Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic modifiers of lung disease in cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND Polymorphisms in genes other than the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene may modify the severity of pulmonary disease in patients with cystic fibrosis. METHODS We performed two studies with different patient samples. We first tested 808 patients who were homozygous for the DeltaF508 mutation and were classified as having either severe or mild lung disease, as defined by the lowest or highest quartile of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), respectively, for age. We genotyped 16 polymorphisms in 10 genes reported by others as modifiers of disease severity in cystic fibrosis and tested for an association in patients with severe disease (263 patients) or mild disease (545). In the replication (second) study, we tested 498 patients, with various CFTR genotypes and a range of FEV1 values, for an association of the TGFbeta1 codon 10 CC genotype with low FEV1. RESULTS In the initial study, significant allelic and genotypic associations with phenotype were seen only for TGFbeta1 (the gene encoding transforming growth factor beta1), particularly the -509 and codon 10 polymorphisms (with P values obtained with the use of Fisher's exact test and logistic regression ranging from 0.006 to 0.0002). The odds ratio was about 2.2 for the highest-risk TGFbeta1 genotype (codon 10 CC) in association with the phenotype for severe lung disease. The replication study confirmed the association of the TGFbeta1 codon 10 CC genotype with more severe lung disease in comparisons with the use of dichotomized FEV1 for severity status (P=0.0002) and FEV1 values directly (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS Genetic variation in the 5' end of TGFbeta1 or a nearby upstream region modifies disease severity in cystic fibrosis.
Biochemical Characterization of Rab3-GTPase-activating Protein Reveals a Mechanism Similar to That of Ras-GAP*

Small G proteins of the Rab family are regulators of intracellular vesicle traffic. Their intrinsic rate of GTP hydrolysis is very low but is enhanced by specific GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) that switch G proteins to their inactive form. We have characterized the activity of recombinant Rab3-GAP on Rab3A in solution. The K m and K d values (75 μm) indicate a low affinity of Rab3-GAP for its substrate. The affinity is higher for the transition state analog Rab3A:GDP:AlFx (15 μm). Thek cat (1 s− 1) is within the range of values reported for other GAPs. A mutation in the switch I region of Rab3A disrupted the interaction with Rab3-GAP. Furthermore, Rabphilin, a putative target of Rab3, inhibited the activity of Rab3-GAP on Rab3. Therefore, the Rab3-GAP-binding site involves the switch I region of Rab3 and overlaps with the Rabphilin-binding domain. Substitution of a single arginine residue (Arg-728) of Rab3-GAP disrupted its catalytic activity but not its interaction with Rab3A. We propose that Rab3-GAP, like Ras- and Rho-GAPs, stabilizes the transition state of Rab3 and provides a critical arginine residue to accelerate the GTPase reaction.
Identification of the Novel TRAPP Associated Protein Tca17

Vesicle tethers are long coiled–coil proteins or multisubunit complexes that provide specificity to the membrane fusion process by linking cargo‐containing vesicles to target membranes. Transport protein particle (TRAPP) is a well‐characterized multisubunit tethering complex that acts as a GTP exchange factor and is present in two cellular forms: a 7 subunit TRAPP I complex required for ER‐to‐Golgi transport, and a 10 subunit TRAPP II complex that mediates post‐Golgi trafficking. In this work, we have identified Tca17, which is encoded by the non‐essential ORF YEL048c, as a novel binding partner of the TRAPP complex. Loss of Tca17 or any of the non‐essential TRAPP subunits (Trs33, Trs65 and Trs85) leads to defects in the Golgi‐endosomal recycling of Snc1. We show that Tca17, a Sedlin_N family member similar to the TRAPP subunit Trs20, interacts with the TRAPP complex in a Trs33‐ and Trs65‐dependent manner. Mutation of TCA17 or TRS33 perturbs the association of Trs65 with the rest of the TRAPP complex and alters the localization of the Rab GTPase Ypt31. These data support a model in which Tca17 acts with Trs33 and Trs65 to promote the assembly and/or stability of the TRAPP complex and regulate its activity in post‐Golgi trafficking events.
Suicide Attempts by Poisoning in Hanoi, Vietnam: Methods Used, Mental Problems, and History of Mental Health Care

The objective of this paper was to investigate methods of poisoning, presence of mental problems, and the rate of psychiatric care among suicide attempters in Vietnam. Three hundred and nine suicide attempters by poisoning admitted to Bach Mai Hospital's Poison Control Center were investigated by trained nurses and qualified psychiatrists. Standardized questionnaires were used to assess methods of suicide, presence of mental problems, and psychiatric care. The most common methods were poisoning by psychotropic drugs in urban, and pesticides in rural areas. ICD-10 confirmed disorders were present in 68% of the cases and 73% rated positive on SRQ-20. Most patients were not in contact with psychiatric care. Restrictions on availability and handling of drugs and pesticides should be reinforced. Better infrastructures are needed for identification and treatment of persons with mental disorders.
Alterations in cytoplasmic calcium sensitivity during porcine coronary artery contractions as detected by aequorin.

1. Intracellular‐Ca2+‐force relationships were investigated in porcine epicardial coronary arteries by the simultaneous measurement of aequorin luminescence and isometric force. 2. In response to K+ depolarization and histamine, force and aequorin light rose monophasically. In response to carbachol and serotonin, tonic contractions were accompanied by biphasic aequorin signals consisting of an initial spike followed by a low plateau. Contractions produced by prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) or the endoperoxide analogue U‐46619 were accompanied by little or no detectable rise in light. 3. Comparison of steady‐state force to steady‐state light levels indicated that agonists gave greater force for a given intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) compared to that seen during K+ contractures. 4. In Ca2+‐free bathing media, carbachol produced a transient contraction accompanied by a transient intracellular Ca2+ spike indicating release of Ca2+ from intracellular storage sites. 5. In Ca2+‐free bathing media PGF2 alpha produced a tonic contraction with no detectable change in light. 6. These results suggest that changes in the sensitivity of the contractile apparatus to Ca2+ or other activator systems may be as important a mechanism of contraction as are changes in [Ca2+]i.
THE GENETICS OF DACUS OLEAE. V. CHANGES OF ESTERASE POLYMORPHISM IN A NATURAL POPULATION FOLLOWING INSECTICIDE CONTROL—SELECTION OR DRIFT?

Two polymorphic genes controlling the synthesis of the main adult esterases in the olive fruit fly Dacus oleae (Gmel.) have been described. Gene A is responsible for the synthesis of an acetylcholinesterase and gene B for the synthesis of a pseudocholinesterase or lipase. Both genes are autosomal and unlinked (Zouros, Tsakas and Krimbas, 1968). Three faintly stained monomorphic esterase bands in adults are revealed by starch gel electrophoresis (Tsakas and Krimbas, unpublished). Genes A and B have the highest degree of polymorphism described to date. In a sample of five hundred individuals taken in 1966 from the natural population of Haghioi Apostoli, Attica, 14 active and one silent isoalleles have been found in gene A and 11 active plus one silent isoalleles in gene B. The frequencies of these isoalleles have been estimated (Zouros and Krimbas, 1969). Laboratory experiments revealed the selective action of an organophosphate ester, dimethoate, on these genetic polymorphisms. Organophosphate esters are insecticidal because they inhibit insect cholinesterases. Dimethoate kills preferentially flies homozygous or heterozygous for the silent isoallele of gene A, i.e., insects which have less acetylcholinesterase than those individuals endowed with two active gene copies. Thus, dimethoate selects for the quantity, not the quality, of active gene A isozymes. No selection has been observed on gene B polymorphism. Flies surviving dimethoate action are fertile (Tsakas and Krimbas, 1970).
The Analysis of Internet and Social Media Behaviors of the Students in the Higher School of Vocational and Technical Sciences

 Abstract — Our globalizing world has become almost a small village and everyone can access any information at any time. Everyone lets each other know who does whatever in which place. We can learn which social events occur in which place in the world. From the perspective of education, the course notes that a lecturer use in lessons in a university in any state of America can be examined by a student studying in a city of Africa or the Far East. This dizzying communication we have mentioned happened thanks to fast developments in computer and internet technologies. While these developments occur in the world, Turkey that has a very large young population and whose electronic infrastructure rapidly improves has also been affected by these developments. Nowadays, mobile devices have become common and thus, it causes to increase data traffic in social networks. This study was carried out on students in the different age groups in Selcuk University Vocational School of Technical Sciences, the Department of Computer Technology. Students’ opinions about the use of internet and social media were obtained. The features such as using the Interne t and social media skills, purposes, operating frequency, accessing facilities and tools, social life and effects on vocational education and so forth were explored. The positive effects and negative effects of both internet and social media use on the students in this department and findings are evaluated from different perspectives and results are obtained. In addition, relations and differences were found out statistically.
Upper core point detection using improved ant colony optimization algorithm

Abstract Minutiae detection is a crucial process in an automatic fingerprint identification system. Most fingerprint comparison algorithms are based on minutiae matching. However, the local orientation changes very rapidly in the singular point area. It is difficult to locate the singular point precisely. The Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm (ACOA) is extensively used in multi-objective and optimal problems. But the ACOA is still not used in fingerprint image processing. In this paper, we suggest an improved Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm to extract the upper core point of fingerprints. Finally, the proposed algorithms are tested with some fingerprint images and show significant improvement in the experiments.
Role of solvent properties of aqueous media in macromolecular crowding effects

Analysis of the macromolecular crowding effects in polymer solutions show that the excluded volume effect is not the only factor affecting the behavior of biomolecules in a crowded environment. The observed inconsistencies are commonly explained by the so-called soft interactions, such as electrostatic, hydrophobic, and van der Waals interactions, between the crowding agent and the protein, in addition to the hard nonspecific steric interactions. We suggest that the changes in the solvent properties of aqueous media induced by the crowding agents may be the root of these “soft” interactions. To check this hypothesis, the solvatochromic comparison method was used to determine the solvent dipolarity/polarizability, hydrogen-bond donor acidity, and hydrogen-bond acceptor basicity of aqueous solutions of different polymers (dextran, poly(ethylene glycol), Ficoll, Ucon, and polyvinylpyrrolidone) with the polymer concentration up to 40% typically used as crowding agents. Polymer-induced changes in these features were found to be polymer type and concentration specific, and, in case of polyethylene glycol (PEG), molecular mass specific. Similarly sized polymers PEG and Ucon producing different changes in the solvent properties of water in their solutions induced morphologically different α-synuclein aggregates. It is shown that the crowding effects of some polymers on protein refolding and stability reported in the literature can be quantitatively described in terms of the established solvent features of the media in these polymers solutions. These results indicate that the crowding agents do induce changes in solvent properties of aqueous media in crowded environment. Therefore, these changes should be taken into account for crowding effect analysis.
The correlation of neurophysiological findings with clinical and functional status in patients following traumatic nerve injury

In this study, we aimed to determine whether there is a correlation between the electrodiagnostic findings and the functional status, muscle strength and sensibility in patients with traumatic nerve injury to the wrists. We assessed 50 patients at a mean of 11.6 months (SD 5.85) (range 6–25) after nerve injury. Sensibility was assessed by monofilament testing. Motor function was evaluated by assessing the manual muscle grade of the abductor pollicis brevis and abductor digiti minimi muscles. Function was evaluated by the Sollerman Hand Function Test. The amplitudes of the compound muscle action potential and the sensory nerve action potential were determined by electroneuromyography. While the compound muscle action potential and sensory nerve action potential amplitudes had significant correlation with muscle grade and Semmes Weinstein Monofilament tests, there was no correlation with the functional scores.
Rainfall–runoff modelling using genetic programming

This paper presents the application of genetic programming to the generation of models to assess the total runoff of a basin starting from the total rainfall in it and using data recorded in a sub-basin at the valley of Mexico (the Mixcoac sub-basin to the west of Mexico City). The modelling process is developed contrasting two types of models with different complexity degree: (1) a nonlinear model whose complexity is resolved using multi-objective optimization and (2) a nonlinear model with a given structure obtained by means of a physical interpretation of the dynamics of the direct and the base flow. Data from two storms (rainfall and runoff), one in 1997 and another in 1998, were used in testing the models. First, the storm in 1997 was used for the calibration step and that in 1998 for the validation step. Afterwards, the order was reversed. An interpretation of the results, focused on the applicability and possible improvement of the models in forecasting runoff, is made through their discussion and is summarized in the conclusions.
Vocal Cord Dysfunction after an Inhalation Exposure

The manuscript embodies case material and the author’s extensive personal experience to address a perceived or actual airborne exposure when incorrectly judged as due to intrathoracic/lung damage when in reality the outcome is the more innocuous extrathoracic/upper airway’s vocal cord dysfunction (VCD). Because of the conviction of possible lung injury, the individual applies the fetal protective glottic closure reflex to counteract an odorant cue instigating acute VCD. Breathing against an obstructed glottis as well as hyperventilation from anxiety, panic and/or fear of personal harm worsens the laryngeal spasm. Spirometer shows flattening of the inspiratory loop of the flow-volume curve and endoscopy, while not done, would reveal adduction of the anterior two-thirds of the vocal cords with posterior chinking creating a diamond shape configuration. Successful therapy and management of VCD requires a speech therapy approach rather than physician prescribed medications.
TISSUE TRAUMA: THE UNDERLYING CAUSE OF OVERTRAINING SYNDROME?

An athlete who trains intensely, yet consistently under-performs, is considered to be suffering from overtraining syndrome (OTS). OTS is a complex state that involves a large variety of signs and symptoms. Symptoms include changes in mood or behaviour, decreases or increases in concentration of different blood molecules, and alterations in immune function. Although several hypotheses have been proposed, each only explains a selective aspect of OTS. Presently, the sole agreement is that OTS is associated with excessive training and insufficient rest and recovery. The hypothesis proposed in this paper suggests that excessive training/competing causes repetitive tissue trauma, either to muscle and/or connective tissue and/or to bony structures, and that this results in chronic inflammation. It is further proposed that traumatized tissue synthesizes a group of inflammatory molecules, cytokines. Cytokines have been shown to coordinate the different systems of the body to promote recovery. Suggestions are made to detect, prevent, and rehabilitate the overtrained athlete.
Catalysts and inhibitors to knowledge management practices in a technology consulting firm

In a scenario in which organizations have an increasing amount of data, information and knowledge, which translates into the distinctive elements of an organization, it is increasingly necessary to combine technologies with the needs of companies to organize and structure different knowledge. Data, information and knowledge are fundamental and differentiating factors in achieving a competitive advantage, in this sense it becomes urgent to plan and adopt, in a changeable way, strategies of knowledge management in companies. The main objective of this study is to identify the catalytic and inhibiting factors of knowledge management practices in a technology consulting organization, with a view to creating or improving internal knowledge management processes. For this, the qualitative approach was used, having as unit of analysis the internal practices and processes of Knowledge Management of an organization in the branch of technologies. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with the organization's employees. Thus, it was possible to understand how Bring Global manages organizational knowledge, realizing how employees value Knowledge Management as a process that facilitates the sharing of knowledge in the organization.
Identification of a Novel Prothoracicostatic Hormone and Its Receptor in the Silkworm Bombyx mori*

The insect brain regulates the activity of the prothoracic glands to secrete ecdysteroids, which affect growth, molting, and metamorphosis. Here we report the identification of a novel prothoracicostatic factor and its receptor in the silkworm Bombyx mori. The prothoracicostatic factor purified from pupal brains of B. mori is a decapeptide with the conserved structure of an insect myosuppressin and thus named Bommo-myosuppressin. Bommo-myosuppressin dose dependently suppressed the cAMP level and inhibited ecdysteroidogenesis in the larval prothoracic glands at much lower concentrations than the prothoracicostatic peptide, the other prothoracicostatic factor reported previously. In vitro analyses using a prothoracic gland incubation method revealed that Bommo-myosuppressin and prothoracicostatic peptide regulate the prothoracic gland activity via different receptors. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry revealed the existence of Bommo-myosuppressin in the brain neurosecretory cells projecting to neurohemal organs in which it is stored. We also identified and functionally characterized a specific receptor for Bommo-myosuppressin and showed its high expression in the prothoracic glands. All these results suggest that Bommo-myosuppressin functions as a prothoracicostatic hormone and plays an important role in controlling insect development.
Prenatal allergen exposures prevent allergen‐induced sensitization and airway inflammation in young mice

Immune‐modulation such as tolerance induction appears to be an upcoming concept to prevent development of atopic diseases. Pregnancy might present a critical period for preventing allergic sensitization of the progeny. We investigated the effect of maternal allergen exposures during pregnancy on allergen‐induced sensitization and airway inflammation in the offspring in a murine model.
Alive and kicking, or, living on borrowed time? – Microsatellite diversity in natural populations of the endangered Ulmus minor Mill. sensu latissimo from Croatia

Abstract The main objective of this research was to assess the genetic diversity of 5 natural field elm populations in Croatia. The study results suggest that the observed populations are characterized by a satisfactory amount of heterozygosity, and that the impact of the Dutch elm disease on the amount of genetic diversity in the sampled populations is currently negligible. However, one population displayed a significant excess of heterozygosity, implying a genetic bottleneck. The existence of a very clear genetic differentiation between the continental and the Mediterranean populations of Ulmus minor in Croatia was noticed.
Genetically Modified Foods: Engineered tomato with extra advantages

Currently, genetically modified crops are among the most important constituents in all aspect of our life. Recent controversies about genetically modified crops in United Kingdom and other European countries indicate the apparent differences in public opinion on this subject across the Atlantic, where people do seem untroubled with GMO as compared to other countries. Among plants after potato, tomato is the model plant for genetic changes. A number of genetic modifications of tomato are available especially against different insects, pests and fungus. Gene silencing techniques against viruses have been applied for silencing the expression of damage causing gene. Genetic modifications inducing significant events regarding fruits ripening and growth in tomato and vaccines are of the particular importance. In this review article, we have covered genetic modifications which cause insect, virus and fungus resistance; confer fast growth, chilling and drought tolerance, increased and improved nutrients, yield, fruit ripening, quality and color of the tomato. Factors affecting photosynthesis and metabolic rate are also reviewed in this article.
Concentration inequalities on product spaces with applications to Markov processes

For a stochastic process with state space some Polish space, this paper gives sufficient conditions on the initial and conditional distributions for the joint law to satisfy Gaussian concentration inequalities, transportation inequalities and also logarithmic Sobolev inequalities in the case of the Euclidean space. In several cases, the obtained constants are of optimal order of growth with respect to the number of variables, or are independent of this number. These results extend results known for mutually independent variables to weakly dependent variables under Dobrushin-Shlosman type conditions.
A Generalized Regression Neural Network Based on Soft Sensor for Multicomponent Distillation Column

Reliable and accurate measurement of product compositions is one of the main difficulties in distillation column control. In this paper a soft sensor based on generalized regression neural network (GRNN) is proposed to estimate the product composition of a multicomponent distillation column on the basis of simulated time series data. The results are compared with artificial neural network (ANN) based soft sensor. From the detailed dynamic simulation results, it is found that the proposed GRNN based estimator works better than ANN based soft sensor. The performance of estimator is evaluated in the presence of noise in the input.