Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Different Promoter Systems for Efficient Transgene Expression in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Lines

Mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells are derived from the inner cell mass of the preimplantation embryo and have the developmental capacity to generate all cell types of the body. Combined with efficient genetic manipulation and in vitro differentiation procedures, ES cells are a useful system for the molecular analysis of developmental pathways. We analyzed and compared the transcriptional activities of a cellular polypeptide chain elongation factor 1 alpha (EF), a cellular‐virus hybrid (cytomegalo‐virus [CMV] immediate early enhancer fused to chicken β‐actin [CBA]), and a viral CMV promoter system in two ES cell lines. When transiently transfected, the EF and CBA promoters robustly drove reporter gene expression, while the CMV promoter was inactive. We also demonstrated that the EF and CBA promoters effectively drove gene expression in different stages of cell development: naïve ES cells, embryoid bodies (EBs), and neuronal precursor cells. In contrast, the CMV promoter did not have transcriptional activity in either ES cells or EB but had significant activity once ES cells differentiated into neuronal precursors. Our data show that individual promoters have different abilities to express reporter gene expression in the ES and other cell types tested.
Executive Extraversion: Career and Firm Outcomes

Psychology research identifies extraversion as the personality trait most closely associated with leadership emergence. We examine executive extraversion, as measured by speech patterns during conference calls, and find extraverts experience significant career benefits. Controlling for executive and firm characteristics, including firm fixed effects, we find that extraverted CEOs and CFOs earn 6–9 percent higher salaries. Moreover, extraverted CEOs are less likely to experience job turnover, have longer tenures, serve on more outside boards, and hold directorships at larger firms, and extraverted CFOs are more likely to be promoted to CEO. Executive extraversion is also linked with firm outcomes. Analyzing a sample of manager transitions, we find that increases in CEO extraversion are associated with improvements in investor recognition and sales growth. Further, extraverted CEOs are associated with higher acquisition announcement returns. Our findings highlight the role of personality traits in explaining executive career and firm outcomes. JEL Classifications: G14.
Cancer patients' descriptions of their nursing care.

AIM This paper reports a study of cancer patients' descriptions of nurses and nursing care. BACKGROUND Nurses lament their poor representation in the media, and campaigns to improve their portrayal have been initiated. Media portrayal of nurses might be more realistic if patients' descriptions of nursing care were incorporated. METHOD Qualitative data from an instrument development study were analysed. A total of 461 patients answered the question, 'In general, how do you feel about nurses? ' The data were analysed by the constant comparative method and grounded theory coding techniques. FINDINGS A typology of four concepts reflecting cancer patients' descriptions of their nursing care emerged from the data. The concepts were: laudable, caring, professional and outcomes. The concept laudable refers to commendable qualities of the nurse and nursing care. Caring refers to the nurse showing compassion, concern and kindness. Professional refers to the nurse as meeting expected standards of knowledge, skill and demeanour. Outcomes refer to the affective, cognitive, or physical effects attributed to nursing care. Both positive and negative instances of the concepts were included in the analysis. Examples of each concept using patients' own words are given. CONCLUSIONS These cancer patients held nurses in relatively high esteem. These findings could be disseminated to the public press as an example of what patients' value about nurses and nursing care. They also could be used in media efforts to recruit and retain nurses.
Characterisation of atherosclerotic plaque by spectral similarity of radiofrequency intravascular ultrasound signals.

AIMS The aim of this paper is to report a method of atherosclerotic plaque tissue characterisation based on pattern recognition and assess its accuracy under conditions of potential clinical relevance. METHODS AND RESULTS Excised saline infused human arteries were imaged using IVUS with RF acquisition. 40% of the vessels were re-imaged with human blood infusion. A database of approximately 12000 image regions-of-interest (ROIs) of histologically established types was used to design a pattern recognition algorithm to predict the tissue type of a given ROI by comparing its RF-spectrum against the database, and also to estimate the confidence of prediction. Ex vivo validation demonstrated accuracies at the highest level of confidence as: 97%, 98%, 95%, and 98% for necrotic, lipidic, fibrotic and calcified regions respectively. Good agreement with histology was shown in an in vivo swine animal model. CONCLUSIONS Ex vivo validation demonstrated the ability to characterise plaque tissue using an IVUS+RF system and a method incorporating (1) full spectral information (2) spectral similarity (3) estimating confidence of characterisation and, (4) ability to characterise plaque imaged through blood. Promising results were demonstrated in a live animal model. This approach may have potential for accurate and reproducible plaque characterisation in vivo.
Microvesicles Bind Soluble Fibrinogen, Adhere to Immobilized Fibrinogen and Coaggregate with Platelets

Summary In the present study we have investigated whether platelet derived microvesicles can bind soluble fibrinogen, bind to immobilized fibrinogen, and coaggregate with platelets. Flow cytometry was used for studies on binding of soluble fibrinogen and coaggregation, whereas ELISA wells were used to study binding of microvesicles to immobilized fibrinogen. Biotinylated microvesicles produced by stimulation with A23187, thrombin or SFLLRN of platelets which had been surface-labelled with biotin, were used both for the coaggregation experiments and for the binding studies with immobilized fibrinogen. Unlabelled microvesicles and biotinylated fibrinogen were employed when studying binding of soluble fibrinogen to the microvesicles. For the flow cytometry, the biotinylated proteins were reacted with avidin or streptavidin which was PE-conjugated, whereas the same substances were conjugated with alkaline phosphatase for the ELISA studies. The microvesicles formed after stimulation of platelets by SFLLRN or A23187 clearly bound the soluble, biotinylated fibrinogen. Moreover, isolated biotinylated microvesicles added to washed platelets prior to activation, were associated to the microaggregates that formed after stimulation. A significant binding of biotinylated microvesicles to immobilized fibrinogen could also be detected. The binding of micro-vesicles to soluble and immobilized fibrinogen and association to platelets was clearly specific and at least partly dependent on the GPIIb-IIIa complex, as all of these phenomena could be prevented or reduced by addition of the c7E3 Fab which blocks the activated form of this receptor complex. From these in vitro results it is clear that microvesicles can bind to immobilized fibrinogen, bind soluble fibrinogen and are able to coaggregate with platelets. It may be speculated that these results also reflect a haemostatic role of microvesicles in vivo.
Understanding the reverse logistics operations of a retailer: a pilot study

– The paper aims to illustrate the business process of reverse logistics by focusing on studying the business activities of the distribution center of a major department store. , – The case study methodology is used to explore three questions: what are the essential characteristics and associated requirements underlying reverse logistics? , how should the practices underlying reverse logistics be adjusted to address cost minimization and value generation? , and what role does information sharing play in defining the reach, range and cohesiveness of central returns center (CRC) of supply chain members in reverse logistics? , – The paper finds that the biggest problem a CRC is facing is the time required for managing damages when no return authorization is forthcoming from the vendor. The goal of the CRC is to maximize the amount of merchandise, which is shipped back to the vendor for full recovery. While information flow within the firm seems to be more than adequate, information flow to supply chain partners, especially where decisions need to be made, is not always adequate. , – The paper provides the detailed description of the business process in reverse logistics practiced by a major retailer. The outcome of this study contributes to the understanding of what has been done in reverse logistics and what needs to be done in future.
Permanent atrial fibrillation in heart failure patients as another condition with increased reverse triiodothyronine concentration.

OBJECTIVE To fully investigate the thyroid hormonal function in patients with the most common arrhythmia - atrial fibrillation. MATERIALS AND METHODS 120 patients (aged 55-85 yrs) with symptoms of congestive heart failure exacerbation and no other concomitant disorders (inclusion criteria: normal cardiac troponin T at admission and 12 hours after, normal renal, hepatic and respiratory function; exclusion criteria: inflammatory state, history of myocardial infarction). Depending on the presence of permanent atrial fibrillation (PAF), patients were divided into two groups: PAF (34 females, 26 males) and regular sinus heart rhythm (43 females, 17 males), the groups did not differ in terms of heart rate, blood pressure, presence of overt/subclinical thyroid dysfunction, and medical therapy used. In all subjects thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, reverse triiodothyronine were measured; echocardiography was performed. RESULTS PAF group showed higher FT4 and rT3 (1.41 vs. 1.27 ng/dl, p=0.0007; 0.61 vs. 0.32 ng/ml, p<0.0001, respectively). With ROC curve analysis the biochemical thyroid related factor of the highest prognostic value for PAF occurrence (with the highest sensitivity and specificity: 77% and 72%, respectively) was rT3 with the cut-off of above 0.3 ng/ml. Also, a positive correlation between rT3 levels and left ventricular posterior wall diameter was observed (Spearman's correlation coefficient 0.33, p=0.0093). CONCLUSIONS PAF is another condition where an increase in rT3 is observed. rT3 concentration above 0.3 ng/ml may be a novel biochemical sign associated with the presence of PAF in patients with chronic heart failure.
Oral cancer risk in relation to sexual history and evidence of human papillomavirus infection.

BACKGROUND Experimental models and analyses of human tumors suggest that oncogenic, sexually transmittable human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are etiologic factors in the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We conducted a population-based, case-control study to determine whether the risk of this cancer is related to HPV infection and sexual history factors. METHODS Case subjects (n = 284) were 18-65-year-old residents of three counties in western Washington State who were newly diagnosed with oral SCC from 1990 through 1995. Control subjects (n = 477) similar in age and sex were selected from the general population. Serum samples were tested for HPV type 16 capsid antibodies. Exfoliated oral tissue collected from case and control subjects and tumor tissue from case subjects were tested for HPV DNA. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated after adjusting for age, sex, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption. RESULTS Among males only, oral SCC risk increased with self-reported decreasing age at first intercourse, increasing number of sex partners, and a history of genital warts. Approximately 26% of the tumors in case subjects contained HPV DNA; 16.5% of the tumors contained HPV type 16 DNA. The prevalence of oncogenic HPV types in exfoliated oral tissue was similar in case and control subjects. The ORs for HPV type 16 capsid seropositivity were 2.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.6-3.3) for all oral SCCs and 6.8 (95% CI = 3.0-15.2) for oral SCCs containing HPV type 16 DNA. The joint association of cigarette smoking and HPV type 16 capsid seropositivity with oral SCC (OR = 8.5; 95% CI = 5.1-14.4) was stronger than predicted from the sum of individual associations with current smoking (OR = 3.2; 95% CI = 2.0-5.2) and seropositivity (OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.1-2.6). CONCLUSIONS HPV type 16 infection may contribute to the development of a small proportion of oral SCCs in this population, most likely in combination with cigarette smoking.
Mode of action of a new isoxazoline compound

A new isoxazoline compound (5-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)oxymethyl-5-methyl-3(3-methylthiophen-2-yl)-1,2-isoxazoline; code name, EK-5229) was reported to have safety in rice and control barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli), but its mode of action was unknown. The compound did not inhibit germination of sensitive grasses, but it inhibited further growth. The symptom was primarily stunting and discoloration, but did not resemble those of existing herbicides. In whole plant studies, EK-5229 completely inhibited root elongation of corn, susceptible grass, at 1μM within 6 h of application. EK-5229 inhibited incorporation of [C]glucose into hemicellulose and cellulose of corn root cell walls by 50 to 70% at 1μM after 24 h. The effect of EK-5229 on cell wall biosynthesis was dose-dependent in the range between 0.01 and 1μM, and corresponded with the dose-dependency of growth of corn root. However, in terms of time-course response, inhibition of [C]glucose incorporation into the cell wall constituents was evident after 12 h of treatment, which was after the growth inhibition occurred. This result suggested that the mechanism of action of EK-5229 might be directly or indirectly associated with cell wall biosynthesis in susceptible plants.
Visual Response Properties in the Dorsal Lateral Geniculate Nucleus of Mice Lacking the β2 Subunit of the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor

We present a quantitative description of single-cell visual response properties in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) of anesthetized adult mice lacking the β2 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (β2-/-) and compare these response properties with data from wild-type animals. Some response features, including all spatial receptive field characteristics and bursting behavior, are entirely normal in β2-/- dLGN cells. In other respects, the responses of β2-/- dLGN cells are quantitatively abnormal: the mutation is associated with higher spontaneous and visually evoked firing rates, faster visual response latencies, a preference for higher temporal frequencies, and a trend toward greater contrast sensitivity. The normal response properties in the β2-/- dLGN show that none of the many effects of the mutation, including disrupted geniculate functional organization and abnormal cholinergic transmission, have any effect on spatial response characteristics and bursting behavior in dLGN neurons. The abnormal response characteristics in the β2-/- dLGN are most interesting in that they are no worse than normal; any visual processing deficits found in studies of the β2-/- visual cortex must therefore arise solely from abnormalities in cortical processing.
Ecofriendly synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles by Euphrasia officinalis leaf extract and its biomedical applications

Abstract Biogenic synthesis of silver (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using aqueous extract of Euphrasia officinalis has been reported. Stable AgNPs and AuNPs were formed on adding aqueous solutions of silver nitrate and chloroauric acid with E. officinalis leaf extract, in 19 min and 2 min, respectively. The synthesis method used in present study was simple, reliable, rapid, cost effective and ecofriendly. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized with field emission transmission electron microscopy (FE-TEM), elemental mapping, selected area diffraction pattern (SAED), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), particle size distribution, zeta potential and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The UV–Vis spectrum confirmed the synthesis of nanoparticles as the absorption band was observed at 450 nm for AgNPs and at 558 nm for AuNPs. The TEM images revealed quasi-spherical shape of AgNPs and AuNPs. The size of nanoparticles was determined to be 40.37 ± 1.8 nm for AgNPs and 49.72 ± 1.2 nm for AuNPs. The zeta potential value demonstrated the negative surface charge and stable nature of nanoparticles. Crystalline nature of the nanoparticles in the face-centred cubic (fcc) structure was confirmed by the peaks in the XRD pattern and SAED pattern. FTIR results showed the functional groups involved in reduction of silver and gold ions to metal nanoparticles. For biomedical application, the nanoparticles have been explored for anticancer, antibacterial and biofilm inhibition activities. It was observed that AgNPs exert anticancer activity against human lung cancer (A549) and human cervical cancer (HeLa) cell lines. On the other hand, AuNPs were able to inhibit only human cervical cancer cells. Furthermore, the AgNPs were active against clinically isolated human pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Additionally, AgNPs also showed biofilm inhibition activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa.
Outcomes of infection-related hospitalization in Medicare beneficiaries receiving in-center hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND Infection is a common cause of hospitalization in adults receiving hemodialysis. Limited data are available about downstream events resulting from or following these hospitalizations. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study using the US Renal Data System. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS Medicare beneficiaries initiating in-center hemodialysis therapy in 2005 to 2008. FACTORS Demographics, dual Medicare/Medicaid eligibility, body mass index, comorbid conditions, initial vascular access type, nephrology care prior to dialysis therapy initiation, residence in a care facility, tobacco use, biochemical measures, and type of infection. OUTCOMES 30-day hospital readmission or death following first infection-related hospitalization. RESULTS 60,270 Medicare beneficiaries had at least one hospitalization for infection. Of those who survived the initial hospitalization, 15,113 (27%) were readmitted and survived the 30 days following hospital discharge, 1,624 (3%) were readmitted to the hospital and then died within 30 days of discharge, and 2,425 (4%) died without hospital readmission. Complications related to dialysis access, sepsis, and heart failure accounted for 12%, 9%, and 7% of hospital readmissions, respectively. Factors associated with higher odds of 30-day readmission or death without readmission included non-Hispanic ethnicity, lower serum albumin level, inability to ambulate or transfer, limited nephrology care prior to dialysis therapy, and specific types of infection. In comparison, older age, select comorbid conditions, and institutionalization had stronger associations with death without readmission than with readmission. LIMITATIONS Findings limited to Medicare beneficiaries receiving in-center hemodialysis. CONCLUSIONS Hospitalizations for infection among patients receiving in-center hemodialysis are associated with exceptionally high rates of 30-day hospital readmission and death without readmission.
Discovery of Serum Proteomic Biomarkers for Prediction of Response to Moxibustion Treatment in Rats with Collagen-Induced Arthritis: An Exploratory Analysis

Objective To examine the possible impact of moxibustion on the serum proteome of the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model. Materials and Methods Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were included in this experiment. The CIA animal model was prepared by injection of type II bovine collagen in Freund's adjuvant on the first and seventh day. The 36 rats were randomly divided into two groups: the untreated CIA group (control), and the CIA plus treatment with moxibustion (CIA+moxi) group. Moxibustion was administered daily at ST36 and BL23 for 7, 14 or 21 days (n=12 rats each). Arthritis score was used to assess the severity of arthritis. At the end of each 7 day treatment, blood samples from the control group and the CIA+moxi group were collected. After removal of high abundance proteins from serum samples, two-dimensional gel combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight MS/MS (MALDI-TOF-MS/MS) techniques were performed to examine serum protein expression patterns of the CIA rat model with and without moxibustion treatment. In addition, the relevant proteins were further analysed with the use of bioinformatics analysis. Results Moxibustion significantly decreased arthritis severity in the rats in the CIA+moxi group, when compared with the rats in the CIA group 35 days after the first immunisation (p=0.001). Seventeen protein spots which changed >1.33 or <0.77 at p<0.05 using Bonferonni correction for multiple testing were found to be common to all three comparisons, and these proteins were used for classification of functions using the Gene Ontology method. Consequently, with the use of the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, the top canonical pathways and a predicted proteomic network related to the moxibustion effect of CIA were established. Conclusions Using the proteomics technique, we have identified novel candidate proteins that may be involved in the mechanisms of action underlying the beneficial effects of moxibustion in rats with CIA. Our findings suggest that immune responses and metabolic processes may be involved in mediating the effects of moxibustion. Moreover, periodxiredoxin I (PRDX1) and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor (IP3R) may be potential targets.
Unclassified Variants of BRCA1 and BRCA2 in Korean Patients With Ovarian Cancer

Objective The aim of the present study was to investigate unclassified variants (UVs) in BRCA1 and 2 of Korean patients with ovarian cancer. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 138 patients diagnosed with ovarian/fallopian tubal/peritoneal cancer between January 2013 and January 2016, whose BRCA genetic test results and clinical characteristics were available for review. Patient peripheral blood lymphocyte specimens were assessed for BRCA mutations and variations by direct sequencing. Identified UVs were classified according to several algorithms. Results The results of genetic testing revealed 31 (22.5%, 31/138) pathogenic BRCA mutations (24 BRCA1, 7 BRCA2 mutations). The BRCA1 c.390C>A mutation was observed in 4 patients (12.9%, 4/31). Thirty-four (24.6%, 34/138) BRCA UVs were identified in 33 patients. Of these, the BRCA1 c.4883T>C and BRCA2 c.8187G>T variants were each detected in 4 patients (4/34, 11.8%). According to the used algorithms and cosegregation test, the BRCA1 c.5339T>C and BRCA2 c. 8437_8439delGGA variants were both predicted to be likely pathogenic. Conclusions The 2 identified likely pathogenic UVs require further verification with clinical evidence. Clarifying the clinical significance of UVs is an increasingly important step for cancer treatment in the current era of precision medicine.
Computational‐fluid‐dynamics (CFD) analysis of mixing and gas–liquid mass transfer in shake flasks

CFD (computational fluid dynamics) techniques were used to predict mixing and gas‐liquid mass transfer in a 250 ml shake flask operating over a range of shaking frequencies between 100 and 300 rev./min, shaking diameters between 20 and 60 mm, and fill volumes between 25 and 100 ml. Interfacial area, a, volumetric mass‐transfer coeffcient, kLa, and the power input per unit volume, ηv, of the liquid were predicted to be 300