Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of Human Squamous Cell Differentiation Marker, SPR1, in Tracheobronchial Epithelium Depends on JUN and TRE Motifs (*)

Tracheobronchial epithelial (TBE) cells that normally do not express the squamous cell differentiation marker gene, SPR1, can be induced to produce it by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). The regulation of SPR1 gene expression by TPA occurs, in part, at the transcriptional level in primary human and monkey TBE cells. Using a transient transfection assay, we observed that TPA stimulates the activity of the reporter gene, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, by 2-4-fold in transfected TBE cells. However, this chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity is cell type-specific with significantly less activity in transformed epithelial cell lines and no activity in non-epithelial cell types. TPA-dependent stimulation can also be demonstrated by cotransfection with plasmid DNAs that overexpress the JUN family of proteins, especially c-JUN. Overexpression of c-JUN and TPA treatment synergistically stimulate the SPR1 promoter activity by more than 40-fold. Deletion analysis of the promoter region demonstrates that the DNA fragment of the first 98 base pairs of the 5′-flanking region contains the basal promoter activity, while the region between −162 and −96 contains the cis-enhancer elements for both the basal and TPA/c-JUN-stimulating promoter activities. This observation is supported by in vivo genomic footprinting studies that reveal persistent protections in the following motifs of this region: −141 TRE, −131 GT, −123 ETS-like, and −111 TRE-like motifs and in the enhanced protections in −141 TRE and −111 TRE-like motifs in cells after the TPA treatment. Site-directed mutagenesis in this region demonstrates the involvement of both −141 TRE and −111 TRE-like motifs in TPA/c-JUN-dependent stimulation as well as enhanced basal transcriptional activity. However, it is primarily the −111 TRE-like motif that is involved in the mediation of the enhanced basal promoter activity of the human SPR1 gene. These results are further supported by gel mobility shift assays that demonstrate the involvement of c-JUN and these TRE motifs in the formation of the DNA-protein complex.
Characterization of a phage-plasmid hybrid (phasyl) with two independent origins of replication isolated from Escherichia coli

The phage-plasmid hybrid phasyl can replicate as a phage in the presence of a filamentous phage of Escherichia coli (M13, fl, fd). The extragenic region of phasyl shows homology with the plus and the minus origins of filamentous phages. Insertion of a Cmr fragment into the plus origin or of a Kmr fragment into the minus origin resulted in a reduced transduction frequency, while insertion into other parts of the extragenic region did not. This suggests that phagelike replication of phasyl is mediated by an origin that coincides with the two homologous elements in the extragenic region. Autonomous replication of phasyl occurs from a second origin (oriA) that is located between positions 297 and 636. This fragment mediates replication if the Arp protein is supplied in trans. Arp is the only phage-encoded protein and is essential for plasmidlike replication. No sequence homology to other known origins was found. Phasyl derivatives with either one of the two origins inactivated can be rescued via the alternative replication mode, suggesting that the two replication pathways are independent.
Expression of the β‐glucan receptor, Dectin‐1, on murine leukocytes in situ correlates with its function in pathogen recognition and reveals potential roles in leukocyte interactions

Dectin‐1 is a pathogen‐recognition receptor on macrophages (MΦs), neutrophils, and dendritic cells (DCs). On MΦs and bone marrow‐derived DCs, it has been shown to mediate the nonopsonic recognition of and response to soluble and particulate yeast β‐glucans. We have optimized the immunohistochemical detection of Dectin‐1 and demonstrated its expression on neutrophils, subpopulations of MΦs in splenic red and white pulp, alveolar MΦs, Kupffer cells, and MΦs and DCs in the lamina propria of gut villi. This is consistent with its role in pathogen surveillance. A significant proportion of CD11c+ splenic DCs expressed Dectin‐1, but expression was not restricted to any one subset. Dectin‐1 expression was low on resident MΦs and DCs of skin and was not detected on resident MΦs or DCs in kidney, heart, brain, or eye. The proposed, additional role of Dectin‐1 as a coreceptor for T cell activation is supported by its expression on DCs in the T cell areas of the spleen and lymph nodes. Strong expression of Dectin‐1 on subpopulations of MΦs and DCs in the medullary and corticomedullary regions of the thymus suggests a role distinct from pathogen recognition. Tissue localization thus revealed potential roles of Dectin‐1 in leukocyte interactions during innate immune responses and T cell development.
Individual and group preferences over risk: does group size matter?

In this paper we investigated group size impact on risk aversion when a majority rule is applied. Drawing on the widely used Holt and Laury’s (2002) lottery pairs, we observed a risky shift for both individual and groups regardless of their size. However, groups choices are shown to be closer to the risk-neutrality prediction. More interestingly, whereas smaller groups attitudes can be safely approximated by individual choices, larger groups reveal a statistically different risk-loving attitude. This risky shift becomes more prominent as group size increases.
Autoantibodies against type I interferons as an additional diagnostic criterion for autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type I.

CONTEXT In autoimmune polyendocrinopathy syndrome type I (APS-I), mutations in the autoimmune regulator gene (AIRE) impair thymic self-tolerance induction in developing T cells. The ensuing autoimmunity particularly targets ectodermal and endocrine tissues, but chronic candidiasis usually comes first. We recently reported apparently APS-I-specific high-titer neutralizing autoantibodies against type I interferons in 100% of Finnish and Norwegian patients, mainly with two prevalent AIRE truncations. OBJECTIVES Because variability in clinical features and age at onset in APS-I frequently results in unusual presentations, we prospectively checked the diagnostic potential of anti-interferon antibodies in additional APS-I panels with other truncations or rare missense mutations and in disease controls with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) but without either common AIRE mutation. DESIGN The study was designed to detect autoantibodies against interferon-alpha2 and interferon-omega in antiviral neutralization assays. SETTING AND PATIENTS Patients included 14 British/Irish, 15 Sardinian, and 10 Southern Italian AIRE-mutant patients with APS-I; also 19 other patients with CMC, including four families with cosegregating thyroid autoimmunity. OUTCOME The diagnostic value of anti-interferon autoantibodies was assessed. RESULTS We found antibodies against interferon-alpha2 and/or interferon-omega in all 39 APS-I patients vs. zero of 48 unaffected relatives and zero of 19 British/Irish CMC patients. Especially against interferon-omega, titers were nearly always high, regardless of the exact APS-I phenotype/duration or AIRE genotype, including 12 different AIRE length variants or 10 point substitutions overall (n=174 total). Strikingly, in one family with few typical APS-I features, these antibodies cosegregated over three generations with autoimmune hypothyroidism plus a dominant-negative G228W AIRE substitution. CONCLUSIONS Otherwise restricted to patients with thymoma and/or myasthenia gravis, these precocious persistent antibodies show 98% or higher sensitivity and APS-I specificity and are thus a simpler diagnostic option than detecting AIRE mutations.
Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia due to an iodinated contrast medium (diatrizoate).

A 57-year-old woman known to have chronic renal failure was admitted to hospital for cardiac catheterization. She was taking several medications and undergoing hemodialysis twice a week, but her platelet count had always been normal. She received 5 mL of 75% diatrizoate sodium (Hypaque-M) and 60 mL of diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium (Renografin-76) for left ventricular angiography and selective coronary arteriography. The next day she was drowsy, and the following day generalized ecchymoses and petechiae and a small hemorrhage in the left fundus were noted. Her platelet count was 21 X 109/L, but her prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were within normal limits. No specific therapy was given, and all medications were continued. Her platelet count increased spontaneously and reached 170 X 109/L by the ninth day after the procedure; it remained normal thereafter.
Custom cutting guides in total knee arthroplasty.

The role of custom cutting guides (CCG), also known as patient-specific instrumentation, in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains controversial. Originally, this technique potentially offered many benefits including: more accurate alignment, less surgical time, and reduced costs. It was hoped that this would translate into better outcomes and longer implant survivorship. In assessing the overall literature, some studies describe improved component positioning (fewer outliers) over manual alignment techniques (1-3). However, studies have demonstrated mixed results for all of the above mentioned parameters (4-6). Therefore, the role of patient-specific instrumentation remains unclear.
Disease, habitat fragmentation and conservation

Habitat loss and the resultant fragmentation of remaining habitat is the primary cause of loss of biological diversity. How do these processes affect the dynamics of parasites and pathogens? Hess has provided some important insights into this problem using metapopulation models for pathogens that exhibit ‘S–I’ dynamics; for example, pathogens such as rabies in which the host population may be divided into susceptible and infected individuals. A major assumption of Hess's models is that infected patches become extinct, rather than recovering and becoming resistant to future infections. In this paper, we build upon this framework in two different ways: first, we examine the consequences of including patches that are resistant to infection; second, we examine the consequences of including a second species of host that can act as a reservoir for the pathogen. Both of these effects are likely to be important from a conservation perspective. The results of both sets of analysis indicate that the benefits of corridors and other connections that allow species to disperse through the landscape far outweigh the possible risks of increased pathogen transmission. Even in the commonest case, where harmful pathogens are maintained by a common reservoir host, increased landscape connectance still allows greater coexistence and persistence of a threatened or endangered host.
Primary vitrectomy versus conventional retinal detachment surgery in phakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

PURPOSE This study aimed to compare the results of primary vitrectomy and conventional scleral buckling procedures (conventional retinal detachment surgery) in phakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). METHODS We carried out a randomized, prospective, clinical controlled trial of 61 consecutive phakic eyes with primary RRD, not complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy >or= grade C. Subjects were randomized to either scleral buckling (group 1) or pars plana vitrectomy (group 2). RESULTS At 6 months follow-up, the primary reattachment rate was 80% (24/30 cases) in group 2 and 80.6% (25/31 cases) in group 1; the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.213). Best corrected visual acuity improved significantly from a preoperative median of 1.78 (1/60) (mean 1.73 +/- 0.91, range 0.3-3) to a median of 0.6 (6/24) (mean 0.689 +/- 0.35, range 0.18-1.48) in group 2 and from a preoperative median of 1.48 (2/60) (mean 1.43 +/- 0.92, range 0-3) to a median of 0.6 (6/24) (mean 0.608 +/- 0.36, range 0-1.78) in group 1; the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.376). Cataract developed in five cases (17%) in the vitrectomy group (group 2), with a statistically significant difference of p = 0.018. CONCLUSIONS Although primary vitrectomy can achieve anatomical and functional success rates comparable with those achieved by scleral buckling in uncomplicated forms of phakic RRD, the major drawback of the procedure is the high incidence of postoperative cataract formation. Moreover, visual rehabilitation takes place earlier with scleral buckling than with vitrectomy. Scleral buckling should thus be used as the primary surgical modality in the treatment of uncomplicated RRD where the media are sufficiently clear.
Adherence of doctors to a clinical guideline for hypertension in Bojanala district, North-West Province, South Africa

Background Clinical guidelines are systematically developed statements that assist practitioners and patients to make healthcare decisions for specific clinical circumstances. Non-adherence of doctors to guidelines is thought to contribute significantly to poor delivery of clinical care, resulting in poor clinical outcomes. Aim To investigate adherence of doctors in rural district hospitals to clinical guidelines using the South African Hypertension Guideline 2006 as an example. Setting Four district hospitals in Bojanala district of North-West Province, South Africa. Methods A cross-sectional study determined adherence practices of doctors from records of patients with established hypertension seen at the four district hospitals. Results Of the 490 total records documented by 29 doctors, screening for co-morbidity or associated factors was carried out as follows: diabetes mellitus 99.2%, obesity 6.1%, smoking 53.5%, dyslipidaemia 36.9%, abdominal circumference 3.3%; organ damage: eye 0, kidney 82%, heart 43.5%, chronic kidney disease 38.2%, stroke/transient ischaemic attack 15.9%, heart failure 23.5%, advanced retinopathy 0.2%, coronary heart disease 23.7%, peripheral arterial disease 13.9%. Critical tests/measurements were documented in the following proportions: blood pressure 99.8%, weight 85.3%, height 65.7%, body mass index 3.1%, urinalysis 74.5%, lipogram 76.1%, urea/creatinine 80.4%, electrocardiogram 42.9%, blood glucose 100%; risk determination and grading: diagnosis by hypertension severity 19%, low added risk 57.1%, moderate added risk 64.7%, high added risk 89.6%, very high added risk 89.2%. Adherence to therapies was as follows: first-line guideline drugs 69.4%, second line 84.7%, third line 87.8% and fourth-line 89.6%. Conclusion Overall adherence of doctors to treatment guidelines for hypertension was found to be low (51.9%). Low adherence rates were related to age (older doctors) and less clinical experience, and differed with regard to various aspects of the guidelines.
Perceptions of Younger Single Adults as a Function of Their Gender and Number of Children

ABSTRACT. Research suggests that children may interfere with single parents’ romantic experiences. Although both male and female single parents face these challenges, they have stronger associations with the romantic satisfaction of single mothers as compared to single fathers. The two current studies examined aspects of attractiveness and dating across various dimensions for both younger single women and men, with and without children. Results of Study 1 indicated interactive effects of target gender and parental status on perceptions of both attractiveness and dating potential. Results of Study 2 indicated differential ratings on multiple dimensions (i.e., attractiveness, stress, motivation for dating, and positive qualities) of younger single adults on the basis of gender, parental status, and the number of children single parents were reported as having. Implications for importance of social support and difficulty of repartnering are discussed.
WAY-163909 [(7bR,10aR)-1,2,3,4,8,9,10,10a-Octahydro-7bH-cyclopenta-[b][1,4]diazepino[6,7,1hi]indole]: A Novel 5-Hydroxytryptamine 2C Receptor-Selective Agonist with Preclinical Antipsychotic-Like Activity

Serotonin-2C (5-HT2C) receptor antagonists and agonists have been shown to affect dopamine (DA) neurotransmission, with agonists selectively decreasing mesolimbic DA. As antipsychotic efficacy is proposed to be associated with decreased mesolimbic DA neurotransmission by virtue of DA D2 receptor antagonism, the 5-HT2C-selective receptor agonist, WAY-163909 [(7bR,10aR)-1,2, 3,4,8,9,10,10a-octahydro-7bH-cyclopenta-[b][1,4]diazepino[6,7, 1hi]indole], was evaluated in animal models of schizophrenia and in vivo microdialysis and electrophysiology to determine the effects on mesolimbic and nigrostriatal DA neurotransmission. Similar to clozapine, WAY-163909 (1.7–30 mg/kg i.p.) decreased apomorphine-induced climbing with little effect on stereotypy and no significant induction of catalepsy. WAY-163909 (0.3–3 mg/kg s.c.) more potently reduced phencyclidine-induced locomotor activity compared with d-amphetamine with no effect on spontaneous activity. WAY-163909 (1.7–17 mg/kg i.p.) reversed MK-801 (5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine (dizocilpine maleate)- and DOI [1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane]-disrupted prepulse inhibition of startle (PPI) and improved PPI in DBA/2N mice. In conditioned avoidance responding, WAY-163909 (0.3–3 mg/kg i.p.; 1–17 mg/kg p.o.) reduced avoidance responding, an effect blocked by the 5-HT2B/2C receptor antagonist SB 206553 [5-methyl-1-(3-pyridylcarbamoyl)-1,2,3,5-tetrahydropyrrolo[2,3-f]indole]. WAY-163909 (10 mg/kg s.c.) selectively decreased extracellular levels of DA in the nucleus accumbens without affecting the striatum. Likewise, in vivo electrophysiological recordings showed a decrease in the number of spontaneously firing DA neurons in the ventral tegmental area but not in the substantia nigra with both acute and chronic (21-day) administration of WAY-163909 (1–10 mg/kg i.p.). Thus, the profile of the 5-HT2C selective receptor agonist WAY-163909 is similar to that of an atypical antipsychotic and additionally may have rapid onset properties.
FMCW ramp non-linearity effects and measurement technique for cooperative radar

In FMCW radars, the linearity of the generated ramp has a determining influence on the range resolution and accuracy. This is especially true for cooperative radar systems, where the ramps for modulation and down-conversion are generated separately, strongly increasing the impact of ramp nonlinearities. In this paper, the causes for ramp non-linearities in a PLL-based synthesizer are discussed and modeled as phase deviations from an ideal ramp. A measurement technique to determine these deviations is introduced, where both the hardware setup and the necessary digital processing steps are presented. It is exemplarily applied to an FMCW synthesizer with an integrated 122-GHz transceiver, evaluating the influences of PLL parameters on ramp linearity. Reference measurements show that phase deviations in the low mrad range can be determined with this technique.
Shelf life extension of pre-baked buns by an ACTIVE PACKAGING ethanol emitter

The paper reports the influence of an ethanol emitter (Ethicap®) on the microbiological condition and the shelf life extension of a bakery product. Pre-baked buns, with a water activity of 0.95, were packaged with different amounts of Ethicap ® and stored at room temperature. Yeasts and moulds remained largely absent from the core of the pre-baked bun (< 102 cfug-1) during storage, independent of the presence of ethanol. The total mesophilic count was low at the beginning of the storage experiment (< 102 cfug-1), but increased without ethanol within 1 week to an unacceptable level. In the presence of ethanol, the total mesophilic count stabilizes at a consumable level of 105−106 cfug−1. The increase of total mesophilic count was caused by growth of a Bacillus spp. , probably B. subtilis. Mould growth on the outer surface is limiting for shelf life extension. On the pre-baked buns, the following moulds were present: Penicillium solitum, P. commune, P. corylophilum, Cladosporium sphaerospermumand C. herbarum. These started to grow within 4–6 days. Mould growth can be delayed for 13 days by adding Ethicap®. The ethanol probably has to be absorbed by the pre-baked bun to be effective in growth suppression of the Bacillus spp. the moulds. The pre-baked buns absorb most of the ethanol from the package headspace, and the ethanol content of the products is ˜0.8 weight% after 21 days. This largely exceeds the overall migration limit of 60 mg kg−1 food (0.006 weight%).
Investigation of Lattice Defects in GaAsN Grown by Chemical Beam Epitaxy Using Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy

With only 3 % of N and 9 % of In, InGaAsN with a band gap of 1.04 eV was obtained and could be lattice matched to GaAs and Ge. This dilute nitride semiconductor has been selected as a promising candidate for high efficiency multijunction tandem solar cells (Geisz and Friedman, 2002). However, the diffusion length of minority carriers and the mobility are still lower than of that in GaAs or InGaAs and showed a considerable degradation with increasing the N concentration. These electrical properties are insufficient to insure the current matching in the multijunction solar cell structure AlInGaP/GaAs/InGaAsN/Ge (Friedman et al., 1998). An obvious reason of such degradation is the high density of Nrelated lattice defects that can be formed during growth to compensate for the tensile strain caused by the small atomic size of N compared with that of arsenic (As) and to the large miscibility of the gap between GaAs and GaN. These defect centers are expected to act as active recombination and/or scattering centers in the forbidden gap of the alloy (Zhang & Wei, 2001). However, no experimental evidence has yet been reported. On the other hand, the conductivity of undoped p-type InGaAsN or GaAsN and their high background doping (Friedman et al., 1998; Kurtz et al., 1999; Moto et al., 2000; Krispin et al., 2000) prevent the design of wide depletion region single junction solar cell and the fabrication of intrinsic layer to overcome the short minority carrier lifetime. This serious problem was expected in the first stage to the density of unintentional carbon in the film (Friedman et al., 1998; Kurtz et al., 1999; Moto et al., 2000). However, the carrier density in some InGaAsN semiconductors was found to be higher than that of carbon (Kurtz et al., 2002). Furthermore, the high density of hydrogen (up to 1020 cm−3) and the strong interaction between N and H in InGaAsN to form N-H related complex were confirmed to be the main cause of high background doping in InGaAsN films (Li et al., 1999; Janotti et al., 2002, 2003; Kurtz et al., 2001, 2003; Nishimura et al., 2007). In addition, N-H complex was found theoretically to bind strongly to gallium vacancies (VGa) to form N-H-VGa with a formation energy of 2 eV less than that of isolated VGa (Janotti et al., 2003). These predictions were supported experimentally using positron annihilation spectroscopy results (Toivonen et al., 2003).