Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Level of job satisfaction amongst nurses in the North-West Province, South Africa: Post occupational specific dispensation

Background Job satisfaction and burnout have been recurring problems amongst nurses in the Republic of South Africa (RSA). As a result, nurses are still leaving the rural public sector in search of lucrative work at the urban and private sectors and in developed countries. Accordingly, Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD) was introduced as a strategy to circumvent the problem. However, since the implementation of OSD in 2007, there have been no studies conducted regarding the level of job satisfaction amongst nurses after the implementation of OSD in the North-West Province, especially because each province has its own challenges that are unique to the area. Objectives The study had two objectives: to describe the level of job satisfaction amongst professional and other category nurses (OCNs) at a public hospital in the North-West Province and describe the perceptions of nurses about OSD and their intention to continue working in the hospital. Method A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional design was used. Stratified random sampling was used to select a sample of 92 professional nurses (PNs), 90 enrolled nurses and enrolled nursing assistants (Nursing Act 2005), which made a total of 182 participants. For the purpose of the study, the enrolled nurses and enrolled nursing assistants were referred to as OCNs. Data were collected using the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire–short form and OSD statements and analysed with Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS, version 18). Results The majority of PNs (79.3%, n = 73) and OCNs (86.7%, n = 77) were dissatisfied with the working conditions and salary: PNs (80.4%, n = 74) and OCNs (87.8%, n = 79). The nurses mostly discredited the current state of the OSD implementation. Majority of the PNs (84%, n = 77) and OCNs (91%, n = 82) disagreed with the statement that ‘level of job satisfaction has improved after the implementation of OSD’. Conclusions The National Department of Health should consider a holistic approach to address all work-related conditions for nurses in order to curb the attrition rates. Policy makers and unions should urgently review OSD for all categories of nurses.
DHA system mediating aerobic and anaerobic dissimilation of glycerol in Klebsiella pneumoniae NCIB 418

In Klebsiella pneumoniae NCIB 418, the pathways normally responsible for aerobic growth on glycerol and sn-glycerol 3-phosphate (the glp system) are superrepressed. However, aerobic growth on glycerol can take place by the intervention of the NAD-linked glycerol dehydrogenase and the ATP-dependent dihydroxyacetone kinase of the dha system normally inducible only anaerobically by glycerol or dihydroxyacetone. Conclusive evidence that the dha system is responsible for both aerobic and anaerobic dissimilation of glycerol was provided by a Tn5 insertion mutant lacking dihydroxyacetone kinase. An enzymatically coupled assay specific for this enzyme was devised. Spontaneous reactivation of the glp system was achieved by selection for aerobic growth on sn-glycerol 3-phosphate or on limiting glycerol as the sole carbon and energy source. However, the expression of this system became constitutive. Aerobic operation of the glp system highly represses synthesis of the dha system enzymes by catabolite repression.
The use of flory–huggins theory in interpreting partitioning of solutes between organic liquids and water

Solute partitioning data for dilute solutions have almost invariably been interpreted by equating experimental values of –RT In Kx (wherein Kx is the mole fraction partition coefficient) to Δμ∞, the standard Gibbs energy change for solute transfer from one solvent to another. Recently, it has been alleged that this relation is insufficiently general. Instead, the statistical mechanical Flory‐Huggins (FH) theory has been recommended for use, because it is designed to account for disparities in molecular size between solute and solvent. Our examination of the thermodynamics of partitioning shows that: (1) The customary interpretation is not only entirely correct (providing only that the solute is dilute), but is model‐independent. (2) The dilute limit of the FH theory is seen to agree entirely with the usual interpretation of –RT In Kx, once certain misnomers are cleared away. (3) The use of FH theory being urged upon us in fact serves only to extract from Δμ∞; (the latter quite correctly determined as –RT In Kx) the contact part of Δμ∞ in order to obtain information on hydrophobic interactions. Some caveats are cited concerning such use of the FH statistical mechanical model.
Quasi-likelihood ratio tests for cointegration, cobreaking, and cotrending

Abstract We consider a set of variables with two types of nonstationary features, stochastic trends and broken linear trends. We develop tests that can determine whether there is a linear combination of these variables under which the nonstationary features can be canceled out. The first test can determine whether stochastic trends can be eliminated and thus whether cointegration holds, regardless of whether structural breaks in linear trends are eliminated. The second test can determine whether both stochastic trends and breaks in linear trends are simultaneously removed and thus whether cointegration and cobreaking simultaneously hold. The third test can determine whether not only breaks in linear trends but also linear trends themselves are eliminated along with stochastic trends and thus whether both cointegration and cotrending hold.
Risk factors for placental abruption in a socio-economically disadvantaged region

Objective. This study was undertaken in order to determine the risk factors for pregnancies complicated by placental abruption in a socio-economically disadvantaged region in metropolitan Adelaide. Methods. This was a retrospective case–control study including all singleton pregnancies resulting in placental abruption between 2001 and 2005. Results. The overall incidence of placental abruption was 1.0%; the overall perinatal mortality among the births with abruption was 13%. Univariate analyses showed the following significant risk factors for placental abruption: preterm pre-labor rupture of the membranes (PRE-PROM; odds ratio (OR) 4.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.52–15.08), non-compliance with antenatal care (OR 2.93, 95% CI 1.06–8.90), severe intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and elevated homocysteine levels (OR 45.55, 95% CI 7.05–458.93). Severe IUGR was significantly more common in the abruption group compared with the control group (p = 0.032). In the multivariate analysis, PRE-PROM remained a significant independent risk factor for placental abruption. Marijuana use, domestic violence, and mental health problems were more common (borderline significance) in the abruption group. Smoking and preeclampsia were not found to be associated with placental abruption in this study. Conclusions. In this high-risk population, PRE-PROM and elevated homocysteine levels appear to represent the major risk factors for placental abruption.
The Attentional Demand of Automobile Driving Revisited

Objective: We studied the utility of occlusion distance as a function of task-relevant event density in realistic traffic scenarios with self-controlled speed. Background: The visual occlusion technique is an established method for assessing visual demands of driving. However, occlusion time is not a highly informative measure of environmental task-relevant event density in self-paced driving scenarios because it partials out the effects of changes in driving speed. Method: Self-determined occlusion times and distances of 97 drivers with varying backgrounds were analyzed in driving scenarios simulating real Finnish suburban and highway traffic environments with self-determined vehicle speed. Results: Occlusion distances varied systematically with the expected environmental demands of the manipulated driving scenarios whereas the distributions of occlusion times remained more static across the scenarios. Systematic individual differences in the preferred occlusion distances were observed. More experienced drivers achieved better lane-keeping accuracy than inexperienced drivers with similar occlusion distances; however, driving experience was unexpectedly not a major factor for the preferred occlusion distances. Conclusion: Occlusion distance seems to be an informative measure for assessing task-relevant event density in realistic traffic scenarios with self-controlled speed. Occlusion time measures the visual demand of driving as the task-relevant event rate in time intervals, whereas occlusion distance measures the experienced task-relevant event density in distance intervals. Application: The findings can be utilized in context-aware distraction mitigation systems, human–automated vehicle interaction, road speed prediction and design, as well as in the testing of visual in-vehicle tasks for inappropriate in-vehicle glancing behaviors in any dynamic traffic scenario for which appropriate individual occlusion distances can be defined.
The Role of Autoregulation of the Hepatic Glucose Production in Man: Response to a Physiologic Decrement in Plasma Glucose

In man, a decrease in plasma glucose concentration results in a compensatory increase in hepatic glucose release. Studies in vitro have suggested that a low glucose concentration per se may directly stimulate hepatic glucose release, an effect often referred to as autoregulation. Whether autoregulation occurs in man in response to a physiologic decrement in blood glucose is not known. Therefore, seven healthy, nonobese subjects were studied on two occasions to determine the role of autoregulation in mediating the increase in glucose production that accompanies a physiologic decrement in plasma glucose concentration. On both occasions, plasma glucose concentrations were clamped successively at 95, 65, and 95 mg/dl for 2 h each. Insulin (∼14 μU/ml) and glucagon (∼70 pg/ml) were maintained constant on both occasions by an infusion of somatostatin and insulin. Phentolamine and propranolol also were infused on one occasion to produce combined alpha- and beta-adrenergic blockade. In the absence of adrenergic blockade, glucose production increased by approximately 1.3 mg/kg min when the plasma glucose concentration was decreased from 95 to 65 mg/dl and decreased by approximately 1.5 mg/kg min when glucose was increased from 65 to 95 mg/dl. In the presence of adrenergic blockade, the increase and decrease in glucose production averaged 0 and 0.5 mg/kg·min, respectively, representing 70–100% inhibition. We conclude that, in the presence of low physiologic insulin concentrations, autoregulation is not a major contributor to the hepatic response to a physiologic decrement in plasma glucose concentration in man.
Nizatidine for the treatment of patients with quetiapine‐induced weight gain

It has been reported that nizatidine may reduce weight gain in schizophrenic patients on olanzapine treatment. Leptin has been reported to be associated with antipsychotic‐induced weight gain. Thus, the purpose of the study was to evaluate whether nizatidine might be useful for the treatment of quetiapine‐induced weight gain. Among the patients on the quetiapine monotherapy, 47 participated in the study for the two and half months of the open‐label screening period. However, 28 patients who gained considerable weight in this period entered the 8‐week, double‐blind and placebo‐controlled phase. These patients were randomly divided into two groups; quetiapine plus nizatidine (group I) and quetiapine plus placebo (group II) for the 8‐week double‐blind phase. The patients were evaluated at the baseline and at week 8 with respect to the positive and negative syndrome scale, body mass index, weight and serum leptin levels. The mean weight and leptin levels exhibited modest increases in both groups for the open‐label screening period. In the double‐blind period, in group I, a minimal, but not statistically significant, decrease in weight was observed, with a mean of 1.0 ± 0.6 kg. The weight increased in group II. The leptin levels decreased by a mean of 0.6 ± 0.6 ng/ml in group I, and increased by 1.0 ± 0.9 ng/ml in group II. At evaluation at week 8, a trend toward statistical significance in the mean serum leptin levels between groups was detected. The results suggest that nizatidine treatment may stop but not reduce the weight gain and is correlated with leptin levels in patients with schizophrenia on quetiapine treatment. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interleukin‐6 induces transcriptional activation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in astrocytes in vivo and regulates VEGF promoter activity in glioblastoma cells via direct interaction between STAT3 and Sp1

Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) expression is strongly correlated with the degree of human glioma malignancy and necessary for tumor formation in a mouse model of spontaneous astrocytomas. Yet, exactly how IL‐6 contributes to malignant progression of these brain tumors is still unclear. We have scrutinized the mechanism of transcriptional activation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression by IL‐6 in the mouse brain and in glioblastoma cells. We demonstrate here that IL‐6 drives transcriptional upregulation of VEGF in astrocytes in vivo using glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)‐IL‐6/VEGF‐green fluorescent protein (GFP) double transgenic mice. We further show that IL‐6‐induced VEGF transcription and VEGF secretion by human glioblastoma cells is dependent on signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). By progressive 5′‐deletion analysis we defined the minimal VEGF promoter region for IL‐6‐responsiveness to nucleotides −88/−50. Surprisingly, this promoter region is rich in GC‐boxes and does not contain STAT3 binding elements. Electrophoretic mobility shift and supershift assays revealed binding of Sp1 and Sp3 to the −88/−50 element upon IL‐6 stimulation. Interestingly, preincubation with STAT3 antibody prevented the binding of Sp1 and Sp3 to the −88/−50 element, indicating that STAT3 is involved in IL‐6‐driven Sp1/Sp3 protein‐DNA complex formation. Physical interaction of STAT3 and Sp1 was demonstrated by coimmunoprecipitation. The functional relevance of the STAT3/Sp1 association was corroborated by transient transfection experiments, which showed that overexpression of constitutively active STAT3 increased the minimal VEGF promoter activity. Taken together, our study suggests that IL‐6 promotes tumor angiogenesis in gliomas and describes a novel transcriptional activation mechanism for STAT3 in the context of a STAT3 binding element (SBE)‐free promoter. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Radiotherapy for stages I and IIA/B testicular seminoma

Radiotherapy is generally accepted as a standard treatment for early‐stage testicular seminoma. Relapse rates of 2% to 5% in clinical stage I and 10% to 20% in stage IIA/B (according to the Royal Marsden classification) can be achieved. Disease‐specific survival reaches 100%. With such excellent cure rates, treatment‐related side effects gain particular importance. Therefore, a prospective multicenter trial was initiated for radiotherapy of testicular seminoma with limited treatment portals and low total doses of irradiation. In clinical stage I, 483 patients were treated with 26 Gy to the para‐aortic region only. In stage IIA, 42 patients and, in stage IIB, 18 patients received irradiation to the para‐aortic and high iliac lymph nodes with 30 and 36 Gy, respectively. With a median time to follow‐up of 55 months for stage I and 55.5 months for stage IIA/B, there were 18 (3.7 %) and 4 (6.7 %) cases of relapse in both treatment groups. Disease‐specific survival was 99.6% in stage I and 100% in stage IIA/B. Acute toxicity was dominated by moderate gastro‐intestinal side effects. No major late toxicity has been observed to date. Limited volume pure para‐aortic treatment for stage I and para‐aortic/high iliac irradiation for stage IIA/B with 26, 30 and 36 Gy, respectively, yields excellent cure rates with only moderate acute toxicity and is therefore recommended as standard treatment. Int. J. Cancer 83:823–827, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of a new mouse model for human apolipoprotein A-I/C-III/A-IV deficiency Published, JLR Papers in Press, February 23, 2006.

Human data raised the possibility that coronary heart disease is associated with mutations in the apolipoprotein gene cluster APOA1/C3/A4 that result in multideficiency of cluster-encoded apolipoproteins and hypoalphalipoproteinemia. To test this hypothesis, we generated a mouse model for human apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I)/C-III/A-IV deficiency. Homozygous mutants (Apoa1/c3/a4−/−) lacking the three cluster-encoded apolipoproteins were viable and fertile. In addition, feeding behavior and growth were apparently normal. Total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), and triglyceride levels in the plasma of fasted mutants fed a regular chow were 32% (P < 0.001), 17% (P < 0.001), and 70% (P < 0.01), respectively, those of wild-type mice. When fed a high-fat Western-type (HFW) diet, Apoa1/c3/a4−/− mice showed a further decrease in HDLc concentration and a moderate increase in TC, essentially in non-HDL fraction. The capacity of Apoa1/c3/a4−/− plasma to promote cholesterol efflux in vitro was decreased to 75% (P < 0.001), and LCAT activity was decreased by 38% (P < 0.01). Despite the very low total plasma cholesterol, the imbalance in lipoprotein distribution caused small but detectable aortic lesions in one-third of Apoa1/c3/a4−/− mice fed a HFW diet. In contrast, none of the wild-type mice had lesions. These results demonstrate that Apoa1/c3/a4−/− mice display clinical features similar to human apoA-I/C-III/A-IV deficiency (i.e., marked hypoalphalipoproteinemia) and provide further support for the apoa1/c3/a4 gene cluster as a minor susceptibility locus for atherosclerosis in mice.
A comparison of mucosal inflammatory responses to Giardia muris in resistant B10 and susceptible BALB/c mice

In the first three weeks of primary Giardia muris infections B10 mice clear infection more rapidly than BALB/c mice. There is evidence that interferon‐γ contributes to the relative resistance of B10 mice. The nature of the functional contribution of interferon‐γ is unclear and does not relate to the secretory or serum antibody response. Mucosal inflammatory events in these strains have been studied. Apart from a small rise in both strains of goblet cell and mucosal mast cell numbers, associated with release of mast cell protease‐1 in serum, no inflammatory infiltrate was observed at the time trophozoites were cleared from the intestinal lumen. Inhibition of mast cell products (5‐hydroxytryptamine and histamine) by cyproheptadine enhanced the intensity of infection in both strains. The relative resistance of B10 mice could not be explained in terms of the mucosal inflammatory response.
Protein kinases mediate ligand-independent derepression of sumoylated progesterone receptors in breast cancer cells

In advanced breast tumors, protein kinases are upregulated and steroid hormone receptors often function independently of ligand. Herein, we explored mechanisms of ligand-independent progesterone receptor (PR) activity. We showed previously that growth factor-induced phosphorylation of PR Ser-294 blocks PR Lys-388 sumoylation. SUMO-deficient mutant PR-B (K388R) thus provides a model receptor for the study of PR function in the context of high kinase activities. T47D cells stably expressing K388R PR-B exhibited increased ligand-independent proliferation and growth in soft agar relative to cells expressing wt PR-B or phospho-mutant (sumoylated) S294A PR-B. Expression of selected PR target genes (HB-EGF, IRS-1, and STC1) was significantly elevated in cells containing desumoylated (K388R) PR-B. Basal PR transcriptional activity occurred independently of progestins, was increased by activated CDK2, and attenuated by RU486. Notably, ChIP assays demonstrated that K388R PR-B and SRC1 were constitutively recruited to the STC1 promoter in the absence of progestin; PR Lys-388 sumoylation was required for HDAC3 recruitment. Knock-down of STC1 inhibited proliferation of cells expressing K388R PR-B. These data suggest a mechanism whereby phosphorylated, and thus desumoylated, PRs mediate increased expression of growth promoting genes. Our data explain why breast cancer models often remain insensitive to progestins, but are growth-inhibited by antiprogestins, and underscore the need to target PR-B and associated kinase activities as part of breast cancer therapy.
Planned neck dissection before combined chemoradiation for pyriform sinus carcinoma

Conclusions. A pretreatment neck dissection in a chemoradiation regimen for pyriform sinus carcinoma provides no delay for radiation, low complication rates, optimal radiation doses and a high nodal disease control. Objectives. The aims of this study were to evaluate the clinical feasibility, therapeutic consequences and neck nodes control of a pretreatment neck dissection in a chemoradiation regimen for organ preservation strategy for pyriform sinus carcinoma. Patients and methods. Seventy-six patients with untreated stage III and IV squamous cell carcinoma of the pyriform sinus were included in this study. Eighty neck dissections were performed according to the N status. Dose of radiotherapy was delivered according to the pathologic finding of neck dissections. Results. The mean time between neck dissection and the chemoradiation was 24 days (±12 days). Only two patients (2.5%) experienced wound complications. A ‘boost’ radiation of 14 Gy was delivered after 49 neck dissections (61%) in patients with extracapsular spread. The rate of disease control within the regional nodes was 90%. The Kaplan–Meier 1- and 2- year overall survival rates were 78% and 43%, respectively, and specific survival rates were 88% and 67%, respectively.
Tag‐mediated fractionation of yeast ribosome populations proves the monomeric organization of the eukaryotic ribosomal stalk structure

The analysis of the not well understood composition of the stalk, a key ribosomal structure, in eukaryotes having multiple 12 kDa P1/P2 acidic protein components has been approached using these proteins tagged with a histidine tail at the C‐terminus. Tagged Saccharomyces cerevisiae ribosomes, which contain two P1 proteins (P1α and P1β) and two P2 proteins (P2α and P2β), were fractionated by affinity chromatography and their stalk composition was determined. Different yeast strains expressing one or two tagged proteins and containing either a complete or a defective stalk were used. No indication of protein dimers was found in the tested strains. The results are only compatible with a stalk structure containing a single copy of each one of the four 12 kDa proteins per ribosome. Ribosomes having an incomplete stalk are found in wild‐type cells. When one of the four proteins is missing, the ribosomes do not carry the three remaining proteins simultaneously, containing only two of them distributed in pairs made of one P1 and one P2. Ribosomes can carry two, one or no acidic protein pairs. The P1α/P2β and P1β/P2α pairs are preferentially found in the ribosome, but they are not essential either for stalk assembly or function.