Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genome rearrangements caused by interstitial telomeric sequences in yeast

Significance Telomeres are composed of simple repetitive DNA sequences that normally are located at the ends of the chromosomes. Occasionally, however, they also are found inside chromosomes. Some of these internal or interstitial telomeric sequences colocalize with chromosomal fragile sites, preferred sites of breakage in some cancers and hereditary human diseases. The mechanisms responsible for genome instability at interstitial telomeric sequences are unclear. We developed a system to study genetic instabilities caused by these sequences in a model organism (baker’s yeast) that allowed us to characterize various chromosomal rearrangements and to measure the likelihood of their formation. We found that interstitial telomeric sequences promote the formation of deletions, duplications, inversions, and translocations, and we proposed molecular mechanisms responsible for these events. Interstitial telomeric sequences (ITSs) are present in many eukaryotic genomes and are linked to genome instabilities and disease in humans. The mechanisms responsible for ITS-mediated genome instability are not understood in molecular detail. Here, we use a model Saccharomyces cerevisiae system to characterize genome instability mediated by yeast telomeric (Ytel) repeats embedded within an intron of a reporter gene inside a yeast chromosome. We observed a very high rate of small insertions and deletions within the repeats. We also found frequent gross chromosome rearrangements, including deletions, duplications, inversions, translocations, and formation of acentric minichromosomes. The inversions are a unique class of chromosome rearrangement involving an interaction between the ITS and the true telomere of the chromosome. Because we previously found that Ytel repeats cause strong replication fork stalling, we suggest that formation of double-stranded DNA breaks within the Ytel sequences might be responsible for these gross chromosome rearrangements.
Sexual Satisfaction and Desire Discrepancy in Same Sex Women's Relationships

We explored desire discrepancy and sexual satisfaction among a sample of 1072 women in same-sex relationships. Results indicated that those who reported problematic desire discrepancy in the relationship had lower frequency of sexual contact and were less satisfied in their sexual relationships than both women who reported nonproblematic desire discrepancy and women with equal experiences of desire. In addition, problematic desire discrepancy was predictive of sexual dissatisfaction above and beyond other relationship factors. The findings suggest that caution should be taken when working with women in same sex relationships to avoid assumptions that discrepancy in desire is necessarily indicative of lower sexual satisfaction.
Health Implications of Global Electrification

We live in a rapidly changing world. The technological revolutions of the past were implemented over decades. The industrial revolution took place over more than a half century, and geographically it occurred over a limited region. In this century, we have seen revolutions in transportation and in the use of electricity. These are lasting decades and more; they have occurred preferentially in limited regions, although the timing has differed from region to region. The communications revolution is taking place as we speak, and it is occurring at an increasingly rapid pace. By its very nature, it is leaving very few corners of the earth unscathed; moreover, it is responsible for the acceleration of the earlier technical revolutions both spatially and temporally, including the increasingly rapid electrification of the world. The result has seen the developing world playing “catch-up” with the more developed world. The strong desire for technological and economic progress has led to the very quick introduction of new technologies, sometimes in the absence of safeguards to protect consumers and workers from injury and often in the presence of consumer/worker ignorance about the dangers of these new technologies. Hence, we see considerable numbers of electrical injuries in the rapidly developing world, but we also see injuries occurring in the developed world. More and more people are exposed to high voltage sources as uses of electricity increase and, as heretofore inexperienced people confront more and more potential exposures, accidents unfortunately occur. This paper attempts to articulate the significance of injuries and to explore how the incidence of these injuries is likely to change over time. The role of prevention is also discussed.
Retention and protocol adherence of Hispanic volunteers in a longitudinal trial.

OBJECTIVES To compare Hispanic research volunteers with high and low levels of study retention and adherence. METHODS Correlational analysis of demographics, recruitment strategies, knowledge, and attitudes of 470 households in a clinical trial. RESULTS Within 12 months, 53 (11.3%) households dropped out; those less certain about some factual information were more likely to drop out (P < 0.05). Participants born outside the United States were more likely to adhere to protocols (P = 0.03). Flyers were effective for recruiting only 3% of participants. CONCLUSIONS In newly immigrated populations, written recruitment materials may be ineffective; knowledge and attitudes may be important for study retention and adherence.
Age-related loss of activity of auditory-nerve fibers.

1. Characteristic frequencies (CF), spontaneous rates (SR), and thresholds were recorded from single fibers in the auditory nerves of gerbils aged for 36 mo in a quiet vivarium. The data from the quiet-aged animals were compared with similar data obtained previously from young controls. Fibers were classified as "low-SR" if their spontaneous rates were < or = 18 spikes/s and "high SR" for higher rates. 2. For CFs > 6 kHz, the percentage of low-SR fibers contacted declined from 57% of the population in young gerbils to 29% in the aged gerbils. This population change is statistically significant (P < 0.01). At CFs < 6 kHz, the population demographics did not change significantly with age, with the low-SR fibers comprising 30 and 39% of the population, respectively, for the young and aged animals. 3. To further test the hypothesis that low-SR fibers with CFs > 6 kHz become less active with age, additional experiments were conducted to examine the recovery of the compound action potential (CAP) response from prior high-level stimuli. Previous work has shown that the CAP recovery curve has two segments: a fast segment associated with the high-SR fibers and a slow segment associated with the low-SR fibers. The curves obtained from quiet aged gerbils show a faster recovery than young controls for probe tones at 8 and 16 kHz, but not at 2 and 4 kHz. Thus these results agree with our single-fiber data indicating that there is a loss of low-SR activity for CFs > 6 kHz in the aged animals. 4. Low-SR fibers typically have larger dynamic ranges than those of high-SR fibers, are better able to preserve information concerning stimulus timing and amplitude modulation, and their responses are more robust in the presence of masking noise. Moreover, low-SR fibers are likely inputs to the crossed-olivocochlear reflex, a reflex that serves an antimasking role in the detection of sounds in a binaural noise field. If true for humans, the loss of the low-SR system could explain many of the hearing deficits often seen in older individuals; e.g., decreased ability to understand speech in noise, changes in masking level differences, and decreased ability to localize sound sources using binaural cues.
Service Design Leadership

The service sector is now the dominant part of many western economies – and seems to be growing in importance. To differentiate their offerings, service providers need to be innovative to meet conscious and unconscious user needs. The innovation process to improve and redesign the way organizations deliver services demands collaboration from multiple sources, of which two are competence in design and in strategic leadership. The variety of services offered in the market raises cross-functional internal and external service leadership issues. How businesses understand and organize design activities can have a profound impact on the innovation process and outcome. Organizational leaders are often not designers. However, they are part of the design and innovation process in creating the vision and by making design-related decisions to obtain the envisioned future. The emergence of the service economy calls for rethinking within leadership. Thus, the term service design leadership is introduced in this paper to reflect a new attitude towards leadership in the service economy in response to the characteristics of services.
Embolization as Treatment of Choice for Bleeding Peptic Ulcers in High-Risk Patients

Background/Aim: Peptic ulcers are the most common cause of acute upper gastrointestinal bleedings in the digestive tract. Most patients are poor surgical candidates. The aim was to describe the efficacy of embolization as the treatment of choice for bleeding peptic ulcers in high-risk patients when endoscopic treatment failed. Methods: All patients who underwent a selective embolization of branches of the superior mesenteric artery and/or branches of the gastroduodenal artery for a bleeding peptic ulcer in the period January 2004 until December 2007 were included in this retrospective descriptive study. We examined the known risk factors for surgery and mortality in upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to peptic ulcers and describe the clinical course and outcome. Primary endpoints were the primary technical success and the clinical success rates. The secondary endpoint was the 30-day mortality. Results: 16 patients were included. All patients had at least two risk factors for surgery and mortality. The clinical success rate was 81% (13/16). The first embolization failed in 3 patients, 1 was successful re-embolized and 2 were operated upon without re-embolization. The primary technical success rate, i.e. bleedings controlled by radiologic intervention, was 88% (14/16). 6 patients died due to non-embolization-related problems; 5 of them developed upper gastrointestinal bleeding during a stay in the hospital. Conclusion: Embolization was a successful, minimal invasive alternative for surgical intervention in high-risk patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding after failure of endoscopic treatment.
Prognostic significance of the S‐phase fraction of light‐chain‐restricted cytoplasmic immunoglobulin (cIg) positive plasma cells in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma enrolled on eastern cooperative oncology group treatment trial E9486

The bone marrow plasma cell labeling index (PCLI) as measured by bromodeoxyuridine uptake is a well‐established independent prognostic factor for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, but the test is not easily done in most laboratories. The purpose of this study was to determine if the proliferative activity (% S‐phase) as determined by two‐color flow cytometry for cytoplasmic immunoglobulin (cIg) light chain and DNA content also had prognostic significance. As part of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group clinical trial E9486, 500 patients had successful performance of the bone marrow PCLI. Of 349 patients who had flow cIg and DNA content cytometry, 210 had adequate data to reliably calculate S‐phase %. Patients with low % S‐phase fraction (<2%) had a significant overall survival advantage over patients high % S‐phase fraction (≥2%), median survivals 4.1 vs. 2.9 years (P = 0.032). Measurement of the S‐phase % by flow cytometry gives significant prognostic information in patients with newly diagnosed myeloma. However, in multivariate analysis, S‐phase % did not add prognostic information when PCLI was in the model. S‐phase % added prognostic information only when all cases with flow measurement of S‐phase % were included, and when PCLI was excluded from the model. Discriminating a population of only cIg positive cells proved difficult in patients with a low percentage of bone marrow plasma cells. Methodology to measure S‐phase % in patients with a low percent plasma cells is needed before this technique can be used for diagnosis and prognosis in myeloma. Am. J. Hematol. 61:232–237, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anatomy of the Lateral Ankle Ligaments

The anatomy of the lateral ankle ligaments that is fre quently described in articles and book chapters often lacks the precision of orientation and attachment points. We believe a knowledge of this precise anatomy is im portant to better reconstruct or repair lateral ligaments. We dissected cadaveric ankles free of skin and soft tis sue and made the following measurements: areas of attachments of the anterior talofibular ligament, length and width of the anterior talofibular ligament, and loca tions of the attachments on the fibula and talus. The same measurements were made of the calcaneofibular and posterior talofibular ligaments. The distance of the calcaneofibular calcaneal attachments from the subta lar joint as well as the angle in the sagittal plane with the fibula was determined. We then used these anatomic attachments of the ligaments to make comparisons with the Watson-Jones and modified Elmslie reconstruc tions. Our results enable us to suggest a more anatomic placement for ligaments in a reconstruction.
Relationship Between Soil Type and N2O Reductase Genotype (nosZ) of Indigenous Soybean Bradyrhizobia: nosZ-minus Populations are Dominant in Andosols

Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains that have the nosZ gene, which encodes N2O reductase, are able to mitigate N2O emissions from soils (15). To examine the distribution of nosZ genotypes among Japanese indigenous soybean bradyrhizobia, we isolated bradyrhizobia from the root nodules of soybean plants inoculated with 32 different soils and analyzed their nosZ and nodC genotypes. The 1556 resultant isolates were classified into the nosZ+/nodC+ genotype (855 isolates) and nosZ−/nodC+ genotype (701 isolates). The 11 soil samples in which nosZ− isolates significantly dominated (P < 0.05; the χ2 test) were all Andosols (a volcanic ash soil prevalent in agricultural fields in Japan), whereas the 17 soil samples in which nosZ+ isolates significantly dominated were mainly alluvial soils (non-volcanic ash soils). This result was supported by a principal component analysis of environmental factors: the dominance of the nosZ− genotype was positively correlated with total N, total C, and the phosphate absorption coefficient in the soils, which are soil properties typical of Andosols. Internal transcribed spacer sequencing of representative isolates showed that the nosZ+ and nosZ− isolates of B. japonicum fell mainly into the USDA110 (BJ1) and USDA6 (BJ2) groups, respectively. These results demonstrated that the group lacking nosZ was dominant in Andosols, which can be a target soil type for an N2O mitigation strategy in soybean fields. We herein discussed how the nosZ genotypes of soybean bradyrhizobia depended on soil types in terms of N2O respiration selection and genomic determinants for soil adaptation.
Listeria monocytogenes Desensitizes Immune Cells to Subsequent Ca2+ Signaling via Listeriolysin O-Induced Depletion of Intracellular Ca2+ Stores

ABSTRACT Listeriolysin O (LLO), the pore-forming toxin of Listeria monocytogenes, is a prototype of the cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs) secreted by several pathogenic and nonpathogenic gram-positive bacteria. In addition to mediating the escape of the bacterium into the cytosol, this toxin is generally believed to be a central player in host-pathogen interactions during L. monocytogenes infection. LLO triggers the influx of Ca2+ into host cells as well as the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. Thus, many of the cellular responses induced by LLO are related to calcium signaling. Interestingly, in this study, we report that prolonged exposure to LLO desensitizes cells to Ca2+ mobilization upon subsequent stimulations with LLO. Cells preexposed to LLO-positive L. monocytogenes but not to the LLO-deficient Δhly mutant were found to be highly refractory to Ca2+ induction in response to receptor-mediated stimulation. Such cells also exhibited diminished Ca2+ signals in response to stimulation with LLO and thapsigargin. The presented results suggest that this phenomenon is due to the depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores. The ability of LLO to desensitize immune cells provides a significant hint about the possible role played by CDCs in the evasion of the immune system by bacterial pathogens.
Fatty acid composition of serum lipids in patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND Serum fatty acid content mainly reflects dietary fat intake. It is not known whether alterations of serum fatty acid compositions predict type 2 diabetes risk. METHODS We evaluated fatty acid contents in serum of the 76 normal and 98 diabetic adults taking part in a cross sectional study, using a gas chromatography method. RESULTS The contents of total saturated (SFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) of the diabetic subjects were significantly higher when compared to the controls (p = 0.006, p = 0.02 respectively). Serum linoleic and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs) contents of subjects with diabetes were significantly lower than the control group (p = 0.02). There was a negative correlation (p = 0.001, r = -0.429) between serum PUFAs contents and cholesterol/HDL-C ratio in the control group, whereas this correlation in people with diabetes was not significant (p = 0.12). The correlation between serum TG (triglyceride) and SFAs contents of the diabetic patients was significantly positive (p = 0.01, r = 0.252). A significant negative correlation (p = 0.001, r = -0.421) was found between PUFA contents and serum TG levels of people with diabetes; however, the same correlation for the control group was not significant (p = 0.56). CONCLUSIONS Diabetes incidence was significantly and positively associated with the proportions of serum palmitic, total saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid contents. Our findings with the use of this biomarker suggest that the dietary fat profile, particularly that of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, may contribute to the etiology of diabetes. It seems that patients with type 2 diabetes can have good control on lipid parameters with a higher intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids than saturated fatty acids.
A survey on the knowledge, beliefs and behaviour of a general adult population in Malaysia with respect to the adverse effects of medicines

Objective The aim of the study was to explore, in the Malaysian general population: knowledge and beliefs of the characteristics in general of medication‐related side effects and side effects associated with different types of medicines; behaviour related to the safe use of drugs before and after taking a medication; and behaviour in the event of a medication‐related side effect.
Emotional symptoms in acute ischemic stroke

Anxiety and depressive symptoms encountered in acute stroke influence the patients' neurological outcome and the psychosocial burden of family members. These emotional changes may be caused by the patients' brain damage per se or by psychological reactions. The aims of the present study were to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms in the acute stage of ischemic stroke, and to identify the factors associated with such problems.
Designing, packaging, and testing a 300-MHz, 115 W ECL microprocessor

A custom microprocessor implemented with 1-/spl mu/m bipolar technology operates at 300 MHz and dissipates 115 W. By using full-custom ECL technology, we achieved clock rates three to six times faster than 1-/spl mu/m CMOS processors. We designed this research prototype to develop VLSI ECL circuit techniques, a new style of CAD tools, high-performance chip interfaces, and advanced packaging techniques for high-power microprocessors. <<ETX>>
c‐Rel is essential for B lymphocyte survival and cell cycle progression

c‐Rel is a lymphoid‐specific member of the NF‐κB / Rel family of transcriptional factors. To investigate the role of c‐Rel in B lymphocyte function, we generated a c‐Rel(− / −) mouse via a gene targeting approach. Although early lymphocyte development is normal in c‐Rel(− / −) mice, there are significantly fewer B cells displaying a memory (IgM / IgD−) phenotype. Upon immunization, c‐Rel(− / −) mice generate fewer B cells with a germinal center (PNAhi) phenotype. In vitro, c‐Rel(− / −) B cells proliferate poorly upon ligation of their surface IgM or CD40 receptors or when stimulated with either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or T cell help. Early molecular events that precede proliferation, such as increases in RNA synthesis as well as IL‐2 receptor α chain expression, are greatly diminished in c‐Rel(− / −) B cells. Furthermore, c‐Rel(− / −) B cells are impaired in the ability to receive survival signals generated by anti‐IgM or LPS. In contrast, CD40‐mediated cell survival is normal in c‐Rel(− / −) B cells, suggesting the involvement of a survival‐signaling pathway that is independent of c‐Rel. When c‐Rel (− / −) B cells are co‐stimulated with either anti‐IgM and CD40 or LPS and CD40, they are rendered capable of progressing through the cell cycle. Finally, co‐culture experiments suggest that the defects observed in c‐Rel(− / −) B cells are intrinsic to the cell and can not be rescued through either cell‐cell contact or addition of soluble factors. Thus, c‐Rel is requisite for differentiation to the germinal center and memory B cells in vivo and is required for the transduction of survival and cell cycle progression signals mediated by anti‐IgM and LPS in vitro. Furthermore, while c‐Rel is involved in CD40‐induced proliferation, it is apparently dispensable for the survival signals transduced by CD40.
Strong stabilisation of a wind turbine tower model in the plane of the turbine blades

We investigate the strong stabilisation of a wind turbine tower model in the plane of the turbine blades, which comprises a nonuniform NASA Spacecraft Control Laboratory Experiment (SCOLE) system and a two-mass drive-train model (with gearbox). The control input is the torque created by the electrical generator. Using a strong stabilisation theorem for a class of impedance passive linear systems with bounded control and observation operators, we show that the wind turbine tower model can be strongly stabilised. The control is by static output feedback from the angular velocities of the nacelle and the generator rotor.
The Erdős–Pósa Property for Long Circuits

For an integer ℓ at least 3, we prove that if G is a graph containing no two vertex‐disjoint circuits of length at least ℓ, then there is a set X of at most 53ℓ+292 vertices that intersects all circuits of length at least ℓ. Our result improves the bound 2ℓ+3 due to Birmelé, Bondy, and Reed (The Erdős–Pósa property for long circuits, Combinatorica 27 (2007), 135–145) who conjecture that ℓ vertices always suffice.
Asset Ownership, Program Participation, and Asset and Program Income: Improving Reporting in the Survey of Income and Program Participation

more limited in scope than that given to official Census Bureau publications. This report is released to inform interested parties of ongoing research and to encourage discussion of work in progress. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the U. S. Census Bureau. Asset Ownership, Program Participation, and Asset and Program Income: Improving Reporting in the Survey of Income and Program Participation