Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ten‐year risk for myocardial infarction in patients with first‐ever stroke: a community‐based study

Appelros P, Gunnarsson KE, Terént A. Ten‐year risk for myocardial infarction in patients with first‐ever stroke: a community‐based study. Acta Neurol Scand: 2011: 124: 383–389. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
Head direction cell firing properties and behavioural performance in 3‐D space

Previous studies have identified a population of neurons in the rat brain that discharge as a function of the animal's directional heading in the horizontal plane, independent of their location and on‐going behaviour. Most studies on head direction (HD) cells have explored how they respond in two‐dimensional environments within the horizontal plane. Many animals, however, live and locomote in a three‐dimensional world. This paper reviews how HD cells respond when the animal locomotes on a vertical surface or inverted on a ceiling. We found that HD cells fire in a normal, direction‐dependent manner when the rat is in the vertical plane, but not when the animal is inverted. Recent behavioural studies reported that rats are capable of accurately performing a navigational task when inverted, but only when the task was simple and started from not more than one or two entry points. Probe trials found that they did not have a flexible, map‐like representation of space when inverted. The loss of the directional signal when the animal is in an inverted orientation may account for the absence of the map‐like representation. Taken together, these findings indicate that a normal otolith signal contributes an important role to HD cell discharge.
Overexpression and involvement in migration by the metastasis-associated phosphatase PRL-3 in human myeloma cells.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by accumulation and dissemination of malignant plasma cells (PCs) in the bone marrow (BM). Gene expression profiling of 2 MM cell lines (OH-2 and IH-1) indicated that expression of PRL-3, a metastasis-associated tyrosine phosphatase, was induced by several mitogenic cytokines. Cytokine-driven PRL-3 expression could be shown in several myeloma cell lines at both the mRNA and protein levels. There was significantly higher expression of the PRL-3 gene in PCs from patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), smoldering myeloma (SMM), and myeloma than in PCs from healthy persons. Among 7 MM subgroups identified by unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis, PRL-3 gene expression was significantly higher in the 3 groups denoted as "proliferation," "low bone disease," and "MMSET/FGFR3. " PRL-3 protein was detected in 18 of 20 BM biopsies from patients with MM. Silencing of the PRL-3 gene by siRNA reduced cell migration in the MM cell line INA-6, but had no detectable effect on proliferation and cell-cycle phase distribution of the cells. In conclusion, PRL-3 is a gene product specifically expressed in malignant plasma cells and may have a role in migration of these cells.
Encapsidation of poliovirus replicons encoding the complete human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gag gene by using a complementation system which provides the P1 capsid protein in trans

Poliovirus genomes which contain small regions of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gag, pol, and env genes substituted in frame for the P1 capsid region replicate and express HIV-1 proteins as fusion proteins with the P1 capsid precursor protein upon transfection into cells (W. S. Choi, R. Pal-Ghosh, and C. D. Morrow, J. Virol. 65:2875-2883, 1991). Since these genomes, referred to as replicons, do not express capsid proteins, a complementation system was developed to encapsidate the genomes by providing P1 capsid proteins in trans from a recombinant vaccinia virus, VV-P1. Virus stocks of encapsidated replicons were generated after serial passage of the replicon genomes into cells previously infected with VV-P1 (D. C. Porter, D. C. Ansardi, W. S. Choi, and C. D. Morrow, J. Virol. 67:3712-3719, 1993). Using this system, we have further defined the role of the P1 region in viral protein expression and RNA encapsidation. In the present study, we constructed poliovirus replicons which contain the complete 1,492-bp gag gene of HIV-1 substituted for the entire P1 region of poliovirus. To investigate whether the VP4 coding region was required for the replication and encapsidation of poliovirus RNA, a second replicon in which the complete gag gene was substituted for the VP2, VP3, and VP1 capsid sequences was constructed. Transfection of replicon RNA with and without the VP4 coding region into cells resulted in similar levels of expression of the HIV-1 Gag protein and poliovirus 3CD protein, as indicated by immunoprecipitation using specific antibodies. Northern (RNA) blot analysis of RNA from transfected cells demonstrated comparable levels of RNA replication for each replicon. Transfection of the replicon genomes into cells infected with VV-P1 resulted in the encapsidation of the genomes; serial passage in the presence of VV-P1 resulted in the generation of virus stocks of encapsidated replicons. Analysis of the levels of protein expression and encapsidated replicon RNA from virus stocks after 21 serial passages of the replicon genomes with VV-P1 indicated that the replicon which contained the VP4 coding region was present at a higher level than the replicon which contained a complete substitution of the P1 capsid sequences. These differences in encapsidation, though, were not detected after only two serial passages of the replicons with VV-P1 or upon coinfection and serial passage with type 1 Sabin poliovirus. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The effect of chloride removal on the responses of the isolated rat anococcygeus muscle to alpha 1‐adrenoceptor stimulation.

The effect of Cl removal on the depolarizations and contractions produced by activation of the alpha 1‐adrenoceptor in the isolated rat anococcygeus was studied. In normal Krebs solution the ionophoretic application of noradrenaline and phenylephrine elicited large depolarizations; when NaCl was replaced with Na benzenesulphonate application of the agonists usually evoked no membrane response but sometimes a hyperpolarization or a biphasic membrane potential change was observed. Graded replacement of Cl by benzenesulphonate produced a progressive reduction in the depolarizing ability of noradrenaline and phenylephrine. When NaCl was replaced with Na isethionate or glucuronate, noradrenaline evoked small depolarizations in most of the cells but the sensitivity to noradrenaline (mV/nC) was reduced by over 80%. In other cells either no potential change or hyperpolarization was observed. In solutions containing low Cl the resting membrane potential was slightly depolarized by a mean value of 5‐10 mV (depending on the anion substitute) and the membrane resistance was unaltered. In normal Krebs solution noradrenaline and phenylephrine evoked biphasic contractile responses but when NaCl was replaced by Na benzenesulphonate the initial rapid contraction was diminished greatly or abolished. However, the maximum tension produced by any concentration of noradrenaline was unaltered in low Cl solution although the contractions produced by phenylephrine were depressed in low Cl media. These data are further evidence that stimulation of the alpha 1‐adrenoceptor in smooth muscle can produce contraction which is not mediated by a change in membrane potential.
Multiple Evanescent White Dot Syndrome (MEWDS)

Multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS) is a chorioretinopathy first reported by Jampol et al and Sieving et al in 1984. This disorder is preceded by a viral-like illness in about one third of cases and typically occurs in young myopic individuals, particularly women. There are no known racial or hereditary predilections. An association with HLA-B51 has been reported. Affected patients complain of sudden-onset vision loss accompanied by visual field defects in the form of paracentral scotomas or enlargement of the blind spot, sometimes associated with photopsias and dyschromatopsia. Although originally described as an acute, unilateral disorder with a self-limiting course and a rapid resolution of abnormalities, MEWDS can actually involve both eyes, recur, and be complicated by choroidal neovascularization and late development of chorioretinal scars. Furthermore, MEWDS can be associated, preceded, or followed by other inflammatory conditions such as acute macular neuroretinopathy, multifocal choroiditis, and panuveitis, or acute zonal occult outer retinopathy. The prognosis is generally very good, with spontaneous resolution of the lesions and recovery of normal vision and visual fields within several weeks to months from the onset. Treatment is normally not required. The cause of MEWDS is uncertain. Gass proposed that in MEWDS, as in other acute zonal occult outer retinopathy complex disorders, infectious agents, most likely viruses, may gain entrance into the receptor cells at the edge of the optic disc and the ora serrata, triggering a subsequent autoimmune disease. Indeed, for cases developing after hepatitis A and B, vaccinations have been reported.
Relationships Between Pulmonary Function and Plasma Fatty Acid Levels in Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Summary: Nineteen patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) were studied to determine whether plasma fatty acids correlated with severity of their lung disease as assessed by pulmonary function testing. Results were compared with 19 normal subjects of similar age and sex. Linoleic acid content of all lipid fractions was significantly lower in CF patients than controls including cholesterol ester fraction (CF 31%, control 50%, p < 0.001), triglyceride fraction (7.6 to 16.6%, p < 0.001), and phospholipid fraction (13.9 to 21.7%, p < 0.001). Mean 20:3ω9/20:4ω6 ratio for CF patients was higher in all lipid classes and was suggestive of essential fatty acid deficiency. Correlations were found to exist between most pulmonary function parameters and fatty acids of plasma phospholipids but not any other lipid class. Positive correlations were found between all ventilatory tests and total ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and also 22:5ω3 and 22:6ω3. There was no correlation between total saturated fatty acids, total monounsaturates, total ω6 fatty acids, or triene/tetraene ratios and pulmonary function. Positive correlations were found between pulmonary function parameters and certain ω6 polyunsaturates including 20:4 and 22:4 but not 18:2.
Is there a role for elective neck dissection with salvage laryngectomy? A decision‐analysis model

Elective neck dissection for the clinically negative neck is often a matter of debate. A decision‐analysis model that was published in 1994 established the widely accepted principle that neck dissection is warranted when the risk for occult metastases is higher than 20%. The aim of the present study was to build a specific and up‐to‐date decision‐analysis model to determine the need for elective neck dissection during salvage laryngectomy after chemoradiation failure and to identify the variables that effect the decision.
Inequality in 3-D: Income, Consumption, and Wealth

We do not need to and should not have to choose amongst income, consumption, or wealth as the superior measure of well-being. All three individually and jointly determine well-being. We are the first to study inequality in three conjoint dimensions for the same households, using income, consumption, and wealth from the 1989-2016 Surveys of Consumer Finances (SCF). The paper focuses on two questions. What does inequality in two and three dimensions look like? Has inequality in multiple dimensions increased by less, by more, or by about the same as inequality in any one dimension? We find an increase in inequality in two dimensions and in three dimensions, with a faster increase in multi-dimensional inequality than in one-dimensional inequality. Viewing inequality through one dimension greatly understates the level and the growth in inequality in two and three dimensions. The U.S. is becoming more economically unequal than is generally understood.
Entrepreneurial Intentions and Activities of Students across the World : International Report of GUESSS 2011

The economic and social relevance of entrepreneurship in general and new ventures in particular is well-established across the world. Students, as they could be the entrepreneurs of tomorrow, have attracted considerable scholarly and public attention in the last decades. Despite strong research efforts in the past, many questions are still not sufficiently answered. Which individual, societal, family- and university-related factors enhance students' intention to found their own company? How do students' entrepreneurial intentions and activities compare across a multitude of nations? Are there globally applicable best practices? To generate unique insights and contributions that address these gaps, it is thus imperative to further investigate students' entrepreneurial intentions, activities and their antecedents on a global level. This is the overarching goal of the GUESSS research project (Global Universiy Entrepreneurial Spirit Students' Survey). This report presents the results and insights of the 2011 edition of the GUESSS project on the global level. In Spring 2011, a large-scale quantitative survey was conducted in 26 different countries, addressing more than 1 Million students from 489 Universities, leading to a data set with more than 93'000 responses (N=93'265).
Formation of a Stable Heterodimer between Smad2 and Smad4*

Smad proteins mediate transforming growth factor β signaling from the cell membrane to the nucleus. Upon phosphorylation by the activated receptor kinases, the receptor-regulated Smad, such as Smad2, forms a heterocomplex with the co-mediator Smad, Smad4. This heterocomplex is then translocated into the nucleus, where it associates with other transcription factors and regulates expression of ligand-responsive genes. The stoichiometry between receptor-regulated Smad and co-mediator Smad is important for understanding the molecular mechanisms of the signaling process. Using purified recombinant proteins, we demonstrate that Smad2 and Smad4 form a stable heterodimer and that the Smad4 activation domain is important for the formation of this complex. Many tumor-derived missense mutations disrupt the formation of this heterocomplex in in vitro interaction assays. Mapping these mutations onto the structures of Smad4 and Smad2 identifies a symmetric interface between these two Smad proteins. Importantly, two previous models on the formation of a heterocomplex are incompatible with our observations and other reported evidence.
Colonization of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus Genotypes and Caries Development in Children to Mothers Harboring Both Species

The major route of early acquisition of mutans streptococci in humans is a vertical transmission from mother to child. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to examine the acquisition, distribution and persistence of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus in children whose mothers harbored both species and to study the caries incidence in relation to colonization of these bacteria. Fifteen mother-child pairs were followed during the child’s first 7 years. Stimulated salivary samples were taken from the mothers and the children. Plaque samples were also collected from the teeth and the tongue of the children. The samples were analyzed by cultivating techniques together with genomic fingerprinting and hybridizing. The caries experience was evaluated on the sampling occasions and retrospectively using the records of caries registrations from the community clinics. During the 7-year period 10 of the 15 children acquired mutans streptococci. Only 4 of them were colonized by both S. mutans and S. sobrinus despite the fact that their mothers harbored both species. In 2 of the children S. sobrinus was found later than S. mutans. A total of 26 genotypes were found in the children and 9 of them were identical to their mothers. New genotypes and a gain-loss pattern were noted especially in the children but also in their mothers. The groups of teeth first positive for the two species were the deciduous molars. The caries experience was low during the study period with 8 children showing no caries.
Characterization of the Membrane-targeting C1 Domain in Pasteurella multocida Toxin*

Pasteurella multocida toxin (PMT) is a virulence factor responsible for the pathogenesis of some forms of pasteurellosis. The toxin activates Gq- and G12/13-dependent pathways through the deamidation of a glutamine residue in the α-subunit of heterotrimeric GTPases. We recently reported the crystal structure of the C terminus (residues 575–1285) of PMT (C-PMT), which is composed of three domains (C1, C2, and C3), and that the C1 domain is involved in the localization of C-PMT to the plasma membrane, and the C3 domain possesses a cysteine protease-like catalytic triad. In this study, we analyzed the membrane-targeting function of the C1 domain in detail. The C1 domain consists of seven helices of which the first four (residues 590–670), showing structural similarity to the N terminus of Clostridium difficile toxin B, were found to be involved in the recruitment of C-PMT to the plasma membrane. C-PMT lacking these helices (C-PMT ΔC1(4H)) neither localized to the plasma membrane nor stimulated the Gq/12/13-dependent signaling pathways. When the membrane-targeting property was complemented by a peptide tag with an N-myristoylation motif, C-PMT ΔC1(4H) recovered the PMT activity. Direct binding between the C1 domain and liposomes containing phospholipids was evidenced by surface plasmon resonance analyses. These results indicate that the C1 domain of C-PMT functions as a targeting signal for the plasma membrane.
Metabolism pathways in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Abstract Alterations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cell metabolism have been studied by several investigators. Unlike normal B lymphocytes or other leukemia cells, CLL cells, like adipocytes, store lipids and utilize free fatty acids (FFA) to produce chemical energy. None of the recently identified mutations in CLL directly affects metabolic pathways, suggesting that genetic alterations do not directly contribute to CLL cells’ metabolic reprogramming. Conversely, recent data suggest that activation of STAT3 or downregulation of microRNA-125 levels plays a crucial role in the utilization of FFA to meet the CLL cells’ metabolic needs. STAT3, known to be constitutively activated in CLL, increases the levels of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) that mediates lipoprotein uptake and shifts the CLL cells’ metabolism towards utilization of FFA. Herein, we review the evidence for altered lipid metabolism, increased mitochondrial activity and formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in CLL cells, and discuss the possible therapeutic strategies to inhibit lipid metabolism pathways in patient with CLL.
Abnormal nasal nitric oxide production, ciliary beat frequency, and Toll-like receptor response in pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial disease epithelium.

RATIONALE Pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial (PNTM) disease has increased over the past several decades, especially in older women. Despite extensive investigation, no consistent immunological abnormalities have been found. Using evidence from diseases such as cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia, in which mucociliary dysfunction predisposes subjects to high rates of nontuberculous mycobacterial disease that increase with age, we investigated correlates of mucociliary function in subjects with PNTM infections and healthy control subjects. OBJECTIVES To define ex vivo characteristics of PNTM disease. METHODS From 2009 to 2012, 58 subjects with PNTM infections and 40 control subjects were recruited. Nasal nitric oxide (nNO) was determined at the time of respiratory epithelial collection. Ciliary beat frequency at rest and in response to Toll-like receptor (TLR) and other agonists was determined using high-speed video microscopy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS We found decreased nNO production, abnormally low resting ciliary beat frequency, and abnormal responses to agonists of TLR2, -3, -5, -7/8, and -9 in subjects with PNTM compared with healthy control subjects. The low ciliary beat frequency in subjects with PNTM was normalized ex vivo by augmentation of the NO-cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway without normalization of their TLR agonist responses. CONCLUSIONS Impaired nNO, ciliary beat frequency, and TLR responses in PNTM disease epithelium identify possible underlying susceptibility mechanisms as well as possible avenues for directed investigation and therapy.
Rapid method for direct extraction of DNA from soil and sediments

A rapid method for the direct extraction of DNA from soil and sediments was developed. The indigenous microorganisms in the soil and sediments were lysed by using lysozyme and a freeze-thaw procedure. The lysate was extracted with sodium dodecyl sulfate and phenol-chloroform. In addition to a high recovery efficiency (greater than 90%), the yields of DNA were high (38 and 12 micrograms/g [wet weight] from sediments and soil, respectively). This method generated minimal shearing of the extracted DNA. The crude DNA could be further purified with an Elutip-d column if necessary. An additional advantage of this method is that only 1 g of sample is required, which allows for the analysis of small samples and the processing of many samples in a relatively short (7 h) period.
Attitudes of selected volunteer art museum docents toward role socialization and performance

2. When an image on the film is obliterated with a round black mark, it is an indication o f either blurred copy because o f movement during exposure, duplicate copy, or copyrighted materials tha t should not have been filmed. For blurred pages, a good image o f the page can be found in the adjacent frame. If copyrighted materials were deleted, a target note will appear listing the pages in the adjacent frame.
A study on the frequency of participation and time spent on sport in different organisational settings

ABSTRACT Research question: As a result of the expansion of opportunities for leisure-time sport participation (LTSP), the question arises if differing organisational settings relate to differences in participation behaviour. This paper compares participation frequency and time spent on sport between club-organised and non-club-organised sport participants. Research methods: Data originate from the 2009 Household Study on Sport Participation in Flanders (Belgium). The sample consists of 4020 sports participants that are parents of school-aged children. The frequency of LTSP, time per training session and total time spent on sport per week are constructed as dependent variables for log-linear regression analyses. The organisational setting for LTSP is the main independent variable. Analyses are conducted at a total sample level and a sport-specific level. Results and findings: Participation frequency and time spent on sport increase when participants engage with club-organised sport. The association between the organisational setting for LTSP and the dependent variable varies as a function of different variables related to participation in a specific sport. Implications: As a contribution to ongoing debates on the promotion of LTSP in different organisational settings, results of this study allow for discussing the popularity of non-club-organised sport in relation to advantages of club-organised sport. For managers in sport organisations, it is important to gain insight in participation behaviour of (potential) participants to develop targeted strategies. Results are also relevant to policy-makers in order to adequately allocate resources aimed at increasing participation rates and time spent on sport among a broader range of the population.