Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Effects of Shenfu injection on prostacyclin, thromboxane A2 and activities of ATPases in rats exposed to hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury].

OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of Shenfu Injection on prostacyclin, thromboxane A2 and the activities of ATPases in rats exposed to hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS Twenty-four male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were randomly divided into two groups: Shenfu Injection (SF)-treated group (rats were treated with Shenfu Injection of 10 ml/kg through intraperitoneal injection) and untreated group (rats were administered with normal saline at the same dose and served as a control group). Hepatic ischemia was caused by Pringle's maneuver and lasted for fifteen minutes, and then one-hour or three-hour reperfusion was performed. Venous blood samples for the measurement of thromboxane B(2) (TXB(2)) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1 alpha)(6-keto-PGF(1 alpha)) were collected three hours after reperfusion. Liver tissue samples were collected one hour or three hours after reperfusion for the measurement of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and Ca(+)-Mg(+)-ATPase and for morphological studies. RESULTS Plasma TXB(2) was lower in the SF-treated group than that in the untreated group after three-hour reperfusion (P>0.05), while 6-keto-PGF(1 alpha) was higher in the SF-treated group than that in the untreated group (P>0.05). The ratio of TXB(2) and 6-keto-PGF(1 alpha) was significantly lower in the SF-treated group than that in the untreated group (P<0.05). The activities of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and Ca(+)-Mg(+)-ATPase in the SF-treated group were improved obviously. A three-hour reperfusion after fifteen-minute ischemia caused important hepatic histological alterations. Marked structural abnormalities were observed in the untreated group, such as massive hepatocyte swelling, necrosis, mitochondria edema and vacuolar changes. In the SF-treated group, hepatic tissue injury was reduced significantly. CONCLUSION Shenfu Injection protects hepatic tissue from ischemia-reperfusion injury, and such protective effects are achieved by decreasing the ratio of thromboxane A(2) and prostacyclin, and increasing the activities of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and Ca(+)-Mg(+)- ATPase.
Putting race in context: social class modulates processing of race in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and amygdala

Abstract A growing body of literature demonstrates that racial group membership can influence neural responses, e.g. when individuals perceive or interact with persons of another race. However, little attention has been paid to social class, a factor that interacts with racial inequalities in American society. We extend previous literature on race-related neural activity by focusing on how the human brain responds to racial out-groups cast in positively valued social class positions vs less valued ones. We predicted that the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and the amygdala would have functionally dissociable roles, with the vmPFC playing a more significant role within socially valued in-groups (i.e. the middle-class) and the amygdala having a more crucial role for socially ambivalent and threatening categories (i.e. upper and lower class). We tested these predictions with two complementary studies: (i) a neuropsychological experiment with patients with the vmPFC or amygdala lesions, contrasted with brain damaged and normal comparison participants, and (ii) a functional magnetic resonance imaging experiment with 15 healthy adults. Our findings suggest that two distinct mechanisms underlie class-based racial evaluations, one engaging the vmPFC for positively identified in-group class and another recruiting the amygdala for the class groups that are marginalized or perceived as potential threats.
Teaching Effects of Dermatological Consultations on Nondermatologists in the Field of Internal Medicine

Background: Scarce data exist concerning dermatological consultations within departments of internal medicine. To date, no survey has been carried out in Switzerland to elucidate this issue. The aim of this study was to analyze the spectrum of skin diseases internists are confronted with and to study their diagnostic accuracy in cutaneous diseases. In addition, we wanted to evaluate the motivation for dermatologists to cooperate closely with internists. Patients and Methods: The study included patients with dermatological problems treated at the Department of Internal Medicine at the Kantonsspital Aarau, Switzerland. All patients had been referred to the Department of Dermatology for examination between 1999 and 2001. Patient data were analyzed demographically, by referral modus, diagnoses and therapy. To evaluate the knowledge of internists and dermatologists in cutaneous medicine, 15 clinical slides of common dermatoses with a patient history were shown and asked for diagnostic suggestions to 32 internists of the Kantonsspital Aarau and to 13 dermatologists of the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland. Results: 1,290 patients were referred to the Department of Dermatology. 1,737 dermatological diagnoses were made including 348 different dermatoses. Eczema was the single most common diagnosis (12.6%), followed by actinic and bowenoid precancerosis (6.2%), drug eruption (4.2%), verrucae (4%) and mycosis (3.8%). The top ten diagnoses accounted for 41.7% of all skin-related diagnoses. Infection-related dermatoses were most common (20.5%) followed by different types of eczema (12.6%), malignant cutaneous tumors and malignant visceral conditions (11.2%). Local therapy was prescribed in 64.2% and systemic therapy in 22.6% of the patients. 15.9% did not receive specific therapy because the consultation request was only a diagnostic one. 146 skin biopsies were performed (11.3%). Systemic diseases with cutaneous manifestations accounted for 15.7%. In general, these conditions were not commonly seen by dermatologists in daily practice. The internists recognized 51.1% of the cutaneous manifestations during examination and 49% when presented with slides. Conclusions: Internists are confronted with a different spectrum of cutaneous diseases compared with dermatologists. Due to the broad spectrum of skin diseases, it is a challenging task for internists to recognize dermatoses. Our study elucidates that patients, internists and dermatologists may profit from a close cooperation.
Palmitoylations on Murine Coronavirus Spike Proteins Are Essential for Virion Assembly and Infectivity

ABSTRACT Coronavirus spike (S) proteins are palmitoylated at several cysteine residues clustered near their transmembrane-spanning domains. This is achieved by cellular palmitoyl acyltransferases (PATs), which can modify newly synthesized S proteins before they are assembled into virion envelopes at the intermediate compartment of the exocytic pathway. To address the importance of these fatty acylations to coronavirus infection, we exposed infected cells to 2-bromopalmitate (2-BP), a specific PAT inhibitor. 2-BP profoundly reduced the specific infectivities of murine coronaviruses at very low, nontoxic doses that were inert to alphavirus and rhabdovirus infections. 2-BP effected only two- to fivefold reductions in S palmitoylation, yet this correlated with reduced S complexing with virion membrane (M) proteins and consequent exclusion of S from virions. At defined 2-BP doses, underpalmitoylated S proteins instead trafficked to infected cell surfaces and elicited cell-cell membrane fusions, suggesting that the acyl chain adducts are more critical to virion assembly than to S-induced syncytial developments. These studies involving pharmacologic inhibition of S protein palmitoylation were complemented with molecular genetic analyses in which cysteine acylation substrates were mutated. Notably, some mutations (C1347F and C1348S) did not interfere with S incorporation into virions, indicating that only a subset of the cysteine-rich region provides the essential S-assembly functions. However, the C1347F/C1348S mutant viruses exhibited relatively low specific infectivities, similar to virions secreted from 2-BP-treated cultures. Our collective results indicate that the palmitate adducts on coronavirus S proteins are necessary in assembly and also in positioning the assembled envelope proteins for maximal infectivity.
Bounding Ramsey Numbers through Large Deviation Inequalities

We develop a new approach for proving lower bounds for various Ramsey numbers, based on using large deviation inequalities. This approach enables us to obtain the bounds for the off‐diagonal Ramsey numbers R(Kr, Kk), r ≤ k, that match the best known bounds, obtained through the local lemma. We discuss also the bounds for a related Ramsey‐type problem and show, for example, that there exists a K4‐free graph G on n vertices in which every cn3/5 log1/2 n vertices span a copy of K3. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A Novel Approach to Mitigation of Radar Beam Weighting Effect on Coherent Radar Imaging Using VHF Atmospheric Radar

Multiple-receiver coherent radar imaging using very high frequency atmospheric radars is capable of imaging angular power distribution (termed brightness distribution) of the backscattered radar echoes with some inversion algorithms such as Capon's method. The brightness distribution, however, is weighted by the radar beam weighting pattern. Modification of the brightness distribution with a simulated radar beam weighting pattern usually incurs spurious peaks around the edge of the distribution map. In view of this, an approach to mitigation of the radar beam weighting effect on brightness distribution is proposed, thereby giving more reliable estimates of echo center and brightness width. The proposed approach employs several pairs of symmetrically tilted radar beams to determine an effective weighting pattern of the radar beam that is adaptive to the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the data, as well as the transmitting-receiving array configuration. Four radar experiments were carried out with the Middle and Upper atmosphere radar in Japan (34.85°N , 136.11°E) to demonstrate the proposed approach. One of the experiments was exhibited in more detail, and it showed the following: 1) Approximately 14% of the single-center cases turned into double-center situations; 2) the zenith angles of the corrected echo centers were larger than the original ones by ~0.75° on average; and 3) the brightness widths could be larger than the original ones by several degrees, depending on the SNR of the data. Based on these investigations, suitable corrections of the echo center and brightness width are expected to result in different estimates of some atmospheric parameters like scatterer anisotropy and tilt angle of the layer structure.
The risk of transfusion-transmitted viral infections at the Gabonese National Blood Transfusion Centre.

BACKGROUND Blood transfusions carry the risk of transmitting blood-borne infections. In contrast to the situation in the developed world, there is a limited number of studies examining this problem in sub-Saharan Africa. In this study we aimed to calculate the risks of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection from units of blood issued by the Gabonese Blood Transfusion Centre between 2009 and 2011. MATERIALS AND METHODS All the donations were tested for infectious diseases and the seroconversion incidence rates of HIV, HBV and HCV were calculated. The residual risk of transfusion-associated transmission for each virus was calculated by multiplying the seroconversion rates by the window period expressed in fractions of a year. RESULTS The risks of becoming infected with HIV, HCV, and HBV in subjects receiving units of blood from the Gabonese Blood Transfusion Centre were 64.7, 207.94 and 534.53 per million donations, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study, which is the first to quantify the true risks of transfusion-transmitted infections in Gabon, reveals and confirms the need to reinforce preventative and screening strategies to improve transfusion safety in sub-Saharan Africa.
Prevalence of hereditary hearing impairment in adults.

This contribution, part of an EU-Concerted Action on the genetics of hearing impairment (H.E.A.R.), describes the preliminary estimated prevalence of hereditary hearing impairment based on retrospective data from a clinical series. Of 27,692 subjects examined in the period 1987-91, we sampled 1265 suffering from unilateral or bilateral hereditary hearing impairment, which is roughly 5% of those examined (n = 384 (31%) male; n = 881 (69%) female). Median age of the subjects is 70 years (range 22-98). Subdividing them into 10-year birth cohorts and applying the local annual population statistics, the prevalence of an overall age-related hereditary hearing impairment was roughly estimated to be 3.2/1000, reflecting prevalences as a function of age from 0.8 to 9.4/1000--prevalence in females being significantly more than in males (4.1/1000 and 2.1/1000, respectively). Overall, a moderate hearing impairment of median 51 dB in the better hearing ear was found, averaged across 0.5-4 kHz, this being fairly constant up to the age of 60, when a significant reduction in hearing sensitivity developed. No significant differences are present as a function of gender, except for the birth cohorts 1910-19 and 1920-29. The most frequent type of hereditary hearing impairment in this sample is otosclerosis, comprising 2% of the total clinical series with a rough population prevalence estimate of 1.4/1000. It is concluded that the established database may be of importance in the aggregation of very rare diseases, and for providing the inspiration for future prospective population studies, resulting in knowledge on the epidemiology of hereditary hearing impairment in adults.
Conformational characterization of nerve growth factor-β reveals that its regulatory pro-part domain stabilizes three loop regions in its mature part

Nerve growth factor-β (NGF) is essential for the correct development of the nervous system. NGF exists in both a mature form and a pro-form (proNGF). The two forms have opposing effects on neurons: NGF induces proliferation, whereas proNGF induces apoptosis via binding to a receptor complex of the common neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) and sortilin. The overexpression of both proNGF and sortilin has been associated with several neurodegenerative diseases. Insights into the conformational differences between proNGF and NGF are central to a better understanding of the opposing mechanisms of action of NGF and proNGF on neurons. However, whereas the structure of NGF has been determined by X-ray crystallography, the structural details for proNGF remain elusive. Here, using a sensitive MS-based analytical method to measure the hydrogen/deuterium exchange of proteins in solution, we analyzed the conformational properties of proNGF and NGF. We detected the presence of a localized higher-order structure motif in the pro-part of proNGF. Furthermore, by comparing the hydrogen/deuterium exchange in the mature part of NGF and proNGF, we found that the presence of the pro-part in proNGF causes a structural stabilization of three loop regions in the mature part, possibly through a direct molecular interaction. Moreover, using tandem MS analyses, we identified two N-linked and two O-linked glycosylations in the pro-part of proNGF. These results advance our knowledge of the conformational properties of proNGF and NGF and help provide a rationale for the diverse biological effects of NGF and proNGF at the molecular level.
The N-Terminal Capping Propensities of the D-Helix Modulate the Allosteric Activation of the E . coli cAMP Receptor Protein

From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas 77555-1055 Running title: Allostery and structural stability Address correspondence to J. Ching Lee, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas 77555-1055. Phone: (409) 772-2281. Fax: (409) 772-4298. E-mail: jclee@utmb.edu
Partial Purification and Characterization of Bovine Liver Aspartyl , & Hydroxylase *

In vitro hydroxylation of aspartic acid has recently been demonstrated in a synthetic peptide based on the structure of the first epidermal growth factor domain in human factor IX (Gronke, R. S., VanDusen, W. J., Garsky, V. M., Jacobs, J. W., Sardana, M. K., Stern, A. M., and Friedman, P. A. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 7J. S. A. 86, 3609-3613). The putative enzyme responsible for the posttranslational modification, asparty1 B-hydroxylase, has been shown to be a member of a class of 2-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases, which include prolyl-4and lysyl-hydroxylases. In the present study, we describe the solubilization with nonionic detergent of the enzyme from bovine liver microsomes and its purification using DEAE-cellulose followed by heparin-Sepharose. No additional detergent was required during purification. The partially purified enzyme preparation was found to contain no prolyl-4or lysyl-hydroxylase activity. Using a synthetic peptide based on the structure of the epidermal growth factor-like region in human factor X as substrate, the apparent K, values for iron and u-ketoglutarate were 3 and 5 KM, respectively. The enzyme hydroxylated the factor X peptide with the same stereospecificity (erythro @-hydroxyaspartic acid) and occurred only at the aspartate corresponding to the position seen in vivo. Furthermore, the extent to which either peptide (factor IX or X) was hydroxylated reflected the extent of hydroxylation observed for both human plasma factors IX and X.
Correlation of HBeAg/anti‐HBe, ALT levels, and HBV DNA PCR results in HBsAg‐positive patients

A highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to analyse serum samples from HBsAg-positive patients in Sweden. Forty-two chronic carriers were tested, five of whom were of Swedish origin. Of the total, there were 13 HBeAg-positive and 27 anti-HBe-positive patients, while 1 patient was negative for both HBeAg and anti-HBe and one was positive for both markers. Nine of the 13 HBeAg-positive carriers and only 7 of the 27 anti-HBe-positive carriers had elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) levels (P = 0.01). Two PCR tests of marginally different sensitivity were used on all patient samples. All 13 HBeAg-positive patients and the patients with and lacking both HBeAg and anti-HBe markers, respectively, were positive in both PCR tests. One HBeAg-positive patient was shown to shed hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in both saliva and urine. Twelve of the 27 anti-HBe-positive carriers, 6 of whom had elevated ALT levels, were PCR positive. The remaining 15 had no evidence of HBV DNA and all but 1 had normal ALT levels. A positive PCR result was more common in those anti-HBe-positive patients with elevated ALT levels (P < 0.02). The precore gene from 18 samples was sequenced and, with a few exceptions, showed a high degree of conservation. We suggest that in the absence of optimal tests for infectivity of serum from HBsAg-positive patients, and until PCR becomes more widely available, all anti-HBe-positive patients with elevated ALT levels be considered highly infectious.
Cardiac and Hemodynamic Assessment of Patients with Cocaine-Associated Chest Pain Syndromes

Background: Animal and human experimental studies have yielded conflicted data regarding the effects of cocaine on cardiovascular function. We studied the cardiac and hemodynamic profiles in emergency department chest pain patients following recent cocaine use. Methods: After obtaining informed consent, emergency department patients who presented with a chief complaint of chest pain and cocaine use within 24 hours of arrival were prospectively enrolled. All patients underwent a structured 40-item history and physical examination and were placed on the IQ Noninvasive Hemodynamic Surveillance System (Renaissance Technology, Inc., Newton, PA), a validated transthoracic cardiac output monitor. The principal measurements obtained included cardiac output, cardiac index, and stroke volume. Data were analyzed with standard descriptive techniques. Results: Twenty-seven patients were enrolled (median age, 37 years [range, 23–54]; 74% male). Patients used a mean of $200 worth of cocaine, usually crack (67%). Patients had a history of tobacco use (82%), prior myocardial infarction (33%), and prior cocaine-associated chest pain (67%). The median (interquartile range; IQR) for the hemodynamic parameters were: mean arterial blood pressure 92 mm Hg (IQR 85–100); heart rate 83/min (IQR 72–98); cardiac output 6.9 L/min (IQR 5.1–7.2); cardiac index 3.2 L/min/m2 (IQR 2.4–4.0); stroke volume 78 mL/beat (IQR 64–93). Conclusion: Most emergency department patients with cocaine-associated chest pain have normal cardiac profiles at the time of presentation. The negative inotropic effects of high doses of cocaine observed in animal models do not appear to be present in patients who develop chest pain after using recreational doses of cocaine.
How elementary school principals in an Ontario school board use resiliency strategies to manage adversity in their leadership

The purpose of this exploratory case study was to gather, examine, and define school leadership ‘adversity experiences’ of elementary school principals in an Ontario school board. This qualitative study examined how principals use resiliency strategies to manage adversity in the course of their school leadership. Lastly, the study examined supports, professional learning, and/or programs specific to the Ontario context that exist for principals experiencing adversity. The purposeful sample was fifteen elementary school principals and one superintendent of education. They were interviewed one-on-one using semi-structured questions during the winter 2016. Those data were analyzed using a modified form of constant comparative analysis and then triangulated with documents obtained from the school board. Findings indicated: elementary principals’ work-related adversity is challenging; may be day-to-day, chronic, or crisis events involving staff, parents, school communities, and the system; may be stressful to principals, but not always seen by them in a negative light; resiliency strategies that principals use help them bounce back and thrive, may be learned, and contain elements of collegial support, an optimistic disposition, and physical activity; many supports for principals to lead and manage amidst adversity and develop resiliency exist but principals may have their own unique and individual needs; relationships with their school board and superintendents may or may not be seen as supportive by principals, and supports may or may not be accessed. Several conclusions emerged: because of their complex and demanding roles, elementary principals experience a variety of adversity experiences with several stakeholders; collegial relationships, optimism, and physical activities are fundamental resiliency strategies; school boards and superintendents should play an increasing role in supporting elementary principals with adversity experiences and their development of resiliency; principals need opportunities to meet with their colleagues and discuss adversity experiences in formal and informal ways in which they feel safe and respected; ii principals need opportunities to develop their resiliency strategies and investigate professional learning, tailored one-on-one and group based supports, and/or programs to manage adversity and develop resiliency; and boards need to investigate supports available for principals and create an accessible means by which principals can locate and use this information.