Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Controversies and Concerns in Hemodialysis  Series Editor: Marcello Tonelli: What’s Next After Fistula First: Is an Arteriovenous Graft or Central Venous Catheter Preferable When an Arteriovenous Fistula Is Not Possible?

Findings from observational studies have established that the arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the preferred form of vascular access for chronic hemodialysis. Unfortunately, in a subset of patients with end‐stage renal disease, an AVF cannot be placed or fails to mature. In these patients an alternate form of vascular access, either an arteriovenous graft (AVG) or central venous catheter (CVC) must be selected. In this review we discuss the findings and limitations of studies examining the effect of access type (AVG or CVC) on clinical endpoints including mortality, quality of life, occurrence of infections, as well as the impact of the different access types on resource requirements. Specifically, we examine whether findings from previous studies are valid and applicable to patients for whom an AVF is not possible, and outline the need for future randomized clinical trials addressing this question.
A Structural Model of the Sgt2 Protein and Its Interactions with Chaperones and the Get4/Get5 Complex*

The insertion of tail-anchored transmembrane (TA) proteins into the appropriate membrane is a post-translational event that requires stabilization of the transmembrane domain and targeting to the proper destination. Sgt2 is a heat-shock protein cognate (HSC) co-chaperone that preferentially binds endoplasmic reticulum-destined TA proteins and directs them to the GET pathway via Get4 and Get5. Here, we present the crystal structure from a fungal Sgt2 homolog of the tetratrico-repeat (TPR) domain and part of the linker that connects to the C-terminal domain. The linker extends into the two-carboxylate clamp of the TPR domain from a symmetry-related molecule mimicking the binding to HSCs. Based on this structure, we provide biochemical evidence that the Sgt2 TPR domain has the ability to directly bind multiple HSC family members. The structure allows us to propose features involved in this lower specificity relative to other TPR containing co-chaperones. We further show that a dimer of Sgt2 binds a single Get5 and use small angle x-ray scattering to characterize the domain arrangement of Sgt2 in solution. These results allow us to present a structural model of the Sgt2-Get4/Get5-HSC complex.
Radiosensitivity of Vetiver to Acute and Chronic Gamma Irradiation

Nuclear technology has been widely applied in agriculture for crop improvement. In this study, the radiosensitivities of native Thai vetiver, Chrysopogon zizaninoides, the Kamphaeng Phet 2 and the Surat Thani ecotypes, and Chrysopogon nemoralis, the Ratchaburi ecotype, were investigated with acute and chronic gamma irradiation. Vetiver tillers of the Kamphaeng Phet 2 and the Surat Thani ecotypes were exposed to acute irradiation with gamma radiation from Cs-137 at doses of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80 and 100 Gy. For chronic irradiation with a Co-60 source, the Kamphaeng Phet 2 tillers were exposed to 0, 65, 104, 116, 157, 182 and 205 Gy whereas the Ratchaburi tillers were exposed to 0, 63, 87, 127, 150, 173 and 213 Gy. The survival rate and growth performance measured by plant height, shoot and root dry weight of vetiver at 90 d after irradiation were recorded for median lethal dose (LD50/90) and 50% growth reduction dose (GR50/90) determination. Gamma radiosensitivity differences were observed between the irradiation methods and between the vetiver ecotypes. Acute irradiation caused higher radiosensitivity of vetiver than chronic irradiation. The LD50/90 values of the Kamphaeng Phet 2 ecotype to acute and chronic irradiation were 82 and 100 Gy, respectively. In general, the survival rate and growth of vetiver decreased with an increase in the gamma radiation doses. However, chronic irradiation of the Kamphaeng Phet 2 ecotype at 65 Gy gave higher shoot and root dry weights than the control treatment (0 Gy). The GR50/90 values of the Kamphaeng Phet 2 and the Surat Thani ecotypes to acute irradiation were 48 and 75 Gy for plant height and were 30 and 43 Gy for total dry weight, respectively. For chronic irradiation, the GR50/90 values of the Kamphaeng Phet 2 and the Ratchaburi ecotypes were 118 and 109 Gy for plant height and 121 and 67 Gy for total dry weight, respectively. This information will be useful for radiation-induced mutations in vetiver research.
H∞ performance analysis with transients for singular systems

In this paper, the problem of a generalized type of H∞ performance analysis is investigated for continuous-time singular systems, which treats a mixed attenuation of exogenous inputs and initial conditions. First, a performance measure that is essentially the worst-case norm of the regulated outputs over all exogenous inputs and initial conditions is introduced. Necessary and sufficient conditions are obtained to ensure the singular system to be admissible and the performance measure to be less than a prescribed scalar. Moreover, the relationship between the performance measure and the standard H∞ norm of the system is provided. A numerical example is given to demonstrate the properties of the obtained results.
Nontradables Inflation and Macroeconomic Policy Mix: A Model with Policy Application to Transition Economies

This paper studies the link between the political and institutional context and privatization sales prices. The latter serves as a measure for assessing the relative performance of the privatization goals. Whereas this link has been studied theoretically, there are very few, if any, empirical papers on this relationship. Using data from 308 privatizations around the world and applying a cross-country approach (including instrumental variables), we find that, while the overall political regime does not matter much for prices, the political processes beyond the basic regime do matter. Institutional context also produces a significant impact on prices. Both results are robust to changes in specification.
High-pressure phase transitions, amorphization, and crystallization behaviors in Bi2Se3

The phase transition, amorphization, and crystallization behaviors of the topological insulator bismuth selenide (Bi2Se3) were discovered by performing in situ high-pressure angle-dispersive x-ray diffraction experiments during an increasing, decreasing, and recycling pressure process. In the compression process, Bi2Se3 transforms from the original rhombohedral structure (phase I(A)) to a monoclinic structure (phase II) at about 10.4 GPa, and further to a body-centered tetragonal structure (phase III) at about 24.5 GPa. When releasing pressure to ambient conditions after the complete transformation from phase II to III, Bi2Se3 becomes an amorphous solid (AM). In the relaxation process from this amorphous state, Bi2Se3 starts crystallizing into an orthorhombic structure (phase I(B)) about five hours after releasing the pressure to ambient. A review of the pressure-induced phase transition behaviors of A2B3-type materials composed from the V and VI group elements is presented.
Decreased anion exchanger 2 immunoreactivity in the liver of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis

Chloride‐bicarbonate anion exchanger 2 (AE2) is expressed in a variety of tissues, including the liver and salivary glands, where it may participate in the generation of hydroionic fluxes into secretions. We have previously reported decreased hepatic levels of AE2 messenger RNA in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), a cholestatic condition frequently associated with pluriglandular exocrine failure. Here we investigated the expression of AE2 protein in the liver of PBC patients. Using a monoclonal antibody against an AE2 peptide, immunohistochemistry was performed on liver biopsy specimens from subjects with normal liver (n = 7), patients with PBC (n = 13), and patients with cirrhosis or cholestasis other than PBC (n = 17 and 11, respectively). Immunostaining was graded from 0 to 7, according to its intensity and distribution. AE2 immunoreactivity was observed in normal livers, as previously reported, and in many pathological liver biopsy specimens, being mainly restricted to canaliculi and the luminal membrane of terminal and interlobular bile ducts. Canalicular and ductular scores were significantly reduced in the PBC group compared with each control group (normal liver and cirrhosis or cholestasis other than PBC), whereas no differences in immunoreactivity scores were observed among control groups. When four patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) were analyzed, they also differed from those with PBC. These results suggest that PBC is characterized by diminished expression of AE2 in the liver. Reduced levels of this transporter protein might be involved in the pathogenesis of cholestasis in PBC.
Acceptance-Rejection Sampling Made Easy

A simple proof, consisting of three lemmas, is given for the acceptance-rejection method in Monte Carlo sampling from a density f. The proof is valid for random variables in general dimension, for bounded as well as for unbounded support, and it is not affected by discontinuities or infinite peaks of f.
Hypertension MANAGEMENT OF HYPERTENSION IN ETHNIC MINORITIES

Correspondence to: Dr Jawad M Khan, University Department of Medicine, City Hospital, Birmingham B18 7QH, UK; jawad.khan@ swbh.nhs. uk _________________________ H ypertension, currently defined as a blood pressure . 140 mm Hg (systolic) and/or . 90 mm Hg (diastolic), is a common problem. In a western adult population the prevalence of hypertension exceeds 20%. The prevalence of hypertension increases with age and is higher in ethnic minority groups in the UK. In the Health Survey for England (2001) the prevalence of hypertension was 3.3% in those aged , 40 years, 27.9% in those aged between 40–79 years, and 49.9% in those aged 80 years and older. The two main ethnic origin groups within the UK are the Afro-Caribbean and South Asians. The majority of studies have reported a higher prevalence and significantly higher mean blood pressure levels among both Afro-Caribbean populations and South Asians compared to their white counterparts. In a south London community based study, compared with whites, age and sex standardised prevalence ratios for hypertension were 2.6 in people of African descent and 1.8 in those of South Asian origin. However, average blood pressure varies between different subgroups of South Asians, being highest in Sikhs, similar to whites in Muslims, and intermediate in Hindus. In addition, Indians have higher blood pressures, Pakistanis lower blood pressures, with Bangladeshis having even lower blood pressures than the native white population.
LEVANTAMENTO DA FAUNA DE ABELHAS NO MUNICÍPIO DE MONTE CARMELO-MG

As abelhas constituem agentes de preservacao, manutencao e regeneracao de ecossistemas, e para que as abelhas possam ser protegidas e necessario que sua diversidade seja conhecida. O levantamento da fauna de abelhas pode favorecer a avaliacao de impactos decorrentes de atividades antropicas e, tambem, a adocao de tecnicas eficientes de manejo e conservacao. Este trabalho teve como objetivo, conhecer a fauna de abelhas silvestres de uma reserva legal de Monte Carmelo-MG. Foram utilizados dois metodos de coleta. No primeiro, as abelhas foram capturadas utilizando armadilhas feitas de garrafas pet e tres essencias: vanilla, eulcaliptol e salicilato de metila. As armadilhas foram colocadas repetindo dois transectos para cada fitofisionomia (Cerrado, cerradao, cerrado sentido restrito, floresta estacional semidecidual e floresta de galeria). No segundo metodo foram usados pratos armadilha, contendo agua e detergente liquido, sendo cinco azuis, cinco amarelos e cinco brancos, colocados sobre o solo em areas proximas a vegetacao nas cinco fitofisionomias. Utilizando as garrafas pet com as essencias vanilla e salicicato de metila foram capturadas abelhas dos generos: Apis, Tetragonisca, Trigona e tres abelhas da tribo Euglossini que ainda estao sendo identificadas. Os pratos armadilha e a essencia eucaliptol nao atrairam nenhuma abelha. A armadilha de garrafa pet utilizando as essencias, Vanilla e Salicilato de metila, mostrou-se como um metodo eficiente de coleta de abelhas. Quanto a biodiversidade de abelhas do local estudado, pudemos observar que apesar de muito proximo da area urbana, o parque da matinha mantem uma fauna de abelhas relativamente rica. PALAVRA-CHAVE: Abelha. Armadilha. Essencias.
Glutathione s-transferases M1 and P1 prevent aggravation of allergic responses by secondhand smoke.

RATIONALE Secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) and traffic-related air pollutants are associated with asthma and allergy. Diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) and SHS can interact with allergens in exacerbating allergic airway diseases through generation of reactive oxygen species. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) metabolize reactive oxygen species and detoxify electrophilic xenobiotics present in SHS and DEPs. OBJECTIVES We tested the hypotheses that functional GSTM1-null genotype and GSTP1 codon 105 variants (Ile105 and Val105) are determinants of allergic responses to SHS, and that responses to SHS and DEPs are correlated. METHODS AND MEASUREMENTS In a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial, 19 ragweed allergen-sensitive subjects who had previously participated in a DEP trial were challenged intranasally with allergen after having been exposed to either clean air or SHS at separate visits. Nasal allergen-specific IgE, histamine, IL-4, and IFN-gamma levels were measured before and after allergen challenge. MAIN RESULTS Individuals with GSTM1-null or GSTP1 Ile105 genotypes showed larger nasal responses to allergens with SHS compared with clean air. GSTM1-null subjects had a larger increase in IgE than GSTM1-present subjects (median, 173.3 vs. 46.7 U/ml; p = 0.03), and the Ile105 GSTP1 genotype subjects had increased histamine (median, 10.2 vs. 4.6 nM; p = 0.01) after SHS plus allergen challenge. Responses to SHS and DEPs were correlated. Enhancement of IgE and histamine was greatest in the subjects with both the GSTM1-null and GSTP1 Ile/Ile genotypes. CONCLUSIONS GSTM1 and GSTP1 are important cytoprotective factors that reduce SHS and DEP exacerbation of allergic responses.
Phenotypic characterization of macrophages in the endometrium of the pregnant cow.

PROBLEM Macrophages are recruited in large number to the interplacentomal endometrium of the cow during pregnancy. We evaluated whether endometrial macrophages also accumulate in placentomal regions of endometrium during pregnancy and whether endometrial macrophages are regionally differentiated. METHOD OF STUDY Interplacentomal endometrium and placentomes were subjected to dual-color immunofluorescence using CD68 as a pan-macrophage marker. RESULTS CD68(+) cells were abundant in stroma of the interplacentomal endometrium and caruncular septa of the placentomes. CD68(+) cells were not present in fetal villi of the placentomes or in the interplacentomal chorion. Regardless of location, the majority of CD68(+) cells also expressed CD14. In interplacentomal endometrium, CD68(+)CD11b(+) cells were present in deeper areas of the stroma but not in shallow endometrial stroma. In caruncular septa of the placentome, CD68(+) cells were negative for CD11b. CD68(+) cells in the interplacentomal endometrium were negative for MHC class II while most CD68(+) cells in caruncular septa were positive for MHC class II. CONCLUSION CD68(+)CD14(+) macrophages present in the stroma of the interplacentomal endometrium and caruncular septa of the placentome are regionally differentiated with regard to expression of CD11b and MHC class II.
The complete chloroplast genomes of Cannabis sativa and Humulus lupulus

Abstract Cannabis and Humulus are sister genera comprising the entirety of the Cannabaceae sensu stricto, including C. sativa L. (marijuana, hemp), and H. lupulus L. (hops) as two economically important crops. These two plants have been used by humans for many purposes including as a fiber, food, medicine, or inebriant in the case of C. sativa, and as a flavoring component in beer brewing in the case of H. lupulus. In this study, we report the complete chloroplast genomes for two distinct hemp varieties of C. sativa, Italian “Carmagnola” and Russian “Dagestani”, and one Czech variety of H. lupulus “Saazer”. Both C. sativa genomes are 153 871 bp in length, while the H. lupulus genome is 153 751 bp. The genomes from the two C. sativa varieties differ in 16 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), while the H. lupulus genome differs in 1722 SNPs from both C. sativa cultivars.
Cryptic proteolytic activity of dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase

The mitochondrial enzyme, dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD), is essential for energy metabolism across eukaryotes. Here, conditions known to destabilize the DLD homodimer enabled the mouse, pig, or human enzyme to function as a protease. A catalytic dyad (S456–E431) buried at the homodimer interface was identified. Serine protease inhibitors and an S456A or an E431A point mutation abolished the proteolytic activity, whereas other point mutations at the homodimer interface domain enhanced the proteolytic activity, causing partial or complete loss of DLD activity. In humans, mutations in the DLD homodimer interface have been linked to an atypical form of DLD deficiency. These findings reveal a previously unrecognized mechanism by which certain DLD mutations can simultaneously induce the loss of a primary metabolic activity and the gain of a moonlighting proteolytic activity. The latter could contribute to the metabolic derangement associated with DLD deficiency and represent a target for therapies of this condition.
Follicle Selection in Cattle: Relationships among Growth Rate, Diameter Ranking, and Capacity for Dominance1

Abstract Follicles of wave 1 were designated F1, F2, and so forth, according to descending diameter at the expected (F1, ≥8.2 mm) or observed beginning of deviation (Hour 0), as indicated by a reduction in growth rate of F2. During Hours −24 to 0 (experiment 1; n = 34 waves) and Hours −16 to 0 (experiment 2; n = 21), F1 and F2 grew in parallel (no significant differences). During Hours −16 to 0, growth rate was greater (P < 0.05) for F1 (1.4 ± 0.1 mm/16 h) and F2 (1.0 ± 0.1) than for F3 (0.6 ± 0.1) and F4 (0.5 ± 0.1). During Hours 0 to 16, growth rate was greater (P < 0.05) for F1 (1.4 ± 0.2 mm/16 h) than for F2 (0.1 ± 0.1), F3 (0.1 ± 0.1), and F4 (0.1 ± 0.2). In experiment 1, zero, one, two, or three largest follicles were ablated by aspiration of contents at Hour 0 (n = 7/group). For heifers with a single dominant follicle, the dominant follicle formed from the largest retained follicle more often when it was >7.0 mm (14 of 15) than when it was <7.0 mm (0 of 10). When the retained follicles were <7.0 mm, the first follicle to reach 7.0 mm became dominant in seven of eight heifers. Mean hour of observed deviation (occurring after Hour 0 in the ablation groups) increased progressively in groups with increasing number of ablated follicles. Plasma concentrations of FSH for groups with one, two, or three ablated follicles increased to a similar extent between Hours 0 and 12. Results supported the following: 1) during the 24 h before the beginning of deviation, small follicles grew more slowly than large follicles and the largest follicles grew in parallel; 2) after ablation of large follicles, the small retained follicles did not deviate until one reached a diameter characteristic of the beginning of deviation; 3) the potential for dominance at the expected beginning of deviation was greatest for the largest follicle and decreased progressively for the smaller follicles but only when the retained follicles were >7.0 mm; and 4) the three largest subordinate follicles began to deviate simultaneously.
Improving Naive Bayes for Regression with Optimized Artificial Surrogate Data

ABSTRACT Can we evolve better training data for machine learning algorithms? To investigate this question we use population-based optimization algorithms to generate artificial surrogate training data for naive Bayes for regression. We demonstrate that the generalization performance of naive Bayes for regression models is enhanced by training them on the artificial data as opposed to the real data. These results are important for two reasons. Firstly, naive Bayes models are simple and interpretable but frequently underperform compared to more complex “black box” models, and therefore new methods of enhancing accuracy are called for. Secondly, the idea of using the real training data indirectly in the construction of the artificial training data, as opposed to directly for model training, is a novel twist on the usual machine learning paradigm.
Site and oxidation-state specificity yielding dimensional control in perovskite ruthenates.

Sr(3)CaRu(2)O(9), a new 2:1 B-site ordered perovskite ruthenate, was synthesized and its structure determined based on powder X-ray, neutron and electron diffraction data. It is composed of one layer of CaO(6) alternating with two layers of RuO(6) perpendicular to the [111] axis of the cubic perovskite structure. The ordering leads to a [-Ru-Ru-Ca-] repeat unit along each of the pseudocubic directions. Sr(3)CaRu(2)O(9) is the first example of this structure-type to include a majority metal with d electrons (Ru(V), d(3)). Three-dimensional Sr(3)CaRu(2)O(9) can be transformed to the layered Ruddlesden-Popper phase Sr(1.5)Ca(0.5)RuO(4) (i.e., Sr(3)CaRu(2)O(8)) by reduction at 1200 degrees C in flowing argon. The original structure can be restored by oxidation of Sr(1.5)Ca(0.5)RuO(4) at 1000 degrees C in flowing oxygen. This remarkable transformation highlights the structural versatility afforded by the combination of ruthenium and calcium.
Syntrophic-Methanogenic Associations along a Nutrient Gradient in the Florida Everglades

ABSTRACT Nutrient runoff from the Everglades Agricultural Area resulted in a well-documented gradient of phosphorus concentrations in soil and water, with concomitant ecosystem-level changes, in the northern Florida Everglades. It was recently reported that sulfate-reducing prokaryote assemblage composition, numbers, and activities are dependent on position along the gradient (H. Castro, K. R. Reddy, and A. Ogram, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 68:6129-6137, 2002). The present study utilized a combination of culture- and non-culture-based approaches to study differences in composition of assemblages of syntrophic and methanogenic microbial communities in eutrophic, transition, and oligotrophic areas along the phosphorus gradient. Methanogenesis rates were much higher in eutrophic and transition regions, and sequence analysis of 16S rRNA gene clone libraries constructed from samples taken from these regions revealed differences in composition and activities of syntroph-methanogen consortia. Methanogens from eutrophic and transition regions were almost exclusively composed of hydrogenotrophic methanogens, with approximately 10,000-fold-greater most probable numbers of hydrogenotrophs than of acetotrophs. Most cultivable strains from eutrophic and transition regions clustered within novel lineages. In non-culture-based studies to enrich syntrophs, most bacterial and archaeal clones were either members of novel lineages or closely related to uncultivated environmental clones. Novel cultivable Methanosaeta sp. and fatty acid-oxidizing bacteria related to the genera Syntrophomonas and Syntrophobacter were observed in microcosms containing soil from eutrophic regions, and different lines of evidence indicated the existence of novel syntrophic association in eutrophic regions.