Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Receptor-Triggered but Alkylation-Arrested Env of Murine Leukemia Virus Reveals the Transmembrane Subunit in a Prehairpin Conformation

ABSTRACT A central feature of the prevailing model for retrovirus fusion is conversion of the transmembrane (TM) subunit from a prehairpin to a hairpin-like structure. The fusion inhibition of many retroviruses, except murine leukemia virus (MLV), with peptides corresponding to interacting regions in the hairpin supports the model. MLV fusion is controlled by isomerization of the intersubunit disulfide in Env. We show here that TM peptides bind to MLV Env that has been arrested at an intermediate stage of activation by alkylation of the isomerization-active thiol in the surface subunit. This inhibits fusion rescue by dithiothreitol-mediated reduction of the surface protein-TM disulfide.
Mutations in the keratin 9 gene in Pakistani families with epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma

Background. Keratins are heteropolymeric proteins that form the intermediate filament cytoskeleton in epithelial cells. The common basic structure of all keratins is organized in a central α‐helical rod domain flanked by nonhelical, variable head and tail regions. Most mutations in keratins are found in the central α‐helical rod domain. Keratin 9 (K9) is expressed only in the suprabasal layers of palmoplantar epidermis. Mutations in the keratin 9 gene (KRT9) have been shown to cause epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma (EPPK; OMIM 144200), an autosomal dominant genodermatosis characterized clinically by diffuse hyperkeratosis limited to the palms and soles, and histologically by epidermolysis in suprabasal layers of the epidermis.
Clinical and biological evaluation in von Willebrand's disease of a von Willebrand factor concentrate with low factor VIII activity

Summary. This study was carried out to assess the clinical efficacy in von Willebrand's disease (vWD) of a new, very high purity (VHP), solvent/detergent (SD)‐treated, vWF concentrate (VHP Human von Willebrand Factor Concentrate, Biotransfusion) characterized by a high specific ristocetin cofactor (vWF:RCo) activity and a low factor VIII (FVIII) coagulant activity (FVIII:C). Nine patients (four type I, one type IIA, one type IIB, one type IIC, one type III and one acquired type II) were infused on 13 occasions including a pharmacokinetic study. Satisfactory haemostasis was achieved in all cases, including the treatment of spontaneous haemorrhages and the prevention of bleeding following surgery. The bleeding time was corrected for 6–12 h in 6/9 patients and shortened in the others. Furthermore, it was shown that the plasma vWF multimeric pattern of types II and III patients was greatly improved. When measured in eight patients 1 h after infusion, the vWF: RCo recovery was 77·3 (± 10·7)% while the F VIII:C recovery was strikingly higher (876 ± 906%). This high recovery is likely related to the predominant ‘pseudo‐synthesis’ of FVIII following the restoration of normal vWF levels. Maximum levels of FVIII: C occurred 6–12 h after the first infusion and normal levels of FVIII:C were maintained throughout the treatments with a dosage of 26–39 IU/kg vWF:RCo and only 0·2–5 IU/kg FVIII:C. The half‐lives of the vWF‐related parameters determined in a type III vWD patient were 20·6 h for vWF antigen, 17·8 h for vWF:RCo, 14 h for the high molecular weight multimers of vWF, 55·3 h for FVIII: Ag and 74 h for FVIII:C. In conclusion, it does not appear necessary that vWF concentrates intended for the treatment of vWD should contain FVIII in addition to vWF to be clinically effective in most patients.
Sex steroid‐induced neuroplasticity and behavioral activation in birds

The brain of adult homeothermic vertebrates exhibits a higher degree of morphological neuroplasticity than previously thought, and this plasticity is especially prominent in birds. In particular, incorporation of new neurons is widespread throughout the adult avian forebrain, and the volumes of specific nuclei vary seasonally in a prominent manner. We review here work on steroid‐dependent plasticity in birds, based on two cases: the medial preoptic nucleus (POM) of Japanese quail in relation to male sexual behavior, and nucleus HVC in canaries, which regulates song behavior. In male quail, POM volume changes seasonally, and in castrated subjects testosterone almost doubles POM volume within 2 weeks. Significant volume increases are, however, already observable after 1 day. Steroid receptor coactivator‐1 is part of the mechanism mediating these effects. Increases in POM volume reflect changes in cell size or spacing and dendritic branching, but are not associated with an increase in neuron number. In contrast, seasonal changes in HVC volume reflect incorporation of newborn neurons in addition to changes in cell size and spacing. These are induced by treatments with exogenous testosterone or its metabolites. Expression of doublecortin, a microtubule‐associated protein, is increased by testosterone in the HVC but not in the adjacent nidopallium, suggesting that neuron production in the subventricular zone, the birthplace of newborn neurons, is not affected. Together, these data illustrate the high degree of plasticity that extends into adulthood and is characteristic of avian brain structures. Many questions still remain concerning the regulation and specific function of this plasticity.
Comparison of airway management practices between registered nurses and respiratory care practitioners.

BACKGROUND Airway management, an essential component of care for patients receiving mechanical ventilation, is multifaceted and includes oral hygiene and suctioning, endotracheal suctioning, and care of endotracheal tubes. Registered nurses and respiratory care personnel often share responsibilities for airway management. Knowledge of current practices can help facilitate evidence-based practices to optimize care of patients receiving mechanical ventilation. OBJECTIVES To describe current practices for airway management of intubated patients and determine if practices differ between registered nurses and respiratory care practitioners. METHODS A descriptive, comparative design was used. Registered nurses and respiratory care practitioners who provided direct care to intubated patients receiving mechanical ventilation were recruited to complete an online survey of self-reported practices. RESULTS A total of 85 participants completed the survey. Most were experienced caregivers with a bachelor's degree and certification or registration in their field. Selected practices have improved, including increasing oxygen saturation before endotracheal suctioning, maintaining pressure of endotracheal tube cuffs, and providing oral hygiene and suctioning. The practices of registered nurses and respiratory care practitioners differed in many ways. The nurses assumed responsibility for oral antisepsis, whereas the respiratory care practitioners managed the endotracheal tube. The 2 groups shared responsibility for oral and endotracheal suctioning. Knowledge of current guidelines for endotracheal suctioning was lacking. CONCLUSIONS Practices in airway management have improved, but opportunities exist to develop shared policies and procedures based on current evidence.
The mediation of disability by self efficacy in different samples of chronic pain patients

Purpose : A path analytic model conceptualizing self efficacy as a mediator of disability was tested. This model could help explain the circumstances under which disability develops more in some chronic pain patients than in others. Method : Questionnaires from 479 chronic pain patients were collected prior to an initial consultative visit with a pain specialist at three pain clinics. These patients represented three separate samples. One sample from a tertiary care hospital ( n = 226), one from a community-based clinic ( n = 137) and a third sample from combined settings, but excluding patients with a history of depression prior to the onset of their pain ( n = 116). Hypothesized and alternative models were tested to identify the model best fitting these data. Results : Regression analysis supported self efficacy as a mediator of the relationship between pain intensity and disability ( p < 0.001) in all three groups. This model was best supported in the group with no prior depression (accounting for 47% of the explained variance in disability). The ' no-prior depression' group was different than the other samples in that depression did not contribute to disability in this sample where prior depression was not controlled for. Conclusion : Self efficacy in an important variable contributing to the disability of chronic pain patients. Therefore, evaluating and bolstering the patient's belief in their own abilities may be an important component of therapy.
Acute tubular necrosis is characterized by activation of the alternative pathway of complement.

BACKGROUND Studies in animal models have shown that the alternative pathway of complement is activated in the kidney after ischemia/reperfusion. In addition, mice deficient in complement factor B, a necessary component of the alternative pathway, are protected from ischemic acute renal failure. The purpose of this study was to determine whether alternative pathway activation also occurs during the development of ischemic acute tubular necrosis in the human kidney. METHODS Biopsies were identified from nine patients with morphologically normal kidneys and seven patients with evidence of acute tubular necrosis by light microscopy. Immunofluorescence microscopy was used to quantify and localize the complement activation products C3d and C4d. The results were correlated with available clinical data. RESULTS Similar to mice, small amounts of activated C3d were present along the tubular basement membrane in normal kidneys. However, kidneys from patients with acute tubular necrosis had C3d complement deposition along a significantly greater number of tubules, and many of the tubules were completely circumscribed. In contrast, C4d was not detectable, indicating that complement activation occurred primarily via alternative pathway activation. CONCLUSION Complement activation occurs in human ischemic acute tubular necrosis. As in rodents, complement activation along the tubular basement membrane after ischemia appears to occur principally via the alternative complement pathway. Because of this, an inhibitor of the alternative pathway might limit complement activation and inflammation after ischemia/reperfusion, thereby protecting the kidney from ischemic acute renal failure.
Soft governance by hard fact? The OECD as a knowledge broker in education policy

As the policy field of education has become increasingly internationalized over the last two decades, international organizations like the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) play an increasingly decisive role in the diffusion of knowledge, monitoring, and research in global education policy. Although the OECD lacks any binding or coercive governance instruments in relation to states, or ability to provide material incentives for compliance, it has nevertheless successively expanded its influence regarding education. From a perspective of social constructivism, we argue that the transmission of ideas and information generated through ratings and rankings can be viewed as a crucial governance tool for the influence of an international organization (IO). Our article seeks to analyze how the OECD uses large-scale education assessments to promote the economically based idea of human capital and related learning techniques in education policy – thus influencing national education systems. Furthermore, the OECD and its distinctive approach of soft governance through putative hard fact may become a role model for other IOs, both in the field of education and beyond.
Dose‐Dependent Pharmacokinetics and Psychomotor Effects of Caffeine in Humans

Twelve healthy volunteers received oral placebo, 250 mg of caffeine, and 500 mg of caffeine in a randomized, double‐blind, single‐dose crossover study. Caffeine kinetics were nonlinear, with clearance significantly reduced and elimination half‐life prolonged at the 500‐mg compared to the 250‐mg dose. The lower dose of caffeine produced more favorable subjective effects than the higher dose (elation, peacefulness, pleasantness), whereas unpleasant effects (tension, nervousness, anxiety, excitement, irritability, nausea, palpitations, restlessness) following the 500‐mg dose exceeded those of the 250‐mg dose. The lower dose of caffeine enhanced performance on the digit symbol substitution test and a tapping speed test compared to placebo; high‐dose caffeine produced less performance enhancement than the lower dose. The plasma concentration versus response relationship revealed concentration‐dependent increases in anxiety and improvements in cognitive and motor performance at low to intermediate concentrations. Both caffeine doses reduced electroencephalographic amplitude over the 4 Hz to 30 Hz spectrum, as well as in the alpha (8–11 Hz) and beta (12–30 Hz) ranges; however, effects were not dose‐dependent. While favorable subjective and performance‐enhancing stimulant effects occur at low to intermediate caffeine doses, the unfavorable subjective and somatic effects, as well as performance disruption, from high doses of caffeine may intrinsically limit the doses of caffeine used in the general population.
Intention to visit India among potential travellers: Role of travel motivation, perceived travel risks, and travel constraints

Several studies explain the direct effect of travel motivation, perceived risks, and travel constraints on visit intention. However, there are relatively limited investigations on the combined effect of these factors on visit intention. This study empirically tests a comprehensive model of visit intention based on travel motivation, perceived risks, and travel constraints. A quantitative study was performed on 316 university students in Malaysia. The results of the study found that travel motivation had a positive influence on visit intention. For perceived travel risks, performance risk and time risk had negative effects on visit intention. Physical risk, financial risk, and socio-psychological risk did not affect visit intention. Among travel constraints, interpersonal and intrapersonal constraints were negatively related to visit intention. The study also found that the effect size (f2) of statistically significant relationship was low in a few cases. The findings provide useful insight to destination managers in terms of integrating the influential factors in promotional strategies to develop intentions to visit India among potential market segment. The study also suggested future researchers to test the research framework at different levels of decision-making and contexts to prove its usability.
BAFF and APRIL expression as an autoimmune signature of membranous nephropathy

Background Based on the fact that B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) have a regulatory role in B cell biology, excessive levels of these cytokines can promote autoimmune pathogenesis. However, the expression and implication remain unresolved in cases of membranous nephropathy (MN). Results The plasma BAFF levels of the primary MN patients were higher than those of healthy controls but lower than those of secondary MN patients, whereas the APRIL levels were similar between the MN patients and healthy controls. The BAFF levels were higher in relapse cases, whereas the APRIL levels were higher in the patients who did not experience remission compared with the counterpart patients. The ectopic expression of BAFF and APRIL was observed in the glomeruli or circulating B cells of MN patients, and this high expression trend was similar to that of lupus patients. Conclusions Expression profile of BAFF and APRIL in MN is similar to that of other autoimmune disease, which affects the kidney outcomes. Methods Plasma BAFF and APRIL levels were measured upon kidney biopsy in patients with primary (n = 89) and secondary MN (n = 13), and the results were compared with the levels in healthy controls (n = 111). The kidney outcomes (e.g., remission and relapse) were traced for the median of 3 years. Aberrant expression of the cytokines was evaluated in the kidney and circulating B cells using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry analyses, respectively.
Subspace Tracking-Based Decision Directed CIR Estimator and Adaptive CIR Prediction

One of the essential prerequisites for coherent detection in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)-based communication systems is the availability of an accurate estimate of the channel state information (CSI). In the absence of symbol errors, the decision directed channel estimation (DDCE) scheme has been proved to provide better and more accurate CSI than the channel estimation scheme based purely on pilot symbols. In this paper a subspace algorithm, the fast data projection method (FDPM), is employed for estimation of the channel impulse response (CIR) of the OFDM channel in a decision directed mode. A variable step size normalized least mean square (VSSNLMS)-based predictor is derived for the implementation of the CIR prediction stage of the estimation scheme. The whole channel estimation scheme based on the two algorithms is simulated in the context of fractionally spaced (FS)-CIR based channel model, also known as non-sample spaced CIR model. The performance of the FDPM-based decision directed channel estimator is compared through computer simulation with another subspace algorithm, deflated projection approximation subspace tracking (PASTd)-based channel estimator, while employing normalized least mean square (NLMS) and the proposed VSSNLMS predictors, respectively. It was discovered from the simulation results that the proposed scheme performed better than the PASTd-based channel estimator. The channel estimation scheme employing VSSNLMS-predictor also shows enhanced performance in comparison with the scheme using NLMS-based predictor.
Multicenter evaluation of the safety and efficacy of radioembolization in patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases selected as candidates for (90)Y resin microspheres.

BACKGROUND Metastatic colorectal cancer liver metastases Outcomes after RadioEmbolization (MORE) was an investigator-initiated case-control study to assess the experience of 11 US centers who treated liver-dominant metastases from colorectal cancer (mCRC) using radioembolization [selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT)] with yttrium-90-((90)Y)-labeled resin microspheres. METHODS Data from 606 consecutive patients who received radioembolization between July 2002 and December 2011 were collected by an independent research organization. Adverse events (AEs) and survival were compared across lines of treatment using Fisher's exact test and Kaplan-Meier estimates, respectively. RESULTS Patients received a median of 2 (range, 0-6) lines of prior chemotherapy; 35.1% had limited extrahepatic metastases. Median tumor-to-liver ratio and -activity administered at first procedure were 15% and 1.17 GBq, respectively. Hospital stay was <24 hours in 97.8% cases. Common grade ≥3 AEs over 184 days follow-up were: abdominal pain (6.1%), fatigue (5.5%), hyperbilirubinemia (5.4%), ascites (3.6%) and gastrointestinal ulceration (1.7%). There was no statistical difference in AEs across treatment lines (P>0.05). Median survivals [95% confidence interval (CI)] following radioembolization as a 2(nd)-line, 3(rd)-line, or 4(th)-plus line were 13.0 (range, 10.5-14.6), 9.0 (range, 7.8-11.0), and 8.1 (range, 6.4-9.3) months, respectively; and significantly prolonged in patients with ECOG 0 vs. ≥1 (P=0.009). Statistically significant independent variables for survival at radioembolization were: disease stage [extrahepatic metastases, extent of liver involvement (tumor-to-treated-liver ratio)], liver function (uncontrolled ascites, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase), leukocytes, and prior chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Radioembolization appears to have a favorable risk/benefit profile, even among mCRC patients who had received ≥3 prior lines of chemotherapy.
Busy flag just got better: Application of lighting effects in mediating social interruptions

In this paper we present a system for mediating social interruptions in home or office environment, based on the use of a novel technique of light-based busy flags. The system uses a scalable set of sensors to estimate user availability and to announce this information to possible interrupters (e.g. workplace colleagues) by using dynamic, programmable DMX lighting effects. Our motivation is based on the repeated findings that traditional busy flags do not keep people from interrupting each other when the interruption is least desired. We argue that the use of lighting effects may significantly decrease the number of social interruptions and reduce risk factors influencing performance attainment, such as fatigue, anxiety and stress. In support to our claims we provide the results of an experiment conducted in an office environment.
Spatiotemporal relationship between adult census size and genetic population size across a wide population size gradient

Adult census population size (N) and effective number of breeders (Nb) are highly relevant for designing effective conservation strategies. Both parameters are often challenging to quantify, however, making it of interest to determine whether one parameter can be generalized from the other. Yet, the spatiotemporal relationship between N and Nb has not been well characterized empirically in many taxa. We analysed this relationship for 5–7 consecutive years in twelve brook trout populations varying greatly in N (49‐10032) and Nb (3‐567) and identified major environmental variables affecting the two parameters. N or habitat size alone explained 47–57% of the variance in Nb, and Nb was strongly correlated with effective population size. The ratio Nb/N ranged from 0.01 to 0.45 and increased at small N or following an annual decrease in N, suggesting density‐dependent constraints on Nb. We found no evidence for a consistent, directional difference between variability in Nb and/or Nb/N among small and large populations; however, small populations had more varying temporal variability in Nb/N ratios than large populations. Finally, Nb and Nb/N were 2.5‐ and 2.3‐fold more variable among populations than temporally within populations. Our results demonstrate a clear linkage between demographic and evolutionary parameters, suggesting that Nb could be used to approximate N (or vice versa) in natural populations. Nevertheless, using one variable to infer the other to monitor trends within populations is less recommended, perhaps even less so in small populations given their less predictable Nb vs. N dynamics.
What field education experiences do social services students regard as meaningful?

The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinds of field education experiences that social services students (N = 113) regard as meaningful. The theoretical structure was based on a ”purpose of life” framework (Damon, Menon & Bronk 2003). Pursuing a helping profession is identified as a life purpose whenit is a personally meaningful long-term life goal that is intentionally realized by benefiting others. Based on quantitative and qualitative data, the study relates the students’ meaningful field education experiences to a sense of community, learning professional competencies, and learning related to the self. Students’ confidence in helping and in social advocacy increased after their field education, and they were less concerned with searching for purpose. Helping seems to be an important life goal for the students but explicitly reflecting its pro-social meanings does not seem apparent.