Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence for a direct role for sialic acid in the attachment of encephalomyocarditis virus to human erythrocytes.

Sialic acid residues are required in cellular receptors for many different mammalian viruses. Sialic acid could have a direct role, being an integral part of the virus binding site on the receptor. Alternatively, negatively charged sialic acid could have an indirect role, being responsible for holding the receptor in the required configuration for virus recognition, for instance, by interacting with positively charged amino acid residues found in the polypeptide chain of receptors. We have investigated the role of sialic acid in virus attachment by studying the interaction of the small RNA virus encephalomyocarditis (EMC) with glycophorin A, its receptor on human erythrocytes. In several experiments, influenza virus A was used for control purposes. Blocking positive charges on glycophorin either in lysine residues by acetylation or in arginine residues with butanedione did not affect its interaction with EMC virus. In contrast, blocking negatively charged carboxyl groups in sialic acid residues by amidation destroyed the ability of glycophorin to inhibit EMC virus attachment suggesting an important role for this part of sialic acid in EMC virus attachment. Removal of the polyhydroxy side chain in sialic acid residues of glycophorin by mild oxidation with periodate followed by reduction with borohydride had little effect on its interaction with EMC virus. Further, sialic acid species with either an acetyl or glycolyl group attached to the amino group on position 5 interacted equally well with EMC virus. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effects of dietary supplementation of fermented garlic powder on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility, blood characteristics and faecal microbial concentration in weanling pigs.

A total of 144 weanling pigs (5.5 ± 0.42 kg) were used in a 5-week trial to evaluate the effect of fermented garlic powder (FGP) supplementation in weaning pigs. Pigs were randomly allocated to the following four dietary treatments: (i) control (CON; basal diet), (ii) FGP0.5 (CON + 0.5 g/kg FGP), (iii) FGP1 (CON + 1 g/kg FGP), (iv) FGP2 (CON + 2 g/kg FGP). There were six replications with six pigs (three barrows and three gilts) per pen. Pigs fed FGP0.5 treatments increased (p < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) during 3-5 and 0-5 week. No difference was observed on gain/ feed (G/F) ratio in this study. The inclusion of FGP1 and FGP2 treatments increased DM (p < 0.05) digestibility compared with the CON treatment throughout the experiment. The apparent total tract digestibility of N was (p < 0.05) increased by the dietary FGP throughout the experiment. Pigs fed FGP1 and FGP2 treatments increased the lymphocyte concentration (p < 0.05) and RBC concentration compared with the CON group. Dietary FGP decreased the blood total cholesterol (p < 0.05) in comparison with the CON group. The triglyceride (p < 0.05) concentration was decreased in FGP1 and FGP2 treatments compared with those in the CON treatment at the end of the experiment. Pigs fed FGP1 and FGP2 treatments had a lower number of Escherichia coli in faeces on 21 (p < 0.05) and 35 days (p = 0.05) than those in the CON treatment. In conclusion, dietary fermented garlic powder (0.5 g/kg) can improve ADG and ADFI in weanling pigs, but not at higher levels (1 and 2 g/kg). Dietary fermented garlic powder can also increase the nutrient digestibility, lymphocytes and RBC concentrations, but decrease the faecal E. coli concentration in weaning pigs.
Monitoring corporate boards: evidence from China

China’s listed companies have two-tier boards comprising of a supervisory board and a board of directors. The supervisory board has the responsibility to oversee and monitor the board of directors. Similarly, the role of the independent non-executive directors (INEDs) is to advise and monitor directors. In this paper, we investigate the main board structure hypotheses namely the scope of operations, monitoring and negotiation hypotheses for a sample of Chinese Initial Public Offerings floated on both the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges. Our results provide evidence to support the three hypotheses. Interestingly, we find that the larger the size of the board of directors, the larger the supervisory board size. Moreover, we find that the higher the proportion of INEDs, the smaller the supervisory board size and this implies that INEDs are perhaps a substituting mechanism for the supervisors’ monitoring role. Finally, we argue that as the Chinese governance structure combines both the German and the Anglo-Saxon models, this creates a conflict between the two boards with respect to the monitoring role. Our results, therefore call for a comprehensive reform in the Chinese governance mechanism.
Early detection of severe sepsis in the emergency room: Diagnostic value of plasma C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and interleukin-6

Abstract Objectives: To determine the diagnostic values of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) method (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim, Germany) to identify severe sepsis in an emergency room (ER) setting. Methods: This was a single-centre prospective follow-up study of 539 consecutive adult patients admitted to the ER with suspected infection. Blood samples were taken concurrently with blood cultures at admission. Patients were divided into 5 groups on the basis of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria, documentation of bacterial infection, and organ dysfunction. Fifty-nine patients with no SIRS or bacterial infection, 68 patients with bacterial infection but no SIRS, 54 patients with SIRS but no bacterial infection, 309 patients with sepsis (SIRS and bacterial infection), and 49 patients with severe sepsis (sepsis and organ failure) were evaluated. Results: In a logistic regression model, the odds ratio (OR) for PCT was 1.58 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.37–1.82, p < 0.0001), for IL-6 was 1.54 (95% CI 1.32–1.80, p < 0.0001), and for CRP was 1.33 (95% CI 1.01–1.75, p = 0.045). The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.77 (95% CI 0.71–0.84) for PCT, 0.72 (95% CI 0.64–0.80) for IL-6, and 0.60 (95% CI 0.51–0.69) for CRP. PCT emerged as the best marker for severe sepsis, but the difference in AUC was not significant between PCT and IL-6. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for confounders, PCT and IL-6 remained significant independent predictors of severe sepsis. Conclusions: PCT and IL-6 proved superior to CRP in detecting patients with severe sepsis. The findings thus support the use of either PCT or IL-6 as an early tool to diagnose severe sepsis. The automatic ECLIA method allows even night-shift measurements.
A Comparison Analysis of Monetary Policy Effect Under an Open Economy Model

The paper analyzes and compares the effects of domestic monetary policy using DSGE, DSGE-VAR, and VAR based on a two-country open economy model of Korea and the U.S. According to impulse response analysis, a domestic interest rate hike raises won value in the case of DSGE and DSGE-VAR models, while in the case of the unrestricted VAR model, it lowers won value. In the marginal data density standard, DSGE-VAR (μ=1) is superior to DSGE or Bayesian VAR over the sample period. Conversely, in the in-sample RMSE criterion, especially for the won/dollar exchange rate, VARs are superior to DSGE or DSGE-VAR. It is necessary to study further if these differences are caused by model misspecification or omitted variable bias.
Supply Side Effects of Pollution Tax Rate Asymmetries

We investigate the effects of asymmetric per-unit pollution tax rates in two countries on a firm's choice of location for its manufacturing facilities, local and global environmental damage, and social welfare. The novelty of our approach is that we consider a manufacturer which offers products on multiple separated markets and that these products need the same inputs that have to be purchased from common suppliers. Accounting for the interaction between the supply side and the firm's location strategy, we show that establishing production facilities in an environmentally stringent region might be optimal for the manufacturer despite the higher pollution tax. Additionally, an increase in the pollution tax in one country does not necessarily decrease the total profit of a multinational manufacturer. We also demonstrate that a unilateral increase in the pollution tax rate to reduce emissions can actually lead to an increase in local and also global environmental damage. Since the multinational manufacturer's choice of organizational design accounts for the interactions with its vertical channel, our finding supports the conclusion that neglecting supply side interactions when determining emission tax rates might have unintended consequences.
Exploring the transition experiences of students entering into preregistration nursing degree programs with previous professional nursing qualifications: an integrative review.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES This paper aims to investigate the transition experiences of students with previous nursing qualifications (nondegree qualifications) entering a nursing degree program. BACKGROUND Nurses with professional nursing qualifications (nondegree) are an important pool of professionals to draw on to help address nursing shortages through providing alternative pathways to becoming registered nurses. However, research suggests this cohort need higher levels of support and intervention to be successful. DESIGN An integrative review was conducted, guided by Whittemore and Knafl's framework. A comprehensive search was conducted and 14 studies were included in the review. METHODS A five-stage approach was used to conduct the review: problem identification, literature search, data evaluation, data analysis and presentation of results. Constant comparative analysis was used to identify commonalities, differences and themes in the relevant literature. RESULTS Themes emerged that suggested students struggled with academic and institutional challenges, becoming learners, managing conflicting demands of outside life, developing a student identity and experienced threat to their sense of professional identity. Additionally, the cohort did not view themselves as 'the same' as traditional students. Holland's framework provides a useful framework from which to conceptualise these students' experiences. CONCLUSION There are challenges for this cohort of students as they transition into degree level study. Supportive activities that extend and further develop students' personality orientations may be a useful starting point in addressing some of the challenges and providing a more positive transition to university. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The demand for health care is growing and there remains a shortfall of registered nurses. Nurses with professional qualifications (nondegree) are an important pool of professionals from which to increase registered nurse numbers and address workforce sustainability issues.
Microsphere measurement of regional intestinal blood supply and cardiac output in the rat.

The regional blood supply to consecutive segments of the small intestine in the anaesthetized rat was investigated with a radioactive microsphere technique. A blood flow gradient with the lowest flow in the distal segments (0.85--0.89 ml/min.g) and the highest in the proximal segments (1.13--1.15 ml/min.g) was observed. Very few microspheres were found in the portal vein blood, indicating negligible arteriovenous shunting in the splanchnic area. The mean cardiac outputs in two consecutive measurements were 27.9 and 28.7 ml/min . 100 g, respectively. The cardiac output and regional blood flow values were in accordance with those obtained with other techniques.
Telomerase Inhibitor Imetelstat in Patients with Essential Thrombocythemia.

BACKGROUND Imetelstat, a 13-mer oligonucleotide that is covalently modified with lipid extensions, competitively inhibits telomerase enzymatic activity. It has been shown to inhibit megakaryocytic proliferation in vitro in cells obtained from patients with essential thrombocythemia. In this phase 2 study, we investigated whether imetelstat could elicit hematologic and molecular responses in patients with essential thrombocythemia who had not had a response to or who had had unacceptable side effects from prior therapies. METHODS A total of 18 patients in two sequential cohorts received an initial dose of 7.5 or 9.4 mg of imetelstat per kilogram of body weight intravenously once a week until attainment of a platelet count of approximately 250,000 to 300,000 per cubic millimeter. The primary end point was the best hematologic response. RESULTS Imetelstat induced hematologic responses in all 18 patients, and 16 patients (89%) had a complete hematologic response. At the time of the primary analysis, 10 patients were still receiving treatment, with a median follow-up of 17 months (range, 7 to 32 [ongoing]). Molecular responses were seen in 7 of 8 patients who were positive for the JAK2 V617F mutation (88%; 95% confidence interval, 47 to 100). CALR and MPL mutant allele burdens were also reduced by 15 to 66%. The most common adverse events during treatment were mild to moderate in severity; neutropenia of grade 3 or higher occurred in 4 of the 18 patients (22%) and anemia, headache, and syncope of grade 3 or higher each occurred in 2 patients (11%). All the patients had at least one abnormal liver-function value; all persistent elevations were grade 1 or 2 in severity. CONCLUSIONS Rapid and durable hematologic and molecular responses were observed in patients with essential thrombocythemia who received imetelstat. (Funded by Geron; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01243073.).
Triptans in the treatment of migraine: drug selection by means of the SOJA method

In this paper, drug selection of triptans for the treatment of migraine is performed by means of the SOJA method, which prospectively defines and scores selection criteria. All drugs available in the Netherlands were included in the analysis. The following selection criteria were used (relative weight between brackets): approved indications (40), number of formulations (50), variability of bioavailability (40), drug interactions (85), clinical efficacy (415), side effects (190), acquisition cost (75) and documentation (105). Almotriptan, rizatriptan and sumatriptan show the highest scores, and are the most suitable triptans for formulary inclusion.
Assimilating Weather Data into a Digital Event Gazetteer of Airborne Parachute Operations during the French Indochina War

AbstractModern datasets cataloging historical events, known as digital event gazetteers, feature spatiotemporal data regarding events that enable analysis through parameters including location and other descriptive information of those events. Weather and climate data represent two dimensions of spatiotemporal information, which can enhance understanding of historical events. A recently published digital event gazetteer of airborne parachute operations [operations aeroportees (OAPs)] during and prior to the French Indochina War, spanning from 1945 to 1954, represents an opportunity to associate discrete historical events with weather information. This study outlines a methodology for assimilating weather data into the construct of a digital event gazetteer and then demonstrates example analyses of how the weather and climate conditions in Indochina may relate to OAPs during the war.A synoptic classification, utilizing the self-organizing maps procedure, is performed using daily mean sea level pressure dat.
Functional expression of the CD163 scavenger receptor on acute myeloid leukemia cells of monocytic lineage

The hemoglobin–haptoglobin (Hb–Hp) scavenger receptor CD163 is a monocyte/macrophage‐restricted surface antigen, whose expression is strongly up‐regulated by glucocorticoids. We have previously shown that CD163 is expressed by acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells of monocytic lineage. Herein, we expand this finding by demonstrating constitutive and glucocorticoid‐enhanced CD163 expression on French‐American‐British M4/M5 AML cells, and leukemic blasts of other AML subtypes and normal hematopoietic progenitor cells do not express CD163. We provide evidence that the functional characteristics of CD163 are preserved on malignant cells by showing the capability of types M4/M5 blast cells to internalize Hb–Hp by a CD163‐mediated mechanism. Together, our results identify CD163 as a potential target for therapeutic intervention. It is important that CD163 does not appear to be released from leukemic blasts under noninflammatory conditions, thus reducing the probability of off‐target side‐effects as a result of competitive binding of potential therapeutic ligands to nonmembrane‐bound CD163.
Developmental time course of acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors' expression in distinct cellular populations of the rat central nervous system

Acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (aFGF and bFGF, respectively) are expressed in high levels in adult central nervous system (CNS). We report the time course of developmental appearance and distribution of these factors and of two FGF receptors, FGFR‐1 and FGFR‐2, in the CNS of rats ranging in age from embryonic day 16 to adult. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that sensory neurons in the midbrain were the first cells to contain detectable aFGF immunoreactivity at embryonic day 18. The next cell group to contain aFGF were motor neurons, which were found to be aFGF‐positive at the day of birth. A number of other subcortical neuronal populations were observed to contain aFGF immunoreactivity after postnatal day 7. Adult levels and distribution patterns of aFGF were reached in all CNS areas by postnatal day 28. Basic FGF immunoreactivity was observed at postnatal day 0 in neurons in the CA2 subfield of hippocampus. Astrocytes contained detectable bFGF immunoreactivity, starting at postnatal day 7. Adult levels and patterns of distribution of bFGF were reached in all CNS areas by postnatal day 28. These immunohistochemical observations were confirmed by using bioassay and Western blot techniques. FGFR‐1 and FGFR‐2 mRNA were expressed in significant levels in all CNS areas at all time points analyzed. The observation that aFGF and bFGF appear in specific and distinct cellular populaitions at relatively late developmental times suggests that these FGFs may be involved in spe6ific mechanisms of CNS maturation, maintenance, and repair. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
‘Moral distress’ – time to abandon a flawed nursing construct?

Moral distress has been characterised in the nursing literature as a major problem affecting nurses in all healthcare systems. It has been portrayed as threatening the integrity of nurses and ultimately the quality of patient care. However, nursing discourse on moral distress is not without controversy. The notion itself is conceptually flawed and suffers from both theoretical and practical difficulties. Nursing research investigating moral distress is also problematic on account of being methodologically weak and disparate. Moreover, the ultimate purpose and significance of the research is unclear. In light of these considerations, it is contended that the notion of moral distress ought to be abandoned and that concerted attention be given to advancing inquiries that are more conducive to improving the quality and safety of moral decision-making, moral conduct and moral outcomes in nursing and healthcare domains.
Akt-2 Binds to Glut4-containing Vesicles and Phosphorylates Their Component Proteins in Response to Insulin*

Glut4-containing vesicles immunoadsorbed from primary rat adipocytes possess endogenous protein kinase activity and phosphorylation substrates. Phosphorylation of several vesicle proteins including Glut4 itself is rapidly activated by insulin. Wortmannin blocks the effect of insulin when added to cells in vivoprior to insulin administration. By means of MonoQ chromatography and Western blot analysis, vesicle-associated protein kinase is identified as Akt-2, a lipid-binding protein kinase involved in insulin signaling. Akt-2 is found to be recruited to Glut4-containing vesicles in response to insulin.
“That Is Bloody Revolting!”

An experiment explored the hypothesis that inhibitory ability helps people stop themselves from engaging in socially inappropriate behavior. All participants completed a Stroop color-naming task, after which half of the participants were asked to remember an eight-digit number (inducing divided attention). Participants were then offered an unfamiliar and visually unappetizing food product (a chicken foot) under conditions of either low or high social pressure to pretend that it was appealing. Participants who had full attention available and were under pressure to pretend the food was appealing were least likely to emit a negative response, and performance on the Stroop task predicted the degree to which they successfully restrained negative responses. These results suggest that the cognitive ability to inhibit unwanted information facilitates socially appropriate behavior.
Nitrite reduces ischemia/reperfusion-induced muscle damage and improves survival rates in rat crush injury model

BACKGROUND Nitrite is an intrinsic signaling molecule with potential therapeutic implications in mammalian ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of the heart, liver, and kidney. Although limb muscle compression and subsequent reperfusion are the causative factors in developing crush syndrome (CS), there has been no report evaluating the therapeutic effects of nitrite on CS. We therefore tested whether nitrite could be a therapeutic agent for the treatment of CS. METHODS To create a CS model, anesthetized rats were subjected to bilateral hind limb compression with rubber tourniquets for 5 hours, followed by reperfusion for 0 hour to 6 hours while monitoring blood pressure. Saline for the CS group or sodium nitrite (NaNO2-100, 200, and 500 &mgr;mol/kg) for the nitrite-treated CS groups was intravenously administered immediately before reperfusion. Blood and tissue samples were collected for biochemical analysis. RESULTS Tissue nitrite levels in injured muscles were significantly reduced in the CS group compared with the sham group during I/R injury. Nitrite administration to CS rats restored nitric oxide bioavailability by enhancing nitrite levels of the muscle, resulting in a reduction of rhabdomyolysis markers such as potassium, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine phosphokinase. Nitrite treatment also reduced plasma levels of interleukin-6 and myeloperoxidase activities in muscle and lung tissues, finally resulting in a dose-dependent improvement of survival rate from 24% (CS group) to 36% (NaNO2-100 group) and 64% (NaNO2-200 and 500 groups). CONCLUSION These results indicate that nitrite reduces I/R-induced muscle damage through its cytoprotective action and contributes to improved survival rate in a rat CS model.
Modeling e-loyalty: a moderated-mediation model

ABSTRACT This work proposes a research model that elaborates upon the development of e-loyalty based on the signaling theory and attachment theory. In the model, e-loyalty is indirectly related to both visual appeal and an e-tailer’s service reputation through the full mediation of trust and affection. At the same time, the relationships between trust and e-loyalty and between affection and e-loyalty are hypothetically moderated by an e-tailer’s service reputation. The proposed hypotheses of this research were empirically tested using data from working professionals in high-tech firms in terms of online retailing. This study surveyed the same research participants at two different time points, one month apart, to verify the theoretical inferences. The empirical findings herein complement the previous literature by presenting how visual appeal and an e-tailer’s service reputation simultaneously influence e-loyalty through various mediating and moderating mechanisms.