Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The crystal structure of XC1739: A putative multiple antibiotic‐resistance repressor (MarR) from Xanthomonas campestris at 1.8 Å resolution

Introduction. The emergence of bacterial resistance to multiple drugs poses a serious and growing health concern. Understanding and deciphering these multiple drugresistance mechanisms are important endeavors. The Escherichia coli transcriptional regulator MarR is believed to be a key factor in regulating marRAB operon, which is responsible for the mar phenotype that is resistant to a wide variety of structurally different and medically important antibiotics. The crystal structure of a salicylated-bound E. coli MarR was recently determined to a resolution of 2.3 Å. However, the free MarR crystals grown without salicylate were unstable and badly disordered to preclude structural determination. We have successfully crystallized a putative ligand-free MarR family protein (XC1739) from a plant pathogen Xanthomonas campestris and determined its structure to a resolution of 1.8 Å. It shares a 32% identity (55.6% similarity) with the E. coli MarR protein. A promoter sequence of 24 bases upstream of the XC1739 gene was also identified from the EMSA (Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay) and DNase I footprinting methods (Yang et al., unpublished result). These data, along with the finding that the structure of XC1739 is structurally similar to that of the E. coli MarR, suggest that XC1739 is very likely a transcriptional regulator belonging to the MarR family.
An international collaborative study comparing Swedish and Japanese nurses' reactions to elder abuse.

AIM This paper reports an analysis of aggregated data from two national studies on Swedish community-based nurses' and Japanese Public Health Nurses' responses to hypothetical elder abuse cases. BACKGROUND Elder abuse is an under-researched area despite being globally recognized as a serious and escalating problem. Yet research, adding needed socio-cultural perspectives to current knowledge has been limited. METHODS Eighty-one community-based nurses in Sweden and 124 Public Health Nurses in Japan responded to a questionnaire based on three hypothetical elder abuse cases. Swedish and Japanese results (data collection 2006-2007) were combined and the aggregated data were analysed using manifest and qualitative content analyses. RESULTS Nurses' response patterns in the aggregated data were similar across all three hypothetical cases and within themes Awareness, Assessment and Intervention. However, there were also noteworthy differences between Swedish and Japanese responses, e.g. Swedish responses were generally practical, action oriented and involved increased levels of suspicion and personal intervention to achieve increased control; whereas Japanese responses concerned better understanding that involved the family members and their situation, focusing on interventions grounded in collaboration. CONCLUSION Despite cultural differences, responses of Swedish and Japanese nurses were very similar which points to a global 'humanness' of the problem of, and nurses' responses to, elder abuse. Results endorse the value of international collaborations that give information and inspiration to nursing colleagues across cultural boundaries. Results also give hope that global tools for elder abuse assessment and intervention can be developed.
Abdominal paracentesis drainage ( APD ) attenuates acute pancreatitis-associated lung injury in patients with ascitic fluids : a retrospective study

Objectives: Recently, we have demonstrated that abdominal paracentesis drainage (APD) benefits patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). However, the therapeutic efficacy of APD against AP-associated lung injury remains unclear. Methods: Consecutive patients with fluid collections (≥100 ml) in the abdominal or pelvic cavity, who were admitted to our hospital within 48 h of the onset of AP, were included in this retrospective study. These patients were divided into two groups: APD group and non-APD groups. The prevalence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), the details of mechanical ventilation and the mortality rate were first investigated. Subsequently, the clinical and laboratory parameters, lung injury severity index and infection-related parameters were also evaluated. Results: Of the 184 involved patients, 99 were in the APD group, and 85 were in the non-APD group. The mortality rate was significantly lower in the APD group (5.0%) than in the non-APD group (14.1%; P<0.05). But no significant differences were found in the prevalence of ARDS between the two groups (P>0.05). Importantly, APD group showed an obvious decrease in lung injury severity and the recovery time compared with the non-APD group (P<0.05). Additionally, the APD group displayed a lower incidence of pulmonary infection compared with the nonAPD group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Treatment with APD benefits patients with lung injury in the early stage of AP.
Influence of age and dental status on chewing behaviour studied by EMG recordings during consumption of various food samples.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of age and dental status on chewing performance in humans. DESIGN Electromyography recordings (EMG) were made during chewing of six foods (rice, beef, cheese, crispy bread, apple, and peanuts) to compare the masticatory patterns of four subject groups with different ages and dental status. SUBJECTS Nineteen elders (mean age 67.2 years) classified into three categories according to their number of opposing post-canine teeth pairs (i.e. functional units) and a control group of 10 young adults (mean age 26.5 years) with a high number of functional units. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Number of chewing cycles, chewing time, total muscle activity and muscle activity per chew, burst and inter-burst durations, maximum and mean voltages from EMG recordings. RESULTS Time-related EMG parameters increased from young subjects to elderly subjects with high, middle and low dental status. Parameters related to EMG voltages per chew decreased in the same order among the different groups of subjects. These tendencies were observed for all the studied products. Subjects with weak muscle contraction may compensate for their poor chewing performance by lengthening both chewing cycle and sequence duration. Additional alterations in the chewing patterns were observed when age effect was associated with a dental status degradation in terms of number of functional units. CONCLUSION Impairment in mastication for the elderly is due to both ageing and decreasing number of functional pairs of post-canine teeth.
Specifying the ferrofluid parameters important from the viewpoint of magnetic fluid hyperthermia

The article presents the experimental study of magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) utilizing magnetite nanoparticles with diameter of 15.2 nm. Temperature measurements of the ferrofluid samples were carried out in real measurement system using parallel resonance phenomenon. Based on the obtained temperature curves the basic heating parameters of ferrofluid, namely the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) and power losses in tested nanoparticles have been specified. The authors systematize the current knowledge of these quantities and additionally propose two models that simplify their determination with given errors, omitting the mass and volume concentrations of the individual components of magnetic fluid.
Diagnostic accuracy of the Rivalta test for feline infectious peritonitis

Background The Rivalta test has been used routinely in Europe to diagnose feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in cats with effusions, but its diagnostic accuracy is uncertain. Objectives The objectives of this study were to calculate sensitivity, specificity, and positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values of the Rivalta test for FIP and to identify correlations between a positive Rivalta test and variables measured in effusion fluid and peripheral blood. Methods In this retrospective study, medical records of cats with effusions were reviewed, and cats with conclusive results for the Rivalta test were included. The prevalence of FIP in this population was determined, and sensitivity, specificity, and PPV and NPV of the Rivalta test were calculated. Variables measured in effusion fluid and peripheral blood were compared between cats that had positive or negative Rivalta tests using the Mann–Whitney U‐test and multivariate analysis. Results Of 851 cats with effusions, 782 had conclusively positive or negative results for the Rivalta test. A definitive final diagnosis was made in 497 of these cats. Prevalence of FIP in cats with effusion and a conclusive Rivalta test result was 34.6%. The Rivalta test had a sensitivity of 91.3%, specificity of 65.5%, PPV of 58.4%, and NPV of 93.4% for the diagnosis of FIP. These values increased when cats with lymphoma or bacterial infections were excluded, or when only cats ≤ 2 years were considered. Increased effusion cholesterol concentration and specific gravity as well as decreased serum albumin:globulin ratio and hyperbilirubinemia were positively correlated with positive Rivalta test results. Conclusions Sensitivity, specificity, and PPV of the Rivalta test for the diagnosis of FIP were lower than previously reported except when used in young cats. The components in effusions that lead to a positive Rivalta test remain unknown, but the positivity is not simply related to high total protein concentration.
Comparison of computed tomography and myelography to a reference standard of computed tomographic myelography for evaluation of dogs with intervertebral disc disease.

OBJECTIVE To compare the sensitivity of computed tomography (CT) and myelography to a reference standard of CT myelography for determining localization of Type I intervertebral disc extrusions in dogs. STUDY DESIGN Prospective blinded comparative study. ANIMALS Dogs with acute onset myelopathy because of suspected disc extrusions (n = 30). METHODS Dogs had CT, myelography, and CT myelography to diagnose disc extrusions. Sensitivity of CT and myelography was compared to CT myelography for lateral, longitudinal, and combined localization. Confidence in the assessment of each imaging study was scored by 3 reviewers. RESULTS Sensitivity of CT for lateral, longitudinal, and combined localization was 94%, 91%, and 81%, respectively, and was 64%, 74%, and 53%, respectively for myelography. Sensitivity of all 3 categories of localization was significantly different between modalities (P < .0001, P = .0031, P < .0001). Significant differences in the sensitivity of lateral and combined localization were found between confidence scores for myelography (P < .0001, P < .0001). Significant differences in the sensitivity of lateral, longitudinal, and combined localization were found between confidence scores for CT (P = .011, P = .013, P = .027). Poor sensitivity was obtained for both modalities except when imaging studies were assigned the highest confidence score. CONCLUSIONS CT is a more sensitive imaging technique than myelography for localizing disc extrusions when compared to a reference standard of CT myelography. Both modalities yielded high sensitivity with the highest confidence score and poor sensitivity for all other confidence scores.
Intermolecular disulfide bonding in IgM: effects of replacing cysteine residues in the mu heavy chain.

The conventional model of polymeric IgM depicts a unique structure in which the mu heavy chains and J chain are joined by well defined disulfide bonds involving cysteine residues at positions 337, 414 and 575 of the mu chain. To test this model, we have used site directed mutagenesis to produce IgM in which these cysteines have been replaced by serine. In each case the single mutants were able to assemble polymeric IgM, which was analyzed for its size, morphology, J chain content and activity in complement dependent cytolysis. Whereas normal polymeric IgM is composed predominantly of pentameric and hexameric molecules, the mutant IgM‐Ser414 is covalently assembled as pentamers and smaller forms; IgM‐Ser575 is assembled as covalent hexamers. IgM‐Ser337 appears to include the same pentameric and hexameric forms as normal IgM except that, unlike normal polymeric IgM, most pentameric/hexameric IgM‐Ser337 is not covalently assembled. J chain is present in polymeric IgM‐Ser337 but absent in polymeric IgM‐Ser414 and IgM‐Ser575. IgM‐Ser414 is defective in activating the classical pathway of complement dependent cytolysis. Our observations are consistent with models in which the covalent linkages between mu chains are mediated by disulfide bonded Cys337‐Cys337, Cys414‐Cys414 and Cys575‐Cys575 but indicate that the arrangement of these Cys‐Cys pairs in series and in parallel varies among and within IgM molecules. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Individuals' Internet Security Perceptions and Behaviors: Polycontextual Contrasts Between the United States and China

Little is known about the context sensitivity of users’ online security perceptions and behaviors to national and individual attributes, and there is inadequate research about the spectrum of users’ behaviors in dealing with online security threats. In addressing this gap, this paper draws on two complementary theoretical bases: (1) the contextualization of the protection motivation theory (PMT) to online security behavior and (2) a polycontextual lens for the cross-national comparison of users’ security behaviors in the United States and China. The conceptualized model is tested based on 718 survey observations collected from the United States and China. The results support our model and show the divergence between the United States, an exemplar of modern Western society, and China, an exemplar of traditional Eastern society, in forming threat perceptions and in seeking help and avoidance as coping behaviors. Our results also uncovered the significant moderating impacts of espoused culture on the way perceptions of security threats and coping appraisals influence security behaviors. Our findings underline the importance of context-sensitive theory building in security research and provide insights into the motivators and moderators of individuals’ online security behaviors in the two nations.
Can you handle this? The impact of object affordances on how co-speech gestures are produced

ABSTRACT Hand gestures are tightly coupled with speech and with action. Hence, recent accounts have emphasised the idea that simulations of spatio-motoric imagery underlie the production of co-speech gestures. In this study, we suggest that action simulations directly influence the iconic strategies used by speakers to translate aspects of their mental representations into gesture. Using a classic referential paradigm, we investigate how speakers respond gesturally to the affordances of objects, by comparing the effects of describing objects that afford action performance (such as tools) and those that do not, on gesture production. Our results suggest that affordances play a key role in determining the amount of representational (but not non-representational) gestures produced by speakers, and the techniques chosen to depict such objects. To our knowledge, this is the first study to systematically show a connection between object characteristics and representation techniques in spontaneous gesture production during the depiction of static referents.
Randomized trial of paclitaxel plus supportive care versus supportive care for patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND In phase II trials, paclitaxel has been shown to have antitumor activity in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the survival and quality-of-life (QOL) benefits of paclitaxel used as a single agent compared with supportive care alone have not been assessed in a randomized clinical trial. METHODS A total of 157 patients with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC who had received no prior chemotherapy were randomly assigned to receive either best supportive care alone (78 patients) or paclitaxel plus supportive care (79 patients). Paclitaxel was administered as a 3-hour intravenous infusion every 3 weeks. Supportive care included palliative radiotherapy and supportive therapy with corticosteroids, antibiotics, analgesics, antiemetics, transfusions, and other symptomatic therapy as required. The primary end point of the study was survival. Time to disease progression, response rate, adverse events, and QOL were secondary end points. RESULTS Pretreatment characteristics were evenly distributed between the two arms. Survival was statistically significantly better in the paclitaxel plus supportive care arm than in the supportive care alone arm (two-sided P =.037) (median survival = 6.8 months versus 4.8 months). Cox multivariate analysis showed paclitaxel plus supportive care to be statistically significantly associated with improved survival (two-sided P =.048). QOL was similar for both treatment arms, except for the functional activity score of the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist, where QOL data statistically significantly favored the paclitaxel plus supportive care arm (two-sided P =.043). CONCLUSION The addition of paclitaxel to best supportive care significantly improved survival and time to disease progression compared with best supportive care in patients with advanced NSCLC and may improve some aspects of QOL.
Empathy, Simulation, and Narrative

Argument A number of theorists have proposed simulation theories of empathy. A review of these theories shows that, despite the fact that one version of the simulation theory can avoid a number of problems associated with such approaches, there are further reasons to doubt whether simulation actually explains empathy. A high-level simulation account of empathy, distinguished from the simulation theory of mindreading, can avoid problems associated with low-level (neural) simulationist accounts; but it fails to adequately address two other problems: the diversity problem and the starting problem. It is argued that a narrative approach to empathy obviates all these problems and offers a more parsimonious account.
Mitochondria and calcium: from cell signalling to cell death

While a pathway for Ca2+ accumulation into mitochondria has long been established, its functional significance is only now becoming clear in relation to cell physiology and pathophysiology. The observation that mitochondria take up Ca2+ during physiological Ca2+ signalling in a variety of cell types leads to four questions: (i) ‘What is the impact of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake on mitochondrial function? ’ (ii) ‘What is the impact of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake on Ca2+ signalling? ’ (iii) ‘What are the consequences of impaired mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake for cell function? ’ and finally (iv) ‘What are the consequences of pathological [Ca2+]c signalling for mitochondrial function? ’ These will be addressed in turn. Thus: (i) accumulation of Ca2+ into mitochondria regulates mitochondrial metabolism and causes a transient depolarisation of mitochondrial membrane potential. (ii) Mitochondria may act as a spatial Ca2+ buffer in many cells, regulating the local Ca2+ concentration in cellular microdomains. This process regulates processes dependent on local cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]c), particularly the flux of Ca2+ through IP3‐gated channels of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the channels mediating capacitative Ca2+ influx through the plasma membrane. Consequently, mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake plays a substantial role in shaping [Ca2+]c signals in many cell types. (iii) Impaired mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake alters the spatiotemporal characteristics of cellular [Ca2+]c signalling and downregulates mitochondrial metabolism. (iv) Under pathological conditions of cellular [Ca2+]c overload, particularly in association with oxidative stress, mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake may trigger pathological states that lead to cell death. In the model of glutamate excitotoxicity, microdomains of [Ca2+]c are apparently central, as the pathway to cell death seems to require the local activation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), itself held by scaffolding proteins in close association with the NMDA receptor. Mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake in combination with NO production triggers the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, culminating in delayed cell death.
Higher face recognition ability in girls: Magnified by own-sex and own-ethnicity bias

Earlier studies on adults have shown sex differences in face recognition. Women tend to recognise more faces of other women than men do, whereas there are no sex differences with regard to male faces. In order to test the generality of earlier findings and to examine potential reasons for the observed pattern of sex differences, two groups of Swedish 9-year-old children (n = 101 and n = 96) viewed faces of either Swedish or Bangladeshi children and adults for later recognition. Results showed that girls outperformed boys in recognition of female faces, irrespective of ethnicity and age of the faces. Boys and girls recognised Swedish male faces to an equal extent, whereas girls recognised more Bangladeshi male faces than boys did. These results indicate that three factors explain the magnitude of sex differences in face recognition: an overall female superior face recognition ability, the correspondence between the sex of viewer and the gender of the face, and prior knowledge of the ethnicity of the face.
Hepatitis B and hepatitis C viral infections in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

BACKGROUND Whether chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections contribute to the pathogenesis and⁄or course of chronic lymphocytic leukemia is unclear. OBJECTIVE To document the prevalences of HBV and HCV infections in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients, and to determine whether infected patients experience more aggressive disease than those without infection. METHODS Patient sera were screened for antibodies to HBV core antigen and HCV (anti-HCV) using ELISA; both sera and peripheral blood lymphocytes were further tested (regardless of antibody results) for HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Prognostic markers for chronic lymphocytic leukemia included Rai stage, IgVH mutational status, β2-microglobulin levels, Zap-70 and CD38 status. RESULTS Fourteen of 222 (6.3%) chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients and two of 72 (2.8%) healthy controls tested positive for previous or ongoing HBV infection (OR 2.4 [95% CI 0.5 to 7.7]; P=0.25) while four of 222 (1.8%) chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients and one of 72 (1.4%) controls tested positive for HCV markers (OR 1.3 [95% CI 0.2 to 6.4]; P=0.81). The levels and distribution of the various indicators of aggressive chronic lymphocytic leukemia disease were similar among HBV- and HCV-infected and uninfected patients. Survival times were also similar. Occult HBV and HCV infection (HBV-DNA or HCV-RNA positive in the absence of diagnostic serological markers) were uncommon in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients (0.5% and 1.8%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study do not support the hypothesis that HBV or HCV infections play an important role in the pathogenesis or course of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.