Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of forage level on response of feedlot steers to salinomycin supplementation.

Two trials were conducted to evaluate the influence of forage level on the response of feedlot cattle to salinomycin. Diets containing 10, 15 and 20% forage were compared with 0 or 11 mg/kg salinomycin. In trial 1, treatment effects on feedlot performance were evaluated using 108 crossbred steers (295 kg) in a crossover design experiment. There were no salinomycin X forage level interactions (P greater than .20). Weight gain response to salinomycin supplementation averaged 5.4, 5.3 and 6.9%, respectively, for diets containing 10, 15 and 20% forage. Corresponding values for feed conversion response to salinomycin supplementation were 5.1, 3.9 and 5.9%. Averaged across forage level, salinomycin supplementation improved rate of weight gain and feed conversion by 5.9 and 5.2%, respectively (P less than .01). In trial 2, treatment effects on characteristics of ruminal and total tract digestion were evaluated in a 6 X 6 Latin-square design trial involving six crossbred steers (191 kg) with cannulae in the rumen and proximal duodenum. There were no interactions between salinomycin supplementation and forage level on characteristics of ruminal digestion (P greater than .20). Salinomycin supplementation did not influence synthesis of microbial N, ruminal digestion of organic matter, acid detergent fiber and starch, or molar proportions of acetate, propionate and butyrate (P greater than .20). Salinomycin supplementation increased passage of non-ammonia N to the small intestine (5.4%, P less than .10) and increased ruminal escape of feed N (24%, P less than .01). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Outcome after liver re‐transplantation in patients with recurrent chronic hepatitis C

Long‐term outcome after liver retransplantation for recurrent hepatitis C has been reported to be inferior to other indications. The identification of factors associated which improved long‐term results may help identify hepatitis C positive patients who benefit from liver retransplantation. Outcome after liver retransplantation for recurrent hepatitis C was analyzed in 18 patients (group 1) and compared with hepatitis C positive patients undergoing liver retransplantation for initial nonfunction (group 2, n = 11) and patients with liver retransplantation for other indications (group 3, n = 169). Five‐year patient survival following retransplantation for groups 1, 2 and 3 was 59% 84% and 60%. Increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and serum bilirubin, as well as white cell count and MELD score at day of retransplantation were associated with impaired patient outcome. Five‐year survival after retransplantation in patients with recurrent hepatitis C is similar to that in patients undergoing liver retransplantation for other indications. Our analysis showed MELD score, bilirubin, ALT levels and white cell counts preorthotopic liver transplantation are important predictive factors for outcome. This observational study may help select patients and identify the optimal time‐point of liver retransplantation in ‘‘Hepatitis C’’ virus positive patients in the future.
Trends and inequities in beta-blocker prescribing for heart failure.

BACKGROUND Treatment with specific beta-blockers reduces mortality and hospitalisation in heart failure. AIM To describe trends and inequities in beta-blocker prescribing for heart failure. DESIGN OF STUDY Repeated cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative primary care database (DIN-LINK). SETTING A total of 152 UK general practices. METHOD Prescribing of beta-blockers between 2000 and 2005 was examined among a yearly average of 7294 patients aged>or=50 years who had actively managed heart failure - defined as a recorded diagnosis of heart failure and two prescriptions of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker during the calendar year. The main outcome was the prescription of a guideline-recommended beta-blocker (bisoprolol, carvedilol, metoprolol, or nebivolol) in the year. Determinants of beta-blocker prescribing were analysed using logistic regression. RESULTS Between 2000 and 2005, age-adjusted use of recommended beta-blockers rose from 6.1% to 27.0% in men, and from 4.2% to 21.5% in women. In 2005, younger patients were more likely to be treated; the fully adjusted odds ratio was 4.83 (95% confidence interval=3.78 to 6.17) for patients aged 60-64 years compared with those aged 85 years. Women and patients living in areas of socioeconomic deprivation were less likely to be treated. In 2005, in addition to treatment with guideline-recommended beta-blockers, a further 11.7% of men and 12.5% of women were prescribed other beta-blockers. CONCLUSION Recommended beta-blocker use has risen in the UK but remains low and inequitable, with many patients still treated with beta-blockers that are not recommended in guidelines. This suggests further improvements in prescribing are still possible.
WI-posets, graph complexes and Z_2-equivalences

We introduce WI-posets as intermediate objects in the study of Z_2-homotopy types of graph complexes. It turns out that (almost) all graph complexes associated to a graph can be viewed as avatars of the same object, as long as their Z_2-homotopy types are concerned. Among the applications are a proof that each finite, free Z_2-complex is a graph complex and an evaluation of Z_2-homotopy types of complexes Ind(C_n) of independence sets in a cycle C_n. The main tools used in the paper are Quillen fiber theorem and Bredon criterion for Z_2-equivalence of Z_2-complexes.
Bactericidal Effects of a Fusion Protein of Llama Heavy-Chain Antibodies Coupled to Glucose Oxidase on Oral Bacteria

ABSTRACT Enzymes such as lactoperoxidase and glucose oxidase (GOx) are used as antimicrobial agents in oral care products. Their low specificities and substantiveness can be reduced by covalent coupling of antimicrobial molecules to antibodies. Variable domains (VHH) derived from llama heavy-chain antibodies are particularly suited for such an approach. The antibodies are composed solely of heavy-chain dimers; therefore, production of active fusion proteins by using molecular biology-based techniques is less complicated than production by use of conventional antibodies. In this study, a fusion protein consisting of VHH and GOx was constructed and expressed by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A llama was immunized with Streptococcus mutans strain HG982. Subsequently, B lymphocytes were isolated and cDNA fragments encoding the VHH fragments were obtained by reverse transcription-PCR. After construction of a VHH library in Escherichia coli and screening of the library against mutans group streptococci and Streptococcus sanguinis strains, we found two VHH fragments with high specificities for S. mutans strains. A GOx gene was linked to the two VHH genes and cloned into S. cerevisiae yeasts. The yeasts expressed and secreted the recombinant proteins into the growth medium. The test of binding of fusion proteins to oral bacteria through their VHH fragments showed that S. mutans had been specifically targeted by GOx-S120, one of the fusion protein constructs. A low concentration of the fusion protein was also able to selectively kill S. mutans within 20 min in the presence of lactoperoxidase and potassium iodide. These findings demonstrate that the fusion protein GOx-VHH is potentially valuable in the selective killing of target bacteria such as S. mutans.
Recent improvements in small angle x-ray diffraction for the study of muscle physiology

The molecular mechanism of muscle contraction is one of the most important unresolved problems in biology and biophysics. Notwithstanding the great advances of recent years, it is not yet known in detail how the molecular motor in muscle, the class II myosin, converts the free energy of ATP hydrolysis into work by interacting with its track, the actin filament; neither is it understood how the high efficiency in energy conversion depends on the cooperative action of myosin motors working in parallel along the actin filament. Research in muscle contraction involves the combination of mechanical, biochemical and structural methods in studies that span from tissue to single molecule. Therefore, more than for any other research field, progress in the comprehension of muscle contraction at the molecular level is related to, and in turn contributes to, the advancement of methods in biophysics. This review will focus on the progress achieved by time-resolved small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) from muscle, an approach made possible by the highly ordered arrangement of both the contractile proteins myosin and actin in the ca 2 µm long structural unit, the sarcomere, that repeats along the whole length of the muscle cell. Among time-resolved structural techniques, SAXS has proved to be the most powerful method of investigation, as it allows the molecular motor to be studied in situ, in intact single muscle cells, where it is possible to combine the structural study with fast mechanical methods that synchronize the action of the molecular motors. The latest development of this technique allows Angstrom-scale measurements of the axial movement of the motors that pull the actin filament towards the centre of the sarcomere, by exploiting the x-ray interference between the two arrays of myosin motors in the two halves of the sarcomere.
Replication and Resubmission Based Adaptive Decision for Fault Tolerance in Real Time Cloud Computing: A New Approach

Cloud computing an adoptable technology is the upshot evolution of on demand service in the computing epitome of immense scale distributed computing. With the raising asks and welfares of cloud computing infrastructure, society can take leverage of intensive computing capability services and scalable, virtualized vicinity of cloud computing to carry out real time tasks executed on a remote cloud computing node. Due to the indeterminate latency and minimal control over computing node, sway the reliability factor. Therefore, there is a raise of requisite for fault tolerance to achieve reliability in the real time cloud infrastructure. In this paper, a model which provides fault tolerance named â€œReplication and resubmission based adaptive decision for fault tolerance in real-time cloud computing (RRADFTRC)â€ for real time cloud computing is projected with result. In the projected model, the system endure the faults and makes the adaptive decision on the basis of proper resource allocation of tasks with a new style of approach in real time cloud vicinity.
Muscle relaxants for non-specific low back pain.

BACKGROUND The use of muscle relaxants in the management of non-specific low back pain is controversial. It is not clear if they are effective, and concerns have been raised about the potential adverse effects involved. OBJECTIVES The aim of this review was to determine if muscle relaxants are effective in the treatment of non-specific low back pain. SEARCH STRATEGY A computer-assisted search of the Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2002), MEDLINE (1966 up to October 2001) and EMBASE (1988 up to October 2001) was carried out. These databases were searched using the algorithm recommended by the Cochrane Back Review Group. References cited in the identified articles and other relevant literature were screened. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised and/or double-blinded controlled trials, involving patients diagnosed with non-specific low back pain, treated with muscle relaxants as monotherapy or in combination with other therapeutic modalities, were included for review. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two reviewers independently carried out the methodological quality assessment and data extraction of the trials. The analysis comprised not only a quantitative analysis (statistical pooling) but also a qualitative analysis ("best evidence synthesis"). This involved the appraisal of the strength of evidence for various conclusions using a rating system based on the quality and outcomes of the studies included. Evidence was classified as "strong", "moderate", "limited", "conflicting" or "no" evidence. MAIN RESULTS Thirty trials met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-three trials (77%) were of high quality, 24 trials (80%) were on acute low back pain. Four trials studied benzodiazepines, 11 non-benzodiazepines and two antispasticity muscle relaxants in comparison with placebo. Results showed that there is strong evidence that any of these muscle relaxants are more effective than placebo for patients with acute LBP on short-term pain relief. The pooled RR for non-benzodiazepines versus placebo after two to four days was 0.80 [95% CI; 0.71 to 0.89] for pain relief and 0.49 [95% CI; 0.25 to 0.95] for global efficacy. Adverse events, however, with a relative risk of 1.50 [95% CI; 1.14 to 1.98] were significantly more prevalent in patients receiving muscle relaxants and especially the central nervous system adverse effects (RR 2.04; 95% CI; 1.23 to 3.37). The various muscle relaxants were found to be similar in performance. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS Muscle relaxants are effective in the management of non-specific low back pain, but the adverse effects require that they be used with caution. Trials are needed that evaluate if muscle relaxants are more effective than analgesics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Antioxidant supplementation in hypertension

Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical educationHypertension is considered as a major risk of cardiovascular diseases worldwide. It has been evidenced that oxidative stress is increased in patients with salt-sensitive hypertension, essential hypertension, malignant hypertension, renovascular hypertension, preeclampsia as well as cyclosporine-induced hypertension. Plants and animals have complex systems of multiple types of antioxidants, including glutathione, vitamins A, C, and E, and enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase, and several peroxidases. The diets rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce blood pressure in hypertensive and normotensive patients.
Altered G Protein‐Coupling Functions of RNA Editing Isoform and Splicing Variant Serotonin2C Receptors

Different isoforms of serotonin subtype 2C receptor (5‐HT2CR) with altered G protein‐coupling efficacy are generated by RNA editing, which converts genomically encoded adenosine residues into inosines. In combination, editing of five sites all located within the second intracellular loop region of 5‐HT2CR mRNA changes the gene‐encoded Ile, Asn, and Ile at positions 156, 158, and 160, respectively. We analyzed the G protien‐coupling functions of previously unreported editing isoform receptors. An ~13‐fold reduction in the agonist potency for G protein‐coupling stimulation as well as a significantly reduced basal level activity was observed with the thalamus‐specific isoform carrying Ile156, Gly158, and Val160 (5‐HT2CR‐IGV). In contrast, the agonist was four‐ to five‐fold less potent with 5‐HT2CR‐MSV and ‐IDV, detected in the amygdala and choroid plexus, respectively, indicating a dominant role for the amino acid residue at position 158 in receptor functions. We also identified a splicing variant receptor with a truncated C terminus that displayed no ligand binding capacity or G protein‐coupling activity. Examination of the alternatively spliced RNA encoding this truncated receptor suggests that editing of this variant RNA occurs after completion of splicing, resulting in complete editing at all five sites.
Chronic thyroiditis and autoimmunization.

• An explanation of chronic thyroiditis in man was sought in observations made on rabbits, dogs, guinea pigs, and human subjects. The rabbits received injections of saline extracts of rabbit thyroid glands. The tests for circulating autoantibodies utilized the phenomena of precipitation, complement fixation, and tanned-cell hemagglutination. The third of these, based upon the principle of altering the surface of the red blood cells by dilute tannic acid so that they absorb proteins, was particularly sensitive. The three tests were applied to serums from 35 rabbits injected with rabbit thyroid extract, and thyroid autoantibodies were found in 32. Structural damage was found in the thyroid roughly in proportion to the autoantibody titer in the serum. Similar studies were carried out in dogs and guinea pigs with canine and guinea pig thyroid extracts respectively. The three tests were then applied to serums from patients with chronic thyroiditis. Twelve such patients were found whose serums contained circulating antibodies specifically directed against extracts of human thyroid glands. Three typical case histories are given, with histological findings on thyroid tissue removed during surgery. Six other patients with chronic thyroiditis, proved histologically, were not found to have autoantibodies in their serums at the time of study. These findings lead to the hypotheses that some types of chronic thyroiditis are related to an autoimmunization process within the patient against his own thyroid tissue, and that thyroid autoantibodies are at once indicators and links in the chain of pathological processes.
Vitamin A supplementation and childhood morbidity from diarrhea and respiratory infections: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES To perform an updated meta-analysis of the effect of vitamin A supplementation on childhood morbidity from respiratory tract infections and diarrhea. Study design A comprehensive search of the 1966 to 2000 MEDLINE database and review of the reference lists of relevant articles identified 9 randomized controlled trials dealing with morbidity from respiratory infections and diarrhea in children 6 months to 7 years of age and provided "intention-to-treat" data. RESULTS The combined results indicated that vitamin A supplementation has no consistent overall protective effect on the incidence of diarrhea (relative risk, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.94-1.07) and that it slightly increases the incidence of respiratory tract infections (relative risk, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.05-1.11). CONCLUSIONS High-dose vitamin A supplements are not recommended on a routine basis for all preschool children and should be offered only to individuals or populations with vitamin A deficiency.
Proteomic Analysis of the Excretory and Secretory Proteins of Haemonchus contortus (HcESP) Binding to Goat PBMCs In Vivo Revealed Stage-Specific Binding Profiles

Haemonchus contortus is a parasitic gastrointestinal nematode, and its excretory and secretory products (HcESPs) interact extensively with the host cells. In this study, we report the interaction of proteins from HcESPs at different developmental stages to goat peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in vivo using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 407 HcESPs that interacted with goat PBMCs at different time points were identified from a H. contortus protein database using SEQUEST searches. The L4 and L5 stages of H. contortus represented a higher proportion of the identified proteins compared with the early and late adult stages. Both stage-specific interacting proteins and proteins that were common to multiple stages were identified. Forty-seven interacting proteins were shared among all stages. The gene ontology (GO) distributions of the identified goat PBMC-interacting proteins were nearly identical among all developmental stages, with high representation of binding and catalytic activity. Cellular, metabolic and single-organism processes were also annotated as major biological processes, but interestingly, more proteins were annotated as localization processes at the L5 stage than at the L4 and adult stages. Based on the clustering of homologous proteins, we improved the functional annotations of un-annotated proteins identified at different developmental stages. Some unnamed H. contortus ATP-binding cassette proteins, including ADP-ribosylation factor and P-glycoprotein-9, were identified by STRING protein clustering analysis.
Dysregulated expression of dickkopfs for potential detection of hepatocellular carcinoma

The prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains dismal due to the lack of diagnostic markers for early detection. This review will discuss the clinical potential of the dickkopf (DKK) family members as diagnostic and/or prognostic markers for HCC. In comparison to serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) level, which remains the gold standard for HCC diagnosis, high serum DKK1 levels have higher diagnostic value for HCC, especially for AFP-negative HCC, and can distinguish HCC from non-malignant chronic liver diseases. Additionally, the combination of serum DKK1 and AFP levels enhances diagnostic accuracy for HCC compared to serum DKK1 or AFP levels alone. Although DKK1 offers potential for its use in HCC diagnosis this review will discuss the challenges facing DKK1 and also shed some light on recent developments on the remaining DKK family members: DKK2, DKK3 and DKK4.
Experimental manipulations of delay discounting & related processes: an introduction to the special issue.

Behavioral economics has and continues to play an important role in the analysis of behavior. This current issue of JEAB, entitled Experimental Manipulations of Delay Discounting & Related Processes, constitutes the third special issue addressing behavioral economics that has been published by this journal. The first was in 1995 and edited by Bickel, Green, and Vuchinich, while the second was published in 2013 and was edited by Hackenberg. Where the previous special issues had broad scopes (e.g., demand curves, budget constraints, expansion paths, change-detection learning) the present issue is focused primarily on engendering change in delay discounting and related processes. We see recommend individual that explore a conceptual viewpoint with respect to discounting. existing as proposing novel of success of approaches in approaches may successful
A questionnaire-based survey on 3D image-guided brachytherapy for cervical cancer in Japan: advances and obstacles

The purpose of this study is to survey the current patterns of practice, and barriers to implementation, of 3D image-guided brachytherapy (3D-IGBT) for cervical cancer in Japan. A 30-item questionnaire was sent to 171 Japanese facilities where high-dose-rate brachytherapy devices were available in 2012. In total, 135 responses were returned for analysis. Fifty-one facilities had acquired some sort of 3D imaging modality with applicator insertion, and computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used in 51 and 3 of the facilities, respectively. For actual treatment planning, X-ray films, CT and MRI were used in 113, 20 and 2 facilities, respectively. Among 43 facilities where X-ray films and CT or MRI were acquired with an applicator, 29 still used X-ray films for actual treatment planning, mainly because of limited time and/or staffing. In a follow-up survey 2.5 years later, respondents included 38 facilities that originally used X-ray films alone but had indicated plans to adopt 3D-IGBT. Of these, 21 had indeed adopted CT imaging with applicator insertion. In conclusion, 3D-IGBT (mainly CT) was implemented in 22 facilities (16%) and will be installed in 72 (53%) facilities in the future. Limited time and staffing were major impediments.