Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Second Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen Loader Complex, Ctf18-Replication Factor C, Stimulates DNA Polymerase η Activity*

Replication factor C (RFC) loads the clamp protein PCNA onto DNA structures. Ctf18-RFC, which consists of the chromosome cohesion factors Ctf18, Dcc1, and Ctf8 and four small RFC subunits, functions as a second proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) loader. To identify potential targets of Ctf18-RFC, human cell extracts were assayed for DNA polymerase activity specifically stimulated by Ctf18-RFC in conjunction with PCNA. After several chromatography steps, an activity stimulated by Ctf18-RFC but not by RFC was identified. Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) analysis revealed the presence of two DNA polymerases, η and λ, in the most purified fraction, but experiments with purified recombinant proteins demonstrated that only polymerase (pol) η was responsible for activity. Ctf18-RFC alone stimulated pol η, and the addition of PCNA cooperatively increased stimulation. Furthermore, Ctf18-RFC interacted physically with pol η, as indicated by co-precipitation in human cells. We propose that this novel loader-DNA polymerase interaction allows DNA replication forks to overcome interference by various template structures, including damaged DNA and DNA-protein complexes that maintain chromosome cohesion.
Iranian senior nursing managers’ experiences and understanding of social capital in the nursing profession

Background: This study aimed to explore the role of social capital within the context of the nursing profession in Iran, based on the experience and perspectives of senior nursing managers. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using the Graneheim and Lundman content analysis method. Using purposive sampling, 26 senior nursing managers from the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, the College of Nursing and Midwifery, the Iranian Nursing Organization, nursing associations and hospitals were selected, who participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews. Results: Content analysis revealed three main themes (social capital deficit, applying multiple strategies, and cultivating social capital) as well as eight categories which included professional remoteness, deficiency in professional potency, deficiency in professional exchanges, accumulation of personal social capital, accumulation of professional social capital, socio-political strategies, psychological–cognitive strategies, and ethical/spiritual strategies. The results show the perceived level of social capital in nursing in Iran, the application of some key strategies, and the principal rewards accrued from active participation in improving the social capital in nursing environment and profession. Conclusions: Efforts should be made to strengthen the social capital and apply key strategies with the aim of achieving personal and professional benefits for nurses, their patients, and co-workers, and for the delivery of healthcare in general. In this respect, the role of senior managers is vital in stimulating collective action within the profession, planning for the development of a culture of participation in healthcare services, helping to develop all fields of the profession, and developing and strengthening intra- and inter-professional exchanges and networking.
Effects of surgical vs. nonsurgical therapy on erectile dysfunction and quality of life in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with erectile dysfunction (ED). The improvement of ED after medical therapy including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or mandibular advancement devices (MADs) is still controversial. Furthermore, the efficacy of surgical treatment has been little investigated. AIM The aim of this nonrandomized prospective study was to evaluate the effects of surgical (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty [UPPP]) and nonsurgical approaches (CPAP and MAD) on ED and quality of life (QOL) in OSAS. METHODS OSAS patients underwent UPPP (N = 30), CPAP (N = 16), or MAD (N = 10) and completed the Korean versions of the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire (KIIEF-5) and the Calgary Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index (SAQLI) before and after a median of 7 months of treatment (interquartile range, 4-15 months). All patients underwent a full-night in-laboratory polysomnography at baseline and follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The main outcome measures are the KIIEF-5 and SAQLI scores. RESULTS CPAP group showed older age, higher body mass index, and more severe OSAS than other groups. Apnea-hypopnea index and lowest oxygen saturation level improved significantly in all groups, but Epworth Sleepiness Scale score decreased significantly in UPPP and MAD groups. Significant increase of KIIEF-5 was observed in patients who underwent UPPP (P = 0.039, paired t-test), but not in nonsurgical treatment group. All groups had the tendency of better QOL after treatment, but statistical significance was found only in MAD group. Neck circumference (r = 0.360, P = 0.006) and KIIEF-5 score (r = -0.484, P < 0.001) at baseline were significantly related to the improvement of KIIEF-5. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that ED in OSAS may improve following UPPP. Better disease-specific QOL was observed after both surgical and nonsurgical therapies in OSAS. These findings suggest that interventions for OSAS can provide the alleviation of ED and increase QOL in OSAS patients with ED, especially if they had pronounced complaints of ED and wide neck circumferences.
Generating globally optimised sagittal gait cycles of a biped robot

The paper is aimed at generating optimal gait cycles in the sagittal plane of a biped, the locomotion system of which has anthropomorphic characteristics. Both single and double support phases are globally optimised, considering incompletely specified transition postural configurations from one phase to the other. An impactless heel-touch is prescribed. Full dynamic models are developed for both gait phases. They are completed by specific constraints attached to the unilaterality of contact with the supporting ground. A parametric optimisation method is implemented. The biped joint coordinates are approximated by cubic splines functions connected at uniformly distributed knots along the motion time. The finite set of unknowns consists of the joint coordinate values at knots, some gait pattern parameters at phase transitions, and the motion time of each phase. The step length is adjusted to the prescribed gait speed by the optimisation process. Numerical simulations concerning slow and fast optimal gaits are presented and discussed.
Structural and Functional Comparison of Polysaccharide-Degrading Enzymes

Sugar molecules as well as enzymes degrading them are ubiquitously present in physiological systems, especially for vertebrates. Polysaccharides have at least two aspects to their function, one due to their mechanical properties and the second one involves multiple regulatory processes or interactions between molecules, cells, or extracellular space. Various bacteria exert exogenous pressures on their host organism to diversity glycans and their structures in order for the host organism to evade the destructive function of such microbes. Many bacterial organism produce glycan-degrading enzymes in order to facilitate their invasion of host tissues. Such polysaccharide degrading enzymes utilize mainly two modes of polysaccharide-degradation, a hydrolysis and a β-elimination process. The three-dimensional structures of several of these enzymes have been elucidated recently using X-ray crystallography. There are many common structural motifs among these enzymes, mainly the presence of an elongated cleft transversing these molecules which functions as a polysaccharide substrate binding site as well as the catalytic site for these enzymes. The detailed structural information obtained about these enzymes allowed formulation of proposed mechanisms of their action. The polysaccharide lyases utilize a proton acceptance and donation mechanism (PAD), whereas polysaccharide hydrolases use a direct double displacement (DD) mechanism to degrade their substrates.
Insulin Resistance: A Multifaceted Syndrome Responsible for NIDDM, Obesity, Hypertension, Dyslipidemia, and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Diabetes mellitus is commonly associated with systolic/diastolic hypertension, and a wealth of epidemiological data suggest that this association is independent of age and obesity. Much evidence indicates that the link between diabetes and essential hypertension is hyperinsulinemia. Thus, when hypertensive patients, whether obese or of normal body weight, are compared with age- and weight-matched normotensive control subjects, a heightened plasma insulin response to a glucose challenge is consistently found. A state of cellular resistance to insulin action subtends the observed hyperinsulinism. With the insulin/glucose-clamp technique, in combination with tracer glucose infusion and indirect calorimetry, it has been demonstrated that the insulin resistance of essential hypertension is located in peripheral tissues (muscle), is limited to nonoxidative pathways of glucose disposal (glycogen synthesis), and correlates directly with the severity of hypertension. The reasons for the association of insulin resistance and essential hypertension can be sought in at least four general types of mechanisms: Na+ retention, sympathetic nervous system overactivity, disturbed membrane ion transport, and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. Physiological maneuvers, such as calorie restriction (in the overweight patient) and regular physical exercise, can improve tissue sensitivity to insulin; evidence indicates that these maneuvers can also lower blood pressure in both normotensive and hypertensive individuals. Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia are also associated with an atherogenic plasma lipid profile. Elevated plasma insulin concentrations enhance very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) synthesis, leading to hypertriglyceridemia. Progressive elimination of lipid and apolipoproteins from the VLDL particle leads to an increased formation of intermediate-density and low-density lipoproteins, both of which are atherogenic. Last, insulin, independent of its effects on blood pressure and plasma lipids, is known to be atherogenic. The hormone enhances cholesterol transport into arteriolar smooth muscle cells and increases endogenous lipid synthesis by these cells. Insulin also stimulates the proliferation of arteriolar smooth muscle cells, augments collagen synthesis in the vascular wall, increases the formation of and decreases the regression of lipid plaques, and stimulates the production of various growth factors. In summary, insulin resistance appears to be a syndrome that is associated with a clustering of metabolic disorders, including non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, lipid abnormalities, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
An approach to the analysis of a finite thickness helix slow-wave structure by helical coordinate system

The helical slow-wave structure which has higher frequency and bigger output power is required in the development of high-power traveling wave tube. In view of this point, a thick tape helix SWS is analyzed in this paper. The radial field expression and dispersion equation are derived with the helical coordinate system. The effect of the helix thickness on the dispersion characteristic has been analyzed by numerical calculation. And the theoretical results by our approach have also been compared with those by HooK's method. It shows that the data of our approach is closer to CST simulation. In the paper, we have theoretically modeled a helical SWS by a sheath helix of finite thickness that is treated by utilizing helical coordinate system to account for the finite thickness of the helix wire. The dispersion characteristics and the interaction impendence of the method have been compared with these of Hook's models.
Evolution of the Quadriceps Snip

Between May 1990 and December 1992, the quadriceps snip was used to assist in the surgical exposure of the knee in 16 patients (4 women and 12 men) who underwent knee surgery at the average age of 65 years (range, 50–73 years). The original diagnoses included osteoarthritis (12 patients), traumatic arthritis (2 patients), rheumatoid arthritis (1 patient), and psoriatic arthritis (1 patient). The surgical exposure was done in the treatment of aseptic loosening of a total knee prosthesis in 8 patients, septic loosening in 2 patients, and primary knee arthroplasty in 6 patients with fibrous ankylosis. Using the Hospital for Special Surgery Scoring System, the authors rated the knees of 10 patients as excellent and those of 6 patients as good at postoperative evaluation. The range of motion was improved in all knees by an average of 30°. Cybex testing revealed significant weakness of the knee in extension when compared with the contralateral normal side at test speeds of 60° and 180° per second but no difference compared with the opposite knee that had been replaced. In the authors' experience, the surgical technique of a quadriceps snip has been safe and simple, has not required special equipment, and postoperatively the patient's physical therapy has not had to be altered. Clinically, the quadriceps strength was very good, although weaker than that of a contralateral normal leg when measured by Cybex testing.
Predicting Delirium After Vascular Surgery: A Model Based on Pre- and Intraoperative Data

Objective The aim of the study was to determine pre- and intraoperative risk factors for the development of postoperative delirium among patients undergoing aortic, carotid, and peripheral vascular surgery to predict the risk for postoperative delirium. Summary Background Data Although postoperative delirium after vascular surgery is a frequent complication and is associated with the need for more inpatient hospital care and longer length of hospital stay, little is known about risk factors for delirium in patients undergoing vascular surgery. Methods Pre-, intra-, and postoperative data were prospectively collected, including the first 7 postoperative days with daily follow-up by a surgeon and a psychiatrist of 153 patients undergoing elective vascular surgery. Delirium (Diagnostic and statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV) was diagnosed by the psychiatrist. Multivariate linear logistic regression and a cross validation analysis were performed to find a set of parameters to predict postoperative delirium. Results Sixty patients (39.2%) developed postoperative delirium. The best set of predictors included the absence of supraaortic occlusive disease and hypercholesterinemia, history of a major amputation, age over 65 years, a body size of less than 170 cm, preoperative psychiatric parameters and intraoperative parameters correlated to increased blood loss. The combination of these parameters allows the estimation of an individual patients’ risk for postoperative delirium already at the end of vascular surgery with an overall accuracy of 69.9%. Conclusions Postoperative delirium after vascular surgery is a frequent complication. A model based on pre- and intraoperative somatic and psychiatric risk factors allows prediction of the patient's risk for developing postoperative delirium.
Knee and Hip Joint Kinematics Predict Quadriceps and Hamstrings Neuromuscular Activation Patterns in Drop Jump Landings

Purpose The purpose was to assess if variation in sagittal plane landing kinematics is associated with variation in neuromuscular activation patterns of the quadriceps-hamstrings muscle groups during drop vertical jumps (DVJ). Methods Fifty female athletes performed three DVJ. The relationship between peak knee and hip flexion angles and the amplitude of four EMG vectors was investigated with trajectory-level canonical correlation analyses over the entire time period of the landing phase. EMG vectors consisted of the {vastus medialis(VM),vastus lateralis(VL)}, {vastus medialis(VM),hamstring medialis(HM)}, {hamstring medialis(HM),hamstring lateralis(HL)} and the {vastus lateralis(VL),hamstring lateralis(HL)}. To estimate the contribution of each individual muscle, linear regressions were also conducted using one-dimensional statistical parametric mapping. Results The peak knee flexion angle was significantly positively associated with the amplitudes of the {VM,HM} and {HM,HL} during the preparatory and initial contact phase and with the {VL,HL} vector during the peak loading phase (p<0.05). Small peak knee flexion angles were significantly associated with higher HM amplitudes during the preparatory and initial contact phase (p<0.001). The amplitudes of the {VM,VL} and {VL,HL} were significantly positively associated with the peak hip flexion angle during the peak loading phase (p<0.05). Small peak hip flexion angles were significantly associated with higher VL amplitudes during the peak loading phase (p = 0.001). Higher external knee abduction and flexion moments were found in participants landing with less flexed knee and hip joints (p<0.001). Conclusion This study demonstrated clear associations between neuromuscular activation patterns and landing kinematics in the sagittal plane during specific parts of the landing. These findings have indicated that an erect landing pattern, characterized by less hip and knee flexion, was significantly associated with an increased medial and posterior neuromuscular activation (dominant hamstrings medialis activity) during the preparatory and initial contact phase and an increased lateral neuromuscular activation (dominant vastus lateralis activity) during the peak loading phase.
Neutrophil migration , oxidative

The aim of this study was to evaluate neutrophil function in patients suffering from the generalized form of early onset periodontitis (EOP). We investigated neutrophil migration in vivo and neutrophil superoxide production and adhesion in response to a variety of compounds; neutrophils were isolated both from blood and a skin experimental exudate of 15 patients with EOP and of 15 sexand age-matched normal control subjects. No difference was found in neutrophil migration in vivo (71.2∫16.4¿106 and 68.8∫10.7¿106 PMN/cm2/24 h in patients affected by early onset periodontitis and normal subjects respectively) and in adhesion. The superoxide production in response to STZ and PMA was similar between the 2 groups, while superoxide production in response to fMLP was markedly lower in patients than in control subjects both in circulating neutrophils (5.6∫2.2 versus 10.4∫2.3 nmoles O2/10 cells, p∞0.0001) and in exudate neutrophils (16.3∫4.3 versus 22.3∫4.7 nmoles O2/10 cells, p∞0.005). In general, neutrophil function in patients suffering from early onset periodontitis does not differ from control subjects, suggesting that the overall defence function of these cells is normal. The only parameter that we have found to be different
Spectrum of ABCA4 (ABCR) gene mutations in Spanish patients with autosomal recessive macular dystrophies

The ABCA4 gene has been involved in several forms of inherited macular dystrophy. In order to further characterize the complex genotype–phenotype relationships involving this gene, we have performed a mutation analysis of ABCA4 in 14 Spanish patients comprising eight STGD (Stargardt), four FFM (fundus flavimaculatus), and two CRD (Cone‐rod dystrophy) patients. SSCP (single‐strand conformation polymorphism) analysis and DNA sequencing of the coding and 5′ upstream regions of this gene allowed the identification of 16 putatively pathogenic alterations, nine of which are novel. Most of these were missense changes, and no patient was found to carry two null alleles. Overall, the new data agree with a working model relating the different pathogenic phenotypes to the severity of the mutations. When considering the information presented here together with that of previous reports, a picture of the geographic distribution of three particular mutations emerges. The R212C change has been found in French, Italian, Dutch, German, and Spanish but not in British patients. In the Spanish collection, R212C was found in a CRD patient, indicating that it may be a rather severe change. In contrast, c.2588G>C, a very common mild allele in the Dutch population, is rarely found in Southern Europe. Interestingly, the c.2588G>C mutation has been found in a double mutant allele together with the missense R1055W. Finally, the newly described L1940P was found in two unrelated Spanish patients, and may be a moderate to severe allele. Hum Mutat 17:504–510, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lipid Involvement in Viral Infections: Present and Future Perspectives for the Design of Antiviral Strategies

© 2013 Sobrino et al., licensee InTech. This is an open access chapter distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Lipid Involvement in Viral Infections: Present and Future Perspectives for the Design of Antiviral Strategies
Design of High Efficiency Circular Horn Feeds for Multibeam Reflector Applications

Design aspects of high efficiency profiled circular horns with thin walls as feeds for multibeam reflector antennas for satellite applications are presented in this paper. The modal content at the circular aperture of the horn necessary to closely approximate a unipolarized uniform distribution is first established. Slope discontinuities along the length of the horn are then used to generate the necessary aperture modes with the appropriate amplitudes and phases. The performance of the horn is calculated using the mode matching technique. Significant improvement in the horn aperture efficiency and reduction in the cross-polar level over a straight conical horn can be achieved over a single band or two bands that are widely separated in frequency. This conclusion is supported by the good agreement between predictions and measurements of a high efficiency dual-band horn.
Authenticity and Naturalness of Binaural Reproduction via Headphones regarding Different Equalization Methods

Not only a suitable localization performance, but also the plausibility and authenticity of the played scene are major criteria for a successful binaural reproduction. It is therefore important to examine whether the binaural reproduction can be perceptually distinguished from a real source. The aim of the presented investigation is to analyze the quality and reliability of binaural reproduction via headphones, especially for further investigations in a joint project on selective auditive attention [3]. Building on results of different measurements already published by Fels et al. [2], listening tests with a total of 80 participants were carried out. A similar approach with however a different focus has been published by Scharer and Lindau [4]. Moreover, two different microphone setups (miniature microphone in open dome and ear plug) used for individualized Head-Related Transfer Functions (HRTFs) and Headphone Transfer Function (HpTF) measurements were compared.
REACTIONS TO AMMONIUM PERSULFATE.

A number of patients have been seen with generalized histamine reactions following the use of a hair bleach. Similar urticarial and dermatitic reactions were seen on the hands of hairdressers handling this bleach preparation. The responsible agent was found to be ammonium persulfate. Evidence is given that this compound releases histamine from the skin in susceptible persons. It is a weak histamine liberator. Passive transfer studies were negative. The mechanism of action could be either direct histamine liberation or antibody-mediated.