Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of calpain in caspase activation during etoposide induced apoptosis in T cells

T cells treated with the drug etoposide undergo apoptotic death characterized by early evidence of nuclear damage followed by loss of mitochondrial integrity and cell lysis. Calpains and caspases are cytoplasmic proteases and there is increasing evidence of cross‐talk between these proteases in death pathways. In this study we have investigated the role of calpain, in etoposide‐triggeredapoptosis in the 2B4 murine T cell hybridoma. Cell permeable inhibitors of calpain, ALLnM, E64 and calpeptin that block Fas ligand‐Fas‐mediated death in T cells, blocked etoposide‐induced nuclear damage, loss of mitochondrial integrity and cell lysis. A broad spectrum peptide inhibitor of caspases, ZVAD‐fmk, partially blocked nuclear damage but poorly inhibited mitochondrial damage or cell lysis triggered by etoposide. Etoposide‐induced expression of the cleaved, proteolytically active form of caspase 3, and DEVD‐ase activity, detected prior to nuclear damage, were blocked in the presence of calpain inhibitors. Collectively, these data describe a role for calpain in regulating etoposide‐induced apoptosis via a caspase‐dependent pathway in T cells.
Moral distress as experienced by hospital social workers in South Korea and Australia

ABSTRACT This exploratory, qualitative research explored the ethical problems faced by hospital social workers in South Korea and Australia, and what and who influenced their decision making using a focus group design. Although dilemmas of boundaries, confidentiality, self-determination, and other complex scenarios found in practice were identified, moral distress, a consequence of the unresolvable conflicts, dominated participants’ narratives. This was particularly the case for the Korean social workers in this sample. A thematic analysis of the data yielded three main themes: ‘Under pressure—“It’s very uncomfortable”’; ‘Failing our patients’; and ‘Coping and codes’.
Complete recovery of visual acuity as the main goal of treatment in patients with dysthyroid optic neuropathy.

INTRODUCTION To evaluate the effectiveness of methylprednisolone (MP) and surgical treatment in achieving complete reversal of dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) and predictive factors of this therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS The group consisted of 10 patients (18 eyes) with DON. The diagnosis of DON was based on at least two criteria from the following: (i) deterioration of visual acuity (VA< 1.0), (ii) loss of colour vision, (iii) optic disc swelling, and/or (iv) signs of DON in magnetic resonance imaging (presence of apical crowding and/or optic nerve stretching). A complete recovery of DON was defined as the normalisation of VA (VA = 1.0), normal colour vision, and reversal of optic disc swelling. A significant improvement was defined as improvement of VA of at least 0.2. The consecutive steps of treatment of DON consisted of: (i) first-line treatment - intravenous MP pulse therapy (3 × 1 g); (ii) second-line treatment - endoscopic intranasal orbital decompression of medial wall; (iii) additional treatment - additional MP therapy and/or surgical decompression. RESULTS A significant improvement in VA could be achieved in the majority of patients; a complete recovery was noted in 22.2%, 33.3%, and 66.7% of eyes after first-line, second-line, and additional treatment, respectively. Positive predictive factors were: younger age (p = 0.049), shorter duration of DON (p = 0.035), and a higher Graves' orbitopathy clinical activity score (p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS By using combination therapy (intravenous MP pulse therapy and surgical decompression), a complete recovery can be achieved in the majority of patients with DON.
RGBD sensors correction with Gaussian process regression

In this work, we present a novel method to accurately calibrate active depth sensors such as the Microsoft Kinect. Our approach is based on the Gaussian Process Regression (GPR). It is applied after the standard calibration and it is particularly useful for the aging depth cameras. The latter, were proven to suffer from inaccuracies that cannot be fixed with the standard pinhole camera calibration procedure. Experimental results show the weaknesses of this naïve calibration and the corrective of effect our algorithm. We further justify the possibility to extend the same approach to any other type of cameras with similar characteristics.
The Impact of Epidural Analgesia on Postoperative Outcome After Major Abdominal Surgery

One of the main concerns of patients presenting for major abdominal surgery and anesthesiologists involved in postoperative care is postoperative analgesia. The most common postoperative pain control methods are epidural infusion of a combination of local anesthetic and an opioid or local anesthetic alone and administration of intravenous opiates, both of them being accepted options following major abdominal procedures.
Spatial Interferences in Mental Arithmetic: Evidence from the Motion–Arithmetic Compatibility Effect

Recent research on spatial number representations suggests that the number space is not necessarily horizontally organized and might also be affected by acquired associations between magnitude and sensory experiences in vertical space. Evidence for this claim is, however, controversial. The present study now aims to compare vertical and horizontal spatial associations in mental arithmetic. In Experiment 1, participants solved addition and subtraction problems and indicated the result verbally while moving their outstretched right arm continuously left-, right-, up-, or downwards. The analysis of the problem-solving performances revealed a motion–arithmetic compatibility effect for spatial actions along both the horizontal and the vertical axes. Performances in additions was impaired while making downward compared to upward movements as well as when moving left compared to right and vice versa in subtractions. In Experiment 2, instead of being instructed to perform active body movements, participants calculated while the problems moved in one of the four relative directions on the screen. For visual motions, only the motion–arithmetic compatibility effect for the vertical dimension could be replicated. Taken together, our findings provide first evidence for an impact of spatial processing on mental arithmetic. Moreover, the stronger effect of the vertical dimension supports the idea that mental calculations operate on representations of numerical magnitude that are grounded in a vertically organized mental number space.
Shoulder Muscle Strength in Patients With Subacromial Impingement Syndrome : Its Relationship With Duration of Quality of Life and Emotional Status

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the shoulder rotator strength (SRS) and handgrip strength (HS) in affected side with that in unaffected side in patients with unilateral subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS), and to evaluate the relationship of SRS with duration of symptoms, handgrip strength, pain, disability, quality of life (QOL), and emotional status. Materials and Methods: Forty-five patients with unilateral SIS were included. SRS and HS were assessed bilaterally (affected and unaffected side) by isokinetic dynamometer and handheld dynamometer, respectively. Shoulder pain was evaluated by the Visual Analogue Scale, disability with the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, emotional status by the Beck Depression Inventory, and QOL was assessed by the Short Form-36 in all patients. Results: SRS and HS values of the affected side were significantly lower than the unaffected side (p<0.05). On the affected side, SRS was positively correlated with HS and negatively correlated with depression (p<0.05). QOL parameters were positively correlated with peak torque value of affected shoulder external rotators at 180°/sec (p<0.05). However, there was no relationship of SRS with duration of symptoms, pain, and disability levels (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that SRS and HS deficits could be detected in patients with SIS. In these patients, duration of symptoms, pain intensity and level of disability may not have any impact on SRS. Decreased SRS may adversely affect HS, emotional status, and QOL. Turk J Phys Med Rehab 2013;59:176-81.
Synergism between nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide in the inhibition of platelet function: the roles of soluble guanylyl cyclase and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein.

In previous studies, a strong synergism between low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide in the inhibition of agonist-induced platelet aggregation has been established and may be due to enhanced formation of cyclic GMP. In this investigation, hydrogen peroxide and NO had no effect on the activity of pure soluble guanylyl cyclase or its activity in platelet lysates and cytosol. H(2)O(2) was found to increase the phosphorylation of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), increasing the amount of the 50-kDa form that results from phosphorylation at serine(157). This occurs both in the presence and in the absence of low concentrations of NO, even at submicromolar concentrations of the peroxide, which alone was not inhibitory to platelets. These actions of H(2)O(2) were inhibited to a large extent by an inhibitor of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, even though H(2)O(2) did not increase cyclic AMP. This inhibitor reversed the inhibition of platelets induced by combinations of NO and H(2)O(2) at low concentrations. The results suggest that the action on VASP may be one site of action of H(2)O(2) but that this event alone does not lead to inhibition of platelets; another unspecified action of NO is required to complete the events required for inhibition.
SIRS-ASSOCIATED COAGULOPATHY AND ORGAN DYSFUNCTION IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS WITH THROMBOCYTOPENIA

Backgrounds: Coagulopathy and thrombocytopenia often occur in critically ill patients, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) can lead to multiple organ dysfunction and a poor outcome. However, the relation between coagulopathy and systemic inflammatory response has not been thoroughly clarified. Thus, we evaluated coagulative activity, organ dysfunction, and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in critically ill patients with thrombocytopenia and examined the balance between coagulopathy and systemic inflammation. Patients and Methods: Two hundred seventy-three patients, who were admitted to 13 critical care centers in Japan and fulfilled the criteria of platelet count of less than 150•109/L, were included. Coagulative variables (platelet count, fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products, and DIC scores), organ dysfunction index (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment [SOFA] score), and SIRS score in each patient were evaluated for 4 consecutive days after fulfilling the above entry criteria. The effect of SIRS on coagulopathy and organ dysfunction was evaluated in these patients. Results: Both the maximum SIRS score and entry SIRS score had significant relation to the maximum SOFA score during the observation period. Coagulation disorders indicated by the minimum platelet count, maximum DIC scores, and positivity for DIC worsened gradually with increases in SIRS scores. Both the minimum platelet count and maximum DIC scores were significantly correlated with the maximum SOFA score, indicating that a relation exists between coagulopathy and organ dysfunction. Conclusions: In critically ill patients with thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy and organ dysfunction progress with significant mutual correlation, depending on the increase in SIRS scores. The SIRS-associated coagulopathy may play a critical role in inducing organ dysfunction after severe insult.
Stalking and Psychosocial Distress Following the Termination of an Abusive Dating Relationship

The purpose of the current study was to utilize a prospective methodology to better understand the extent to which women report stalking behaviors perpetrated by their abusive ex-partners and how these stalking experiences affect women’s psychological adjustment. Participants included 56 college women who completed measures of partner abuse and psychological adjustment prior to and after terminating an abusive dating relationship. A little over half of the women (51.8%) reported some type of stalking victimization following the termination of the abusive relationship. After controlling for baseline levels of psychological distress and partner abuse variables, experiences of post-relationship stalking victimization predicted greater levels of posttraumatic stress symptomatology and interpersonal sensitivity, whereas post-relationship stalking victimization was unrelated to depression and personal empowerment.
Transfer RNA identity

Since its theoretical inception, the tRNA molecule has been identified and many of its functions have been described in terms of its structure. However, the molecular basis for the aminoacylation specificity of tRNA has remained largely unsolved until recently, when substantial progress has disclosed fundamental aspects of this process. What we know and would like to know about tRNA identity will be outlined, as will the experimental approaches used in this research. — McClain, W. H. Transfer RNA identity. FASEB J. 7: 72‐78; 1993.
Molybdoenzyme biosynthesis in Escherichia coli: in vitro activation of purified nitrate reductase from a chlB mutant

All molybdoenzyme activities are absent in chlB mutants because of their inability to synthesize molybdopterin guanine dinucleotide, which together with molybdate constitutes the molybdenum cofactor in Escherichia coli. The chlB mutants are able to synthesize molybdopterin. We have previously shown that the inactive nitrate reductase present in a chlB mutant can be activated in a process requiring protein FA and a heat-stable low-molecular-weight substance. We show here that purified nitrate reductase from the soluble fraction of a chlB mutant can be partially activated in a process that requires protein FA, GTP, and an additional protein termed factor X. It appears that the molybdopterin present in the nitrate reductase of a chlB mutant is converted to molybdopterin guanine dinucleotide during activation. The activation is absolutely dependent upon both protein FA and factor X. Factor X activity is present in chlA, chlB, chlE, and chlG mutants.
Electromechanical Behavior of Bi Sr CaCu O Conductor Using a Split Melt Process for React-Wind-Sinter Magnet Fabrication

A new approach to magnet fabrication, react, wind and sinter (RWS), has been proposed for Bi Sr CaCu O (Bi2212), magnets. In this process, the conventional Bi2212 heat treatment is split into two portions, and the magnet is wound between these heat treatments. Here we report results on the RWS "split melt process". Significant increases in are obtained in Bi2212 round wires compared to standard melt processing. Strain effect measurements, using the Lorentz force, indicate that RWS wires have similar mechanical performance as wind and react wires. Effects of the split melt temperature on the electromechan- ical properties are also reported. These results show that split melt processing and RWS magnet fabrication are viable approaches for Bi2212 conductors and magnets.
Sequential treatment with lamivudine and interferon-alpha monotherapies in hepatitis B e antigen-negative Chinese patients and its suppression of lamivudine-resistant mutations.

OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy of sequential treatment with lamivudine and interferon-alpha monotherapies in Chinese patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B. METHODS One hundred and sixty-two patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B were included in this study. Ninety-eight were treated with lamivudine alone (100 mg per day) for 48 weeks (group B). Sixty-four were treated with lamivudine alone (100 mg per day) for 20 weeks, then combined with interferon-alpha-2b (5 million units three times per week) for 4 weeks and then treated for another 24 weeks with interferon-alpha-2b alone (5 million units three times per week) (group A). All patients were followed for an additional 24 weeks. RESULTS After 48 weeks of treatment, the percentage of patients with normalization of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels or hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels below 1000 copies/mL was not significantly different between the lamivudine monotherapy group (55.10% and 55.10%, respectively) and the sequential treatment group (59.36% and 56.25%, respectively). The percentage of patients with normalized ALT levels was significantly higher in group A (53%) than in group B (36%) at week 72 (P<0.05). The percentage of patients with lamivudine-resistant mutations was significantly higher with lamivudine monotherapy (22.45%) than with sequential therapy (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Sequential treatment of chronic hepatitis B with lamivudine and interferon-alpha monotherapies is as effective as lamivudine-alone treatment in Chinese patients. However, sequential treatment can significantly suppress the emergence of lamivudine-resistant mutations.
[Investigations on the endoparasitic fauna of domestic cats in eastern Brandenburg].

The internal organs of 155 cats originating from 3 different territories in the eastern part of Brandenburg state were examined for parasites between 1993 and 1995. Parasites were found in 85% of cats. Parasites with the highest prevalence were Toxocara mystax (45%), Hydatigera taeniaeformis (22%), Ancylostoma tubaeforme (17%) and Opisthorchis felineus (16%). Metorchis bilis, Mesocestoides spp. , Taenia pisiformis, Capillaria plica, Capillaria sp. , Ollulanus tricuspis, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Cystoisospora spp. and Sarcocystis spp. were diagnosed with a lower frequency. The occurrence of H. taeniaeforme, A. tubaeformis und O. felineus was depending on the origin of the cats.
How Finnish and Swedish learners’ academic self-control relates to time spent online in class, perceptions of educator qualities, and school appreciation: A cross-sectional comparison

In school settings, self-control is central to the ability of learners to complete their academic work successfully. Learners’ self-control is directly influenced by the ways in which educators execute their work, including their instructional explanations, their classroom management, and the expectations that they express to their learners. Our research on this phenomenon investigated Finnish and Swedish learners in upper secondary schools. Not only is the use of digital technology very different in these two countries; the autonomy and status of educators are as well. This article compares the empirical significance of antecedents of learners’ academic self-control in the two national settings by surveying 2191 learners in Swedish and Finnish schools. Our analysis applies structural equation modeling to two cross-sectional datasets, and the results reveal that the associations between educators’ instructional explanations, classroom management, and their high expectations on the one hand and learners’ academic self-control on the other are stronger overall among Finnish students than among Swedish students. Furthermore, the association between digital technology use and learners’ perceptions of conflict between school norms and Internet opportunities are much stronger in the Swedish sample than the Finnish sample. Lastly, we discuss the meaning of these results and their possible implications for research and practice.
Microencapsulation of bioactives in cross-linked alginate matrices by spray drying

Microencapsulation of biomolecules, cells and chemicals is widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries to improve stability, delivery and to control the release of encapsulated moieties. Among encapsulation matrices, alginate is preferred due to its low cost, biodegradability and biocompatibility. Current methods for producing stable alginate gels involve dropping alginate suspensions into divalent cation solutions. This procedure is difficult to scale-up and produces undesirably large alginate beads. In our novel encapsulation method, alginate gelation occurs during spray drying upon volatilisation of a base and rapid release of otherwise unavailable calcium ions. The resulting particles, with median particle sizes in the range 15–120 µm, are insoluble in solution. Cellulase and hemicellulase activities encapsulated by this method were not compromised during spray drying and remained stable over prolonged storage. The procedure described here offers a one-step alternative to other encapsulation methods that are costly and difficult to scale-up.
Successful pregnancy following treatment of recurrent chronic histiocytic intervillositis

Chronic histiocytic intervillositis (CHI) is a rare placental lesion associated with adverse obstetric outcomes and high recurrence rate. We report a case of six consecutive pregnancies in one woman, where CHI was detected following an intrauterine death in the fifth pregnancy, after being missed in four earlier losses. The successful sixth pregnancy was treated with a combination of immunosuppressive and antithrombotic agents. While low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and aspirin had been shown to improve pregnancy outcome in recurrent pregnancy loss, there was limited evidence of improved outcome in CHI. It has been suggested that CHI may result from a maternal immunological process and there have been a few reports of the use of corticosteroids because of this possibility, though without convincing evidence of efficacy. We too tried a corticosteroid, in combination with LMWH and aspirin. Comparative histopathological analysis of the placentae supported post-treatment effectiveness of our intervention strategy.
Extant‐only comparative methods fail to recover the disparity preserved in the bird fossil record

Most extant species are in clades with poor fossil records, and recent studies of comparative methods show they have low power to infer even highly simplified models of trait evolution without fossil data. Birds are a well‐studied radiation, yet their early evolutionary patterns are still contentious. The fossil record suggests that birds underwent a rapid ecological radiation after the end‐Cretaceous mass extinction, and several smaller, subsequent radiations. This hypothesized series of repeated radiations from fossil data is difficult to test using extant data alone. By uniting morphological and phylogenetic data on 604 extant genera of birds with morphological data on 58 species of extinct birds from 50 million years ago, the “halfway point” of avian evolution, I have been able to test how well extant‐only methods predict the diversity of fossil forms. All extant‐only methods underestimate the disparity, although the ratio of within‐ to between‐clade disparity does suggest high early rates. The failure of standard models to predict high early disparity suggests that recent radiations are obscuring deep time patterns in the evolution of birds. Metrics from different models can be used in conjunction to provide more valuable insights than simply finding the model with the highest relative fit.