Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High‐throughput process development of purification alternatives for the protein avidin

With an increased number of applications in the field of the avidin‐biotin technology, the resulting demand for highly‐purified protein avidin has drawn our attention to the purification process of avidin that naturally occurs in chicken egg white. The high‐throughput process development (HTPD) methodology was exploited, in order to evaluate purification process alternatives to commonly used ion‐exchange chromatography. In a high‐throughput format, process parameters for aqueous two‐phase extraction, selective precipitation with salts and polyethylene glycol, and hydrophobic interaction and mixed‐mode column chromatography experiments were performed. The HTPD strategy was complemented by a high‐throughput tandem high‐performance liquid chromatography assay for protein quantification. Suitable conditions for the separation of avidin from the major impurities ovalbumin, ovomucoid, ovotransferrin, and lysozyme were identified in the screening experiments. By combination of polyethylene glycol precipitation with subsequent resolubilization and separation in a polyethylene glycol/sulfate/sodium chloride two‐phase system an avidin purity of 77% was obtained with a yield >90% while at the same time achieving a significant reduction of the process volume. The two‐phase extraction and precipitation results were largely confirmed in larger scale with scale‐up factors of 230 and 133, respectively. Seamless processing of the avidin enriched bottom phase was found feasible by using mixed‐mode chromatography. By gradient elution a final avidin purity of at least 97% and yield >90% was obtained in the elution pool. The presented identification of a new and beneficial alternative for the purification of the high value protein thus represents a successful implementation of HTPD for an industrially relevant purification task. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 31:957–973, 2015
Health spending and labor productivity in an aging economy

La population francaise vieillit et continuera de vieillir dans l'avenir. Les consequences negatives de cette mutation demographique sur l'economie sont bien connues. Cependant, l'ampleur de ces consequences dependra entre autre de l'evolution de la productivite du travail. Afin d'analyser l'evolution future de la productivite du travail en France, cette these s'est focalisee sur le role des depenses de sante dans l'economie. En effet, d'un cote, les depenses de sante, en ameliorant la sante de la population, accroissent la productivite du travail. D'un autre cote, elles favorisent le vieillissement de la population en allongeant son esperance de vie. Ainsi, cette these vise a verifier si les gains de productivite generes par les depenses de sante sont suffisants pour annihiler les effets negatifs du vieillissement de la population. Nous demontrons theoriquement que les depenses de sante privees generent une externalite positive ameliorant l'efficacite du travail et par voie de consequence la productivite du travail (Chapitre I). Cependant, nos resultats empiriques soulignent que cet effet positif n'est pas significatif des lors que nous considerons les depenses de sante qui restent a la charge des patients (Chapitre II). Les gains de productivite permis par l'amelioration future de la sante des francais sont ensuite mesures grâce a un modele de comptabilite generationnelle. Les gains de productivite apparaissent non negligeables mais insuffisants pour annihiler les effets negatifs du vieillissement demographique (Chapitre III). Ce constat est confirme par les resultats fournis par notre modele d'equilibre general (Chapitre IV).
Virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strains Evade Apoptosis of Infected Alveolar Macrophages1

Human alveolar macrophages (AMφ) undergo apoptosis following infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro. Apoptosis of cells infected with intracellular pathogens may benefit the host by eliminating a supportive environment for bacterial growth. The present study compared AMφ apoptosis following infection by M. tuberculosis complex strains of differing virulence and by Mycobacterium kansasii. Avirulent or attenuated bacilli (M. tuberculosis H37Ra, Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin, and M. kansasii) induced significantly more AMφ apoptosis than virulent strains (M. tuberculosis H37Rv, Erdman, M. tuberculosis clinical isolate BMC 96.1, and M. bovis wild type). Increased apoptosis was not due to greater intracellular bacterial replication because virulent strains grew more rapidly in AMφ than attenuated strains despite causing less apoptosis. These findings suggest the existence of mycobacterial virulence determinants that modulate the apoptotic response of AMφ to intracellular infection and support the hypothesis that macrophage apoptosis contributes to innate host defense in tuberculosis.
Onset of effects of testosterone treatment and time span until maximum effects are achieved

Objective Testosterone has a spectrum of effects on the male organism. This review attempts to determine, from published studies, the time-course of the effects induced by testosterone replacement therapy from their first manifestation until maximum effects are attained. Design Literature data on testosterone replacement. Results Effects on sexual interest appear after 3 weeks plateauing at 6 weeks, with no further increments expected beyond. Changes in erections/ejaculations may require up to 6 months. Effects on quality of life manifest within 3–4 weeks, but maximum benefits take longer. Effects on depressive mood become detectable after 3–6 weeks with a maximum after 18–30 weeks. Effects on erythropoiesis are evident at 3 months, peaking at 9–12 months. Prostate-specific antigen and volume rise, marginally, plateauing at 12 months; further increase should be related to aging rather than therapy. Effects on lipids appear after 4 weeks, maximal after 6–12 months. Insulin sensitivity may improve within few days, but effects on glycemic control become evident only after 3–12 months. Changes in fat mass, lean body mass, and muscle strength occur within 12–16 weeks, stabilize at 6–12 months, but can marginally continue over years. Effects on inflammation occur within 3–12 weeks. Effects on bone are detectable already after 6 months while continuing at least for 3 years. Conclusion The time-course of the spectrum of effects of testosterone shows considerable variation, probably related to pharmacodynamics of the testosterone preparation. Genomic and non-genomic effects, androgen receptor polymorphism and intracellular steroid metabolism further contribute to such diversity.
VALVULAR AND STRUCTURAL HEART DISEASES Original Studies Impact of Rapid Ventricular Pacing During Percutaneous Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty in Patients with Critical Aortic Stenosis: Should we be using it?

Background: Rapid ventricular pacing (RP) during percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) facilitates balloon positioning by preventing the ‘‘watermelon seeding’’ effect during balloon inflation. The clinical consequences of RP BAV have never been compared with standard BAV in which rapid pacing in not used. We evaluated the immediate results and in-hospital adverse events of patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing BAV with and without RP. Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients with severe AS undergoing retrograde BAV. Patients who underwent BAV with RP were compared to those who did not receive RP during BAV. Procedural outcomes, complications, and in-hospital adverse events were compared between both groups. Stratified analyses were performed to evaluate RP in pre-specified subsets for confounding and effect modification. Results: Between January 2005 and December 2008, 111 consecutive patients underwent retrograde BAV at Massachusetts General Hospital. Sixty-seven patients underwent BAV with RP. Nearly 90% of patients were NYHA class III or IV and the mean AVA was 0.64 cm. Baseline characteristics and balloon sizes were similar in the two groups. The average post-BAV AVA was smaller in the RP group compared to the no-RP group (0.87 v. 1.02 cm, p 5 0.02). Pre and post-cardiac output, in-hospital mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, frequency of cardiopulmonary arrest, vasopressor use, and major complications were similar in the two groups. Conclusions: 1) RP allows precise balloon placement during BAV. 2) RP BAV is associated with lower post-BAV AVA. 3) RP BAV may be safely performed in patients with high-risk cardiac features. VC 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Effect of the Mulligan Knee Taping Technique on Patellofemoral Pain and Lower Limb Biomechanics

Background: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) affects 25% of the general population, occurring 2 times more often in females compared with males. Taping is a valuable component of the management plan for altering lower limb biomechanics and providing pain relief; however, the effects of alternative taping techniques, such as Mulligan knee taping, appear yet to be researched. Purpose: To determine whether the Mulligan knee taping technique altered levels of perceived knee pain and lower limb biomechanics during a single-legged squat (SLSq) in adult females with PFP. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A total of 20 female patients with PFP, aged 18 to 35 years, participated in this study. Participants performed 3 to 5 SLSq on their most symptomatic limb during a taped (Mulligan knee taping technique) and nontaped (control) condition. During the eccentric phase of the SLSq, the 3-dimensional kinematics (250 Hz) of the knee and hip and the ground-reaction forces (1000 Hz) and muscle activation patterns (1000 Hz) of the gluteus medius, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis oblique were measured. Participants’ perceived maximum knee pain was also recorded after the completion of each squat. Results: Between-condition differences were found for hip kinematics and gluteus medius activation but not for kinetics or vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis muscle activity (timing and activation). Compared with the nontaped condition, the Mulligan knee taping technique significantly (P = .001) reduced perceived pain during the SLSq (mean ± SD: 2.29 ± 1.79 and 1.29 ± 1.28, respectively). In the taped condition compared with the control, the onset timing of the gluteus medius occurred significantly earlier (120.6 ± 113.0 and 156.6 ± 91.6 ms, respectively; P = .023) and peak hip internal rotation was significantly reduced (6.38° ± 7.31° and 8.34° ± 7.92°, respectively; P = .002). Conclusion: The Mulligan knee taping technique successfully reduced knee pain in participants with PFP. This is the first study to establish a link between Mulligan knee taping and the reduction of PFP in conjunction with decreased hip internal rotation and earlier activation of gluteus medius. Clinical Relevance: The Mulligan knee taping technique may benefit the clinical environment by providing an alternative evidence-based treatment plan for PFP.
Low-molecular-weight heparin (nadroparin) and very low doses of warfarin in the prevention of upper extremity thrombosis in cancer patients with indwelling long-term central venous catheters: a pilot randomized trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Upper extremity thrombosis is a major complication of central venous catheters implanted for chemotherapy in cancer patients. Vitamin K antagonists and low-molecular-weight heparins have been recommended in this setting, but their relative benefit-to-risk ratios have never been compared. DESIGN AND METHODS A prospective, randomized, open, parallel-group, multicenter trial was performed comparing the antithrombotic efficacy and safety of warfarin and the low-molecular-weight heparin, nadroparin, in cancer patients who had undergone central venous catheter implantation. Warfarin was given orally at a fixed daily dose of 1 mg and nadroparin was injected subcutaneously at a fixed daily dose of 2,850 IU for 90 days, or until venographically-confirmed thrombosis occurred. The primary efficacy outcome was the occurrence of upper extremity thrombosis confirmed by venography performed 90 days after insertion of the catheter, or earlier if symptoms of thrombosis had appeared. Safety end-points were bleeding and thrombocytopenia. RESULTS Fifty-nine patients were included in the study. A total of 21 and 24 patients in the nadroparin and warfarin groups, respectively, were evaluable for primary efficacy. Six out of the 21 patients in the nadroparin group (28.6%) and 4 out of the 24 patients in the warfarin group (16.7%) had venographically-documented upper extremity thrombosis at day 90 (p=0.48). Safety was satisfactory and similar with both treatments. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS Warfarin at a fixed, very low dose and nadroparin at a fixed, prophylactic dose had comparable benefit-to-risk ratios in the prevention of thrombosis associated with central venous catheters in cancer patients.
Retrospective seroepidemiological study of chikungunya infection in South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific region

SUMMARY Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and Ross River virus (RRV) of the genus Alphavirus, family Togaviridae are mainly transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and the symptoms they cause in patients are similar to dengue. A chikungunya (CHIK) outbreak re-emerged in several Asian countries during 2005–2006. This study aimed to clarify the prevalence of CHIKV infection in suspected dengue patients in six countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia. Seven hundred forty-eight serum samples were from dengue-suspected patients in South Asia and Southeast Asia, and 52 were from patients in Fiji. The samples were analysed by CHIKV IgM capture ELISA, CHIKV IgG indirect ELISA and focus reduction neutralization test against CHIKV or RRV. CHIK-confirmed cases in South Asia, particularly Myanmar and Sri Lanka, were 4·6%, and 6·1%, respectively; and in Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, were 27·4%, 26·8% and 25·0%, respectively. It suggests that CHIK was widely spread in these five countries in Asia. In Fiji, no CHIK cases were confirmed; however, RRV-confirmed cases represented 53·6% of suspected dengue cases. It suggests that RRV is being maintained or occasionally entering from neighbouring countries and should be considered when determining a causative agent for dengue-like illness in Fiji.
Parasites of the head of Scomber colias (Osteichthyes: Scombridae) from the western Mediterranean Sea

The metazoan parasite assemblage of the head of 30 specimens of the Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) from the western Mediterranean Sea was analysed. Eight species of parasites were found, four mazocraeid monogeneans: Grubea cochlear (prevalence = 10%), Kuhnia scombercolias (59%), K. scombri (52%), Pseudokuhnia minor (86%); three didymozoid trematodes: Nematobothrium cf. faciale (21%), N. filiforme (41%), N. scombri (7%); and one laerneopodid copepod: Clavelissa scombri (7%). Results were compared with previously published data from 14 localities of the eastern Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, using non-parametric univariate and multivariate analyses, and the whole parasite fauna of S. colias was compared with that of the congeners (S. australasicus, S. japonicus and S. scombrus). Parasites showed to reflect the biogeographical and phylogenetic history of host. From a methodological point of view, the use of both non-parametric univariate and multivariate techniques proved to be effective tools to detect dissimilarities between parasite assemblages.
Suicide Methods and Presence of Intoxicating Abusable Substances: Some Clinical and Public Health Implications

Toxicological studies have reported the presence of alcohol in about a third of suicides. Some have suggested that the presence of alcohol might predispose suicidal people to use particular methods, e.g., guns, although, in general, this does not appear to be the case. More recently, comprehensive toxicological studies have provided data on the detection of all intoxicating abusable substances (IAS) among suicides. The purpose of this report is to examine the presence of two samples of suicides to see if any relationships between presence of IAS at post mortem toxicology and any specific suicide method. The samples included 179 suicides from San Diego, California (1981–1982), and 225 suicides from Mobile, Alabama (1990–1995) for which comprehensive toxicological examination had been conducted. Methods were grouped into more immediately fatal (MIF) and less immediately fatal (LIF) categories. The most common method in each category (guns and overdoses respectively) were examined separately as well. The same proportions of men (51%) and women (65%) were positive for any IAS in both locations. There were no significant differences in the proportions of suicides that were positive for IAS between the sample totals or by gender or age groups (under age 30 and age 30 and over) for any of the methods or categories examined. Significantly more of the Mobile suicides were by MIF methods than in San Diego for both genders, almost totally attributable to the use of guns. The use of guns for suicide in Mobile (and the state of Alabama) was also significantly higher than the rest of the U.S. in the early 1990's. Nonetheless, the suicide rates for men and women in Mobile (and Alabama) were no higher than for the overall U.S. rates. We conclude that potentially suicidal people should be advised to avoid intoxicating abusable substances of any kind. We also suggest that physicians should avoid prescribing such substances to depressed or suicidal patients.
Red blood cell folate and plasma folate are not associated with risk of incident colorectal cancer in the Women's Health Initiative observational study

The relationship between folate and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk is unclear. We investigated the association of two biomarkers of folate status, plasma folate and red blood cell (RBC) folate, with CRC risk using a nested case–control design in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study. Postmenopausal women (n = 93,676) aged 50–79 years were enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study (1993–1998). A fasting blood draw and extensive health, dietary and lifestyle data were collected upon enrollment. Through 2008, 988 incident CRC cases were reported and confirmed with medical records adjudication. Cases and controls were matched on age (±3 years), enrollment date (±1 year), race/ethnicity, blood draw date (±6 months) and hysterectomy status. Plasma and RBC folate were determined by radio assay. Folate biomarker values were divided into quartiles, and conditional logistic regression estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the associations of folate with total CRC, by tumor site and by stage at diagnosis. Additional analyses examined whether risks varied across time periods corresponding to the United States folic acid fortification policy: prefortification (1994–1995), perifortification (1996–1997) and postfortification (1998). ORs for overall CRC risk comparing Q4 vs. Q1 were 0.91 (95% CI 0.67–1.24) and 0.91 (95% CI 0.67–1.23) for RBC and plasma folate, respectively. There were no changes in risk attributable to food supply fortification. These results do not support an overall association of folate with CRC risk and suggest that folic acid fortification of the US food supply did not alter the associations in these postmenopausal women.
A family of octamer‐specific proteins present during mouse embryogenesis: evidence for germline‐specific expression of an Oct factor.

We have analysed various adult organs and different developmental stages of mouse embryos for the presence of octamer‐binding proteins. A variety of new octamer‐binding proteins were identified in addition to the previously described Oct1 and Oct2. Oct1 is ubiquitously present in murine tissues, in agreement with cell culture data. Although Oct2 has been described as a B‐cell‐specific protein, similar complexes were also found with extracts from brain, kidney, embryo and sperm. In embryo and brain at least two other proteins, Oct3 and Oct7, are present. A new microextraction procedure allowed the detection of two maternally expressed octamer‐binding proteins, Oct4 and Oct5. Both proteins are present in unfertilized oocytes and embryonic stem cells, the latter containing an additional protein, Oct6. Whereas Oct4 was not found in sperm or testis, it is expressed in male and female primordial germ cells. Therefore Oct4 expression is specific for the female germline at later stages of germ cell development. Our results indicate that a family of octamer‐binding proteins is present during mouse development and is differentially expressed during early embryogenesis. Protease clipping experiments of Oct4 and Oct1 suggest that both proteins contain similar DNA‐binding domains.
Variables related to meeting the CDC/ACSM physical activity guidelines.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between perceived importance of physical activity and demographic variables and current physical activity level with specific reference to the CDC/ACSM guidelines for sufficient physical activity for a health benefit. METHODS Physical activity levels were assessed by a telephone survey of 2002 households throughout the continental United States and the District of Columbia to determine whether the individuals met the CDC/ACSM physical activity guidelines. RESULTS Results indicate that 68% of the respondents are physically active below the CDC/ACSM criterion. Chi-square analysis revealed significant relationships between meeting the CDC/ACSM physical activity guidelines and 1) perceived importance of physical inactivity as a health risk (P < 0.0001), and 2) gender (P < 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that having a greater awareness of the health risks of physical inactivity improved the odds ratio (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.21-1.62) of being sufficiently physically active for a health benefit by 40% (P < 0.0001) and being a male improved the odds ratio (OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.17-1.79) of being sufficiently physically active for a health benefit by 45% (P < 0.0006). CONCLUSIONS Implications for health and physical fitness researchers and practitioners are that they need to improve awareness of life span fitness benefits and develop intervention programs based on individuals' current physical activity levels.
Oxytocin effects on self-referential processing: behavioral and neuroimaging evidence

Abstract Oxytocin (OT) influences other-oriented mental processes (e.g. trust and empathy) and the underlying neural substrates. However, whether and how OT modulates self-oriented processes and the underlying brain activity remains unclear. Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled between-subjects design, we manipulated memory encoding and retrieval of trait adjectives related to the self, a friend and a celebrity in a self-referential task in male adults. Experiment 1 (N = 51) found that OT vs placebo treatments reduced response times during encoding self-related trait adjectives but increased recognition scores of self-related information during memory retrieval. Experiment 2 (N = 50) showed similar OT effects on response times during encoding self-related trait adjectives. Moreover, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) results revealed that OT vs placebo treatments decreased the activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) involved in encoding of self-related trait adjectives and weakened the coupling between the MPFC activity and a cultural trait (i.e. interdependence). Experiment 3 (N = 52) revealed that OT vs placebo treatments increased the right superior frontal activity during memory retrieval of self-related information. The results provide behavioral and fMRI evidence for OT effects on self-referential processing and suggest distinct patterns of OT modulations of brain activities engaged in encoding and retrieval of self-related information.