Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Involvement of Protein Acyltransferase ZDHHC3 in Maintaining Oocyte Meiotic Arrest in Xenopus laevis1

ABSTRACT Fully grown oocytes of most vertebrates are arrested at prophase I of meiosis (G2 arrest). Upon exposure to steroid hormones, oocytes resume meiotic process, also called G2/M transition. The G protein-signaling pathway has been shown to play essential roles in the meiotic arrest at G2 phase. Previously, we showed that long chain fatty acyl-coenzyme A synthetase acsl1b was required for maintaining the meiotic arrest in Xenopus Acsl1b presumably synthesizes palmitoyl-coenzyme A that can be utilized by acyltransferases to modify proteins essential for the G2 arrest. In the present study, we report that protein acyltransferase ZDHHC3 functions downstream of acsl1b to maintain oocyte meiotic arrest. Depletion of maternal ZDHHC3 RNA in oocytes reduces the progesterone threshold to promote G2/M transition from 2 to 0.01 μM. As expected, Gs alpha palmitoylation level is greatly decreased in ZDHHC3-depleted oocytes. Furthermore, we mapped ZDHHC3 palmitoylation sites in Gs alpha and showed that palmitoylation-deficient Gs alpha failed to arrest oocytes at G2. We also identified a critical residue in ZDHHC3 critically required for its palmitoylation activity toward Gs alpha. Taken together, ZDHHC3 is a key acyltransferase to palmitoylate proteins in order to maintain G2 arrest in Xenopus oocytes.
Surgical and Palliative Management and Outcome in 184 Patients With Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma: Palliative Photodynamic Therapy Plus Stenting Is Comparable to R1/R2 Resection

Objective:First, to analyze the strategy for 184 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma seen and treated at a single interdisciplinary hepatobiliary center during a 10-year period. Second, to compare long-term outcome in patients undergoing surgical or palliative treatment, and third to evaluate the role of photodynamic therapy in this concept. Summary Background Data:Tumor resection is attainable in a minority of patients (<30%). When resection is not possible, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy have been found to be an ineffective palliative option. Recently, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been evaluated as a palliative and neoadjuvant modality. Methods:Treatment and outcome data of 184 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma were analyzed prospectively between 1994 and 2004. Sixty patients underwent resection (8 after neoadjuvant PDT); 68 had PDT in addition to stenting and 56 had stenting alone. Results:The 30-day death rate after resection was 8.3%. Major complications occurred in 52%. The overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 69%, 30%, and 22%, respectively. R0, R1, and R2 resection resulted in 5-year survival rates of 27%, 10%, and 0%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified R0 resection (P < 0.01), grading (P < 0.05), and on the limit to significance venous invasion (P = 0.06) as independent prognostic factors for survival. PDT and stenting resulted in longer median survival (12 vs. 6.4 months, P < 0.01), lower serum bilirubin levels (P < 0.05), and higher Karnofsky performance status (P < 0.01) as compared with stenting alone. Median survival after PDT and stenting, but not after stenting alone, did not differ from that after both R1 and R2 resection. Conclusion:Only complete tumor resection, including hepatic resection, enables long-term survival for patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Palliative PDT and subsequent stenting resulted in longer survival than stenting alone and has a similar survival time compared with incomplete R1 and R2 resection. However, these improvements in palliative treatment by PDT will not change the concept of an aggressive resectional approach.
Cetuximab plus FOLFIRINOX (ERBIRINOX) as first-line treatment for unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer: a phase II trial.

BACKGROUND Triplet chemotherapy has demonstrated manageable toxicities and a favorable response rate. The addition of cetuximab to chemotherapy can increase treatment efficacy. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of cetuximab plus 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX), the ERBIRINOX regimen, as first-line treatment in patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). PATIENTS AND METHODS In a phase II study, treatment consisted of weekly cetuximab plus biweekly. Treatment was continued for a maximum of 12 cycles and tumor response was evaluated every four cycles. The primary efficacy criterion was the complete response (CR) rate. RESULTS From April 2006 to April 2008, 42 patients were enrolled. The median age was 60 years (range, 32-76 years). The median duration of treatment was 5.2 months (range, 0.7-8.5 months), and a median of nine cycles was given per patient (range, 1-12 cycles). Five patients (11.9%) showed a CR, with a median duration of 23.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.8-39.7 months). The objective response rate was 80.9% (95% CI, 65.9%-91.4%). The median overall and progression-free survival times were 24.7 months (95% CI, 22.6 months to not reached) and 9.5 months (95% CI, 7.6-10.4 months), respectively. The most frequent grade 3-4 adverse events were diarrhea (52%), neutropenia (38%), and asthenia (32%). CONCLUSION The ERBIRINOX regimen appears to be effective and feasible in first-line treatment of mCRC patients. These promising results led us to initiate a multicenter, randomized, phase II trial ([Research Partnership for Digestive Oncology] PRODIGE 14) in patients with potentially resectable mCRC.
Risk Management and Corporate Governance in Islamic Finance: A Comparative Analysis

The development of Islamic finance in the last decades is to me one of the greatest contributions to the theory and practice of finance the world over in recent time. In importance it can be compared to the evolution of the field of finance from economics. From humble beginning as a field of study for few eccentric scholars, Islamic finance has today grow to become one of the widely study aspect of finance. Despite the successes recorded so far, Islamic finance still face a lot of daunting challenges, one of which is in the area of risk management and governance. The literature on Islamic finance is vast, but the aspect concerned with risk and governance remain scanty. This study is an attempt to widen the literature on the subject area. The study covers the major risks inherent not only in Islamic finance but conventional finance, with which it is compared in the study. The theory and practice of corporate governance in Islamic finance is compared to that of conventional finance. The study compared data from financial statements of ten Islamic Banks during the period of five years (2005-2009). The study found out that Islamic banks made more profits before the global financial crisis, and increases their equity after the crisis. The Z-Index use to measure risk taking among sample Islamic banks shows that Islamic banks reduces their risk appetite after the crisis.
Auxin transport in maize roots in response to localized nitrate supply.

UNLABELLED background and aims: Roots typically respond to localized nitrate by enhancing lateral-root growth. Polar auxin transport has important roles in lateral-root formation and growth; however, it is a matter of debate whether or how auxin plays a role in the localized response of lateral roots to nitrate. METHODS Treating maize (Zea mays) in a split-root system, auxin levels were quantified directly and polar transport was assayed by the movement of [(3)H]IAA. The effects of exogenous auxin and polar auxin transport inhibitors were also examined. KEY RESULTS Auxin levels in roots decreased more in the nitrate-fed compartment than in the nitrate-free compartment and nitrate treatment appeared to inhibit shoot-to-root auxin transport. However, exogenous application of IAA only partially reduced the stimulatory effect of localized nitrate, and auxin level in the roots was similarly reduced by local applications of ammonium that did not stimulate lateral-root growth. CONCLUSIONS It is concluded that local applications of nitrate reduced shoot-to-root auxin transport and decreased auxin concentration in roots to a level more suitable for lateral-root growth. However, alteration of root auxin level alone is not sufficient to stimulate lateral-root growth.
Membrane rafts and caveolae in cardiovascular signaling

Purpose of reviewSubstantial evidence documents the key role of lipid (membrane) rafts and caveolae as microdomains that concentrate a wide variety of receptors and postreceptor components regulated by hormones, neurotransmitters and growth factors. Recent findingsRecent data document that these microdomains are important in regulating vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells and renal epithelial cells, and particularly in signal transduction across the plasma membrane. SummaryRaft/caveolae domains are cellular regions, including in cardiovascular and renal epithelial cells, which organize a large number of signal transduction components, thereby providing spatially and temporally efficient regulation of cell function.
Associations between the prevalence of Mollicutes and Mycoplasma bovis and health and performance in stocker calves

A longitudinal cross-sectional time-series study was carried out to determine the prevalence of nasal mycoplasma carriage, serostatus and seroconversion, and to evaluate the associations between these parameters and health and performance in weaned beef calves during a 42-day feeding period. Nasal swabs and serum were collected on days 0 (arrival), 10, 42 and at the first incidence of bovine respiratory disease complex. The samples were evaluated for Mollicutes (by culture), Mycoplasma bovis (by PCR) and serum antibody to M bovis. On day 0, 90.4 per cent of the calves were Mollicutes nasal culture-positive. The seroprevalence of M bovis was 26.6 per cent on day 0 and 98.2 per cent by day 42 (P<0.05). Seroconversion to M bovis between days 0 and 42 was significantly associated (P=0.04) with lower weight gain. Weight gain was greater in calves that were PCR-negative for M bovis on day 10 (P=0.01). The percentage of calves seropositive to M bovis increased throughout the study, indicating exposure and an immunological response to the organism. Although associations with health outcomes were not identified, seroconversion to M bovis was associated with a decreased rate of weight gain during the study period.
Family dysfunction and Native American women who do not seek prenatal care.

OBJECTIVE To test the hypotheses that, in a health system with few external barriers to care, women with no prenatal care (NPC) have higher rates of nuclear family dysfunction and disproportionate amounts of adverse neonatal outcomes compared with women with prenatal care. DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING Indian Health Service system. PATIENTS Nuclear families of women not seeking prenatal care compared with those who did seek prenatal care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Dysfunctional outcome measures in nuclear families were children adopted, placed, or under protective surveillance; mothers denying pregnancy, being abused, or attempting suicide; and parents with alcoholism. Neonatal outcome measures were low birth weight and neonatal intensive care days. RESULTS Dysfunctional markers occurred significantly more frequently in families of women with NPC than in families of women with prenatal care (57% of NPC and 12% of control families; McNemar odds ratio, 14; 95% confidence interval, 4.7-41.6). Neonatal outcome in this Native American population showed that women with NPC had only 2.6% (58/2222) of the total births but accounted for 11% of the low-birth-weight infants (< 2500 g), 18% of the very-low-birth-weight infants (< 1500 g), and 24% of the level II and 41% of the level III newborn intensive care days. CONCLUSIONS Women not seeking prenatal care in a system with few external barriers to care have significantly more family dysfunction (P < .001) than women seeking prenatal care. Infants of women with NPC generated a disproportionate amount of adverse neonatal outcome. The combination of NPC and family dysfunction was more predictive of adverse neonatal outcome than was NPC alone.
Isolation, differentiation, and characterization of mesenchymal stem cells from human bone marrow

Aim: We describe the minimum requirements and a simplified method for isolation and characterization of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from human bone marrow. Background: MSCs are well known adult stem cells present in many tissues such as adipocytes, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, and neurons. Many isolations and characterization methods have emerged to apply MSCs in the clinical applications, which many of them are expensive and time-consuming. Methods: MSC isolation was carried out from human bone marrow, and cultured in defined medium. Cultures were maintained at 370C in a humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO2 for 48h. The medium was exchanged every 3-4 days. Adherent cells were characterized according to main criteria defined by ISCT, such as differentiation capability to adipocyte and osteoblast using specific differentiation mediums; also, flow cytometry verified MSC specific markers. Results: Isolated MSCs had a fibroblastic-like appearance with adherent property to the culture plate. Differentiation function was proved with the formation of lipid drops and calcium oxalates on the differentiated MSCs and finally, purified MSCs from bone marrow were positive for cell surface markers, CD73, CD90, and CD105 while being negative for CD34 and CD45. Conclusion: These findings confirm that the represented method is capable of isolating MSCs from bone marrow with proven results according to all minimum criteria defined by the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT).
Mass media campaigns designed to support new pictorial health warnings on cigarette packets: evidence of a complementary relationship

Background In Australia, introduction of pictorial health warnings on cigarette packets was supported by a televised media campaign highlighting illnesses featured in two of the warning labels—gangrene and mouth cancer. Methods Two studies examined whether the warnings and the television advertisements complemented one another. Population telephone surveys of two cross-sections of adult smokers measured changes in top-of-mind awareness of smoking-related health effects from before (2005; n=587) to after the pack warnings were introduced (2006; n=583). A second study assessed cognitive and emotional responses and intentions to quit after smokers watched one of the campaign advertisements, comparing outcomes of those with and without prior pack warning exposure. Results Between 2005 and 2006, the proportion of smokers aware that gangrene is caused by smoking increased by 11.2 percentage points (OR=23.47, p=0.000), and awareness of the link between smoking and mouth cancer increased by 6.6 percentage points (OR=2.00, p=0.006). In contrast, awareness of throat cancer decreased by 4.3 percentage points, and this illness was mentioned in the pack warnings but not the advertisements. In multivariate analyses, smokers who had prior exposure to the warnings were significantly more likely to report positive responses to the advertisements and stronger post-exposure quitting intentions. Conclusions Television advertisements and pictorial health warnings on cigarette packets may operate in a complementary manner to positively influence awareness of the health consequences of smoking and motivation to quit. Jurisdictions implementing pictorial warnings should consider the benefits of supportive mass media campaigns to increase the depth, meaning and personal relevance of the warnings.
A Closer Look at Homeostatic Proliferation of CD4+ T Cells: Costimulatory Requirements and Role in Memory Formation1

Ag-specific proliferation of CD4+ T cells is regulated, in part, by costimulatory signals through CD28. The proliferative response during primary activation is an important determinant of the ability of the T cell to respond to Ag re-encounter. Proliferation of mature CD4+ T cells during lymphopenia (homeostatic proliferation) requires interaction with endogenous peptide MHC. However, the role of costimulation during homeostatic proliferation is unclear, as is the ability of homeostatic proliferation to regulate secondary T cell responses. Using a TCR transgenic system and serial adoptive transfers we find that homeostatic proliferation of CD4+ T cells occurs for at least 5 wk after adoptive transfer into recombination-activating gene (RAG)−/− recipients. Two discrete populations of proliferating T cells can be resolved, one that is highly proliferative and dependent on CD28 signaling, and the other that contains cells undergoing low levels of CD28-independent proliferation. Importantly, naive CD4+ T cells that have undergone homeostatic proliferation acquire both phenotypic and functional characteristics of true memory cells. These studies indicate that functional memory T cells can be generated by encounters with endogenous Ags only. This mechanism of T cell regeneration is possibly active during lymphopenia due to viral infections, such as HIV, transplantation, or cancer therapy, and may explain selected autoimmune diseases.
More evidence of declining incidence of amyloidosis associated with inflammatory rheumatic diseases

Objective: To assess the incidence, prevalence, and outcome of amyloidosis associated with inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Methods: An observational study was performed in the outpatient department of Kainuu Central Hospital from 1993 to 2007. The following criteria were used for the performance of abdominal subcutaneous fat aspiration (ASFA) and/or rectal biopsies: erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) > 40 mm/h at two consecutive visits; and proteinuria (> 0.5 g/day) or serum creatinine > 150 μmol/L. Renal biopsy was performed when there was a high suspicion of amyloidosis in cases with negative findings in the above-mentioned biopsies. In addition, amyloid staining was used routinely for mucosal specimens taken in gastroscopy and colonoscopy. The patients were followed until death or to the end of 2007. Results: New diagnoses of amyloidosis in the consecutive 5-year periods from 1993 onwards numbered 11, 3, and 5, respectively. During the study period, there was a mean annual incidence of amyloidosis of 1.8 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–2.8)/100 000]. At the end of 2007 there were eight subjects with amyloidosis, giving a point prevalence of 12.0/100 000 (95% CI 5.2–23.6). Five patients out of the 19 underwent haemodialysis because of terminal uraemia and three of them also had renal transplantation. Overall, 12 (63%) patients died after a median survival time of 6 (95% CI 4–8) years, one-third from amyloidosis. The 5-year survival rate of the series was 67% (95% CI 41–86). Conclusion: Amyloidosis is rarely encountered today. ASFA or rectal biopsy facilitates its early diagnosis.
Effectiveness of training family physicians to deliver a brief intervention to address excessive substance use among young patients: a cluster randomized controlled trial

Background: Brief interventions delivered by family physicians to address excessive alcohol use among adult patients are effective. We conducted a study to determine whether such an intervention would be similarly effective in reducing binge drinking and excessive cannabis use among young people. Methods: We conducted a cluster randomized controlled trial involving 33 family physicians in Switzerland. Physicians in the intervention group received training in delivering a brief intervention to young people during the consultation in addition to usual care. Physicians in the control group delivered usual care only. Consecutive patients aged 15–24 years were recruited from each practice and, before the consultation, completed a confidential questionnaire about their general health and substance use. Patients were followed up at 3, 6 and 12 months after the consultation. The primary outcome measure was self-reported excessive substance use (≥ 1 episode of binge drinking, or ≥ 1 joint of cannabis per week, or both) in the past 30 days. Results: Of the 33 participating physicians, 17 were randomly allocated to the intervention group and 16 to the control group. Of the 594 participating patients, 279 (47.0%) identified themselves as binge drinkers or excessive cannabis users, or both, at baseline. Excessive substance use did not differ significantly between patients whose physicians were in the intervention group and those whose physicians were in the control group at any of the follow-up points (odds ratio [OR] and 95% confidence interval [CI] at 3 months: 0.9 [0.6–1.4]; at 6 mo: 1.0 [0.6–1.6]; and at 12 mo: 1.1 [0.7–1.8]). The differences between groups were also nonsignificant after we re stricted the analysis to patients who reported excessive substance use at baseline (OR 1.6, 95% CI 0.9–2.8, at 3 mo; OR 1.7, 95% CI 0.9–3.2, at 6 mo; and OR 1.9, 95% CI 0.9–4.0, at 12 mo). Interpretation: Training family physicians to use a brief intervention to address excessive substance use among young people was not effective in reducing binge drinking and excessive cannabis use in this patient population. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, no. ACTRN12608000432314.
Eating location is associated with the nutritional quality of the diet in Norwegian adults

Abstract Objective To study the association between dinner eating location and the nutritional quality of the specific dinner meal and the whole-day dietary intake and to compare the diets of those consuming ≥25 % of energy out of home and at school/work (SOH; substantial out-of-home eaters) with those consuming <25 % of energy out (NSOH; non-substantial out-of-home eaters). Design Cross-sectional dietary survey using two non-consecutive 24 h recalls. Recorded eating locations were at home, other private households, work/school, restaurant/cafeteria/fast-food outlet and travel/meeting. Setting Nationwide, Norway (2010–2011). Subjects Adults aged 18–70 years (n 1746). Results Dinners at restaurants and other private households were higher in energy than home dinners (P < 0·01). Restaurant dinners contained less fibre (g/MJ; P < 0·01) and had a higher percentage of alcohol consumers (P < 0·05), while dinners at other private households had a higher percentage of energy from sugar (P < 0·001) and a higher percentage of consumers of sugar-sweetened beverages (P < 0·05) than home dinners. Most differences between dinners consumed at different eating locations were also observed in dietary intakes for the whole day. SOH-eaters had a higher energy intake (P < 0·01), a higher percentage of energy from sugar (P < 0·01) and a lower fibre intake (P < 0·01) than NSOH-eaters. The percentages of consumers of alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages were higher (P < 0·01) among SOH-eaters. Conclusions Dinner eating location was significantly associated with the nutritional quality of the diet, both for the specific dinner meal and for whole-day intake. Our data generally point to healthier dinners being consumed at home. SOH-eaters had a less favourable dietary intake than NSOH-eaters.