Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dopamine D2 Receptor Isoforms Expressed in AtT20 Cells Differentially Couple to G Proteins to Acutely Inhibit High Voltage‐Activated Calcium Channels

Abstract : The dopamine D2 receptor belongs to the serpentine superfamily of receptors, which have seven transmembrane segments and activate G proteins. D2 receptors are known to be linked, through Gαo‐ and Gαi‐containing G proteins, to several signaling pathways in neuronal and secretory cells, including inhibition of adenylyl cyclase and high voltage‐activated Ca2+ channels (HVA‐CCs). The dopamine D2 receptor exists in two alternatively spliced isoforms, “long” and “short” (D2L and D2S, respectively), which have identical ligand binding sites but differ by 29 amino acids in the third intracellular loop, the proposed site for G protein interaction. This has led to the speculation that the two isoforms may interact with different G proteins. We have transfected the AtT20 cell line with either D2L (KCL line) or D2S (KCS line) to facilitate experimentation on the individual isoforms. Both lines show dopamine agonist‐dependent inhibition of Q‐type HVA‐CCs. We combined G protein antisense knock‐down studies with multiwavelength fluorescence video microscopy to measure changes in HVA‐CC inhibition to investigate the possibility of differential G protein coupling to this inhibition. The initial, rapid, K+ depolarization‐induced increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration is due to influx through HVA‐CCs. Our studies reveal that both D2 isoforms couple to Gαo to partially inhibit this influx. However, D2L also couples to Gα13, whereas D2S couples to Gα12. These data support the hypothesis of differential coupling of D2 receptor isoforms to G proteins.
Preparation and photodynamic activities of silicon(IV) phthalocyanines substituted with permethylated β-cyclodextrins.

A series of silicon(IV) phthalocyanines linked to two permethylated β-cyclodextrin moieties through different spacers at the axial positions have been synthesized and characterized. The effects of these spacers on the photophysical properties and in vitro photodynamic activities have also been examined. Having two bulky hydrophilic substituents, all of these compounds are soluble and essentially nonaggregated in DMF and even in aqueous media. The fluorescence and singlet oxygen quantum yields in DMF are lower for the analogue with the shortest separation between the amino group in the spacer and the phthalocyanine ring. The fluorescence quantum yield of this compound increases in water probably due to protonation of the amino group, which inhibits the reductive quenching process. This series of compounds also exhibit photocytotoxicity toward HT29 human colon adenocarcinoma and HepG2 human hepatocarcinoma cells with IC(50) values in the range of 0.04-1.32 μM. The analogue with an α,ω-aminohydroxypentyl linker shows the highest potency, which can be ascribed to its high cellular uptake and high efficiency in generating intracellular reactive oxygen species. This compound also shows preferential localization in the lysosome, induces cell death mainly through apoptosis, and inhibits the growth of tumor in vivo. The results suggest that it is a promising photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy.
Serogroups and genotypes of Leptospira spp. strains from bovine aborted foetuses

Leptospirosis is a global disease of animals, with potential major economic impact on livestock industry and important zoonotic capacities. The disease represents a major challenge in the developing countries as humans and animals frequently live in close association. The serovar Hardjo of Leptospira whose primary host is cattle has been studied extensively, but few data exist on other current circulating or emerging serotypes. To better understand the disease in cattle and how to prevent and/or control it, it is necessary to identify the genotype and the serotype of circulating Leptospira. This study presents results of several investigations performed on a historical Belgian collection of congenital jaundice in bovine aborted foetuses coming from the leptospirosis emerging episode of 2014 (Delooz et al., Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 62, 2015, 124). The results revealed that L. Grippotyphosa and L. Australis were the most prevalent serogroups with, respectively, 17/42 and 13/42 positive microscopic agglutination test (MAT) during this emerging event associated with the same clinical pattern. The study also confirms that congenital jaundice is associated with L. kirscheneri and L. interrogans and provides the genotyping of DNA obtained from these two species.
Potential use of craniosynostotic osteoprogenitors and bioactive scaffolds for bone engineering

The cranial bone has a very limited regenerative capability. Patients with craniosynostosis (the premature fusion of cranial sutures, leading to skull abnormalities) often require extensive craniofacial reconstruction and repeated surgery. The possibility of grafting autologous osteoprogenitor cells seeded on bioabsorbable matrices is of great potential for inducing regeneration of craniofacial structure and protecting the brain from external insult. To this purpose we have studied the behaviour of normal and craniosynostotic mouse osteoblast cell lines, and of human primary osteoprogenitors from craniosynostotic patients. We have monitored their ability to grow and differentiate on plastic and on a scaffold composed of bioactive glass and bioabsorbable polymer by live fluorescent labelling and expression of bone differentiation markers. Cells from syndromic patients display a behaviour very similar to that observed in the stable mouse cell line we generated by introducing the human FGFR2‐C278F, a mutation found in certain craniosynostosis, into MC3T3 osteblastic cells, indicating that the mutated cell line is a valuable model for studying the cellular response of human craniosynostotic osteoblasts. Both normal and mutated calvarial osteoprogenitors can attach to the bioactive scaffold, although mutated cells display adhesion defects when cultured on plastic. Furthermore, analysis of bone differentiation markers in human osteoblasts shows that the composite mesh, unlike PLGA80 plates, supports bone differentiation. The ability of the mesh to support homing and differentiation in both normal and mutant osteoprogenitors is important, in view of further developing autologous biohybrids to repair cranial bone deficits also in craniosynostotic patients undergoing extensive reconstructive surgery. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Obesity and Left Ventricular Assist Device Driveline Exit Site Infection

Driveline exit site (DLES) infection is a persistent problem among the left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients. This study investigated the relationship between obesity and DLES infection. Records of LVAD patients at two institutions from January 1999 to January 2009 were queried. Results were analyzed using t tests. Those with LVAD support ≥90 days were included. The body mass index (BMI) of each patient was measured at the time of implant and at the conclusion of LVAD support or currently, if the patient was ongoing. Other data included preimplant age, ejection fraction, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, diabetes, New York Heart Association class, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, VO2 max, and inotrope therapy. The 118 patients who qualified for the study were placed in an infection group (n = 36) or in the control group (n = 82). Both groups had similar preimplant characteristics. Variables with differences statistically significant between the groups included duration of LVAD support, indication for support, device type, and BMI. Patients who developed DLES infections had a significantly higher BMI and continued weight gain over the course of LVAD therapy compared with the control group. Although this association requires further study, implications for clinical practice may include the provision of nutrition and exercise counseling for patients undergoing LVAD therapy, especially if overweight. These results may warrant increased measures to prevent and treat infection in the preimplant and postimplant periods.
Experimental analysis of second cleavage in the mouse.

BACKGROUND Mammalian conceptuses typically have an approximately regular tetrahedral shape at the 4-cell stage. In the rabbit, this has been attributed to both 2-cell blastomeres dividing meridionally, but with the animal-vegetal axis of the second blastomere to divide rotating through roughly 90 degrees before or during cytokinesis. The aim of the present study was to ascertain whether this was also true for the mouse. METHODS AND RESULTS First, the distribution in regular tetrahedral 4-cell conceptuses of fluorescent microspheres applied to the vegetal polar region of one or both blastomeres at the 2-cell stage was analysed. Second, the ability of 2-cell stages to form regular tetrahedral 4-cell conceptuses after the previtelline space had been gelated to prevent blastomeres from rotating was also investigated. Neither experiment yielded evidence supporting blastomere rotation during second cleavage. Rather, the findings were consistent with the regular tetrahedral form of 4-cell conceptus resulting from meridional division of one blastomere and approximately equatorial division of the other. CONCLUSIONS Second cleavage in the mouse typically yields 4-cell conceptuses with three distinct types of blastomere. While both products of the meridional division include all axial levels of the zygote, those of the equatorial division acquire only its vegetal or animal half.
Molecular approaches for viable bacterial population and transcriptional analyses in a rodent model of dental caries.

Culturing methods are the primary approach for microbiological analysis of plaque biofilms in rodent models of dental caries. In this study, we developed strategies for the isolation of DNA and RNA from plaque biofilms formed in vivo to analyse the viable bacterial population and gene expression. Plaque biofilm samples from rats were treated with propidium monoazide to isolate DNA from viable cells, and the purified DNA was used to quantify total bacteria and the Streptococcus mutans population via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and specific primers; the same samples were also analysed by counting colony-forming units (CFU). In parallel, RNA was isolated from plaque-biofilm samples (from the same animals) and used for transcriptional analyses via reverse transcription-qPCR. The viable populations of both S. mutans and total bacteria assessed by qPCR were positively correlated with the CFU data (P < 0.001; r > 0.8). However, the qPCR data showed higher bacterial cell counts, particularly for total bacteria (vs. CFU). Moreover, S. mutans proportion in the plaque biofilm determined by qPCR analysis showed strong correlation with incidence of smooth-surface caries (P = 0.0022, r = 0.71). The purified RNAs presented high RNA integrity numbers (> 7), which allowed measurement of the expression of genes that are critical for S. mutans virulence (e.g. gtfB and gtfC). Our data show that the viable microbial population and the gene expression can be analysed simultaneously, providing a global assessment of the infectious aspect of dental caries. Our approach could enhance the value of the current rodent model in further understanding the pathophysiology of this disease and facilitating the exploration of novel anti-caries therapies.
Factors Influencing the Use of Derivatives in Poland

Taking into account the ambiguous results of research concerning the impact of the use of derivatives on a firm’s value, we propose a more complex approach that would better explain the role of derivatives. We investigate the factors influencing derivatives usage by 308 nonfinancial firms listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange for the period of 2008-2011. We also test the hypothesis saying that there are differences in the factors influencing the use of derivatives by companies in developed economies and by companies operating in transition economies. To examine the direction of the influence of certain factors on derivatives usage and the significance of that influence, we use a logit model. To explore the impact of a specific group of factors, we construct 47 different logit models using a combination of variables reflecting firm’s size, default risk, debt service costs, liquidity constraints, and growth options. Owing to specific time-series cross-sectional data, we used a method of building a model based on panel data. The results of our analysis indicate that such factors as company size, risk of default and debt usage have a significant positive effect on derivatives usage. According to our results there is no permanent, statistically significant relationship between derivative usage by Polish companies and liquidity ratios. In all models, considering an option to develop, this factor has a significant negative impact on derivative usage. In general, we have obtained results showing the similarity of the factors that affect the use of derivatives by companies operating in Polish and foreign markets.
Anion modulation of the 1H/2H exchange rates in backbone amide protons monitored by NMR spectroscopy

The ability of three anionic cosolutes (sulfate, thiocyanate, and chloride) in modulating the 1H/2H exchange rates for backbone amide protons has been investigated using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) for two different proteins: the IGg‐binding domain of protein L (ProtL) and the glucose–galactose‐binding protein (GGBP). Our results show that moderate anion concentrations (0.2 M–1 M) regulate the exchange rate following the Hofmeister series: Addition of thiocyanate increases the exchange rates for both proteins, while sulfate and chloride (to a less extent) slow down the exchange reaction. In the presence of the salt, no alteration of the protein structure and minimal variations in the number of measurable peaks are observed. Experiments with model compounds revealed that the unfolded state is modulated in an equivalent way by these cosolutes. For ProtL, the estimated values for the local free energy change upon salt addition (m3,ΔG) are consistent with the previously reported free energy contribution from the cosolute's preferential interaction/exclusion term indicating that nonspecific weak interactions between the anion and the amide groups constitute the dominant mechanism for the exchange‐rate modulation. The same trend is also found for GGBP in the presence of thiocyanate, underlining the generality of the exchange‐rate modulation mechanism, complementary to more investigated effects like the electrostatic interactions or specific anion binding to protein sites.
In vitro selection of packaging sites in a double-stranded RNA virus

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae double-stranded RNA virus ScVL1 recognizes a small sequence in the viral plus strand for both packaging and replication. Viral particles will bind to this viral binding sequence (VBS) with high affinity in vitro. An in vitro selection procedure has been used to optimize binding, and the sequences isolated have been analyzed for packaging and replication in vivo. The selected sequence consists of a stem with a bulged A residue topped by a loop of several bases. Four residues of the 18 bases are absolutely conserved for tight binding. These all fall in regions that appear to be single stranded. Eight more residues have preferred identities, and six of these are in the stem. The VBS is similar to the R17 bacteriophage coat protein binding site. Packaging and replication require tight binding to viral particles.
Social preferences for invasive plant management: A case Study from the interior Northwest of the United States

Improved understanding of the benefits of invasive species management is necessary to inform economically efficient invasive species management and policy. Motivated by this need in the Interior Northwest of the United States, a choice experiment was designed to estimate society’s marginal willingness to pay (MWTP) to avoid damage costs of invasive plants. Five ecosystem services at risk were included in the experiment: wildlife habitat; stream water quality; working landscapes and traditional means of livelihood in rural communities; occurrences of rare and threatened plants; and outdoor recreation. Multinomial logit (MNL) and latent class (LC) models were fitted to the data. Results allow two important conclusions to be made. First, the MNL models revealed that residents have a statistically significant MWTP to improve management of invasive plants and protect all ecosystem services examined. The MWTP estimates are suitable for integration within bioeconomic models that support development of economically efficient invasive plant control strategies. Second, the LC models highlighted heterogeneity in preferences about which impacts of invasive plants management should address. This suggests it may be challenging to gain and maintain broad political support for invasive plant management without a suite of public awareness campaigns tailored to specific segments of the population.
DNA Ligases

DNA ligases catalyze the formation of phosphodiester bonds between juxtaposed 5' phosphate and a 3'‐hydroxyl terminus in duplex DNA. This activity can repair single‐stranded nicks in duplex DNA and join duplex DNA restriction fragments having either blunt ends or homologous cohesive ends. Two ligases are used for nucleic acid research and their reaction conditions and applications are described in this unit: E. coli ligase and T4 ligase. These enzymes differ in two important properties. One is the source of energy: T4 ligase uses ATP, while E. coli ligase uses NAD. Another important difference is their ability to ligate blunt ends; under normal reaction conditions, only T4 DNA ligase will ligate blunt ends.
MEMS scanning mirror supported by soft polymeric springs and actuated by electrostatic charge separation

We present a novel MEMS scanning mirror featuring soft polymeric suspensions of the mirror plate. The combination of the polymeric suspension and a stiff silicon mirror plate enables large scan angles with a negligible distortion of the mirror plate itself at frequencies up to 1 kHz. Thus, the scan angle per applied actuation voltage is high compared to single material solutions by H. Miyajima et al. (2004). Furthermore, the mirror is actuated by electrostatic charge separation. Therefore, no electrical connection of the mirror is required.
Chemotherapy Effects on Hepatoblastoma: A Histological Study

The histopathological features of hepatoblastoma in 17 patients treated with preoperative chemotherapy were compared with those in 11 patients not subjected to chemotherapy during the same 11-year period. Tumor necrosis was more extensive in patients receiving preoperative chemotherapy. Two tumors, however, were apparently unaffected by chemotherapy. There was no obvious correlation between the extent of necrosis and the number of courses of chemotherapy. There also seems to be no evidence of preferential ablation of a particular morphological type of tumor. The most notable feature in cases treated with chemotherapy was the extensive presence of osteoid. Osteoid was present in 36% of untreated cases, occupying < 5% of the surface area, compared with 82% in the treated group. In seven cases, osteoid occupied > 40% of the surface area. This finding raises speculation about the role of chemotherapy in the maturation of tumors that have an inherent ability to differentiate. A longterm study is needed to clarify the prognostic significance of mature heterologous elements in hepatoblastoma
The exchange regime and trade balance in Turkey

ABSTRACT Over the last 15 years, high trade deficits have become a source of external vulnerability for the relatively stabilized Turkish economy. This corresponds to the period where authorities have been following a floating exchange rate regime. Thus, this study aims to empirically show whether the adopted exchange rate regime has an impact on the trade balance for the period of 1987 Q1 to 2015 Q2. Estimation results indicate that there is a long-run relationship between the real effective exchange rate and trade balance under both fixed and floating regimes in Turkey, but there is no evidence for the J-curve hypothesis.
Phase II trial of idiotype vaccination in previously treated patients with indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma resulting in durable clinical responses.

PURPOSE To evaluate idiotype (Id) vaccination as a single agent in previously treated patients with indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients underwent biopsy for determination of their lymphoma-specific Id sequence. Recombinant Id protein was manufactured and covalently linked with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) to generate Id/KLH. Patients received Id/KLH 1 mg on day 1 subcutaneously, with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor 250 mug on days 1 to 4, monthly for 6 months. Booster injections were administered until progression. Both clinical and immune responses were evaluated. RESULTS Thirty-two previously treated patients received at least one injection of Id/KLH, and 31 were assessed for efficacy. Responses were observed in four patients (one complete response and three partial responses). Median time to onset of response was 5.9 months (range, 2.3 to 14.1 months). Median duration of response has not been reached but should be at least 19.4 months (range, 10.4 to 27.2+ months). Median time to progression is 13.5 months. The most common adverse events were mild to moderate injection site reactions. Six (67%) of nine patients tested demonstrated a cellular immune response, and four (20%) of 20 patients demonstrated an antibody response against their Id. CONCLUSION This trial demonstrates that Id/KLH alone can induce tumor regression and durable objective responses. Further study of Id/KLH is recommended in other settings where efficacy may be further enhanced as in first-line therapy or after cytoreductive therapy.
Are microfinance institutions in South-East Asia pursuing objectives of greening the environment?

ABSTRACT Microfinance institutions (MFIs) were initially established to alleviate extreme poverty by providing a wide array of customized financial products. However, today's MFIs’ roles have been diversified into providing not only basic financial products but also a great variety of non-financial products, such as incentives and assistance to promote environment-friendly practices in the developing countries. By using an unbalanced panel data of 274 MFIs in South-East Asia from 2000 to 2014, this study investigated MFIs’ contribution in greening the environment using the proxy of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the agriculture sector. The regression results show that the main proxy variables: number of borrowers, number of loans outstanding and average loan over gross national income per capita have a negative effect on GHG emissions, and thus, creating a positive impact on greening our environment.