Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Involvement of a cAMP-responsive DNA element in mediating TRH responsiveness of the human thyrotropin alpha-subunit gene.

TRH is known to stimulate the transcription of the TSH gene in pituitary cells. To examine TRH-responsive elements of the human TSH alpha-subunit gene, we have used transient transfection of GH3 rat pituitary tumor cells. Using this system, TRH treatment stimulated expression of a reporter gene containing 846 base pairs from the 5'-flanking region of the human glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit gene linked to luciferase. Analysis of 5'-deletions of the alpha-subunit sequence revealed that at least two DNA regions with upstream limits between positions -223 to -190 and positions -151 to -135 are important for regulation by TRH. The more proximal region includes a previously defined cAMP-response element (CRE) while the more upstream region contains an element with sequence similarity to the binding site for the pituitary transcription factor, Pit-1. The TRH responsiveness of each individual region was tested by inserting fragments upstream of a thymidine kinase-luciferase reporter gene. The -151 to -100 region had basal enhancer activity and permitted a 3.4-fold response to TRH. The -223 to -168 region did not permit a TRH response, but possessed basal enhancer activity. The combination of both regions resulted in a 5-fold stimulation by TRH. To assess the contributions of different signal transduction pathways, various combinations of treatments were examined. Combined treatment with TRH and forskolin led to an additive activity. Treatment with TRH plus phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate resulted in the same level of reporter gene activity as with either agent alone. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
EFFECTS OF SALINITY ON ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES AND PROLINE IN LEAVES OF BARLEY SEEDLINGS IN DIFFERENT GROWTH STAGES

TURKYILMAZ UNAL, B. , L. Y. AKTAS and A. GUVEN, 2014. Effects of salinity on antioxidant enzymes and proline in leaves of barley seedlings in different growth stages. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 20: 883-887 The participation of antioxidant defence under mild and severe salt stress conditions (120 and 240 mM) on barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings in different growth stages, antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase) activities and proline content were determined. Plants grown in Hoagland solution served as control. Salinity induced proline accumulation in both 2- and 4-week-old-seedlings (up to 8.7-fold and 1.8 fold, respectively, as compared with control). The activities of antioxidant enzymes in leaves increased under NaCl stress, the seedlings in the early growing stage (2-week-old) being generally more responsive than 4-week-old ones. The highest peroxidase (POX) and superoxide dismutase (SO d) activities were 165 and 152 % of control, respectively. Catalase (CAT) activity reached about 7- fold increase in NaCl treatment of 2-week-old seedlings. This dramatic increase might indicate that CAT is a major enzyme among antioxidant enzymes exam ined in barley under salt stress. Thus, antioxidant defence system induced by salinity plays prominent role particularly in early growth periods and its efficiency decrease with age of the plants.
International Validation of ReQuest™ in Patients with Endoscopy-Negative Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease

Background: Reflux Questionnaire (ReQuest™), a newly developed gastro-oesophageal reflux disease-sensitive scale, can be used to reliably evaluate the effect of treatment on gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms. Aim: International validation of this scale, in patients suffering from endoscopy-negative gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Methods: In this open, multicentre and multinational clinical trial 840 endoscopy-negative gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients received pantoprazole 20 mg daily for 28 days. The long and short versions of ReQuest™ were completed both in the pre-treatment and treatment phases. For scale development an item reduction analysis was performed. Internal consistency, test–retest reliability and responsiveness were calculated for psychometric analysis. Construct validity was evaluated by comparison with the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale and the Psychological General Well-being questionnaire by means of correlation coefficients. Results: Factor analyses confirmed the content validity of both long and short version of ReQuest™. Psychometric calculations proved high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.9), test–retest reliability [Intraclass Correlation Coefficient: 0.9 (long vs. long) and 0.8 (short vs. short)], and responsiveness (Responsiveness Index 320.3) of the scale, for which also good construct validity was achieved (correlation coefficient: Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale 0.6; Psychological General Well-being –0.4). Conclusion: ReQuest™ proved valid, reliable, and responsive in this multinational clinical trial to evaluate treatment response in endoscopy-negative gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients.
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II trial of gabapentin enacarbil for migraine prophylaxis

Objective The objective of this article is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of gabapentin enacarbil (GEn) for migraine prophylaxis. Methods In this randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study, patients with International Headache Society-defined migraine who met criteria suggesting the need for prophylactic therapy were randomized 2:1:2:2:1 to one of the following five groups, designated according to target daily dose of study medication during the 20-week treatment period: placebo, GEn 1200 mg, GEn 1800 mg, GEn 2400 mg, or GEn 3000 mg. Results The intent-to-treat population included 523 patients (n = 128 placebo, n = 66 GEn 1200 mg, n = 134 GEn 1800 mg, n = 133 GEn 2400 mg, n = 62 GEn 3000 mg). No statistically significant difference between active treatment (the average of 1800 mg and 2400 mg treatment groups) and placebo was found for change from baseline in the number of migraine headache days during the last four weeks of treatment prior to taper (the primary endpoint). Results of analyses of the primary endpoint using the per protocol population, analyses using imputation methods different from those of the primary analysis, and nonparametric analyses were consistent with the primary analysis in showing no difference between active treatment and placebo. The pattern of results was similar for the secondary efficacy endpoints. Pharmacokinetic data demonstrate that patients had adequate estimated exposure to GEn. The adverse event profile of GEn was consistent with that in previous studies. Conclusion GEn did not significantly differ from placebo for migraine headache prophylaxis. A high placebo effect should be considered when interpreting these results.
Propagation of infantile gastroenteritis virus (orbi-group) in conventional and germfree piglets

Infantile gastroenteritis virus (orbi-group) recovered from stools of infants with acute nonbacterial gastroenteritis was administered per os to germfree and conventional piglets. Virus was found subsequently in stools and in the mucosal epithelial cells of the small intestine of these animals. Some animals developed diarrhea. Added proof of orbivirus replication was obtained through the use of tritiated uridine injections and the recovery of labeled virus in gut contents at the time of autopsy. Serological conversion was demonstrated in infected germfree piglets.
On the rarity of dioecy in flowering plants

Dioecy, the coexistence of separate male and female individuals in a population, is a rare but phylogenetically widespread sexual system in flowering plants. While research has concentrated on why and how dioecy evolves from hermaphroditism, the question of why dioecy is rare, despite repeated transitions to it, has received much less attention. Previous phylogenetic and theoretical studies have suggested that dioecy might be an evolutionary dead end. However, recent research indicates that the phylogenetic support for this hypothesis is attributable to a methodological bias and that there is no evidence for reduced diversification in dioecious angiosperms. The relative rarity of dioecy thus remains a puzzle. Here, we review evidence for the hypothesis that dioecy might be rare not because it is an evolutionary dead end, but rather because it easily reverts to hermaphroditism. We review what is known about transitions between hermaphroditism and dioecy, and conclude that there is an important need to consider more widely the possibility of transitions away from dioecy, both from an empirical and a theoretical point of view, and by combining tools from molecular evolution and insights from ecology.
The moderating effect of alcohol-specific parental rule-setting on the relation between the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2), the μ-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) and alcohol use in young adolescents.

AIMS The main aim of the study was to test the moderating effect of two genetic polymorphisms, one in the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) and one in the mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1), on the link between parental rule-setting and adolescent alcohol use. METHODS A total of 214 adolescents (M(age )=13.7, 44.9% male) provided saliva samples and completed survey items describing alcohol use and parental rule-setting. RESULTS Findings indicated that alcohol-specific parental rule-setting was more robustly associated with alcohol use for adolescents with the DRD2 A1 risk allele and for those with the OPRM1 G-allele. CONCLUSION This study replicates the interaction between parental rule-setting and the DRD2 risk allele on adolescent alcohol use and extends the literature by demonstrating the moderating effects of the OPRM1 risk allele on the link between parental rule-setting and adolescent alcohol use.
Treatment Modality and Quality Differences for Black and White Breast-Cancer Patients Treated in Community Hospitals

This study assessed the relationship of race and patterns of care, defined by an expert NCI-appointed committee, for 7,781 patients with breast cancer treated in 107 hospitals in 45 communities between 1982 and 1985. After control for age and stage of disease, black patients had significantly different care from white patients for four of the ten patterns examined. They were less likely to have a progesterone receptor assay or to be referred for postmastectomy rehabilitation, two patterns deemed desirable for all patients. Black patients were also more likely to receive liver scans and radiation therapy in situations in which these procedures were labeled “less appropriate (as defined in the text). ” Black patients differed significantly from whites on their health insurance, hospital, and physician characteristics; these factors were also significantly associated with the patterns of care. However, after controlling for these variables, the association between race and care persisted for three patterns. The patterns that showed racial differences were not the most clinically significant of the ten studied. Different treatment for black and white patients may help to explain differences in survival rates of black and white women with breast cancer.
Cutting Edge: Stealth Influenza Virus Replication Precedes the Initiation of Adaptive Immunity1

A timely immune response is crucial for the effective control of virus infection. The influenza virus NS1 protein interferes with the expression of key proinflammatory cytokines from infected cells in vitro. To investigate the effect of NS1 during the onset of immunity in vivo, we systematically studied the early events that occur in the lungs and draining lymph nodes upon infection with influenza virus. Strikingly, no sign of innate immunity was detected in the lungs for almost 2 days after infection until a sudden inflammatory burst, including IFNs, cytokines, and chemokines, occurred. This burst preceded the robust dendritic cell migration and T cell activation in the lymph nodes. An NS1-deficient virus triggered rapid inflammation in the lungs whereas a wild-type virus did not. Thus, we demonstrate that, in vivo, influenza virus uses the NS1 protein to replicate for almost 2 days after infection before detection by the immune system.
Estimating intracellular lithium in brain in vivo by localized 7Li magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The therapeutic mechanism of action of lithium (Li) in bipolar disorder is unknown. While Li is presumed to work intracellularly in the brain, the fraction of intracellular Li in the brain in vivo is not known. It has not yet been possible to determine, directly and noninvasively, the intra‐ to extracellular distribution of Li in human brain in vivo. Lithium‐7 (7Li) MR is the only technique available for measuring noninvasively the concentration of Li in the brain in vivo. Here the individual components of biexponential 7Li transverse (T2) relaxation in rat brain in vivo are identified with intra‐ and extracellular Li, and used to estimate its compartmental distribution. Intracellular T2 was 14.6 ± 6.9 ms, while extracellular T2 was 160 ± 52 ms in nine rats. The fraction of intracellular brain Li ranged from 37% to 75% (mean: 63 ± 11%). Further, the biexponential T2 results provided the basis for estimating Li compartmental distribution from monoexponential T2 decays using a simple linear approximation. The fraction of intracellular Li estimated from monoexponential T2 decays agreed with the corresponding biexponential estimates in most cases. Magn Reson Med 60:21–26, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Is Cone-Beam Computed Tomography an Essential Diagnostic Tool for Endodontic Practice?

Submit Manuscript | http://medcraveonline.com It is with a certain degree of trepidation that this essayist begins, knowing the weight of evidence that is required to declare that something is essential. Can Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) really break free from the lowly ranks of the useful, and join the upper echelons of the absolutely necessary? If so, it seems as though endodontic treatment to this point, which has been carried out without this technology since the early 20th century, would be dishonourably discharged to the title of little more than pre-extraction treatment. From the outset, this would seem like an unfair dismissal indeed, but nevertheless, the evidence needs to be examined.
Pilomyxoid astrocytoma of the pineal region: Cytopathological features and differential diagnostic considerations by intraoperative smear preparation

Pilomyxoid astrocytoma (PMA) is a recently identified type of pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) with shorter progression‐free and overall survival, higher rate of recurrence, and higher risk of leptomeningeal spread compared to pilocytic tumors (WHO grade 2 designation). A case is presented here in which intraoperative imprint smears of a pineal region tumor in a 14‐year‐old girl revealed cytologic monomorphism, elongated cells with bland nuclei embedded in a myxoid background. The tumor cells possessed uniformly round nuclei with a smooth nuclear outline, fine granular chromatin, and small nucleoli. Slender cytoplasmic fibrillary processes and angiocentric arrangement were observed but Rosenthal fibers or eosinophilic granular bodies were absent. A cytologic diagnosis of PMA of the pineal region was suggested by intraoperative smear preparation. Histology and immunohistochemical results confirmed the final diagnosis. This report shows that smear preparation can be trustworthy for the intraoperative diagnosis of PMA, helping to determine the appropriate neurosurgical procedure and therapeutic implications. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:121–124. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The development of the conditionally replication‐competent adenovirus: replacement of E4 orf1‐4 region by exogenous gene

Tumor or tissue specific replicative adenovirus armed with a therapeutic gene has shown a promising anti‐cancer therapeutic modality. However, because the genomic packaging capacity is constrained, only a few places inside it are available for transgene insertion. In the present study, we introduce a novel strategy utilizing the early E4 region for the insertion of therapeutic gene(s).
Partially Overlapping Time Series: A New Model for Volatility Dynamics in Commodity Futures

In commodity futures markets, contracts with various delivery dates trade simultaneously. Applied researchers typically discard the majority of the data and form a single time series by choosing only one price observation per day. This strategy precludes a full understanding of these markets and can induce complicated nonlinear dynamics in the data. In this paper, I introduce the partially overlapping time series (POTS) model to model jointly all traded contracts. The POTS model incorporates time-to-delivery, storability, seasonality, and GARCH effects. I apply the POTS model to corn futures at the Chicago Board of Trade and the results uncover substantial inefficiency associated with delivery on corn futures. The results also support two theories of commodity pricing: the theory of storage and the Samuelson effect.
Projections of digit afferents to the cuneate nucleus in the raccoon before and after partial deafferentation

Within the cuneate nucleus of the raccoon, the representations of individual forepaw digits are anatomically separated by densely myelinated laminae. This unique arrangement was utilized to determine whether the terminations of cutaneous afferents from individual digits are precisely restricted to the appropriate region of the cuneate nucleus or overlap with afferents from adjacent digits. By using the transganglionic transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP), it was found that, for each digit, the terminal labeling was restricted to the appropriate 150–250‐μm‐wide column that extended rostrocaudally throughout the nucleus. The topographical arrangement of digit input corresponded to the known electrophysiology, with the terminal column for the fifth digit located most medially within the nucleus and those for digits 4 to 1 successively more laterally. Within a column, the density of labeling was greater over cell clusters than between clusters. These results indicate that afferents from adjacent digits do not overlap in the cuneate nucleus. In six animals, the fifth digit was amputated, and 2–4 months later, HRP was injected into the nerves of the fourth digit to determine whether its afferents had sprouted into the denervated fifth‐digit column. The projection pattern from the fourth digit in each of these animals was the same as in normal animals and the same as in the intact contralateral side. These results indicate that the reorganization seen in the cerebral cortex following peripheral deafferentation cannot be attributed to changes in the afferent fiber projections to the cuneate nucleus.
Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Skin: An Aggressive Mucin- and Gland-Forming Squamous Carcinoma

• Two cases of an aggressive cutaneous carcinoma showed both squamous and adenomatous differentiation. These neoplasms invaded subcutaneous structures with a sclerosing pattern, making surgical resection difficult. Unlike the usual squamous carcinoma, glands and epithelial mucin (sialomucin) were produced. This mucin stained with mucicarmine and was sensitive to sialidase and resistant to hyaluronidase digestion. No mucin with similar histochemical properties was found in a study of 50 consecutive cutaneous squamous carcinomas and 50 consecutive basal cell epitheliomas from our files. Literature reports of histologically similar cutaneous carcinomas together with our experience with these two cases suggest aggressive behavior for this category of neoplasm. ( Arch Dermatol 1985;121:775-779)
Insulin Resistance and Impaired Glucose Tolerance in Overweight and Obese Costa Rican Schoolchildren

Background Worldwide obesity has become an unprecedented public health challenge. In addition, a notable increase in the risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus has emerged. In Costa Rica, there are no epidemiological data to establish the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the pediatric population. However, information from the Endocrinology Department of the Children's National Hospital indicates an increased number of cases in the last 2 to 3 years. Objective To determine the prevalence of insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance in overweight and obese schoolchildren. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among 214 healthy 8- to 10-year-old children from urban schools of San José, Costa Rica. Anthropometric measurements and blood determinations of glucose, insulin, proinsulin, glycosylated hemoglobin, C-peptide, and leptin were performed. Indexes were calculated to assess insulin resistance. Information on social and lifestyle variables was obtained from questionnaires, and acanthosis nigricans was certified by a physician. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS software for Windows, version 10.0. Results The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus was very low (0.5%) in the studied population. However, hyperinsulinemia and impaired glucose tolerance were present in 20.6% and 6.5% of the subjects, respectively. On the basis of the Fasting Glucose-to-Insulin Resistance Ratio (FGIR), 46.7% of the children showed insulin resistance. Girls and obese children (body mass index ≥ 95th percentile) were more likely to have higher serum insulin levels and insulin resistance than boys and over-weight children (BMI ≥ 85th percentile). Compared with the lowest quintile, children in the highest quintile of body-fat tissue had higher insulin resistance but had similar serum concentrations of glucose, C-peptide, and proinsulin. Positive family histories of type 2 diabetes mellitus and sedentarism (73.7% and 40.7%, respectively) were highly prevalent among overweight and obese children. Conclusions The prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in obese children indicates a worrisome trend in the incidence of type 2 diabetes in Costa Rica. Strategies for weight reduction, obesity prevention, and promotion of healthy lifestyles are necessary to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes during childhood and adolescence.
A novel viral RNA species in Sindbis virus-infected cells

Sindbis virus (SIN), the type alphavirus, has been studied extensively to identify the viral cis-acting sequences and proteins involved in RNA transcription and replication. However, very little is known about how these processes are coordinated. For example, synthesis of the genomic RNA and the subgenomic mRNA depends on the minus strand. Do these activities occur independently on different templates, or can replication and transcription take place simultaneously on the same template? We describe the appearance of a SIN-specific, plus-sense RNA that is intermediate in size between the genomic and subgenomic RNA species. This RNA, designated RNA II, is observed in a number of different cell lines, both early and late in infection. The number of RNA II species, their sizes, and their abundances are influenced by the subgenomic promoter. We have mapped the 3' end of RNA II to a site within the subgenomic promoter, four nucleotides before the initiation site of the subgenomic mRNA. Our results indicate that the appearance of RNA II is correlated with subgenomic mRNA transcription, such that strong or active promoters tend to increase the abundance of RNA II, relative to weak or less active promoters. RNA II is most abundantly detected with the full promoter and is at much lower abundance with the minimal promoter. The possible origins of RNA II are discussed.