Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seroprevalence and Genotype of Hepatitis C Virus among Immigrant Workers from Cambodia and Myanmar in Thailand

Objective: There is a large number of immigrant workers from Cambodia and Myanmar in Thailand. The aim of our study was to determine seroprevalence and genotypes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in this group. Methods: Immigrants aged between 15 and 60 years (1,431 Cambodians and 1,594 Myanmarese) were recruited into this study. Each sample was screened for anti-HCV by ELISA. RNA was extracted from seropositive samples and RT-PCR was performed in order to amplify the HCV core region. Each sample was subsequently sequenced, and the genotype was determined by phylogenetic analysis. Results: The prevalence of HCV infection in immigrant workers from Cambodia and Myanmar was 33 (2.3%) and 27 (1.69%) samples, respectively. Of the anti-HCV-positive individuals, 25 (75.8%) from Cambodia and 15 (55.6%) from Myanmar harbored viral RNA. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the predominant HCV genotypes in this group were 1a, 1b, 3a, 3b and 6 (6e, 6f, 6m, 6p and 6r). Most HCV isolates can be found in Thailand, though some subtypes of HCV-6 are uncommon. Conclusions: This study shows the HCV seroprevalence and genotypes among immigrant Cambodians and Myanmarese which may reflect the prevalence in each country and closely relate to the prevalence in the guest country.
The Rice E3-Ubiquitin Ligase HIGH EXPRESSION OF OSMOTICALLY RESPONSIVE GENE1 Modulates the Expression of ROOT MEANDER CURLING, a Gene Involved in Root Mechanosensing, through the Interaction with Two ETHYLENE-RESPONSE FACTOR Transcription Factors1

Rice root curling, a response to a mechanical barrier that involves the plant hormone jasmonic acid, is modulated by an E3-ubiquitin ligase. Plant roots can sense and respond to a wide diversity of mechanical stimuli, including touch and gravity. However, little is known about the signal transduction pathways involved in mechanical stimuli responses in rice (Oryza sativa). This work shows that rice root responses to mechanical stimuli involve the E3-ubiquitin ligase rice HIGH EXPRESSION OF OSMOTICALLY RESPONSIVE GENE1 (OsHOS1), which mediates protein degradation through the proteasome complex. The morphological analysis of the roots in transgenic RNA interference::OsHOS1 and wild-type plants, exposed to a mechanical barrier, revealed that the OsHOS1 silencing plants keep a straight root in contrast to wild-type plants that exhibit root curling. Moreover, it was observed that the absence of root curling in response to touch can be reverted by jasmonic acid. The straight root phenotype of the RNA interference::OsHOS1 plants was correlated with a higher expression rice ROOT MEANDER CURLING (OsRMC), which encodes a receptor-like kinase characterized as a negative regulator of rice root curling mediated by jasmonic acid. Using the yeast two-hybrid system and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays, we showed that OsHOS1 interacts with two ETHYLENE-RESPONSE FACTOR transcription factors, rice ETHYLENE-RESPONSIVE ELEMENT BINDING PROTEIN1 (OsEREBP1) and rice OsEREBP2, known to regulate OsRMC gene expression. In addition, we showed that OsHOS1 affects the stability of both transcription factors in a proteasome-dependent way, suggesting that this E3-ubiquitin ligase targets OsEREBP1 and OsEREBP2 for degradation. Our results highlight the function of the proteasome in rice response to mechanical stimuli and in the integration of these signals, through hormonal regulation, into plant growth and developmental programs.
Airborne‐pollen pool and mating pattern in a hybrid zone between Pinus pumila and P. parviflora var. pentaphylla

The reproductive isolation barriers and the mating patterns among Pinus pumila, P. parviflora var. pentaphylla and their hybrids were examined by flowering phenology and genetic assays of three life stages: airborne‐pollen grains, adults and seeds, in a hybrid zone on Mount Apoi, Hokkaido, Japan. Chloroplast DNA composition of the airborne‐pollen was determined by single‐pollen polymerase chain reaction. Mating patterns were analysed by estimating the molecular hybrid index of the seed parent, their seed embryos and pollen parents. The observation of flowering phenology showed that the flowering of P. pumila precedes that of P. parviflora var. pentaphylla by about 6 to 10 days within the same altitudinal ranges. Although this prezygotic isolation barrier is effective, the genetic assay of airborne‐pollen showed that the two pine species, particularly P. pumila, still have chances to form F1 hybrid seeds. Both parental species showed a strong assortative mating pattern; F1 seeds were found in only 1.4% of seeds from P. pumila mother trees and not at all in P. parviflora var. pentaphylla. The assortative mating was concluded as the combined result of flowering time differentiation and cross‐incompatibility. In contrast to the parental species, hybrids were fertilized evenly by the two parental species and themselves. The breakdown of prezygotic barriers (intermediate flowering phenology) and cross‐incompatibility may account for the unselective mating. It is suggested that introgression is ongoing on Mount Apoi through backcrossing between hybrids and parental species, despite strong isolation barriers between the parental species.
An investigation of cross striations and myosin filaments in muscle.

1. Electron micrographs were made of myofibrils isolated from frog and other skeletal muscles fixed in formalin. The structure with respect to the location and disposition of the principal cross striations is in good agreement with that previously determined from histological studies.2. The myofibrils are composed of bundles of myosin filaments ranging in width from about 50 to 250 A and extending continuously and in relatively straight lines through the isotropic and anisotropic bands in both the extended and contracted states. The anisotropic bands also contain material of high electron scattering power and affinity for phosphotungstic acid. The distribution of this "A substance" changes with contraction in characteristic fashion. The evidence indicates that the myosin filaments are the contractile units.3. While the myosin filaments have an indefinite length in the intact fibril, they are fragmented extensively during extraction in weakly alkaline salt solutions (method of Greenstein and Edsall). Filam.
Trends in the incidence, demographics, and outcomes of end-stage renal disease due to lupus nephritis in the US from 1995 to 2006.

OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to investigate whether recent advances in lupus nephritis treatment have led to changes in the incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) secondary to lupus nephritis, or in the characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of patients with lupus nephritis ESRD. METHODS Patients with incident lupus nephritis ESRD (1995-2006) were identified in the US Renal Data System. Trends in sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were assessed. We tested for temporal changes in standardized incidence rates (SIRs) for sociodemographic groups using Poisson regression. Changes in rates of waitlisting for kidney transplant, kidney transplantation, and all-cause mortality were examined using crude and adjusted time-to-event analyses. RESULTS We identified 12,344 incident cases of lupus nephritis ESRD. Mean age at ESRD onset was 41 years; 81.6% of the patients were women and 49.5% were African American. SIRs for lupus nephritis ESRD among those who were ages 5-39 years, African American, or lived in the southeastern US increased significantly from 1995 to 2006. Increases in body mass index and in the prevalence of both diabetes mellitus and hypertension were detected. Mean serum hemoglobin level at ESRD onset increased, while that of serum creatinine decreased over time. More patients received hemodialysis and fewer received peritoneal dialysis. There was a slight increase in the frequency of preemptive kidney transplantation at ESRD onset, but kidney transplantation rates within the first 3 years of ESRD declined. Mortality did not change over the 12 years of study. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that the characteristics of patients with lupus nephritis ESRD and initial therapies have changed in recent years. While SIRs rose in younger patients, among African Americans, and in the South, outcomes did not improve in over a decade of evaluation.
Effects of high-pressure treatment on free fatty acids release during ripening of ewes' milk cheese

The free fatty acid (FFA) profile of high pressure treated ewes' milk cheeses were studied to assess the effect of pressure treatment on cheese lipolysis. Cheeses were treated at 200, 300, 400 or 500 MPa (2P to 5P) at two stages of ripening (after 1 and 15 days of manufacturing; P1 and P15) and FFA were assayed at 1, 15 and 60 d ripening. On the first day of ripening, 3P1-cheeses showed levels of FFA twice that of the control cheeses. However, no significant differences were found between 3P1 and control cheeses at 60 d ripening. On the contrary, 4P1 and 5P1-cheeses had the lowest total FFA levels. The point at which pressure treatment was applied influenced the FFA profile of cheeses; cheeses pressurized at pressures <400 MPa on the first day of ripening were more similar to untreated cheeses than their homologues treated at 15 d.
NERF2, a member of the Ets family of transcription factors, is increased in response to hypoxia and angiopoietin‐1: A potential mechanism for Tie2 regulation during hypoxia

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietins regulate endothelial cell survival and migration and are essential for angiogenesis. Considerable progress has been made towards understanding hypoxia‐mediated regulation of VEGF and its receptors. In contrast, little is known about the regulation of angiopoietins and their receptors in hypoxic cells. Using RT–PCR, RNAase protection assay, and Western blotting, we found that Tie1 and Tie2 mRNA and protein levels increased in response to hypoxia in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Previously, we have shown that NERF2, a member of Ets family of transcription factors that is specifically expressed in endothelial cells, binds to the promoter region of Tie2 and transactivates Tie2 expression. In this study, we show that expression of NERF2 was increased under hypoxia and that this increase temporally correlated with the increase in Tie2 expression. Hypoxia‐induced expression of NERF2 and Tie2 was blocked by angiopoietin‐2, a competitive inhibitor of angiopoietin‐1, and by recombinant soluble extracellular domain of Tie2 but not by VEGF‐neutralizing antibodies. In addition, angiopoietin‐1 directly induced expression of NERF2 in quiescent cells. These novel findings suggest that angiopoietin‐1 regulates expression of NERF2 and its own receptor in hypoxic cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 85: 505–515, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Lubrication of Animal Joints in Relation to Surgical Reconstruction by Arthroplasty *

The accepted theory of joint lubrication is that of MacConaill (1932), who assembled arguments to show that it was an example of hydrodynamic or full-film lubrication. The principal argument in applying the hydrodynamic theory to animal joints was the anatomical fact that in joints the curvatures of articulating surfaces are not completely congruous throughout their whole arc of movement. It was observed by Walmsley (1917, 1928) that the surfaces of the knee and hip are exactly congruous only in the position of full extension, which is the position of the motionless erect stance, but that in the arc employed for walking or running the convex surface has a slightly smaller radius than the concave surface. This presented to MacConaill's mind the existence of wedge-shaped spaces, occupied by wedge-shaped films of synovial fluid; it is the essence of the hydrodynamic theory that fluid pressure is generated in a wedge of lubricant as a result of the motion of the surfaces and that this pressure supports the load and keeps the sliding surfaces separated on a cushion of lubricant (Fig. 1). Even before examining the problem experimentally in animal joints, there are theoretical criticisms which make the hydrodynamic theory unlikely. Firstly, the articular cartilage, which is present as layer about I in. thick over the sliding surfaces of the joint, is very resilient, being easily indented by pressure of the thumb-nail. An ankle-joint of an adult male has a projected surface area of less than 2 sq. in. , so that a man weighing 12 st. carrying a l-cwt. load on his shoulders will expose an anklejoint to pressures of about 150 lb. per sq. in. There can be little doubt that these resilient surfaces are intimately applied to each other over the whole area especially when carrying loads.
Modulation of T-cell activation through protein kinase C- or A-dependent signalling pathways synergistically increases human immunodeficiency virus long terminal repeat induction by cytomegalovirus immediate-early proteins

By using human CD4+ lymphoblastoid T cells transiently cotransfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV), we tested whether modulation of T-cell activation through the protein kinase C (PKC) or the protein kinase A (PKA) pathway synergized with CMV immediate-early (IE) proteins in HIV long terminal repeat (LTR) transactivation. Stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate, tumor necrosis factor, or cross-linked antibodies to CD3 and CD28 resulted in modest enhancement (two- to fourfold) of the activity of a luciferase expression vector under control of the HIV LTR. Cotransfection of a vector expressing the CMV IE1 and IE2 proteins under the control of their own promoter enhanced HIV LTR activity 16- to 49-fold. Combination of any one of the above stimuli and CMV IE expression amplified HIV LTR activity 99- to 624-fold. Stimulation of PKA-dependent pathways with forskolin, 8-bromo cyclic AMP, or prostaglandin E2 had a minimal effect on HIV LTR activity, whereas such stimuli resulted in synergistic amplification in cells cotransfected with CMV IE (three- to fivefold increases over the effects of CMV IE alone). This synergism was independent of the NF-kappa B binding motifs within the HIV LTR. CMV IE2, but not IE1, protein induced HIV transactivation and synergized with signals modulating T-cell activation. The intense synergism observed was superior to the increase in IE protein expression following PKC activation by phorbol myristate acetate. Treatment of cells with PKC inhibitor GF109203X blocked most of the observed synergism. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effect of nitrendipine on coronary flow and ventricular hypertrophy in hypertension.

Calcium entry blockers have direct myocardial and vascular effects that can influence the way the heart responds to their use as antihypertensive agents. Nitrendipine was therefore given to renovascular hypertensive rats (two-kidney, one clip Goldblatt) (RHR, n = 8) and age-matched shamoperated controls (ShC, n = 8) to determine the effects of this calcium entry blocker on left ventricular hypertrophy and coronary blood flow (CBF). Nine untreated RHR and eight untreated ShC served as control groups. After 6 weeks of therapy (20 mg subcutaneously (s.c), four times daily), systemic hemodynamics and CBF were determined using radioactive microspheres (15 /x) injected through the left atrium in conscious unrestrained rats. Nitrendipine reduced blood pressure (BP) significantly in both RHR (from 209 ± 7.7 (SE) mm Hg to 159 ± 5.7, p < 0.01) and ShC (from 132 ±3 .1 mm Hg to 112 ± 2.8, p < 0.05). Left ventricular hypertrophy of RHR regressed toward normal (from 3.46 ± 0.15 mg/g to 2.82 ± 0.09, p < 0.01) but left ventricular mass (LVM) was unchanged in treated sham controls. In both treated and untreated rats, a significant correlation was found between blood pressure and LVM (r = 0.955, p < 0.001 in untreated groups, and r = 0.729, p < 0.005 in treated groups), but the line defining the regression equation was shifted toward the LVM axis in the treated group.
An exploration of group compassion-focused therapy for personality disorder.

BACKGROUND People with personality disorders, especially those who also experience high self-criticism and shame, are known to be a therapeutic challenge and there is a high dropout rate from therapy. Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) was designed to address shame and self-criticism specifically, and to develop people's ability to be self-reassuring and more compassionate to themselves and others. AIMS This study explored how CFT affected self-criticism and self-attacking thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, as well as the general symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression of a personality disordered group within an outpatient group setting, and evaluated the extent of maintenance at a 1-year follow-up. A secondary objective was to identify some of the key characteristics that such an intervention would require. This was a pilot study exploring the feasibility, acceptability, and potential value of CFT in treating this difficult population and, as such, was designed as a pre-randomized controlled trial (RCT) to provide evidence to support applications for funding for an RCT. METHODS AND DESIGN This study utilized a mixed method combining qualitative and quantitative methods to support a programme evaluation. Eight participants were introduced to the evolutionary-based CFT model and taken through explorations of the nature of self-criticism and shame. In subsequent sessions, participants were taught the main compassion-focused exercises, and any difficulties were addressed. The group was asked to share their personal stories and experiences of practicing self-compassion and to develop compassionate encouragement for each other. Self-report measures were administered at the beginning, end, and at a 1-year follow-up. RESULTS This 16-week group therapy was associated with significant reductions in shame measured by the Others as Shamer Scale (OAS), social comparison on the Social Comparison Scale (SCS) feelings of hating oneself, and an increase in abilities to be self-reassuring on the Self-Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale (FSCRS), depression and stress measured by the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS). There were significant changes on all CORE variables, well-being, risk, functioning, and problems. Also interesting was that all variables showed a trend for continued improvement at 1-year follow-up, albeit statistically non-significant. A content analysis revealed that patients had found it a moving and very significant process in their efforts to develop emotional regulation and self-understanding. CONCLUSION CFT, delivered in a routine psychotherapy department for personality disorders, revealed a beneficial impact on a range of outcome measures. These improvements were maintained and further changes noted at 1-year follow-up. Further research is needed to explore the benefits of CFT using more detailed analysis and RCTs.
The Effect of Framing and Normative Messages in Building Support for Climate Policies

Deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions are required to mitigate climate change. However, there is low willingness amongst the public to prioritise climate policies for reducing emissions. Here we show that the extent to which Australians are prepared to reduce their country's CO2 emissions is greater when the costs to future national income are framed as a “foregone-gain”—incomes rise in the future but not by as much as in the absence of emission cuts—rather than as a “loss”—incomes decrease relative to the baseline expected future levels (Studies 1 & 2). The provision of a normative message identifying Australia as one of the world's largest CO2 emitters did not increase the amount by which individuals were prepared to reduce emissions (Study 1), whereas a normative message revealing the emission policy preferences of other Australians did (Study 2). The results suggest that framing the costs of reducing emissions as a smaller increase in future income and communicating normative information about others' emission policy preferences are effective methods for leveraging public support for emission cuts.
Anxiolytic Effect of Progesterone is Mediated by the Neurosteroid Allopregnanolone at Brain GABAA Receptors

Previous studies from this laboratory have shown that progesterone (PROG) treatment in ovariectomized rats produces an anti‐anxiety response similar to that observed after the administration of prototypical anxiolytic benzodiazepine (BDZ) compounds. The PROG‐induced anxiolytic response was highly correlated with an increased level of 3α‐hydroxy‐5α‐pregnan‐20‐one (allopregnanolone) in the blood and brain, and was also associated with a facilitation of GABA‐stimulated chloride ion (Cl−) influx in cortical synaptoneurosomes. This correlative evidence suggested that the anxiolytic effect of PROG was a result of its in vivo reduction to the neuroactive steroid, allopregnanolone. In this report, a series of studies was conducted to determine the mechanism(s) by which PROG alters behavior in animal models of anxiety. In the first experiment, ovariectomized rats were injected with PROG (1 mg/0.2 ml, SC) 4 h prior to a test in the elevated plus‐maze. Some animals also received an injection of picrotoxin (0.75 mg/kg, IP), a GABAA receptor‐gated Cl− channel antagonist, whereas other animals were pretreated with RU 38486 (5 mg/0.2 ml, SC), a progestin receptor antagonist. PROG elicited anxiolytic behavior in the plus‐maze, an effect that was blocked by picrotoxin administration. Pretreatment with RU 38486 was not effective in altering PROG‐induced anxiolytic behavior in the plus‐maze. In a second experiment, the effect of PROG on behavior in the plus‐maze was determined in the presence of N,N‐diethyl‐4‐methyl‐3‐oxo‐4‐aza‐5α‐androstane‐17β‐carboxamide (4‐MA; 10 mg/0.2 ml, SC), a 5α‐reductase inhibitor. The enzyme inhibitor was potent in preventing the anxiolytic effect observed in the plus‐maze after PROG administration. In the defensive burying paradigm, PROG treatment also produced anxiolysis by reducing the duration of burying behavior, and this effect was prevented by 4‐MA pretreatment, but not by RU 38486 administration. After the completion of the behavioral assays, analysis of blood allopregnanolone levels revealed a marked increase in PROG‐treated females. The PROG‐induced elevation in circulating allopregnanolone was blocked by pretreatment with 4‐MA. In cortical synaptoneurosomes, the sensitivity (inverse of the EC50) and the maximal response (Emax) in GABA‐stimulated 36Cl− uptake were increased in PROG‐treated females. The potentiation of PROG on both of these neurochemical measures was not observed in animals pretreated with 4‐MA. Together, these studies provide evidence that the anxiolytic effect of PROG is not associated with an intracellular steroid receptor that initiates genomic‐mediated responses. The evidence is consistent with a nongenomic mechanism whereby PROG is metabolized to allopregnanolone, a neuroactive steroid that potentiates GABAA receptor‐mediated responses.