Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prohormone atrial natriuretic peptides 1-98 and 31-67 increase with exercise in congestive heart failure patients.

Recently two peptides consisting of amino acids (a.a.) 1-30 and 31-67 of the N-terminus of the 126 a.a. prohormone of atrial natriuretic factor (pro ANF), as well as atrial natriuretic factor (ANF, a.a. 99-126; C-terminus) were found to have vasodilatory and natriuretic properties. These peptides, as well as ANF, circulate in man as part of the N-terminus of the prohormone. To determine the effect of graded exercise on the circulating concentration of the N-terminus and C-terminus of the ANF prohormone in persons with abnormal salt and water metabolism, 12 individuals with stable congestive heart failure (CHF) were evaluated before and after bicycle exercise testing and the results were subdivided based on the maximal exercise they could achieve. In all of the CHF patients, the circulating concentration of the whole N-terminus (ie, a.a. 1-98), the midportion of the N-terminus (pro ANF 31-67), which circulates as a distinct 3900 molecular weight (m.w.) peptide after being proteolytically cleaved from the N-terminus, and the C-terminus (ANF) increased with exercise. The patients who were able to achieve 100 and 125 watts of workload had a greater maximal oxygen consumption and, in general, a greater percent increase in the circulating concentration of both the N-terminus and the C-terminus of the ANF prohormone than those who had less exercise capacity. Evaluation of the echocardiographic, radionucleotide, and the exercise parameters revealed that the circulating concentrations of these atrial peptides correlated best with left atrial dimension, but that left ventricular systolic and diastolic dimensions also correlated positively with their concentrations. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Subjective Expected Utility and Referral Decisions in Obesity

Summary Referral decisions of physicians dealing with long-term ambulatory problems are complex phenomena that are not clearly understood. This study was designed to assess the possible rationale behind such decisions in the management of obesity. It examined how well a subjective expected utility (SEU) model accounted for decisions of 45 primary care physicians regarding referral of obese female patients to an endocrinologist. Two patient goals, weight reduction and patient satisfaction, and a two-year time horizon were incorporated in the model. Data were collected using 24 written cases representing 12 patients approximately 100% overweight and 12 about 50% overweight, and a semi-structured interview in which subjective probabilities and importance weights were obtained. Values were calculated by transforming physicians’ ratings of risk of morbidity in the 24 cases into a utility scale. The SEU did not account for the primary care physicians’ referral behavior. Correlations between number of patient cases referred and SEU were analyzed and were not statistically significant, although there was substantial variation across physicians in number of cases referred. Mean subjective probabilities of weight loss and patient satisfaction were essentially identical for referral and non-referral. The formulation of the model, the design of the cases, and the method of value assessment are discussed as potential threats to the validity of the model as an account of referral decisions. Problems of constructing an adequate model are considered.
Spare the (Elastic) Rod

Experiments show that at biologically relevant length scales and under conditions resembling those in cells, DNA does not behave like an elastic rod. Physicists love emergence. From a welter of complex details about a system's constituents, simple and universal rules sometimes emerge that adequately describe the collective behavior of the components. Even if these rules are not completely universal, they often have only a few relevant parameters, a vast simplification compared to the many that describe the constituents individually. But as Vafabakhsh and Ha remind us on page 1097 of this issue (1), emergent behavior can conceal important aspects of a system. Using a beautiful application of fluorescence microscopy, the authors provide the clearest evidence to date that the elastic-rod model for DNA mechanics, an emergent description that works well on long length scales, breaks down on shorter length scales relevant to cell biology.
Alcoholism and the Drunkenness Offender in a Scottish Burgh Police Court

Fifty males were interviewed following their appearance on charges of drunkenness at a Scottish Burgh Police Court. The sample comprised mainly unemployed Scots from the lower social classes who were either separated from their wives or had never married. There were 5 first offenders and the rest of the sample had previous convictions for drunkenness and/or other minor offences. Twenty-nine were physically dependent on alcohol, 16 had a psychological dependence on alcohol, and the remaining 5 were not alcoholics. Although two-thirds expressed a desire for help, the city was lacking in detoxification, counselling and rehabilitation facilities for alcoholics.
A heuristic algorithm for blocked multiple sequence alignment

Blocked multiple-sequence alignment (BMA) refers to the construction of multiple alignments in DNA by first aligning conserved regions into what we call "blocks" and then aligning the regions between successive blocks to form a final alignment. Instead of starting from low-order pairwise alignments, we propose a new way to form blocks by searching for closely related regions in all input sequences, allowing internal spaces in blocks as well as some degree of mismatch. We address the problem of semi-conserved patterns (patterns that do not appear in all input sequences) by introducing into the process two similarity thresholds that are adjusted dynamically according to the input. A method to control the number of blocks is also presented to deal with the situation when input sequences have so many similar regions that it becomes impractical to form blocks by trying every combination. BMA is an implementation of this approach, and our experimental results indicate that this approach is efficient, particularly on large numbers of long sequences with well-conserved regions.
REST/NRSF-Interacting LIM Domain Protein, a Putative Nuclear Translocation Receptor

ABSTRACT The transcriptional repressor REST/NRSF (RE-1 silencing transcription factor/neuron-restrictive silencer factor) and the transcriptional regulator REST4 share an N-terminal zinc finger domain structure involved in nuclear targeting. Using this domain as bait in a yeast two-hybrid screen, a novel protein that contains three LIM domains, putative nuclear localization sequences, protein kinase A phosphorylation sites, and a CAAX prenylation motif was isolated. This protein, which is localized around the nucleus, is involved in determining the nuclear localization of REST4 and REST/NRSF. We propose the name RILP, for REST/NRSF-interacting LIM domain protein, to label this novel protein. RILP appears to serve as a nuclear receptor for REST/NRSF, REST4, and possibly other transcription factors.
Teaching Physics of Everyday Life: Project-based instruction and a collaborative work in undergraduate physics course for nonscience majors

In the current paper, we describe a project-based physical science course for nonscience majors designed and implemented at the University of Texas at Austin during the fall semester of 1999. We focus on practical implications of project-based instruction 1 in motivating nonscience majors in science study, as well as the challenges the students and the instructors encountered during the course. Cognitive, attitudinal and social outcomes of the project-based physical science course as reported by the students throughout the semester are also discussed.
Awareness: An Understudied Cognitive Factor in Behavior Therapy

Taking into consideration the importance of cognitive factors in behavior therapy, this article argues that the role played by awareness has until now been understudied in this field of therapy. A review of the literature concerning verbal conditioning, classical conditioning, knowledge of results as reinforcement, self-monitoring, effectiveness of covert and overt practice in the treatment of phobics, perception of self efficacy, and treatment by habit reversal indicates that awareness is an implicit variable present in each case. A reinterpretation of these areas of research is presented. In addition, when this variable is evaluated systematically, the results indicate that the therapeutic impact of awareness has been underestimated. Some potential clinical applications of this position are discussed as are some new avenues of research.
Species sensitivity distribution evaluation for selenium in fish eggs: Considerations for development of a Canadian tissue‐based guideline

A freshwater Se guideline was developed for consideration based on concentrations in fish eggs or ovaries, with a focus on Canadian species, following the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment protocol for developing guideline values. When sufficient toxicity data are available, the protocol recommends deriving guidelines as the 5th percentile of the species sensitivity distribution (SSD). When toxicity data are limited, the protocol recommends a lowest value approach, where the lowest toxicity threshold is divided by a safety factor (e.g., 10). On the basis of a comprehensive review of the current literature and an assessment of the data therein, there are sufficient egg and ovary Se data available for freshwater fish to develop an SSD. For most fish species, Se EC10 values (10% effect concentrations) could be derived, but for some species, only no‐observed‐effect concentrations and/or lowest‐observed‐effect concentrations could be identified. The 5th percentile egg and ovary Se concentrations from the SSD were consistently 20 µg/g dry weight (dw) for the best‐fitting distributions. In contrast, the lowest value approach using a safety factor of 10 would result in a Se egg and ovary guideline of 2 µg/g dw, which is unrealistically conservative, as this falls within the range of egg and ovary Se concentrations in laboratory control fish and fish collected from reference sites. An egg and ovary Se guideline of 20 µg/g dw should be considered a conservative, broadly applicable guideline, as no species mean toxicity thresholds lower than this value have been identified to date. When concentrations exceed this guideline, site‐specific studies with local fish species, conducted using a risk‐based approach, may result in higher egg and ovary Se toxicity thresholds. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2012;8:6–12. © 2011 SETAC
Whole genome sequencing provides insights into the genetic determinants of invasiveness in Salmonella Dublin

SUMMARY Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Dublin (S. Dublin) is one of the non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS); however, a relatively high proportion of human infections are associated with invasive disease. We applied whole genome sequencing to representative invasive and non-invasive clinical isolates of S. Dublin to determine the genomic variations among them and to investigate the underlying genetic determinants associated with invasiveness in S. Dublin. Although no particular genomic variation was found to differentiate in invasive and non-invasive isolates four virulence factors were detected within the genome of all isolates including two different type VI secretion systems (T6SS) encoded on two Salmonella pathogenicity islands (SPI), including SPI-6 (T6SSSPI-6) and SPI-19 (T6SSSPI-19), an intact lambdoid prophage (Gifsy-2-like prophage) that contributes significantly to the virulence and pathogenesis of Salmonella serotypes in addition to a virulence plasmid. These four virulence factors may all contribute to the potential of S. Dublin to cause invasive disease in humans.
4‐Fluorophenylglycine as a Label for 19F NMR Structure Analysis of Membrane‐Associated Peptides

The non‐natural amino acid 4‐fluorophenylglycine (4F‐Phg) was incorporated into several representative membrane‐associated peptides for dual purpose. The 19F‐substituted ring is directly attached to the peptide backbone, so it not only provides a well‐defined label for highly sensitive 19F NMR studies but, in addition, the D and L enantiomers of the stiff side chain may serve as reporter groups on the transient peptide conformation during the biological function. Besides peptide synthesis, which is accompanied by racemisation of 4F‐Phg, we also describe separation of the epimers by HPLC and removal of trifluoroacetic acid. As a first example, 18 different analogues of the fusogenic peptide “B18” were prepared and tested for induction of vesicle fusion; the results confirmed that hydrophobic sites tolerated 4F‐Phg labelling. Similar fusion activities within each pair of epimers suggest that the peptide is less structured in the fusogenic transition state than in the helical ground state. In a second example, five doubly labelled analogues of the antimicrobial peptide gramicidin S were compared by using bacterial growth inhibition assays. This cyclic β‐sheet peptide could accommodate both L and D substituents on its hydrophobic face. As a third example, we tested six analogues of the antimicrobial peptide PGLa. The presence of d‐4F‐Phg reduced the biological activity of the peptide by interfering with its amphiphilic α‐helical fold. Finally, to illustrate the numerous uses of l‐4F‐Phg in 19F NMR spectroscopy, we characterised the interaction of labelled PGLa with uncharged and negatively charged membranes. Observing the signal of the free peptide in an aqueous suspension of unilamellar vesicles, we found a linear saturation behaviour that was dominated by electrostatic attraction of the cationic PGLa. Once the peptide is bound to the membrane, however, solid‐state 19F NMR spectroscopy of macroscopically oriented samples revealed that the charge density has virtually no further influence on the structure, alignment or mobility of the peptide.
Etiologic heterogeneity in alcoholism

Etiologic heterogeneity in alcohol abuse was evaluated in 195 extended pedigrees, comprising 288 nuclear families of 140 male and 55 female Caucasian American hospitalized alcoholics. Previous adoption studies in Sweden demonstrated differential heritability of two patterns of alcohol abuse in men: type‐2 alcoholism exhibited early onset of abuse associated with criminal behavior, while type‐1 abuse began at a later age, uncomplicated by antisocial traits. Alcohol abuse in female Swedish adoptees was relatively homogeneous and similar to the lateonset, type‐1 abuse. The notion of etiologic heterogeneity, as suggested by the Stockholm Adoption Studies, was examined in the American pedigrees by contrasting the models of familial transmission of susceptibility to alcoholism obtained via segregation analyses of families of male versus female probands. Families of male probands demonstrated significant familial resemblance, accounted for by a multifactorial‐polygenic background in addition to a major (gene) effect. In contrast, familial resemblance in the pedigrees of female probands was attributed solely to a multifactorial‐polygenic effect. We considered whether some families of male alcoholics were similar to families of female probands, who expressed type‐1 abuse predominantly. Pedigrees of male probands were separated in two groups: (1) “female‐like” families had a better likelihood for the model obtained for families of female probands than the one for families of all male probands, (2) “male‐like” families had a better likelihood for the model of familial transmission describing families of all male probands. A statistically significant difference in the pattern of familial transmission was observed between the “male‐like” and “female‐like” groups. Discriminant function analysis of alcohol‐related symptoms showed that the familial subtypes differed in clinical features as well. Alcohol abuse by male relatives in “male‐like” families was characterized by the early onset of inability to abstain entirely from alcohol or lack of desire to stop drinking; in contrast abuse in “female‐like” families was characterized by late onset of guilt feeling and loss of control over binge drinking.
Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections Among Patients with Diarrhea at Wonago Health Center, Southern Ethiopia: A Retrospective Study

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most common infections worldwide. High prevalence is found in people with low socio-economic status, poor living condition, overcrowded areas, poor environmental sanitation, improper garbage disposal, unsafe water supply and unhygienic personal habits. Thus, the objective of this retrospective study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis among patients with diarrhea who visited Wonago health center Southern Ethiopia. Methodology: Institution based retrospective study design was employed. Stool examination records of all patients with diarrhea who visited Wonago health center from September 2010 to September 2012 were included. A total of 10694 stool examination results of those diarrheic patients were analyzed for this study. Samples were examined using direct saline wet mount technique. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 16 and results were shown in percent and prevalence rates. Results: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasite for at least one parasite in this retrospective study was 1776/10694(16.6%). Furthermore, 5.7% of those positive patients were infected by two species of parasites and 4.6%of patients had triple infections. The most prevalent parasites were E. histolytica/dispar 956/1776(53.8%) followed by G. lamblia 420/1776(23.7%) and Taenia species 140/1776(7.9%) respectively. Conclusion: Intestinal parasitosis is highly prevalent in varying magnitude among diarrheic patients who visited Wonago health Center, Southern Ethiopia. E. histolytica/dispar was the most prevalent parasite infecting patients followed by, G. lamblia, Taenia species and H. nana. Because of absence of molecular diagnosis for E. histolytica, over diagnosis might be possible for the high prevalence of amoebiasis.
Retention of generalized hair cell patterns in the inner ear of the primitive flatfish psettodes

Flatfish are a group of uniquely asymmetrical vertebrates, lying always on one side. This postural control depends on the vestibular receptors of the inner ear. From the most primitive living flatfish, orientations of sensory hair cells in the inner ear were mapped by scanning electron microscopy. The maps of the three otolith organs, the three semicircular cristae, and the macula neglecta (newly discovered here for flatfish) show patterns that are very similar to those in many upright teleosts, particularly perches. Thus, peripheral sensory structure does not require modification for the unusual postural control of flatfish.
Sporadic Cutaneous Angiosarcomas: A Proposal for Risk Stratification Based on 69 Cases

Angiosarcomas have traditionally been considered high-grade lesions for which histologic features and grading have played no role in prognostication and, consequently, they have been excluded from the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system. We have, therefore, analyzed 69 cutaneous angiosarcomas seen in consultation and not associated with lymphedema or prior radiation therapy to determine if a combination of histologic and clinical parameters could be used to differentiate indolent from aggressive tumors. The clinical features analyzed included patient age, location, size, depth, and focality of the lesion; the histologic features studied included pattern of growth (vasoformative vs. solid), nuclear grade (high vs. low), necrosis (present/absent), cell type (epithelioid or spindled), extent of inflammatory infiltrate (minimal vs. marked), and mitotic rate. Lesions occurred on the head/neck (49), extremities (15), and trunk (5) of adults (21 to 94 y) and predominated in males (41 males; 28 females). Tumors ranged in size from 0.3 to 15 cm (average 3.1 cm) and involved the papillary (n=9), reticular (n=16), or deep dermis/ subcutis (n=30). They could be predominantly vasoformative (n=28) to solid (greater than 50% solid, n=41). Most lesions were of high (n=65) as opposed to low (n=4) nuclear grade, were mitotically active (0 to 99/10 high power fields), and occasionally displayed necrosis (n=14) and epithelioid features (n=21). Inflammatory infiltrates were minimal in most cases. Follow-up information was obtained for all patients. Recurrences developed in 18 patients (26%) and metastasis in 15 (22%) to the following sites: lung (6), lymph node (7), liver (2), bone (2), and parotid gland (1). Forty-seven patients died (30 of disease) and 22 were alive at last known follow-up (range, 16 to 158 mo; mean, 65; median, 36). Five-year disease-specific survival was 48%. By univariate analysis only older age, anatomic site, necrosis, and epithelioid features correlated with increased mortality. Tumors were stratified into low (n=41) or high (n=28) risk groups based on necrosis and/or epithelioid features. By multivariable analysis, high-risk group (hazard ratio 4.07, P=0.0004) and age >70 (hazard ratio 2.79, P=0.012) were associated with increased mortality, and tumor depth (P=0.048) correlated with the risk of local recurrence. The high-risk group had a significantly worse prognosis than the low-risk group with 3-year survival of 24% and 77%, respectively. No patients with high-risk features survived 5 years. In conclusion, we report that a combination of clinical and histologic features allows stratification of angiosarcoma patients into 2 risk groups that are strongly associated with marked differences in clinical course. These features seem to diminish in importance with increased tumor size and are probably most useful in tumors less than 5 cm in maximum dimension.
Two caspase‐2 transcripts are expressed in rat hippocampus after global cerebral ischemia

Caspase family genes play a critical role in the initiation and execution of programmed cell death. Programmed cell death is an important contributor to neuronal loss following cerebral ischemia. We have performed a series of experiments to investigate the role of a specific caspase, caspase‐2, in the development of delayed neuronal death following transient global ischemia in the rat. A rat ischemic brain cDNA library was screened, and two splice‐variants of caspase‐2 mRNA were identified, caspase‐2S and caspase‐2L, which were highly homologous with the sequences of human and mouse caspase‐2S and caspase‐2L genes, respectively. RT‐PCR demonstrated an increase in expression of both caspase‐2S and caspase‐2L mRNA at 8, 24 and 72 h of reperfusion after global ischemia. The ratio of the two PCR fragments did not change significantly throughout the time course of reperfusion. Western blot with monoclonal antibody specific to the pro‐apoptotic caspase‐2L splice variant revealed an increase in procaspase‐2 (51 kDa) protein from 4 to 72 h following ischemia compared with sham‐operated controls. Furthermore, an approximately 30‐kDa cleavage product appeared at 8 h and increased with increasing duration of reperfusion. Thus, caspase‐2L is both translated and activated following transient global ischemia. Finally, intraventricular administration of the caspase‐2‐like inhibitor (VDVAD‐FMK) 30 min before induction of ischemia decreased the number of CA1 neurons staining positively for DNA damage (Klenow‐labeling assay) and increased the number of healthy‐appearing CA1 neurons (cresyl violet) compared with vehicle‐treated controls. Taken together, the data suggest that caspase‐2 induction and activation are important mediators of delayed neuronal death following transient global ischemia.