Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Failure of short‐term mannose therapy of patients with carbohydrate‐deficient glycoprotein syndrome type 1A

Carbohydrate‐deficient glycoprotein syndrome type 1A (CDGS1A) is an inherited disorder with multi‐systemic abnormalities resulting from failure to generate sufficient lipid‐linked oligosaccharide precursor or to transfer the sugar chain to many glycoproteins. Cultured fibroblasts from these patients have reduced incorporation of mannose into glycoproteins which can be corrected by adding D‐mannose to the culture medium. Providing dietary mannose to elevate mannose concentrations in vivo therefore might remedy some of the underglycosylation in the patients. Five children with CDGS1A aged 15 months to 14 y completed a protocol of enteral supplementation with D‐mannose 100 mg/kg every 3 h for 9 d. The mean S‐mannose level increased from 32 μM (range 22‐42 μM) to a trough value of 72 μM (range 39–103 μM). No serious side effects were observed. Surprisingly, the mean serum concentration of four glycoproteins (transferrin, α1‐antitrypsin, antithrombin, and thyroxine‐binding globulin) tended to decrease, and the mean serum concentration of carbohydrate‐deficient transferrin (CDT) increased. Furthermore, the initially present abnormal isoforms of these glycoproteins and of protein C became more prominent and/or additional abnormal isoforms appeared. This short‐term trial does not support a benefit of mannose to the deficient glycosylation of CDGS1A patients.
In Vitro Secretion Profile of Pro‐Inflammatory Cytokines IL‐1β, TNF‐α, IL‐6, and of Human Beta‐Defensins (HBD)‐1, HBD‐2, and HBD‐3 from Human Chorioamniotic Membranes After Selective Stimulation with Gardnerella vaginalis

Citation Zaga‐Clavellina V, Martha RV‐M, Flores‐Espinosa P. In vitro secretion profile of pro‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐1β, TNF‐α, IL‐6, and of human beta‐defensins (HBD)‐1, HBD‐2, and HBD‐3 from human chorioamniotic membranes after selective stimulation with Gardnerella vaginalis. Am J Reprod Immunol 2012; 67: 34–43
PITX2: A promising predictive biomarker of patients' prognosis and chemoradioresistance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

The paired‐like homeodomain transcription factor 2 (PITX2), a downstream effector of wnt/β‐catenin signaling, is well known to play critical role during normal embryonic development. However, the possible involvement of PITX2 in human tumorigenesis remains unclear. In this study, we extend its function in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The real‐time PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) methods were applied to examine expression pattern of PITX2 in two different cohorts of ESCC cases treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the cutoff point for PITX2 high expression in the training cohort. The ROC‐derived cutoff point was then subjected to analyze the association of PITX2 expression with patients' survival and clinical characteristics in training and validation cohort, respectively. The expression level of PITX2 was significantly higher in ESCCs than that in normal esophageal mucosa. There was a positive correlation between PITX2 expression and clinical aggressiveness of ESCC. Importantly, high expression of PITX2 was observed more frequently in CRT resistant group than that in CRT effective group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, high expression of PITX2 was associated with poor disease‐specific survival (p < 0.05) in ESCC. Then, the MTS, clonogenic survival fraction and cell apoptosis experiments showed that knockdown of PITX2 substantially increased ESCC cells sensitivity to ionizing radiation (IR) or cisplatin in vitro. Thus, the expression of PITX2, as detected by IHC, may be a useful tool for predicting CRT resistance and serves as an independent molecular marker for poor prognosis of ESCC patients treated with definite CRT.
Identifying protein binding functionality of protein family sequences by aligned pattern clusters

A basic task in protein analysis is to discover a set of sequence patterns that reflect the function of a protein family. This set of sequence patterns contains non-exact significant residue associations. Currently, the existing combinatorial methods are computationally expensive and probabilistic methods require richer representation of the amino acid associations. To undertake this task, we create a synthesized pattern representation called an Aligned Pattern (AP) Cluster that identifies the residue associations in the binding segment and the site variations in the aligned residues. In this paper, our algorithm identifies the binding segments for two protein families: the Cytochrome Complex and the Ubiquitin protein families. For each of the experiments, the AP Clusters obtained correspond to protein binding segments including a few beyond those identified by the other protein databases, PROSITE and pFam. Furthermore, the columns of aligned sites that exist only as a single value in the AP Clusters also corresponds to the binding residues. Additional information retained by the AP Clusters can reveal the amino acid residues of interest, thus averting time-consuming simulations and experimentation.
Performance Analysis of Ethernet/Fast-Ethernet Free Space Optical Communications in a Controlled Weak Turbulence Condition

The paper experimentally investigates the performance of the Ethernet and Fast-Ethernet free space optical (FSO) communications link under the influence of the weak atmospheric turbulence. A dedicated experimental indoor atmospheric chamber is used to generate and control the turbulence conditions that affect the FSO link performance. The chamber is calibrated and the measured data are verified with the theoretical prediction. We also demonstrate methods to control the turbulence levels and determine the equivalence between the indoor and outdoor FSO links. It is also observed that the connectivity of Ethernet and Fast-Ethernet links are highly sensitive to atmospheric conditions.
Associations of serum n-3 and n-6 PUFA and hair mercury with the risk of incident stroke in men: the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study (KIHD)

Abstract PUFA have been associated with lower risk of CVD, but less is known about their association with stroke risk. Fish, a major source of n-3 PUFA, may also contain methylmercury, which has been associated with higher risk of CVD and attenuation of the benefits of long-chain n-3 PUFA. We investigated the associations of serum n-3 and n-6 PUFA and hair Hg with risk of stroke in men. A total of 1828 men from the prospective, population-based Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study, aged 42–60 years and free of CVD at baseline in 1984–1989 were studied. Cox regression models were used for the analyses. During the mean follow-up of 21·2 years, 202 stroke cases occurred, of which 153 were ischaemic strokes. After adjustment for age and examination year, the only statistically significant association among the n-3 and n-6 PUFA was observed between the n-3 PUFA α-linolenic acid and risk of haemorrhagic stroke (hazard ratio in the highest v. the lowest quartile 0·33; 95 % CI 0·13, 0·86; P trend=0·03). However, further adjustments attenuated the association to statistically non-significant. Hair Hg was not associated with stroke risk, but among those with hair Hg above the median level, higher serum long-chain n-3 PUFA concentrations were associated with a higher risk of ischaemic stroke. In our cohort of men, serum n-3 or n-6 PUFA or hair Hg were not associated with stroke risk; however, the interaction between Hg and long-chain n-3 PUFA with regard to ischaemic stroke risk warrants further investigation.
Evidence for Haploinsufficiency of the Human HNF1α Gene Revealed by Functional Characterization of MODY3-Associated Mutations

Abstract Hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)1α is a homeodomaincontaining transcription factor participating in the regulation of gene expression in liver, kidney, gut and pancreas of vertebrates. In humans mutations in the HNF1α gene are responsible for one form of maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY3). To define the molecular mechanism underlying MODY3 we investigated the functional properties of seven MODY3- associated mutations representing the spectrum of different kinds of mutations affecting all functional domains of the protein. The mutations introduced into an expression vector encoding human HNF1α include inframe deletion (ΔN127), nonsense (Q7X, R171X), frameshift (P291fsinsC) and missense (R229Q, P447L, T620I) mutations. Gel retardation and reporter gene assays showed that the functional properties of these mutants differ dramatically, but none of these mutants act in a dominant negative manner. Moreover, the mRNA stability of the mutants ΔN127, R171X, P291fsinsC and T547E548fsdelTG is impaired compared to the wildtype sequence in transfected cells. This decreased RNA stability is independent of the presence of an intron in the expression vector and thus differs from mechanisms known to be involved in nonsensemediated decay (NMD). Our results suggest that haploinsufficiency of HNF1α is responsible for the pathogenesis of MODY3.
Why Partisans See Mass Media as Biased

Partisan groups, highly important actors in public discourse and the democratic process, appear to see mass media content as biased against their own point of view. Although this hostile media effect has been well documented in recent research, little is understood about the mechanisms that might explain it. Three processes have been proposed: (a) selective recall, in which partisans preferentially remember aspects of content hostile to their own side; (b) selective categorization, in which opposing partisans assign different valences to the same content; and (c) different standards, in which opposing partisans agree on content but see information favoring the other side as invalid or irrelevant. Using new field-experiment tests with groups of partisans who either supported (n = 87) or opposed (n = 63) the use of genetically modified foods, we found evidence of selective categorization and different standards generally. However, only selective categorization appeared to explain the hostile media effect.
What Makes a Host Profitable? Parasites Balance Host Nutritive Resources against Immunity

Numerous host qualities can modulate parasite fitness, and among these, host nutritive resources and immunity are of prime importance. Indeed, parasite fitness increases with the amount of nutritive resources extracted from the host body and decreases with host immune response. To maximize fitness, parasites have therefore to balance these two host components. Yet, because host nutritive resources and immunity both increase with host body condition, it is unclear whether parasites perform better on hosts in prime, intermediate, or poor condition. We investigated blood meal size and survival of the ectoparasitic louse fly Crataerina melbae in relation to body condition and cutaneous immune response of their Alpine swift (Apus melba) nestling hosts. Louse flies took a smaller blood meal and lived a shorter period of time when feeding on nestlings that were experimentally food deprived or had their cutaneous immune response boosted with methionine. Consistent with these results, louse fly survival was the highest when feeding on nonexperimental nestlings in intermediate body condition. Our findings emphasize that although hosts in poor condition had a reduced immunocompetence, parasites may have avoided them because individuals in poor condition did not provide adequate resources. These findings highlight the fact that giving host immunocompetence primary consideration can result in a biased appraisal of host‐parasite interactions.
Bioremediation of contaminated marine sediments: examples of successful applications

Harbor sediments are often characterized by the presence of inorganic and organic contaminants, and this fact represents a relevant problem both when sediments are dredged and when they are left in the sea bottom. In this study we present the main results achieved by our research group in laboratory experiments addressed to marine sediment bioremediation. Dealing with sediments mainly contaminated with metals, several bioremediation strategies for metal biomobilization and biostabilization were tested. When the aim was to mobilize the metals from the sediments, Fe-reducing bacteria and the Fe/S oxidizing bacteria were used, and high extraction yields were obtained (> 90% for Cu, Cd, Hg and Zn). Other experiments with the same purpose where carried out with sediments and Fe 2+ to stimulate a mix of allochthonous acidophilic autotrophic and heterotrophic bacteria: Ni and Zn mobilization was enhanced (up to > 40%), while other metals were more stable. The situation is more complex when sediments present a mixed contamination of hydrocarbons and metals. The experiments were based on the use of sulfate reducing bacteria and acetate under anaerobic conditions to stimulate hydrocarbon biodegradation. Although high hydrocarbon degradation were achieved (> 40%), metals could be mobilized. Other treatments under anaerobic conditions with acetate and lactose lead to high hydrocarbon degradation (up to 80%) and metal stabilization (Cu and Zn). In sediment mainly contaminated with aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons we tested the effect of a supply of inorganic nutrients and sand on hydrocarbon degradation (> 70% for aliphatic hydrocarbons and 40% for the aromatics). A semi-empirical kinetic model was fitted to the temporal changes of hydrocarbon concentrations to predict their degradation. Overall our data are of support for the improvement of the efficiency of bioremediation treatments.
Clinical Significance of Baseline Platelet Reactivity in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome

The aim of this study was to assess the baseline platelet hyperactivity in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and correlate it with the disease severity and clinical outcome. Participants and Methods: This study was conducted on 60 patients with the first attack of non-ST-segment elevation ACS and 30 healthy controls. Patients were subdivided into 2 groups: group I: 40 patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and group II: 20 patients with unstable angina. All the studied patients were subjected to baseline platelet function analysis using platelet function analyzer 100 (PFA-100). Results: Group I patients showed significantly lower PFA-100 closure time (CT) than group II (P = .04) and control group (P = .03). The occurrence of complications in NSTEMI patients was associated with older age, hypertension, and shorter baseline collagen adenosine diphosphate PFA-100 CT (P < .05). Conclusion: NSTEMI patients proved to have enhanced platelet function that can be used as a predictor of the outcome.
How Good Are the Data?: Reliability of One Health Care Data Bank

This study investigates the reliability of the Manitoba Health Services Commission data bank from a variety of perspectives. Emphasizing diagnostic and surgical procedures, the research focuses on those areas in which problems exist and in which the data can be relied upon. Computerized comparisons are stressed, since they can provide cost-effective checks on data quality. One key to performing reliability studies inexpensively is finding information recorded independently: by separate individuals or organizations, at two different times, or in two or more data files. When a particular event has certain logical implications vis-à-vis another, inconsistencies can be located. Face sheet information and data on the performance of major surgical procedures were found to be reliably recorded in the Manitoba data bank. Collapsing ICD-8 diagnoses from medical claims into several categories proved much better than relying upon individual diagnoses. Problems in working with the data included difficulty in distinguishing between closely related surgical procedures and the underreporting of inhospital consultations and nonsurgical procedures.
Charakterisierung limitierender Faktoren in hybriden Donor-Akzeptor-Solarzellen

Hybride Photovoltaik ist eine neue Technologie, die die Vorteile organischer und anorganischer Solarzellen vereinen soll. Die hier vorliegende Dissertation beschaftigt sich mit der Frage nach den Ursachen fur Unterschiede in der Performanz von hybriden und rein organischen Solarzellen. Dabei wurde lichtinduzierte Elektronen-Spin-Resonanzspektroskopie (l-ESR), sowie ladungsbasierte transiente Storstellenspektroskopie an Hybridschichten eingesetzt, um den Einfluss von organischen Stabilisatormolekulen auf Defekte der Nanopartikel zu untersuchen. Im zweiten Teil wird mittels l-ESR die Existenz von Ladungstransferzustanden in Hybrid-Schichten gezeigt. Im abschliesenden Teil der Arbeit werden alternative Konzepte zur Verbesserung hybrider Solarzellen vorgestellt und erste Ergebnisse davon prasentiert. Zusammenfassend konnten verschiedene limitierende Faktoren in hybriden Solarzellen gefunden und charakterisiert werden, so dass diese in kunftigen Systemen berucksichtigt werden konnen.
Genetic analysis of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes with the use of DNA fingerprinting.

Molecular genetic similarities among a Streptococcus pneumoniae library were examined by comparing DNA restriction endonuclease banding patterns (fingerprints) after nuclease digestion and agarose gel electrophoresis. Densitometric scanning graphs of DNA fingerprints on photonegative film were compared for similarity, i.e., the percentage of shared bands. Comparison of serotypes 1, 3, 12, 14, and 25 revealed 54% +/- 9% similarity. Fingerprints within serogroups IX and XVIII did not differ from non-cross-reactive types. Intraserotypic comparison of strains of type 25 (n = 5) revealed 89% +/- 4% similarity. Five strains of type 3 were 75% +/- 19% similar; however, two of these strains had 96% similarity and three strains had 98% +/- 2% similarity, perhaps suggesting subtypes with serotype 3. Substantial DNA fingerprint differences were found among serotypes and significantly greater similarity among strains of a given type. Thus, DNA analyses used on other gram-positive bacteria are applicable to pneumococci.
The Social Context of Abuse of Elderly People in Emuhaya District, Kenya

Abuse of elderly people is a form of family violence, which has existed for years; although available data signify that much abuse goes unrecognized and is hidden from public awareness. Abuse of elderly people may take various forms including physical harm, sexual abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, financial or material exploitation, and intentional or unintentional neglect. Studies indicate that change and modernization have exacerbated the undermining of the roles, status and the welfare of elderly people who are increasingly becoming socially isolated and psychologically depleted. Elderly people in Emuhaya District may not be devoid of elderly abuse. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of empirical evidence on the extent and impact of this phenomenon. Thus, this study was designed to examine the social context of abuse of the elderly people in Emuhaya District. Specifically, the study sought to determine the prevalence of elderly people abuse in the district; examine different forms of abuse of elderly people; examine the social contexts under which abuse occurs and to analyze the attitude of the community towards the elderly people in the district. It was conducted within the context of social exclusion and disengagement theories and the concept of stress of the caregiver. Both quantitative and qualitative techniques were used to collect data. From a population of 11,127 elderly people aged 65 years and above, Yamane's (1967) formula was used to sample 386 respondents. The findings of the study reveal that 81.1% of the elderly experience single or multiple abuses. This abuse is attributed to economical, physical, cultural, social and psychological factors. Results revealed that different groups of people have different attitudes towards the elderly and ageing. Generally, the social context of ageing determines the attitude toward ageing and the elderly. Since poverty appeared to be the main pointer to elderly abuse, it was recommended that a good economic environment should be provided so that the elderly remain economically productive, thus maintaining and enhancing the positive attitude of the youth towards the elderly. In addition, a coordinated community response to elderly people abuse is imperative. This will include institutionalized policies coordinated by all levels of the community including healthcare providers, community-based elderly abuse advocacy groups, elderly welfare and protective service agencies and the civil and criminal justice systems.
Colistin: an update on the antibiotic of the 21st century

The emergence of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria that cause nosocomial infections is a growing problem worldwide. Colistin was first introduced in 1952 and was used until the early 1980s for the treatment of infections caused by Gram-negative bacilli. In vitro, colistin has demonstrated excellent activity against various Gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria, including multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Recent clinical findings regarding colistin activity, pharmacokinetic properties, clinical uses, emerging resistance, toxicities and combination therapy have been reviewed. Recent approaches to the use of colistin in combination with other antibiotics hold promise for increased antibacterial efficacy. It is probable that colistin will be the ‘last-line’ therapeutic drug against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens in the 21st century.
The long‐term down‐regulation of dihydropyridine receptors by bay K 8644 in PC12 cells

Treatment of PC12 cells with Bay K 8644 for 12 hr or more leads to an almost 80% decrease in the subsequent ability of Bay K 8644 to stimulate the uptake of radioactive calcium into the cells. This effect is a property of the s(−)isomer of Bay K 8644; pre‐treatment with the R(+)isomer, now known to be a calcium channel blocker, has the opposite effect. This treatment is specific in that is does not intergfere with the stimulation of calcium uptake by potassium, ATP, or nerve growth factor. Such treatment is accompanied by a 90% decrease in the ability of Bay K 8644 to stimulate the release of norepinephrine. The characteristics of the binding of [3H]isradipine to control and to treated cells indicates that the decrease in the effect of dihydropyridines is accompanied by a marked decrease in the number of dihydropyridine binding sites with no apparent change in the affinity of the remaining sites. The continued ability of depolarizing levels of potassium to stimualte calcium uptake and the induction of the protooncogene c‐fos in Bay K 8644‐treated cells indicates that the L‐type calcium channels are still intact, but are simply unresponsive to dihydropyridine agonists. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Cadmium and lead in animal tissue (muscle, liver and kidney), cow milk and dairy products in Korea

ABSTRACT A survey of Cd and Pb in animal tissue, milk and dairy products was conducted. Muscle, liver and kidney of domestically produced cows, pigs, chickens and ducks were collected from eight regions in Korea. Raw cow milk was collected from 9 regions, and imported dairy products (butter, cheese, cream and powdered milk) were collected from 15 countries. Cd and Pb were analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after microwave digestion. Concentrations of Cd and Pb did not exceed the Korean legal maximum levels in any of the samples. Correlation coefficients were estimated between concentration of Cd or Pb and animal age and between muscle, liver and kidney. In cows, there were good correlations between age and Cd in kidney (r = 0.748) and between Cd in liver and in kidney (r = 0.878). Continuous monitoring will be an important role to safeguard consumers in the event of a food contamination incident.