Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simian virus 40 DNA replication in vitro: specificity of initiation and evidence for bidirectional replication

We recently described a soluble cell-free system derived from monkey cells that is capable of replicating exogenous plasmid DNA molecules containing the simian virus 40 (SV40) origin of replication (J.J. Li, and T.J. Kelly, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 81:6973-6977, 1984). Replication in the system is completely dependent upon the addition of the SV40 large T antigen. In this report we describe additional properties of the in vitro replication reaction. Extracts prepared from cells of several nonsimian species were tested for the ability to support origin-dependent replication in the presence of T antigen. The activities of extracts derived from human cell lines HeLa and 293 were approximately the same as those of monkey cell extracts. Chinese hamster ovary cell extracts also supported SV40 DNA replication in vitro, but the extent of replication was approximately 1% of that observed with human or monkey cell extracts. No replication activity was detectable in extracts derived from BALB/3T3 mouse cells. The ability of these extracts to support replication in vitro closely parallels the ability of the same cells to support replication in vivo. We also examined the ability of various DNA molecules containing sequences homologous to the SV40 origin to serve as templates in the cell-free system. Plasmids containing the origins of human papovaviruses BKV and JCV replicated with an efficiency 10 to 20% of that of plasmids containing the SV40 origin. Plasmids containing Alu repeat sequences (BLUR8) did not support detectable DNA replication in vitro. Circular DNA molecules were found to be the best templates for DNA replication in the cell-free system; however, linear DNA molecules containing the SV40 origin also replicated to a significant extent (10 to 20% of circular molecules). Finally, electron microscopy of replication intermediates demonstrated that the initiation of DNA synthesis in vivo takes place at a unique site corresponding to the in vivo origin and that replication is bidirectional. These findings provide further evidence that replication in the cell-free system faithfully mimics SV40 DNA replication in vivo.
A once‐per‐day, drug‐in‐food protocol for prolonged administration of antiepileptic drugs in animal models

Purpose: Convenient and effective methods for administering potential antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) chronically should facilitate many experiments in animal models of chronic epilepsy with spontaneous recurrent seizures. This proof‐of‐principle study aimed to optimize a once‐per‐day, drug‐in‐food protocol by testing the effect of carbamazepine (CBZ) on the frequency of convulsive seizures in rats with kainate‐induced epilepsy.
Building characteristics associated with moisture related problems in 8,918 Swedish dwellings

Moisture problems in buildings have in a number of studies been shown to increase the risk for respiratory symptoms. The study Dampness in Buildings and Health (DBH) was initiated with the aim to identify health relevant exposures related to dampness in buildings. A questionnaire study about home environment with a focus on dampness problems and health was conducted in one county of Sweden (8,918 homes, response rate 79%). Building characteristics that were associated with one or more of the dampness indicators were for single-family houses, older houses, flat-roofed houses built in the 1960s and 1970s, houses with a concrete slab on the ground that were built before 1983. Moreover, tenancy and earlier renovation due to mould or moisture problems was strongly associated with dampness. A perception of dry air was associated with window-pane condensation, e.g. humid indoor air.
Adolescent girls and their babies: achieving optimal birthweight. Gestational weight gain and pregnancy outcome in terms of gestation at delivery and infant birth weight: a comparison between adolescents under 16 and adult women.

AIMS Pregnancy amongst under 16s has been reported to result in worse outcomes for the baby, including low birthweight. This study aimed to find out whether the under 16s need to gain more weight during pregnancy to avoid this outcome. METHOD A retrospective case control study of pregnancy outcomes in girls delivering before the age of 16 and women delivering aged 25-30. Data was collected from medical case notes, including maternal age, pregnancy weight gain and infant birth weight. RESULTS Although weight gain amongst under 16s was similar to that in the control group, average birthweight of babies born to under 16s was less than in the older group. For both girls and older women greater weight gain in pregnancy did result in higher birth weights. DISCUSSION As younger girls are still growing it may be necessary for them to achieve a greater pregnancy weight gain in order to achieve a satisfactory birth weight.
Impact of Multiresolution Active and Passive Microwave Measurements on Soil Moisture Estimation Using the Ensemble Kalman Smoother

An observing system simulation experiment is developed to test tradeoffs in resolution and accuracy for soil moisture estimation using active and passive L-band remote sensing. Concepts for combined radar and radiometer missions include designs that will provide multiresolution measurements. In this paper, the scientific impacts of instrument performance are analyzed to determine the measurement requirements for the mission concept. The ensemble Kalman smoother (EnKS) is used to merge these multiresolution observations with modeled soil moisture from a land surface model to estimate surface and subsurface soil moisture at 6-km resolution. The model used for assimilation is different from that used to generate "truth. " Consequently, this experiment simulates how data assimilation performs in real applications when the model is not a perfect representation of reality. The EnKS is an extension of the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) in which observations are used to update states at previous times. Previous work demonstrated that it provides a computationally inexpensive means to improve the results from the EnKF, and that the limited memory in soil moisture can be exploited by employing it as a fixed lag smoother. Here, it is shown that the EnKS can be used in large problems with spatially distributed state vectors and spatially distributed multiresolution observations. The EnKS-based data assimilation framework is used to study the synergy between passive and active observations that have different resolutions and measurement error distributions. The extent to which the design parameters of the EnKS vary depending on the combination of observations assimilated is investigated
Conceptions of Diabetes and Diabetes Care in Young People With Minority Backgrounds

Adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) need stable self-care routines for good metabolic control to minimize future cardiovascular health complications. These routines are demanding, and might be particularly challenging in underprivileged groups. The aim of this study was to gain in-depth knowledge on the experience of adolescents with T1DM and a non-Swedish background regarding factors that might influence their ability to take care of themselves; in particular, factors that might influence diabetes management routines, their social situation, and the support they receive from caregivers. We interviewed 12 adolescents with T1DM and minority backgrounds. The results indicated resources and constraints in the adolescents’ social context and in the health care organization. The adolescents developed conceptions that helped to explain and excuse their self-care failures, and their successes. These findings highlight the importance of integrating T1DM as part of the individual’s personal prerequisites. We discuss implications for the organization of diabetes care for adolescents.
Prevalence of ‘surfer's ear’ in Cornish surfers

Abstract Objectives: To establish the prevalence of external auditory canal exostosis (‘surfer's ear’) in Cornish surfers and investigate the potential impact on healthcare. Method: A total of 105 surfers were interviewed and otologically assessed on popular Cornish beaches. The degree of exostosis was graded as mild, moderate or severe. Results: The prevalence of external auditory canal exostosis was 63.81 per cent (33.33 per cent mild, 18.10 per cent moderate and 12.38 per cent severe). The degree of exostosis showed a significant correlation with absolute cold-water exposure time. However, there was individual variation in susceptibility to external auditory canal exostosis; 12 per cent of surfers with excessive cold-water exposure showed no exostosis. Regression analysis of surgical operations performed at the Royal Cornwall Hospital for exostosis over the last 13 years revealed an average increase of 1.23 operations per year, with an average of 13 cases per year over the last 9 years. Conclusion: Exostosis of the external auditory canal is common in Cornish surfers. There appears to be individual variation in terms of susceptibility to this condition. The possible reasons for this are discussed. The increase in the technically difficult surgical operations performed for exostosis is likely to have implications for health resources in the future.
Glycated albumin produced in diabetic hyperglycemia promotes monocyte secretion of inflammatory cytokines and bacterial adherence to epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The prevalence and severity of periodontal disease increase in patients with insulin-deficient or insulin-resistant forms of diabetes. A common characteristic of diabetes is the presence of hyperglycemia. A critical consequence of hyperglycemia is the nonenzymatic glycation and oxidation of proteins and lipids, resulting in the irreversible formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). A central means by which AGEs are believed to impart their pathogenic effects is via interacting with specific cellular receptors; the best-characterized of these is receptor for AGE (RAGE). The major consequences of the AGE-RAGE interaction are the generation of enhanced cellular oxidant stress, hypersecretion of inflammatory mediators and altered subgingival flora. The aim of this study was to elucidate the influence of glycated albumin (G-alb), with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS) isolated from periodontal pathogens, on the secretion of inflammatory cytokines by cultured monocytic cells and also to investigate the role of G-alb in adherence of bacteria to epithelial cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS Activated THP-1 cells (1 × 10(6) cells) were incubated for 24 h with G-alb or normal albumin (N-alb), with or without LPS isolated from two periodontal pathogens. Supernatant fluids were collected and assayed for the cytokines interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) by ELISA. For bacterial adhesion assays, S-G epithelial cells were grown on cover slips and incubated with G-alb (10 μg/mL) or N-alb (control) for 30 min. The cover slips were rinsed and then incubated with bacteria for 2 h. The number of adherent bacteria was determined by counting 20 epithelial cells chosen randomly under a light microscope. RESULTS The secretion of IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 by THP-1 cells was greater in the presence of G-alb than in the presence of N-alb. The amounts of cytokines secreted were even greater when THP-1 cells were incubated with G-alb and LPS of periodontal pathogens. The effect of G-alb and LPS was reduced when RAGE was blocked by its antibody. Coating the cultured epithelial cells with G-alb resulted in increased bacterial adherence. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated the role of G-alb in stimulating cultured monocytic cells to secrete inflammatory cytokines. The stimulation was found to be greater when cells were incubated with LPS in addition to G-alb. The over-expression of inflammatory cytokines as a result of the combined effects of G-alb and bacterial LPS may contribute to the severity of periodontal disease in diabetic subjects.
Incentives, Resources and Combinations of Innovation Radicalness and Innovation Speed

Although scholars have independently explored the antecedents of innovation radicalness and innovation speed, this study's focus on combinations of radicalness and speed offers a number of new insights. Drawing on a comparative case study approach of ten innovation departments of large organizations, the authors&#8217; findings provide evidence that intrinsic rewards trigger innovation radicalness, but the simultaneous presence of extrinsic rewards diminishes innovation speed. Further, the authors show that the availability of high levels of non&#8208;financial resources increases innovation radicalness, but the additional provision of high levels of financial resources leads to a slower process of developing these radical innovations to market. The analysis also uncovers the mechanisms by which extrinsic rewards and financial resources slow down the development of radical innovations. The authors discuss the implications of these findings for the literature on innovation management and managerial practice.
Karyotypic Evolution in Malagasy Flying Foxes (Pteropodidae, Chiroptera) and Their Hipposiderid Relatives as Determined by Comparative Chromosome Painting

Pteropodidae and Hipposideridae are 2 of the 9 chiropteran families that occur on Madagascar. Despite major advancements in the systematic study of the island's bat fauna, few karyotypic data exist for endemic species. We utilized G- and C-banding in combination with chromosome painting with Myotismyotis probes to establish a genome-wide homology among Malagasy species belonging to the families Pteropodidae (Pteropus rufus 2n = 38; Rousettus madagascariensis, 2n = 36), Hipposideridae (Hipposideros commersoni s.s., 2n = 52), and a single South African representative of the Rhinolophidae (Rhinolophus clivosus, 2n = 58). Painting probes of M. myotis detected 26, 28, 28, and 29 regions of homology in R. madagascariensis, P. rufus, H. commersoni s.s, and R. clivosus, respectively. Translocations, pericentric inversions, and heterochromatin additions were responsible for karyotypic differences amongst the Malagasy pteropodids. Comparative chromosome painting revealed a novel pericentric inversion on P. rufus chromosome 4. Chromosomal characters suggest a close evolutionary relationship between Rousettus and Pteropus. H. commersoni s.s. shared several chromosomal characters with extralimital congeners but did not exhibit 2 chromosomal synapomorphies proposed for Hipposideridae. This study provides further insight into the ancestral karyotypes of pteropodid and hipposiderid bats and corroborates certain molecular phylogenetic hypotheses.
Retransplantation of the Liver

Since the introduction of cyclosporine-prednisone for primary immunosuppression, retransplantation has become a feasible option for patients whose primary grafts are failing, which may result from primary graft nonfunction, intractable rejection, or consequent to technical complications. Although survival of patients requiring second grafts is less good than in those whose initial graft functions well, 2-year survival rates of 49% have been achieved in retransplanted patients, a record that mandates serious consideration of this approach when the primary graft begins to fail. In general, the retransplant procedure is technically easier, with less blood loss, than is the initial operation. When the reoperation is done electively, it should be done before serious clinical deterioration compromises the chances for success.
Observations on the incidence of clinical bovine mastitis in non-lactating cows in England and Wales

Epidemiological features of clinical mastitis in dry cows from a three year prospective study are described. Two hundred and seventy-three herds in England and Wales participated in the first year (1980) and 209 and 159 of them continued in the study in the subsequent two years. Clinical mastitis was recorded in 1.5 per cent of cows during the dry period in each of the three years. These cases represented between 3.6 and 4.2 per cent of samples from all clinical cases examined. The incidence of clinical mastitis in dry cows increased during the winter housing period (October to March), a peak occurring at the end of this period. A secondary peak in incidence was recorded in August. Streptococcus uberis was the predominant pathogen. Variations in the monthly incidences of cases associated with the major mastitis pathogens were observed. A greater proportion of cases which occurred during the dry period exhibited systemic signs than of cases which occurred during lactation, with the exception of cases associated with Escherichia coli. The risk of clinical mastitis was apparently higher during the last 30 days of the dry period than during the earlier stages of the dry period.
Mucosal Plasma Cell Barrier Disruption During Intestine Transplant Rejection

Background Intestinal allograft mucosa undergoes repopulation with host immunocytes. However, critical changes within key immunocyte subsets are not known. Methods To explain acute cellular rejection after intestine transplantation (ITx) on the basis of altered mucosal immunocytes, rejecting and rejection-free ITx allografts (n=17) were compared with genome-wide expression arrays. Cells identified by cell/lineage-specific genes were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The corresponding phenotype and donor-specific alloreactivity were characterized in peripheral blood. Time-dependent changes in candidate cell(s) were evaluated in biopsies from an independent cohort of 12 children with ITx. Results Among 107 differentially expressed genes, three B-cell lineage–specific genes, CCR10, STAP1, and IGLL1, were down-regulated during ITx rejection and were selected for and achieved technical quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction replication. Down-regulation of the immunoglobulin (Ig)A+ plasma cell–specific CCR10 gene correlated with decreased mature mucosal CD138+ plasma cell numbers in corresponding biopsy specimens (r=0.761, P=0.006) and inversely correlated with enhanced alloreactivity of CD154+ T-cytotoxic memory cells (r=−0.56, P=0.031), which predict acute cellular rejection with high sensitivity. An independent cohort of serial biopsy specimens from 12 ITx recipients (1) confirmed relative CD138+ plasma cell depletion during rejection (P=0.042) and (2) showed increased IgG+-to-IgA+ cell ratios within 4 hr of reperfusion in rejection-prone allografts (P=0.037) and during ITx rejection (P=0.025), compared with rejection-free allografts. No differences existed late after ITx. Increased peripheral IgG+ CD27+ CD19+ memory B cells (P=0.004) were seen during ITx rejection in archived peripheral blood lymphocyte from test and replication cohorts. Conclusions Protracted depletion of the mucosal CD138+ plasma cell barrier and early mucosal infiltration with memory IgG+ cells characterize the rejection-prone intestine allograft. Mucosal IgA+ plasma cell barrier reconstitution may augur resolution of ITx rejection.
Comparison of cardiovascular outcomes in elderly patients with diabetes who initiated rosiglitazone vs pioglitazone therapy.

BACKGROUND Recent meta-analyses have raised the possibility that rosiglitazone maleate may increase the risk of ischemic cardiovascular events, whereas pioglitazone hydrochloride could not be linked to such a risk. We compared cardiovascular outcomes and mortality between patients initiating pioglitazone vs rosiglitazone therapy. METHODS We assembled an inception cohort of Medicare beneficiaries older than 65 years with state-sponsored prescription drug benefits who had diabetes mellitus and initiated treatment with rosiglitazone or pioglitazone between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2005. The study outcomes included all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, and hospitalization for congestive heart failure. RESULTS Of 28 361 patients selected, 50.3% initiated treatment with pioglitazone and 49.7% with rosiglitazone. Most baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. As preferred in drug safety research, we censored patients at crossover or at 60 days after discontinuation of therapy with their study drug; during 29 060 person-years of follow-up, 1869 patients died. After adjustment for a large number of patient characteristics, Cox regression models revealed 15% greater mortality among patients who initiated therapy with rosiglitazone compared with pioglitazone (95% confidence interval, 5%-26%). Use of rosiglitazone was also associated with a 13% greater risk of congestive heart failure (95% confidence interval, 1%-26%). No differences between the 2 drugs were found in their rates of myocardial infarction or stroke. CONCLUSIONS Our findings from a large population-based cohort of US seniors are compatible with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and congestive heart failure in patients initiating therapy with rosiglitazone compared with similar patients initiating therapy with pioglitazone. Limitations of this study include residual confounding due to its nonrandomized nature.
Amino-Acid-Based Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) Fluid over Twelve Weeks: Effects on Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism

Aspects of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism were studied in 8 patients established on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) with plasma albumin < 35 g/L, before, during, and after substitution of 1 of the daily glucose exchanges by a commercial 1 % amino acid dialysis fluid for 12 weeks. The amount of glucose absorbed from the dialysis fluid was consequently reduced by about 25%, hence total energy intake decreased by about 100 Kcallday, but peritoneal glucose transfer kinetics were unaffected. Glucose was lost into amino acid dialysate as expected (2 g/day). Excluding 1 patient with a large rise in calorie intake, total and LDL cholesterol fell at 8 and 12 weeks (LDL cholesterol week 0, 5.26 ± 1.13; week 8, 4.32 ± 0.74; week 12,4.30 ± 1.22; mean ± SD, p < 0.01 for both), but returned to baseline 2 weeks after the restoration of glucose fluid (LDL 4.91 ± 1.22, p < 0.05 vs. week 12). Apolipoprotein B concentration also fell at 12 weeks (p < 0.01). No changes were seen in body weight, body fat, arm muscle circumference, fasting plasma glucose, insulin, growth hormone, triglyceride, non esterified fatty acids, or HDL cholesterol. The response of these biochemical indices to single 8-h glucose and amino acid morning exchanges at 0 and 12 weeks were studied. After 12 week's use of amino acid dialysis fluid, plasma cholesterol and apolipoprotein B were significantly lower throughout the exchange. The decrease in cholesterol and apolipoprotein B during the substitution of 1% amino acid dialysis fluid may be associated not only with the reduction in glucose intake, but also with a gradual change in lipid metabolism. The routine use of such solutions may lower cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in CAPD but further evaluation is indicated.