Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Involvement of the N Terminus of Ribosomal Protein L11 in Regulation of the RelA Protein of Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT Amino acid-deprived rplK (previously known asrelC) mutants of Escherichia coli cannot activate (p)ppGpp synthetase I (RelA) and consequently exhibit relaxed phenotypes. The rplK gene encodes ribosomal protein L11, suggesting that L11 is involved in regulating the activity of RelA. To investigate the role of L11 in the stringent response, a derivative ofrplK encoding L11 lacking the N-terminal 36 amino acids (designated ′L11) was constructed. Bacteria overexpressing ′L11 exhibited a relaxed phenotype, and this was associated with an inhibition of RelA-dependent (p)ppGpp synthesis during amino acid deprivation. In contrast, bacteria overexpressing normal L11 exhibited a typical stringent response. The overexpressed ′L11 was incorporated into ribosomes and had no effect on the ribosome-binding activity of RelA. By several methods (yeast two-hybrid, affinity blotting, and copurification), no direct interaction was observed between the C-terminal ribosome-binding domain of RelA and L11. To determine whether the proline-rich helix of L11 was involved in RelA regulation, the Pro-22 residue was replaced with Leu by site-directed mutagenesis. The overexpression of the Leu-22 mutant derivative of L11 resulted in a relaxed phenotype. These results indicate that the proline-rich helix in the N terminus of L11 is involved in regulating the activity of RelA.
Intraarticular Morphine in the Multimodal Analgesic Management of Postoperative Pain After Ambulatory Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair

Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is associated with a considerable degree of postoperative pain.Our customary multimodal approach to postoperative analgesia after ambulatory ACL surgery includes perioperative nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, pre- and postincisional intraarticular (IA) bupivacaine (B), and postoperative cryotherapy using an external cooling system. This study was designed to determine whether the addition of IA morphine (MS) provides improved postoperative analgesia. One hundred patients scheduled for elective ambulatory ACL repair received our standard multimodal therapy. After surgery, patients were randomized to one of four study groups. Group 1 received 30 mL of 0.25% B IA. Group 2 received 30 mL of normal saline IA and 5 mg of MSIA. Group 3 received 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine IA and 5 mg of MS IV. Group 4 received 30 mL of 0.25% B IA and 5 mg of MS IA. The addition of IA B postoperatively provided prolonged analgesia and decreased postoperative pain and analgesic requirements. The addition of MS to IA B did not provide additional postoperative analgesia. We conclude that patients undergoing ambulatory ACL repair using our standard multimodal analgesic regimen failed to receive additional postoperative analgesia when MS was added to the IA B. Implications: Patients receiving a multimodal analgesic regimen of perioperative nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, intraarticular bupivacaine, and external cooling did not receive any additional analgesia from intraarticular morphine. (Anesth Analg 1998;86:374-8)
Evaluation of six commercial assays for the rapid detection of Clostridium difficile toxin and/or antigen in stool specimens.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate six commercially available assays for the detection of Clostridium difficile toxin and/or antigen in stool samples: one latex agglutination test (Culturette brand CDT, Becton Dickinson), two ELISAs (Culturette brand Toxin CD, Becton Dickinson, and Ridascreen C. difficile Toxin A/B, R-biopharm), two chromatographic assays (Clearview C. difficile A, Oxoid, and ColorPac Toxin A, Becton Dickinson) and one enzyme immunoassay for the simultaneous detection of C. difficile common antigen and toxin A (Triage C. difficile Panel, Biosite). METHODS Over a period of 3 months, 366 liquid or semi-liquid stool samples were tested using cell-culture cytotoxin assay as standard, ethanol shock stool culture and latex agglutination (Culturette brand CDT). Of these, 78 samples, positive with at least one of these three methods, and 98 randomly selected negative samples were further evaluated using the other five kits. PCR was also performed on positive cultures to confirm the presence of toxin A and B genes. RESULTS Triage C. difficile Panel had the best sensitivity (95%), followed by Clearview C. difficile and ColorPac Toxin A (both 89%), Culturette brand Toxin CD (73%), Ridascreen C. difficile Toxin A/B (57%) and Culturette brand CDT (23%). For Triage, the sensitivity of C. difficile antigen detection was 93%, and the sensitivity of toxin detection was lower (77%). Most false-positive results were obtained with the Triage C. difficile Panel (25 specimens) and Clearview C. difficile A (20 specimens). Culturette brand CDT had the best specificity (99%); followed by Ridascreen C. difficile Toxin A/B (97%), Culturette brand Toxin CD (95%), ColorPac Toxin A (89%), Clearview C. difficile A (83%) and Triage C. difficile Panel (75%). The positive predictive values ranged from 68% to 94%, and the negative predictive values from 83% to 98%. CONCLUSIONS The sensitivity is much higher for Triage and the two new chromatographic assays than for the conventional EIAs. These tests also have a high negative predictive value. For Triage, C. difficile antigen-positive, toxin A-negative results can be obtained; the clinical value of these must be established by additional studies. Overall, the new-generation assays are still less sensitive than the cytotoxin assay; however, they provided same-day results, could be used as a screening test and may be useful in laboratories without tissue-culture facilities. Our results do not allow the recommendation of one single assay for the diagnosis of C. difficile-associated diarrhea. It remains the case that laboratory results must be correlated and interpreted with the clinical presentation of the patient.
Paternal postnatal depressive symptoms, infant sleeping and feeding behaviors, and rigid parental regulation: a correlational study

Abstract Paternal postnatal depression (PND) is now recognized as a serious and prevalent problem, associated with poorer well-being and functioning of all family members. Aspects of infant temperament, sleeping and feeding perceived by parents as problematic are associated with maternal PND, however, less is known about paternal PND. This study investigated depressive symptoms (Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS)) in 219 fathers of infants aged from 1 to 24 weeks (median 7.0 weeks). Infant predictor variables were sleeping problems, feeding problems and both mother and father reported temperament. Control variables were partner's support, other support and life events. Rigidity of parenting beliefs regarding infant regulation was also measured as a potential moderating factor. Infant feeding difficulties were associated with paternal depressive symptoms, subsuming the variance associated with both sleep problems and temperament. This relationship was not moderated by regulation beliefs. It was concluded that infant feeding is important to fathers. Fathers of infants with feeding difficulties may not be able to fulfill their idealized construction of involved fatherhood. Role incongruence may have an etiological role in paternal PND.
Framework for assessing the farm relative sustainability: a Lithuanian case study

Th e aim of the study was to develop an analytical tool to assess the relative sustainability of family farms using the FADN data. Th is tool was based on the set of 23 indicators that covered three main components of sustainability (eco- nomic, environmental and social). Th e min-max approach was employed to normalise the selected indicators expressed in variety dimensions for their need to be put on a common basis. Th e factor analysis was used to estimate weights for the selected indicators to construct sub-indices and then the sub-indices were aggregated into the farm relative sustainability index (FRSI). Th e FRSI and sub-indices ranged from 0 to 1 (scaled into three intervals), assuming that the closer to 1 were the values of the index and the sub-indices the higher was the relative sustainability of the farm. Th e analytical tool has been applied to the Lithuanian FADN database for 2003 and 2012. Th e research revealed that the FRSI in 2003 and 2012 fell within the medium sustainability interval in all analysed farm size classes. Th e best sustainability situation in the year 2003 was determined on the large-sized farms, while the best sustainability situation in the year 2012 was established on the mid-sized farms.
Measuring and Explaining Regulatory Reform in the EU: A Time Series Analysis of Eight Sectors, 1984-2012

Over the last three decades, EU regulation of the internal market has become highly pervasive, affecting practically all the domains of European citizens’ lives. Many studies have focused on understanding the process and causes of regulatory reform. However, these have typically been small-scale or small-n studies, with no or limited attempts to analyse the more general sources of regulatory reform. In this paper, we focus on the determinants of stability and change in EU regulation. We develop an original dataset of 169 pieces of legislation (regulations, directives and decisions) across eight different sectors, and analyse the dynamics of regulatory reform in the EU. Using time series analysis of count data, we find evidence that the number of winning coalitions in the Council and the size of EU membership have a significant impact on regulatory reform in the EU. However, the political (left-right) composition of EU’s legislative bodies has no significant impact on the process of regulatory reform.
The Effect of LPN Reductions on RN Patient Load

Objective: This study explores the effect of licensed practical nurse (LPN) reductions on registered nurse (RN) staffing. Background: RN staffing is usually evaluated by assessing RN/patient and RN/nursing staff ratios. Using these measures, researchers generally have not found deterioration in RN staffing. Despite differences in roles, RNs and LPNs frequently share a substantial amount of patient load. Given reductions in LPNs, adequate RN staffing can be assessed more completely by looking at the changes in the staffing of licensed nurses (RNs and LPNs combined). Methods: This study measures the percent change in RN, LPN, and licensed nurse staffing from 1991 to 2000 in 185 to 215 Pennsylvania hospitals. Paired sample t tests measure the significance of change from year to year and for the period overall. Results: A 29% reduction in LPNs during the years 1991 to 2000 affected RN staffing through an increase in licensed nurses'patient load and a slight decrease in skill mix. When adjusted for acuity, both RN and licensed nurse patient load increased significantly. Conclusions/Implications: These results help explain the perception that hospitals are understaffed. Future research and managerial decision‐making should consider the adequacy of licensed nurse staffing, and its impact on cost, performance, and quality.
Motivated Happiness

Three studies support the contention that self-enhancement motivation distorts self-reports of subjective well-being (SWB). Both individual differences in self-enhancement (Studies 1 and 2) and experimental manipulations of self-enhancement motivation (Study 2) predicted an increased likelihood of reporting SWB at unrealistically favorable levels relative to others—a “happier-than-average effect. ” Study 3a and 3b showed that both trait self-enhancement and experimentally manipulated differences in self-enhancement motivation also affected self-reports on established measures of SWB. Specifically, individuals prone to self-enhancement were more affected than low self-enhancers by the desirability of happiness when reporting SWB. The current studies suggest that reports of SWB are susceptible to the same self-enhancement biases that influence self-reports of other positively valued traits. Implications and recommendations for the measurement of SWB and the use of well-being data in policy decision-making are discussed.
Genipin suppresses colorectal cancer cells by inhibiting the Sonic Hedgehog pathway

Genipin, a major component of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis fruit, has been shown to inhibit the growth of gastric, prostate, and breast cancers. However, the anti-proliferative activity of genipin in colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been characterized. Herein, we demonstrated that genipin inhibits the proliferation of CRC cells and that genipin suppressed the Hedgehog pathway. Further investigation showed that p53 and NOXA protein levels were increased during inhibition of Hedgehog pathway-mediated apoptosis in CRC cells. We also showed that p53 modulated the expression of NOXA during genipin-induced apoptosis, and suppression via SMO also played a role in this process. Subsequently, GLI1 was ubiquitinated by the E3 ligase PCAF. In a xenograft tumor model, genipin suppressed tumor growth, which was also associated with Hedgehog inactivation. Taken together, these results suggest that genipin induces apoptosis through the Hedgehog signaling pathway by suppressing p53. These findings reveal a novel regulatory mechanism involving Hedgehog/p53/NOXA signaling in the modulation of CRC cell apoptosis and tumor-forming defects.
Comparable engraftment kinetics following peripheral-blood stem-cell infusion mobilized with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor with or without cyclophosphamide in multiple myeloma.

PURPOSE To compare, in the setting of tandem autotransplantations for multiple myeloma (MM), two established methods of peripheral-blood stem-cell (PBSC) procurement with chemotherapy or hematopoietic growth factor alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between June 1994 and July 1995, 44 patients with MM were randomized to PBSC mobilization with either granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) 16 microg/kg (group 1; n = 22) or high-dose cyclophosphamide (HDCTX) 6 g/m2 plus G-CSF 5 microg/kg (group 2; n = 22). All 44 patients received melphalan 200 mg/m2 with their first autograft and 32 patients proceeded to a second transplantation. RESULTS Group 2 required a significantly longer time interval for completion of PBSC collection than group 1 (median, 22 v 8 days; P = .0001), greater frequency of hospitalization (100% v 32%; P = .0001), and increased transfusion of platelets (86% v 18%; P = .0001) and packed RBCs (86% v 55%; P = .02). Likewise, the incidence of fever and pneumonia/sepsis were higher in group 2 (P = .02 and P = .04, respectively). Surprisingly, despite greater CD34 cell quantities infused in group 2, median recovery times of granulocytes (both > 500/microL and 2,500/microL) and platelets (both > 50,000/microL and > 100,000/microL) were similar (all P > .7). Posttransplant toxicities were also similar. CONCLUSION Compared with HDCTX plus G-CSF, high-dose G-CSF alone is associated with lower morbidity, shorter duration of PBSC mobilization, and comparable hematopoietic recovery after transplantation, which should result in significant cost reduction. Considering the relatively limited antitumor activity of HDCTX (10% with > or = 50% tumor cytoreduction), PBSC mobilization with HDCTX should be limited to selected patients with persistent MM despite induction chemotherapy.
THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP TO SUCCESSFUL RURAL COMMUNITIES IN FLORIDA

of Dissertation Presented to the Graduate School of the University of Florida in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP TO SUCCESSFUL RURAL COMMUNITIES IN FLORIDA By Kristina Grage Ricketts May 2005 Chair: Howard W. Ladewig Cochair: Nick T. Place Major Department: Agricultural Education and Communication Rural communities have unique ideals and values, as well as a culture and life of their own. Unfortunately, many of today’s rural areas are in trouble. Issues facing rural communities are vast and numerous; more specifically, rural communities in Florida are dealing with a unique problem – the considerable influx of new people. Still, many argue that leadership may be the catalyst through which positive changes occur. Local leaders are concluding that if economic and community development is to occur, it is their responsibility to make it happen. Fortunately, some of today’s rural communities are doing exceptionally well. But what makes these communities different? And what community aspects figure into this equation? Finally, could the presence of effective community leadership be the key to leading fading communities to a brighter tomorrow? This comparative case study was undertaken to investigate how psychological sense of community leaders, community leadership, and social capital work together
Organization of fish assemblages in blackwater Atlantic Forest streams

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine whether fish species occupy different mesohabitats, as defined by specific criteria of substrate types in Atlantic Forest blackwater streams. We sampled fourteen coastal blackwater rivers along the coast of São Paulo State, Brazil, during the low-flow season (June-September/2016). For each stream, we selected three mesohabitat types (sand, leaf-litter and trunks) in a 100 m river stretch. We sampled 41 mesohabitats, 31 of which contained fish, resulting in 15 species. When multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was applied to the mesohabitat abiotic variables, no significant differences were indicated between them. ANOSIM for species density and biomass and Redundancy Analyses (RDAs) for species density, biomass and fish community indexes showed similar patterns of community structure among mesohabitats. Nevertheless, fish biomass, diversity and richness were associated with such unique environmental features as low shading and shallow habitats. The observed dispersion among mesohabitats suggests that these communities are subject to some level of disturbance, which may affect the value of patches as refugia. Thus, the sharing of these mesohabitat patches among species may represent an opportunistic strategy to maximize the use of available resources for these low density populations living in these unique environments.
Blockade of Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptors: Effect on Carotid and Radial Artery Structure and Function in Hypertensive Humans

Converting-enzyme inhibition reduces cardiovascular hypertrophy in hypertensive subjects. Whether the blockade of angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptors reduces arterial hypertrophy has never been investigated. In a double-blind study versus placebo in subjects with essential hypertension, the effect of the AT1 blocker irbesartan (150 mg/day for 8 weeks) on blood pressure, wall thickness, diameter and stiffness of the common carotid and radial arteries was studied, using echotracking techniques of high resolution. With irbesartan, mean blood pressure decreased significantly and proportionally to the baseline levels of active renin, and angiotensin I and II. There was a significant decrease in radial artery wall thickness. The percent change from baseline (± SEM) was –10.51 ± 3.42 versus 6.18 ± 4.77. There was no significant change in diameter or distensibility. This effect was correlated neither to blood pressure changes nor to hormonal baseline levels of the renin-angiotensin system. Carotid wall thickness and diameter were unchanged. Thus a 2-month treatment with an AT1 antagonist significantly reduced radial but not carotid artery wall thickness. Blood pressure reduction could be explained on the basis of circulating renin-angiotensin activity. On the contrary, radial artery wall thickness reduction was independent of the baseline circulating renin-angiotensin activity and was not correlated with the effects of AT1 blockade on blood pressure, thus implying the involvement of local hemodynamic and/or cellular mechanisms.
Photovoltaic generation capacity credit evaluation method considering its daily output characteristics

The capacity credit is important to determine the contribution of intermittent power generation to the system. Evaluation of the capacity credit is one of the urgent problems when large-scare PV stations are planned to connect to the traditional power systems. At present, most researches are about the power capacity credit of wind power. However, there are some similarities between photovoltaic power and wind power. Since the change of light intensity, photovoltaic generation system also has a certain regularity. This paper presents a new method for evaluating the power capacity credit of PV generation systems. Firstly, the daily output characteristics are shown based on the data from the photovoltaic generation plants in China using computational methods of probabilistic statistics. Then, based on Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) technique, the photovoltaic output characteristics of 24 hours a day are simulated. This paper screens 10 typical scenarios using scenario reduction techniques based on Kantorovich Distance (KD). In each scenario, the system reliability level is calculated by probabilistic production simulation. Based on the effective load carrying capability (ELCC) of photovoltaic, the photovoltaic generation capacity credit is defined. This paper gets the ELCC by the secant method which is efficient with high accuracy. Its correctness and the affectiviry is proved by tests in IEEE RTS-96 with photovoltaic generation system.
A Novel Experimental Animal Model of Adult Chronic Hydrocephalus.

BACKGROUND The pathogenesis of adult chronic hydrocephalus is not fully understood, and the temporal relationship between development of the radiological changes and neurological deterioration is unknown. OBJECTIVE To clarify the progression of radiological-histological changes and subsequent clinical manifestations of adult chronic hydrocephalus. METHODS Kaolin was injected bilaterally into the subarachnoid space overlying the cranial convexities in 20 adult rats. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was obtained by using an 11.7 T scanner at 14, 60, 90, and 120 days after kaolin injection. Locomotor, gait, and cognitive evaluations were performed independently. Kaolin distribution and the associated inflammatory and fibrotic responses were histologically analyzed. RESULTS Evans index of ventriculomegaly showed significant progressive growth in ventricular size over all time points examined. The greatest enlargement occurred within the first 2 months. Evans index also correlated with the extent of kaolin distribution by MRI and by pathological examination at all time points. First gait changes occurred at 69 days, anxiety at 80, cognitive impairment at 81, and locomotor difficulties after 120 days. Only locomotor deterioration was associated with Evans index or the radiological evaluation of kaolin extension. Inflammatory/fibrotic response was histologically confirmed over the cranial convexities in all rats, and its extension was associated with ventricular size and with the rate of ventricular enlargement. CONCLUSION Kaolin injected into the subarachnoid space over the cerebral hemispheres of adult rats produces an inflammatory/fibrotic response leading in a slow-onset communicating hydrocephalus that is initially asymptomatic. Increased ventricular size eventually leads to gait, memory, and locomotor impairment closely resembling the course of human adult chronic hydrocephalus. ABBREVIATION NPH, normal pressure hydrocephalus.
Early second trimester maternal plasma levels of thrombin‐inhibitor complexes and subsequent spontaneous preterm delivery

Increased thrombin generation has been implicated as a mechanism for several obstetric syndromes including preterm birth preceded by preterm labor (PTL) and preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). In this study, we attempted to determine whether PTL or PPROM are associated with changes in the maternal plasma thrombin level during the early second trimester.