Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nitric oxide, nitrite, and Fnr regulation of hmp (flavohemoglobin) gene expression in Escherichia coli K-12

Escherichia coli possesses a soluble flavohemoglobin, with an unknown function, encoded by the hmp gene. A monolysogen containing an hmp-lacZ operon fusion was constructed to determine how the hmp promoter is regulated in response to heme ligands (O2, NO) or the presence of anaerobically utilized electron acceptors (nitrate, nitrite). Expression of the phi (hmp-lacZ)1 fusion was similar during aerobic growth in minimal medium containing glucose, glycerol, maltose, or sorbitol as a carbon source. Mutations in cya (encoding adenylate cyclase) or changes in medium pH between 5 and 9 were without effect on aerobic expression. Levels of aerobic and anaerobic expression in glucose-containing minimal media were similar; both were unaffected by an arcA mutation. Anaerobic, but not aerobic, expression of phi (hmp-lacZ)1 was stimulated three- to four-fold by an fnr mutation; an apparent Fnr-binding site is present in the hmp promoter. Iron depletion of rich broth medium by the chelator 2'2'-dipyridyl (0.1 mM) enhanced hmp expression 40-fold under anaerobic conditions, tentatively attributed to effects on Fnr. At a higher chelator concentration (0.4 mM), hmp expression was also stimulated aerobically. Anaerobic expression was stimulated 6-fold by the presence of nitrate and 25-fold by the presence of nitrite. Induction by nitrate or nitrite was unaffected by narL and/or narP mutations, demonstrating regulation of hmp by these ions via mechanisms alternative to those implicated in the regulation of other respiratory genes. Nitric oxide (10 to 20 microM) stimulated aerobic phi (hmp-lacZ)1 activity by up to 19-fold; soxS and soxR mutations only slightly reduced the NO effect. We conclude that hmp expression is negatively regulated by Fnr under anaerobic conditions and that additional regulatory mechanisms are involved in the responses to oxygen, nitrogen compounds, and iron availability. Hmp is implicated in reactions with small nitrogen compounds.
Bluetongue vaccination roadshows

SIR, — I would like to inform colleagues that from Tuesday, April 1, Intervet's bluetongue vaccine, Bovilis btv-8, has been granted a provisional marketing authorisation. Currently, the company remains on track to provide the first batch of doses to be used by producers in the protection zone in
Hospitalized women experiencing an episode of excessive oral anticoagulation had a higher bleeding risk than men.

OBJECTIVE Overanticoagulated medical inpatients may be particularly prone to bleeding complications. Among medical inpatients with excessive oral anticoagulation (AC), we sought to identify patient and treatment factors associated with bleeding. METHODS We prospectively identified consecutive patients receiving oral AC admitted to the medical ward of a university hospital (February-July 2006) who had at least one international normalized ratio (INR) value >3.0 during the hospital stay. We recorded patient characteristics, AC-related factors, and concomitant treatments (e.g., platelet inhibitors) that increase the bleeding risk. The outcome was overall bleeding, defined as the occurrence of major or minor bleeding during the hospital stay. We used logistic regression to explore patient and treatment factors associated with bleeding. RESULTS Overall, 145 inpatients with excessive oral AC comprised our study sample. Atrial fibrillation (59%) and venous thromboembolism (28%) were the most common indications for AC. Twelve patients (8.3%) experienced a bleeding event. Of these, 8 had major bleeding. Women had a somewhat higher risk of major bleeding than men (12.5% vs 4.1%, p = 0.08). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that female gender was independently associated with bleeding (odds ratio [OR] 4.3, 95% confidence interval [95% C1] 1.1-17.8). Age, history of major bleeding, value of the index INR, and concomitant treatment with platelet inhibitors were not independent predictors of bleeding. CONCLUSIONS We found that hospitalized women experiencing an episode of excessive oral AC have a 4-fold increased risk of bleeding compared with men. Whether overanticoagulated women require more aggressive measures of AC reversal must be examined in further studies.
The Effects of Perceived Corporate Social Responsibility on Employee Attitudes

ABSTRACT: We explore the impact on employee attitudes of their perceptions of how others outside the organization are treated (i.e., corporate social responsibility) above and beyond the impact of how employees are directly treated by the organization. Results of a study of 827 employees in eighteen organizations show that employee perceptions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) are positively related to (a) organizational commitment with the relationship being partially mediated by work meaningfulness and perceived organizational support (POS) and (b) job satisfaction with work meaningfulness partially mediating the relationship but not POS. Moreover, in order to address limited micro-level research in CSR, we develop a measure of employee perceptions of CSR through four pilot studies. Employing a bifactor model, we find that social responsibility has an additional effect on employee attitudes beyond environmental responsibility, which we posit is due to the relational component of social responsibility (e.g., relationships with community).
Mineral metabolism and haemoglobin concentration among haemodialysis patients in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS).

BACKGROUND Bone and mineral metabolism is abnormal in most chronic haemodialysis patients and is associated with a high mortality risk. Because of possible pathogenic links between anaemia and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), the present study evaluated associations of mineral metabolism indicators with haemoglobin (Hb). METHODS Data were collected from 317 facilities (12 089 haemodialysis patients) in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States by the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS). The major outcome studied was probability of haemodialysis patients having a target Hb, per guidelines, of >/=11 g/dl at baseline. Major predictor variables were patient characteristics and laboratory markers of mineral metabolism: albumin-corrected serum calcium (calcium(Alb)), serum phosphorus (PO(4)) and iPTH. Analyses were adjusted for demographics, 15 comorbidity classes, baseline laboratory values, body mass index, years on dialysis, erythropoietin dose, vitamin D and catheter use, cause of end-stage renal disease and country. RESULTS The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of having Hb >/=11 g/dl was significantly higher (P<0.0001) in patients with higher calcium(Alb) (AOR = 1.32 per 1 mg/dl), higher PO(4) (AOR = 1.08 per 1 mg/dl) and lower iPTH (AOR = 0.96 per 100 pg/ml). Furthermore, 4 month intrapatient changes in Hb concentration were significantly (P<0.0001) related to 4 month changes in calcium(Alb) (0.17 g/dl Hb rise per 1 mg/dl higher calcium(Alb)) and PO(4) (0.11 g/dl Hb rise per 1 mg/dl higher PO(4)). Mean weekly recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) doses were higher for patients with high PO(4) or iPTH levels, but lower for patients with calcium(Alb) >9.5 mg/dl, after patient mix and Hb concentration adjustments. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that higher serum calcium(Alb) and PO(4) levels are each independently associated with better anaemia control. This relationship is independent of vitamin D use, PTH levels and prescribed rHuEpo dose. Despite this benefit of better anaemia control at higher serum calcium(Alb) and PO(4) concentrations, lower calcium and PO(4) levels, as recommended by the K/DOQI guidelines, should still serve as the long-term goal for HD patients in order to minimize tissue calcification and mortality risk.
Mobility and Safety Impacts of Winter Storm Events in a Freeway Environment

This paper describes how data from several Iowa information management systems were used to analyze the mobility and safety impacts of winter storm events. Roadway and weather data were acquired from the roadway weather information system (RWIS), hourly traffic volumes from automatic traffic recorders (ATRs), and crash information from the accident location and analysis system (ALAS). Daily snowfalls were acquired from state and national agencies. Storm and non-storm data for seven interstate roadway segments were considered. Only winter storm events with a duration of four or more hours and a snowfall of 0.51 cm/hr (0.20 in./hr) or more were evaluated. Analysis of the data revealed the impacts of winter weather on freeway traffic. Winter storm events decrease traffic volumes, but the impact is highly variable. The average winter storm volume reduction was approximately 29%, but ranged from approximately 16 to 47%. A positive relationship was found between percent volume reduction, total snowfall, and the square of maximum gust wind speed. Crash rates also significantly increase during winter storm events, possibly the result of a large decrease in traffic volumes and higher crash reporting rates during winter weather. After controlling for exposure, an increase in snowfall intensity and snowstorm duration also increased winter storm event crash frequency. The results of this research can help determine the potential impacts of winter weather, support the eventual development of a dynamic winter weather driveability level of service system, and assist with planning preventive and emergency operations.
Novel Mechanism of RNA Repair by RtcB via Sequential 2′,3′-Cyclic Phosphodiesterase and 3′-Phosphate/5′-Hydroxyl Ligation Reactions*

Background: RtcB is a new RNA ligase implicated in tRNA splicing and RNA repair. Results: RtcB has 2′,3′-cyclic phosphodiesterase and 3′-phosphate/5′-hydroxyl ligase activities. Conclusion: RtcB seals broken RNAs via a two-step reaction pathway. Significance: The structure, active site, and chemical mechanism of RtcB are unique. RtcB enzymes are a newly discovered family of RNA ligases, implicated in tRNA splicing and other RNA repair reactions, that seal broken RNAs with 2′,3′-cyclic phosphate and 5′-OH ends. Parsimony and energetics would suggest a one-step mechanism for RtcB sealing via attack by the O5′ nucleophile on the cyclic phosphate, with expulsion of the ribose O2′ and generation of a 3′,5′-phosphodiester at the splice junction. Yet we find that RtcB violates Occam's razor, insofar as (i) it is adept at ligating 3′-monophosphate and 5′-OH ends; (ii) it has an intrinsic 2′,3′-cyclic phosphodiesterase activity. The 2′,3′-cyclic phosphodiesterase and ligase reactions both require manganese and are abolished by mutation of the RtcB active site. Thus, RtcB executes a unique two-step pathway of strand joining whereby the 2′,3′-cyclic phosphodiester end is hydrolyzed to a 3′-monophosphate, which is then linked to the 5′-OH end to form the splice junction. The energy for the 3′-phosphate ligase activity is provided by GTP, which reacts with RtcB in the presence of manganese to form a covalent RtcB-guanylate adduct. This adduct is sensitive to acid and hydroxylamine but resistant to alkali, consistent with a phosphoramidate bond.
Hydrogen peroxide detoxification in the midgut of the blood-sucking insect, Rhodnius prolixus.

Here we investigated H2O2 production and detoxification in the hematophagous hemiptera, Rhodnius prolixus. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) catalyzes the dismutation of superoxide radical (O2-). This reaction produces hydrogen peroxide, which is scavenged by antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT). SOD and CAT activities were found in all tissues studied, being highest in the midgut. CAT was dose-dependently inhibited in vivo by injections of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (AT). Insects treated with AT showed a twofold increase in H2O2 levels. Injection of DL-buthionine-[S, R]-sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis, also resulted in a fourfold increase in H2O2, together with stimulation of CAT activity. Simultaneous administration of both AT and BSO had a synergistic effect on midgut H2O2 content. Taken all together, our results suggest that CAT and glutathione-dependent mechanisms cooperate to control H2O2 concentration in the midgut cell and prevent hydroxyl radical generation by Fenton reaction in this tissue.
Nonimmune Hydrops Fetalis Diagnosed during the Second Half of Pregnancy in Southern China

Objective: To analyze the etiologies of nonimmune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) for a southern section of China. Methods: 138 cases of NIHF presenting after 20 weeks’ gestation over a 10-year period were reviewed. Results: The causes of fetal hydrops were identified in 92.0%. Homozygous α-thalassemia dominated as the cause of NIHF (55.1%), followed by infection (15.2%) and structural abnormalities (10.9%). No obvious cause was identified in 11 cases (8.0%). Termination of pregnancy was performed in 131 cases. Conclusions: Homozygous α-thalassemia is the most common cause of NIHF in southern China. An effective prenatal thalassemia screening program should be established in this high prevalence region.
Onset latency of segmental dystonia after deep brain stimulation cessation: A randomized, double‐blind crossover trial

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the globus pallidus internus is an effective treatment for cervical dystonia (CD). Interestingly, the onset of initial DBS effects is significantly prolonged compared with that in other diseases, such as Parkinson's disease. The return of symptoms after cessation of DBS could be delayed as well, but this has not been studied systematically.
The piecewise-constant image model

The piecewise-constant image model (PWC) is a new technique for lossless compression of palette images. PWC is a blend of traditional scanline-oriented and newer object-based methods. Remarkably, PWC delivers the best known compression across a wide variety palette of image types while delivering translation speeds comparable to highly tuned one-dimensional methods. This paper introduces the topic of palette image coding and traces the development of the piecewise-constant model from a completely object-oriented code requiring two image passes to a high-performance scanline-oriented code.
Research Paper: Use of Meta-analytic Results to Facilitate Shared Decision Making

Objectives: Describe and evaluate an Internet-based approach to patient decision support using mathematical models that predict the probability of successful treatment on the basis of meta-analytic summaries of the mean and standard deviation of symptom response. Design: An Internet-based decision support tool was developed to help patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) determine whether they wanted to use alpha blockers. The Internet site incorporates a meta-analytic model of the results of randomized trials of the alpha blocker terazosin. The site describes alternative treatments for BPH and potential adverse effects of alpha blockers. The site then measures patients' current symptoms and desired level of symptom reduction. In response, the site computes and displays the probability of a patient's achieving his objective by means of terazosin or placebo treatment. Setting: Self-identified BPH patients accessing the site over the Internet. Main Outcome Measures: Patients' perceptions of the usefulness of information. Results: Over a three-month period, 191 patients who were over 50 years of age and who reported that they have BPH used the decision support tool. Respondents had a mean American Urological Association (AUA) score of 18.8 and a desired drop in symptoms of 10.1 AUA points. Patients had a 40 percent chance of achieving treatment goals with terazosin and a 20 percent chance with placebo. Patients found the information useful (93 percent), and most (71 percent) believed this type of information should be discussed before prescribing medications. Conclusions: Interactive meta-analytic summary models of the effects of pharmacologic treatments can help patients determine whether a treatment offers sufficient benefits to offset its risks.
Dynamic intermediate ocean circulation in the North Atlantic during Heinrich Stadial 1: A radiocarbon and neodymium isotope perspective

The last deglaciation was characterised by a series of millennial scale climate events that have been linked to deep ocean variability. While often implied in interpretations, few direct constraints exist on circulation changes at mid-depths. Here we provide new constraints on the variability of deglacial mid-depth circulation using combined radiocarbon and neodymium isotopes in 24 North Atlantic deep-sea corals. Their aragonite skeletons have been dated by uranium-series, providing absolute ages and the resolution to record centennial scale changes, while transects spanning the lifetime of a single coral allow sub-centennial tracer reconstruction. Our results reveal that rapid fluctuations of water mass sourcing and radiocarbon affected the mid-depth water column (1.7-2.5 km) on timescales of less than 100 years during the latter half of Heinrich Stadial 1. The neodymium isotopic variability (−14.5 to −11.0) ranges from the composition of the modern northern-sourced waters towards more radiogenic compositions that suggest the presence of a greater southern-sourced component at some times. However, in detail, simple two-component mixing between well-ventilated northern-sourced and radiocarbon-depleted southern-sourced water masses cannot explain all our data. Instead, corals from ~15.0 ka and ~15.8 ka may record variability between southern-sourced intermediate waters and radiocarbon-depleted northern-sourced waters, unless there was a major shift in the neodymium isotopic composition of the northern endmember. In order to explain the rapid shift towards the most depleted radiocarbon values at ~15.4 ka, we suggest a different mixing scenario involving either radiocarbon-depleted deep water from the Greenland-Iceland-Norwegian Seas or a southern-sourced deep water mass. Since these mid-depth changes preceded the Bolling-Allerod warming, and were apparently unaccompanied by changes in the deep Atlantic, they may indicate an important role for the intermediate ocean in the early deglacial climate evolution.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE WITH INTENSIVE TRANSFUSION THERAPY IN COOLEY'S ANEMIA *

Therapy of children with thalassemia major remains unsatisfactory despite the increased safety of blood transfusion. Until recently, blood transfusions were given as infrequently as possible and were only considered when the patient had developed symptomatic anemia. This type of transfusion program was considered optimal because of the tissue damage believed to result from transfusional hemosiderosis. At the first conference on the problems of Cooley’s Anemia in 1964, Wolman’ reported that patients whose hemoglobin level was maintained above 8.0 gm/100 ml were healthier and had more normal growth than patients whose hemoglobins were usually kept a t lower levels. The present prospective study was undertaken to assess the effects of intensive transfusion therapy in thalassemia major, and the results are an extension of the preliminary data previously published. ’
Weak inhibitors protect cholinesterases from strong inhibitors (paraoxon): in vitro effect of tiapride

Weak and reversible inhibitors of cholinesterases, when administered before potent organophosphorus inhibitors (pretreatment), have the ability, to a certain extent, to protect enzymes from inhibition. Such a protective effect was demonstrated in vitro for metoclopramide and ranitidine. The putative mode of protective action of these substances is, when administered in excess, competition for the active site of the enzyme with the more potent organophosphate. The present paper presents results using another benzamide with weak cholinesterase inhibitory properties: tiapride (TIA).
Effects of intrapleural analgesia on pulmonary function and postoperative pain in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

OBJECTIVE Pain after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery remains a significant problem and may cause serious complications because of restricted breathing and limited early mobilization. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of intrapleural analgesia on the relief of postoperative pain in patients undergoing CABG surgery. DESIGN Postoperative pain, pulmonary function tests, and outcomes were compared with a placebo group after CABG surgery in a double-blind randomized clinical trial. SETTINGS Cardiovascular surgery clinic. PARTICIPANTS One hundred twenty-five patients with decreased lung function were studied. INTERVENTIONS Group A (62 patients) received 20 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine bilaterally in the intrapleural spaces every 6 hours for 4 days, and group B (63 placebo patients) received sterile saline solution. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Group A had a significantly shorter extubation time than the placebo group (8 +/- 1 h v 10 +/- 4 hours, p < 0.001). Blood gas analysis showed higher PaO2 and lower PaCO2 levels in group A. The patients receiving bupivicaine had significantly higher FEV1, FCV, VC, MVV, PEF, and FEF 25-75% values postoperatively when compared with the placebo group. Postoperative analgesic requirements and visual analog pain scales were significantly lower in group A. The intensive care unit stay in group A was shorter (1.2 +/- 0.7 v 1.4 +/- 0.6 days, p = 0.04); however, the hospital stay did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS Improvement in lung function parameters correlating with decreased postoperative pain with intrapleural bupivacaine was observed. Intrapleural analgesia provided a good level of analgesia, improved respiratory performance, and allowed rapid mobilization, which led to a reduction of postoperative respiratory complications.
Inhomogeneous quantum groups as symmetries of phonons.

The quantum-deformed (1+1) Poincar\'e algebra is shown to be the kinematical symmetry of the harmonic chain, whose spacing is given by the deformation parameter. Phonons with their symmetries as well as multiphonon processes are derived from the quantum group structure. Inhomogeneous quantum groups are thus proposed as kinematical invariances of discrete systems.
Research and Practice Opportunities at the Intersection of Health Education, Health Behavior, and Genomics

Researchers and practitioners in health behavior and health education (HBHE) can play a pivotal leadership role in the integration of genomic advances to improve the public’s health. The purpose of this article is to outline research and practice opportunities at the intersection of genomics and HBHE. We begin this article by briefly summarizing the existing evidence in the literature pertaining to the public’s use of genetic services, the effectiveness of genetic counseling, and the impact of genetic testing. Following this, we outline and expand on several areas that we believe are ripe for further exploration, understanding, and public health application:(a) public understanding of genetic information, (b) interventions for health behavior change, and (c) public health assurance and advocacy. This analysis has identified the need to consider potential application efforts in genomics and HBHE from an ecological perspective, with an emphasis on multiple levels of intervention and analysis.