Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between superoxide dismutase and pathogenic mechanisms of Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes was examined for superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity. Two catalase-negative strains possessed at least twofold greater SOD activities than the catalase-positive L. monocytogenes strains examined. Growth conditions such as aeration and iron concentration influenced the specific activity of SOD obtained from cells cultured in defined media. L. monocytogenes SOD from crude extracts and after partial purification was analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Iron was associated with the single band of SOD activity detected in the gels. SOD activity appeared to be primarily extracytoplasmic. Survival of organisms in a superoxide-generating medium was studied, with photoactivation of riboflavin used as the source of free radical formation. Virulent, catalase-positive L. monocytogenes strains were relatively resistant to killing in a pH 7 superoxide-containing medium. An intact-cell assay for SOD was developed, which used the superoxide-generating system and employed the superoxide-dependent oxidation of sulfite, added to the medium, and inhibition of this oxidation by SOD. Maximal SOD activites of intact cells were observed when 100 to 400 micrograms (dry weight) of viable Listeria cells per ml was added to the medium. A possible role for SOD in the pathogenesis of listeric infection is discussed.
The Isolation of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus and Bovine Herpesvirus- from Cattle in Egypt

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) virus (LSDV) was isolated for the first time from cattle in Egypt in 2 disease outbreaks. Bovine herpesvirus-4 (BHV-4) and LSDV were detected in a pooled sample from the first outbreak (Suez). Only LSDV was isolated from the second outbreak (Ismalia). The capripoxviruses were identified as LSDV by neutralization with specific antiserum and by their ability to produce generalized LSD in experimentally inoculated cattle.
Comparison between the effect of omeprazole and rabeprazole on the antiplatelet action of clopidogrel.

BACKGROUND Emerging data suggests that several proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), including omeprazole, might interfere with the antiplatelet action of clopidogrel. However, there is a lack of data for rabeprazole. This study aimed to investigate and compare the impact of omeprazole and rabeprazole on the antiplatelet action of clopidogrel among patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS A prospective, randomized, open-labeled study was conducted among 87 CAD patients receiving clopidogrel and aspirin. Forty three and 44 patients were randomized to receive omeprazole 20 mg and rabeprazole 20 mg once daily, respectively, for at least 2 weeks. Adenosine 5-diphosphate 20 µmol/L-induced platelet aggregation was performed before and after PPIs treatment. Mean maximal platelet aggregation (MPA) before and after PPIs treatment of both groups were compared. At baseline, there were no significant differences in the mean MPA between the omeprazole and rabeprazole groups (40.68 ± 18.82% vs 36.42 ± 21.39%; P=0.326). After a 2-week treatment with PPIs, the mean MPA in both groups significantly increased from baseline and there were no differences between the omeprazole and rabeprazole groups (55.73 ± 19.66% vs 48.46 ± 18.80%; P=0.141). CONCLUSIONS Both omeprazole and rabeprazole decreased the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel. Use of these agents resulted in a similar degree of interference on clopidogrel's action, as measured by ADP-induced platelet aggregation.
Crystal structure of the EF‐hand parvalbumin at atomic resolution (0.91 Å) and at low temperature (100 K). Evidence for conformational multistates within the hydrophobic core

Several crystal structures of parvalbumin (Parv), a typical EF‐hand protein, have been reported so far for different species with the best resolution achieving 1.5 Å. Using a crystal grown under microgravity conditions, cryotechniques (100 K), and synchrotron radiation, it has now been possible to determine the crystal structure of the fully Ca2+‐loaded form of pike (component pI 4.10) Parv.Ca2 at atomic resolution (0.91 Å). The availability of such a high quality structure offers the opportunity to contribute to the definition of the validation tools useful for the refinement of protein crystal structures determined to lower resolution. Besides a better definition of most of the elements in the protein three‐dimensional structure than in previous studies, the high accuracy thus achieved allows the detection of well‐defined alternate conformations, which are observed for 16 residues out of 107 in total. Among them, six occupy an internal position within the hydrophobic core and converge toward two small buried cavities with a total volume of about 60 Å. There is no indication of any water molecule present in these cavities. It is probable that at temperatures of physiological conditions there is a dynamic interconversion between these alternate conformations in an energy‐barrier dependent manner. Such motions for which the amplitudes are provided by the present study will be associated with a time‐dependent remodeling of the void internal space as part of a slow dynamics regime (millisecond timescales) of the parvalbumin molecule. The relevance of such internal dynamics to function is discussed.
Work Autonomy at Different Occupational Skill Levels: Recent Trends in Europe

Widening income inequality and growing employment at both ends of the wage distribution (employment polarization) have caused concerns that work autonomy might be undergoing analogous processes. We find that the distribution of work autonomy in eleven EU countries did not become more polarized in 2005–2015, and that information and communications technology use at work positively affects work autonomy, regardless of the skill level in occupations. Nevertheless, workplace size, part-time work, and the ownership of organizations may have the potential for a polarizing impact on autonomy. Some specifics of the included CEE countries were found, notably a decline in autonomy of high-skilled employees.
Okadaic acid disrupts synaptic vesicle trafficking in a ribbon‐type synapse

Protein phosphorylation plays an essential role in regulating synaptic transmission and plasticity. However, regulation of vesicle trafficking towards and away from the plasma membrane is poorly understood. Furthermore, the extent to which phosphorylation modulates ribbon‐type synapses is unknown. Using the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid (OA), we investigated the influence of persistent phosphorylation on vesicle cycling in goldfish bipolar cells. We followed uptake of FM1‐43 during vesicle recycling in control and OA‐treated cells. FM1‐43 fluorescence spread to the center of control synaptic terminals after depolarization elicited Ca2+ influx. However, OA (1–50 nm) impaired this spatial spread of FM1‐43 in a dose‐dependent manner. Capacitance measurements revealed that OA (50 nm) did not modify either the amount or kinetics of exocytosis and endocytosis evoked by depolarizing pulses. The extremely low concentrations of OA (1–5 nm) sufficient to observe the inhibition of vesicle mobility implicate phosphatase 2A (PP2A) as a major regulator of vesicle trafficking after endocytosis. These results contrast with those at the neuromuscular junction where OA enhances lateral movement of vesicles between distinct vesicle clusters. Thus, our results suggest that phosphatases regulate vesicle translocation at ribbon synapses in a different manner than conventional active zones.
An Intronic Enhancer Element Regulates Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Expression during Satellite Cell Differentiation, and Its Activity Is Suppressed in Congestive Heart Failure*

Patients with advanced congestive heart failure (CHF) or chronic kidney disease often have increased angiotensin II (Ang II) levels and cachexia. We previously demonstrated that Ang II, via its type 1 receptor, causes muscle protein breakdown and apoptosis and inhibits satellite cell (SC) proliferation and muscle regeneration, likely contributing to cachexia in CHF and chronic kidney disease. In contrast, Ang II, via its type 2 receptor (AT2R) expression, is robustly induced during SC differentiation, and it potentiates muscle regeneration. To understand the mechanisms regulating AT2R expression and its potential role in muscle regeneration in chronic diseases, we used a mouse model of CHF and found that muscle regeneration was markedly reduced and that this was accompanied by blunted increase of AT2R expression. We performed AT2R promoter reporter analysis during satellite cell differentiation and found that the 70 bp upstream of the AT2R transcription start site contain a core promoter region, and regions upstream of 70 bp to 3 kbp are dispensable for AT2R induction. Instead, AT2R intron 2 acts as a transcriptional enhancer during SC differentiation. Further deletion/mutation analysis revealed that multiple transcription factor binding sites in the +286/+690 region within intron 2 coordinately regulate AT2R transcription. Importantly, +286/+690 enhancer activity was suppressed in CHF mouse skeletal muscle, suggesting that AT2R expression is suppressed in CHF via inhibition of AT2R intronic enhancer activity, leading to lowered muscle regeneration. Thus targeting intron 2 enhancer element could lead to the development of a novel intervention to increase AT2R expression in SCs and potentiate skeletal muscle regenerative capacity in chronic diseases.
Cost-Effective Options for the Renovation of an Existing Education Building toward the Nearly Net-Zero Energy Goal—Life-Cycle Cost Analysis

A comprehensive case study on life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) was conducted on a two- story education building with a projected 40-year lifespan in College Park, Maryland. The aim of this paper was to (1) create a life cycle assessment model, using an education building to test the model, (2) compare the life cycle cost (LCC) of different renovation scenarios, taking into account added renewable energy resources to achieve the university’s overall carbon neutrality goal, and (3) verify the robustness of the LCC model by conducting sensitivity analysis and studying the influence of different variables. Nine renovation scenarios were constructed by combining six renovation techniques and three renewable energy resources. The LCCA results were then compared to understand the cost-effective relation between implementing energy reduction techniques and renewable energy sources. The results indicated that investing in energy-efficient retrofitting techniques was more cost-effective than investments in renewable energy sources in the long term. In the optimum scenario, renovation and renewable energy, when combined, produced close to a 90% reduction in the life cycle cost compared to the baseline. The payback period for the initial investment cost, including avoided electricity costs, varies from 1.4 to 4.1 years. This suggests that the initial investment in energy-efficient renovation is the primary factor in the LCC of an existing building.
Globalisation and Consumption Risk-Sharing in Emerging Market Economies

Our aim is to explore how globalisation has affected consumption risk-sharing in emerging market economies. To that end, we implement a consumption risk-sharing test, using the Barro-Ursua Macroeconomic data set. Its span lets us explore historic episodes in which globalisation has markedly changed. We account for risk aversion heterogeneity by using the economies’ estimates of their relative risk aversion coefficients, and for subjective discount factor heterogeneity by estimating panel regressions with fixed effects. Specifically, we explore risk-sharing in emerging market and advanced economies as two groups, and by geographic regions. In most cases, we reject full insurance. However, advanced economies seem to have achieved full insurance in more recent periods. At a regional level, Europe and Asia appear to have attained such a result as well.
Assessment of the relationship between the maxillary sinus floor and maxillary posterior teeth roots using cone beam computed tomography.

AIM This study was conducted to assess the vertical and horizontal relationship between the maxillary sinus floor and maxillary posterior teeth roots using cone beam computed tomography. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this cross-sectional study, the CBCT images presented in the radiology department of Hamadan dental school was used. From 450 observed CBCT, 340 of them did not have the inclusion criteria of the study and ultimately 110 CBCT were selected. Totally 214 first premolars, 217 second premolars, 220 first molars and 220 second molars were included. For evaluating the relationship between the maxillary sinus floor and the posterior maxillary teeth, the classification implemented in the study of Jung in 2009 was used. The relation was evaluated by two radiologists twice with a 2-week time interval. RESULTS One hundred and ten patients with a mean age of 31.06 ± 9.7 years were assessed. Type 0 relationship (the maxillary sinus floor is located above the root tip) was most frequently observed with the first and second premolars. The most common type observed in the first and second molars was type 3 (apical protrusion is seen over the maxillary sinus floor). The relation between different types and gender was statistically meaningful, while no statistically significant difference was found between the right and left side assessments. CONCLUSION This study showed that although most of the teeth did not have contact with the sinus floor, but the more posterior the maxillary teeth, the more probability for root protruding into the maxillary sinus. It also confirmed that protrusion of teeth roots into the maxillary sinus is more common in male than female. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Knowing the anatomical relation between the posterior teeth and the maxillary sinus, help the clinician in preoperative treatment planning of the posterior maxillary teeth and avoid problems that may occur during dental practice.
Information technology reliability influence on controlling excellence

Controlling solutions implemented in the organization evolve in a continuous manner. They are becoming more "mature" - expanding the scope and depth of implemented solutions in striving for excellence. Nowadays, meeting controlling demands (in case of information requirements) is impossible without information technology (IT) support. Hence, IT reliability seems to play a special role in this maturation process. The notion of IT reliability is discussed in the paper as a prerequisite for the implementation of this management support method. Potential factor favoring the process of maturation of controlling solutions are also discussed. The aim of the paper is to identify what is the influence of IT reliability on controlling maturity (and excellence). The analysis will cover relations between the time of use of controlling (as an expression of maturity and excellence), the quality of its outputs, the results obtained due to its implementation in the organization and IT reliability, considered as a moderator of changes in controlling in the organization. The proposed theoretical framework is verified empirically on the sample of 557 organizations operating in Poland.
Medical outcomes and antimicrobial costs with the use of the American Thoracic Society guidelines for outpatients with community-acquired pneumonia.

CONTEXT The American Thoracic Society (ATS) published guidelines based on expert opinion and published data--but not clinically derived or validated--for treating adult outpatients with community-acquired pneumonia. OBJECTIVE To compare medical outcomes and antimicrobial costs for patients whose antimicrobial therapy was consistent or inconsistent with ATS guidelines. DESIGN Multicenter, prospective cohort study. SETTING Emergency departments, medical clinics, and practitioner offices affiliated with 3 university hospitals, 1 community teaching hospital, and 1 health maintenance organization. PARTICIPANTS A total of 864 immunocompetent, adult outpatients with community-acquired pneumonia: 546 aged 60 years or younger with no comorbidity and 318 older than 60 years or with 1 comorbidity or more. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Patients' antimicrobial therapy was classified as being consistent or inconsistent with the ATS guidelines. Mortality, subsequent hospitalization, medical complications, symptom resolution, return to work and usual activities, health-related quality of life, and antimicrobial costs were compared among those treated consistently or inconsistently with the guidelines. RESULTS Outpatients aged 60 years or younger with no comorbidity who were prescribed therapy consistent with ATS guidelines (ie, erythromycin with some exceptions) had 3-fold lower antimicrobial costs ($5.43 vs $18.51; P<.001) and no significant differences in medical outcomes. Outpatients older than 60 years or with 1 comorbidity or more who were prescribed therapy consistent with ATS guidelines (ie, second-generation cephalosporin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, or beta-lactam and beta-lactamase inhibitor with or without a macrolide) had 10-fold higher antimicrobial costs ($73.50 vs $7.50; P<.001); despite trends toward higher mortality and subsequent hospitalization, no significant differences in medical outcomes were observed. CONCLUSION Our findings support the use of erythromycin as recommended by the ATS guidelines for outpatients aged 60 years or younger with no comorbidity. Although the antimicrobial therapy recommended in outpatients older than 60 years or with 1 comorbidity or more is more costly, this observational study provides no evidence of improved medical outcomes in the small subgroup who received ATS guideline-recommended therapy.
Hepatocyte proliferation in chronic hepatitis C: correlation with degree of liver disease and serum α‐fetoprotein

Abstract: Aims: Hepatocyte proliferation (HP) is an adaptive response to liver injury. The relationships between HP and necroinflammation, fibrosis, and serum α‐fetoprotein (AFP) levels in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, however, are not well understood.
Cancer stem cell marker in circulating tumor cells: expression of CD44 variant exon 9 is strongly correlated to treatment refractoriness, recurrence and prognosis of human colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM The expression of the CD44 variant exon 9 (CD44v9) was investigated in order to elucidate its significance for cancer stem cells in circulating human colorectal cancer cells (CTCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS After peripheral blood was drawn from patients with colorectal cancer, CTCs were collected. Using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method, we examined the relationship between expression of CD44v9 mRNA and prognosis. RESULTS In 60 out of 150 patients with colorectal cancer, expression of CD44v9 mRNA was positive in CTCs. In patients with stage III disease, the 5-year survival rate was 89% for patients with negative CD44v9 expression, whereas it was 52.4% in patients with positive expression (p<0.05). In patients with stage IV unresectable cancer, the 2-year survival rate was 70.1% in cases with CD44v9-negative expression and 33.3% in cases of positive expression (p<0.05). CONCLUSION CD44v9 mRNA in the CTCs of colorectal cancer is useful as a factor predicting recurrence, prognosis, and treatment efficacy.
Lower urinary tract symptoms are associated with low levels of serum serotonin, high levels of adiponectin and fasting glucose, and benign prostatic enlargement

Abstract Objective. The aim of this study was to test whether lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and urinary incontinence are associated with the metabolic syndrome (MetS). The association between LUTS and benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) was also investigated. Material and methods. A cross-sectional, representative risk factor analysis of LUTS, as measured by the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and urinary incontinence was conducted. Among 950 representative individuals, aged 69–81 years, the association between clinical, anthropometric, endocrine, metabolic and inflammatory factors on the one hand, as both major and minor aspects of MetS, and LUTS and urinary incontinence, on the other hand, was analysed. The prostate gland volume was measured in a subgroup of 155 randomly selected individuals and the association between LUTS and BPE was estimated. Results. No significant association was found between LUTS or urinary incontinence and the major aspects of the MetS. However, in a multivariate analysis, serum serotonin showed an independent negative correlation with LUTS and with urinary incontinence while fasting serum glucose and serum adiponectin showed a positive correlation with LUTS. Furthermore, in a subgroup of 155 individuals, the prostate gland volume correlated positively with LUTS. Conclusions. The study did not show an association between LUTS or urinary incontinence and the major components of the MetS. However, serum serotonin showed an independent negative correlation with LUTS and with urinary incontinence while fasting serum glucose and serum adiponectin showed a positive correlation with LUTS. The data confirm the general knowledge that BPE may be one of the causative factors of LUTS.
The 2,6‐Disubstituted Naphthalene Derivative FDDNP Labeling Reliably Predicts Congo Red Birefringence of Protein Deposits in Brain Sections of Selected Human Neurodegenerative Diseases

Deposition of conformationally altered proteins prominently characterizes pathogenesis and pathomorphology of a number of neurodegenerative disorders. 2‐(1‐{6‐[(2‐[F‐18]fluoroethyl) (methyl)amino]‐2‐naphthyl} ethylidene) malononitrile ([F‐18]FDDNP), a hydrophobic, viscosity‐sensitive, solvent‐sensitive, fluorescent imaging probe has been used with positron emission tomography to visualize brain pathology in the living brain of Alzheimer disease (AD) patients. Its non‐radiofluorinated analog FDDNP was shown to label senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in brain tissue sections. This work aimed at evaluating FDDNP labeling of various protein deposits in fixed, paraffin‐embedded brain tissue sections of selected neurodegenerative disorders: AD, cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), Pick disease (PiD), Parkinson disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy (MSA). Cerebral hypertensive vascular hyalinosis (HVH) was used as negative control. Significant agreement between amyloid histochemical properties and FDDNP labeling of the deposits was established. FDDNP labeling showed high positive predictive value for birefringence in senile plaques and NFTs in AD, prion plaques and amyloid deposits in CAA. No FDDNP labeled structures were observed in HVH, PSP, PiD or MSA tissue sections. Our findings may be of significant value for the detection of neuropathological aggregates with [F‐18]FDDNP in some of these disorders in the living brain of human subjects.