTm and RpoTmp, which respectively encode nuclear-encoded mitochondrion or dually targeted RNA polymerases. Double-mutant analysis indicated that RpoTmp and SCA3 play redundant functions in plant development. Our findings support a role for plastids in leaf morphogenesis and indicate that RpoTp is required for mesophyll cell proliferation.
The physiological regulation of toll‐like receptor expression and function in humans

Eleven mammalian toll‐like receptors (TLRs 1–11) have been identified to date and are known to play a crucial role in the regulation of immune responses; however, the factors that regulate TLR expression and function in vivo are poorly understood. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the physiological regulation of TLR expression and function in humans. To examine the influence of diurnal rhythmicity on TLR expression and function, peripheral venous blood samples were collected from healthy volunteers (n= 8) at time points coinciding with the peak and nadir in the endogenous circulating cortisol concentration. While no diurnal rhythmicity in the expression of TLRs 1, 2, 4 or 9 was observed, the upregulation of costimulatory (CD80 and CD86) and antigen‐presenting (MHC class II) molecules on CD14+ monocytes following activation with specific TLR ligands was greater (P < 0.05) in samples obtained in the evening compared with the morning. To examine the influence of physical stress on TLR expression and function, peripheral venous blood samples were collected from healthy volunteers (n= 11) at rest and following 1.5 h of strenuous exercise in the heat (34°C). Strenuous exercise resulted in a decrease (P < 0.005) in the expression of TLRs 1, 2 and 4 on CD14+ monocytes. Furthermore, the upregulation of CD80, CD86, MHC class II and interleukin‐6 by CD14+ monocytes following activation with specific TLR ligands was decreased (P < 0.05) in samples obtained following exercise compared with at rest. These results demonstrate that TLR function is subject to modulation under physiological conditions in vivo and provide evidence for the role of immunomodulatory hormones in the regulation of TLR function.
Constraint control allocation using differential evolution for over-actuated geostationary communications satellite

In this work we consider a new technique for the control allocation problem for an over-actuated GEO Communications satellite. Control allocator system computes the required commands that should be applied to the optimum distributed thrusters on the outer surface of the satellite so that a certain set of torques would be generated using this actuators. The number of actuators is greater than the number of torque necessary to be compensated, and the controlling ranges of the actuators are constrained to the certain pre-specified linear active domains. Control allocation problem is formulated as an optimization problem so that all of the available degrees of freedom can be utilized. When sufficient control power exists, secondary performance objectives could be achieved. The proposed methodology enables reconfiguration control in the presence of actuator failures, while the controller keeps being unchanged. The differential evolution optimization method is used to allocate control commends. The performance and accuracy of the proposed method have been verified using pseudo-inverse and linear programming methods. The case study results applied to a typical GEO satellite control subsystem design, demonstrates the effectiveness of the differential evolution method in comparison with the other algorithms.
Alveolar bone loss in type 1 diabetic subjects.

UNLABELLED AIM, BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the degree of marginal alveolar bone loss in a group of young subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) (n=35, age range 24-36 years) and age-matched non-diabetic control subjects (n=10). METHOD The diabetic group was divided into 3 subgroups (D1, D2, D3) according to the severity of the diabetic state. The level of alveolar bone was measured on panoramic radiographs of maxillary and mandibular molars as the % of the distance between the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) and the bone crest along the total length of the root. All mesial and distal sites with a distance of > 15% (BL>15%) were picked, and calculations were performed using the individual %s of sites with BL> 15%. RESULTS Based on the present findings, we conclude that type 1 DM has a modifying effect on marginal loss of alveolar bone. A clear trend towards increased marginal bone loss was seen in the subjects with complicated DM (D3). The subjects with good metabolic control and no complications of DM (D1) are no more susceptible to marginal bone loss than non-diabetic controls of the same age. CONCLUSIONS The present findings confirm our previous results on increased loss of periodontal support in subjects with complicated DM already at an early age.
Interaction with σ1 Protein, but Not N-Methyl-d-aspartate Receptor, Is Involved in the Pharmacological Activity of Donepezil

In the present study, we examined the interaction of (±)-2,3-dihydro-5,6-dimethoxy-2-[[1-(phenylmethyl)-4-piperidinyl]-methyl]-1H-inden-1-one hydrochloride (donepezil), a potent cholinesterase inhibitor, with two additional therapeutically relevant targets, N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and σ1 receptors. Donepezil blocked the responses of recombinant NMDA receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes. The blockade was voltage-dependent, suggesting a channel blocker mechanism of action, and was not competitive at either the l-glutamate or glycine binding sites. The low potency of donepezil (IC50 = 0.7–3 mM) suggests that NMDA receptor blockade does not contribute to the therapeutic actions of donepezil. Of potential therapeutic relevance, donepezil binds to the σ1 receptor with high affinity (Ki = 14.6 nM) in an in vitro preparation (Neurosci Lett 260:5–8, 1999). Thus, we sought to determine whether an interaction with the σ1 receptor may occur in vivo under physiologically relevant conditions by evaluating the σ1 receptor dependence effects of donepezil in behavioral tasks. Donepezil showed antidepressant-like activity in the mouse-forced swimming test as did the σ1 receptor agonist igmesine. This effect was not displayed by the other cholinesterase inhibitors, rivastigmine and tacrine. The donepezil and igmesine effects were blocked by preadministration of the σ1 receptor antagonist N-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-N-methyl-2-(dimethylamino) ethylamine (BD1047) and an in vivo antisense probe treatment. The memory-enhancing effect of donepezil was also investigated. All cholinesterase inhibitors attenuated dizocilpine-induced learning impairments. However, only the donepezil and igmesine effects were blocked by BD1047 or the antisense treatment. Therefore, donepezil behaved as an effective σ1 receptor agonist on these behavioral responses, and an interaction of the drug with the σ1 receptor must be considered in its pharmacological actions.
The Effect of Time on the Stability of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in Environmental Acids

Advanced technologies seek for development of new materials and substances with extraordinary physicochemical properties at nanoscale level that boosts their increased use in everyday life. Manufacture of metal nanomaterials, including iron, carries the risk of their emission to surface waters. Suspended particulate matter (SPM) plays an important role in the transport of pollutants, such as metals which are an essential component of surface waters. The humic substances (HA), part of the SPM, interact with metal ions present in the aquatic environment. However, the previously available data on these compounds were obtained at the macro level and only scant information exist on nanomaterials. Thus, the present work has focused on the relationship between humic substances and nanosized particles, such as n‐Fe2O3, in environmental acids.
Phosphorylation of the α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole4-propionic Acid Receptor GluR1 Subunit by Calcium/ Calmodulin-dependent Kinase II*

Modulation of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic Acid (AMPA) receptors in the brain by protein phosphorylation may play a crucial role in the regulation of synaptic plasticity. Previous studies have demonstrated that calmodulin (CaM) kinase II can phosphorylate and modulate AMPA receptors. However, the sites of CaM kinase phosphorylation have not been unequivocally identified. In the current study, we have generated two phosphorylation site-specific antibodies to analyze the phosphorylation of the glutamate receptor GluR1 subunit. These antibodies recognize GluR1 only when it is phosphorylated on serine residues 831 or 845. We have used these antibodies to demonstrate that serine 831 is specifically phosphorylated by CaM kinase II in transfected cells expressing GluR1 as well as in hippocampal slice preparations. Two-dimensional phosphopeptide mapping experiments indicate that Ser-831 is the major site of CaM kinase II phosphorylation on GluR1. In addition, treatment of hippocampal slice preparations with phorbol esters and forskolin increase the phosphorylation of serine 831 and 845, respectively, indicating that protein kinase C and protein kinase A phosphorylate these residues in hippocampal slices. These results identify the site of CaM kinase phosphorylation of the GluR1 subunit and demonstrate that GluR1 is multiply phosphorylated by protein kinase A, protein kinase C, and CaM kinase II in situ.
Job Training and the Skills Debate: A Road to Nowhere?

Training programs have been largely unsuccessful in providing jobs for the unemployed or those employed in low-level jobs. Yet public support for these programs has remained high. This seeming contradiction is explored by reviewing evidence suggesting that what has been created are not policies to train people for jobs, but a thriving ―training industry‖ that only marginally assists individuals in finding employment or in developing skills that allow for career advancement The economy and the skills gap In order to understand the role training plays, it is first necessary to briefly review the reasons for this so-called skills gap. Globally, the United States ranking on a scale of inequality is troubling. The Central Intelligence Agency‘s World Factbook (2009) notes that the United States ranks 91 (out of 136 countries) on the equality scale, leading many to wonder if the so-called ―American Dream‖ of achieving economic stability has died. The question of what happened and what or who was responsible for this steep decline has occupied the popular press and conservative commentators since before the Great Recession of 2008. According to these commentators, one of the major causes is that American workers are deficient in the skills required to meet the demands of the new global economy. Reinforcing the idea that there is a skill gap popular media have reported that there are more than 3 million jobs (a few put the figure at 5 million) that cannot be filled because there are not enough skilled workers to fill them. Manyika et al. (2011) states: ―There‘s a tremendous mismatch in the jobs market right now, it runs across skill set, gender, class and geography. ‖ The study found that nearly two-thirds of business executives say they routinely have difficulty filling certain positions. The top reason they cite is lack of specific qualifications or experience. This skills/experience mismatch is a potentially an even bigger problem in the future. Although half of the companies in the report stated that they would expand employment in 2011, 40% say they have also had positions open for six months or more because they cannot find the right candidates. The reason for these sobering statistics are, according to some, is that the globalized economic reality and a lack of certain skills required in this new reality have lead to these discouraging developments. Some have also blamed the high unemployment rate, at least partially, on an overly dependent work force. Extending jobless benefits to 99 weeks, an article in the Wall Street Journal argues, gives the unemployed less incentive to search out new work (Barro, 2010). There is no evidence that extending jobless benefits result in less incentive to seek work.
Adding Ketamine to Morphine for Patient-Controlled Analgesia After Major Abdominal Surgery: A Double-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial

In this double-blinded, randomized controlled trial we tested if the addition of ketamine to morphine for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) resulted in improved analgesic efficacy and lower pain scores compared with morphine PCA alone after major abdominal surgery. Seventy-one patients were ran-domly allocated to receive either morphine 1 mg/mL (Group M) or morphine 1 mg/mL plus ketamine 1 mg/mL (Group MK) delivered via PCA after surgery. No other analgesics or regional blocks were permitted during the 48-h study period. Postoperatively there were no differences between the groups for subjective assessment of analgesic efficacy, pain scores at rest, and on movement, opioid consumption, or adverse events. Group MK patients performed worse in cognitive testing (P = 0.037). There was an increased risk of vivid dreaming in patients who received ketamine (relative risk = 1.8, 95% confidence interval 0.78–4.3). We conclude that small-dose ketamine combined with PCA morphine provides no benefit to patients undergoing major abdominal surgery.
Congenital malformations in 4224 children conceived after IVF.

BACKGROUND The percentage of children born after IVF will continue to increase due to demographic changes such as increasing maternal age and new developments in assisted reproduction techniques. IVF conceptions may carry an increased risk of congenital malformations. METHODS We compared overall and specific congenital malformation rates calculated for IVF children (n = 4224) and naturally conceived children (n = 314 605), using records from the same Dutch national database for the years 1995 and 1996 and controlling for confounding maternal factors. RESULTS The overall crude odds ratio (OR) for the risk of any malformation for IVF children compared with naturally conceived children was 1.20 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-1.43]. After correction for differences in maternal age, parity and ethnicity between the IVF and control population the OR was 1.03 (95% CI: 0.86-1.23). The crude OR for IVF children appeared higher for the cardiovascular organ system and for several specific minor congenital malformations. However, these could be chance findings due to comparison of many malformation categories or may result from remaining differences in ascertaining malformations between IVF and naturally conceived children. CONCLUSIONS The small increase in overall congenital malformations observed in the IVF children appears to be attributable to differences in maternal characteristics and not to any aspect of the IVF procedure.
Reperfusion therapy for ST elevation acute myocardial infarction 2010/2011: current status in 37 ESC countries.

AIMS Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is the preferred reperfusion therapy in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We conducted this study to evaluate the contemporary status on the use and type of reperfusion therapy in patients admitted with STEMI in the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) member countries. METHODS AND RESULTS A cross-sectional descriptive study based on aggregated country-level data on the use of reperfusion therapy in patients admitted with STEMI during 2010 or 2011. Thirty-seven ESC countries were able to provide data from existing national or regional registries. In countries where no such registries exist, data were based on best expert estimates. Data were collected on the use of STEMI reperfusion treatment and mortality, the numbers of cardiologists, and the availability of PPCI facilities in each country. Our survey provides a brief data summary of the degree of variation in reperfusion therapy across Europe. The number of PPCI procedures varied between countries, ranging from 23 to 884 per million inhabitants. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention and thrombolysis were the dominant reperfusion strategy in 33 and 4 countries, respectively. The mean population served by a single PPCI centre with a 24-h service 7 days a week ranged from 31 300 inhabitants per centre to 6 533 000 inhabitants per centre. Twenty-seven of the total 37 countries participated in a former survey from 2007, and major increases in PPCI utilization were observed in 13 of these countries. CONCLUSION Large variations in reperfusion treatment are still present across Europe. Countries in Eastern and Southern Europe reported that a substantial number of STEMI patients are not receiving any reperfusion therapy. Implementation of the best reperfusion therapy as recommended in the guidelines should be encouraged.
A Pro12Ala polymorphism in the human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma 2 is associated with combined hyperlipidaemia in obesity.

OBJECTIVE Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma 2 (PPAR gamma 2) is an important regulator of adipose tissue metabolism and insulin sensitivity. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether a PPAR gamma 2 Pro12Ala polymorphism was associated with cardiovascular risk factors (obesity, blood pressure, diabetes and blood lipids) in Western Australian Caucasians (n=663). DESIGN Subjects were selected from two population studies (the Carotid Ultrasound Disease Assessment Study (CUDAS) and Busselton Population Health Survey) on the basis of body mass index (BMI). 292 obese (BMI > or =30 kg/m) and 371 lean (BMI <25 kg /m) subjects were studied. METHODS Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements were collected from all participants, as well as a fasting venous blood sample. Biochemical measurements (high-density lipoprotein (HDL)- and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides) and PPAR gamma 2 Pro12Ala genotype were also determined. RESULTS Obese Pro/Ala and Ala/Ala subjects had lower levels of HDL-cholesterol (P=0.032) and a trend towards higher levels of triglycerides (P=0.055) compared with obese Pro/Pro subjects. In the obese group, the Ala allele was significantly associated with the presence of combined hyperlipidaemia (odds ratio = 2.33, P=0.042). There was no significant difference in the frequency of the polymorphism between lean and obese groups (P=0.069). No association was observed between Pro12Ala genotype and obesity, blood pressure or diabetes in either group. CONCLUSIONS Obese carriers of the Pro12Ala polymorphism have a greater risk of developing combined hyperlipidaemia, possibly due to impaired activation of PPAR gamma target genes. The Pro12Ala polymorphism is not directly associated with obesity, hypertension or diabetes in this population.
Dietary lysine requirement of young adult males determined by oxidation of L-[1-13C]phenylalanine.

Lysine requirement was determined in seven adult males by examining the effect of varying dietary lysine intake on phenylalanine flux and oxidation under dietary conditions of adequate energy and phenylalanine (14 mg.kg-1 x day-1) and excess tyrosine (40 mg.kg-1 x day-1). Phenylalanine flux was determined from primed, constant intravenous infusions of L-[1-13C]phenylalanine (1.2 mg.kg-1 x day-1) and L-[ring-2H5]phenylalanine (0.5 mg.kg-1 x day-1) and measurement of isotopic enrichments of phenylalanine in plasma. Phenylalanine flux was not affected by graded increases in dietary lysine intake or by the isotope infused. Mean phenylalanine conversion to tyrosine was low (3.4%) and not significantly affected by lysine intake. Phenylalanine oxidation, estimated from the rate of 13CO2 released in expired air during the infusion of L-[1-13C]phenylalanine, decreased linearly as lysine intake increased to a break point that was interpreted as the mean dietary lysine requirement (37 mg.kg-1 x day-1). At lysine intakes of > 37 mg.kg-1 x day-1 phenylalanine oxidation was low and constant. Plasma lysine concentrations supported this estimate of requirement. These data show that: 1) indicator amino acid oxidation can be used as a new method to determine amino acid requirements of humans and 2) the lysine requirement of adult males is three times greater than the World Health Organization recommendation of 12 mg.kg-1 x day-1.
Liver transplantation in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis: selection criteria and rates of survival and relapse.

OBJECTIVE--To evaluate the outcome of liver transplantation in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis with respect to selection criteria, survival, and evidence suggesting a return to harmful drinking. DESIGN--Nine year retrospective study. SETTING--Cambridge and King's College Hospital liver transplant programme. SUBJECTS--24 Patients (three women, 21 men) with alcoholic cirrhosis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Survival, rehabilitation, and clinical and laboratory evidence of a return to harmful drinking after transplantation. RESULTS--15 Patients were selected for transplantation because of repeated admission to hospital for the complications of advanced portal hypertension despite abstinence, and six because they had a hepatocellular carcinoma superimposed on alcoholic cirrhosis. Three patients who were not abstinent received transplants. The one year survival rate was 66%, and of the 18 patients surviving at least three months, 17 had been rehabilitated. In three patients laboratory variables and histological examination of the liver suggested a return to drinking, though they did not admit to taking alcohol. These patients represented the only cases in the series that were not abstinent before transplantation. CONCLUSIONS--The survival and rehabilitation of patients who received transplants for alcoholic cirrhosis compared favourably with those of patients who received transplants for cirrhosis of other aetiology. The criteria for selection for liver transplantation in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis should include recurrent complications related to severe portal hypertension despite maximum medical treatment in addition to a minimum period of six months of abstinence before transplantation.