Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rous Sarcoma Virus Gag Protein-Oligonucleotide Interaction Suggests a Critical Role for Protein Dimer Formation in Assembly

ABSTRACT The structural protein Gag is the only viral product required for retrovirus assembly. Purified Gag proteins or fragments of Gag are able in vitro to spontaneously form particles resembling immature virions, but this process requires nucleic acid, as well as the nucleocapsid domain of Gag. To examine the role of nucleic acid in the assembly in vitro, we used a purified, slightly truncated version of the Rous sarcoma virus Gag protein, ΔMBDΔPR, and DNA oligonucleotides composed of the simple repeating sequence GT. Apparent binding constants were determined for oligonucleotides of different lengths, and from these values the binding site size of the protein on the DNA was calculated. The ability of the oligonucleotides to promote assembly in vitro was assessed with a quantitative assay based on electron microscopy. We found that excess zinc or magnesium ion inhibited the formation of virus-like particles without interfering with protein-DNA binding, implying that interaction with nucleic acid is necessary but not sufficient for assembly in vitro. The binding site size of the ΔMBDΔPR protein, purified in the presence of EDTA to remove zinc ions at the two cysteine-histidine motifs, was estimated to be 11 nucleotides (nt). This value decreased to 8 nt when the protein was purified in the presence of low concentrations of zinc ions. The minimum length of DNA oligonucleotide that promoted efficient assembly in vitro was 22 nt for the zinc-free form of the protein and 16 nt for the zinc-bound form. To account for this striking 1:2 ratio between binding site size and oligonucleotide length requirement, we propose a model in which the role of nucleic acid in assembly is to promote formation of a species of Gag dimer, which itself is a critical intermediate in the polymerizaton of Gag to form the protein shell of the immature virion.
Determinants of interspecific variation in population declines of birds after exposure to radiation at Chernobyl

Summary 1 Radiation can reduce antioxidant levels dramatically because of the use of antioxidants to eliminate free radicals produced in the presence of radiation. Antioxidants are crucial biochemicals for elimination of free radicals, which can cause permanent damage to DNA and other molecules. If antioxidants are a limiting resource, we would expect individuals of species with a high expenditure of antioxidants to suffer the most from radiation. We tested this hypothesis by investigating interspecific variation in the relationship between abundance and level of radiation in breeding birds inhabiting forests around Chernobyl, Ukraine. We used bird point counts to estimate abundance of 57 species of birds at 254 locations where background radiation levels were quantified. 2 Migratory birds use large amounts of antioxidants during their annual migrations to neutralize free radicals, and migrants have depleted antioxidant levels upon arrival at their breeding grounds. Consistently, abundance decreased with increasing levels of radiation in species that migrated the longest distances. 3 Bird species with long dispersal distances may experience deficiencies in antioxidant levels because of physical activity but also because of exposure to novel antigens, implying that species with long dispersal distances should suffer the most from exposure to radiation. Indeed, the slope of the relationship between abundance and radiation decreased with increasing dispersal distance. 4 Female birds deposit large amounts of antioxidants in their eggs, with the total amount deposited often exceeding the total amount in a female's. Accordingly, the decrease in abundance with radiation level increased with relative egg size in different species. 5 Many bird species have plumage that is coloured by carotenoids, which cannot be recovered once deposited in feathers. Therefore, bird species with carotenoid-based plumage should show stronger declines with increasing levels of radiation than species with melanin-based or structural coloration. In accordance with this prediction, the decline in abundance with radiation was the strongest in species of birds with carotenoid-based plumage. 6 Synthesis and applications. These findings highlight the importance of antioxidants for understanding the ecological consequences of radiation on the abundance of free-living animals, showing that species using large amounts of antioxidants will be particularly susceptible to the effects of low-level radiation.
Comparative studies on susceptibilities of two different Japanese isolates of Oncomelania nosophora to three strains of Schistosoma japonicum originating from Japan, China, and the Philippines

Oncomelania nosophora (Gastropoda: Pomatiopsidae) is the intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum in Japan. Although most of the snails were eliminated during the 20th century, they are still found in two areas in Japan. One area is in the Kofu Basin, including Nirasaki City, in Yamanashi Prefecture. The other is the Obitsu River Basin in Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture. Snails collected in Nirasaki and Kisarazu were exposed to 3 geographical strains of S. japonicum originating from Japan, China, and the Philippines. Both isolates of O. nosophora showed high susceptibility to the Japanese strain of S. japonicum (74·0%–82·2% for the Nirasaki isolate and 58·0%–56·0% for the Kisarazu isolate) and low susceptibility to the Chinese strain (0·0%–1·3% and 1·4%–7·9% respectively). In contrast, the susceptibility of the snails to the Philippine strain was significantly different (P<0·01) between the isolates (3·3%–6·6% for the Nirasaki isolate and 31·9%–75·9% for the Kisarazu isolate). To examine the differences in infectivity in detail, we conducted histological observations of snails exposed to the Philippine strain at 3 h, 1, 3, and 15 days after miracidial exposure. We found differences in the development of the parasite between the isolates of snails from early after exposure.
Ultrasensitive plasma ctDNA KRAS assay for detection, prognosis, and assessment of therapeutic response in patients with unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Precision oncology requires sensitive and specific clinical biomarkers. Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) is widely used in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) but lacks sensitivity and specificity. Nearly all PDAs harbor somatic KRAS mutations, nominating circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) KRAS as an alternative disease biomarker, however, variable clinical performance has limited its clinical utility. We applied an ultrasensitive, PCR mutation enrichment, next generation sequencing ctDNA KRAS assay in a large cohort of patients with unresectable PDA (N = 189) recruited to the BIOPAC study between 2008–2015. Baseline and longitudinal serum CA19-9 and plasma ctDNA KRAS were correlated with time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS). Baseline ctDNA KRAS detection rate was 93.7% (86.4% in patients with non-elevated CA19-9). ctDNA KRAS and CA19-9 were positively correlated yet independently associated with TTP and OS (ctDNA KRAS p = 0.0018 and 0.0014; CA19-9 p = 0.0294 and 0.0007, respectively). A generated model quantitating longitudinal ctDNA KRAS correctly assessed greater than 80% of patient responses. Quantitative detection of KRAS ctDNA is an informative prognostic biomarker, complementary to CA19-9 in patients with unresectable PDA. Longitudinal ctDNA KRAS may inform therapeutic decision making and provides a kinetically dynamic and quantitative metric of patient response.
Global DNA Hypomethylation (LINE-1) in the Normal Colon and Lifestyle Characteristics and Dietary and Genetic Factors

Background: Global loss of methylated cytosines in DNA, thought to predispose to chromosomal instability and aneuploidy, has been associated with an increased risk of colorectal neoplasia. Little is known about the relationships between global hypomethylation and lifestyle, demographics, dietary measures, and genetic factors. Methods: Our data were collected as part of a randomized clinical trial testing the efficacy of aspirin and folic acid for the prevention of colorectal adenomas. At a surveillance colonoscopy ∼3 years after the qualifying exam, we obtained two biopsies of the normal-appearing mucosa from the right colon and two biopsies from the left colon. Specimens were assayed for global hypomethylation using a pyrosequencing assay for LINE-1 (long interspersed nucleotide elements) repeats. Results: The analysis included data from 388 subjects. There was relatively little variability in LINE methylation overall. Mean LINE-1 methylation levels in normal mucosa from the right bowel were significantly lower than those on the left side (P < 0.0001). No significant associations were found between LINE-1 methylation and folate treatment, age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol use, dietary intake, or circulating levels of B vitamins, homocysteine, or selected genotypes. Race, dietary folic acid, and plasma B6 showed associations with global methylation that differed between the right and the left bowel. The effect of folic acid on risk of adenomas did not differ according to extent of LINE-1 methylation, and we found no association between LINE-1 methylation and risk of adenomas. Conclusions: LINE-1 methylation is not influenced by folic acid supplementation but differs by colon subsite. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(4):1041–9)
Analysis and comparison of two active anti-islanding detection methods

Anti-islanding detection is essential for grid connected inverter to avoid substantial safety accident. Many Anti-islanding methods available nowadays are proposed based on ideal grid and load conditions. Then most of them have weaknesses as high sensitivity to grid distortion in grid-connection state. This will certainly limit their wide application in some aspects. Active Frequency Drift (AFD) and Reactive power variation method (RPV) are two promising active anti-islanding detection methods. In this paper, the performance of these two methods under various extreme conditions are considered and compared, including different grid distortion conditions, different loading conditions. Test results are given by means of figures and tables to show clearly the final conclusion.
Do diet and taxonomy influence insect gut bacterial communities?

Many insects contain diverse gut microbial communities. While several studies have focused on a single or small group of species, comparative studies of phylogenetically diverse hosts can illuminate general patterns of host–microbiota associations. In this study, we tested the hypotheses that (i) host diet and (ii) host taxonomy structure intestinal bacterial community composition among insects. We used published 16S rRNA gene sequence data for 58 insect species in addition to four beetle species sampled from the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge to test these hypotheses. Overall, gut bacterial species richness in these insects was low. Decaying wood xylophagous insects harboured the richest bacterial gut flora (102.8 species level operational taxonomic units (OTUs)/sample ± 71.7, 11.8 ± 5.9 phylogenetic diversity (PD)/sample), while bees and wasps harboured the least rich bacterial communities (11.0 species level OTUs/sample ± 5.4, 2.6 ± 0.8 PD/sample). We found evidence to support our hypotheses that host diet and taxonomy structure insect gut bacterial communities (P < 0.001 for both). However, while host taxonomy was important in hymenopteran and termite gut community structure, diet was an important community structuring factor particularly for insect hosts that ingest lignocellulose‐derived substances. Our analysis provides a baseline comparison of insect gut bacterial communities from which to test further hypotheses concerning proximate and ultimate causes of these associations.
Corruption and public debt: a cross-country analysis

ABSTRACT Using data from a large panel of countries over the period 1995–2015, this article empirically investigates the effect of corruption on public debt. Overall, the estimates reveal that corruption increases public debt. The effect, however, appears to be heterogeneous across income-related sample splits: it is stronger for advanced economies, but weaker and less statistically robust for less-developed countries, where external factors such as foreign aid may also affect public debt. The analysis suggests the inadequacy of conventional wisdom assuming that more detrimental fiscal effects of corruption arise in low-income countries.
Bis(2,2′-bipyridine){ethyl 4′-[N-(4-carbamoylphenyl)carbamoyl]-2,2′-bipyridine-4-carboxylate}ruthenium(II) bis[hexafluoridophosphate(V)]

In the title compound, [Ru(C10H8N2)2(C21H18N4O4)](PF6)2, the RuII complex cation reveals a slightly distorted octahedral coordination. The coordination bonds of the 4,4′-substituted bipyridyl donors [Ru—N = 2.038 (3) and 2.051 (3) Å] are shorter than those of the 2,2′-bipyridyl donors [Ru—N1 = 2.065 (3)–2.077 (3) Å], due to the electron-withdrawing effects of the substituents at the 4,4′-positions. The angles between the pyridyl planes of the three bipyridyl ligands are 1.5 (2), 6.3 (3) and 8.7 (2)°, respectively. The cations are connected by anions via N—H⋯F interactions.
Association of common genetic variants with human skin color variation in Indian populations

Human skin color is one of the most conspicuously variable physical traits that has attracted the attention of physical anthropologists, social scientists and human geneticists. Although several studies have established the underlying genes and their variants affecting human skin color, they were mostly confined to Europeans and Africans and similar studies in Indian populations have been scanty. Studying the association between candidate genetic variants and skin color will help to validate previous findings and to better understand the molecular mechanism of skin color variation.
A randomized trial to evaluate effectiveness and cost effectiveness of naturopathic cranberry products as prophylaxis against urinary tract infection in women.

PURPOSE To determine, from a societal perspective, the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of concentrated cranberry tablets, versus cranberry juice, versus placebo used as prophylaxis against lower urinary tract infection (UTI) in adult women. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred fifty sexually active women aged 21 through 72 years were randomized for one year to one of three groups of prophylaxis: placebo juice + placebo tablets versus placebo juice + cranberry tablets, versus cranberry juice + placebo tablets. Tablets were taken twice daily, juice 250 ml three times daily. Outcome measures were: (1) a >50% decrease in symptomatic UTI's per year (symptoms + >or= 100 000 single organisms/ml) and (2) a >50% decrease in annual antibiotic consumption. Cost effectiveness was calculated as dollar cost per urinary tract infection prevented. Stochastic tree decision analytic modeling was used to identify specific clinical scenarios for cost savings. RESULTS Both cranberry juice and cranberry tablets statistically significantly decreased the number of patients experiencing at least 1 symptomatic UTI/year (to 20% and 18% respectively) compared with placebo (to 32%) (p<0.05). The mean annual cost of prophylaxis was $624 and $1400 for cranberry tablets and juice respectively. Cost savings were greatest when patients experienced >2 symptomatic UTI's per year (assuming 3 days antibiotic coverage) and had >2 days of missed work or required protective undergarments for urgency incontinence. Total antibiotic consumption was less annually in both treatment groups compared with placebo. Cost effectiveness ratios demonstrated cranberry tablets were twice as cost effective as organic juice for prevention. CONCLUSIONS Cranberry tablets provided the most cost-effective prevention for UTI.
Tooth and periodontal clinical attachment loss are associated with hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes.

BACKGROUND Periodontal disease has been associated with diabetes, but there is still controversy on the relationship between periodontal clinical parameters and glycemic control. The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between blood glucose levels and clinical parameters of periodontal disease in individuals with diabetes. METHODS A total of 65 individuals with diabetes and 81 individuals without diabetes were included in the study. A full-mouth periodontal examination and preprandial fasting glycemia values were recorded for each individual. Glycosylated hemoglobin was only measured in patients with diabetes. A comparative analysis between groups (Mann-Whitney U test) and a correlation analysis between glycemia and periodontal parameters were performed (Spearman test). RESULTS Patients without diabetes presented more teeth than individuals with diabetes (P <0.05). Patients with diabetes with periodontitis displayed loss of periodontal clinical attachment compared to patients without diabetes, but the highest value was observed in patients with periodontitis that reported a smoking habit. Furthermore, patients with diabetes with periodontitis presented higher glycemia and glycated hemoglobin values in contrast to patients with gingivitis. Patients with diabetes with hyperglycemia had a higher risk to develop periodontitis (odds ratio = 2.24; 95% confidence interval = 1.02 to 4.93). A positive correlation was observed between glycemia and clinical attachment loss (AL), whereas a negative correlation between glycemia and the number of teeth present was found (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Tooth and periodontal AL were increased by hyperglycemia in individuals with diabetes. This study contributes additional evidence that diabetes could aggravate periodontal disease and affect the systemic health of individuals.
Role of probiotics in modulating glucose homeostasis: evidence from animal and human studies

Abstract Aim: Evidences from several studies suggest that probiotics affect glucose homeostasis. This paper reviews the results of animal and human studies on the role of probiotics in modulating glucose homeostasis. Method: A systematic literature search using multiple databases was conducted without time limitation. Primary outcomes evaluated were parameters related to glucose homeostasis. Secondary outcomes were inflammatory markers, lipid profile, body weight, and energy intake. Results: A total of 17 animal studies and four human studies were identified. Among these, 16 animal studies and three human studies had documented significant improvements in at least one glucose homeostasis related parameter. Inflammatory markers and lipid profile were significantly improved in the animal model, while data from human studies were controversial. Changes in body weight and energy intake that could be due to probiotics supplementation were also inconclusive. Conclusion: Well-designed placebo-controlled clinical trials with validated outcome variables are needed to determine the effect of probiotics on glucose homeostasis.
Receptor subtypes involved in dual effects induced by prostaglandin E2 in circular smooth muscle from dog colon.

Smooth muscle strips and isolated muscle cells from the circular layer of dog colon, were used to study the effect of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and their analogs acting at EP receptors: Iloprost (IP/EP1), butaprost (EP2) and enprostil (EP3) and SC19220 (antagonist EP1) to characterize the EP-receptors involved in the control of muscle function. In strips treated with tetrodotoxin, only enprostil provoked a concentration-dependent contraction. The concentration of enprostil inducing a half maximal contraction (EC50) was 400 nM and the maximal effect was obtained at 1 microM. PGE2, butaprost and iloprost induced a dose-dependent relaxation, with an EC50 of 200, 80 and 200 nM, respectively. The maximal relaxation was obtained at 1 microM for all these agents. When the EP1 antagonist, SC19220 (10 microM), was added 20 min before PGE2 or their analogs, their respective concentration-response curves were not affected. In isolated cells, PGE2 and enprostil induced a cell contraction in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas iloprost and butaprost had no effect by themselves. The maximal contraction was 241.1 +/- 1.7% at 10 nM PGE2 and 22.5 +/- 1.6% at 10 nM enprostil. EC50 of PGE2 and enprostil was 40 pM. SC 19220, at concentrations ranging from 1 pM to 0.1 microM, failed to inhibit the contraction induced by either PGE2 or enprostil. When cells were preincubated for 1 min with butaprost or iloprost at concentrations ranging from 1 pM to 1 microM, the contraction induced by CCK8 (10nM) was inhibited in a concentration-dependent matter. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Travail dominical, usages du temps et vie sociale et familiale : une analyse à partir de l'enquête Emploi du temps

[fre] Les debats relatifs au travail dominical opposent, d’un cote, les tenants de la liberte de travailler sans contrainte, qui mettent en avant les gains de competitivite de l’economie et les gisements d’emploi que recelerait l’ouverture des commerces le dimanche, et, de l’autre, a la fois les defenseurs, de moins en moins nombreux, d’un temps consacre a la sanctification et ceux qui pronent le maintien d’un temps commun consacre a la vie en societe et a la famille. Les premiers invoquent l’evolution de la societe, des modes de consommations, la competition economique dans un monde globalise tandis que les seconds font appel aux travaux socio-historiques, a la dimension socio‑anthropologique du dimanche et a la necessite d’en preserver la specificite. D’un cote comme de l’autre, peu de reference est faite aux conditions de vie et de travail des salaries amenes a travailler le dimanche. L’etude realisee ici a partir de l’enquete Emploi du temps, bien que n’etant pas une etude d’impact du travail le dimanche a proprement parler, permet de comparer les usages du temps de ceux qui travaillent le dimanche et de ceux qui ne travaillent pas ce jour‑la. Selon les estimations econometriques, travailler le dimanche va de pair avec une perte de sociabilite familiale et amicale et une diminution du temps de loisir allant au‑dela de celles observees un jour de semaine et qui ne sont pas, en general, entierement contrebalancees par le jour de repos compensateur. De plus, les salaries concernes par le travail le dimanche, c’est‑a‑dire par une forme de travail atypique, sont egalement ceux qui sont le plus concernes par des horaires de travail atypiques les jours de la semaine.
Reforms to apprenticeship funding in England

From April 2017, the government is introducing an ‘apprenticeship levy’, which is a 0.5% tax on employers’ paybill above £3 million per year. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) estimates that the levy will raise £2.6 billion in 2017–18, rising to £2.8 billion in 2019–20. Most of the increase in revenue will not be used to fund apprenticeships. In England, apprenticeship funding is set to increase by £640 million in cash terms between 2016–17 and 2019–20.