Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proteomic profiling of a robust Wolbachia infection in an Aedes albopictus mosquito cell line

Wolbachia pipientis, a widespread vertically transmitted intracellular bacterium, provides a tool for insect control through manipulation of host–microbe interactions. We report proteomic characterization of wStr, a Wolbachia strain associated with a strong cytoplasmic incompatibility phenotype in its native host, Laodelphax striatellus. In the Aedes albopictus C/wStr1 mosquito cell line, wStr maintains a robust, persistent infection. MS/MS analyses of gel bands revealed a protein ‘footprint’ dominated by Wolbachia‐encoded chaperones, stress response and cell membrane proteins, including the surface antigen WspA, a peptidoglycan‐associated lipoprotein and a 73 kDa outer membrane protein. Functional classifications and estimated abundance levels of 790 identified proteins suggested that expression, stabilization and secretion of proteins predominate over bacterial genome replication and cell division. High relative abundances of cysteine desulphurase, serine/glycine hydroxymethyl transferase, and components of the α‐ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex in conjunction with above average abundances of glutamate dehydrogenase and proline utilization protein A support Wolbachia genome‐based predictions for amino acid metabolism as a primary energy source. wStr expresses 15 Vir proteins of a Type IV secretion system and its transcriptional regulator. Proteomic characterization of a robust insect‐associated Wolbachia strain provides baseline information that will inform further development of in vitro protocols for Wolbachia manipulation.
Criterios de fractura para alambres

Se ha estudiado el problema de la fractura de armaduras de acero en las que existe una fisura en forma de lunula, como es el caso de las generadas por fatiga o corrosion bajo tension. Utilizando los principios de mecanica de fractura se han llegado a establecer cinco criterios de fractura para alambres que permiten predecir el esfuerzo de traccion que provocara la rotura del alambre conocidos su estado de fisuracion y las caracteristicas del material que lo constituye. Cada uno de los criterios cubre un grado distinto en cuanto al estado de plastificacion del alambre, yendo desde el comportamiento elastico-lineal hasta la plastificacion total. La experimentacion realizada ha permitido comprobar la validez de los criterios y determinar cual es el aplicable a cada material segun su ductilidad y anisotropia. Finalmente, se han establecido los casos en que es posible, a efectos de aplicar el criterio, caracterizar la resistencia a fractura del material mediante ensayo normalizado.
Effects of croton urucurana extracts and crude resin on Anagasta kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Hundreds of plant species have been studied in orde r to find out the active ingredient responsible for their insecticidal activity against the pests of economic importance. To verify the insecticidal activity in the husk of stem of Croton urucurana Baillon 1864 (Euphorbiaceae) against Anagasta kuehniella Zeller 1879 (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), the methanolic (EMeOH) extract, dichlor omethane fraction (FDM), ethyl acetate fraction (FA E) and crude resin, incorporated into an artificial diet w ere evaluated. EMeOH (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0%) and crude resin (2.0%) interfered with neither the weight nor the survival of fourth instar larvae and other analyzed paramet ers. FDM (2.0%) fraction caused mortality of 65%, and the ar tificial diet containing 2.0, 1.0 and 0.5% FAE caus ed 100, 55 and 68% mortality respectively when compared with t he control, confirming the least efficiency rates o f food conversion for FDM(2.0%) and FAE(1.0%). The tryptic analysis performed with the midgut fluid of fourth -instar larvae demonstrated that tryptic and chymiotryptic activities for the larvae fed artificial diet containing EMeOH and crude resin were not different.
Exploring the binding features of polybrominated diphenyl ethers as estrogen receptor antagonists: docking studies

The polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) accumulating in nature are known to be endocrine-disrupting compounds. Of first concern are those interacting with and altering activity of the human estrogen receptor alpha (hERα). In this study a docking study was carried out to explore the binding modes of PBDE compounds as hERα antagonists. It was found that some of the PBDE compounds with antiestrogenic activity extended into the channel of the estrogen receptor (ER), which is usually occupied by the alkylamine side chain of the ER antagonists raloxifene (RAL) and 4-hydroxytamoxifen (OHT), while most PBDE compounds without antiestrogenic activity adopted binding modes similar to that of ER agonist 17β-estradiol (E2), located in the binding cavity and which did not protrude into the channel. The present study suggests that pose comparison based on docking is useful for discriminating whether or not PBDE compounds have antiestrogenic activity. Knowing the binding modes of compounds in hERα can help to screen out antiestrogenic compounds and further develop descriptive and predictive models in ecotoxicology.
Tamoxifen (Selective Estrogen-Receptor Modulators) and Aromatase Inhibitors as Potential Perioperative Thrombotic Risk Factors in Free Flap Breast Reconstruction

Background: Selective estrogen-receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors have become ubiquitous in the treatment of breast cancer. However, hormone therapy is a well-established thromboembolic risk factor. The purpose of this study is two-fold: (1) to further evaluate tamoxifen as a potential thrombotic risk factor and (2) to evaluate use of aromatase inhibitors as a potential novel risk factor. Methods: Abdominally based free flaps were reviewed from January of 2008 to July of 2012. Preoperative records were used to identify patients receiving selective estrogen-receptor modulators (e.g., tamoxifen) or aromatase inhibitors before reconstruction. Patients were instructed to cease tamoxifen 2 weeks before surgery. Patients were not advised to cease their aromatase inhibitor regimen. Univariate statistical analyses included Fisher’s exact test and the Mann-Whitney U test. A value of p < 0.05 denoted statistical significance. Results: One thousand three hundred forty-seven flaps were performed on 858 patients. There were no statistically significant differences in thrombotic complications or flap failure in comparing those that did not receive preoperative hormone therapy versus those that did receive preoperative hormone therapy, nor were there significant differences specific to those receiving tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors. A post hoc power analysis was performed with the supposition that hormone therapy exposure results in a two-fold increase in complication rate. The study power was found to be 0.863. Conclusions: Tamoxifen may have been previously overestimated as a microvascular thrombotic risk factor. At a minimum, these data suggest that withholding tamoxifen for 2 weeks before surgery can mitigate thrombotic risk.
Setting a new standard for topical therapy of upper-tract transitional-cell carcinoma: BCG and interferon-alpha2B.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE We report our office-based technique and results of BCG and interferon-alpha2B (BCG-IFN) for upper-tract transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC). TECHNIQUE Papillary lesions were ablated endoscopically after biopsy. Office flexible cystoscopy was performed, and a 0.038-inch guidewire or Glidewire was advanced into the renal pelvis. A 5F ureteral catheter was placed over the wire, and a free flow of urine was confirmed. Half-strength BCG + 50 million units of IFN was infused under low pressure for 1 hour. The ureteral catheter was removed, and patients were instructed to void 1 hour later. RESULTS Between 2000 and 2006, 10 patients with a median age of 72 years were treated with BCG-IFN for upper-tract TCC in 11 renal units. Follow-up ureteroscopy with or without biopsy was performed after a 6-week induction to evaluate response. Complete responders were placed on a maintenance regimen. With a median follow-up of 24 months, 8 patients (80%) demonstrated a complete response (CR) to therapy, and 2 had a partial response (decrease in tumor size, number, or both). Six patients with a CR have continued on maintenance therapy. There were no side effects or complications with the instillation therapy. CONCLUSION We describe a safe, minimally invasive, and effective office-based technique for upper-tract BCG-IFN instillation.
A critical examination of the contribution of literal meaning to understanding nonliteral discourse

This paper examines the role that literal meaning plays in the Interpretation of nonliteral discourse. Three types of psychological process models are reviewed: a 'Literal First Model'where the literal Interpretation of a nonliteral sentence is always computed before the conveyed meaning isderived, a 'Multiple Meaning Model' where the literal and nonliteral meanings ofa nonliteral sentence are simultaneously computed dunng understanding, and a 'Conventional Meaning Model' where the conventional meaning ofa nonliteral sentence is examined first dunng understanding before any possible literal Interpretation is analyzed. It is argued that the first two models do not account for the experimental data in the literature äs well äs the 'Conventional Meaning Model'. Many traditional ideas about literal meaning äs context-free sentence meaning are criticized and it is suggested that literal or componential meaning plays little role in understanding conventional, nonliteral discourse.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Mycophenolate in Patients After Renal Transplantation

Mycophenolic-acid (MPA) is a selective, non-competitive inhibitor of InosineMonophosphate-Dyhydrogenase (IMPDH) leading to the inhibition of the de-novo synthesis of guanosine-nucleotides. In human lymphocytes inhibition of IMPDH results in altered cellular proliferation with arrest in the S-phase of the cell cycle. Due to the absence of a salvage pathway, proliferating activated t-cells are severely affected by the inhibitory effects of MPA (1-3). For patients after renal transplantation MPA is used either as mycophenolate-mofetil (MMF, Cellcept) or as enteric-coated mycophenolate-Sodium (ECMPS, Myfortic) in daily doses of 2000 mg respectively 1440 mg per day.
The Application of the Heuristic-Systematic Processing Model to Treatment Decision Making about Prostate Cancer

The study investigated the utility of the Heuristic-Systematic Processing Model as a framework for the investigation of patient decision making. A total of 111 men recently diagnosed with localized prostate cancer were assessed using Verbal Protocol Analysis and self-report measures. Study variables included men’s use of nonsystematic and systematic information processing, desire for involvement in decision making, and the individual differences of health locus of control, tolerance of ambiguity, and decision-related uncertainty. Most men (68%) preferred that decision making be shared equally between them and their doctor. Men’s use of the expert opinion heuristic was related to men’s verbal reports of decisional uncertainty and having a positive orientation to their doctor and medical care; a desire for greater involvement in decision making was predicted by a high internal locus of health control. Trends were observed for systematic information processing to increase when the heuristic strategy used was negatively affect laden and when men were uncertain about the probabilities for cure and side effects. There was a trend for decreased systematic processing when the expert opinion heuristic was used. Findings were consistent with the Heuristic-Systematic Processing Model and suggest that this model has utility for future research in applied decision making about health.
Capital Market Imperfections, High-Tech Investment, and New Equity Financing

Highly variable returns, asymmetric information and a lack of collateral should cause small high-tech firms to have poor access to debt. New equity financing has several advantages over debt, but may be costly compared to internal finance. We examine an unbalanced panel of over 2,400 publicly traded US high-tech companies over the period 1981--98. Most small high-tech firms obtain little debt financing. New equity financing, in the form of the initial public offering, is very important and permits a major increase in firm size. After going public, comparatively few firms make heavy use of external finacing. Copyright Royal Economic Society 2002
Sleep Disturbances Among Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Taiwan: Congruence Between Sleep Log and Actigraphy

Sleep disturbances are a common health problem among lung cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the congruence between 2 typical measures of sleep, that is, a sleep log and actigraphy, for 7 consecutive days in non-small-cell lung cancer patients in Taiwan. We used a cross-sectional research design to assess sleep patterns among 39 non-small-cell lung cancer patients. Measurements included a 1-week daily sleep log and wrist actigraphy. Sleep disturbance in this study was defined as one or more of the following: sleep-onset latency of more than 30 minutes, waking episodes per night in excess of two, a total sleep time of 6.5 hours or less, or sleep efficiency of 85% or less. Both the 1-week daily sleep log and wrist actigraphy demonstrated that sleep disturbances were common among these patients (85% and 97%, respectively). Congruence between the 1-week daily sleep log and wrist actigraphy was high (87%), but there were significant differences between the 2 measures of waking episodes. Researchers should be cautious when comparing sleep disturbance rates between studies that use different methods for assessing sleep disturbance. Results from this study have a potential to facilitate assessment of sleep disturbances in lung cancer patients.
Shanghai Rising: Health Improvements as Measured by Avoidable Mortality Since 2000

Over the past two decades, Shanghai, the largest megacity in China, has been coping with unprecedented growth of its economy and population while overcoming previous underinvestment in the health system by the central and local governments. We study the evolution of Shanghai's healthcare system by analyzing "Avoidable Mortality" (AM) - deaths amenable to public health and healthcare interventions, as previously defined in the literature. Based on analysis of mortality data, by cause of death, from the Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, we analyze trends over the period 2000-10 and compare Shanghai's experience to other mega-city regions - New York, London and Paris. Population health status attributable to public health and healthcare interventions improved dramatically for Shanghai's population with permanent residency status. The age-adjusted rate of AM, per 1,000 population, dropped from 0.72 to 0.50. The rate of decrease in age-adjusted AM in Shanghai (30%) was comparable to New York City (30%) and Paris (25%), but lower than London (42%). Shanghai's establishment of the Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention and its upgrading of public health and health services are likely to have contributed to the large decrease in the number and rate of avoidable deaths, which suggests that investments in public health infrastructure and increasing access to health services in megacities - both in China and worldwide - can produce significant mortality declines. Future analysis in Shanghai should investigate inequalities in avoidable deaths and the extent to which these gains have benefitted the significant population of urban migrants who do not have permanent residency status.
OKT3 monoclonal antibody plasma levels during therapy and the subsequent development of host antibodies to OKT3.

OKT3 levels and the presence of human antibodies to OKT3 were determined in the plasma of 66 patients receiving OKT3 monoclonal antibody (5 mg i.v. daily) for the treatment of acute renal allograft rejection. Plasma 24-hr trough levels of OKT3 rose over the first three days and then remained in a steady state over the remainder of the 14-day period of OKT3 therapy, with a mean level of 902 +/- 71 ng/ml (mean + SEM). On termination of OKT3 therapy plasma levels of OKT3 dropped to very low levels after 3 days. Host antibodies, usually of low titer, developed in a number of patients, usually 2-3 weeks after the start of OKT3 therapy. 37/43 patients (86%) who received OKT3 alone developed IgG anti-OKT3 antibodies; 9/23 patients (39%) who received Cytoxan in addition to OKT3 developed IgG anti-OKT3 antibodies, a significantly lower (P = 0.0002) incidence. The present regimens permitted maintenance of adequate levels of circulating OKT3 for 2 weeks, a sufficient time to reverse acute renal allograft rejection in most patients.
On the nature and extent of optically thin marine low clouds

[1] Macrophysical properties of optically thin marine low clouds over the nonpolar oceans (60°S–60°N) are measured using 2 years of full-resolution nighttime data from the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP). Optically thin clouds, defined as the subset of marine low clouds that do not fully attenuate the lidar signal, comprise almost half of the low clouds over the marine domain. Regionally, the fraction of low clouds that are optically thin (fthin,cld) exhibits a strong inverse relationship with the low-cloud cover, with maxima in the tropical trades (fthin,cld > 0.8) and minima in regions of persistent marine stratocumulus and in midlatitudes (fthin,cld< 0.3). Domain-wide, a power law fit describes the cloud length distribution, with exponentβ = 2.03 ± 0.06 (±95% confidence interval). On average, the fraction of a cloud that is optically thin decreases from ∼1 for clouds smaller than 2 km to <0.3 for clouds larger than 30 km. This relationship is found to be independent of region, so that geographical variations in the cloud length distribution explain three quarters of the variance in fthin,cld. Comparing collocated trade cumulus observations from CALIOP and the airborne High Spectral Resolution Lidar reveals that clouds with lengths smaller than are resolvable with CALIOP contribute approximately half of the low clouds in the region sampled. A bounded cascade model is constructed to match the observations from the trades. The model shows that the observed optically thin cloud behavior is consistent with a power law scaling of cloud optical depth and suggests that most optically thin clouds only partially fill the CALIOP footprint.
A prenatal diagnosis of mosaic trisomy 5 reveals a postnatal complete uniparental disomy of chromosome 5 with multiple congenital anomalies

Mosaic trisomy 5 is a very rare condition in liveborns, with few cases reported in the last four decades. There are some reports of prenatally diagnosed mosaic trisomy 5 resulting in phenotypically normal offspring, suggesting a low level of mosaicism, but there are also reports associated with multiple congenital anomalies, cardiovascular malformations, and intrauterine growth restriction. We report an infant male diagnosed with mosaic trisomy 5 (5/15 cells) via amniocentesis. The patient was subsequently found to have uniparental disomy 5 (UPD5) by postnatal chromosome microarray, but high‐resolution chromosome analysis on peripheral blood did not identify trisomy 5. Dysmorphic features included a tall forehead with low anterior hairline, hypertelorism, low‐set ears, and a prominent nose and midface. Other anomalies included bilateral bifid thumbs, hypospadias, a perineal fistula, unilateral multicystic kidney, and decreased subcutaneous fat with loose skin. He had complex congenital heart disease consisting of ventricular and atrial septal defects and polyvalvular defects. The patient died at age one after a prolonged admission. We add this case to the literature with the added benefit of data from a postnatal microarray, which was not available in other cases, to broaden the phenotype of mosaic trisomy 5 and UPD5.With the current available technology, we stress the importance of postnatal genetic testing to confirm prenatal cytogenetic findings in order to further define such phenotypes. This will provide the most accurate information and counseling to affected families.
Psychosocial Differences between Recently HIV Tested and Non-Tested Gay Men Who Reside in Smaller US Cities

Summary: While a number of studies have examined behavioural and psychosocial correlates of HIV test seeking, most of this research has relied on samples of urban gay men. Less is known about HIV testing rates and factors associated with testing among gay and bisexual men who live in smaller cities. The present research administered surveys to 3969 non-exclusively partnered gay and bisexual men attending gay bars in small American cities to determine (a) rates of HIV test seeking, and (b) how tested and non-tested men differed on a battery of psychosocial indices. A total of 68% of men had been tested for antibodies to HIV-50% in the past year. Men tested for HIV in the past year, compared to men never tested for HIV, knew more people who were HIV positive or were diagnosed with AIDS, had a closer relationship with someone who had died of AIDS, were more likely to be ethnic minorities, reported more conversations with friends about safer sex, and had stronger intentions to use condoms during their next intercourse occasion. Our results indicate that HIV counselling and testing programmes comprise an important component of HIV prevention efforts assisting gay men residing in smaller USA cities.
Suppression of Endogenous bcl-2 Expression by Antisense Treatment Exacerbates Ischemic Neuronal Death

Previous studies have shown that overexpression of bcl-2 in transgenic mice or by viral vectors protects the brain against cerebral ischemia. However, it is not known whether bcl-2, which is endogenously expressed in response to ischemia, exerts a protective effect. To address this question, the authors blocked the endogenous expression of bcl-2 after ischemia using antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN). Antisense, sense, scrambled ODN, or vehicles were infused in the lateral ventricle of the rat for 24 hours after 30 minutes of temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion. Twenty-four hours later the brains were removed and bcl-2 protein expression was assayed by Western blot. Antisense ODN, but not sense or scrambled ODN treatment, significantly inhibited bcl-2 protein expression after ischemia. Bcl-2 protein expression was also studied 24 hours after 60 minutes of temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion in vehicle and antisense ODN-treated rats. After 60 minutes of ischemia and vehicle treatment, bcl-2 was expressed in many neurons in the ventral cortical mantle and the medial striatum. After antisense ODN treatment there were few neurons in this region expressing bcl-2, instead most neurons TUNEL labeled. Treatment with the antisense ODN, but not sense ODN, increased infarction volume as determined by cresyl violet staining 72 hours after ischemia compared with vehicle controls. These results suggested that endogenously expressed bcl-2 promoted survival in ischemic neurons and was not simply an epiphenomenon in neurons already destined to live or die.