Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Reserve Materials for Endogenous Metabolism in Streptococcus faecalis

Forrest, W. W. (University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia), and D. J. Walker. Synthesis of reserve materials for endogenous metabolism in Streptococcus faecalis. J. Bacteriol. 89:1448–1452. 1965. —The growth curve of Streptococcus faecalis in batch culture with limited energy source shows an initial portion of exponential growth where the growth yield coefficient Yglucose is 32, followed by linear growth where Yglucose is 21. Endogenous metabolism is correlated with maintenance of glycolytic activity, and there is a marked change in the glycolytic activity of cells harvested under these conditions; however, endogenous metabolism cannot be detected in either case by measurement of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) pool in the organisms. Cells harvested after growth with excess energy source exhibit endogenous metabolism, which is correlated with a much higher concentration of ATP in the organisms than occurs in the cells grown with limited energy source.
Validity of the lifetime drinking history: a comparison of retrospective and prospective quantity-frequency measures.

OBJECTIVE The Lifetime Drinking History (LDH) has been used to examine alcohol use throughout the life span. Given its retrospective nature, it is important to examine the validity of the assessment. METHOD Building on previous work establishing the reliability and validity of the LDH, the current study examined a sample of 1,295 men in the Vietnam Era Twin Registry. The men were assessed retrospectively with the LDH in 2000, at an average age of 51. The drinking patterns of these same men were also assessed prospectively in four prior studies, taking place in 1987, 1990, 1992, and 1995. RESULTS Validity of the LDH was examined by comparing the correspondence between the prospective and retrospective quantity-frequency measures and reported age at first regular drinking. Correlations between the retrospective and prospective assessments were high for age at first regular drinking (.42-.58) and quantity-frequency measures (.47-.69), although some mean differences in the amount of consumption existed. CONCLUSIONS Results support the use of the LDH in reporting phases of drinking across the life span.
Street Kids International: Karate Kids--reaching the unreached.

The cross-cultural health education program the Survivors Project has produced the Karate Kids cartoon to inform the 100 million poor working street children and teenagers who do not attend school about HIV/AIDS and to bolster their self-esteem. The Street Kids International and the National Film Board of Canada coproduced the project. WHOs Global Programme on AIDS the AIDS Unit of International Planned Parenthood Federation a variety of international health education and communication specialists and street youth and educators in Nairobi Manila Colombo Rio de Janeiro Toronto and New York designed the project. They designed the nonjudgmental cartoon comic book and training book to generate discussion about HIV/AIDS sexually transmitted diseases and sexual exploitation of children and teenagers by adults. Educators who have been trained in and are willing to discuss health sexuality and AIDS and are either in poor community-based outreach projects or are street educators are most effective in using the materials. The program tries to empower children to help each other and to think of themselves in a positive light. The cartoon beckons the empathy and attention of children and adolescents taking part in high risk activities perhaps motivating them to use condoms as a means of self-defense and peer loyalty. Video vans outreach centers clinics and schools present the Karate Kids cartoon in >60 countries. If this program and other similar condom promotion programs are successful global demand for condoms should rise. Thus national AIDS programs and HIV/AIDS prevention centered nongovernmental organizations should be prepared to meet this demand by providing condoms at the street level.
Complement component 1, q subcomponent binding protein is a marker for proliferation in breast cancer

Complement component 1, q subcomponent binding protein (C1QBP), is a multi-compartmental protein with higher mRNA expression reported in breast cancer tissues. This study evaluated the association between immunohistochemical expression of the C1QBP protein in breast cancer tissue microarrays (TMAs) and clinicopathological parameters, in particular tumor size. In addition, an in vitro study was conducted to substantiate the breast cancer TMA findings. Breast cancer TMAs were constructed from pathological specimens of patients diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. C1QBP protein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunohistochemical analyses were subsequently performed in the TMAs. C1QBP immunostaining was detected in 131 out of 132 samples examined. The C1QBP protein was predominantly localized in the cytoplasm of the breast cancer cells. Univariate analysis revealed that a higher C1QBP protein expression was significantly associated with older patients (P = 0.001) and increased tumor size (P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis showed that C1QBP is an independent predictor of tumor size in progesterone-positive tumors. Furthermore, C1QBP was also significantly correlated with expression of PCNA, a known marker of proliferation. Inhibition of C1QBP expression was performed by transfecting C1QBP siRNA into T47D breast cancer cells, a progesterone receptor-positive breast cancer cell line. C1QBP gene expression was analyzed by real-time RT-PCR, and protein expression by Western blot. Cell proliferation assays were also performed by commercially available assays. Down-regulation of C1QBP expression significantly decreased cell proliferation and growth in T47D cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that the C1QBP protein could be a potential proliferative marker in breast cancer.
Auxin Inactivation and Its Relation to Leaf Drop Caused by the Fungus Omphalia Flavida.

Omphalia flavida Nlaubl. & Rang. is the agent of the most destructive disease of coffee in the American tropics. Even conservative estimates by field workers indicate that the damages caused by this fungus in several Central and South American countries amount to an annual loss in coffee production valued at several million dollars. 0. flavida is a member of the family Agaricaceae of the Basidiomycetes. Comprehensive modern surveys of the biology and pathological importance of this fungus have been given by Buller (1), by Wellman (14) and most recently by Sequeira (9). The disease is characterized by the development, on the leaves of coffee and a wide range of other host plants, of round or slightly ovoid spots, 0.4 to 1.0 cm in diameter (fig. 1). The number of lesions per leaf varies from 1 to well over 100. In general, the main pathogenic effect of the fungus is the severe premature defoliation which it causes. It has frequently been reported that in most cases the attacked coffee leaves which have fallen bear a lesion at the base of the leaf blade close to the petiole or on the petiole, whereas the leaves that remain attached to the tree may have a large number of lesions but none at the base of the blade. In general, a single lesion located at the point where the leaf blade begins to widen is enough to cause the leaf to drop. This effect has been generally interpreted, without experimental proof, as the result of mechanical destruction of the vascular tissue of the leaf by the fungus. Our preliminary work on experimental defoliation of coffee in the field and, for comparison, of Coleus in the greenhouse, indicates that the defoliation caused by this fungus cannot be explained simply as a result of mechanical injury to the leaf. Further investigation has shown that the inactivation of plant growth hormones by 0. flavida may be offered as a possible explanation of the leaf drop caused by this fungus. It is the purpose of this paper to present the evidence obtained from several lines of investigation which have led to this interpretation of the mechanism of the main pathogenic effect of the fungus.
Tibiocalcaneal kinematics during barefoot and in barefootinspired shoes in comparison to conventional running footwear

Analyse cinematique tibio-calcaneenne durant la course pieds nus et en chaussures minimalistes en comparaison des chaussures conventionnellesLes mouvements excessifs de la cheville et du tibia dans les plans frontaux et transversaux sont liees a l’apparition d’un certain nombre de blessures chroniques. Cette etude examine la cinematique tibio-calcaneal lors de la course dans des conditions pieds nus versus pieds chausses de differents types de chaussures de course (classiques et minimalistes). Seize sujets masculins ont couru a une vitesse de 4,0 m.s–1 dans chaque situation. La cinematique tibiocalcaneal a ete quantifiee a l’aide d’un systeme d’analyse du mouvement compose de 8 cameras. Les comparaisons statistiques ont ete effectuees en utilisant des mesures repetees de type ANOVA. Les resultats indiquent que les conditions « pieds nus » et « chaussures minimalistes » etaient associes a une plus grande eversion et une plus grande rotation interne du tibia en cours de la course. Ces resultats ont une application clinique potentielle car une rotation interne du tibia excessive peut etre impliquee dans l’etiologie des certaines blessures.
Evaluation of a peptide‐based enzyme immunoassay for anti‐SARS coronavirus IgG antibody

High throughput assays for anti‐SARS‐CoV IgG antibody detection are need for large‐scale epidemiologic studies. The performance of a microplate enzyme immunoassay, DETECT‐SARS™, was evaluated for the detection of anti‐SARS‐CoV IgG antibody. This assay is based on synthetic peptides derived from the nucleocapsid and spike proteins. The results showed that the assay provided a high degree of sensitivity (95.9%) for convalescent serum samples. The level of specificity was close to 90%, and did not show significant variation among different control groups. The high degree of sensitivity together with the high‐throughput nature makes it advantageous as a screening assay for studies where handling of a large number of specimens is required. J. Med. Virol. 74:517–520, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Optimized coupling factor of multi-winding coupled inductor for minimum inductor current ripple in rapid traction battery charger system

This paper investigates the design of 3-winding coupled inductor for minimum inductor current ripple in rapid traction battery charger systems. Based on the general circuit model of 3-winding coupled inductor together with the operating principles of dc-dc converter, the relationship between the ripple size of inductor current and the coupling factor for a 3-winding coupled inductor is derived under the different duty ratio. The optimal coupling factor which corresponds to a minimum inductor ripple current becomes -0.5, i.e. a complete inverse coupling without leakage inductance, as the steady-state duty ratio operating point approaches 1/3 or 2/3. In an opposite manner, the optimal coupling factor value of zero, i.e. zero mutual inductance, is required when the steady-state duty ratio operating point approaches either zero or one. Coupled inductors having optimal coupling factor can minimize the ripple current of inductor and battery ripple current resulting in a reliable and efficient operation of battery chargers.
Evidence of publication bias in reporting acute stroke clinical trials

Objective: To ascertain the extent of publication bias in the reporting of acute stroke clinical trials. Methods: We identified controlled acute ischemic stroke clinical trials reported in English over a 45-year period from 1955 to 1999 through systematic search of MEDLINE, the Cochrane Controlled Stroke Trials Register, and additional databases. We analyzed trial methodology, quality, outcome, study sponsorship, and timing of publication to identify various forms of publication bias, including nonpublication bias, abbreviated publication bias, and time-lag bias. Results: One hundred seventy-eight acute ischemic stroke trials, enrolling 73,949 subjects, evaluated 75 agents or nonpharmacologic interventions. A greater proportion of harmful outcomes in unpublished studies (n = 4) compared with published trials (0.75 vs 0.06, p < 0.0001) and underreporting of smaller, nonbeneficial studies in acute stroke suggest nonpublication bias. Although a definite time-lag bias was not evident, nonbeneficial studies were slower to proceed from enrollment completion to publication (2.3 vs 2.0 years, p = 0.207), with an even longer delay for nonbeneficial corporate pharmaceutical sponsored trials (2.8 vs 2.1 years, p = 0.086), despite superior trial report quality scores for corporate-sponsored studies when compared with nonprofit/governmental studies (mean 69.2 ± 95% CI 3.9 vs 53.4 ± 95% CI 9.2, p < 0.005). Conclusion: Publication bias is evident in the acute stroke research literature, supporting the need for prospective trial registration.
Barriers to accessing PMTCT services in a rural area of South Africa

Despite good intentions and commitment from providers, prevention-of-mother-to-child-transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services can be difficult for pregnant women to access, despite the provision of free health services for women and children. We examined the introduction of PMTCT services in a very poor rural area of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, to assess the context's impact on the provision of this service. Our approach involved 13 individual in-depth interviews and 26 focus group discussions, spread over six clinics in a single district, supplemented by situational observations. Our goal was to suggest how access to PMTCT services at the clinics may be improved. Poor roads, an underdeveloped transport system and poor telecommunications typify the pervasive poverty in the study area. Families have few resources for travel and most live a long distance from a clinic. Accessing emergency transport is especially difficult and expensive. Poor infrastructure also means that many families do not have access to clean water, which complicates the use of infant formula. PMTCT services had been recently added to several clinics that provide general services to the local population, but that were already understaffed and over-pressured. Since the PMTCT services were new, some elements of the intervention and staff training were delayed, thus inhibiting full implementation. New staff had not been added to ease accumulated pressures. Thus, socio-economic context can present a formidable barrier to the provision of PMTCT services. Improvement in services to rural areas will require creative thinking, perhaps including the use of mobile services and the development of community structures, such as contributions to community health education by traditional birth attendants and local volunteer groups.
Update on Ibuprofen: Review Article

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have become the principal mode of therapy for rheumatic diseases and their use has continued to increase despite concern expressed recently regarding potential hazards (Figure 1). Prior to 1969, a limited number of NSAID drugs were available. Aspirin and indomethacin became the mainstay of treatment but tolerability, particularly gastric irritation, at doses necessary to control rheumatic symptoms limited the usefulness of these valuable agents. The pyrazolone, phenylbutazone, showed slightly better gastro-intestinal (GIT) tolerability but has since been associated with an increased risk of blood dyscrasiae and is now only available for restricted use in most countries. Ibuprofen was the first of a new breed of NSAIDs originally introduced into the United Kingdom in 1969. Chemically quite distinct from its forerunners it was the first of the propionic acid derivatives to be used in rheumatic practice. The propionics have since become the largest, single and most important group of NSAIDs accounting for 50% of NSAID prescriptions in the United Kingdom. It is estimated that over 100 million patients worldwide have received ibuprofen which is now available in over 100 countries throughout the world including all the major markets. Ibuprofen was developed directly as a result of the problems associated with the use of corticosteroids in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and also because of the gastro-intestinal irritation and general intolerability of the established NSAIDs, at that time. Ibuprofen was readily accepted because, unlike the previous drugs, its therapeutic efficacy was easily seen to outweigh the severity of its side-effects. Ibuprofen was the first new drug with the potency of aspirin but without its major disadvantages.
Signal Transmission, Rather Than Reception, is the Underlying Neurochemical Abnormality in Schizophrenia

Objective: This review aims to summarise the outcome of studies on changes in the molecular architecture of the brain of subjects with schizophrenia and formulate a hypothesis on mechanisms involved in the pathology of the illness. Method: The outcomes from key studies using neuroimaging techniques and tissue obtained post-mortem that have been directed toward identifying abnormalities in the molecular architecture of the brain in subjects with schizophrenia were summarised. Using the results from these studies hypotheses were formulated on the underlying pathological process that precipitate schizophrenia. Results: Studies using neuroimaging techniques or tissue obtained post-mortem have revealed changes in the dopaminergic, serotoninergic, glutamatergic, GABAergic and cholinergic systems of the brain in schizophrenia. Some of these studies have identified abnormalities in presynaptic proteins or functioning that may be central to the pathology of schizophrenia. Conclusions: There appears to be diverse changes in the molecular cytoarchitecture of the brains from subjects with schizophrenia. It could be that it is by affecting these multiple systems that the atypical antipsychotic drugs produce their improved clinical outcomes. Abnormal functioning of presynaptic processes could be central to the pathology of schizophrenia. If the ‘presynaptic’ hypothesis is proven, future antipsychotic drug design should be directed away from post-synaptic receptor antagonism toward the modulating the functions of presynaptic neurones.
Circadian Rhythms in Cultured Mammalian Retina

Many retinal functions are circadian, but in most instances the location of the clock that drives the rhythm is not known. Cultured neural retinas of the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) exhibited circadian rhythms of melatonin synthesis for at least 5 days at 27°C. The rhythms were entrained by light cycles applied in vitro and were free-running in constant darkness. Retinas from hamsters homozygous for the circadian mutation tau, which shortens the free-running period of the circadian activity rhythm by 4 hours, showed a shortened free-running period of melatonin synthesis. The mammalian retina contains a genetically programmed circadian oscillator that regulates its synthesis of melatonin.
Sub-diffraction imaging of huntingtin protein aggregates by fluorescence blink-microscopy and atomic force microscopy.

Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases are all associated with protein misfolding, aggregation, and the accumulation of insoluble amyloid aggregates in neurons. [1] Huntington’s disease is caused by expansion of a polyglutamine (polyQ) tract within exon 1 of the huntingtin (Htt) protein beyond a threshold of approximately 40 glutamine residues. An expanded polyQ tract enhances Htt propensity for aggregation and leads to the neuronal dysfunction and loss associated with Huntington’s disease. [2] Characterization of Htt aggregate species is critical for understanding the mechanism of Huntington’s disease and identifying potential therapies.
Natural Lyme disease cycles maintained via sheep by co-feeding ticks

We present observational and experimental evidence that cycles of the Lyme disease spirochaete, Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. , can be maintained by sheep in the virtual absence of alternative hosts. A 2-year field study in upland moorland habitats of northwest UK established that sheep feed up to 80% of larval, >99% of nymphal and all of the adult female tick (Ixodes ricinus) population. Infection prevalence of B. burgdorferi in questing ticks reaches over 20%, but amplification of infection occurs principally as nymphs (20- to 30-fold), rather than larvae (4- to 7-fold), feed on sheep, and transmission from sheep to ticks occurred only during peak tick abundance in May and September. Experimental transmission studies confirmed that sheep, previously exposed to infected ticks on the moorland site, do not support systemic infections of B. burgdorferi, but they can transmit localized infections from infected to uninfected ticks co-feeding at the same site on the sheep's body.
Relationship between genetic similarity and some productive traits in local chicken strains

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was applied to detect genetic similarity between five local chicken strains that have been selected for eggs and meat production in Egypt. Based on six oligonucleotide primers, the genetic similarity between the egg-producing strains (Anshas, Silver Montazah and Mandarah) ranged from 72.4 to 85.4%. While the genetic similarity between the two chicken strains selected for meat production (Baheij and El-Salam) is 86.9%. (African Journal of Biotechnology: 2003 2(2): 46-47)
Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome among dairy workers.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among dairy workers. METHODS Sixty-six dairy parlor workers and 58 non-parlor workers at dairies in Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado participated in structured interviews regarding demographics, work history, and hand symptoms. All participants had nerve conduction studies performed on both hands across the carpal tunnel. A CTS case definition was based on the presence of characteristic CTS symptoms and an abnormal median mononeuropathy across the carpal tunnel. RESULTS The prevalence of CTS among the dairy parlor workers was 16.6% and 3.6% among non-parlor workers. The difference was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05) with an odds ratio of 5.3, CI (1.1-25.5). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that CTS is a significant challenge for dairy parlor workers. The prevalence of CTS was found to be significantly higher among dairy workers performing tasks in the milking parlor as opposed to workers performing tasks in other areas of the dairy farm. The results emphasize the need for administrative and engineering controls to limit the exposure to physical risk factors that are associated with upper limb disorders such as CTS.
PERFORATED MUFFLER MANIFOLD CATALYST

An alternative exhaust manifold system, the Perforated Manifold, Muffler, and Catalyst (PMMC), is proposed to improve sound suppression while reducing engine pumping losses and exhaust emissions. One-dimensional predictions from acoustic theory are used to configure the initial design. Preliminary evaluation of the concept is based on bench tests, including an extended impedance tube set-up for acoustic attenuation and a flow bench for flow loss characteristics. Experiments with the fabricated hardware are then conducted in an engine dynamometer facility, and the results were compared to the existing production system as a benchmark. Engine experiments show that the PMMC concept provides enhanced upstream sound suppression, reducing the need for restrictive downstream silencers. This results in reduced engine pumping work and thus improved engine brake horsepower. Additionally, conservation of exhaust gas thermal energy and the reduced thermal inertia of the exhaust system provides earlier catalyst light-off, and therefore reduced pollutant emissions. 7 1998 Academic Press