Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Rat Arylalkylamine N-Acetyltransferase Gene Promoter

A 10-100-fold rhythm in the activity of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT; EC 2.3.1.87) controls the rhythm in melatonin synthesis in the pineal gland. In some mammals, including the rat, the high nocturnal level of AA-NAT activity is preceded by an ∼100-fold increase in AA-NAT mRNA. The increase in AA-NAT mRNA is generated by norepinephrine acting through a cAMP mechanism. Indirect evidence has suggested that cAMP enhances AA-NAT gene expression by stimulating phosphorylation of a DNA-binding protein (cAMP-responsive element (CRE)-binding protein) bound to a CRE. The nature of the sites involved in cAMP activation was investigated in this report by analyzing the AA-NAT promoter. An ∼3700-base pair fragment of the 5′-flanking region of the rat AA-NAT gene was isolated, and the major transcription start points were mapped. The results of deletion analysis and site-directed mutagenesis indicate that cAMP activation requires a CRE·CCAAT complex consisting of a near-perfect CRE and an inverted CCAAT box located within two helical turns.
A Comparison of Cabbage Leaves vs. Hot and Cold Compresses in the Treatment of Breast Engorgement

Objective: To assess and compare the efficacy of cold cabbage leaves and hot and cold compresses in the treatment of breast engorgement. Material and Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study conducted in the postnatal ward of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. The study comprised a total of 60 mothers;30 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group. The control group received alternate hot and cold compresses and the experimental group received cold cabbage leaf treatment for relieving breast engorgement. The pre- and posttreatment scores of breast engorgement and pain were recorded. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods using the statistical software STRATA. Results: Both the treatments, i.e., hot and cold compress and cabbage leaves were effective in decreasing breast engorgement and pain in postnatal mothers (P ≤ 0.001). Cold cabbage leaves and hot and cold compress were both equally effective in decreasing breast engorgement (P = 0.07), whereas hot and cold compresses were found to be more effective than cold cabbage leaves in relieving pain due to breast engorgement (P ≤ 0.001) in postnatal mothers. Conclusion: Cold cabbage leaves as well as alternate hot and cold compresses both can be used in the treatment of breast engorgement. Hot and cold compresses are more effective in decreasing pain than cold cabbage leaves in relieving pan due to breast engorgement.
Association of apnea and nonacid gastroesophageal reflux in infants: Investigations with the intraluminal impedance technique *

An association of apnea and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) was proposed previously. However, pH metry as the standard diagnostic tool for GER only measures acid reflux (pH < 4). It is difficult to interpret studies in infants with a presumed association between apnea and GER based on pH metry because the buffering effect of feeding may result in predominantly nonacid GER. The aim of this study was to investigate the temporal association of apnea and GER with the pH‐independent intraluminal impedance technique (IMP). Infants with recurrent regurgitation or respiratory symptoms suggestive of apnea were investigated simultaneously with IMP, pH monitoring, and polygraphy. IMP patterns, pH, oronasal flow, and chest wall movement were recorded and analyzed.
Is a Dissection Balloon Beneficial in Bilateral, Totally Extraperitoneal, Endoscopic Hernioplasty? A Randomized, Prospective, Multicenter Study

Laparoscopic hernioplasty has been criticized because of its technical complexity and increased costs. Disposable dissection balloons can be used to gain the initial working space in totally extraperitoneal endoscopic (TEP) hernioplasty, but this increases its cost. Forty-four men with bilateral, primary or recurrent inguinal hernias were randomized to undergo TEP with or without dissection balloon. There were two conversions to transabdominal preperitoneal hernioplasty, or open herniorrhaphy, in the group with balloon and four in the group without balloon. There was no difference in the postoperative morbidity or operation time between the two groups, and there were no major complications in either group. The recurrence rate was 4.3% in the group with the balloon and 7.1% in the group without the balloon. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups. Although our study population is too small to detect small differences between the groups, it seems that the use of a dissection balloon is not beneficial in a bilateral TEP.
Decentralized Vehicle-to-Grid Design for Frequency Regulation within Price-based Operation

The utilization of electric vehicles has been suggested to support the frequency regulation of power system. Assuming that an intermediate aggregator exists, this study suggests a decentralized vehicle-to-grid operation scheme in which each vehicle-to-grid aggregator can behave independently of the power system operator. To implement this type of decentralized operation, this study adopts a price-based operation that has been proposed by many researches as an alternative operation scheme for the power system. In this environment, each vehicle-to-grid aggregator can determine its participation in vehicle-to-grid service in consideration of its residual energy of aggregated system and real-time market price. Consequently, the main purpose of this study is to verify whether or not the vehicle-to-grid power can effectively support the current frequency regulation function within the price-based operation scheme. Specifically, a frequency regulation method is proposed based on the real-time price signal, and a feedback controller for battery management is designed for decentralized vehicle-to-grid operation.
How effective and acceptable is Web 2.0 Balint group participation for general practitioners and general practitioner registrars in regional Australia? A pilot study

Abstract Objective General practitioners (GPs) and general practice registrars report work‐related stress. Balint groups may improve coping mechanisms. However, attendance at a face‐to‐face Balint group is difficult for rural doctors due to distance constraints. The study aim was to evaluate online Balint groups for rural doctors and determine effect size for a full‐scale trial. Design A mixed‐methods approach, including a pre–post controlled trial and thematic analysis of qualitative data. Setting Rural primary care. Participants Thirteen GPs and 8 general practice registrars completed the study. Interventions Balint groups were delivered over 8–9 fortnightly online sessions. GPs and GP registrars participated in separate groups. Data were collected on work‐related affect, psychological medicine skills and professional isolation using the Warr's Work‐Related Affect Scale, the Psychological Medicine Inventory, and a professional isolation scale. Main outcome measures Change scores on Warr's Work‐Related Affect Scale, the Psychological Medicine Inventory, and a professional isolation scale. Results Balint participants' scores were significantly higher post‐intervention on the Psychological Medicine Inventory (mean 6.49 (±0.20) versus 5.43 (±0.26); P < 0.01) and Warr's Work‐Related Affect (mean 4.09 (±0.09) versus 3.60 (±0.12); P < 0.01) scales than control group scores. Effect size on these scales ranged from 0.46 to 0.50. The greatest challenge was technical problems related to insufficient broadband speed. Conclusions Online Balint groups appear to improve rural doctors' psychological medicine skills and work‐related affect. New data on effect size will inform a full‐scale trial. Improved national broadband infrastructure may enhance online support opportunities for rural doctors.
Correlative changes in homoeotic and segmentation gene expression in Krüppel mutant embryos of Drosophila

Mutations of the segmentation gene Krüppel (Kr) cause deletions of contiguous sets of body segments from the middle region of the Drosophila embryo. We have monitored expression in situ of three other genes implicated in the establishment of the body plan, namely hairy (h), fushi tarazu (ftz) and engrailed (en), in mutant Kr embryos. Our results show that the pattern of expression of all three genes depends upon Kr+ activity and are consistent with a hierarchical model of segmentation gene activity. In addition, we find that the initial expression of the homoeotic selector gene Ultrabithorax(Ubx) follows a novel pattern in Kr‐ embroys indicating a close integration of the spatial control of homoeotic and segmantation gene expression.
Expression in grasses of multiple transgenes for degradation of munitions compounds on live‐fire training ranges

Summary The deposition of toxic munitions compounds, such as hexahydro‐1, 3, 5‐trinitro‐1, 3, 5‐triazine (RDX), on soils around targets in live‐fire training ranges is an important source of groundwater contamination. Plants take up RDX but do not significantly degrade it. Reported here is the transformation of two perennial grass species, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera), with the genes for degradation of RDX. These species possess a number of agronomic traits making them well equipped for the uptake and removal of RDX from root zone leachates. Transformation vectors were constructed with xplA and xplB, which confer the ability to degrade RDX, and nfsI, which encodes a nitroreductase for the detoxification of the co‐contaminating explosive 2, 4, 6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT). The vectors were transformed into the grass species using Agrobacterium tumefaciens infection. All transformed grass lines showing high transgene expression levels removed significantly more RDX from hydroponic solutions and retained significantly less RDX in their leaf tissues than wild‐type plants. Soil columns planted with the best‐performing switchgrass line were able to prevent leaching of RDX through a 0.5‐m root zone. These plants represent a promising plant biotechnology to sustainably remove RDX from training range soil, thus preventing contamination of groundwater.
Identification of small molecule inhibitors of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 transcriptional activation pathway.

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is a master regulator of the transcriptional response to oxygen deprivation. HIF-1 has been implicated in the regulation of genes involved in angiogenesis [e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and inducible nitric oxide synthase] and anaerobic metabolism (e.g., glycolytic enzymes). HIF-1 is essential for angiogenesis and is associated with tumor progression. In addition, overexpression of HIF-1 alpha has been demonstrated in many common human cancers. Therefore, HIF-1 is an attractive molecular target for development of novel cancer therapeutics. We have developed a cell-based high-throughput screen for the identification of small molecule inhibitors of the HIF-1 pathway. We have genetically engineered U251 human glioma cells to stably express a recombinant vector in which the luciferase reporter gene is under control of three copies of a canonical hypoxia-responsive element (U251-HRE). U251-HRE cells consistently expressed luciferase in a hypoxia- and HIF-1-dependent fashion. We now report the results of a pilot screen of the National Cancer Institute "Diversity Set," a collection of approximately 2000 compounds selected to represent the greater chemical diversity of the National Cancer Institute chemical repository. We found four compounds that specifically inhibited HIF-1-dependent induction of luciferase but not luciferase expression driven by a constitutive promoter. In addition, these compounds inhibited hypoxic induction of VEGF mRNA and protein expression in U251 cells. Interestingly, three compounds are closely related camptothecin analogues and topoisomerase (Topo)-I inhibitors. We show that concomitant with HIF-1 and VEGF inhibition, the activity of the Topo-I inhibitors tested is associated with induction of cyclooxygenase 2 mRNA expression. The luciferase-based high-throughput screen is a feasible tool for the identification of small molecule inhibitors of HIF-1 transcriptional activation. In addition, our results suggest that altered Topo-I function may be associated with repression of HIF-1-dependent induction of gene expression.
Digital panoramic radiography: a reliable method to diagnose carotid artery atheromas?

OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study is to evaluate the panoramic radiographs of 4106 patients for carotid artery atheromas (CAAs) and to correlate our findings with the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS The digital panoramic radiographs of 4106 dental patients (2428 female, 1678 male) were evaluated. Radiographs of patients 40 years of age or older were randomly chosen from a computer database. CAA findings were defined as radiopaque masses adjacent to the cervical vertebrae at or below the intervertebral space between C3 and C4 on the panoramic radiograph. The patients who had CAA findings were contacted by telephone, and some of them agreed to further evaluation. Evaluation included carotid ultrasound, ECG, echocardiography and treadmill exercise testing at the Department of Cardiology. RESULTS Of 4106 patients, 88 patients (2.1%; 70 female, 18 male) had one or more radiopaque mass detected on digital images. All 88 patients with CAA findings were contacted by telephone and 23 agreed to further evaluation at the university hospital. Of these 23 patients, 8 (34.7%) had CAAs on carotid ultrasound and 15 (65.3%) had normal carotid arteries. From these eight patients with CAAs on Doppler ultrasound, 7 (30.4%) had plaques that were not haemodynamically significant and only one (4.3%) had significant plaque. The patient with severe carotid artery stenosis consequently underwent endarterectomy operation. There were no statistically significant differences between male and female in CAAs (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Digital panoramic images may have some diagnostic value for detecting CAAs and this early diagnosis could potentially increase the length and quality of life for people with CAAs.
Long-term depression.

LTD has now been established as a synaptic plasticity specific to the cerebellum. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of LTD have been elucidated to some extent, but still a number of questions are left open. The most crucial question may concern its time course, as to how long the LTD lasts beyond the limit of the present maximum observation time of 3 hr, and whether and how it is eventually transformed to a permanent memory. Molecular mechanisms underlying LTD should be investigated further in respect to Ca2+ binding and storage, protein kinase C, phosphorylation of glutamate receptors, GTP proteins, etc. The ineffectiveness of mass field potentials in representing LTD makes such studies relatively difficult, and a hope for future development may be placed in reproduction of LTD in tissue cultured Purkinje cells or even in isolated glutamate receptors in a simplified form. The cerebellar neuronal network incorporating LTD as a memory element has been conceived as a simple perceptron-like (Albus 1971) or adaptive filter-like (Fujita 1982a) parallel processing computer. Such a neuronal computer incorporated in a reflex or a more complex movement system would endow the system with subtle capabilities of adaptation and learning. The scheme of the floccular control of the VOR closely resembles that of a self-tuning regulator, a type of adaptive control system. For cerebellar control of voluntary movements, however, another version of the adaptive control system, the model reference control system, seems to be more applicable (Ito 1986). This system continuously readjusts its dynamics by referring to errors derived through comparison of its performance with that of an internal model. It is important to note that a model for an unknown system can be built based on the same principle, by feeding errors derived from their comparison to adjust the model. It may thus be conceived that an internal model is built within the cerebellum in the manner of model reference adaptive control, and that an internal model so formed is utilized for adaptive control of movement. A recent simulation study successfully reproduced learning in formation of an arm trajectory based on these principles of model reference control (Kawato et al 1987). On the experimental side, however, the complex neural organization for control of locomotion, posture, and voluntary movements still eludes full elucidation. Nevertheless, evidence is accumulating to support the cerebellar learning hypothesis. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Genetic Structure and Phylogeography of the Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) Inferred from Mitochondrial Genomes

The Leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis is a habitat generalist that is widely distributed across Southeast Asia. Based on morphological traits, this species has been subdivided into 12 subspecies. Thus far, there have been few molecular studies investigating intraspecific variation, and those had been limited in geographic scope. For this reason, we aimed to study the genetic structure and evolutionary history of this species across its very large distribution range in Asia. We employed both PCR-based (short mtDNA fragments, 94 samples) and high throughput sequencing based methods (whole mitochondrial genomes, 52 samples) on archival, noninvasively collected and fresh samples to investigate the distribution of intraspecific genetic variation. Our comprehensive sampling coupled with the improved resolution of a mitochondrial genome analyses provided strong support for a deep split between Mainland and Sundaic Leopard cats. Although we identified multiple haplogroups within the species' distribution, we found no matrilineal evidence for the distinction of 12 subspecies. In the context of Leopard cat biogeography, we cautiously recommend a revision of the Prionailurus bengalensis subspecific taxonomy: namely, a reduction to 4 subspecies (2 mainland and 2 Sundaic forms).
Glucose Level and Brain Infarction: A Prospective Case-Control Study and Prospective Study

Background Hyperglycaemia in the acute phase of stroke has been established as a predictor of higher mortality. But recent data regarding active treatment of hyperglycaemia showed no clinical benefit suggesting that hyperglycaemia may not have a detrimental effect in brain infarction. Additional data are needed to resolve this uncertainty and identify patients at higher risk if any. Methods A total of 477 adult Caucasian patients with brain infarction and 395 age- and sex-matched controls admitted at the same centres for nonneurological causes were recruited consecutively from 12 neurological centres in France. Electrocardiographic, carotid ultrasonography, and transcranial Doppler studies were performed. Blood was drawn in the morning from fasting subjects for glucose measurement. Functional outcome was measured on admission, at 10 days and at 6 months after the onset of stroke using the modified Rankin scale. Results Among 477 brain infarction patients and 395 hospitalised controls the adjusted mean (±SEM) glucose level was higher in cases (6·4±1·0mmol/l) than in controls (6·0± 1·01 mmol/l, P = 0·006), with a significant heterogeneity across sexes. The fully adjusted odds ratio of brain infarction per 1 standard deviation increase in log-glucose level was 1·02 (95% confidence interval, 0·77–1·37) in men and 2·21 (95% confidence interval, 1·44–3·40) in women. Among the 477 brain infarction cases elevated admission glucose levels were associated with poor outcomes and higher poststrokemortality after adjustment for conventional vascular risk factors and infarct volume. These relationships were not modified by sex. Conclusions Elevated admission glucose levels were associated with brain infarction in women only and with a higher 5-year mortality. Further investigation focusing on the impact of glucose level in different target population is needed to optimise glycaemic management in acute brain infarction patients.
Factors in outcome of cognitive-behavioural therapy for psychosis: users' and clinicians' views.

OBJECTIVES Despite increasing evidence to suggest that cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is helpful for a significant proportion of people with psychosis, only limited information is available regarding factors implicated in outcome. The present study investigated factors differentiating outcomes on the basis of accounts from participants in the therapeutic process. METHOD Four therapists and eight of their clients were interviewed about their experiences of CBT. Clients were defined as having progressed or not progressed during therapy. Interview data were analysed using a qualitative 'grounded theory' methodology. RESULTS A number of major categories differentiated the two client groups, including ability to let go of distressing beliefs, logical thought, holding therapy, and presence of a shared goal. Overall, clients who progressed were better able to move into the therapist's frame of reference. Therapists and clients also felt that non-specific benefits accrued from the therapy for both groups. CONCLUSION The results were consistent with previous studies suggesting that ability to disengage from distressing beliefs is important in therapeutic progression. Reasons considered for the inability to progress include emotional investment in psychotic beliefs and cognitive processing. Further research is required to clarify the role of logical thought and therapeutic alliance in progress and in predicting outcome.
Job continuity among new mothers

In the early 1990s, both state and federal governments enacted maternity-leave legislation. The key provision of that legislation is that after a leave of a limited duration, the recent mother is guaranteed the right to return to her preleave employer at the same or equivalent position. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, we correlate work status after childbirth with work status before pregnancy to estimate the prevalence, before the legislation, of returns to the preleave employer. Among women working full-time before the pregnancy, return to the prepregnancy employer was quite common. Sixty percent of women who worked full-time before the birth of a child continued to work for the same employer after the child was born. Furthermore, the labor market behavior of most of the remaining 40% suggests that maternity-leave legislation is unlikely to have a major effect on job continuity. Compared with all demographically similar women, however, new mothers have an excess probability of leaving their jobs.
THE ADAPTIVE DYNAMICS OF NICHE CONSTRUCTING TRAITS IN SPATIALLY SUBDIVIDED POPULATIONS: EVOLVING POSTHUMOUS EXTENDED PHENOTYPES

Abstract Niche construction, by which organisms modify the environment in which they live, has been proposed to affect the evolution of many phenotypic traits. But what about the evolution of a niche constructing trait itself, whose expression changes the pattern of natural selection to which the trait is exposed in subsequent generations? This article provides an inclusive fitness analysis of selection on niche constructing phenotypes, which can affect their environment from local to global scales in arbitrarily spatially subdivided populations. The model shows that phenotypic effects of genes extending far beyond the life span of the actor can be affected by natural selection, provided they modify the fitness of those individuals living in the future that are likely to have inherited the niche construction lineage of the actor. Present benefits of behaviors are thus traded off against future indirect costs. The future costs will generally result from a complicated interplay of phenotypic effects, population demography and environmental dynamics. To illustrate these points, I derive the adaptive dynamics of a trait involved in the consumption of an abiotic resource, where resource abundance in future generations feeds back to the evolutionary dynamics of the trait.