Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Escherichia coli mutY gene product is required for specific A-G----C.G mismatch correction.

A-G mispairs are subject to correction by two distinct pathways in cell-free extracts of Escherichia coli [Su, S. -S. , Lahue, R.S. , Au, K.G. & Modrich, P. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 6829-6835; Lu, A. -L. & Chang, D.Y. (1988) Genetics 118, 593-600]. One is the mutHLS-dependent, methyl-directed pathway that recognizes a variety of mismatches and repairs the unmethylated strand of DNA heteroduplexes that are hemimethylated at d(GATC) sequences. The other pathway appears to be specific for A-G mispairs, yields C.G base pairs exclusively, and is independent of the presence of d(GATC) sites. Analyses of cell-free extracts prepared from E. coli mutY strains and isogenic parents have demonstrated that the mutY gene product is involved in the methyl-independent pathway, which converts A-G mispairs to C.G pairs. The specificity of this activity is consistent with the mutator phenotype associated with the mutY locus, which generates G.C----T.A transversions [Nghiem, Y. , Cabrera, M. , Cupples, C.G. & Miller, J.H. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85, 2709-2713]. We propose that the mutY product functions at a late stage of a pathway that excludes A-G mispairs during chromosome replication and that involves the function of the mutT gene product. This model suggests that the mutT function acts at an early stage of this pathway to exclude A-G mismatches where the adenine resides on the template DNA strand. A-G mispairs that persist after passage of the replication fork would contain guanine on the template strand and thus be processed to C.G base pairs by the mutY-dependent repair system.
PARK13 regulates PINK1 and subcellular relocation patterns under oxidative stress in neurons

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder coupled to selective degeneration of dopamine‐producing neurons in the substantia nigra. The majority of PD incidents are sporadic, but monogenic cases account for 5–10% of cases. Mutations in PINK1 cause autosomal recessive forms of early‐onset PD, and PINK1 stimulates Omi/HtrA2/PARK13 protease activity when both proteins act as neuroprotective components in the same stress pathway. Studies on PINK1 and PARK13 have concentrated on phosphorylation‐dependent PINK1‐mediated activation of PARK13 and mitochondrial functions, because both proteins are classically viewed as mitochondrial. Although PARK13‐mediated protective mechanisms are at least in part regulated by PINK1, little is known concerning how these two proteins are regulated in different subcellular compartments or, indeed, the influence of PARK13 on PINK1 characteristics. We show that PARK13 localizes to a variety of subcellular locations in neuronal cells and that PINK1, although more restrictive, also localizes to locations other than those previously reported. We demonstrate that PARK13 accumulation leads to a concomitant accumulation of PINK1 and that the increase in PINK1 levels is compartmental specific, indicating a correlative relationship between the two proteins. Moreover, we show that PARK13 and PINK1 protein levels accumulate in response to H2O2 and L‐DOPA treatments in a subcellular fashion and that both proteins show relocation to the cytoskeleton in response to H2O2. This H2O2‐mediated relocation is abolished by PARK13 overexpression. This study shows that PARK13 and PINK1 are subcellular‐specific, but dynamic, proteins with a reciprocal molecular relationship providing new insight into the complexity of PD. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Substructuring Methods for 3-D BEM Multilayered Model for Diffuse Optical Tomography Problems

Diffuse optical tomography (DOT) is an emerging functional medical imaging modality with aims to recover the optical properties of biological tissue. The forward problem of the light propagation of DOT can be modelled in the frequency domain as a diffusion equation with Robin boundary conditions. In the case of multilayered geometries with piecewise constant parameters, the forward problem is equivalent to a set of coupled Helmholtz equations. In this paper we present a solution for the multilayered diffuse light propagation for a three-layer concentric sphere model using a series expansion method and for a general layered geometry using the boundary element method.
Early growth response 2 and Egr3 are unique regulators in immune system

The immune system is evolved to defend the body against pathogens and is composed of thousands of complicated and intertwined pathways, which are highly controlled by processes such as transcription and repression of cellular genes. Sometimes the immune system malfunctions and a break down in self-tolerance occurs. This lead to the inability to distinguish between self and non-self and cause attacks on host tissues, a condition also known as autoimmunity, which can result in chronic debilitating diseases. Early growth response genes are family of transcription factors comprising of four members, Egr1, Egr2, Egr3 and Egr4. All of which contain three cyc2-His2 zinc fingers. Initially, Egr2 function was identified in the regulation of peripheral nerve myelination, hindbrain segmentation. Egr3, on the other hand, is highly expressed in muscle spindle development. Egr2 and Egr3 are induced due to the antigen stimulation and this signaling is implemented through the B and T cell receptors in the adaptive immunity. T cell receptor signaling plays a key role in Egr 2 and 3 expressions via their interaction with NFAT molecules. Egr 2 and 3 play a crucial role in regulation of the immune system and their involvement in B and T cell activation, anergy induction and preventing the autoimmune disease has been investigated. The deficiency of these transcription factors has been associated to deficient Cbl-b expression, a resistant to anergy phenotype, and expression of effector and activated T cells.
Antimicrobial activity of fluoroquinolones and other antibiotics on 1,116 clinical gram-positive and gram-negative isolates.

A total of 1,116 clinically isolated strains belonging to Staphylococcus aureus (200), Staphylococcus epidermidis (200), Streptococcus pneumoniae (20), Escherchia coli (200), Klebsiella spp. (177), Serratia marcescens (22), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (224), Haemophilus influenzae (35) and Salmonella (38) from the Department of Infectious Diseases, La Sapienza University in Rome (Italy) were tested against three fluoroquinolones (ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin) and 10 other antibiotics (augmentin, ampicillin, cefaclor, cefixime, cefotaxime, cotrimoxazole, gentamicin, minocycline, oxacillin and vancomycin). Fluoroquinolones inhibited essentially about 100% of H. influenzae, Salmonella and S. pneumoniae, more than 75% of Staphylococcus including methicillin-resistant strains, and about 90% of Enterobacteriaceae and 50% of P. aeruginosa. Minimal inhibitory concentration values ranged from < 0.015 to > 32 micrograms/ml for Klebsiella, S. aureus and epidermidis, E. coli and P. aeruginosa; from < 0.015 to 2 micrograms/ml for Salmonella; from 0.03 to 16 micrograms/ml for Serratia; from < 0.015 to 1 microgram/ml for Haemophilus; and from 0.5 to 2 micrograms/ml for S. pneumoniae. Levofloxacin and to a lesser extent ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, generally exhibited a greater activity than the other agents against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Regarding the distribution of resistant strains in Italy, we found a peculiar pattern of resistance as far as E. coli and P. aeruginosa were concerned. Quality control parameters are also summarized. S. epidermidis resulted as a new emergent pathogen especially in immunocompromised patients and its level of sensitivity has been modified over the last few years. In fact, the percentage of resistant strains to antibiotics or the percentage of methicillin-resistant isolates (in our study 35%), has gradually increased. Levofloxacin and ofloxacin showed good activity against staphylococcal strains compared with the majority of other antibiotics. These results suggest that the newer quinolones are promising antimicrobial agents for various infections.
The role of cohabitant unusual bacterial species in infection of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIED).

BACKGROUND Asymptomatic bacterial colonisation of medical implants is increasingly recognised. The role of the often unusual bacteria is usually unknown however. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS During a three-year period, patients presenting with clinically evident CIED lead endocarditis and/or pocket infections were included in a prospective database. Using 16s DNA analysis and sequencing, devices and pockets of consecutive patients with evident CIED infection were examined for the presence of bacterial species in addition to the ones grown in conventional culture in order to characterise their clinical role. RESULTS During the study 77 of a total of 409 consecutive operations involving the explantation of a CIED were performed for clinically evident infection. 71 were included in the study and conventional extended culture and 16s DNA analysis performed and compared. In 42.3% of the patients bacteria were identified by DNA analysis in addition to the culture of the supposedly causative organisms. CONCLUSION DNA analysis is more sensitive than conventional culture of swabs in detecting any, or indeed multiple bacterial strains in CIED infection. This may in future influence treatment strategies as e.g. the cohabitation of different strains seems common and is not reflected by classical culture results. Spread of infection along the leads was clearly demonstrated and this strongly supports the recommendation of complete removal of all CIED components in every form of CIED infection. The more unusual bacteria demonstrated here do not appear to play a significant clinical role as suspected earlier.
Reliability and Usefulness of Linear Sprint Testing in Adolescent Rugby Union and League Players

Abstract Darrall-Jones, JD, Jones, B, Roe, G, and Till, K. Reliability and usefulness of linear sprint testing in adolescent rugby union and league players. J Strength Cond Res 30(5): 1359–1364, 2016—The purpose of this study was to evaluate (a) whether there were differences in sprint times at 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 m between rugby union and rugby league players, (b) determine the reliability and usefulness of linear sprint testing in adolescent rugby players. Data were collected on 28 rugby union and league academy players over 2 testing sessions, with 3-day rest between sessions. Rugby league players were faster at 5 m than rugby union players, with further difference unclear. Sprint time at 10, 20, 30, and 40 m was all reliable (coefficient of variation [CV] = 3.1, 1.8, 2.0, and 1.3%) but greater than the smallest worthwhile change (SWC [0.2 × between-subject SD]), rating the test as marginal for usefulness. Although the test was incapable of detecting the SWC, we recommend that practitioners and researchers use Hopkins' proposed method; whereby plotting the change score of the individual at each split (±typical error [TE] expressed as a CV) against the SWC and visually inspecting whether the TE crosses into the SWC are capable of identifying whether a change is both real (greater than the noise of the test, i.e., >TE) and of practical significance (>SWC). Researchers and practitioners can use the TE and SWC from this study to assess changes in performance of adolescent rugby players when using single beam timing gates.
Bridging the science-to-service gap in schizophrenia care in the Netherlands: the Schizophrenia Quality Improvement Collaborative.

OBJECTIVE Many patients with schizophrenia are not treated in line with evidence-based guidelines. This study examines the large-scale implementation of the National Multidisciplinary Guideline for schizophrenia in the Netherlands. DESIGN /st> Observational, prospective study, with repeated measurement. SETTING Thirty mental healthcare teams in different regions of the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS Three hundred and fifty-nine clinicians with different professional backgrounds and 1489 patients suffering from schizophrenia. INTERVENTION(S) Six evidence-based interventions for schizophrenia were implemented, in the context of a quality improvement collaborative: assertive community treatment (ACT) or its adapted version functional assertive community treatment (FACT), cognitive behavioural therapy, psycho-education, family interventions, individual placement support and pharmacotherapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Professional performance, social functioning and relapse rates. RESULTS Improved professional performance, in line with guidelines. Availability of (F)ACT improved from 23 to 60%. Individual Placement Support improved from 20 to 53%. Complete care plans were composed for 38% of the patients and routine outcome monitoring was introduced in most teams. Social functioning improved slightly (HoNOS mean: from 6.2 to 5.6). Relapse rates did not improve during the course of the study. CONCLUSIONS An intensive implementation programme can result in an improved delivery of evidence-based care, increased continuity of care and slightly improved outcomes for individuals with schizophrenia. More rigorous research designs have to confirm these findings.
Characterization of an Escherichia coli rotA mutant, affected in periplasmic peptidyl‐prolyl cis/trans isomerase

The rotA gene of Escherichia coli encodes a peptidyl‐prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPlase), which is supposed to catalyse protein folding in the periplasm. To investigate the importance of the enzyme, the rotA gene was cloned and a chromosomal deletion mutant was created. The rotA mutant was normally viable. No residual PPlase activity could be detected in the periplasmic fraction of the mutant. Comparison of the patterns of periplasmic and outer membrane proteins by SDS‐PAGE revealed no differences in protein composition between the rotA mutant and its parental strain. Similarly, the kinetics of periplasmic protein folding and outer membrane protein assembly appeared unaffected by the rotA mutation. Our results show that the periplasmic PPlase of E. coli is not essential and that the protein does not play an important role in protein folding.
Somatic Histones Are Components of the Perinuclear Theca in Bovine Spermatozoa*

The perinuclear theca is a non-ionic detergent-resistant, electron-dense layer surrounding the condensed nucleus of mammalian sperm. The known proteins originating from the perinuclear theca have implicated the structure in a variety of important cellular processes during spermiogenesis and fertilization. Nonetheless, the composition of the perinuclear theca remains largely unexplored. We have isolated a group of low molecular mass (14–19 kDa) perinuclear theca-derived proteins from acrosome-depleted bovine sperm heads by salt (1 m KCl) extraction and have identified them as core somatic histones. N-terminal sequencing and immunoblotting with anti-histone antibodies confirmed the presence of both intact and proteolytically cleaved somatic histones H3, H2B, H2A, and H4. Identical proteins were isolated using 2% SDS or 1 n HCl extractions. Subsequent acid and SDS extractions of intact bovine sperm revealed the presence of all four intact histone subtypes, with minimal proteolysis. Two-dimensional acid/urea/Triton-SDS-PAGE, coupled with immunoblotting analysis, confirmed the somatic nature of these perinuclear theca-derived histones. Estimates of the abundance of perinuclear theca-derived histones showed that up to 0.2 pg per sperm of each histone subtype was present. Immunogold labeling at the ultrastructural level localized all four core somatic histones to the post-acrosomal sheath region of bovine epididymal sperm, when probed with affinity-purified anti-histone antibodies. Little immunoreactivity was detected in residual perinuclear theca structures following the extractions. Taken together, these findings indicate the unprecedented and stable localization of non-nuclear somatic histones in bovine sperm perinuclear theca.
History of ITS services and technologies: role of communications for road safety

The beginnings of intelligent transport systems are motivated by mobility enhancement for citizens to meet socio-economic requirements. The integration of road safety is rapidly highlighted as a necessary aspect for the development and evolution of ITS. This paper presents the chronological evolution of several research themes from the first programs around the world. Through ITS historic evolution, a diversity of technologies and innovative solutions were developed. Among these advances, we consider guiding systems, Vehicle and Intelligent Highway (IVHS), traffic management, electronic payment, information on public transportation, traveler information systems, commercial vehicles etc., Communication technologies play a crucial role in many ITS solutions and particularly for road safety. They were considered for efficient incident management first and nowadays they represent an important base for connected and autonomous vehicles success. Among processing techniques for ITS services optimization, the role of metaheuristics is highlighted.
PENGARUH UKURAN PERUSAHAAN, STRUKTUR MODAL, PROFITABILITAS, DAN LIKUIDITAS TERHADAP KEBIJAKAN DIVIDEN DAN NILAI PERUSAHAAN

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui secara empiris pengaruh Ukuran Perusahaan, Struktur modal, profitabilitas dan likuiditas terhadap kebijakan dividend dan nilai perusahaan. penelitian ini adalah penelitian kuantitatif dengan menggunakan data sekunder dari annual report perusahaan perbankan yang te Rdaftar di BEI periode tahun 2010-2016 sebanyak 38 perusahaan. teknik pengabilan sampel adalah menggunakan purposive sampling. Sampel yang memenuhi kriteria dalam penelitian ini adalah sebanyak 17perusahaan. teknik analisis data yang digunakan adalah regresi linier beranda menggunakan SPSS 20. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukan bahwa secara parsial Nilai Perusahaan, Struktur modal, profitabilitas dan likuiditas tidak berpengaruh terhadap kebijakan dividen. Ukuran perusahaan dan profitabilitas berpengaruh terhadap nilai perusahaan dan struktur modal serta likuiditas tidak berpengaruh terhadap nilai perusahaan
Mirror symmetry breaking of the bioorganic world : biogenic and abiogenic approaches

While inorganic nature contains equal amounts of different chirality type molecules, living nature is chirally pure. This mirror asymmetry of the bioorganic world on the molecular level is one of the unsolved mysteries of biology. A number of approaches to the solution of this problem were developed. Biogenic approaches claim that the property of chiral purity was selected in the course of biological evolution due to competitive advantage acquired by chirally pure organisms relative to racemic ones. According to the abiogenic approaches chiral symmetry was broken during the prebiotic stage of evolution either due to the presence of asymmetric factors or spontaneously.
Android web application for insurance companies as innovative mobile marketing

An innovative way of calculating the salary for insurance companies’ employees, through their smart phones running the Android OS is presented in this paper. The smart phones’ specifications and features had achieved the highest level of quality, allowing performance of mobile computing, improving the strategies of mobile marketing. The application proposed in this work allows calculating salaries of insurance companies’ staff, proposing original, efficient way of documentation managing at insurance companies. The significance of insurance companies’ contribution in the financial sector is essential. Our approach improves the Quality of Experience (QoE), providing the users all necessary resources and performances, which refers to an user-friendly mobile application, using web services, QoE evaluated referring the quality of the graphical user interface, efficiency and time saving, enabling Cloud connected experience possibility. Keywords- Android Web application development; insurance companies; salary calculation; Mobile marketing; Quality of Experience (QoE)
Is More Always Better? Disclosures in the Expanded Audit Report and Their Impact on Loan Contracting

Starting in October 2013, auditors of premium-listed firms in the UK are mandated to prepare an expanded audit report that provides details on audit procedures, main risks of material misstatement (RMMs), and materiality thresholds. We hypothesize that the expanded audit disclosures decrease adverse selection problems by improving lenders’ ability to assess borrowers’ risk and, consequently, lead to less stringent loan contracting terms in the post-adoption period. Our results are consistent with this prediction and suggest that the introduction of the expanded audit report is associated with improved lending terms for adopting relative to nonadopting firms. Further analyses show that lenders perceive borrowers with fewer RMMs to be less risky, which translates into incrementally more favorable loan contracting terms. Additional tests indicate that uncertainty in the tone of the disclosures and a previous lending relationship with the lead lender reduces the impact of the RMM disclosures on lending terms. Taken together, our results indicate that the expanded audit report disclosures contain relevant information that shapes loan contracting.
Expression and Functional Role of Sox9 in Human Epidermal Keratinocytes

In this study, we investigated the expression and putative role of Sox9 in epidermal keratinocyte. Immunohistochemical staining showed that Sox9 is predominantly expressed in the basal layer of normal human skin epidermis, and highly expressed in several skin diseases including psoriasis, basal cell carcinoma, keratoacanthoma and squamous cell carcinoma. In calcium-induced keratinocyte differentiation model, the expression of Sox9 was decreased in a time dependent manner. When Sox9 was overexpressed using a recombinant adenovirus, cell growth was enhanced, while the expression of differentiation-related genes such as loricrin and involucrin was markedly decreased. Similarly, when rat skin was intradermally injected with the adenovirus expressing Sox9, the epidermis was thickened with increase of PCNA positive cells, while the epidermal differentiation was decreased. Finally, UVB irradiation induced Sox9 expression in cultured human epidermal keratinocytes, and keratinocytes are protected from UVB-induced apoptosis by Sox9 overexpression. Together, these results suggest that Sox9 is an important regulator of epidermal keratinocytes with putative pro-proliferation and/or pro-survival functions, and may be related to several cutaneous diseases that are characterized by abnormal differentiation and hyperproliferation.