Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structural and Genetic Analysis of X-Ray Scattering by Spores of Bacillus subtilis

ABSTRACT Dormant spores of Bacillus subtilis exhibit two prominent X-ray scattering peaks. These peaks persisted in spores lacking most α/β-type small, acid-soluble protein or the CotE protein responsible for assembly of much spore coat protein, but they were absent from spores of strains lacking the late sporulation-specific transcription factor GerE.
Redefining Stage I Endometrial Cancer: Incorporating Histology, a Binary Grading System, Myometrial Invasion, and Lymph Node Assessment

Objective We propose a new staging system for stage I endometrial cancer and compare its performance to the 1988 and 2009 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) systems. Methods We analyzed patients with 1988 FIGO stage I endometrial cancer from January 1993 to August 2011. Low-grade carcinoma consisted of endometrioid grade 1 to grade 2 lesions. High-grade carcinoma consisted of endometrioid grade 3 or nonendometrioid carcinomas (serous, clear cell, and carcinosarcoma). The proposed system is as follows: IA. Low-grade carcinoma with less than half myometrial invasion IA1: Negative nodes IA2: No nodes removed IB. High-grade carcinoma with no myometrial invasion IB1: Negative nodes IB2: No nodes removed IC. Low-grade carcinoma with half or greater myometrial invasion IC1: Negative nodes IC2: No nodes removed ID. High-grade carcinoma with any myometrial invasion ID1: Negative nodes ID2: No nodes removed Results Data from 1843 patients were analyzed. When patients were restaged with our proposed system, the 5-year overall survival significantly differed (P < 0.001): IA1, 96.7%; IA2, 92.2%; IB1, 92.2%; IB2, 76.4%; IC1, 83.9%; IC2, 78.6%; ID1, 81.1%; and ID2, 68.8%. The bootstrap-corrected concordance probability estimate for the proposed system was 0.627 (95% confidence interval, 0.590–0.664) and was superior to the concordance probability estimate of 0.530 (95% confidence interval, 0.516–0.544) for the 2009 FIGO system. Conclusions By incorporating histological subtype, grade, myometrial invasion, and whether lymph nodes were removed, our proposed system for stage I endometrial cancer has a superior predictive ability over the 2009 FIGO staging system and provides a novel binary grading system (low-grade including endometrioid grade 1–2 lesions; high-grade carcinoma consisting of endometrioid grade 3 carcinomas and nonendometrioid carcinomas).
CHIF, a member of the FXYD protein family, is a regulator of Na,K‐ATPase distinct from the γ‐subunit

The biological role of small membrane proteins of the new FXYD family is largely unknown. The best characterized FXYD protein is the γ‐subunit of the Na,K‐ATPase (NKA) that modulates the Na,K‐pump function in the kidney. Here, we report that, similarly to γa and γb splice variants, the FXYD protein CHIF (corticosteroid‐induced factor) is a type I membrane protein which is associated with NKA in renal tissue, and modulates the Na,K‐pump transport when expressed in Xenopus oocytes. In contrast to γa and γb, which both decrease the apparent Na+ affinity of the Na,K‐pump, CHIF significantly increases the Na+ affinity and decreases the apparent K+ affinity due to an increased Na+ competition at external binding sites. The extracytoplasmic FXYD motif is required for stable γ‐subunit and CHIF interaction with NKA, while cytoplasmic, positively charged residues are necessary for the γ‐subunit's association efficiency and for CHIF's functional effects. These data document that CHIF is a new tissue‐specific regulator of NKA which probably plays a crucial role in aldosterone‐responsive tissues responsible for the maintenance of body Na+ and K+ homeostasis.
Weekly Cyclodextrin Administration Normalizes Cholesterol Metabolism in Nearly Every Organ of the Niemann-Pick Type C1 Mouse and Markedly Prolongs Life

Niemann-Pick type C1 (NPC1) disease arises from a mutation inactivating NPC1 protein that normally moves unesterified cholesterol from the late endosomal/lysosomal complex of cells to the cytosolic compartment for processing. As a result, cholesterol accumulates in every tissue of the body causing liver, lung, and CNS disease. Treatment of the murine model of this disease, the npc1−/− mouse, s.c. with β-cyclodextrin (4000 mg/kg) one time each week normalized cellular cholesterol metabolism in the liver and most other organs. At the same time, the hepatic dysfunction seen in the untreated npc1−/− mouse was prevented. The severity of cerebellar neurodegeneration also was ameliorated, although not entirely prevented, and the median lifespan of the animals was doubled. However, in contrast to these other organs, lung showed progressive macrophage infiltration with development of lipoid pneumonitis. These studies demonstrated that weekly cyclodextrin administration overcomes the lysosomal transport defect associated with the NPC1 mutation, nearly normalizes hepatic and whole animal cholesterol pools, and prevents the development of liver disease. Furthermore, this treatment slows cerebellar neurodegeneration but has little or no effect on the development of progressive pulmonary disease.
Neonatal goitrogen treatment increases adult testis size and sperm production in the mouse.

Male rats made hypothyroid during neonatal life show unprecedented increases in adult testis size and daily sperm production (DSP). To determine if this effect was unique to the rat or could also be demonstrated in other species, we examined the effects of neonatal treatment with the reversible goitrogen 6-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) on adult testis size and function in the mouse. Male Swiss-Webster mice were untreated (control) or given PTU by adding 0.1% (w/v) to their mother's water from birth to day 25 postpartum. All pups were then weaned and given no further treatment. Sertoli cell proliferation was examined using tritiated thymidine autoradiography in some control and treated mice at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 days, while the remainder were killed at 90 days to determine a variety of reproductive parameters. Neonatal PTU treatment decreased growth; body weight of treated mice at 4 weeks of age was 57% less than controls. Treated mice grew rapidly following cessation of PTU treatment, although their weights never equalled controls, remaining 17% smaller at 90 days of age. At 90 days of age, testis weight and DSP were increased by approximately 30% and 50%, respectively, in PTU-treated mice compared to controls. Despite the increased testis weight and function, serum testosterone concentrations were not different in control and treated mice. Testicular and epididymal histology in treated mice was similar to controls, while epididymal sperm in treated mice were motile and morphologically normal. Sertoli cell proliferation was altered in treated mice. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Exploring the influence of envy on service engagement

ABSTRACT Consumer retention is central to service firm objectives and is often the focus of firm initiated activities. However, consumer-driven processes that operate independently of firm initiated activities also influence retention. By understanding the consumption goals of service consumers, management can encourage behavioural engagement with service offerings and improve retention outcomes. Positional services provide opportunities for social status enhancement (e.g. higher education) and attract consumers seeking the positional benefits offered. Service consumers compete for positional benefits and monitor their success relative to other service consumers via positional comparisons. Envy, an emotion with benign and malicious types, is experienced if the positional comparison with another service consumer is unfavourable and influences behavioural engagement. This study proposes and qualitatively tests a conceptual model linking positional comparison and envy to changes in consumers’ behavioural engagement with a service depending on the type of envy experienced. The findings support benign envy as a motivator for increased behavioural engagement with a service. The study also supports the existence of a ‘positional’ service category in which envy is an endemic emotional theme influencing behavioural engagement in these service environments. A two-tiered approach to the management of envy involving positional goal recognition and appraisal based tactics is recommended.
A study on objective functions for dynamic operation optimization of a single-car elevator system with destination hall call registration

The purpose of this study is to examine what types of objective functions should be dynamically optimized to improve overall operation efficiency of a single-car elevator system with destination hall call registration. Here, destination hall call registration is such an elevator system that passengers can register their destination floors directly at elevator halls. We propose a method to apply simulated annealing to this dynamic operation optimization problem. Then, we show by numerical experiments that the weighted averages of two types of objective functions such as the weighted average service time and the maximum service time are effective, where the service time of a passenger is the time from when he/she pushes a button at an elevator hall till when he/she leaves the car at his/her destination floor.
Number of mammography cases read per year is a strong predictor of sensitivity

Abstract. Early detection of breast cancers affects the 5-year recurrence rates and treatment options for diagnosed patients, and consequently, many countries have instituted nationwide screening programs. This study compared the performance of expert radiologists from Australia and the United States in detection of breast cancer. Forty-one radiologists, 21 from Australia and 20 from the United States, reviewed 30 mammographic cases containing two-view mammograms. Twenty cases had abnormal findings and 10 cases had normal findings. Radiologists were asked to locate malignancies and assign a level of confidence. A jackknife free-response receiver operating characteristic, figure of merit (JAFROC, FOM), inferred receiver operating characteristic, area under curve (ROC, AUC), specificity, sensitivity, and location sensitivity were calculated using Ziltron software and JAFROC v4.1. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the performance of Australian and U.S. radiologists. The results showed that when experience and the number of mammograms read per year were taken into account, the Australian radiologists sampled showed significantly higher sensitivity and location sensitivity (p≤0.001). JAFROC (FOM) and inferred ROC (AUC) analysis showed no difference between the overall performance of the two countries. ROC (AUC) and location sensitivity were higher for the Australian radiologists who read the most cases per year.
The Effects of Sas No. 82 on Auditors' Attention to Fraud Risk Factors and Audit Planning Decisions

A computerized test instrument was used to investigate the effects of requiring experienced auditors to separately assess fraud risk on their attention to fraud risk factors and audit planning decisions. Computer software randomly manipulated, between subjects, the type of risk assessment required and indicators of fraud risk in an audit case. A model is developed linking risk assessment policy to knowledge use, attention to risk factors, risk assessments, and audit planning decisions. 108 auditors were monitored by the software as they read about a hypothetical audit client and provided risk assessments, budgeted hours, and audit procedure selections. Results indicate that auditors who separately assessed fraud risk, as required by SAS No. 82, spent more time attending to red-flag cues and significantly increased their budgeted hours at both risk levels. Mixed results are reported for the prediction that auditors' budgeted hours exhibit increased sensitivity to fraud risk when they separately assess fraud risk. Finally, variability in planned audit tests was not systematically related to fraud risk for either group of auditors. In sum, these results suggest that SAS No. 82 can be expected to direct auditors' attention to fraud cues and lead to changes in budgeted hours but the nature of audit plans will not likely be affected.
Neonatal jaundice and its management: knowledge, attitude, and practice among expectant mothers attending antenatal clinic at University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION Neonatal Jaundice (NNJ) is a common disorder worldwide and one of the important contributors to the high neonatal morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa. Severe neonatal jaundice leads to brain damage or even death in otherwise healthy newborns. The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of expectant mothers about neonatal jaundice and its management. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was descriptive cross-sectional, carried out among 389 expectant mothers who were attending the antenatal clinic at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. A structured, Pre-tested, researcher administered questionnaire was used to interview the respondents. Data was analysed using SPSS version 15. RESULTS The mean age of the expectant mothers was 30.5 (SD 4.9) years. Fifty-five (14.1%) of respondents had previous experience with NNJ, 8 (2.1%) lost babies due to NNJ. 334 (85.9%) were aware of the condition, 381 (77.4%) knew how to recognize the symptoms of NNJ, 279 (71.7%) knew a correct method of treatment of NNJ. A large proportion of the expectant mothers 261 (67%) knew some complications of NNJ. Two hundred and five (52.7%) did not know any danger sign of complications of NNJ. Three hundred and fifty five (91.3%) had good attitude towards its management. Majority of expectant mothers whose previous babies had NNJ took the babies to the hospital for treatment. A large proportion also expressed their willingness to seek medical attention if their babies were to develop the condition. Their knowledge of neonatal jaundice was significantly influenced by their level of education and the number of their previous babies who had NNJ. CONCLUSION This study revealed that expectant mothers attending antenatal clinic at UBTH had good knowledge of the treatment and complications of NNJ but inadequate knowledge of the causes and danger signs of the condition. Their attitude and practice towards the management of NNJ was good. It is therefore recommended that Health care providers should give more health education on NNJ to the expectant mothers during antenatal visits.
Efficient assembly of recombinant major histocompatibility complex class I molecules with preformed disulfide bonds

The expression of major histocompatibility class I (MHC‐I) crucially depends upon the binding of appropriate peptides. MHC‐I from natural sources are therefore always preoccupied with peptidescomplicating their purification and analysis. Here, we present an efficient solution to this problem. Recombinant MHC‐I heavy chains were produced in Escherichia coli and subsequently purified under denaturing conditions. In contrast to common practice, the molecules were not reduced during the purification. The oxidized MHC‐I heavy chain isoforms were highly active with respect to peptide binding. This suggests that de novo folding of denatured MHC‐I molecules proceed efficiently if directed by preformed disulfide bond(s). Importantly, these molecules express serological epitopes and stain specific T cells; and they bind peptides specifically. Several denatured MHC‐I heavy chains were analyzed and shown to be of a quality, which allowed quantitative analysis of peptide binding. The analysis of the specificity of the several hundred human MHC haplotypes, should benefit considerably from the availability of pre‐oxidized recombinant MHC‐I.
Effects of Advanced Glycation End Product Modification on Proximal Tubule Epithelial Cell Processing of Albumin

Aim: The goal of this work is to understand the cellular effects of advanced glycation end product (AGE)-modified protein on renal proximal tubule cells. Background: A major function of the proximal tubule is to reabsorb and process filtered proteins. Diabetes is characterized by increased quantities of tissue and circulating proteins modified by AGEs. Therefore in diabetes, plasma proteins filtered at the glomerulus and presented to the renal proximal tubule are likely to be highly modified by AGEs. Methods: The model system was electrically resistant polarized renal proximal tubular epithelial cells in monolayer culture. The model proteins comprise a well-characterized AGE, methylglyoxal-modified bovine serum albumin (MGO-BSA), and unmodified BSA. Results: Renal proximal tubular cells handle MGO-BSA and native BSA in markedly disparate ways, including differences in: (1) kinetics of binding, uptake, and intracellular accumulation, (2) processing and fragmentation, and (3) patterns of electrical conductance paralleling temporal changes in binding, uptake and processing. Conclusion: These differences support the idea that abnormal protein processing by the renal tubule can be caused by abnormal proteins, thereby forging a conceptual link between the pathogenic role of AGEs and early changes in tubular function that can lead to hypertrophy and nephropathy in diabetes.
Prenatal detection of rare chromosomal autosomal abnormalities in Europe

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prenatal detection of rare chromosomal autosomal abnormalities by ultrasound (US) examination. Data were obtained from 19 congenital malformation registries from 11 European countries, between 01/07/96 and 31/12/98. A total of 664,340 births were covered and 7,758 cases with congenital malformations were recorded. Rare autosomal abnormalities were diagnosed in 114 cases (6.6%) from a total of 1,738 chromosome abnormalities. There were a wide variety of autosomal abnormalities: the most common were deletions (33 cases), duplications (32 cases), trisomies of chromosomes 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, and 16 (23 cases), and unbalanced rearrangements (19 cases). Out of these cases, 45.6% were detected prenatally by US examination due to the presence of congenital anomaly. As for the types of chromosomal anomaly, unbalanced rearrangements and deletions were the most frequently detected by US. A high percentage of cases with balanced rearrangements were associated with severe congenital anomalies. The most frequent congenital anomalies detected by US were cystic hygroma (20.6%), central nervous system defects (17.6%), cardiac defects (13.2%), and diaphragm defects (10.3%). This large series offers useful information about prenatal diagnosis by US of congenital defects associated with rare autosomal abnormalities and it provides a valuable knowledge about outcome. Fetal anomalies detected by US that were associated with rare autosomal abnormalities were significantly more frequent than those associated with common chromosomal abnormalities (45.6 vs. 34.7%). This study indicates the need to increase the detection of congenital anomalies by US. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for autoimmune disorders

Purpose of reviewTo summarize recent evidence and current trends in the use of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for autoimmune diseases. Recent findingsUpdates of published trials and data from the registries indicate a long-lasting, immunosuppression-free condition in about 50% of the patients who underwent an HSCT for a severe, progressive autoimmune disease. For all diseases, autologous HSCT is largely preferred for safety reasons, whereas allogeneic HSCT is to be considered only for carefully selected cases. Transplant-related mortality (TRM) has decreased in the past 5 years, due to both better selection of patients and the use of less intensive conditioning regimens. The most employed conditioning regimens in Europe are BCNU (carmustine), etoposide, ARA-C (cytosine arabinoside), M (melphalan) (BEAM)/anti-thymocyte globulin in multiple sclerosis and high-dose cyclophosphamide/anti-thymocyte globulin for all other diseases, with a trend for more intense regimens in North America. Multiple sclerosis and systemic sclerosis are currently the most frequent diagnoses. Prospective comparative trials are currently ongoing both in Europe and North America. SummaryRecent reports confirm the evidence that HSCT is able to induce a high rate of sustained remissions in most severe autoimmune diseases, unresponsive to conventional treatments. Valuable information is expected by the finalization of the ongoing prospective, comparative trials.
Consumer-inclusive economic regulation: water pricing under different regulatory regimes

This paper investigates whether and how different regulatory regimes for water pricing incorporate mechanisms for consumer inclusion. A literature review suggests that the more separation between policymaking and economic regulation, the higher the incorporation of regulatory governance principles such as transparency, accountability and participation. Our comparative case studies of the system of self-regulation in The Netherlands, the bipartite negotiation model in Spain, and the Scottish model of independent regulation provides additional empirical evidence to this hypothesis.
Users’ and professionals’ contributions in the process of designing an easy-to-use videophone for people with dementia

Abstract Purpose: To develop a design concept for an easy-to-use videophone for people with dementia and to evaluate the design and need of such a product. Method: In this project, we have used an inclusive design approach that includes the target users in the design process. In an earlier study, the need of a videophone was examined and a requirement specification was developed. In this study, a preliminary design concept was developed. Five focus groups of people with dementia, significant others and occupational therapists working with people with dementia were formed to capture their experiences, expectations and thoughts concerning the videophone and the design concept. Data were analysed using a grounded theory approach. Findings: The participants pointed out that the design of the videophone should be flexible in order to meet the needs of people with dementia, be easy-to-use and not look like assistive technology. In order to facilitate learning, the videophone should be introduced in an early stage of the disease. Conclusions: A videophone has potentials to enable videophone calls without assistance, add quality in communication and provide possibilities for monitoring. Further work will focus on developing a prototype to be empirically tested by people with dementia and significant others. Implications for Rehabilitation An easy-to-use videophone was viewed as an important device that could support people with dementia in making videophone calls without assistance. It was also viewed as a product that significant others could use for monitoring the person with dementia, for example to judge the well-being of the person. But monitoring should be used with caution and not without the consent of the person with dementia. It was viewed as important that the videophone be introduced in an early stage of the disease in order to facilitate learning, so that the person can get used to the new way of making telephone calls and incorporate the new habit in his/her routines. In order to motivate people with dementia to start using a videophone, it was recommended that the videophone should be introduced as a product which is a pleasure to use, and not as a compensation for impairment or to solve a problem.