Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
β3-Adrenoceptor Mediates Metabolic Protein Remodeling in a Rabbit Model of Tachypacing-Induced Atrial Fibrillation

Background: The beta 3-adrenoceptor (β3-AR) is closely associated with energy metabolism. This study aimed to explore the role of β3-AR in energy remodeling in a rabbit model of pacing-induced atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: Rabbits with a sham-operation or pacing-induced AF were used for this study, and the latter group was further divided into three subgroups: 1) the pacing group, 2) the β3-AR agonist (BRL37344)-treated group, and 3) the β3-AR antagonist (SR59230A)-treated group. Atrial electrogram morphology and surface ECG were used to monitor the induction of AF and atrial effective refractory period (AERP). RT-PCR and western blot (WB) were used to show alterations in β3-AR and metabolic-related protein. Results: RT-PCR and WB results showed that β3-AR was significantly upregulated in the pacing group, and that it corresponded with high AF inducibility and significantly decreased AERP200 and ATP production in this group. Inhibition of β3-AR decreased the AF induction rate, reversed AERP200 reduction, and restored ATP levels in the AF rabbits. Further activation of β3-AR using agonist BRL37344 exacerbated AF-induced metabolic disruption. Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and Oil Red O staining showed β3-AR-dependent glycogen and lipid droplet accumulation in cardiac myocytes with AF. Glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4) and CD36, key transporters of glucose and fatty acids, were downregulated in the pacing group. Expression of carnitine-palmitoyltransferase I (CPT-1), a key regulator in fatty acid metabolism, was also significantly downregulated in the pacing group. Reduced glucose transportation and fatty acid oxidation could be restored by inhibition of β3-AR. Furthermore, key regulators of metabolism, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) and PPAR co-activator (PGC-1α) can be regulated by pharmacological intervention of the β3-AR. Conclusions: β3-AR is involved in metabolic protein remodeling in AF. PPARα/PGC-1α signaling pathway might be the relevant down-stream molecular machinery in response to AF-induced activation of β3-AR. β3-AR might be a novel target in AF treatment.
Antiplatelet drugs and platelet reactivity: is it time to halt clinical research on tailored strategies?

Personalized medicine of antiplatelet drugs in cardiovascular patients has led to a significant enthusiasm. Indeed, numerous longitudinal studies showed an association between high platelet reactivity and the recurrence of ischemic events. The first small randomized trials of P2Y12 blockers tailored to each patient’s platelet reactivity yielded encouraging reductions of coronary stent thrombosis in high-risk populations. The discovery of genetic variants contributing to the pharmacodynamic effect of clopidogrel has then paved the way toward a personalized antiplatelet therapy based on reliable and stable genetic tests. This enthusiasm was soon tempered by large interventional trials demonstrating that a platelet function testing-based strategy did not improve clinical outcome and that genetic variants discovered up to now only explained a small part of the pharmacodynamic effect of clopidogrel, thus limiting its clinical use. Looking back to the most recent trials, their target populations and the type of clinical setting, it seems that the one-size-fits all policy regarding antiplatelet drugs may be well acceptable for low-risk patients. On the contrary, integration of the clinical setting as well as other risk factors may help to identify subgroups of patients who could derive a benefit from a truly personalized management of antiplatelet therapy.
Biokinetic model of americium in the beagle dog

A biokinetic model of the systemic distribution of americium in the beagle dog is presented. The model is based on a previous biokinetic model of plutonium. The data sets used for the development of the model are the measurements of excreted activity (urine and feces) and organ burdens (skeleton, liver and other soft tissues). In developing the model, the part of the plutonium model representing the skeleton, which was based on histomorphometric and autoradiographic investigations, has not been modified with regard to both its structure (compartments for the trabecular/cortical volume, surface and marrow) and the remodelling rates. Other skeletal parameters such as the transfer rate from marrow to blood and the partitioning of transferred activity from the blood to trabecular/cortical surface and volume were optimized to describe the element-specific biokinetics in the skeleton. The model well describes the fractions of americium in the skeleton, liver and soft tissues and the total fraction excreted in urine and feces. Particularly it demonstrates the possibility of describing the behavior of americium in the skeleton with a model substantially analogous to the model of plutonium in humans. However it differs from the ICRP model of the skeleton with regard to the fundamental structure and the predictive power. This study will be the starting point for a future improvement of the currently used americium model for humans, particularly for the skeleton.
Transtheoretical measures for adolescent and adult smokers: similarities and differences.

BACKGROUND The prevalence of smoking among adolescents has remained stable and has increased in the past few years. Longitudinal results from a multitude of efforts to reduce adolescent smoking have been mostly disappointing. METHODS This paper discusses, in light of the theoretical knowledge obtained among adults and the empirical data collected among adults and adolescents, the applicability of the central concepts of the Trantheoretical Model of Change to the adolescent smoking problem. RESULTS According to the stage of change distributions, adolescent smokers appeared to be somewhat less prepared to quit than adults. Both adults and adolescents utilize identical cognitive and behavioral activities to change their smoking although teens' process use appears to differ from that of adults at each stage of change. According to the decisional balance measure, the pros of smoking among adults and teens exceeded the cons in early stages of change and then reversed once smokers took action to quit. The levels of temptations to smoke among adults and adolescents were almost identical at each stage. CONCLUSIONS Both age groups turned out to be remarkably similar in the Transtheoretical measures, and, except for the processes of change, both groups exhibited similar behavior at different stages of the smoking cessation process.
The Immunoglobulin-like Module of gp130 Is Required for Signaling by Interleukin-6, but Not by Leukemia Inhibitory Factor*

The transmembrane protein gp130 is a shared component of the receptor complexes for the interleukin-6 (IL-6)-type cytokines, which include IL-6, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and oncostatin M (OSM). In addition to its role in the generation of high affinity receptors, gp130 is required for signal transduction by these cytokines. In the present study we have examined the role of the N-terminal located, extracellular immunoglobulin (Ig)-like module of gp130 in signal transduction by IL-6 and LIF. We have expressed wild-type human gp130 or three mutants in murine myeloid M1-UR21 cells that lack functional endogenous gp130 but express the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) and the LIF receptor (LIFR). By measuring cellular responses, such as morphological changes upon differentiation, soft agar colony formation, and induction of tyrosine phosphorylation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription, STAT3, we show that signaling by IL-6, but not LIF, is significantly reduced by mutations in the Ig-like module of gp130. However, the binding of125I-labeled IL-6 or LIF is not affected by these mutations. We also present evidence that the Ig-like module forms part of the epitope of an anti-gp130 monoclonal antibody that neutralizes the bioactivity of IL-6, but not of LIF or OSM. The data suggest that gp130-activation by IL-6 and LIF requires different regions of gp130, that the Ig-like module of gp130 may be required for IL-6-induced gp130 dimerization, and that the stoichiometry of the high affinity IL-6 receptor-complex differs from those of the receptor-complexes for LIF and OSM.
2-Bromobeclometasone dipropionate

In the crystal structure of 2-bromobeclometasone dipropionate [systematic name: (8S,9R,10S,11S,13S,14S,16S,17R)-2-bromo-9α-chloro-11-hydroxy-10,13,16-trimethyl-3-oxo-17-[2-(propionyloxy)acetyl]-6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-3H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-yl propionate], C28H36BrClO7, the six-membered ring with the 1,4-diene-3-one composition is planar (r.m.s. deviations = 0.03 and 0.04 Å for the two independent molecules), whereas the remaining six-membered rings have chair conformations. Each of the independent molecules self-associates via O—H⋯Opropionate hydrogen bonding, generating a supramolecular chain running along the b axis. The crystal is twinned, with the monoclinic unit cell emulating an orthorhomic crystal system; the major twin component constitutes approximately 60%.
Persepsi Akuntan terhadap Kode Etik Akuntan

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji secara empiris perbedaan persepsi tujun kelompok akuntan (akuntan publik, akuntan pendidik, akuntan pendidik sekaligus akuntan publik, akuntan manajemen, akuntan pendidik sekaligus akuntan manajemen, akuntan pemerintah, dan akuntan pendidik sekaligus akuntan pemerintah) terhadap kode etik akuntan. Hasil analisis penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pada faktor kepribadian (X1) antara akuntan publik dengan akuntan manajemen, antara akuntan pendidik dengan akuntan manajemen, dan antara akuntan pendidik dengan akuntan pemerintah terdapat perbedaan persepsi yang signifikan. Pada faktor kecakapan profesional (X2) terdapat perbedaan persepsi yang signifikan antara akuntan pendidik dengan akuntan pendidik sekaligus akuntan publik. Antara akuntan pendidik dengan akuntan pendidik yang sekaligus akuntan pemerintah terdapat perbedaan persepsi yang signifikan pada faktor tanggung jawab (X3). Sedangkan pada faktor penafsiran dan penyempurnaan kode etik (X5), antara akuntan pendidik dengan akuntan manajemen, antara akuntan pendidik dengan akuntan pemerintah, antara akuntan manajemen dengan akuntan pendidik yang sekaligus akuntan pemerintah, antara akuntan pendidik yang sekaligus akuntan manajemen dengan akuntan pendidik yang sekaligus akuntan pemerintah terdapat perbedaan persepsi yang signifikan.
Adaptive cancellation of gain and nonlinearity errors in pipelined ADCs

In switched-capacitor circuits like ΔΣ modulators and pipelined ADCs, accurately transferring voltages in sampled-data form, regardless of opamp gain and nonlinearity, has been one of the most challenging issues that analog designers have faced. To date, it has been difficult to achieve high resolution with pipelined ADCs operating at low voltages due to gain and nonlinearity constraints. Digital means of calibration have been suggested to correct opamp nonlinearity, relying on weakly nonlinear transfer functions with coefficients that may need a long time to measure accurately. Alternative types of ADCs that use no opamps, such as successive-approximation, time-domain, and comparator-based designs, have been gaining in popularity. In this paper we implement an inherently exact residue pipelining scheme that is not impaired by opamp gain and nonlinearity. Unlike other calibration methods that sort out errors after they occur, the proposed circuit performs no post analog or digital signal processing, as gain and nonlinearity errors are eliminated entirely at their very sources.
Location of the gene coding for GTP cyclohydrolase I on the physical map of Escherichia coli

GTP cyclohydrolase I (EC 3.5.4.16) catalyzes the formation of 7,8-dihydroneopterin triphosphate from GTP. In microorganisms and plants, the enzyme product serves as the first committed intermediate in the biosynthesis of tetrahydrofolate. In insects and vertebrates, it represents an intermediate in the biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin. We have cloned and sequenced the gene coding for GTP cyclohydrolase I from Escherichia coli (EMBL data library accession number X63910) (6, 7). The rat gene has also been cloned and sequenced (5) and shows a remarkably high degree of sequence homology with the bacterial gene (5-7). More recently, it was shown that the mtrA gene of Bacillus subtilis codes for GTP cyclohydrolase I (1). Southern blots of genomic E. coli DNA with the 3.8-kb insert of plasmid pCYH (6) used as a probe suggested a location in the 45-min region of Kohara's physical map of the E. coli chromosome (8). This location was confirmed by Southern blot analysis of selected lambda phages from the Kohara library (Fig. 1). Moreover, these phage clones gave
Endogenous Virus of BHK-21 Cells Complicates Electron Microscopy Studies of Foamy Virus Maturation

Baldwin and Linial previously reported that in the absence of the envelope glycoprotein (Env), foamy virus (FV) particles were not released from BHK-21-derived FAB cells as determined by immunoprecipitation of FV proteins from culture media (2). These results were similar to those of Fischer et al. (5) who utilized 293T cells. Budding of Env-deficient viral particles from the plasma membrane (PM) was not seen by electron microscopy (EM) in either report. However, these two reports differed regarding EM evidence for intracellular FV budding in the absence of Env. Baldwin and Linial found a few examples of intracytoplasmic budding of Env-deficient FV particles in BHK-21-derived FAB cells, whereas Fischer et al. reported no such budding in 293T cells. Is there an explanation for this apparent discrepancy?
High-Frequency Modeling of Frequency-Dependent Dielectric and Conductor Losses in Transmission Lines

This paper details the implementation of three theoretical techniques to calculate dielectric and conductive losses in transmission lines at high frequencies. Those techniques are the Kramers-Kronig relationship to account for the frequency-dependent loss tangent, inclusion of surface roughness in estimating conductor losses, and a method for calculating moisture effects. When these mechanisms are incorporated into a contemporary stripline model, the high-frequency results are in much closer agreement with measured data than when they are not included
Intra-arterial mitoxantrone/paclitaxel in angiosarcoma of the lower limb associated with chronic lymphedema (Stewart-Treves syndrome) in a patient with cervical cancer.

Auteur(s) : Yasuhiro FUJISAWA1 fujisan@md.tsukuba. ac.jp, Michiko ITO1, Kensaku MORI2, Satoshi OKADA3, Yasuhiro NAKAMURA1, Yasuhiro KAWACHI1, Fujio OTSUKA1 1 Department of Dermatology, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, 305-8575 Tsukuba, Japan 2 Department of Radiology, University of Tsukuba 3 Department of Gynecology, University of Tsukuba Angiosarcoma associated with chronic lymphedema, known as Stewart-Treves syndrome (STS), is a rare neoplasm usually seen in lymphedema of the upper limb in [. ]
PREFACE: PART OF A SPECIAL ISSUE ON FUNCTIONAL -STRUCTURAL PLANT MODELLING Using functional-structural plant models to study, understand and integrate plant development and ecophysiology

Functional–structural plant models (FSPMs) explore and integrate relationships between a plant’s structure and processes that underlie its growth and development. In recent years, the range of topics being addressed by scientists interested in functional –structural plant modelling has expanded greatly. FSPM techniques are now being used to dynamically simulate growth and development occurring at the microscopic scale involving cell division in plant meristems to the macroscopic scales of whole plants and plant communities. The plant types studied also cover a broad spectrum from algae to trees. FSPM is highly interdisciplinary and involves scientists with backgrounds in plant physiology, plant anatomy, plant morphology, mathematics, computer science, cellular biology, ecology and agronomy. This special issue of Annals of Botany features selected papers that provide examples of comprehensive functional –structural models, models of key processes such as partitioning of resources, software for modelling plants and plant environments, data acquisition and processing techniques and applications of functional– structural plant models for agronomic purposes.
Maturational Timing and Swim Performance in Collegiate Female Swimmers

The purpose of this study was to determine if maturational timing is related to collegiate swim performance. Maturational timing was estimated using age at menarche (AaM), which was determined retrospectively in collegiate swimmers (N = 273). Each swimmer’s best performance during the 2015-2016 NCAA season was obtained from the USA Swimming database and selected based on Power Point Score (PPS), a standardized score given to all performances in the database. Independent samples t tests were used to compare (i) PPS and body mass index (BMI; from selfreported height and weight) between earlier maturing (youngest 33% at menarche) and later maturing (oldest 33% at menarche) swimmers and (ii) AaM and BMI between lower performing (lowest 33% of PPS) and higher-performing (highest 33% of PPS) swimmers. The later maturers performed better than the earlier maturers (PPS 801.7 vs. 759.8, t = 2.10, P = 0.04, d = 0.33) and had lower BMIs (22.5 vs. 23.3 kg/m2, t = 2.41, P = 0.02, d = 0.36). The higher-performing swimmers were later maturers than the lower-performing swimmers (AaM 14.0 vs. 13.4 years, t = 2.87, P = 0.01, d = 0.45) and had lower BMIs (22.5 vs. 23.2 kg/m2, t = 1.97, P = 0.05, d = 0.31). These findings suggest that the relationship between maturational timing and swim performance may be due, at least in part, to physical traits common to both later maturers and better performers.
GENEALOGICAL DECOMPOSITION OF THE EFFECTIVE POPULATION SIZE: A CASE STUDY ON CROATIAN AUTOCHTHONOUS CATTLE BREEDS

Effective population size (Ne) is one of the most important tools used to assess genetic diversity for conservation purposes. Using pedigree data of three Croatian autochthonous cattle breeds (Busa, Istrian and Slavonian Syrmian Podolian) the effective maternal (NeF), paternal (NeM) and combined maternal-paternal (NeFM) population size was estimated. Additionally, we estimated the effective population size based on the census population sex ratio (Nes), the effective population size from the individual increase in inbreeding (NeFi) and the effective population size from individual increase in coancestry (NeCi). We compared these sizes with the values obtained for 20 additional cattle populations, as well as with the newly calculated NeFM. The effective population sizes calculated for three autochthonous breeds were consistently the lowest in amongst all considered cattle breeds. Utilisation of extremely small numbers of breeding males is the main reason for the observed reduction in the effective population size. The decomposition of effective population size into maternal and paternal components is shown to be an informative parameter in detecting the reduction of the effective population size as a consequence of unequal sex contribution. Still, the impact of the pedigree depth and completeness on the NeF, NeM and NeFM estimation remain to be analysed. We observed a large deviation between Nes and all other methods of Ne estimation and it is our recommendation that breeders and stakeholders should consider using alternative methods of Ne estimation when planning breeding programmes as well as in the determination of the endangered status of animal populations.
PCT : Portuguese-Chinese Machine Translation Systems

In this paper, the machine translation (MT) tools that have been developed in the University of Macau, with a focus on the languages of Portuguese and Chinese, are presented. These systems, act as a translation tools, can be used to better manage the workflow of professional translators, as well as used as facilities for teaching courses. Machine translation, as the chosen theme in this paper, likes many other fields, it has its theoretical (methodological) and practical parts. For teaching Computer Science students, the MT systems can be used to illustrate problems in language analysis at different levels, especially the different methodologies to the development of a new MT system. While for translation students, it can be used to demonstrate how computer works, what MT can and cannot do, and how to master these tools in their translation workflow. This paper focuses in discussing the underlying architecture, components and methodologies of the developed MT systems, and its use to the teaching purpose.
Microarray analysis of cellular thermotolerance

Previously, we have shown that a 43°C pretreatment can provide thermotolerance to a following, more severe, thermal stress at 45°C. Using cells that lack the Hsp70 gene, we have also shown that there is still some thermotolerance in the absence of HSP70 protein. The purpose of this study was to determine which genes play a role in thermotolerance by measuring viability and proliferation of the cells at 2 days after heating. Specifically, we wanted to understand which pathways may be responsible for protecting cells in the absence of HSP70.
Opinions of Early Head Start staff about the provision of preventive dental services by primary medical care providers.

OBJECTIVE This study investigates the opinions of the Early Head Start (EHS) staff about physicians and nurses providing preventive dental services for children in EHS. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was undertaken of the EHS staff having contact with families in EHS programs in North Carolina (NC). A self-completed questionnaire solicited their opinions (agree, disagree, don't know) about whether physicians and nurses can "provide preventive dental care" and "identify dental problems" in infants and toddlers. Staff knowledge (four items) and attitudes (five items) were tested for their association with whether staff had an opinion (agree/disagree versus don't know) and if so, what that opinion was (agree versus disagree) using the generalized estimating equation method. RESULTS Questionnaires were completed by 476 staff (98 percent response) in 18 programs (100 percent response). The majority of staff believed that physicians and nurses can provide preventive dental services (66 percent) and identify dental problems (52 percent). Staff placing importance on ensuring access to dental care and who were knowledgeable about fluoride uses were more likely to have an opinion. Among staff with an opinion, those familiar with the NC program where these services are provided in medical offices were more likely to agree that physicians and nurses can provide preventive services and identify problems. CONCLUSIONS Although the opinions of the majority of the EHS staff are not a barrier to using primary medical care providers to deliver preventive dental care, education is needed for staff who are unfamiliar with this approach.
Notice of RetractionTechnology linkage, R&D networks, and offshore R&D: Taiwan-based firms in China

With the advance of globalization, R&D internationalization has become a trend, with the outreach including the less-advanced economies. This paper sets out to examine empirically the factors underlying R&D intensity of the Taiwan-based MNCs in China for 2003-06, with a specific focus on the effect of their cross-border technology linkages and R&D networks. Our empirical evidence from Taiwanese subsidiaries in China indicate that in addition to firmpsilas specific assets, the formation of technology linkages and R&D networking intends to drive MNCs to have higher R&D investment even in a developing host country. Our findings may also refer to Dunningpsilas OLI framework in some way.