Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ion permeation through the L‐type Ca2+ channel in rat phaeochromocytoma cells: two sets of ion binding sites in the pore.

1. Both inward and outward unitary Li+ currents through the L‐type Ca2+ channel and discrete block of such currents by either internal or external Ca2+ are recorded. Detailed kinetic analyses are obtained for all of the four experimental configurations (internal or external Ca2+ block of either inward or outward Li+ currents). 2. No matter from which side the blocking Ca2+ ion comes, the exit (unblocking) rates are always the same at the same potential in the same direction of Li+ current flow. This indicates that the high‐affinity Ca2+ binding site (the blocking site) is in the pore, and internal and external Ca2+ both go to the same site to produce the block. In other words, there can only be one high‐affinity Ca2+ binding site or one set of such sites (sites separated by insignificant barriers) in the pore. Furthermore, the direction of exit of the blocking Ca2+ ion is always with, not against, the Li+ current flow. This suggests ion‐ion interaction (the ‘long pore effect’) in the high‐affinity sites. Therefore there must be more than one high‐affinity site in the pore. Overall it is concluded that the pore must contain a set of high‐affinity Ca2+ binding sites separated by insignificant energy barriers. 3. The voltage dependence of the off‐ (exit) rates is very similar in amplitude for all the four experimental configurations (e‐fold change per approximately 25 mV depolarization or hyperpolarization). This strong voltage dependence in every configuration cannot be explained by any Ca2+ energy profile alone and must include a certain contribution from Li+. The mechanism underlying such a contribution seems to reside in the enhancement effect of Li+ on the exist of Ca2+. 4. The on‐rates (blocking rates) for external Ca2+ are always fast no matter whether the Li+ currents are outward or inward. In certain cases the rates even approach the diffusion‐controlled limit (approximately 10(9) M‐1 S‐1). This suggests that the high‐affinity sites are very easily accessible from the outside, and probably there is no other ionic site located between the external pore mouth and the high‐affinity sites. 5. The on‐rates for internal Ca2+ are fast and voltage independent in outward Li+ currents, but are very slow and strongly voltage dependent in inward Li+ currents. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Cerebrospinal fluid extracellular vesicle enrichment for protein biomarker discovery in neurological disease; multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACT The discovery of disease biomarkers, along with the use of “liquid biopsies” as a minimally invasive source of biomarkers, continues to be of great interest. In inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is the most obvious biofluid source. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are also present in CSF and are thought to be potential “biomarker treasure chests”. However, isolating these CSF-derived EVs remains challenging. This small-scale pilot study developed and tested a protocol to enrich for CSF-EVs, both in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) CSF and controls. These were subsequently compared, using an aptamer based proteomics array, SOMAscan™. EVs were enriched from RRMS patient (n = 4) and non-demyelinating control (idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) (n = 3)) CSF using precipitation and mini size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). EV-enriched fractions were selected using pre-defined EV characteristics, including increased levels of tetraspanins. EVs and paired CSF were analysed by SOMAscan™, providing relative abundance data for 1128 proteins. CSF-EVs were characterised, revealing exosome-like features: rich in tetraspanins CD9 and CD81, size ~100 nm, and exosome-like morphology by TEM. Sufficient quantities of, SOMAscan™ compatible, EV material was obtained from 5 ml CSF for proteomics analysis. Overall, 348 and 580 proteins were identified in CSF-EVs and CSF, respectively, of which 50 were found to be significantly (t-test) and exclusively enriched in RRMS CSF-EVs. Selected proteins, Plasma kallikrein and Apolipoprotein-E4, were further validated by western blot and appeared increased in CSF-EVs compared to CSF. Functional enrichment analysis of the 50 enriched proteins revealed strong associations with biological processes relating to MS pathology and also extracellular regions, consistent with EV enrichment. This pilot study demonstrates practicality for EV enrichment in CSF derived from patients with MS and controls, allowing detailed analysis of protein profiles that may offer opportunities to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic approaches in CNS inflammatory diseases.
Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B: Solid-Phase Radioimmunoassay

An immunoassay employing 125I-labeled enterotoxin B and polystyrene tubes coated with specific antibody was used for assaying purified and crude enterotoxin. Antibody was adsorbed to untreated polystyrene tubes. Unlabeled enterotoxin competed with 125I-labeled enterotoxin for antibody-combining sites. The uptake of 125I-labeled toxin reflected the concentration of unlabeled toxin present. The test is sensitive to 1 to 5 ng of purified and crude enterotoxin B per ml, and cross-reactions with heterologous enterotoxins did not interfere with the specificity. This test possesses the combination of sensitivity and objectivity absent in current methods for assaying enterotoxin and provides a model for investigating other enterotoxin serotypes.
Genetic and biochemical analyses of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Psl exopolysaccharide reveal overlapping roles for polysaccharide synthesis enzymes in Psl and LPS production

Exopolysaccharides contribute significantly to attachment and biofilm formation in the opportunisitc pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The Psl polysaccharide, which is synthesized by the polysaccharide synthesis locus (psl), is required for biofilm formation in non‐mucoid strains that do not rely on alginate as the principal biofilm polysaccharide. In‐frame deletion and complementation studies of individual psl genes revealed that 11 psl genes, pslACDEFGHIJKL, are required for Psl production and surface attachment. We also present the first structural analysis of the psl‐dependent polysaccharide, which consists of a repeating pentasaccharide containing d‐mannose, d‐glucose and l‐rhamnose:
Violence and Female Labor Supply

This paper explores whether fear and safety concerns have an impact on behavior such as female labor supply in a developing country context. The effect of media reported physical and sexual assaults on urban women's labor force participation in India is investigated by combining nationally representative cross-sectional microeconomic surveys carried out between 2009 and 2012 with a novel geographically referenced data source on media reports of assaults. I find that a σ increase in lagged sexual assault reports within one's own district reduces the probability that a woman is employed outside her home by 0.44 percentage points (or 3.6% of the sample average). I find this effect despite ruling out several sources of unobserved heterogeneity. This effect is also robust to a number of sensitivity checks. Consistent with a model in which women make investments to overcome fear in the presence of economic incentives, I find that the effect of local violence on labor supply is weaker among women from poorer households. I also find this effect to be weaker among high caste Hindu women, but strong among Muslim women.
The Investment of Life Assurance Funds

At first sight one might perhaps be loth to admit that a very close analogy can be drawn between the insurance of under-average lives and the investment of life assurance funds. It seems to me, however, that in some important respects the two operations are comparable. I think it must be admitted that practically any life, however bad, would be insurable provided the risk to be run could be accurately assessed and the requisite premium charged. Similarly, almost any investment would be worth buying provided that the risk of the loss of capital could be accurately gauged and the rate of interest was sufficiently large to pay what may be called an investment rate and to provide a sufficient margin to cover the risk of loss of capital.
Prevalence and risk factors of aortic aneurysm in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) manifest an excess of chronic co-morbidities and present a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease such as congestive heart failure and ischemic heart disease. Aortic aneurysm (AA) also shared the risks of those diseases and its rupture is an important cause of death. However, since AA progresses almost silently, the prevalence of AA in patients with COPD remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine AA prevalence and risk factors in patients with COPD. METHODS With computed tomography (CT) screening, we tested for AA in 231 COPD patients, and assessed emphysema by Goddard classification and aortic wall calcification in abdominal artery, respectively. We also evaluated that of thoracic artery using our original methods, which we assessed the extent of calcification in the thoracic artery as well as which defined as "aortic calcification index (ACI) in thoracic artery". RESULTS In 231 patients with COPD, 27 (11.7%) had AA determined by CT imaging and another 6 patients with previously diagnosed AA and a history of repaired operation (2.6%). In this total of 33 patients (AA group), the age of 95% confidence interval (CI) was 75.8 to 80.1 years and the prevalence of AA in patients aged 76 to 80 years was 26.8%. A low attenuation area and aortic wall calcification were more severe in the AA group than in the non-AA group, but forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was not significantly different in those patients. The Goddard score of nine and ACI in the thoracic artery of 25.0% were determined to identify the most appropriate cut-off levels for discriminating between AA and non-AA groups. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis indicated that sizeable under-recognition of AA seems likely in COPD. Especially for patients with severe lung destruction and aortic calcification verifiable by chest CT, abdominal CT would be beneficial for detecting AA.
Normal expression levels of cathepsins, protease inhibitors, and Sp1 in conjunctival tissues from patients with keratoconus

Purpose. In keratoconus corneas, it has been shown that levels of degradative enzymes and transcription factor Sp1 are elevated and those of inhibitors are reduced, especially in the epithelial layer. This study is to determine whether the biochemical abnormalities identified in corneas also exist in conjunctival tissues. Methods. Conjunctival tissues were collected from normal subjects and from patients with keratoconus, senile cataract, and other corneal diseases. Immunohistochemical staining for cathepsins B and G, a1-proteinase inhibitor, a2-macro-globulin and Sp1 was performed. Results. The epithelium of all conjunctival specimens showed immunoreactivity toward the antibodies. The staining for cathepsins B and G, and the inhibitors was mostly cytoplasmic, while that for Sp1 was nuclear. The staining intensity in keratoconus specimens was all within normal range. Conclusions. These results suggest that the abnormalities in cathepsins B and G, protease inhibitors and Sp1 identified in keratoconus corneas are not manifested in the conjunctiva. Keratoconus appears to be a disease localized to the cornea.
Social Desirability and Partner Agreement of Men’s Reporting of Intimate Partner Violence in Substance Abuse Treatment Settings

Estimates indicate that intimate partner violence (IPV) occurs in approximately 30% of relationships and up to 85% of the relationships of men in substance abuse treatment. However, partners consistently display poor agreement in reporting the presence of IPV. Social desirability is frequently offered as the primary reason for under-reporting of IPV by perpetrators. The goal of the current study was to explicitly test the social desirability hypothesis using both partners’ reports of negotiation, psychological aggression, physical aggression, sexual aggression, and injuries in a substance abuse treatment sample. A total of 54 males and their female partners were recruited from a residential adult substance use treatment facility. Consistent with prior literature, partners displayed poor agreement about the presence of different types of IPV. The male partner’s social desirability was not associated with his reporting of male-to-female physical aggression, psychological aggression, or injuries. Men who engaged in higher levels of self-deceptive enhancement and lower levels of impression management were more likely to under-report male-to-female sexual coercion. Overall, the findings question the generalized importance of social desirability in IPV reporting in substance abuse treatment populations.
ScholarWorks @ UTRGV ScholarWorks @ UTRGV

This study takes a cultural approach to examine the unstable and contentious nature of Korean democracy. Analyzing an original nationwide survey conducted in 2015, we find that the democratic and participatory culture of the Korean people underlies Korean democracy. This finding suggests substantial tension between the participatory orientation of the public and Korean representative democracy.
Economic impact of contrast stress echocardiography on the diagnosis and initial treatment of patients with suspected coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the impact of contrast stress echocardiography on resource use in the treatment of patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS Fifty-nine patients with suspected CAD underwent nuclear perfusion imaging and contrast echocardiography examination. Further treatment was planned after each test and a final treatment was recommended after reviewing the results of both examinations. Medical resources and productivity losses were then collected for a 3-month follow-up period. RESULTS Diagnosis was possible in 96.6% of patients with nuclear perfusion imaging and 93.2% with contrast echocardiography, resulting in a cost per successful diagnosis of $637 (Can) and $476 (Can), respectively. For the majority of patients (74%), both tests provided the same result, but for 12 patients nuclear imaging suggested abnormal perfusion, whereas contrast echocardiography indicated normal function and for 2 patients it was the opposite situation. Per-patient costs for the total patient population decreased from $316 (Can) after nuclear perfusion imaging to $250 (Can) when results from both tests were known. Three-month follow-up societal costs were $441 (Can) per patient, with hospitalization contributing 58% of this total cost. CONCLUSION Contrast echocardiography has a similar success rate to nuclear perfusion imaging in diagnosing CAD, but has a 28% lower cost and has the potential of additional cost savings through the elimination of further diagnostic tests.
Process and Contextual Factors Supporting Action-Oriented Learning: A Thematic Synthesis of Empirical Literature in Natural Resource Management

Abstract Despite a long-term focus on learning in natural resource management (NRM), it is still debated how learning supports sustainable real-world NRM practices. We offer a qualitative in-depth synthesis of selected scientific empirical literature (N = 53), which explores factors affecting action-oriented learning. We inductively identify eight key process-based and contextual factors discussed in this literature. Three patterns emerge from our results. First, the literature discusses both facilitated participation and self-organized collaboration as dialogical spaces, which bridge interests and support constructive conflict management. Second, the literature suggests practice-based dialogs as those best able to facilitate action and puts a strong emphasis on experimentation. Finally, not emphasized in existing reviews and syntheses, we found multiple evidence about certain contextual factors affecting learning, including social-ecological crises, complexity, and power structures. Our review also points at important knowledge gaps, which can be used to advance the current research agenda about learning and NRM.
Identification of Residues in the Dengue Virus Type 2 NS2B Cofactor That Are Critical for NS3 Protease Activation

ABSTRACT Proteolytic processing of the dengue virus polyprotein is mediated by host cell proteases and the virus-encoded NS2B-NS3 two-component protease. The NS3 protease represents an attractive target for the development of antiviral inhibitors. The three-dimensional structure of the NS3 protease domain has been determined, but the structural determinants necessary for activation of the enzyme by the NS2B cofactor have been characterized only to a limited extent. To test a possible functional role of the recently proposed Φx3Φ motif in NS3 protease activation, we targeted six residues within the NS2B cofactor by site-specific mutagenesis. Residues Trp62, Ser71, Leu75, Ile77, Thr78, and Ile79 in NS2B were replaced with alanine, and in addition, an L75A/I79A double mutant was generated. The effects of these mutations on the activity of the NS2B(H)-NS3pro protease were analyzed in vitro by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of autoproteolytic cleavage at the NS2B/NS3 site and by assay of the enzyme with the fluorogenic peptide substrate GRR-AMC. Compared to the wild type, the L75A, I77A, and I79A mutants demonstrated inefficient autoproteolysis, whereas in the W62A and the L75A/I79A mutants self-cleavage appeared to be almost completely abolished. With exception of the S71A mutant, which had a kcat/Km value for the GRR-AMC peptide similar to that of the wild type, all other mutants exhibited drastically reduced kcat values. These results indicate a pivotal function of conserved residues Trp62, Leu75, and Ile79 in the NS2B cofactor in the structural activation of the dengue virus NS3 serine protease.
Performance and Kinetics of Nitrification of Low Ammonia Wastewater at Low Temperature

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dissolved oxygen on nitrification in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) treating low ammonia wastewater (40 mg N/L) at a low temperature (14 °C). During the 130 days of operation, three dissolved oxygen levels (5–6 mg dissolved oxygen/L, 2–3 mg dissolved oxygen/L, and 0.8–1.0 mg dissolved oxygen/L) were tested. Dissolved oxygen reduction resulted in lower ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) activity, with decreasing ammonia conversion ratio and increasing nitrite accumulation ratio. The maximum growth rates of AOB and NOB determined in this study (0.28 and 0.38 d−1) were below the median values from the literature (0.47 and 0.62 d−1), whereas the oxygen half‐saturation coefficients of AOB and NOB (1.36 and 2.79 mg/L) were higher than those found in the literature. The kinetic model explained the SBR performance well. Low dissolved oxygen, together with long solids retention time, was recommended for partial nitrification at a low temperature.
Efficacy of pulsed dye laser treatment of port wine stain malformations of the lower limb

Background There is relatively little information about treatment of port wine stains (PWS) of the lower limb. Few studies have specifically addressed the efficacy of pulsed dye laser (PDL) treatment of a PWS on the lower limb and there is no information on the relative efficacy at different sites on the lower limb. It has been suggested that treatment is not as successful when compared with the face and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation has been reported to be a significant problem.
MMR gene expression pattern in sporadic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Colorectal carcinoma is the second leading cause of death by cancer in Europe as its incidence increases with life span. Continuing research to detect new highly sensitive and specific noninvasive biomarkers is essential. The aim of this study was to compare 9 mismatching repair (MMR) genes activation levels in normal, polyp and malignant tissues in order to detect a MMR gene expression pattern in sporadic colorectal malignant pathology. METHODS MMR mRNA levels were evaluated in tumor-normal tissue paired samples and polyps collected from 29 patients undergoing standard surgical procedures with curative intention. Real-Time quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (qRT PCR) with TaqMan probes specific to ANKRD17, EXO1, MLH1, MLH3, MSH2, MSH3, MSH4, MSH5, MSH6 gene transcripts were used. RESULTS The general tendency observed was a lower mRNA level of MMR genes in tumor samples compared with the normal tissue, with the exception of EXO1 gene. The number of patients that showed a higher expression of MMR genes in normal tissue was significantly greater than the number of patients that showed a higher expression inside the tumor (p=0.0024). ANKRD17 mRNA levels were higher in normal tissue than in tumor for 16 cases, by contrast with only 6 cases of higher mRNA levels in tumor. CONCLUSIONS ANKRD17 mRNA appears to be the most sensitive target and may have a potential value as an additional marker for the existing multitarget assay panel for colorectal cancer detection.
Effects of supermagnetic iron oxide labeling on the major functional properties of human mesenchymal stem cells from multiple sclerosis patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES In the last few years, treatment protocols using mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in various experimental models and human diseases have been investigated. MSCs are on the focus of stem cell research, since they are considered as a type of adult stem cells with low toxicity and acceptable side effects profile and they can be administered autologously. In addition several studies have revealed significant immunomodulatory properties of MSCs and a potential for transdifferentiation, including neural differentiation, both in vivo and in vitro. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive technique that can be used to track labeled cells and evaluate their migration ability in various clinical settings. METHODS AND RESULTS In this study we investigated whether such labeling of MSCs with the commercially used para-magnetic material, Feridex, has any negative effect on the above mentioned functional properties of MSCs. We labeled human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) with poly-L-lysine coated Feridex(®) and evaluated their cellular differentiation and immunomodulatory properties, in vitro. In comparison with unlabeled cells, labeled hMSC exhibited normal adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation, but decreased chondrogenic differentiation. Regarding neural differentiation, labeled and unlabeled cells were similar in their ability to express neural-like and glial like surface proteins. Finally, both labeled and unlabeled MSCs exhibited a dose-dependent, significant blocking effect on the proliferation of healthy donors lymphocytes following mitogen stimulation. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that labeling with Feridex does not affect the immunomodulatory, nor the neural transdifferentiation potential of MScs and therefore, Feridex may be used for the tracking of this type of stem cells in clinical applications, without compromising their major functional properties.