Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Insulin-like Growth Factor-binding Protein-5 (IGFBP-5) Stimulates Growth and IGF-I Secretion in Human Intestinal Smooth Muscle by Ras-dependent Activation of p38 MAP Kinase and Erk1/2 Pathways*

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) are produced by human intestinal smooth muscle cells. Endogenous IGF-I stimulates growth and increases IGFBP-5 secretion. IGFBP-5 augments the effects of IGF-I by facilitating interaction of IGF-I with the IGF-I receptor tyrosine kinase. Andress (Andress, D. L. (1998) Am. J. Physiol. 274, E744–E750) and Berfield et al. (Berfield, A. K., Andress, D. L., and Abrass, C. K. (2000) Kidney Int. 57, 1991–2003) have shown that in osteoblasts and kidney mesangial cells, IGFBP-5 stimulates proliferation and filopodia formation independently of IGF-I, presumably by activating a distinct IGFBP-5 receptor serine kinase. The present study determined whether IGFBP-5 exerts direct effects on growth in human intestinal smooth muscle cells and identified the intracellular signaling pathways involved. IGFBP-5 caused a concentration-dependent increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation and an increase in IGF-I secretion that occurred independently of IGF-I and the IGF-I receptor tyrosine kinase. IGFBP-5-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase, which was abolished by SB203580, or expression of a dominant negative Ras mutant, Ras(S17N), and phosphorylation of Erk1/2, which was abolished by a Raf1 kinase inhibitor, U1026, or expression of Ras(S17N). IGFBP-5-stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation and IGF-I secretion were partly inhibited by SB203580 or U1026 and abolished by the combination of the two inhibitors or by expression of Ras(S17N). These data show that IGFBP-5 stimulates growth and IGF-I secretion in human intestinal smooth muscle cells by activation of p38 MAP kinase-dependent and Erk1/2-dependent pathways that are independent of IGF-I. A positive feedback mechanism therefore links IGFBP-5 and IGF-I secretion that reinforces their individual effects on growth.
A Highly Sensitive Enzyme Immunoassay for Mouse β Nerve Growth Factor

Abstract: A sensitive two‐site enzyme immunoassay system for mouse β nerve growth factor (NGF) was developed, based on the sandwiching of the antigen between anti‐mouse β NGF antibody IgG coated to a polystyrene tube and anti‐mouse β NGF antibody Fab'‐linked β‐d‐galactosidase (β‐d‐galactoside hydrolase, EC 3.2.1.23). This method has the following advantages: (a) the procedures are simple and rapid compared to bioassay or two‐site radioimmunoassay; (b) antibody Fab'‐β‐d‐galactosidase complex is more stable than 125I‐labeled antibody; (c) purified β NGF is detectable at a concentration as low as 10 pg/ml. Our enzyme immunoassay was used to examine the levels of NGF in some tissues of mice. The submaxillary gland contained a high concentration of NGF. However, other tissues, such as the heart, brain, and skeletal muscle, and serum did not contain detectable NGF. These results support recent findings by other investigators that NGF was not found in the organs/tissues other than the submaxillary gland of mice.
A modular, distributed, soft, 3-axis sensor system for robot hands

Integrating distributed sensors in the skin of robot hands is challenging, as the space is limited. This paper presents a dense and small tactile sensor system that can be installed on robotic hands. In the current implementation, the system is constituted by modules that are 26mm long and 27mm wide and they have been successfully integrated on the internal side of each finger phalange of the commercially available Allegro Hand (except the fingertips). Each sensor module contains 16 tri-axial taxels; each taxel is able to measure the applied 3D force vector using a Hall effect sensor and a magnet. The sensor modules are 4mm high, including the printed circuit board (PCB) with the sensors and the soft silicone with the magnets. The back of the PCB is flat without any components mounted, which eases the integration. Each sensor has I2C digital output, and each sensor module is connected to four I2C buses, requiring only seven wires for each module. The tri-axial taxels are close to each other (4.7 mm from the center of one taxel to the next), but experiments proved that independent force vectors can be measured and that the crosstalk is limited.
Nuclear inclusions of the androgen receptor protein in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy

Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is an X‐linked motor neuronopathy caused by the expansion of an unstable CAG repeat in the coding region of the androgen receptor (AR) gene. To study AR protein expression in normal and SBMA individuals, we used several antibodies that recognize AR protein, and analyzed neural and nonneural tissues by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Both the normal and the mutant AR proteins were widely distributed, predominantly, but not exclusively, in the cytoplasm of neurons regardless of the pathological involvement, and predominantly in the nuclei of the nonneural tissues in both normal and SBMA individuals, with different expression levels of AR protein among different tissues. In the motor neurons of SBMA patients, there were AR‐immunoreactive ubiquitinated nuclear inclusions that were detected by antibodies that recognize a small portion of the N terminus of the AR protein. Absence of other immunoreactive AR epitopes within the inclusion may be due to altered AR configuration, or masking of AR epitopes by other proteins, or proteolytic cleavage of the AR. Our data show that, in addition to the normal cellular distribution of the AR protein, mutant AR‐bearing nuclear inclusions are present in SBMA.
Distribution of natriuretic peptide precursor mRNAs in the rat brain

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and C‐type natriuretic peptide (CNP) represent members of a recently discovered neuropeptide family involved in central regulation of endocrine and autonomic functions. The present study employed an in situ hybridization approach to provide the first detailed comparative mapping of ANP, BNP, and CNP mRNAs in brain. Results indicate that ANP mRNA is highly expressed in anterior olfactory nuclei, limbic cortices, dorsal endopiriform nucleus, hippocampal subfield CA1, cortical amygdaloid nuclei, medial habenula, anteroventral periventricular and arcuate nuclei, periventricular stratum, zona incerta, mammillary nuclei, inferior olive, nucleus ambiguus, and pontine paragigantocellular nuclei. CNP mRNA is expressed at highest levels in olfactory nuclei, limbic cortices, dorsal endopiriform nucleus, hippocampal subfields CA1–3, anteroventral periventricular and arcuate nuclei, and numerous brainstem regions (including the pontine, lateral reticular, solitary tract, prepositus hypoglossal, and spinal trigeminal nuclei). Positive labeling for BNP mRNA was not observed in brain. The presence of both ANP and CNP mRNA in the same regions of distinct nuclei (e.g., the anteroventral periventricular and arcuate nuclei) suggests the potential for coexpression. Overall, the present data are consistent with a prominent role for both ANP and CNP in neuroendocrine regulation and central cardiovascular integration. The extensive localization of ANP and/or CNP mRNA in olfactory nuclei, limbic cortex, hippocampus, amygdala and diencephalic limbic relays further indicate a putative role for ANP and CNP as neuromodulators of olfactory/limbic information processing. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pulse-Waveform Analysis of Normal Population using Laser Speckle Flowgraphy

Abstract Purpose: Laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG), a new, non-invasive method of measuring the mean blur rate (MBR) of ocular blood flow, allows for the analysis of the pulse waveform of a heartbeat as it changes dynamically. Here, we investigated the relationship between the pulse waveform and clinical parameters, particularly age. Materials and methods: Sixty eyes of 60 healthy subjects without diabetes were enrolled from among patients undergoing annual health examinations. LSFG, and its analysis software, were used to determine pulse waveform parameters including MBR, skew, blowout score (BOS), blowout time (BOT), rising rate and falling rate in the optic nerve head (ONH), both specifically in the tissue area and in the ONH overall. Fifteen clinical parameters were also recorded, including age and blood pressure, as well as triglyceride and creatinine levels. Results: Skew, BOT and falling rate had a strong correlation (|r| > 0.60) with age, but not with the other clinical parameters. This correlation with age was stronger in the tissue area (BOT: p < 0.0001, r = − 0.68; skew: p < 0.0001, r = 0.65; falling rate: p < 0.0001, r = 0.61) than in the ONH overall (BOT: p < 0.0001, r = −0.67; skew: p < 0.0001, r = 0.60; falling rate: p < 0.0001, r = 0.59). Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that tissue area falling rate was an independent factor indicating age, and conversely that age was an independent factor indicating tissue area falling rate. Conclusions: The significant correlation of LSFG-measured tissue area falling rate with age suggests that it may be a new candidate biomarker for age-dependent microcirculation.
Emergence of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci in San Francisco Bay Area Hospitals During 1994 to 1998

Abstract Objective: To determine the magnitude of van-comycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in three counties in the San Francisco Bay area. Design: Active laboratory-based surveillance for VRE from January 1995 through December 1996 and a laboratory-based and hospital-based questionnaire survey for 1993 to 1994 and 1997 to 1998. Setting: All 33 general acute care hospitals in three counties in the San Francisco Bay area. Participants: Laboratories and infection control professionals serving these hospitals, and staff of the California Emerging Infections Program. Results: The number of hospitals reporting 1 or more patient clinical VRE isolates was 1 (3%) in 1993, 7 (21%) in 1994, 31 (94%) in 1995, and 33 (100%) in 1996 to 1998. The number of patient isolates increased from 1 in 1993 to 24 in 1994, 176 in 1995,429 in 1996, 730 in 1997, and 864 in 1998. Most VRE isolates in 1995 and 1996 were from urine and were not associated with serious clinical disease. However, the number of isolates from blood increased from 9 (6% of total) in 1995 to 44 (12% of the total) in 1996, 90 (14%) in 1997, and 100 (13%) in 1998. Conclusions: Our data document the rapid emergence and increase of VRE in all hospitals in three counties in the San Francisco Bay area during 1994 to 1998. Infection control measures for VRE together with antibiotic utilization programs should be implemented to limit further spread.
Classification of individual differences in cardiovascular responsivity: The contribution of reactor type controlling for race and gender

Classification of 150 normotensive or mildly hypertensive men and women into myocardial, vascular, or mild reactors was accomplished using a regression-based approach. The method was based on the participants’ cardiac output (CO) and total peripheral resistance (TPR) reactivity to the speech presentation task. This task purportedly can elicit both myocardial and vascular responses. Cut-scores were based on the v-intercept from the linear regression of the CO reactivitv on TPR reactivity and vice versa. A greater percentage of Black men were classified as vascular responders as compared to Black women and White participants. Groups were found to differ on cardiovascular reactivity to the speech preparation, cold pressor, and mirror tracing tasks in predictable ways, after controlling for gender and ethnicity. Groups were also differentiated by ambulatory blood pressure and hypertensive status. The study supports the classification of homogeneous groups of participants based on the relative extent to which myocardial or vascular mechanisms dominate the reactivity to stress.
Diazepam to Improve Acute Stroke Outcome: Results of the Early GABA-Ergic Activation Study In Stroke Trial

Background: We tested whether diazepam, a GABA-ergic drug that also inhibits brain nitric monoxide formation, improves acute stroke prognosis. Methods: 880 patients, randomized within 12 h of acute stroke, received diazepam 10 mg or placebo by rectiole, as soon as possible, followed by 10-mg tablets twice daily for 3 days. Primary outcome was independence (Rankin score <3) at 3 months; secondary outcome was complete recovery (Barthel index ≧95 or Rankin score ≤1). Results: Intention-to-treat analyses on all 849 patients with full follow-up (50.4% on diazepam): odds ratio (OR) 1.14, 95% CI 0.87–1.49 for primary endpoint, and an OR of 1.26 (0.90–1.76) for complete recovery, both favoring diazepam. Adjusted analyses for all stroke patients (843): OR 1.20 (0.87–1.65), and 1.25 (0.89–1.74), respectively, and for all infarct patients (748): OR 1.31 (0.93–1.85), and 1.46 (1.02–2.09; p = 0.037), respectively. Analyses restricted to cardioembolic infarct patients (200) showed treatment benefit for the primary outcome: OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.07–4.76, p = 0.032, and complete recovery: OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.06–6.59, p = 0.037. About one third of ischemic stroke patients had ‘any adverse event’, without any difference between treatment groups. In 95 intracerebral hemorrhage patients, frequency of pneumonia and death were higher in the diazepam group than in the placebo group: 35 and 10%, 22 and 12%, respectively. Conclusions: Although point estimates favored diazepam treatment in various analyses, our data did not confirm our primary hypothesis. Diazepam treatment seems beneficial in cardioembolic infarct patients, is safe in acute ischemic stroke, but may better be avoided in intracerebral hemorrhage.
Four month intensive teaching of anatomy: an acceptable foundation for the clinical years.

BACKGROUND This study was undertaken to determine whether medical students' recall of anatomy is lost when the student reaches clinical years, and whether a four month teaching of Anatomy in the pre-clinical years had any impact. METHODS A cross-sectional study, using a short answer type paper consisting of eight questions in anatomy was administered randomly to 5th, 6th and 7th year medical students at Oman Medical College, Sultanate of Oman. These questions were further sub-divided into reinforced clinically oriented gross anatomy questions and not-reinforced gross anatomy questions taken from the topics that were covered during the pre-clinical year. The reinforced questions were taken from topics taught by clinicians during the clinical rotations. RESULTS Review of the overall scores showed a sharp decline of anatomy recall one year after the anatomy course. Average scores for the students in years 6 and 7 (clinical years) for the reinforced questions were significantly higher than the not-reinforced questions. CONCLUSION We conclude that there was a decline of anatomy recall taught in a four-month intensive teaching course during the pre-clinical years, however, adequate knowledge in anatomy has been stored in the memory and reinforcement during clinical exposure enhances memory recall.
Loss of OPCML expression and the correlation with CpG island methylation and LOH in ovarian serous carcinoma.

PURPOSE To detect the expression of OPCML in ovarian serous carcinoma and investigate the correlation with CpG island methylation and LOH of OPCML. METHODS 20 normal tissues, 75 ovarian serous tumors, three cell lines, SKOV-3, CAOV3 and 3AO, were detected in OPCML expression by RT-PCR, CpG island methylation by methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme-PCR, and LOH analysis at four microsatellite marks (D11S4085, D11S1320, D11S874 and D11S969). RESULTS Loss of OPCML expression in ovarian serous carcinomas was significantly higher than in ovarian adenomas and normal tissues. OPCML expression was detectable in 3AO, but not in SKOV-3 and CAOV3. CpG island methylation was found in 53.4% of the carcinomas, while in none of the adenomas or normal tissues. Meanwhile, CpG island methylation was detectable in SKOV-3 and CAOV3, but not in 3AO. The correlation between CpG island methylation and loss of OPCML expression was found in carcinomas. The LOH rate at D11S4085 in carcinomas was significantly higher than that for adenomas and normal tissues. LOH at D11S4085 was also correlated with loss of OPCML expression. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that loss of OPCML expression occurs frequently in ovarian serous carcinoma. CpG island methylation and LOH are probably two mechanisms of OPCML inactivation.
FinFET current mirror design and evaluation

With trends toward smaller geometries and improved circuit performance continuing, an option being investigated is multigate FETs on SOI substrates. SOI lends itself to SOC systems due to its inherently lower noise and ease of integration of analog, digital, RF and power circuits. A critical analog circuit requirement is accurate current mirroring. Here characteristics of fully depleted FinFET current mirrors are presented. Silicon FinFET current mirrors and their bulk planar counterparts have similar performance and matching: a vital requirement for analog circuitry on this type of material.
Giving microbes their due – animal life in a microbially dominant world

ABSTRACT The new technology of next-generation sequencing is changing our perceptions of the form and function of the biological world. The emerging data reveal an array of microbes that is more vast and more central to all biological processes than previously appreciated. Further, evidence is accumulating that the alliances of microbes with one another and with constituents of the macrobiological world are critical for the health of the biosphere. This contribution summarizes the basic arguments as to why, when considering the biochemical adaptations of animals, we should integrate the roles of their microbial partners. Summary: Recent nucleic acid sequencing data provide compelling evidence that animals live in a microbial world and that microbes have shaped animal biology, including their biochemistry and physiology, over evolutionary time.
Aerial Nodules in Casuarina cunninghamiana

A complete survey of La Réunion Island showed that, in 40- to 50-year-old Casuarina cunninghamiana plantations located in the northeast at an altitude above 400 m, some trees bore aerial nodules as high as 6 to 7 m up the trunk. The nodules exhibited a significant specific acetylene reduction by the ARA method (0.77 μmol of C2H4 per h/g [dry weight] of nodule) at the time of sampling (June 1990). Aerial nodules were also found on a Casuarina glauca trunk. Preliminary observations show that anatomically aerial and underground nodules do not differ significantly. In addition to host plant genetic determinants, aerial nodule formation is assumed to require sufficient rainfall, an abundance of Frankia spp. in the soil and air, and rhytidome on the tree trunk.
Univariate and Multivariate Unit Root Tests with and Without Structural Break(s): An Empirical Examination Using Real Interest Rate Parity (RIRP) Relations

The study examines the methods of testing the presence of unit root and co-integration of time series data using those tests that assumes the presence of breaks and those that assumes no breaks. We employed Eliott et-al(1996) DF-GLS for the latter test and Perron(1997) for the former category. In terms of the co-integration tests, we applied both Johansen(1992) andGregory and Hensen (1996a)procedures that allows to check for co-integration in the presence of no structural breaks and the one that assumed the present of shift under alternative hypothesis. The study applied these tests to examine the Real Interest Rate Parity Relationship between Nigeria and her major trading partners namely: China, India and USA. To do this, monthly time series data was collected on interest rates (call rates and 90 days Treasury Bills rates) and Inflation (Consumer Price Index) from the respective statistical institutions of these countries. The following evidences were found: firstly, there is no difference between breaking and non-breaking univariate and multivariate unit root tests. Secondly, there exist a Real Interest Rate Parity (RIRP) between Nigeria, China, India and USA and the direction runs from Nigeria to these countries. Therefore, the study concludes that it is profitable to borrow money in Nigeria and deposit in China, India and USA at prevailing market interest rate.
Motor Programming When Sequencing Multiple Elements of the Same Duration

Motor programming at the self-select paradigm was adopted in 2 experiments to examine the processing demands of independent processes. One process (INT) is responsible for organizing the internal features of the individual elements in a movement (e.g., response duration). The 2nd process (SEQ) is responsible for placing the elements into the proper serial order before execution. Participants in Experiment 1 performed tasks involving 1 key press or sequences of 4 key presses of the same duration. Implementing INT and SEQ was more time consuming for key-pressing sequences than for single key-press tasks. Experiment 2 examined whether the INT costs resulting from the increase in sequence length observed in Experiment 1 resulted from independent planning of each sequence element or via a separate "multiplier" process that handled repetitions of elements of the same duration. Findings from Experiment 2, in which participants performed single key presses or double or triple key sequences of the same duration, suggested that INT is involved with the independent organization of each element contained in the sequence. Researchers offer an elaboration of the 2-process account of motor programming to incorporate the present findings and the findings from other recent sequence-learning research.
EVALUASI PENCAPAIAN STANDAR PELAYANAN MINIMAL BERDASARKAN PRINSIP GOOD GOVERNANCE DI SEKOLAH DASAR NEGERI

Th is study aimed to evaluate the achievement of Minimum Service Standards according to Minister of E ducation and C ulture Act , N umber 23 / 2013 based on the principles of Good Governance in SD Negeri 4 Kaliaman Jepara through discrepancy evaluation model. This study was evaluation research consisted of the definition phase, the instalation , process, and product. This research subject was the principal, teachers and students of six grade. Data source was obtained from 12 teachers including Principal and 35 students through interviews, questionnaires, and study of documents. Data collection techniques used were interviews, questionnaires, and observations. Data processing techniques performed by data classification, data presentation, and data verification. The data validity used triangulation of data. The results of this study indicated that the definition phase of the school had a vision in line with the objective of Minimum Service Standards program, supported by adequate human resources in terms of number of educators and educational qualifications as well as the infrastructure that supported understanding of the principles of Good Governance. In addition, the installation phase, had been carried out by looking at the expectations and activities that made the School Work Plan and saw the challenges facing schools with the implementation of the principles of Good Governance which was held on the activities of each type of service in the Minimum Service Standards . At the process phase, School Work Plan was already implemented based on the principles of Good Governance Implementation. At the product phase, it was seen from the Minimum Service Standards data achievement and implementation of the principles of good governance were equally obtained good category. The Minimum Service Standards attainment of the six types of services was 87.4%, gained good criteria (B) and the implementation of the principle of good governance to the implementation was 87.5% with good criteria (B). The program is still feasible to proceed because the Minimum Service Standards program that has been made reached and acquired good categories.