Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thermodynamics of protein-protein interactions of cMyc, Max, and Mad: effect of polyions on protein dimerization.

The Myc-Max-Mad network of proteins activates or represses gene transcription depending on whether the dimerization partner of Max is c-Myc or Mad. To elucidate the physical properties of these protein-protein interactions, fluorescence anisotropy of TRITC-labeled Max was used. The binding affinities and thermodynamics of dimerization of the Max-Max homodimer and c-Myc-Max and Mad-Max heterodimers were determined. Our results indicate that c-Myc and Max form the most stable heterodimer. Previous work [Kohler, J. J., Metallo, S. J., Schneider, T. L. , and Schepartz, A. (1999) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 96, 11735-9] has shown that instead of dimerizing first and then binding to DNA, these proteins use a monomer pathway in which a monomer binds to DNA followed by dimerization on the surface of the DNA. The DNA E-box affects the dimerization, but nonspecific effects may also play a role. The influence of polyions, poly-L-lysine and poly-L-glutamic acid, were investigated to determine the effects of charged polymers other than DNA on homodimerization and heterodimerization. While the positively charged poly-L-lysine, PLL, did not show any significant effect, negatively charged poly-L-glutamic acid, PLG, stabilized both heterodimers and homodimers by 2-3 kJ/mol. These data suggest that in the cell nucleus the presence of negatively charged DNA or RNA could nonspecifically aid in association of these proteins. Calculations of DeltaH degrees and DeltaS degrees from the temperature dependence of K(d) indicated that although the thermodynamic parameters for the dimer are different, the reactions for all three dimers are driven by negative (favorable) enthalpic and negative (unfavorable) entropic contributions. In the presence of PLG, entropy became more negative with the effect being largest for c-Myc-Max heterodimers. This suggests that van der Waals and H-bonding interactions are predominant in dimerization of these proteins.
An extracellular Darwinian experiment with a self-duplicating nucleic acid molecule.

The replicases (RNA-dependent RNA polymerases) induced by two unrelated" bacteriophages (MS-2 and Q,3) have been isolated and shown to require their homologous RNA as template.4 Materials and Methods. -(a) Enzyme, substrates, and assays: Synthesis of radioactive ribo- nucleotide triphosphates and liquid scintillation counting of labeled RNA on membrane filters have been detailed previously.4 RNA from a temperature-sensitive mutant of Qt3 (ts-1) was ex- tracted from the virus as described previously.8 The first reaction in the series was initiated at a concentration of 0.2 ,gg/0.25 ml of a standard5 reaction. The same replicase preparation purified CsCl sucrose steps9 was used in all transfer experiments to
Um novo corpo e os seus desafios (A new corpus and the challenges it offers)

Este artigo apresenta um novo corpo eletronico publicamente acessivel, constru ido para homenagear um grande professor e pol itico portugues, Jose Mariano Gago. Atraves de uma rica anotacao, pretende-se potenciar o desenvolvimento de aplicacoes inovadoras.
Biosynthesis and Possible Functional Relationships Among the Carotenoids; and Between Chlorophyll a and Chlorophyll b.

1. ARNON, D. I. , ALLEN, M. B. and WHATLEY, F. R. Photosynthesis by isolated chloroplasts. IV. General concept and comparison of three photochemical reactions. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 20: 449-461. 1956. 2. BASSHAM, J. A. , BENSON, A. A. , KAY, LOREL D. , HARRIS, ANNE Z. , WILSON, A. T. and CALVIN, M. The path of carbon in photosynthesis. XXI. The cyclic regeneration of carbon dioxide acceptor. Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc. 76: 1760-1770. 1954. 3. BENSON. A. A. , BASSHAM, J. A. , CALVIN, M. , GooDALE, T. C. HAAS, V. A. and STEPKA W. The path of carbon in photosynthesis. V. Paper chromatographv and radioautography of the products. Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc. 72: 1710-171g. 1950. 4. FULLER, R. C. The carboxylation of ribulose diphosphate by cell-free extracts of Escherichia coli. Bacteriol. Proc. 112. 1956. 5. FULLER, R. C. aInd GIBBS, M. Aberrant patterns of some photosynthetic enzymes. Plant Physiol. 31 Suppl.: xxxi. 1956. 6. GEST, H. and GIBBS, M. Preparation and properties of cell-free "formic hydrogenlyase" from Escherichia coli. Jour. Bacteriol. 63: 661463. 1952. 7. GIBBS, M. Triosephosphate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehvdrogenase in the pea plant. Nature 170: 164. 1952. 8. HAGE-MAN, R. H. and ARNON, D. I. Chmnges in glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase during the life cycle of a green plant. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 57: 421-436. 1955. 9. HENDLEY, D. D. Endogenous fermentation in Thiorhodaceae. Jour. Bacteriol. 70: 625434. 1955. 10. PROVASOLI, L. , HUTNER, S. H. and SCHATZ, A. Streptomycin-induced chlorophyll-less races of Euglena. Proc. Soc. Exptl. Biol. Med. 69: 279282. 1948. 11. QUAYLE, J. R. FULLER, R. C. , BENSON, A. A. and CALVIN, M. The enzymatic carboxylation of ribulose diphosphate. Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc. 76: 3610-3611. 1954. 12. RACKER, E. The reductive pentose phosphate cycle. I. Phosphoribulokinase and ribulose diphosphate carboxylase. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 69: 300310. 1957. 13. ROSENBERG, L. L. and ARNON, D. I. The preparation and properties of a new glyceraldehyde-3phosphate dehydrogenase from photosynthetic tissues. Jour. Biol. Chem. 217: 361-371. 1955. 14. STADTMAN, E. R. , NOVELLI, G. D. and LIPMANN, F. Coenzyme A function in an acetyl transfer by the phosphotransacetylase system. Jour. Biol. Chem. 191: 365-376. 1951. 15. TRUDINGER, P. A. Fixation of CO2 by extracts of the strict autotroph Thiobacillis demitrificans. Biochem. Jour. 64: 274-286. 1956. 16. WEISSBACH, A. , HORECKER, B. L. and HURWIT1Z, J. The enzymatic formation of phosphoglyceric acid from ribulose diphosphate and carbon dioxide. Jour. Biol. Chem. 218: 795-810. 1956.
Risk factors and clinical presentation of acute primary HIV infection in India.

CONTEXT Most previous studies of clinical presentation and risk factors in early human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have relied on retrospective analyses and referred seroconverters, and thus were subject to possible bias. OBJECTIVES To apply a method based on measurement of prevalent HIV-1 p24 antigenemia for identification of risk factors for newly acquired HIV infection and to describe the signs and symptoms of acute HIV infection. DESIGN AND SETTING Nested case-control study in Pune, India. PARTICIPANTS HIV antibody-negative persons attending 2 sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics between May 1993 and June 1996. OUTCOME MEASURES Prevalent p24 antigenemia, risk factors for HIV infection, and clinical symptoms of acute primary HIV infection. RESULTS Of 3874 HIV antibody-negative persons tested, 58 (1.5%) were p24 antigen positive at initial presentation to the clinics. Unprotected sexual contact with a commercial sex worker (CSW) was reported by 39 (77%) of the 51 p24 antigenemic men, compared with 131 (51 %) of 255 control men (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 3.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-9.6; P=.02). The presence of an active genital ulcer at the time of screening was found in 46 (79%) of the 58 p24 antigenemic men and women, compared with 137 (47%) of the 290 control subjects (AOR, 4.2; 95% CI, 2.0-9.0; P<.001). Signs and symptoms independently associated with p24 antigenemia in HIV antibody-seronegative persons included fever, which was reported by 28 (48%) of the 58 p24 antigenemic subjects, but only 52 (18%) of the 290 control subjects (AOR, 4.7; 95% CI, 2.4-9.0; P<.001). Joint pain was reported by 10% of subjects recently HIV infected, compared with 2% of the control subjects (AOR, 6.5; 95% CI, 1.7-24.8; P=.006). Night sweats were reported by 9% of the p24 antigenemic, but only 1% of the control subjects (AOR, 9.1; 95% CI, 1.7-47.6; P=.009). Overall, fever, joint pain, and/or night sweats were reported in 27 (47%) of the 58 subjects with recent HIV infection. CONCLUSIONS This systematic case-control study of p24 antigen screening in HIV-seronegative patients attending STD clinics in India identified unprotected sex with a CSW and a genital ulcer as independent risk factors associated with newly acquired HIV infection. In addition, p24 antigen positivity identified recent fever, night sweats, and arthralgias as symptoms that may be predictive of recent HIV infection. In a study of patients attending STD clinics in India, screening for p24 antigen in HIV antibody-negative persons was found to be a reliable and effective research method for determining recent risk behavior and identifying clinical signs of acute primary HIV infection.
Epigenetic mechanisms of character origination.

The close mapping between genotype and morphological phenotype in many contemporary metazoans has led to the general notion that the evolution of organismal form is a direct consequence of evolving genetic programs. In contrast to this view, we propose that the present relationship between genes and form is a highly derived condition, a product of evolution rather than its precondition. Prior to the biochemical canalization of developmental pathways, and the stabilization of phenotypes, interaction of multicellular organisms with their physicochemical environments dictated a many-to-many mapping between genomes and forms. These forms would have been generated by epigenetic mechanisms: initially physical processes characteristic of condensed, chemically active materials, and later conditional, inductive interactions among the organism's constituent tissues. This concept, that epigenetic mechanisms are the generative agents of morphological character origination, helps to explain findings that are difficult to reconcile with the standard neo-Darwinian model, e.g., the burst of body plans in the early Cambrian, the origins of morphological innovation, homology, and rapid change of form. Our concept entails a new interpretation of the relationship between genes and biological form.
The c-Abl tyrosine kinase controls protein kinase Cδ-induced Fli-1 phosphorylation in human dermal fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVE We have previously demonstrated that in response to transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), Fli-1 activity is repressed through a series of sequential posttranslational modifications, consisting of protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ)-induced Thr312 phosphorylation, acetylation by p300/CREB binding protein-associated factor, and detachment from the collagen promoter. The purpose of this study was to further investigate the upstream events that lead to Fli-1 phosphorylation in response to TGFβ. METHODS Dermal fibroblasts were isolated from systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and healthy control subjects matched for age, sex, and ethnicity. Western blotting was used to analyze protein levels and real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to measure messenger RNA expression. Cells were transduced with constitutively active PKCδ adenovirus or were transiently transfected with a Bcr-Abl-overexpressing plasmid. Subcellular localization of PKCδ was examined by immunocytochemistry. RESULTS Western blot analysis of cell lysates demonstrated that the levels of phospho-Fli-1 (Thr312) were up-regulated in SSc fibroblasts, correlating with increased levels of type I collagen and c-Abl protein. Experiments using a constitutively activated form of c-Abl, small interfering RNA against c-Abl and the specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib, demonstrated the requirement of c-Abl for the TGFβ-induced phosphorylation of Fli-1. Additionally, we showed that c-Abl kinase activity was required for nuclear localization of PKCδ. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate that in SSc fibroblasts, c-Abl is an upstream regulator of the profibrotic PKCδ/phospho-Fli-1 pathway, via induction of PKCδ nuclear localization. Additionally, the finding that Fli-1 is phosphorylated at higher levels in SSc fibroblasts supports the notion that the c-Abl/PKCδ/phospho-Fli-1 pathway is constitutively activated in these cells. Thus, blocking the TGFβ/c-Abl/PKCδ/phospho-Fli-1 pathway could be an attractive alternative approach to therapy for scleroderma.
Large-scale monitoring of host cell gene expression during HIV-1 infection using cDNA microarrays.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection alters the expression of host cell genes at both the mRNA and protein levels. To obtain a more comprehensive view of the global effects of HIV infection of CD4-positive T-cells at the mRNA level, we performed cDNA microarray analysis on approximately 1500 cellular cDNAs at 2 and 3 days postinfection (p.i.) with HIV-1. Host cell gene expression changed little at 2 days p.i. , but at 3 days p.i. 20 cellular genes were identified as differentially expressed. Genes involved in T-cell signaling, subcellular trafficking, and transcriptional regulation, as well as several uncharacterized genes, were among those whose mRNAs were differentially regulated. These results support the hypothesis that HIV-1 infection alters expression of a broad array of cellular genes and provides a framework for future functional studies on the differentially expressed mRNA products.
Research on Battery Supercapacitor Hybrid Storage and its application in MicroGrid

This paper presents the utilization of a battery supercapacitor hybrid storage (BSHS) in MicroGrid. The BSHS which is composed of batteries, supercapacitor module, BUCK/BOOST bi-directional converter (BBBC), and voltage sources converter (VSC) has the virtue of high power density and high energy density. With the control loop composed of reference current calculation block and BBBC controller block, the BSHS can compensate the fluctuating power from the renewable energy source such as wind turbine generators and photovoltaics in MicroGrid; and the BSHS can also extend batteries lifetime by optimizing its operating process. A 5 kW laboratory system composes of a supercapacitor module (20 F, 324 V) and a battery module (124 V, 10 batteries) is designed, constructed and tested. Experimental results verify the effective of the proposed control strategy and the excellent performance of the BSHS.
An introduction to developing surveys for pharmacy practice research.

Asurvey is defined as “any activity that collects information in an organised and methodical manner about characteristics of interest from some or all units of a population using well-defined concepts, methods and procedures, and compiles such information into a useful summary form. ”1 A survey can be a useful tool for pharmacy practice research, particularly for evaluating qualitative information.2 Although surveys are one of the most frequently used tools for health research, including pharmacy practice research, they are also sometimes misused or inaccurately designed, which limits the conclusions that can be drawn from their results.2 As Boynton and Greenhalgh state, “Anybody can write down a list of questions and photocopy it, but producing worthwhile and generalisable data from questionnaires needs careful planning and imaginative design. ”3 It is clear that in order to draw valid conclusions from survey results, we must ensure the following 2 conditions are met: first, that using a survey design to conduct the research of interest is justified, that is, other methods such as a retrospective chart review or administrative data review would not be more likely than a survey to produce valid results; and second, that the survey is carefully planned and implemented.1-6 The purpose of this article is to review the process for selecting, designing, and implementing a survey while minimizing the potential limitations associated with survey design. To clarify, this article focuses on sample surveys only, where data are collected for a sample of a larger population in order to draw conclusions about the population as a whole.1 This approach differs from a census survey, where data are collected from all members of the population of interest.1 Given the time and resources typically needed to conduct census surveys, their methods are not covered in this article. Table 1 presents definitions of common terms used throughout this article.
Diabetes: Avaliação do hábito alimentar de escolares

O Diabetes e uma doenca cujos indices tem aumentado nos ultimos anos. O Diabetes tem sido tratado como um problema de saude publica, pois acarreta consequencias sociais, psicologicas e de saude que afetam criancas, adolescentes, adultos e idosos e aumenta a cada ano. Objetivos: e analisar os lanches que os alunos levam, comparando os lanches de duas escolas, uma publica e uma privada, a Escola Municipal Condessa do Rio Novo e Colegio Cenecista Sul Paraibano. Materiais e Metodos: foi desenvolvido um questionario algumas perguntas relacionadas a alimentacao escolar, foram entrevistados 40 alunos, sendo 20 de cada escola. Resultados: Os resultados mostram que os alunos, principalmente da escola privada, tem maus habitos alimentares, levam uma vida sedentaria, muitos alunos estao abaixo do peso ideal e alguns estao obesos e diabeticos, resultados de uma alimentacao rica em gorduras, sal e alimentos industrializados. Conclusao: este trabalho mostra a importância da alimentacao dos alunos, e as consequencias da ma alimentacao, que pode causar diabetes.
High Efficiency Interleaved Power Electronics Converter for wide operating power range

The paper focuses on a new driving strategy for improving the efficiency of power converters even if they are not used at there nominal power. The converters are using an output filtering structure with magnetical coupling. These filtering structures are usually employed to minimize in a significant way the mass of the converters. These filters are normally sized to work with a fixed number of phases. To optimize the magnetic components, it is necessary to take into account some physical constraint, as the iron sections of the magnetic circuits and saturation problems. These problems are tricky, especially in case of the variation of the number of phase. A new control strategy is presented for interleaved and multilevel structure. Finally converter simulation results are compared with the experimental results. A 1.6kW (115V) converter realization is presented.
An Adaptive Time-Stepping Scheme with Local Convergence Verification Using Support Vector Machines

An adaptive time-stepping scheme in accordance with the local convergence of computation often involves computationally expensive procedures. As a result, many computer simulators have avoided utilizing such an adaptive scheme, while its advantages are well recognized; the scheme not only efficiently allocates computational resources, but also makes the results of the computation more reliable. In this paper, we propose a fast adaptive time-stepping scheme, ATLAS (Adaptive Time-step Learning and Adjusting Scheme), which approximates such an expensive yet beneficial scheme by using support vector machines (SVMs). We demonstrate that ATLAS performs quite favorably when compared with computations without it. ATLAS can incorporate existing solvers and other fast but unreliable adaptive schemes to meet the different criteria required in various applications.
L'eggo My Ego: Reducing the Gender Gap in Math by Unlinking the Self from Performance

Stereotype threat can vary in source, with targets being threatened at the individual and/or group level. This study specifically examined the role of self-reputational threat in women's underperformance in mathematics. A pilot study showed that women report concerns about experiencing self-reputational threat that are distinct from group threat in the domain of mathematics. In the main study, we manipulated whether performance was linked to the self by asking both men and women to complete a math test using either their real name or a fictitious name. Women who used a fictitious name, and thus had their self unlinked from the math test, showed significantly higher math performance and reported less self-threat and distraction, relative to those who used their real names. Men were unaffected by the manipulation. These findings suggest that women's impaired math performance is often due to the threat of confirming a negative stereotype as being true of the self. The implications for understanding the different types of threats faced by stereotyped groups, particularly among women in math settings, are discussed.
Habitat compartmentation and environmental correlates of food chain length.

REFERENCES given preference. A considerable amount of 1 C. H. Greene, P. H. Wiebe, J. Burczynski, M. J. work by oceanographers and fishery scienYoungbluth, Science 241, 359 (1988). tists must be done before the role of krill in 2. E. S. Hobson, ibid. the Georges Bank food chain can be fully 3. J. D. Isaacs and R. A. Schwartzlose, ibid. 150, 1810 (1965); A. Genin, L. Haury, P. Greenblatt, Deepappreciated. Sea Res. 35, 151 (1988). CHARLES H. GREENE 4. G. W. Boehlert and A. Genin, in Sea Mounts, Islands, Ecosystems Research Center, and Atolls, B. H. Keating, P. Frycr, R. Bainza, Ecosystems ~~~~G. Boehlert, Eds. (American Geophysical Union, Corson Hall, Washington, DC, 1987), pp. 319-334. Cornell University, 5. C. S. Davis, in Georges Bank, R. H. Backus and D. W. Bourne, Eds. (MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, Ithaca, NY 14853 1987), pp. 256-267; K. Sherman et al., in ibid., pp. PETER H. WIEBE 268-282. Biolog Deparment, 6. T. R. Azarovitz and M. D. Grosslein, in ibid., pp. WoodsiHoleOceaographc I utiont, 315-346; B. E. Brown, in ibid., pp. 480-493. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution,
Aggregated α‐synuclein activates microglia: a process leading to disease progression in Parkinson's disease

A growing body of evidence indicates that an inflammatory process in the substantia nigra, characterized by activation of resident microglia, likely either initiates or aggravates nigral neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD). To study the mechanisms by which nigral microglia are activated in PD, the potential role of α‐synuclein (a major component of Lewy bodies that can cause neurodegeneration when aggregated) in microglial activation was investigated. The results demonstrated that in a primary mesencephalic neuron‐glia culture system, extracellular aggregated human α‐synuclein indeed activated microglia; microglial activation enhanced dopaminergic neurodegeneration induced by aggregated α‐synuclein. Furthermore, microglial enhancement of α‐synuclein‐mediated neurotoxicity depended on phagocytosis of α‐synuclein and activation of NADPH oxidase with production of reactive oxygen species. These results suggest that nigral neuronal damage, regardless of etiology, may release aggregated α‐synuclein into substantia nigra, which activates microglia with production of proinflammatory mediators, thereby leading to persistent and progressive nigral neurodegeneration in PD. Finally, NADPH oxidase could be an ideal target for potential pharmaceutical intervention, given that it plays a critical role in α‐synuclein‐mediated microglial activation and associated neurotoxicity. —Zhang, W. , Wang, T. , Pei, Z. , Miller, D. S. , Wu, X. , Block, M. L. , Wilson, B. , Zhang, W. , Zhou, Y. , Hong, J. S. , Zhang, J. Aggregated α‐synuclein activates microglia: a process leading to disease progression in Parkinson's disease. FASEB J. 19, 533–542 (2005)