Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Isotopomer and isotopologue signatures of N2O produced in alpine ecosystems on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

RATIONALE Static-chamber flux measurements have suggested that one of the world's largest grasslands, the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP), is a potential source of nitrous oxide (N2O), a major greenhouse gas. However, production and consumption pathways of N2O have not been identified by in situ field measurements. METHODS Ratios of N2O isotopomers ((14)N(15)N(16)O and (15)N(14)N(16)O) and an isotopologue ((14)N(14)N(18)O) with respect to (14)N(14)N(16)O in the atmosphere, static chambers, and soils were measured by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry in the summer of 2005 and the following winter of 2006 at three typical alpine ecosystems: alpine meadow, alpine shrub, and alpine wetland, on the QTP, China. RESULTS Site preference (SP) values of soil-emitted N2 O were estimated as 33.7‰ and 30.1‰ for alpine meadow and shrub, respectively, suggesting larger contributions by fungal denitrification, than by bacterial denitrification and nitrifier-denitrification, to N2 O production. Statistical analysis of the relationship between SP and δ(15)N(bulk) values indicated that in alpine meadow, shrub, and wetland sites fungal denitrification contributed 40.7%, 40.0%, and 23.2% to gross N2O production and the produced N2O was reduced by 87.6%, 82.9%, and 92.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The combined measurements of N2O concentration, flux, and isotopomeric signatures provide a robust estimation of N2O circulation dynamics in alpine ecosystems on the QTP, which would contribute to the development of ecosystem nitrogen cycle model.
The NADH:flavin oxidoreductase Nox from Rhodococcus erythropolis MI2 is the key enzyme of 4,4′‐dithiodibutyric acid degradation

The reduction of the disulphide bond is the initial catabolic step of the microbial degradation of the organic disulphide 4,4′‐dithiodibutyric acid (DTDB). Previously, an NADH:flavin oxidoreductase from Rhodococcus erythropolis MI2 designated as NoxMI2, which belongs to the old yellow enzyme (OYE) family, was identified. In the present study, it was proven that NoxMI2 has the ability to cleave the sulphur–sulphur bond in DTDB. In silico analysis revealed high sequence similarities to proteins of the flavin mononucleotide (FMN) reductase family identified in many strains of R. erythropolis. Therefore, nox was heterologously expressed in the pET23a(+) expression system using Escherichia coli strain BL21(DE3) pLysS, which effectively produces soluble active NoxMI2. NoxMI2 showed a maximum specific activity (Vmax) of 3·36 μmol min−1 mg−1 corresponding to a kcat of 2·5 s−1 and an apparent substrate Km of 0·6 mmol l−1, when different DTDB concentrations were applied. No metal cofactors were required. Moreover, NoxMI2 had very low activity with other sulphur‐containing compounds like 3,3′‐dithiodipropionic acid (8·0%), 3,3′‐thiodipropionic acid (7·6%) and 5,5′‐dithiobis(2‐nitrobenzoic acid) (8·0%). The UV/VIS spectrum of NoxMI2 revealed the presence of the cofactor FMN. Based on results obtained, NoxMI2 adds a new physiological substrate and mode of action to OYE members.
Positional information by rauber's sickle and a new look at the mechanisms of primitive streak initiation in avian blastoderms

The present experimental in vitro study suggests that a primitive streak (PS) in avian blastoderms is induced by diffusion of morphogenetic substances emanating from Rauber's sickle. Indeed, even without direct contact between a quail Rauber's sickle and the reacting upper layer (by interposition of a vitelline membrane), a PS can be induced in the isolated area centralis or antisickle region of unincubated chicken blastoderms. The so‐formed PSs are localized below the vitelline membrane in the immediate neighborhood of the apposed Rauber's sickle material. This seems to indicate that Rauber's sickle organizes the formation of the avian PS according to the basic concept of “positional information. ” The morphogenetic substances seem to have an effect only on the formation of a PS. Each part of Rauber's sickle seems to have, point by point, the same thickening and PS‐inducing effect on each corresponding part of the underlying upper layer (UL). By a mechanism of sliding over the basement membrane and fusion, this finally results in the formation of one single median PS. Our study shows that a PS can be induced in the total absence of hypoblast (sickle endoblast) or caudal marginal zone, by only the presence of Rauber's sickle material. In contrast, the differentiation of mesoblast into blood islands under the influence of Rauber's sickle and neural tissue development are impaired by the interposition of a vitelline membrane. The latter could be due to the absence of a normal interaction of Rauber's sickle‐derived sickle endoblast with endophyll and/or upper layer and the absence of cranial migration of the mesoblast. Thus, earlier studies and the present study indicate the existence of a temporospatially bound cascade of gastrulation and neurulation phenomena and blood island formation in the avian blastoderm, starting from Rauber's sickle, the primary major organizer with inducing, inhibiting, and dominating potencies. The latter not only plays a role by secretion of signaling molecules, but also influences development by its cell lineages (junctional endoblast and sickle endoblast). J. Morphol. 255:315–327, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PNAS Plus Significance Statements

We find that the core domain of the human molecular chaperone αBcrystallin can function effectively in preventing protein aggregation and amyloid toxicity. The core domain represents only half the total sequence of the protein, but it is one of the most potent known inhibitors of the aggregation of amyloid-β, a process implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. We have determined high-resolution structures of this core domain and investigated its biophysical properties in solution. We find (pp. E1562– E1570) that the excised domain efficiently prevents amyloid aggregation and thereby reduces the toxicity of the resulting aggregates to cells. The structures of these domains that we present should represent useful scaffolds for the design of novel amyloid inhibitors.
Effects of Functional Electrical Stimulation on Denervated Laryngeal Muscle in a Large Animal Model.

Bilateral vocal fold paralysis (BVCP) is a life-threatening condition that follows injury to the Recurrent Laryngeal nerve (RLn) and denervation of the intrinsic laryngeal musculature. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) enables restoration and control of a wide variety of motor functions impaired by lower motor neuron lesions. Here we evaluate the effects of FES on the sole arytenoid abductor, the posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscle in a large animal model of RLn injury. Ten horses were instrumented with two quadripolar intramuscular electrodes in the left PCA muscle. Following a 12-week denervation period, the PCA was stimulated using a once-daily training session for 8 weeks in seven animals. Three animals were used as unstimulated controls. Denervation produced a significant increase in rheobase (P < 0.001). Electrical stimulation produced a 30% increase in fiber diameter in comparison with the unstimulated control group (33.9 ± 2.6 µm FES+, 23.6 ± 4.2 µm FES-, P = 0.04). A trend toward a decrease in the proportion of type 1 (slow) fibers and an increase in type 2a (fast) fibers was also observed. Despite these changes, improvement in PCA function at rest was not observed. These data suggest that electrical stimulation using a relatively conservative set of stimulation parameters can reverse the muscle fiber atrophy produced by complete denervation while avoiding a shift to a slow (type 1) fiber type.
Simvastatin Reduces Serum Level of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Hypercholesterolemic Patients

Vascular endothelial growth factor plays a pivotal role in the progression of atherosclerotic lesions and causes instability of atherosclerotic plaques by inducing neoangiogenesis inside the current plaque. The pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL-) 6 induces vascular endothelial growth factor in smooth muscle cells (SMC). HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), display beside their lipid-lowering potency various pleiotropic effects. Such pleiotropic effects include improvement of endothelial dysfunction, increased nitric oxide bioavailability, antioxidant properties, inhibition of inflammatory responses, and stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. In this study we investigate the influence of statin treatment on the serum levels of VEGF in hypercholesterolemic patients. One hundred and seven hypercholesterolemic patients were treated with 20 (n = 52) or 40 mg (n = 55) simvastatin daily. Six weeks of treatment resulted in a significant decrease of VEGF from 1017.1 ± 297.8 pg/mL at baseline to 543.5 ± 317.4 pg/mL after 6 weeks (−47.7%) and to 211.8 ± 155.3 pg/mL after 6 months (−79.7%; all P < 0.001). IL-6 induced the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human SMC as analyzed by rt-PCR and flow cytometry. Statins decreased the stimulatory effect of IL-6 on mRNA and protein levels. This effect could be inhibited by co-incubation with mevalonate acid. This study contributes in understanding the pleiotropic effects of statins particularly with regard to their use in treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Prospective Analysis of Presurgical Risk Factors for Outcomes in Primary Palatoplasty

Background: The authors present a single surgeon’s series of primary palatoplasty over a 10-year period in order to determine which presurgical factors might influence postoperative fistula rate and speech outcome. Methods: Data were prospectively acquired for all patients undergoing primary palatoplasty between January of 2000 and January of 2010. Standard demographic data were captured together with classification of cleft type and severity (as defined by palate length and cleft width). Outcome data were assessed in terms of fistula rate and the requirement for secondary speech surgery for velopharyngeal insufficiency. Results: There were 485 primary procedures; 276 patients were male. Mean age at primary surgery was 20.4 months. Clefts were classified according to Kernahan and Stark (cleft palate, n = 260; cleft lip/palate, n = 225) and Veau class (I, n = 85; II, n = 175; III, n = 165; and IV, n = 60). Palate length was assessed according to Randall’s classification (I, n = 81; II, n = 319; III, n = 58; IV, n = 2). Mean palate width was 7.7 mm (range, 0 to 19 mm). Cleft lip/palate was associated with wider mean cleft width and a higher incidence of shorter palates than cleft palate. Velopharyngeal insufficiency was more frequent in cleft lip/palate than in cleft palate. Male sex, greater cleft width, and shorter palate length were independent predictors of velopharyngeal insufficiency. Conclusions: Distributions of sex, cleft width, and palate length vary among the differing cleft types and may explain some of the variation in outcomes among centers and protocols. These data should be recorded to facilitate valid comparisons among future studies. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.
A Study to Compare the Quality of Surgical Field Using Total Intravenous Anesthesia (with Propofol) versus Inhalational Anesthesia (with Isoflurane) for Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgeries

Background and Objectives: Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) being a delicate technique, intraoperative bleeding is one of the major challenges. Even a little bleeding can adversely affect the surgeon's ability to visualize the region to be operated. General anesthesia is preferred over topical anesthesia in FESS. This study was conducted to compare the surgical field using total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol and inhalational anesthesia with isoflurane for FESS. Secondary outcomes such as intraoperative blood loss and the incidence of perioperative complications were also recorded. Subjects and Methods: A total of sixty patients in the age group of 16–60 years with physical status American Society of Anesthesiologists Classes I and II, undergoing FESS were randomly divided into two groups of thirty each after taking informed consent and approval from the Hospital Ethics Committee. Thirty patients in Group I: received isoflurane-based inhalational anesthesia and other Thirty patients in Group II: were administered TIVA with propofol. Various parameters were recorded and statistically analyzed. Results: There was improved quality of surgical field at the end of surgery in the Group II as compared to Group I. Total blood loss during surgery and incidence of intraoperative complications were less in Group II as compared to Group I. Conclusion: This study concludes that in FESS, using TIVA with propofol decreases blood loss and the incidence of complications during surgery in addition to providing good quality of surgical field.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis will increase the risk of lung cancer

Objective To review the studies investigating the increased risk of lung cancer in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Data sources Data cited in this review were obtained mainly from PubMed and Medline from 1999 to 2013 and highly regarded older publications were also included. Study selection We identified, retrieved and reviewed the information on the frequency, risk factors, anatomical features, histological types, clinical manifestations, computed tomography findings and underlying mechanisms of lung cancer in IPF patients. Results The prevalence rates of lung cancer in patients with IPF (4.8% to 48%) are much higher than patients without IPF (2.0% to 6.4%). The risk factors for lung cancer in IPF include smoking, male gender, and age. Lung cancers often occur in the peripheral lung zones where fibrotic changes are predominant. Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common types of lung cancer in patients with IPF. Radiologic features of these patients include peripherally located, ill‐defined mass mimicking air‐space disease. The underlying mechanisms of the development of lung cancer in patients with IPF have not been fully understood, but may include the inflammatory response, epithelial injury and/or abnormalities, aberrant fibroblast proliferation, epigenetic and genetic changes, reduced cell‐to‐cell communication, and activation of specific signaling pathways. Conclusions These findings suggest that IPF is associated with increased lung cancer risk. It is necessary to raise the awareness of lung cancer risk in IPF patients among physicians and patients.
Endocytosis by African trypanosomes. II. Occurrence in different life-cycle stages and intracellular sorting.

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and colloidal gold-labeled proteins enter many of the endocytic organelles of bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei and T. congolense. However, the colloidal gold markers were excluded from substantial parts of the pathway that contained HRP. Morphometric studies revealed that HRP entered organelles that accounted for approximately 5% of the total cell volume while transferrin-gold entered organelles that comprised approximately 2% of the total cell volume. In addition, large colloidal gold particles were excluded from organelles that contained smaller gold particles. Antibodies, raised against the variable surface glycoprotein, when applied to thawed cryosections were found to label structures from which endocytosed colloidal gold coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA) was excluded. Endocytosis was shown to occur in two in vitro propagated forms of trypanosomes, similar to those found in the insect vector (Glossina spp.). The mammal-infective metacyclic forms were similar to bloodstream forms in that they endocytosed HRP and colloidal gold markers but excluded colloidal gold from approximately 3% of the endocytic organelles. Estimation of the flagellar pocket volumes of bloodstream form T. brucei showed that this organelle occupied 0.5% to 1.4% of the total cell volume. The flagellar pocket volume of T. congolense varied between life-cycle stages, with a fractional volume of 4.4% for bloodstream forms, 2.3% for metacyclic forms and 1.4% for procyclic forms. Endocytosis of HRP, but not of protein-gold markers, occurred in procyclic (uncoated) forms. Endocytosis by procyclic forms has heretofore not been reported. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Are health care professionals advising obese patients to lose weight?

CONTEXT Implementation of the National Institutes of Health's 1998 guidelines, which recommended that health care professionals advise obese patients to lose weight, required baseline data for evaluation. OBJECTIVES To describe the proportion and characteristics of obese persons advised to lose weight by their health care professional during the previous 12 months and to determine whether the advice was associated with reported attempts to lose weight. DESIGN The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a random-digit telephone survey conducted in 1996 by state health departments. SETTING Population-based sample from 50 states and the District of Columbia. PARTICIPANTS A total of 12835 adults, 18 years and older, classified as obese (body mass index > or =30 kg/m2), who had visited their physician for a routine checkup during the previous 12 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Reported advice from a health care professional to lose weight, and reported attempts to lose weight. RESULTS Forty-two percent of participants reported that their health care professional advised them to lose weight. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, we found that the persons who were more likely to receive advice were female, middle aged, had higher levels of education, lived in the northeast, reported poorer perceived health, were more obese, and had diabetes mellitus. Persons who reported receiving advice to lose weight were significantly more likely to report trying to lose weight than those who did not (OR, 2.79; 95% CI, 2.53-3.08). CONCLUSIONS Less than half of obese adults report being advised to lose weight by health care professionals. Barriers to counseling need to be identified and addressed.
Mental health, job satisfaction, and job stress among general practitioners.

OBJECTIVE--To identify sources of job stress associated with high levels of job dissatisfaction and negative mental wellbeing among general practitioners in England. DESIGN--Multivariate analysis of large database of general practitioners compiled from results of confidential questionnaire survey. Data obtained on independent variables of job stress, demographic factors, and personality. Dependent variables were mental health, job satisfaction, alcohol consumption, and smoking. SETTING--National sample of general practitioners studied by university department of organisational psychology. SUBJECTS--One thousand eight hundred seventeen general practitioners selected at random by 20 family practitioner committees in England. INTERVENTIONS--None. END POINT--Determination of the combination of independent variables that were predictive of mental health and job satisfaction. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS--Women general practitioners both had job satisfaction and showed positive signs of mental wellbeing in contrast with other normative groups. Conversely, male doctors showed significantly higher anxiety scores than the norms, had less job satisfaction, and drank more alcohol than their women counterparts. Multivariate analysis disclosed four job stressors that were predictive of high levels of job dissatisfaction and lack of mental wellbeing; these were demands of the job and patients' expectations, interference with family life, constant interruptions at work and home, and practice administration. CONCLUSIONS--There may be substantial benefit in providing a counselling service for general practitioners and other health care workers who suffer psychological pressure from their work.
Observations of Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies with the Infrared Spectrograph on the Spitzer Space Telescope. II. The IRAS Bright Galaxy Sample

We present spectra taken with the Infrared Spectrograph on Spitzer covering the 5-38 μm region of the 10 ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) found in the IRAS Bright Galaxy Sample (BGS). There is a factor of 50 spread in the rest-frame 5.5-60 μm spectral slopes, and the 9.7 μm silicate optical depths range from at least τ9.7 ≤ 0.4 (AV ~ 8) to τ9.7 ≥ 4.2 (AV ≥ 78). There is evidence for water ice and hydrocarbon absorption and C2H2 and HCN absorption features in 4 and possibly 6 of the 10 BGS ULIRGs, indicating shielded molecular clouds and a warm, dense ISM. We have detected [Ne V] emission in 3 of the 10 BGS ULIRGs, at flux levels of 5-18 × 10-14 ergs cm-2 s-1 and [Ne V] 14.3/[Ne II] 12.8 line flux ratios of 0.12-0.85. The remaining BGS ULIRGs have limits on their [Ne V]/[Ne II]line flux ratios, which range from ≤0.15 to ≤0.01. Among the BGS ULIRGs, the AGN fractions implied by either the [Ne V]/[Ne II] or [O IV]/[Ne II] line flux ratios (or their upper limits) are significantly lower than implied by the MIR slope or strength of the 6.2 μm PAH EQW feature. There is evidence for hot (T > 300 K) dust in five of the BGS ULIRGs, with the fraction of hot dust to total dust luminosity ranging from ~1% to 23%, before correcting for extinction. When integrated over the IRAC-8, IRS blue peak-up, and MIPS-24 filter bandpasses, the IRS spectra imply very blue colors for some ULIRGs at z ~ 1.3. The large range in diagnostic parameters among the nearest ULIRGs suggests that matching survey results to a small number of templates may lead to biased results about the fraction of luminous dusty starbursts and AGNs at high z.
SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction: fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, and fluvoxamine in a prospective, multicenter, and descriptive clinical study of 344 patients.

The authors analyzed the incidence of sexual dysfunction (SD) with different selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, and sertraline) and hence the qualitative and quantitative changes in SD throughout time in a prospective and multicenter study. Outpatients (192 women and 152 men; age = 39.6 +/- 11.4 years) under treatment with SSRIs were interviewed with an SD questionnaire designed for this purpose by the authors and that included questions about the following: decreased libido, delayed orgasm or anorgasmia, delayed ejaculation, inability to ejaculate, impotence, and general sexual satisfaction. Patients with the following criteria were included: normal sexual function before SSRI intake, exclusive treatment with SSRIs or treatment associated with benzodiazepines, previous heterosexual or self-erotic current sexual practices. Excluded were patients with previous sexual dysfunction, association of SSRIs with neuroleptics, recent hormone intake, and significant medical illnesses. There was a significant increase in the incidence of SD when physicians asked the patients direct questions (58%) versus when SD was spontaneously reported (14%). There were some significant differences among different SSRIs: paroxetine provoked more delay of orgasm or ejaculation and more impotence than fluvoxamine, fluoxetine and sertraline (chi 2, p < .05). Only 24.5% of the patients had a good tolerance of their sexual dysfunction. Twelve male patients who suffered from premature ejaculation before the treatment preferred to maintain delayed ejaculation, and their sexual satisfaction, and that of their partners, clearly improved. Sexual dysfunction was positively correlated with dose. Patients experienced substantial improvement in sexual function when the dose was diminished or the drug was withdrawn. Men showed more incidence of sexual dysfunction than women, but women's sexual dysfunction was more intense than men's. In only 5.8% of patients, the dysfunction disappeared completely within 6 months, but 81.4% showed no improvement at all by the end of this period. Twelve of 15 patients experienced total improvement when the treatment was changed to moclobemide (450-600 mg/day), and 3 of 5 patients improved when treatment was changed to amineptine (200 mg/day).