Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The inactivation of insulin by liver slices of the rat.

THE demonstration that extracts of rat liver contain an insulininactivating system (insulina.se) (Mirsky and Broh-Kahn, 1949) and an inhibitor of this system (insulinase-inhibitor (Mirsky, Simkin and Broh-Kahn, 1950) raises the possibility that the rate of insulin inactivation within the intact cell is determined by the balance of activity resulting from the mobilization of either of the two systems. Since the assay of the enzymatic activity of extracts may not represent the “working” activity of the cell prior to disintegration by homogenization, it was deemed essential to investigate the inactivation of insulin by relatively intact cells such as comprise surviving slices of liver. METHODS Fed male rats of from 150 to 200 gm in weight were decapitated and as much blood as possible was drained from the carcass of each animal. The liver was removed and placed in cold phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. Slices of approximately 1 cm2 in size were prepared with a Stadie-Riggs apparatus (Studie and Riggs, 1944).
What Can Be Learned From Crisis-Era Protectionism? An Initial Assessment

Drawing upon a comprehensive database of contemporary protectionism, this paper offers an initial assessment of the extent to which our understanding of protectionism may have to evolve. While some long-standing features of protectionism appear to have endured (such as the distribution of discriminatory measures across economic sectors), specific corporate needs arising from the global financial crisis and particular national attributes are more likely to have influenced the choice of beggar-thy-neighbor policy instruments than binding trade rules and other international accords.
Effect of pacing chamber and atrioventricular delay on acute systolic function of paced patients with congestive heart failure. The Pacing Therapies for Congestive Heart Failure Study Group. The Guidant Congestive Heart Failure Research Group.

BACKGROUND Previous studies of pacing therapy for dilated congestive heart failure (CHF) have not established the relative importance of pacing site, AV delay, and patient heterogeneity on outcome. These variables were compared by a novel technique that evaluated immediate changes in hemodynamic function during brief periods of atrial-synchronous ventricular pacing. METHODS AND RESULTS Twenty-seven CHF patients with severe left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and LV conduction disorder were implanted with endocardial pacing leads in the right atrium and right ventricle (RV) and an epicardial lead on the LV and instrumented with micromanometer catheters in the LV, aorta, and RV. Patients in normal sinus rhythm were stimulated in the RV, LV, or both ventricles simultaneously (BV) at preselected AV delays in a repeating 5-paced/15-nonpaced beat sequence. Maximum LV pressure derivative (LV+dP/dt) and aortic pulse pressure (PP) changed immediately at pacing onset, increasing at a patient-specific optimal AV delay in 20 patients with wide surface QRS (180+/-22 ms) and decreasing at short AV delays in 5 patients with narrower QRS (128+/-12 ms) (P<0.0001). Overall, BV and LV pacing increased LV+dP/dt and PP more than RV pacing (P<0.01), whereas LV pacing increased LV+dP/dt more than BV pacing (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS In this population, CHF patients with sufficiently wide surface QRS benefit from atrial-synchronous ventricular pacing, LV stimulation is required for maximum acute benefit, and the maximum benefit at any site occurs with a patient-specific AV delay.
Chloroquine-Resistant Plasmodium falciparum Local Strain in Taiz Governorate, Republic of Yemen

Background: The emergence of Plasmodium falciparum resistance to widely used antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine has made malaria control and treatment much more difficult. In Yemen, 60% of the total population live in malarious areas. The problem of chloroquine resistance in Yemen is gradually worsening since the detection of first indigenous cases of P. falciparum resistance to chloroquine in 1989. Methods: In a cross-sectional malariometric parasitic survey, 447 Yemeni children were enrolled from two selected districts (Hethran and Al-mafatch) representing Taiz Governorate. Duplicate thin and thick blood smears were prepared, stained with Giemsa stain and examined microscopically. Fifty-six students satisfied all criteria of the WHO for the assessment of P. falciparum response to chloroquine using a 7-day in vivo test. Results: Out of 447 examined slides, 83 cases (100%) were found with falciparum malaria. The overall malaria parasite rate in Taiz Governorate was 18.6%, a prevalently mesoendemic condition. The obtained results of the 7-day in vivo study revealed that out of 83 P. falciparum cases who completed the study period, 56 cases did not respond to the standard dose of chloroquine, i.e. the overall resistance rate was 16.1%. The prevalence of chloroquine resistance was higher in the Hethran district (19.4%) compared with 10.0% in the Al-mafatch district. The majority had an RI resistance level. Conclusion: Chloroquine resistance of the local strain of P. falciparum was recorded in all studied districts in Taiz Governorate. This calls for an urgent revision of the current malaria treatment policy which still considers chloroquine as the first-line drug for treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria. To assess the magnitude of the problem, these districts could be the basis of future sentinel posts for continuous monitoring of chloroquine resistance in the whole country.
Very early treatment with infliximab in addition to methotrexate in early, poor-prognosis rheumatoid arthritis reduces magnetic resonance imaging evidence of synovitis and damage, with sustained benefit after infliximab withdrawal: results from a twelve-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-contro

OBJECTIVE Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha agents are among the most effective therapies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, their optimal use is yet to be determined. This 12-month double-blind study attempted remission induction using standard therapy with or without infliximab in patients with early, poor-prognosis RA. The primary end point was synovitis (measured by magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]). Clinical observations continued to 24 months. METHODS All patients had fewer than 12 months of symptoms. Assessments included full metrologic evaluation, laboratory tests, radiographs, functional evaluation using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and quality of life measurement using the RA Quality of Life (RAQoL) questionnaire. MRI was performed at 0, 4, 14, and 54 weeks; MR images were scored blindly. Patients received methotrexate (MTX) and were randomized to receive either infliximab or placebo for 12 months. RESULTS Twenty patients were recruited (mean age 52 years, mean symptom duration 6 months, mean C-reactive protein level 42 mg/liter, and 65% rheumatoid factor positive). At 1 year, all MRI scores were significantly better, with no new erosions in the infliximab plus MTX group; a greater percentage of infliximab plus MTX-treated patients fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 50% and 70% improvement criteria (78% versus 40% in the placebo plus MTX group and 67% versus 30%, respectively) and had a greater functional benefit (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). Importantly, at 1 year after stopping induction therapy, response was sustained in 70% of the patients in the infliximab plus MTX group, with a median Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) of 2.05 (remission range). At 2 years, there were no significant between-group differences in the DAS28, ACR response, or radiographic scores, but differences in the HAQ and RAQoL scores were maintained (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Remission induction with infliximab plus MTX provided a significant reduction in MRI evidence of synovitis and erosions at 1 year. At 2 years, functional and quality of life benefits were sustained, despite withdrawal of infliximab therapy. These data may have significant implications for the optimal use of expensive biologic therapies.
Genomic transcriptional profiling of the developmental cycle of Chlamydia trachomatis

Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common bacterial pathogens and is the etiological agent of debilitating sexually transmitted and ocular diseases in humans. The organism is an obligate intracellular prokaryote characterized by a highly specialized biphasic developmental cycle. We have performed genomic transcriptional analysis of the chlamydial developmental cycle. This approach has led to the identification of a small subset of genes that control the primary (immediate-early genes) and secondary (late genes) differentiation stages of the cycle. Immediate-early gene products initiate bacterial metabolism and potentially modify the bacterial phagosome to escape fusion with lysosomes. One immediate early gene (CT147) is a homolog of the human early endosomal antigen-1 that is localized to the chlamydial phagosome; suggesting a functional role for CT147 in establishing the parasitophorous vacuole in a nonfusogenic pathway. Late gene products terminate bacterial cell division and constitute structural components and remodeling activities involved in the formation of the highly disulfide cross-linked outer-membrane complex that functions in attachment and invasion of new host cells. Many of the genes expressed during the immediate-early and late differentiation stages are Chlamydia-specific and have evolutionary origins in eukaryotic lineages.
Ether-Linked Lysophospholipids Initiate Insulin Secretion: Lysophospholipids May Mediate Effects of Phospholipase A2 Activation on Hormone Release

Phospholipase A2 activation may be a pivotal step in glucose-induced insulin secretion; however, recent studies have focused on only one by-product (arachi-donic acid). To examine the possible role of the other by-product (lysophospholipids), the lysoderivatives of alkylacyl-(ether linked) or diacylphospholipids were applied to rat islets in static incubations. 1-O-alkyl-2-lyso-sn-glyceryl-3-phosphorylcholine [lyso-PAF, the precursor of platelet-activating factor (PAF)] or lyso-phosphatidylcholine initiated insulin release at 1.7 mM glucose. Two preparations of PAF itself (0.005–5000 ng/ml) were without effect at 1.7 or 16.7 mM glucose, but PAF was nearly equipotent to lyso-PAF at >20 μg/ ml. A precursor-product relationship was suggested because the precursors (alkylacyl-or diacylglyceryl-phosphorylcholine) of all three active metabolites were inactive. The stimulatory effect of lyso-PAF is largely independent of any toxic or lytic effect, being biphasic, reversible, unassociated with impairment of the subsequent physiologic functioning of treated islets, and inhibitable (by Ni2+, La3+, or nordihydroguaiaretic acid but not by other lipoxygenase inhibitors). It also occurred at threshold concentrations at which islet morphology and 51Cr retention were preserved. Furthermore, lyso-PAF-induced insulin secretion was markedly impaired by reduced ambient temperature (16°C) or by the impermeant anion isethionate, further implying initiation of true exocytotic granule release and fission. Lyso-PAF (but not arachidonic acid) also circumvented the inhibition of glucose-induced insulin release caused by phospholipase inhibitors. Generation of endogenous lysophospholipids through exogenous application of phospholipase A2 also initiated insulin release, an effect responding to a panel of potential inhibitors identically to that induced by exogenously provided lysophospholipids. We propose that glucose activates phospholipase A2 in the pancreatic islet, leading to the generation of lysophospholipids; the latter may couple energy production to insulin release, at least in part via the promotion of Ca2+ translocation.
Exchange Rates, Import Costs, and Wage-Price Dynamics

The study analyzes the wage and price adjustment process in open economies in response to changes in exchange rates and import price. It distinguishes between the impact or cost-push effect, in which the system may exhibit temporary nonneutrality, and the lagged response of excess demand in labor and home-goods markets, which determines the stability of neutrality of long-run equilibria. An empirical illustration is given of the importance of the cost-push effect in explaining differential price behavior of OECD countries during 1972-76.
U.S. INVESTMENT IN SCOTLAND-ASPECTS OF THE BRANCH FACTORY SYNDROME*

The costs and benefits of increased direct foreign investment for recipient developed and less developed countries have been discussed widely in the literature in recent years. The impact of inward foreign investment has also been the subject of government investigations in a number of countries, reflecting fears of the potential loss of sovereignty implicit in a branch-factory type economy, and aimed at devising legislation to maximise the net benefits derived from the presence of international corporations.1 While some such studies have referred to the implications of inward investment for regions within host countries, many important regional growth and regional policy aspects have been explored only superficially. The present paper, based on an empirical study of US investment in Scotland, attempts to make a small contribution in this latter context by examining certain characteristics of the functional development of US branch plants. Since plant functions give at least some indication of the authority and decision-making potential delegated to local management, the results to be presented have implications for any assessment of the gains and losses of increasing external control in Scotland, and through this for UK regional policy.
Immunosuppressive and Anti-angiogenic Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Receptor-1 Agonists Induce Ubiquitinylation and Proteasomal Degradation of the Receptor*

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), a multifunctional lipid mediator, regulates lymphocyte trafficking, vascular permeability, and angiogenesis by activation of the S1P1 receptor. This receptor is activated by FTY720-P, a phosphorylated derivative of the immunosuppressant and vasoactive compound FTY720. However, in contrast to the natural ligand S1P, FTY720-P appears to act as a functional antagonist, even though the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the fate of endogenously expressed S1P1 receptor in agonist-activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human embryonic kidney 293 cells expressing green fluorescent protein-tagged S1P1. We show that FTY720-P is more potent than S1P at inducing receptor degradation. Pretreatment with an antagonist of S1P1, VPC 44116, prevented receptor internalization and degradation. FTY720-P did not induce degradation of internalization-deficient S1P1 receptor mutants. Further, small interfering RNA-mediated down-regulation of G protein-coupled receptor kinase-2 and β-arrestins abolished FTY720-P-induced S1P1 receptor degradation. These data suggest that agonist-induced phosphorylation of S1P1 and subsequent endocytosis are required for FTY720-P-induced degradation of the receptor. S1P1 degradation is blocked by MG132, a proteasomal inhibitor. Indeed, FTY720-P strongly induced polyubiquitinylation of S1P1 receptor, whereas S1P at concentrations that induced complete internalization was not as efficient, suggesting that receptor internalization is required but not sufficient for ubiquitinylation and degradation. We propose that the ability of FTY720-P to target the S1P1 receptor to the ubiquitinylation and proteasomal degradation pathway may at least in part underlie its immunosuppressive and anti-angiogenic properties.
Strategizing Environmental Policy and Compliance for Firm Economic Sustainability: Evidence from Taiwanese Electronics Firms

This study aims to examine whether the compliance of environmental policies can sustain firm economic performance, and whether a timing issue is relevant to firm economic sustainability in pursuit of eco-friendly efforts. Offering models predominantly based on the institutional theory, this study tests hypotheses using data from 284 companies in the electronics sector in Taiwan during the period from 1997 to 2010. The findings reveal that the execution of environment policies mostly improves firm economic sustainability and some joint green efforts can even strengthen such sustainability; however, firms aiming to sustain their economic performance should not hasten to undertake eco-friendly efforts, implying that first movers may not be guaranteed firm economic performance. Thus, managers should carefully strategize their green efforts to comply with environmental policies, and execute them in due course to prevent disadvantages, such as market uncertainty and complexity of green practices, while conquering organizational inertia. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
The impact of just-in-time manufacturing and its infrastructure on manufacturing performance

We consider Just-in-Time JIT to be an overall organizational phenomenon. Accordingly, we developed and tested a model that includes both JIT practices and the infrastructure practices hypothesized to provide an environment in which JIT practices perform more effectively. Canonical correlation analysis was used to test five hypotheses. The results indicated that: 1 there was not a significant relationship between the use of JIT practices, alone, and manufacturing performance, 2 there was a very strong relationship between JIT practices and infrastructure practices; 3 the combination of JIT management and infrastructure practice was related to manufacturing performance; 4 infrastructure, by itself, is sufficient to explain manufacturing performance; and 5 manufacturing performance was related to competitive advantage. These findings provide support for the notion that JIT is an overall organizational phenomenon, rather than limited to strictly shop floor practices, and that at least part of its effect on manufacturing performance may be through providing a set of improvement targets and discipline for the entire organization. In addition, the analysis highlights the areas of infrastructure practice most relevant for future research.
Comparative study of stool antigen test and serology for Helicobacter pylori among Nigerian dyspeptic patients--a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare the stool antigen (SAT) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) serology tests for Helicobacter pylori in dyspeptic patients in Nigeria, and determine their usefulness. METHOD Forty six patients with dyspepsia and age and sex-matched healthy controls had their blood and stool collected and screened for H. pylori infection using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) IgG serology and SAT respectively. Prevalence of H. pylori was 67.4% and 78.3%, among dyspeptics and controls respectively ((p = 0.48) with the SAT while the corresponding values for IgG serology were 67.4% and 91.3%, p = 0.005). RESULT Patients aged > or = 50 years(8) were more positive to SAT (80%), compared with controls (13) which recorded more positivity in the age range 30-39 years (92.9%). The male gender had more positive SAT in patients (n = 15, 75%) but the SAT was more positive among the female controls 22 (84.6%). Controls in the age range < 30 years were more positive to H. pylori IgG while the patients were more positive at = 30 yrs 10 (100%). CONCLUSION It is concluded that SAT and IgG serology for H. pylori are both useful in diagnosis of the infection, and are fairly comparable in their ability to detect infection, even in area of high endemicity.
Tendering and Bidding for Access: A Regulator's Guide to Auctions

Tenders and traditional auctions are increasingly being used in regulation; as a consequence it is essential regulators have an understanding of the basics of auction theory. There is no simple prescription for the design of an auction or tender that will fit all situations; moreover, the costs from inappropriate auction and tender design can be high For example, while a second-price sealed bid auction is efficient in the absence of collusion, if participants can collude then such auction formats can result in very low revenue. Low revenue can also result with a second-price auction when there are few bidders and no reserve price.
A hybrid neural network model for predicting solar cells performance

Silicon photovoltaic cells show a significant reduction in maximum power output (Pmax) and conversion efficiency with higher values of solar cell temperature. To evaluate (Pmax) tracking capabilities of photovoltaic modules, it is necessary to investigate the operating temperature of the photovoltaic modules and other environmental factors. In this work a proposed neural network model (NN) using differential evolution optimization technique (NN-DE) is introduced as a powerful tool for modeling photovoltaic cell operating conditions. The photovoltaic cell operating temperature is also predicted so that to investigate the temperature effect and irradiance related behavior. Temperature and current of the tested photovoltaic cell at wide range of different operating conditions were investigated. The simulation results were compared favorably against those obtained using conventional regression trees model.
Prediction of psychosis in adolescents and young adults at high risk: results from the prospective European prediction of psychosis study.

CONTEXT Indicated prevention is currently regarded as the most promising strategy to attenuate, delay, or even avert psychosis. Existing criteria need improvement in terms of specificity and individual risk assessment to allow for better targeted and earlier interventions. OBJECTIVE To develop a differential predictive clinical model of transition to first-episode psychosis. DESIGN Prospective multicenter, naturalistic field study with a total follow-up time of 18 months. SETTING Six early-detection outpatient centers in Germany, Finland, the Netherlands, and England. PARTICIPANTS Two hundred forty-five help-seeking patients in a putatively prodromal state of psychosis according to either ultra-high-risk (UHR) criteria or the basic symptom-based criterion cognitive disturbances (COGDIS). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Incidence of transition to psychosis. RESULTS At 18-month follow-up, the incidence rate for transition to psychosis was 19%. Combining UHR and COGDIS yielded the best sensitivity. A prediction model was developed and included positive symptoms, bizarre thinking, sleep disturbances, a schizotypal disorder, level of functioning in the past year, and years of education. With a positive likelihood ratio of 19.9, an area under the curve of 80.8%, and a positive predictive value of 83.3%, diagnostic accuracy was excellent. A 4-level prognostic index further classifying the general risk of the whole sample predicted instantaneous incidence rates of up to 85% and allowed for an estimation of time to transition. CONCLUSIONS The prediction model identified an increased risk of psychosis with appropriate prognostic accuracy in our sample. A 2-step risk assessment is proposed, with UHR and cognitive disturbance criteria serving as first-step criteria for general risk and the prognostic index as a second-step tool for further risk classification of each patient. This strategy will allow clinicians to target preventive measures and will support efforts to unveil the biological and environmental mechanisms underlying progression to psychosis.