Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determination of Oligopeptide Diversity within a Natural Population of Microcystis spp. (Cyanobacteria) by Typing Single Colonies by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry

ABSTRACT Besides the most prominent peptide toxin, microcystin, the cyanobacteria Microcystis spp. have been shown to produce a large variety of other bioactive oligopeptides. We investigated for the first time the oligopeptide diversity within a naturalMicrocystis population by analyzing single colonies directly with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The results demonstrate a high diversity of known cyanobacterial peptides such as microcystins, anabaenopeptins, microginins, aeruginosins, and cyanopeptolins, but also many unknown substances in the Microcystis colonies. Oligopeptide patterns were mostly related to specificMicrocystis taxa. Microcystis aeruginosa(Kütz.) Kütz. colonies contained mainly microcystins, occasionally accompanied by aeruginosins. In contrast, microcystins were not detected in Microcystis ichthyoblabeKütz. ; instead, colonies of this species contained anabaenopeptins and/or microginins or unknown peptides. Within a third group, Microcystis wesenbergii (Kom.) Kom. in Kondr. , chiefly a cyanopeptolin and an unknown peptide were found. Similar patterns, however, were also found in colonies which could not be identified to species level. The significance of oligopeptides as a chemotaxonomic tool within the genus Microcystis is discussed. It could be demonstrated that the typing of single colonies by MALDI-TOF MS may be a valuable tool for ecological studies of the genus Microcystis as well as in early warning of toxic cyanobacterial blooms.
Structure and Costs of Health Care of Diabetic Patients in Finland

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to examine both the structure, including modes of drug treatment, ambulatory care, and hospital inpatient care, and the costs of health care for drug-treated diabetic patients in Finland. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The modes of drug treatment and ambulatory care were studied with the help of a questionnaire given to all diabetic patients obtaining their medication through pharmacies in Finland during a 7-week period in 1989. The questionnaire sought information on drug treatment, site of health care, and frequency of visits to physicians. Hospital inpatient care was evaluated by linking the patient data from the Hospital Discharge Register and the Central Drug Register. The direct costs of health care were calculated by using relevant average costs. RESULTS A total of 30,266 questionnaires were returned, representing > 70% of all drug-treated diabetic patients receiving medication in the period studied. Of the diabetic patients, 63% were treated by oral medication only, 31% by insulin only, and 6% by a combination of insulin and oral agents. Of the patients in whom diabetes was diagnosed at ≥ 30 years of age, 75% were treated at health centers, whereas > 60% of those in whom diabetes was diagnosed at < 30 years of age were treated at outpatient clinics. The mean annual frequency of visits was 4.0 for patients receiving insulin treatment and 3.3 for patients receiving treatment with oral medications. The diabetic patients used 1.5 million hospital inpatient days per year, which was 13% of the total inpatient days in Finland. Of the inpatient days, 20% were for diabetes as the principal cause, 52% for diabetes-related diseases, and 28% for causes unrelated to diabetes. The direct costs of the health care of drug-treated diabetic patients in 1989 were 5.8% of the total costs of health care in Finland and were three times higher than the average costs of care for nondiabetic individuals. The direct costs were divided into inpatient care (81%), medication (9%), ambulatory care (8%), and self-care equipment (2%). CONCLUSIONS Hospital inpatient care is the major contributor to the excess of health care expenditures for diabetic patients.
A comparison between impedance measured by a commercial analyzer and your value adjusted by a theoretical model in body composition evaluation

The use of an electrical current for the evaluation of several physiological variables in the human body is not a recent technique but continues to awaken great interest in the research community. One of the greatest applications for such a technique is the study of body composition through bioimpedance, where generally a equipment with a tetrapolar array set of electrodes is used to realize the bioimpedance measurement. The aim of the present work is to show that the bioimpedance measured is normally sub-estimated and to develop a correction factor for such values. The comparison between the original bioimpedance values, obtained by commercial equipment, and their corrected values, in body composition evaluation, will be shown. Body composition tests were conducted on 10 male subjects. Besides the bioimpedance analysis, anthropometric measures consisting of height, weight and skinfold-thickness were also obtained from the subjects to allow an estimation of the body composition by anthropometric equations established in the literature. The comparison results point to a better correlation (Pearson coefficient, r = 0.9735) between the anthropometric estimated fat-free mass (FFM) and the estimated value by the corrected bioimpedance adjusted, when compared with the original ones Pearson coefficient, r = 0.9487.
Oxidant Preconditioning Protects Human Proximal Tubular Cells against Lethal Oxidant Injury via p38 MAPK and Heme Oxygenase-1

Ischemic preconditioning protects the kidney from subsequent ischemic injury but the signal transduction pathways involved are unknown. Human proximal tubular (HK-2) cells were protected from injury with 2.5 mM H2O2 by preconditioning with a single 15-min exposure to 500 µM H2O2 followed by 16 h of recovery (oxidant preconditioning). To identify the signaling pathways involved in oxidant preconditioning, we utilized inhibitors of several signaling intermediates (MAPK/ERK kinase I, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), protein kinase C and tyrosine kinase). A rapid but transient increase in p38 MAPK was observed following oxidant preconditioning and an inhibitor of p38 MAPK (SB203580) abolished the protection provided by oxidant preconditioning. Oxidant preconditioning was also associated with heat shock protein-27 phosphorylation (by p38 MAPK) and an increased synthesis of heme oxygenease-1 (HO-1). Stimulation or inhibition of HO-1 with hemin or Zn(II) protoporphyrin IX, respectively, mimicked or abolished oxidant preconditioning-mediated cytoprotection. Inhibitors of new protein synthesis (cycloheximide) and gene transcription (actinomycin D) also blocked the cytoprotection by oxidant preconditioning. We conclude that oxidant preconditioning protects HK-2 cells against more severe oxidant injury via activation of signaling pathways that include p38 MAPK and increased synthesis of HO-1.
The Influence of Hyperglycemia on Outcome of Cerebral Infarction

OBJECTIVE To determine whether hyperglycemia in the acute stroke period is associated with worse survival and functional outcome after accounting for acute stress response and chronic hyperglycemia. DESIGN Prospective, county-wide, multicenter cohort study. SETTING A community hospital, a university hospital, and a Veterans Affairs hospital. PATIENTS A cohort of 146 patients hospitalized with new atherothrombotic stroke. MEASUREMENTS Admission blood glucose concentration, demographic characteristics of patients, 24-hour urinary catecholamine, serum cortisol, and glycosylated hemoglobin levels; outcomes included mortality and functional outcome (Barthel index and Fugl-Meyer score) at 5, 30, 90, and 180 days after stroke. RESULTS Of the 996 patients with possible acute stroke who were screened, 146 (15%) were eligible for and consented to participate in the study; in most cases, exclusion from study was based on the absence of acute, atherothrombotic stroke. Overall, no evidence was found of a significant univariate association between admission blood glucose level and survival (relative risk, 1.02; 95% Cl, 0.94 to 1.09) or functional outcome (univariate regression coefficient for adjusted Fugl-Meyer score at day 30, - 0.36; Cl, - 1.08 to 0.27). This absence of an association persisted after adjustment for significant predictors of outcome in a multivariate model. CONCLUSIONS These data do not support an association between level of glycemia and outcome from acute stroke.
Biochemical Markers During and After an Olympic Triathlon Race

Editor-in-Chief Tommy Boone, PhD, MBA Review Board Todd Astorino, PhD Julien Baker, PhD Steve Brock, PhD Lance Dalleck, PhD Eric Goulet, PhD Robert Gotshall, PhD Alexander Hutchison, PhD M. Knight-Maloney, PhD Len Kravitz, PhD James Laskin, PhD Yit Aun Lim, PhD Lonnie Lowery, PhD Derek Marks, PhD Cristine Mermier, PhD Robert Robergs, PhD Chantal Vella, PhD Dale Wagner, PhD Frank Wyatt, PhD Ben Zhou, PhD
Pathological and Biochemical Studies of Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IIIB (Sanfilippo Syndrome Type B) in Juvenile Emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type IIIB was diagnosed in 14 juvenile emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae), ages 3 weeks to 6 months, based on pathological and biochemical analyses. The animals had a history of neurological signs or sudden death; one of the birds with neurological signs and 3 others experienced acute hemoabdomen. Histopathologically, neuronal swelling and vacuolation in the cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem, and spinal cord (80%–92%); retina (100%); autonomic ganglia of the intestine (71%); gizzard (50%); adrenal gland (27%); and ear (50%) were noted in affected but not healthy emus. Cytoplasmic vacuoles were also observed in the pancreas, liver, intestine, adrenal glands, and kidneys. The intracytoplasmic inclusions were periodic acid–Schiff and Luxol Fast Blue positive, consistent with a storage disease. Foamy macrophages infiltrated the liver, intestine, tunica media of the aorta, and spleen. By transmission electron microscopy, typical lamellated cytoplasmic bodies were detected in neurons of the brain and retina, while electron-dense bodies consistent with glycosaminoglycan inclusions were observed in hepatocytes and/or hepatic macrophages. The livers of the 2 affected emus studied contained large amounts of heparan sulfate, which is suggestive of MPS type III. Compared with normal controls, hepatic and serum α-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity was very low (<8% of control), while other enzyme activities were normal to increased in the 2 affected emus studied. Moreover, affected emus were homozygous for a 2-bp deletion in the NAGLU gene. This study characterizes the pathology of MPS type IIIB in emus, which is one of the rare inborn errors in birds, showing the homology of this condition to Sanfilippo syndrome in humans.
Agarose Cell Block: Innovated Technique for the Processing of Urine Cytology for Electron Microscopy Examination

Easy manipulation and preservation of cells in suspension through the different steps of sample processing for electron microscopy examination is essential for proper diagnosis. The author used agarose gel as an embedding media for processing cells in suspension for electron microscopic examination. The AgarCyto cell block procedure of Kerstens et al. (J Histochem Cytochem. 2000; 48: 709—718) was used to begin electron microscopic processing of exfoliated urothelial cells in voided urine or cells in suspension. Processing of agarose cell block simultaneously for light and electron microscopic examination represents a great advantage offered by this innovated technique.
The impact of reading a web site's privacy statement on perceived control over privacy and perceived trust

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to study the impact of reading a web site's privacy statement on the perceptions of control over privacy and trust in a cyber merchant.Design/methodology/approach – Two experiments were designed to monitor the actual reading of the privacy statement. Study one compares the influence of actual reading with self‐reported claims. Study two manipulated the format of the privacy statement (opt‐in or opt‐out) and included a control condition to assess the influence of the presence of a privacy statement and the influence of the format on the dependent variables.Findings – The findings show that the mere presence of a privacy statement has a positive influence on perceived control. However, reading the privacy statement does not necessarily have a positive influence on perceived control and trust, contrary to commonly held assumptions. Participants who read the opt‐in format felt significantly more control and trust than the participants who read the opt‐out format. The .
PEROXISOME PROLIFERATOR‐ACTIVATED RECEPTOR‐γ AGONISTS ATTENUATE ANGIOTENSIN II‐INDUCED COLLAGEN TYPE I EXPRESSION IN ADVENTITIAL FIBROBLASTS

1 Angiotensin (Ang) II‐mediated oxidative stress may be important in enhanced adventitial fibroblast collagen formation. The aim of the present study was to test whether PPAR‐γ agonists 15‐deoxy‐Δ12,14‐prostaglandin J2 (15d‐PGJ2) and pioglitazone could alter AngII‐induced collagen type I formation in vascular adventitial fibroblasts via reactive oxygen species (ROS). 2 Vascular adventitial fibroblasts were isolated from rat thoracic aortas of male Sprague‐Dawley rats and treated with different concentrations of AngII for different periods of time. The expression of collagen type I induced by AngII was examined by western blot. Expression of PPAR‐γ mRNA was examined by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Intracellular ROS generation was measured by flow cytometry. Activation of transcription factors nuclear factor (NF)‐κB and activator protein (AP)‐1 was assessed by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. 3 Angiotensin II increased expression of collagen type I in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner in adventitial fibroblasts. In addition, AngII stimulated intracellular generation of ROS in adventitial fibroblasts. Pretreatment of cells with 15d‐PGJ2 and pioglitazone attenuated collagen type I expression and generation of ROS induced by AngII, respectively. Moreover, we observed that N‐acetylcysteine inhibited collagen type I expression induced by AngII as did the PPAR‐γ agonists. Angiotensin II treatment activated the redox‐sensitive transcription factors NF‐κB and AP‐1, whereas pretreatment with 15d‐PGJ2 and pioglitazone reduced the AngII‐induced DNA‐binding activity of NF‐κB but not AP‐1. 4 Our data demonstrate that the PPAR‐γ agonists 15d‐PGJ2 and pioglitazone attenuate AngII‐mediated collagen type I expression in adventitial fibroblasts, which may be mediated by the modulation of ROS release and the redox‐sensitive transcription factor NF‐κB.
The perceived orientation in people with and without Alzheimer's

Accurate spatial perception is important for the successful performance of any motor task. Research suggests that this capability declines significantly in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Using a virtual reality navigational test, this study investigates the orientation ability. In particular, we hypothesize the ability to orient using egocentric information declines significantly with Alzheimer's even at early stages, whereas general orientation abilities maybe preserved through the use of allocentric orientation strategies in mild Alzheimer's patients. The study subjects were 11 cognitively healthy and 8 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's. The results are congruent with our hypothesis, and encourage further investigation in a larger population.
México: Valor agregado en las exportaciones manufactureras

En las ultimas decadas, el sector exportador mexicano ha experimentado un dinamismo y una transformacion extraordinarios donde dominan las exportaciones manufactureras, destacandose los productos de tecnologia media y alta. Sin embargo, ha crecido la brecha entre exportaciones y producto, lo que indica la debilidad del sector exportador para impulsar el crecimiento economico. El trabajo se basa en la idea de que la capacidad de las exportaciones de dinamizar la economia se refuerza si estas amplian el mercado interno. Ello depende del ingreso nacional contenido en las exportaciones. Se presenta una estimacion del valor agregado nacional contenido en las exportaciones manufactureras por sectores y segun si es directo -ingreso generado directamente por la actividad exportadora-, o indirecto -ingresos contenidos en los insumos que conforman los productos exportados. La informacion concierne a las exportaciones manufactureras totales, las de la industria maquiladora de exportacion y las del resto de la economia.
SELECTED YIELD COMPONENTS IN WHITE MUSTARD (SINAPIS ALBA) VERSUS SULFUR FERTILIZATION

As shown by the research made based on the four-year field experiment, sulfur fertilization, in general, significantly differentiated the white mustard yield components. Of all the factors (sulfur application method, its form and dose), the greatest effect on the yield structure components was demonstrated for the sulfur dose. The use of 40 kg S·ha-1, regardless of the form applied and the sulfur application method, resulted in significant increases in most of the characters, as compared with the control. The application of sulfur into soil showed a significantly more favorable effect on the seed weigh and number per silique and on the weight of seeds of the entire plant than the foliar application of this nutrient. The white mustard seed yield size was most correlated with the number of siliques per plant, and successively less with the thousand seed weight.
Ecological control of a parasité population by genetic evolution in the parasite-host system.

Evidence suggests that interspecies evolution controls the number of parasites and hosts. To determine if the numbers of a wasp-parasite, Nasonia vitripennis Walker, population could be regulated by genetic change in the house fly, Musca domestica L. , host a constant number of hosts was supplied daily to the parasite population. Selective pressure on the host population depended upon parasite numbers, but initially selective pressure averaged more than 90%. After 1004 days of study, the host and parasite evolved toward ecological homeostasis. This resulted in a significant decline in the reproductive capacity of the experimental parasite on its host from about 135 progeny to only 39 progeny per female. Such a change resulted in a 50% decrease in the average density of the parasite, a decline of about 7% in selective pressure on the host, and a 50% dampening in the fluctuations of the parasite population.
Intralipid Restoration of Myocardial Contractions Following Bupivacaine-Induced Asystole: Concentration- and Time-Dependence In Vitro

BACKGROUND: The concentration- and time-response relationships of lipid emulsion (LE; Intralipid) on the recovery of myocardial contractility following bupivacaine (BPV)-induced asystole are poorly defined. METHODS: After achieving asystole by 500-&mgr;M BPV, varied concentrations of LE were applied to determine the recovery of stimulated contractile responses and contractions in the cardiac tissues of guinea pigs at a 1.2-Hz stimulation rate. These experiments were performed with LE in either a recirculating (2%–16%) or washout (nonrecirculating) condition (0.05%–12%) for 60 minutes. The effect of LE itself (0.05%–12%) was examined. Oxfenicine was used to evaluate the metabolic action of LE to reverse asystole. BPV concentrations in solution and myocardial tissues were measured. RESULTS: In the recirculation condition, partial recovery of contractile forces was observed for 60 minutes at 4%, 8%, and 12% LE. A contracture followed after exposure to 16% LE in some asystolic muscles. In the washout experiments, following asystole, LE (0.05%–12%) had no effect on the recovery time of the first and regular contractile responses. LE (0.1%–8%) restored contractility to baseline levels after 45 minutes; partial recovery was shown with lower (0.05%) and higher (12%) concentrations. Oxfenicine did not alter the recovery of contractile forces. Contractile depression was observed with 12% LE alone. Concentration-related reduction of tissue BPV concentration by LE was observed in both circulating conditions. CONCLUSIONS: LE induced time- and concentration-dependent recovery of stimulated myocardial contractions from BPV-induced asystole. The lipid uptake effect, along with other undefined mechanisms of LE, seems to contribute to the recovery of contractile function; however, the LE effect on myocardial metabolism is less likely involved at this concentration (500 &mgr;M) of BPV.
Divergent Roles for IRS-1 and IRS-2 in Breast Cancer Metastasis

The insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins are cytoplasmic docking proteins that function as essential signaling intermediates downstream of activated cell surface receptors, many of which have been implicated in breast cancer. The IRS proteins do not contain intrinsic kinase activity but rather function by organizing signaling complexes to initiate intracellular signaling cascades. IRS-1 and IRS-2 are expressed in normal mammary epithelial cells and in breast carcinoma cells, where they have been implicated in mediating signals to promote tumor cell survival, growth and motility. Although IRS-1 and IRS-2 are homologous, recent studies have revealed distinct functions for these adaptor proteins in regulating breast cancer progression. Specifically, IRS-2 is a positive regulator of metastasis, whereas IRS-1 may be a suppressor of metastasis. The observation that IRS-1 is inactivated in metastatic mammary tumors raises the possibility that IRS activity, rather than expression, may be a novel predictive indicator of metastasis. Understanding how the IRS proteins function in tumor progression is essential for future efforts aimed at developing approaches to target IRS-1 and IRS-2 in a diagnostic or therapeutic manner for the benefit of breast cancer patients.
Campylobacter pylori antibodies in humans.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To determine the diagnostic value of assays to measure serum antibodies to Campylobacter pylori, and to use these assays to determine the prevalence of C. pylori infection in a healthy population. DESIGN A survey of patients having endoscopies for upper gastrointestinal symptoms, patients with other gastrointestinal illnesses, and healthy controls. SETTING Outpatients attending endoscopy suites in two university-affiliated medical centers. PATIENTS One hundred and twenty patients who had gastroduodenoscopies, 61 patients with lower intestinal illnesses, and 166 healthy controls. INTERVENTION Assay to detect serum IgA, IgG, and IgM antibodies specific for C. pylori. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Absorption with other gram-negative pathogens showed that IgG and IgA assays, but not IgM assays, were specific for C. pylori. In patients in whom C. pylori had been isolated and who had gastritis diagnosed by histologic methods, significantly higher mean IgA and IgG levels were seen compared with patients without demonstrable C. pylori or gastritis. The sensitivity and specificity of a positive value in both IgA and IgG assays were more than 93%. Among healthy persons, IgG and IgA antibodies were rarely seen in patients less than 20 years old, but antibody prevalence progressed with age, reaching 50% in patients more than 60 years old. High IgA and IgG levels to C. pylori in five persons tested remained stable for more than 1 year, suggesting the organism persists for at least that period. In 61 patients with acute bacterial enteritis, acute pancreatitis, Crohn disease, or ulcerative colitis, prevalence of antibodies to C. pylori was consistent with age and unrelated to current disease. CONCLUSIONS Campylobacter pylori infection, which is highly associated with active gastritis, may be diagnosed by serologic assay. Acquisition of infection begins in adult life, and prevalence increases with age.