Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Agr‐independent regulation of fibronectin‐binding protein(s) by the regulatory locus sar in Staphylococcus aureus

Fibronectin‐binding proteins (FnBPs) are thought to be important for the attachment of Staphylococcus aureus during infection. The regulation of the genes fnbA and fnbB by the global regulatory loci sar and agr was examined using site‐specific regulatory mutants of S. aureus strain Newman. The results from binding assays using both aqueous and solid‐phase fibronectin as well as ligand blotting with biotinylated fibronectin showed that the expression of FnBPA is enhanced in the agr mutant but inhibited in the sar mutant and the sar–agr double mutant. The same regulatory pattern was observed in Northern blot analysis using fnbA‐specific probes. The introduction of sar on a multicopy plasmid increased the already enhanced fnbA transcription of the agr mutant. FnBPB was not detectable by ligand blotting and the fnbB promoter activity in promoter fusion assays was not affected by either sar or agr. The sequence encompassing ORF3 located upstream of sarA was found to be essential for the activation of fnbA transcription. We hypothesize that this sequence may modulate SarA expression and/or activity on the post‐transcriptional level. Gel shift assays demonstrated that SarA binds to the fnbA promoter fragments, probably as a dimer. DNase I footprinting assays with SarA revealed a protected area of 102 bp upstream of fnbA.
Conceptualizing the ICT Artifact: Toward Understanding the Role of ICT in National Development

In development literature, information and communications technology (ICT) has been characterized as having the potential to enable national development. However, ICT has been conceptualized mostly as a monolithic and homogeneous entity. To a great extent, the ambiguous findings and diverse opinions on the role of ICT in national development can be attributed to this limited focus. In order to better understand the role ICT can play in national development, we believe that the ICT artifact needs to be examined in finer detail. We propose that ICT needs to be conceptualized in its many facets, perceptions, and in its manifold impact in societies. We use recent concepts from the IT literature to propose an integrative framework to study the role of ICT in development. Policymakers and donor agencies may find this framework useful in evaluating the potential impact of development interventions using ICT.
Use of Withdrawal and Unintended Pregnancy Among Females 15–24 Years of Age

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of withdrawal (coitus interruptus) use among a cohort of U.S. females aged 15–24 years, to describe characteristics of withdrawal users, and to evaluate whether withdrawal users exhibit a higher risk of unintended pregnancy. METHODS: We analyzed the 2006–2008 National Survey of Family Growth, estimating with a Cox proportional hazards model the risk of an unintended pregnancy over and up to a 47-month retrospective period among females aged 15–24 years who used withdrawal relative to females who used only other methods of contraception. We also examined correlates of withdrawal use using a logit model. RESULTS: During the study period, 31.0% of females in our cohort used withdrawal. Of withdrawal users, 21.4% experienced an unintended pregnancy compared with 13.2% of females who used only other contraceptive methods (adjusted hazard ratio 1.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23–2.49). Withdrawal users were also 7.5% more likely to have used emergency contraception (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.57, 95% CI 1.13–2.20). Married females were 14.8% less likely than single females to use withdrawal (adjusted OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.35–0.96). CONCLUSION: Use of withdrawal as contraception is common and might place females at higher risk of unintended pregnancy. Health care providers should be aware that many patients may use withdrawal, should consider the need for emergency contraception among these females, and should encourage them to use more effective methods of contraception. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II
Thromboxane synthase (TBXAS1) polymorphisms in African‐American and Caucasian populations: evidence for selective pressure

Thromboxane synthase (TBXAS1), a cytochrome P450 enzyme, converts prostaglandin H2 into thromboxane A2, a potent vasoconstrictor and inducer of platelet aggregation. Thromboxane A2 has been implicated in modulating cell cytotoxicity and in tumor growth and metastasis. Twelve coding‐region variants were identified in the human TBXAS1 gene in 48 African‐American and 46 Caucasian individuals, of which eight were amino‐acid substitutions. The latter were confirmed in an independent Caucasian population (n=94 unrelated individuals). We performed an evolutionary analysis of patterns of nucleotide diversity and identified patterns of amino acid replacement in human‐mouse comparisons consistent with purifying selection on an inter‐species time scale using the McDonald‐Kreitman test. We also observed patterns of nucleotide diversity within humans consistent with purifying selection acting on existing polymorphism using Tajima's D within coding regions. These evolutionary tests suggest that some of the rare coding variations observed in the human population are deleterious. We used two sequence‐homology‐based software programs and molecular modeling to predict the potential impact of these polymorphisms on TBXAS1 function. The c.772C>T (p.Lys258Glu), c.1249C>G (p.Gln417Glu), and c.1348G>A (p.Glu450Lys) substitutions are predicted as most likely to alter protein function; another, c.1352C>A (p.Thr451Asn), may also affect function. Given the evolutionary evidence, these variants may be functional and therefore of relevance for disease endpoints related to inflammation and angiogenesis, as well as for the pharmacogenetics of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phytochemical Analysis with Antioxidant and Cytotoxicity Studies of the Bioactive Principles from Zanthoxylum capense (Small Knobwood).

BACKGROUND Zanthoxylum capense (small knobwood) is a South African species known for a wide range of anecdotal uses. However, there is a dearth of information on its phytoconstitutional make-up, specifically its knobs, with only a few reports on the bioactive compounds that could justify its ethnomedicinal use. OBJECTIVES This work aimed to identify the active principles in Z. capense and evaluate their cytotoxicity against breast cancer tumor cells. METHOD Extracts from the stem bark, knobs and leaves were purified using chromatographic methods and characterized using spectroscopic techniques. Cytotoxicity of isolated compounds was evaluated on mammalian MCF-7, Caco-2 tumor cell lines and HEK295, a normal kidney cell line. RESULTS The following compounds were isolated from the plant: a quaternary benzophenanthridine-type alkaloid (chelerythrine) along with its alkanoamine derivative (6-hydroxydihydrochelerythrine), an indolopyridoquinazoline alkaloid (rutaecarpine), an alkyl p-coumaric acid ester (dodecyl-trans-p-coumarate), a lignan (sesamin), a flavanol (catechin), two triterpenoids (lupeol and sitosterol) and two pigments (pheophytin a and lutein). In the cytotoxicity study, all tested samples decreased the viability of the MCF-7 tumor cells by at least 23% at concentration 1 μg mL-1 and Caco-2 tumor cells by at least 15% at concentration 5 μg mL-1 but a mild toxic effect on HEK295 across the tested samples. RESULTS The following compounds were isolated from the plant: a quaternary benzophenanthridine-type alkaloid (chelerythrine) along with its alkanoamine derivative (6-hydroxydihydrochelerythrine), an indolopyridoquinazoline alkaloid (rutaecarpine), an alkyl p-coumaric acid ester (dodecyl-trans-p-coumarate), a lignan (sesamin), a flavanol (catechin), two triterpenoids (lupeol and sitosterol) and two pigments (pheophytin a and lutein). In the cytotoxicity study, all tested samples decreased the viability of the MCF-7 tumor cells by at least 23% at concentration 1 μg mL-1 and Caco-2 tumor cells by at least 15% at concentration 5 μg mL-1 but a mild toxic effect on HEK295 across the tested samples.
Update on the evaluation of a new drug for effects on cardiac repolarization in humans: issues in early drug development

Following reports of death from cardiac arrhythmias with drugs like terfenadine and cisapride, the International Conference for Harmonization formulated a guidance (E14) document. This specifies that all new drugs must undergo a ‘thorough QT/QTc’ (TQT) study to detect drug‐induced QT prolongation, a surrogate marker of ventricular tachycardia, especially torsades de pointes (TdPs). With better understanding of data from several completed TQT studies, regulatory requirements have undergone some changes since the E14 guidance was implemented in October 2005. This article reviews the implications of the E14 guidance and the changes in its interpretation including choice of baseline QT, demonstration of assay sensitivity, statistical analysis of the effect of new drug and positive control, and PK‐PD modelling. Some issues like use of automated QT measurements remain unresolved. Pharmaceutical companies too are modifying Phase 1 studies to detect QTc liability early in order to save time and resources. After the E14 guidance, development of several drugs that prolong QTc by >5 ms is being abandoned by sponsors. However, all drugs that prolong the QT interval do not increase risk of TdP. Researchers in regulatory agencies, academia and industry are working to find better biomarkers of drug‐induced TdP which could prevent many useful drugs from being prematurely abandoned. Drug‐induced TdP is a rare occurrence. With fewer drugs that prolong QT interval reaching the licensing stage, knowing which of these drugs are torsadogenic is proving to be elusive. Thus, paradoxically, the effectiveness of the E14 guidance itself has made prospective validation of new biomarkers difficult.
Uso de Internet móvil en Chile: Explorando las diferencias de los usuarios Android

Este trabajo presenta un estudio exploratorio del uso de internet móvil en Chile. Primero, el estudio valida un modelo de aceptación de tecnología de información basado en la teoría de la acción razonada en una muestra de 501 usuarios de internet móvil. Y segundo, el estudio realiza un análisis de grupo para comparar las diferencias entre usuarios del sistema operativo Android y aquellos que no lo utilizan. Los resultados indican un buen ajuste global del modelo propuesto y que existe una diferencia significativa entre los usuarios de Android y usuarios de otros sistemas operativos en el uso de internet móvil y en la relación entre la intención de uso y el uso de internet móvil.
A fetal supraventricular tachycardia which converted from blocked premature atrial contractions.

We are reporting a case of fetal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) which converted from blocked premature atrial contractions (PAC). It has been treated by verapamil in utero. We suggest that fetal PACs are usually benign phenomena which resolve spontaneously, but require some follow-up to exclude the development of SVT. SVT is rare but complicated by fetal congestive heart failure or even fetal death.
Connectivity Analysis for Free-Flow Traffic in VANETs: A Statistical Approach

Intervehicle communication gives vehicles opportunities to exchange packets within the limited radio range and self-organized in Ad Hoc manner into VANETs (Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks). However, due to issues such as the high mobility, insufficient market penetration ratio, and lacking of roadside units, connectivity is actually a big problem in VANETs. In addition, relying only on the direct connectivity in most of the previous works, say broadcasting which provides one-hop connections between nodes is far from the continuously growing application demands in VANETs, such as inter-vehicle entertainments, cooperative collision avoidances, and inter-vehicle emergency notifications. Therefore, the indirect connectivity from multihop forwarding is also a necessary complement especially for the case where direct connection is hardly achieved. In this paper, we define a new metric, that is, available connectivity, to consider both direct and indirect connectivity. After analyzing the statistical properties of direct and indirect connectivity in vehicular environment, the available connectivity is proposed and quantified for practical usage. Numerical results show that our available connectivity could provide correct and useful references for protocols design and performance improvements of different applications.
Recall and recognition vocabulary: implications for intellectual deterioration.

The major problem in evaluating the extent of intellectual deterioration has been to determine an accurate post hoc measure of the premorbid intelligence. Once this estimate of premorbid intelligence has been established, the extent of intellectual deterioration can easily be ascertained. The difficulty, however, has been in finding a valid measure of intelligence which remains relatively unaffected by deteriorative processes and which would be an adequate base line to which present functioning could be compared. Methodologically, the ideal approach to decide which measure would best serve as this estimate of the original intellectual status would be to study patients before and after the onset of a disorder. The factor (or factors) which remain relatively intact can subsequently be used as the criterion measure of the premorbid intellectual level. Since this ideal experimental design of pre- and post-testing has been difficult to achieve,
Coordinate Copper- and Oxygen-responsive Cyc6 andCpx1 Expression in Chlamydomonas Is Mediated by the Same Element*

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii activates the transcription of the Cyc6 and the Cpx1genes (encoding cytochrome c6 and coprogen oxidase) in response to copper deficiency. Mutational analysis of promoter regions of the Cyc6 and Cpx1 genes revealed a four nucleotide sequence, GTAC, which was absolutely essential for copper responsiveness. The Cyc6 promoter contains two copper response elements, each with a functionally important GTAC sequence, whereas the Cpx1 promoter contains only one. This may contribute to the stronger and more tightly regulated expression of the Cyc6 gene. Mutation or deletion of sequences flanking the GTACs implicates additional nucleotides contributing to copper-responsive expression, but none are absolutely essential. Metal ion selectivity of Cpx1 expression is identical to that described previously for Cyc6 and is restricted to the copper deficiency-induced Cpx1transcript. The Cyc6 and Cpx1 genes are also induced by oxygen deficiency. Reporter gene constructs indicate that the induction occurs at the level of transcription and requires the same GTAC sequence that is critical for copper responsiveness. We suggest that components of the copper-responsive signal transduction pathway are used for some of the changes in gene expression in hypoxic cells.
Comparative effects of serotonergic agonists withvarying efficacy at the 5-HT1A receptor on core body temperature: modification by the selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY 100635

A reduction in core body temperature is one of the characteristic consequences of 5-HT1A receptor activation in rodents. In this study, we characterized the hypothermic effects of four 5-HT1A receptor ligands with varying affinity and selectivity at the 5-HT1A receptor. 8-OH-DPAT and flesinoxan (full agonists); ipsapirone (selective partial agonist) and eltoprazine (non selective partial agonist), all induced a dose-dependent reduction in core body temperature, which was maximal 30 min subsequent to administration. This response differed quantitatively between the agonists, in both the extent and the duration of its effects. The selective 5-HT1Areceptor antagonist WAY 100635 (0.15 mg/kg), attenuated the hypothermia induced by the partial agonists, ipsapirone (10 mg/kg) and eltoprazine (10 mg/kg). In contrast, the higher dose of WAY 100635 (1mg/kg) antagonized the effects of all agonists. This study therefore further confirms the utility of hypothermia as a simple, robust in-vivo probe of 5-HT1A receptor function.This paradigm, which was enhanced by use of specific antagonists such as WAY 100635, may prove useful for the detection and characterization of novel 5-HT1Areceptor ligands.
Reducing the Rates of Indeterminate Results of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube Test During Routine Preemployment Screening for Latent Tuberculosis Infection Among Healthcare Personnel

We implemented the QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT-G) In-Tube test to identify latent tuberculosis infection among potential employees prior to employment. The rates of indeterminate QFT-G In-Tube test results were higher than expected and prompted an investigation that led to successful interventions (eg, manual vortexing before incubation and the use of a modified in-tube method). The tracking of indeterminate results is suggested as an important quality control measure.
Patterns in the Civic Knowledge, Engagement, and Attitudes of European Adolescents: The IEA Civic Education Study

A travers une etude de l'IEA portant sur le civisme des adolescents, l'auteur dresse un tableau comparatif des resultats de cette recherche a travers les reponses d'eleves de 23 pays europeens. Les performances globales montrent une grande disparite de reaction et de connaissances, et l'auteur souligne l'importance de l'education dans l'education civique, en particulier dans le contexte de la construction europeenne, ou les questions identitaires sont majeures.
NOTCH1 Is Required for Regeneration of Clara Cells During Repair of Airway Injury

The airways of the mammalian lung are lined with highly specialized epithelial cell types that are the targets of airborne toxicants and injury. Notch signaling plays an important role in the ontogeny of airway epithelial cells, but its contributions to recruitment, expansion or differentiation of resident progenitor/stem cells, and repair and re‐establishment of the normal composition of airway epithelium following injury have not been addressed. In this study, the role of a specific Notch receptor, Notch1, was investigated by targeted inactivation in the embryonic lung epithelium using the epithelial‐specific Gata5‐Cre driver line. Notch1‐deficient mice are viable without discernible defects in pulmonary epithelial cell‐fate determination and differentiation. However, in an experimental model of airway injury, activity of Notch1 is found to be required for normal repair of the airway epithelium. Absence of Notch1 reduced the ability of a population of cells distinguished by expression of PGP9.5, otherwise a marker of pulmonary neuroendocrine cells, which appears to serve as a reservoir for regeneration of Clara cells. Hairy/enhancer of split‐5 (Hes5) and paired‐box‐containing gene 6 (Pax6) were found to be downstream targets of Notch1. Both Hes5 and Pax6 expressions were significantly increased in association with Clara cell regeneration in wild‐type lungs. Ablation of Notch1 reduced Hes5 and Pax6 and inhibited airway epithelial repair. Thus, although dispensable in developmental ontogeny of airway epithelial cells, normal activity of Notch1 is required for repair of the airway epithelium. The signaling pathway by which Notch1 regulates the repair process includes stimulation of Hes5 and Pax6 gene expression. STEM CELLS 2012;30:946–955
Effects of Visual, Taste and Olfaction on Food Decision-Making

After the visual feedback, tasting by tongue and the perception on aroma, olfaction plays a part in cuisine before, after or during eating. Flavor has been derived based on the sensory effects of visual, taste and olfaction. For Chinese cuisine, the flavor is an effective indicator of judging whether or not the customers will enjoy delicious and good food, having a direct impact on the evaluation of Chinese cuisine. Consequently, the purpose is to understand and grasp the customer's sensory recognition, the stimulating effects of visual, taste and olfaction and to turn the quality specifications or requirements of good food. After an internal training, the requirements of customers on what is delicious food for them are redefined, which is the main purpose and major contribution of this paper. Through conducting a survey and random sampling after meals, the customers are invited to answer the questionnaires. There were 98 valid questionnaires. This paper adopts the independent sample t test and other statistical programs such as the SPSS 21.0 data analysis tool to analyze how the customers of different genders choose the delicious food through taste and olfactory perceptions. The research results can be adopted to verify the visual, taste and olfactory functions and can be used as an operational process to understand these functions and their influence and effectiveness.
Intrinsic determinants of retinal axon collateralization and arborization patterns

Permanent, novel retinal projections to the principal thalamic somatosensory (ventrobasal) or auditory (medial geniculate) nuclei can be produced in adult hamsters if the superior colliculus is ablated bilaterally and the somatosensory and auditory lemniscal axons are transected unilaterally on the day of birth. We studied the development of those novel projections by labeling retinal axons with the fluorescent tracer 1,1′‐dioctadecyl‐3,3,3′,3′‐tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate to examine the relative roles of intrinsic factors and axon‐target interactions in the specification of retinal axon connections. Our principal findings are as follows: (1) In hamsters operated on the day of birth to produce the novel retinal projections, retinal ganglion cell axons projecting to the ventrobasal or medial geniculate nuclei develop in three morphologically distinct stages, i.e., elongation, collateralization, and arborization, as do retinal axons projecting to the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, the principal thalamic visual nucleus, in normal hamsters. (2) In both the ventrobasal and medial geniculate nuclei of operated hamsters, as in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of normal hamsters, collateral branches were initially formed by retinal ganglion cell axons in both the superficial and internal components of the optic tract and only collaterals from the superficial component formed permanent projections. (3) The retinofugal axon terminal arbors in the ventrobasal and medial geniculate nuclei of mature, operated hamsters resemble the same three morphologic classes that are observed in the lateral geniculate nucleus of normal hamsters, although their absolute size appears to be altered. These data suggest that both superficial and internal optic tract axons can produce thalamic collaterals during development but that only superficial optic tract axons can permanently retain thalamic collaterals. Furthermore, the same morphologic types of retinofugal axons appear to contribute to normal and surgically induced retinal projections. J. Comp. Neurol. 411:119–129, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.