Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aph‐1 interacts at the cell surface with proteins in the active γ‐secretase complex and membrane‐tethered Notch

The activity of the γ‐secretase complex is critical for the processing of a number of transmembrane proteins, including Notch. Functional γ‐secretase activity can be reconstituted from four proteins – presenilin, nicastrin, Pen‐2 and Aph‐1 – but the role of the individual proteins remains unclear. In this report we describe the cellular localization and protein interactions of Aph‐1, with particular regard to Notch receptor processing. We found that Aph‐1 is present at the cell surface, where it interacts with Pen‐2, the mature forms of presenilin and nicastrin, and full‐length Notch. Aph‐1 also interacts with a truncated form of Notch, which is a direct substrate for γ‐secretase, but not with the Notch intracellular domain. Immunoprecipitation data for Notch and Aph‐1 showed that the Notch‐containing γ‐secretase complexes most likely form a small subset of the total number of γ‐secretase complexes. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that Aph‐1 is present at the cell surface, presumably in active γ‐secretase complexes, and interacts with the Notch receptor, both before and after ligand activation.
A novel TEM contrasting technique for extracellular polysaccharides in in vitro biofilms

In the past, the visualization of the extracellular matrix of biofilms on an ultrastructural level was hampered by shrinkage artifacts. In addition, the reproducible contrasting of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) has not satisfactorily been solved. Here we describe a method overcoming these difficulties, which produces artifact‐free transmission electron microscopic (TEM) images using multispecies biofilms grown in vitro. Sufficient contrast was achieved by replacing Schiff's reagent with the osmiophilic amino acid methionine. In addition, shrinkage was avoided by replacing the classical dehydration agents with ethylene glycol and 1,2‐pentanediol. Applying this method provided images of biofilms with an intact matrix in which differentially contrasted bacteria were embedded. All six members of the biofilm consortium (Streptococcus sobrinus, Streptococcus oralis, Veillonella dispar, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Actinomyces naeslundii, and Candida albicans) could be distinguished. Within the matrix, structural differences of EPS, probably due to different proportions of α‐1,3 and α‐1,6 linkages, were apparent. Fibrilar polysaccharides were evident around microcolonies of S. sobrinus, and fluffy polysaccharides were detected in the vicinity of S. oralis microcolonies. The ultrastructure of biofilms prepared for TEM using this method allows the imaging of undistorted EPS as well as the differentiated contrasting of the six microbial species of the in vitro biofilm model. This is a major step forward in determining the spatial arrangement of microorganisms in biofilms on an ultrastructural level. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sex Under the Influence: The Effect of Alcohol Policy on Sexually Transmitted Disease Rates in the United States*

This article presents evidence that sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates are responsive to increases in alcohol taxes and in the drinking age. The presumed relationship is that a more restrictive alcohol policy reduces alcohol consumption, which in turn decreases risky sexual activity. Reduced‐form regressions of STD rates on state alcohol taxes for the years 1981—95 (with controls for state and year) indicate that a $1 increase in the per‐gallon liquor tax reduces gonorrhea rates by 2.1 percent, and a beer tax increase of $. 20 per six‐pack reduces gonorrhea rates by 8.9 percent, with similar though more pronounced effects on syphilis rates. Quasi‐experimental analysis of alcohol policy changes supports these findings and offers evidence that increases in the drinking age reduce STD rates among youth. The estimated external cost of alcohol‐attributable STDs exceeds $556 million annually, a factor that could be considered in determining optimal alcohol policy.
TRANSFERS OF CARBON‐14 AND TRITIUM FROM SUBSTRATES TO CO2, WATER, AND LIPIDS IN OBESE AND DIABETIC SUBJECTS IN VIVO

Studies with alloxan-diabetic rats and pancreatectomized dogs and cats have indicated that the synthesis of fatty acids is markedly depressed in the liver and other tissues of such animals. '. ' The synthesizing capacity can be maintained or restored by the prior administration of insulin in uiuo, but there is some time delay in restoration of this activity compared to other metabolic effect^. ^. ^ The effect of insulin added in vitro is limited and inconstant and tissues from normal respond better than those from diabetic animals. ',' The lipogenic deficiency in insulin-deprived animals does not accord well with various manifestations in natural diabetic states of lipid excess in the form of fatty liver, hypertriglyceridemia, and obesity. Recent findings of normal or increased insulin or insulin-like activity in blood and differing potencies on different tissues are also reasons for further appraisal of the status of lipogenesis in natural, and particularly clinical, forms of diabetes. The present paper will discuss some radioisotopic studies i n uiuo bearing upon this subject. Besides the question of general change in rate of lipogenesis, the mechanistic relationship to altered carbohydrate metabolism still remains to be clarified. As extensively discussed by Masoro,2 the prominent theory that biosynthesis of fatty acids is primarily dependent upon and controlled by provision of reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) from metabolism of glucose-6-phosphate through the pentose cycle pathway has been challenged by investigations of lipogenic enzyme activities and cofactor requirements as well as by recent studies relating to the source of metabolic hydrogen for reduction of fatty acid intermediates. Radioisotopic data concerning the latter subject will be further presented here.
Lossless compression of video using motion compensation

Summary form only given. We investigate lossless coding of video using predictive coding and motion compensation. The new coding methods combine state-of-the-art lossless techniques as JPEG (context based prediction and bias cancellation, Golomb coding), with high resolution motion field estimation, 3D predictors, prediction using one or multiple (k) previous images, predictor dependent error modelling, and selection of motion field by code length. We treat the problem of precision of the motion field as one of choosing among a number of predictors. This way, we can incorporate 3D-predictors and intra-frame predictors as well. As proposed by Ribas-Corbera (see PhD thesis, University of Michigan, 1996), we use bi-linear interpolation in order to achieve sub-pixel precision of the motion field. Using more reference images is another way of achieving higher accuracy of the match. The motion information is coded with the same algorithm as is used for the data. For slow pan or slow zoom sequences, coding methods that use multiple previous images perform up to 20% better than motion compensation using a single previous image and up to 40% better than coding that does not utilize motion compensation.
Interpreting Time Series of Patient Satisfaction: Macro vs. Micro Components

Recent research discovered that economic processes influence national averages of customer satisfaction. Using time-series data from Japanese and South Korean hospitals, we conducted principal component regression analyses to examine whether these findings are transferable to patient satisfaction. Our results reveal that aggregate income has a positive impact and economic expectations have a negative impact on patient satisfaction. Further analyses demonstrate that these strong economic influences make it difficult for hospital managers to use patient satisfaction scores to assess the performance impact of their customer-oriented actions. In order to improve performance evaluations based on patient surveys, we thus recommend managers to remove economic influences from time-series of patient satisfaction.
Repair of nasal septal perforation using inferior turbinate graft

Abstract Objective: Nasal septal perforation can cause troublesome symptoms. Surgical repair is indicated in symptomatic patients. Many approaches and techniques have been described, each with its advantages and indications. Method: The study included six patients with symptomatic nasal septal perforations sized 1–2.5 cm horizontally by 0.5–1.5 vertically. Patient symptoms included nasal crusts (all patients), nasal obstruction (five), cacosmia (three) and recurrent epistaxis (three). Patients underwent endonasal endoscopic repair using an inferior turbinate free graft applied between the mucoperichondrium of both septum sides. Follow up ranged from six months to two years. Results: Five patients (83 per cent) had complete perforation closure and one had partial closure. All patients were symptom-free post-operatively. Conclusion: This endoscopic endonasal approach, using an inferior turbinate free graft, is effective in closing small and medium-sized nasal septal perforations.
Social Capital and Sense of Community: What do they mean for young children's success at school?

Growing evidence suggests that social capital has wide-ranging benefits for families and communities. In particular, some studies indicate that social capital is linked to school success. These studies reveal that communities with high levels of social capital, as evidenced by strong social networks, feelings of trust and safety and community participation, afford children access to supports, information, resources, and role models that can contribute to positive academic outcomes. Related to social capital, sense of community has also been associated with success at school. This paper reports on selected findings from child data collected during the first phase of a 3-year longitudinal study of several communities in Queensland with recently established early childhood and family hubs. 388 children (aged 4-8 years) in five localities in Queensland were recruited from early childhood services including schools and kindergartens. The children participated in research conversations relating to social capital, sense of community, and their health and wellbeing. Significant differences were found between the children in the communities on all dimensions of social capital and sense of community. Differences for wellbeing were also revealed. Positive correlations were confirmed between children’s social capital, sense of community and self-reported wellbeing.
Pd nanoclusters in C-C coupling reactions: proof of leaching.

A simple experiment based on exclusion of Pd nanoclusters was used to identify the true catalytic species in cluster-catalyzed Heck cross-couplings. A special reactor was used in which two compartments are separated by a nanoporous membrane that allows the passage of Pd atoms and ions but not of Pd nanoclusters. The results show that the real catalysts in the Heck coupling of n-butyl acrylate with iodobenzene are species leached from the Pd nanoclusters.
Inter-rater Reliability of Needle Electromyographic Findings in Patients with Sciatica

Purpose: Investigate inter-rater reliability of needle electromyographic findings among experienced physical therapist electromyographers. Methods: Masked review of 24 electromyographic recordings from patients with sciatica referred to physical therapy was undertaken. An examiner unmasked to patient history and physical examination findings digitally recorded and stored insertional and resting electromyographic activity as de-identified digital audio-video files to be analyzed by 2 masked examiners. Examiners provided ratings for individual muscles and overall electrodiagnostic impression. Agreement was assessed using Cohen’s kappa (κ) statistics. Results: Examiner agreement for insertional and resting electromyographic activity for all muscles combined was substantial (κ ≥ 0.68, 95% CI: 0.50 to 0.89; P≤.001), ranging from fair (κ=0.33, 95% CI: -0.25 to 1.0; P>.05) to perfect (κ=1.0, 95% CI: 1.0 to 1.0; P≤.001) for individual muscles examined. Pairwise examiner comparisons revealed moderate (κ=0.43, 95% CI: 0.11 to 0.76; P=.01) to substantial (κ=0.75, 95% CI: 0.48 to 1.0; P<.0001) agreement for the final electrodiagnostic impression and fair (κw=0.31, 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.50; P=0.004) to substantial (κw=0.62, 95% CI: 0.37 to 0.87; P<.0001) agreement for the overall electrodiagnostic impression. Conclusions: Needle electromyographic activity can be reliably assessed among experienced physical therapist electromyographers in patients with sciatica referred to physical therapy.
Clinical features of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites in New Mexico: a community study.

OBJECTIVES To compare clinical features of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) between Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites in Albuquerque, New Mexico, occurring during the year 1993. DESIGN Analysis of data collected during a study of ICH incidence in a community. METHODS Review medical records with multiple relevant cerebrovascular diagnostic discharge codes in all 9 acute care hospitals in Albuquerque, and in the records of the State Medical Examiner. All suspected cases were verified by cerebral computed tomography or autopsy. Vascular risk factors, test results, and acute outcome were abstracted. RESULTS There were 38 Hispanics and 46 non-Hispanic Whites with ICH. We found no statistically significant differences between these two ethnic groups in the prevalence of hypertension or diabetes mellitus, in hematoma volume, in seasonal fluctuation of ICH incidence, or in acute mortality. However, based on our sample size, only large differences in the prevalence of risk factors between these two ethnic groups could be detected with statistical significance (>20-30 percentage points). There was a trend toward a higher proportion of subcortical ICH (centered in the basal ganglia, brainstem, or cerebellum) in Hispanics (82%) than in non-Hispanic Whites (62%, P=.09). CONCLUSIONS The higher proportion of subcortical ICH among the Hispanics suggests that chronic hypertension may play a greater role as a risk factor for ICH in this ethnic group than in non-Hispanic Whites in New Mexico. Our findings should be confirmed by larger community studies.
Simplex and Interior Point Specialized Algorithms for Solving Nonoriented Multicommodity Flow Problems

Multicommodity network flow models arise in a wide variety of contexts, typical among which is the dimensioning of telecommunication networks. In this paper, we present various approaches based on specialization of the simplex algorithm and interior-point methods to solve nonoriented multicommodity flowproblems. Algorithms are tested with data from the France-Telecom Paris district transmission network. First, we focus on a specialization for the node-arc formulation of the problem. A Primal simplex and Dual Affine Scaling algorithms exploiting the particular structure of the constraint matrix are presented and compared. Numerical results are provided for problems up to about 800,000 constraints and 6,000,000 variables. However, much more powerful approaches based on specialized decomposition methods can be implemented for solving the problem. A Dantzig-Wolfe decomposition method is designed and compared with a specialized implementation of the Analytic Center Cutting Plane Method (ACCPM). Partitioning techniques are used to exploit the structure of the master programs involved in those methods.
Clinical significance of monocyte-derived dendritic cell activation in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is an amplified state of inflammation and immune reaction. Dendritic cells (DCs) expressing various Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been observed in atherosclerotic lesions, however, the clinical significance of DCs in pathogenesis of ACS has not been completely investigated. Methods: Ten patients with ACS and 10 patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) were enrolled in this study. Monocyte-derived DCs were generated from CD14+ cells by culturing with granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin (IL)-4 for 6 days. Expression of cell surface CD86 and CD83 were measured by flowcytometry. Expression of genes, including CD86, CD83, CCL19, CCR7, TLR2, TLR4, TLR5, TLR8, and TLR9, were measured by real-time PCR. Plasma IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels were also measured. Results: The number of CD86+CD83+DCs in the ACS group was significantly higher than that in the SAP group (P P P +CD83+ cells and plasma levels of IL-6 (P = 0.88, P +CD83+ cells TNF-α levels (r = 0.78, P < 0.0001). Conclusions: These results demonstrated that mono-cyte-derived DCs are activated in patients with ACS, suggesting that activated DCs may play an important role in the pathogenesis of ACS.
The levels of chemokines CXCL8, CCL2 and CCL5 in multiple sclerosis patients are linked to the activity of the disease

Chemokines are small cytokines with selective chemoattractant properties. They contribute to the T‐cell‐mediated pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). In order to ascertain whether different types and stage of disease correlate with a varying level of chemokines, the levels of CXCL8, CCL2 and CCL5 were measured in serum and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the MS patients. ELISA method was used to examine 56 patients with different types of MS alongside the 29 patients of the control group. The levels of CXCL8 and CCL2 in both groups were higher in CFS than in serum whilst the level of CCL5 measured higher in serum than in CSF. A significant rise in the levels of CXCL8 and CCL5 was observed during relapse, as against the level of CCL2 which was lower when compared with the control and other MS groups. No significant differences were observed in the levels of chemokines between the stable relapsing–remitting MS and progressive MS. The different levels of chemokines are linked to relapse of the disease. No separate, specific pattern of chemokine production dependent on the type of MS could be ascertained.
Microglial—Macrophage Synthesis of Tumor Necrosis Factor after Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Mice is Strain Dependent

Commonly used inbred mouse strains display substantial differences in sensitivity to focal cerebral ischemia. Such differences can often be ascribed to differences in vascular anatomy. The authors investigated whether a contributing factor could be strain-related differences in cellular synthesis of the pleiotropic and potential neurotoxic cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the border zone of and within the focal cerebral infarct. In all mouse strains investigated they found that TNF was synthesized by infarct and periinfarct infiltrating Mac-1 immunopositive microglia—macrophages. BALB/c mice, which developed the largest infarcts, contained significantly fewer TNF-producing microglia—macrophages compared with SJL and C57BL/6 mice at both 12 and 24 hours after permanent occlusion of the distal part of the middle cerebral artery. SJL mice developed larger infarcts than C57BL/6 mice, whereas the number of TNF-producing microglia—macrophages per infarct volume unit was comparable. Western blotting data confirmed the increased TNF levels in SJL mice compared with BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Furthermore, mice with 12-hour postischemic survival consistently contained two-to threefold more TNF-producing microglia—macrophages than mice with 24-hour survival. The data show that the magnitude of the cellular TNF response to cerebral ischemia is strain dependent, while the time-profile and the cellular sources of TNF are similar irrespective of genetic background. Furthermore, the lack of correlation between infarct size and cellular TNF response suggests that the functionally important TNF is produced in the very early phase (minutes to a few hours) after induction of ischemia, just as it raises the possibility that different mouse strains display different sensitivities to TNF.
Plasma concentrations of D-dimer predict mortality in acute type A aortic dissection

Acute type A aortic dissection is a relatively uncommon, although potentially life threatening, disease. Given the high mortality, predictive tools to identify patients at increased risk of death are needed to assist clinicians in optimal treatment. Known prognostic parameters are: age > 70 years; abrupt onset of chest pain; hypotension, shock, or tamponade; renal failure at presentation; pulse deficit; and abnormal ECG, particularly ST segment elevation.1 Recently we found that concentrations of D-dimer, a degradation product of cross linked fibrin, were raised in all cases of acute aortic dissection and, therefore, normal D-dimer concentrations can be used to rule out the disease.2 Our results were subsequently confirmed by others.3 However, owing to small patient numbers in both studies, no firm conclusions about the prognostic significance of absolute D-dimer concentrations can be drawn. We measured plasma concentrations of D-dimer in 27 patients with acute type A dissection of the …
Emergence of Daptomycin Resistance in Enterococcus faecium during Daptomycin Therapy

Daptomycin is a cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic that has been available in the United States since September 2003. We report a clinical and bacteriological failure of daptomycin therapy for enterococcal bacteremia. Briefly, a 22-year-old man with Hodgkin's lymphoma, subsequent acute myelogenous
Induction of immunological paralysis in two zones of dosage

Mice are capable of producing large amounts of antibody against BSA in response to stimulation by the antigen in fluid form or with adjuvant. Fluid BSA also induces paralysis, as judged by the incapacity of the mouse to respond later to immunization. The conditions of treatment which lead to immunization or paralysis have been measured. Two zones of paralysis have been identified, one high in respect of dosage and late in respect of duration of treatment, the other low and early. The high, late zone is entered only after an initial period of immunization has been passed through. An interpretation is offered in terms of (i) concomitant immunization, in which some cells become immunized while others become paralysed, and (ii) a double threshold of paralysis. In accordance with this hypothesis, partially paralysed mice make antibody of normal avidity. The response to other antigens of paralysed mice has also been examined. Suppression of responsiveness could not be found, thus confirming the highly specific nature of paralysis. Upon immunization with a cross-reactive antigen, HSA, an extremely weak antibody to the original paralysing antigen could be detected.
C2 Region-derived Peptides Inhibit Translocation and Function of β Protein Kinase C in Vivo(*)

RACK1 is a protein kinase C (PKC)-binding protein that fulfills the criteria previously established for a receptor for activated C-kinase (RACK). If binding of PKC to RACK anchors the activated enzyme near its protein substrates, then inhibition of this binding should inhibit translocation and function of the enzyme in vivo. Here, we have identified such inhibitors that mimic the RACK1-binding site on βPKC. We first found that a C2-containing fragment, but not a C1-containing fragment of βPKC, bound to RACK1 and inhibited subsequent βPKC binding. The RACK1-binding site was further mapped; peptides βC2-1 (βPKC(209-216)), βC2-2 (βPKC(186-198)), and βC2-4 (βPKC(218-226), but not a number of control peptides, bound to RACK1 and inhibited the C2 fragment binding to RACK1. Peptides βC2-1, βC2-2, and βC2-4 specifically inhibited phorbol ester-induced translocation of the C2-containing isozymes in cardiac myocytes and insulin-induced βPKC translocation and function in Xenopus oocytes. Therefore, peptides corresponding to amino acids 186-198, and 209-226 within the C2 region of the βPKC are specific inhibitors for functions mediated by βPKC.