Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pescadillo homologue 1 and Peter Pan function during Xenopus laevis pronephros development

Background information. pes1 (pescadillo homologue 1) and ppan (Peter Pan) are multifunctional proteins involved in ribosome biogenesis, cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell migration and regulation of gene expression. Both proteins are required for early neural development in Xenopus laevis, as previously demonstrated.
Effect of Unsaturated Lipid Chains on Dimensions, Molecular Order and Hydration of Membranes

We conducted infrared linear dichroism and X-ray measurements to characterize membranes of sn-1 chain perdeuterated, polyunsaturated 1-stearoyl-2-docosahexaenoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (18:0−22:6ω3 PC, SDPC-d35) and of monounsaturated 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (16:0−18:1 PC, POPC-d31) as a function of hydration and temperature. Our novel approach is to use IR order parameters of C−H and C−D vibrations of both sn-1 and sn-2 chains for a separate estimation of the mean length and effective cross sectional area of the saturated and unsaturated chains in the bilayers. In the gel phase, the thickness of the hydrophobic core of SDPC bilayers exceeded the thickness of POPC bilayers, because the polyunsaturated chains adopted an extended conformation. However, in the fluid phase, the hydrophobic thickness of SDPC membranes, with the longer 18:0 and 22:6 acyl chains, was almost equal to the thickness of the 16:0−18:1 chains in POPC membranes. The isothermal compressibility modulus of th.
Fibrolamellar carcinoma of the liver: A tumor of adolescents and young adults with distinctive clinico‐pathologic features

Clinical and pathologic features of 23 patients with a distinctive histologic and clinical variant of hepatocellular carcinoma are summarized. The variant pattern of hepatocellular carcinoma is most common in the age group 5–35 years and occurs equally in either sex. The distinctive histologic features include 1) deeply eosinophilic neoplastic hepatocytes, many of which contain intracytoplasmic hyaline globules and distinct pale bodies and 2) fibrosis arranged in a lamellar fashion around the neoplastic hepatocytes.
RNA Polymerase I-Driven Minigenome System for Ebola Viruses

ABSTRACT In general, Ebola viruses are well known for their ability to cause severe hemorrhagic fever in both human and nonhuman primates. However, despite substantial sequence homology to other members of the family Filoviridae, Reston ebolavirus displays reduced pathogenicity for nonhuman primates and has never been demonstrated to cause clinical disease in humans, despite its ability to cause infection. In order to develop a tool to explore potential roles for transcription and replication in the reduced pathogenicity of Reston ebolavirus, we developed an RNA polymerase I (Pol I)-driven minigenome system. Here we demonstrate successful Reston ebolavirus minigenome rescue, including encapsidation, transcription, and replication, as well as the packaging of minigenome transcripts into progeny particles. The Pol I-driven Reston ebolavirus minigenome system provides a higher signal intensity with less background (higher signal-to-noise ratio) than a comparable T7-driven Reston ebolavirus minigenome system which was developed simultaneously. Successful Reston ebolavirus minigenome rescue was also achieved by the use of helper plasmids derived from the closely related Zaire ebolavirus or the more distantly related Lake Victoria marburgvirus. The use of heterologous helper plasmids in the Reston ebolavirus minigenome system yielded levels of reporter expression which far exceeded the level produced by the homologous helper plasmids. This comparison between minigenomes and helper plasmids from different filovirus species and genera indicates that inherent differences in the transcription and/or replication capacities of the ribonucleoprotein complexes of pathogenic and apathogenic filoviruses may exist, as these observations were confirmed in a Lake Victoria marburgvirus minigenome system.
Stochastic-flash analog-to-digital conversion

Flash-type analog-to-digital converters (ADC's) presenting a nonlinear behavior, i.e., having nonequally spaced threshold levels, may introduce harmonic distortion that can be reduced by employing large-amplitude dither-based conversion techniques. However, large-scale dithering is difficult to implement and, in addition, severely reduces the ADC input dynamic range. In this paper, a new ADC architecture is presented based on ordinary flash conversion and dynamic element matching, that strongly reduces nonlinear distortion. It eliminates the need for large-scale dither signals by randomizing the resistor positions in the resistor string used to generate the voltage references. Some properties of this architecture are analyzed and simulation results that validate the theoretical assumptions are presented.
Strategy for Reoperative Free Flaps after Failure of a First Flap

Background: Free vascularized tissue transfer is generally associated with high success rates, but failures do occur. After a flap failure, the decision is often made to perform a second, reoperative free flap. Methods: A retrospective review of all microsurgical free tissue transfers performed at the authors’ institution identified 13 patients who underwent a second, reoperative free flap after a failed primary flap. The records of these patients were reviewed, with particular emphasis on identifying changes in treatment strategy between the initially failed and the reoperative free flap. Results: Thirteen patients were identified as having undergone a reoperative free flap. In nine of 13 primary free flaps, at least one likely cause for the failure was identified (69 percent). In the approach to the second free flap, strategy changes were performed in 10 of 13 cases (77 percent); 11 were successful (85 percent). One of the two patients with a failed reoperative free flap underwent a third attempt at free tissue transfer, which also failed. Conclusions: The authors’ overall approach to the failed free flap includes the following four steps: (1) reconsideration of the need for vascularized free tissue transfer, (2) a sensitive psychosocial approach to the patient and family, (3) analysis of the cause of the first flap failure, and (4) change in microsurgical strategy. Based on the authors’ experience, they consider two previously failed free flaps without an obvious cause to be a contraindication to a third attempt.
Effect of disparate carrier velocity in GaN on the terahertz characteristics of double drift region mixed tunnelling avalanche transit time diode

The potentials of GaN as a terahertz source is explored using some computer simulation programs developed by the authors. Contrary to the expectation, the power generating potential of GaN is observed to be much inferior to that of SiC due to the disparate carrier velocity in the former. In addition, GaN produces roughly 10 dB more noise compared to SiC when operated as a double drift region mixed tunneling avalanche transit time diode in the near terahertz region.
Repetitive sequence element cloned from Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo type hardjo-bovis provides a sensitive diagnostic probe for bovine leptospirosis

A repetitive sequence element was cloned from the primary etiological agent causing bovine leptospirosis in North America, Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo type hardjo-bovis. This element was used to design a sensitive diagnostic probe which distinguishes hardjo-bovis from other pathogenic leptospires which commonly infect domestic animals in North America and discriminates between hardjo-bovis and the reference strain for serovar hardjo, hardjoprajitno. By using this probe, it was possible to identify infected cattle shedding hardjo-bovis in their urine. This is the first practical demonstration of a cloned DNA probe for leptospirosis, and it provides a sensitive method for studying the transmission and pathogenesis of L. interrogans infections. Control measures for L. interrogans infections may now be improved by rapidly and efficiently identifying infected animals.
REASONING WITH MULTILEVEL CONTEXTS IN SEMANTIC METANETWORK

In this paper, a multilevel semantic network is proposed to be used to represent knowledge within several levels of contexts. The zero level of representation is semantic network that includes knowledge about basic domain objects and their relations. The first level of presentation uses semantic network to represent contexts and their relationships. The second level presents relationships of metacontexts i.e. contexts of contexts, and so on at the higher levels. The topmost level includes knowledge which is considered to be “truth” in all the contexts. Thus a semantic metanetwork is the hierarchical set of semantic networks above each other so that relations of each previous level are context objects of the next level. Such representation allows to reason with contexts towards solution of the following problems: to derive knowledge interpreted using all known levels of its context; to derive unknown knowledge when interpretation of it in some context and the context itself are known; to derive unknown knowledge about a context when it is known how the knowledge is interpreted in this context; to transform knowledge from one context to another. Possible transformations with contexts are described using special algebra. Equations of the algebra are discussed and used to reason with this multilevel context structure.
Qualitative and quantitative olfactometric evaluation of different concentrations of ethanol peppermint oil solutions

Selection of an adequate placebo is a major problem in clinical trials of Euminz® (10% peppermint oil/ethanol) which is used topically for the treatment of tension‐type headache. This randomized, controlled, double‐blind, cross‐over study was performed to investigate whether there are qualitative differences between 10%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, and 0% peppermint oil. Forty‐one healthy subjects participated (age range 21–28 years); they rated both intensity, and hedonic tone of the stimuli. Verbal descriptions were combined to multiple response sets (MRS). In addition, the trigeminal impact of odorants was determined. Intensity ratings and MRS ‘menthol like’ and ‘alcohol/solvent’ changed with stimulus concentration. However, intensity had no significant effect on hedonics, trigeminal impact, or the number of descriptive items used. When MRS ‘menthol like’ and ‘alcohol/solvent’ were analysed after being weighted with intensity ratings, changes in relation to stimulus concentration were lost. Thus, the differences between the five concentrations of peppermint oil were—to their largest part—due to changes in stimulus intensity. Considering the large day‐to‐day variability of olfactory sensitivity the present data support the hypothesis that the odour quality of 10% peppermint oil cannot be discriminated from the odour of 0.1%, 0.5%, or 1% peppermint oil when tested on separate days. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased Activity of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 Is Associated with Early Embryonic Lethality in Commd1 Null Mice

ABSTRACT COMMD1 (previously known as MURR1) belongs to a novel family of proteins termed the copper metabolism gene MURR1 domain (COMMD) family. The 10 COMMD family members are well conserved between vertebrates, but the functions of most of the COMMD proteins are unknown. We recently established that COMMD1 is associated with the hepatic copper overload disorder copper toxicosis in Bedlington terriers. Recent in vitro studies indicate that COMMD1 has multiple functions, including sodium transport and NF-κB signaling. To elucidate the function of Commd1 in vivo, we generated homozygous Commd1 null (Commd1−/−) mice. Commd1−/− embryos died in utero between 9.5 and 10.5 days postcoitum (dpc), their development was generally retarded, and placenta vascularization was absent. Microarray analysis identified transcriptional upregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) target genes in 9.5-dpc Commd1−/− embryos compared to normal embryos, a feature that was associated with increased Hif-1α stability. Consistent with these observations, COMMD1 physically associates with HIF-1α and inhibits HIF-1α stability and HIF-1 transactivation in vitro. Thus, this study identifies COMMD1 as a novel regulator of HIF-1 activity and shows that Commd1 deficiency in mice leads to embryonic lethality associated with dysregulated placenta vascularization.
Mild traumatic brain injury from primary blast vs. blunt forces: post-concussion consequences and functional neuroimaging.

INTRODUCTION Primary blast forces may cause dysfunction from mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of primary blast forces, independent of associated blunt trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, on sensitive post-concussive measures. METHODS This study investigated post-concussive symptoms, functional health and well-being, cognition, and positron emission tomography (PET) neuroimaging among 12 Iraq or Afghanistan war veterans who sustained pure blast-force mTBI, compared to 12 who sustained pure blunt-force mTBI. RESULTS Both groups had significantly lower scores than published norms on the Rivermead Post-Concussion Questionnaire (RPQ) and the SF36-V Health Survey. Compared to the Blunt Group, the Blast Group had poorer scores on the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) and greater PET hypometabolism in the right superior parietal region. Only the Blast Group had significant correlations of their RPQ, SF36-V Mental Composite Score, and PASAT scores with specific regional metabolic changes. CONCLUSION This pilot study suggests that pure blast force mTBI may have greater post-concussive sequelae including deficits in attentional control and regional brain metabolism, compared to blunt mTBI. A disturbance of a right parietal-frontal attentional network is one potential explanation for these findings.
Molecular, micro- and ultrastructural investigations of labile tissues in deep time

This thesis comprises investigations of microstructures and molecular remains, preserved in a variety of fossil specimens. The results are presented in six papers, collectively aiming to thoroughly examine fossil traces of such remains by employing a combination of both established and relatively new analytical methods. The main questions asked are: What can we learn about the biology, ecology and behaviour of ancient organisms by studying these fossilised remnants, and what methods are best suited to accomplish this? The work presented herein has been conducted through a series of case studies performed on fossils representing an array of taxa, collected from different geological ages and settings. Methods applied include light and electron microscopy, computed tomography, and molecular analyses, such as time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, IR microspectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Microscopic analysis and histology of teeth from Mesozoic marine reptiles allowed calculations of dentine formation and tooth replacement rates. My findings include evidence that while teeth of larger mosasaur taxa took longer time to develop, their dentine formation rates were more rapid, relative to that of smaller species.In other fossils, microscopic investigations of eye, skin and feather remnants revealed aggregations of micrometre-sized, sub-rounded to elongate structures. Because similar microbodies have previously been described alternatively as relict melanosomes (i.e. pigment-containing, eukaryotic cellular organelles) and lithified bacteria, my co-authors and I performed chemical and molecular analyses in order to explore the affinity of these structures. To ascertain the chemical identity of our fossil samples, corresponding analyses were carried out also on molecularly similar compounds, including modern eumelanin, as controls. My studies show chemical evidence of animal eumelanin in close association with the microbodies, advocating the melanosome interpretation for the analysed specimens.Beyond the results reported in the included papers, this thesis provides a short review of melanin formation in vertebrate eyes and integument, as well as in fungi and bacteria which also produce this type of pigment. An overview of the various methods applied is presented and followed by a discussion about possible outcomes and pitfalls when studying fossil microstructures and molecular palaeontology. Whereas remnant melanosomes could potentially provide new insight into a multitude of biological and ecological aspects of ancient life, there is still no straight-forward approach to determine the affinity of ‘melanosome-like’ microstructures found in fossils. Therefore, a thorough investigation of such remains, including chemical analyses, should be applied in each study – at least until a consensus has been reached regarding the minimum amount of criteria to be used for a confident recognition. (Less)
Error-Related Negativity in Children: Effect of an Observer

This research assessed the effect of an observer upon error-related negativity (ERN) in 20 children (ages 7–11): 9 worked alone and 11 worked under the observation of a friend of theirs (alone/audience groups). Erroneous motor responses were recorded to Go and No-Go visual stimuli (triangles in different orientations) at three brain sites (Fz, Cz, and Pz). Results for children were consistent with past adult studies in showing a significantly larger ERN only to erroneous responses in both the alone and the audience groups. Children in the audience group produced larger ERNs than those in the alone group. Furthermore, older children (ages 9–11) produced larger ERNs than younger children (ages 7–8) in both groups. These findings were discussed in the context of an action monitoring system that regulates responses, detects errors, and entrains affective responses associated with correct and incorrect responses.
Two Compound Replication Origins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Contain Redundant Origin Recognition Complex Binding Sites

ABSTRACT While many of the proteins involved in the initiation of DNA replication are conserved between yeasts and metazoans, the structure of the replication origins themselves has appeared to be different. As typified by ARS1, replication origins inSaccharomyces cerevisiae are <150 bp long and have a simple modular structure, consisting of a single binding site for the origin recognition complex, the replication initiator protein, and one or more accessory sequences. DNA replication initiates from a discrete site. While the important sequences are currently less well defined, metazoan origins appear to be different. These origins are large and appear to be composed of multiple, redundant elements, and replication initiates throughout zones as large as 55 kb. In this report, we characterize two S. cerevisiae replication origins, ARS101 and ARS310, which differ from the paradigm. These origins contain multiple, redundant binding sites for the origin recognition complex. Each binding site must be altered to abolish origin function, while the alteration of a single binding site is sufficient to inactivate ARS1. This redundant structure may be similar to that seen in metazoan origins.
The Adjunctive Effect of a Binding Peptide on Bone Morphogenetic Protein Enhanced Bone Healing in a Rodent Model of Spinal Fusion

Study Design. A prospective 8-week interventional trial employing a rat model of spinal fusion to test the effect on bone morphogenetic protein binding peptide (BBP) on rhBMP-2 induced bone healing. Objectives. To determine if the addition of BBP to the collagen sponges used as a carrier for rhBMP-2 reduces the amount of rhBMP-2 required to achieve a satisfactory clinical outcome. Summary of Background Data. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) although effective in promoting osseous growth and spinal fusion have limitations in their extensive use because of higher costs and possible adverse effects including ectopic bone formation and local inflammatory reaction, particularly in the cervical spine. Methods. Posterolateral intertransverse process spinal fusion at L4–L5 was performed in Lewis rats. Two doses of BBP (500 &mgr;g, and 1000 &mgr;g) were tested with or without “low dose” (1 &mgr;g) rhBMP-2 and the results were compared with the low dose (1 &mgr;g) rhBMP-2. Fusion was evaluated by radiology, histology, and manual palpation tests. Results. Radiology revealed significant earlier fusion with 1000 &mgr;g BBP + 1 &mgr;g BMP-2 combination when compared with low dose BMP-2 (1 &mgr;g) only (P < 0.05). Manual palpation and histology at eighth week revealed higher rate of fusion with the same combination with a nearly significant difference (P = 0.057). Conclusion. Specific growth factor binding agents, such as BBP, can be compounded into carriers used in fusion procedures to decrease the dosage of BMP and possibly decrease the side effects which are most likely dose-related. This may also decrease costs and improve clinical outcomes.
Changing methods of disclosure. Literature review of disclosure to children with terminal illnesses, including HIV

More than 30 years after the first discovery of the deadly HIV virus, and in the wake of increased knowledge of transmission, treatment and behavioral intervention development, parents are still faced with the difficult task of whether, when and how to inform their child about her or his HIV status. Except for some general ethical considerations, there are no national or international guidelines available for handling HIV status disclosure to a child by parents and health professionals. Most studies on disclosure address the problem of stigma and the barriers to disclosure of HIV-positive status by adults to their sexual partners, caretakers, families and communities, but very few studies focus on disclosure to HIV-positive children. The majority of the studies that address disclosure to children limit themselves to stipulating reasons for barriers to such disclosure instead of the skills and knowledge necessary for effective disclosure to a child. Increasing availability of therapy for HIV across the world presses the issue of disclosure to the child. Even so, disclosure for children who are HIV-positive due to vertical transmission continues to be very difficult. There is a lack of interventions that consider guidelines for healthcare professionals, parents or persons involved with taking care of HIV-positive children. These interventions should be designed in an understanding manner towards the culture where they might be implemented and be as appropriate in the view of integrating different family structures and the child's development.