Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MINERALOCORTICOIDS AND CARDIAC FIBROSIS: THE DECADE IN REVIEW

1. Over the past decade, aldosterone has been shown to have direct extra‐epithelial actions and substantial (patho)physiological roles in the cardiovascular system in the context of inappropriate salt status. In experimental studies on uninephrectomized rats given 0.9% NaCl solution to drink, these include blood pressure elevation via activation of circumventricular mineralocorticoid receptors in the central nervous system and production of pressure‐independent cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis by a direct effect on the heart.
Antecedents and outcomes of work-interference with family life : A cross national study in the banking sector in Pakistan and in the Netherlands

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The Predominance of Real Estate in the Household Portfolio

This paper investigates why household portfolios are heavily skewed toward real estate. Previous studies suggest that the large portfolio share of real estate primarily stems from non-investment-related motives as homeowners are often forced to invest heavily to buy the home they want to consume. In contrast, we show that homeowners would still invest the bulk of their wealth in real estate in a frictionless setting where they could own and consume separate amounts of housing. We provide empirical support to this argument and derive a dynamic portfolio model to study why real estate has such a strong investment appeal.
Macromolecular Trafficking Indicated by Localization and Turnover of Sucrose Transporters in Enucleate Sieve Elements

The leaf sucrose transporter SUT1 is essential for phloem loading and long-distance transport of assimilates. Both SUT1 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein were shown to be diurnally regulated and to have high turnover rates. SUT1 protein was detected by immunolocalization in plasma membranes of enucleate sieve elements (SEs) in tobacco, potato, and tomato. Analysis by in situ hybridization showed that SUT1 mRNA localizes mainly to the SE and is preferentially associated with plasmodesmata. Antisense inhibition of SUT1 expression under control of a companion cell (CC)-specific promoter indicated synthesis of SUT1 mRNA in the CC. These results provide evidence for targeting of plant endogenous mRNA and potentially SUT1 protein through phloem plasmodesmata and for sucrose loading at the plasma membrane of SE.
Direct Fibrinolytic Snake Venom Metalloproteinases Affecting Hemostasis: Structural, Biochemical Features and Therapeutic Potential

Snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) are predominant in viperid venoms, which provoke hemorrhage and affect hemostasis and thrombosis. P-I class enzymes consist only of a single metalloproteinase domain. Despite sharing high sequence homology, only some of them induce hemorrhage. They have direct fibrin(ogen)olytic activity. Their main biological substrate is fibrin(ogen), whose Aα-chain is degraded rapidly and independently of activation of plasminogen. It is important to understand their biochemical and physiological mechanisms, as well as their applications, to study the etiology of some human diseases and to identify sites of potential intervention. As compared to all current antiplatelet therapies to treat cardiovascular events, the SVMPs have outstanding biochemical attributes: (a) they are insensitive to plasma serine proteinase inhibitors; (b) they have the potential to avoid bleeding risk; (c) mechanistically, they are inactivated/cleared by α2-macroglobulin that limits their range of action in circulation; and (d) few of them also impair platelet aggregation that represent an important target for therapeutic intervention. This review will briefly highlight the structure–function relationships of these few direct-acting fibrinolytic agents, including, barnettlysin-I, isolated from Bothrops barnetti venom, that could be considered as potential agent to treat major thrombotic disorders. Some of their pharmacological advantages are compared with plasmin.
Young infants with atopic dermatitis can display sensitization to Cor a 9, an 11S legumin‐like seed‐storage protein from hazelnut (Corylus avellana)

To cite this article: Verweij MM, Hagendorens MM, De Knop KJ, Bridts CH, De Clerck LS, Stevens WJ, Ebo DG. Young infants with atopic dermatitis can display sensitization to Cor a 9, an 11S legumin‐like seed‐storage protein from hazelnut (Corylus avellana). Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011; 22: 196–201.
Relationship Between Companies and the Public on Facebook: The Portuguese and the Brazilian Context

ABSTRACT This study analyzes how companies use Facebook to facilitate discussions with the public in two countries, Portugal and Brazil, through an exploratory content analysis of corporate Facebook pages. Overall, companies in both countries tend to recognize the relevance of Facebook in relationship development and therefore they use online strategies. Nevertheless, Portuguese companies are ahead of the Brazilian in providing calendars of events and partnerships with blogs/giveaways. They also tend to include more links to media reports. Compared to the Portuguese, the Brazilian public enjoys posting publications that express their feelings and/or emotions more. The article also discusses the implications of corporate relationship management practice.
Off-lattice and hypercubic-lattice models for diffusion-limited aggregation in dimensionalities 2-8.

Improved algorithms have been developed to simulate both off-lattice and hypercubic-lattice diffusion-limited aggregation (DLA) in dimensionalities d in the range 2\ensuremath{\le}d\ensuremath{\le}8. For the two-dimensional cases using off-lattice clusters containing up to ${10}^{6}$ particles, we find that the effective fractal dimensionality is essentially independent of cluster size s for clusters containing more than a few thousand particles and has a value of 1.715\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.004 (significantly higher than the mean-field value of (5/3). For d=3, 4, and 5, it appears to be possible to approach quite close to the asymptotic (s\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}) regime and the effective fractal dimensionality for off-lattice clusters is equal to the mean-field value given by D=(${d}^{2}$+1)/(d+1) (within a few tenths of 1%). For d\ensuremath{\ge}5 we were not able to approach near enough to the asymptotic limit to make an accurate estimate of the limiting fractal dimensionality. However, the simulation results are consistent with the mean-field theory predictions. For d\ensuremath{\le}4 the effects of lattice anisotropy can be seen in the overall shapes of the clusters and the dependence of the cluster radius of gyration on s. For d\ensuremath{\ge}5 clusters containing ${10}^{5}$ sites are still in the fluctuation-dominated regime and the dependence of ${R}_{g}$ on s is essentially the same for both off-lattice and hypercubic-lattice models. For d=2 the effective value of \ensuremath{\nu}\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}, which describes how the width of the active zone grows, increases with increasing cluster size and approaches a value of 1/1.715.
Successful Treatment of HIV-1 Infection Increases the Expression of a Novel, Short Transcript for IL-18 Receptor &agr; Chain

Abstract:The importance of interleukin (IL)-18 in mediating immune activation during HIV infection has recently emerged. IL-18 activity is regulated by its receptor (IL-18R), formed by an &agr; and a &bgr; chain, the IL-18–binding protein, and the newly identified shorter isoforms of both IL-18R chains. We evaluated gene expression of the IL-18/IL-18R system in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HIV+ patients. Compared with healthy donors, IL-18 expression decreased in patients with primary infection. The IL-18R&agr; short transcript expression was strongly upregulated by successful highly active antiretroviral therapy. HIV progression and its treatment can influence the expression of different components of the complex IL-18/IL-18R system.
A Holistic Approach to Fishery Management: Evidence and Insights from a Central Mediterranean Case Study (Western Ionian Sea)

The new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is designed to represent an appropriate response to the uncertainties and challenges facing the fisheries sector. It also adopts a holistic approach to fisheries management, considering all factors driving fishers’ behavior, and ultimately, the long-term maintenance of living resources. The most reliable way to pursue these aims could be represented by a change in the exploitation pattern, in order to guarantee the sustainability of fisheries without compromising their socioeconomic viability. In this paper, the demersal fisheries of the Ionian Sea (Geographic Sub-area [GSA] 19) were analyzed with respect to their spatial, temporal, economic, and biological characteristics in terms of four key species for fisheries, namely European hake, red mullet, giant red shrimp, and deep-water rose shrimp. Specifically, 1) a quantitative procedure was applied to break down the whole system (including small-scale fleet components) into a series of fishing grounds using input data about fishing efforts; 2) the different fleet segments were defined as a combination of main gear and fishing grounds; 3) the effort and production by fleet segment were derived according to biological samplings of commercial data (Data Collection Framework for the collection and management of fisheries data, DCF), information on localization of nursery and spawning grounds, and expert knowledge; and 4) all this information was used to feed a bioeconomic modelling tool (BEMTOOL), and to explore alternative exploitation patterns. A series of scenarios including the status quo were defined, starting from the actual management approach based on temporal fishing closure. The results showed that significant improvements in the exploitation pattern could be achieved by setting up spatial and/or temporal gear-specific bans of the fishing activity. More specifically, scenarios based on a 3-month fishing ban for trawlers are expected to provide high rebuilding of the spawning stock biomass (SSB) for all target stocks, and at the same time, result in a remarkable reduction of discards. When combined with a seasonal fishing ban for small-scale fleets equipped with nets and longlines, this approach could lead to a significant improvement in all indicators, but especially the SSB of the exploited species.
Antibacterial Effect of Aqueous Extracts and Bioactive Chemical Compounds of Coffea canephora against Microorganisms Involved in Dental Caries and Periodontal Disease

This study aimed to evaluate the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of Coffea canephora aqueous extract (Cc), trigonelline (Tg) and 5-caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA) against cariogenic microorganisms: Streptococcus parasanguinis ATCC 903 (SP), Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 9595 (LR); and pathogens related to periodontal disease: Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277 (PG), Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC 25586 (FN), Prevotella intermedia ATCC 49046 (PI) and Prevotella nigrescens ATCC 33563 (PN). Different concentrations of Cc (0.15625 to 10 mg/mL), Tg and 5-CQA (0.005 to 10.24 mg/mL) were tested. Chlorhexidine (0.05%) was used as positive control and the substances without the inoculum comprised the blank control. The Cc showed bacteriostatic action against SP (MIC = 5 mg/mL) and LR (MIC = 10 mg/mL). Tg showed bacteriostatic action against SP (MIC = 2.56 to 1.28 mg/mL), LR (MIC = 2.56 mg/mL), PG (MIC = 2.56 to 1.28 mg/mL), FN (MIC = 5.12 mg/mL), PN (MIC = 2.56 mg/mL), and PI (MIC = 2.56 to 1.28 mg/mL). Also, Tg showed bactericide properties against SP (MBC = 2.56 mg/mL), PG (MBC = 2.56 mg/mL), FN (MBC = 10.24 mg/mL), PN (MBC = 5.12 mg/mL), and PI (MBC = 2.56 mg/mL). Although 5-CQA has previously shown activity against Streptococcus mutans, in the present study, it showed no activity against all tested microorganisms. C. canephora extract only showed antibacterial activity against cariogenic microorganisms, not presenting action against periodontal pathogens. It was concluded that trigonelline presented the best effect against all pathogens tested, therefore coffee extracts with higher trigonelline content should be tested against these specific pathogens.
An in vitro assay reveals essential protein components for the “catch” state of invertebrate smooth muscle

“Catch,” a state where some invertebrate muscles sustain high tension over long periods of time with little energy expenditure (low ATP hydrolysis rate) is similar to the “latch” state of vertebrate smooth muscles. Its induction and release involve Ca2+-dependent phosphatase and cAMP-dependent protein kinase, respectively. Molecular mechanisms for catch remain obscure. Here, we describe a quantitative microscopic in vitro assay reconstituting the catch state with proteins isolated from catch muscles. Thick filaments attached to glass coverslips and pretreated with ≈10−4 M free Ca2+ and soluble muscle proteins bound fluorescently labeled native thin filaments tightly in catch at ≈10−8 M free Ca2+ in the presence of MgATP. At ≈10−4 M free Ca2+, the thin filaments moved at ≈4 μm/s. Addition of cAMP and cAMP-dependent protein kinase at ≈10−8 M free Ca2+ caused their release. Rabbit skeletal muscle F-actin filaments completely reproduced the results obtained with native thin filaments. Binding forces >500 pN/μm between thick and F-actin filaments were measured by glass microneedles, and were sufficient to explain catch tension in vivo. Synthetic filaments of purified myosin and twitchin bound F-actin in catch, showing that other components of native thick filaments such as paramyosin and catchin are not essential. The binding between synthetic thick filaments and F-actin filaments depended on phosphorylation of twitchin but not of myosin. Cosedimentation experiments showed that twitchin did not bind directly to F-actin in catch. These results show that catch is a direct actomyosin interaction regulated by twitchin phosphorylation.
Economic effects of tourism and its influencing factors

Zusammenfassung Zahlreiche Studien belegen die ökonomische Bedeutung des Tourismus, die mit Hilfe verschiedener theoretischer Konzepte und Methodenansätze analysiert werden kann. Dieser Einführungsbeitrag in das Themenheft gibt einen Überblick über die unterschiedlichen Konzepte zu den wirtschaftlichen Wirkungen des Tourismus und arbeitet deren wichtigste Einflussfaktoren heraus. Häufig werden der räumliche Maßstab sowie die Kostenseite des Tourismus übersehen. Besonderes Augenmerk richtet der vorliegende Beitrag auf einen weiteren, entscheidenden Einflussfaktor ökonomischer Effekte, die Besucherausgaben. Die Rolle des Ausgabeverhaltens der Besucher wird unter Rückgriff auf einen umfassenden Literaturüberblick vorgestellt. Auf diese Weise ist es möglich, auf verallgemeinerbare und systematische Weise die wichtigsten Treiber des Ausgabeverhaltens von Besuchern zu identifizieren. Abstract The economic relevance of tourism has been proven by numerous studies using various theoretical constructs and methodological approaches. This introduction to the special issue provides an overview of the different concepts of the economic effects of tourism and distinguishes their most relevant influencing factors. Often overlooked influences are the geographical scale and the cost side of tourism. A special focus of this paper lies on a further determinant of economic impact of utmost importance: visitor spending. The role of visitors’ expenditure behavior is comprehensively reviewed using an extensive literature base. Thus, we are able to identify the most important driving factors of visitor expenditure in tourism in a generalizable and systematic way.
An Application of Lovász's Local Lemma - A New Lower Bound for the van der Waerden Number

The van der Waerden number W(n) is the smallest integer so that if we divide the integers {1,2, …, W(n)} into two classes, then at least one of them contains an arithmetic progression of length n. We prove in this paper that W(n) ≥ 2n/nϵ for all sufficiently large n. © 1990 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Oxidative DNA damage and antioxidant vitamin level: Comparison among lung cancer patients, healthy smokers and nonsmokers

In the present study, we examined whether the level of 8‐oxo‐7,8‐dihydro‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐oxodGuo) in leukocyte DNA is higher in lung cancer patients compared to controls. Factors that may influence oxidative stress, such as antioxidant vitamins, were also determined. These parameters were analyzed in 4 groups of subjects: smokers with lung cancer, ex‐smokers with lung cancer, healthy smokers with comparable smoking status and healthy nonsmokers. The 8‐oxodGuo mean level in leukocytes of lung cancer patients reached values of 9.22/106 dGuo molecules (smokers) and 11.16/106 dGuo molecules (ex‐smokers). These values were significantly higher than in DNA of healthy smokers and nonsmokers, where mean levels reached 6.99/106 dGuo molecules and 5.98/106 dGuo molecules, respectively. Mean levels of vitamin C in the plasma of controls and lung cancer patients were 56.17 μM (nonsmokers), 26.34 μM (healthy smokers), 23.83 μM (cancer patients, smokers) and 29.19 μM (cancer patients, ex‐smokers). The difference between nonsmokers and the 3 other groups was statistically significant. Vitamin E level was significantly reduced in the plasma of cancer patients (smokers 19.94 μM, ex‐smokers 19.59 μM) compared to healthy smokers (28.93 μM). No changes in vitamin A concentration were found. Our results suggest that a high level of 8‐oxodGuo in leukocyte DNA and a low concentration of vitamin E in the blood may predict lung cancer risk. However, it is also possible that these phenomena may simply result from disease development. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Trimodal Therapy for Inflammatory Breast Cancer: A Surgeon’s Perspective

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare and most aggressive form of breast cancer. The onset and progression of disease are rapid; diagnosis must be made expediently to initiate treatment quickly. In this review, the clinical presentation, trimodal therapy, surgical principles and a brief summary of the Louisiana State University at Shreveport experience with IBC are presented. With this aggressive approach, 5-year survival of better than 40–50% can be expected. This represents a substantive improvement in clinical outcome for IBC patients compared with 30 years ago.
Visions and realities of Internet use in schools: Canadian perspectives

Teachers in many countries are being expected to use the Internet in their work. Research on the Canadian experience of Internet implementation provides insights that may be valuable for researchers and educators in other countries. A three-year study, using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, examined both the visions for Internet use and the realities of everyday practice related to Internet use in Canadian schools. Participants in the study included ministry of education officials, teacher association officials, classroom teachers, and school administrators. Findings of the study suggest that all four participant groups were positive about the visions of the Internet as a tool with the potential to contribute to the enhancement of teaching and the development of information literate students. The realities of Internet use, however, were quite different from the visions. All four participant groups reported that the Internet was being used mostly to increase access to information. Its potential as an innovative learning tool for students and for teachers was largely unrealised. Few respondents reported using the collaboration, creation, and dissemination capabilities of the Internet. This outcome appeared to be the result of limited infrastructure support, difficulties in infusing Internet use into curriculum, and lack of appropriate teacher professional development.
Recurrence Metrics for Eye Movements in Perceptual Experiments

Far more information is available to the human visual system than it can possibly handle at any moment, so we are constantly making on-line decisions about what to process. Understanding how humans parse their limited attentional resources can provide important insight into visual perception and cognition. One approach to gaining understanding of visual attention is the study of observers’ eye movements.
Expression of Homing Receptors on IgA1 and IgA2 Plasmablasts in Blood Reflects Differential Distribution of IgA1 and IgA2 in Various Body Fluids

ABSTRACT Although secretory IgA is the most abundantly produced Ig isotype, the mechanisms underlying the differential distribution of IgA subclasses in various body fluids remain unclear. To explore these mechanisms, we examined the distribution of IgA subclasses, the influence of the nature and sites of encounters with antigens, and the correlation between IgA subclass distribution and homing potentials of circulating IgA plasmablasts. IgA1 predominated in serum, tears, nasal wash fluid, and saliva; the levels of IgA1 and IgA2 were comparable in vaginal wash fluid; and IgA2 predominated in intestinal lavage fluids. Seventy-one percent of circulating IgA plasmablasts secreted IgA1. The intestinal homing receptor (HR), α4β7, was expressed more frequently on IgA2 than on IgA1 plasmablasts, with no differences in the expression of other HRs. IgA subclass distribution among circulating antigen-specific antibody-secreting cells (ASC) was dependent on the nature of the antigen: following vaccination with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, unconjugated pneumococcal polysaccharide, or Haemophilus influenzae polysaccharide-diphtheria toxoid conjugate, the proportions of specific IgA1 ASC were 74%, 47%, 56%, and 80%, respectively. HR expression depended on the route of administration: expression of HRs was different after oral than after parenteral vaccination, while no difference was seen between HR expression of antigen-specific IgA1 and IgA2 ASC induced via the same route. The key factors determining IgA subclass distribution in a given secretion are the nature of the antigens encountered at a particular site and the site-specific homing instructions given to lymphocytes at that site. These two factors are reflected as differences in the homing profiles of the total populations of circulating IgA1 and IgA2 plasmablasts.