Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential involvement of serotonin 2A/C and thromboxane A2/prostanoid receptors in high- vs. low-shear rate arterial thrombosis in rabbits.

Experiments performed in 226 pentobarbitone-anesthetized rabbits were designed to investigate the involvement of thromboxane/prostanoid and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)2A/C receptors during arterial thrombus formation in distinct low- and high-shear rate thrombosis models. Antithrombotic activities of the thromboxane/prostanoid receptor antagonist SQ 29,548 and two chemically distinct 5-HT2A/C receptor antagonists, ritanserin and ketanserin, were assessed first in low-shear rate (approximately 600 sec(-1)) arterial thrombosis, produced by insertion of a silk thread as thrombogenic substrate into the central section of an extracorporeal arteriovenous shunt established between the left carotid artery and the right jugular vein (n = 77), and second in high-shear rate (approximately 40,000 sec(-1)) arterial thrombosis, produced by critical stenosis and local endothelial injury of a carotid artery, characterized by cyclic flow reductions (CFRs) due to recurrent platelet aggregation and subsequent dislodgement of the thrombus (n = 149). Under low shear rate, SQ 29,548 (10-2500 microg/kg plus 10-2500 microg/kg/hr i.v.), but not ritanserin or ketanserin (both at 2500 microg/kg i.v.), dose-dependently inhibited thrombus formation. In contrast, under high shear rate, SQ 29,548 (10-160 microg/kg plus 10-160 microg/kg/hr i.v.) and both ritanserin and ketanserin (both at 10-2500 microg/kg i.v.) dose-dependently reduced CFR frequency, with ID50 values of 35 microg/kg (95% confidence limits, 24-58 microg/kg), 77 microg/kg (95% confidence limits, 40-132 microg/kg) and 89 microg/kg (95% confidence limits, 36-285 microg/kg) i.v. , respectively. Furthermore, local infusion of the stable thromboxane A2 analog U-46619 (0.63 microg/kg/min) or 5-HT (20.8 microg/kg/min) proximal to the site of injury and stenosis in rabbits pretreated with either SQ 29,548 (40 microg/kg plus 40 microg/kg/hr i.v.) or ritanserin (160 microg/kg i.v.), respectively, restored CFR frequency to vehicle group levels in animals whose CFR frequency was previously reduced. The inhibitory activity of ketanserin and ritanserin on CFRs could not be attributed to 5-HT1B/D or alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonist properties or to any hypotensive activity. These results provide firm evidence that thromboxane/prostanoid receptors are involved in arterial thrombosis in rabbits independently of the shear rate, whereas 5-HT2A/C receptors play a major role only in high-shear rate thrombus formation.
Characteristics of resveratrol and serotonin on antioxidant capacity and susceptibility to oxidation of red blood cells in stored human blood in a time-dependent manner

Objective In stored red blood cells (RBCs), which are used in diseases (e.g., acute blood loss and leukaemia), storage lesions arise by oxidative stress and other factors over time. This study investigated the protective effects of resveratrol and serotonin on stored RBCs. Methods Blood from each donor (n = 10) was placed in different bags containing 70 mL of citrate phosphate dextrose (total volume: 500 mL) and divided into three groups (n = 30): control, 60 µg/mL resveratrol, and 60 µg/mL serotonin. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase, and carbonic anhydrase (CA), and susceptibility to oxidation in RBCs, and pH in whole blood were measured at baseline and on days 7, 14, 21, and 28. Results MDA levels and susceptibility to oxidation were increased in all three groups time-dependently, but this increase was greater in the serotonin group than in the other groups. Activity of GSH-Px, CAT, and CA, as well as GSH levels, were decreased in the control and serotonin groups time-dependently, but were significantly preserved in the resveratrol group. The pH was decreased in all groups time-dependently. Conclusion Our study shows that resveratrol attenuates susceptibility to oxidation of RBCs and protects their antioxidant capacity, and partially preserves CA activity time-dependently.
Laparoscopy-assisted versus open total gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND It remains controversial whether laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy (LATG) is a safe or better alternative to open total gastrectomy (OTG) for the treatment of gastric cancer. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of LATG by pooling comparative studies of LATG and OTG in a meta-analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Original articles comparing LATG and OTG for gastric cancer, published in the English language since 1990, were searched for in PubMed, Embase, Medline, and the Cochrane Library. The outcome variables analyzed were number of harvested lymph nodes, postoperative complications, postoperative mortality, 5-year survival, operative time, blood loss, time of analgesic use, first flatus day, and postoperative hospital stay. RESULTS Eight studies were considered suitable for the meta-analysis, for a total of 1161 patients (409 LATG and 752 OTG). Compared with OTG, LATG showed a similar number of lymph nodes harvested, morbidity, and postoperative mortality. There was also no difference in 5-year overall and disease-specific survival between groups, according to two enrolled studies where such data were available. LATG required longer operative times than OTG but also resulted in significantly less blood loss, earlier return of bowel function, less time of analgesics use, and shorter postoperative hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis suggests that LATG in the treatment of gastric cancer is similar in safety and efficacy to OTG. LATG has the advantages of less blood loss and faster postoperative recovery, at the expense of a longer operative time.
Different and rapid responses of four cyanobacterial psbA transcripts to changes in light intensity

The genome of the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7942 contains three psbA genes which encode two forms of the D1 protein of photosystem II. Experiments using psbA-lacZ translational fusions and Western blot (immunoblot) analysis have shown that the psbA genes respond differently to changes in light intensity, altering the ratio of the two forms of D1 in the thylakoid membrane. Each gene produces a 1.2-kilobase (kb) mRNA. A probe specific for psbAII transcripts also identified a 1.6-kb mRNA which starts 419 base pairs upstream of the 5' end of the 1.2-kb species and overlaps the entire 1.2-kb transcript. This 419-base-pair region includes an open reading frame (ORF1) of 114 amino acids. We investigated the effects of changes in light intensity on psbAII transcript levels in a series of light shift experiments in the wild-type Synechococcus sp. and in AMC084, a mutant which does not produce the 1.6-kb transcript. After exposure to high light intensities for 15 min, the level of the 1.2-kb psbAII transcript increased in both strains. This transcript was not detected in either strain after transfer to low light intensity. The psbAIII transcript showed the same pattern of response as the 1.2-kb psbAII transcript, whereas the 1.6-kb psbAII transcript was unaffected by different light intensities. The psbAI transcript levels responded oppositely to those of psbAII and psbAIII. These data, considered along with previous results obtained by using lacZ translational gene fusions, indicate that the response of psbA genes to changes in light intensity is controlled primarily at the transcriptional level.
Estimating Dynamic Random Effects Models from Panel Data Covering Short Time Periods

AbstractThis paper advocates the use of simultaneous equations estimators (especially LIML) to estimate dynamic random effects models from panel data. The methods are found to perform quite satisfactorily in Monte Carlo experiments. The LIML procedures are also extended to the case where some of the regressors are correlated with the effects and a theorem on identification is proved. Finally, the Michigan Panel is used for some illustrations.
Ectopic Expression of a Horseradish Peroxidase Enhances Growth Rate and Increases Oxidative Stress Resistance in Hybrid Aspen

We previously demonstrated that overexpression of the horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) peroxidase prxC1a gene stimulated the growth rate of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants. Here, the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S::prxC1a construct was introduced into hybrid aspen (Populus sieboldii × Populus grandidentata). The growth rate of these transformed hybrid aspen plants was substantially increased under greenhouse conditions. The average stem length of transformed plants was 25% greater than that of control plants. There was no other obvious phenotypic difference between the transformed and control plants. Fast-growing transformed hybrid aspen showed high levels of expression of prxC1a and had elevated peroxidase activities toward guaiacol and ascorbate. However, there was no increase of the endogenous class I ascorbate peroxidase activities in the transformed plants by separate assay and activity staining of native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, calli derived from the transformed hybrid aspen grew faster than those from control plants and were resistant to the oxidative stress imposed by hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, enhanced peroxidase activity affects plant growth rate and oxidative stress resistance.
GATA-3 deficiency abrogates the development and maintenance of T helper type 2 cells

T helper type 2 (Th2) cells secrete IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13 and mediate allergic and asthmatic disease. GATA-3 is a Th2-specific transcription factor that appears in overexpression studies and transgenic systems to function as a Th2 lineage determinant. Because GATA-3 is also crucial for development of the T lineage and throughout thymic development, direct demonstration that GATA-3 is required for Th2 development by targeted deletion has been lacking. Using a conditional knockout approach, we found that GATA-3 is required for optimal Th2 cytokine production in vitro and in vivo. Our data also show that GATA-3 expression must be sustained to maintain the Th2 phenotype.
Distinct properties of c-myc transcriptional elongation are revealed in Xenopus oocytes and mammalian cells and by template titration, 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB), and promoter mutagenesis

A block to c-myc transcription elongation has been observed in Xenopus oocytes and mammalian cells. Here, we show that the distribution of RNA polymerase II transcription complexes in the c-myc promoter proximal region in Xenopus oocytes is different from that observed previously in mammalian cells. Thus, there are major differences in the c-myc elongation block observed in the two systems. In addition, as first reported for a Xenopus tubulin gene (K. M. Middleton and G. T. Morgan, Mol. Cell. Biol. 10:727-735, 1990). c-myc template titration experiments reveal the existence of two classes of RNA polymerase II transcription complexes in oocytes: one (at low template concentration) that is capable of reading through downstream sites of premature termination, and another (high template concentration) that does not. We show that these classes of polymerases are distinct from those previously identified by 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB), which distinguishes transcription complexes on the basis of transcribed distance, rather than on the basis of differential elongation through sites of premature termination. We also show that mutations that affect the efficiency of initiation of transcription from the c-myc P2 promoter can influence premature termination by at least two mechanisms: TATA box mutations function by the titration effect (decrease in transcription initiation results in a relative decrease in premature termination), while an upstream activator (E2F) site functions by contributing to the assembly of polymerase complexes competent to traverse the downstream sites of premature termination.
Participation of civil society in European Union (EU) decision-making and agenda-setting: role of patient organisations on EU health policy

Pretty much what most people will think of in terms of Europe are bureaucracy, immigration and sending money to Europe. People do not know who their MEPs are so I think it is really difficult for us to try and engage our supporters in activities that focus on Europe. Whenever we do a campaign and try to engage our supporters, it is trying to think actually what would make a difference for Mr. Brown in Scarborough or Mrs. Smith in Bristol. Things are really abstract in Europe. It is difficult to understand how you influence and obviously because the Parliament is very much made up of Interest Groups and party groups, it is difficult to understand exactly how you get in and influence those. I have just started getting the daily digest about what is coming out from the EP and that was really helpful but you do not necessarily get information about exactly what an organisation like Parkinson's UK or what an individual citizen could do. Possibly there is a little bit of resource or investment in communicating some of those things. Maybe it is for the patient organisations to work together in a more collaborative and better way to drill down into some of those things. It is a combination of both the EP and the EC, and also patient organisations needing to do a little bit more work to understand exactly how patients can contribute’.
Estimating probabilities and numbers of direct care workers paid under the National Minimum Wage in the UK: A Bayesian approach

The report starts by discussing some of the challenges faced in calculating hourly pay rates of direct care workers, then discusses the advantages and challenges of such calculations using available national datasets. We produce an adjustment methodology and discuss the relevance of employing a Bayesian approach to account for existing prior knowledge. The report then provides details of the process of estimating the probabilities of direct care workers being paid under the NMW and estimates of the number of direct care workers in the UK.
Water and the politics of sustainability transitions: from regime actor conflicts to system governance organizations

ABSTRACT This study contributes to the analysis of the politics of sustainability transitions by developing a focus on regime actor conflicts and a processual model for how these conflicts develop and are resolved. In a comparison of water-supply systems in four U.S. cities, we show how conflicts among regime actors and political jurisdictions lead to the formation of system governance organizations (SGOs) that bridge jurisdictional boundaries to manage conflicts over a technological system (TS). SGOs coordinate relations among water utilities and diverse stakeholders to reduce pervasive conflicts, but they can also serve as drivers of improved sustainability. We analyze resistance that can emerge, such as from urban growth coalitions, which limit the capacity of SGOs to drive changes. We develop a four-stage processual model (first-order regime conflicts, SGO formation, sustainability transition expansion, and second-order regime conflicts) that opens research in the politics of transitions to the dynamic of regime actor conflicts and provides the basis for generalizations about the causes of SGO formation and their effects on the governance of TSs such as water-supply infrastructure. Policy implications regarding how to improve political support for SGO sustainability efforts are also discussed.
DRS1 to DRS7, novel genes required for ribosome assembly and function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

To identify Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants defective in assembly or function of ribosomes, a collection of cold-sensitive strains generated by treatment with ethyl methanesulfonate was screened by sucrose gradient analysis for altered ratios of free 40S to 60S ribosomal subunits or qualitative changes in polyribosome profiles. Mutations defining seven complementation groups deficient in ribosomal subunits, drs1 to drs7, were identified. We have previously shown that DRS1 encodes a putative ATP-dependent RNA helicase necessary for assembly of 60S ribosomal subunits (T. L. Ripmaster, G. P. Vaughn, and J. L. Woolford, Jr., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:11131-11135, 1992). Strains bearing the drs2 mutation process the 20S precursor of the mature 18S rRNA slowly and are deficient in 40S ribosomal subunits. Cloning and sequencing of the DRS2 gene revealed that it encodes a protein similar to membrane-spanning Ca2+ ATPases. The predicted amino acid sequence encoded by DRS2 contains seven transmembrane domains, a phosphate-binding loop found in ATP- or GTP-binding proteins, and a seven-amino-acid sequence detected in all classes of P-type ATPases. The cold-sensitive phenotype of drs2 is suppressed by extra copies of the TEF3 gene, which encodes a yeast homolog of eukaryotic translation elongation factor EF-1 gamma. Identification of gene products affecting ribosome assembly and function among the DNAs complementing the drs mutations validates the feasibility of this approach.
Practical contribution for the assessment and monitoring of product market competition in the Portuguese Economy – estimation of price cost margins

This work project estimates price-cost margins for 163 Portuguese markets (defined at 3-digit level of CAE), with the aim of assessing the degree of product market competition. During the Economic and Financial Assistance Program of 2011-14, a set of product market reforms was implemented, with the objective of increasing competition in output markets. We provide a first assessment of the effectiveness of these reforms. We use Portuguese firm-level data to estimate price-cost margins, allowing for worker’s bargaining power. By then aggregating markets into sectors, our results allow us to conclude that the degree of competition did increase in most sectors
Variability of birth-weight distributions by sex and ethnicity: analysis using mixture models.

Birth weight is the most important proximate determinant of the level of infant mortality. However, the association between birth weight and infant mortality is not constant among populations. For example, the mortality of African American infants is lower at low birth weight but higher at high birth weight compared with European American infants. One possible explanation is that birth cohorts are heterogeneous even after controlling for birth weight, ethnicity, sex, and multiple births. The analyses presented here use Gaussian mixture models to explore the interpopulation variation in the shape of the birth-weight distribution for evidence of intrapopulation heterogeneity. The results suggest that a two-component mixture model provides an excellent description of human birth-weight distributions. Further statistical analyses of sex and ethnic differences indicate (1) that the birth-weight distributions and heterogeneity within the distribution vary between the sexes and among ethnic groups and (2) that one specific component is more closely associated with the overall level of infant mortality. The results support the hypothesis that birth cohorts can consist of two or more subpopulations at differential risk of mortality. Differences in the subpopulation composition of birth cohorts (i.e., differences in the level of heterogeneity among the various ethnic groups) might partially explain the interethnic variation in birth-weight-specific mortality. Further development of these mixture models should provide important additional information concerning the biological, environmental, and social determinants of birth weight and infant mortality.
Sport for Development and Peace: Power, Politics, and Patronage

ABSTRACT Sport for development and peace (SDP) is a rapidly growing field of activity in which sport is used as an intervention tool in order to pursue wider, non-sporting social goals. Organized into three main parts, this paper examines issues of power, politics, and patronage with respect to the SDP sector's organization and the implementation of programs particularly in the global South. First, drawing on a sociological approach broadly derived from Pierre Bourdieu, we examine how the SDP sector is structured, featuring a variety of stakeholders with different interests and aspirations; we explore in particular the potential influence of relatively marginal campaign groups and new social movements. Second, we identify the complex issues and challenges of patronage and mutuality that arise in international SDP work involving the global North (donor) and global South (recipient) in the post-colonial context. Third, we consider how these issues impact upon the design, implementation, and effects of SDP programs with particular reference to relations of power between the global North and South. We conclude by advancing the case for a “bottom-up”, and more culturally and politically sensitive approach to be adopted by SDP stakeholders, particularly those based in the global North.
Cyclical and Persistent Carry Trade Returns and Forward Premia

We show that carry trade excess returns and forward premia of exchange rates possess persistent and clear business-cycle patterns. Our results contradict the peso model of hedged carry trade developed by [Burnside, C. , M. Eichenbaum, I. Kleshchelski, and S. Rebelo, 2011, Do Peso Problems Explain the Returns to the Carry Trade? , Review of Financial Studies 24(3), 853–891. ] and the overconfidence model of carry trade developed by [Burnside, C. , B. Han, D. Hirshleifer, and T. Y. Wang, 2011, Investor Overconfidence and the Forward Premium Puzzle, Review of Economic Studies 78(2), 523–558. ]. Our results support equilibrium asset pricing models and share the habit formation view of [Verdelhan, A. , 2010, A Habit-Based Explanation of the Exchange Rate Risk Premium, Journal of Finance 65(1), 123–145. ] that requires countercyclical risk premia. In bad times, when risk aversion is high and domestic interest rates are low, investors require positive currency excess returns. Consistent with [Lustig, H. , N. Roussanov, and A. Verdelhan, 2014, Countercyclical Currency Risk Premia, Journal of Financial Economics 111(3), 527–553. ] the cyclicality of excess returns is associated with the cyclicality of forward premia. We find that the persistence in forward premia and excess returns is related to their cyclicality. Our results are robust to the [Lustig, H. , N. Roussanov, and A. Verdelhan, 2011, Common Risk Factors in Currency Market, Review of Financial Studies 24(11), 3731–3777; Lustig, H. , N. Roussanov, and A. Verdelhan, 2014, Countercyclical Currency Risk Premia, Journal of Financial Economics 111(3), 527–553. ] high-minus-low (HML) and “dollar carry trade” portfolios.