Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early synthesis of Semliki Forest virus-specific proteins in infected chicken cells

Cells preinfected with fowl plague virus followed by treatment with actinomycin D are a suitable system for studying early protein synthesis in cells infected with Semliki forest virus. One and one-half hours after superinfection, three new nonstructural proteins (NVP) were detected: NVP 145, NVP, 112, and NVP 65. They appeared in parallel with a low incorporation of mannose at the beginning of the infectious cycle. Behavior on chasing suggested a precursor relationship of NVP 112 to the envelope glycoproteins. Two kinds of NVP 65 are described, both of which are varieties of NVP 68 with an incomplete mannose content. One type, detected early after infection, was converted into NVP 68 by supplementary glycosylation. The second, late type was stable. It contains fucose and resembles the NVP 65 observed after impairment of glycosylation. The mechanism of NVP 68 glycosylation is discussed. The presence of the complete carbohydrate moiety is crucial for the cleavage of NVP 68 into the envelope proteins E2 and E3 and, thus, for virus maturation. Only the complete form of NVP 68 was precipitated by envelope-specific antisera. A large production of NVP 78 is a further feature of the early events in infected cells. It is not related to the structural proteins.
Interleukin‐23: as a drug target for autoimmune inflammatory diseases

Interleukin‐23 (IL‐23) is a member of the IL‐12 family of cytokines with pro‐inflammatory properties. Its ability to potently enhance the expansion of T helper type 17 (Th17) cells indicates the responsibility for many of the inflammatory autoimmune responses. Emerging data demonstrate that IL‐23 is a key participant in central regulation of the cellular mechanisms involved in inflammation. Both IL‐23 and IL‐17 form a new axis through Th17 cells, which has evolved in response to human diseases associated with immunoactivation and immunopathogeny, including bacterial or viral infections and chronic inflammation. Targeting of IL‐23 or the IL‐23 receptor or IL‐23 axis is a potential therapeutic approach for autoimmune diseases including psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. The current review focuses on the immunobiology of IL‐23 and summarizes the most recent findings on the role of IL‐23 in the pre‐clinical and ongoing clinical studies.
The enzymology of skeletal muscle disorders.

In myopathic disorders, abnormal serum enzyme activities are seen primarily in diseases of skeletal muscle where the condition involves the muscle fibers themselves. In denervation myopathies, serum enzyme activities are usually normal. The most dramatic increases of serum enzymes, particularly creatine kinase, are found in the dystrophic diseases, particularly Duchenne dystrophy. A review is given here of the many causes of abnormal serum enzyme activities where the source of enzymes is believed to be skeletal muscle. These include the dystrophies, various types of trauma, exercise, drug- and poison-induced causes including alcohol, malignant hyperthermia, inflammatory diseases, and miscellaneous causes. Tissue and serum activities are summarized for the commonly performed serum enzymes, i.e., CK, LD, AST, and aldolase. An extensive tabular and current description of the various types of dystrophies is given along with serum CK and pyruvate kinase activities.
The Religion Enigma: Theoretical Riddle or Classificational Artifact?

The debate about religion's impact upon Canadian voting has long focused on the cleavage between Protestants and Catholics. Drawing upon data from a 35,000 sample online survey conducted during the 2006 federal election, as well as past Canadian Election Studies, analysis presented here, however, suggests that the disproportionate Protestant-Conservative association is largely an artifact of Evangelical voters, rather than members of such mainstream denominations as Anglican, United and Presbyterian. In fact, certain of these mainstream groupings are hardly distinctive from Roman Catholics, at least in voting patterns (outside of Quebec). This discussion is theoretically contextualized by the Evangelical experience in the United States, and the study also examines the distinctive behaviour of non-Christians and the non-religious in Canada.
Role of blast cell immunophenotyping for the diagnosis and prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia

Bone marrow blast cell antigen expression from 86 patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemias (AML) was studied and correlated with FAB classification and clinical outcome. Among a panel of 14 monoclonal antibodies routinely used for the diagnosis of acute leukemias we studied the expression of six antibodies (CD13, CD15, VIM2, CD33, CD14, CD34) of the granulomonocytic lineage and found that some of them were useful for diagnosis and/or prognosis. For FAB subclassification of AML, the CD13 or VIM2 antigen expression was of no benefit. Monocytic leukemias (M4+M5PD+M5WD) more frequently expressed CD34 antigen (28/31) than granulocytic (M1+M2+M3) subtypes (33/53) (P<0·01). Finally, the most striking differences were found with CD14 antigen expression: CD14 antigen was more frequently expressed in M4+M5 leukemias (21/31) than in M1+M2+M3 subtypes (12/33) (P<0·01). The mean percentage of CD14 positive blast cells was accordingly higher in monocytic leukemias than in granulocytic leukemias and the difference was highly significant (P 0·0001). The CD15 antigen was more frequently expressed in differentiated leukemias (M2+M3+M4+M5WD) (35/44) than in poorly differentiated forms (M1+M5PD) (17/37) (P<0·001). The statistical difference was higher when the mean percentage of CD15 positive blast cells were compared (P<0·0003). Moreover these latter percentages were different in M1 and M2 subtypes (P<0·003). The blast cell expression of CD13, CD14, CD15 or CD33 was not predictive of the length of CR or survival. Moreover, our results support previously published findings suggesting a longer overall survival duration for patients whose leukemic cells do not express the CD34 antigen (P<0·01). We also confirm that patients with the more differentiated subtypes of AML (CD13‐, CD34+) tend to survive longer than patients with the less differentiated subtypes of AML (CD13–, CD34+) (P<0·001).
Understanding Hmong women's beliefs, feelings, norms, and external conditions about breast and cervical cancer screening.

OBJECTIVES To describe the beliefs, feelings, norms, and external conditions regarding breast and cervical cancer screening in a sample of Hmong women. DESIGN AND SAMPLE In a descriptive design, female Hmong researchers recruited 16 Hmong women (ages 24-73) at a community center. Guided by the Theory of Care Seeking Behavior (TCSB), researchers asked participants semi-structured questions about their beliefs, feelings, norms, and external conditions in a group setting. Researchers documented responses in writing and audio recordings. Guided by theory, we used directed content analysis to categorize responses. RESULTS Participants' beliefs' about screening included uncertainty about causes of breast and cervical cancer, uncertainty about Western forms of treatments, and terminal illness as outcomes of such cancer. Many felt embarrassed about breast and cervical cancer screening. Their cultural norms about undressing for an exam and listening to authority figures were different from Western norms. External conditions that influenced participants' for screenings included difficulties in communicating with interpreters and clinicians. CONCLUSIONS Consistent with the TCSB, Hmong women's beliefs, affect, cultural norms and external conditions helped to understand their use of breast and cervical screening. Findings could guide nursing and public health interventions to improve culturally sensitive, cancer screening for Hmong women.
Primary Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of Inguinal Lymph Node

Ninety-seven percent of neuroendocrine carcinomas are located in the gastrointestinal tract or in the bronchopulmonary tree. Inguinal lymph nodes as the primary tumor site for neuroendocrine carcinoma represent a very unusual location, and have only been described in 2 patient series in the literature. A 64-year-old, previously healthy, Caucasian female presented with a 2-month history of an enlarged inguinal lymph node on the right side. The removed lymph node showed histological and immunohistochemical characteristics of neuroendocrine differentiation (positive for synaptophysin, cytokeratin 20, neuron-specific enolase and chromogranin A). Although extensive investigations including repeated CT and NMR scans, classical endoscopy, wireless capsule endoscopy of the small intestine, octreotide- and MIBG scintigraphy were performed, no other primary tumor was found. Furthermore, there was no evidence of Merkel cell carcinoma on dermatological examinations. A possible explanation for the presence of neuroendocrine carcinomas within the lymph nodes is malignant transformation of preexisting intranodal epithelial nests, which have previously been described in lymph nodes located close to the salivary glands, thyroid gland, breast tissue and pancreas. Since the surgical removal of the affected lymph node, the patient has now been disease-free for 42 months. We therefore consider our case to represent a primary undifferentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma in an inguinal lymph node.
Prevalence and importance of internal tandem duplications in exons 11 and 12 of c-kit in mast cell tumors of dogs.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of activating internal tandem duplications (ITDs) in exons 11 and 12 of c-kit in mast cell tumors (MCTs) of dogs and to correlate these mutations with prognosis. SAMPLE POPULATION 157 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded MCTs from dogs in the pathology database of the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of California, Davis. PROCEDURE Genomic DNA was isolated from tumor specimens and a polymerase chain reaction procedure was performed to determine whether there were ITDs in exons 11 and 12. RESULTS We identified ITDs in 1 of 12 (8%) grade-I, 42 of 119 (35%) grade-lI, and 9 of 26 (35%) grade-ll tumors (overall prevalence, 52 of 157 [33%]). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds of grade-II and -III tumors possessing an ITD were approximately 5 times greater than that for grade-I tumors, although these odds did not differ significantly. Although MCTs possessing an ITD were twice as likely to recur after excision and twice as likely to result in metastasis as those without an ITD, these values also did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE These results provide evidence that ITDs in c-kit occur frequently in MCTs of dogs. The high prevalence of c-kit activating mutations in MCTs of dogs combined with the relative abundance of mast cell disease in dogs provide an ideal naturally developing tumor in which to test the safety and efficacy of novel small-molecule kinase inhibitors such as imatinib mesylate.
Abnormal movements and prognosis in schizophrenia.

A longitudinal study was made of 18 young hospitalized schizophrenics who exhibited abnormal movements of a choreiform or athetoid type and 36 schizophrenic controls who were free of movement disorders. The group with movement abnormalities were younger at first hospitalization than the controls and their disease progressed steadily, with early and profound mental deterioration. The majority remained in the hospital for the entire observation period despite intensive treatment efforts, while the control group had shorter hospital stays and showed better treatment response.
FECAL COLIFORM AND STREPTOCOCCUS CONCENTRATIONS IN RUNOFF FROM GRAZED PASTURES IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS 1

ABSTRACT: Agricultural practices such as cattle grazing and animal manure application can contribute to relatively high runoff concentrations of fecal coliform (FC) and fecal streptococcus (FS). Available information, however, is inconsistent with respect to the effects of such practices as well as to measures that can discriminate among candidate sources of FC and FS. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of grazing, time of year, and runoff amounts on FC and FS concentrations and to evaluate whether FCIFS concentration ratios are consistent with earlier values reported as characteristic of animal sources. Runoff from four Northwest Arkansas fields was sampled and analyzed for fecal coliform (FC) and fecal streptococcus (FS) for nearly three years (1991–1994). Each field was grazed and fertilized, with two fields receiving inorganic fertilizer and two receiving animal manure. Runoff amount had no effect on runoff concentrations of FC or FS. There were no consistent relationships between the presence of cattle and FC and FS runoff concentrations. Both FC and FS concentrations were affected by the season during which the runoff occurred. Higher concentrations were observed during warmer months. Runoff FC concentrations exceeded the primary contact standard of 200 cfu/100 mL during at least 89 percent of all runoff events and the secondary contact standard of 1000 cfu/100 mL during at least 70 percent of the events. Ratios of FC to FS concentrations varied widely (from near zero to more than 100), confirming earlier findings that FC/FS ratios are not a reliable indicator of the source of FC and FS.
Characterization of TFG in mus musculus and Caenorhabditis elegans.

TFG was discovered as a fusion partner of NTRK1 in human papillary thyroid carcinoma. We assembled the mouse TFG cDNA from EST sequences and 5' end RACE product, identified full coding length TFG EST clones in pig (c17b07) and Schistosoma mansoni (SMNAS62), and analyzed the genomic structure of TFG in Caenorhabditis elegans (Y63D3A). The protein sequences of mouse, pig, and S. mansoni TFG are highly homologous to human TFG. The C. elegans sequence has diverged, but its predicted secondary structure is remarkably conserved. Human, mouse, and C. elegans TFG contain a putative trimeric N-terminal coiled-coil domain, glycosylation, myristylation, and phosphorylation sites, and SH2- and SH3-binding motifs. The SH2-binding motif is absent in C. elegans TFG. The expression of TFG does not vary among 7, 11, 15, and 19 day mouse embryonal stages. In situ hybridization with a TFG probe in 10, 5-day whole mouse embryos showed preferential staining of the limb buds, branchial arches, nasal processes, and brain, and weak staining of the primitive spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia.
Epidemiology and histology of oral leukoplakia and leukoedema among papuans and New Guineans

The prevalence of leukoedema, preleukoplakia and leukoplakia has been studied among 1226 Papuans and New Guineans in two coastal areas and in one highland area. Leukoedema is found in 2.4‐16.9%, preleukoplakia in 10.6‐ 13.4% and leukoplakia in 3.1‐6.2%. Chewing and smoking habits seem to be associated with varying rates of the conditions recorded. In view of a previously supposed obvious association with the betel chewing habit, it is deeply interesting that the results of this study indicate that smoking may be more closely associated with the risk for these conditions. Epithelial atypia, carcinoma in situ or carcinoma were not noted among 26 biopsies taken from the lesions studied.
Type 2 innate lymphoid cells constitutively express arginase‐I in the naïve and inflamed lung

Arg1 is produced by AAMs and is proposed to have a regulatory role during asthma and allergic inflammation. Here, we use an Arg1 reporter mouse to identify additional cellular sources of the enzyme in the lung. We demonstrate that ILC2s express Arg1 at rest and during infection with the migratory helminth Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. In contrast to AAMs, which express Arg1 following IL‐4/IL‐13‐mediated STAT6 activation, ILC2s constitutively express the enzyme in a STAT6‐independent manner. Although ILC2s deficient in the IL‐33R subunit T1/ST2 maintain Arg1 expression, IL‐33 can regulate total lung Arg1 by expanding the ILC2 population and by activating macrophages indirectly via STAT6. Finally, we find that ILC2 Arg1 does not mediate ILC2 accumulation, ILC2 production of IL‐5 and IL‐13, or collagen production during N. brasiliensis infection. Thus, ILC2s are a novel source of Arg1 in resting tissue and during allergic inflammation.
A Comparison of Five Different Methods for Describing Sagittal Jaw Relationship

Analysis of sagittal jaw relationship is important in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning, and can be investigated by angular or linear parameters. In the present study an analysis was performed using profile cephalograms of 40 children with skeletal Class II malocclusion. A correlation analysis is presented, involving five different methods of expressing sagittal jaw relationships. Whilst some degree of agreement could be noted, it was not possible to suggest a pair of measurements, which in combination, could give a more accurate picture of sagittal jaw relationships.
Clinical Science An SEM Study of Posts Cemented with an Unfilled Resin

Post preparations in two groups of endodontically treated anterior teeth were completed. In Group I, the preparation was rinsed with 2 ml of 5.25% NaOCL. In Group II, the preparation was rinsed with 1 ml of 17% EDTA, followed by 1 ml of 5.25% NaOCl. A plastic post was fitted and cemented with an unfilled resin. After polymerization, the teeth were decalcified in 5% nitric acid. The decalcified structure was dissolved away with 5.25% NaOCl, leaving a model of the cemented post. This was examined by SEM to determine the extent of resin penetration into the dentinal tubules. In Group I, most of the post was smooth, and there was penetration only in small, random areas. In Group II, there was penetration into the tubules the full length and circumference of the post. Such penetration provides a very strong mechanical lock that enhances the tensile strength of the cemented post. Removing the smeared layer and then cementing a post with a Bis-GMA resin results in greatly increased tensile strength, even with shorter posts.
Double-Blind Evaluation of the Safety and Pharmacokinetics of Multiple Oral Once-Daily 750-Milligram and 1-Gram Doses of Levofloxacin in Healthy Volunteers

ABSTRACT The safety and pharmacokinetics of once-daily oral levofloxacin in 16 healthy male volunteers were investigated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Subjects were randomly assigned to the treatment (n = 10) or placebo group (n = 6). In study period 1, 750 mg of levofloxacin or a placebo was administered orally as a single dose on day 1, followed by a washout period on days 2 and 3; dosing resumed for days 4 to 10. Following a 3-day washout period, 1 g of levofloxacin or a placebo was administered in a similar fashion in period 2. Plasma and urine levofloxacin concentrations were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by model-independent methods. Levofloxacin was rapidly absorbed after single and multiple once-daily 750-mg and 1-g doses with an apparently large volume of distribution. Peak plasma levofloxacin concentration (Cmax) values were generally attained within 2 h postdose. The mean values of Cmax and area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h (AUC0–24) following a single 750-mg dose were 7.1 μg/ml and 71.3 μg · h/ml, respectively, compared to 8.6 μg/ml and 90.7 μg · h/ml, respectively, at steady state. Following the single 1-g dose, mean Cmax and AUC0–24 values were 8.9 μg/ml and 95.4 μg · h/ml, respectively; corresponding values at steady state were 11.8 μg/ml and 118 μg · h/ml. These Cmaxand AUC0–24 values indicate modest and similar degrees of accumulation upon multiple dosing at the two dose levels. Values of apparent total body clearance (CL/F), apparent volume of distribution (Vss/F), half-life (t1/2), and renal clearance (CLR) were similar for the two dose levels and did not vary from single to multiple dosing. Mean steady-state values for CL/F,Vss/F,t1/2, and CLR following 750 mg of levofloxacin were 143 ml/min, 100 liters, 8.8 h, and 116 ml/min, respectively; corresponding values for the 1-g dose were 146 ml/min, 105 liters, 8.9 h, and 105 ml/min. In general, the pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin in healthy subjects following 750-mg and 1-g single and multiple once-daily oral doses appear to be consistent with those found in previous studies of healthy volunteers given 500-mg doses. Levofloxacin was well tolerated at either high dose level. The most frequently reported drug-related adverse events were nausea and headache.
Antimicrobial activity and skin permeation of iodine present in an iodine-impregnated surgical incise drape.

OBJECTIVES The antimicrobial efficacy of an iodine-impregnated incise drape against MRSA was evaluated in a skin model. The permeation of iodine from this drape into the skin was also assessed. METHODS The antimicrobial efficacy was evaluated in ex vivo studies following application of the surgical incise drape for various times on the surface of donor skin, which was inoculated with either 1 × 10(3) or 1 × 10(6) cfu MRSA/cm(2) skin and mounted on Franz diffusion cells. In some experiments the MRSA-inoculated skin was pre-incubated for 18 h at room temperature prior to applying the drape. Permeation of iodine into the skin using this model was also determined following application of the incise drape for 6 h. RESULTS The iodine-impregnated drape demonstrated antimicrobial activity compared with the non-use of drape. This reached significance when a high inoculum of MRSA was applied with no pre-incubation period and when a low inoculum of MRSA was applied with a pre-incubation period (P = 0.002 and P = 0.014, respectively). Furthermore, in experiments wherein a high inoculum of MRSA was applied with no pre-incubation period, the iodine-impregnated drape demonstrated superior antimicrobial activity compared with the use of a non-antimicrobial drape (P < 0.001). MIC and MBC values of iodine were attained to 1500 μm below the skin surface. CONCLUSIONS The iodine-impregnated surgical incise drape had detectable antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, iodine penetrated into the deeper layers of the skin. This property should suppress microbial regrowth at and around a surgical incision site, making its use preferable to the use of a standard drape or non-use of a drape.
PCR–DGGE‐based methodologies to assess diversity and dynamics of Aeromonas communities

Aims: Aeromonas is ubiquitous in aquatic environments and may cause infectious diseases in fish and humans. However, reliable and specific methods to evaluate the diversity and dynamics of Aeromonas populations are currently unavailable. This study aimed to develop PCR–DGGE methodologies for culture‐independent analysis of Aeromonas populations in water systems.
Recruiting and retaining R&D professionals in China

Since the late 1990s, R&D-related foreign direct investment (FDI) has started to surface in emerging markets, above all in China. Owing to the rapid rise in demand, recruitment and retention of local R&D professionals have increasingly become a critical success factor for multinational enterprises (MNE) operating in China. Data from 57 in-depth interviews with R&D professionals, managers and human resource managers from 35 different MNEs in China are presented and analysed. Although monetary incentives are important, career enhancement factors, such as training and promotion opportunities, high reputation of the company are keys in attracting and retaining R&D professionals in China. While some of the findings are similar to those typically observed in the West, other findings could only be explained when the Chinese context was taken into account. Detailed theoretical and practical elaborations are provided.