Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Purification of Storage Granule Protein-23

Type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) is a key regulator of the fibrinolytic cascade that is stored in a rapidly releasable form within platelet α-granules. To identify proteins that may participate in the targeting or storage of this potent inhibitor, this report investigates the applicability of utilizing filamentous bacteriophages to display proteins expressed by cells containing a regulated secretory pathway and their enrichment based upon an interaction with PAI-1. For this purpose, RNA was extracted from AtT-20 cells (i.e. a classical model cell system for intracellular protein sorting), reverse transcribed, amplified using polymerase chain reaction primers containing internal restriction sites, and cloned into the phagemid pCOMB3H for expression as fusion constructs with the bacteriophage gene III protein. Escherichia coli was transformed with the phagemids and infected with VCSM13 helper phage, and the resulting AtT-20 cDNA-bacteriophage library was enriched by panning against solid- and solution-phase PAI-1. The enriched cDNA library was subcloned into a prokaryotic expression vector system that replaces the gene III protein with a decapeptide tag for immunologic quantitation. One novel cDNA clone (i.e. A-61), which preferentially recognized solution-phase PAI-1 and reacted positively with antibodies derived from a rabbit immunized with α-granules, was subcloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pTrcHis to create a construct containing an N-terminal six-histidine purification tag. This construct was expressed in E. coli, purified by nickel-chelate chromatography followed by preparative SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and utilized for the generation of polyclonal antibodies. Immunoblotting analysis employing antibodies against the purified A-61 construct revealed a 23-kDa protein present in the regulated secretory pathway of AtT-20 cells. The 23-kDa molecule was purified from media conditioned by AtT-20 cells by ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel, molecular sieve chromatography on Sephacryl S-100, chromatofocusing on Polybuffer exchanger 94, and affinity chromatography on PAI-1-Sepharose. N-terminal amino acid sequencing of a 16-kDa Lys-C proteolytic fragment of the 23-kDa storage granule protein was employed to confirm its identity with the cDNA sequence of clone A-61. These data indicate that phage display of cDNA libraries fused to the C-terminal region of the gene III protein and their enrichment via an interaction with a target molecule can be utilized to define other proteins present within a particular cellular pathway.
Effects of a Teacher Training Program for Multicultural Education

본 연구는 다문화교육을 위한 교사 연수 프로그램의 효과를 분석하기 위한 것이다. 본 연 구의 연수 프로그램은 서울대학교 중앙다문화교육센터에서 2008년 8월에 1주일 30시간 실시 한 것으로, 대상은 수도권 초등학교 교사 115명이다. 본 연구에서는 연수 프로그램의 효과를 파악하기 위해 Guyton & Welshe(2005)가 개발한 교사 다문화효능감 척도와 Ponterotto 등 (1995)이 개발한 인종적 다양성에 대한 태도 문항을 우리 실정에 맞게 번역하여 사용하였다. 자료 분석을 위해서는 사전 검사와 사후 검사를 실시하였고 분석 가능한 68명의 자료에 대하 여 paired t-test를 실시하였다. 또한 연수 후 세 명의 교사와 비구조화된 면담을 실시하여 연 수 프로그램의 효과에 대한 의견을 수집하였다. 연수 프로그램의 효과를 검증한 결과, 교사들 의 다문화적 효능감이 의미 있게 향상되었고, 참여 교사들이 인종적 다양성에 대하여 보다 개방적이고 관용적인 태도를 갖게 되었음이 나타났다. 면담 일지를 분석한 결과, 설문 결과와 마찬가지로 연수 프로그램은 교사들의 인식과 태도의 개선에 큰 효과가 있음을 나타내었고, 수업 기능 향상 측면에서도 개선의 기대를 나타내었다. 다문화 교사교육에 대한 연구가 미흡 하고 교사연수 프로그램의 효과에 대한 연구가 전무한 실정에서 본 연구는 다문화교사연수 프로그램의 가능성과 과제를 제시하고 있다.
Importance of patient pressure and perceived pressure and perceived medical need for investigations, referral, and prescribing in primary care: nested observational study

Abstract Objective To assess how pressures from patients on doctors in the consultation contribute to referral and investigation. Design Observational study nested within a randomised controlled trial. Setting Five general practices in three settings in the United Kingdom. Participants 847 consecutive patients, aged 16-80 years. Main outcomes measures Patient preferences and doctors' perception of patient pressure and medical need. Results Perceived medical need was the strongest independent predictor of all behaviours and confounded all other predictors. The doctors thought, however, there was no or only a slight indication for medical need among a significant minority of those who were examined (89/580, 15%), received a prescription (74/394, 19%), or were referred (27/125, 22%) and almost half of those investigated (99/216, 46%). After controlling for patient preference, medical need, and clustering by doctor, doctors' perceptions of patient pressure were strongly associated with prescribing (adjusted odds ratio 2.87, 95% confidence interval 1.16 to 7.08) and even more strongly associated with examination (4.38, 1.24 to 15.5), referral (10.72, 2.08 to 55.3), and investigation (3.18, 1.31 to 7.70). In all cases, doctors' perception of patient pressure was a stronger predictor than patients' preferences. Controlling for randomisation group, mean consultation time, or patient variables did not alter estimates or inferences. Conclusions Doctors' behaviour in the consultation is most strongly associated with perceived medical need of the patient, which strongly confounds other predictors. However, a significant minority of examining, prescribing, and referral, and almost half of investigations, are still thought by the doctor to be slightly needed or not needed at all, and perceived patient pressure is a strong independent predictor of all doctor behaviours. To limit unnecessary resource use and iatrogenesis, when management decisions are not thought to be medically needed, doctors need to directly ask patients about their expectations.
Estimation of surface area from vertical sections

‘Vertical’ sections are plane sections longitudinal to a fixed (but arbitrary) axial direction. Examples are sections of a cylinder parallel to the central axis; and sections of a flat slab normal to the plane of the slab. Vertical sections of any object can be generated by placing the object on a table and taking sections perpendicular to the plane of the table.
Executive dysfunction in frontotemporal dementia and corticobasal syndrome

Objective: To determine the pattern of executive dysfunction in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and corticobasal syndrome (CBS) and to determine the brain areas associated with executive dysfunction in these illnesses. Method: We administered the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS), a collection of standardized executive function tests, to 51 patients with behavioral-variant FTD and 50 patients with CBS. We also performed a discriminant analysis on the D-KEFS to determine which executive function tests best distinguished the clinical diagnoses of FTD and CBS. Finally, we used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to determine regional gray matter volume loss associated with executive dysfunction. Results: Patients with FTD and patients with CBS showed executive dysfunction greater than memory dysfunction. Executive function was better preserved in the patients with CBS than the patients with FTD with the exception of tests that required motor, visuospatial ability, or both. In patients with CBS, dorsal frontal and parietal and temporal-parietal cortex was associated with executive function. In FTD, tests with a language component (Verbal Fluency) were associated with left perisylvian cortex, sorting with the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and reasoning (the Twenty Questions task) with the left anterior frontal cortex. The Twenty Questions test best distinguished the clinical diagnoses of CBS and FTD. Conclusions: The neuroanatomic findings (especially in frontotemporal dementia [FTD]) agree with the previous literature on this topic. Patients with FTD and patients with corticobasal syndrome (CBS) show disparate performance on higher-order executive functions, especially the Twenty Questions test. It may be difficult to distinguish motor and visuospatial ability from executive function in patients with CBS using tests with significant motor and visuospatial demands such as Trail Making.
pH-independent immediate release polymethacrylate formulations – an observational study

Abstract Using Eudragit® E PO (EudrE) as a polymethacrylate carrier, the aim of the study was to develop a pH-independent dosage form containing ibuprofen (IBP) as an active compound via chemical modification of the polymer (i.e. quaternization of amine function) or via the addition of dicarboxylic acids (succinic, glutaric and adipic acid) to create a pH micro-environment during dissolution. Biconvex tablets (diameter: 10 mm; height: 5 mm) were produced via hot melt extrusion and injection molding. In vitro dissolution experiments revealed that a minimum of 25% of quaternization was sufficient to partially (up to pH 5) eliminate the pH-dependent effect of the EudrE/IBP formulation. The addition of dicarboxylic acids did not alter IBP release in a pH 1 and 3 medium as the dimethyl amino groups of EudrE are already fully protonated, while in a pH 5 solvent IBP release was significantly improved (cf. from 0% to 92% release after 1 h dissolution experiments upon the addition of 20 wt.% succinic acid). Hence, both approaches resulted in a pH-independent (up to pH 5) immediate release formulation. However, the presence of a positively charged polymer induced stability issues (recrystallization of API) and the formulations containing dicarboxylic acids were classified as mechanically unstable. Hence, further research is needed to obtain a pH-independent immediate release formulation while using EudrE as a polmethacrylate carrier.
Plasma-mediated stimulation of neutrophil superoxide anion production during coronary artery bypass grafting: role of endothelin-1.

BACKGROUND Activation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and subsequent release of free oxygen radicals, including the superoxide anion (O2-) has been shown to result in postischaemic myocardial dysfunction during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Several neutrophil-oriented stimuli are known to be released from myocardium during ischaemia and reperfusion. Release of endothelin-1 has been documented during CABG. The aim of the current study was to evaluate plasma-mediated neutrophil stimulation and to verify whether endothelin-1, known to be a stimulus for PMN, is involved in plasma-mediated stimulation of PMN during coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS Plasma samples from peripheral artery, peripheral vein, and coronary sinus were obtained from 21 patients undergoing CABG before aortic clamping (global ischaemia), immediately after beginning reperfusion, and 30 min after reperfusion as well as from healthy controls. Plasma was incubated with PMN isolated from healthy donors preincubated in the presence of saline or specific endothelin-1 receptor antagonist (ET-A). PMN O2- production was measured spectrophotometrically. RESULTS Plasma samples taken from the coronary sinus at the beginning of reperfusion were capable of higher stimulation of neutrophil superoxide anion production (24.2 +/- 2.0 nmol/5 x 10(6)PMN/30 min) than plasma obtained before reperfusion (15.6 +/- 1.5; p < 0.05) or plasma taken from peripheral artery (17.1 +/- 1.7; p < 0.05). Preincubation of PMN with endothelin-1 receptor antagonist decreased superoxide anion production by cells exposed to plasma taken from coronary sinus at the beginning of reperfusion (17.6 +/- 2.0, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Transcardiac release of soluble stimuli for PMN occurs as a result of myocardial ischaemia during CABG. Endothelin-1 may be involved in the plasma-mediated stimulation of neutrophil superoxide anion production.
Social security schemes and labor supply in the formal and informal sectors

This paper analyzes how changes in the social security scheme affect the participation path of workers between the formal and the informal sectors. The choice between the formal and informal sectors is completely voluntary. In this framework, individuals, depending on the retirement program and their endowment of human capital, construct their decision paths in the labor market. I use Argentinean panel data from the period 1995-2011 to estimate a structural model, and this is used to evaluate changes in the workers' behavior when the pension scheme changes. Among the main results, if the parameters are fixed as in the PAYG, there is a slight reduction in the years of the formality and the percentage of workers who achieve a full pension. Moreover, the increase of the requirement to achieve a full pension to 35 years in the formality, increases the percentage of workers in formality over 45 and the number of the years working formally but it decreases the achievement of a pension at all educational levels. The decrease of that requirement has an effect on the reduction of the years in formality even for those who are not affected directly, the high part of the distribution of the high educated. Finally, if the minimum age to achieve a pension is now 67 instead of 65, there is an important increment in the formality and the full pension achievement especially for the low educated workers.
Multiuser detection algorithm for PDMA uplink system based on SIC and MMSE

As the promising novel multiple access scheme for the 5th generation (5G) wireless communication system, pattern division multiple access (PDMA) technology can improve the spectral efficiency and support the massive connection based on the reasonable unequal diversity between users. Compared with traditional multiple access technologies, PDMA brings more serious multiple address interference to hinder the multiuser detection. The universal detection algorithm with low complexity and high performance is one of the main challenges of PDMA technology. In this paper, we proposed a new iterative detection and decoding algorithm, which is a successive interference cancellation (SIC) iterative processing based on the minimum mean square error (MMSE) detection and channel decoding algorithm. It is essentially a SIC iterative processing based on some users' information has been correctly decoded by the MMSE detection and the channel decoder. The proposed multiuser detection algorithm can prevent the error propagation by the cyclic redundancy check (CRC). The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can get significant performance gains over traditional multiuser detection algorithms.
Marginal sealing ability of silorane and methacrylate resin composites in class II cavities: A scanning electron microscopic study

Aim and Objectives: To comparatively evaluate the microleakage and microgap formation along the gingival margin in class II cavities restored with silorane resin composite and methacrylate resin composite with and without flowable resin liner. Materials and Methods: Sixty human mandibular premolars were distributed into three groups, each group containing 20 teeth (n = 20). Mesial (subgroup A) and distal (subgroup B) box cavities were prepared with gingival margin above and below cemento enamel junction (CEJ), respectively, in each tooth and restored as follows — Group I — Silorane resin composite with self-etch primer and bond (Filtek P90, 3M ESPE MN, USA). Group II — Methacrylate resin composite (Filtek P60, 3M ESPE MN, USA) and self-etch adhesive (Adper Easy one, 3M ESPE MN, USA). Group III — Methacrylate resin composite with self-etch adhesive and a flowable resin liner (Filtek Z350 XT, 3M ESPE MN, USA). The teeth were thermocycled and immersed in 50% silver nitrate solution before sectioning. The specimens were observed under scanning electron microscope for dye penetration and microgap formation. The data was subjected to statistical analysis using Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test using SPSS version 18. Results: Subgroup A in all the three groups showed significantly less microleakage and microgap formation compared to subgroup B with P < 0.05. Intergroup comparison of subgroup A did not show statistically significant difference, whereas subgroup B showed statistically significant difference for microleakage between group I and group II (P = 0.003), group III and group II (P = 0.002). Conclusion: Silorane resin composite and methacrylate resin with liner showed significantly less microleakage in class II cavities along the gingival margin placed below CEJ compared to methacrylate resin without liner. All the study groups showed less microleakage and microgap formation along the gingival margin placed above CEJ.
Activation of M2 muscarinic receptors leads to sustained suppression of hippocampal transmission in the medial prefrontal cortex

Cholinergic innervation of the prefrontal cortex is critically involved in arousal, learning and memory. Dysfunction of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and their downstream signalling pathways has been identified in mental retardation. To assess the role played by the muscarinic receptors at the hippocampal–frontal cortex synapses, an important relay in information storage, we used a newly developed frontal slice preparation in which hippocampal afferent fibres are preserved. Transient activation of muscarinic receptors by carbachol results in a long‐lasting depression of synaptic efficacy at the hippocampal but not cortical pathways or local circuitry. On the basis of a combination of electrophysiological, pharmacological and anatomical results, this input‐specific muscarinic modulation can be partially attributed to the M2 subtype of muscarinic receptors, possibly through a combination of pre‐ and postsynaptic mechanisms.
PrefWS3: Web services selection system based on semantics and user preferences

With the growing number of web services on the Web, many approaches have been proposed to help users discover and select the desired services. Nevertheless, finding the best service that meets the user needs and preferences is still a problem. In this article, we introduce a user preferences based semantic web services discovery and selection system (PrefWS3). PrefWS3 is considered to be a user-centric system which helps users in formulating their requirements and preferences. This system involves semantic enhancement of both request and web services and provides an efficient semantic-based matching mechanism, which calculates the semantic similarity between the request and the web service. Furthermore, PrefWS3 includes a QoS-aware process and provides a reputation mechanism that enables users to evaluate the credibility of the web services they use. In this article, we also present the results of a comparison of the PrefWS3 and some other published approaches to evaluate its effectiveness.
Perceptions on confronting sexual exploitation in Canada: Introducing new primary research

This paper provides a preview into new primary research into sexual exploitation and human sex trafficking in Canada. The project, for which interviewing is complete and analysis is now underway, is qualitative research taking a grounded, open-minded approach with an underlying hypothesis that better outcomes may be gleaned from systems of service providers and stakeholders through improved coordination and collaboration. Previous research on related topics has often overlooked key stakeholders including police, prosecutors, political, First Nations and other community leaders. This research casts a wider net, incorporating the voices of over 65 experts across Manitoba, including: experiential survivors of sexual exploitation and sex trafficking, police, social workers, Aboriginal leaders, and people working in numerous non-government organizations who work to prevent sexual exploitation and assist victims to escape the sex industry. The research was focused in Manitoba where women and children continue to be victimized in the sex industry despite having one of the most comprehensive and well-funded counter sexual exploitation strategies of any province in Canada. The questions asked of subjects were designed to highlight barriers and opportunities for improved collaboration, interdiction and response to prevent people from being exploited in the sex industry and help others to escape it. While the data is in the early stages of analysis, some strong themes are already apparent to the researcher. These themes suggest that there may be a significant correlation between vulnerability to sexual exploitation and poverty, lack of opportunities, familial environment and relationships, and resilience. Generally, people from all perspectives seem to be stressing that there needs to be better coordination of resources, and more education and awareness across society on this issue.
Membrane traffic during axon development

Brain formation requires the establishment of complex neural circuits between a diverse array of neuronal subtypes in an intricate and ever changing microenvironment and yet with a large degree of specificity and reproducibility. In the last three decades, mounting evidence has established that neuronal development relies on the coordinated regulation of gene expression, cytoskeletal dynamics, and membrane trafficking. Membrane trafficking has been considered important in that it brings new membrane and proteins to the plasma membrane of developing neurons and because it also generates and maintains the polarized distribution of proteins into neuronal subdomains. More recently, accumulating evidence suggests that membrane trafficking may have an even more active role during development by regulating the distribution and degree of activation of a wide variety of proteins located in plasma membrane subdomains and endosomes. In this article the evidence supporting the different roles of membrane trafficking during axonal development, particularly focusing on the role of SNAREs and Rabs was reviewed. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 76: 1185–1200, 2016
Molecular analysis of the endosymbionts of tsetse flies: 16S rDNA locus and over‐expression of a chaperonin

Based on 16S rDNA sequence comparison, intracellular mycetome‐associated endosymbionts (P‐endosymbionts) of tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) form a distinct lineage within the γ‐3 subdivision of proteobacteria, related to the free‐living bacterium Escherichia coli, midgut S‐endosymbionts of various insects including tsetse flies, and to the P‐endosymbiont lineage of aphids, Buchnera aphidicola. Gene organization and expression of several loci in intracellular microorganisms have revealed differences from free‐living bacteria. This study analyses two of these characteristics in tsetse endosymbionts; the copy number and gene organization of rDNA operons and the nature of the abundant protein(s) synthesized by these microorganisms. Results indicate that Glossina morsitans morsitans S‐endosymbionts have multiple (seven) rDNA operons coding for 16S (rrs) followed by 23S (rrl) gene sequences, whereas tsetse P‐endosymbionts have a single, similarly organized rDNA operon. In tsetse mycetocytes in vitro, P‐endosymbionts synthesize a predominant protein of 60 kDa in size (p60) which by Western blot analysis shows immunological cross‐reactivity with the abundant 63 kDa (p63) protein of B. aphidicola. p63 (also referred to as symbionin) has been characterized as a molecular chaperone, structurally and functionally similar to the groEL protein of E. coli. Under in vitro conditions, tsetse S‐endosymbionts synthesize high levels of a similarly‐sized protein that cross‐reacts with p63 chaperonin. Antisera against the tsetse p60 protein also recognizes p63 protein of B. aphidicola, suggesting that the abundant tsetse endosymbiont protein is a chaperonin.