Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of human phosphodiesterase 4A expressed in yeast cell GL62 by theophylline, rolipram, and acetamide-45.

AIM To study the inductive expression of human phosphodiesterase 4A (hPDE4A) in yeast cell GL62 and investigate the inhibitory effects of theophylline, rolipram, and acetamide-45 on PDE4A activity of the expressed product in yeast cell GL62. METHODS Yeast cell GL62 were transfected with human PDE4A gene cloned in the expression plasmid p138NB. Expression was induced by adding CuSO4 to a final concentration of 150 micromol/L, and the expressed product was extracted. The activity of PDE4A was detected by HPLC. RESULTS Yeast cell GL62 expressed a certain protein at CuSO4 150 micromol/L, the size of the expressed product was between 62 kDa and 83 kDa, the activity of PDE4A of the expressed product at 3 h was in maximum (188 23) micromol/g/min, and the Km was (17.7 2.6) micromol/L. Theophylline, rolipram, and acetamide-45 could inhibit the activity of PDE4A extracted from yeast cell GL62. The IC50 (95 % confidence limits) of theophylline, rolipram, and acetamide-45 were 1642 (989-2727), 4.58 (3.45-6.08), and 275 (170-444) micromol/L respectively. CONCLUSION PDE4A expressed in yeast cell GL62 is biologically active. Theophylline, rolipram, and acetamide-45 can inhibit the PDE4A activity. The expressed product in yeast cell GL62 may be used in the research work of PDE4 and its inhibitors.
Genetic and biochemical characteristics of the histone-like protein DR 0199 in Deinococcus radiodurans

Received 4 August 2011 Revised 14 November 2011 Accepted 19 January 2012 Key Laboratory for Nuclear-Agricultural Sciences of Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Zhejiang Province, Institute of Nuclear-Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310029 Hangzhou, PR China Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 310016 Hangzhou, PR China
Cell-penetrating Peptides

Cellular uptake of a family of cationic cell-penetrating peptides (examples include Tat peptides and penetratin) have been ascribed in the literature to a mechanism that does not involve endocytosis. In this work we reevaluate the mechanisms of cellular uptake of Tat 48–60 and (Arg)9. We demonstrate here that cell fixation, even in mild conditions, leads to the artifactual uptake of these peptides. Moreover, we show that flow cytometry analysis cannot be used validly to evaluate cellular uptake unless a step of trypsin digestion of the cell membrane-adsorbed peptide is included in the protocol. Fluorescence microscopy on live unfixed cells shows characteristic endosomal distribution of peptides. Flow cytometry analysis indicates that the kinetics of uptake are similar to the kinetics of endocytosis. Peptide uptake is inhibited by incubation at low temperature and cellular ATP pool depletion. Similar data were obtained for Tat-conjugated peptide nucleic acids. These data are consistent with the involvement of endocytosis in the cellular internalization of cell-penetrating peptides and their conjugates to peptide nucleic acids.
Increased micronutrient content (Zn, Mn) in the 3M(b)(4B) wheat - Aegilops biuncialis substitution and 3M(b).4BS translocation identified by GISH and FISH.

3M(b) Triticum aestivum L. (Mv9kr1) - Aegilops biuncialis Vis. (MvGB642) addition lines were crossed with the Chinese Spring ph1b mutant genotype (CSph1b) to produce 3M(b)-wheat chromosome rearrangements. In the F3 generation, 3M(b)(4B) substitution lines and 3M(b). 4BS centric fusions were identified with in situ hybridization using repetitive and genomic DNA probes, and with SSR markers. Grain micronutrient analysis showed that the investigated Ae. biuncialis accession MvGB382 and the parental line MvGB642 are suitable gene sources for improving the grain micronutrient content of wheat, as they have higher K, Zn, Fe, and Mn contents. The results suggested that the Ae. biuncialis chromosome 3M(b) carries genes determining the grain micronutrient content, as the 3M(b). 4BS centric fusion had significantly higher Zn and Mn contents compared with the recipient wheat cultivar. As yield-related traits, such as the number of tillers, the length of main spike, and spikelets per main spike, were similar in the 3M(b). 4BS centric fusion and the parental wheat genotype, it can be concluded that this line could be used in pre-breeding programs aimed at enriching elite wheat cultivars with essential micronutrients.
IT Investment Decision Making Complexities In Jordanian Banking

Developing countries are an under researched area in terms of their IT investment decision making. In particular, Jordan as a country is one of the areas where no interpretive case studies have been undertaken to investigate this area of information systems. The banking is one of the largest commercial IT investors in Jordanian economy, therefore it provides a good insight into the IT investment decision making. The current paper explores the case of a Jordanian bank, using actor network approach to frame the discussion about the IT investment decision-making. The data collected was through 17 interviews of key stakeholders. The key findings of this work are that although there are formal IT evaluation plans they are not always used in practice. The study highlights the importance of informal evaluation that of “gut feeling” and experience of executives which plays a significant role in the decision making process.
FRACTURE RESISTANCE OF TOOTH FRAGMENTS REATTACHED WITH DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES . AN IN VITRO STUDY

Aim of the study to determine whether and to what extent the reattachment of fractured incisor tooth fragments is weakening the teeth and which adhesive material and technique offers the strongest bond to the tooth structure. Materials and methods 48 extracted mandibular incisors divided into 4 groups were used. After fracturing the incisal third of each tooth, the fragments were reattached with different materials and techniques and the force necessary to fracture the teeth was measured. Results Statistically significant differences were found between the group of teeth restored with composite resin in association with a prepared bevel and the other three groups. The first one showed significantly higher fracture strength. Conclusion The materials and techniques used in this study affected the bond strength of the reattached teeth.
Adhesion of T and B lymphocytes to mouse atherosclerotic aortas: Association with lesion topology and VCAM‐1 expression

Objective. Although T and B lymphocytes accumulate in atherosclerotic lesions and play a key role in their growth, the mechanisms involved in the adhesion and recruitment of T and B lymphocytes by the lesions have not been resolved. The aim of this study was to compare T and B lymphocyte adhesion to atherosclerotic arteries and to test the role of VCAM‐1 and ICAM‐1. Material and methods. T and B lymphocytes were labelled with red and green fluorescent dyes and incubated with freshly isolated aortas from apolipoprotein‐E‐deficient mice. In some experiments the aortas were pre‐incubated with specific monoclonal antibodies. After washing, the adhering cells were detected by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Results. The number of T and B lymphocytes that adhered to the aortic intimal surface was similar in both lesioned and non‐lesioned areas and in the shoulder region of the lesions. However, the adhesion of T and B lymphocytes was significantly higher in the shoulder regions compared with the lesioned (p<0.0001) and non‐lesioned areas of the aorta (p<0.0001). After pre‐incubation of the aortas with antibodies against VCAM‐1 or ICAM‐1, the lymphocyte adhesions in lesioned areas were 42 % (p = 0.04) and 55 % (p = 0.17), respectively, of those in lesioned areas that had been pre‐incubated with a control antibody. However, although VCAM‐1 protein expression was most pronounced in the shoulder region, the lymphocyte adhesions in the shoulder region and in non‐lesioned areas were unaffected by pre‐incubation with VCAM‐1 antibodies. Conclusions. The results suggest that adhesion of T and B lymphocytes to mouse aortic endothelium is similar, is affected by lesion topology and is dependent on VCAM‐1 expression over the core of atherosclerotic lesions.
Effect of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment on Middle Ear Effusion Following Acute Otitis Media in Young Children: A Pilot Study

Abstract Context: Childhood acute otitis media (AOM) is highly prevalent. Its usual sequela of middle ear effusion (MEE) can lead to conductive hearing loss, for which surgery is commonly used. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of an osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) protocol on MEE resolution following an episode of AOM. The authors hypothesized that OMT provided adjunctively to standard care for young children with AOM would reduce the duration of MEE following the onset of AOM. Methods: We compared standard care only (SCO) and standard care plus OMT (SC+OMT) for the duration of MEE following AOM. Patients were aged 6 months to 2 years. The SC+OMT group received OMT during 3 weekly visits. Weekly tympanometric and acoustic reflectometer (AR) readings were obtained from all patients. Results: There were 52 patients enrolled, with 43 completing the study and 9 dropping out. No demographic differences were noted. Only ears from each patient with abnormal tympanograms at entry were included. There were 76 ears in the tympanogram analysis (38 from SCO; 38 from SC+OMT) and 61 ears in the AR data analysis (31 from SCO; 30 from SC+OMT). Dependence of bilateral ear disease noted in AR readings was accounted for in statistical analysis. Tympanogram data demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in MEE at visit 3 in patients in the SC+OMT group (odds ratio, 2.98; 95% confidence interval, 1.16, 7.62; χ2 test for independence, P=.02). The AR data analysis showed statistically significant improvement at visit 3 for the SC+OMT group (z=2.05; P=.02). There was no statistically significant change in MEE before or immediately after the OMT protocol. Conclusion: A standardized OMT protocol administered adjunctively with standard care for patients with AOM may result in faster resolution of MEE following AOM than standard treatment alone. (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00520039.)
The method used to culture host cells (Sf9 cells) can affect the qualities of baculovirus budding particles expressing recombinant proteins

Budded virus (BV) particles of baculovirus (Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus, AcNPV) are harvested from the supernatant of liquid culture of Sf9 host cells by ultracentrifugation. Using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western blot and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of BV samples fractionated closely by sucrose density gradient centrifugation, we observed that BVs exhibited different qualities depending on whether they had been harvested from the supernatant from a standing (static), shaking (suspension), or standing/shaking (pre-/post-infection) culture of Sf9 cells. The amount of BV protein apparently increased in the order of standing, standing/shaking, and shaking procedure, and the yield of intact particles showed an opposite trend. TEM observation clearly showed that appropriate fractions of the standing and standing/shaking cultures contained more intact BV particles than those from the shaking culture. These results suggest that the qualities of recombinant BV particles may be related to the culture conditions of the host cells. Graphical abstract Morphologies of budded viruses are affected by the procedures used to culture Sf9 cells before/after infection.
Contradictions between the virtual and physical high school classroom: A third-generation Activity Theory perspective

This paper uses a third-generation Activity Theory perspective to gain insight intothecontradictionsbetweentheactivitysystemsof thephysicalandvirtual high school classroom from the perspective of teachers who had transitioned from one system to the other. Data collection relied on semi-structured interviews conducted with e-teachers as well as management/support personnel of an organisation charged with delivering web-based high school courses in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Contradictions related to time and workload, physical presence, interaction and rapport building, and use of direct messaging and email. The contradictions can be explained by a difference between the mediating tools in each activity system.The absence in the virtual classroom of body language and visual presence as mediators requires e-teachers to find new ways of interacting and building rapport and necessitates a shift from a practice of controlling to engaging students’ attention.
Identification of a putative RNA helicase (HRH1), a human homolog of yeast Prp22

In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a number of PRP genes known to be involved in pre-mRNA processing have been genetically identified and cloned. Three PRP genes (PRP2, PRP16, and PRP22) were shown to encode putative RNA helicases of the family of proteins with DEAH boxes. However, any such splicing factor containing the helicase motifs in vertebrates has not been identified. To identify human homologs of this family, we designed PCR primers corresponding to the highly conserved region of the DEAH box protein family and successfully amplified five cDNA fragments, using HeLa poly(A)+ RNA as a substrate. One fragment, designated HRH1 (human RNA helicase 1), is highly homologous to Prp22, which was previously shown to be involved in the release of spliced mRNAs from the spliceosomes. Expression of HRH1 in a S. cerevisiae prp22 mutant can partially rescue its temperature-sensitive phenotype. These results strongly suggest that HRH1 is a functional human homolog of the yeast Prp22 protein. Interestingly, HRH1 but not Prp22 contains an arginine- and serine-rich domain (RS domain) which is characteristic of some splicing factors, such as members of the SR protein family. We could show that HRH1 can interact in vitro and in the yeast two-hybrid system with members of the SR protein family through its RS domain. We speculate that HRH1 might be targeted to the spliceosome through this interaction.
The little women of Loja--growth hormone-receptor deficiency in an inbred population of southern Ecuador.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS Laron-type dwarfism, which is characterized by the clinical appearance of isolated growth hormone deficiency with elevated serum levels of growth hormone and decreased serum levels of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), has been described in approximately 50 patients. This condition is caused by a deficiency of the cellular receptor for growth hormone, and it is transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait, as indicated by an equal sex distribution and a high rate of consanguinity in affected families. We studied 20 patients (19 females and 1 male, 2 to 49 years of age), from an inbred Spanish population in southern Ecuador, who had the clinical features of Laron-type dwarfism. RESULTS Seventeen patients were members of two large pedigrees. Among the 13 affected sibships, there were 19 affected and 24 unaffected female siblings and 1 affected and 21 unaffected male siblings. The patients' heights ranged from 10.0 to 6.7 SD below the normal mean height for age in the United States. In addition to the previously described features, 15 patients had limited elbow extensibility, all had blue scleras, affected adults had relatively short extremities, and all four affected women over 30 years of age had hip degeneration. Basal serum concentrations of growth hormone were elevated in all affected children (30 to 160 micrograms per liter) and normal to moderately elevated in the adults. The serum level of growth hormone-binding protein ranged from 1 to 30 percent of normal; IGF-I concentrations were low--less than or equal to 7 micrograms per liter in the children and less than or equal to 66 micrograms per liter in the adults (normal for Ecuadorean women, 98 to 238). Serum levels of IGF-II and growth hormone-dependent IGF-binding protein-3 were also low. CONCLUSIONS We describe an inbred population with a high incidence of growth hormone-receptor deficiency resulting in a clinical picture resembling Laron-type dwarfism but differing principally in showing a marked predominance of affected females. This population, of Mediterranean origin, may be genetically related to other reported populations with Laron-type dwarfism, but with the genetic defect linked to a trait resulting in the early fetal death of most affected males.
Medical and socio-professional impact of insomnia.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Insomnia, a highly prevalent disorder with direct and indirect economic and professional consequences, affects daytime functioning, behavior, and quality of life. Several studies have shown that insomnia affects the workforce and is associated with an increased risk of accidents. Insomnia may also play a role in other disorders. Our study attempted to evaluate the socio-professional correlates of insomnia by comparing a group of insomniacs to a group of good sleepers. DESIGN With a questionnaire focused on the socio-professional and medical consequences of insomnia, we surveyed a group of severe insomniacs and a group of good sleepers. Persons with psychiatric disorders according to the DSM-IV minimum criteria for anxiety and depression were eliminated from each group. After screening, 240 insomniacs and 391 good sleepers remained and were then compared. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Compared to good sleepers, severe insomniacs reported more medical problems, had more physician-office visits, were hospitalized twice as often, and used more medication. Severe insomniacs had a higher rate of absenteeism, missing work twice as often as did good sleepers. They also had more problems at work (including decreased concentration, difficulty performing duties, and more work-related accidents). CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that insomnia has socio-professional consequences and is correlated with lower medical status.
Clear Speech - Mere Speech? How Segmental and Prosodic Speech Reduction Shape the Impression That Speakers Create on Listeners

Research on speech reduction is primarily concerned with analyzing, modeling, explaining, and, ultimately, predicting phonetic variation. That is, the focus is on the speech signal itself. The present paper adds a little side note to this fundamental line of research by addressing the question whether variation in the degree of reduction also has a systematic effect on the attributes we ascribe to the speaker who produces the speech signal. A perception experiment was carried out for German in which 46 listeners judged whether or not speakers showing 3 different combinations of segmental and prosodic reduction levels (unreduced, moderately reduced, strongly reduced) are appropriately described by 13 physical, social, and cognitive attributes. The experiment shows that clear speech is not mere speech, and less clear speech is not just reduced either. Rather, results revealed a complex interplay of reduction levels and perceived speaker attributes in which moderate reduction can make a better impression on listeners than no reduction. In addition to its relevance in reduction models and theories, this interplay is instructive for various fields of speech application from social robotics to charisma coaching.
Women’s Stories of Abortion in Southern Gabon, Africa

The purpose of this study was to explore the reasons women in rural, southern Gabon, Africa, chose to terminate their pregnancies, the methods used to induce abortions, and postabortion effects experienced by these women. Abortion is illegal in this country. A descriptive qualitative design guided the methodology for this study. Five women with a history of induced abortion were interviewed in-depth for their abortion story. Reasons cited for an abortion included lack of financial and partner support. Abortion methods included oral, rectal, and vaginal concoctions of leaves, bark, and water and over-the-counter medications, including misoprostol. Affects were physical, spiritual, and relational. Health care professionals need to provide women with guidance for appropriate contraceptive usage. Abortion after-care of women with physical and spiritual needs is important. Future research is suggested on the use of misoprostol in Gabon to understand its affects on women’s reproductive health.
Concurrence of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion and Cerebral Salt Wasting Syndromes after Traumatic Brain Injury

Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) and cerebral salt wasting syndrome (CSWS) as the two most common neuroendocrine diseases, have been recognized and understood by many neurologists. Although SIADH and CSWS are the common causes of central hyponatremia after traumatic brain injury (TBI), a few cases are mixed, with the coexistence of the two pathological pathomechanism. However, the mixed type of both SIADH and CSWS has not been clearly reported in any literature. Here, we present the first description of the concurrent syndrome of SIADH and CSWS after TBI in four patients who underwent standard diagnostic procedures, treatment and follow up. Our findings further support that this rare neuroendocrine disease may exist in clinical practice, in which the traditional-conventional treatment shows poor efficacy.
The physiological and clinical significance of nonlinear TCD waveform analysis in occlusive cerebrovascular disease.

In order to compare the results of nonlinear analysis of hemodynamically compromised and noncompromised cerebral circulations we measured consecutive transcranial Doppler (TCD) waveforms of fourteen patients with a unilateral or bilateral occlusion of the internal carotid artery. The cerebral vasomotor reactivity (VMR) to acetazolamide in both middle cerebral artery (MCA) territories was established by using TCD. Conventional TCD data and nonlinear TCD analysis of data were compared. Nonlinear analysis of the TCD time series suggested dynamical chaos based on the fractal dimension of the TCD curve and the positive Lyapunov exponents in the compromised and noncompromised MCA territories. In the areas with the compromised circulation the positive Lyapunov exponents were significantly lower compared to the noncompromised side and in some cases with a negative VMR, the Lyapunov exponent was almost zero. The latter is suggestive for periodic behavior of the impaired cerebral circulation instead of the dynamical chaos which is found under normal conditions. The TCD time series of a hemodynamic compromised cerebral territory not only shows phenomena related to a decreased perfusion pressure (such as a 'damped waveform') but also phenomena which are related to a more prominent periodicity. We speculate that conventional and nonlinear TCD analysis could be used to determine the VMR. [Neurol Res 1995; 17: 384-388].
COPPER REMOVAL FROM AN EFFLUENT GENERATED BY A PLASTICS CHROMIUM‐PLATING INDUSTRY USING A ROTATING CYLINDER ELECTRODE (RCE) REACTOR

Abstract This work shows the application of a rotating cylinder electrode (RCE) in the removal of Cu(II) content from an effluent generated by a plastics chromium‐plating industry, on the laboratory scale; in particular, it deals with rinse water from the electrolytic copper process. This process was designed to convert cupric ions in solution to metal powder. The generation of metal powders in the RCE was achieved at Reynolds numbers between 52925 and 83183 and limiting current densities (JL) in the range of 17 to 25 mA cm−2. The removal of Cu(II) (initially 922 ppm) reached 43 ppm in 10 minutes of electrolysis for Re = 83183 and J = 25 mA cm−2, with a space‐time yield of 88 mg Cu(II) L−1 min−1, 95% current efficiency, and energy consumption of 5.3 KWh m−3. The electrochemical treatment applied to waste rinse water at the RCE allows this treated water to be recycled back to the same rinsing process, avoiding additional consumption and discharge of this liquid.