Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of neuropeptide Y on L‐type calcium current in guinea‐pig ventricular myocytes

1 Neuropeptide Y (NPY) reduces cell shortening at high concentrations in guinea‐pig ventricular myocytes. We have studied the effects of the peptide on calcium current in cardiac myocytes. 2 We have recorded L‐type calcium current in guinea‐pig ventricular myocytes under conditions in which the effects of other overlapping currents have been minimised by using Na+‐free, K+‐free external solution and patch‐clamp electrodes containing Cs+. 3 Peak inward calcium current is reduced by NPY at concentrations in excess of 1 nM, and maximal inhibition (31%) was found at and above concentrations of 100 nM. The IC50 value for NPY inhibition of peak calcium current was 1.72 nM. 4 NPY had no effect on the voltage‐dependence of calcium current amplitude, on the time course of current inactivation, or on the voltage‐dependence of the steady‐state gating variables. 5 NPY did not reduce the calcium current in the presence of 8‐Br‐cyclic AMP, and it was also without effect when GTP‐γ‐S or GDP‐β‐S were included in the patch pipette. 6 We conclude that in guinea‐pig ventricular myocytes NPY acts at low concentration to reduce L‐type calcium current, via a G‐protein‐mediated pathway and reduction in intracellular cyclic AMP.
Mass Spectrometric Characterization of Proteins from the SARS Virus

A new coronavirus has been implicated as the causative agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). We have used convalescent sera from several SARS patients to detect proteins in the culture supernatants from cells exposed to lavage another SARS patient. The most prominent protein in the supernatant was identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) as a ∼46-kDa species. This was found to be a novel nucleocapsid protein that matched almost exactly one predicted by an open reading frame in the recently published nucleotide sequence of the same virus isolate (>96% coverage). A second viral protein corresponding to the predicted ∼139-kDa spike glycoprotein has also been examined by MALDI-TOF MS (42% coverage). After peptide N-glycosidase F digestion, 12 glycosylation sites in this protein were confirmed. The sugars attached to four of the sites were also identified. These results suggest that the nucleocapsid protein is a major immunogen that may be useful for early diagnostics, and that the spike glycoprotein may present a particularly attractive target for prophylactic intervention in combating SARS.
Use and safety of heparin-free maintenance hemodialysis in the USA.

BACKGROUND Although heparin is used to anticoagulate the extracorporeal circuit for most patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD), some patients undergo heparin-free HD. We describe the determinants of heparin-free HD and its association with adverse outcomes using data from a national dialysis provider merged with Medicare claims. METHODS We identified patients aged ≥67 years with no recent history of warfarin use who initiated maintenance HD from 2007 to 2008. We applied the Cox regression to a propensity score-matched cohort to estimate the hazards of all-cause mortality, bleeding (gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hemorrhagic stroke, other hemorrhage), atherothrombosis (ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism). RESULTS Among 12 468 patients, 836 (6.7%) were dialyzed heparin-free. In multivariable-adjusted analyses, a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, hemorrhagic stroke and lower hemoglobin and platelet counts were associated with higher odds of heparin-free HD. Heparin-free HD use also varied as much as 4-fold by facility region. We found no significant association of heparin-free HD with all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 1.08; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.94-1.26], bleeding (HR 1.15; 95% CI: 0.83-1.60), atherothrombosis (HR 1.09, 95% CI: 0.90-1.31) or VTE (HR 1.23, 95% CI: 0.93-1.64) compared with HD with heparin. CONCLUSIONS Patient markers of increased risk of bleeding and facility region associated with heparin-free HD use. Despite the potential benefits of avoiding heparin use, heparin-free HD was not significantly associated with decreased hazards of death, bleeding or thrombosis, suggesting that it may be no safer than HD with heparin.
A randomized clinical trial of a single dose of ramosetron for the prevention of vomiting after strabismus surgery in children: a dose-ranging study.

BACKGROUND Postoperative vomiting (POV) after pediatric strabismus surgery remains a major problem. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a single dose of ramosetron, a new serotonin antagonist, for preventing POV in children undergoing strabismus surgery. METHOD In a prospective, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study, 80 children (38 boys and 42 girls), aged 4 to 10 years, scheduled for strabismus surgery, received intravenously either placebo or ramosetron at 1 of 3 different doses (3 microg/kg, 6 microg/kg, or 12 microg/kg) (n = 20 each) at the end of the surgical procedure. A standard general anesthetic technique was used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Emetic episodes were recorded and safety assessments performed during the first and second 24-hour periods (ie, 0-24 and 24-48 hours) after receiving anesthesia. RESULTS The rate of patients who were emesis-free (defined as no retching and no vomiting), during the 0- to 24-hour period after anesthesia was 35% with 3 microg/kg of ramosetron (P = .37), 90% with 6 microg/kg of ramosetron (P = .001), and 90% with 12 microg/kg of ramosetron (P = .001) compared with placebo (25%). The corresponding rate during the 24- to 48-hour period after anesthesia was 40% (P = .371), 90% (P = .001), and 90% (P = .001), respectively, compared with placebo (30%). No clinically important adverse events were observed in any group. CONCLUSIONS A 6-microg/kg dose of ramosetron is sufficient, but a 3-microg/kg dose is insufficient for preventing POV during the 0- to 48-hour period after anesthesia in children undergoing strabismus surgery. Increasing the dose to 12 microg/kg of ramosetron provides no demonstrable additional benefit.
Bordetella parapertussis and Bordetella bronchiseptica contain transcriptionally silent pertussis toxin genes

Pertussis toxin, the major virulence factor of Bordetella pertussis, is not produced by the closely related species Bordetella parapertussis and Bordetella bronchiseptica. It is shown here that these two species possess but do not express the complete toxin operon. Nucleotide sequencing of an EcoRI fragment of 5 kilobases comprising the regions homologous to the pertussis toxin genes shows that in this region, B. parapertussis and B. bronchiseptica are 98.5% and 96% homologous, respectively, to B. pertussis. The changes (mostly base pair substitutions) in many cases are identical in B. parapertussis and B. bronchiseptica, suggesting that these two species derive from a common ancestor. Many of the mutations common to B. parapertussis and B. bronchiseptica involve the promoter region, which becomes very inefficient. The S1 subunits of both species, when expressed in Escherichia coli, have the same ADP-ribosylating activity as the S1 subunit from B. pertussis, indicating that the mutations in the S1 gene described here do not affect its function.
Patterns of barbell acceleration during the snatch in weightlifting competition

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the association between weightlifting performance and vertical barbell acceleration patterns. Barbell kinematic time-series data were tracked from 18 snatches from six weightlifters during a regional weightlifting competition. These data were used to calculate vertical barbell accelerations. Time-series data were normalised to 100% of lift phase, defined as the time interval between barbell lift-off and maximum height of the barbell during each snatch lift. The time-series data were then entered into a pattern recognition algorithm that extracted principal patterns and calculated principal pattern scores. Body mass-normalised lift weight, which was used to quantify weightlifting performance, was significantly correlated (r = 0.673; P = 0.033) with a pattern that captured a difference in peak vertical barbell acceleration between the transition and the second pull phase. This correlation indicated that barbell acceleration profiles of higher weight snatch lifts were characterised by smaller decreases in acceleration during the second knee bend and smaller peak acceleration during the second pull phase. Weightlifting coaches and sports scientist should monitor and track vertical acceleration of the barbell, with focus on acceleration profiles that limit (1) deceleration during the transition phase between the first and second pull and (2) peak acceleration during the second pull phase of the snatch.
Human bocavirus infections are common in Beijing population indicated by sero-antibody prevalence analysis.

BACKGROUND Human bocavirus (HBoV) is a newly identified human parvovirus that was originally detected in the respiratory secretions of children with respiratory infections. This study aimed to learn about the importance of HBoV infections by revealing the prevalence of serum antibodies against HBoV in Beijing population. METHODS Two batches of serum specimens collected in different periods were tested by Western blotting for specific IgG against HBoV using recombinant VP2 as antigen. RESULTS Out of 677 serum specimens collected during April 1996 to March 1997, 400 (59.1%) were positive and antibody positive rate for another batch of 141 serum specimens collected in August, 2005 from adults aged from 20 years to over 60 years was 78.7% (111/141). Comparison of the sero-prevalence profiles for serum specimens collected during 1996 - 1997 to those collected in 2005 indicated that the antibody positive rate for specimens collected in 2005 was higher than that of the corresponding age groups collected during 1996 - 1997. CONCLUSIONS The data suggest that HBoV has been circulating in Beijing population for at least over 10 years, and most of children had been exposed to HBoV by age of 7 years. Higher HBoV antibody positive rate shown in the serum specimens collected in 2005 suggested that infections by HBoV have been increased in Beijing population in recent years.
Characterizing Energy Usage of a Commercially Available Ground Robot: Method and Results

Energy usage by mobile robots is becoming a larger concern as autonomous systems increase mission durations. Understanding and characterizing energy usage is key to reliable mission operation. This paper presents a methodology for characterizing energy usage of a ground robot traveling at a constant speed applicable to both open and “black box” (proprietary) platforms. To address testing area limitations, we introduce a “rounded box” path to approximate straight line travel. For a case study, this methodology was applied to an iRobot Packbot on grass and asphalt surfaces. Our results show a decrease in electrical energy used with increasing speed for soft grass and constant energy usage on asphalt. For both surfaces, a similar electrical‐to‐mechanical efficiency curve is obtained.
Pancreatic Expression of Immunoglobulin G in Human Pancreatic Cancer and Associated Diabetes

Objectives The prognosis of pancreatic cancer (PC) is poor and the pathogenesis of PC-associated diabetes is unknown. We investigated the possible expression of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in human pancreatic carcinomas and adjacent pancreatic islets to gain a better understanding of these diseases. Methods We employed immunohistochemistry, Western Blot, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and in situ hybridization to examine IgG expression in PC tissues and adjacent islets with and without cancer-associated diabetes. The IgG mRNA and IgG synthesizing–related enzymes were examined in PC cell lines. The IgG expression and secretion were downregulated with specific small interfering RNA and antibody to IgG followed by flow cytometry to assess its effect on apoptosis of cultured PC cells. Results The expression of IgG was detected in pancreatic carcinoma and adjacent islets. Small interfering RNA and antibody treatments induced apoptosis in PC cell lines. In the carcinoma tissue, the levels of IgG expression varied depending on the stages of the cancers with more malignant cancers expressing more IgG (P < 0.05). The IgG levels in cancer cells were also increased when the patients had diabetes or hyperglycemia (P < 0.05). In addition, the extent of IgG expression in the seemingly normal islet cells adjacent to the tumor varied in relation to the grade of cancer differentiation and distance to the cancer nests. Conclusions (1) Immunoglobulin G was locally produced by PC cells and adjacent islet cells. (2) Immunoglobulin G may promote tumor growth by inhibiting cancer cell apoptosis. (3) Locally produced IgG might play a role in PC-associated diabetes.
D-dimer testing for suspected venous thromboembolism in the emergency department. Consensus document of AcEMC, CISMEL, SIBioC, and SIMeL

Abstract D-dimer testing is currently considered a cornerstone in the diagnostic approach of patients with suspected venous thromboembolism (VTE) across different health-care settings, including the emergency department (ED). Nevertheless, inappropriate or incorrect activities developing throughout the total testing process may substantially impair the clinical usefulness of this test and delay or even challenge the fast rule out or diagnosis of VTE. The leading problem of D-dimer is represented by the poor specificity for diagnosing VTE, wherein a minority of patients with a positive D-dimer are finally diagnosed with VTE, and even more importantly, the specificity further decreases with ageing, thus contributing to increase the overcrowding in short stay units such as the ED. Due to the large heterogeneity that characterizes the use of D-dimer in the emergency room, three Italian societies of laboratory medicine (Italian Committee for Standardization of Hematology and Laboratory Methods, Italian Society of Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Italian Society of Laboratory Medicine), along with the Academy of Emergency Medicine and Care, have developed a consensus document about the use of D-dimer testing for diagnostics of patients with suspected VTE in this health-care setting. The evidence-based indications contained in this document will cover the leading preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical issues that may impair the clinical efficacy of D-dimer testing in the ED.
FISH Mapping for Physical Map Improvement in the Large Genome of Barley: A Case Study on Chromosome 2H

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has been an efficient way for integrating physical and genetic maps of various small genomes like rice, sorghum and Brachypodium; whereas in the large genomes like barley, the repetitive nature of the genome complicates the generation and detection of single-copy FISH probes. Here, we used exemplarily physical map contigs of a defined interval of the long arm of barley chromosome 2H to evaluate the potential of FISH-based mapping as a supportive means for genetic anchoring of the physical map and to resolve the linear order of contigs along the respective chromosome. Repeat-free FISH probes corresponding to 8 previously anchored BAC contigs were specifically allocated to chromosome 2H. This represented an almost 90% success rate in single-copy FISH probe development. FISH mapping of contigs located in the subtelomeric region revealed an over-performance of genetic mapping over FISH for physical map anchoring.
MicroRNA Mirn122a Reduces Expression of the Posttranscriptionally Regulated Germ Cell Transition Protein 2 (Tnp2) Messenger RNA (mRNA) by mRNA Cleavage1

Abstract MicroRNAs play important roles in regulating development at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Here, we report 29 microRNAs from mouse testis that are differentially expressed as the prepubertal testis differentiates to the adult testis. Using computational analyses to identify potential microRNA target mRNAs, we identify several possible male germ cell target mRNAs. One highly conserved sequence in the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of transition protein 2 (Tnp2) mRNA, a testis-specific and posttranscriptionally regulated mRNA in postmeiotic germ cells, is complementary to Mirn122a. Mirn122a is enriched in late-stage male germ cells and is predominantly on polysomes. Mirn122a, but not another noncomplementary microRNA, inhibits the activity of a luciferase reporter construct containing the 3′-UTR of Tnp2. Site-directed mutations of Mirn122a indicate that base pairing of the 5′-region of Mirn122a to its complementary site in the 3′-UTR of Tnp2 mRNA is essential for the downregulation of luciferase activity. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and ribonuclease protection assays reveal that the Mirn122a-directed decrease of the Tnp2 reporter gene activity results from mRNA cleavage. We propose that specific microRNAs, such as Mirn122a, could be involved in the posttranscriptional regulation of mRNAs such as Tnp2 in the mammalian testis.
Cathepsin D: specificity of peptide-bond cleavage in type-I collagen and effects on type-III collagen and procollagen.

1. Cathepsin D, purified from bovine thymus, has a limited proteolytic effect on types I and III bovine collagens. The alpha 1 (I) chain was cleaved in native or denatured collagen only within the carboxy-terminal extra-helical sequence, the major site being between resides C6 (Leu) and C7 (Ser). The alpha 2 chain was unaffected in native collagen but was slowly cleaved between residues 782 (Phe) and 783 (Leu) in the denatured form. Cleavages, at 45 degrees C, in type III collagen occur within the extra-helical amino-terminal sequence, on the carboxy-terminal side of the lysine residue involved in intermolecular cross-linking. All three sites of action are within sequences of general hydrophobic character. 2. The very restricted cleavage of peptide bonds in denatured collagens can be ascribed to the infrequent occurrence of groupings of more than two hydrophobic residues and to the high content of the conformation-limiting residues proline and hydroxyproline. 3. The previously demonstrated failure of cathepsin D to solubilize a representative proportion of type III collagen from the fibres of bovine skin collagen [P.G. Scott and C.H. Pearson (1978) Biochem, Soc, Trans. 6, 1197-1199] may be explained by lack of ability of the enzyme to act on this collagen at 25 degrees C, in such a manner as to separate molecules joined by intermolecular cross-links involving the amino-terminal extrahelical region of the molecule.
GENDER DIFFERENCES IN MORNINGNESS–EVENINGNESS PREFERENCE

Morningness–eveningness preference (morning-, intermediate-, evening-type) or circadian typology is the individual difference that most clearly explains the variations in the rhythmic expression of biological or behavioral patterns. The aim of this study was to analyze gender difference in morningness–eveningness preference using the Horne and Östberg questionnaire in the largest university student population selected so far (N=2135), with an age range 18–30 yr. Morningness–eveningness questionnaire (MEQ) score distribution closely correlated to the normal curve (range=17–78, mean=48.25; SD=10.11), with 338 (15.84%) morning-types, 1273 (59.62%) intermediate-types, and 524 (24.54%) evening-types. The men and women differed significantly in their mean scores (p<0.0001) and distribution per circadian typology (p<0.00001), with the men presenting a more pronounced eveningness preference. Three factors were identified by factor analysis: time of greatest efficiency (I), sleep time/sleep phase (II), awakening time/sleep inertia (III). The MEQ items sensitive to gender differences were essentially those included in factor I and factor II. The results are discussed in relation to recent models of circadian regulation of the sleep–wake cycle.
A role for Salmonella typhimurium cbiK in cobalamin (vitamin B12) and siroheme biosynthesis

The role of cbiK, a gene found encoded within the Salmonella typhimurium cob operon, has been investigated by studying its in vivo function in Escherichia coli. First, it was found that cbiK is not required for cobalamin biosynthesis in the presence of a genomic cysG gene (encoding siroheme synthase) background. Second, in the absence of a genomic cysG gene, cobalamin biosynthesis in E. coli was found to be dependent upon the presence of cobA(P. denitrificans) (encoding the uroporphyrinogen III methyltransferase from Pseudomonas denitrificans) and cbiK. Third, complementation of the cysteine auxotrophy of the E. coli cysG deletion strain 302delta a could be attained by the combined presence of cobA(P. denitrificans) and the S. typhimurium cbiK gene. Collectively these results suggest that CbiK can function in fashion analogous to that of the N-terminal domain of CysG (CysG(B)), which catalyzes the final two steps in siroheme synthesis, i.e., NAD-dependent dehydrogenation of precorrin-2 to sirohydrochlorin and ferrochelation. Thus, phenotypically CysG(B) and CbiK have very similar properties in vivo, although the two proteins do not have any sequence similarity. In comparison to CysG, CbiK appears to have a greater affinity for Co2+ than for Fe2+, and it is likely that cbiK encodes an enzyme whose primary role is that of a cobalt chelatase in corrin biosynthesis.
Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Role for Hypnotherapy?

Abstract Fifteen patients with severe or very severe inflammatory bowel disease on corticosteroids but not responding to medication received 12 sessions of “gut-focused hypnotherapy” and were followed up for a mean duration of 5.4 years with disease severity being graded as remission, mild, moderate, severe, or very severe. Two patients (13.4%) failed to respond and required surgery. At follow-up for the remaining 13 patients, 4 (26.6%) were in complete remission, 8 (53.3%) had mild severity, and 1 (6.7%) was moderately severe. Quality of life became good or excellent in 12 (79.9%). Corticosteroid requirements dramatically declined with 60% of patients stopping them completely and not requiring any during follow-up. Hypnotherapy appears to be a promising adjunctive treatment for inflammatory bowel disease and has steroid sparing effects. Controlled trials to clearly define its role in this disease area are justified.
Different Effects of Dual Task Demands on the Speech of Young and Older Adults

Abstract Young and older adults provided language samples in response to elicitation questions while concurrently performing 3 different tasks. The language samples were scored on three dimensions: fluency, grammatical complexity, and content. Previous research has shown that older adults use a restricted speech register that is grammatically less complex than young adults’ and has suggested that this restricted speech register is buffered from the costs of dual task demands. This hypothesis was tested by comparing language samples collected during a baseline condition with those produced while the participants were performing the concurrent tasks. The results indicate that young and older adults adopt different strategies when confronted with dual task demands. Young adults shift to a restricted speech register when confronted with dual task demands. Older adults, who were already using a restricted speech register, became less fluent although the grammatical complexity and informational content of their speech was preserved. Hence, some but not all aspects of older adults’ speech are buffered from dual task demands.