Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lack of butyrate is associated with induction of Bax and subsequent apoptosis in the proximal colon of guinea pig.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Butyrate stimulates proliferation and suppresses differentiation in normal colonic epithelial cells. Because the involved intracellular signaling mechanisms are unclear, this study investigated certain molecular effects of butyrate. METHODS Tissue sheets from guinea pig proximal colon were incubated in Ussing chambers in the presence and absence of butyrate. Colonic tissues were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, DNA laddering, Western blots, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS After incubation of the colonic mucosa for 150 minutes without butyrate, morphological studies showed massive apoptosis of colonocytes. Simultaneously, these colonocytes exhibited a significant oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation. In contrast, addition of physiological concentrations of butyrate (10 mmol/L) to colonic sheets showed no detectable DNA fragmentation within 150 minutes. Western blot analysis showed little if any difference in the level of Bcl-2 expression in colonocytes incubated with or without butyrate up to 150 minutes. In contrast, expression of Bax proteins continuously increased after 45 minutes without butyrate and reached a fivefold induction after 150 minutes compared with cells incubated in the presence of butyrate. Moreover, immunohistochemistry using an anti-Bax antibody system showed enhanced labeling of the epithelial colonocytes in the absence of butyrate. CONCLUSIONS Removal of butyrate induces increased expression of Bax proteins paralleled by rapid apoptosis of colonocytes in vitro.
Molecular Evolution of Hepatitis A Virus: a New Classification Based on the Complete VP1 Protein

ABSTRACT Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a positive-stranded RNA virus in the genus Hepatovirus in the family Picornaviridae. So far, analysis of the genetic variability of HAV has been based on two discrete regions, the VP1/2A junction and the VP1 N terminus. In this report, we determined the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the complete VP1 gene of 81 strains from France, Kosovo, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay and compared them with the sequences of seven strains of HAV isolated elsewhere. Overall strain variation in the complete VP1 gene was found to be as high as 23.7% at the nucleotide level and 10.5% at the amino acid level. Different phylogenetic methods revealed that HAV sequences form five distinct and well-supported genetic lineages. Within these lineages, HAV sequences clustered by geographical origin only for European strains. The analysis of the complete VP1 gene allowed insight into the mode of evolution of HAV and revealed the emergence of a novel variant with a 15-amino-acid deletion located on the VP1 region where neutralization escape mutations were found. This could be the first antigenic variant of HAV so far identified.
The Double-Edged Sword of Foreign Brand Names for Companies from Emerging Countries

Foreign branding—or using brand names that evoke foreign associations through, for example, spelling a brand name in a foreign language—is a popular means in both developed and emerging countries of suggesting a specific country of origin (COO) in the hope that it will evoke certain product qualities. As a result, consumers increasingly encounter products with brand names that imply a COO that differs from the actual COO (where the product is manufactured). In four experiments, the authors find support for the hypothesis that incongruence between the actual COO and implied COO decreases purchase likelihood asymmetrically. Incongruence backfires in hedonic categories but has hardly any effect in utilitarian categories. Furthermore, incongruence decreases purchase likelihood more if the actual COO is an emerging rather than developed country. The authors address the psychological process underlying the asymmetric effect of incongruence by showing that consumers apply different information-processing strategies to hedonic versus utilitarian products. These results have important implications for (foreign) branding decisions.
Novel Hydrophobic Surface Binding Protein, HsbA, Produced by Aspergillus oryzae

ABSTRACT Hydrophobic surface binding protein A (HsbA) is a secreted protein (14.5 kDa) isolated from the culture broth of Aspergillus oryzae RIB40 grown in a medium containing polybutylene succinate-co-adipate (PBSA) as a sole carbon source. We purified HsbA from the culture broth and determined its N-terminal amino acid sequence. We found a DNA sequence encoding a protein whose N terminus matched that of purified HsbA in the A. ozyzae genomic sequence. We cloned the hsbA genomic DNA and cDNA from A. oryzae and constructed a recombinant A. oryzae strain highly expressing hsbA. Orthologues of HsbA were present in animal pathogenic and entomopathogenic fungi. Heterologously synthesized HsbA was purified and biochemically characterized. Although the HsbA amino acid sequence suggests that HsbA may be hydrophilic, HsbA adsorbed to hydrophobic PBSA surfaces in the presence of NaCl or CaCl2. When HsbA was adsorbed on the hydrophobic PBSA surfaces, it promoted PBSA degradation via the CutL1 polyesterase. CutL1 interacts directly with HsbA attached to the hydrophobic QCM electrode surface. These results suggest that when HsbA is adsorbed onto the PBSA surface, it recruits CutL1, and that when CutL1 is accumulated on the PBSA surface, it stimulates PBSA degradation. We previously reported that when the A. oryzae hydrophobin RolA is bound to PBSA surfaces, it too specifically recruits CutL1. Since HsbA is not a hydrophobin, A. oryzae may use several types of proteins to recruit lytic enzymes to the surface of hydrophobic solid materials and promote their degradation.
Prevalence and significance of antiphospholipid antibodies in selected at-risk obstetrics cases: A comparative prospective study

Summary In a prospective comparative study we screened 112 women with a past history either of pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, recurrent abortion, IUGR, IUFD or abruptio placentae, with no apparent aetiology and a demographically matched cohort of 106 women having a past history of uncomplicated pregnancy outcome for the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and their significance. In the former group, the prevalence of aPL ranged from 10–46.87% compared with 8.49% in the later group. In women with the presence of aPL, the incidence of pre-eclampsia, early onset pre-eclampsia and abruptio placentae were 25%, 14.58% and 18.75%, respectively. In the same group, the abortion rate was 25% and live-birth rate was 64.58% with IUFD rate of 10.42%. Fetal morbidity rates were also higher in the mothers with aPL positivity, the incidence of IUGR was 27.08% and oligohydramnios was 33.33% in them. All these complications were statistically significant when compared with those of aPL negative mothers.
A Cross Sectional Study on Health Care Waste Management among Health Care Personnel in a Tertiary Care Center, Kannur, Kerala, India

In past two decades waste management has become one of the most important public concern in developing countries. Hospital waste management has become a critical issue as it poses potential health risks and damage to environment. All those wastes which are generated in hospitals or during health care activities carries a higher risk for infection and injury than any other wastes. In the process of treating and preventing diseases hazards and non-hazardous wastes are developed International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 5 Number 9 (2016) pp. 340-345 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
Clear‐cell ependymoma: A report of intracortical tumor with significant desmoplasia

We report a case of clear‐cell ependymoma in a 20‐month‐old girl who presented with seizures. The tumor had several uncommon features including a solid consistency, a purely intracortical location, and a remarkable degree of desmoplasia. Clinical, radiological, and pathological findings are presented. This case emphasizes the value of ultrastructural studies in pathological work‐up of brain tumors.
Viscoelastic deformation from North Anatolian Fault Zone earthquakes and the eastern Mediterranean GPS velocity field

We have modeled linear viscoelastic relaxation of a uniform‐viscosity asthenosphere following large earthquakes in the Aegean‐Anatolian region during the 20th century to evaluate whether this process contributes significantly to the regional velocity field. We address in particular whether southward motion of the Aegean Sea region relative to central Anatolia (and thus extension of western Turkey) can be attributed to a postseismic strain pulse. Our models show that postseismic relaxation of a thick (250 km) viscoelastic substrate cannot generate the observed extension in western Turkey, regardless of the choice of viscosity. We also find that the asthenosphere viscosity must exceed about 5 × 1020 Pa s, at least north of the North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ), to be consistent with low GPS site velocities in the Black Sea region and highly localized strain around the fault.
Dividend announcement on share prices in a bull and a bear market phase

The information content of dividend hypothesis has been a controversial debate for a number of decades. This research therefore examines the validity of information content of dividend hypothesis and the reaction of share prices to dividend change announcements that contradict the market phase. That is, observing the reaction of the market to the announcements of dividend decrease (increase) when the market is in a bull (bear) market phase. This is because a bull market is generally characterized by persistent increase in share prices, higher financial wellbeing and strong investor interest. While the bear market on the other hand, is seen as the opposite of the bull market cycle. Using the OLS method of regression and the market model, it was observed that investors have a higher expectation with respect to their investments (in terms of dividends) when the market is in a bull phase and vice-versa in the case of the bear market. The results of this research give a strong backing for the information content of dividend hypothesis as it was discovered that dividend change announcements are positively related to share prices. That is, investors earn abnormal returns around dividend change announcement day especially those that contradict the market phase. The findings of this study also show that investors have similar investment behaviour across different financial markets even in a contradicting bull and bear market phase. Key words: Dividend announcement, share prices, bull and bear market.
Bronchiolitis obliterans Organizing Pneumonia

Background: Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) may be classified as cryptogenic (idiopathic) and secondary. There are no clear clinical and radiological features distinguishing between idiopathic and secondary BOOP. Objectives: To analyze the etiologic factors, clinical and radiological features, diagnostic approach and response to therapy at onset and outcome in subjects with BOOP. Methods: The medical files of Erciyes University Hospital from 1995 to 2003 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with biopsy-proven BOOP were selected for evaluation. The etiology and initial features of BOOP, treatment, resolution, relapse, and survival were obtained from medical records, and a follow-up patient questionnaire. Results: We have diagnosed 26 cases (13 males /13 females) with BOOP syndrome (mean age 54 ± 15 years, range 14–93). More than half the patients (58%) were classified as idiopathic BOOP. Patients presented with cough (92%), dyspnea (70%), pleuritic chest pain, hemoptysis and fever (50%). The biopsy specimens had been obtained by transbronchial and/or transthoracic lung biopsy in 18 cases (69%). At radiological evaluation, there were bilateral patchy alveolar and/or interstitial infiltrates in 16 patients (62%), and solitary pneumonic involvement in 10 patients (38%). Three patients recovered spontaneously, 5 remained cured after resection of the focal lesion. Corticosteroid therapy was given in 17 patients (65%). Apart from four patients who died (death was attributable to BOOP in only 1 patient) and three patients who relapsed, the prognosis was good in all patients. Conclusions: The etiology of BOOP is usually idiopathic. We observed that hemoptysis and pleuritic chest pain were a relatively frequent symptom in BOOP in the present series, in contrast to previous observations. The diversity of radiological and clinical presentations including hemotysis and pleuritic chest pain should prompt consideration of the diagnosis in patients with persisting pulmonary symptoms and radiological findings.
Screening and Biological Effects of Marine Pyrroloiminoquinone Alkaloids: Potential Inhibitors of the HIF-1α/p300 Interaction.

Inhibition of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) pathway by disrupting its association with the transcriptional coactivator p300 inhibits angiogenesis and tumor development. Development of HIF-1α/p300 inhibitors has been hampered by preclinical toxicity; therefore, we aimed to identify novel HIF-1α/p300 inhibitors. Using a cell-free assay designed to test compounds that block HIF-1α/p300 binding, 170 298 crude natural product extracts and prefractionated samples were screened, identifying 25 active extracts. One of these extracts, originating from the marine sponge Latrunculia sp. , afforded six pyrroloiminoquinone alkaloids that were identified as positive hits (IC50 values: 1-35 μM). Luciferase assays confirmed inhibition of HIF-1α transcriptional activity by discorhabdin B (1) and its dimer (2), 3-dihydrodiscorhabdin C (3), makaluvamine F (5), discorhabdin H (8), discorhabdin L (9), and discorhabdin W (11) in HCT 116 colon cancer cells (0.1-10 μM, p < 0.05). Except for 11, all of these compounds also reduced HIF-1α transcriptional activity in LNCaP prostate cancer cells (0.1-10 μM, p < 0.05). These effects occurred at noncytotoxic concentrations (<50% cell death) under hypoxic conditions. At the downstream HIF-1α target level, compound 8 (0.5 μM) significantly decreased VEGF secretion in LNCaP cells (p < 0.05). In COLO 205 colon cancer cells no activity was shown in the luciferase or cytotoxicity assays. Pyrroloiminoquinone alkaloids are a novel class of HIF-1α inhibitors, which interrupt the protein-protein interaction between HIF-1α and p300 and consequently reduce HIF-related transcription.
Spin‐off performance: A case of overstated expectations?

While the impact of divestitures on parent firms has been extensively studied, little attention has been given to the performance of the divested units. Previous research has found that spin-offs and sell-offs were associated with significant positive cumulative abnormal returns. However, these studies have not identified whether these benefits were expected to accrue to the divesting firm, the divested unit, or both. Specifically, this study examined the performance as autonomous firms of a sample of 51 voluntary spin-offs by nonfinancial firms across a 6-year period. Three accounting and financial market measures were tracked from 2 years prior to divestiture through the first three years of independence. No change in pre- and post-spin-off performances was observed except for the decline in profitability return on assets (ROA). The effect of relatedness between the parent company and the spinoff was also examined. Divested units which were unrelated to their parents prior to spinoff reported deterioration in performance. Implications for divestiture and restructuring programs are developed.
Issues in the Use of the Event Study Methodology: A Critical Analysis of Corporate Social Responsibility Studies

Organizational researchers are increasingly using the event study methodology to assess the effect of strategic decisions on firm performance. Unfortunately, event studies alone are inadequate because, at best, they provide estimates of the shortrun impact on shareholders only and not on other corporate stakeholders. Furthermore, event study findings are sensitive to even small changes in research design. The authors illustrate the lack of robustness by examining five recent studies of corporate social responsibility (CSR) that report conflicting results. They conclude that these contradictory findings arise from significant differences in research design and implementation. The authors also demonstrate why it is inappropriate to draw conclusions regarding the managerial implications of CSR activities from these studies. Finally, they identify alternative methodologies that organizational researchers could use to supplement the event study approach to assess the overall impact of CSR on stakeholders.
Motivators and Barriers to Safe Food Practices: Observation and Interview

This study aimed to determine employees’ motivators and barriers to following food safety practices in both non-commercial and commercial foodservice operations. Data collection methods included observations of and interviews with 25 employees from 10 different foodservice operations. Observational data showed employees’ attempts to follow proper hand hygiene (e.g., handwashing, glove use) did not meet Food Code requirements (Food Code 2005). Non-compliance rates with recommended safe food practices ranged from 23.5% (personal hygiene practices) to 69.4% (cleaning and sanitizing procedures). When employees were interviewed as to why they did comply with recommended practices, findings revealed eight motivators (avoiding bacterial growth and cross-contamination; not harming customers; knowledge and training; required by law, regulations, and procedures; good practices/habits; rewards; culture of workplace; and satisfying customers) and six barriers (forgetfulness/no habit; too busy; lack of knowledge; consequence of following safe food handling practices; availability and use of resources; and culture of the workplace) associated with following safe food handling practices. Findings of this study indicated a continuing need to promote safe food handling practices among employees; thus, managers should infuse identified motivators and address barriers to effectively promote a work place culture where safe food handling is paramount.
Calcium Buffering in Presynaptic Nerve Terminals

A B $ T R A C T A latent ATP-dependent Ca storage system is enriched in preparations of pinched-off presynaptic nerve terminals (synaptosomes), and is exposed when the terminals are disrupted by osmotic shock or saponin treatment. The data indicate that a fraction of the Ca uptake (measured with ~Ca) is associated with the intraterminal mitochondria; it is blocked by ru thenium red, by FCCP, and by azide + dinitrophenol + oligomycin. There is, however, a residual ATP-dependent Ca uptake that is insensitive to the aforementioned poisons; this (nonmitochondriai) Ca uptake is blocked by tetracaine, mersalyl and A-23187. Moreover, A-23187 rapidly releases previously accumulated Ca from these (nonmitochondrial) storage sites, whereas the Ca chelator, EGTA, does not. The proteolytic enzyme, trypsin, spares the mitochondria but inactivates the nonmitochondrial Ca uptake mechanism. Chemical measurements of total Ca indicate that the ATP-dependent Ca uptake at the nonmitochondrial sites involves the net transfer of Ca from medium to tissue fragments. This system can sequester Ca when the ambient-ionized Ca 2+ concentration (buffered with EGTA) is <0.3 v,M; brain mitochondria take up little Ca when the ionized Ca 2+ level is this low. Preliminary subfractionation studies indicate that the nonmitochondrial Ca storage system does not sediment with synaptic vesicles. We propose that this Ca storage system, which has many properties comparable to those of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum, may be associated with intraterminal smooth endoplasmic reticulum. This Ca-sequestering organelle may help to buffer intracellular Ca.
Severe iron overload in Blackfan‐Diamond anemia: A case‐control study

Chronic iron overload is a serious complication in transfusion‐dependent patients. Few studies have addressed this issue in Diamond‐Blackfan anemia (DBA). We describe a retrospective analysis of iron overload, and its related complications in 31 transfusion‐dependent Italian DBA patients whose records included one or more evaluation of liver iron concentration (LIC) by means of noninvasive magnetic liver susceptometry with a superconductive quantum interference device (SQUID). This cohort is also matched with a group of transfusion‐dependent β‐thalassemia major patients to look for differences. A severe iron overload was observed in 54% patients, especially among those inadequately chelated. The DBA patients displayed a significantly higher LIC than the regularly chelated β‐thalassemics. This difference may have been attributable to nonoptimal chelation (late onset, type, dose, prescription, and compliance), or an unknown biological mechanism that lead to an early severe iron overload. We therefore suggest that all transfusion patients should have an accurate record of their iron intake, a regular monitoring of iron overload, in order to start chelation when a critical transfusion load is reached, and to test the efficacy/compliance of chelation treatment. Physicians taking care of transfusion‐dependent DBA patients must be concerned about the frequent and early complications such as cardiac toxicity. Am. J. Hematol. , 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
apparently healthy individuals at high risk for coronary artery disease Listening to the heart-brain talk : persistent depressive symptoms are associated with hsCRP in

Background: This study examined whether mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms are associated with increased highsensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels in apparently healthy individuals at high risk for coronary artery disease. We investigated in individuals whether: (1) current depressive symptoms were associated with increased hsCRP and IL-6 levels; (2) persistent depressive symptoms at two time points 6 months apart were associated with hsCRP and IL-6; and (3), sex-based differences in inflammation were a function of depressive symptoms. Methods: We measured depressive symptoms (twice), hsCRP, and IL-6 (follow-up time point) in 84 apparently healthy individuals (52% women) at high cardiac risk. Results: Patients with persistent depressive symptoms had higher hsCRP, compared to participants without persistent symptoms (5.55 vs. 1.70 mg/l, p< 0.05, 95% CI 0.11 to 1.09, d1⁄4 0.67). Participants with current depressive symptoms had higher hsCRP (3.99 vs. 1.70mg/l, p1⁄4 0.059) than those without symptoms. Findings remained unchanged after controlling for covariates. Women had higher adjusted hsCRP than men (2.91 vs. 1.87 mg/l, p< 0.001). When we entered depressive symptoms, the model remained significant, with a significant interaction between sex and symptoms: women with depressive symptoms had higher hsCRP than men with depressive symptoms and than women without symptoms (6.75 vs. 1.11 mg/l). The hypothesized differences were not observed with respect to IL-6, after controlling for body mass index (95% CI 0.77 to 0.73). Conclusions: Before a first ischaemic coronary event, persistent mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms were associated with increased hsCRP. Women with depressive symptoms had higher hsCRP than men with symptoms.