Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of depth-related changes and site-specific differences of microbial communities in marine sediments using quinone profiles

Respiratory quinone compositions were analyzed by a high-performance liquid chromatography to characterize the depth-related changes and site-specific differences of microbial communities in marine sediments. Two deep-sea sediment samples and one coastal sediment sample were investigated from three sites on the coast of Japan, Sagami Bay, Suruga Bay and Tokyo Bay. Although depth-related changes in microbial community structures were observed, site-specific differences appeared to have greater influence on overall community structures. A variety of quinone homologs was commonly identified at all sampling sites and depths examined, but a few minor quinone fractions, mainly derived from Actinobacteria, were detected only at specific sampling sites. Methylmenaquinone-7 (MMK-7) was the major component throughout the examined depths in Sagami Bay and Tokyo Bay. Most abundant quinone homologs changed with each depth in Suruga Bay. Menaquinone-6 (MK-6) predominated in the 0 to 2-cm layer (19%). Below 0–2cm, the most abundant homolog in each sampling depth was phylloquinone (K1; 13%, 4–6 cm), MK-8 (19%, 8–10 cm) and MK-7 (13%, 16–18 cm). The microbial respiratory quinone profiling method shown here, successfully demonstrates the usefulness of this approach to characterize microbial communities in marine sediments.
Postsynaptic GABAB receptor signalling enhances LTD in mouse cerebellar Purkinje cells

Long‐term depression (LTD) of excitatory transmission at cerebellar parallel fibre–Purkinje cell synapses is a form of synaptic plasticity crucial for cerebellar motor learning. Around the postsynaptic membrane of these synapses, B‐type γ‐aminobutyric acid receptor (GABABR), a Gi/o protein‐coupled receptor for the inhibitory transmitter GABA is concentrated and closely associated with type‐1 metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR1) whose signalling is a key factor for inducing LTD. We found that in cultured Purkinje cells, GABABR activation enhanced LTD of a glutamate‐evoked current (LTDglu), increasing the magnitude of depression. It has been reported that parallel fibre–Purkinje cell synapses receive a micromolar level of GABA spilt over from the synaptic terminals of the neighbouring GABAergic interneurons. This level of GABA was able to enhance LTDglu. Our pharmacological analyses revealed that the βγ subunits but not the α subunit of Gi/o protein mediated GABABR‐mediated LTDglu enhancement. Gi/o protein activation was sufficient to enhance LTDglu. In this respect, LTDglu enhancement is clearly distinguished from the previously reported GABABR‐mediated augmentation of an mGluR1‐coupled slow excitatory postsynaptic potential. Baclofen application for only the induction period of LTDglu was sufficient to enhance LTDglu, suggesting that GABABR signalling may modulate mechanisms underlying LTDglu induction. Baclofen augmented mGluR1‐coupled Ca2+ release from the intracellular stores in a Gi/o protein‐dependent manner. Therefore, GABABR‐mediated LTDglu enhancement is likely to result from augmentation of mGluR1 signalling. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of GABABR reduced the magnitude of LTD at parallel fibre–Purkinje cell synapses in cerebellar slices. These findings demonstrate a novel mechanism that would facilitate cerebellar motor learning.
Biocompatibility of implantable antennas: Design and performance considerations

Biocompatibility is one of the most important aspects that need to be taken into account when it comes to implantable antennas. However, very few studies have addressed the effects that biocompatibility considerations might have on the design and performance of implantable antennas. This study addresses the conversion of non-biocompatible implantable antennas into their biocompatible equivalents, exploring the difficulties and proposing solutions. Two methods are suggested for ensuring the biocompatibility of implantable antennas, and these are further investigated and compared. The proposed biocompatible antennas are finally evaluated within an anatomical head model for intra-cranial pressure (ICP) monitoring applications.
Clinical Efficacy of Micronized Purified Flavonoid Fraction: An Overview

Flavonoids are widely used for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). In clinical trials, micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF, 450 mg diosmin plus 50 mg hesperidin, Daflon 500 mg) has demonstrated its activity in CVI by improving venous tone and vein elasticity assessed by plethysmography. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies have shown an improvement in signs and symptoms related to CVI and a decrease in leg circumferences at the levels of the ankle and calf. The effect of MPFF on microcirculatory parameters suspected of participating in the pathophysiological process of venous ulceration has been investigated in patients. These include hemorheological parameters and transcutaneous oxygen tension measurements, which were shown to improve after treatment with MPFF. Finally, a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study has shown that MPFF treatment for 2 months, in addition to standard compression therapy, accelerates leg ulcer healing in patients with ulcers ≤10 cm.
Prevalence and risk factors of asthma and wheeze in school-going children in Lucknow, North India.

OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence of asthma and wheeze and factors associated with it in children aged 6-7 and 13-14 years. METHOD School based, prospective survey using self/parental reporting of occurrence of asthma or wheeze on pre-designed questionnaire. RESULTS Out of 112 schools, 17 and 15 schools were randomly selected for recruitment of subjects in age group 6-7 and 13-14 years, respectively. Prevalence of asthma and wheeze reported were 2.3% and 6.2%, respectively, in age group 6-7 years and 3.3% and 7.8%, respectively, in age group 13-14 years. On the basis of adjusted odds ratio, risk factors for wheeze or asthma were tertiary education of mother, antibiotic use in the first year of life, eating pasta or fast-food or meat once or more per week and exercise once or more/week while the protective factors were intake of vegetables once or more and fruits thrice or more per week. In univariate analysis, breastfeeding was also found to be protective. CONCLUSION Promotion of rational use of antibiotic in first year of life, avoidance of fast food and promotion of breastfeeding and intake of fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of asthma/wheeze and should be encouraged.
Identification and Function of the pdxY Gene, Which Encodes a Novel Pyridoxal Kinase Involved in the Salvage Pathway of Pyridoxal 5′-Phosphate Biosynthesis in Escherichia coli K-12

ABSTRACT pdxK encodes a pyridoxine (PN)/pyridoxal (PL)/pyridoxamine (PM) kinase thought to function in the salvage pathway of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) coenzyme biosynthesis. The observation that pdxK null mutants still contain PL kinase activity led to the hypothesis that Escherichia coli K-12 contains at least one other B6-vitamer kinase. Here we support this hypothesis by identifying the pdxY gene (formally, open reading frame f287b) at 36.92 min, which encodes a novel PL kinase. PdxY was first identified by its homology to PdxK in searches of the complete E. coli genome. Minimal clones of pdxY+ overexpressed PL kinase specific activity about 10-fold. We inserted an omega cassette intopdxY and crossed the resultingpdxY::ΩKanr mutation into the bacterial chromosome of a pdxB mutant, in which de novo PLP biosynthesis is blocked. We then determined the growth characteristics and PL and PN kinase specific activities in extracts ofpdxK and pdxY single and double mutants. Significantly, the requirement of the pdxB pdxK pdxY triple mutant for PLP was not satisfied by PL and PN, and the triple mutant had negligible PL and PN kinase specific activities. Our combined results suggest that the PL kinase PdxY and the PN/PL/PM kinase PdxK are the only physiologically important B6vitamer kinases in E. coli and that their function is confined to the PLP salvage pathway. Last, we show thatpdxY is located downstream from pdxH (encoding PNP/PMP oxidase) and essential tyrS (encoding aminoacyl-tRNATyr synthetase) in a multifunctional operon.pdxY is completely cotranscribed with tyrS, but about 92% of tyrS transcripts terminate at a putative Rho-factor-dependent attenuator located in thetyrS-pdxY intercistronic region.
Dominant expression of a 1.3 Mb human IgK locus replacing mouse light chain production

Expression studies of multigene families, such as the immunoglobulin (Ig) loci, are difficult because of their large size and the necessity to introduce germline configured regions into an animal. Antibody diversity from Ig gene miniloci is limited by the number of variable (V) region genes and the need for distal regulatory elements to control expression. Here, we show germline transfer into mice of a 1300 kb human Igκ light chain locus on a yeast artificial chromosome that resulted in early DNA rearrangement and highly efficient human light chain expression. The human locus was assembled from a 300 kb authentic region using contig extension by addition of cosmid multimers to supplement the variable gene cluster. This resulted in the addition of about 100 V region genes in germline configuration from different families. In transgenic animals with Igκ disruption, this large human κ locus replaced the endogenous locus, and subsequent down‐regulation of Igλ light chain contribution led to a dominant expression of the rearranged human genes. Contrary to expectation, rather than providing a solely selective advantage for ensuring repertoire formation controlled by the sheer number of introduced genes, the λ/κ ratio in serum appears to be the result of competition for early surface Ig expression maintained in the developing B cell. —Zou, X. , Xian, J., Davies, N. P., Popov, A. V. , Brüggemann, M. Dominant expression of a 1.3 Mb human Igκ locus replacing mouse light chain production. FASEB J. 10, 1227‐1232 (1996)
Characteristics and porcelain bond strength of (Ti,Al)N coating on dental alloys.

The effect of a novel titanium-aluminum nitride film, or (Ti,Al)N film, on the bond strength between a dental porcelain and two nickel-based dental alloy substrates was investigated. A thin layer of (Ti,Al)N film was deposited on flat metal samples using a reactive radio-frequency sputtering method. A uniform thickness of porcelain was applied to the film- coated metal samples. Metal-ceramic specimens were subjected to three-point bending, and failure loads were recorded. Bond strengths between the porcelain and (Ti,Al)N-coated metal alloys ranged from 159.0 +/- 11.7 N to 278.0 +/- 12.3 N. These values were significantly greater (p< 0.05) than bond strengths recorded for control samples that did not incorporate the (Ti,Al)N film. An electron probe microanalyzer with a line profile mode was used to characterize the interface between the (Ti,Al)N film and the porcelain. Results of this investigation suggest that the (Ti,Al)N film (1) increases the flexural bond strength between dental porcelain and nickel-based alloy substrates by permitting elemental diffusion, (2) interferes with the surface oxide formation that characteristically originates from the nickel-based metal alloy substrate, and (3) provides an appropriate oxide layer for porcelain application.
Out of the shadow? Georgia’s emerging strategies of engagement in the Eastern Partnership: between external governance and partnership cooperation

ABSTRACT When the Eastern Partnership (EaP) was launched in 2009, the core motivation was to supplement the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) with an improved eastern dimension. The EaP was conceived to offer more incentives and rewards, thereby shifting the manner of cooperation to more partnership and away from asymmetry. This article analyses the intentions and effects of the EaP in the case of EU-Georgia relations by investigating two modes of cooperation (external governance and partnership cooperation), which should theoretically enhance EU-Georgia relations. The article’s results reveal that a more fine-tuned partnership concept best suits an analysis of Georgia’s participation within the EaP, depending on the policy field of cooperation.
Presence of hepatitis B and C viral genomes in US blood donors as detected by polymerase chain reaction amplification

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) represents a major cause of posttransfusion hepatitis worldwide. Post‐transfusion hepatitis associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) continues to occur. HBsAg‐negative donor sera from the Rhode Island Blood Center between 1987 and 1988 were screened using more sensitive techniques to assess the prevalence of low level HBV infection. Group I consists of 866 healthy blood donors without HBV sero‐logic markers, group II consists of 377 donors with ALT elevations (>45 IU/L), group II consists of 148 donors positive for anti‐HBc, and group IV consists of eight donors positive for both surrogate markers. A sensitive monoclonal immuno‐radiometric assay (M‐IRMA) was employed for detection of HBsAg‐associated epitopes (detection limit of 20 pg/ml) in serum. A subset of sera were analyzed for the presence of HBV DNA using the method of anti‐HBs capture of HBV related virions in serum followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Using these techniques, 0.8% and 1.7% of donors were positive for HBsAg and HBV DNA respectively in group I. In contrast, 0.9% and 9.5% in group II and 0.7% and 18.1% in group III were positive, respectively. There were eight donors with both ALT elevation and anti‐HBc; and four (50%) of these were positive for HBV DNA. In the group with anti‐HBc, the majority (80%) of donors with HBV DNA had either no or low (signal to noise ratio < 10) anti‐HBs titer. Using anti‐HCV testing and reverse transcription‐PCR for detection of HCV genomes, we detected evidence of HCV infection in nine of the 49 donors with low level HBV DNA.
Electromagnetic and absorption properties of carbonyl iron/rubber radar absorbing materials

We measured the effective complex magnetic permeability /spl mu//sub eff//sup */ and dielectric permittivity /spl epsiv//sub eff//sup */ spectra in rubber radar absorbing material (RAM) with various carbonyl iron volume fractions by using the transmission/reflection method with a vector network analyzer. We studied the effects of carbonyl iron content and rubber thickness on the microwave absorption properties in the frequency range of 2.6 to 18 GHz. Our mathematical analysis is based on electromagnetic theory. The results indicate that the effective complex magnetic permeability and dielectric permittivity values of the RAM increase as the carbonyl iron volume fraction increases. For sample thickness of 3.0 mm, an increase in carbonyl iron content reduces the minimum reflection loss from -1.3 to -23.9 dB and shifts the frequency of the minimum reflection loss from 15.5 to 3.5 GHz. For an equal volume fraction of carbonyl iron, the frequency of the minimum reflection loss decreases as the thickness is increased. However, the dip in the reflection loss plot (in decibels) initially decreases to a minimum value before it increases with a further increase in thickness. We determined the value of the reflection loss for the samples by the impedance matching degree (reflection coefficient), which depends on the thickness and composition of the RAM.
Differential mammary morphogenesis along the anteroposterior axis in Hoxc6 gene targeted mice

Mammary epithelial cell proliferation, branching, and differentiation span from the appearance of the mammary bud in midgestation through to the cycling mammary gland in adulthood. Here, we show that females homozygous for a targeted disruption of the Hoxc6 homeobox gene produce thoracic mammary glands that are slightly under‐developed at birth and completely cleared of epithelium by adulthood, and inguinal mammary ducts that are dilated and fail to regress in response to ovariectomy. Mammary buds are detected in E12.5 Hoxc6 homozygous embryos. However, in newborn Hoxc6 homozygous females, branching ductal structures and fat pad development are reduced. Whole‐mount and histologic analyses of mammary glands from adult Hoxc6 homozygous females show the absence of mammary epithelium in thoracic glands and dilated ducts in inguinal glands at 100% penetrance. Histologic analysis of inguinal mammary glands from ovariectomized Hoxc6 homozygous females demonstrates no signs of the expected regression of epithelium, suggesting that these glands are not responsive to the loss of ovarian hormone signals. We further observe repression of Hoxc6 expression specifically within mammary stroma by estrogen and progesterone. Hoxc6 homozygous mice also exhibit a homeotic transformation of the second thoracic vertebra into the first (T2 to T1 conversion with 60% penetrance), corresponding to both the gene's anterior boundary of expression and the most extreme appearance of mammary defects. The position‐specific phenotypes observed and the potential role for Hoxc6 in mediating hormone‐regulated ductal expansion and regression in the adult female are discussed. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of Messages Emphasizing Environmental Determinants of Obesity on Intentions to Engage in Diet and Exercise Behaviors

Introduction Reducing rates of obesity will require interventions that influence both individual decisions and environmental factors through changes in public policy. Previous work indicates that messages emphasizing environmental determinants increases support for public policies, but some suspect this strategy may undermine motivation to engage in diet and exercise. Methods Study 1 involved 485 adults recruited from a shopping mall in New York. Study 2 involved 718 adult members of a Web-based national panel of US adults. Respondents in both studies were randomly assigned to read a story that emphasized environmental determinants of health or a control condition. The stories varied in the extent to which they described the story character as taking personal responsibility for weight management. Logistic regression and ordered logit models were used to test for differences in intentions to engage in diet and exercise behaviors based on which story the participant read. Analyses were also performed separately by participants’ weight status. Results In both studies, messages that acknowledged personal responsibility while emphasizing environmental causes of obesity increased intentions to engage in healthy behavior for at least 1 weight status group. Conclusion Emphasizing factors outside of personal control appears to enhance rather than undermine motivations to engage in healthy diet and exercise behavior.
Non-fatal injuries among Chinese aged 65 years and older: findings from the Fourth National Health Services Survey

Objective To understand the epidemiology of non-fatal injuries among adults aged 65 years and older in China. Design Cross-sectional survey (the Fourth National Health Services Survey of China). Participants Urban and rural residents aged 65 years and older from 56 400 households in China. Main Outcome Measures The incidence rate was calculated as the number of persons injured in the previous 12 months divided by the population×1000. Results The incidence rate of non-fatal injuries among elderly individuals in the previous 12 months was 37.5 per 1000 population. Home, street, working environment, and public buildings were the most common places of occurrence, accounting for more than 90% of injuries. Falls were the leading cause of non-fatal injuries. After adjusting for other factors, Han people were 39% more likely to be injured than non-Han people, and the divorced and the widowed were found to have, respectively, 4.6 and 2.2 times the risk of injury compared with single persons, p<0.05. Education, per capita household income and urbanisation did not significantly affect the injury risk when confounding factors were controlled for. Conclusion Almost 4% of adults aged 65 years and over sustain injuries each year in China. Falls should be a priority of injury prevention for elderly people, efficient home injury prevention programmes need to be developed, and the divorced and widowed should be targeted as groups at high risk of injury.
Changes in lipoproteins associated with methotrexate or combination therapy in early rheumatoid arthritis: results from the treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis trial.

OBJECTIVE To study changes in lipid profiles at 24 weeks among patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) participating in the Treatment of Early RA (TEAR) trial and randomized to receive methotrexate (MTX) plus etanercept, triple therapy (MTX plus sulfasalazine plus hydroxychloroquine), or aggressively titrated MTX monotherapy. METHODS This TEAR substudy included 459 participants with biologic specimens. Serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were measured at 0 and 24 weeks. RESULTS At 24 weeks, there were statistically significant increases in mean cholesterol levels in the MTX plus etanercept, triple therapy, and MTX monotherapy arms. The observed increases were 31.4 mg/dl, 28.7 mg/dl, and 30 mg/dl in LDL cholesterol, 19.3 mg/dl, 22.3 mg/dl, and 20.6 mg/dl in HDL cholesterol, and 56.8 mg/dl, 53 mg/dl, and 57.3 mg/dl in total cholesterol (P < 0.0001 versus baseline for each comparison). There was a statistically significant decrease in the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol at 24 weeks in all 3 treatment groups versus baseline. There was no difference in any lipid changes between the 3 treatment arms. After multivariable adjustment, change in C-reactive protein, but not the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints, was associated with change in LDL cholesterol (P = 0.03) and total cholesterol (P = 0.01). Baseline glucocorticoid use was associated with changes in HDL cholesterol (P = 0.03) and total cholesterol (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION Levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol increased comparably shortly after initiation of MTX plus etanercept, triple therapy, and MTX monotherapy among patients with early RA with active disease participating in a clinical trial. The clinical relevance of short-term changes in traditional lipids on cardiovascular outcomes remains to be determined.
A Pilot Study of Fan Fiction Writer’s Legal Information Behavior

Fan fiction, a genre using pre-existing and often copyrighted media as a springboard for new stories, raises several legal challenges. While fans may benefit from copyright limitations, their actual knowledge of and ability to exercise their legal rights is unclear, due to limited empirical work with fan writers on this subject. This is especially true of Canadian fans, who are underrepresented in the literature. This paper reports on a pilot study of Canadian and US fan writers’ legal knowledge, information behavior, and overall perceptions of law. It addresses background, methods, preliminary results, and future directions.