Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial and Functional Relationship of GGAs and AP‐1 in Drosophila and HeLa Cells

The GGAs [Golgi‐localised, γ‐ear containing, ARF (ADP ribosylation factor)‐binding proteins] and the AP‐1 (adaptor protein‐1) complex are both adaptors for clathrin‐mediated intracellular trafficking, but their relationship to each other is unclear. We have used two complementary systems, HeLa cells and Drosophila Dmel2 cells, to investigate GGA and AP‐1 function. Immunoelectron microscopy of endogenous AP‐1 and GGA in Dmel2 cells shows that they are predominantly associated with distinct clathrin‐coated structures. Depletion of either GGA or AP‐1 by RNAi does not affect the incorporation of the other adaptor into clathrin‐coated vesicles (CCVs), and the cargo protein GFP‐LERP (green fluorescent protein‐lysosomal enzyme receptor protein) is lost from CCVs only when both adaptors are depleted. Similar results were obtained using HeLa cells treated with siRNA to deplete all three GGAs simultaneously. AP‐1 was still incorporated into CCVs after GGA depletion and vice versa, and both needed to be depleted for a robust inhibition of receptor‐mediated sorting of lysosomal hydrolases. In contrast, downregulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I by HIV‐1 Nef, which requires AP‐1, was not affected by a triple GGA knockdown. Thus, our results indicate that the two adaptors can function independently of each other.
The Absence of ALTERNATIVE OXIDASE1a in Arabidopsis Results in Acute Sensitivity to Combined Light and Drought Stress[W][OA]

Treatment of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) alternative oxidase1a (aox1a) mutant plants with moderate light under drought conditions resulted in a phenotypic difference compared with ecotype Columbia (Col-0), as evidenced by a 10-fold increase in the accumulation of anthocyanins in leaves, alterations in photosynthetic efficiency, and increased superoxide radical and reduced root growth at the early stages of seedling growth. Analysis of metabolite profiles revealed significant changes upon treatment in aox1a plants typical of combined stress treatments, and these were less pronounced or absent in Col-0 plants. These changes were accompanied by alteration in the abundance of a variety of transcripts during the stress treatment, providing a molecular fingerprint for the stress-induced phenotype of aox1a plants. Transcripts encoding proteins involved in the synthesis of anthocyanins, transcription factors, chloroplastic and mitochondrial components, cell wall synthesis, and sucrose and starch metabolism changed, indicating that effects were not confined to mitochondria, where the AOX1a protein is located. Microarray and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that transcripts typically induced upon stress treatment or involved in antioxidant defense systems, especially chloroplast-located antioxidant defense components, had altered basal levels in untreated aox1a plants, suggesting a significant change in the basal equilibrium of signaling pathways that regulate these components. Taken together, these results indicate that aox1a plants have a greatly altered stress response even when mitochondria or the mitochondrial electron transport chain are not the primary target of the stress and that AOX1a plays a broad role in determining the normal redox balance in the cell.
Circulating granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and serum fatty acid composition in men and women.

Atherosclerosis is increasingly recognized as an inflammatory disease. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a proinflammatory cytokine, recently implicated as a prominent component of the regulatory network involved in atherogenesis. We aimed to study the relationship between circulating GM-CSF levels and serum fatty acid (FA) composition in 78 healthy subjects. The latter was analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography and GM-CSF by a high-sensitivity commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Among women (n = 40), serum GM-CSF levels were found to be positively associated with the proportion of palmitic acid (C16:0) and negatively with linoleic acid (C18:2omega-6), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6omega-3), and the proportion of total essential FA. After excluding smoking women (n = 6), the associations among GM-CSF and serum linoleic acid concentration (r = -0.49, P =.003), arachidonic acid (r = -0.52, P =.001), and DHA (r = -0.34, P =.04) were strengthened. The ratio of palmitic to linoleic and DHA acids was the single best predictor of serum GM-CSF in all subjects. Together with arachidonic acid, it contributed to 22% of the GM-CSF variance in women, after taking into account the effects of age, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and smoking status. None of these associations were observed among men. In conclusion, serum FA composition is associated with circulating GM-CSF specifically in women. As human arterial and venous smooth muscle cells release GM-CSF, and treatment of endothelial cells with oxidized low-density lipoproteins results in a rapid expression of GM-CSF, the mechanisms involved in these associations and the sex-linked differences should be further explored.
Life Cycle Transitions and Vulnerabilities in Old Age : A Review

Asghar Zaidi is a Professor of International Social Policy at the University of Southampton. Previously, he was Director of Research at the European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research in Vienna; Senior Economist at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris; Economic Adviser at the United Kingdom’s Department for Work and Pensions in London; and a research officer at the London School of Economics and the University of Oxford. His recent research interests span active and healthy ageing, measuring the well-being of older people and people with disabilities, and the financial and social sustainability of public welfare systems. Within the framework of the 2012 European Year, he led the Active Ageing Index project, working alongside the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the European Commission. During 2013, collaborating with HelpAge International London, he was the main architect of the Global AgeWatch Index, the first worldwide measure of the quality of life and well-being of older persons. The author is grateful for comments and discussion provided by Maria Evandrou and Jane Falkingham (Social Sciences, University of Southampton) during early stages of this study. Discussions with other colleagues, in particular, Elisabeth Schröder-Butterfill, Gloria Langat and Aravinda Guntupalli, provided valuable insights. Comments and insights offered by UNDP’s Human Development Report team (especially Pineda and Eva Jespersen) and by the Global AgeWatch team of HelpAge International (in particular, Sylvia Beales, Jane Scobie and Eppu Mikkonen-Jeanneret) are also gratefully acknowledged. Thanks go to Sean Terry, Oxford Brookes University, for his comments on various early drafts. Life Cycle Transitions and Vulnerabilities in Old Age: A Review
Detection and Treatment of Bloodstream Infection: Laboratory Reporting and Antimicrobial Management

ABSTRACT We analyzed antimicrobial use in 509 episodes of clinically significant bloodstream infection to assess the impact that microbiology laboratory reporting had on antimicrobial management. Most therapy interventions occurred at the time of phlebotomy and after notification of Gram stain results by telephone. Release of antimicrobial susceptibility data had the least impact on antimicrobial management.
Packaging Process for Grating-Coupled Silicon Photonic Waveguides Using Angle-Polished Fibers

A novel process for fiber-packaging submicrometer silicon waveguides is presented. The process uses fibers polished at an angle to reflect light between a horizontal core and the slightly off-vertical input and output path of a grating coupler. The necessity for a reflective coating on the fiber facet is overcome through the use of total internal reflection and a novel technique of epoxy distribution based on capillary action. Simulations of alignment tolerance are presented, along with measurements confirming the applicability of passive alignment. A peak coupling efficiency within 0.2 dB of the theoretical maximum for the grating coupler is achieved.
Inflammation, Psychosis, and the Brain

When the solution to a clinical or scientific puzzle eludes us for more than a century, as with schizophrenia, we need new methods to examine the pathology. If we want to make an impact on the disease we must shift research paradigms and focus on the early detection, early intervention, and new avenues of treatment that address different symptoms of schizophrenia.
Leveraging social networks to increase motivation in learning programming

A common argument among computer science students is the lack of practical, real-world relevance of applications they develop as part of their studies. This paper describes and analyses how learning social networks programming, as a practical assignment of a programming course, affects students' motivation and whether it alleviates such complaints. Educators can use the findings to decide whether integrating such elements into their courses is worthwhile.
Glucocorticoids have a different action than aldosterone on target tissue.

Studies were performed, using a synthetic glucocorticoid, RU 28362, that has negligible binding to aldosterone receptors, to examine whether the effect of glucocorticoids on the electrical properties of rat distal colon involves a specific mechanism or crossover binding to aldosterone receptor sites. Compared with control, RU 28362, in a dose of 70 micrograms.100 g body wt-1.day-1, increased transepithelial potential differences (VT) twofold and the equivalent short-circuit current (ISC) threefold; epithelial resistance (RT) was reduced 25%. These changes were qualitatively similar to, but less than, the changes induced by the same dose of aldosterone. The effects of dexamethasone in the same dose were indistinguishable from the changes caused by aldosterone. The results of cell-impalement studies corresponded to whole epithelial changes; RU 28362 induced a small increase in basolateral potential difference, from -43 +/- 2 to -45 +/- 1 mV, and a fall in apical potential difference, from 40 +/- 2 to 36 +/- 1 mV, but these effects on cell membrane voltage were less than caused by either aldosterone or dexamethasone. In contrast to the marked inhibitory action of amiloride to reduce VT in aldosterone- and dexamethasone-treated animals, this sodium channel blocker had no effect on VT in RU 28362-treated animals. Similarly, while spironolactone caused marked inhibition of the changes in VT, RT, and ISC induced by aldosterone, the inhibitory action on tissue from RU 28362-treated animals was slight or absent. These results suggest that glucocorticoids have a specific aldosterone receptor-independent action on the electrical properties of the large intestine.
A local soft voting method for texture-based vanishing point detection from unstructured road images

Vanishing point estimation algorithms based on Gabor filters have been widely published. By applying Gabor filters, the texture orientation and the confidence level at every pixel of the image can be estimated. An adaptive soft voting method to obtain a vanishing point was proposed in other research. Although that method can detect a proper vanishing point in most cases, its computational cost is very high. The goal of this paper is to reduce the computational cost of the algorithm. For this purpose we herein propose a new local soft voting method by scanning voters having high confidence levels.
Protein synthesis and phosphorylation patterns of bovine oocytes maturing in vivo

To investigate protein synthesis and phosphorylation during bovine oocyte maturation in vivo, oocytes were collected at consecutive times after the preovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH) peak. Therefore, heifers treated for superovulation were ovariectomized between 3 and 20 h after the maximum of the LH peak. Subsequently, cumulus‐enclosed oocytes, selected from nonatretic follicles >10 mm, were radiolabeled with 35S‐methionine or 32P‐orthophosphate for 3 h and individually prepared for gel electrophoresis. Changes in the protein synthesis patterns were observed coinciding with germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). No changes were detected during the ensuing maturation period or coinciding with the extrusion of the first polar body. In addition, the protein phosphorylation patterns exhibited striking differences around GVBD. In particular, a phosphoprotein band of 19 kDa and the two heavily phosphorylated proteins with apparent molecular weights between 50 and 60 kDa were present in patterns of oocytes in the germinal vesicle stage. The results are discussed in relation to previous data obtained during maturation in vitro.
Field evaluations of marine oil spill bioremediation.

Bioremediation is defined as the act of adding or improving the availability of materials (e.g., nutrients, microorganisms, or oxygen) to contaminated environments to cause an acceleration of natural biodegradative processes. The results of field experiments and trials following actual spill incidents have been reviewed to evaluate the feasibility of this approach as a treatment for oil contamination in the marine environment. The ubiquity of oil-degrading microorganisms in the marine environment is well established, and research has demonstrated the capability of the indigenous microflora to degrade many components of petroleum shortly after exposure. Studies have identified numerous factors which affect the natural biodegradation rates of oil, such as the origin and concentration of oil, the availability of oil-degrading microorganisms, nutrient concentrations, oxygen levels, climatic conditions, and sediment characteristics. Bioremediation strategies based on the application of fertilizers have been shown to stimulate the biodegradation rates of oil in aerobic intertidal sediments such as sand and cobble. The ratio of oil loading to nitrogen concentration within the interstitial water has been identified to be the principal controlling factor influencing the success of this bioremediation strategy. However, the need for the seeding of natural environments with hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria has not been clearly demonstrated under natural environmental conditions. It is suggested that bioremediation should now take its place among the many techniques available for the treatment of oil spills, although there is still a clear need to set operational limits for its use. On the basis of the available evidence, we have proposed preliminary operational guidelines for bioremediation on shoreline environments.
Provision and Usage of Medical Services by Community Pharmacy: A Comparative Study of New York, Macao and Zhuhai (China)

Community pharmacies around the world are redefining their roles by experimenting to provide medical services directly to consumers. The aim of this study was to investigate the medical services provided by community pharmacies and consumers’ usage of these medical services. This study was carried out through semi-structured interviews with both community pharmacists and their consumers in New York, Macao and Zhuhai. Community pharmacists reported information about provision of medical services, and consumers provided information about their usage of medical services at community pharmacies accordingly. Through analysis of interview materials it showed that community pharmacies mainly provided free medical examination, reference books and booklet of drug information. Some community pharmacies provided health care lecture and founded own website for medicine information. But touch-screen computer querying system and telephone health care service had not been provided. Additionally the consumers’ usage of medical services at community pharmacy is obviously lower than provision by community pharmacy. The provision level of medical services by community pharmacy was relatively low and the types of medical services were relatively narrow. There was an obvious gap between provision of medical services by community pharmacies and usage of such services by consumers. The position of community pharmacy in national health system and capability of community pharmacy have impact on the medical services of community pharmacies. Key words: Community pharmacy; Medical services; Comparative study; New York; Macao; Zhuhai (China)
Microbial Keratitis and Vision Loss with Contact Lenses

Purpose. Microbial keratitis is the only sight-threatening adverse event that occurs with contact lens wear. This article gives a preliminary estimation of the incidence of microbial keratitis and vision loss with continuous-wear contact lenses made from highly oxygen permeable (Dk) materials. Methods. The most up-to-date data available on microbial keratitis and vision loss are collected from a range of sources including industry, private practice, and publications and is reviewed. Results. There have been 16 cases of microbial keratitis with high-Dk silicone hydrogel lenses. Of the 13 where data are available, none have lost two or more lines of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Conclusion. First approximation indicates that the incidence of microbial keratitis with high-Dk silicone hydrogel lenses may be lower than the incidence with low-Dk soft lenses during extended wear. The rate of loss of more than two lines of BCVA is low in patients that develop microbial keratitis with low- and high-Dk soft lenses.
Molecular genetics of essential hypertension

ABSTRACT Hypertension is a major public health problem in the developing as well as in developed countries due to its high prevalence and its association with coronary heart disease, renal disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and related disorders. Essential hypertension (EH) is the most common diagnosis in this disease, suggesting that a monocausal etiology has not been identified. However, a number of risk factors associated with EH have also been identified such as age, sex, demographic, environmental, genetic, and vascular factors. Recent advances in molecular biological research had achieved clarifying the molecular basis of Mendelian hypertensive disorders. Molecular genetic studies have now identified mutations in several genes that cause Mendelian forms of hypertension in humans. However, none of the single genetic variants has emerged from linkage or association analyses as consistently related to the blood pressure level in every sample and in all populations. Besides, a number of polymorphisms in candidate genes have been associated with differences in blood pressure. The most prominent candidate has been the polymorphisms in the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system. In total, EH is likely to be a polygenic disorder that results from inheritance of a number of susceptibility genes and involves multiple environmental determinants. These determinants complicate the study of blood pressure variations in the general population. The complex nature of the hypertension phenotype makes large-scale studies indispensable, when screening of familial and genetic factors was intended. In this review, recent genetic studies exploring the molecular basis of EH, including different molecular pathways, are highlighted.
Derepression of the synthesis of D-ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase from Rhodospirillum rubrum

The synthesis of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase in Rhodospirillum rubrum was greatly influenced by the conditions of culture. When grown photolithotrophically in an atmosphere containing low levels of CO2 (1.5 to 2%), enzyme synthesis was derepressed, with the result that the enzyme comprised up to 50% of the soluble protein of the cells as determined by immunological quantitation. This response was not observed when R. rubrum was grown photolithotrophically in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 in hydrogen. Similarly, the derepression of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase was observed in photoheterotrophically (butyrate)-grown cultures only after the HCO3- supply was nearly exhausted. The increase in enzyme activity observed in derepressed cultures was not paralleled by an increase in the in vivo CO2 fixation rate. Apparently, R. rubrum derepresses the synthesis of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase when exposed to low CO2 concentrations to scavenge the limited CO2 available to such cultures.
A Change of Order Balance Implies Intraday Price Trend in Japanese Stock Market

This paper focuses on the relation between order book condition and price movement. The presented model is applicable to making trading strategies during the day and to estimating them in the Japanese stock market. Nevertheless, it is difficult to reveal the absolute mechanism of the financial market. We find that the information on order books are more meaningful in constructing a trading strategy rather than the information from traded prices and volume data. Particularly, a change of the balance on order book implies price trend not only in a moment, but also over a certain period, due to a memory effect. Additionally, it is indicated that thinning out data is still good enough to study intraday market movement, even if there are many HFT order flows. We can recognize that HFT requires algorithmic trade, but algorithmic trade does not require HFT. Keywords— Order Book, Ita, Stock Market, Market Impact, Algorithmic Trade, High Frequency Trade, Intraday movement.
THE EFFECT OF IRBESARTAN ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

A BSTRACT Background Microalbuminuria and hypertension are risk factors for diabetic nephropathy. Blockade of the renin–angiotensin system slows the progression to diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 1 diabetes, but similar data are lacking for hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes. We evaluated the renoprotective effect of the angiotensin-II–receptor antagonist irbesartan in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria. Methods A total of 590 hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria were enrolled in this multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of irbesartan, at a dose of either 150 mg daily or 300 mg daily, and were followed for two years. The primary outcome was the time to the onset of diabetic nephropathy, defined by persistent albuminuria in overnight specimens, with a urinary albumin excretion rate that was greater than 200 μg per minute and at least 30 percent higher than the base-line level. Results The base-line characteristics in the three groups were similar. Ten of the 194 patients in the 300-mg group (5.2 percent) and 19 of the 195 patients in the 150-mg group (9.7 percent) reached the primary end point, as compared with 30 of the 201 patients in the placebo group (14.9 percent) (hazard ratios, 0.30 [95 percent confidence interval, 0.14 to 0.61; P< 0.001] and 0.61 [95 percent confidence interval, 0.34 to 1.08; P=0.08] for the two irbesartan groups, respectively). The average blood pressure during the course of the study was 144/83 mm Hg in the placebo group, 143/83 mm Hg in the 150-mg group, and 141/ 83 mm Hg in the 300-mg group (P=0.004 for the comparison of systolic blood pressure between the placebo group and the combined irbesartan groups). Serious adverse events were less frequent among the patients treated with irbesartan (P=0.02). Conclusions Irbesartan is renoprotective independently of its blood-pressure–lowering effect in patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria. (N Engl J Med 2001;345:870-8.)