Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SmeC, an Outer Membrane Multidrug Efflux Protein of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

ABSTRACT A homologue of the mexAB-oprM multidrug efflux operon of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, smeABC, was cloned from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia by using, as a probe, a PCR product amplified from this organism with primers based on the mexB sequence. The smeABC genes were hyperexpressed in a mutant strain displaying resistance to several antimicrobials, including aminoglycosides, β-lactams, and fluoroquinolones. Deletions in smeC but not smeB compromised this resistance, suggesting that SmeC contributed to the multidrug resistance of the mutant as part of another, as-yet-unidentified multidrug efflux system. Consistent with SmeC functioning independently of SmeAB, a promoter activity was identified upstream of smeC. Upstream of the smeABC genes, a putative two-gene operon, smeSR, encoding homologues of bacterial two-component regulatory systems was identified. The cloned smeR gene activated expression of a smeA-lacZ fusion, indicating that SmeR positively regulates expression of the smeABC genes. Consistent with this, the multidrug resistance of the SmeABC-hyperexpressing mutant was compromised by deletion of smeR. Intriguingly, SmeC expression in S. maltophilia paralleled a β-lactamase activity provided by a C-terminally truncated L2 enzyme, which was apparently responsible for the β-lactam resistance of the SmeABC-hyperexpressing mutant. This represents the first report of coregulation of an efflux resistance determinant and a β-lactamase.
OUTBREAKS OF AVIAN CHOLERA IN HOPE BAY, ANTARCTICA

During austral summers 1999–2000 and 2000–01, two outbreaks of avian cholera occurred in the Hope Bay area (63°24′S, 56°59′W), located on the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Eighty-six dead birds were found: five kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus), 36 skuas (Stercorarius sp.), and 45 Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae). The carcasses were studied using clinical, pathological, and microbiological criteria. Water samples from ponds where birds were settled and samples from 90 healthy birds also were analyzed during the second outbreak. Pasteurella multocida isolates were identified by biochemical tests, capsular type, somatic serotype, and susceptibility to nine antibiotics. Molecular subtyping was performed by ApaI and SmaI pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC-PCR). In February 2000, mortality in skuas was 16% and 2% in kelp gulls. In the 2000–01 breeding season, mortality in south polar skuas was 47%, 24% in brown skuas, 1.4% in kelp gulls, and 0.01% in Adelie penguins. All birds had lesions of avian cholera. In kelp gulls the presentation was chronic, whereas skuas and penguins suffered subacute and acute disease, respectively. Fifty-five isolates recovered from dead birds and one from water were identified as P. multocida gallicida, type A:1. The strains presented a unique molecular pattern by PFGE and ERIC-PCR. A possible hypothesis to explain the origin of the outbreaks was that nonbreeder kelp gulls carried P. multocida gallicida to Hope Bay, and avian cholera was transmitted through water to skuas and penguins. This study reports avian cholera in new bird species, their potential role in the transmission of the disease, and the different responses of these species to the disease.
Multidimensional Data Analysis towards Assessing the European Education Systems

By considering the fact that education in an important component within the context of Europe 2020 strategy, this paper aims at developing an aggregated indicator towards the assessment of European education systems, thereby being employed multidimensional data analysis techniques, namely principal component analysis. Withal, by using unsupervised classification techniques, specifically cluster analysis, the European countries will be grouped acording to the valuation of education systems. There was selected a sample consisting of 26 European countries, the data corresponding for the year 2012, being considered the following variables: school expectancy; the percentage of all 18-year-olds who are still in any kind of school; the total number of persons who are enrolled in the regular education system; the share of the population aged 4 to the age when the compulsory education starts who is participating in early education; mobility of students in Europe; pupil/teacher ratio in primary education; the average number of foreign languages learned per pupil in secondary education; the share of 15-year-old pupils who are at level 1 or below of the PISA combined reading literacy scale; early leavers from education and training; lifelong learning. The utility of current research is emphasized by the valuation instrument provided to the government authorities which could rank the European education systems. Ke y words : International standard classification of education (ISCED), Programme for international student assessment (PISA), principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis.
Technical Failures after Pancreas Transplants: Why Grafts Fail and the Risk Factors—A Multivariate Analysis

Background. Technical failure (TF) rates remain high after pancreas transplants; while rates have decreased over the last decade, more than 10% of all pancreas grafts continue to be lost due to technical reasons. We performed a multivariate analysis to determine causes and risk factors for TF of pancreas grafts. Results. Between 1994 and 2003, 937 pancreas transplants were performed at our center in the following transplant categories: simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) (n=327), pancreas after kidney (PAK) (n=399), and pancreas transplant alone (PTA) (n=211). Of these, 123 (13.1%) grafts were lost due to technical reasons (thrombosis, leaks, infections). TF rates were higher for SPK (15.3%) versus PAK (12.2%) or PTA (11.4%), though this was not statistically significant. Thrombosis accounted for 52.0% of all TFs. Other causes were infections (18.7%), pancreatitis (20.3%), leaks (6.5%), and bleeding (2.4%). Thrombosis was the most common cause for TF in all three transplant categories. By multivariate analysis, the following were significant risk factors for TF of the graft: recipient body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m2 (relative risk [RR]=2.42, P=0.0003), preservation time >24 hr (1.87, P=0.04), cause of donor death other than trauma (RR=1.58, P=0.04), enteric versus bladder drainage (1.68, P=0.06), and donor BMI >30 kg/m2 (1.66, P=0.06). Not significant were donor or recipient age, a retransplant, and the category of transplant. Conclusions. TFs remain significant after pancreas transplants. In SPK recipients, TF represents the most common cause of pancreas graft loss. For isolated pancreas transplants, TF is second only to rejection as a cause of graft loss. Increased preservation times and donor or recipient obesity seem to be risk factors. Minimizing these risks factors would be important to try to decrease TF.
The National Research Council’s Rankings of Doctoral Programs in Public Affairs

ABSTRACT Using the National Research Council (NRC) data, this study aimed to answer two questions: What are the factors that contributed the most to the rankings of public affairs programs? Are there more specific patterns in the rankings of the doctoral programs in public affairs? The results indicate that faculty research productivity is the most important predictor of the rankings of the doctoral programs in the NRC dataset. The results of cluster analyses show that there are programs at large public universities, which are ranked highly and have highly diverse faculty and students.
Proliferative signals mediated by CD28 superagonists require the exchange factor Vav1 but not phosphoinositide 3‐kinase in primary peripheral T cells

Almost all responses of naive T cells require co‐stimulation, i.e. engagement of the clonotypic TCR with relevant antigen/MHC and the co‐stimulatory molecule CD28. How CD28 contributes to T‐cell proliferation remains poorly understood, with widely conflicting reports existing which may reflect different methods of co‐ligating receptors. Some CD28 mAb, however, can stimulate T‐cell proliferation without the need for TCR co‐ligation, and thus provide unique tools to dissect proliferative signals mediated through CD28 alone. Using primary peripheral T cells from CD28‐transgenic mice, we show that both the YMNM and Lck‐binding motifs, but not the Itk‐binding motif, in CD28 are required for proliferation. Given that the YMNM motif recruits both phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) and the exchange factor Vav1, we investigated the role of these two molecules in CD28‐mediated proliferation. In p110δD910A/D910A transgenic T cells, which are defective in PI3K activation following CD28 ligation, proliferation was comparable to that in wild‐type cells. By contrast, T‐cell proliferation was abolished in Vav1−/− cells. Although we did not address the role of Grb2 in CD28 signalling, these results indicate that CD28 can mediate Lck‐ and Vav1‐dependent proliferative signals independently of PI3K.
SHADES OF THE INNOVATION-PURCHASING FUNCTION — THE MISSING LINK OF OPEN INNOVATION

This paper seeks to instigate a new area of research in the Early Purchasing Involvement (EPI) literature around the question: How should a Purchasing function evolve in order to identify and capture innovation in the supplier market? Particularly, we attempt to characterise the specificities of the Innovation-Purchasing function, an emerging function acting in the fuzzy-front-end of projects. The contribution of this paper is a reification of the role of this function in an Open Innovation context, through the description of Early Purchasing Involvement in the Innovation (EPI2) agenda. For that, we collected data through an internal benchmarking study within a multinational/multidivisional firm of the automotive sector. Our study reveals similarities and differences between the observed practices of what we call EPI2 and the more classical EPI activities in a New Product Development (NPD) context. This study provides a model that can help practitioners and raises some propositions to test in new research.
An International Comparison of the Burden of Illness in Patients with Dyspepsia

Background/Aims: This study investigates the symptoms and the impact of symptoms on health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients consulting with dyspepsia. Methods: Consecutive patients with a diagnosis of dyspepsia were recruited from primary and secondary care in Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, South Africa and Spain. Investigators assessed symptom frequency and severity, and subjects completed the following questionnaires: the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), the Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia (QOLRAD) questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale and the Short Form 36 (SF-36). Results: 853 dyspepsia patients were included. Mean GSRS scores showed that patients were most troubled by abdominal pain and indigestion. QOLRAD scores indicated that symptoms caused emotional distress, food/drink problems and reduced vitality, with a lesser effect on sleep and physical functioning. Mean SF-36 scores were lower than mean normative values for all domains, indicating that patients had a worse HRQL than the normal population, particularly for Bodily Pain, Role Physical and Role Emotional. Of patients in each country, 18–43% were anxious and 11–21% were depressed. Conclusions: Patients with dyspepsia have reduced HRQL because their symptoms – particularly abdominal pain and indigestion – cause emotional distress, problems with food and drink, and impaired vitality.
Characterization and Expression of Four Proline-Rich Cell Wall Protein Genes in Arabidopsis Encoding Two Distinct Subsets of Multiple Domain Proteins 1

We have characterized the molecular organization and expression of four proline-rich protein genes from Arabidopsis (AtPRPs). These genes predict two classes of cell wall proteins based on DNA sequence identity, repetitive motifs, and domain organization. AtPRP1 and AtPRP3 encode proteins containing an N-terminal PRPlike domain followed by a C-terminal domain that is biased toward P, T, Y, and K. AtPRP2 and AtPRP4 represent a second, novel group of PRP genes that encode two-domain proteins containing a nonrepetitive N-terminal domain followed by a PRP-like region rich in P, V, K, and C. Northern hybridization analysis indicated that AtPRP1 and AtPRP3 are exclusively expressed in roots, while transcripts encoding AtPRP2 and AtPRP4 were most abundant in aerial organs of the plant. Histochemical analyses of promoter/bglucuronidase fusions localized AtPRP3 expression to regions of the root containing root hairs. AtPRP2 and AtPRP4 expression was detected in expanding leaves, stems, flowers, and siliques. In addition, AtPRP4 expression was detected in stipules and during the early stages of lateral root formation. These studies support a model for involvement of PRPs in specifying cell-type-specific wall structures, and provide the basis for a genetic approach to dissect the function of PRPs during growth and development.
Matrix metalloproteinases-2, -8, and -9 and TIMP-2 in tracheal aspirates from preterm infants with respiratory distress.

OBJECTIVES Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family endoproteinases that act in degradation of extracellular matrix and basement membranes. The development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is characterized by early pulmonary inflammation, increased microvascular permeability, and subsequently by disordered repair. The aims of our study were to characterize the presence and molecular weight forms of MMP-2, -8, and -9 and their specific inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-2, in lungs of preterm infants during the early postnatal period and to determine whether levels of these MMPs and TIMP-2 in tracheal aspirate fluid (TAF) are associated with acute or chronic lung morbidity of the preterm infant. METHODS TAF samples were collected from 16 intubated preterm infants (gestational age 27.0 +/- 2.0 weeks; birth weight 875 +/- 246 g) during their first 5 postnatal days. The presence and molecular weight forms of MMPs and TIMP-2 were identified by Western immunoblotting, and their levels were evaluated by densitometric scanning. RESULTS MMP-8 in TAF was higher in infants who needed treatment with surfactant (25.4 +/- 6.3 vs 10.6 +/- 1.5 arbitrary unit/secretory component of immunoglobulin A [AU/SC]) and in whom BPD developed (N = 6; 27.6 +/- 5.2 vs 15.1 +/- 5.0 AU/SC). TIMP-2 levels were lower in infants with initial arterial to alveolar oxygen tension ratios <0.22 (2.7 +/- 1.1 vs 16.8 +/- 7.4 AU/SC) and in infants needing mechanical ventilation for >1 week (5.2 +/- 2.1 vs 22.8 +/- 11.7 AU/SC). CONCLUSIONS In preterm infants, an imbalance between pulmonary MMP-8 and TIMP-2 participates in the acute inflammatory process in respiratory distress syndrome and may contribute to the development of chronic lung injury.
A Novel Registration Method for Computer-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty Using a Patient-Specific Registration Guide

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a surgical method for replacing a degenerated or diseased knee joint that can no longer perform daily functions with an artificial knee implant. In TKA, the artificial knee implant should be inserted such that it aligns well with the mechanical axis of the leg. Thus, precise bone cutting is essential. To improve TKA outcomes, a registration process is performed to locate the predetermined bone cutting area by calculating the position and posture of the femur and tibia. In this article, we propose a patient-specific registration guide that is able to significantly reduce registration time and effort without loss of accuracy. Furthermore, the patient-specific registration guide can be implemented with real-time registration, allowing continuous surgical information to be provided without the insertion of any tracking devices. The precision and accuracy of the proposed registration guide were confirmed through animal tests with a digitizer, stereo camera, and linear motion generator. The error of our registration method, including measurement and guide attachment errors, reached a maximum of 0.321 mm for one pair of cow legs.
Financial Intermediation: A Philosophical Approach

Philosophy of finance is an emerging field that tackles issues at the intersection of finance and many branches of philosophy such as ethics, political philosophy, philosophy of science, and epistemology. But in this paper emphasis was placed on the philosophy of financial intermediation with special focus on deciphering the process of financial intermediation, why financial intermediaries exist and the theories of financial intermediation. It demonstrated how the main functions of financial intermediaries such reduction of transaction cost, information asymmetry, liquidity provision and delegated monitoring among others have aided in understanding how financial intermediation affect the economy.
Vitamin K1 concentration in breast-fed neonates after oral or intramuscular administration of a single dose of a new mixed-micellar preparation of phylloquinone.

The plasma disposition of a new mixed-micellar preparation (KONAKION MM, Roche) of phylloquinone (vitamin K1) has been studied in 25 healthy, fully breast-fed, newborn babies, randomized to receive a single dose of either 1.5 mg i.m. (11 babies) or 3 mg p.o. (14 babies). Venous blood samples were collected at 25 h, 4 days, and 24 days. After p.o. administration, the median plasma phylloquinone concentration increased to 89 ng/ml after 24 h, then decreased to 51 ng/ml after 4 days; the respective concentrations after i.m. injection were 146 ng/ml and 34 ng/ml. The higher plasma phylloquinone level in the i.m. group after 24 h was not statistically significant compared with that of the p.o. group, but the reversed higher concentration in the p.o. group after 4 days was significant (p < 0.01). After 24 days the median plasma phylloquinone had decreased to 0.44 ng/ml (range 0.19-1.44) and 1.05 ng/ml (range 0.37-1.87) in the p.o. and i.m. groups, respectively. There was a significant difference between these plasma concentrations (p < 0.01). They were within or above the reference adult fasting range (0.17-0.68 ng/ml). The narrow range of plasma concentrations at 24 h and 4 days suggests a greater consistency of absorption from this micellar preparation than from other emulsion-based preparations. Further studies are required to assess the long-term protection of a single oral dose against late hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. Until such time, breast-fed babies given this preparation orally should receive (an) additional dose(s).
Tyrosinase inhibitory constituents from the stems of Maackia fauriei

Bioassay‐guided investigation of the stems of Maackia fauriei led to the isolation of seven flavonoid constituents, formononetin (1), genistein (2), daidzein (3), texasin (4), tectorigenin (5), odoratin (6) and mirkoin (7). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral studies as well as by comparison with literature data. Tyrosinase inhibition activities were carried out on the isolated compounds. Among these, mirkoin (7) was identified as a potent tyrosinase inhibitor. It inhibited mushroom tyrosinase with an IC50 value of 0.005 mm, which is ten times more active than kojic acid (IC50 = 0.045 mm). The inhibition kinetics, analysed by Lineweaver‐Burk plots, indicated mirkoin (7) to be a competitive inhibitor of tyrosinase when l‐tyrosinase was used as a substrate. The results suggest that hydroxyl groups at C‐4′ in the B ring of flavonoids play an important role in the tyrosinase inhibition activities. Interestingly, compounds 4–7 were isolated for the first time from this plant. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of inhibition of Mycobacterium avium replication in macrophages by normal human serum

Serum from some AIDS patients permits the rapid multiplication of Mycobacterium avium in cultured human macrophages. Serum from human immunodeficiency virus-negative individuals inhibits replication. The characteristics of the serum-induced inhibition were examined here. M. avium 7497 serovar 4 grew exponentially in macrophages when they were cultured in serumless medium. Growth was measured by determining the CFU after infected macrophages were lysed at 0 to 7 days after infection. Normal AB serum (5 to 10%) added to infected macrophages resulted in an initial 4-day lag of bacterial growth followed by rapid replication from 4 to 7 days. Serum also inhibited bacterial replication in medium without macrophages. This inhibition was not biphasic but was sustained over 7 days. Macrophage-associated M. avium became less responsive to serum inhibitor within 24 h after infection of macrophages. Within 2 days of culture, M. avium no longer responded to inhibitor. Replication of macrophage-derived M. avium (Vi) was in some instances serum inhibitable and at other times was enhanced by serum, when it was used to infect fresh macrophages. The Vi phenotype remained serum inhibitable without macrophages. Preinfection of macrophages with heat-killed M. avium did not alter serum-induced bacterial inhibition or escape from inhibition.
Evaluation of elite table tennis players' technique effectiveness

Abstract This study constructed a technique effectiveness evaluation formula for table tennis players based on the relationship between the scoring rate and usage rate of techniques and established the evaluation criteria through the examination of 224 matches of the world's top 35 players. It also built a competition performance formula with the score difference theory for the exploration of the correlation between player technique effectiveness and competition performance. The results showed the three indices – the technique effectiveness of the first and third strokes (TE1,3), the second and fourth strokes (TE2,4) and the after fourth strokes (TE>4) – could help better evaluate the technique effectiveness of elite players. The comparative analysis of Chinese elite table tennis players and players from other countries and regions revealed that Chinese players as a whole were “excellent” in all the examined techniques except in the male's “first and third strokes”; while players from other countries and regions were overall “general”. The case analysis of two world top players further indicated that correlation analysis of technique effectiveness and competition performance could help identify the technique indices highly correlated with player competition performance.
Market Access: A Case Study on Indian Pharmaceutical Goods in U.S. Market

North-South trade failure with skewed income distribution has been a topic of debate for many decades despite the promises supported by many theories. The present paper gives different criticisms in three different versions: the first version criticises the faulty fixation of price of the goods based on marginal cost of production (inputs) in the manufactured country and not on the marginal cost of production (same inputs) in the importing country and exchange rate differences; the second version gives criticism on behavioural differences of firms in the North and the South; the third version criticises the differences in the technologies of production (whether licensed or not). Owing to the above criticisms, market access of the goods (from both the South and North) has differences and hence income distribution in equity cannot be achieved.