Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Purification and Properties of TrwB, a Hexameric, ATP-binding Integral Membrane Protein Essential for R388 Plasmid Conjugation*

TrwB is an integral membrane protein linking the relaxosome to the DNA transport apparatus in plasmid R388 conjugation. Native TrwB has been purified in monomeric and hexameric forms, in the presence of dodecylmaltoside from overexpressing bacterial cells. A truncated protein (TrwBΔN70) that lacked the transmembrane domain could be purified only in the monomeric form. Electron microscopy images revealed the hexameric structure and were in fact superimposable to the previously published atomic structure for TrwBΔN70. In addition, the electron micrographs showed an appendix, ∼25 Å wide, corresponding to the transmembrane region of TrwB. TrwB was located in the bacterial inner membrane in agreement with its proposed coupling role. Purified TrwB hexamers and monomers bound tightly the fluorescent ATP analogue TNP-ATP. A mutant in the Walker A motif, TrwB-K136T, was equally purified and found to bind TNP-ATP with a similar affinity to that of the wild type. However, the TNP-ATP affinity of TrwBΔN70 was significantly reduced in comparison with the TrwB hexamers. Competition experiments in which ATP was used to displace TNP-ATP gave an estimate of ATP binding by TrwB (K d (ATP) = 0.48 mm for hexamers). The transmembrane domain appears to be involved in TrwB protein hexamerization and also influences its nucleotide binding properties.
Imagined and Executed Actions in the Human Motor System: Testing Neural Similarity Between Execution and Imagery of Actions with a Multivariate Approach

Simulation theory proposes motor imagery (MI) to be a simulation based on representations also used for motor execution (ME). Nonetheless, it is unclear how far they use the same neural code. We use multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) and representational similarity analysis (RSA) to describe the neural representations associated with MI and ME within the frontoparietal motor network. During functional magnetic resonance imaging scanning, 20 volunteers imagined or executed 3 different types of right-hand actions. Results of MVPA showed that these actions as well as their modality (MI or ME) could be decoded significantly above chance from the spatial patterns of BOLD signals in premotor and posterior parietal cortices. This was also true for cross-modal decoding. Furthermore, representational dissimilarity matrices of frontal and parietal areas showed that MI and ME representations formed separate clusters, but that the representational organization of action types within these clusters was identical. For most ROIs, this pattern of results best fits with a model that assumes a low-to-moderate degree of similarity between the neural patterns associated with MI and ME. Thus, neural representations of MI and ME are neither the same nor totally distinct but exhibit a similar structural geometry with respect to different types of action.
A comparison of immediate with deferred zidovudine therapy for asymptomatic HIV-infected adults with CD4 cell counts of 500 or more per cubic millimeter. AIDS Clinical Trials Group.

BACKGROUND The clinical benefits of zidovudine remain unproved in patients with asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection when CD4 cell counts exceed 500 per cubic millimeter. We compared zidovudine therapy given immediately with deferred therapy in such subjects. METHODS Beginning in 1987, subjects with asymptomatic HIV infection and 500 or more CD4 cells per cubic millimeter were randomly assigned to receive placebo or zidovudine (either 500 or 1500 mg per day, starting immediately). In 1989, the study was modified so that open-label treatment with 500 mg of zidovudine per day (deferred therapy) was offered when CD4 cell counts fell below 500 per cubic millimeter. The study end points included overall survival, survival free of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), toxic effects, and changes in CD4 cell counts. RESULTS There were 1637 subjects who could be evaluated: 547 in the deferred-therapy group, 549 in the group receiving 500 mg of zidovudine immediately, and 541 in the 1500-mg group. The subjects were followed for up to 6.5 years (group medians, 4.8, 4.8, and 4.9, respectively). There was no significant difference in AIDS-free survival in the deferred-therapy group as compared with the low-dose or high-dose groups (81 cases of progression to AIDS or death vs. 81 and 74, respectively; P = 0.95 and P = 0.13) or in overall survival (51 deaths vs. 47 and 46; P = 0.25 and P = 0.16). The decline in CD4 cells was slower in both immediate-therapy groups than in the deferred-therapy group (P < 0.001 for both). Adverse effects were uncommon, and before the study modification their incidence was similar among the treatment groups, but severe anemia and granulocytopenia were more frequent in the 1500-mg group than in the deferred-therapy group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In asymptomatic, HIV-infected adults with 500 or more CD4 cells per cubic millimeter, treatment with zidovudine slows the decline in the CD4 cell count but does not significantly prolong either AIDS-free or overall survival. These results do not encourage the routine use of zidovudine monotherapy in this population.
Fluid shift is moderate and short‐lived during acute crystalloid hemodilution and normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass in piglets

Background: Crystalloids are commonly used as priming solutions during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Consequently, hemodilution is a regular occurrence at the start of a CPB. This study describes the time‐course variations of hemodynamic parameters, plasma volume (PV) and fluid exchange following crystalloid hemodilution at start of normothermic CPB.
The effects of carbohydrate loading 48 hours before a simulated squash match.

The aim of this study was to ascertain whether a high carbohydrate diet in the days before movement patterns simulating a squash match would increase carbohydrate oxidation during the match, and alter physical performance. Nine New Zealand level squash players were recruited to complete a simulated squash match on two occasions: 1) following a 48-hr high carbohydrate (11.1g·kg-1); and 2) following a calorie-matched low carbohydrate (2.1 g·kg-1) diet. The interventions were assigned in a randomized, single-blind, cross-over design. The match simulation was designed to mimic a five-game match lasting approximately 1 hr. Performance was measured as time to complete each game. Expired respiratory gases and heart rate were continuously collected throughout the trial using a portable gas analysis system. Capillary blood glucose and lactate samples were obtained during a 90 s rest period between each game. Rating of perceived exertion was also recorded after each set. Respiratory exchange ratio was significantly higher during exercise following the high CHO diet (0.80 vs. 0.76) p < . 001) and this was associated with significantly faster time to complete the games (2340 ± 189 s vs. 2416 ± 128 s, p = .036). Blood glucose and lactate concentrations were also significantly higher in the high carbohydrate condition (p = .038 and p = .021 respectively). These results suggest that ingestion of a diet high in carbohydrate (>10 g/kg body weight) preceding simulated competitive squash produces increased rates of carbohydrate oxidation and maintains higher blood glucose concentrations. These metabolic effects were associated with improved physical performance.
Municipal solid waste composting: Application as a tomato fertilizer and its effect on crop yield, fruit quality and phenolic content

Abstract Composting is an appealing way to reutilize the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW). Beyond the obvious advantage of reducing urban waste, the use of MSW compost in agriculture entails other potential benefits, such as reducing the amount of mineral fertilizer applied to the field and providing a potentially higher quality alternative. However, some concerns may arise from its use, such as crop yield and quality alterations. This work studied the effect of fertilizing with compost obtained from the organic fraction of MSW, on crop yield, crop quality and phenolic content of tomato fruit. Experiments were conducted in the Barcelona area, using Solanum lycopersicum L. , var. ‘Penjar’, a popular regional tomato. Compared with the use of mineral fertilizer (M), fertilization with MSW compost alone (C) or combined with mineral fertilizer (C + M) had no significant effect on tomato fruit quality characterized by weight, diameter or Brix, nor was there a significant effect on total phenolic content. In contrast, the C treatment altered the phenolic profile by enhancing a kaempferol derivative, and caused a 43 and 48% yield reduction compared with the C + M and M treatments, respectively. Overall, composted MSW + mineral fertilizer appeared to be the best strategy for the reutilization of MSW in tomato culture, as it did not compromise crop yield or fruit quality.
Availability of lysine in vegetable protein concentrates as determined by the slope-ratio assay with growing pigs and rats and by chemical techniques

1. The availability of lysine in seven vegetable protein concentrates was determined using the slope-ratio assay with growing pigs and rats and with two chemical techniques. 2. With pigs, estimates of availability were lower using carcass compared to live-weight values, but there was no consistent effect of including food intake in the criterion of response. Availability estimates, using food conversion efficiency on a carcass basis were (proportion of total) linseed meal − 0·23, lupin-seed meal 0.74, rapeseed meal no. 1 0.97, no. 2 0.77, sunflower meal no. 1 0.59, no. 2 0.66, no. 3 0.54. 3. Availability estimates for lysine with rats were also lower using carcass compared to live-weight values. Estimates based on food conversion efficiency were higher than those based on weight gain. Availability estimates in lupin-seed meal and sunflower meals were in general agreement with the pig estimates, whilst that with linseed meal was considerably higher (0·82). Assays were not conducted with rapessed meal due to problems of food rejection with this meal. 4. The differences in available lysine were not detected by the chemical Silcock available-lysine test (Roach et al. 1967) nor by the direct fluoro-dinitrobenzene procedure (Carpenter, 1960).
Micronutrient intake and breast cancer characteristics among postmenopausal women

Few studies on micronutrients and postmenopausal breast cancer have examined the association with breast cancer characteristics. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between vitamin C, vitamin E, folate and β-carotene from diet and supplements and risk of postmenopausal breast cancer subtypes defined by histology (ductal/lobular), estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PGR) status. In a prospective cohort study of 26 224 postmenopausal women information on diet, supplements and lifestyle was collected through questionnaires. One thousand seventy-two cases were identified during follow-up. Incidence rate ratios of total breast cancers and breast cancer subtypes related to micronutrient intake were calculated using Cox proportional hazard analyses. This study found no association between overall breast cancer and any micronutrients, while some effects were shown when stratifying by breast cancer subtypes: dietary but not supplemental β-carotene showed a protective effect against lobular breast cancer [incidence rate ratio (IRR): 0.72; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.57–0.91]. Dietary vitamin E was associated with decreased risk of ER and PGR positive breast cancer (IRR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.25–0.98) and dietary folate was associated with increased risk of ER and PGR positive breast cancer (IRR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.03–1.95). This study found no effect of micronutrients on overall risk of postmenopausal breast cancer, but indicated possible effects of micronutrients in subgroups of breast cancer, with a potential beneficial effect of dietary β-carotene in lobular breast cancer and dietary vitamin E in ER+PGR+breast cancer and a potential harmful effect of dietary folate in ER+PGR+ breast cancer.
Serum IgG subclasses in chronic and recurrent respiratory infections.

Serum IgG subclasses and IgG, IgA and IgM were measured in 47 patients with chronic respiratory tract infection, 53 patients with recurrent acute respiratory infections and 66 healthy normal adults. Compared to the healthy control group, mean serum IgG2 was significantly lower in patients with chronic infection (P less than 0.01) and in those with recurrent infection (P less than 0.001), whereas mean serum IgG3 was significantly higher (P less than 0.001 for those with chronic and P less than 0.05 for those with recurrent infection). Five patients with recurrent infection and two with chronic infection had serum IgG2 concentrations greater than 3 s.d. below the geometric mean of the control group, and three of these had concomitant IgA deficiency (less than 0.01 g/l). IgG4 was undetectable in five patients with recurrent and four with chronic infection, two of these also had IgG2 deficiency. In 13 of the 14 patients with IgG subclass deficiencies, total IgG was within the normal range. Selective IgA deficiency with normal IgG subclasses was found in five patients. Twenty-seven patients had raised levels of one or more Ig classes or subclasses. We feel that it is important to screen patients with chronic or recurrent respiratory infection for IgG subclass deficiencies in view of the reported beneficial response to gamma-globulin therapy.
BPSK & QPSK Modulated Data Communication for Biomedical Monitoring Sensor Network

Data communication between body-mounted sensors is progressing towards wireless monitoring networks. In this work, digital data communication by galvanic coupling through the body is presented as a promising approach for wireless intra-body communication. The human body itself serves as the transmission medium of electrical current. Both binary and quadrature phase-shift-keying (BPSK and QPSK) modulated data transmissions are implemented and compared for galvanic coupled links between 2 differential electrode pairs. The adaptive system offers up to 1 mA maximum current amplitude between 10 kHz and 1MHz. Data communication at a rate of up to 64 kbit/s was realized with BER of 10 -4 corresponding to an SNR greater than 6 dB. The novel technology has shown its feasibility in clinical trials. Furthermore, such a low-current approach enables data communication that is more energy-saving than other wireless technologies
Crony interlockers and the centrality of banks: the network of Moroccan listed companies

ABSTRACT In this paper, we study crony capitalism through the lens of Moroccan listed companies and the role of the financial sector. We first highlight the role of banks in the history of Moroccan capitalism from the setting up of the French protectorate over Morocco to the dominance of some major family groups. Using a network analysis of board members of the Moroccan listed companies we confirm the centrality of finance compared to other sectors. We also measure the relational proximity to demonstrate that each cluster of the four main holding families has at least one financial company. Finally, we argue that crony interlockers, who are members of royal foundations and represent an institutional investor or a holding family that owns a bank and/or an insurance company, are the most central actors in the network of listed companies. Our contribution to crony capitalism in MENA analyses the politics of finance in a neoliberal and peripheral country such as Morocco. Boone and Henry [(2004). Neoliberalism in the Middle East and Africa: Divergent banking reform trajectories, 1980s to 2000. Commonwealth & Comparative Politics, 42(3), 356–392] had described the banking sector in Morocco as a private oligopoly. Here, we provide evidence that the monarchy and its entourage are capturing corporate governance instruments such as board membership to control economic activities.
Ondansetron in pregnancy and risk of adverse fetal outcomes.

BACKGROUND Ondansetron is frequently used to treat nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, but the safety of this drug for the fetus has not been well studied. METHODS We investigated the risk of adverse fetal outcomes associated with ondansetron administered during pregnancy. From a historical cohort of 608,385 pregnancies in Denmark, women who were exposed to ondansetron and those who were not exposed were included, in a 1:4 ratio, in propensity-score-matched analyses of spontaneous abortion (1849 exposed women vs. 7396 unexposed women), stillbirth (1915 vs. 7660), any major birth defect (1233 vs. 4932), preterm delivery (1792 vs. 7168), and birth of infants at low birth weight and small for gestational age (1784 vs. 7136). In addition, estimates were adjusted for hospitalization for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (as a proxy for severity) and the use of other antiemetics. RESULTS Receipt of ondansetron was not associated with a significantly increased risk of spontaneous abortion, which occurred in 1.1% of exposed women and 3.7% of unexposed women during gestational weeks 7 to 12 (hazard ratio, 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27 to 0.91) and in 1.0% and 2.1%, respectively, during weeks 13 to 22 (hazard ratio, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.29 to 1.21). Ondansetron also conferred no significantly increased risk of stillbirth (0.3% for exposed women and 0.4% for unexposed women; hazard ratio, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.10 to 1.73), any major birth defect (2.9% and 2.9%, respectively; prevalence odds ratio, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.69 to 1.82), preterm delivery (6.2% and 5.2%; prevalence odds ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.66 to 1.25), delivery of a low-birth-weight infant (4.1% and 3.7%; prevalence odds ratio, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.51 to 1.13), or delivery of a small-for-gestational-age infant (10.4% and 9.2%; prevalence odds ratio, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.89 to 1.44). CONCLUSIONS Ondansetron taken during pregnancy was not associated with a significantly increased risk of adverse fetal outcomes. (Funded by the Danish Medical Research Council.).
Phylogenetic and Degradation Characterization of Burkholderia cepacia WZ1 Degrading Herbicide Quinclorac

Strain WZ1 capable of degrading quinclorac was isolated from a pesticide manufactory soil and considered to be Burkholderia cepacia, belonged to bacteria, Proteobacteria, β‐Proteobacteria, based on morphology, physio‐biochemical properties, whole cell fatty acid analysis and a partial sequencing of 16S rDNA. Strain WZ1 decomposed 90% of quinclorac at original concentration of 1000 mg L− 1 within 11 days. GC/MS analysis showed that the strain degraded quinclorac to 3,7‐dichloro‐8‐quinoline and the cracked residue 2‐chloro, 1,4‐benzenedicarboxylic acid, indicating that the metabolic pathway was initiated by process of decarboxylation followed by cleavage of the aromatic ring. Stain WZ1 was also able to degrade some other herbicides and aromatic compounds, including 2,4,5‐T, phenol, naphthalene and hydrochinone etc. This paper describes for the first time Phylogenetic and degradation characterization of a pure bacterium which, is able to mineralize quinclorac.
The relationships between family functioning and attachment orientations to post-traumatic stress symptoms among young adults who were evacuated from Gaza Strip settlements as adolescents

Background and Objectives: This study examined post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among young adults that were evicted from their residences in Gaza settlements (“Gush Katif”) as adolescents and actively participated in the resistance events. Furthermore, we examined the moderating role of exposure to forced relocation on the association between attachment orientations and family functioning and PTSD symptoms. Design: We conducted a correlative, cross-sectional study in 2013. Methods: Participants were Israeli evicted residents (ER group; N = 102), comparison groups of evicted nonresidents (ENR group; N = 27), and nonevicted nonresidents (NENR group; N = 53). All participants completed a battery of self-reported questionnaires. Results: The ER group reported a higher number of PTSD symptoms as compared to the comparison groups. However, ER participants did not differ from ENR and NENR participants in their perception of family functioning. Importantly, the group (ER vs. NENR) moderated the association between attachment-anxiety and PTSD symptoms and between family adaptability and PTSD symptoms. Conclusions: Nine years after the forced relocation from Gaza settlements, young adults that were evicted from their residences as adolescents suffer from PTSD symptoms that are more related to the relocation itself than the stress entailed in the resistance events.
Antiendomysial antibody detection in fecal supernatants: in vivo proof that small bowel mucosa is the site of antiendomysial antibody production

OBJECTIVE:Serum antiendomysial antibodies (EMAs), highly sensitive and specific serological markers of celiac disease (CD), are detectable in culture media of biopsy samples from CD patients. This finding can be considered an in vitro evidence that intestinal mucosa is a site of EMA production. To confirm this finding, we investigated the presence of EMAs and of anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG), recently identified as the autoantigen of the EMA, in fecal supernatants of CD patients.METHODS:Twenty-one newly diagnosed CD patients, 10 treated CD patients on a gluten-free diet, and 14 control disease patients on a gluten-containing diet were enrolled. Twenty-four-hour stool collections and fecal supernatants were obtained from all patients in the study. Biopsy cultures were also performed. IgA EMAs were detected in sera, culture media, and fecal supernatants. IgA, IgG, IgM, and IgE antigliadin antibodies (AGAs) and IgA anti-tTG antibodies were measured in fecal supernatants. The weights, water content, and pHs of the 24-h stool collections were also measured.RESULTS:In all untreated CD patients EMAs were detectable in sera, culture media, and fecal supernatants. In treated CD patients, EMAs were detected only in culture media after in vitro gliadin challenge. No EMAs were detected in controls. Anti-tTG levels were higher in untreated CD patients than in treated CD patients and controls. IgA AGA levels were higher in untreated CD patients than in treated CD and control patients, whereas IgM AGAs were higher in both untreated and treated CD patients than in controls. No statistically significant differences were observed for IgG and IgE AGAs among the above-mentioned populations. Fecal weights, water content, and pHs were higher in untreated CD than in control patients.CONCLUSIONS:The presence of EMAs in fecal supernatants represents the in vivo proof that intestinal mucosa is a site of EMA production. Furthermore, EMA detection in the stools could be a simple and useful additional tool to clarify diagnosis in the patchy conditions of CD.