Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular basis for the dichotomy in Plasmodium falciparum adhesion to CD36 and chondroitin sulfate A

Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes adhere dichotomously to the host receptors CD36 and chondroitin sulfate A (CSA). This dichotomy is associated with parasite sequestration to microvasculature beds (CD36) or placenta (CSA), leading to site-specific pathogenesis. Both properties are mediated by members of the variant P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP-1) family and reside on nonoverlapping domains of the molecule. To identify the molecular basis for the apparent dichotomy, we expressed various domains of PfEMP-1 individually or in combination and tested their binding properties. We found that the CD36-binding mode of the cysteine-rich interdomain region-1 (CIDR1) ablates the ability of the Duffy binding-like γ domain to bind CSA. In contrast, neither a non-CD36-binding CIDR1 nor an intercellular adhesion molecule 1 binding domain had any affect on CSA binding. Our findings point out that interactions between different domains of PfEMP-1 can alter the adhesion phenotype of infected erythrocytes and provide a molecular basis for the apparent dichotomy in adhesion. We suggest that the basis for the dichotomy is structural and that mutually exclusive conformations of PfEMP-1 are involved in binding to CD36 or CSA. Furthermore, we propose a model explaining the requirement for structural dichotomy between placental and nonplacental isolates.
Higher Education and the Labour Market in Ireland, 1981-1991

Research in a number of OECD countries on the changing shape of higher education and the labour market for graduates has played an important part in the development of policies for education, research, and training. Very little research has been done in Ireland on these topics. In this paper we present a broad statistical picture of trends in higher education in Ireland during the period 1981-91 and the results of the first comprehensive survey of the career patterns of two cohorts of PhDs and professional engineers who graduated during the 1980s. First we consider the balance between the supply of and demand for third-level graduates and the first destinations of recipients of third-level awards. We go on to present the results of our survey, focusing on the current labour market status of PhDs and professional engineers, their patterns of external and return migration, and on income differentials between those who never emigrated, those who have returned to Ireland, and those who have permanently emigrated. We argue that the rapid expansion of higher education over the past decade has not been matched by demand for graduates in the domestic labour market. This raises a number of concerns regarding the returns to the substantial public investment in the sector, the capacity of the domestic economy to provide employment for, and utilise the skills of, highly educated graduates, and the danger of a process of credentials inflation. Ideally we would like to consider changes which have taken place in higher education at both university and non-university level. Unfortunately, comprehensive information is not available on the flow of graduates from non-university institutions and our discussion in the section on the supply of graduates will be confined to the university sector.
Assessing the speed and predictability of local adaptation in invasive California poppies (Eschscholzia californica)

Insight into the speed and predictability of local adaptation can be gained by studying organisms, such as invasive species, that have recently expanded their geographical ranges. Common garden studies were designed to address these issues with the California poppy, Eschscholzia californica, collected from a wide range of environments in both its native (California) and invasive (Chile) ranges. We found similar patterns of plant trait variation along similar abiotic gradients in plants collected from both areas. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that coastal plants from both areas tended to be shorter, smaller plants with smaller seeds and flowers that germinate and flower later than plants collected from inland locations. In addition, size and fecundity traits in both native and invasive poppies were correlated with average rainfall totals; the plants that grew the largest and were the most fecund during the first year of growth originated from the driest areas. This parallel variation suggests that these traits are adaptive and that these patterns have evolved in Chile during the 110–150 years since introduction.
Editorial: Wrigley's project

Economic geography has undergone a renaissance, led by a new generation of scholars working on problems at the intersections of economics, geography, management studies and regional studies. The Journal has captured this moment in the development of the field, providing a publication venue for innovative research shorn of past dogmas but sensitive to the changing global map of market capitalism. In collaboration with the founding and subsequent economics’ editors of the Journal, Wrigley’s stewardship of the Journal has taken a start-up venture into the very heart of four disciplines. This introduction to the special issue honouring his achievements considers the place of the Journal in the field of economic geography, its impact and how the articles of this special issue relate to Wrigley’s own research programme.
Nasal Immunization with a Fusion Protein Consisting of the Hemagglutinin A Antigenic Region and the Maltose-Binding Protein Elicits CD11c+ CD8+ Dendritic Cells for Induced Long-Term Protective Immunity

ABSTRACT We assessed the efficacy of a fusion protein consisting of the 25-kDa antigenic region of Porphyromonas gingivalis hemagglutinin A and the Escherichia coli maltose-binding protein (25k-hagA-MBP) as a nasal vaccine for the prevention of oral infection with P. gingivalis. Nasal immunization with 25k-hagA-MBP induced high levels of 25k-hagA-specific serum IgG, serum IgA, and salivary IgA antibodies in a Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-dependent manner. These antibody responses were maintained for at least 1 year after immunization. Analysis of cytokine responses showed that nasal administration of 25k-hagA-MBP induced antigen-specific CD4+ T cells producing interleukin 4 (IL-4) and IL-5, but not gamma interferon (IFN-γ), in the spleen and cervical lymph nodes (CLNs). Furthermore, increased numbers of CD11c+ CD8α+, but not CD11c+ CD11b+ or CD11c+ B220+, dendritic cells with upregulated expression of CD80, CD86, CD40, and major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) molecules were noted in the spleen, CLNs, and nasopharynx-associated lymphoreticular tissues (NALT). Interestingly, when 25k-hagA-MBP or cholera toxin (CT) was given intranasally to enable examination of their presence in neuronal tissues, the amounts of 25k-hagA-MBP were significantly lower than those of CT. Importantly, mice given 25k-hagA-MBP nasally showed a significant reduction in alveolar bone loss caused by oral infection with P. gingivalis, even 1 year after the immunization. These results suggest that 25k-hagA-MBP administered nasally would be an effective and safe mucosal vaccine against P. gingivalis infection and may be an important tool for the prevention of chronic periodontitis in humans.
Adult and Embryonic GAD Transcripts Are Spatiotemporally Regulated during Postnatal Development in the Rat Brain

Background GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, is synthesized by glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). GAD exists in two adult isoforms, GAD65 and GAD67. During embryonic brain development at least two additional transcripts exist, I-80 and I-86, which are distinguished by insertions of 80 or 86 bp into GAD67 mRNA, respectively. Though it was described that embryonic GAD67 transcripts are not detectable during adulthood there are evidences suggesting re-expression under certain pathological conditions in the adult brain. In the present study we systematically analyzed for the first time the spatiotemporal distribution of different GADs with emphasis on embryonic GAD67 mRNAs in the postnatal brain using highly sensitive methods. Methodology/Principal Findings QPCR was used to precisely investigate the postnatal expression level of GAD related mRNAs in cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, and olfactory bulb of rats from P1 throughout adulthood. Within the first three postnatal weeks the expression of both GAD65 and GAD67 mRNAs reached adult levels in hippocampus, cortex, and cerebellum. The olfactory bulb showed by far the highest expression of GAD65 as well as GAD67 transcripts. Embryonic GAD67 splice variants were still detectable at birth. They continuously declined to barely detectable levels during postnatal development in all investigated regions with exception of a comparatively high expression in the olfactory bulb. Radioactive in situ hybridizations confirmed the occurrence of embryonic GAD67 transcripts in the olfactory bulb and furthermore detected their localization mainly in the subventricular zone and the rostral migratory stream. Conclusions/Significance Embryonic GAD67 transcripts can hardly be detected in the adult brain, except for specific regions associated with neurogenesis and high synaptic plasticity. Therefore a functional role in processes like proliferation, migration or synaptogenesis is suggested.
Reliability of the medical outcomes study short-form survey version 2.0 (Thai version) for the evaluation of low back pain patients.

OBJECTIVES To determine the reliability of Thai version of the medical outcomes study short-form survey version 2.0 (SF-36V2) in low back pain patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD The authors developed the Thai version of the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Survey version 2.0 (SF-36V2) and tested it in 100 low back pain patients. Reliability of the Thai version of SF-36V2 was assessed by internal consistency using Chronbach's alpha coefficient and item-scale correlation. RESULTS The authors demonstrated that the Chronbach's alpha coefficient of the physical health and mental health summary scales were 0.93 and 0.92 respectively. The Chronbach's alpha coefficient of eight scales in the Thai version of the SF-36V2 ranging was 0.72 - 0.94. The Chronbach's alpha coefficient tested in acute or chronic low back pain patients whether they have back pain only or back pain with radiculopathy ranging was 0.72-0.93. The item correlation coefficient for the 35 items within the eight health aspects ranged from 0.43 to 0.8. CONCLUSION The Thai version of the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Survey version 2.0 (SF-36V2) is a reliable tool for assessing functional disability of low back pain in Thai patients.
Dyslipidemia is a protective factor in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most serious form of degenerative motor neuron disease in adults, characterized by upper and lower motor neuron degeneration, skeletal muscle atrophy, paralysis, and death. High prevalence of malnutrition and weight loss adversely affect quality of life. Moreover, two thirds of patients develop a hypermetabolism of unknown cause, leading to increased resting energy expenditure. Inasmuch as lipids are the major source of energy for muscles, we determined the status of lipids in a population of patients with ALS and investigated whether lipid contents may have an impact on disease progression and survival. Methods: Blood concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were measured in a cohort of 369 patients with ALS and compared to a control group of 286 healthy subjects. Postmortem histologic examination was performed on liver specimens from 59 other patients with ALS and 16 patients with Parkinson disease (PD). Results: The frequency of hyperlipidemia, as revealed by increased plasma levels of total cholesterol or LDL, was twofold higher in patients with ALS than in control subjects. As a result, steatosis of the liver was more pronounced in patients with ALS than in patients with PD. Correlation studies demonstrated that bearing an abnormally elevated LDL/HDL ratio significantly increased survival by more than 12 months. Conclusions: Hyperlipidemia is a significant prognostic factor for survival of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This finding highlights the importance of nutritional intervention strategies on disease progression and claims our attention when treating these patients with lipid-lowering drugs.
Parent-Youth Closeness and Youth's Suicidal Ideation

Data from a nationally representative sample of adolescents studied at two points in time are used to examine gender-specific influence of parent-youth closeness on youth's suicidal ideation and its variations by stages of adolescence and race or ethnicity. Logistic regression analyses yielded interesting findings: (a) Closeness with fathers exerts an important influence on girls, and this effect is observed regardless of stages of adolescence and race/ethnicity; (b) the influence of fathers on boys declines toward late adolescence, and fathers’ effect is more pronounced among Native and Asian American boys; (c) closeness with mothers is important for boys of early and late teens but not among midteens; and (d) relationship with mothers exerts little influence on girls with the exception that among Asian American girls, closeness with mothers does exercise a weak effect (i.e., more so than White girls). These results are discussed in light of their theoretical and policy implications.
The X-ray Luminosity Function of "The Antennae" Galaxies (NGC4038/39) and the Nature of Ultra-Luminous X-ray Sources

We derive the X-ray luminosity function (XLF) of the X-ray source population detected in the Chandra observation of NGC4038/39 (the Antennae). We explicitly include photon counting and spectral parameter uncertainties in our calculations. The cumulative XLF is well represented by a flat power law ($\alpha=-0.47$), similar to those describing the XLFs of other star-forming systems (e.g. M82, the disk of M81), but different from those of early type galaxies. This result associates the X-ray source population in the Antennae with young High Mass X-ray Binaries. In comparison with less actively star-forming galaxies, the XLF of the Antennae has a highly significant excess of sources with luminosities above 10^{39} erg\s (Ultra Luminous Sources; ULXs). We discuss the nature of these sources, based on the XLF and on their general spectral properties, as well as their optical counterparts discussed in Paper III. We conclude that the majority of the ULXs cannot be intermediate mass black-holes (M > 10-1000 \msun) binaries, unless they are linked to the remnants of massive Population III stars (the Madau & Rees model). Instead, their spatial and multiwavelength properties can be well explained by beamed emission as a consequence of supercritical accretion. Binaries with a neutron star or moderate mass black-hole (up to 20\msun), and B2 to A type star companions would be consistent with our data. In the beaming scenario, the XLF should exibit caracteristic breaks that will be visible in future deeper observations of the Antennae.
Pharmacokinetics after administration of an injectable experimental long-acting parenteral formulation of doxycycline hyclate in goats.

OBJECTIVE To determine the pharmacokinetics after SC administration of an experimental, long-acting parenteral formulation of doxycycline hyclate in a poloxamer-based matrix and after IV and IM administration of an aqueous formulation of doxycycline hyclate in goats. ANIMALS 30 clinically normal adult goats. PROCEDURES Goats were allocated to 3 groups (10 goats/group). One group of goats received doxycycline hyclate (10 mg/kg) IM, a second group received the same dosage of doxycycline hyclate IV, and the third group received the long-acting parenteral formulation of doxycycline hyclate SC. Serum concentrations of doxycycline were determined before and at various intervals after administration. RESULTS The long-acting parenteral formulation of doxycycline hyclate had the greatest bioavailability (545%); mean +/- SD maximum serum concentration was 2.4 +/- 0.95 microg/mL, peak time to maximum concentration was 19.23 +/- 2.03 hours, and elimination half-life was 40.92 +/- 4.25 hours. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that the long-acting parenteral formulation of doxycycline hyclate distributed quickly and widely throughout the body after a single dose administered SC, and there was a prolonged half-life. Bioavailability of the longacting parenteral formulation of doxycycline hyclate after SC administration was excellent, compared with bioavailability after IV and IM administration of an aqueous formulation of doxycycline hyclate. Although no local tissue irritation and adverse effects were detected, clinical assessment of drug-residues and toxicologic evaluations are warranted before this long-acting parenteral formulation of doxycycline hyclate can be considered for use in goats with bacterial infections.
A whole-school approach to guidance: Hong Kong teachers' perceptions

This qualitative study involving 30 teachers, followed by a survey of 895 teachers, investigated Hong Kong teachers' perception of a whole-school approach to guidance and its practice. Findings revealed that teachers perceived a whole-school approach as fostering student development and as a system of management. Teacher dedication, communication, and team spirit were considered as facilitating factors for its implementation. Findings also revealed an overall mismatch between teachers' beliefs about a whole-school approach and their perceived school reality, and that a wholeschool approach was not seen as practised in the majority of schools. There was a close relationship between schools' guidance focus and their implementation of a whole-school approach. Schools implementing a whole-school approach were considered to have both a preventive and developmental guidance focus and practice. Implications for the implementation of guidance are discussed.
The effects of selected Australian snake venoms on tumour-associated microvascular endothelial cells (TAMECs) in vitro

The effects of various viperid and elapid venoms on the cellular biology of tumour-associated microvascular endothelial cells (TAMECs) were determined in the current study using cells isolated from a rat mammary adenocarcinoma. Previous studies to determine the effects of snake venoms on endothelial cells in vitro have in the main been performed on either human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) or endothelial cell lines. These cell populations are accessible and easy to maintain in culture, however, it is well established that endothelial cells display vast heterogeneity depending upon the local microenvironment of the tissue from which they are isolated. Vascular targeting agents have been isolated from a variety of snake venoms, particularly from snakes of the Viperidae family, but it is yet to be established to what extent the venoms from Australian elapids possess similar vascular targeting properties. The present study used endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from the microvasculature of a rat mammary adenocarcinoma to determine the effects of a panel of snake venoms, including viperid venoms with known apoptotic activity and elapid venoms (both exotic and indigenous to Australia), on endothelial morphology and viability, paying specific attention to apoptotic responses. Three of the five Australian snake venoms investigated in this study elicited significant apoptotic responses in ECs which were in many ways similar to responses elicited by the selected viperid venoms. This suggests that these Australian elapids may possess vascular targeting components similar to those found within viperid venoms.
Mothers' interaction with their disabled infants: two case studies

Interactions between mothers and infants have recently been the object of many studies, which uncover fundamental aspects of attachment and development. For disabled infants, comprehension of those interactions is particularly significant because the mother's behaviours can offer important clues to professional staff who work with the infant, signalling specific needs that may not be detected with standard tests. The Theory of Innate Intersubjectivity proposes that human beings possess an innate ability to share subjective states. The aim of this research was to analyse in detail the interactions of two mothers and their disabled infants. Footages of two mothers and their infants with different disabilities (a boy with hypotonia and a girl with Down syndrome), in normal daily activities of bathing, feeding and playing with the infants, were studied with microanalysis frame‐by‐frame, employing descriptive categories defined by Fiamenghi to identify intersubjective states. Results showed that intense interactions occurred in both dyads. However, the affective quality of the interactions varied according to the each mother's ability to share emotions with her child and the infants' responses to her affectionate states. The findings indicate that a mother of a disabled infant, regardless of the precise nature of the disability, should be aware that their child's development will benefit from a positive affective interaction with them. Future research should aim to develop programmes of intervention with parents that will equip them with information and procedures to help them cope with their infants' disability, and to improve their communicative and emotional skills in daily activities, as well as sharing their doubts and feelings regarding the difficult task of raising a disabled child.
Pressure-stabilized hafnium nitrides and their properties

We report hafnium nitrides under pressure using first-principles evolutionary calculations. Metallic $P{6}_{3}/mmc$-HfN (calculated Vickers hardness 23.8 GPa) is found to be more energetically favorable than NaCl-type HfN at zero and high pressure. Moreover, NaCl-type HfN actually undergoes a phase transition to $P{6}_{3}/mmc$-HfN below 670 K at ambient pressure. ${\mathrm{HfN}}_{10}$, which simultaneously has infinite armchairlike polymeric N chains and ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ molecules in its crystal structure, is discovered to be stable at moderate pressure above 23 GPa and can be preserved as a metastable phase at ambient pressure. At ambient conditions (298 K, 0 GPa), the gravimetric energy densities and the volumetric energy densities of ${\mathrm{HfN}}_{10}$ are 2.8 kJ/g and 14.1 kJ/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$, respectively.
Trends in the treatment of bipolar disorder by outpatient psychiatrists.

OBJECTIVE This study examined recent changes in the prescribing patterns for medications to treat bipolar disorder in office-based psychiatric practice. METHOD The authors analyzed physician-reported data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey for 1992-1995 and 1996-1999, focusing on physicians specializing in psychiatry. Demographic, clinical, and medication prescription characteristics of patients' visits were compared to identify changes between the periods. Logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of medication prescription, with adjustment for the presence of other covariates. RESULTS In both survey periods, over one-third of the total psychiatrist visits by patients with bipolar disorder did not include prescription of a mood stabilizer. There was a decrease in the use of lithium over time, accompanied by an increase in the use of valproic acid. Antipsychotic medication was prescribed more frequently for the bipolar manic and mixed subtypes, and there was a secular increase in the use of the newer antipsychotics. During each time period, prescription of antidepressants was common, often in the absence of a mood stabilizer. CONCLUSIONS Despite important advances in the range of mood stabilizers available, the pharmacological treatment of bipolar disorder continues to be an area with substantial opportunity for quality improvement.