Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Two novel immortal pancreatic beta-cell lines expressing and secreting human islet amyloid polypeptide do not spontaneously develop islet amyloid.

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by islet amyloid deposits, which are primarily composed of the amyloidogenic human form of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP, amylin). The mechanism of islet amyloido-genesis is not known, but other products (e.g., apolipoprotein E and perlecan) contained within islet amyloid may be necessary. Because rodent IAPP does not form islet amyloid, the currently available beta-cell lines are not useful for studying processes involved in amyloid formation. To develop a suitable in vitro cell system for the study of islet amyloid formation, we generated two new beta-cell lines that express the amyloidogenic human IAPP. We did this by crossbreeding human IAPP transgenic mice with RIP-Tag mice that develop islet tumors and then culturing one of these islet tumors from two separate offspring of this cross. The resultant 2350-2C0 and 2511 cell lines produce human as well as mouse IAPP-like immunoreactivity (IAPP-LI) and immunoreactive insulin (IRI). Incubation of both these cell lines with 16.7 mmol/l glucose resulted in a two- to fourfold increase in human IAPP-LI, mouse IAPP-LI, and IRI secretion compared with 1.67 mmol/l glucose and the combination of 16.7 mmol/l glucose and 10 mmol/l arginine, 0.1 mmol/l 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), and 5 micromol/l carbachol induced a >50-fold increase in the release of these peptides. The omission of calcium from the above secretagogue cocktail reduced secretion of all three peptides to only two- to sixfold higher than the 16.7 mmol/l glucose condition. Perifusion with 16.7 mmol/l glucose plus 0.1 mmol/l IBMX caused a biphasic secretion of human IAPP-LI and mouse IAPP-LI, as well as IRI, in both cell lines, with the peak of the first phase being five- to sixfold higher than the prestimulated 1.67 mmol/l glucose condition. Immunoelectron microscopic inspection of both 2350-2C0 and 2511 cells after 7 days of culture did not reveal the presence of amyloid fibrils, suggesting the need for other critical components. We conclude that we have established two novel beta-cell lines that produce and secrete human IAPP in a regulated manner. These cell lines will be a useful tool to investigate the secretion of human IAPP as well as the necessity of other components for islet amyloid formation.
Effect of sunflower stover and nutrient management on productivity and nutrient uptake pattern of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) in pigeonpeasunflower (Helianthus annuus) cropping system

A fixed plot field experiment was carried out during kharif and spring seasons of 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 at New Delhi, to study the effect of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) stover and nitrogen + phosphorus management on pigeonpea {Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp}sunflower cropping system. Effect of treatments on the on yield at- tributes, productivity, economics and nutrient uptake pattern of pigeonpea has been given in this paper. Kharif season experiment was laid out in split-plot design, assigning sunflower stover incorporation (8 tonnes/ha) and no stover incorporation (control) to main plots and combinations of P levels and bio-fertilizers (Control, 15 kg P/ha, 15kg P/ha+PSB and 30kg P/ha) to sub-plots. Spring season experiments was laid out in split-split plot design, in which NP doses to sunflower crop (Control, 50% recommended dose (RD) of NP and RD of NP (80 kg N+15 kg P/ ha) were applied in sub-sub plots. Kharif season experiment in second year was laid out in split-split plot design to investigate the residual effect of NP doses applied to spring season sunflower on pigeonpea crop. Sunflower sto- ver incorporation reduced the yield attributes (number of pods/plant, number of grains/pod, grain yield/plant, 1,000-grains weight), grain yield, nutrient uptake and gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio of pigeonpea. Ad- verse effect of sunflower stover incorporation was more pronounced during second year. Reduction in pigeonpea grain yield was 4.9% and 25.8% in the first and second year respectively. Effect of P levels on pigeonpea was sig- nificant and the highest number of pods/plant, number of grains/pod, grain yield/plant, 1,000-grains weight and grain yield (1.63 and 1.32 t/ha), nutrient uptake, gross and net returns and B:C ratio were recorded with the appli- cation of 30 kg P/ha, followed by 15 kg P/ha+PSB. Marked effect of PSB integration with 15 kg P over 15 kg P alone was significant only during first year. Residual effect of RD of NP applied to preceding sunflower crop also improved the yield attributes, yields, nutrient uptake and gross and net returns and B:C ratio of succeeding pigeonpea crop under pigeonpea-sunflower cropping system. Significant interaction between P applied to pigeonpea during second year and residual effect of P applied to sunflower during first year was recorded, indicat- ing saving of 15 kg P in pigeonpea due to residual effect.
Creative Forces for Entrepreneurship: The Role of Institutional Change Agents

The paper reviews the current discussion on institutional change and institutional entrepreneurship. Specifically, it focuses on institutional change agents, by which we mean individuals whose actions can be shown to have contributed to formal or informal institutional change, to the benefit of the wider economy or society as well as to themselves. It aims to explore their antecedents and behaviours, and the contingent factors contributing to institutional change, both intentionally and unintentionally. We find that the concept of institutional entrepreneurship does not provide an adequate conceptual underpinning for incorporating human agency into institutionalised theory. We therefore argue that a focus on institutional change agents may be more productive. Whilst institutional theory recognises the impact of institutions on entrepreneurs and individuals, this paper draws attention to the role of human agency for institutional change. Institutional change can happen intentionally and as an unintended by-product of entrepreneurial or organisational 'path-dependent' behaviour. The implication of this is that it is not only intentional behaviour which contributes to institutional change, but rather any entrepreneurial behaviour which implicitly or explicitly questions existing institutions. Thus, the paper adds to the current debate on institutional entrepreneurship.
Activation of the Bacillus subtilis global regulator CodY by direct interaction with branched‐chain amino acids

CodY, a GTP‐activated global transcriptional regulator of early stationary phase genes, is conserved in many Gram‐positive bacterial species. Recently, a number of novel targets regulated by CodY have been identified, including three Bacillus subtilis operons involved in branched‐chain amino acid (BCAA) biosynthesis (Molle, V., et al., 2003, J Bacteriol 185: 1911–1922). The mechanism of involvement of CodY in regulating the ilvB operon was investigated here using in vivo transcriptional fusions, in vitro gel mobility shift assays and DNase I footprinting assays. CodY was found to mediate regulation of the ilvB operon by GTP and BCAAs and to bind to the ilvB promoter region. BCAAs increased the affinity of CodY for the ilvB promoter and for all other CodY targets tested. This effect of BCAAs in vitro was additive with the effect of GTP on CodY DNA‐binding activity.
The Short Anger Measure: Development of a Measure to Assess Anger in Forensic Populations

ABSTRACT In this brief report we describe the development of a measure of anger that may be used by nurses and other professionals to assess anger and changes in anger with male offenders. The Short Anger Measure, a 12-item self-report measure of angry feelings and aggressive impulses, was administered to 73 male offenders. The measure showed sound psychometric properties (internal consistency reliability, test–retest reliability) and concurrent validity with an established measure of anger. The potential use of the measure by nurses working in forensic settings is discussed.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Renal Pelvis Associated with Kidney Stones: Radiologic Imaging Features with Gross and Histopathological Correlation

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the renal pelvis is a rare neoplasm and is usually associated with long standing renal stone disease. This tumor is aggressive in nature and usually has a poor prognosis. We report a case who presented with sudden significant weight loss. During the radiologic investigation, a renal mass and staghorn calculi were detected in the right kidney. The patient subsequently underwent right radical nephrectomy. Pathological diagnosis was SCC of renal pelvis with extensive infiltration in to the renal parenchyma. The radiologic imaging features and histopathologic findings of this rare tumor are discussed in this report.
Development of the 16 X‐STR loci typing system and genetic analysis in a Shanghai Han population from China

This study developed a new multiplex PCR system that simultaneously amplifies 16 X‐STR loci in the same PCR reaction, and the polymorphism and mutation rates of these 16 X‐STR loci were explored in a Shanghai Han population from China. These loci included DXS10134, DXS10159, DXS6789, DXS6795, DXS6800, DXS6803, DXS6807, DXS6810, DXS7132, DXS7424, DXS8378, DXS9902, GATA165B12, GATA172D05, GATA31E08, and HPRTB. Samples from 591 unrelated individuals (293 males and 298 females) and 400 two‐generation families were successfully analyzed using this multiplex system. Allele frequencies and mutation rates of the 16 loci were investigated, with the comparison of allele frequency distributions among different populations performed. Polymorphism information contents of these loci were all >0.6440 except the locus DXS6800 (0.4706). Nine cases of mutations were detected in the 16 loci from the investigation of 9232 meioses. Pairwise comparisons of allele frequency distributions showed significant differences for most loci among populations from different countries and ethnic groups but not among the Han population living in other areas of China. These results suggest that the 16 X‐STR loci system provides highly informative polymorphic data for paternity testing and forensic identification in the Han population in Shanghai, China, as a complementary tool.
Lysine and methionine transport by bovine jejunal and ileal brush border membrane vesicles.

Lysine (LYS) and methionine (MET) transport were studied using brush border membrane vesicles from bovine jejunal and ileal tissues. Total transport of LYS and MET was divided into mediated and diffusion components. Mediated uptake was further divided into sodium (Na)-dependent and Na-independent systems. Total LYS and MET uptake by ileal brush border (BB) vesicles tended to be higher than that by jejunal BB vesicles at all concentrations evaluated but differences were significant (P less than .05) at 2.5 and 7.5 mM for LYS and 5, 12.5 and 15 mM for MET. The greater capacity of ileal BB vesicles appeared to be due to the Na-dependent component of LYS uptake and the diffusion component of MET uptake. Transporters had less affinity but higher capacity than for LYS transport in both ileal and jejunal tissue. Methionine transport was greater (P less than .05) than LYS transport in both ileal and jejunal BB vesicles when the initial amino acid concentration was 7.5 mM. But when the initial amino acid concentration was 1.25 mM, MET uptake was greater (P less than .13) than LYS uptake in jejunal, but not in ileal, BB vesicles. The relative contribution of mediated and diffusion uptake systems to total MET and LYS uptake was found to be dependent on substrate concentration. Both intestinal site and substrate concentration influenced the contributions of Na-dependent, Na-independent and diffusion systems to total methionine and lysine uptake.
Fate of Mycobacterium avium subsp.paratuberculosis in Swiss Hard and Semihard Cheese Manufactured from Raw Milk

ABSTRACT Raw milk was artificially contaminated with declumped cells ofMycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis at a concentration of 104 to 105 CFU/ml and was used to manufacture model hard (Swiss Emmentaler) and semihard (Swiss Tisliter) cheese. Two different strains of M. avium subsp.paratuberculosis were tested, and for each strain, two model hard and semihard cheeses were produced. The survival of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis cells was monitored over a ripening period of 120 days by plating out homogenized cheese samples onto 7H10-PANTA agar. In both the hard and the semihard cheeses, counts decreased steadily but slowly during cheese ripening. Nevertheless, viable cells could still be detected in 120-day cheese.D values were calculated at 27.8 days for hard and 45.5 days for semihard cheese. The most important factors responsible for the death of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosisin cheese were the temperatures applied during cheese manufacture and the low pH at the early stages of cheese ripening. Since the ripening period for these raw milk cheeses lasts at least 90 to 120 days, theD values found indicate that 103 to 104 cells of M. avium subsp.paratuberculosis per g will be inactivated.
BDNF and NT-4/5 Prevent Atrophy of Rat Rubrospinal Neurons after Cervical Axotomy, Stimulate GAP-43 and Tα1-Tubulin mRNA Expression, and Promote Axonal Regeneration

Rubrospinal neurons (RSNs) undergo a marked atrophy in the second week after cervical axotomy. This delayed atrophy is accompanied by a decline in the expression of regeneration-associated genes such as GAP-43 and Tα1-tubulin, which are initially elevated after injury. These responses may reflect a deficiency in the trophic support of axotomized RSNs. To test this hypothesis, we first analyzed the expression of mRNAs encoding the trk family of neurotrophin receptors.In situ hybridization revealed expression of full-length trkB receptors in virtually all RSNs, which declined 7 d after axotomy. Full-length trkC mRNA was expressed at low levels. Using RT-PCR, we found that mRNAs encoding trkC isoforms with kinase domain inserts were present at levels comparable to that for the unmodified receptor. TrkA mRNA expression was not detected in RSNs, and the expression of p75 was restricted to a small subpopulation of axotomized cells. In agreement with the pattern of trk receptor expression, infusion of recombinant human BDNF or NT-4/5 into the vicinity of the axotomized RSNs, between days 7 and 14 after axotomy, fully prevented their atrophy. This effect was still evident 2 weeks after the termination of BDNF treatment. Moreover, BDNF or NT-4/5 treatment stimulated the expression of GAP-43 and Tα1-tubulin mRNA and maintained the level of trkB expression. Vehicle, NGF, or NT-3 treatment had no significant effect on cell size or GAP-43 and Tα1-tubulin expression. In a separate experiment, infusion of BDNF also was found to increase the number of axotomized RSNs that regenerated into a peripheral nerve graft. Thus, in BDNF-treated animals, the prevention of neuronal atrophy and the stimulation GAP-43 and Tα1-tubulin expression is correlated with an increased regenerative capacity of axotomized RSNs.
Soviet Wages: Changes in Structure and Administration since 1956

During the past fifteen years, a unique wage structure emphasizing consistency and equity has developed in the USSR. "Soviet Wages" is the only detailed description and analysis of contemporary earnings determination for Soviet industrial workers. The study focuses on the period since 1956, during which the entire wage system has undergone a major restructuring.In contrast to "market forces," which are usually taken to be the main determinant of wage differentiation in Western economies, this book demonstrates how explicit quantifiable standards have been utilized for setting wages in the USSR. The resultant pattern of earnings has shown an increasing internal consistency during recent years. Skill differentials, differentials for working conditions, incentive payments, and the impact of recent reforms in economic administration receive especially detailed attention.From the innumerable scattered sources in this difficult area, Professor Kirsch has assembled a clear picture of the Soviet principles of wage administration and resulting wage differentials. He answers such central questions as: What principles of wage administration and job evaluation determine the indicated differentials? How have these changed with wage reform? What are the results in terms of the actual statistical differentials? A concluding chapter evaluates Soviet wage setting within the framework for western labor economics, while brief appendixes discuss measurement of inter-industry differentials and aggregate measures of earnings inequality.
Azathioprine treatment in inflammatory bowel disease patients: type and time of onset of side effects.

BACKGROUND Azathioprine (AZA) and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), purine analogues, are the immunosuppressant drugs most frequently used for inducing and maintaining remission in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The occurrence of adverse effects is a major drawback in the use of these drugs, and short- and long-term toxicity represent a major limitation to their use. AIM The present study investigated the prevalence, type and time of onset of AZA-related adverse events, in a cohort of IBD patients in a single referral Centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS The records of consecutive IBD outpatients, referred to our Institution between 1987-2009, were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS We reviewed 2014 patients, in whom AZA was prescribed in 302 of them, 139 (46%) with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 163 (54%) with Crohn's disease (CD). Side-effects were complained by 98 (32.4%) out of 302 patients, 50 UC and 48 CD, (36% UC vs 29.4% CD, p = 0.26). In 20 (20.4%) patients, 11 UC and 9 CD, side-effects recovered after dosage reduction whilst in 78 (79.6%), 39 UC and 39 CD, the treatment was discontinued (dose-dependent side-effects in 42 patients and dose-independent in 36). Overall, side-effects were observed after a mean period of 14.5 ± 7.8 months (range 0.5-123) of AZA treatment. The majority (76%) of the dose-dependent adverse events were reported between 12-18 months after the beginning of treatment. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of side effects leading to withdrawal of AZA treatment, in our series of Italian patients, was higher respect to data reported in the literature (25.8%).
Single and Multipolarimetric SAR Tomography of Forested Areas: A Parametric Approach

In this paper, a technique is described for the tomographic characterization of forested areas through multiple synthetic aperture radar (SAR) observations, based on either single or multipolarimetric acquisitions. This technique is based on the idea of characterizing the Fourier spectrum of the multibaseline data as being constituted by two effective scattering centers displaced along the vertical direction, plus the associated decorrelation terms. As a result, SAR tomography will be formulated as the problem of detecting the number of scattering centers within the resolution cell, estimating the parameters that describe their spatial structure, and evaluating the associated backscattered powers. Parameter estimation is carried out through the covariance matching estimation technique, which provides an asymptotically optimal solution. The results of an experiment performed on a real P-band multibaseline fully polarimetric data set relative to the forested site of Remningstorp, Sweden, are reported.
Medication use and patient satisfaction: a population-based survey.

BACKGROUND In recent years, there is a growing interest to assess patients' satisfaction which further triggers the existing debate on the severe methodological issues regarding the interpretation of comparative surveys results. OBJECTIVE This cross-sectional national survey aimed to examine satisfaction of Greek households with specific aspects of medication use and their correlates. METHODS Between November 2004 and February 2005, telephone interviews were used for collecting information about socio-demographic and health-related characteristics in a systematic sample of 1000 Greek households. Respondents were classified into three categories: chronic or short-term prescribed medication use, occasional medication use and no medication use during the 3 months preceding the survey. Satisfaction was assessed through various aspects of medication use like physician's consultation, physician's response to adverse events, consultation and advice by pharmacists, symptoms' resolution, route of drug administration, drug tolerability and drug cost. RESULTS The prescribed drugs' use in the 3 months preceding the survey interview was 36.9%; 28.6% for subjects under chronic treatment and 8.3% under short-term treatment. During the same time period, 52.8% of the respondents reported the occasional self-use of over the counter drugs for minor symptoms. A high prevalence of hypertension, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and endocrine disorders has been observed. In general, respondents expressed a high degree of satisfaction with all aspects of medication use examined, the only exception being costs. Age, area of residence, social insurance scheme and self-reported health status were associated with specific aspects of patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS Patient satisfaction with the aspects of medication use examined seems to be influenced by demographic and social factors; this points out to the necessity of taking into account socio-cultural variations and the structure of the health-care system in policymaking.
Clinical, Biochemical, and Molecular Aspects of Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia in Humans and Dogs

Glanzmann's thrombasthenia (GT) is an inherited, intrinsic platelet function defect that involves the platelet glycoprotein complex IIb–IIIa, also known as the fibrinogen receptor and the integrin αIIbβ3. The defect was originally described by Dr. Glanzmann in humans in 1918 as a bleeding disorder that differed clinically from other known coagulopathies. Over the decades that followed, researchers determined the biochemical and molecular basis for the disease in humans. Otterhounds with thrombasthenic thrombopathia, described in the 1960s, were the only animal model that closely resembled the disease described in humans until 1996. At that time, a Great Pyrenees dog was identified with unequivocal clinical and biochemical features of Type I GT. The cDNA encoding for glycoproteins IIb and IIIa were sequenced in normal dogs in 1999, allowing for identification of specific mutations causing Type I GT in both Otterhounds and Great Pyrenees dogs. Knowing the molecular basis for Type I GT in dogs as well as the cDNA sequences in normal dogs should enhance the understanding of structure/function relationships of the αIIbβ3 integrin and provide an excellent animal model for studies aimed at correction of GT in humans. The following review focuses on the structure and function of this platelet receptor and reviews the molecular, biochemical, and clinical aspects of Glanzmann's thrombasthenia in humans and dogs.
The substitutability of immigrants and native workers in France: use of a production function

This article examines the relationships of substitutability and complementarity between native workers and immigrants in France, depending on skill level, using a translog production function. We analyze the impact of immigrant workers on employment and wages of native workers by taking into account the interrelations between all factors. In general, there is a relationship of complementarity between immigrant workers and native workers, although high and intermediate-skilled migrant workers are respectively substitutable for intermediate and low-skilled native workers.