Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Purification and properties of methanol dehydrogenase from Methylocystis sp. GB 25

Methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) from Methylocystis sp. GB 25, which belongs to the group II of methanotrophic bacteria, is able to catalyse the oxidation of methanol to formate directly. The enzyme was purified 20‐fold by a 5 step procedure to electrophoretic homogeneity. After cell disruption by French press, about 95% of MDH‐activity was found in the soluble fraction. The relative molecular mass of the native enzyme has been estimated to be 122 kDa by gel filtration and 115 kDa by the method of HEDRICK and SMITH (1968). It seems to be composed of two identical subunits with a relative molecular mass of 62 kDa (estimated by SDS gel electrophoresis). The isoelectric point was found to be about 8.3. The amino terminal sequence shows a strong similarity to the α‐chain of MDH from the facultative methylotrophic bacterium Methylobacterium extorquens AM1. PQQ, the probable prosthetic group of MDH, could be detected in the supernatant of the culture by using the apoenzyme of a membrane‐bound glucose dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa but not absolutely in the absorption spectra of the enzyme after DEAE‐chromatography. The purified MDH has an optimum activity at pH 9.0 and at 45 °C. MDH of Methylocystis sp. GB 25 oxidises only primary alcohols from methanol to heptanol and aldehydes from formaldehyde to propionaldehyde and the glutaraldehyde, respectively. The estimated Km‐values show no dependence upon the chain length of substrates.
Predictive validity of neuropsychiatric subgroups on nursing home placement and survival in patients with Alzheimer disease.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to conceptualize neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with Alzheimer disease as distinct symptom profiles with differential disease outcomes. Two outcomes of interest in the study were nursing home placement and survival. METHOD Cluster analysis was used to categorize 122 patients with Alzheimer disease based on their neuropsychiatric symptoms as assessed by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. Both the presence as well as the severity and frequency of symptoms were considered. After identification of the subgroups, the predictive validity of the categorization was tested on time to nursing home placement and time to death over a three-year period. Cox proportional hazard models were used to perform survival analysis. Important covariates such as severity of cognitive and functional impairments, comorbid medical conditions, presence of parkinsonism, and marital status were adjusted at baseline. RESULTS Based on the presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms, three subgroups were identified: minimally symptomatic, highly symptomatic, and affective/apathetic. Over a three-year period, the highly symptomatic group had an increased risk of nursing home placement. In addition, the rates of survival were significantly lower for the highly symptomatic and the affective/apathetic subgroups. Based on the severity and frequency of symptoms, two-cluster and four-cluster solutions were produced. The groupings based on severity and frequency of symptoms predicted significant differential outcomes in survival and nursing home placement. CONCLUSIONS Neuropsychiatric subgroups were able to predict differential outcomes and identify those with an increased risk for a worse prognosis. The findings were discussed through their research and clinical implications.
Learning with laptops: the impact of the ILP on gendered primary classrooms

Information and Communication Technology (ICT), an increasingly pertinent aspect of society, surrounds us and requires competency in order for us to function in our world. For many years, computers have been a constant for students within a classroom environment as has been the expectation of competency. Research has demonstrated however, that gender inequalities exist in the access, use, interest and perceived/actual ability of students using computers. If equality in the technological classroom is not achieved, females may be significantly disadvantaged and disengaged. Conducted under a qualitative framework, this longitudinal case study explored gender differences in two diverse technological environments at an Independent School in Melbourne’s southern suburbs, further examining the relationship between access, gender and student engagement. Data, in the form of interviews, surveys, observations and questionnaires, was collected from both students and their parents, and analysed with the assistance of the qualitative data analysis program QSR Nvivo8. When analysing and comparing data collected across the two stages of this project, it was found that the Independent Laptop Program (ILP) had positive effects on students’ knowledge, usage, access and ability in computers, and enabled participants to gain new knowledge whilst being involved in the study. In addition, there was a dramatic increase in personal satisfaction, student ability, and time spent with computers. The results indicated that there had also been a change in the ways in which computers were used by each gender. Furthermore, this study confirmed that when technical issues were encountered, students involved in this ILP were more willing to attempt to resolve the problem themselves, before asking for assistance from friends, family or teachers. These students still, however, continued to look towards men, whether at home or in the classroom, if they were unable to resolve the problem or if support was required. The results also indicated that older siblings, especially males, played a key role in influencing students with computers. i Although positive changes became evident within the results collected in this study, the gender differences evident in Stage One of the project did not diminish with the introduction of the ILP. Thus, a new model of Engagement – the Cognitive, the Volitional and the Emotional – was proposed. Each of these areas needs to be addressed in an ILP classroom, in addition to providing adequate support structures and language reinforcement, in order to provide a successful program which minimises gender difference.
How to improve the teaching of clinical reasoning: a narrative review and a proposal

The development of clinical reasoning (CR) in students has traditionally been left to clinical rotations, which, however, often offer limited practice and suboptimal supervision. Medical schools begin to address these limitations by organising pre‐clinical CR courses. The purpose of this paper is to review the variety of approaches employed in the teaching of CR and to present a proposal to improve these practices.
Serum Lipid Profile in Colorectal Cancer Patients with and without Synchronous Distant Metastases

Objective: In this study, the serum lipid profile, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), has been investigated in colorectal cancer patients (CRC) with and without synchronous distant metastases. The aim of this study was to verify whether the presence of metastases was associated to serum lipid abnormalities, and whether lipoprotein abnormalities were linked to the nutritional status. Methods: The fasting serum lipid profile was examined in 84 CRC patients using colorimetric methods. To determine the nutritional status, the body mass index (BMI) was calculated and serum albumin was measured. Results: Patients with distant metastases showed significantly higher levels of TC, LDL-C and the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio than patients without metastases (p< 0.05). The presence of metastases was positively associated with TC, LDL-C and the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio, being independent of sex, age and BMI. Conclusions: Elevated serum lipid levels may facilitate the development of distant metastasis in CRC patients.
Frozen Section Analysis of Ureteral Margins in Patients Undergoing Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer: Differential Impact of Carcinoma in situ in the Bladder on Reliability and Impact on Tumour Recurrence in the Upper Urinary Tract

Background: Patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) are at risk for upper urinary tract recurrence (UUTR), especially in case of carcinoma in situ (CIS). Data on the impact of CIS in the urinary bladder on ureteral tumour involvement or UUTR are conflicting. We presently evaluate the accuracy of intraoperative frozen section analysis (FSA) of the ureteral margin, the incidence of ureteral tumour involvement and their impact on UUTR in patients undergoing RC for UCB with versus without CIS of the bladder. Material and Methods: Between 2003 and 2007, 243 patients underwent RC in our department. 176 of these for UCB, either without CIS (n = 117, group I) or solitary/concomitant CIS (n = 59, group II). FSA was performed. Patients were followed up for UUTR. Results: Overall, 403 ureteral margins - including re-resections - were analysed (group I, n = 232; group II, n = 171). One patient (0.85%) in group I and 21 patients (35.6%) in group II had tumour involvement of the ureter (p < 0.0001) at the time of RC. The false-negative rate of FSA compared to final histopathology was 0.4% (1/232) for group I and 2.9% (5/171) for group II, respectively. Mean duration of follow-up was 26 months (1-72). In group II, 2 patients (1.1%) had UUTR in the follow-up; both had initially positive and subsequently false-negative FSA. Conclusions: Tumour involvement of the ureter is found significantly more often in solitary or concomitant CIS of the bladder. Intraoperative ureteral FSA is accurate and should be recommended in these patients. Ureteral tumour involvement predisposes to UUTR especially with initial positive margins mandating careful follow-up.
Field evaluations of insecticide treatment regimens for control of the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius (L.).

BACKGROUND Because bedbugs, Cimex lectularius L. , have not been a problem in the USA for over 40 years, few insecticide products are labeled for their control. Most products that are labeled for bedbugs are pyrethroids. However, recent studies indicate that field-collected bedbugs may be resistant to pyrethroids. There are also non-pyrethroid products labeled for bedbugs, but, like the pyrethroids, none of these products has been evaluated for field efficacy. This study evaluated the efficacy of two insecticide treatment regimens for bedbugs in multi-unit housing. Both of the treatments included multiple products currently being used by the pest management industry. RESULTS The 'traditional' treatment consisted of applications of pyrethroid products and an insect growth regulator. The 'novel' treatment consisted of applications of non-pyrethroid products. The traditional treatment significantly reduced the number of bedbugs from 39.8 +/- 10.1 per unit prior to treatment to 2.2 +/- 1.0 at the end of the test period (P = 0.02; 95% reduction). The number of live bedbugs in the 'novel' treatment was also significantly reduced from 71.4 +/- 25.3 bedbugs per unit to 10.2 +/- 4.4 after 8 weeks (86% population reduction). CONCLUSIONS Although both treatment regimens reduced bedbug numbers, the fact that bedbugs were not eliminated after multiple applications suggests that the insecticides, applied at the current label rates, were inadequate. These results suggest that a more integrated approach to bedbug control is necessary in multi-unit housing situations.
Determinants of participation decisions and level of participation in farm level milk value addition: the case of smallholder dairy farmers in Ethiopia

On-farm value addition to farm products is recognized and highly promoted through value chain approaches for its benefit in terms of improving farm income. Growing demand and high price for value added milk products, together with the availability of ample livestock resources, would provide opportunities for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia to diversify their livelihoods. Nevertheless, their participation in milk value addition is perceived to be generally low. Apart from farm household characteristics, organizational and institutional issues influence farmers’ participation decisions and level of participation in-farm level milk value addition. By analyzing survey data using Heckman two-stage selection model, this article identified determinants of participation decisions and level of participation in-farm level milk value addition by smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. The first-stage probit model estimation results indicate that milk yield, distance from urban centers, household demography (age and child), livestock extension services, the need to extend shelf life, consideration of milk products for social factors such as holidays and fasting, and availability of labor for milk value addition determined household’s decision to add values to milk. The results also show that most of the factors determining decision of participation in milk value addition also determined the level of participation.
Effect of dietary fiber intake on blood pressure: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Objective To examine the effect of dietary fiber intake on blood pressure (BP). Design Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Setting and participants A total of 110 trial participants aged 30 to 65 years who had untreated, but higher than optimal BP or stage-1 hypertension were recruited from the community in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Interventions Study participants were randomly assigned to receive 8 g/day of water-soluble fiber from oat bran or a control intervention. Main outcome measures Nine BP measurements were obtained by trained observers using random-zero sphygmomanometers, over three clinical visits, at the baseline and termination visits of the trial. An average of the nine measurements was used to determine mean BP at the baseline and termination visits. Results The net changes [95% confidence interval, (CI)] in systolic blood pressure were −1.8 mmHg (−4.3 to 0.8, P = 0.17) following 12 weeks, −2.2 mmHg (−5.3 to 1.0, P = 0.18) following 6 weeks, and −2.0 mmHg (−4.4 to 0.3, P = 0.09) for an average of the 6- and 12-week visits. The corresponding net changes (95% CI) in diastolic blood pressure were −1.2 mmHg (−3.0 to 0.5, P = 0.17) following 12 weeks, −0.8 mmHg (−3.1 to 1.4, P = 0.47) following 6 weeks, and −1.0 mmHg (−2.6 to 0.5, P = 0.19) for an average of the 6- and 12-week visits. Conclusions Our findings suggest that a diet rich in fiber may have a moderate BP-lowering effect and indicate the need for further investigation of this important question.
Animal Models of Obsessive‐Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) occurs with high prevalence, and the drugs used to treat OCD are limited in efficacy and have side‐effect issues. The discovery of improved medicines for OCD has been hampered in part by the lack of predictive in vivo models. This unit provides a brief overview of two methods that might have such predictive utility. Marble burying and nestlet shredding are two behaviors that occur spontaneously with high frequency and repetitiveness in mice. These acute in vivo assays are relatively easy to conduct. Selective serotonin uptake inhibitors decrease these behaviors without producing motor side effects, as assessed by the behavior of walking on a rotating rod. In contrast, some other drugs (e.g., benzodiazepine anxiolytics) only affect marble burying and nestlet shredding at motor‐impairing doses. The present methods might therefore provide one piece of in vivo information for the discovery of novel chemical treatment solutions for the symptoms of OCD. Curr. Protoc. Neurosci. 45:9.30. 1‐9.30. 9. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The sentinel fat pads: the relationship of the ROOF and SOOF to the temporal nerve in facial rejuvenation.

BACKGROUND A great number of studies have reported on the temporal branch anatomy and its relationship to the fascial layers and various fat pads of the temporal region, but no article has included information on the relationship of the temporal nerve to the retro-orbicularis oculi fat (ROOF) and/or the suborbicularis oculi fat (SOOF). OBJECTIVES The authors report the results of a series of human cadaver temporal nerve dissections, with particular attention paid to its relation to the ROOF and the SOOF. The results of a literature review and a subsequent open browlift are also reported to confirm the results of the cadaver study. METHODS Dissection was performed on 15 fresh human cadavers, for a total of 29 hemifaces. The course and relationships of the temporal nerve branch to the fascia, fat pads, and landmarks in the temporal region were noted and detailed. A thorough review was also performed for 23 articles, to compare the author's anatomical findings with data in the previous literature. RESULTS During cadaver dissection, the temporal branch was found to lie on the undersurface of the superficial temporal fascia. In the supraorbital area, the ROOF existed in the loose areolar plane or deep layer of the superficial temporal fascia, with the temporal nerve branch directly superficial to it. The temporal branch passed lateral to the SOOF in its superiomedial course at the level of the zygoma. These findings were later confirmed during an in vivo open browlift as well. CONCLUSIONS The ROOF was formerly unrecognized as an important sentinel marker for possible injury to the temporal nerve branch during browlift. However, this cadaver study and its accompanying literature comparisons show that browlift dissection, whether endoscopic or open, should aim to keep the ROOF fat in the superficial plane, ensuring that the nerve branch is safe from iatrogenic injury.
Physical activity and the elderly

Functional ageing processes are characterized by a loss of performance capabilities regarding coordination, flexibility, strength, speed, and endurance. The effects of ageing processes on the cardiovascular system and skeletal muscle are the foci of attention. After age 30, the maximum aerobic dynamic performance capacity decreases by an average of 8% per decade. The causes are mainly a reduction in the maximum cardiac output and decreases in capillarization and in the skeletal muscle mass. An improvement in the maximum oxygen uptake by 18% and in the aerobic-anaerobic threshold by 22% was achieved in untrained men aged 55-70 years, in a 12-week-long bicycle ergometer-training programme. The strength of the skeletal muscle decreases particularly after 50-60 years of age. The main cause is the reduction in the number of motor units and muscle fibres. Further, modifications of the endothelial function and the development of sarcopenia are of particular importance in ageing processes. General aerobic dynamic training can improve the endothelial function in old age and thus help prevent cardiovascular diseases. Strength training is most appropriate for the prevention of sarcopenia. Imaging techniques over the last 20 years have provided new findings on the influence and the significance of physical activity on the brain. We call this new interdisciplinary area ‘Exercise Neuroscience’. Demands on coordination and aerobic dynamic endurance are suitable in counteracting age-related neuronal cellular loss, synapsis hypotrophy, and in improving neurogenesis and capillarization. Adjusted physical activity is thus capable of counteracting age-related changes and performance loss not only in the cardiovascular system but also in the brain.
Cumulative delivery rates after intracytoplasmic sperm injection: 5 year follow-up of 498 patients.

The use of life-table analysis for infertility data has the advantages of clarity and ease of application. Success rates per cycle have been reported, but not cumulative delivery rates for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). We selected retrospectively 498 Belgian patients <37 years old, who had their first ICSI cycle between July 1992 and December 1993. Follow-up was till the end of October 1997. Outcome measure was any delivery >25 weeks. These couples underwent 963 ICSI cycles using fresh ejaculated spermatozoa. The indications for ICSI were long-standing severe male infertility or fertilization failure after conventional in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Cumulative delivery rates were calculated by life-table analysis and compared according to age groups and sperm quality. There were 298 deliveries within a mean rate per cycle of 31%. The average number of cycles required for a delivery was 3.15 (CI 2.88; 3.43). Twenty-three (4.6%) spontaneous pregnancies occurred after the patients had finished therapy. There was no significant difference between the sperm quality groups but delivery rates decreased significantly with increasing female age. The real delivery rate after six cycles was 60%, while the expected cumulative delivery rate was 86%. This life-table analysis may provide a means by which to counsel couples on the likelihood of a delivery following ICSI.
Endogenous erythroid and megakaryocytic circulating progenitors, HUMARA clonality assay, and PRV-1 expression are useful tools for diagnosis of polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia.

Recently, Liu et al[1][1] and Kralovics et al[2][2] reported in this journal the possible diagnostic value of some biologic markers in chronic myeloproliferative disorders such as polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET). Briefly, they described a strong correlation between
Influence of male hormones on rates of ethanol elimination in man

The effect of a reduction in androgens on ethanol elimination was determined in man. Bilateral therapeutic orchiectomy in nine patients for prostatic carcinoma decreased mean plasma testosterone levels from 489.8 ± 31.2 (S.E.) ng per dl to 55.3 ± 3.8 ng per dl and resulted in an increase in the rate of ethanol elimination in seven patients, no change in one, and a decrease in one. The mean rate of ethanol elimination for all nine patients increased from 83.6 ± 4.0 to 100.4 ± 4.2 mg per kg body weight per hr (p < 0.02). The most likely mechanism for an increase in ethanol elimination after orchiectomy is an increase in liver alcohol dehydrogenase content, which remains to be demonstrated in man.
T cells in cardiac myosin-induced myocarditis.

Autoimmune myocarditis induced by immunization with cardiac myosin can be seen as a virus-free system to analyze the immunopathological mechanisms of certain forms of postinfectious heart disease. Immunodepletion studies have shown that in A.SW mice myosin-induced myocarditis is mediated by both CD4+ and CD8+ cells. The CD4+ subset is at least required for the induction of the autoimmune response, whereas the CD8+ subset seems to play a key role in mediating the myocardial injury. In addition, we found a bias concerning the TCR repertoire, because T cells within the inflammatory heart infiltrate almost exclusively use V beta 8 elements. Furthermore, recent serologic and immunohistologic studies indirectly suggest that the cardiac myocyte is not the target for the anti-myosin response. Rather, the primary target might consist in dendritic cells presenting myosin epitopes even under normal conditions.