nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
The Role of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Function of Candidate Tumor Suppressor ALDH1L1

Folate (vitamin B9) is a common name for a group of coenzymes that function as carriers of chemical moieties called one-carbon groups in numerous biochemical reactions. The combination of these folate-dependent reactions constitutes one-carbon metabolism, the name synonymous to folate metabolism. Folate coenzymes and associated metabolic pathways are vital for cellular homeostasis due to their key roles in nucleic acid biosynthesis, DNA repair, methylation processes, amino acid biogenesis, and energy balance. Folate is an essential nutrient because humans are unable to synthesize this coenzyme and must obtain it from the diet. Insufficient folate intake can ultimately increase risk of certain diseases, most notably neural tube defects. More than 20 enzymes are known to participate in folate metabolism. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding for folate enzymes are associated with altered metabolism, changes in DNA methylation and modified risk for the development of human pathologies including cardiovascular diseases, birth defects, and cancer. ALDH1L1, one of the folate-metabolizing enzymes, serves a regulatory function in folate metabolism restricting the flux of one-carbon groups through biosynthetic processes. Numerous studies have established that ALDH1L1 is often silenced or strongly down-regulated in cancers. The loss of ALDH1L1 protein positively correlates with the occurrence of malignant tumors and tumor aggressiveness, hence the enzyme is viewed as a candidate tumor suppressor. ALDH1L1 has much higher frequency of non-synonymous exonic SNPs than most other genes for folate enzymes. Common SNPs at the polymorphic loci rs3796191, rs2886059, rs9282691, rs2276724, rs1127717, and rs4646750 in ALDH1L1 exons characterize more than 97% of Europeans while additional common variants are found in other ethnic populations. The effects of these SNPs on the enzyme is not clear but studies indicate that some coding and non-coding ALDH1L1 SNPs are associated with altered risk of certain cancer types and it is also likely that specific haplotypes define the metabolic response to dietary folate. This review discusses the role of ALDH1L1 in folate metabolism and etiology of diseases with the focus on non-synonymous coding ALDH1L1 SNPs and their effects on the enzyme structure/function, metabolic role and association with cancer.

Field of study: Biology
Prospect and review of high level sports teams managed by common institutes of higher learning in Chin in the last 20 years

The authors analyzed the following splendid achievements made by high level sports teams managed by common institutes of higher learning in China in the last 20 years: A number of institutes of higher learning that cul-tivate high level athletes have been established,which gives new vitality to the institutes;a number of relatively ex-cellent sports backup talents have been cultivated,and have made good achievements in competitions at home and abroad;scholastic features and brands have been formed;the development of mass sports activities in universities,middle schools and elementary schools has been boosted;the construction of campus spiritual civilization has been boosted and campus cultural life has been diversified.The authors pointed out the following existing problems: Se-rious lack of student sources,not good makings of the coach team,the lack of funds,serious contradiction between "learning and training",and imperfect competition system.The author looked forward to the future of development of high level sports teams managed by common institutes of higher learning in China in terms of perfecting the "all in one" training system,establishing a new coach source mode,athlete marketization,managing the athletes prop-erly,handling the contradiction between "learning and training" appropriately,and reforming the sports competition system in institutes of higher learning.

Field of study: Education
Rate of Perineal Injuries and Episiotomy in a Sample of Women at Maternity Teaching Hospital in Erbil City

episiotomy is a surgical incision done during the last stages of labor and delivery to expand the opening of the vagina to prevent tear-ing of the perineum during the delivery of the baby. The objectives of this study are to estimate episiotomy and perineal injury rate, indication for episiotomy and their association with socio-demographic characteristics.  Cross-sectional study was conducted between 1 st .april.2015-1 st .oct.2015 at maternity Teaching Hospital in Erbil city; convenient sampling was used to select the study sample (all 500 pregnant women admitted for normal vaginal delivery during period of study). Information about episiotomy, post-nataly immediately after birth of child in labor room and socio-demographic characteristics were obtained from patients and midwifes.  The results revealed that the episiotomy rate was 44.2%, perineal injury rate 18.4%, perineal rigidity is first indication for episiotomy which represented 65.6% of cases followed by maternal exhaustion 12.2%. Significant association seen between episiotomy, perineal injury rate with several parameters under study, rather than there was also significant association was seen between episiotomy and perineal injury rate.  Episiotomy and perineal injury rate was considered acceptable rate even it is higher than what was reported in developed countries as well as the result revealed that episiotomy was minimizing the rate of perineal injury.

Field of study: Education
ANGULAR DIAMETERS AND EFFECTIVE TEMPERATURES OF 25 K GIANT STARS FROM

Using Georgia State University's Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy Array interferometer, we measured angular diameters for 25 giant stars, six of which host exoplanets. The combination of these measurements and Hipparcos parallaxes produces physical linear radii for the sample. Except for two outliers, our values match angular diameters and physical radii estimated using photometric methods to within the associated errors with the advantage that our uncertainties are significantly lower. We also calculated the effective temperatures for the stars using the newly measured diameters. Our values do not match those derived from spectroscopic observations as well, perhaps due to the inherent properties of the methods used or because of a missing source of extinction in the stellar models that would affect the spectroscopic temperatures.

Field of study: Physics
Phosphorylation of microtubule-associated proteins.

1. Tubulin is not an adenosine-3':5'-monophosphate-dependent (cyclic-AMP-dependent) protein kinase. Both entities have been clearly separated by sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. With a tubulin preparation obtained by the polymerization-depolymerization technique protein kinase had a sedimentation coefficient of 8.7 S whereas tubulin sedimented with 6.4 S. After preincubation with both cyclic AMP and histone the kinase dissociated into its catalytic subunit with a sedimentation coefficient of 3.4 S. 2. Tubulin prepared by the polymerization-depolymerization technique was neither phosphorylated in vivo nor in vitro. On the contrary if this preparation was further purified by the Weisenberg's procedure (DEAE-Sephadex batch absorption) before incubation with [gamma-32 P]ATP, phosphorylation occurred. Thus, phosphorylation depended on the method used to purify tubulin i.e. was likely to an an artefact.

Field of study: Biology
Differential response of iron metabolism to oxidative stress generated by antimycin A and nitrofurantoin.

The close interrelationship of oxidative stress and iron is evident by the influence of intracellular reactive oxygen species on iron metabolism. Oxygen radicals can lead to release of iron from iron-sulfur proteins and ferritin, and can damage iron-containing enzymes such as mitochondrial aconitase. Treatment of HepG2 human hepatoma cells with antimycin A has two effects relating to iron depending on the concentrations of antimycin A: increase of the labile iron pool and stimulation of non-transferrin-bound iron uptake. Whereas the first could also be generated with nitrofurantoin, the stimulation of non-transferrin-bound iron uptake was only seen with antimycin A and needed considerably higher concentrations. Pretreatment of the cells with ebselen, which scavenges peroxides, reverted only the effect of nitrofurantoin on the labile iron pool. Depletion with iron chelators before or after treatment with antimycin A diminished the stimulation of non-transferrin-bound iron uptake. We conclude that the generation of oxygen radicals in the mitochondria leads to the liberation of iron from mitochondrial enzymes, which enters the labile iron pool. But high concentrations of antimycin A leading to the stimulation of non-transferrin-bound iron uptake is possibly not related to the inhibition of the respiratory chain.

Field of study: Biology
Selective antagonism of hormone-induced vasoconstriction by synthetic atrial natriuretic factor in the rat microcirculation.

Synthetic atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) was either added to suffusate solutions (30 nM) or infused into the jugular vein (0.1 nanomol/min/100 g) of anesthetized rats. Steady-state blood flow was calculated from arteriolar diameter and red blood cell velocity measurements using video microscopy in the intestinal or skeletal muscle microcirculation. Arterioles demonstrated spontaneous vasomotor tone by dilating to topical adenosine, but topical or intravenous ANF did not cause vasodilation. Either angiotensin, norepinephrine, or vasopressin was added to the suffusates in the presence or absence of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor (30 microM, meclofenamate or indomethacin) because each agonist is known to stimulate vasoactive prostanoid synthesis. In the intestine, angiotensin (500 nM) caused 40 +/- 2% blood flow decreases during intravenous saline but only 23 +/- 6% during intravenous ANF. Angiotensin (162 nM) and a cyclooxygenase inhibitor caused 19 +/- 4% blood flow decreases but only 8 +/- 5% decreases with cyclooxygenase inhibitor and topical ANF. In contrast, norepinephrine (2-5 microM) caused vasoconstriction that was not altered by topical or intravenous ANF, either alone or in combination with cyclooxygenase inhibitors. In the spinotrapezius muscle, angiotensin (1-2 nM) plus a cyclooxygenase inhibitor caused 40-60% blood flow decreases but only 20-30% decreases during intravenous or topical ANF. Topical or intravenous ANF did not alter the vasoconstriction evoked by arginine vasopressin (0.5-1.0 nM) or by norepinephrine (40-230 nM). Thus, supraphysiologic concentrations of ANF produced no direct vasodilation in the intestinal or skeletal muscle microcirculation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Field of study: Biology
A novel biologic activity of thrombin: stimulation of monocyte chemotactic protein production

Thrombin is a serine protease that is released at sites of vascular injury and exerts a variety of biologic effects on different cell types. Thrombin is postulated to play a role in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases including atherosclerosis, since it activates vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells. Thrombin mediates these effects through a specific receptor that is upregulated in vascular cells in atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis and glomerulosclerosis are characterized by the presence of monocyte-macrophages in the lesions. Monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP-1) is believed to be an important mediator of monocyte recruitment to the tissue and can be induced in a broad variety of cells including mesangial cells. We studied the effect of thrombin on MCP-1 production and gene expression in well- characterized human mesangial cells, vascular pericytes that play a central role in fibrosis of the glomerular microvascular bed. alpha thrombin stimulates MCP-1 production and gene expression in mesangial cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Experiments with diisopropylfluorophosphate thrombin and gamma thrombin demonstrate that this thrombin effect requires both receptor binding as well as catalytic activity, features consistent with the known properties of the recently characterized and cloned thrombin receptor. Moreover, a human thrombin receptor activating peptide (TRAP1-7) also stimulates MCP-1 production. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that mesangial cells express an mRNA transcript that hybridizes with labeled human thrombin receptor cDNA. These data describe a novel biologic activity of thrombin and suggest an additional mechanism by which this coagulation factor may participate in the progression of glomerulosclerosis, and by analogy, atherosclerosis.

Field of study: Biology
White matter tract integrity in treatment-resistant gambling disorder

Gambling disorder is a relatively common psychiatric disorder recently re-classified within the DSM-5 under the category of ‘substance-related and addictive disorders'.  To compare white matter integrity in patients with gambling disorder with healthy controls; to explore relationships between white matter integrity and disease severity in gambling disorder.  In total, 16 participants with treatment-resistant gambling disorder and 15 healthy controls underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). White matter integrity was analysed using tract-based spatial statistics.  Gambling disorder was associated with reduced fractional anisotropy in the corpus callosum and superior longitudinal fasciculus. Fractional anisotropy in distributed white matter tracts elsewhere correlated positively with disease severity.  Reduced corpus callosum fractional anisotropy is suggestive of disorganised/damaged tracts in patients with gambling disorder, and this may represent a trait/vulnerability marker for the disorder. Future research should explore these measures in a larger sample, ideally incorporating a range of imaging markers (for example functional MRI) and enrolling unaffected first-degree relatives of patients.

Field of study: Medicine, Psychology
Sector-based VOCs emission factors and source profiles for the surface coating industry in the Pearl River Delta region of China.

Accurate depiction of VOCs emission characteristics is essential for the formulation of VOCs control strategies. As one of the continuous efforts in improving VOCs emission characterization in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region, this study targeted on surface coating industry, the most important VOCs emission sources in the PRD. Sectors in analysis included shipbuilding coating, wood furniture coating, metal surface coating, plastic surface coating, automobile coating and fabric surface coating. Sector-based field measurement was conducted to characterize VOCs emission factors and source profiles in the PRD. It was found that the raw material-based VOCs emission factors for these six sectors ranged from 0.34 to 0.58kg VOCs per kg of raw materials (kg·kg-1) while the emission factors based on the production yield varied from 0.59kg to 13.72t VOCs for each production manufactured. VOCs emission factors of surface coating industry were therefore preferably calculated based on raw materials with low uncertainties. Source profiles differed greatly among different sectors. Aromatic was the largest group for shipbuilding coating, wood furniture coating, metal surface coating and automobile coating while the oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs) were the most abundant in the plastic and fabric surface coating sectors. The major species of aromatic VOCs in each of these six sectors were similar, mainly toluene and m/p-xylene, while the OVOCs varied among the different sectors. VOCs profiles in the three processes of auto industry, i.e., auto coating, auto drying and auto repairing, also showed large variations. The major species in these sectors in the PRD were similar with other places but the proportions of individual compounds were different. Some special components were also detected in the PRD region. This study highlighted the importance of updating local source profiles in a comprehensive and timely manner.

Field of study: Environmental science
[An experience of using mebicar in patients with autonomic dysfunction associated with anxiety disorder].

Cognitive impairments are one of the most frequent and maladaptive factors in patients with autonomic dysfunction associated with anxiety disorder. The majority of anxiolytics manage to compensate anxiety but suppress cognitive functions.



Fifty-four patients with autonomic dysfunction and anxiety disorder, including 39 women (mean age 25±6.7 years) and 15 men (mean age 27±8.4 years), were treated with mebicar during 3 months.



A reduction in the degree of autonomic dysfunction and anxiety symptoms as well as a significant improvement of cognitive functions were noted. Mebicar showed a good tolerability and minimum drug-related adverse events, and can be recommended as a first line anti-anxiety remedy in wide clinical practice.

Field of study: Medicine
AIDS: screening of possible carriers and human rights.

Like other serious infectious diseases, AIDS gives rise to a fundamental conflict between personal rights and public health. The recently developed test to detect antibody to the viral agent for AIDS is now predominantly being used to screen blood donors but it may spread to other settings. The possibility to demonstrate who is positive for the AIDS virus has raised a number of questions concerning the report-ability and confidentiality of test results; the right not to know and not to be informed about carrier status; the importance of informed consent as a requirement for testing; and the civil liberties of persons demonstrated to be seropositive. It is argued that public health policies should respect individual freedom and responsibility, not only because basic human rights are at stake, but also because such an approach is likely to be more effective in controlling the disease.

Field of study: Medicine, Sociology
Crowdsourcing user reviews to support the evolution of mobile apps

In recent software development and distribution scenarios, app stores are playing a major role, especially for mobile apps. On one hand, app stores allow continuous releases of app updates. On the other hand, they have become the premier point of interaction between app providers and users. After installing/updating apps, users can post reviews and provide ratings, expressing their level of satisfaction with apps, and possibly pointing out bugs or desired features. In this paper we empirically investigate—by performing a study on the evolution of 100 open source Android apps and by surveying 73 developers—to what extent app developers take user reviews into account, and whether addressing them contributes to apps’ success in terms of ratings. In order to perform the study, as well as to provide a monitoring mechanism for developers and project managers, we devised an approach, named CRISTAL , for tracing informative crowd reviews onto source code changes, and for monitoring the extent to which developers accommodate crowd requests and follow-up user reactions as reflected in their ratings. The results of our study indicate that (i) on average, half of the informative reviews are addressed, and over 75% of the interviewed developers claimed to take them into account often or very often, and that (ii) developers implementing user reviews are rewarded in terms of significantly increased user ratings.

Field of study: Computer science
Parallel Decoders of Polar Codes

In this letter, we propose parallel SC (Successive Cancellation) decoder and parallel SC-List decoder for polar codes. The parallel decoder is composed of M=2^m(m>=1) component decoders working in parallel and each component decoder decodes a Polar code of a block size of 1/M of the original Polar code. Therefore the parallel decoder has M times faster decoding speed. Our simulation results show that the parallel decoder has almost the same error-rate performance as the conventional non-parallel decoder.

Field of study: Computer science, Mathematics
Improved sparse reconstruction for fluorescence molecular tomography with L1/2 regularization.

Fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT) is a promising imaging technique that allows in vivo visualization of molecular-level events associated with disease progression and treatment response. Accurate and efficient 3D reconstruction algorithms will facilitate the wide-use of FMT in preclinical research. Here, we utilize L1/2-norm regularization for improving FMT reconstruction. To efficiently solve the nonconvex L1/2-norm penalized problem, we transform it into a weighted L1-norm minimization problem and employ a homotopy-based iterative reweighting algorithm to recover small fluorescent targets. Both simulations on heterogeneous mouse model and in vivo experiments demonstrated that the proposed L1/2-norm method outperformed the comparative L1-norm reconstruction methods in terms of location accuracy, spatial resolution and quantitation of fluorescent yield. Furthermore, simulation analysis showed the robustness of the proposed method, under different levels of measurement noise and number of excitation sources.

Field of study: Biology, Chemistry, Medicine
Influence of Agricultural Practices on the Levels of DDT and Its Residues in Soil.

DDT residues in soils resulting from past applications of DDT to pasture are of concern due to the uptake and accumulation of these residues by stock. In this paper, we report the results of a study of DDT residues in the soil (Lismore stoney silt loam) of long-term irrigation and superphosphate application trials set up approximately 40 years ago. Irrigation at a rate sufficient to maintain mean moisture in the top 100 mm of soil during the summer at 27.3% resulted in a total DDT residue level of around 40% that of unirrigated soil (mean summer moisture=13.8%). Superphosphate treatment resulted in lower soil level of p,p'-DDT and total DDT residues compared to the unfertilized control. Possible causes of these effects are discussed.

Field of study: Agricultural and Food sciences
The development and validation of the Contemporary Critical Consciousness Measure.

The development of critical consciousness (CC) has been theorized to be an essential prerequisite for individual and collective action toward changing inequitable social conditions. However, empirically supported instruments intended to measure this important construct have only recently been introduced to the literature. The purpose of this project was to create a brief, psychometrically sound measure of CC. Two studies with over 600 observations provide initial reliability and validity data on the Contemporary Critical Consciousness Measure (CCCM). Results from exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses suggest that the final 19-item CCCM assesses CC associated with racism, classism, and heterosexism and provides a general index of CC. Results support the internal consistency and factor structure of the measure. Expected relationships between the CCCM and existing measures of symbolic racism, classism, and homonegativity provide evidence for the validity of the instrument. Limitations, future directions for research, and counseling implications are discussed.

Field of study: Psychology