Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ticlopidine Selectively Inhibits Human Platelet Responses to Adenosine Diphosphate

Summary Platelet aggregation and fibrinogen binding were studied in 15 individuals before and 7 days after the oral administration of ticlopidine (250 mg b.i.d.). Ticlopidine significantly inhibited platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP), the endoperoxide analogue U46619, collagen or low concentrations of thrombin, but did not inhibit platelet aggregation induced by epinephrine or high concentrations of thrombin. Ticlopidine inhibited 125I-fibrinogen binding induced by ADP, U46619 or thrombin (1 U/ml). The ADP scavengers apyrase or CP/CPK, added in vitro to platelet suspensions obtained before ticlopidine, caused the same pattern of aggregation and 125I-fibrihogen binding inhibition as did ticlopidine. Ticlopidine did not inhibit further platelet aggregation and 125I-fibrinogen binding induced in the presence of ADP scavengers. After ticlopidine administration, thrombin or U46619, but not ADP, increased the binding rate of the anti-GPIIb/IIIa monoclonal antibody 7E3 to platelets. Ticlopidine inhibited clot retraction induced by reptilase plus ADP, but not that induced by thrombin or by reptilase plus epinephrine, and prevented the inhibitory effect of ADP, but not that of epinephrine, on the PGE1-induced increase in platelet cyclic AMP. The number of high- and low-affinity binding sites for 3H-ADP on formalin-fixed platelets and their K d were not modified by ticlopidine. These findings indicate that ticlopidine selectively inhibits platelet responses to ADP.
Cytotoxicity of nitric oxide in Fu5 rat hepatoma cells: evidence for co-operative action with hydrogen peroxide.

The NO-releasing compounds 3-morpholinosydnonimine-N-ethylcarbamide (SIN-1), sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP) mediated a rapid loss of viability of Fu5 rat hepatoma cells. SIN-1 in addition to NO also released the superoxide anion radical (O2-.). Its cytotoxicity, however, was not affected by superoxide dismutase. In contrast, the H2O2-converting enzyme catalase significantly, but not completely, diminished cell damage, indicating participation of H2O2 in the tumoricidal activity of SIN-1. Glucose oxidase (5 m-units/ml), producing similar amounts of H2O2 to 5 mM SIN-1, had no effect on cell viability. When 5 m-units/ml glucose oxidase was added to incubations with 5 mM SNP, which alone initiated cell injury of about 40%, cell damage was significantly increased up to 95%. Similar results were observed with 1 mM SNAP and 20 m-units/ml xanthine oxidase, which mediated cytotoxicity of about 90% when both compounds were added together, compared with 35% and 55% cell injury, respectively, induced by the single compounds. The results indicate that a co-operative action with H2O2 enhances the tumoricidal activity of NO in Fu5 cells. No evidence for an interplay of NO with O2-. in cytotoxicity, e.g. via the peroxynitrite anion (ONOO-), was found.
A Study on the Perception of Investors towards Small Saving Schemes

It is very much necessary for institutions offering investment instruments to study about the perception of investors towards various investment instruments because it influences the saving behaviour of investors. Hence, this study attempts to measure the nature of perception of investors using a five-point scale. To have a better understanding, investors are segmented into three groups based on their perception by using cluster analysis. The study has used correspondence analysis, chi-square test, analysis of variance and discriminant analysis to understand the impact of perception on saving behaviour of investors and the factors which determine the perception of investors towards saving instruments.
Asset Pricing Anomalies: A Multidimensional Analysis

I examine the predictive power of Implied Cost of Capital (ICC) in time-series of expected returns. For that purpose, I develop a time-series approach of Fama-Macbeth in order to evaluate the relation between ICC and expected returns at the firm level. I find that ICC is able to predict returns over time, not only at the aggregate level but also at the firm level. Based on the power of ICC to forecast returns, measured by regression R², the Claus and Thomas (CT, 2001) approach is the most suitable to predict the returns at the aggregate level, while the Gebhardt et al. (GLS, 2001) approach is the most suitable at the firm level.
Optimizing strength training for running and cycling endurance performance: A review

Here we report on the effect of combining endurance training with heavy or explosive strength training on endurance performance in endurance‐trained runners and cyclists. Running economy is improved by performing combined endurance training with either heavy or explosive strength training. However, heavy strength training is recommended for improving cycling economy. Equivocal findings exist regarding the effects on power output or velocity at the lactate threshold. Concurrent endurance and heavy strength training can increase running speed and power output at VO2max (Vmax and Wmax, respectively) or time to exhaustion at Vmax and Wmax. Combining endurance training with either explosive or heavy strength training can improve running performance, while there is most compelling evidence of an additive effect on cycling performance when heavy strength training is used. It is suggested that the improved endurance performance may relate to delayed activation of less efficient type II fibers, improved neuromuscular efficiency, conversion of fast‐twitch type IIX fibers into more fatigue‐resistant type IIA fibers, or improved musculo‐tendinous stiffness.
"Fingerprinting" high molecular weight RNA by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis: application to poliovirus RNA.

Conditions are described under which complete RNase T1 digests of high molecular weight RNA can be separated into numerous components by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Small and large oligonucleotides (n = 1 - 2c0) can be resolved without losses. The procedure yields fingerprints which are diagnostic for a particular species of RNA and an index of its purity as will be shown for the genomes of poliovirus type 1 and 2.
Crucial Role of the CB 3-Region of Collagen IV in PARF-Induced Acute Rheumatic Fever

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease are serious autoimmune sequelae to infections with Streptococcus pyogenes. Streptococcal M-proteins have been implicated in ARF pathogenesis. Their interaction with collagen type IV (CIV) is a triggering step that induces generation of collagen-specific auto-antibodies. Electron microscopy of the protein complex between M-protein type 3 (M3-protein) and CIV identified two prominent binding sites of which one is situated in the CB3-region of CIV. In a radioactive binding assay, M3-protein expressing S. pyogenes and S. gordonii bound the CB3fragment. Detailed analysis of the interactions by surface plasmon resonance measurements and site directed mutagenesis revealed high affinity interactions with dissociation constants in the nanomolar range that depend on the recently described collagen binding motif of streptococcal M-proteins. Because of its role in the induction of disease-related collagen autoimmunity the motif is referred to as ‘‘peptide associated with rheumatic fever’’ (PARF). Both, sera of mice immunized with M3-protein as well as sera from patients with ARF contained anti-CB3 auto-antibodies, indicating their contribution to ARF pathogenesis. The identification of the CB3-region as a binding partner for PARF directs the further approaches to understand the unusual autoimmune pathogenesis of PARF-dependent ARF and forms a molecular basis for a diagnostic test that detects rheumatogenic streptococci. Citation: Dinkla K, Talay SR, Mörgelin M, Graham RMA, Rohde M, et al. (2009) Crucial Role of the CB3-Region of Collagen IV in PARF-Induced Acute Rheumatic Fever. PLoS ONE 4(3): e4666. doi:10.1371/journal.pone. 0004666 Editor: Rory Edward Morty, University of Giessen Lung Center, Germany Received November 20, 2008; Accepted December 22, 2008; Published March 2, 2009 Copyright: 2009 Dinkla et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Funding: This work was supported by a grant of the European Community’s Sixth Framework Program under Contract No. FP6-2004-INCO-DEV-3-032390. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. * E-mail: gsc@helmholtz-hzi.de
Unpacking Conflict and Uncertainty in Decision Difficulty: Testing Action Dynamics in Intertemporal Choice, Gamble Choice, and Consumer Choice

JIUQING CHENG. , Ph.D., April 2016, Psychology Unpacking Conflict and Uncertainty in Decision Difficulty: Testing Action Dynamics in Intertemporal Choice, Gamble Choice, and Consumer Choice Director of Dissertation: Claudia González-Vallejo Previous studies measured decision difficulty with self-report or decision deferral without clarifying the specific psychological states underlying difficulty. The present study aims to unpack decision difficulty by testing action dynamics based on mouse (cursor) tracking across intertemporal, gamble and consumer choices. Across different decision domains, multiple action dynamic measures could be grouped into three orthogonal components: Conflict, Wavering and Locomotion. Moreover, the Conflict component was most sensitive to the sign of the context, with more conflict being experienced in the loss than in the gain context. By contrast, the Wavering component was most sensitive to the similarity between the options, with more wavering flips being exhibited when the options were more similar. The study also found that choosing the long-term advantageous options in the intertemporal choice task, choosing the riskier gain and safer loss in the gamble choice task, and choosing the more expensive/betterquality hotel in the consumer choice task was associated with greater conflict and/or wavering. The study further found that numeracy was negatively related to idle time and the Conflict component. Taken together, the study demonstrated that decision difficulty was contextualand individual-dependent, and could be described and unpacked by dynamic behavioral measures.
Knowledge sharing among employees in Ghanaian Industries

This study investigates the effects of organizational culture (OC) and transformational leadership (TL) style on knowledge sharing (KS). The presence of transformational culture and communal culture in industries in Ghana was ascertained. Survey research design was used. The simple random sampling technique was used to select the sample size of the study. Questionnaire was used for the data collection. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. The findings show presence of communal culture in industries in Ghana. Again, it was found that OC is a significant predictor of KS. The study also found that leadership in industries lack TL qualities. Furthermore, TL insignificantly contributes to KS.
A novel DNA modification by sulfur: DndA is a NifS-like cysteine desulfurase capable of assembling DndC as an iron-sulfur cluster protein in Streptomyces lividans.

A novel DNA modification system by sulfur (S) in Streptomyces lividans 66 was reported to be encoded by a cluster of five genes designated dndA-E [Zhou, X. , He, X. , Liang, J., Li, A. , Xu, T. , Kieser, T. , Helmann, J. D. , and Deng, Z. (2005) Mol. Microbiol. 57, 1428-1438]. The dndA gene was cloned and the protein product expressed in Escherichia coli, purified to homogeneity, and characterized as a homodimeric protein of ca. 91 kDa. Purified DndA has a yellow color and UV-visible spectra characteristic of a pyridoxal phosphate-containing enzyme and was proven to be a cysteine desulfurase able to catalyze removal of elemental S atoms from l-cysteine to produce l-alanine with substrate specificity similar to that of E. coli IscS. DndC was also purified to homogeneity and found to contain a 4Fe-4S cluster by spectral analysis and have obvious ATP pyrophosphatase activity. DndA could catalyze iron-sulfur cluster assembly by activation of apo-Fe DndC protein prepared by removal of its iron-sulfur cluster using alpha,alpha'-dipyridyl. A mutated DndA, with serine substituted for cysteine at position 327, which was confirmed to have lost its corresponding cysteine desulfurase activity, also lost its ability to reactivate the apo-Fe DndC. The likely involvement of an interaction between DndA and DndC in the biochemical pathway for the unusual site-specific DNA modification in S. lividans 66 is discussed.
Efficacy of Atorvastatin Compared With Simvastatin in Patients With Hypercholesterolemia

Background: Atorvastatin, a new enantiomerically pure synthetic statin, has shown a marked low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol reduction at doses ranging from 10 to 80 mg/d. This trial was designed to compare the efficacy of atorvastatin 10 mg with simvastatin 10 mg and 20 mg, the latter dose being commonly used in some countries. Methods and Results: A parallel group, randomized, PROBE, multicenter study was con ducted to compare the efficacy of 10 mg/d atorvastatin with that of 10 mg/d simvastatin and 20 mg/d simvastatin in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia. After a 6-week diet- placebo lead-in period, 272 patients with LDL cholesterol ≥ 160 mg/dL and triglycerides ≤ 300 mg/dL were randomized to 6 weeks of treatment with atorvastatin 10 mg (109 patients), simvastatin 20 mg (109 patients), or simvastatin 10 mg (54 patients). In the main analysis, which tested the equivalence of atorvastatin 10 mg and simvastatin 20 mg, the mean percent change in LDL cholesterol for atorvastatin 10 mg (-37.0%) was greater than and not equiva lent to simvastatin 20 mg (-33.8%). In the secondary analysis, which compared the efficacy of atorvastatin 10 mg with that of simvastatin 10 mg, the mean decrease in LDL cholesterol was significantly greater (P < .001) for atorvastatin 10 mg than for simvastatin 10 mg (-37.0% vs. -28.9%). The two drugs were well tolerated, with an incidence of clinical and biochemical side effects similar among the 3 treatment groups. Conclusion: In primary hypercholesterolemia, atorvastatin 10 mg was more effective and nonequivalent to simvastatin 20 mg and significantly more effective than simvastatin 10 mg for reducing LDL cholesterol levels.
Descriptive analysis of longitudinal endoscopy for exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in Thoroughbred racehorses training and racing at the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) is reported as a performance limiting condition in racehorses, yet few longitudinal studies characterising EIPH have been reported. OBJECTIVES To characterise EIPH during training and racing in the absence of prophylactic medication with furosemide among horses imported to Hong Kong during 2007-2012. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective descriptive study of clinical endoscopy, EIPH status, and racing records. METHODS Thoroughbred geldings (n = 822) imported from New Zealand between 2007 and 2012 were retrospectively assigned to 4 groups: diagnosed with EIPH via endoscopy (EIPH+), graded using recognised criteria; observed with epistaxis (Epistaxis); free of EIPH on endoscopy (EIPH-); and those in which no endoscopy was performed. RESULTS The majority of horses (89%) were subjected to endoscopy once or more (median 15, interquartile range 3-18). Of those undergoing endoscopy, 55% of horses were diagnosed EIPH+ which varied in severity. Few (4%) experienced epistaxis. EIPH+ was diagnosed most frequently (63%) after racing. There was no significant difference in the proportion of EIPH+ and EIPH- horses that raced. Racing career longevity was longest for EIPH+ horses. The number of starts in Hong Kong for EIPH+ horses was not significantly different to EIPH- horses. [Correction added on 9 January 2015, after first online publication: The term 'lifetime starts' has been changed to 'starts in Hong Kong' in the preceding sentence. ] Days to retirement were longer for EIPH+ horses. Horses with mild EIPH+ (grade <3) were more likely to be retired for other causes whereas severe grades (≥3) were more likely to be retired for EIPH. CONCLUSIONS Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage is common and varies in severity between individuals and between episodes in the same individual. There is no difference in racing career longevity between EIPH+ and EIPH- horses trained and raced without furosemide. See also correspondences by PS Morley and KW Hinchcliff; AD Richards; and S. Preston and C. M. Riggs.
Are formal planners more likely to achieve new venture viability

Research Summary This study develops and tests a counterfactual model of the relationship between formal written business plans and the achievement of new venture viability. This is important because extant theory remains oppositional, and there is a practical need to provide guidance to founders on the utility of formal plans. To test our model, we use propensity score matching to identify the impact that founder, venture, and environmental factors have on the decision to write a formal plan (selection effects). Having isolated these selection effects, we test whether or not these plans help founders achieve venture viability (performance effects). Our results, using data on 1,088 founders, identify two key results: (1) selection effects matter in the decision to plan; and (2) it pays to plan. Managerial Summary This study assesses whether founders who write formal plans are more likely to achieve new venture viability. This is important because, despite its popularity, there is considerable debate about the value of plans. One root reason for this is that what prompts a founder to plan also impacts his/her chances of creating a viable new venture. The study's novelty is to separate out influences on the decision to plan from the plan-venture viability relationship. Our results show that better-educated founders, those wanting to grow and innovate, and those needing external finance are more likely to plan. Subsequently, having isolated what prompts planning, we assess if writing a plan actually promotes venture viability. We find that it pays to plan. Copyright © 2016 Strategic Management Society.
Treatment outcomes and prognostic factors, including human papillomavirus, for sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma: A retrospective review

Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is a high‐grade, aggressive neoplasm. Low incidence and poor outcomes make identification of prognostic factors and treatment standardization difficult. Similarly, little is known regarding the association of human papillomavirus (HPV) with SNUC.
MicroRNA-210 Modulates Endothelial Cell Response to Hypoxia and Inhibits the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Ligand Ephrin-A3*

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-protein-coding RNAs that function as negative gene expression regulators. In the present study, we investigated miRNAs role in endothelial cell response to hypoxia. We found that the expression of miR-210 progressively increased upon exposure to hypoxia. miR-210 overexpression in normoxic endothelial cells stimulated the formation of capillary-like structures on Matrigel and vascular endothelial growth factor-driven cell migration. Conversely, miR-210 blockade via anti-miRNA transfection inhibited the formation of capillary-like structures stimulated by hypoxia and decreased cell migration in response to vascular endothelial growth factor. miR-210 overexpression did not affect endothelial cell growth in both normoxia and hypoxia. However, anti-miR-210 transfection inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis, in both normoxia and hypoxia. We determined that one relevant target of miR-210 in hypoxia was Ephrin-A3 since miR-210 was necessary and sufficient to down-modulate its expression. Moreover, luciferase reporter assays showed that Ephrin-A3 was a direct target of miR-210. Ephrin-A3 modulation by miR-210 had significant functional consequences; indeed, the expression of an Ephrin-A3 allele that is not targeted by miR-210 prevented miR-210-mediated stimulation of both tubulogenesis and chemotaxis. We conclude that miR-210 up-regulation is a crucial element of endothelial cell response to hypoxia, affecting cell survival, migration, and differentiation.
The selective α1 adrenoceptor antagonist HEAT reduces L‐DOPA‐induced dyskinesia in a rat model of Parkinson's disease

In Parkinson's disease (PD), the long term use of L‐DOPA results in major adverse effects including dyskinesia or abnormal involuntary movements. The present study focuses on the effect of the selective α1 adrenoceptor antagonist HEAT (2‐[[β‐(‐4‐hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]aminomethyl]‐1‐tetralone) in the 6‐hydroxydopamine rat model of L‐DOPA‐induced dyskinesia. We demonstrate that the selective α1 adrenoceptor antagonist HEAT (1 and 2 mg kg−1), the α2 adrenoceptor antagonist idazoxan (9 mg kg−1), and the nonselective β1/β2 adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (20 mg kg−1) alleviate dyskinetic movements induced by L‐DOPA. Furthermore, the adrenoceptor antagonists at the doses used did not influence exploratory behavior in the open field system indicating that the antidyskinetic effect is not due to a reduction in general motor activity. Intrastriatal administration of the selective α1 adrenoceptor agonist cirazoline via reverse in vivo microdialysis did not induce dyskinesia. Additionally, we measured plasma, brain, and CSF levels of HEAT. HEAT is a CNS active compound with a brain/plasma and CSF/plasma ratio of 4.29 and 0.15, respectively, which is appropriate for the investigation of α1‐mediated mechanisms in CNS disorders. In conclusion, these results demonstrated for the first time that a α1 adrenoceptor antagonist reduced L‐DOPA‐induced dyskinesia in a rat model. Further studies assessing the risk benefit in comparison to existing therapies are needed before considering α1 adrenoceptor antagonists as a target for the development of new antidyskinetic compounds. Synapse 64:117–126, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Frequent perinatal transmission of feline immunodeficiency virus by chronically infected cats

Vertical transmission of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) was studied in cats infected with either of two FIV clinical isolates (FIV-B-2542 or FIV-AB-2771) prior to breeding and conception. Queens infected 4 to 30 months (mean = 14 months) prior to conception transmitted FIV to 59 of 83 (71%) kittens; 50.6% were virus positive on the day of birth. To examine potential routes of FIV transmission from mother to offspring, kittens were delivered via either vaginal or cesarean birth and nursed by either their virus-infected natural mothers or uninfected surrogate mothers. Comparison of FIV infection rates at birth with those at 6 months of age in kittens delivered by cesarean and surrogate raised demonstrated that late in utero transmission occurred in approximately 20% of kittens. Comparison of kittens nursed by FIV mothers with those by uninfected surrogate mothers demonstrated a 13.5% increase in infection rate of kittens exposed to milk-borne virus. Isolation of virus from 40% of maternal vaginal wash samples and the slightly greater infection rate in vaginally versus cesarean-delivered surrogate-nursed kittens suggested that intrapartum transmission may occur. In addition, we found that low maternal CD4 count (<200 cells per microl), longer duration of maternal infection (>15 months), and maternal symptoms of clinical immunodeficiency correlated with increased rates of mother-to-kitten FIV transmission, paralleling observations in human immunodeficiency virus-infected women. We conclude that FIV infection provides a model in which to explore aspects of human immunodeficiency virus vertical transmission and intervention difficult to address in human patients.