Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Internalization of the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor is mediated by both phospholipase C-dependent and -independent processes.

Consequent to agonist exposure, many G protein-coupled receptors undergo sequestration or internalization. Results with receptors linked to adenylate cyclase, such as the beta 2-adrenergic receptor, or receptors linked to phospholipase C (PLC) have provided conflicting results regarding the role of second messenger-dependent (i.e., protein kinase A or C) and -independent (i.e., beta-adrenergic receptor kinase) kinases in mediating this process. Recent results for truncated and mutated gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptors (GRP-R), as well as muscarinic cholinergic receptors, suggest that activation of protein kinase C may be needed for full receptor internalization. Nearly all G protein-coupled receptors studied to date, including the GRP-R, possess two highly conserved amino acids that are important in mediating receptor-G protein coupling to second messengers, i.e., arginine in the proximal second intracellular loop and alanine in the distal third intracellular loop. We selectively mutated each of these residues in the GRP-R to determine their importance for activation of PLC. Site-directed mutagenesis was performed to change arginine at position 139 to glycine (R139G mutant) and alanine at position 263 to glutamate (A263E mutant), with stable cell lines being created by transfection of the wild-type or mutated receptor cDNA into BALB/3T3 fibroblasts. Both R139G (Kd = 12.0 +/- 1.6 nM) and A263E (Kd = 12.2 +/- 1.7 nM) had a lower affinity for bombesin than did wild-type GRP-R (Kd = 1.4 +/- 0.4 nM); however, characteristic stoichiometries for the binding of agonists to this receptor were maintained equally in all three cell lines (bombesin > GRP >> neuromedin B). The wild-type GRP-R exposed to bombesin increased [3H]inositol phosphates (a measure of PLC activation) approximately 4-fold, with an EC50 of 5.1 +/- 2.2 nM. In contrast, [3H]inositol phosphates were not significantly increased in cells expressing R139G or A263E receptors, demonstrating that Arg139 and Ala263 are required for GRP-R activation of PLC. However, when receptor internalization at 37 degrees was assessed by ligand acid-stripping studies, 53 +/- 2% of A263E receptors were internalized at 90 min, compared with 85 +/- 5% of wild-type GRP-R, whereas only 10 +/- 3% of R139G receptors were internalized. Preincubation of either mutant cell line with 100 nM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate markedly increased internalization rates, such that at 90 min 62 +/- 2% of R139G receptors and 82 +/- 1% of A263E receptors were internalized. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The Nearby Young Visual Binary HIP 115147 and Its Common Proper Motion Companion LSPM J2322+7847

We report a late M-type, common proper motion companion to a nearby young visual binary HIP 115147 (V368 Cep), separated by 963'' from the primary K0 dwarf. This optically dim star was identified as a candidate high proper motion, nearby dwarf LSPM J2322+7847 by Lépine in 2005. The wide companion is one of the latest post-T Tauri low-mass stars found within 20 pc. We obtain a trigonometric parallax of 51.6 ± 0.8 mas, in good agreement with the Hipparcos parallax of the primary star (50.7 ± 0.6 mas). Our BVRI photometric data and near-infrared data from 2MASS are consistent with LSPM J2322+7847 being brighter by 1 mag in Ks than field M dwarfs at V - Ks = 6.66, which indicates its pre-main-sequence status. We conclude that the most likely age of the primary HIP 115147 and its 11'' companion HIP 115147B is 20-50 Myr. The primary appears to be older than its close analog PZ Tel (age 12-20 Myr) and members of the TWA association (7 Myr).
Effects of alpha thalassaemia and haemoglobin F (HbF) level on the clinical severity of sickle‐cell anaemia

Abstract: Three clinical parameters — average steady‐state haematocrit (ASSH), number of crises per year (Cr/Y), and number of transfusions per year (Tx/Y) — were evaluated in 52 patients with sickle‐cell anaemia in relation to their foetal haemoglobin (HbF) levels. No correlation was observed between HbF and any of these parameters. A comparison of these three clinical parameters and the alpha globin gene status was also made in 28 of these patients. The relationships between (ASSH) or (Cr/Y) and alpha globin gene status were not significantly different (p>0.05) but a significantly different value (p<0.05) was observed between (Tx/Y) and the alpha globin gene status in these patients. It is concluded that, although HbF levels did not affect any of these parameters, alpha thalassaemia deletion significantly reduces the transfusion requirements of these patients.
Management of Abnormal Papanicolaou Smears in Pregnancy

All pregnant patients with abnormal cervical cytologic smears were evaluated as outpatients in the colposcopy clinic. Of the 131 patients, 84% had colposcopically directed biopsies. Initial biopsy diagnosis of severe dysplasia/ carcinoma in situ was noted in 16% of patients with class II smears and 43% of patients with class III smears. Two patients underwent conization and 2 had modified conizations because they failed to meet our criteria for adequate colposcopic evaluation. Of the 110 patients available for postpartum follow-up, all had either the same or a lesser degree of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Invasive carcinoma was not detected in any patient who underwent subsequent hysterectomy or conization. No abortions or premature labors could be directly attributed to the procedure.
Use of recombinant factor IX in subjects with haemophilia B undergoing surgery

Recombinant human FIX (rFIX) was evaluated in 28 subjects, including 26 with mild, moderate, or severe haemophilia B and two haemophilia B carriers undergoing 36 surgical procedures. Preoperative rFIX dose was highly correlated with postinfusion FIX activity, r=0.61, P=0.0158. Peri‐ and post‐operative estimated blood loss was similar to that expected in non‐haemophilic individuals, and haemostasis was rated as excellent or good in 34 of 35 (97.1%) of the operative procedures. Transfusions were required in five of 36 (13.9%) procedures, including one liver transplantation, and three knee and one hip arthroplasties. Adverse events occurred in 15 of 28 (53.6%) subjects, but there were no perioperative haemorrhages, thromboembolic events, coagulation activation, viral transmission, or inhibitor formation. A transient low‐responding FIX inhibitor developed in one subject preoperatively, but required no change in treatment and resolved 15 months later. Thus, rFIX was found to be safe and effective in achieving haemostasis in subjects with FIX deficiency undergoing surgery.
Immunoglobulin V(H) usage during primary infection of rhesus monkeys with chimeric simian-human immunodeficiency viruses

It has been suggested that naive immunoglobulins encoded by the V(H)3 gene family interact aberrantly with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp120 via a superantigenic epitope, causing initial expansion and eventual depletion of V(H)3-expressing B cells. However, this possibility has not been prospectively assessed during an AIDS virus infection. We determined V(H) family usage in rhesus monkeys during primary infection with chimeric viruses expressing HIV-1 envelopes on a simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVmac) backbone (SHIVs). Four SHIVs with different envelopes and pathogenicities were studied. V(H) family usage was prospectively assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and lymph node cells of these monkeys by a semiquantitative PCR technique. In the first months following SHIV infection, a period of intense viral antigenemia, representation of various V(H) families increased or decreased for individual monkeys, but no single V(H) family was consistently altered. In particular, the average representation of V(H)3-bearing B lymphocytes did not change. This observation suggests that the envelope glycoprotein of HIV-1 does not selectively expand or deplete the V(H)3 repertoire of primate B cells during acute AIDS virus infection, contrary to predictions of the gp120 superantigen hypothesis.
A Shandon PapSpin liquid-based gynecological test: A split-sample and direct-to-vial test with histology follow-up study

Background: Studies for liquid-based Papanicolaou (Pap) tests reveal that liquid-based cytology (LBC) is a safe and effective alternative to the conventional Pap smear. Although there is research on ThinPrep and SurePath systems, information is lacking to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of systems based on cytocentrifugation. This study is designed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the Shandon PapSpin (ThermoShandon, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA) liquid-based gynecological system. We used split-sample and direct-to-vial study design. Materials and Methods: 2,945 women referred to prophylactic check-up were enrolled in this study. Split sample design was used in 1,500 women and residual cervical cytology specimen from all these cases was placed in fluid for PapSpin preparation after performing conventional smear. The direct-to-vial study was carried out in another cohort of 1,445 women in whom the entire cervical material was investigated using only the PapSpin technique. Follow up histological diagnoses for 141 women were obtained from both study arms following 189 abnormal cytology cases. 80 LBC cases from the split sample group and 61 LBC cases in the direct-to-vial group were correlated with the histology results. The sensitivity and secificity of the conventional smear and PapSpin tests in both study arms were compared. Results: In the split sample group, conventional smears showed a higher proportion of ASC-US (atypical cells undetermined significance): 31 (2.1%) vs 10 (0.7%) in PapSpin (P = 0.001). A higher proportion of unsatisfactory samples was found in the conventional smear group: 25 (1.7%) vs 6 (0.4%) cases (P = 0.001). In the split sample group, the sensitivity of the conventional and PapSpin tests was 68.7% vs 78.1%, and the specificity 93.8% vs 91.8%, respectively. In the direct to vial group PapSpin sensitivity was 75.9% and specificity 96.5%. The differences in sensitivity and specificity were not significant. The positive predictive values for the conventional and PapSpin methods were not different in the split sample group: 88.0% vs 86.2% and 95.7% in the direct-to-vial group. Also, no differences were found for negative predictive value (82.1, 86.8% and 80.0% respectively). Conclusions: PapSpin showed good qualitative results in both study arms, even after the material splitting in the first study arm, and is a good alternative to the conventional Pap smear. Additionally, the PapSpin method offers several advantages such as the opportunity to prepare duplicate slides, option for HPV DNA testing and cell block preparations from residual material. Microscopic evaluation of thinner cell preparations is less time consuming than the conventional Pap smears.
Modernization, Malay matrimonial foodways and the community social bonding

Solidarity and kinship has long been an intangible emblem to Malay community especially in the rural area. It is visibly seen through the dependability among each unit of the community either in religious and social events including the matrimonial or wedding. Nevertheless, the inevitable phenomenon, modernization legitimately alters every facets of human life not only the routines, traditions, rituals, norms but also to the daily activities and the specific occasion. Using triangulation approach of interview and self completed questionnaire this study empirically examine the level of alteration of Malays wedding foodways which relate to the preparation and consumption of it and its impact on the community social bonding. Some meaningful insights were obtained whereby modernization through technology (modern equipments) and social factors (education, migration, and high disposal income) significantly contribute to the alteration of wedding foodways from preparation up to consumption stages. The domino effect of this alteration consequently leads to the fragility of social kinship or somehow reduced cohesiveness and interaction among the individual of Malay society in the rural area. Keywords—Modernization, Malay, Matrimonial, Foodways, Social Bonding
Combination of multi-agent systems and embedded hardware for the monitoring and analysis of diuresis

The early detection and monitoring of kidney disease continues being an important problem in medicine. The diagnosis and treatment of patients with this disease usually require expensive medical equipment that is difficult to install. Patients or medical centers may not always be able to afford such equipment. This work proposes the creation of a wireless sensor network for medical environments; it will assist medical professionals in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with renal symptomatology. This work will focus on the analysis of symptoms that accompany this disease and the design of a system which will help determine types of kidney diseases. The proposed system will incorporate new hardware mechanisms and an intelligent system. It will be designed through a multi-agent architecture based on virtual organizations. This architecture will include a new model of agents, specifically designed to be incorporated into computationally limited devices. This hardware will be characterized by its low cost and ease of use. A case study has been carried out in order to validate the proposed architecture. In order to validate the proposed architecture, we designed a case study that aims to provide a technological tool for medical professionals and makes it possible to determine any diseases related to diuresis. The initial results are promising.
Genetic effects on physical activity: results from the Swedish Twin Registry.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic effects on leisure-time physical activity using data from the Swedish Twin Registry. METHODS We investigated 13,362 twin pairs (5334 monozygotic and 8028 dizygotic pairs) aged 14-46 yr. Information on leisure-time physical activity was obtained by questionnaire. Correlations and odds ratios of physical activity were calculated for males, females, and monozygotic and dizygotic twins, respectively. Structural equation modeling was used to estimate the contribution of genetic effects as well as common and nonshared environmental factors on leisure-time physical activity. RESULTS About one third of the twins reported that they exercised regularly (26% in females and 39% in males). The correlations of physical activity were twice as high in monozygotic compared with dizygotic twins, suggesting the presence of genetic effects. The variation in physical activity due to heritage was 57% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.49-0.63) in males and 50% (95% CI = 0.49-0.55) in females. The common environmental influence on physical activity was very small compared with the influence from environmental factors unique to the individual. CONCLUSIONS Our study establishes heredity as an important component behind individual differences in physical activity in adult men and women. This may be one reason behind difficulties in convincing people to adopt an active lifestyle. Still, this study shows that there is a substantial influence on physical activity from environmental factors unique to the individual.
An evidence based systematic review of remifentanil associated opioid-induced hyperalgesia

Introduction: Therapeutic opioid use continues to grow, with greater than a fivefold increase in usage of fentanyl-based products over a 10-year period. Opioids are known for their side-effect profile, including bradycardia and respiratory depression; questions remain, however, regarding lesser known side effects such as opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH). Areas covered: A systematic review of published literature addressing remifentanil OIH in the surgical setting was completed. A search was conducted of PubMed, Embase and Ovid from 1946 until June 2013. Inclusion criteria consisted of age ≥ 18 years, humans, full-text articles and English language. A total of 35 unique articles were included. Sixteen articles reported outcomes that supported remifentanil OIH and 6 that refuted and 22 were focused on prevention. Expert opinion: There is conflicting evidence regarding the existence of remifentanil OIH. Outcomes evaluating measures of hyperalgesia frequently conclude that remifentanil OIH exists, while those evaluating opioid consumption do not. Therefore, remifentanil does induce a degree of hyperalgesia, but we do not believe that it reaches a level of clinical significance that requires prevention. If a significant concern for the development of remifentanil OIH is suspected, we suggest using the least possible effective dose of remifentanil as the primary prevention strategy.
COMPETITIVE VERSUS COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE *

I explore the interactions between comparative, competitive and absolute advantage in a two-country model of oligopoly in general equilibrium. Comparative advantage always determines the direction of trade, but both competitive and absolute advantage affect resource allocation, trade patterns and trade volumes. Competitive advantage in the sense of more home firms drives foreign firms out of marginal sectors but also makes some marginal home sectors uncompetitive. Absolute advantage in the sense of a uniform fall in home costs tends to raise home output in all sectors but also leads both countries to specialise less in accordance with comparative advantage.
Platelet-rich fibrin membranes as scaffolds for periosteal tissue engineering.

OBJECTIVES Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF)-based membranes have been used for covering alveolar ridge augmentation side in several in vivo studies. Few in vitro studies on PRF and no studies using human periosteal cells for tissue engineering have been published. The aim is a comparison of PRF with the commonly used collagen membrane Bio-Gide as scaffolds for periosteal tissue engineering. MATERIAL AND METHODS Human periosteal cells were seeded on membrane pieces (collagen [Bio-Gide] and PRF) at a density of 10(4) cells/well. Cell vitality was assessed by fluorescein diacetate (FDA) and propidium iodide (PI) staining, biocompatibility with the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) test and proliferation level with the MTT, WST and BrdU tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS PRF membranes showed slightly inferior biocompatibility, as shown by the LDH test. The metabolic activity measured by the MTT and WST tests was higher for PRF than for collagen (BioGide). The proliferation level as measured by the BrdU test (quantitative) and SEM examinations (qualitative) revealed higher values for PRF. CONCLUSION PRF appears to be superior to collagen (Bio-Gide) as a scaffold for human periosteal cell proliferation. PRF membranes are suitable for in vitro cultivation of periosteal cells for bone tissue engineering.
The Effect of Parents’ Self-Efficacy Perception on Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Behaviors of Turkish Preschool Children

ABSTRACT Preschool is an important period for the development of healthy lifestyle behaviors. Parents have a great influence upon a child developing healthy lifestyle behaviors. The purpose of this study was to determine the self-efficacy perceptions of parents related to their preschool children’s healthy eating and physical activity behaviors. This study was conducted with a research population of 425 parents of 3- to 6-year-old children. The data collection tools included Demographic Information Form, and The Parental Self-efficacy Questionnaire (PSQ). Also, the weight and height of the children and their parents were measured. There was a positive correlation in parental self-efficacy score between parents’ educational status and economic status and there was a significant negative correlation between children’s body mass index and parental self-efficacy scores. The understanding of the effect of parental self-efficacy perception in the development of preschool children’s healthy eating and physical activity behaviors is one of the first important steps in effective health promotion interventions.
Ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 Suppress Triglyceride Accumulation in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes and Enhance β-Cell Insulin Secretion and Viability in Min6 Cells via PKA-Dependent Pathways

Ginseng root is known to induce anti-diabetic activity, but the key components involved are unknown. We investigated which major ginsenosides in ginseng enhanced glucose homeostasis by in vitro studies. Rb1 and Rg1 reduced the triglyceride accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by activating PKA with increased intracellular cAMP. However, the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was enhanced by Rb1 and Rg1 via activation of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase. Rb1 and Rg1 promoted glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and cell viability in Min6 cells through PKA which augmented IRS2 expression to enhance insulin/IGF-1 signaling. These results suggest that Rb1 and Rg1 improved glucose homeostasis through the activation of a PKA like glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist.
Hepatitis C Virus Core Protein Enhances NFk B Signal Pathway Triggering by Lymphotoxin-b Receptor Ligand and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha

Our previous study indicated that the core protein of hepatitis C virus (HCV) can associate with tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-related lymphotoxin-b receptor (LT-bR) and that this protein-protein interaction plays a modulatory effect on the cytolytic activity of recombinant form LT-bR ligand (LT-a1b2) but not tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) in certain cell types. Since both TNF-a/TNFR and LT-a1b2/LT-bR are also engaged in transcriptional activator NF-kB activation or c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, the biological effects of the HCV core protein on these regards were elucidated in this study. As demonstrated by the electrophoretic mobility shift assay, the expression of HCV core protein prolonged or enhanced the TNF-a or LT-a1b2-induced NF-kB DNA-binding activity in HuH-7 and HeLa cells. The presence of HCV core protein in HeLa or HuH-7 cells with or without cytokine treatment also enhanced the NF-kB-dependent reporter plasmid activity, and this effect was more strongly seen with HuH-7 cells than with HeLa cells. Western blot analysis suggested that this modulation of the NF-kB activity by the HCV core protein was in part due to elevated or prolonged nuclear retention of p50 or p65 species of NF-kB in core protein-producing cells with or without cytokine treatment. Furthermore, the HCV core protein enhanced or prolonged the IkB-b degradation triggering by TNF-a or LT-a1b2 both in HeLa and HuH-7 cells. In contrast to that of IkB-b, the increased degradation of IkB-a occurred only in LT-a1b2-treated core-producing HeLa cells and not in TNF-a-treated cells. Therefore, the HCV core protein plays a modulatory effect on NF-kB activation triggering by both cytokines, though the mechanism of NF-kB activation, in particular the regulation of IkB degradation, is rather cell line and cytokine specific. Studies also suggested that the HCV core protein had no effect on TNF-a-stimulated JNK activity in both HeLa and HuH-7 cells. These findings, together with our previous study, strongly suggest that among three signaling pathways triggered by the TNF-a-related cytokines, the HCV core protein potentiates NF-kB activation in most cell types, which in turn may contribute to the chronically activated, persistent state of HCV-infected cells.