Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surface ultrastructure of SARS coronavirus revealed by atomic force microscopy

Atomic force microscopy has been used to probe the surface nanostructures of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS‐CoV). Single crown‐like virion was directly visualized and quantitative measurements of the dimensions for the structural proteins were provided. A corona of large, distinctive spikes in the envelope was measured after treatment with hydroxyoctanoic acid. High‐resolution images revealed that the surface of each single SARS‐CoV was surrounded with at least 15 spherical spikes having a diameter of 7.29 ± 0.73 nm, which is in close agreement with that of S glycoproteins earlier predicted through the genomes of SARS‐CoV. This study represents the first direct characterization of the surface ultrastructures of SARS‐CoV particles at the nanometre scale and offers new prospects for mapping viral surface properties.
Étude théorique et modélisation par la méthode FDTD de nanostructures plasmoniques : application à la conception de biocapteurs

Ce travail de these est une contribution a l’etude des proprietes optiques de structures plasmoniques composees de nanoparticules metalliques. Il s’appuie sur diverses simulations numeriques realisees a l’aide de la methode des differences finies dans le domaine temporel ou FDTD (Finite-Difference Time-Domain). La premiere partie de ce travail concerne l’etude d’un reseau periodique de nanofils d’or, de section droite rectangulaire, situe au sein d’un environnement dielectrique multi-couches. L’influence des parametres geometriques des nanofils, de la periode du reseau et de l’epaisseur de dielectrique recouvrant les nanofils sur la position spectrale de la resonance plasmonique a ete exploree. Cette etude a demontre que la longueur d’onde de resonance oscille quand l’epaisseur du dielectrique recouvrant les nanofils varie. Un modele analytique simple a ete developpe afin de mieux apprehender l’origine de ces oscillations. L’influence des indices de refraction de la matrice dielectrique sur les parametres de l’oscillation a egalement ete analysee. La deuxieme partie de ce travail a ete consacree a la determination et a l’etude de facteurs controlant la sensibilite des capteurs a resonance de plasmons de surface localises. Differentes formes de nanoparticules et differents types de nanofils ont ete analyses. De plus, trois grands themes ont ete abordes :- l’influence sur la sensibilite du substrat sur lequel sont deposees les nanoparticules,- l’influence sur la sensibilite du materiau recouvrant les nanoparticules et,- l’origine du lien existant entre la longueur d’onde de resonance plasmonique et la sensibilite des nanoparticules a un changement d’indice de refraction.
¨ALTERAÇÕES OXIDATIVAS EM PORTADORES DE DOENÇA DE PARKINSON: CORRELAÇÃO COM CRITÉRIOS CLÍNICOS E ESTÁGIOS DA DOENÇA¨

A doenca de Parkinson (DP) constitui uma das mais prevalentes doencas neurologicas. Nesta doenca, ocorre a neurodegeneracao do sistema nigroestriatal com alteracao da circuitaria neuronal dos nucleos da base levando ao comprometimento motor caracteristico da doenca. Os sintomas classicos sao o tremor de repouso, rigidez, acinesia ou bradicinesia e instabilidade postural. A patogenese da DP ainda permanece obscura. No entanto, estima-se que a disfuncao mitocondrial e o desenvolvimento de estresse oxidativo na substância negra tenham papel relevante neste processo. O diagnostico da DP e clinico e normalmente acontece tardiamente, quando a maioria dos neuronios nigrais esta degenerada. Alguns trabalhos mostram o efeito neuroprotetor de medicacoes antiparkinsonianas e isto demonstra que quanto mais precoce a introducao do tratamento melhor o prognostico a longo prazo da doenca. Portanto o desenvolvimento de marcadores perifericos que ajudem no diagnostico precoce da doenca e importante para que se inicie o tratamento a tempo de retardar o avanco da morte neuronal. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a existencia de alteracoes em parâmetros oxidantes e antioxidantes no sangue de pacientes parkinsonianos e sua relacao com o estagio da doenca e criterios clinicos. Foram avaliados 30 portadores de DP e 30 individuos sem a doenca. Para avaliar o estagio da doenca e caracteres clinicos foram aplicadas as escalas de Hoehn & Yahr e a UPDRS (escala unificada para doenca de Parkinson) nos pacientes parkinsonianos. Para avaliar a atividade oxidativa no plasma dos individuos, foi analisada a peroxidacao lipidica atraves da mensuracao de produtos da acao de Especies Reativas de Oxigenio e Nitrogenio (ERON; TBARS) e para avaliar a resposta antioxidante foi feita a avaliacao da Capacidade Antioxidante Total (TEAC). Nos grupos DP leve e DP moderado foi encontrado maior valor do TBARS e menor valor do TEAC em relacao aos controles e DP grave (p<0,05), confirmando a presenca de estresse oxidativo nas fases precoces da DP. Nesta pesquisa esses parâmetros demonstraram serem bons marcadores perifericos do estresse oxidativo, colaborando para um diagnostico precoce da DP.
Socio-Economic Inequalities in Health in Catalonia

In this paper we measure the degree of income related inequality in mental health as measured by the GHQ instrument and general health as measured by the EQOL-5D instrument for the Catalan population. We find that income is the main contributor to inequality, although the share of inequality in mental health that can be explained by income is much greater than the corresponding share of inequality in general health. We also find that the variation in demographic structure reduces income related inequality in mental health but increases income related inequality in general health. The regional variations in both instruments for health are striking, with the Barcelona districts faring relatively bad with respect to the rest of geographical areas and Lleida being the health region where, all else held equal, the population reports the greatest level of health. A big share of inequality in the two health measures, but specially mental health, is due to the favourable position in both health and income of those who enjoy an indefinite contract with respect to the rest of individuals. We also find that risky working conditions affect both health measures and are able to explain an important share of socio-economic inequality.
Progress in Documentation the Complexities of citation Practice: a Review of citation studies

The use of bibliographic citation is a crucial aspect in the creation and dissemination of information. Numerous studies have been done ranging from simple citation counts to more complex bibliographic coupling studies, and from citation classifications to citation motivation studies. This review focusses on the citation studies that have explored the complexities and the underlying norms of the citation process. The major emphasis is placed upon the studies which have dealt with citation functions, citation quality, citation concepts and citation motivation. The international perspectives of citation practice are also discussed.
Genetics of Schizophrenia

The past three decades have witnessed an explosion in human genetics research, particularly research designed to identify genetic variants causing or increasing risk for disease. These efforts began spectacularly with early successes identifying relatively infrequent diseases following classical Mendelian patterns of inheritance. Now more common diseases with complex modes of inheritance are being addressed. Schizophrenia, with an estimated heritability factor of approximately 70 percent, belongs to this category. As with other genetically complex disorders, gene-mapping efforts have achieved mixed success for schizophrenia. Research has proceeded from classical family-based linkage analyses, indicating specific regions of the genome possibly harboring susceptibility genes, to genetic association designs. The latest series of investigations involves dense sets of common polymorphisms across the entire genome comparing cases and controls. These genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed several plausible risk variants, most notably in the Human Leukocyte Antigen region. Still, the identified risk variants do not fully account for estimated heritability. Thus, much of the inherited risk for schizophrenia remains undetected. The reasons for our inability to solve the so-called missing heritability problem are discussed and designs for future studies are suggested.
Pensamos Juntos, Logo Existimos: Ensaios para Geração de Processos de Inteligência Coletiva em Capacitação para Equipe EAD

O presente artigo apresenta reflexoes sobre transformacoes nos modos de aprender e de ensinar que ocorrem em uma cultura que nao esta mais baseada na escrita e na oralidade, mas em relacoes marcadas por caracteristicas de uma cultura digital, como instantaneidade, coletividade e interatividade. Busca-se encontrar as origens da escola e suas razoes de criacao para, entao, relaciona-las com mudancas necessarias nos modos de ensinar de professores que vivem em tempos de uma cultura fortemente baseada no digital e marcada por multiplas linguagens e novas habilidades. Questiona-se os cursos de formacao de professores que costumam negar a acao das midias digitais interativas nos processos de aprendizagem e apresenta-se aspectos e resultados da metodologia de formacao adotada para a equipe do Curso de Licenciatura em Educacao do Campo (CLEC) da UFPel que tem dentre seus pressupostos a preocupacao com a geracao de processos de inteligencia coletiva, na perspectiva de Pierre Levy quando convoca ao pensamento conjunto para a existencia em comunidade.
Stop codons affect 5′ splice site selection by surveillance of splicing

Pre-mRNA splicing involves recognition of a consensus sequence at the 5′ splice site (SS). However, only some of the many potential sites that conform to the consensus are true ones, whereas the majority remain silent and are not normally used for splicing. We noticed that in most cases the utilization of such a latent intronic 5′ SS for splicing would introduce an in-frame stop codon into the resultant mRNA. This finding suggested a link between SS selection and maintenance of an ORF within the mRNA. Here we tested this idea by analyzing the splicing of pre-mRNAs in which in-frame stop codons upstream of a latent 5′ SS were mutated. We found that splicing with the latent site is indeed activated by such mutations. Our findings predict the existence of a checking mechanism, as a component of the nuclear pre-mRNA splicing machine, to ensure the maintenance of an ORF. This notion is highly important for accurate gene expression, as perturbations that would lead to splicing at these latent sites are expected to introduce in-frame stop codons into the majority of mRNAs.
Speaking up about safety concerns: multi-setting qualitative study of patients' views and experiences

Objectives To explore patients' and family members' experiences of and views about speaking up about safety concerns at the point of care. Design Qualitative study using 71 individual interviews and 12 focus group discussions. Participants and settings People with recent experience of one of five conditions or interventions associated with different safety problems (childhood asthma, diabetes, breast cancer, elective joint replacement and severe and enduring mental health problems) and people who had lodged concerns with healthcare providers were recruited from both NHS services (primary and secondary care) and patient support organisations. Findings Participants had identified various safety concerns in the course of their healthcare and had sometimes spoken up about these as they occurred. Their inclination and ability to speak up were apparently variously shaped by their assessments of the gravity of the threat of harm, the relative importance of their concern given other patients' needs and staff workloads and priorities, their confidence about their grounds for concern, roles and responsibilities and the likely consequences of speaking up. These assessments were pervasively influenced by the way healthcare staff behaved and related to them. People who had spoken up about concerns reported diverse responses from health professionals. Some responses averted harm or provided welcome reassurance, but others exacerbated anxieties and possibly contributed to patient harm. Conclusion The potential for patients to contribute to their safety by speaking up about their concerns depends heavily on the quality of patient–professional interactions and relationships.
Preconditioning c-Kit-positive Human Cardiac Stem Cells with a Nitric Oxide Donor Enhances Cell Survival through Activation of Survival Signaling Pathways*

Cardiac stem cell therapy has shown very promising potential to repair the infarcted heart but is severely limited by the poor survival of donor cells. Nitric oxide (NO) has demonstrated cytoprotective properties in various cells, but its benefits are unknown specifically for human cardiac stem cells (hCSCs). Therefore, we investigated whether pretreatment of hCSCs with a widely used NO donor, diethylenetriamine nitric oxide adduct (DETA-NO), promotes cell survival. Results from lactate dehydrogenase release assays showed a dose- and time-dependent attenuation of cell death induced by oxidative stress after DETA-NO preconditioning; this cytoprotective effect was abolished by the NO scavenger. Concomitant up-regulation of several cell signaling molecules after DETA-NO preconditioning was observed by Western blotting, including elevated phosphorylation of NRF2, NFκB, STAT3, ERK, and AKT, as well as increased protein expression of HO-1 and COX2. Furthermore, pharmaceutical inhibition of ERK, STAT3, and NFκB activities significantly diminished NO-induced cytoprotection against oxidative stress, whereas inhibition of AKT or knockdown of NRF2 only produced a minor effect. Blocking PI3K activity or knocking down COX2 expression did not alter the protective effect of DETA-NO on cell survival. The crucial roles of STAT3 and NFκB in NO-mediated signaling pathways were further confirmed by stable expression of gene-specific shRNAs in hCSCs. Thus, preconditioning hCSCs with DETA-NO promotes cell survival and resistance to oxidative stress by activating multiple cell survival signaling pathways. These results will potentially provide a simple and effective strategy to enhance survival of hCSCs after transplantation and increase their efficacy in repairing infarcted myocardium.
Effect of material characteristics and/or surface topography on biofilm development.

BACKGROUND From an ecological viewpoint, the oral cavity, in fact the oro-pharynx, is an 'open growth system'. It undergoes an uninterrupted introduction and removal of both microorganisms and nutrients. In order to survive within the oro-pharyngeal area, bacteria need to adhere either to the soft or hard tissues in order to resist shear forces. The fast turn-over of the oral lining epithelia (shedding 3 x/day) is an efficient defence mechanism as it prevents the accumulation of large masses of microorganisms. Teeth, dentures, or endosseous implants, however, providing non-shedding surfaces, allow the formation of thick biofilms. In general, the established biofilm maintains an equilibrium with the host. An uncontrolled accumulation and/or metabolism of bacteria on the hard surfaces forms, however, the primary cause of dental caries, gingivitis, periodontitis, peri-implantitis, and stomatitis. OBJECTIVES This systematic review aimed to evaluate critically the impact of surface characteristics (free energy, roughness, chemistry) on the de novo biofilm formation, especially in the supragingival and to a lesser extent in the subgingival areas. METHODS An electronic Medline search (from 1966 until July 2005) was conducted applying the following search items: 'biofilm formation and dental/oral implants/surface characteristics', 'surface characteristics and implants', 'biofilm formation and oral', 'plaque/biofilm and roughness', 'plaque/biofilm and surface free energy', and 'plaque formation and implants'. Only clinical studies within the oro-pharyngeal area were included. RESULTS From a series of split-mouth studies, it could be concluded that both an increase in surface roughness above the R(a) threshold of 0.2 microm and/or of the surface-free energy facilitates biofilm formation on restorative materials. When both surface characteristics interact with each other, surface roughness was found to be predominant. The biofilm formation is also influenced by the type (chemical composition) of biomaterial or the type of coating. Direct comparisons in biofilm formation on different transmucosal implant surfaces are scars. CONCLUSIONS Extrapolation of data from studies on different restorative materials seems to indicate that transmucosal implant surfaces with a higher surface roughness/surface free energy facilitate biofilm formation.
T cells with a quiescent phenotype (CD45RA+) are overabundant in the blood and involuted lymphoid tissues in wasting protein and energy deficiencies

The objective of this investigation was to determine the influence of distinct forms of acute weight loss on the expression of the quiescence marker, CD45RA, by T cells in several lymphoid compartments including the blood. Male and female weanling mice, CBA/J and C57BL/6J strains, were allocated to the following groups: ad libitum intake of a complete purified diet; restricted intake of the complete diet; and ad libitum intake of an isocaloric low‐protein diet. The restricted intake protocol produced weight loss through energy deficiency (marasmic‐type malnutrition), whereas the low‐protein diet caused wasting through inadequate protein nitrogen and induced a condition mimicking incipient kwashiorkor. In one experiment, weanling mice of both strains were maintained for 14 days according to each of these dietary protocols and, in a supplementary study, C57BL/6J weanlings consumed either the complete diet or the low‐protein diet ad libitum for 21 days. Zero‐time control groups (19‐days old and 23‐days old in C57BL/6J and CBA/J strains, respectively) were included in the first experiment to control for ontogeny‐related change. Expression of CD45RA was assessed by two‐colour flow cytometry in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from the spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes and blood. Within 14 days, energy‐restricted mice exhibited a high percentage of CD4+ T cells expressing CD45RA in all three lymphoid compartments in both mouse strains (an average of 50% CD45RA+ versus 9% in well‐nourished controls), and a similar outcome was apparent in the CD8+ subset (93% CD45RA+ versus 63%). Mice fed the low‐protein diet required up to 21 days to exhibit the same imbalance within the CD4+ T‐cell subset (33% CD45RA+ versus 4% in well‐nourished controls). A shift toward a quiescent phenotype occurs throughout the peripheral T‐cell system in acute wasting disease. Consequently, the quiescence‐activation phenotype of blood T cells reflects the same index in secondary lymphoid organs in such pathologies. Naive‐type quiescence among T cells is implicated as a component of depressed adaptive immunocompetence in the advanced stages of diverse forms of acute weight loss.
Associations between alcohol use and alcohol-related negative consequences among black and white college men and women.

OBJECTIVE The gender gap in alcohol use has been narrowing among young adults, while race differences in alcohol problems change throughout the life course, with Whites experiencing more problems before middle adulthood and Blacks experiencing more after. Yet, there is a paucity of research on the intricate relationship among gender, race, alcohol use, and alcohol problems in emerging adults. The present study addressed this gap in the literature. METHOD The sample included White (n = 14,772) and Black (n = 458) college students from multiple colleges across the United States (59% female; 51% freshmen; Mage = 20 years). RESULTS With alcohol use levels adjusted for, women were more likely to report consequences related to damage to self and dependence-like symptoms than men. There were no significant race differences in either the type or the number of alcohol problems. Further, there was no Race × Alcohol Use interaction in relation to alcohol problems. We found a statistically significant interaction between gender and alcohol use in predicting alcohol problems, suggesting that, at higher levels of drinking, the risk for women to experience alcohol problems was significantly greater than that for men. CONCLUSIONS The reverse race gap in alcohol use and problems may not surface until young adulthood or may not be relevant for those who attend college. College interventions should help both Black and White students reduce problems associated with drinking and focus on limiting harm among female students.
Failure to confirm genetic association between schizophrenia and markers on chromosome 1q23.3 in the region of the gene encoding the regulator of G‐protein signaling 4 protein (RGS4)

The chromosome 1q23.3 region, which includes the RGS4 gene has been implicated in genetic susceptibility to schizophrenia by two linkage studies with lod scores of 6.35 and 3.20 and with positive lod between 2.00 and 3.00 scores in several other studies. Reduced post mortem RGS4 gene expression in the brain of schizophrenics was reported as well as positive allelic association between markers at the RGS4 gene locus and schizophrenia. We have attempted to replicate the finding of allelic association with schizophrenia in a UK based sample of 450 subjects with schizophrenia and 450 supernormal controls. We genotyped the same SNP marker alleles investigated in the earlier studies and also a di‐nucleotide (GT)14 repeat microsatellite marker, which was 7 kb distal to RGS4. In the new UK sample there was no evidence for allelic or haplotypic association between RGS4 markers and schizophrenia. This might reflect genetic heterogeneity between the population samples, genotyping or other methodological problems. The finding weakens the evidence that mutations or variation in the RGS4 gene have an effect on schizophrenia susceptibility. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of a Novel Carotenoid Cleavage Dioxygenase from Plants*

The plant hormone abscisic acid is derived from the oxidative cleavage of a carotenoid precursor. Enzymes that catalyze this carotenoid cleavage reaction,nine- c is epoxy-carotenoid dioxygenases, have been identified in several plant species. Similar proteins, whose functions are not yet known, are present in diverse organisms. A putative cleavage enzyme from Arabidopsis thaliana contains several highly conserved motifs found in other carotenoid cleavage enzymes. However, the overall homology with known abscisic acid biosynthetic enzymes is low. To determine the biochemical function of this protein, it was expressed in Escherichia coli and used for in vitro assays. The recombinant protein was able to cleave a variety of carotenoids at the 9–10 and 9′-10′ positions. In most instances, the enzyme cleaves the substrate symmetrically to produce a C14 dialdehyde and two C13 products, which vary depending on the carotenoid substrate. Based upon sequence similarity, orthologs of this gene are present throughout the plant kingdom. A similar protein in beans catalyzes the same reaction in vitro. The characterization of these activities offers the potential to synthesize a variety of interesting, natural products and is the first step in determining the function of this gene family in plants.