Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The collaborative Lipid Research Clinics family study: Biological and cultural determinants of familial resemblance for plasma lipids and lipoproteins

This paper reports on the biological and cultural determinants of total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride (TC, LDL‐C, HDL‐C, TG) levels using a general linear model on randomly selected family data collected during 1975–1978 at nine North American Lipid Research Clinics. Initially, the analyses were clinic‐specific to assess the importance of genetic and cultural transmission, marital resemblance, and other determinants of these traits and then were made jointly to identify the nature and sources of any heterogeneity between clinics. There was evidence of significant genetic and cultural factors for all traits in most clinics. Clinic heterogeneity was also significant, but excluding one clinic reduced the heterogeneity considerably. The genetic (h2) and cultural (c2) heritabilities for the remaining eight clinics were homogeneous with pooled estimates of h2 of . 556 ± . 028, . 539 ± . 028, . 485 ± . 029, and . 358 ± . 028, and of c2 of . 029 ± . 006, . 033 ± . 006, . 075 ± . 008, and . 089 ± . 009 for TC, LDL‐C, HDL‐C, and TG, respectively. Among the traits, HDL‐C exhibited the most difference among clinics, and both HDL‐C and TG showed the largest cultural heritability. The relevance of these and similar studies in a broader understanding of the determinants of plasma lipids and lipoproteins is discussed.
Vaccinations with Recombinant Variants of Aspergillus fumigatus Allergen Asp f 3 Protect Mice against Invasive Aspergillosis

ABSTRACT A vaccine that effectively protects immunocompromised patients against invasive aspergillosis is a novel approach to a universally fatal disease. Here we present a rationale for selection and in vivo testing of potential protein vaccine candidates, based on the modification of an immunodominant fungal allergen for which we demonstrate immunoprotective properties. Pulmonary exposure to viable Aspergillus fumigatus conidia as well as vaccination with crude hyphal extracts protects corticosteroid-immunosuppressed mice against invasive aspergillosis (J. I. Ito and J. M. Lyons, J. Infect. Dis. 186:869-871, 2002). Sera from the latter animals contain antibodies with numerous and diverse antigen specificities, whereas sera from conidium-exposed mice contain antibodies predominantly against allergen Asp f 3 (and some against Asp f 1), as identified by mass spectrometry. Subcutaneous immunization with recombinant Asp f 3 (rAsp f 3) but not with Asp f 1 was protective. The lungs of Asp f 3-vaccinated survivors were free of hyphae and showed only a patchy low-density infiltrate of mononuclear cells. In contrast, the nonimmunized animals died with invasive hyphal elements and a compact peribronchial infiltrate of predominately polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Three truncated versions of rAsp f 3, spanning amino acid residues 15 to 168 [rAsp f 3(15-168)], 1 to 142, and 15 to 142 and lacking the known bipartite sequence required for IgE binding, were also shown to be protective. Remarkably, vaccination with either rAsp f 3(1-142) or rAsp f 3(15-168) drastically diminished the production of antigen-specific antibodies compared to vaccination with the full-length rAsp f 3(1-168) or the double-truncated rAsp f 3(15-142) version. Our findings point to a possible mechanism in which Asp f 3 vaccination induces a cellular immune response that upon infection results in the activation of lymphocytes that in turn enhances and/or restores the function of corticosteroid-suppressed macrophages to clear fungal elements in the lungs.
Bidirectional substrate fluxes through the System N (SNAT5) glutamine transporter may determine net glutamine flux in rat liver

System N (SNAT3 and SNAT5) amino acid transporters are key mediators of glutamine transport across the plasma membrane of mammalian cell types, including hepatocytes and astrocytes. We demonstrate that SNAT5 shows simultaneous bidirectional glutamine fluxes when overexpressed in Xenopus oocytes. Influx and efflux are both apparently Na+ dependent but, since they are not directly coupled, the carrier is capable of mediating net amino acid movement across the cell membrane. The apparent Km values for glutamine influx and efflux are similar (∼1 mm) and the transporter behaviour is consistent with a kinetic model in which re‐orientation of the carrier from outside‐ to inside‐facing conformations (either empty or substrate loaded) is the limiting step in the transport cycle. In perfused rat liver, the observed relationship between influent (portal) glutamine concentration and net hepatic glutamine flux may be described by a simple kinetic model, assuming the balance between influx and efflux through System N determines net flux, where under physiological conditions efflux is generally saturated owing to high intracellular glutamine concentration. SNAT5 shows a more periportal mRNA distribution than SNAT3 in rat liver, indicating that SNAT5 may have particular importance for modulation of net hepatic glutamine flux.
The Coronal Isotopic Composition as Determined Using Solar Energetic Particles

Solar energetic particles (SEPs), like the solar wind, provide a direct sample of the Sun. Although SEP abundances show a variable amount of mass fractionation, it is possible to develop methods of correcting for it in order to deduce the composition of the corona. Using high-resolution measurements from the Solar Isotope Spectrometer on the Advanced Composition Explorer, we have studied the isotopic composition of 10 abundant elements from C to Ni in 32 large SEP events from late 1997 to the end of 2001 at energies >15 MeV/nucleon. We show that various isotopic and elemental enhancements are correlated with each other, discuss the first order corrections used to account for the variability, and obtain estimated coronal abundances. We compare the coronal values and their uncertainties inferred from SEPs with those that are available from solar wind and meteoritic measurements and find generally good agreement. We include C and Ni isotopic abundances, for which no solar wind measurements have yet been reported.
CHINOOK: The World Man-Machine Checkers Champion

In 1992, the seemingly unbeatable World Checker Champion Marion Tinsley defended his title against the computer program CHINOOK. After an intense, tightly contested match, Tinsley fought back from behind to win the match by scoring four wins to CHINOOK's two, with 33 draws. This match was the first time in history that a human world champion defended his title against a computer. This article reports on the progress of the checkers (8 3 8 draughts) program CHINOOK since 1992. Two years of research and development on the program culminated in a rematch with Tinsley in August 1994. In this match, after six games (all draws), Tinsley withdrew from the match and relinquished the world championship title to CHINOOK,citing health concerns. CHINOOK has since defended its title in two subsequent matches. It is the first time in history that a computer has won a human-world championship.
Why Forget? On the Adaptive Value of Memory Loss

Is forgetting mostly a positive force in human life? On the surface, this seems to not be the case, and people often associate memory loss with frustration in their everyday lives. Yet, forgetting does not have exclusively negative consequences; it also serves valuable, indeed vital, functions. In this article, I review and reflect on evidence from various areas of research, and I argue that forgetting serves at least three broad purposes. First, it is part of emotion regulation, and it promotes subjective well-being by limiting access to negative memories and by reducing unpleasant affect. Forgetting thereby allows for positivity and painlessness. Second, it is involved in knowledge acquisition, and it provides a basis for obtaining semantic and procedural knowledge by allowing for abstraction and automatization. Third, forgetting is part of context attunement, and it orients information processing for the present and the future by facilitating environmental sensitivity and by ensuring that knowledge is current, which enables timeliness and updating. Overall, I suggest that forgetting helps people to be happy, well-structured, and context sensitive, and thereby that it serves fundamentally adaptive functions.
The B regulatory subunit of protein phosphatase 2A is required for completion of macroconidiation and other developmental processes in Neurospora crassa

rgb‐1, encoding the tentative B regulatory subunit of the type 2A Ser/Thr phosphatase in Neurospora crassa, was isolated from cDNA and genomic libraries. Based on analysis of cDNA and genomic clones, rgb‐1 is 3387 nucleotides in length, contains seven putative introns and encodes a 461‐amino‐acid polypeptide. Intron I, which is 5′ to the presumed translation initiation codon, contains a uORF encoding 34 amino acids. Intron VI undergoes alternative splicing. Inactivation of rgb‐1 by the repeat‐induced point (RIP) mutation procedure produced progeny that grow slowly, have abnormal hyphal morphology, are female sterile and produce abundant amounts of arthroconidia. The rgb‐1RIP strain does not produce major constriction chains or mature macroconidia. Minor constriction chains are formed, yet the growth process reverts to hyphal elongation. Microscopic and genetic analyses indicate that rgb‐1 is a regulator of the budding subroutine of the macroconidiation process and that arthroconidiation, which shares common early and late events with macroconidiation, is induced as a default mechanism for asexual reproduction in this fungus.
What Drives Social Commerce: The Role of Social Support and Relationship Quality

Social commerce is emerging as an important platform in e-commerce, primarily due to the increased popularity of social networking sites such as Facebook, Linkedln, and Twitter. To understand the user's social sharing and social shopping intention in social networking Web sites, we conducted an empirical study on a popular microblog to investigate how social factors such as social support and relationship quality affect the user's intention of future participation in social commerce. The results indicate that both factors play a critical role. Social support and Web site quality positively influence the user's intention to use social commerce and to continue using a social networking site. These effects are found to be mediated by the quality of the relationship between the user and the social networking Web site. Our findings not only help researchers interpret why social commerce has become popular, but also assist practitioners in developing better social commerce strategy.
Comment: Natriuretic peptides as predictive biomarkers of stroke outcome

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), along with an inactive N-terminal peptide fragment (NT-proBNP), is secreted by cardiac ventricular myocytes in response to excessive myocardial stretching. The plasma half-life of these peptides is 0.3 and 2.0 hours, respectively, so a single measurement mostly reflects recent cardiac stress that may, for example, reflect sympathetic stimulation in response to acute stroke. Results from a variety of clinical studies indicate that these peptides may be useful as biomarkers for a variety of both cardiac and cerebrovascular events. In a carefully performed meta-analysis, García-Berrocoso and colleagues1 evaluate the relationship of BNP and NT-proBNP levels with mortality following acute stroke. Although individuals in the highest quartile for either of the 2 peptides had twice the risk of death compared to the lower quartiles, only the NT-proBNP measures added slightly (additional 8.1% of patients) to the typical clinical measures for predicting stroke mortality, including age, sex, and NIH Stroke Scale score. The results do not go far enough to establish a relationship between the cause of death and the highest natriuretic levels. Some suggestive data from the ARISTOTLE trial indicate that cardiac death has an important role, but more careful studies that focus on the usefulness of measuring BNP or NT-proBNP within the first 24 hours after acute stroke, along with an analysis of the explicit causes of death, are needed.2
The relationship between hydrogen gas and butanol production by Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum

Two simultaneous fermentations were performed at 26°C with simultaneous inocula using Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum. Fermentation 1 prevented the gas formed by the biomass from escaping the fermentor while 2 allowed the gas formed to escape. Fermentor 1 provided for the production of butanol, acetone, and ethanol, while when the H2 formed was allowed to escape with fermentor 2, neither butanol nor acetone were produced. Ethanol was also formed in both fermentors and began along with the initial growth of biomass and continued until the fermentations were complete. Butanol and acetone production began after biomass growth had reached a maximum and began to subside. The butanol‐acetone‐ethanol millimolar yields and ratios were 38:1:14 respectively. The fermentor 2 results show that a yield of 2.1 L H2, 93 or 370 mmol H2/mol glucose, was formed only during the growing stage of growth; neither butanol nor acetone were produced; ethanol was formed throughout the fermentation, reaching a yield of 15.2 mmolar. It appears that hydrogen gas is required for butanol production during the resting stage of growth.
Conformational Diversity of Wild-type Tau Fibrils Specified by Templated Conformation Change*

Tauopathies are sporadic and genetic neurodegenerative diseases characterized by aggregation of the microtubule-associated protein Tau. Tau pathology occurs in over 20 phenotypically distinct neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer disease and frontotemporal dementia. The molecular basis of this diversity among sporadic tauopathies is unknown, but distinct fibrillar wild-type (WT) Tau conformations could play a role. Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, circular dichroism, and electron microscopy, we show that WT Tau fibrils and P301L/V337M Tau fibrils have distinct secondary structures, fragilities, and morphologies. Furthermore, P301L/V337M fibrillar seeds induce WT Tau monomer to form a novel fibrillar conformation, termed WT*, that is maintained over multiple seeding reactions. WT* has secondary structure, fragility, and morphology that are similar to P301L/V337M fibrils and distinct from WT fibrils. WT Tau is thus capable of conformational diversity that arises via templated conformation change, as has been described for amyloid β, β2-microglobulin, and prion proteins.
BMPER, a Novel Endothelial Cell Precursor-Derived Protein, Antagonizes Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling and Endothelial Cell Differentiation

ABSTRACT The development of endothelial cell precursors is essential for vasculogenesis. We screened for differentially expressed transcripts in endothelial cell precursors in developing mouse embryoid bodies. We cloned a complete cDNA encoding a protein that contains an amino-terminal signal peptide, five cysteine-rich domains, a von Willebrand D domain, and a trypsin inhibitor domain. We termed this protein BMPER (bone morphogenetic protein [BMP]-binding endothelial cell precursor-derived regulator). BMPER is specifically expressed in flk-1-positive cells and parallels the time course of flk-1 induction in these cells. In situ hybridization in mouse embryos demonstrates dorsal midline staining and staining of the aorto-gonadal-mesonephric region, which is known to host vascular precursor cells. BMPER is a secreted protein that directly interacts with BMP2, BMP4, and BMP6 and antagonizes BMP4-dependent Smad5 activation. In Xenopus embryos, ventral injection of BMPER mRNA results in axis duplication and downregulation of the expression of Xvent-1 (downstream target of Smad signaling). In an embryoid body differentiation assay, BMP4-dependent differentiation of endothelial cells in embryoid bodies is also antagonized by BMPER. Taken together, our data indicate that BMPER is a novel BMP-binding protein that is expressed by endothelial cell precursors, has BMP-antagonizing activity, and may play a role in endothelial cell differentiation by modulating local BMP activity.
Assessing the carrying capacity of Perinereis aibuhitensis in a Chinese estuarine wetland using a GIS-based habitat suitability index model

Increasing attention is being paid to estuarine benthic community conservation and restoration globally. In this study, a GIS-based habitat suitability index (HSI) model was utilized to estimate Perinereis aibuhitensis (Grube, 1878) carrying capacity in estuarine wetlands of the Zhimai River, eastern China. Eight parameters were investigated, including sand content, salinity, pH, and petroleum hydrocarbon. Each parameter was investigated by a non-linear suitability function for transition from transformed parameter values into a normalized quality index. The weight of each parameter factor was determined by an analytic hierarchy process. A functional relationship was established between habitat suitability and population abundance to assess the carrying capacity. Twelve observation stations, divided into central, eastern, and western regions, were selected to collect data on biogeochemical and environmental parameters. These data were interpolated by GIS. The HSI model was then applied to obtain thematic maps of suitable habitat areas for P. aibuhitensis and corresponding carrying capacities. Results showed that central and western regions (approximately 1.013 km2, accounting for 66.38% of the total area) had a relatively high carrying capacity (130−150 ind. m−2), whereas the carrying capacity of the eastern region was below average. The abundance of P. aibuhitensis did not reach the carrying capacity of the environment under present conditions, especially in the eastern region. Results of the present study indicate that the execution of P. aibuhitensis restoration is feasible in this region; the areas around Stn 7 and in the eastern region are recommended for restoration.
Gamma–delta T cell subsets are differentially associated with granuloma development and organization in a bovine model of mycobacterial disease

The characteristic lesion in bovine tuberculosis is well‐organized respiratory granulomas. This is typically associated with a strong T‐helper 1 biased cell‐mediated immune response and eventual containment of the infection. In bovine paratuberculosis, the classic lesion is unorganized granulomatous intestinal inflammation. Clinical paratuberculosis is associated with a T‐helper 2 biased humoral immune response and eventual death because of inability of the host to contain the infection. Recent reports have suggested that gamma–delta (γδ) T cells play a significant role in granuloma development and/or maintenance during initial stages of infection and may influence the subsequent adaptive immune response. The objective of this study was to use an in vivo bovine model to evaluate γδ T cells during the early host immune response to mycobacterial infection. We used immunofluorescent staining, hyperspectral microscopy, and computerized assisted morphometry to evaluate staining and distribution of γδ T cells during development of organized and unorganized granulomas. Our data suggest that bovine γδ T cell subsets are differentially recruited to early infection sites, and may be instrumental during the initial antimycobacterial host immune response as well as for granuloma organization.
Superelastic Graphene Aerogel/Poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene)/MnO2 Composite as Compression-Tolerant Electrode for Electrochemical Capacitors

Ultra-compressible electrodes with high electrochemical performance, reversible compressibility and extreme durability are in high demand in compression-tolerant energy storage devices. Herein, an ultra-compressible ternary composite was synthesized by successively electrodepositing poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and MnO2 into the superelastic graphene aerogel (SEGA). In SEGA/PEDOT/MnO2 ternary composite, SEGA provides the compressible backbone and conductive network; MnO2 is mainly responsible for pseudo reactions; the middle PEDOT not only reduces the interface resistance between MnO2 and graphene, but also further reinforces the strength of graphene cellar walls. The synergistic effect of the three components in the ternary composite electrode leads to high electrochemical performances and good compression-tolerant ability. The gravimetric capacitance of the compressible ternary composite electrodes reaches 343 F g−1 and can retain 97% even at 95% compressive strain. And a volumetric capacitance of 147.4 F cm−3 is achieved, which is much higher than that of other graphene-based compressible electrodes. This value of volumetric capacitance can be preserved by 80% after 3500 charge/discharge cycles under various compression strains, indicating an extreme durability.
CUA guideline on adult overactive bladder.

Required.research,. future.trends,. and.conclusion. E163 J . Corcos, et al Jacques Corcos, MD, FRCSC1; Mikolaj Przydacz, MD1; Lysanne Campeau, MD, PhD, FRCSC1; Gary Gray, MD, FRCSC2; Duane Hickling, MD, MSCI, FRCSC3; Christiane Honeine, RN, BN1; Sidney B. Radomski, MD, FRCSC4; Lynn Stothers, MD, MHSc, FRCSC5; Adrian Wagg, MD, FRCP (Lond), FRCP (Edin), FHEA6
Statistical origin of allometry

The allometry relationship (AR) between two properties of a living network X and Y is X=aYb where one or both of the variables is a measure of size and the allometry coefficient a and exponent b are fit to data. Many investigators have focused on determining the proper value of b entailed by an appropriate biological model, whereas others have argued that the allometry coefficient plays the more important role. Herein we use metabolic data to determine a probability density function (pdf) for the allometry coefficient P(a) with constant allometry exponent and a pdf for the allometry exponent Ψ(b) with a constant allometry coefficient. The two distributions are found to imply that the allometry parameters co-vary and an explict functional relation between them is determined. The empirical pdf P(a) is a Pareto distribution and establishes an inconsistency between reductionistic and statistical models of the interspecies AR. This inconsistency is resolved using the probability calculus to establish that the scaling of the pdf is the proper origin of allometry.
Rhobupcyanoside B, A new cyanoside from Rhodiola bupleuroides

Abstract One new cyanoside, rhobupcyanoside B (1), together with 7 known ones, was isolated from the 70% ethanol extract of the roots and rhizomes of Rhodiola bupleuroides. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods, including 2D NMR techniques. Compound 1 was evaluated for its inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase with IC50 value of 278.28 ± 0.55 μM by comparing with the positive control (acarbose) at 210.40 ± 0.32 μM.
QCal: A Software Application for the Calculation of Dose–Response Curves In Insecticide Resistance Bioassays

Abstract We describe a novel software application (QCal) that was developed for calculation of dose–response curves in insecticide resistance bioassays. QCal uses a logistic regression model to generate values for lethal dose/knockdown dose based on data from a bioassay entered into the application user interface. The application can be freely distributed to interested parties.