Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Monoacyl Lipoteichoic Acid from Pneumococci Stimulates Human Cells but Not Mouse Cells

ABSTRACT We have developed a method for obtaining pneumococcal lipoteichoic acid (LTA) with none, one, or two acyl chains. Anion-exchange chromatography at pH 9.5 yields pneumococcal LTA (labeled LTA-9.5) that has a mass spectrum identical to that of pre-ion-exchange LTA and loses 500 mass units after deacylation by alkali hydrolysis. Anion exchange at pH 10.5 produces LTA (labeled LTA-10.5) with mass peaks that are 264 mass units lower than those of pre-ion-exchange LTA, and deacylation of LTA-10.5 by alkali hydrolysis reduces the mass by only 239 mass units. This result indicates that LTA-10.5 has lost one of the two acyl chains, whereas LTA-9.5 has both acyl chains. When the biological properties of LTA-9.5 and LTA-10.5 are examined with mouse cells, only LTA-9.5 (and not LTA-10.5) is able to stimulate mouse cells to produce tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1β, and nitric oxide. In contrast, both LTA-9.5 and LTA-10.5 can stimulate human cells. LTA became inactive when both acyl chains were removed. Thus, acyl chains are critical for LTA function, and small variations in acyl chains can alter biological properties of LTA.
How much is the bill? Simulating selected proposals for income policy adjustments during the 2017 Bulgarian parliamentary election campaigns

The paper presents preliminary results from a sequence of microsimulation exercises implementing a selection of initiatives for income policy adjustments in Bulgaria.These initiatives originate from various income policy reform proposals that were publicly discussed during the 2017 parliamentary election campaigns. The paper provides empirical assessment of the possible budgetary effects of these proposals, assuming that these reforms are implemented in year 2017. The calculations are performed in EUROMOD - the tax-benefit microsimulation model for EU countries.
A Study of the Energy Efficiency Management in Green Standard for Energy and Environmental Design (G-SEED)-Certified Apartments in South Korea

With an increase in the number of Green Standard for Energy and Environmental Design (G-SEED)-certified apartments in South Korea, people are receiving incentives from the government to purchase them. Since 2013, many benefits for G-SEED-certified buildings have been offered, such as tax reductions and deregulation of building codes/guidelines. As beneficial incentives are granted to G-SEED-certified buildings, follow-up management of the buildings is also necessary. However, to date, there are no appropriate follow-up management systems or legal regulations for G-SEED-certified buildings. Buildings that are certified by G-SEED in Korean housing buildings account for 6.25% of Korea’s total area. In addition, G-SEED certification has been obtained for more than 20% of the total completed housing area (2014–2017). Therefore, the energy efficiency-management of G-SEED certified buildings is also very important economically for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, domestic and foreign energy efficiency follow-up management systems were analyzed, and the amount of energy that is used by apartment houses with incentives was investigated. We have identified problems with the G-SEED system by analyzing evaluation methods, evaluation items, and points of G-SEED certification in related research studies. We also compared the energy consumption of an apartment building with G-SEED certification with that of adjacent complexes, thereby applying original research methods. The results show that energy use in G-SEED-certified buildings was not efficient. Accordingly, the study confirms that continuous management after G-SEED certification by establishing a follow-up management system is needed. In this study, domestic and foreign follow-up management systems were compared, problems with the apartment housing information management system run by the government were examined, and improvement measures were suggested.
Influence of Moral Distress on the Professional Practice Environment During Prognostic Conflict in Critical Care

Study purpose was to describe critical care nurses' levels of moral distress and the effects of that distress on their professional practice environment. A descriptive, correlational, prospective, survey design was used. The intensity of moral distress was inversely related to physician/nurse collegial relationships and the frequency of moral distress was inversely related to all aspects of the professional practice environment except foundations for quality of care. It is important to monitor the frequency of moral distress. Strategies to improve the nurse's sense of control over practice, teamwork, communication, and autonomy need to be developed and tested in future research.
Differential scanning calorimetric study of the effect of cholesterol on the thermotropic phase behavior of a homologous series of linear saturated phosphatidylcholines.

We have studied the effects of cholesterol on the thermotropic phase behavior of aqueous dispersions of a homologous series of linear saturated phosphatidylcholines, using high-sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry and an experimental protocol which ensures that broad, low-enthalpy phase transitions are accurately monitored. We find that the incorporation of small amounts of cholesterol progressively decreases the temperature and the enthalpy, but not the cooperativity, of the pretransition of all phosphatidylcholines exhibiting such a pretransition and that the pretransition is completely abolished at cholesterol concentrations above 5 mol % in all cases. The incorporation of increasing quantities of cholesterol also alters the main or chain-melting phase transition of these phospholipid bilayers in both hydrocarbon chain length-dependent and hydrocarbon chain length-independent ways. At cholesterol concentrations of from 1 to 20-25 mol %, the DSC endotherms of all phosphatidylcholines studied consist of a superimposed sharp and broad component, the former ascribed to the melting of cholesterol-poor and the latter to the melting of the cholesterol-rich phosphatidylcholine domains. The temperature and cooperativity of the sharp component are reduced only slightly and in a chain length-independent manner with increasing cholesterol concentration, an effect we ascribe to the colligative effect of the presence of small quantities of cholesterol at the domain boundaries. Moreover, the enthalpy of the sharp component decreases and becomes zero at 20-25 mol % cholesterol for all of the phosphatidylcholines examined. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Technical catching-up and decoupled payments in a selection of French farms

This article investigates the technological catching-up process related to the type of payments (coupled or decoupled) granted to a selection of farms in the French department of Meuse between 1992 and 2012. Using a robust nonparametric efficiency frontier, we first derive a distribution of technical efficiency estimates. Second, through a series of cross-sectional data samples, we regress these estimates on other exogenous, farm-specific variables, such as the subsidies granted and the financial situation. Our results show that technical catching-up occurred for the farms studied. Furthermore, the presence of decoupled payments during the final period slowed down this process. Finally, farms’ mid-/long-term debts also had a negative impact on their technical catching-up.
Risk Factors for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Carriage in Residents of German Nursing Homes

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of and the risk factors for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage in nursing home residents in the Rhine-Neckar region of southern Germany. Design: Point-prevalence survey. Setting: Forty-seven nursing homes in the region. Participants: All residents of the approached nursing homes who agreed to participate. Methods: After informed consent was obtained, all participants had their nares swabbed, some personal data collected, or both. All swabs were examined for growth of MRSA All S. aureus isolates underwent oxacillin susceptibility testing and polymerase chain reaction for demonstration of the meek gene. All MRSA isolates were typed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis after digestion with SmaI. Results: Swabs from 3,236 nursing home residents yielded 36 MRSA strains, contributing to a prevalence rate of 1.1%. Significant risk factors for MRSA carriage in the multivariate analysis were the presence of wounds or urinary catheters, limited mobility, admission to a hospital during the preceding 3 months, or stay in a medium-size nursing home. One predominant MRSA strain could be detected in 30 of the 36 MRSA carriers. Conclusions: The prevalence of MRSA in German nursing homes is still low. These residents seemed to acquire their MRSA in the hospital and transfer it to their nursing home. Apart from well-known risk factors for the acquisition of MRSA we identified the size of the nursing home as an independent risk factor. This might be due to an increased use of antimicrobials in nursing homes of a certain size.
Study of electronmagnetic pulse propagation in ionosphere using 2D PSTD

In this paper, 2D the pseudo-spectral time domain (PSTD) algorithm is applied to simulate propagation of line-source in each layer of ionosphere, which is used to solve the equations of cold plasma. The excitation source is applied to eliminate Gibbs phenomenon, which is used by a compact wave source condition. The results are significance to propagation of line-source in ionosphere.
Role of innate immunity and the microbiota in liver fibrosis: crosstalk between the liver and gut

Abstract Liver fibrosis occurs as a wound‐healing scar response following chronic liver inflammation including alcoholic liver disease, non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis, viral hepatitis, cholestatic liver disease and autoimmune liver diseases. The liver has a unique vascular system within the gastrointestinal tract, as the majority of the liver's blood supply comes from the intestine through the portal vein. When the intestinal barrier function is disrupted, an increase in intestinal permeability leads to the translocation of intestine‐derived bacterial products such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and unmethylated CpG containing DNA to the liver via the portal vein. These gut‐derived bacterial products stimulate innate immune receptors, namely Toll‐like receptors (TLRs), in the liver. TLRs are expressed on Kupffer cells, endothelial cells, dendritic cells, biliary epithelial cells, hepatic stellate cells, and hepatocytes. TLRs activate these cells to contribute to acute and chronic liver diseases. This review summarizes recent studies investigating the role of TLRs, intestinal microbiota and bacterial translocation in liver fibrosis, alcoholic liver disease and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Recent advances in the pathogenesis and treatment of juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia

Myeloid neoplasms derive from the pathological clonal expansion of an abnormal stem cell and span a diverse spectrum of phenotypes including acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Expansion of myeloid blasts with suppression of normal haematopoiesis is the hallmark of AML, whereas MPN is associated with over‐proliferation of one or more lineages that retain the capacity to differentiate, and MDS is characterized by cytopenias and aberrant differentiation. MPD and MDS can progress to AML, which is likely due to the acquisition of cooperative mutations. Juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia (JMML) is an aggressive myeloid neoplasm of childhood that is clinically characterized by overproduction of monocytic cells that can infiltrate organs, including the spleen, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and lung. JMML is categorized as an overlap MPN/MDS by the World Health Organization and also shares some clinical and molecular features with chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia, a similar disease in adults. While the current standard of care for patients with JMML relies on allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), relapse is the most frequent cause of treatment failure. This review outlines our understanding of the genetic underpinnings of JMML with a recent update on the discovery of novel CBL mutations, as well as a brief review on current therapeutic approaches.
The multidrug resistance protein MRP1 mediates the release of glutathione disulfide from rat astrocytes during oxidative stress

The release of glutathione disulfide has been considered an important process for the maintenance of a reduced thiol redox potential in cells during oxidative stress. In cultured rat astrocytes, permanent hydrogen peroxide‐induced oxidative stress caused a rapid increase in intracellular glutathione disulfide, which was followed by the appearance of glutathione disulfide in the medium. Under these conditions, the viability of the cells was not compromised. In the presence of cyclosporin A and the quinoline‐derivative MK571, inhibitors of multidrug resistance proteins (MRP1 and MRP2), glutathione disulfide accumulated in cells and the release of glutathione disulfide from astrocytes during H2O2 stress was potently inhibited, suggesting a contribution of MRP1 or MRP2 in the release of glutathione disulfide from astrocytes. Using RT‐PCR we amplified a cDNA from astroglial RNA with a high degree of homology to MRP1 from humans and mouse. In contrast, no fragment was amplified by using primers specific for rat MRP2. In addition, the presence of MRP1 protein in astrocytes was demonstrated by its immunolocalization in cells expressing the astroglial marker protein glial fibrillary acidic protein. Our data identify rat astrocytes as a MRP1‐expressing brain cell type and demonstrate that this transporter participates in the release of glutathione disulfide from astrocytes during oxidative stress.
Exploring the Effect of Alcohol on Post-Event Processing Specific to a Social Event

Abstract Inconsistent findings regarding the relationship between social anxiety and alcohol use suggest that further research is needed to explore how alcohol affects various components of social anxiety. Post-event processing, or rumination after social events, is an element of cognitive models of social anxiety that is related to increased levels of social anxiety. The goal of the current study was to explore the interrelationships among social anxiety, post-event processing, and alcohol use. A sample of 208 university students completed online questionnaires to assess their levels of trait social anxiety and trait depression as well as their alcohol consumption at a specific social event. Participants then completed questionnaires to assess levels of post-event processing specific to the social event they attended. Results revealed that the amount of alcohol individuals consumed at the event predicted increased levels of post-event processing above and beyond levels of trait social anxiety and depression. As such, drinking may lead to increased post-event processing in student samples.
Role of liver scanning in the preoperative evaluation of patients with cancer

Liver scan characteristics and liver function tests of 72 patients with proved hepatic malignancy (54 metastatic, 18 primary) were evaluated. Well-defined focal defects were observed in 83% of patients with metastatic and 77% of patients with primary liver carcinoma. In 10% of the patients with metastatic liver disease the distribution of radioactivity was normal. Four or more biochemical liver function tests were normal in 33% of metastatic and 29% of primary liver cancer patients. Hepatic enlargement was present in the scan in 94% of the patients with liver metastases; however, data obtained from 104 necropsies of patients with hepatic metastases showed that only 46% had hepatomegaly. We recommend, therefore, that a liver scan should be performed before major tumour surgery in every patient with known malignancy regardless of normal liver size or normal liver function tests.
Outcome of pregnancy in women treated at an alcohol clinic

ABSTRACT – The studies in man concerning foetal alcohol damage have mostly covered skid row female alcoholics, and no study has described the outcome of pregnancy of a larger group of women receiving inpatient care for alcoholism. In another study we have described the medical and social characteristics of such a group (n= 92) of women, as well as those of an age‐matched control group. This article reports retrospectively on the pregnancies and the infants of these women. The pregnancies and deliveries were normal in both groups. There was no significant difference in rate of stillbirths, neonatal mortality, perinatal asphyxia or neonatal distress. In infants born to alcoholic mothers after established regular alcohol consumption (n= 31), a significant reduction of mean placental weight, birth weight, length at birth and head circumference at birth, was found compared with control infants (n= 170). In the former group 12.9% of the infants were small for gestational age, in the latter 1.3%. Congenital malformations were significantly increased in the former group. Thus, in female inpatients at an alcohol clinic a history of increased risk for adverse neonatal outcome was found.
Reflections on the Welsh economy: remanence, resilience and resourcefulness

The challenges facing the Welsh economy are well known and understood, but are brought into sharp perspective by the fact that after twenty years of devolution and considerable policy effort, the Welsh economy today is exactly where it was in 1998 in relative performance terms. The critical question therefore becomes why - why does the Welsh economy continue to struggle to improve its relative economic performance in the UK? There are many factors at work of course and this short paper cannot possibly do justice to them all. Instead, this article seeks to highlight the value of taking an evolutionary perspective on the issues facing the Welsh economy. In other words, this seeks to understand how regional economies grow, adapt and change over time in line with the changes occurring in their external environment.
Neocortical neuronal morphology in the Siberian Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) and the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)

Despite extensive investigations of the neocortex in the domestic cat, little is known about neuronal morphology in larger felids. To this end, the present study characterized and quantified the somatodendritic morphology of neocortical neurons in prefrontal, motor, and visual cortices of the Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) and clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa). After neurons were stained with a modified Golgi technique (N = 194), dendritic branching and spine distributions were analyzed using computer‐assisted morphometry. Qualitatively, aspiny and spiny neurons in both species appeared morphologically similar to those observed in the domestic cat. Although the morphology of spiny neurons was diverse, with the presence of extraverted, inverted, horizontal, and multiapical pyramidal neurons, the most common variant was the typical pyramidal neuron. Gigantopyramidal neurons in the motor cortex were extremely large, confirming the observation of Brodmann ([1909] Vergleichende Lokalisationlehre der Grosshirnrinde in ihren Prinzipien dargestellt auf Grund des Zellenbaues. Leipzig, Germany: J.A. Barth), who found large somata for these neurons in carnivores in general, and felids in particular. Quantitatively, a MARSplines analysis of dendritic measures differentiated typical pyramidal neurons between the Siberian tiger and the clouded leopard with 93% accuracy. In general, the dendrites of typical pyramidal neurons were more complex in the tiger than in the leopards. Moreover, dendritic measures in tiger pyramidal neurons were disproportionally large relative to body/brain size insofar as they were nearly as extensive as those observed in much larger mammals (e.g., African elephant). Comparison of neuronal morphology in a more diverse collection of larger felids may elucidate the comparative context for the relatively large size of the pyramidal neurons observed in the present study. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:3641–3665, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Peptide methionine sulfoxide reductase contributes to the maintenance of adhesins in three major pathogens.

Pathogenic bacteria rely on adhesins to bind to host tissues. Therefore, the maintenance of the functional properties of these extracellular macromolecules is essential for the pathogenicity of these microorganisms. We report that peptide methionine sulfoxide reductase (MsrA), a repair enzyme, contributes to the maintenance of adhesins in Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Escherichia coli. A screen of a library of pneumococcal mutants for loss of adherence uncovered a MsrA mutant with 75% reduced binding to GalNAcbeta1-4Gal containing eukaryotic cell receptors that are present on type II lung cells and vascular endothelial cells. Subsequently, it was shown that an E. coli msrA mutant displayed decreased type I fimbriae-mediated, mannose-dependent, agglutination of erythrocytes. Previous work [Taha, M. K. , So, M. , Seifert, H. S. , Billyard, E. & Marchal, C. (1988) EMBO J. 7, 4367-4378] has shown that mutants with defects in the pilA-pilB locus from N. gonorrhoeae were altered in their production of type IV pili. We show that pneumococcal MsrA and gonococcal PilB expressed in E. coli have MsrA activity. Together these data suggest that MsrA is required for the proper expression or maintenance of functional adhesins on the surfaces of these three major pathogenic bacteria.
Mechanical Cardiac Valve Thrombosis: Is Fibrinolysis Justified?

BackgroundThrombosis is a serious complication of heart valve replacement, and management is often difficult. In recent years, thrombolytic therapy has been used as the primary technique by some investigators. Methods and ResultsSixty-four consecutive patients presenting with 75 instances of prosthetic heart valve thrombosis (41 mitral, 33 aortic, one tricuspid) were treated with fibrinolytic agents. Obstructed prosthetic valves comprised 39 tilting disc and 36 bileaflet valves. The time interval between valve replacement and obstruction ranged from 15 days to 192 months (mean, 38 months). Fibrinolytic agents used were streptokinase (42 patients), urokinase (27 patients), or recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (six patients). Immediate results of fibrinolytic treatment were 1) full success after one or several consecutive fibrinolytic regimens in 55 cases (73%), 2) incomplete improvement in two cases, and 3) failure in 18 cases, leading to an emergency surgery in nine cases. Nine patients died (four strokes, four cardiac arrests, one hemorrhage). Only one severe hemorrhagic complication was observed, but 11 cases of embolism occurred during fibrinolytic treatment (14.6%) (four major cerebral embolisms with death). The immediate efficacy was better for thrombosed aortic prosthesis than with the mitral prosthesis (85% versus 63%). ConclusionsFibrinolytic treatment appears to be an attractive nonsurgical alternative for prosthetic heart valve thrombosis, but because of the risk of cerebral embolism, its use should be reserved for tricuspid valve thrombosis or critically ill patients with mitral or aortic valve thrombosis. The use of a fibrinolytic agent in cases of small, nonobstructive paravalvular thrombosis demonstrated with transesophageal echocardiography needs further studies.