Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
p53 mutations as a possible predictor of response to chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal carcinomas

Although intrahepatic infusion therapy with 5‐flourouracil for unresectable colorectal liver metastases may lead to improved overall survival for some patients, it is not clear why a response is not observed in others. Gene alterations in oncogenes or tumor‐suppressor genes are critical events in tumor formation, and some of them could play a role in the process of drug resistance. The tumor‐suppressor gene p53, which is known to trigger cell arrest or apoptosis in response to DNA damage, is found to be mutated in a wide range of human tumors. The aim of this work is to establish whether a relationship is found between p53 mutations and survival in patients undergoing adjuvant chemotheraphy for advanced Dukes' D colorectal cancers. Seventeen tumors from patients treated with 5‐fluorouracil regimen via intrahepatic infusion for unresectable colorectal hepatic metastasis were considered. p53 mutations from tumor DNA were detected, after amplification by PCR of exons 5 to 8, by non‐radioactive single‐strand conformation polymorphism and direct DNA sequencing. Patients with mutated p53 colorectal tumors had short survival, whereas prolonged survival was associated with the presence of wild‐type p53 (p = 0.019). Our data suggest that mutated p53 colorectal tumors had a weak response, or even no response, to chemotherapeutic treatment. Routine assessment of p53 status would be helpful in selecting patients with only wild‐type p53 gene who have a predictably better response to chemotherapy. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Allelic Variation in Outer Membrane Protein A and Its Influence on Attachment of Escherichia coli to Corn Stover

Understanding the genetic factors that govern microbe-sediment interactions in aquatic environments is important for water quality management and reduction of waterborne disease outbreaks. Although chemical properties of bacteria have been identified that contribute to initiation of attachment, the outer membrane proteins that contribute to these chemical properties still remain unclear. In this study we explored the attachment of 78 Escherichia coli environmental isolates to corn stover, a representative agricultural residue. Outer membrane proteome analysis led to the observation of amino acid variations, some of which had not been previously described, in outer membrane protein A (OmpA) at 10 distinct locations, including each of the four extracellular loops, three of the eight transmembrane segments, the proline-rich linker and the dimerization domain. Some of the polymorphisms within loops 1, 2, and 3 were found to significantly co-occur. Grouping of sequences according to the outer loop polymorphisms revealed five distinct patterns that each occur in at least 5% of our isolates. The two most common patterns, I and II, are encoded by 33.3 and 20.5% of these isolates and differ at each of the four loops. Statistically significant differences in attachment to corn stover were observed among isolates expressing different versions of OmpA and when different versions of OmpA were expressed in the same genetic background. Most notable was the increased corn stover attachment associated with a loop 3 sequence of SNFDGKN relative to the standard SNVYGKN sequence. These results provide further insight into the allelic variation of OmpA and implicate OmpA in contributing to attachment to corn stover.
G‐protein modulation of N‐type calcium channel gating current in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK 293).

1. Voltage‐dependent inhibition of N‐type calcium currents by G‐proteins contributes importantly to presynaptic inhibition. To examine the effect of G‐proteins on key intermediary transitions leading to channel opening, we measured both gating and ionic currents arising from recombinant N‐type channels (alpha 1B, beta 1b and alpha 2) expressed in transiently transfected human embryonic kidney cells (HEK 293). Recombinant expression of a homogeneous population of channels provided a favourable system for rigorous examination of the mechanisms underlying G‐protein modulation. 2. During intracellular dialysis with GTP gamma S to activate G‐proteins, ionic currents demonstrated classic features of voltage‐dependent inhibition, i.e. strong depolarizing prepulses increased ionic currents and produced hyperpolarizing shifts in the voltage‐dependent activation of ionic current. No such effects were observed with GDP beta S present to minimize G‐protein activity. 3. Gating currents were clearly resolved after ionic current blockade with 0.1 mM free La3+, enabling this first report of gating charge translocation arising exclusively from N‐type channels. G‐proteins decreased the amplitude of gating currents and produced depolarizing shifts in the voltage‐dependent activation of gating charge movement. However, the greatest effect was to induce a approximately 20 mV separation between the voltage‐dependent activation of gating charge movement and ionic current. Strong depolarizing prepulses largely reversed these effects. These modulatory features provide telling clues about the kinetic steps affected by G‐proteins because gating currents arise from the movement of voltage sensors that trigger channel activation. 4. The mechanistic implications of concomitant G‐protein‐mediated changes in gating and ionic currents are discussed. We argue that G‐proteins act to inhibit both voltage‐sensor movement and the transduction of voltage‐sensor activation into channel opening.
Patients' Use and Perception of Medication Information Leaflets

Background: Federal law mandates that at least 95% of patients receive useful written information with new medications. Recent data concerning whether patients read such leaflets are lacking. Objectives: To evaluate whether patients read non–manufacturer-developed leaflets and assess patients' opinions concerning the understandability and usefulness of these leaflets. Methods: Patients were surveyed at 32 community pharmacies in the New York City metropolitan area. The main outcome measures were the percentage of patients who read the leaflet provided with new and refilled medications and the perceived understandability and usefulness of the leaflet. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the results. Results: A total of 307 patients were surveyed. For leaflets provided with new medications, 151 (49.2%), 65 (21.2%), 49 (16.0%), and 42 (13.7%) reported reading the leaflets always, often, seldom, or never, respectively. For refilled medications, 64 (21.6%), 41 (13.9%), 78 (26.4%), and 113 (38.2%) of the 296 respondents reported reading the leaflets always, often, seldom, or never, respectively. Of 267 patients who read the leaflets provided with new or refilled prescriptions at least seldom, 258 (96.6%) responded to the question concerning its understandability and 257 (96.3%) responded to the question concerning its usefulness. One hundred forty-five (56.2%), 89 (34.5%), 22 (8.5%), and 2 (0.8%) reported that the leaflet was very easy, somewhat easy, somewhat difficult, and very difficult to understand, respectively, and 164 (63.8%), 90 (35.0%), and 3 (1.2%) reported that the leaflet was very useful, somewhat useful, and not useful, respectively. Conclusions: Approximately two-thirds of the patients surveyed reported reading the leaflets provided with new medications at least often. The majority reported the leaflets to be useful and easy to understand. Pharmacists should advocate reading the leaflet and promote it as a useful resource. The leaflet should not replace the pharmacist's obligation to provide verbal counseling.
Exploring the Links Between Technology Acceptance and Use and the Attainment of Individual and Organizational Goals: A Case Study in the Community Health Sector

This paper examines technology acceptance and use and the associated individual and organisational impacts within a small non-profit, community-based health care organisation. The study described involved a longitudinal multi-method investigation, collecting quantitative and qualitative data over a 7-month period, timed in conjunction with the implementation of a new information system infrastructure. A research model is proposed and explored. The substantial data collected enables comprehensive analysis of the links between technology acceptance and use with the outcomes and impacts of use on individual and organisational goals. Results from this study provide qualitative support for the proposed model, demonstrate the invaluable role of individual commitment to the organisation and to the matching of organisational and individual goals. This work highlights the complexity of the constructs and relationships that influence technology acceptance and outcomes and highlights a need for reconceptualising current models. Results also demonstrate the importance of qualitative methodologies in information systems research. The significance of this work and the implications of the findings are discussed.
Nucleases of the Metallo-β-lactamase Family and Their Role in DNA and RNA Metabolism

ABSTRACT Proteins of the metallo-β-lactamase family with either demonstrated or predicted nuclease activity have been identified in a number of organisms ranging from bacteria to humans and has been shown to be important constituents of cellular metabolism. Nucleases of this family are believed to utilize a zinc-dependent mechanism in catalysis and function as 5′ to 3′ exonucleases and or endonucleases in such processes as 3′ end processing of RNA precursors, DNA repair, V(D)J recombination, and telomere maintenance. Examples of metallo-β-lactamase nucleases include CPSF-73, a known component of the cleavage/polyadenylation machinery, which functions as the endonuclease in 3′ end formation of both polyadenylated and histone mRNAs, and Artemis that opens DNA hairpins during V(D)J recombination. Mutations in two metallo-β-lactamase nucleases have been implicated in human diseases: tRNase Z required for 3′ processing of tRNA precursors has been linked to the familial form of prostate cancer, whereas inactivation of Artemis causes severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). There is also a group of as yet uncharacterized proteins of this family in bacteria and archaea that based on sequence similarity to CPSF-73 are predicted to function as nucleases in RNA metabolism. This article reviews the cellular roles of nucleases of the metallo-β-lactamase family and the recent advances in studying these proteins.
RESOLVING THE FAR-IR LINE DEFICIT: PHOTOELECTRIC HEATING AND FAR-IR LINE COOLING IN NGC 1097 AND NGC 4559

The physical state of interstellar gas and dust is dependent on the processes which heat and cool this medium. To probe heating and cooling of the interstellar medium over a large range of infrared surface brightness, on sub-kiloparsec scales, we employ line maps of [C ii] 158 μm, [O i] 63 μm, and [N ii] 122 μm in NGC 1097 and NGC 4559, obtained with the Photodetector Array Camera & Spectrometer on board Herschel. We matched new observations to existing Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph data that trace the total emission of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We confirm at small scales in these galaxies that the canonical measure of photoelectric heating efficiency, ([C ii] + [O i])/TIR, decreases as the far-infrared (far-IR) color, νfν(70 μm) νfν(100 μm), increases. In contrast, the ratio of far-IR cooling to total PAH emission, ([C ii] + [O i])/PAH, is a near constant ∼6% over a wide range of far-IR color, 0.5 < νfν(70 μm) νfν(100 μm) ≲ 0.95. In the warmest regions, where νfν(70 μm) νfν(100 μm) ≳ 0.95, the ratio ([C ii] + [O i])/PAH drops rapidly to 4%. We derived representative values of the local ultraviolet radiation density, G0, and the gas density, nH, by comparing our observations to models of photodissociation regions. The ratio G0/nH, derived from fine-structure lines, is found to correlate with the mean dust-weighted starlight intensity, 〈U〉, derived from models of the IR spectral energy distribution. Emission from regions that exhibit a line deficit is characterized by an intense radiation field, indicating that small grains are susceptible to ionization effects. We note that there is a shift in the 7.7/11.3 μm PAH ratio in regions that exhibit a deficit in ([C ii] + [O i])/PAH, suggesting that small grains are ionized in these environments.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE RALFSIACEAE (PHAEOPHYTA) OF CALIFORNIA 2

New taxa are described as follows: Ralfsia confusa sp. nov., Ralfsia integra sp. nov., Pseudolithoderma nigra sp. nov., Diplura simulans gen. et sp. nov., Endoplura aurea gen. et sp. nov. Lithodermataceae is included in Ralfsiaceae. An emended description of Ralfsia californica is given. Distributional records are also given.
Moderate deviations for shortest-path lengths on random segment processes

We consider first-passage percolation on segment processes and provide concentration results concerning moderate deviations of shortest-path lengths from a linear function in the distance of their endpoints. The proofs are based on a martingale technique developed by [H. Kesten, Ann. Appl. Probab. 3 (1993) 296–338. ] for an analogous problem on the lattice. Our results are applicable to graph models from stochastic geometry. For example, they imply that the time constant in Poisson−Voronoi and Poisson−Delaunay tessellations is strictly greater than 1. Furthermore, applying the framework of Howard and Newman, our results can be used to study the geometry of geodesics in planar shortest-path trees.
Handwashing and gloving practice among health care workers in medical and surgical wards in a tertiary care centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

We evaluated the adherence to handwashing and gloving practice among health care workers (HCWs) in 5 medical and 5 surgical wards of a 1250-bed hospital in Riyadh. Nurses, consultants, residents, interns, and medical students attending these wards were each unobtrusively observed for handwashing and gloving practice. Each HCW was observed only once for all handwashing and gloving opportunities during a single patient encounter. 312 handwashing opportunites for 230 HCWs were observed. The study population comprised 110 nurses, 76 residents, 23 medical students, 11 interns, and 10 consultants. Female subjects constituted 56.1% of the population. The ratio of handwashing sinks to beds was 1:6–7. The overall frequency of handwashing was 6.7% before patient contact and 23.7% after patient contact. Adherence to handwashing was 70.0% among medical students, 69.2% among interns, 18.8% among nurses, 12.5% among residents, and 9.1% among consultants. The duration of handwashing was suboptimal for all HCWs (average of 4.7 s). Adherence to wearing gloves for performing procedures was on average 75.5%. Poor adherence to handwashing is a worldwide problem. Strategies to improve hand hygiene practice should be multifaceted and should include increasing the availability and accessibility of handwashing sinks and alcohol-based hand rubs.
Porin OmpP2 of Haemophilus influenzae Shows Specificity for Nicotinamide-derived Nucleotide Substrates*

Haemophilus influenzae has an absolute requirement for NAD (factor V) because it lacks all biosynthetic enzymes necessary for de novo synthesis of that cofactor. Therefore, growth in vitro requires the presence of NAD itself, NMN, or nicotinamide riboside (NR). To address uptake abilities of these compounds, we investigated outer membrane proteins. By analyzing ompP2 knockout mutants, we found that NAD and NMN uptake was prevented, whereas NR uptake was not. Through investigation of the properties of purified OmpP2 in artificial lipid membrane systems, the substrate specificity of OmpP2 for NAD and NMN was determined, with KS values of ∼8 and 4mm, respectively, in 0.1 m KCl, whereas no interaction was detected for the nucleoside NR and other purine or pyrimidine nucleotide or nucleoside species. Based on our analysis, we assume that an intrinsic binding site within OmpP2 exists that facilitates diffusion of these compounds across the outer membrane, recognizing carbonyl and exposed phosphate groups. Because OmpP2 was formerly described as a general diffusion porin, an additional property of acting as a facilitator for nicotinamide-based nucleotide transport may have evolved to support and optimize utilization of the essential cofactor sources NAD and NMN in H. influenzae.
A randomized, double-blinded study of remifentanil versus fentanyl for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy surgery in pediatric ambulatory surgical patients.

UNLABELLED We compared, in a double-blinded manner, the anesthetic maintenance and recovery properties of remifentanil with a clinically comparable fentanyl-based anesthetic technique in pediatric ambulatory surgical patients. Anesthesia was induced with either halothane or sevoflurane and nitrous oxide and oxygen. Patients were randomized (computer generated) to receive either remifentanil or fentanyl in a blinded syringe with nitrous oxide and oxygen in one of four possibilities: halothane/remifentanil, halothane/fentanyl, sevoflurane/remifentanil or sevoflurane/fentanyl. In patients receiving remifentanil, a placebo bolus was administered, and a continuous infusion (0.25 microg. kg(-1). min(-1)) was begun. In patients receiving fentanyl, a bolus (2 microg/kg) was administered followed by a placebo continuous infusion. The time from discontinuation of the anesthetic to extubation, discharge from the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), and discharge to home, as well as pain scores, were assessed by a blinded nurse observer. Systolic blood pressure and heart rate were noted at selected times, and adverse events were recorded. Remifentanil provided faster extubation times and higher pain-discomfort scores. PACU and hospital discharge times were similar. There were no statistical differences among the groups for adverse events. There were statistically, but not clinically, significant differences in hemodynamic variables. We noted that continuous infusions of remifentanil were intraoperatively as effective as bolus fentanyl. Although patients could be tracheally extubated earlier with remifentanil, this did not translate to earlier PACU or hospital discharge times. In addition, remifentanil was associated with higher postoperative pain scores. The frequent incidence of postoperative pain observed in the postoperative recovery room suggests that better intraoperative prophylactic analgesic regimens for postoperative pain control are necessary to optimize remifentanil's use as an anesthetic for children. IMPLICATIONS This is a study designed to examine the efficacy and safety of a short-acting opioid, remifentanil, when used in pediatric patients. The frequent incidence of postoperative pain observed in the postoperative recovery room suggests that better intraoperative prophylactic analgesic regimens for postoperative pain control are necessary to optimize remifentanil's use as an anesthetic for children.
Seasonal and monthly prevalence pattern of fasciolosis in buffaloes and its relation to some climatic factors in northeastern areas of Punjab, Pakistan

Summary A study was conducted in the northeastern areas of Punjab province (Pakistan) to analyse the monthly and seasonal pattern of fasciolosis in buffaloes and its relation to some climatic factors (temperature, humidity, rainfall and pan-evaporation) was also worked out. The faecal samples of buffaloes were collected from April 2003 to March 2005 on a monthly basis from randomly selected areas and analysed for the presence of Fasciola egg. From 7200 samples, 1058 (14.69%) were found positive. Seasonal data showed the highest prevalence and egg count (EPG) in autumn and the lowest in spring. Monthly results showed the highest prevalence in September (32.33%) and the lowest in May (4.83%), while mean EPG was highest in October (567 ± 95.5) and the lowest in June (3.2 ± 0.48). Statistically, significant difference (P<0.05) was noted within seasonal and monthly prevalences. Impact of humidity was found significant (P<0.05) on disease as compared to other climatic factors.
Lack of Prognostic Significance of BCL2 and p53 Protein Overexpression in Elderly Patients with Diffuse Large B-cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Results from a Population-based Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Registry

The prognostic significance of age was studied in 372 patients with diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, in relation to the prognostic factors of overexpressed BCL2 and p53 oncoprotein. Overexpression of BCL2 and p53 oncoprotein was defined when more than 50% of the tumor cells showed positive staining. The data were analyzed with respect to the age groups < 65 and ⩾ 65 years of age. There was a trend for BCL2 overexpression to occur significantly more often among patients older than 65 years of age (P = 0.065). Patients with BCL2 overexpression showed significantly inferior disease free survival rate, but only for patients younger than 65 years (log-rank test P = 0.0002), and the overexpression showed also an independent prognostic significance (P < 0.001). With respect to overexpressed p53 a significant difference was reached for complete remission rate (P = 0.01) and 5-year survival rate (log-rank test P = 0.04), again only for the younger age group. When the analyses were repeated for the older patients who had been treated adequately, the same lack of significance was found, both for BCL2 and p53. This study demonstrates that the negative prognostic value of overexpressed BCL2 and p53 protein is not of concern for patients older than 65 years of age. Among elderly patients the International Prognostic Index score seems the predominant risk factor for inferior prognosis.
The Effects of Human Capital on Agricultural Productivity and Farmer’s Income in Cameroon

This study evaluates how human capital affects agricultural productivity and farmer’s income in Cameroon. Precisely, this study adopts methodologies that evaluate agricultural productivity, establish the stochastic frontier model and specify the returns to human capital. The database used to produce the empirical results is the Third Cameroonian Household Survey conducted by the National Institute of Statistics. Results obtained indicate that an additional year of experience and levels of education increases agricultural productivity. However, an additional year of experience squared denotes that the producer reduced his level of inefficiency. While an additional unit of education reduces the level of inefficiency. In addition, an additional year of education and years of experience squared increases farmer’s income. To provide a solution to the problem of food insecurity, the government should allow farmers to endow more in human capital.
Graeco-Roman Religion in the Roman Empire: Old Assumptions and New Approaches

This article surveys recent trends in research on Graeco-Roman religion, focusing on the first and second centuries CE. In the first half, I assess current views on what I call the old ‘master narrative’ of Graeco-Roman religious history in this period, that is, the assumption that the decline of traditional Graeco-Roman religion left a void filled on the one hand by the purely political phenomenon of imperial cult and on the other by mystery/oriental religions, which met the emotional needs of the populace. In the second half I discuss two areas of interest that have come to the fore in the wake of the old master narrative’s collapse: an approach to interpreting traditional Graeco-Roman religion that some scholars have termed the ‘polis -religion model’, and a focus on religious life in the provinces of the Roman empire. As an appendix I include a brief survey of available scholarly resources in this field.