Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular Properties of the Growth‐Associated Protein GAP‐43 (B‐50)

Abstract: The protein that has been identified in different contexts as growth‐associated protein (GAP)‐43, GAP‐48, protein 4, B‐50, F‐1, γ5, and pp46, has been implicated in neural development, axonal regeneration, and the modulation of synaptic function. The present study investigated various properties of this protein (designated here as GAP/ B‐50), including its correct molecular weight and possible polymeric structure. GAP/B‐50 was purified to >90% homogeneity using an alkaline extraction procedure followed by a two‐stage separation on a size‐exclusion HPLC column. The equivalence of the purified protein to the B‐50 phosphoprotein was confirmed by peptide digests, comigra‐tion, immunostaining, and amino acid composition. On a series of sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gels the apparent molecular weight of the protein was seen to vary inversely with the concentration of acrylamide in the gels. Using these data in the method of Ferguson, the molecular weight of GAP/B‐50 was calculated to be 32.8 kilodaltons (kD), considerably lower than the previously reported values of 43–67 kD. The low molecular weight of the protein in the presence of detergent was confirmed by density cen‐trifugation. In the absence of detergent, however, the protein was found to be part of a polymeric structure whose retention time by size‐exclusion chromatography indicated a size of 124 kD; this property was also confirmed by density centrifugation under nondetergent conditions. These data suggest the possibility that the native form of GAP/B‐50 in the presynaptic membrane may be a tetramer of four identical subunits.
Normal values and differences between intraperitoneal and subcutaneous microdialysis in patients after non‐complicated gastrointestinal surgery

Objective. Visceral ischemia is an early event in the development of shock and organ failure. Microdialysis has been presented as a promising method for detection of visceral hypoxia and ischemia. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in the metabolic response measured by microdialysis between intraperitoneal and subcutaneous locations and to estimate normal values of lactate/pyruvate ratio, glucose and glycerol. Material and methods. Intraperitoneal and subcutaneous metabolic responses were compared regarding lacate/pyruvate ratio, glucose and glycerol, during 45 postoperative hours in 33 patients undergoing various non‐complicated elective major gastrointestinal surgery. Results. Intraperitoneal lactate/pyruvate ratio started around 15 and decreased over time, while subcutaneous levels were stable around 9. Glucose levels were higher intraperitoneally and increased rapidly during the first 9 h to 8.6 mM, while the subcutaneous levels increased during 21 h to 7.5 mM. Intraperitoneal glycerol levels were stable around 100 µM, while subcutaneous values started around 230 µM and then increased. Conclusions. In a non‐complicated postoperative course the lactate/pyruvate ratio and glucose levels are higher intraperitoneally, suggesting a higher postoperative intraperitoneal metabolism. Glycerol levels are higher and increase subcutaneously, suggesting increased postoperative energy demand, particularly in the visceral organs, as being responsible for the lipolysis seen in the subcutaneous tissue.
Ageing of human muscles and tendons

At whole muscle level, the reduction in intrinsic force observed with ageing is probably the result of the combined effect of changes in: (i) muscle architecture, (ii) tendon mechanical properties, (iii) neural drive (reduced agonist and increased antagonist muscles' activity), and (iv) single fibre specific tension. Only recently have alterations in muscle architecture and in tendon mechanical properties been shown to contribute to the reduction in intrinsic muscle force, and tendon stiffness changes play an important role. Of note is the fact that most of these changes may be reversed by 14 weeks of resistive training, for both fibre fascicle length and tendon stiffness were found to be increased by 10% and 64%, respectively. Surprisingly, however, training had no effect on the estimated relative length-tension properties of the muscle, indicating that the effects of increased tendon stiffness and increased fascicle length cancelled out each other. It seems that natural strategies may be in place to ensure that the relative operating range of muscle remains unaltered by changes in physical activity, and perhaps age.
A PET study after treatment with an anxiety-provoking agent, m-chlorophenyl-piperazine, in conscious rhesus monkeys.

UNLABELLED Several PET studies have been performed on conscious nonhuman primates to examine brain function. However, it is unclear how anxiety or stress during PET measurements influences brain function. In the present study, we examined the effects of a well-known anxiety-provoking agent, m-chlorophenyl-piperazine (mCPP), on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and the regional cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (rCMRglc) using PET on conscious rhesus monkeys. METHODS Male rhesus monkeys with experience undergoing PET measurements were used. Twenty and 40 min after mCPP injection (0.2, 1.0, or 5.0 mg/kg intramuscularly; n = 5), rCBF and rCMRglc were measured using an intravenous injection of (15)O-H(2)O and (18)F-FDG, respectively. Physiologic parameters, plasma cortisol, and prolactin levels were monitored during PET measurements. RESULTS Treatment with mCPP significantly increased rCBF in both the cingulate cortex and striatum in a dose-dependent manner, and bell-shaped reductions in rCMRglc were observed for all regions examined. mCPP also significantly increased plasma cortisol and prolactin levels. Physiologic parameters were not affected by mCPP treatment. CONCLUSION The present study demonstrates that treatment with the anxiety-provoking agent mCPP significantly affects rCBF and rCMRglc in conscious monkeys. Therefore, since the increases in hormone levels demonstrate that mCPP treatment produced anxiety or stress, these results suggest that anxiety or stress influences conscious brain function. Furthermore, the present study suggests that prevention of anxiety or stress is important when measuring conscious brain function in monkeys.
Business Start-Ups or Disguised Unemployment? Evidence on the Character of Self-Employment from Transition Economies

We study the character of self-employment, drawing upon household survey evidence from six transition economies. Multinomial-logit analysis distinguishing employers from own-account self-employed and comparing both groups to employees and unemployed finds that own-account status is intermediate in most characteristics; tests reject the pooling of any of these categories. Selection-bias-corrected earnings premia are large for employers and smaller for own-account. A structural polychotomous model shows that employers respond strongly to predicted earnings premia in all countries, while the own-account response is estimated to be negative, supporting the interpretation that individuals may be pushed into own-account status by lack of work opportunities.
Improving physical health of patients with severe mental disorders: a critical review of lifestyle psychosocial interventions

ABSTRACT Introduction: People with severe mental disorders have a mortality rate that is more than two times higher than the general population, with at least a decade of potential years of life lost. People with mental disorders have a significantly higher risk of obesity, hyperglycemia and metabolic syndrome, which are related to modifiable risk factors, such as heavy smoking, poor physical activities, and inappropriate unhealthy diet, which can be improved through lifestyle changes. Areas covered: Lifestyle behaviours are amenable to change through the adoption of specific psychosocial interventions, and several approaches have been promoted. In the present review, the authors aim to: 1) critically analyze studies involving multimodal lifestyle interventions; 2) discuss the way forward to integrate these interventions in clinical routine care. Expert commentary: The psychoeducational approaches developed for the improvement of healthy lifestyle behaviours differ for several aspects: 1) the format (individual vs. group); 2) the setting (outpatient vs. inpatient vs. home-based); 3) the professional characteristics of the staff running the intervention (psychiatrists or nurses or dietitians or psychologists); 4) the active ingredients of the intervention (education only or inclusion of motivational interview or of problem solving); 5) the duration of treatment (ranging from 3 months to 2 years).
Bankruptcy prediction using data mining techniques

This paper discusses the application and benefits of data mining techniques to construct prediction models in the field of corporate bankruptcy. It analyzes a dataset of 120 companies using different data mining techniques. Findings show that neural network is recommended as the best model to predict corporate bankruptcy. Findings also show that the proper use and selection of data mining techniques help to enhance the prediction accuracy of the models. Financial organizations can significantly benefit from using these prediction models as they allow them to anticipate the status of businesses in the future and make decisions accordingly.
Impact of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Prevalence among S. aureus Isolates on Surgical Site Infection Risk after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Objective. Cephalosporins are recommended for antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent cardiothoracic surgical site infections (SSIs) except in patients with β-lactam allergy or in settings with a “high” prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among S. aureus isolates (hereafter, “MRSA prevalence”); however, “high” remains undefined. We sought to identify the MRSA prevalence at which glycopeptide prophylaxis would minimize SSIs relative to β-lactam prophylaxis. Methods. We developed a decision analysis model to estimate SSI likelihood when either glycopeptides or β-lactams were used for prophylaxis in cardiothoracic surgery. Event probabilities were derived from a systematic literature review. A similar cost-minimization model was also developed. Results. At 0% MRSA prevalence, SSI probability was 3.64% with glycopeptide prophylaxis and 3.49% with β-lactam prophylaxis. At MRSA prevalences of 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40%, SSI probabilities with glycopeptide prophylaxis did not change, but they were 3.98%, 4.48%, 4.97%, and 5.47% with β-lactam prophylaxis. The threshold of MRSA prevalence at which glycopeptide prophylaxis minimized SSI probability and cost was 3%. In sensitivity analyses, variations in most model estimates only modestly affected the threshold. Conclusion. Glycopeptide prophylaxis minimizes the risk of SSIs and cost when MRSA prevalence exceeds 3%. At very low MRSA prevalence (between 3% and 10%), the SSI minimization provided by glycopeptide prophylaxis is small and may be within the error of the model. Given the current MRSA prevalence in most community and healthcare settings, clinicians should consider routine prophylaxis with vancomycin. Our findings may have important policy implications, as benefits in cardiothoracic surgery antibiotic prophylaxis must be weighed against the limitations of increased glycopeptide use.
Normal growth and division of Escherichia coli with a reduced amount of murein

The classical model of a murein monolayer for the structure of the murein sacculus of Escherichia coli is at present a controversial matter due to recent advances in the microscopic and biochemical knowledge of this cellular component (B. Glauner, J.-V. Höltje, and U. Schwarz, J. Biol. Chem. 263:10088-10095, 1988; M. Leduc, C. Frehel, E. Siegel, and J. van Heijenoort, manuscript in preparation). We have studied how the limitation in the supply of the murein-specific precursor meso-diaminopimelic acid (DAP) would affect cell growth and morphology as well as murein structure and content per unit of surface area in E. coli strains auxotrophic for DAP. Our observations indicated that the amount of murein per unit of cell surface area could be reduced by about 50% when the external concentration of DAP was equal to or lower than 0.5 microgram/ml. Cells with a reduced amount of murein did not show any detectable alteration in their morphology and characteristics of growth. Furthermore, no major alterations in murein structure were observed by high-pressure liquid chromatography analysis. However, the modification of murein that normally takes place at the initiation of the stationary phase was partially prevented. These results favor the alternative hypothesis of a thin, multilayered structure for the sacculus of E. coli rather than the monolayer model.
Cognitive Motivations and Sensation Seeking as Long-Term Predictors of Drinking Problems

The development of comprehensive theories regarding the determinants of vulnerability toward drinking problems depends in part on longitudinal evidence linking psychosocial precursors to clinically-relevant problem consequences. In an investigation of some of the more promising psychosocial precursors of problem vulnerability, we evaluated the long-term predictive effects of adolescent cognitive motivations for alcohol use and sensation seeking on a wide variety of adult drinking-problem consequences including driving while intoxicated (DWI). Results indicated that the Cognitive Motivation factor was a significant, independent, nine-year predictor of a factor of Drinking-Problem Consequences
Effects of Repeated Exposure to Science TV Shows on Beliefs About Scientific Evidence and Interest in Science

For scientific laypersons, it is becoming increasingly important to understand the concept of scientific evidence. Prior research shows that the media tend to underrepresent the tentativeness and uncertainty of research findings. Yet presently it remains unclear whether beliefs about the certainty or uncertainty of scientific evidence are affected by the mass media’s science coverage. In this study, we tested cultivation effects of features from German science TV shows on laypersons’ beliefs about science and their interest in science. A sample of adults (N = 700) representative of the German population in terms of age, sex, and education participated in a longitudinal field experiment with an extended Solomon four-group design (two experimental and three control groups). The treatment consisted of six successive media stimuli, which portrayed scientific evidence as either certain or uncertain, over the course of 6 weeks. Results indicate media effects on participants’ beliefs about the certainty of scien.
Antieigenvalue inequalities in operator theory

We will prove some inequalities among trigonometric quantities of two and three operators. In particular, we will establish an inequality among joint trigonometric quantities of two operators and trigonometric quantities of each operator. As a corollary, we will find an upper bound and a lower bound for the total joint antieigenvalue of two positive operators in terms of the smallest and largest eigenvalues of these operators.
An AlphaScreen Assay for the Discovery of Synthetic Chemical Inhibitors of Glucagon Production

Glucose homeostasis is primarily controlled by two opposing hormones, insulin and glucagon, and diabetes results when insulin fails to inhibit glucagon action. Recent efforts to control glucagon in diabetes have focused on antagonizing the glucagon receptor, which is effective in lowering blood glucose levels but leads to hyperglucogonemia in rodents. An alternative strategy would be to control glucagon production with small molecules. In pursuit of this goal, we developed a homogeneous AlphaScreen assay for measuring glucagon in cell culture media and used this in a high-throughput screen to discover synthetic compounds that inhibited glucagon secretion from an alpha cell–like cell line. Some of these compounds inhibited transcription of the glucagon gene.
Autonomic Nervous System Function in Infants With Transposition of the Great Arteries

The ability to maintain and respond to challenges to homeostasis is primarily a function of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). In infants with complex congenital heart defects this ability may be impaired. This study described change in ANS function before and after surgical correction in infants with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and in healthy infants. A total of 15 newborn infants with TGA were matched with 16 healthy infants on age, gender, and feeding type. The ANS function was measured using heart rate variability (HRV). Data were collected preoperatively in the 1st week of life and postoperatively before, during, and after feeding at 2 weeks and 2 months of age. Infants with TGA demonstrated significantly lower high-frequency and low-frequency HRV preoperatively (p < .001) when compared with healthy infants. At 2 weeks, infants with TGA were less likely than healthy infants to demonstrate adaptive changes in high-frequency HRV during feeding (Wald Z = 2.002, p = .045), and at 2 months, 40% of TGA infants exhibited delayed postfeeding recovery. Further research is needed to more thoroughly describe mechanisms of a physiologically adaptive response to feeding and to develop nursing interventions supportive of these high-risk infants.
Excision of the Conjugative Transposon Tn916 in Lactococcus lactis

ABSTRACT In Lactococcus lactis excision of Tn916 is limited by the concentration of integrase and is increased by providing more excisionase. However, even with increased excision of Tn916 in L. lactis, no conjugative transfer is detectable. This suggests that L. lactis is deficient in a host factor(s) required for conjugative transposition.
Estimation of Tropical Forest Structural Characteristics Using ALOS-2 SAR Data

The potential of ALOS-2 SAR data for the estimation of tropical forest structural characteristics was assessed in Vietnam by collecting forest inventory data. The effect of polarization and seasonality of the SAR data on the estimation of forest biomass was analyzed. The combination of HH, HV, and HH/HV polarizations using multiple linear regression did not improve the estimation of biomass compared to using the HV channel independently, as the HH and HH/HV variables were not statistically significant. The dry season HV backscattering intensity was highly sensitive to the biomass compared to the rainy season backscattering intensity. The SAR data acquired in the rainy season with humid and wet canopies was not very sensitive to the biomass. The strong dependence of the biomass estimates with the season of SAR data acquisition confirmed that the choice of right season SAR data is very important for improving the satellite based estimates of the biomass. The validation results showed that the dry season HV polarization could explain 54% variation of the biomass.
Molecular staging of early colon cancer on the basis of sentinel node analysis: a multicenter phase II trial.

PURPOSE Approximately 30% of patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer stage I or II colorectal cancer (CRC) develop systemic disease. We hypothesized that multimarker reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of sentinel lymph nodes (SNs) draining a primary CRC could detect micrometastases not detected by conventional histopathologic analysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS In a multi-institutional study, 40 patients with primary CRC underwent dye-directed lymphatic mapping at the time of colon resection. Each dye-stained SN was tagged, and the tumor and regional nodes were resected en bloc. All lymph nodes were examined by conventional hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. In addition, each SN was cut into multiple sections for cytokeratin immunohistochemical (CK-IHC) staining and for RT-PCR and electrochemiluminescent detection of three markers: beta-chain human chorionic gonadotropin, hepatocyte growth factor receptor, and universal melanoma-associated antigen. Whenever possible, RT-PCR assay was also performed on primary tumor tissue. The detection sensitivity of individual markers was 10(-3) to 10(-4) microg of RNA and one to five tumor cells in 10(7) lymphocytes of healthy donors. RESULTS One to three SNs were identified in each patient. An average of 15 nodes were removed from each CRC specimen. No nonsentinel (untagged) node contained evidence of tumor if all tagged (sentinel) nodes in the same specimen were histopathology tumor-negative. HE staining of SNs identified tumor in 10 patients (25%), and CK-IHC of SNs identified occult micrometastases in four patients (10%) whose SNs were negative by HE. Of the remaining 26 patients with no evidence of SN involvement by HE or CK-IHC, 12 (46%) had positive RT-PCR results. The number of markers expressed in each SN correlated (P <.04) with the T stage of the primary tumor. There was 79% concordance in marker expression for the respective pairs (n = 38) of primary tumor and histopathologically positive SNs, and 86% (12 of 14) concordance between RT-PCR positive and histopathologically positive SNs. CONCLUSION Identification and focused examination of the SN is a novel method of staging CRC. CK-IHC and RT-PCR identified occult micrometastases in 53% of patients whose SNs were negative by conventional staging techniques. These ultrasensitive assays of the SN can identify patients who may be at high risk for recurrence of CRC and therefore are more likely to benefit from systemic adjuvant therapy.
The e-Poster Conference: An Online Nursing Research Course Learning Activity.

BACKGROUND Posters have become one of the most important types of scientific communication. This article describes an e-poster conference as an online learning activity for professional nursing students. METHOD Research and evidence-based practice (EBP) project posters from colleagues across the country were placed on a university research course Web site, along with an evaluation tool and discussion prompts. During one semester, students experienced a range of activities focused on understanding research and EBP basic processes in preparation for evaluation and discussion of the layout and content of these e-posters. RESULTS From all accounts, the conference was rated as positive, providing nursing students with opportunities to (a) view studies and projects from a wider nursing science audience, (b) foster the development of important evaluation and communication skills, and (c) be exposed to evidence that could be translated into their practice. CONCLUSION Other schools and organizations may adopt this e-poster conference activity to stimulate professional nurses' critical thinking ability. [J Nurs Educ. 2016;55(9):533-535. ].
Scissors-grip model for DNA recognition by a family of leucine zipper proteins.

C/EBP is a sequence-specific DNA binding protein that regulates gene expression in certain mammalian cells. The region of the C/EBP polypeptide required for specific recognition of DNA is related in amino acid sequence to other regulatory proteins, including the Fos and Jun transforming proteins. It has been proposed that these proteins bind DNA via a bipartite structural motif, consisting of a dimerization interface termed the "leucine zipper" and a DNA contact surface termed the "basic region. " An evaluation of the properties of conserved amino acids within the basic region of 11 deduced protein sequences, coupled with the observation that they are located at an invariant distance from the leucine zipper, has led to the formulation of a "scissors-grip" model for DNA binding. The architectural features of this model are well suited for interaction with directly abutted, dyadsymmetric DNA sequences. Data supportive of the model were obtained with chemical probes of protein: DNA complexes.