Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morphological and physiological study of autolytic-defective Streptococcus faecium strains

Three autolytic-defective mutants of Streptococcus faecium (S. faecalis ATCC 9790) were isolated. All three autolytic-defective mutants exhibited the following properties relative to the parental strain: (i) slower growth rates, especially in chemically defined medium; (ii) decreased rates of cellular autolysis and increased survival after exposure to antibiotics which block cell wall biosynthesis; (iii) decreased rates of cellular autolysis when treated with detergents, suspended in autolysis buffers, or grown in medium lacking essential cell wall precursors; (iv) a reduction in the total level of cellular autolytic enzyme (active plus latent forms of the enzyme); (v) an increased ratio of latent to active forms of autolysin; and (vi) increased levels of both cellular lipoteichoic acid and lipids.
Severely impacted valgus proximal humeral fractures. Results of operative treatment.

BACKGROUND The functional results associated with nonoperative treatment of severely impacted valgus fractures of the proximal part of the humerus are poor, and these injuries are difficult to treat with minimally invasive percutaneous fixation techniques. The aim of this study was to review the functional and radiographic results and complications of a new operative technique in a series of twenty-five patients. METHODS Over a two-year period, we treated twenty-nine patients with a severely impacted valgus fracture of the proximal part of the humerus. Three patients were lost to follow-up and one died, leaving twenty-five patients who were available for the study. In all of the fractures, the head-shaft angle had been tilted into > or = 160 degrees of valgus and the greater tuberosity was displaced by >1 cm. All patients were treated with open reduction of the fracture, and the space created behind the humeral head was filled with Norian Skeletal Repair System (SRS) bone substitute. The fractures were stabilized with either screws or buttress plate fixation. Associated rotator cuff tears were repaired. All patients underwent functional outcome assessment with use of the Constant, DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand), and SF-36 (Short Form-36) scores at one year, and twelve patients were followed for two years. RESULTS All fractures united within the first year, all reductions were maintained, and no patient had signs of osteonecrosis of the humeral head on the latest follow-up radiographs. At one year, the median Constant score was 80 points and the median DASH score was 22 points. The functional results continued to be satisfactory in the twelve patients who were followed for two years. The results in our series were better than those achieved in studies of nonoperative treatment of similar fracture configurations. There were six clinically relevant complications, although none required a reoperation and all six patients had a satisfactory short-term functional outcome. CONCLUSIONS Internal fixation of severely impacted valgus fractures of the proximal part of the humerus, supplemented by Norian SRS bone substitute to fill the proximal humeral metaphyseal defect, produces good early functional and radiographic outcomes. Additional follow-up will be required to assess whether these initially satisfactory outcomes are maintained over the longer term.
Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 polymorphisms and COPD.

Neutrophil and monocyte activation contribute to the pathology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We hypothesised that a known polymorphism in a key lipopolysaccharide (LPS) response gene might reduce the severity of COPD through a decreased cellular response to activators inhaled in cigarette smoke. TLR4 is the protein enabling signalling to bacterial LPS and perhaps to endogenous mediators of inflammation, and is an important regulator of leucocyte function.1 Functional polymorphisms in …
Cutaneous Fusarium Infection in an Adolescent with Acute Leukemia

Abstract: Disseminated fusariosis occurred in a pediatric patient with acute lymphocytic leukemia in relapse. The patient had fever and neutropenia, and scattered violaceous papules and vesicles with central erosions that rapidly progressed to generalized, painful, violaceous, papulovesicular lesions with central necrosis. Severe myalgias were associated. The diagnosis was suspected by noting hyphae on a smear of vesicular contents, and confirmed by culture. The clinical course was rapidly fatal despite early institution of amphotericin B therapy. Disseminated Fusarium infection should be suspected in immunocompromised patients with fever and neutropenia who have generalized, eroded, violaceous papules, vesicles, and pustules, particularly with associated myalgias.
A Nonopioid Procedure for Outpatient Opioid Detoxification

Objectives:(1) To describe a new protocol using nonopioid medications (clonidine, lorazepam, trazodone, and a stimulant) to successfully complete outpatient opioid detoxification, (2) to determine clinical and demographic characteristics of patients who successfully complete an outpatient opioid detoxification, and (3) to determine the safety and clinical utility of the use of this combination of medications in the treatment of opioid withdrawal. Methods:In a posthoc evaluation study in a New York State-licensed outpatient detoxification unit of a substance abuse treatment facility, 223 heroin-dependent adults presenting for treatment were provided outpatient opioid detoxification. In the course of the opioid detoxification protocol of the facility, patients received clonidine, lorazepam, trazodone, and either a stimulant (methylphenidate or modafinil) or no stimulant, in combination on a daily basis. At each daily visit, signs and symptoms were assessed, and medications and dosing instructions were given for the following 24 hours. On completion of the detoxification protocol, patients were induced with oral naltrexone. Results:Overall, 61.0% (136) of the patients in this study successfully completed the outpatient detoxification protocol and were induced with naltrexone. Pretreatment demographic variables that predicted successful treatment included full-time employment, family support, private medical insurance, and referral by an employee assistance program. About 77% of patients with good prognosis successfully completed outpatient detoxification treatment. The addition of a stimulant improved patient retention and reduced the incidence of hypotension. Conclusions:The outpatient detoxification of opioid-dependent patients without the use of opioids has traditionally led to such high drop out rates that most clinical programs do not even consider the option. This makes it difficult to induce patients with opioid antagonists such as oral naltrexone or sustained release naltrexone. We describe a protocol here that leads to excellent rates of successful detoxification. This nonopioid detoxification methodology permits induction of naltrexone without the delay experienced in opioid-based titrations, and it thus facilitates the use of opioid antagonists for sustained abstinence, enhanced aftercare treatment outcomes, and opioid-free recovery.
FYN-T-FYB-SLP-76 Interactions Define a T-cell Receptor ζ/CD3-mediated Tyrosine Phosphorylation Pathway That Up-regulates Interleukin 2 Transcription in T-cells*

Protein-tyrosine kinases p56Lck, SYK, and ZAP-70 and downstream adaptors LAT and SLP-76 have been implicated as essential components in T-cell activation. Another lymphoid-specific adaptor FYB/SLAP has also been identified as a predominant binding partner of SLP-76 and the Src kinase FYN-T, although its role in the activation process has been unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that FYN-T selectively phosphorylates FYB providing a template for the recruitment of FYN-T and SLP-76 SH2 domain binding. This interaction is unusual in its distinct cytoplasmic localization and its long term stable kinetics of phosphorylation. Furthermore, we demonstrate for the first time that the co-expression of all three components of the FYN-T-FYB-SLP-76 matrix can synergistically up-regulate T-cell receptor-driven interleukin 2 transcription activity. These findings document the existence of a T-cell receptor-regulated FYN-T-FYB pathway that interfaces with the adaptor SLP-76 and up-regulates lymphokine production in T-cells.
Accounting 1-1-2011 Decision Making and Trade without Probabilities

This paper studies trade in a first-price sealed-bid auction where agents know only a range of possible payoffs. The setting is one in which a lemons problem arises, so that if agents have common risk preferences and common priors, then We dedicate this paper to the memory of our coauthor, John Dickhaut, who passed away on April 10, 2010. Thanks to Geir Asheim, Monica Capra, John Hey, Todd Kaplan, Charles Noussair, Charles Plott, Robin Pope, Ricardo Reis, Tom Rietz, Tomomi Tanaka, Joseph Wang, the conference participants at the 2006 Economic Science Association meetings, the FUR XII and FUR XIV meetings, and the First Nordic Workshop on Behavioral and Experimental Economics, and the workshop participants at Catholic University of Portugal, Carnegie Mellon University, Chapman University, and University of North Carolina. This research received partial support from the Accounting Research Center and Department of Accounting at the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota. J. Dickhaut: Deceased. J. Dickhaut George L. Argyros School of Business, Chapman University, 1 University Drive, Orange, CA 92866, USA R. Lunawat The University of St. Thomas, Opus College of Business, 1000 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA e-mail: rlunawat@stthomas.edu K. Pronin Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh, 3601 Wesley W. Posver Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA e-mail: kira.pronin@gmail.com J. Stecher (B) Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA e-mail: jstecher@cmu.edu
The genetic background of individual variations of circadian-rhythm periods in healthy human adults.

As a group phenomenon, human variables exhibit a rhythm with a period (tau) equal to 24 h. However, healthy human adults may differ from one another with regard to the persistence of the 24-h periods of a set of variables' rhythms within a given individual. Such an internal desynchronization (or individual circadian dyschronism) was documented during isolation experiments without time cues, both in the present study involving 78 male shift workers and in 20 males and 19 females living in a natural setting. Circadian rhythms of sleep-wake cycles, oral temperature, grip strength of both hands, and heart rate were recorded, and power-spectra analyses of individual time series of about 15 days were used to quantify the rhythm period of each variable. The period of the sleep-wake cycle seldom differed from 24 h, while rhythm periods of the other variables exhibited a trimodal distribution (tau = 24 h, tau > 24 h, tau < 24 h). Among the temperature rhythm periods which were either < 24 h or > 24 h, none was detected between 23.2 and 24 h or between 24 and 24.8 h. Furthermore, the deviations from the 24-h period were predominantly grouped in multiples of +/- 0.8 h. Similar results were obtained when the rhythm periods of hand grip strength were analyzed (for each hand separately). In addition, the distribution of grip strength rhythm periods of the left hand exhibited a gender-related difference. These results suggested the presence of genetically controlled variability. Consequently, the distribution pattern of the periods was analyzed to elucidate its compatibility with a genetic control consisting of either a two-allele system, a multiple-allele system, or a polygenic system. The analysis resulted in structuring a model which integrates the function of a constitutive (essential) gene which produces the exact 24-h period (the Dian domain) with a set of (inducible) polygenes, the alleles of which, contribute identical time entities to the period. The time entities which affected the rhythm periods of the variables examined were in the magnitude of +/- 0.8 h. Such an assembly of genes may create periods ranging from 20 to 28 h (the Circadian domain). The model was termed by us "The Dian-Circadian Model. " This model can also be used to explain the beat phenomena in biological rhythms, the presence of 7-d and 30-d periods, and interindividual differences in sensitivity of rhythm characteristics (phase shifts, synchronization, etc.) to external (and environmental) factors.
Myocardial Mural Thickness During the Cardiac Cycle

The instantaneous and continuous thickness of the left ventricular wall was measured in ten dogs with a specially designed transducer. The thickness change during the “isovolumic” phase of systole was 11%. The average thickness increased an additional 10% during the ejection period of systole. These average values increased to 20% and 15% respectively with the administration of norepinephrine (approximately 0.001 mg/kg per minute). Transverse and longitudinal epicardial are strains were compared with thickness strain of the myocardium. Assuming the myocardium is incompressible, reasonable agreement was found in the three strains, which lends support to the measurements that were made. It is concluded that changes in the thickness of the myocardial wall during the cardiac cycle may be important in some considerations of the heart's performance.
Crocin inhibits proliferation and nucleic acid synthesis and induces apoptosis in the human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell line Tca8113.

BACKGROUND Cancer chemoprevention is a proven effective strategy for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The present study was designed to investigate the effects of crocin, a potential chemopreventive agent, on growth and DNA and RNA content in a human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell line, Tca8113. METHODS Tca8113 cells were treated with crocin for 24, 48, 72, and 96 h at concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mM. Tumor cell viability was investigated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. In addition, Tca8113 cells were treated with 0.4 mM crocin and cytotoxic effects as an inducer of apoptosis were analyzed using flow cytometry. Furthermore, acridine orange (AO) staining and observation using laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) were used to determine the effects of the drug on nucleic acid synthesis. RESULTS Crocin decreased Tca8113 cell viability and growth remarkably at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h, in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). In addition, 0.4 mM crocin significantly induced both early and late apoptosis of Tca8113 cells. Moreover, the cellular DNA and RNA content was significantly downregulated by 0.4 mM crocin compared with the negative control (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Our observations support the feasibility of applying crocin as a chemoprophylactic agent and treatment for OSCCs.
ASSOCIATION AND DISSOCIATION RATE CONSTANTS OF THE COMPLEXES BETWEEN VARIOUS CARDIAC MONOGLYCOSIDES AND Na, K‐ATPase *

The Na, K-ATPase inhibition by cardiotonic steriod is very specific and an excellent model of drug-receptor interaction at the molecular level. From studies using radioactive digoxin and ouabain it has been established that the enzyme-cardiac glycoside complex is formed in the presence of certain lig a n d ~ . ' ~ The aglycone moiety of the cardiac glycoside is the active inhibitory component, but the nature of the binding of the aglycone is different from that of the glycoside. The binding of all cardiac aglycones to the enzyme is reversible, but that of cardiac glycosides is nearly irreversible.8 This difference corresponds to the difference in therapeutic effects between cardiac aglycones and glycosides. The inhibition by the glycosides may be far from an equilibrium or steady state under the usual assay conditions. Therefore, we expected that the studies of the association rate constant (k,) and the dissociation rate constant (kd) of various cardiac glycosides t o the enzyme might give more meaningful information about their binding mechanism or their structure-activity relationship than that of their apparent Ki or J50. Our method for measuring the association and dissociation rate constants is based on a suggestion by Dr. L. A. Fahien. The enzyme is incubated with a suitable concentration of inhibitor and that system is then diluted ten or twenty times with a suitable medium. If this inhibition is reversible, the steady-state level of inhibition is soon achieved. If the system is diluted, then a new equilibrium is achieved, as shown by curve B in FIGURE 1. In the case of cardiac glycoside inhibition, however, the progress of the inhibition is rather slow and the dissociation after dilution progresses much more slow, as shown by curve A in FIGURE 1. If the complex formed is rather slow to dissociate after dilution and during the assay, then the quantity of complex may be measured after the dilution because the association of the complex is stopped by dilution. In such a case, this dilution method may be useful for the measurement of ka and k d . Another merit of this dilution method is that the ligands used for binding are not restricted to those required for assay. Other ligands or combinations of ligands different from those used for assay are very effective in promoting the binding of cardiac glycosides t o the enzyme, as has been shown in the binding studies of radioactive o ~ a b a i n . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ' ~ As the effective ligands or their combinations, the followings have been reported: Mg,3 Mg + ATP,3 Mg + Pi,3v6 Mg + Na + ATP,2*3 Mg + a ~ e t a t e , ~ ~ ~ Mg + a r ~ e n a t e , ~ Mg + Na + nucleotide,69" Mn++,3 Na + Sr,3 Mg + p-nitrophenylphosphate,8>12 and Mg + acetyl phosphate.I2 The two ligand systems that are most effective are the Mg and Pi system and the Na, Mg, and ATP system.
Attenuated prefrontal activation during a verbal fluency task in remitted major depression

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether a functional abnormality in the left prefrontal cortex observed in patients with major depression performing a verbal fluency task is present after remission of depression. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to study changes in cerebral blood oxygenation in eight remitted patients with major depression and 10 healthy control subjects during a verbal fluency task. Compared to the control subjects, the patients had a reduced response in the left prefrontal cortex (middle frontal gyrus, Brodmann area 10). These findings suggest the presence of dysfunction in the left prefrontal cortex during remission in major depression.
Wide-field optical imaging on ELAIS N1, ELAIS N2, First Look Survey and Lockman Hole : Observations and source catalogues

We present u-, g-, r-, i- and z-band optical images and associated catalogues taken primarily with the Isaac Newton Telescope Wide Field Camera on the European Large Area ISO Survey (ELAIS) N1 and N2, First Look Survey and Lockman Hole fields comprising a total of 1000 h of integration time over 80 deg^2 and approximately 4.3 million objects. In this paper we outline the observations and data processing and characterize the completeness, reliability, photometric and astrometric accuracy of this data set. All images have been photometrically calibrated using the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and a uniform and homogeneous data set is composed over all the observed fields. Magnitude limits are u, g, r, i, z of 23.9, 24.5, 24.0, 23.3, 22.0 (AB, 5σ). These data have been used for optical identification of past and ongoing projects including the surveys ELAIS, Spitzer Wide-Area Infrared Extragalactic Survey, Spitzer Extragalactic Representative Volume Survey and Herschel Multi-tiered Extragalactic Survey.
Reoxygenation Increases the Release of Reactive Oxygen Intermediates in Murine Microglia

Respiratory burst activity of murine microglial cells was investigated in vitro under normoxic and hypoxic conditions with a chemoluminometric assay. Hypoxia for 24 hours reduced the release of extracellular reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs), whereas reoxygenation increased the chemoluminescence more than sevenfold. Blockade of potassium channels inhibited the increase of oxidative burst after reoxygenation, indicating that potassium ions, which were increased in the supernatant of hypoxic microglial cells, were involved in this activation process. Also, blockade of voltage-gated calcium channels with nifedipine attenuated the increased release of ROIs. With fura-2 analysis, it was shown that the activation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase by potassium ions was mediated by calcium influx via voltage-gated calcium channels. Thus, influx of calcium ions through voltage-gated channels activates the NADPH oxidase in microglial cells during reoxygenation. By the increased production of ROIs, microglial cells may add to the reperfusion injury after ischemia in vivo.
Visual field defects after intravitreous administration of indocyanine green in macular hole surgery.

OBJECTIVES To report the findings on a patient cohort with visual field defects after macular hole surgery with indocyanine green (ICG)-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling and to investigate the correlation between the defects and the use of ICG. DESIGN Retrospective, noncomparative interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS Thirty-nine eyes of 38 patients having the clinical diagnosis of a macular hole who underwent pars plana vitrectomy between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2002, were enrolled in this study. INTERVENTION Indocyanine green-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling was performed on a series of 22 eyes: 12 eyes using a 0.5% ICG solution and 3-minute exposure to the retina (group 1), 4 eyes using a 0.5% ICG solution and immediate washout (group 2), and 6 eyes using a 0.25% ICG solution and immediate washout (group 3). The remaining 17 eyes underwent vitrectomy without ICG-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling (group 4). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Visual field, best-corrected visual acuity, and fundus photography were evaluated. RESULTS Postoperatively, all patients (100%) in group 1 and 1 (25%) of 4 eyes in group 2 had visual field defects. None of the patients in group 3 had a visual field defect. The visual field defects included 10 eyes (84%) with nasal defects, 1 eye (8%) with an inferotemporal defect, and 1 eye (8%) with an extensive visual field defect. Ophthalmoscopy revealed mild to moderate optic disc pallor in 8 (62%) of 13 eyes with postoperative visual field defects. Only 1 patient in group 4 had an inferotemporal defect; none of the other patients in group 4 had visual field defects. There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative visual acuity between patients with and without postoperative visual field defects. CONCLUSIONS Although this study was limited by the few patients enrolled, our experience indicates that visual field defects, specifically nasal defects, can occur after macular hole surgery with ICG-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling, and that the incidence depends on the concentration of the ICG solution and/or the exposure time to the retina. Further studies are needed to clarify the pathomechanism of visual field defects.