Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reproducible and inducible knockdown of gene expression in mice

RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as an efficient approach for rapid analysis of gene function. In mammalian cells, vector‐based expression of small hairpin RNAs (shRNA) produces potent and stable gene knockdown effects. An inducible RNAi system with reproducible levels of siRNA expression will extend the usefulness of this methodology to the identification of gene functions within the developing or adult mouse. We present evidence that an RNA polymerase III‐driven U6 promoter with stuffer sequences flanked by loxP sites inserted at three different sites within the promoter drives shRNA expression in a Cre recombinase‐dependent manner. We utilized this approach to develop a generic strategy for the reproducible knockdown of gene expression in mice. By placing the inducible shRNA cassette into the ROSA26 locus of the mouse, we were able to generate reproducible levels of controlled expression of shRNA to produce discernable phenotypes in vitro and in vivo. This approach circumvents the prescreening of random integration in embryonic stem cell clones and further enables conditional gene knockdown with temporal and/or tissue specificity. This methodology should expedite large‐scale functional studies. genesis 44:252–261, 2006. Published 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Oral exposure of dimethylarsinic acid, a main metabolite of inorganic arsenics, in mice leads to an increase in 8-Oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine level, specifically in the target organs for arsenic carcinogenesis.

We have proposed that oral administration of dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), a metabolite of inorganic arsenics in mammals, rather than inorganic arsenics themselves, promotes lung and skin tumors by way of the metabolic production of free radicals such as dimethylarsenic peroxy radical [(CH(3))(2)AsOO*]. The purpose of the present study was to examine if dimethylarsenic has the ability to induce oxidative damage. 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) was used as a biomarker of DNA oxidation. The oral administration of DMA enhanced significantly the amounts of 8-oxodG specifically in the target organs (skin, lung, liver, and urinary bladder) of arsenic carcinogenesis and also in urine, whereas arsenite did not. The dimethylarsenics thus may play an important role in arsenic carcinogenesis through the induction of oxidative damage, particularly of base oxidation.
Campylobacter etiology in human gastroenteritis demonstrated by antibodies to acid extract antigen

Campylobacter antibodies of the immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, and IgA classes were determined by enzyme immunoassay with acid glycine extract antigen in patients and controls involved in two Campylobacter outbreaks and in 266 unselected patients with acute enteritis. The assay showed a specificity of 99% for each immunoglobulin class in sera from 200 healthy blood donors. Elevated Campylobacter antibody titers were shown in 97% of stool culture-positive patients involved in the outbreaks. Rapid changes of IgA and IgM Campylobacter antibodies were typical of the early phase of serologic response in the outbreaks and thus offered the best diagnostic value in the serologic diagnosis of acute campylobacteriosis. In unselected patients with acute enteritis, the assay revealed elevated Campylobacter antibody titers in 37 patients, of whom only 12 had had positive Campylobacter stool cultures. In the sera of patients with other bacterial findings in addition to high titers of Campylobacter antibodies, no cross-reacting antibodies were found, but there was evidence of several mixed infections.
Correlation Between Media's Political Contents and Voting Behavior: A Case Study of 2008 Elections in Pakistan

This study explores the correlation ship between audience members’ consumption of media political content and their vote casting behavior during 2008 general elections. Data has been collected using face to face interviews technique from 400 respondents (200 male and 200 female registered voters) from urban and sub-urban Lahore (100 males and 100 females each from each area). The findings reveal that voters spent more time on consuming television political contents followed by reading newspapers for the same purpose. However, it is indicated by the results that the overall respondents significantly got political information from television followed by interpersonal channels than newspapers and radio. The overall as well males, the people of urban location, and those having high education very often while females and respondents with low education somewhat significantly use television for acquiring political information as compared to their cross categories respectively. The findings further indicate that overall respondents did not depend much on community leaders for acquiring political information and taking their voting decisions. It is also observed that television is perceived as the most preferred medium by the respondents for acquiring political information and taking vote casting decision during elections 2008 followed by interpersonal channels respectively. The respondents had far less dependency on the newspapers for this purpose and overwhelming majority did not listen to radio for acquiring political information.
c-Jun-like Immunoreactivity in Apoptosis Is the Result of a Crossreaction with Neoantigenic Sites Exposed by Caspase-3-mediated Proteolysis

Previous reports in various cells and species have shown that apoptotic cells are specifically and strongly labeled by certain c-Jun/N-terminal antibodies, such as c-Jun/sc45. This kind of immunoreactivity is confined to the cytoplasm. It is not due to c-Jun but appears to be related to c-Jun-like neoepitopes generated during apoptosis. This study was planned to gain further information about c-Jun-like immunostaining during apoptosis and to evaluate these antibodies as possible tools for characterizing cell death. Most of the experiments were performed in chick embryo spinal cord. When the apoptotic c-Jun-like immunoreactivity and caspase-3 immunostaining patterns were compared, we found that both antibodies immunostained the same dying cells in a similar pattern. In contrast to TUNEL staining, which reveals a positive reaction in both apoptotic and necrotic dying cells, active caspase-3 and c-Jun/sc45 antibodies are more selective because they stained only apoptotic cells. When cytosolic extracts from normal tissues were digested in vitro with caspase-3, c-Jun/sc45 immunoreactivity was strongly induced in several proteins, as demonstrated by Western blotting. Similar results were found when normal tissue sections were treated with caspase-3. Our results show that c-Jun/sc45 antibodies react with neoepitopes generated from cell proteins cleaved by activated caspases during apoptosis. We conclude that c-Jun/sc45 antibodies may be useful for detecting apoptosis. They can even be used in archival paraffin-embedded tissue samples.
ASPECTS CONCERNING THE TUNING OF 2-DOF FUZZY CONTROLLERS UDC 681.327.2 681.5.01

The paper presents aspects concerning the tuning of two-degree-of-freedom (2-DOF) fuzzy controllers focused on 2-DOF PI-fuzzy controllers and 2-DOF PID- fuzzy controllers. 2-DOF Mamdani and Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy control system structures are offered. The tuning is based on mapping the parameters of the linear PI and PID controllers to the parameters of the fuzzy controllers in terms of the modal equivalence principle. The linear controllers are tuned by Preitl's and Precup's Extended Symmetrical Optimum method. Some experimental results dealing with the speed control of a servo system are given.
Theorizing collaboration practice

This article provides an overview of the theory of collaborative advantage. This is a practice-oriented theory concerned with enhancing practical understanding of the management isssues involved in joint working across organizations. Two contrasting concepts are central to it: collaborative advantage which is concerned with the potential for synergy from working collaboratively; and, collaborative inertia which relates to the often disappointing output in reality. The theory is structured as a set of overlapping themes, which are predominantly issues that practitioners see as causing pain and reward in collaborative situations. Five example themes are discussed: common aims; power; trust; membership structures; and, leadership. It is argued that the theory captures the complexity that underlies collaborative situations and conveys it in a way that seems real to those involved. It aims to empower those involved through legitimising experienced frustration and providing conceptual handles to help address the practical issues involved.
Isolation and cultivation of a spirochaete from bovine digital dermatitis

ofFish Biology 45, 904-906 ROBERTS, R. J. (1978) Fish Pathology. London, Cassell. p 274 RUSSELL, D. F. (1991) Teleost vision: seeing while growing. Journal of Experimental Zoology Supplement 5, 167-180 RUZZANTE, D. E. (1994) Domestication effects on aggressive and schooling behaviour in fish. Fish Aquaculture 120, 1-24 SHARIFF, M. (1981) The histopathology ofthe eye ofbig head carp. Aristichthys nobilis (Richardson), infected with Lernaea piscinae (Harding 1950). journal ofFish Diseases 4, 161-168 TACON, G. J. A. (1992) Nutritional fish pathology. FAO Fisheries, Technical Paper. Rome p 75 TORANZO, A. E. , ROMALDE, J. L. , NUNEZ, S. , FIGUERAS, A. & BARJA, J. L. (1993) An epizootic in farmed, market-size rainbow trout in Spain caused by a strain of Carnobacterium piscicola of unusual virulence. Diseases ofAquatic Organisms 17,87-99 UBELS, J. L. & EDELHAUSER, H. F. (1987) Effects of corneal epithelial abrasion on corneal transparency, aqueous humor composition, and lens of fish. Progressive Fish Culturist 49, 219-224 WALL, A. E. & RICHARDS, R. H. (1992) Occurrence of cataracts in triploid Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) on four farms in Scotland. Veterinary Record 131, 553-557 WEDEMEYER, G. A. (1992) Transporting and handling smolts. World Aquaculture 23,47-50 WEDEMEYER, G. A. (1996) Physiology of fish in intensive culture systems. New York, Chapman & Hall. p 232 WILCOCK, B. P. & DUKES, T. W. (1989) The eye. In Systemic Pathology of Fish. Ed H. W. Ferguson. Ames, Iowa. p 232 WILLIAMS, D. L. , WALL, A. E. , BRANSON, E. , HOPCROFT, T. , POOLE, A. & BRANKER, W. M. (1995) Preliminary findings of ophthalmological abnormalities in farmed halibut. Veterinary Record 136,610-612 ZOHAR, Y. , BILLARD, R. & WEIL, C. (1984) Reproduction of the seabream (Sparus aurata) and the seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax): sexual cycle and induction of spawning. In l'Aquaculture du Bar et des Sparides. Eds G. Barnab6, R. Billard. Paris, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique. pp 3-24
A preliminary investigation on the efficacy of N-acetyl cysteine for mania or hypomania

Objective: Oxidative imbalance has emerged as a treatment target in bipolar disorder. As very limited data are available on the clinical use of antioxidants for mania, we report here results from a post hoc and exploratory subgroup analysis of a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). Methods: This was a placebo-controlled, randomized, clinical trial assessing the effect of NAC over 24 weeks in mania or hypomania. Symptomatic and functional outcomes were collected over the study period. Results: Fifteen participants were available for this report; two participants in each group failed to complete all assessments. Within-group analyses pointed to an improvement in the NAC group on manic symptoms and worsening in the placebo group on depressive symptoms at endpoint. Conclusions: Although the sample size was small, these results indicated within-group efficacy for this glutathione precursor as compared to placebo. Future trials specifically designed to demonstrate the efficacy of NAC in mania are needed.
Williamson meets Dr. Pangloss: on transaction cost-based explanations

This article examines the logic of explanation used in transaction cost analysis (TCA) when analysing issues that relate to the boundaries of the firm, such as outsourcing, the rise of partnerships or organising purchases within supply chains. Surprisingly, even if there are many empirical studies dealing with transaction cost issues there are very few attempts to closer scrutinise the methodological foundations of the explanatory mode used. Nobel Prize winner Oliver Williamson himself characterises the explanatory mode used in his models as functionalist. We will tackle this claim and explicate some problems relating to this interpretation. The connections to the famous Panglossian problem ('we are living in the best of all possible worlds') are explicated. Finally, some suggestions are given to get rid of the Panglossian problem in the context of TCA. As will be shown they presuppose steps towards a more evolutionary way of reasoning.
Medium on-treatment platelet reactivity to ADP is favorable in patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing coronary stenting

Bleeding in the setting of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) has negative prognostic implications. We sought to determine the impact of different levels of on-treatment platelet reactivity (PR) to ADP on both bleeding and ischemic events in ACS patients receiving coronary stenting. PR to ADP was measured with the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay (Accumetrics, San Diego, CA) in 374 patients with ACS receiving standard dual antiplatelet therapy. Patients were stratified into three tertiles according to the increasing values of P2Y12 reaction units with the first tertile defined as low, second as medium, and third as high PR. The end points were bleeding (TIMI major or minor), ischemic end point (cardiovascular death and non-fatal myocardial infarction), and combined end point (bleeding or ischemic end point). At 30 days: low PR was associated with increased risk of bleeding as compared to medium (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 3.50, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.30–9.42, p = 0.013) and high PR (HR 2.78, 95% CI 1.50–5.15, p = 0.001); high PR posed increased risk of ischemic endpoint as compared with medium PR (HR 7.26, 95% CI 1.67–31.55, p = 0.008) and a trend towards higher incidence of ischemic events was observed when compared with low PR (HR 1.51, 95% CI 0.96–2.36, p = 0.074); patients with medium PR were at significantly lower risk of combined end point as compared to those with low (HR 0.30, 95% CI 0.12–0.75, p = 0.01) and high PR (HR 0.31, 95% CI 0.12–0.77, p = 0.012). In conclusion, low PR to ADP is associated with increased hazard of bleeding and poses similar combined risk of bleeding and ischemic events as high PR. Medium PR predicts favorable net outcome in ACS patients.
Spillovers to foreign market participants: assessing the impact of export strategies on innovative productivity

Although a substantial body of research has investigated spillovers to FDI, we know very little about whether, and how, firms stand to benefit from spillovers without making such crossborder investments. In this study I investigate this issue by examining the ex-post innovative benefits that accrue to exporting firms. I argue that exporters access diverse knowledge inputs not available in the domestic market.This knowledge spills back to the focal firm and results in increased innovation. I explore how exporters derive such knowledge-based advantages by examining the relationship between export strategies and innovative productivity. Specifically, I contend that firms that export to developed countries will experience increased innovative productivity. Similarly, firms that reach the foreign market directly rather than relying on export brokers should innovate more, as they maintain closer ties with their information conduits.The empirical analysis is conducted using a stratified representative sample of Spanish manufacturing firms from 1990 to 1997. The dependent variable (innovation) is measured using several widely employed proxies including patent counts and innovation counts. I find that export strategies influence innovation in complex ways. I discuss the relevance of these findings for research in international business, strategy, and innovation.
Beta lives - some statistical perspectives on the capital asset pricing model

This note summarizes some technical issues relevant to the use of the idea of excess return in empirical modelling. We cover the case where the aim is to construct a measure of expected return on an asset and a model of the CAPM type is used. We review some of the problems and show examples where the basic CAPM may be used to develop other results which relate the expected returns on assets both to the expected return on the market and other factors.
The Joint-Decision Trap Revisited

The original analysis appears as a basically valid - if simplified - account of the institutional conditions of political policy choices in the EU and their consequences. It needs to be complemented, however, by a similar account of non-political policy-making in the supranational-hierarchical mode of governance by the ECB or ECJ.
Interleukin‐6 regulates the phenotype of the immune response to a tuberculosis subunit vaccine

We investigated the role of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in the development of the immune response to a subunit vaccine against tuberculosis consisting of the culture filtrate proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis emulsified in the adjuvant dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DDA). C57Bl/6 mice immunized with this vaccine developed a strong T helper 1 (Th1) response characterized by an increased production of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) secreted by CD4+ T cells. Neutralization of IL‐6 during in vivo priming resulted in marked reduction in the ability of T cells to secrete IFN‐γ and IL‐2 and to proliferate. IL‐6 gene‐disrupted mice primed with the vaccine showed a decrease in the number of IFN‐γ‐producing cells and an increase in IL‐4‐secreting cells as compared to control mice. In contrast, neutralization of IL‐6 during a boost of the vaccine in previously primed mice did not affect the development of IFN‐γ‐producing cells but still increased the number of IL‐4‐producing cells. Our work shows that IL‐6 plays a major role in the priming but not in the later expression of a Th1 response to a tuberculosis vaccine.
[A hospital based study on evaluation of causes of death in 52 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis].

PURPOSE To examine the clinical problems of died cases with pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS Clinical findings of 52 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis, who had died in our hospital between April 2005 to March 2007, were analyzed. RESULTS Mean age was 72.3 10.6 years old, 9 cases (17.3 %) were relapsed, and 35 cases (67.3%) had cavity on the chest X-ray. 34 cases (65.4%) were PS4 and none was PS0 or PS1 on admission. Complications were malignancy in 11 cases, diabetes mellitus in 10 cases, and respiratory diseases in 6 cases. 15 cases (28.8%) were treated with drugs including INH, RFP and PZA, 14 cases (26.9%) with drugs including INH and RFP, 16 cases (30.8%) with the other drugs, and 7 cases (13.5%) were not able to be administered any drug. 35 cases (67.3%) died of tuberculosis and 17 cases (32.7%) died of non-tuberculous conditions. CONCLUSION Many died cases were under very poor general condition, needed frequent care, had many kind of complications and had difficulty with standard treatment on admission. Tuberculous death were observed highly, but death by complications were observed in many cases. It is necessary to control complications and enlighten society and docters about importance of early diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis continuously.
Effect of probiotic supplementation on laying hen diets on yield performance and serum and egg yolk cholesterol

The effects of dietary supplementation of a commercial probiotic (BioPlus 2B) on daily feed consumption, egg yield, egg weight, specific gravity, body weight, feed conversion ratio, serum and egg yolk cholesterol, and serum trigylceride in layer hens were investigated. In 12 replicates, 480 27-week-old Brown-Nick layers were fed with diets containing 0, 250, 500 or 750 mg kg−1 probiotic for 90 days. When compared with the controls, supplementation of 250, 500 and 750 mg kg−1 probiotic increased egg production, but decreased the damaged egg ratio (p<0.05), egg yolk cholesterol and serum cholesterol (p<0.001) levels. In addition, serum triglyceride levels were reduced by using 500 and 750 mg kg−1 probiotic supplementation (p<0.001). Feed conversion ratios were positively affected by supplementation of 250 and 500 mg kg−1 probiotic compared with controls (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the control and all treatment groups on feed consumption, egg weight, specific gravity, body weight, and egg yolk weight.
Five-year review of copper T intrauterine device use at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar

Background The intrauterine devices (IUDs) are widely used contraceptive methods all over the world today. They are effective and recommended for use up to 10 years. They are not without side effects, which often prompt the users to request for removal. Objective To determine the utilization rate of copper T intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD), side effects, and request for removal at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar. Methods The data on usage of the various forms of temporary contraception provided by the Family Planning Clinic of this center from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2010 were collated. The records of usage of IUCD during same period were carefully studied. Results During this period, a total of 10,880 users were provided with various forms of contraceptives. Copper T IUD was the commonest form of contraception used at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital Family Planning Unit over the period under review (2006–2010) with a rate of 4,069 (37.40%). There was a yearly higher request for IUCD over other forms of contraceptives over the period. Of a total of 4,069 users of the copper T IUD method over the period, 1,410 (34.65%) belonged to the age group of 25–29 years. Eleven (4.61%) of the users requested for its removal due to abnormal vaginal bleeding, while five (2.08%) removed theirs due to abnormal vaginal discharge. The major reason for removal was the desire for pregnancy that accounted for 165 (70.26%), while one (0.51%) was removed due to dysmenorrhea. Conclusion The copper T380A was very effective, safe with fewer side effects, and easily available in this study. The request for removal is also low in our environment.
Restructuring the Ministry of Finance and Revising the Bank of Japan Law

The Bank of Japan was established as a central bank and a monopolist issuer of bank notes according to the Bank of Japan Act enacted in 1882. At that time, hyperinflation raged, along with the 1877 Civil War (Southwest Rebellion), as the Meiji government had issued large amounts of inconvertible paper money to pay for the war. In addition, more than a hundred national banks issued their own bank notes. Under these circumstances, Masayoshi Matsukata, the minister of finance at the time, tried to quiet down inflation by setting up a central bank that issued central-bank notes supported by the specie and so established a modern credit system centering on a central bank.