Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gene expression of the transporters and biosynthetic enzymes of the osmolytes in astrocyte primary cultures exposed to hyperosmotic conditions

Sorbitol, myo‐inositol, betaine, and taurine are held as organic osmolytes. When cells are exposed to a hyperosmotic medium, they accumulate these organic compounds and thus achieve osmotic equilibrium with the medium while maintaining their volume. In astrocyte primary cultures adapted to a chemically defined medium and then exposed to a medium made 30% hyperosmotic by adding sodium chloride or raffinose, we have comparatively investigated the expression of the genes encoding the proteins that control the cellular accumulation of these osmolytes, namely sorbitol biosynthetic enzyme, aldose reductase (AR), taurine biosynthetic enzymes, cysteine dioxygenase (CDO), and cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase (CSD), and the transporters of taurine (TauT), myo‐inositol (SMIT), and betaine (BGT1) by assaying the corresponding mRNA levels through relative quantitative RT‐PCR. When exposed to the hyperosmotic medium the astrocytes shrank rapidly and then slowly regained their initial volume after several hours. CDO‐ and CSD‐mRNA remained unchanged, whereas AR‐mRNA appeared increased only with the medium made hyperosmotic with sodium chloride. The mRNA levels of the transporters only showed significant and comparable increases in both hyperosmotic conditions. They were all significantly higher after 4‐h exposure and back or close to normal values after 24‐h exposure. The maximum level occurred at around 4 h (SMIT), 8 h (BGT1), and 12 h (TauT). The amplitude of BGT1‐mRNA increase was much larger. When taurine was added to the hyperosmotic medium the cell volume recovery was greatly accelerated and the osmo‐induced overexpression of TauT‐, SMIT‐, and BGT1‐mRNA was fully prevented. The activation of the genes encoding the osmolyte transporters appears to be triggered when the cell shrinks below a certain volume threshold and prolonged once the cell volume has regained this threshold value most likely as a result of a marked inertia of the transducing pathway. Since the upregulation pattern of the transporters of the different osmolytes notably differs, we speculate that the activation threshold varies from one gene to another. GLIA 32:165–176, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Trastuzumab in combination with heregulin-activated Her-2 (erbB-2) triggers a receptor-enhanced chemosensitivity effect in the absence of Her-2 overexpression.

PURPOSE The decision for treating breast cancer patients with trastuzumab is based on HER-2 amplification and/or overexpression. METHODS Using MCF-7 cells (Her-2 +/-) engineered to overexpress heregulin (MCF-7/HRG), a ligand for the Her-2/3/4 network, we investigated whether HRG-induced transactivation of Her-2 affected breast cancer cell sensitivity to chemotherapy and whether trastuzumab trigger receptor-enhanced chemosensitivity (REC) when combined with chemotherapy without Her-2 overexpression. RESULTS MCF-7/HRG cells were more than 10-fold resistant to the alkylating agent cisplatin (CDDP), while trastuzumab coexposure completely reversed HRG-promoted CDDP resistance. A synergistic interaction between trastuzumab in combination with CDDP (paclitaxel or vincristine) was obtained in MCF-7/HRG cells. Trastuzumab prevented activation of the antiapoptotic and proliferative cascades and inhibited HRG-induced Her-2/3 phosphorylation. CDDP efficacy was enhanced by trastuzumab in cells expressing endogenously high levels of HRG. Conversely, trastuzumab coexposure was ineffective in enhancing chemotherapy efficacy in cells that did not secrete HRG, such as MCF-7 cells overexpressing a structural mutated HRG isoform. Therefore, trastuzumab-induced REC, in the absence of Her-2 overexpression, occurs through the kinase activity of Her-2/3. Interestingly, HRG expression in tumor biopsies from invasive breast carcinomas (n = 189) revealed that, whereas the minority (12%) of Her-2 positive tumors (n = 60; 32%) demonstrated Her-2 phosphorylation, the majority (67%) of HRG-overexpressing and Her-2 tumors (n = 57; 30%) were in active Her-2 status. CONCLUSION We demonstrate that assessment of HRG expression and Her-2 activation define a particular breast cancer patient population for which trastuzumab plus CDDP or taxol are extremely efficient without Her-2 overexpression.
Interface gap states and Schottky barrier inhomogeneity at metal/n-type GaN Schottky contacts

The barrier heights (BH) of various metals including Pd, Pt and Ni on n-type GaN (M/n-GaN) have been measured in the temperature range 80–400 K with using a current–voltage (I–V) technique. The temperature dependence of the I–V characteristics of M/n-GaN have shown non-ideal behaviors and indicate the presence of a non-uniform distribution of surface gap states, resulting from the residual defects in the as grown GaN. The surface gap states density Nss, as well as its temperature dependence were obtained from the bias and temperature dependence of the ideality factor n(V,T) and the barrier height ΦBn(V,T). Further, a dependence of zero-bias BH Φ0Bn on the metal work function (Φm) with an interface parameter coefficient of proportionality of 0.47 is found. This result indicates that the Fermi level at the M/n-GaN interface is unpinned. Additionally, the presence of lateral inhomogeneities of the BH, with two Gaussian distributions of the BH values is seen. However, the non-homogeneous SBH is found to be correlated to the surface gap states density, in that Φ0Bn becomes smaller with increasing Nss. These findings suggest that the lateral inhomogeneity of the SBH is connected to the non-uniform distribution of the density of surface gap states at metal/GaN which is attributed to the presence of native defects in the as grown GaN. Deep level transient spectroscopy confirms the presence of native defects with discrete energy levels at GaN and provides support to this interpretation.
Usefulness of quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction in following up patients with Epstein–Barr virus infection after liver transplantation

Background. Post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD), which is mainly induced by Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection, is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality for patients undergoing liver transplantation, especially when it is detected at such an advanced stage as monoclonal malignant lymphoma. Methods. In this series, 6 of 22 1iver transplant patients suffered from EBV infection. We tested quantitative DNA (Qt‐DNA) by real‐time polymerase chain reacton (PCR), qualitative DNA in plasma (Ql‐pDNA) by PCR, and EBV‐encoded mRNA 1 (EBER 1) by in situ hybridization to clarify which of them is a better marker for the early diagnosis and prediction of EBV‐associated disorders. Results. Four had signs or symptoms of PTLD, but 2 did not develop individualized lymphoid lesions. In all patients, both Qt‐DNA and EBER 1 exceeded the cut‐off level of 102.5 copies/μg DNA and 0.002%, respectively, at the time of diagnosis. In 2 patients, when Qt‐DNA had a poor decline, EBER 1, even if it seemed to decrease after antiviral therapy, increased again after a few months and the clinical symptoms recurred. In 2 patients, Qt‐DNA and EBER 1 increased again after a few months of antiviral therapy, and Ql‐pDNA remained positive, whereas, in 3 patients, no reaction of EBV could be detected once Ql‐pDNA became negative, even after the cessation of therapy. Conclusions. These results suggest that real‐time PCR for Qt‐DNA was more sensitive to the real‐time activity of EBV and that Ql‐pDNA could indicate when to stop antiviral therapy.
Measuring membrane protein stability under native conditions

Significance How proteins fold is a fundamental problem in molecular biology and has been the subject of intense study. Membrane protein folding is a particularly thorny challenge because the proteins reside in a complex, nonhomogenous bilayer. As the bilayer has a powerful influence on their structure and stability, new approaches are needed to study folding in their natural environment. Here we describe an approach for driving reversible unfolding of a large membrane protein, which does not require alteration of the environmental properties. Our method therefore provides a general tool to examine the folding of membrane proteins. The thermodynamic stability of proteins is typically measured at high denaturant concentrations and then extrapolated back to zero denaturant conditions to obtain unfolding free energies under native conditions. For membrane proteins, the extrapolations are fraught with considerable uncertainty as the denaturants may have complex effects on the membrane or micellar structure. We therefore sought to measure stability under native conditions, using a method that does not perturb the properties of the membrane or membrane mimetics. We use a technique called steric trapping to measure the thermodynamic stability of bacteriorhodopsin in bicelles and micelles. We find that bacteriorhodopsin has a high thermodynamic stability, with an unfolding free energy of ∼11 kcal/mol in dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine bicelles. Nevertheless, the stability is much lower than predicted by extrapolation of measurements made at high denaturant concentrations. We investigated the discrepancy and found that unfolding free energy is not linear with denaturant concentration. Apparently, long extrapolations of helical membrane protein unfolding free energies must be treated with caution. Steric trapping, however, provides a method for making these measurements.
The Clinical Significance of Isocapnic Buffering Phase During Exercise Testing: An Overview

Yun-Shan Yen1†, Shu-Han Yang1†, Chen-Liang Chou2,3, Daniel Chiung Jui Su1, Julie Chi Chow4 and Willy Chou1,5* 1Department of physical medicine and rehabilitation, Chi Mei medical center, Tainan, Taiwan 2Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Taipei Veteran General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan 3National Yang Ming University, school of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan 4Department of pediatric, Chi Mei medical center, Tainan, Taiwan 5Department of Recreation and Health-Care Management & Institute of recreation Industry Management, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy, Tainan †These authors contributed equally to this work as first author *Corresponding author: Willy Chou, Department of physical medicine and rehabilitation, Chi Mei medical center, No.901, Zhonghua Rd., Yongkang Dist. , Tainan City 710, Taiwan, Tel: +886-6-2812811, Ext: 52000; E-mail: ufan0101@ms22.hinet. net
Supervisors' Behavior during New Employees' Socialization: Scale Development

This study developed a 16-item scale to measure specifically the construct of Intended Socialization Behavior of the supervisor during new employees' socialization. Data were collected from 178 subjects representing six midwestern organizations. The organizations ranged in size from 100 to 1,001+ employees and represented multiple industries. The subjects included 74 subordinates (with less than 1 year tenure at the organizations) and 93 supervisors. Both the subordinate and the supervisor groups were predominantly male, and the subordinate group was primarily younger than the supervisor group.
MOLECULAR CONFIRMATION OF THE PRESENCE OF COLIFORMS IN DRINKING WATER USING POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION

Coliform bacteria include organisms like Escherichia coli, Enterobacter, Klebsiella and Citrobacter are gram negative, facultative anaerobic, non-sporulating and lactose fermenting organisms. E.coli is used as the indicator organism for detection of fecal contamination of water. Conventional methods for the detection of these Coliforms in water include microbial culture assays in lactose containing media and also enzyme based assays for the detection of β-galactosidase using chromogenic substrates like ortho-nitrophenyl-β-D- galactopyranoside. These methods are cumbersome with limited specificity. DNA based molecular techniques like Polymerase chain reaction is recommended since it is highly specific. In this paper, we report the use of PCR for the amplification of the Lac Z (β-galactosidase encoding) gene to confirm the isolation of Coliform bacteria from drinking water samples. The method could be an effective epidemiological tool to pin point the source to contain outbreaks of waterborne disease episodes.
Explaining adolescents’ cigarette smoking: A comparison of four modes of action control and test of the role of self-regulatory mode

The present study compared how well four modes of action control (intentional, habitual, reactive and stereotype activation) explain adolescents’ cigarette smoking, and examined whether individual differences in self-regulation (locomotion and assessment tendencies; Higgins, Kruglanski, & Pierro, 2003) moderate the behavioural impact of the respective modes. Findings from a prospective questionnaire survey showed that (a) willingness, prototype perceptions and past behaviour–but not intention–predicted smoking behaviour, and explained 63% of the variance, and (b) the assessment mode of self-regulation moderated the past behaviour–future behaviour relation such that past behaviour had less impact on future smoking behaviour at high levels of assessment. These findings suggest that adolescents’ smoking is controlled by stereotype activation, habitual and reactive processes. Implications of the results for designing effective adolescent smoking cessation programmes are considered.
Comparison of Systematic Versus Selective Screening for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Carriage in a High-Risk Dermatology Ward

Abstract Objective: To compare two strategies for screening methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriers in a high-risk dermatology ward: systematic screening of all admitted patients versus selective screening of patients at risk. Design: The two strategies were applied prospectively during two consecutive periods. In period A (8.5 months), only patients transferred from other wards, or with a history of prior hospitalization, or presenting chronic wounds or disease with denuded skin were considered at high risk of MRSA carriage and sampled. In period B (7.5 months), all admitted patients were systematically screened. End-points were the number of patients having a MRSA-positive screening sample on admission during period B and having none of the risk factors used in period A, the rate of imported MRSA cases, and the rate of acquired cases. Setting: A 1,032-bed university hospital with a 19-bed inpatient dermatology ward, a referral center for toxic epidermal necrolysis and severe extensive dermatoses. Patients: The study included 729 dermatology inpatients (370 in period A and 359 in period B). Results: During period A, screening samples were obtained on admission for 30% of patients (77% of the patients at risk) and identified 25 MRSA carriers. During period B, 90.5% of admitted patients were screened, and 26 MRSA carriers were detected on admission; all of these patients belonged to at least one predefined category at risk for carriage. Overall rates of imported and acquired cases were similar between the two periods (6.8% vs 7.5%, and 2.9% vs 2.4%, respectively). Conclusions: A screening strategy targeted to patients at risk of harboring MRSA has similar sensitivity and is more cost-effective than a strategy of systematic screening to identify MRSA carriers on admission.
A comparative analysis of second‐trimester ultrasound dating formulae in pregnancies conceived with artificial reproductive techniques

A dataset of 64 pregnancies conceived by artificial reproductive techniques was studied to assess the accuracy of second‐trimester dating formulae when these were applied in routine ultrasound clinics in different centers. Dating formulae for biparietal diameter (BPD) and femur length (FL) were derived for a gestational age range of 14–23 weeks. The best fit curves represented linear equations: gestational age (days) = 44.2 + 2 × 13PD; and gestational age (days) = 67.4 + 2.3 × FL.
Effect of Food on the Oral Bioavailability of Didanosine from Encapsulated Enteric‐Coated Beads

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of food and timing of meals on the bioavailability of didanosine from encapsulated enteric‐coated beads. Four different independent, open‐label, single‐dose, randomized, crossover studies were conducted in healthy subjects (n = 20–30). Didanosine (400 mg) was given concomitantly with a high‐fat meal, light meal, yogurt, and applesauce. In addition, didanosine was given 1, 1.5, 2, and 3 hours before and 2 hours after a light meal. Statistical comparison with fasting conditions was made using the equivalence approach for Cmax (70%‐143%) and AUC (80%‐125%). The high‐fat meal, light meal, yogurt, and applesauce decreased the Cmax by 46%, 22%, 30%, and 24%, respectively, and lowered the AUC by 19%, 27%, 20%, and 18%, respectively; statistical analyses indicated an indeterminate food effect, except for the Cmax for the high‐fat meal. For 1 hour before meal, Cmax and AUC were lower by 15% and 24% and, for 2 hours after meal, were lower by 15% and 10%, respectively. There was an indeterminate food effect for 1 hour before the meal treatment; in addition, 2 hours after the meal, treatment approached statistical equivalence, missing narrowly on the lower bounds. For 1.5, 2, and 3 hours before meal treatments, Cmax values were unchanged, but AUC was lower by 10%, 4%, and 0%, respectively; lack of food effect was observed for all three treatments. Across studies, median time to Cmax ranged from 1.67 to 2.67 hours but was delayed by 2.5 to 3 hours with high‐fat and light meals compared to fasting conditions. The half‐life of didanosine was 1.5 to 2 hours. It was concluded that the bioavailability of didanosine from encapsulated enteric‐coated beads was reduced by approximately 20% to 25% with food, which can be circumvented by taking didanosine on an empty stomach. The clinical significance of such moderate reductions in didanosine exposure with food, especially as part of a highly active antiretroviral therapy, is not clear.
Can Corporate Governance Mitigate the Adverse Impact of Investor Sentiment on Corporate Investment Decisions? Evidence from Taiwan

This paper explores whether investor sentiment has an adverse impact on corporate investment decisions and whether such impact, if present, can be effectively mitigated by sound corporate governance mechanisms. The sample comprises listed firms in Taiwan between 2003 and 2010. Empirical results indicate that investor sentiment is significantly and positively related to amount of new investment and over-investment. Investor sentiment has an adverse impact on corporate investment decisions. Further test for the moderating effect of corporate governance confirms that corporate governance mechanisms can mitigate such adverse impact of investor sentiment on corporate investment decisions. The empirical results support the argument of previous literature that corporate governance has both incentive and monitoring effects on managers’ decision-making. Due to the agency problem, managers’ investment decisions may be affected by investor sentiment and deviate from the goal of maximizing firm value. Therefore, firms should reinforce their corporate governance mechanisms to minimize the adverse impact of investor sentiment.
A physics-based control-oriented model for compressor mass flow rate

In this paper, a control-oriented model for compressor mass flow rate is proposed. For this purpose, the compressor is approximated as an adiabatic nozzle with compressible fluid, driven by external work from the compressor wheel. The external work input is modeled using Euler's turbomachinery equations, with the main flow losses estimated via a simple slip factor model. All other flow losses, that influence the mass flow, are lumped into the discharge coefficient as a function of turbocharger speed. Consequently, the mass flow rate is estimated based on mass conservation in a compact form. Only five parameters need to be identified with clear physical interpretations. Both steady-state and transient experimental test results confirm the validity of this model in terms of estimation accuracy and extrapolation capability, making it a promising candidate for control applications.
Molecular Basis for Action of Bioactive Glasses as Bone Graft Substitute

Bone grafting procedures are undergoing a major shift from autologous and allogeneic bone grafts to synthetic bone graft substitutes. Bioactive glasses are a group of synthetic silica-based bioactive materials with bone bonding properties first discovered by Larry Hench. They have several unique properties compared with other synthetic bioresorbable bioactive ceramics, such as calcium phosphates, hydroxyapatite (HA) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP). Bioactive glasses have different rates of bioactivity and resorption rates depending on their chemical compositions. The critical feature for the rate of bioactivity is a SiO2 content <60% in weight. In vivo, the material is highly osteoconductive and it seems to promote the growth of new bone on its surface. In a recent study, the activity of the material was found even to overshadow the effect of BMP-2 gene therapy. In vivo, there is a dynamic balance between intramedullary bone formation and bioactive glass resorption. Recent studies of molecular biology have shown that bioactive glass induces a high local turnover of bone formation and resorption. Many osteoporotic fracture patients are candidates for concurrent treatment with bisphosphonates and bioceramic bone graft substitutes. Since osteopromotive silica-based bioactive glasses induce accelerated local bone turnover, adjunct antiresorptive agents may affect the process. However, a recent study showed that an adjunct antiresorptive therapy (zoledronic acid) is even beneficial for bone incorporation of bioactive glass. Based on these observations, bioactive glasses are a promising group of unique biomaterials to act as bone graft substitutes.
Development of thermal model in a child and its application to dosimetry due to RF whole-body exposures

In this study, we developed a thermal model for children to simulate body-core temperature elevation. In comparison of measured and simulated temperatures, the thermoregulation in a child was reasonable to consider the same as in the adult. Based on this finding, we calculated the body-core temperature elevation in the 3-year child and adult for plane wave exposure at the basic restriction in the international safety guidelines. The body-core temperature elevation in the 3-year child model was 0.03 °C at the whole-body averaged specific absorption rate of 0.08 W/kg, which was 35% smaller than in the adult female. This difference is attributed to the ratio of the body surface area to the mass.
Visualization of peptide presentation following oral application of antigen in normal and Peyer's patches‐deficient mice

Orally applied antigens generate systemic unresponsiveness by induction of anergy and deletion of specific T cells at high antigen doses, and induction of regulatory T cells at low doses of antigen. These different immune reactions have been attributed to different types of antigen‐presenting cells (APC) and/or different secondary lymphoid organs participating in the induction of the immune response. We used high‐sensitivity immunofluorescence to directly identify for the first time the cells presenting orally applied antigen in vivo. At low peptide doses (<1 mg) peptide presentation was exclusively detected on dendritic cells (DC) of the Peyer's patches (PP) and mesenteric lymph nodes (mLN). At high doses (>1 mg) peptides were presented systemically and by all types of APC but presentation was still maximal on DC of the PP (up to 65%). Nevertheless, at limiting antigen doses T cell activation in the gut‐associated lymphoid tissue occurs preferentially in the mLN but not in PP. PP‐deficient mice have the same frequencies of peptide‐presenting cells in mLN, peripheral lymph nodes and spleen and activation of naive T cells in vivo is not affected. Therefore, PP are not critical for antigen presentation as well as for T cell activation in response to orally applied soluble antigens.