Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic mapping of the Salmonella typhimurium pncB locus

The nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase locus pncB was located on the Salmonella typhimurium linkage map counterclockwise relative to pyrC. P22 and P1 transductional analyses revealed linkage of pncB with aroA and pyrD, indicating a pncB map position of approximately 20 map units. The results of these cotransduction experiments also indicated that the genetic map distance between gal and pyrD is greater than the published 2.2 map units.
Receptive and expressive language activations for sentences: a PET study

MOST language mapping studies have focussed on activations for single-word tasks. We examined activations for verbal auditory and generation tasks using sentence stimuli. [15O]-water PET was performed in 4 female and 5 male normal adults. Listening to sentences (minus rest) activated the superior and middle temporal gyri bilaterally, but mean activation was significantly stronger on the left. The strongest activation for sentence generation (minus repetition) was seen in the left middle and inferior frontal gyri (area 46). This focus appears to be anterior to activations reported for single-word generation, possibly due to greater verbal working memory demands of the sentential task. Additional activation of the left inferior temporal lobe can be attributed to lexicosemantic processing.
Expression of Angiogenic MicroRNAs in Endothelial Progenitor Cells From Type 1 Diabetic Patients With and Without Diabetic Retinopathy.

PURPOSE MicroRNA (miR) expression in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in type 1 diabetes (DM1) and its relation with different stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR) have not been reported to date. Our aim was to analyze miR-222, miR-221, and miR-126 expression in EPCs from DM1 patients with and without DR. METHODS We included 41 patients with DR, 35 without DR, and 38 controls. Blood was collected for flow cytometry and EPC culture. Total RNA was extracted and purified and real-time quantitative PCR was performed for miR expression in cultured EPCs. Relative changes in miR expression were analyzed with the 2-ΔΔCT method. RESULTS Circulating EPCs were reduced and miR-126 expression was increased in DM1 compared to controls (0.030 [interquartile range [IQR], 0.020-0.050] vs. 0.060 [IQR, 0.030-0.110], P = 0.004; 1.740 [IQR, 0.890-4.120] vs. 0.990 [IQR, 0.487-3.015], P = 0.047 respectively) without differences between patients with and without DR. Patients with DR had higher expression of miR-221 than those without DR (1.405 [IQR, 0.820-2.867] vs. 0.915 [IQR, 0.507-1.292], P = 0.019) without differences among degrees of DR. Circulating EPCs were reduced in patients on statins (0.010 [IQR, 0.010-0.050] vs. 0.045 [IQR, 0.020-0.087], P = 0.008), and miR-221 expression increased in patients on angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) II (1.430 [IQR, 1.160-2.705] vs. 1.000 [IQR, 0.520-1.330], P = 0.021) compared to those without treatment. MicroRNA-126 expression was associated with body mass index (BMI; ρ = -0.267, P = 0.026) and diastolic blood pressure (ρ = -0.267, P = 0.034). MicroRNA-221 was associated with triglyceride concentration (ρ = 0.296, P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS Circulating EPCs were reduced and miR-126 expression was increased in DM1 compared to controls. Patients with DR had higher expression of miR-221 than those without DR. The identification of biomarkers of diabetic complications might be useful for monitoring disease progression and potential therapeutic targets.
Techniques for area-time efficient image rotation

Real-time image rotation is a necessary task in many vision based applications. Most available image rotation architectures are serial in nature, while the existing parallel techniques suffer from computational bottlenecks, limiting their performance. In this paper, we propose techniques that not only speed up the rotation process but also reduce area, yielding an area-time efficient architecture. They exploit properties of symmetry in image coordinates for parallel image rotation. We show that the number of computations, the total computation time and area cost of the proposed architecture are lesser by as much as 80%, 55% and 67% respectively when compared to the most efficient parallel architecture in recent literature.
Histological Staining Procedure and Image Analysis to Determine the Proportion of MMP-12 – Positive Macrophages

Methods and Results-—Serial sections of culprit lesions from 236 patients who underwent CEA and had undergone 3 years of clinical follow-up were stained immunocytochemically for MMP-12 and for CD68, and the MMP-12/CD68 ratio was used to quantify the MMP-12–expressing subpopulation. A high MMP-12/CD68 ratio correlated with a high content of lipid and total macrophages and a low content of vascular smooth muscle cells, as well as with MMP-8 (R=0.211, P=0.001), MMP-9 (R=0.251, P<0.001), and cleaved caspase-3 (R=0.142, P=0.036) activity measured in a neighboring segment. Dual immunohistochemical examination confirmed the location of MMP-12 in a subpopulation of MMP-8– and MMP-9–positive FCMs, whereas all apoptotic FCMs were MMP-12 positive. Patients who yielded plaques within the highest quartile compared with the lowest quartile of MMP-12/CD68 ratio had a 2.4-fold (hazard ratio, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.1to 5.1-fold; adjusted P=0.027) increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular event and a 3.4-fold (3.4; 1.2to 9.6-fold, P=0.024) increased risk for stroke.
The effect of interferential current therapy on patients with subacromial impingement syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study.

BACKGROUND Although interferential current (IFC) is a common electrotherapeutic modality used to treat musculoskeletal pain, there is not any randomized controlled trial investigating its clinical efficacy in subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS). AIM Investigation of effectiveness of IFC treatment in patients with SAIS. DESIGN Randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study. SETTING Physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinic. POPULATION Patients (N.=65) between 25 and 65 years of age, with a diagnosis of SAIS according to clinical evaluation and subacromial injection test. METHODS Patients were randomly distributed into two groups: 1) active IFC group (N.=33); 2) sham IFC group (N.=32). Exercise, cryotherapy, and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) were given to both groups. Ten sessions of IFC with bipolar method were applied to the active IFC group daily 20 minutes per session, 5 days per week, for 2 weeks while sham IFC was applied to the sham IFC group with the same protocol. Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Constant scores, and Shoulder Disability Questionnaire (SDQ) were used for evaluation at baseline, immediately post-treatment, and 1 month post-treatment. Both the patients and the researcher who assessed the outcomes were blinded to the treatment protocol throughout the study period. RESULTS Sixty of the 65 patients (active IFC group N.=30, sham IFC group N.=30) completed the study, 3 patients from active IFC, 2 from sham IFC group dropped during the follow up period. Statistically significant improvement was observed in all parameters of both groups immediately and 1 month post-treatment (P<0.01). There were no statistical differences between the active IFC group and sham IFC group in all outcome parameters (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrated that IFC therapy does not provide additional benefit to NSAID, cryotherapy, and exercise program in treatment of SAIS. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT Our study responds to the needs of the lack of evidence in the field of rehabilitation. IFC therapy does not provide additional benefit for the treatment of SAIS.
Change of sleep quality from pre- to 3 years post-solid organ transplantation: The Swiss Transplant Cohort Study

Background Poor sleep quality (SQ) is common after solid organ transplantation; however, very little is known about its natural history. We assessed the changes in SQ from pre- to 3 years post-transplant in adult heart, kidney, liver and lung recipients included in the prospective nation-wide Swiss Transplant Cohort Study. We explored associations with selected variables in patients suffering persistent poor SQ compared to those with good or variable SQ. Methods Adult single organ transplant recipients enrolled in the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study with pre-transplant and at least 3 post-transplant SQ assessment data were included. SQ was self-reported pre-transplant (at listing), then at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months post-transplant. A single SQ item was used to identify poor (0–5) and good sleepers (6–10). Between organ groups, SQ was compared via logistic regression analysis with generalized estimating equations. Within the group reporting persistently poor SQ, we used logistic regression or Kaplan-Meier analysis as appropriate to check for differences in global quality of life and survival. Results In a sample of 1173 transplant patients (age: 52.1±13.2 years; 65% males; 66% kidney, 17% liver, 10% lung, 7% heart) transplanted between 2008 and 2012, pre- transplant poor SQ was highest in liver (50%) and heart (49%) recipients. Overall, poor SQ decreased significantly from pre-transplant (38%) to 24 months post-transplant (26%) and remained stable at 3 years (29%). Patients reporting persistently poor SQ had significantly more depressive symptomatology and lower global quality of life. Conclusion Because self-reported poor SQ is related to poorer global quality of life, these results emphasize the need for further studies to find suitable treatment options for poor SQ in transplant recipients.
Cross-Border Takeovers and Efficiency of Acquired Banks in Transition Economies: An Observational Study on Ukraine

We investigate the impact of cross-border takeovers on target banks’ profitability, efficiency, and market share in Ukraine, an exemplar of a country with poor institutional quality. We rely on a combination of propensity score matching with the difference-in-difference methodology, and our main contribution lies in an additional sensitivity analysis that checks for the presence of temporary unobservable factors. Our results show that foreign investors have acquired Ukrainian banks with average efficiency and profitability, and that these indicators did not change significantly post-takeover. By contrast, foreign banks have targeted mainly large banks, and during the first two years following acquisition the targets’ loan market share and size even increased, whereas funding costs decreased effects that are robust for the presence of temporary unobservable factors. In line with Lanine and Vander Vennet (2007), we thus find that foreign banks are interested in increasing their market share rather than exporting their efficiency.
Corporate environmental management: systems and strategies.

Enviromnental issues and corporate environmental management Corporate strategy and -the environment: the theory Environmental management systems The standardization of environmental management systems Environmental policies Environmental guidelines and charters Environmental auditing Life cycle assessment Measuring environmental performance Environmental reporting The EMS in the SME Local economic development and environmental management Environmental management systems in local government Beyond environmentalism and towards the sustainable organization.
Key points in the dermoscopic diagnosis of hypomelanotic melanoma and nodular melanoma

Nodular melanoma (NM) and amelanotic/hypomelanotic melanoma (AHM) often present a challenge to the diagnosing clinician. A significant proportion of AHM are nodular in nature. Such tumors may lack features of asymmetry and altered peripheral pigmentation routinely observed in other melanoma subtypes. This lack of distinguishing clinical features can potentially result in delayed diagnosis or inappropriate treatment. This review highlights the key points in evaluating the range of lesions where AHM or NM are considered in the differential diagnosis and summarizes current evidence in relation to pigmented and vascular dermoscopic diagnostic criteria for both.
Histological diversity in cholangiocellular carcinoma reflects the different cholangiocyte phenotypes

Cholangiocellular carcinoma (CC) originates from topographically heterogeneous cholangiocytes. The cylindrical mucin‐producing cholangiocytes are located in large bile ducts and the cuboidal non–mucin‐producing cholangiocytes are located in ductules containing bipotential hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs). We investigated the clinicopathological and molecular features of 85 resected CCs (14 hilar CCs [so‐called Klatskin tumor], 71 intrahepatic CCs [ICCs] including 20 cholangiolocellular carcinomas [CLCs], which are thought to originate from HPCs]) and compared these with the different cholangiocyte phenotypes, including HPCs. Immunohistochemistry was performed with biliary/HPC and hepatocytic markers. Gene expression profiling was performed in different tumors and compared with nonneoplastic different cholangiocyte phenotypes obtained by laser microdissection. Invasion and cell proliferation assay were assessed using different types of CC cell lines: KMC‐1, KMCH‐1, and KMCH‐2. Among 51 ICCs, 31 (60.8%) contained only mucin‐producing CC features (muc‐ICCs), whereas 39.2% displayed histological diversity: focal hepatocytic differentiation and ductular areas (mixed‐ICCs). Clinicopathologically, muc‐ICCs and hilar CCs showed a predominantly (peri‐)hilar location, smaller tumor size, and more lymphatic and perineural invasion compared with mixed‐ICCs and CLCs (predominantly peripheral location, larger tumor size, and less lymphatic and perineural invasion). Immunoreactivity was similar in muc‐ICCs and hilar CCs and in mixed‐ICCs and CLCs. S100P and MUC1 were significantly up‐regulated in hilar CCs and muc‐ICCs compared with mixed‐ICCs and CLCs, whereas NCAM1 and ALB tended to be up‐regulated in mixed‐ICCs and CLCs compared with other tumors. KMC‐1 showed significantly higher invasiveness than KMCH‐1 and KMCH‐2. Conclusion: Muc‐ICCs had a clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular profile similar to that of hilar CCs (from mucin‐producing cholangiocytes), whereas mixed‐ICCs had a profile similar to that of CLCs (thought to be of HPC origin), possibly reflecting their respective cells of origin. (HEPATOLOGY 2012;55:1876–1888)
Increased Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinases in the Uterine Cervix of Postmenopausal Women

Objective. To determine whether atrophy of the uterine cervix in menopausal women is associated with an increased expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), a decrease in their counter regulatory proteins (tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase [TIMP]), and a decrease in type I collagen. Materials and Methods. A pilot study was performed on cervical stroma harvested from 10 premenopausal and 9 postmenopausal women undergoing a hysterectomy. The amount of pro-MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9 in protein extracts from the two groups was compared by gelatin zymography. The membrane-type (MT)1-MMP, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were quantitated by Western immunoblotting. Total collagen was estimated by measuring hydroxyproline content. A primary fibroblast culture was developed to study estrogen regulation of MMP expression in vitro. Results. Pro-MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9 were increased in postmenopausal extracts. No difference in the amount of MT1-MMP, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, or total collagen was detected. In primary cervical fibroblast cultures, only active MMP-2 was suppressed by estrogen. Conclusions. The protein expression of pro-MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9 is increased in cervical stroma of postmenopausal women relative to premenopausal women.
Exploring the conformational equilibrium of E. coli thioredoxin reductase: Characterization of two catalytically important states by ultrafast flavin fluorescence spectroscopy

The conformational dynamics of wild‐type Escherichia coli thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and the mutant enzyme C138S were studied by ultrafast time‐resolved fluorescence of the flavin cofactor in combination with circular dichroism (both in the flavin fingerprint and far‐UV regions) and steady‐state fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy. The spectroscopic data show two conformational states of the enzyme (named FO and FR), of which the physical characteristics differ considerably. Ultrafast fluorescence lifetime measurements make it possible to distinguish between the two different populations: Dominant picosecond lifetimes of ∼1 ps (contribution 75%) and 7 ps (8%) are associated with the FO species in TrxR C138S. Long‐lived fluorescence with two time constants in the range of 0.2–1 ns (total contribution 17%) originates from enzyme molecules in the FR conformation. The near absence of fast lifetime components in oxidized wild‐type TrxR supports the idea of this enzyme being predominantly in the FR conformation. The emission spectrum of the FO conformation is blue‐shifted with respect to that of the FR conformation. Because of the large difference in fluorescence characteristics, fluorescence measurements on time scales longer than 100 ps are fully determined by the fraction of enzyme molecules in the FR conformation. Binding of the thiol reagent phenyl mercuric acetate to wild‐type enzyme and TrxR C138S stabilizes the enzymes in the FR conformation. Specific binding of the NADPH‐analog, AADP+, to the FR conformation resulted in dynamic fluorescence quenching in support of the multiple quenching sites model. Raising the temperature from 277K–323K resulted in a moderate shift to the FR conformation for TrxR C138S. High concentrations of the cosolvent glycerol triggered the domain rotation from the FO to the FR conformation.
Corporate Governance and Dividend Policy When Investor Protection Is Weak

We investigate the relationship between firm’s dividend policy and the corporate governance mechanism, measured by firm’s ownership structure, in an emerging market characterized by weak corporate governance system and ineffective law enforcement. Evidence is drawn from non financial corporations over the period 2004-2008 using several econometric models with different specifications that account for firm-specific unobservable variables. We find a significant negative relationship between firm’s dividend payout ratio and its percentage of capital owned by blockholders. This result implies that large shareholders are either expropriating the rights of minority shareholders or that firm’s earnings are being used to finance its future investments. Our results support the first implication as we find that the negative impact of large shareholders’ capital stake on dividend payments is robust and unchanged when firm’s sales growth is controlled for.
Occurrence of gastric ulcers in gnotobiotic piglets colonized by Helicobacter pylori

Archival gastric tissues from 10 of 39 gnotobiotic piglets colonized with Helicobacter pylori 26695 contained stromal leukocytic inflammation along with ulcers and erosions. In contrast, gastric tissues from 54 archival control piglets were devoid of both inflammation and ulcers. These data confirm the hypothesis that H. pylori infection alone is ulcerogenic.
Cementum engineering with three-dimensional polymer scaffolds.

Cloned cementoblasts (OCCMs), periodontal ligament fibroblasts (SV-PDLs), and dental follicle (SV-F) cells obtained from mice were used as a tool to study periodontal tissue engineering. OCCM, SV-PDL, and SV-F cells were seeded onto three-dimensional poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) scaffolds and cultured with the use of bioreactors or implanted subcutaneously in severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) mice for up to 6 weeks. We explored the behavior of these cells in porous PLGA sponges by cell growth, expression of mineral-associated genes using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and mineralization by histologic analysis in vitro and in vivo. Results indicated that cells attached to PLGA scaffolds under either static or dynamic conditions in vitro. Only OCCM implants, retrieved from both in vitro bioreactors and SCID mice at 3-and 6-weeks post-cell implantation exhibited mineral formation. Types I and XII collagens, osteocalcin, and bone sialoprotein genes were detected in all implants retrieved from SCID mice. These results suggest that delivery of selected cells via PLGA scaffolds may serve as a viable approach for promoting periodontal tissue regeneration.
Noninvasive Markers of Fibrosis for Longitudinal Assessment of Fibrosis in Chronic Liver Disease: Are They Ready for Prime Time?

Over the past decade, there has been a renewed enthusiasm to develop noninvasive serum markers or tests to assess the presence and severity of fibrosis in chronic liver disease. Although a single marker or test has lacked the necessary accuracy to predict fibrosis, different combinations of these markers or tests have shown encouraging results. However, inter-laboratory variability and inconsistent results with liver diseases of varying etiologies have made it difficult to assess the reliability of these markers in clinical practice. In this issue of the journal, Poynard et al. describe the “histological” response to lamivudine in patients with chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) over a 24-month period using surrogate serum biomarkers (Fibrotest–Actitest, FT–AT) without corroborating histological data. Investigators found improvement in fibrosis and inflammation in 85% and 91%, respectively, despite the emergence of YMDD mutation in 41.5% of patients. The higher improvement rates reported in this study should be interpreted with caution for a number of reasons including the absence of data on virological response rates, corroboratory histological data, and data on the validity of FT to evaluate fibrosis in a longitudinal manner. Although FT has been studied extensively by the authors of the current study, to date there are only few independent studies. In addition to significant inter-laboratory variations, these studies have shown that significant fibrosis could be missed, or conversely significant fibrosis diagnosed in the absence of minimal or no fibrosis in about 15% to 20% of patients. We may be approaching a time when serum biomarkers may become an integral part of the assessment of patients with chronic liver disease, but published evidence suggests that these markers are not yet ready for prime time.
Adolescent's Educational Status and Reasons for Dropout from the School

Adolescence is a period of acquiring new capacities. It is not only a time of opportunity but also of vulnerability to risky behavior, which can have life-long consequences, especially on education, career, and health. Teachers play an important role in providing information and advice to the adolescents. Spectrum of information can range from routine education to career guidance and health advice. Often teachers play a role of counselor also for the students. Currently, proper system of professional counseling is lacking in our society and wherever they do exist, they are few and beyond the approach of the common person. School is the place where adolescents get opportunity to share many personal issues with their peers. Many queries get easily resolved, merely by having discussion with school friend or teachers, which otherwise may be difficult to get resolved at home. Those adolescents who unfortunately do not get chance to attend the schools during these formative years, may fail to spot such golden opportunities and lag behind in the support which they would have easily attained by just attending the school. This research paper attempts to assess the educational status of adolescent and to analyze the reasons for dropout from the school so that effective strategies can be developed for improving the situation.