Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wound-induced PAL activity is suppressed by heat-shock treatments that induce the synthesis of heat-shock proteins

Wounding lettuce leaves induces the de novo synthesis of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.5), the accumulation of phenolic compounds, and subsequent tissue browning. A brief heat-shock at 45degreesC reduces the rise in wound-induced PAL, the accumulation of phenolic compounds, and tissue browning. The activity of PAL measured 24 h after wounding and the content of phenolic compounds (absorbance of methanol extract at 320 nm) measured 48 h after wounding was highly correlated (R-2 > 0.90) in tissue developing the normal wound response and in tissue subjected to 0-180 s of heat-shock after wounding. The synthesis of a unique set of proteins called heat-shock proteins (hsps) is induced by these heat-shock treatments. Western-blot analyses of proteins isolated from wounded and heat-shocked Iceberg and Romaine lettuce mid-rib leaf tissue was done using antibodies against hsp 23. Only those heat-shock treatments that were effective at inducing the synthesis of hsp 23 were effective in reducing the activity of PAL induced by wounding and the subsequent accumulation of phenolic compounds. Hsps induced in non-wounded, whole leaves by exposure to 45degreesC for 150 s did not significantly interact with PAL previously synthesized in non-heat-shocked wounded leaves to limit its activity. The preferential synthesis of hsps over that of wound-induced PAL, rather than the presence of hsps, may be responsible for the ability of a heat-shock treatment to reduce the wound-induced increase in PAL activity. Our results support this novel concept, and the possibility that heat-shock treatments can have significant physiological effects on the response of the tissue to other stresses, not because of the specific genes they induce or repress, or the products they cause to be synthesized, but by their secondary action of influencing the synthesis of other proteins (e.g. PAL) by the suppression of non-hsps protein synthesis.
Meniscal Injuries in the Young, Athletically Active Patient

Abstract Meniscal injuries are common in young physically active individuals, particularly those who are involved in contact level 1 sports that involve frequent pivoting, such as soccer and American football. This is a unique population because of their high physical activity at a young age, and it is important that correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment are provided, as the medial and lateral menisci are essential for normal knee function. In this article, we review the anatomy and function of the meniscus, the epidemiology of meniscal tears, and mechanism(s) of injury. Important concomitant injuries are also discussed. When making a diagnosis, relevant patient history, physical examination, and appropriate imaging studies are required. Nonoperative treatment is rarely successful for treating meniscal tears in young athletes, and therefore repair of the torn menisci is often required. We also discuss partial resection (which should only be performed when repair is not possible), as well as rehabilitation protocols after repair has been performed. All of these factors associated with meniscal injuries are important for a physician when diagnosing and treating these often complex injuries.
Reducing red blood cell transfusion in elective surgical patients: the role of audit and practice guidelines

In 1996, we prospectively audited peri‐operative transfusion practice in elective surgical patients over a 3‐month period. Two‐unit transfusions represented 60% of all transfusions. Haemoglobin was measured infrequently prior to transfusion and the main ‘trigger’ for transfusion was an estimated blood loss in excess of 500 ml. Transfusion guidelines that required the haemoglobin level to be measured immediately before transfusion were introduced. The audit was repeated in 1998; transfusion ‘triggers’ and the number of transfusions for the two periods were compared. In the second audit, the total number of transfusions decreased by 43%. The mean estimated blood loss associated with a 2‐unit transfusion had increased from 608 (373) ml to 1320 (644) ml (p < 0.01) and the estimated haemoglobin concentration after transfusion had decreased from 12.4 (1.8) g.dl−1 to 9.9 (2.4) g.dl−1 (p < 0.01). These results suggest that transfusion guidelines can have a significant impact on clinical practice.
A prospective study of circulating mutant KRAS2 in the serum of patients with colorectal neoplasia: strong prognostic indicator in postoperative follow up

Background and aims: Mutant tumour derived DNA has been detected in the sera of colorectal cancer patients. We investigated if mutant serum KRAS2 was detectable preoperatively in a large group of patients with colorectal neoplasia. A prospective study of 94 patients who underwent putative curative resection for colorectal carcinoma (CRC) was performed to ascertain if serum mutant KRAS2 could be used postoperatively as a disease marker. Methods: Preoperative sera from 78 patients were analysed (group A). Sera from 94 patients were obtained three monthly for up to three years during the postoperative period (group B). Codon 12 and 13 KRAS2 mutations were analysed in matched tumour and serum samples. Results: In the preoperative group (group A), KRAS2 mutation was found in 41/78 (53%) tumours and in 32/78 (41%) preoperative sera. Of 41 tumour KRAS2 mutation positive cases, 31/41 (76%) had an identical serum mutation detectable. In group B, the postoperative follow up group, 60/94 cases were primary tumour KRAS2 mutation positive. Of these 60, 16/60 (27%) became persistently serum mutant KRAS2 positive postoperatively. Ten of 16 (63%) of these developed a recurrence compared with only 1/44 (2%) patients who remained serum mutant negative (odds ratio 71.7 (95% confidence interval 7.7–663.9; p=0.0000). None of 34 tumour mutation negative cases became serum mutant KRAS2 positive postoperatively, despite recurrence in 9/34 patients. The relative hazard of disease recurrence in postoperative serum mutant KRAS2 positive patients was 6.37 (2.26–18.0; p=0.000). Conclusions: Serum mutant KRAS2 can be detected preoperatively in all stages of colorectal neoplasia. Postoperatively, serum mutant KRAS2 is a strong predictor of disease recurrence, stronger even than Dukes’ stage of disease, and thus shows potential for use in clinical practice as a marker of preclinical disease recurrence.
Effects of Mild Hypothermia on Superoxide Anion Production, Superoxide Dismutase Expression, and Activity Following Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia

Following a transient ischemic insult there is a marked increase in free radical (FR) production within the first 10-15 min of reperfusion and again at the peak of the inflammatory process. Hypothermia decreases lipid peroxidation following global ischemia, raising the possibility that it may act by reducing FR production early on and by maintaining or increasing endogenous antioxidant systems. By means of FR fluorescence, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and enzymatic assay, we studied the effects of mild hypothermia on superoxide (O(-*)(2)) anion production, superoxide dismutase SOD expression, and activity following focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Mild hypothermia significantly reduced O(-*)(2) generation in the ischemic penumbra and corresponding contralateral region, but did not alter the bilateral SOD expression. SOD enzymatic activity in the ischemic core was slightly reduced in hypothermia-treated animals compared with normothermic controls. Our results suggest that the neuroprotective effect of mild hypothermia may be due, in part, to a reduction in neuronal and endothelial O(-*)(2) production during early reperfusion.
A Multicenter Case-Case Control Study for Risk Factors and Outcomes of Extensively Drug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Bacteremia

Objective. Extensively drug resistant (XDR) Acinetobacter baumannii infections are increasing. Knowledge of risk factors can help to prevent these infections. Methods. We designed a 1: 1: 1 case-case-control study to identify risk factors for XDR A. baumannii bacteremia in Singapore and Thailand. Case group 1 was defined as having infection due to XDR A. baumannii, and case group 2 was defined as having infection due to non-XDR A. baumannii. The control group comprised patients with blood cultures obtained to determine possible infection. Results. There were 93 patients in each group. Pitt bacteremia score (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.570 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.528–4.322]), central venous catheters (CVCs; aOR, 12.644 [95% CI, 2.143–74.620]), use of carbapenems (aOR, 54.391 [95% CI, 3.869–764.674]), and piperacillin-tazobactam (aOR, 55.035 [95% CI, 4.803–630.613]) were independently associated with XDR A. baumannii bacteremia. In case group 2, Pitt bacteremia score (aOR, 1.667 [95% CI, 1.265–2.196]) and third-generation cephalosporins (aOR, 2.965 [95% CI, 1.224–7.182]) were independently associated with non-XDR A. baumannii bacteremia. Concurrent infections (aOR, 3.527 [95% CI, 1.479–8.411]), cancer (aOR, 3.172 [95% CI, 1.135–8.865]), and respiratory source (aOR, 2.690 [95% CI, 1.160–6.239]) were associated with an increased risk of 30-day mortality. Survivors received more active empirical therapy (16.7% vs 9.6%; P = .157), had fewer cases of XDR bacteremia (45.8% vs 52.6%; P = .452), and received higher median definitive polymyxin B doses (840,000 units vs 700,000 units; P = .339) Conclusions. Use of CVC and broad spectrum antibiotics were unique risk factors of XDR A. baumannii bacteremia. Effective antimicrobial stewardship together with use of a CVC bundle may reduce the incidence of these infections. Risk factors of acquisition and mortality may help identify patients for early initiation of polymyxin B therapy.
A Meta-Analysis of the Role of Environment-Based Voluntariness in Information Technology Acceptance

The technology acceptance model (TAM) asserts that ease of use and usefulness are two primary determinants of behavioral intention and usage. A parallel research stream emphasizes voluntariness, a key social influence and contextual variable, as a critical factor in information technology (IT) adoption, but pays little attention to its role in TAM. This paper addresses this particular absence by investigating the impact of environment-based voluntariness on the relationships among the four primary TAM constructs. A meta-analysis of 71 empirical studies provides strong support for the hypotheses that environment-based voluntariness moderates the effects of ease of use and usefulness on behavioral intention, but not the effect of ease of use on usefulness. Moreover, inconsistent with our expectations, environment-based voluntariness does not moderate the effects of ease of use and usefulness on usage. By further analyzing the data set, we suggest this may be because of the relatively small sample size, the presence of other factors, or the inappropriate measurement of usage in previous studies. The current study contributes not only to the distinction between user-based and environment-based voluntariness but also to a more complete understanding of user acceptance of IT across system-use environments.
Genome skimming by shotgun sequencing helps resolve the phylogeny of a pantropical tree family

Whole genome sequencing is helping generate robust phylogenetic hypotheses for a range of taxonomic groups that were previously recalcitrant to classical molecular phylogenetic approaches. As a case study, we performed a shallow shotgun sequencing of eight species in the tropical tree family Chrysobalanaceae to retrieve large fragments of high‐copy number DNA regions and test the potential of these regions for phylogeny reconstruction. We were able to assemble the nuclear ribosomal cluster (nrDNA), the complete plastid genome (ptDNA) and a large fraction of the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) with approximately 1000×, 450× and 120× sequencing depth respectively. The phylogenetic tree obtained with ptDNA resolved five of the seven internal nodes. In contrast, the tree obtained with mtDNA and nrDNA data were largely unresolved. This study demonstrates that genome skimming is a cost‐effective approach and shows potential in plant molecular systematics within Chrysobalanaceae and other under‐studied groups.
Biallelic mutations of the Tsc2 gene in chemically induced rat renal cell carcinoma

A number of cancer genes have been identified by the study of hereditary human cancers and shown to be involved in sporadic genesis of the same tumors. We have identified a germline mutation in the rat homologue of the human tuberous sclerosis (TSC2) predisposing gene in the Eker rat model. In this study, we searched for mutations of the Tsc2 gene in chemically induced non‐Eker rat renal cell carcinomas (RCs). N‐ethyl‐N‐hydroxyethylnitrosamine (EHEN)‐ and diethylnitrosamine (DEN)‐induced non‐Eker rat primary RCs were subjected to polymerase chain reaction‐single strand conformational polymorphism (PCR‐SSCP) analysis using specific primers covering all exons of the Tsc2 gene (41 coding exons and 1 non‐coding exon). We simultaneously searched for mutations in the Vhl gene, a rat homologue of von Hippel‐Lindau disease (VHL) gene, as well as the Tsc2 gene. Mutations in the Vhl gene were not detected in any rat RCs (0/8). In contrast, Tsc2 gene mutations were detected at a high frequency in EHEN‐induced RCs (2/3) and DEN‐induced RCs (3/5) (total 5/8) (p < 0.05). By a direct cloning approach utilizing PCR analysis in 2 applicable cases, we could demonstrate the presence of intragenic somatic mutations in both alleles of the Tsc2 gene. Our results suggest that Tsc2 gene inactivation plays an important role in EHEN‐ and DEN‐induced RCs as well as in Eker rat RCs. Int. J. Cancer 77:895–900, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dynamic left ventricular changes in patients with gestational diabetes: A speckle tracking echocardiography study

The left ventricle (LV) undergoes physiologic remodeling in adaptation to the hemodynamic changes that occur in pregnancy. Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a novel and reliable tool to evaluate subtle myocardial alterations that have been utilized to assess myocardial changes in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) but not in patients with gestational DM (GDM). We seek to evaluate changes in LV function using STE in patients with GDM compared with women with normal pregnancy.
Toward a Coherent Theory of CSMA and Aloha

Aloha and Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) are two representative random-access protocols. Despite their simplicity in concept, the performance analysis of Aloha and CSMA networks has long been known as notoriously difficult. Numerous models and analytical approaches have been proposed in the past four decades. Yet how to integrate them into a coherent theory remains an open challenge. Toward this end, a unified analytical framework was recently proposed in , based on which a comprehensive study of throughput, delay and stability performance of Aloha networks was presented. In this paper, the framework is further extended to CSMA networks. The analysis shows that both CSMA and Aloha have the same bi-stable property, and the performance of both networks critically depends on the selection of backoff parameters. Different from Aloha, however, substantial gains can be achieved in CSMA networks by reducing the mini-slot length a and the collision-detection time x. The maximum throughput with CSMA is derived as an explicit function of a and x, and shown to be higher than that with Aloha if a <; e1/ϵ - 1≈0.445. With a small mini-slot length a, CSMA networks are also found to be more robust than Aloha networks thanks to larger stable regions of backoff parameters. To demonstrate how to properly tune the backoff parameters to stabilize the network, the complete stable region of the initial transmission probability q0 is characterized, and illustrated via the example of p-persistent CSMA with the cutoff phase K=0. The optimal values of q0 to maximize the network throughput and to minimize the first and second moments of access delay are also obtained, which shed important light on practical network control and optimization.
Tympanometric findings in cleft palate patients: influence of age and cleft type

Tympanometry was analysed according to cleft type with respect to age in 239 cleft palate patients (57 with bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP)), 122 with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and 60 with isolated cleft palate (ICP)). The frequency of type B tympanograms was 46.5 per cent in the BCLP group, 50.6 per cent in the UCLP group and 58.3 per cent in the ICP group. Type A tympanograms were more frequently observed in older patients (median age 11 years) in comparison to type B (median age five years; p<0.001) and type C (median age six years; p<0.001). The total sample showed an age-related decrease in the frequency of type B tympanograms (rs = −0.3942; p<0.001). The frequency of type A tympanograms increased significantly with age (rs = 0.4263; p<0.001), whereas type C was not correlated with age. In the UCLP group, the frequency of type B tympanograms decreased with age (rs = −0.4430; p<0.001), the decrease being faster than in the BCLP group (rs = −0.3186; p = 0.001) and the ICP group (rs = −0.3378; p<0.0001)). Type B tympanograms had the highest correlation with a hearing loss of 21–40 dB at mean hearing level at speech frequencies (MHLSF) (rs = 0.4574; p<0.001), a lower correlation with a hearing loss of 11–20 dB (rs = 0.2184; p = 0.02) and the lowest correlation with hearing loss above 40 dB. At the ages of one to three, the frequency of type B is higher in UCLP patients than in the BCLP and ICP groups, decreasing at seven to 12, increasing again at 13 to 15, and thereafter showing a continuous decrease. In the BCLP group, the frequency of type B increased significantly at the ages of four to six and then decreased continuously from seven to 18. In ICP patients, the changes in the frequency of type B with age are not significant until the age of 15; at the age of seven, it is higher than in the BCLP and ICP groups. The type C tympanogram is not typically found in cleft palate patients and its frequency is not correlated with age. It can be presumed that each type of cleft lip and palate, due to its characteristic conditions in the epipharynx, will favour a different mode of pathophysiological development of middle-ear disease.
Stock Price Synchronicity and Analyst Coverage in Emerging Markets

This paper examines the relationship between the stock price synchronicity and analyst activity in emerging markets. Contrary to conventional wisdom that suggests that security analysts specialize in the production of firm-specific information, we find that the security analysts predominantly produce market-wide information. Using the R-square statistics of the market model as a measure of the synchronicity of stock price movements, we find that more analyst coverage leads to an increase in stock price synchronicity. Furthermore, after controlling for the influence of firm size on the lead-lag relation, we find that returns on high analyst-following portfolio lead returns on low analyst-following portfolio more than vice versa. We also find that the aggregate changes in the earnings forecast of high analyst-following portfolio affect the aggregate returns of the portfolio itself as well as the the low analyst-following portfolio while the aggregate changes in the earnings forecasts of low analyst-following portfolio have no predictive ability. Finally, when the forecast dispersion is high, the effect of analyst coverage on stock price synchronicity is reduced.
Molecular dynamics investigation of the effect of an antiviral compound on human rhinovirus

The factors that influence the enhanced stability observed experimentally of human rhinovirus 14 (HRV14) upon binding a hydrophobic antiviral drug have been investigated by molecular dynamics. Simulations centered about the HRV14 drug‐binding pocket allow the reliable assessment of differences in capsid protein motions of HRV14 and drug‐bound HRV14. We propose that the experimentally observed stabilization of the ligated virus arises from higher entropy, rather than enthalpy. Time‐averaged interaction energies between the viral protein and molecules occupying the pocket are less favorable in the presence of the drug, consistent with the proposal that the observed stability arises from entropie effects. Interaction energies characterizing subunit‐subunit contacts within one viral protomer are found to be substantially stronger than those between two protomers. Such distinction in subunit interaction would have clear implications on assembly and disassembly. Drug binding is found to affect large‐scale, collective properties, while leaving local atomic properties unperturbed. Specifically, the simulations reveal a weakening of long‐range correlations in atomic motions upon drug binding. On the other hand, neither the fast time scale RMS fluctuations of individual atomic positions nor the fluctuation build‐up curves from the capsid β‐sandwich forming the drug‐binding pocket show a consistent distinction between the drug‐bound and drug‐free viral simulations. Collectively, the detailed description available from the simulations provides an understanding of the experimental observations on the drug‐induced changes in thermal stability and protease sensitivity reported for picornaviruses. The predicted significance of binding entropy can be explored experimentally and should be considered in the design of new antiviral compounds.
Printed Circularly Polarized Spiral Antenna Array for Millimeter-Wave Applications

A novel circularly polarized (CP) antenna element based on spiral antenna is proposed in this paper. It is differentially fed with an aperture through two vias locating at opposite sides of the aperture. This element can be easily integrated with the low loss substrate integrated waveguide and fabricated with the low cost printed circuit board technology. It can achieve 23.0% impedance bandwidth and 21.9% 3-dB axial ratio (AR) bandwidth with a maximum gain of 7.9 dBic. In order to broaden the AR bandwidth and lower the AR values of the antenna array, sequential rotation is applied to make a <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2\times 2$ </tex-math></inline-formula> subarray. The subarray covers an impedance bandwidth of 21.3%, with AR values lower than 1.1 dB across the whole impedance matching band. Thereafter, by employing the designed subarray, a <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$4\times 4$ </tex-math></inline-formula> antenna array is composed and fabricated. The measured impedance bandwidth covers 14.1%, from 56.55 to 65.13 GHz, and the measured 3-dB AR bandwidth covers 21.1%, from 55 to 68 GHz. The maximum measured gain is 19.5 dBic. It also demonstrates that the proposed antenna element is a promising candidate to design high gain CP antenna arrays in millimeter-wave band.
Effect of dapagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes who have inadequate glycaemic control with glimepiride: a randomized, 24‐week, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial

Aims: Progressive deterioration of glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) often requires treatment intensification. Dapagliflozin increases urinary glucose excretion by selective inhibition of renal sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2). We assessed the efficacy, safety and tolerability of dapagliflozin added to glimepiride in patients with uncontrolled T2DM.