Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cloning, sequencing, and expression of the Zymomonas mobilis fructokinase gene and structural comparison of the enzyme with other hexose kinases

The frk gene encoding the enzyme fructokinase (fructose 6-phosphotransferase [EC 2.7.1.4]) from Zymomonas mobilis has been isolated on a partial TaqI digest fragment of the genome and sequenced. An open reading frame of 906 bp corresponding to 302 amino acids was identified on a 3-kbp TaqI fragment. The deduced amino acid sequence corresponds to the first 20 amino acids (including an N-terminal methionine) determined by amino acid sequencing of the purified protein. The 118 bp preceding the methionine codon on this fragment does not appear to contain a promoter sequence. There was weak expression of the active enzyme in the recombinant Escherichia coli clone under control of the lac promoter on the pUC plasmid. Comparison of the amino acid sequence with that of the glucokinase enzyme (EC 2.7.1.2) from Z. mobilis reveals relatively little homology, despite the fact that fructokinase also binds glucose and has kinetic and structural properties similar to those of glucokinase. Also, there is little homology with hexose kinases that have been sequenced from other organisms. Northern (RNA) blot analysis showed that the frk transcript is 1.2 kb long. Fructokinase activity is elevated up to twofold when Z. mobilis was grown on fructose instead of glucose, and there was a parallel increase in frk mRNA levels. Differential mRNA stability was not a factor, since the half-lives of the frk transcript were 6.2 min for glucose-grown cells and 6.6 min for fructose-grown cells.
Resale Options and Cryptocurrency Mispricing

We examine the predictions of the resale option hypothesis (Scheinkman and Xiong, 2003) in cryptocurrency markets. The resale option hypothesis yields testable implications on the relationship between the level and volatility of mispricing, and the degree of heterogeneous beliefs. Using turnover as a proxy for heterogeneity, we ﬁnd evidence supporting the resale option hypothesis. These ﬁndings are persistent across various types of cryptocurrencies, and support the notion that cryptocurrencies trade above intrinsic value. Futhermore, we conduct two backtests to show that portfolios with higher turnover or resale option characteristics underperform portfolios with lower turnover or resale option characteristics. This supports the theory that disagreement is negatively related to future returns for positive biased assets (see Atmaz and Basak, 2018).
Effects of telmisartan, hydrochlorothiazide and their combination on blood pressure and renal excretory parameters in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The effects of telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) alone and in combination on blood pressure (BP) and renal excretory function were investigated in male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) after oral administration for five consecutive days. Four treatments were studied: vehicle (0.5% Natrosol™), telmisartan 3 mg/kg, HCTZ 10 mg/kg, and telmisartan 3 mg/kg+ HCTZ 10 mg/kg. The effects on BP and heart rate were studied in 40 SHRs (10 animals per group) using an implanted telemetry device. Renal excretory function was assessed in 76 SHRs (18 animals per group, of which nine were used for urine sampling and nine for blood sampling). The telmisartan/HCTZ combination produced the greatest reductions in trough DBP (—44±1.5 mmHg), SBP (—60±1.9 mmHg) and mean BP (mBP; —53±1.7 mmHg) after five days of therapy (p<0.05 vs. vehicle and vs. telmisartan). Telmisartan monotherapy also decreased DBP, SBP and mBP significantly (p<0.05), but only minor BP fluctuations occurred in SHRs receiving HCTZ or vehicle. Telmisartan/HCTZ elevated heart rate by approximately 12 beats per minute (p<0.05 vs. control). Significant increases in urine volume and Na+, Cl—, K+, creatinine and glucose excretion were observed with HCTZ treatment (p<0.01). Telmisartan/HCTZ also promoted renal water and electrolyte excretion (p<0.01); the diuretic effect appeared to be greater with the combination than with HCTZ alone, and there was some attenuation of urinary K+ loss. Elevated blood urea nitrogen levels were observed only in HCTZ-treated SHRs. These results indicate that the antihypertensive efficacy of telmisartan in SHRs is augmented by co-administration with HCTZ. The combination did not affect renal excretory function, with the exception of an increase in blood urea nitrogen and a possible amelioration of HCTZ-related K+ depletion.
Arthroscopic findings in horses with subtle radiographic evidence of osteochondral lesions of the medial femoral condyle: 15 cases (1995-2002).

OBJECTIVE To determine arthroscopic findings in lame horses with subtle radiographic lesions of the medial femoral condyle. DESIGN Retrospective study. ANIMALS 15 horses examined because of lameness that had subtle radiographic evidence of osteochondral lesions involving the medial femoral condyle in at least 1 joint. PROCEDURE Medical records were reviewed, and results of physical examination, radiography, and arthroscopy were recorded. Follow-up information was obtained through reexamination of the horses or telephone conversations with the referring veterinarians, owners, or trainers. RESULTS Lameness severity ranged from grade 1 to 3 on a scale from 0 to 5. Radiography and arthroscopy were performed on 28 stifle joints. The 4 unaffected joints in 4 horses with unilateral hind limb lameness that underwent bilateral arthroscopy had no radiographic lesions, but 2 of the 4 had arthroscopic lesions. Of the remaining 24 joints, 20 had radiographic evidence of flattening of the apex of the medial femoral condyle and 4 had minimal subchondral lucency. Lesions were identified arthroscopically in 18 of the 20 joints with flattening of the condyle and in all 4 joints with subchondral lucency. Treatment consisted of abrasion arthroplasty or microfracture. Seven of the 9 horses with focal cartilage lesions and 2 of the 6 horses with generalized cartilage lesions were reportedly sound without any evidence of joint effusion at the time of final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggest that horses with hind limb lameness and subtle radiographic lesions of the medial femoral condyle are likely to have arthroscopically apparent cartilage lesions and subchondral bone defects.
Safety of mTOR inhibitors in adult solid organ transplantation

ABSTRACT Introduction: Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors (sirolimus and everolimus) are a class of immunosuppressive drugs approved for solid organ transplantation (SOT). By inhibiting the ubiquitous mTOR pathway, they present a peculiar safety profile. The increased incidence of serious adverse events in early studies halted the enthusiasm as a kidney sparing alternative to calcineurin inhibitors (CNI). Areas covered: Herein we review mTOR inhibitors safety profile for adult organ transplantation, ranging from acute side effects, such as lymphoceles, delayed wound healing, or cytopenias, to long-term ones which increase morbidity and mortality, such as cancer risk and metabolic profile. Infection, proteinuria, and cutaneous safety profiles are also addressed. Expert opinion: In the authors’ opinion, mTOR inhibitors are a safe alternative to standard immunosuppression therapy with CNI and mycophenolate/azathioprine. Mild adverse events can be easily managed with an increased awareness and close monitoring of trough levels. Most serious side effects are dose- and organ-dependent. In kidney and heart transplantation mTOR inhibitors may be safely used as either low-dose de novo or through early-conversion. In the liver, conversion 4 weeks post-transplantation may reduce long-term chronic kidney disease secondary to calcineurin nephrotoxicity, without increasing hepatic artery/portal vein thrombosis.
Nascent Endothelium Initiates Th2 Polarization of Asthma

Asthma airway remodeling is linked to Th2 inflammation. Angiogenesis is a consistent feature of airway remodeling, but its contribution to pathophysiology remains unclear. We hypothesized that nascent endothelial cells in newly forming vessels are sufficient to initiate Th2-inflammation. Vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin is a constitutively expressed endothelial cell adhesion molecule that is exposed in its monomer form on endothelial tip cells prior to adherens junction formation. Abs targeted to VE-cadherin monomers inhibit angiogenesis by blocking this adherens junction formation. In this study, VE-cadherin monomer Ab reduced angiogenesis in the lungs of the allergen-induced murine asthma model. Strikingly, Th2 responses including, IgE production, eosinophil infiltration of the airway, subepithelial fibrosis, mucus metaplasia, and airway-hyperreactivity were also attenuated by VE-cadherin blockade, via mechanisms that blunted endothelial IL-25 and proangiogenic progenitor cell thymic stromal lymphopoietin production. The results identify angiogenic responses in the origins of atopic inflammation.
Medication supervision and adherence of persons with psychotic disorders in residential treatment settings: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND Little is known about risk factors for and predictors of medication nonadherence within residential facilities. This pilot study examined the association between medication adherence and level of supervision and other environmental and clinical variables among patients with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders living in supported housing. METHOD A convenience sample of 74 adult residents with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders (DSM-IV criteria) living in 4 supported housing facilities in New York City were assessed by their treating psychiatrist for medication cessation during the previous month. Demographic characteristics, medications, supervision, global function as measured by the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), and substance abuse were also assessed. A priori hypotheses were that regimen complexity would be directly and medication supervision would be inversely related to medication nonadherence. RESULTS In multivariate models, lack of direct medication supervision, negative medication attitude, and lower GAF score were associated with increased medication nonadherence in the recent past. CONCLUSION This pilot study suggests that direct supervision of medication is associated with better adherence in residential treatment settings. This finding is relevant for mental health service planners and clinicians working in these settings.
Deciphering the motives behind corporate social responsibility (CSR) using managerial ownership: evidence from heteroskedastic identification

ABSTRACT Motivated by agency theory, we investigate the effect of managerial ownership on CSR engagement. Exploiting a novel identification strategy and using a large U.S. sample of over 14,000 observations across 18 years, we find that higher managerial ownership diminishes CSR engagement significantly. As managers own a larger share of equity, they bear greater costs of CSR, leading to a reduction in CSR engagement. Further analysis, however, shows that not all CSR activities are motivated by agency problems. In particular, the CSR activities related to human rights and products appear to promote shareholders’ wealth. The results of this study are important as they show that there can be different motives behind different CSR activities. We contribute to the literature by shedding light on the motives behind CSR investments using a novel identification strategy.
Macroeconomic indicators of determination on tax behaviour of OECD countries

The article deals with investigation of principles, factors and conditions of the government’s tax behavior, notably by means of changing the tax burden. We define a set of potential indicators of the economic efficiency, based on GDP and FDI, nominal and per capita, as well as the ratio of FDI to GDP. By using the statistical analysis techniques we found the statistical dependence between government’s behavior and each of the selected indicators. We argued that the factor GDP per capita has the biggest impact on the government’s tax decisions. Also it showed that the governments mostly act as satisfiers. The obtained results allow to understand the principles of governments’ decision-making, and, therefore, to forecast in some way their behavior in certain economic conditions. Moreover, it could help to understand the reasons why the “race to the bottom” situation appears. The present paper differs from previous studies both by the topic, studying the relations between government’s tax behavior and efficiency of countries economies and by the approach to define this dependence, since the latest can be observed only when each variant of government’s tax reaction is analyzed separately.
The Effect of Vasodilators on Pulmonary Hemodynamics in High Altitude Pulmonary Edema: A Comparison

High altitude pulmonary edema is characterized hemodynamically by a markedly restricted pulmonary vascular bed. Pulmonary vascular resistance is six to eight times higher than control values at altitude, and mean pulmonary pressure is generally elevated two to four-fold over control values. We wished to compare the effect of various vasodilators on the hemodynamics of HAPE, both to gauge their potential effectiveness in treatment of HAPE, and also to gain clues as to the mechanism of the altered pulmonary circulation. In a series of field experiments using a total of 16 subjects with HAPE and 10 well controls, we measured pulmonary hemodynamics by non-invasive Doppler echocardiography. The per cent reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance and mean pulmonary artery pressure, respectively, were 46 and 33 for oxygen, 30 and 29 for nifedipine, 29 and 25 with hydralazine, 57 and 42 with phentolamine, and 72 and 52 when oxygen and phentolamine were combined. All the vasodilators improved gas exchange, suggesting a link between edema formation and pulmonary vasoconstriction. A number of vasodilators may be useful in the treatment of HAPE; the superiority of an alpha adrenergic blocker may implicate the sympathetic nervous system in the pathophysiology of high altitude pulmonary edema.
Mental disorders and homicidal behavior in female subjects.

OBJECTIVE Although violent behavior is one of the most important factors that have a detrimental effect on quality of life, there are very few quantitative epidemiological studies published on this issue. In particular, female homicidal behavior has remained poorly studied. This study reveals the association between some specific DSM-III-R disorders and female homicidal behavior. METHOD The author reviewed forensic psychiatric examination of 127 female homicide offenders in Finland over a 13-year period. RESULTS Female homicide offenders had about a 10-fold higher odds ratio than the general female population for having schizophrenia or a personality disorder. The disorders with the most substantially higher odds ratios were alcohol abuse/dependence and antisocial personality disorder. CONCLUSIONS Mental disorders appear to have a statistical relationship with homicidal behavior in countries with relatively low crime rates. On the basis of the data, there may be special subgroups of women among whom the risk of homicidal behavior is very high.
Reduction in rat phosphatidylethanolamine binding protein-1 (PEBP1) after chronic corticosterone treatment may be paralleled by cognitive impairment: A first study

Chronic stress is associated with hippocampal atrophy and cognitive dysfunction. This study investigates how long-lasting administration of corticosterone as a mimic of experimentally induced stress affects psychometric performance and the expression of the phosphatidylethanolamine binding protein (PEBP1) in the adult hippocampus of one-year-old male rats. Psychometric investigations were conducted in rats before and after corticosterone treatment using a holeboard test system. Rats were randomly attributed to 2 groups (n = 7) for daily subcutaneous injection of either 26.8 mg/kg body weight corticosterone or sesame oil (vehicle control). Treatment was continued for 60 days, followed by cognitive retesting in the holeboard system. For protein analysis, the hippocampal proteome was separated by 2D electrophoresis (2DE) followed by image processing, statistical analysis, protein identification via peptide mass fingerprinting and gel matching and subsequent functional network mapping and molecular pathway analysis. Differential expression of PEBP1 was additionally quantified by Western blot analysis. Results show that chronic corticosterone significantly decreased rat hippocampal PEBP1 expression and induced a working and reference memory dysfunction. From this, we derive the preliminary hypothesis that PEBP1 may be a novel molecular mediator influencing cognitive integrity during chronic corticosterone exposure in rat hippocampus.
Use of Mycobacterium tuberculosisComplex-Specific Antigen Cocktails for a Skin Test Specific for Tuberculosis

ABSTRACT The tuberculin skin test currently used to diagnose infection withMycobacterium tuberculosis has poor diagnostic value, especially in geographic areas where the prevalence of tuberculosis is low or where the environmental burden of saprophytic, nontuberculous mycobacteria is high. Inaccuracy of the tuberculin skin test often reflects a low diagnostic specificity due to the presence in tuberculin of antigens shared by many mycobacterial species. Thus, a skin test specific for tuberculosis requires the development of new tuberculins consisting of antigens specific to M. tuberculosis. We have formulated cocktails of two to eight antigens of M. tuberculosis purified from recombinant Escherichia coli. Multiantigen cocktails were evaluated by skin testing guinea pigs sensitized with M. bovis BCG. Reactivity of multiantigen cocktails was greater than that of any single antigen. Cocktail activity increased with the number of antigens in the cocktail even when the same amount of total protein was used for cocktails and for each single antigen. A cocktail of four purified antigens specific for the M. tuberculosis complex elicited skin test responses only in BCG-immunized guinea pigs, not in control animals immunized with M. avium. These findings open the way to designing a multiantigen formulation for a skin test specific for tuberculosis.
Effect of periodontal treatment on receptor activator of NF-κB ligand and osteoprotegerin levels and relative ratio in gingival crevicular fluid.

AIM Receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) have an established role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis, which is characterized by an increased RANKL/OPG ratio. The present study aims to investigate changes of RANKL, OPG and their relative ratio in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of periodontitis patients after non-surgical periodontal treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS GCF was obtained from chronic periodontitis (n=14), generalized aggressive periodontitis (G-AgP; n=13) patients at baseline. The patients received scaling and root planing and were recalled after 2, 3 and 4 months for follow-up clinical examination and sampling. The total amounts and concentrations of RANKL and OPG in GCF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and their relative ratio was calculated. RESULTS The RANKL/OPG ratio remained unchanged and did not correlate with clinical parameters throughout the monitoring period, despite the improved clinical outcome. This trend was similar in both chronic and G-AgP. CONCLUSIONS Although the RANKL/OPG ratio has a potential diagnostic value for untreated periodontitis, it may not be a suitable predictor of clinically successful treatment outcome. As conventional therapy does not negatively modulate this ratio, the host could still be susceptible to further periodontal tissue destruction, warranting the consideration of adjunctive treatments.
The higher-moment CAPM and multi-factor models

Seit seiner Einfuhrung wurden zahlreiche Versuche unternommen die Erklarungskraft des Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), zu deutsch Kapitalgutpreismodell, zu erhohen und weitere signifikante Faktoren hinzuzufugen, die eine Rolle bei der Beschreibung der Variationen der Rendite von Kapitalanlagen spielen. Zwei der bekanntesten Erweiterungen des Modells sind das 'Four-factor model' und das 'Higher-moment CAPM'. Beide Versionen haben in vorangegangenen Studien die Kraft des Modells erhoht. Diese Arbeit vergleicht die drei zusatzlichen Faktoren des 'Four-factor model' (value, size, momentum) mit dem 'Higher-moment CAPM', wo die ersten vier Momente der Renditeverteilung, Varianz, Schiefe und Kurtosis, verwendet werden. Zusatzlich zu der Analyse der beiden Ansatze, werden zwei Anlageklassen, Hedgefonds und klassische Investmentfonds, verglichen. Wahrend klassische Investmentfonds generell sehr transparent sind in Bezug auf ihre Veranlagungen und ihr verwaltetes Vermogen, werden Hedgefonds als sehr geheimnisvoll angesehen. Diese Arbeit bestimmt anhand von GMM-Regressionen auf verschiedene Indizes der beiden Anlageklassen, welches Modell besser geeignet ist fur den jeweiligen Index und entdeckt Praferenzen abhangig vom Anlagestil des Fondmanagers.
Laurus nobilis L. Seed Extract Reveals Collateral Sensitivity in Multidrug-Resistant P-Glycoprotein-Expressing Tumor Cells

The frequent failure of standard cancer chemotherapy requires the development of novel drugs capable of killing otherwise drug-resistant tumors. Here, we have investigated a chloroform extract of Laurus nobilis seeds. Fatty acids and 23 constituents of the volatile fraction were identified by gas chromotography/flame ionization detection (GC/FID) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), in good agreement with 1H NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectrum. Multidrug-resistant P-glycoprotein-expressing CEM/ADR5000 leukemia cells were hypersensitive (collaterally sensitive) toward this extract compared to drug-sensitive CCRF-CEM cells, whereas CEM/ADR5000 cells were 2586-fold resistant to doxorubicin as control drug. Collateral sensitivity was verified by measurement of apoptotic cells by flow cytometry. The log10IC50 values of 3 compounds in the extract (limonene, eucalyptol, oleic acid) did not correlate with mRNA expression of the P-glycoprotein-coding ABCB1/MDR1 gene and accumulation of the P-glycoprotein substrate rhodamine in the NCI panel of tumor cell lines. A microarray-based profile of 20 genes predicted resistance to doxorubicin and 7 other anticancer drugs involved in the multidrug resistance phenotype but not to limonene, eucalyptol and oleic acid. In conclusion, our results show that Laurus nobilis seed extract is suitable to kill multidrug-resistant P-glycoprotein expressing tumor cells.
Distribution of the IgG Fc Receptor, FcRn, in the Human Fetal Intestine

The intestinal Fc receptor, FcRn, functions in the maternofetal transfer of gamma globulin (IgG) in the neonatal rodent. In humans, most of this transfer is presumed to occur in utero via the placenta. Although the fetus swallows amniotic fluid that contains immunoglobulin, it is unknown whether this transfer also occurs via the fetal intestine. A human FcRn has been identified in the syncytiotrophoblast that mediates the maternofetal transfer of antibody. It has also been identified in human fetal intestine and is postulated to function in IgG transport. We hypothesize that the human fetal intestinal FcRn may play a role in IgG transport from the amniotic fluid into the fetal circulation. The aim of this study was to characterize the distribution of the FcRn along the human fetal intestine. Lysates prepared from human fetal intestine and from a nonmalignant human fetal intestinal epithelial cell line (H4) were subjected to Western blot analysis and probed using anti-FcRn antibodies. A 42-kD band, consistent with the known molecular weight of the FcRn, was detected along the human fetal intestine and in H4 cells. Expression of the human FcRn was confirmed with immunohistochemistry. Our study demonstrates the expression of FcRn along the human fetal intestine and in a human nonmalignant fetal intestinal epithelial cell line (H4), which by location indicates that FcRn could play a role in the uptake and transport of IgG in the human fetus.