Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The structure of the infectious prion protein

The structures of the infectious prion protein, PrPSc, and that of its proteolytically truncated variant, PrP 27–30, have evaded experimental determination due to their insolubility and propensity to aggregate. Molecular modeling has been used to fill this void and to predict their structures, but various modeling approaches have produced significantly different models. The disagreement between the different modeling solutions indicates the limitations of this method. Over the years, in absence of a three-dimensional (3D) structure, a variety of experimental techniques have been used to gain insights into the structure of this biologically, medically, and agriculturally important isoform. Here, we present an overview of experimental results that were published in recent years, and which provided new insights into the molecular architecture of PrPSc and PrP 27–30. Furthermore, we evaluate all published models in light of these recent, experimental data, and come to the conclusion that none of the models can accommodate all of the experimental constraints. Moreover, this conclusion constitutes an open invitation for renewed efforts to model the structure of PrPSc.
Arthroscopically Assisted Mini-Invasive Management of Perilunate Dislocations

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of perilunate dislocations and fracture-dislocations treated with arthroscopically assisted mini-invasive reduction and fixation. Methods Between June 2012 and May 2014, 24 patients who had a dorsal perilunate dislocation or fracture-dislocation were treated with arthroscopically assisted reduction and percutaneous fixation. The mean follow-up was 14.8 months (range 6–32 months). Clinical outcomes were evaluated on the basis of range of motion; grip strength; Mayo Wrist Score; Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire; and Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) score. Radiographic evaluations included time to scaphoid union, carpal alignments, and any development of arthritis. Results The range of flexion-extension motion of the injured wrist averaged 86% of the values for the contralateral wrist. The grip strength of the injured wrist averaged 83% of the values for the contralateral wrists. The mean QuickDASH score was 6, and the mean PRWE score was 10. According to the Mayo Wrist Scores, overall functional outcomes were rated as excellent in 13 patients (54%), good in 6 (25%), fair in 4 (17%), and poor in 1 (4%). Scaphoid nonunion developed in one patient. Reduction obtained during the operation was maintained within normal ranges in all patients. Arthritis had not developed in any patient at final follow-up. Conclusions Arthroscopically assisted mini-invasive reduction with percutaneous fixation is a reliable and favorable alternative in the treatment of perilunate injuries according to our early follow-up results. Level of Evidence: Level IV, Therapeutic.
Pulse transit time and blood pressure changes following auditory-evoked subcortical arousal and waking of infants.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To establish a normal range of data in 3-month-old infants in relation to changes in cardiovascular measurements, with particular reference to pulse transit time (PTT), following subcortical arousals and awakenings from sleep. DESIGN Prospective study. SETTING Sleep laboratory, Dunedin Hospital PARTICIPANTS Twenty healthy infants aged 9-12 weeks. METHODS Nap studies were performed using a standard polysomnographic setup with the addition of a Portapres blood pressure (BP) cuff (wrist application) and a piezoelectric sensor on the foot. PTT was measured from the ECG-R waveform to the arrival of the pulse peripherally. Infants were exposed to white noise from 50 to 100 dB at 10 dB intervals within REM and NREM sleep. RESULTS Awakening thresholds were higher (P = 0.01) in NREM (>90 dB) than REM sleep (mean +/- SD; 74.3 +/- 9.4dB). Subcortical thresholds were always 10 dB below waking thresholds. Following awakening, there was an immediate increase in HR, SBP, and DBP of 21%, 14%, and 17%, respectively, and a 13% decrease in PTT returning to baseline within 25-30 seconds. PTT at baseline measured 140 +/- 11 and 139 +/- 9 msec in NREM and REM sleep, respectively, and decreased approximately 20 msec with waking. PTT changes were negatively correlated with heart rate (HR) but not BP, although a trend was evident. CONCLUSIONS At 3 months of age, infants provoked to arouse from sleep showed PTT changes that inversely mimicked BP trends, suggesting that PTT could be useful in infant studies as a marker for autonomic perturbations that occur during sleep in both clinical and research settings.
Seroprevalence of anti-HAV among patients with chronic viral liver disease.

AIM To investigate the current seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibodies in patients with chronic viral liver disease in Korea. We also tried to identify the factors affecting the prevalence of HAV antibodies. METHODS We performed an analysis of the clinical records of 986 patients (mean age: 49 ± 9 years, 714 males/272 females) with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who had undergone HAV antibody testing between January 2008 and December 2009. RESULTS The overall prevalence of IgG anti-HAV was 86.61% (854/986) in patients with chronic liver disease and was 88.13% (869/986) in age- and gender-matched patients from the Center for Health Promotion. The anti-HAV prevalence was 80.04% (405/506) in patients with chronic hepatitis B, 86.96% (20/23) in patients with chronic hepatitis C, 93.78% (422/450) in patients with HBV related liver cirrhosis, and 100% (7/7) in patients with HCV related liver cirrhosis. The anti-HAV prevalence according to the decade of age was as follows: 20s (6.67%), 30s (50.86%), 40s (92.29%), 50s (97.77%), and 60s (100%). The anti-HAV prevalence was significantly higher in patients older than 40 years compared with that in patients younger than 40 years of age. Multivariable analysis showed that age ≥ 40 years, female gender and metropolitan cities as the place of residence were independent risk factors for IgG anti-HAV seropositivity. CONCLUSION Most Korean patients with chronic liver disease and who are above 40 years of age have already been exposed to hepatitis A virus.
Testing for pre‐committed quantities of Australian meat demand

Pre‐committed consumption represents the portion of demand that is determined by non‐price and non‐income factors. This study uses quarterly data to estimate a Generalised Almost Ideal Demand System (GAIDS) to test for the existence of pre‐committed meat consumption in Australia. Two specifications are estimated to evaluate the impact of seasonal and time trend factors on pre‐committed demand. Evidence is found for the existence of pre‐committed chicken consumption when jointly estimated with seasonal and time trend factors. Results support improved demand modelling of Australian meat consumption using the GAIDS and provide insights into how Australian meat demand is affected by price, expenditures, pre‐committed consumption, seasonality, and trends.
Pharmacodynamic Evaluation and PK/PD-Based Dose Prediction of Tulathromycin: A Potential New Indication for Streptococcus suis Infection

Tulathromycin is the first member of the triamilide antimicrobial drugs that has been registered in more than 30 countries. The goal of this study is to provide a potential new indication of tulathromycin for Streptococcus suis infections. We investigated the pharmacokinetic and ex vivo pharmacodynamics of tulathromycin against experimental S. suis infection in piglets. Tulathromycin demonstrated a relatively long elimination half-life (74.1 h) and a mean residence time of 97.6 h after a single intramuscular administration. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and bactericidal concentration in serum were markedly lower than those in broth culture, with Mueller–Hinton broth/serum ratios of 40.3 and 11.4, respectively. The post-antibiotic effects were at 1.27 h (1× MIC) and 2.03 h (4× MIC) and the post-antibiotic sub-MIC effect values ranged from 2.47 to 3.10 h. The ratio of the area under the concentration–time curve divided by the MIC (AUC/MIC) correlated well with the ex vivo antimicrobial effectiveness of tulathromycin (R2 = 0.9711). The calculated AUC12h/MIC ratios in serum required to produce the net bacterial stasis, 1-log10 and 2-log10 killing activities were 9.62, 18.9, and 32.7, respectively. Based on the results of Monte Carlo simulation, a dosage regimen of 3.56 mg/kg tulathromycin was estimated to be effective, achieving for a bacteriostatic activity against S. suis infection over 5 days period. Tulathromycin may become a potential option for the treatment of S. suis infections.
Micronutrient Policy Change In South Africa: Implications For The Kaleidoscope Model For Food Security Policy Change

This review of micronutrient policy processes in South Africa serves as a companion piece to two parallel studies in Malawi and Zambia. All three studies employ the Kaleidoscope Model of policy change to trace the causal forces leading to key micronutrient policy decisions in each of the three countries. After outlining the overall micronutrient policy process in South Africa, the study focuses on policy decisions regarding vitamin A supplementation, fortification with iodine, iron and multinutrient fortificant, and the reduction of sodium in foods.
Acute‐phase responsiveness of mannose‐binding lectin in community‐acquired pneumonia is highly dependent upon MBL2 genotypes

Mannose‐binding lectin (MBL) is a pattern recognition receptor of the complement system and plays an important role in innate immunity. Whether or not MBL acts as an acute‐phase response protein in infection has been an issue of extensive debate, because MBL responses have shown a high degree of heterogeneity. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter (wild‐type Y versus X) and exon 1 (A versus 0) of the MBL2 gene can lead to MBL deficiency. This study investigated the influence of SNPs in the promoter and exon 1 of the MBL2 gene on the acute‐phase responsiveness of MBL in 143 patients with community‐acquired pneumonia. Acute‐phase reactivity was observed only in MBL‐sufficient genotypes (YA/YA, XA/YA, XA/XA and YA/0). In patients with wild‐type exon 1 genotype A/A, positive acute‐phase responses were associated with the presence of the YA haplotype and negative responses with its absence. Genotypes YA/0 and XA/XA produced equal levels of MBL in convalescence. In the acute phase, however, patients with genotype XA/XA displayed negative acute‐phase responses more often than those with genotype YA/0. Correlation of MBL and C‐reactive protein levels in the acute phase of pneumonia also depended upon the MBL2 genotype. In conclusion, acute‐phase responsiveness of MBL was highly dependent upon the MBL2 genotype. These data suggest that heterogeneity in protein responses in the acute phase of disease should always be viewed in the light of possible influences of genetic differences in both structural and regulatory parts of the gene.
Organizational slacks and corporate social performance of listed companies: The role of state-owned holding

Based on dichotomy, we depart from the heated debate on the relationship between organizational slacks and corporate financial performance, focus on the relationship between organizational slacks and corporate social performance. This article is both a qualitative and quantitative one. Applying resource based view, industrial organization theory, and institutional theories, based on the empirical study of 233 Chinese listed companies, we draw out conclusions as follow: in the context of transition economy as China, listed companies' unabsorbed slacks are positive related to corporate social performance significantly; while absorbed slacks are negative related to corporate social performance significantly. Among these relationships, state-owned holding plays an positive moderating role, thus, it enhance the positive relationship between unabsorbed slacks and corporate social performance, and weaken the negative relationship between unabsorbed slacks and corporate social performance. We also explore the role of state-owned holding. We discuss the interaction between state-owned holding and organizational slacks, which make contributions to organizational efficiency- performance relationship study in transition economy. This article is the first one to test the relationship between organizational slacks and corporate social performances, and it open the new era in this area for further studies.
A comparison of consultative model and direct-indirect intervention with preschoolers.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a consultative model of intervention with that of direct-indirect intervention for meeting goals of preschool students with mild motor delays. METHOD Two occupational therapists provided consultation to teams working with 11 children 1 day a week for all 40 weeks of the school year. A different occupational therapist provided direct-indirect treatment to another 9 children for a full week every 3 weeks for the 40 weeks of the school year. Data for both groups used in this study were kept for the last 4 months at the end of the school year or as the children appeared to be nearing completion of their goals of the study. All therapists met with their teams twice a month to plan and review progress. All parents carried out activities with their children at home. Goal Attainment Scaling was used to examine progress. RESULTS No statistically significant differences were found between the two types of intervention (t = .359; df = 18; p = .724). CONCLUSION The study suggests that a consultative model and a direct-indirect model are equally effective in meeting objectives for preschoolers with relatively mild motor impairments.
e-gobierno corporativo: evidencia en Chile sobre la divulgación de información en internet

espanolLa teoria y practica sobre Gobierno Corporativo, entre muchos aspectos que considera, destaca la transparencia informativa como un pilar importante. En este sentido, un canal de comunicacion como Internet, que por las caracteristicas que posee la red abierta, favorece fuertemente las iniciativas de Gobiernos Corporativos, asunto actualmente discutido en Chile por la expectativa de una nueva ley sobre el tema. En este sentido, hemos indagado acerca del uso de los sitios web para una muestra de empresas cotizadas chilenas, de tal forma de observar en que medida se esta autorizando y de que forma se condice con los diferentes codigos de buenas practicas de gobiernos corporativos que existen en paises desarrollados principalmente, asi como buscar los factores que propician esa divulgacion. Entre los resultados se muestra una importante divulgacion de informacion financiera, aunque no es la principal, pues es superada por aspectos de estrategia y compania y analisis financiero, aunque en general el grupo de empresas estudiadas es muy homogeneo en sus divulgaciones. EnglishTheory and practice on corporate governance highlight, among other aspects, information transparency as one important pillar. In this sense, a communication channel such as Internet is a very strong help for corporate governance initiatives. We have been researching on web sites usage, taking a sample of Chilean listed corporations, to observe how many companies have adopted it and if they follow the best practice on corporate governance used in developed countries, looking for the factors that favor such a disclosure. Our results show an important disclosure of financial information, even though it is not as important as corporate strategy and financial analysis, and strong homogeneity on matters to be disclosure.
Evaluation of developmental toxicity of guaifenesin using pregnant female rats

Objectives: Guaifenesin possesses expectorant, muscle relaxant, and anticonvulsive properties. To the best of our knowledge, the promising data regarding the developmental toxicity of guaifenesin are scarce. The current study investigates the developmental toxic effects of guaifenesin in detail using female rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five dams were divided into five groups. Group 1 served as a control, while Group-2, -3, -4, and -5 were administered with 250, 350, 500, and 600 (mg/kg b.w.) doses of guaifenesin, respectively, starting from gestation day 6 to day 17. Half of the total recovered fetuses was subjected to morphologic and morphometric analysis, while other half was subjected to skeletal examination. Results: A significant reduction in maternal weight, and food/water intake, was observed, however, no mortality and morbidity were observed. About 14 dead fetuses were found in Group-3 and -4 each, while 26 in Group 5. Morphological analysis revealed 21.2%, 45.4%, 67.2%, and 86.9% of total fetuses having hemorrhagic spots in Group-2, -3, -4, and -5, respectively. Dropping wrist/ankle and kinky tail were found in Group-4 and -5 only. Morphometric analysis showed a significant decline in fetal weight, full body length, skull length, forelimb length, hindlimb length, and tail length in all guaifenesin treated groups. Skeletal examination displayed that only Group 5 fetuses had increased intercostal space between 7th and 8th rib. We also observed improper development of carpals, metacarpals, tarsals, and metatarsals of the Group 5 fetuses. Conclusion: Guaifenesin showed a significant developmental toxicity at selected test doses; therefore, a careful use is suggested during pregnancy.
Models to Determine First‐Order Rate Coefficients from Single‐Well Push‐Pull Tests

Push‐pull tests (PPTs) have been successfully employed to quantify various microbially mediated processes in the subsurface. Current models for determining first‐order rate coefficients (k) from PPTs assume complete and instantaneous mixing of injected test solution in the portion of the aquifer investigated by the test, i.e., the system is treated like a well‐mixed reactor. Here we present two alternative models to estimate k that are based on different mixing assumptions, i.e., plug‐flow and variably mixed reactor models. Rate coefficients estimated by the models were compared using a sensitivity analysis and numerical simulations of PPTs. Results indicated that all models yielded reasonably accurate k estimates (errors < 13%), while best accuracy (errors < 1%) was obtained using the variably mixed reactor model. The well‐mixed reactor model generally overestimated true (simulation input) k values, whereas true k values were consistently underestimated by the plug‐flow reactor model. However, estimates of k obtained with the latter models bracketed true k values in all cases. As the variably mixed reactor model is more difficult to apply, we suggest using the well‐mixed and plug‐flow reactor models to obtain intervals for k estimates that will encompass true k values with high certainty. In an example application, we used all models to reanalyze a published PPT data set to obtain k estimates for nitrate consumption in a petroleum‐contaminated aquifer. Similar results were obtained for all three models (relative differences < 10% between k estimates), indicating that all three models are robust tools for estimating k values from PPT experimental data.
Preliminary quantitative profile of differential protein expression between rat L6 myoblasts and myotubes by stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture

Defining the mechanisms governing myogenesis has advanced in recent years. Skeletal‐muscle differentiation is a multi‐step process controlled spatially and temporally by various factors at the transcription level. To explore those factors involved in myogenesis, stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture (SILAC), coupled with high‐accuracy mass spectrometry (LTQ‐Orbitrap), was applied successfully. Rat L6 cell line is an excellent model system for studying muscle myogenesis in vitro. When mononucleate L6 myoblast cells reach confluence in culture plate, they could transform into multinucleate myotubes by serum starvation. By comparing protein expression of L6 myoblasts and terminally differentiated multinucleated myotubes, 1170 proteins were quantified and 379 proteins changed significantly in fully differentiated myotubes in contrast to myoblasts. These differentially expressed proteins are mainly involved in inter‐or intracellular signaling, protein synthesis and degradation, protein folding, cell adhesion and extracelluar matrix, cell structure and motility, metabolism, substance transportation, etc. These findings were supported by many previous studies on myogenic differentiation, of which many up‐regulated proteins were found to be involved in promoting skeletal muscle differentiation for the first time in our study. In summary, our results provide new clues for understanding the mechanism of myogenesis.
Functional and Phenotypic Characterization of CD57+CD4+ T Cells and Their Association with HIV-1-Induced T Cell Dysfunction1

HIV-1 replication is associated with reduced or absent HIV-1-specific CD4+ T cell proliferation and skewing of HIV-1-specific CD4+ T cells toward an IFN-γ-producing, CCR7− phenotype. The CCR7− T cell population is heterogeneous and can be subdivided based on the expression of CD57. Although CD57 expression on CD8+ T cells is associated with proliferation incompetence and replicative senescence, less is known about the function of CD57-expressing CD4+ T cells. In this study, the frequency, phenotype, and function of CD57+CD4+ T cells were evaluated in 25 HIV-1-infected subjects and 10 seronegative controls. CD57+CD4+ T cells were found to be proliferation incompetent, even after strong mitogen stimulation. Percentages of CD4+ T cells that expressed CD57 were significantly higher in untreated HIV-1-infected subjects than in HIV-1-seronegative donors, and CD57 expression did not normalize in subjects receiving at least 6 mo of effective antiretroviral therapy. CD57 was predominately expressed on the CCR7− fraction of the CD4+ T cell compartment and accounted for the majority of cells in the CCR7−CD45RA+ population from untreated HIV-1-infected subjects. HIV-1-specific CD4+ T cells producing only IFN-γ had the highest expression of CD57, whereas few cells producing IL-2 alone expressed CD57. These findings further define a novel population of proliferation-incompetent CD4+ T cells that are generated in the presence of chronic Ag exposure. A better understanding of the generation and persistence of CD57+ T cells in HIV-1 infection could provide important insights into the immunopathogenesis of this disease.
Vibration distribution in output sections of a piezoelectric transformer operating at thickness shear mode

In this study, the vibration distribution along the width direction in the output section of a piezoelectric transformer operating at the thickness shear vibration mode is investigated experimentally and theoretically. It is experimentally found that the vibration of output section has a spatial gradient and attenuates as the distance from the input section increases. A theoretical model is developed to estimate the vibration attenuation in the output section, which provides the guidelines of optimizing the transformer and explains some important phenomena such as the nonuniform temperature distribution in piezoelectric transformers. The larger the load resistance, the larger the vibration gradient is. At the resonant frequency, the vibration gradient decreases with increasing the width of the input or output section, and it changes little with the length and thickness of the transformer when the load resistance matches with the piezoelectric transformer. The vibration gradient increases with increasing the length or decreasing the thickness when the load resistance is constant, in which the load does not match with the transformer.