Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Insulin acutely suppresses glucose production by both peripheral and hepatic effects in normal dogs

McCall, Richard H. , Stephanie R. Wiesenthal, Z. Qing Shi, Kenneth Polonsky, andAdria Giacca. Insulin acutely suppresses glucose production by both peripheral and hepatic effects in normal dogs. Am. J. Physiol. 274 (Endocrinol. Metab. 37): E346–E356, 1998. —To determine whether the predominant effect of insulin in suppressing tracer-determined glucose production (Ra) is hepatic or peripheral, we infused insulin peripherally (PER) and portally (POR) at both low (0.75 pmol ·kg21 ·min21) and high physiological rates (2.7 pmol ·kg21 ·min21) during euglycemic clamps in normal dogs. We also infused insulin peripherally at one-half these rates (1/2 PER) to match the peripheral insulin levels in POR and thus obtain a selective POR vs. 1/2 PER difference in hepatic insulin levels. At the high-rate insulin infusion, peripheral insulin levels were greatest with PER (PER 5 212 6 10 pM, n 5 5; POR 5 119 6 5 pM, n 5 6; 1/2 PER 5 122 6 5 pM, n 5 6). Calculated hepatic insulin levels were greatest with POR (POR 5 227 6 13 pM, PER 5 206 6 19 pM, 1/2 PER 5 123 6 8 pM). High-dose PER yielded a greater suppression of Ra than POR (79 6 18 vs. 56 6 6%, P , .001). Ra was only suppressed by 45 6 6% with 1/2 PER (P , 0.01 vs. POR on 6 paired experiments). Free fatty acid (FFA) was suppressed by 57 6 8% with PER and only by 33 6 5 and 37 6 2% with POR and 1/2 PER, respectively. The low-dose PER and POR yielded an equal Ra suppression (PER 5 46 6 9%, POR 5 43 6 4%). Only 1/2 PER was associated with a lower suppression of Ra (36 6 8, P , 0.05 vs. POR). FFA showed similar suppression in all three groups (,25%). Using both insulin infusion rates, the percent Ra suppression per unit difference in peripheral insulin was approximately twofold greater than that per unit difference in hepatic insulin. These results suggest that, during euglycemic clamps without somatostatin in normal dogs, Ra suppression is mediated by both peripheral and hepatic effects of insulin and that peripheral insulin, at least at high physiological infusion rates, is more potent than hepatic insulin in suppressing Ra.
Improving palliative care services: a pragmatic model for evaluating services and assessing unmet need

Evaluating local palliative care services and identifying gaps in services for patients are crucial to the development of services which enable people to die at home in a well-supported environment. A review of the local strategy for providing respite and support services for palliative care patients and their carers was carried out in one area of south-east England. The review comprised four elements: identification of services available; interviews with provider ‘stakeholders’; interviews with patients and carers; questionnaire survey of general practitioners and district nurses. The findings and outcome are described. It is suggested that this approach could be adopted by health authorities to form one part of a comprehensive system of needs assessment. Alternatively, it could be used by groups of providers to evaluate existing services and to identify potential improvements to services. Advantages and disadvantages of the approach for both commissioners of such reviews and those carrying them out are discussed.
Microalgal Cell Surface Carbohydrates as Recognition Sites for Particle Sorting in Suspension-Feeding Bivalves

Cell surface carbohydrates play important roles in cell recognition mechanisms. Recently, we provided evidence that particle selection by suspension-feeding bivalves can be mediated by interactions between carbohydrates associated with the particle surface and lectins present in mucus covering bivalve feeding organs. In this study, we used lectins tagged with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) to characterize carbohydrate moieties on the surface of microalgal species and evaluate the effect of oyster mucus on lectin binding. These analyses revealed that concanavalin A (Con A), one of six lectins tested, bound to Isochrysis sp. , while Nitzschia closterium reacted with Pisum sativum agglutinin (PNA) and peanut agglutinin (PEA). The cell surface of Rhodomonas salina bound with PNA and Con A, and Tetraselmis maculata cell surface was characterized by binding with PNA, PEA, and Con A. Pre-incubation of microalgae with oyster pallial mucus significantly decreased the binding of FITC-labeled lectins, revealing that lectins present in mucus competitively blocked binding sites. This decrease was reversed by washing mucus-coated microalgae with specific carbohydrates. These results were used to design a feeding experiment to evaluate the effect of lectins on sorting of microalgae by oysters. Crassostrea virginica fed with an equal ratio of Con A-labeled Isochrysis sp. and unlabeled Isochrysis sp. produced pseudofeces that were significantly enriched in Con A-labeled Isochrysis sp. and depleted in unlabeled microalgae. Selection occurred even though two physical-chemical surface characteristics of the cells in each treatment did not differ significantly. This work confirms the involvement of carbohydrate-lectin interaction in the particle sorting mechanism in oysters, and provides insights into the carbohydrate specificity of lectins implicated in the selection of microalgal species.
Autoantibodies from mothers of children with congenital heart block downregulate cardiac L-type Ca channels.

Congenital heart block (CHB) affects offspring of mothers with autoantibodies (positive IgG) to intracellular SSA/Ro and SSB/La ribonucleoproteins and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Here, we show that maternal anti-Ro/La antibodies immunoreact with human fetal cardiomyocyte sarcolemma, recognize human L-type Ca channel alpha(1C)-protein and functionally inhibit expressed current in oocytes injected with alpha(1C) cRNA and Purkinje L-type Ca current. Furthermore, cardiac myocytes from pups born to SSA/Ro-immunized mice exhibited reduced L-type Ca current density. All together, the data establish that L-type calcium channel is a target for maternal antibodies and may provide a functional basis for the electrocardiographic abnormalities seen in infants with CHB.
Phanerozoic Trends in the Global Diversity of Marine Invertebrates

It has previously been thought that there was a steep Cretaceous and Cenozoic radiation of marine invertebrates. This pattern can be replicated with a new data set of fossil occurrences representing 3.5 million specimens, but only when older analytical protocols are used. Moreover, analyses that employ sampling standardization and more robust counting methods show a modest rise in diversity with no clear trend after the mid-Cretaceous. Globally, locally, and at both high and low latitudes, diversity was less than twice as high in the Neogene as in the mid-Paleozoic. The ratio of global to local richness has changed little, and a latitudinal diversity gradient was present in the early Paleozoic.
Applying systematic review methods to studies of people’s views: an example from public health research

Methods for systematic reviews are well developed for trials, but not for non-experimental or qualitative research. This paper describes the methods developed for reviewing research on people’s perspectives and experiences (“views” studies) alongside trials within a series of reviews on young people’s mental health, physical activity, and healthy eating. Reports of views studies were difficult to locate; could not easily be classified as “qualitative” or “quantitative”; and often failed to meet seven basic methodological reporting standards used in a newly developed quality assessment tool. Synthesising views studies required the adaptation of qualitative analysis techniques. The benefits of bringing together views studies in a systematic way included gaining a greater breadth of perspectives and a deeper understanding of public health issues from the point of view of those targeted by interventions. A systematic approach also aided reflection on study methods that may distort, misrepresent, or fail to pick up people’s views. This methodology is likely to create greater opportunities for people’s own perspectives and experiences to inform policies to promote their health.
An empirical study on relationship of need for cognition, attitudes, and intention before installation of corporate e-learning programs in Taiwan

It's known that business employees take the largest share of e-learning users. This figure highlights businesses' attempt to deliver their core competencies through low-cost, convenient, and flexible e-learning mechanisms. However, while numerous previous studies have focused on the use of some corporate e-learning programs (CELP), little is known about the users' pre-installation reactions to CELP. This study focused on investigation into an international accounting firm's CELP in the pre-installation phase. The relationship among users' need for cognition (NFC), attitudes towards corporate e-learning (ATT) and intentions for the use of corporate e-learning (INT) was explored. Findings of this study can illuminate that users' NFC relates positively to the users' ATT, and users' ATT relates positively to the users' INT.
Examining Effects of Internal Branding on Hospitality Student Interns’ Brand-Supportive Behaviors: The Role of Value Congruence

ABSTRACT With the importance of hospitality internships being universally recognized, this study examines the salient impact of internal branding on hospitality student interns’ brand-supportive behaviors through the mediation of value congruence. This study reveals that internal branding has direct positive effects on all three brand-supportive behaviors (hospitality interns’ brand service performance, intention to work for the brand after graduation, and positive word of mouth) and indirect effects through value congruence on the two outcome variables (intention to work for the brand after graduation and positive word of mouth). This study contributes to the literature by enhancing researchers’ understanding of the influence of internal branding on a brand and assists hospitality practitioners with marketing and human resource management practices associated with student interns.
THE EFFECT OF AN ETHICAL WORK CLIMATE ON ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTIFICATION AN EXAMPLE OF A LOGISTICS COMPANY

Purpose - This empirical study examines the relationship between an ethical work climate and organizational identification. Methodology - The survey was conducted across 122 employees, consisting of a sample from staff and managers of a leading logistic company in Turkey, which has branches in different cities such as Izmir, Mersin and Istanbul. The obtained data from the questionnaires were analyzed through the SPSS statistical package software. Findings- Analyses results revealed that two ethical work climate dimensions appear to have a positive impact on organizational identification. Conclusion- In today’s tough competitive environment achieving successful organizational outcomes are related to employee behavior and the factors that are affecting their attitudes towards the organization.
Developmental Expression and Substrate Specificities of Alfalfa Caffeic Acid 3O-Methyltransferase and Caffeoyl Coenzyme A 3O-Methyltransferase in Relation to Lignification 1

The biosynthesis of monolignols can potentially occur via two parallel pathways involving free acids or their coenzyme A (CoA) esters. Caffeic acid 3-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and caffeoyl CoA 3-O-methyltransferase (CCOMT) catalyze functionally identical reactions in these two pathways, resulting in the formation of monoor dimethoxylated lignin precursors. The activities of the two enzymes increase from the first to the sixth internode in stems of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), preceding the deposition of lignin. Alfalfa CCOMT is highly similar at the amino acid sequence level to the CCOMT from parsley, although it contains a six-amino acid insertion near the N terminus. Transcripts encoding both COMT and CCOMT are primarily localized to vascular tissue in alfalfa stems. Alfalfa CCOMT expressed in Escherichia coli catalyzes O-methylation of caffeoyl and 5-hydroxyferuloyl CoA, with preference for caffeoyl CoA. It has low activity against the free acids. COMT expressed in E. coli is active against both caffeic and 5-hydroxyferulic acids, with preference for the latter compound. Surprisingly, very little extractable O-methyltransferase activity versus 5-hydroxyferuloyl CoA is present in alfalfa stem internodes, in which relative O-methyltransferase activity against 5-hydroxyferulic acid increases with increasing maturity, correlating with increased lignin methoxyl content.
Lack of deoxyribonucleic acid homology between species of the genus Chlamydia

The microorganisms which cause the psittacosis-trachoma group of infections have recently been separated into two species, Chlamydia trachomatis and C. psittaci (8). The studies described here provide an additional criterion for this separation and test the suggestion that Chlamydia and Neisseria might be distantly related (7). Strains of Chlamydia and Wolbachia persica were grown in chick embryos and were separated from host components as described previously (11, 12). Labeled chlamydiae were produced in spinner cultures of monkey kidney cells (LLCMK2) irradiated 4 to 7 days previously with cobalt-60 (4,000 r). 3H-adenine or a combination of 14C-adenine and "4C-cytidine (10) was added to the cultures 6 hr after infection; the chlamydiae were harvested 112 hr later and were separated from their host cells by enzymatic digestion and differential centrifugation. The strains of Neisseria were cultivated in Trypticase Soy Broth (BBL) or on Mueller Hinton agar and were labeled as described by D. T. Kingsbury and J. F. Duncan (6). Deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) were extracted and tested for hybrid formation on nitrocellulose filters (5) or in agar (1). Thermal chromatography was performed on hybrids obtained in agar (2) or on filters. The base compositions (Table 1) of the DNA preparations of C. psittaci were significantly different from those of C. trachomatis. W. persica had a considerably lower per cent guanine plus cytosine (GC). Relatedness among the DNA preparations was determined by use of four preparations of labeled DNA fragments (two of MN) and nine preparations of unlabeled DNA. Incubations were carried out overnight at 67 C in triple strength SSC (0.15 M NaCl, 0.015 M sodium citrate) on nitrocellulose filters or at 60 C in double strength SSC in agar. The per cent of added label bound in the homologous reaction varied from 10 to 60% depending upon the method or the label (3H or 14C) used, but the variation of the heterologous reactions was
Diabetes and Perioperative Outcomes Following Cervical Fusion in Patients With Myelopathy

Study Design. Database study using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample administrative data from 1988 through 2004. Objective. To examine perioperative morbidity and mortality for patients diagnosed with myelopathy, with and without diabetes mellitus (DM) (and subclassifications) following cervical spinal fusion. Summary of Background Data. DM has been associated with worse outcomes in a variety of orthopedic procedures including spinal surgery. Evidence that patients with DM have more complications following cervical fusion, specifically those treated for myelopathy, has been suggested within the literature but has been poorly explored. Methods. Data from 37,732 patients within Nationwide Inpatient Sample database (1988–2004) with diagnostic codes specifying the presence of myelopathy and who underwent cervical fusion were included in the analysis. Patients were compared on the basis of the presence of DM, type of DM, and whether DM was controlled or uncontrolled. Bivariate statistical analyses compared postoperative complication rates while multivariate statistics were used to determine likelihood of complications with DM. Results. Multivariate regression modeling outlined higher likelihoods of complications and hospital discharge variables with DM, particularly if it was diagnosed as uncontrolled disease. Fewer significant discrepancies in complications were noted in comparison of Type I versus Type II DM. Conclusion. This nationally representative study of inpatients in the United States provides evidence that patients with DM who received cervical fusion secondary to myelopathy are associated with greater perioperative complications, nonroutine discharge, and increased total charges. Subanalyses suggest that uncontrolled DM is a significant associative factor in outcome.
Comparison of Error-Related EEG Potentials

This paper contains a comparison of four different types of EEG-related error potentials (ErrP) described in literature. These four error potentials are the Response Error Potential, the Feedback Error Potential, the Recognition Error Potential, and the Interaction Error Potential. The purpose of this study is to better understand the origin for the different types of error potentials, how to distinguish them and apply them in a brain-computer interface (BCI). Four experiments were designed that would each focus on one of the error potentials. The experiments were designed according to an interleaved block design. The trials for each experiment were split up in a control condition and an error condition. The grand average of each condition for an experiment were compared to verify the existence of the error potential. When the existence of an error potential was verified it was compared to the other error potentials. The Response ErrP, Feedback ErrP and Interaction ErrP were found in the experiments, but the Recognition ErrP was found absent. All error potentials share the a negative deflection, but the magnitude and the latency would vary. The error potentials can be split into two groups. The first group consisting of the Response ErrP, the second group of the Feedback ErrP and the Interaction ErrP. This new categorization can aid future research on dealing with error handling and error correction in BCIs.
Molecular cloning and physical mapping of murine cytomegalovirus DNA

Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) Smith strain DNA is cleaved by restriction endonuclease HindIII into 16 fragments, ranging in size from 0.64 to 22.25 megadaltons. Of the 16 HindIII fragments, 15 were cloned in plasmid pACYC177 in Escherichia coli HB101 (recA). The recombinant plasmid clones were characterized by cleavage with the enzymes XbaI and EcoRI. In addition, fragments generated by double digestion of cloned fragments with HindIII and XbaI were inserted into the plasmid vector pACYC184. The results obtained after hybridization of 32P-labeled cloned fragments to Southern blots of MCMV DNA cleaved with HindIII, XbaI, EcoRI, BamHI, ApaI, ClaI, EcoRV, or KpnI allowed us to construct complete physical maps of the viral DNA for the restriction endonucleases HindIII, XbaI, and EcoRI. On the basis of the cloning and mapping experiments, it was calculated that the MCMV genome spans about 235 kilobase pairs, corresponding to a molecular weight of 155,000,000. All fragments were found to be present in equimolar concentrations, and no cross-hybridization between any of the fragments was seen. We conclude that the MCMV DNA molecule consists of a long unique sequence without large terminal or internal repeat regions. Thus, the structural organization of the MCMV genome is fundamentally different from that of the human cytomegalovirus or herpes simplex virus genome.
Molecular Epidemiology of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Patients Newly Identified as Nasal Carriers

ABSTRACT We aimed to determine whether additional molecular and microbiological evaluations of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from patients newly identified as nasal carriers were useful for control strategies and whether longitudinal testing during the same or repeat hospitalization changed MRSA status. Nasal swabs from patients positive by Xpert MRSA PCR and not known to be colonized in the previous year were cultured for S. aureus. Isolates were tested for resistance to a variety of antibiotics, including high-level mupirocin resistance (HLMR) and low-level mupirocin resistance (LLMR) and the presence of genes mecA and mupA and those for Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), USA300, and USA400. Repeat nasal screens during the 6-month study were tested for continued presence of MRSA. Among 130 patients, cultures revealed MRSA in 85 (65.4%), methicillin-susceptible S. aureus in 19 (14.6%), and no growth in 26 (20%). MRSA isolates were USA300 positive in 13/85 (15.3%) and LLMR in 8/85 (9.4%) patients. No isolates were HLMR or mupA positive. mecA dropout was detected in 9/130 (6.9%) patients. The rate of subsequent MRSA infections in USA300-positive versus -negative patients was not different. MRSA nasal status remained concordant in 69/70 (98.6%) patients who had follow-up testing. The findings do not support expanding MRSA surveillance to include routine detection of genes for USA300, PVL, or mupA, all of which were either of low frequency or not significantly associated with MRSA infection risk in our population of newly identified nasal carriers. Repeat nasal screening for MRSA during the same or subsequent hospitalizations over 6 months could also be deferred, reducing costs associated with screening.
A Protocol for the Control of Agitation in Palliative Care

Background: Agitation is a distressing and dangerous behavior for all involved. Objective: To study a protocol effectiveness and safety. Methods: The time when the protocol was initiated and when the agitation was controlled, the number of doses needed and the complications observed were recorded. Results: One hundred and thirty-five inpatients of a palliative care service were included. The most frequent diagnosis was head and neck cancer, 37 (27%). The protocol was used 584 times, from 1 to 31 times on each patient, median of 3 times. Five hundred and thirty-four (91%) agitation episodes were controlled with only the first dose of the protocol, without significant complications. Conclusion: From those results, it can be said that this protocol is effective and safe.
Monoamine Oxidases Regulate Telencephalic Neural Progenitors in Late Embryonic and Early Postnatal Development

Monoamine neurotransmitters play major roles in regulating a range of brain functions in adults and increasing evidence suggests roles for monoamines in brain development. Here we show that mice lacking the monoamine metabolic enzymes MAO A and MAO B (MAO AB-deficient mice) exhibit diminished proliferation of neural stem cells (NSC) in the developing telencephalon beginning in late gestation [embryonic day (E) 17.5], a deficit that persists in neonatal and adult mice. These mice showed significantly increased monoamine levels and anxiety-like behaviors as adults. Assessments of markers of intermediate progenitor cells (IPC) and mitosis showed that NSC in the subventricular zone (SVZ), but not in the ventricular zone, are reduced in MAO AB-deficient mice. A developmental time course of monoamines in frontal cortical tissues revealed increased serotonin levels as early as E14.5, and a further large increase was found between E17.5 and postnatal day 2. Administration of an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis (parachlorophenylalanine) between E14.5 and E19.5 restored the IPC numbers and SVZ thickness, suggesting the role of serotonin in the suppression of IPC proliferation. Studies of neurosphere cultures prepared from the telencephalon at different embryonic and postnatal ages showed that serotonin stimulates proliferation in wild-type, but not in MAO AB-deficient, NSC. Together, these results suggest that a MAO-dependent long-lasting alteration in the proliferation capacity of NSC occurs late in embryonic development and is mediated by serotonin. Our findings reveal novel roles for MAOs and serotonin in the regulation of IPC proliferation in the developing brain.