Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lethal, Hereditary Mutants of Phospholamban Elude Phosphorylation by Protein Kinase A*

Background: Heterozygous mutations in the cytoplasmic domain of phospholamban cause lethal dilated cardiomyopathy. Results: The mutations alter phospholamban-protein kinase A interactions that are essential for substrate recognition and phosphorylation. Conclusion: Hereditary mutations in phospholamban that prevent phosphorylation by protein kinase A will lead to chronic inhibition of SERCA. Significance: Arginines in the cytoplasmic domain of phospholamban should be considered hot spots for hereditary mutations leading to dilated cardiomyopathy. The sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pump (SERCA) and its regulator, phospholamban, are essential components of cardiac contractility. Phospholamban modulates contractility by inhibiting SERCA, and this process is dynamically regulated by β-adrenergic stimulation and phosphorylation of phospholamban. Herein we reveal mechanistic insight into how four hereditary mutants of phospholamban, Arg9 to Cys, Arg9 to Leu, Arg9 to His, and Arg14 deletion, alter regulation of SERCA. Deletion of Arg14 disrupts the protein kinase A recognition motif, which abrogates phospholamban phosphorylation and results in constitutive SERCA inhibition. Mutation of Arg9 causes more complex changes in function, where hydrophobic substitutions such as cysteine and leucine eliminate both SERCA inhibition and phospholamban phosphorylation, whereas an aromatic substitution such as histidine selectively disrupts phosphorylation. We demonstrate that the role of Arg9 in phospholamban function is multifaceted: it is important for inhibition of SERCA, it increases the efficiency of phosphorylation, and it is critical for protein kinase A recognition in the context of the phospholamban pentamer. Given the synergistic consequences on contractility, it is not surprising that the mutants cause lethal, hereditary dilated cardiomyopathy.
Progesterone and estrogen levels in peripheral plasma of the pregnant and nonpregnant roe deer (Capreolus capreolus).

Progesterone (P) and estrogens (E) were determined in the pheripheral plasma of pregnant and nonpregnant roe deer with the beginning of the breeding season, (July) until time of expected parturition in May/June of the following year. (Exp. A). In nonpregnant animals, P (mean ng/ml ± SEM) increased from 0.12 ± 0.02 in July to 1.69 ± 0.36 in August. From August through March, mean values ranged between 1.93 ± 0.61 and 3.00 ± 0.65, followed by a decrease in April (1.09 ± 0.39) with basal levels reached in May (0.1 ± 0.04). In the pregnant animals, P similarly started to rise in July to a first peak (3.55 ± 0.48) in August; values thereafter were between 2.08 ± 0.19 and 2.80 ± 0.27 until December. A second increase up to 4.81 ± 0.68 in January was observed in pregnant animals, which was of different magnitude from the nonpregnant animals. A gradual decrease from 4.45 ± 0.57 to 1.01 ± 0.44 occurred from March to May. Concentrations of E (mean pg/mI ± SEM) varied between 57 ± 7 and 107 ± 27 in the nonpregnant animals and were higher in the pregnant animals during the last 6 months of gestation. In a more intensive study of 2 nonpregnant animals (Exp. B), P exhibited a short elevation at the end of July and the beginning of August, followed by a continuous increase throughout the period examined (October). It is concluded that the corpus luteum remains active once it has formed, even in the nonpregnant animal, during the greater portion of the reproductive period. The data obtained also suggest that in the pregnant animal, placental P and E production commences at the time of placental attachment in January.
Role of Pump Prime in the Etiology and Pathogenesis of Cardiopulmonary Bypass–associated Acidosis

BackgroundThe development of metabolic acidosis during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is well recognized but poorly understood. The authors hypothesized that the delivery of pump prime fluids is primarily responsible for its development. Accordingly, acid–base changes induced by the establishment of CPB were studied using two types of priming fluid (Haemaccel, a polygeline solution, and Ringer’s Injection vs. Plasmalyte 148) using quantitative biophysical methods. MethodsA prospective, double-blind, randomized trial was conducted at a tertiary institution with 22 patients undergoing CPB for coronary artery bypass surgery. Sampling of arterial blood was performed at three time intervals: before CPB (t1), 2 min after initiation of CPB at full flows (t2), and at the end of the case (t3). Measurements of Na+, K+, Mg2+, Cl−, HCO3−, phosphate, Ca2+, albumin, lactate, and arterial blood gases at each collection point were performed. Results were analyzed in a quantitative manner. ResultsImmediately on delivery of pump prime fluids, all patients developed a metabolic acidosis (base excess: 0.95 mEq/l (t1) to −3.65 mEq/l (t2) (P < 0.001) for Haemaccel–Ringer’s and 1.17 mEq/l (t1) to −3.20 mEq/l (t2). The decrease in base excess was the same for both primes (−4.60 vs. −4.37; not significant). However, the mechanism of metabolic acidosis was different. With the Haemaccel–Ringer’s prime, the metabolic acidosis was hyperchloremic (&Dgr; Cl−, +9.50 mEq/l; confidence interval, 7.00–11.50). With Plasmalyte 148, the acidosis was induced by an increase in unmeasured anions, most probably acetate and gluconate. The resolution of these two processes was different because the excretion of chloride was slower than that of the unmeasured anions (&Dgr; base excess from t1 to t3 = −1.60 for Haemaccel–Ringer’s vs. +1.15 for Plasmalyte 148;P = 0.0062). ConclusionsCardiopulmonary bypass–induced metabolic acidosis appears to be iatrogenic in nature and derived from the effect of pump prime fluid on acid–base balance. The extent of such acidosis and its duration varies according to the type of pump prime.
Effects of Thymus serpyllum Extract on Cell Proliferation, Apoptosis and Epigenetic Events in Human Breast Cancer Cells

Thymus (T.) serpyllum (wild thyme) is an aromatic medicinal plant due to its several biological properties, including anticancer activity. Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies and increasing evidence supports that it is not only a genetic but also an epigenetic disease. Epigenetics investigates changes in gene expression caused by mechanisms that do not involve alterations in DNA sequence. DNA methylation and histone acetylation are the most widely studied epigenetic changes in cancer cells. This study evaluated the effects of T. serpyllum on apoptosis and epigenetic events in breast cancer cells. XTT cell viability assay was used to determine cytotoxicity. DNA fragmentation and caspase 3/7 activity assays were used in the assesment of apoptosis. DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) activities were evaluated by ELISA and verified by qRT-PCR. T. serpyllum extract induced significant cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) but not in normal cells. It also induced apoptosis and inhibited the DNMT and HDAC activities in MDA-MB-231 cells. In the present study, the first preliminary data on the effects of the methanolic extract of T. serpyllum in normal and breast cancer cells were obtained and suggest that T. serpyllum may be a promising candidate in the development of novel therapeutic drugs for breast cancer treatment.
Great Snipes in sub-Saharan Africa : Seasonal patterns of abundance, moult and body mass in relation to age and sex

Great Snipes Gallinago media spend about eight months per year in sub-Saharan Africa, but most aspects of their non-breeding ecology are poorly known. We analysed the seasonal pattern of appearance, flight feather moult (primaries and secondaries), and body mass in relation to age and sex, based on 3,247 birds collected by hunters in 1990–2000 in Benin, Gabon, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Adult males arrived in Africa from mid-August with a suspended flight feather moult. Adult females on average arrived somewhat later, and were about one month behind in the progress of flight feather moult. The adults of both sexes resumed moult immediately upon arrival. Flight feather moult was generally completed by the end of November in males, and end of December in females. Juvenile Great Snipes arrived later than adults and did not moult their flight feathers. The temporal pattern of occurrence at the different study sites suggests a general relocation of snipes from West Africa to Central Africa in October-December. Body masses did not differ between age groups and were generally low from August to February (155–170 g in males and 165–185 g in females). Males apparently departed northwards from late March to late April, and the females about two weeks later. Prior to departure, body mass increased on average with about 50 g (in both sexes), suggesting a departure fuel load of 31–33% above lean body mass. In periods of high and stable mass increase, fuel was deposited at rates of about 0.8–1.3 g/d (or 0.5–0.8% of lean body mass/d). The heaviest males and females had a total body mass of 242 and 250 g, respectively. This kind of traditional natural history data forms an important complement to the new type of data emerging from modern tracking techniques.
Cooperative effects of bcl‐2 and AAV‐mediated expression of CNTF on retinal ganglion cell survival and axonal regeneration in adult transgenic mice

We used a gene therapy approach in transgenic mice to assess the cooperative effects of combining anti‐apoptotic and growth‐promoting stimuli on adult retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival and axonal regeneration following intraorbital optic nerve injury. Bi‐cistronic adeno‐associated viral vectors encoding a secretable form of ciliary neurotrophic factor and green fluorescent protein (AAV‐CNTF‐GFP) were injected into eyes of mice that had been engineered to over‐express the anti‐apoptotic protein bcl‐2. For comparison this vector was also injected into wildtype (wt) mice, and both mouse strains were injected with control AAV encoding GFP. Five weeks after optic nerve injury we confirmed that bcl‐2 over‐expression by itself promoted the survival of axotomized RGCs, but in contrast to previous reports we also saw regeneration of some mature RGC axons beyond the optic nerve crush. AAV‐mediated expression of CNTF in adult retinas significantly increased the survival and axonal regeneration of RGCs following axotomy in wt and bcl‐2 transgenic mice; however, the effects were greatest in the transgenic strain. Compared with AAV‐GFP‐injected bcl‐2 mice, RGC viability was increased by about 50% (mean, 36 738 RGCs per retina), and over 1000 axons per optic nerve regenerated 1–1.5 mm beyond the crush. These findings exemplify the importance of using a multifactorial therapeutic approach that enhances both neuroprotection and regeneration after central nervous system injury.
Laboratory Intercomparison on the γ-H2AX Foci Assay

The focus of the study is an intercomparison of laboratories' dose-assessment performances using the γ-H2AX foci assay as a diagnostic triage tool for rapid individual radiation dose assessment. Homogenously X-irradiated (240 kVp, 1 Gy/min) blood samples for establishing calibration data (0.25–4 Gy) as well as blinded test samples (0.1–6.4 Gy) were incubated at 37°C for 2 and 24 h (repair time) and sent to the participants. The foci assay was performed according to protocols individually established in participating laboratories and therefore varied. The time taken to report dose estimates was documented for each laboratory. Additional information concerning laboratory organization/characteristics as well as assay performance was collected. The mean absolute difference (MAD) of estimated doses relative to the actual doses was calculated and radiation doses were merged into four triage categories reflecting clinical relevance to calculate accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. First γ-H2AX based dose estimates were reported 7 h after sample receipt. Estimates were similarly accurate for 2 and 24 h repair times, providing scope for its use in the early phase of a radiation exposure incident. Equal accuracy was achieved by scoring 20, 30, 40 or 50 cells per sample. However, MAD values of 0.5–0.7 Gy and 1.3–1.7 Gy divided the data sets into two groups, driven mainly by the considerable differences in foci yields between calibration and blind samples. Foci yields also varied dramatically between laboratories, highlighting reproducibility issues as an important caveat of the foci assay. Nonetheless, foci counts could distinguish high- and low-dose samples in all data sets and binary dose categories of clinical significance could be discriminated with satisfactory accuracy (mean 84%, ±0.03 SEM). Overall, the results suggest that the γ-H2AX assay is a useful tool for rapidly screening individuals for significant exposures that occurred up to at least 24 h earlier, and may help to prioritize cytogenetic dosimetry follow-up.
İlköğretim İkinci Kademe Öğrencilerinin Değerlerini Yordayan İki Önemli Değişken: Siber Zorbalık Eğilimleri ve Okul Kültürü Arasındaki İlişki

Bu arastirmanin amaci, ilkogretim ikinci kademe ogrencilerinin siber zorbalik egilimleri ve okul kulturu arasindaki iliskiyi ortaya koymaktir. Arastirma, ilkogretim ikinci kademe ogrencilerinin siber zorbalik egilimlerini belirlemek icin Sakarya ilinde alt, orta ve ust sosyoekonomik duzeydeki okullardan secilmis 400 ogrenci uzerinden yurutulmustur. Arastirma verileri, "Siber Magdur ve Zorbalik Olcegi" ve "Okul Kulturu Algisi Olcegi" kullanilarak toplanmistir. Verilerin cozumlenmesinde coklu regresyon analizi kullanilmistir. Arastirmadan elde edilen bulgular, siber zorbalik ile okul kulturunun alt boyutu olan kati kurallara baglilik arasinda pozitif duzeyde iliski oldugu; kiz ve erkek ogrenciler arasinda siber zorbalik acisindan anlamli bir farklilik oldugu; haftalik internet kullanim sikliginin siber magduriyeti yordamadigi fakat haftalik internet kullanim sikligi yuksek olan ogrencilerin daha fazla siber zorbalik yaptiklari; cinsiyet ve sosyoekonomik duzeyin siber zorba ve siber magduriyeti yordamadigi bulgulanmistir. Siber zorbaligin onlenmesi icin yapilan calismalarin pozitif okul kulturu olusturmaya odaklanmasi gerektigi oneriler arasindadir.
Values for Human-to-Human Reference

Defines values and lists the height values derived by the author in an earlier work. Gives a brief history of the evolution of human-to-human reference service and discusses its future. Relates each of the author's eight values to the practice of human-to-human reference. Concludes with some thoughts on library instruction. In a hubristic act in my book Our Enduring Values (Gorman, 2000), I formulated eight fundamental values that I believe should inform librarianship. Those values, based on experience and reading in library literature and beyond, are: ○ Stewardship ○ Service ○ Intellectual freedom ○ Rationalism ○ Literacy and learning ○ Equity of access ○ Privacy ○ Democracy.
Role of Infectious Virus Expression and Immune Response in Retrovirus-Induced Oncogenesis

Some of the parameters involved in retrovirus-induced oncogenesis were analyzed in newborn mice injected with Moloney-murine leukemia virus (M-MuLV) as well as in adults who received the virus by the intraperitoneal (i.p.) or intrathymic (i.t.) route. The neonatally injected mice were permissive for both viral replication and virus-induced cell-surface antigen expression on thymus cells, peripheral T and B lymphocytes, and macrophages, whereas the M-MuLV was not present in the adult i.p. injected mice. Instead, in i.t. injected mice, the virus was expressed in thymus and peripheral T cells only, but was not detected in tail extracts as assessed by means of the UV-XC plaque assay. Lack of virus spread in adult-treated animals correlated with a prompt humoral and cellular immune response, whereas the highly viremic newborn inoculated mice showed negligible virus-specific antibody production and an extremely low frequency of splenic cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursors. Moreover, immune response in both groups of adult-treated mice efficiently prevented tumor induction by Moloney-murine sarcoma virus (M-MuSV), which has the same antigenic determinants as M-MuLV, its natural helper. In contrast, M-MuSV sarcomas grew progressively in newborn inoculated mice and killed the host. Finally, 80 % of neonatally injected mice developed lymphomas, whereas all treated adults remained free of disease for more than 15 months. These findings imply that the immune response may, in fact, prevent retrovirus-induced oncogenesis through restriction of virus replication and/or destruction of virus-infected cells.
Detection of viable Cronobacter spp. (Enterobacter sakazakii) by one-step RT-PCR in dry aquatic product.

UNLABELLED Cronobacter are opportunistic food-borne pathogens associated with meningitis, sepsis, and necrotizing enterocolitis. Little attempt has focused on detection of viable cell of Cronobacter spp. in dry aquatic products, which were frequently used for raw materials of infant foods due to high nutrition. In this paper, one-step reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was developed for detection of viable Cronobacter spp. in dry aquatic products. Specificity test indicated that clearly expected amplicon in size 469 bp was amplified from RNA of Cronobacter, but not from RNA of negative controls and DNA of Cronobacter strains. The sensitivity was 10(4) CFU/mL of Cronobacter strain in artificially fish meal samples and 10(1) CFU/mL of Cronobacter after 10-h enrichment. In a total of 81 dry aquatic products, 9.8%, 8.6%, and 9.8% of samples were found to be positive for Cronobacter by one-step RT-PCR, U.S. Food and Drug Administration method, and Druggan-Forsythe-Iversen medium, respectively. The results clearly indicated that one-step RT-PCR could avoid the interference of residual DNA of Cronobacter in food samples and be used to specifically detect viable Cronobacter spp. for large-scale monitoring of food samples. PRACTICAL APPLICATION The use of rapid and specific detection of food borne pathogens in food samples was most of importance for control and precaution of food borne diseases. In this study, one-step RT-PCR was developed for detection of Cronobacter spp. in aquatic products. A comparison of different methods for detection of Cronobacter indicated that the newly developed method could be widely used to specifically detect Cronobacter spp. in food samples.
Examining the determinants of computer-assisted audit techniques acceptance from internal auditors' viewpoints

This study adopts the technology acceptance model (TAM) as the initial framework to examine factors leading to the acceptance of computer-assisted audit techniques (CAATs) from the viewpoints of internal auditors. In addition to the variables from TAM model, two external variables namely organisational support and system quality are augmented into the new model. In order to test the new model, this study conducts a survey of 117 internal auditors and analyses the data by using partial least squares (PLS). The results show that external variables have significant effects on both TAM's belief. Furthermore, most constructs of the TAM was confirmed.
Proporciones de daños mecánicos y su efecto en calidad poscosecha de aguacate ‘Hass’

The avocado ‘Hass’ fruit is very susceptible to external and mechanical damages occurring in pre and post harvest. Harvesting and postharvest management can further reduce quality if it is not suitable. The present study aimed to estimate mechanical damages during pre-harvest and harvest, as well as its effect on postharvest. Mechanical damages were evaluated at different stages of harvesting and packing to estimate sample sizes suitable for inspection and evaluation of the aforementioned damages and their effect on post harvest quality of avocado ‘Hass’ for export. The harvester’s actions, during the harvesting process, have an effect on cuts (0.2-1.2%) and uneven (1-1.7%), as well as the transfer of the fruit inside the orchard (cuts 1.2%, bruises 2.02 %) and from this to the baler (bruises 4.57%). Some external damages (smallpox 30%, Trips 69% and clove 11%) remained constant at both harvest times, while others occurred in higher percentages in October (chickenpox, sunburn and bruising) than at the april harvests. Larger gauges are harvested in October (class I 31%, extra38% and super 23.4%) than in April (class i 23.4%, extra 32% and super 26.6%). The maximum sample size for evaluation and quality inspection was 374- 382 fruits per harvested lot.
Beryllium Granuloma of the Skin*

Granulomatous lesions of the skin produced by beryllium compounds were first described by Grier, Nash, and Freiman (1948), but no case occurring in this country has yet been published. As interest in the effects of exposure to beryllium has grown with the increased use of this metal during the last decade, a case of multiple beryllium granulomatosis of the skin occurring in a girl of 20 years is described. The patient was employed in a factory making fluorescent tubes. The makers of the tubes informed us that the fluorescent powder used at the time of the injury consisted of a mixture of zinc beryllium silicate with an average beryllium content of about 8%.
Linking resource-based view with business economics of woodworking industry : earlier findings and future insights

The business environment and sources of competitiveness in the woodworking industry have changed notably since the 1990s. Wood products are traded globally, and with the increase of trade, abundant forest resources are no longer the main source of sustainable competitiveness. Competition within the woodworking industry is increasing both between European and non-European enterprises, as well as within the EU. Capability to create value-added, making rational strategic choices, and creative usage of intangible and tangible resources have been emphasized as crucial for sustaining woodworking industry competitiveness in higher cost-level countries. Resource-based view (RBV) defines the availability of intangible assets, capabilities and tangible resources, and their heterogeneous combination to form the basis for company success. The objective of this review is to examine the possibilities to employ the RBV to the study of the woodworking industry by combining existing empirical results of the factors of companies’ competitiveness with assessment of the RBV. In the existing literature, strategies implemented in woodworking companies have been approached rather widely, while the role of intangible and tangible resources in building firm-level success has received less focus. In addition, a significant gap exists in linking firms’ financial accounting information with empirical data on their resource-usage and business strategies. In future studies, more information of the effects of these strategic elements on the actual business success of the firms would be needed.
Volatile constituents of Amomum maximum Roxb and Amomum microcarpum C. F. Liang & D. Fang: two Zingiberaceae grown in Vietnam

The chemical composition of essential oils obtained from the hydrodistillation of different parts of Amomum maximum Roxb and Amomum muricarpum C. F. Liang & D. Fang (Zingiberaceae) grown in Vietnam are reported. The analysis was performed by means of gas chromatography–flame ionisation detectoorand gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The major compounds identified in the oils of A. maximum were β-pinene (20.4–40.8%), α-pinene (6.8–15.0%), β-elemene (2.5–12.8%) and β-caryophyllene (2.3–10.3%). Moreover, β-phellandrene (11.6%) was present in the root oil. The main compound identified in all the oil samples of A. muricarpum was α-pinene (24.1–54.7%) and β-pinene (9.2–25.9%). In addition, limonene (7.4%) and δ-3-carene (9.4%) were present in the leaves and stem oils, respectively. However, while β-phellandrene (8.3%) could be seen prominent in the root oil, the fruits contained significant amount of zingiberene (6.3%). The largest amount of τ-muurolol (13.0%) was found in the flower oil.