Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Uncoupling of Inhibitory and Shuttling Functions of Rho GDP Dissociation Inhibitors*

Rho GDP dissociation inhibitors (rhoGDIs) are postulated to regulate the activity of small G proteins of the Rho family by a shuttling process involving the extraction of Rho from donor membranes, the formation of the inhibitory cytosolic Rho/rhoGDI complexes, and delivery of Rho to target membranes. However, the role of rhoGDIs in site-specific membrane targeting or extraction of Rho is still poorly understood. Here we investigated the molecular functions of two rhoGDIs, the specific rhoGDI-3 and the less specific but well studied rhoGDI-1, in HeLa cells using structure-based mutagenesis of the rhoGDI protein. We identified two sites in rhoGDI, which form conserved interactions with their Rho target, whose mutation results in the uncoupling of inhibitory and shuttling functions of rhoGDIs: D66GDI-3 (equivalent to D45GDI-1), a conserved residue in the helix-loop-helixGDI/switch 1Rho interface, and D206GDI-3 (equivalent to D185GDI-1) in the β-sandwichGDI/switch 2Rho interface. Mutations of both sites result in the loss of rhoGDI-3 or rhoGDI-1 inhibitory activity but not of their ability to form cytosolic complexes with RhoG or Cdc42 in vivo. Remarkably, the mutants were detected at Rho-induced membrane ruffles or protrusions where they co-localized with RhoG or Cdc42, likely identifying for the first time the site of extraction of a Rho protein by a rhoGDI in vivo. We propose that these mutations act by modifying the steady-state kinetics of the shuttling process regulated by rhoGDIs, such that transient steps at the cell membranes now become detectable. They should provide valuable tools for future investigations of the dynamics of membrane extraction or delivery of Rho proteins and their regulation by cellular partners.
Bent spine syndrome: Computed tomographic study and isokinetic evaluation

Primary acquired lumbar kyphosis of the adult, or bent spine syndrome, is probably secondary to late‐onset muscle dystrophy preferentially involving the paravertebral muscles. In order to better define the extent of this myopathy, we compared spinal computerized tomography scans and muscle force, power, and fatigability, assessed by isokinetic tests, of the spinal erector and pelvic and shoulder girdle muscles in 23 patients with primary acquired lumbar kyphosis (20 women and 3 men, mean age 72.8 years) and 15 matched control subjects. Patients had decreased spinal and shoulder muscle density. Force, power, and work done were reduced in their paravertebral muscles, whereas in the scapular and gluteus medius muscles only work done after a series of 20 rapid movements showed a decrease. Primary acquired lumbar kyphosis in the adult may be considered as a late‐onset girdle myopathy with subclinical involvement of the muscles of the pelvic and shoulder girdles. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 25: 189–193, 2002 DOI 10.1002/mus.10017
Ultrafiltration hemodynamics in conscious, uremic dogs: effect of a decreasing plasma urea level.

The hemodynamic effects of a decreasing plasma urea level during hemodialysis were studied in acutely uremic, conscious dogs. Each dog was studied twice, during dialytic ultrafiltration against both a urea-free (U-) and a urea-supplemented (U+) dialysate. Plasma osmolality (-13 mosm/kg/H2O +/- 10 SD, p less than 0.01) and urea levels (-43 mg/dl +/- 20, p less than 0.01) decreased when using the (U-) dialysate, but were unchanged with the (U+) dialysate. At the end-point of volume depletion (MAP less than 80 mm Hg) total peripheral resistance index [U (+): 3,376 +/- 743 dyn . s X cm-5 X m2, U(-): 3,091 +/- 537, NS)] and blood volume [U(+): 62.7 +/- 7.4 ml/kg, U(-): 63.7 +/- 7.5, NS)] were comparable whether or not the plasma urea level had been allowed to decrease. The data suggest that an acutely decreasing plasma urea level during dialysis does not impair hemodynamic response to volume depletion in the model described.
Interaction of tartaric acid during hydration of Portland cement

Hydration of Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in the presence of tartaric acid has been studied by using different techniques. Calorimetric studies have shown a rapid enhanced heat evolution within 5 min of hydration in presence of 1.0 wt% tartaric acid with a strong retardation of silicate phase hydration. DSC and X-ray diffraction studies have confirmed the formation of calcium tartarate hydrate in presence of 20.0 wt% tartaric acid. This compound is separated in the form of crystals as identified by SEM studies. I.R. studies confirmed the interaction of tartaric acid with mineral phases of the cement. The retardation of hydration has been explained on the basis of precipitation of calcium tartarate hydrate at the surface of cement grains.
Characteristics of drills related to development of skills

It is important for the teacher to choose effective software for students. It is also important for designers to know what features of educational software make it effective. But the results of studies dealing with the effectiveness of educational software are contradictory. One reason for such results might be the fact that meta-analysis covers different kinds of educational software, simulations and drills for example, but it is hard to compare them. Another reason might be that the conditions (instruments, subjects, etc.) of the various studies were different. A third possibility might be that a particular type of educational software could consist of both good and bad characteristics. Therefore, research is needed on the characteristics of educational software. This type of study focuses on a particular kind of educational software, and this article is about the findings of one such study, exploring the characteristics and the effectiveness of drills in Estonian elementary schools. Sixteen characteristics of drills that had statistically significant correlation with student learning, and the influence of these characteristics are discussed as the results of this study. The results indicated that characteristics related to feedback, presentation of information and questions are the most critical evaluating quality of drills and in designing such educational software.
Maternal postoperative complications after nonobstetric antenatal surgery

Objective: Our primary objective is to estimate the occurrence of major maternal 30 day postoperative complications after nonobstetric antenatal surgery. Methods: We analyzed the 2005–2009 data files from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program to assess outcomes for pregnant women undergoing nonobstetric antenatal surgery during any trimester of pregnancy as classified by CPT-4 codes. t Tests, χ2, logistic regression and other tests were used to calculate composite 30-day major postoperative complications and associations of preoperative predictors with 30 day postoperative morbidity. Results: The most common nonobstetric antenatal surgical procedure among the 1969 included women was appendectomy (44.0%). The prevalence of composite 30-day major postoperative complications was 5.8% (n = 115). This included (not exclusive categories): return to the surgical operating room within 30 days of surgery 3.6%, infectious morbidity 2.0%, wound morbidity 1.4%, 30 day respiratory morbidity 2.0%, venous thromboembolic event morbidity 0.5%, postoperative blood transfusion 0.2%, and maternal mortality 0.25%. Conclusion: Major maternal postoperative complications following nonobstetric antenatal surgery were low (5.8%). Maternal postoperative mortality was rare (0.25%).
Socioeconomic status risk factors for cardiovascular diseases by sex in Korean adults

Background: Socioeconomic status (SES), defined as occupation, education, and income, has been regarded as one of the main risk factors affecting the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study investigates what SES contribute to predict the risk of CVD according to sex for Koreans. Methods: Data of the Fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was analyzed following the complex survey design, using multiple logistic regression models. Conclusions: Those who satisfied 3, 4, and all criteria of the metabolic syndrome(MS) components were 18.5%, 9.5%, and 2.9%. Whereas in males, there were no significant SES risk factors for any clustering of MS components, in females, all the SES risk factors were negatively associated with the clustering of MS components. Also, the number of MS components increased, the odds ratio increased with regard to education, and was no longer significant with regard to household income or occupation. In order to decrease the risk of CVD, Korean females in lower education level need to be implemented.
Reducing Risk by Improving Standards of Intrapartum Fetal Care

Summary Confidential Enquiries into Stillbirths and Deaths in Infancy (CESDI) have pointed to a high frequency of suboptimal intrapartum fetal care of a kind that, in the event of an adverse outcome, is hard to defend in court. In an effort to minimize liability, various strategies were applied in a district hospital labour ward—guidelines, cyclical audit, monthly feedback meetings and training sessions in cardiotocography (CTG). The effects of these interventions on quality of care was assessed by use of the CESDI system in all babies born with an Apgar score of 4 or less at 1 min and/or 7 or less at 5 min. 540 babies (4.3%) had low Apgar scores, and neither the percentage nor gestational age differed significantly between audit periods. In the baseline audit, care was judged suboptimal (grade II/III) in 14 (74%) of 19 cases, and in the next four periods it was 23%, 27%, 27% and 32%. In the latest audit period, after further educational interventions, it was 9%. Many of the failures to recognize or act on abnormal events were related to CTG interpretation. After the interventions there was a significant increase in cord blood pH measurement. There were no differences between audit periods in the proportion of babies with cord pH <7.2. These results indicate that substantial improvements in quality of intrapartum care can be achieved by a programme of clinical riskmanagement.
Prostaglandin E2, collagenase, and cell death responses depend on cyclical load magnitude in an explant model of tendinopathy

Tendinopathy is a significant clinical problem that can result from repetitive activity. While the precise etiology of this condition remains unclear, the cellular response to cyclical loading is believed to have a contributory role to the pathology of tendinopathy. This study examined the short-term biochemical response of avian flexor digitorum profundus tendon to repetitive cyclic loadings of varying magnitude. An in vitro tendon explant model was utilized to apply four levels of haversine tensile stress (peak stress of 0, 3, 12, and 18 MPa) at 1.0 Hz, 8 hr/day for 3 days. The 12 and 18 MPa levels were known to cause significant mechanical damage based on previous work. Tissue media was recovered and analyzed for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, measure of cell death), and collagenase levels. Tissue samples were recovered and analyzed for cell viability, total collagen, and sulfated glycosaminoglycan content. Collagenase, LDH, and PGE2 levels were found to be influenced by loading magnitude (p < 0.05) with higher levels being present at higher load magnitudes. Varying cyclical load magnitude caused minimal compositional changes as collagen content and glycosaminoglycan did not change. These results indicate that elevated cyclical mechanical loading of tendon quickly results in altered biochemical tissue responses indicative of tissue injury. More sustained cyclical loading over time may be required for these initial responses to induce more dramatic tissue changes as observed in clinical tendinopathy.
Internal Architecture of the Talus: Implication for Talar Fracture

The internal architecture of the talus has not previously been well described even though the morphological anatomy and the blood supply have been studied extensively. This study describes the internal architecture of the talus regarding its trabecular orientation, using high-resolution x-ray images of 13 dry tali and thick sections in the coronal, sagittal, and axial planes. The trabecular arrays and their relationship to talar fractures are described. The trabecular content of the neck of the talus is less than that of the head or the body. The direction of the trabecula in the neck is different from the orientation of the talar body trabeculae.
Temporal Changes in Hospital Costs for Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

Abstract Background: A recent prospective, randomized controlled trial demonstrated that a continuous‐flow (CF) left ventricular assist device (LVAD) resulted in improved survival at 12 and 24 months compared to a pulsatile‐flow (PF) device. The current study examines the hospitalization costs associated with treatment of New York Heart Failure Class IV patients when implanted with a CF LVAD and compares them to previously reported costs of a PF LVAD in the same population.
Putting Activism in Its Place: The Neighborhood Context of Participation in Neighborhood-Focused Activism

ABSTRACT: Neighborhood-focused activism is one way residents enact their vision for their community. This study examines the neighborhood socioeconomic antecedents of participation in neighborhood-focused activism in a diverse sample of residents of Chicago neighborhoods to test three theories of neighborhood socioeconomic context and participation: (1) affluence affords participation, (2) activism addresses neighborhood needs associated with disadvantage, and (3) socioeconomic inequality creates contention that necessitates participation. Measuring neighborhood socioeconomic status as two unique dimensions—neighborhood affluence and neighborhood disadvantage—and accounting for both individual and neighborhood characteristics, I find support for each theory. Neighborhood socioeconomic context matters for participation, regardless of individual socioeconomic characteristics. Only when these three perspectives are considered jointly can they fully capture the socioeconomic context of participation in neighborhood-focused activism.
Retinal microvascular surgery: a feasibility study.

PURPOSE To evaluate the feasibility of microvascular surgery at the level of the retinal vasculature. METHOD Porcine eyes were used, and eyecups were prepared under an operating microscope. Several classic microvascular maneuvers were explored, such as vascular puncturing, catheterization, mobilization, intravascular injections, and various combinations of the same. Instruments used ranged from disposable 30-gauge needles to an Er:YAG laser. Commercially available 10-0 nylon sutures, fine polyimide tubes, and custom-made fine glass tubes were used for vascular catheterization. RESULTS Puncturing, mobilization, catheterization, and intravascular injection of retinal arteries and veins were possible. The connection of two remote retinal vessels with a fine tube was also achieved with the combination of these maneuvers. CONCLUSIONS The feasibility of performing several microvascular maneuvers on retinal arteries and veins was demonstrated in porcine eyes. Further experimentation and development of these findings in a living animal model could lead to the development of such microvascular maneuvers in humans.
Polytypism, polymorphism, and superconductivity in TaSe2−xTex

Significance Although polymorphs of a substance can often have dramatically different physical properties, polytypes, which occur when the geometry of a structural layer is maintained but the number of layers in the layer-stacking sequence is changed, rarely do. Here we find, using random substitution of Te for some of the Se to induce structural changes in TaSe2, a classic layered dichalcogenide, so that the transition temperature to superconductivity (Tc) is significantly different for different polytypes and polymorphs and especially differs when going from one polytype to another. This observation implies either a surprising sensitivity of Tc to the layer-stacking sequence or a similarly surprising sensitivity of Tc to the small changes in layer geometry that accompany the change in polytype. Polymorphism in materials often leads to significantly different physical properties—the rutile and anatase polymorphs of TiO2 are a prime example. Polytypism is a special type of polymorphism, occurring in layered materials when the geometry of a repeating structural layer is maintained but the layer-stacking sequence of the overall crystal structure can be varied; SiC is an example of a material with many polytypes. Although polymorphs can have radically different physical properties, it is much rarer for polytypism to impact physical properties in a dramatic fashion. Here we study the effects of polytypism and polymorphism on the superconductivity of TaSe2, one of the archetypal members of the large family of layered dichalcogenides. We show that it is possible to access two stable polytypes and two stable polymorphs in the TaSe2−xTex solid solution and find that the 3R polytype shows a superconducting transition temperature that is between 6 and 17 times higher than that of the much more commonly found 2H polytype. The reason for this dramatic change is not apparent, but we propose that it arises either from a remarkable dependence of Tc on subtle differences in the characteristics of the single layers present or from a surprising effect of the layer-stacking sequence on electronic properties that are typically expected to be dominated by the properties of a single layer in materials of this kind.
Laboratory-Confirmed Rotavirus Disease in Utah Children: Clinical and Economic Impact of Rotavirus Vaccination.

BACKGROUND Rotavirus is the most common cause of infectious diarrhea in children worldwide. Recent studies have described changes in the burden of all-cause gastroenteritis; however, there are limited data on the clinical and economic impact of rotavirus vaccine on cases of laboratory-confirmed rotavirus disease. METHODS We performed a retrospective study of laboratory-confirmed rotavirus disease from July 2003 through June 2010 at a children's hospital and a community hospital in Utah. Demographics and hospital costs for children <5 years with rotavirus symptoms and a positive rotavirus enzyme immunoassay test on a stool specimen were abstracted from electronic medical records. We compared the prevaccine period (2003-2007) with the postvaccine period (2008-2010). RESULTS The overall incidence of rotavirus gastroenteritis declined in the postvaccine period, from 26.6 to 5.2 cases per 10 000 person-years for Salt Lake County residents. The largest decrease in the incidence of rotavirus gastroenteritis was among children <12 months (-87%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 79-93). Older children (12-23 months) also experienced significant decreases (-81%; 95% CI, 72-88), as did those 24-59 months (-61%; 95% CI, 51-71). In 2009, 3 years after rotavirus vaccine introduction, there was a 79% decrease in emergency department visits and a 78% decrease in hospitalizations across both hospitals. The cost of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for rotavirus gastroenteritis decreased by 79% and 72%, respectively, resulting in annual savings of $790 000 at a children's hospital and $140 000 at a community hospital. CONCLUSION Rotavirus vaccination in infants has dramatically decreased the clinical burden and direct medical costs of rotavirus gastroenteritis in both infants and young children.
Use of hydroacoustic and seismic arrays to observe rupture propagation and source extent of the Mw = 9.0 Sumatra earthquake

The rupture of the Sumatra earthquake (Mw = 9.0) is complex and quite difficult to estimate using classical source inversion methods due to the exceptional rupture duration. To fix the problem of geographical extent and rupture duration, we use array processing of hydroacoustic and regional seismic data. The CMAR‐seismic array and the Diego Garcia hydroacoustic station (H08S) installed by the International Monitoring System are respectively 15.2° and 25.7° far from the hypocenter. The estimation of azimuth and velocity variations of homogeneous wave fronts across the arrays gives us the opportunity to understand how the rupture propagates. The smooth and regular variations of azimuth fit a rupture extension of 1235 km and a duration of 515 s. This study proves that the combination of array analysis using the different technologies installed for the CTBT is an interesting way of research for a rapid estimation of tsunamigenic earthquakes.
Antagonism by nifedipine of contraction and Ca2+ ‐influx evoked by ATP in guinea‐pig urinary bladder

1 The effects of Ca2+‐antagonists, especially nifedipine, on contraction and increase of intracellular Ca2+ (Fura‐2/AM method) evoked by ATP were evaluated in a thin outer layer segment of guinea‐pig urinary bladder. 2 The ATP‐evoked contraction was markedly inhibited by dihydropyridine‐type Ca2+‐antagonists, such as nifedipine and nitrendipine, but not by D‐600, ω‐conotoxin and tetramethrin. 3 This antagonism by nifedipine of ATP‐evoked contractions was competitive from the Schild plot analysis, the pA2 value being 8.23. The reduction of ATP‐evoked contraction by nifedipine (0.1 μm) was fully reversed by administration of Bay K 8644 (0.1 μm). 4 ATP (100 μm) caused an increase of fluorescence brightness after loading Fura‐2/AM, which was coupled with a contraction of the bladder. Both the contraction and the elevation of intracellular Ca2+ evoked by the nucleotide were completely antagonized by nifedipine. 5 These results suggest that ATP may activate the dihydropyridine‐sensitive, voltage‐dependent Ca2+‐channels in a direct or indirect fashion and, thereby, elicit a contraction of the bladder.
Proopiomelanocortin Gene Expression, Prohormone Processing, and Secretion during Rat Pituitary Development a

The differentiation and maturation of hormone-secreting pituitary cells requires the coordinated expression of different gene activities that produce cell-type specific biochemical and morphological phenotypes. Thus individual cells must activate appropriate peptide hormone genes and, if necessary, appropriate processing enzymes in addition to genes encoding proteins of secretory granules and genes required for signal transduction during regulated hormone synthesis and secretion. Our studies have focused on the early development of the anterior and intermediate lobes of the rat pituitary gland from their common embryonic rudiment, Rathke's pouch. This precursor tissue ultimately gives rise to a t least seven distinct cell types. We have been specifically interested in the ontogeny of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) cells that in the adult constitute 5 to 10% of anterior lobe hormone synthesizing cells and essentially all hormone synthesizing cells in the intermediate lobe. Although in the rat both anterior and intermediate lobe POMC cells must express the same single copy of the POMC gene,' processing of the POMC precursor protein in the adult is characterized by lobe-specific differences in the extent of proteolytic cleavage and, further, by other additive posttranslational enzymatic Thus we have wanted to determine when during development these lobe-specific differences are established and whether they are invariant during development. Further, since peptide secretion from these two POMC cell types is differentially regulated in the adult, we have begun to investigate when basal and regulated release from dispersed fetal pituitary cell types begins during development as a way to determine when functional receptors for specific regulators appear and whether this time corresponds with the onset of prohormone synthesis and processing. Finally, the choice of cell phenotype in Rathke's pouch-derived cells may be controlled by differential cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions experienced during early development. Our results have demonstrated regional differences and dynamic changes in extracellular matrix components during early stages of pituitary morphogenesis that may influence cell phenotype.