Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of Fetoacinar Pancreatic (FAP) Protein in the Pancreatic Human Tumor Cell Line BxPC‐3

Fetoacinar pancreatic (FAP) protein is a specific component of the human exocrine pancreas that may have a role in the differentiation and transformation of this organ. In order to set out a model for studies on the regulation of FAP, 47 established cell lines from human cancer of different origins were tested for FAP expression using the monoclonal antibody J28 (Mab J28). Only two, both pancreatic, were positive. This finding supports the already reported pancreatic specificity of this antigen. Strongest expression was shown by the BxPC-3 cell line, derived from a moderately well-differentiated adenocarcinoma in the body of the pancreas. In BxPC-3 cells grown in Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) 1640–10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), Mab J28 immunostaining was localized in the cytoplasm of the cells. In serum-free medium, cells quickly died. Growth and FAP expression were maintained when this medium was supplemented with insulin. FAP is not released to the culture medium, as evidenced by absence of reaction with the monoclonal antibody on nitrocellulose dot-blots. On the contrary, a positive reaction was observed in cell homogenates made by sonication or by extraction with 0.1% Triton. A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using biotinylated FAP, was developed to quantify the protein in cell homogenates. Concentrations of FAP in homogenates from cells cultured in standard conditions or serum-free supplemented with insulin were in the range of 0.28–0.40 μg FAP/ mg total protein. The electrophoretic pattern of FAP from cultured cells was similar to that of the protein present in fetal pancreas, amniotic fluids, or pathological pancreatic juices, consisting of a main 110 kDa protein and lower Mr glycosilation variants.
An organizational model for developing multidisciplinary clinical research in the academic medical center.

OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of a new organizational model designed to stimulate multidisciplinary clinical research. METHODS We conducted a prospective, 3 1/2-year followup of a research training program for residents, fellows, faculty, nurses, and allied health professionals in rheumatology and orthopedic surgery. Program components included a multidisciplinary clinical research conference, a clinical research methods curriculum, consultations, a patient registry, and regular meetings of a Research Methodology Core group. Measures included participation in each program component and the number of new investigators who developed funded clinical research projects. RESULTS The multidisciplinary clinical research conference was attended by 369 new health professionals; 218 professionals participated in at least one of the courses; and 280 consultations were provided to 108 professionals. Thirteen new investigators developed 17 new grant proposals, of which 14 were externally funded. Investigators who successfully procured funding for new projects demonstrated significantly more participation in program components compared with those who did not (P < 0.001 overall). CONCLUSION Participation in the program was significantly correlated with the development of new prospective patient-based studies. We conclude that our model has the potential to foster such research in other settings.
The Chick α2(I) Collagen Gene Contains Two Functional Promoters, and Its Expression in Chondrocytes Is Regulated at Both Transcriptional and Post-transcriptional Levels*

Embryonic chick cartilages contain transcripts derived from the α2(I) collagen gene, although type I collagen is not normally found in these tissues; most of these RNAs are alternative transcripts initiating within intron 2. Use of the internal start site results in replacement of exons 1 and 2 with a previously undescribed exon and a change in the translational reading frame; thus, the alternative transcript cannot encode α2(I) collagen. We have demonstrated that production of the alternative transcript is due to activation of an internal promoter in chondrocytes and have identified a 179-base pair domain that is required for its activity. Furthermore, we have shown that the alternative transcript resulting from activation of the internal promoter turns over relatively rapidly; thus, the steady-state level of this transcript is less than predicted based on the transcription rate. The upstream promoter is only partially repressed in chondrocytes, suggesting that the lack of authentic α2(I) collagen mRNA may also be due in part to decreased mRNA stability. Thus, repression of α2(I) collagen synthesis in cartilage involves both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. In contrast, repression of α1(I) collagen synthesis appears to be mediated primarily at the level of transcription.
Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) promotes susceptibility of Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) deficient mice to colitis

Background The extent to which numerous strains of genetically engineered mice, including mice lacking Toll-like receptor 5 (T5KO), display colitis is environment dependent. Gut microbiota underlie much of the variation in phenotype. Accordingly, embryonic rederivation of T5KO mice ameliorated their spontaneous colitis despite only partially correcting elevated proinflammatory gene expression. It was postulated that endogenous anti-inflammatory pathways mediated the absence of overt inflammation in these mice when their gut microbiota were reset. Consequently, it was hypothesised that neutralisation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 10 (IL-10) might induce uniform colitis in T5KO mice, and thus provide a practical means to study mechanisms underlying their inflammation. Methods Two distinct strains of non-colitic T5KO mice, as well as mice lacking MyD88, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) and various double knockouts (DKOs) were treated weekly for 4 weeks with 1 mg/mouse of IL-10 receptor neutralising antibody (IL-10R mAb) and colitis assayed 1 week later. The composition of the caecal microbiota was determined by 454 pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA genes. Results Anti-IL-10R mAb treatment led to severe uniform intestinal inflammation in both strains of T5KO mice. Such neutralisation of IL-10 signalling did not cause colitis in wild-type littermates nor mice lacking TLR4, MyD88 or IL-1R. The susceptibility of T5KO mice to this colitis model was not rescued by absence of TLR4 in that T4/T5 DKO mice displayed severe colitis in response to anti-IL-10R mAb treatment. IL-1β signalling was crucial for this colitis model in that IL-1R/T5 DKOs were completely protected from colitis in response to IL-10R mAb treatment. Lastly, it was observed that blockade of IL-10R function was associated with changes in the composition of gut microbiota, which were observed in mice that were susceptible and resistant to IL-10R mAb-induced colitis. Conclusion Regardless of whether they harbour a colitogenic microbiota, loss of TLR5 predisposes mice to colitis triggered by immune dysregulation via an IL-1β-dependent pathway.
Prognostic Value of Serial Changes in High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I and T over 3 Months Using Reference Change Values in Hemodialysis Patients.

INTRODUCTION Serial changes in cardiac troponin in hemodialysis (HD) patients have uncertain clinical implications. We evaluated associations of adverse outcomes in HD patients with reference change value (RCV) data and tertile concentrations for cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and cTnT measured by high-sensitivity (hs) assays. METHODS RCV data and tertiles for hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT were determined from plasma samples collected 3 months apart in 677 stable outpatient HD patients and assessed for their associations with adverse outcomes using adjusted Cox models. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and sudden cardiac death (SCD). RESULTS During a median follow-up of 23 months, 18.6% of patients died. RCVs were: hs-cTnI +37% and -30%; hs-cTnT +25% and -20%. Patients with serial hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT changes >RCV (increase or decrease) had all-cause mortality of 25.2% and 23.8% respectively, compared to 15.0% and 16.5% with changes ≤RCV [adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs): 1.9, P = 0.0003 and 1.7, P = 0.0066), respectively]. Only hs-cTnI changes >RCV were predictive of SCD (aHR 2.6, P = 0.005). hs-Cardiac troponin changes >RCV improved all-cause mortality prognostication compared to changes ≤RCV in tertile 2: hs-cTnI aHR, 2.70 (P = 0.003); hs-cTnT aHR, 1.98 (P = 0.043). The aHR of changes in hs-cTnI in tertile 2 >RCV for SCD was 5.62 (P = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS Changes over 3 months in hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT of >RCV identified patients at greater risk of all-cause mortality, and for hs-cTnI were also predictive of SCD. Among patients with middle tertile cardiac troponin concentrations, hs-cTnI changes >RCV provided additive prognostic value for both SCD and all-cause mortality, whereas those for hs-cTnT provided additive prognostic value only for all-cause mortality.
Distribution of alginate gene sequences in the Pseudomonas rRNA homology group I-Azomonas-Azotobacter lineage of superfamily B procaryotes

Chromosomal DNA from group I Pseudomonas species, Azotobacter vinelandii, Azomonas macrocytogens, Xanthomonas campestris, Serpens flexibilis, and three enteric bacteria was screened for sequences homologous to four Pseudomonas aeruginosa alginate (alg) genes (algA, pmm, algD, and algR1). All the group I Pseudomonas species tested (including alginate producers and nonproducers) contained sequences homologous to all the P. aeruginosa alg genes used as probes, with the exception of P. stutzeri, which lacked algD. Azotobacter vinelandii also contained sequences homologous to all the alg gene probes tested, while Azomonas macrocytogenes DNA showed homology to all but algD. X. campestris contained sequences homologous to pmm and algR1 but not to algA or algD. The helical bacterium S. flexibilis showed homology to the algR1 gene, suggesting that an environmentally responsive regulatory gene similar to algR1 exists in S. flexibilis. Escherichia coli showed homology to the algD and algR1 genes, while Salmonella typhimurium and Klebsiella pneumoniae failed to show homology with any of the P. aeruginosa alg genes. Since all the organisms tested are superfamily B procaryotes, these results suggest that within superfamily B, the alginate genes are distributed throughout the Pseudomonas group I-Azotobacter-Azomonas lineage, while only some alg genes have been retained in the Pseudomonas group V (Xanthomonas) and enteric lineages.
Effects of load and type of physical training on resting and postexercise cardiac autonomic control

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of training load and exercise mode on heart rate variability and heart rate recovery (HRR) in healthy individuals. The subjects were divided into three groups: sedentary (SED), resistance trained (RT) and aerobically trained (RT). Resting and postmaximal exercise RR intervals were recorded on supine and seated position, respectively. The HRV indices calculated in the resting position were RMSSD and LF and HF power densities. The following HRR indices were calculated throughout the 5‐minute postmaximal recovery period: semi‐logarithmic regression analysis of the first 30 s (T30); absolute difference between the peak and 60 s HR (HRR60s); and mono‐exponential time constant of HRR (HRRτ). The RMSSD on subsequent 30‐s segments (RMSSD30s) on recovery period was also calculated. Both RT and AT groups presented faster HRR than SED (P<0·05). The aerobic trained group was the only group that presented vagal reactivation, when analysing the RMSSD30s. There were no correlations between the Baecke sport score and the HRV vagal‐related indices. However, it was significantly correlated with HRR. It was concluded that that the training load positively influences the HRR, but has no effect on the HRV at rest and that the type of exercise, showed a marked influence on HRV recovery.
Biosynthesis of Nucleotide-activatedd-glycero-d-manno-Heptose*

The glycan chain repeats of the S-layer glycoprotein of Aneurinibacillus thermoaerophilusDSM 10155 containd-glycero-d-manno-heptose, which has also been described as constituent of lipopolysaccharide cores of Gram-negative bacteria. The four genes required for biosynthesis of the nucleotide-activated form GDP-d-glycero-d-manno-heptose were cloned, sequenced, and overexpressed in Escherichia coli, and the corresponding enzymes GmhA, GmhB, GmhC, and GmhD were purified to homogeneity. The isomerase GmhA catalyzed the conversion of d-sedoheptulose 7-phosphate tod-glycero-d-manno-heptose 7-phosphate, and the phosphokinase GmhB added a phosphate group to formd-glycero-d-manno-heptose 1,7-bisphosphate. The phosphatase GmhC removed the phosphate in the C-7 position, and the intermediated-glycero-α-d-manno-heptose 1-phosphate was eventually activated with GTP by the pyrophosphorylase GmhD to yield the final product GDP-d-glycero-α-d-manno-heptose. The intermediate and end products were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to confirm the structure of these substances. This is the first report of the biosynthesis of GDP-d-glycero-α-d-manno-heptose in Gram-positive organisms. In addition, we propose a pathway for biosynthesis of the nucleotide-activated form ofl-glycero-d-manno-heptose.
Clinical evaluation of Tiny® 2.5- and 3.0-mm narrow-diameter implants as definitive implants in different clinical situations: a retrospective cohort study.

AIM The aim of the present study was to assess retrospectively the survival of narrow-diameter implants (2.5 and 3 mm in diameter) in patients with insufficient bone ridge thickness for placement of standard-diameter implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty-one patients with 89 inserted narrow-diameter implants (2.5 and 3.0 mm) were included. Patients were treated with one or more narrow-diameter implants between June 2004 and December 2005. The observation period for all included implants was at least 3 years after implant loading. Outcome measures were implant survival, complications and marginal bone level changes evaluated on panoramic radiographs. RESULTS The mean follow-up period for all implants was 48 months. Only one implant was lost, yielding survival rates of 98.9% and 98.0% for the implant- and subject-based analyses, respectively. Six complications were reported. Twenty-four months after implant insertion, mean bone loss was 1.26 mm (SD 0.51). CONCLUSIONS Narrow-diameter implants can be successfully used to treat narrow bone ridges up to 3 years after loading.
A novel mouse model of diabetes mellitus using unilateral nephrectomy

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and its complications are prominent public health issues. Many experimental models of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced and high-fat diet (HF)-induced DM have been used to study this disease. Studies have indicated that unilateral nephrectomy (UN) accelerates the development of diabetic nephropathy. We hypothesized that UN stimulates HF and STZ combination-induced DM in mice. Seventy-two female C57BL/6J mice were divided into four treatment groups: HF; HF + STZ120 (HF and STZ, 120 mg/kg); UN + HF + STZ120 (UN, HF and STZ, 120 mg/kg); and HF + STZ200 (HF and STZ, 200 mg/kg). Onset of DM, survival rate, blood pressure, urine glucose level, and pancreatic histology were investigated. Additionally, renal function was evaluated in the UN + HF + STZ120 group after STZ injection. DM was induced in the UN + HF + STZ120 and HF + STZ200 groups within one week. The UN + HF + STZ120 group had lower mortality than the HF + STZ200 group and greater pancreatic destruction than the HF and HF + STZ120 groups. Two weeks after STZ injection, blood pressure was not significantly different among the groups. Nephrotoxicity associated with the combination of UN and STZ was not observed. In conclusion, the combination of these three techniques – UN, HF and STZ induced DM rapidly and effectively.
The Impact of Deceased Donor Kidney Risk Significantly Varies by Recipient Characteristics

As of May 2012, over 92 000 patients were awaiting a solitary kidney transplant in the United States and new waitlist registrations have been rising for over a decade. The decreasing availability of donor organs makes it imperative that organ allocation be as efficient and effective as possible. We performed a retrospective cohort study of adult recipients in the United States (n = 109 392) using Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients data. The primary aim was to evaluate the interaction of donor risk with recipient characteristics on posttransplant outcomes. Donor quality (based on kidney donor risk index [KDRI]) had significant interactions by race, primary diagnosis and age. The hazard of KDRI on overall graft loss in non‐African Americans was 2.16 (95%CI 2.08‐2.25) versus 1.85 (95%CI 1.75‐1.95) in African Americans (p < 0.0001), 2.16 (95%CI 2.08‐2.24) in nondiabetics versus 1.84 (95%CI 1.74‐1.94) in diabetics (p < 0.0001), and 2.22 (95%CI 2.13‐2.32) in recipients <60 years versus 1.83 (95%CI 1.74‐1.92) in recipients ≥60 (p < 0.0001). The relative hazard for diabetics at KDRI = 0.5 was 1.49 but at KDRI = 2.0 the hazard was significantly attenuated to 1.17; among African Americans the respective risks were 1.50 and 1.17 and among recipients 60 and over, it was between 1.64 and 1.22. These findings are critical considerations for informed decision‐making for transplant candidates.
Wheat prolamine crosslinking through dityrosine formation catalyzed by peroxidases: improvement in the modification of a poorly accessible substrate by "indirect" catalysis

"Enzyme-assisted" oxidative polymerization of wheat gliadins was performed in an attempt to obtain new protein-based networks. Two plant peroxidases (soybean and horseradish) were used to induce the dimerization of tyrosine residues. The results show that tyrosines are poorly modified by these enzymes in an aqueous medium (dityrosine corresponded to 2% of the total amount of tyrosine). Two approaches were tested to overcome problems relating to accessibility to the target tyrosines: First, the efficiency of protein crosslinking via tyrosine-tyrosine aromatic ring condensation was enhanced in water when the proteins were oxidized by a fungus peroxidase (manganese-dependent peroxidase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium), which acts according to an indirect catalysis mechanism (up to 12% of the total amount of tyrosine is recovered under a dimeric form). Second, when the gliadins were dispersed in a water/dioxane (3/1) mixed solvent system, the tyrosines were more accessible on the protein surface, and similar yields were obtained with both types of peroxidase. The two types of catalysis (contact and indirect) are considered from the standpoint of the accessibility of the target residues. Enzymatic oxidations were also performed on synthetic peptides mimicking the repeatitive domains of gliadins. The results show that exposure of tyrosine to the solvent may not be sufficient to induce dityrosine formation. The mechanical properties of some films obtained from peroxidase-treated gliadins were investigated to correlate protein crosslinking with a potential application. One effect of the enzymatic treatment was to increase the tensile strength of the films. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Scheduling algorithms for multicarrier wireless data systems

We consider the problem of scheduling multicarrier wireless data in systems such as IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX). Each scheduling decision involves assigning carriers to users for each time slot, subject to the constraint that each carrier is assigned to at most one user, but multiple carriers can potentially be assigned to the same user. One important aspect of our problem is that a scheduler knows the channel rates across all users and all carriers whenever a scheduling decision is made. This "global" information may give a potential for enhancing performance via an optimized allocation of carriers to users. We analyze this problem in a situation where finite queues are fed by a data arrival process. The well-known MaxWeight algorithm for the single-carrier setting maximizes the product of queue size and service rate. We focus on how to adapt MaxWeight to the multicarrier setting. If the same objective is pursued, more service than needed may be assigned to drain a queue, thereby creating wastage. While a simple variant in the objective forbids this wastage, it turns an easy-to-compute old objective into an intractable new objective. We state the hardness of the new optimization problems and propose several extremely simple algorithms with provable performance bounds. We conclude with supporting simulation examples.
Development of computer tablet software for clinical quantification of lateral knee compartment translation during the pivot shift test

The pivot shift test is a commonly used clinical examination by orthopedic surgeons to evaluate knee function following injury. However, the test can only be graded subjectively by the examiner. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop software for a computer tablet to quantify anterior translation of the lateral knee compartment during the pivot shift test. Based on the simple image analysis method, software for a computer tablet was developed with the following primary design constraint – the software should be easy to use in a clinical setting and it should not slow down an outpatient visit. Translation of the lateral compartment of the intact knee was 2.0 ± 0.2 mm and for the anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knee was 8.9 ± 0.9 mm (p < 0.001). Intra-tester (ICC range = 0.913 to 0.999) and inter-tester (ICC = 0.949) reliability were excellent for the repeatability assessments. Overall, the average percent error of measuring simulated translation of the lateral knee compartment with the tablet parallel to the monitor increased from 2.8% at 50 cm distance to 7.7% at 200 cm. Deviation from the parallel position of the tablet did not have a significant effect until a tablet angle of 45°. Average percent error during anterior translation of the lateral knee compartment of 6mm was 2.2% compared to 6.2% for 2 mm of translation. The software provides reliable, objective, and quantitative data on translation of the lateral knee compartment during the pivot shift test and meets the design constraints posed by the clinical setting.