Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mutagen sensitivity and suppression of position‐effect variegation result from mutations in mus209, the Drosophila gene encoding PCNA.

The mus209B1 mutant of Drosophila melanogaster exhibits a complex pleiotropy of temperature‐sensitive (ts) lethality, hypersensitivity to DNA‐damaging agents such as ionizing radiation and methyl methanesulfonate, suppression of position‐effect variegation (PEV), and female sterility. Our discovery that mus209 encodes proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), which is an indispensable component of the DNA replication apparatus, suggests that alterations to chromosome replication may underlie that pleiotropy. Nine lethal mutations, three of them ts, genetically define the Pcna locus. Temperature shift studies reveal that the vital function of PCNA is required throughout virtually all stages of fly development, and that maternally encoded PCNA is essential for embryogenesis. All three ts mutants strongly suppress PEV, which suggests a role for PCNA in chromatin assembly or modification.
Nonlinear optical responses in two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide multilayer: WS2, WSe2, MoS2 and Mo 0.5 W0.5 S2.

Synthetic two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides such as, tungsten disulphide (WS<sub>2</sub>), tungsten diselenide (WSe<sub>2</sub>), molybdenum disulphide (MoS<sub>2</sub>) as well as mixed molybdenum tungsten disulphide (Mo<sub>0.5</sub>W<sub>0.5</sub>S<sub>2</sub>) single crystals were grown by the chemical vapor transport method using halogens (bromine or chlorine) as transport agents. Multi- layer samples were cleaved from the single crystals, and their nonlinear optical (NLO) properties were obtained from both open aperture and closed aperture Z-scan measurements using a picosecond mode-locked Nd: YAG laser operating at a wavelength of 1064 nm, with pulse duration of 25 ps, and 20 Hz repetition rate. Both WS<sub>2</sub> and MoS<sub>2</sub> exhibited nonlinear saturable absorption (SA), whereas WSe<sub>2</sub> and Mo<sub>0.5</sub>W<sub>0.5</sub>S<sub>2</sub> showed nonlinear two-photon absorption (2PA). A large 2PA coefficient β as high as + 1.91x10<sup>-8</sup> cm/W was obtained for the Mo<sub>0.5</sub>W<sub>0.5</sub>S<sub>2</sub>, and an index of refraction coefficient γ = -2.47x10<sup>-9</sup> cm<sup>2</sup>/W was obtained for the WSe<sub>2</sub> sample.
Comparative analysis of CNS populations in knockout mice with altered growth hormone responsiveness

Recently we have shown that growth hormone (GH) inhibits neuronal differentiation and that this process is blocked by suppressor of cytokine signalling‐2 (SOCS2). Here we examine several cortical and subcortical neuronal populations in GH hyper‐responsive SOCS2 null (−/−) mice and GH non‐responsive GH receptor null (GHR−/−) mice. While SOCS2−/− mice showed a 30% decrease in density of NeuN positive neurons in cortex compared to wildtype, GHR−/− mice showed a 25% increase even though brain size was decreased. Interneuron sub‐populations were variably affected, with a slight decrease in cortical parvalbumin expressing interneurons in SOCS2−/− mice and an increase in cortical calbindin and calretinin and striatal cholinergic neuron density in GHR−/− mice. Analysis of glial cell numbers in cresyl violet or glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) stained sections of cortex showed that the neuron : glia ratio was increased in GHR−/− mice and decreased in SOCS2−/− mice. The astrocytes in GHR−/− mice appeared smaller, while they were larger in SOCS2−/− mice. Neuronal soma size also varied in the different genotypes, with smaller striatal cholinergic neurons in GHR−/− mice. While the size of layer 5 pyramidal neurons was not significantly different from wildtype, SOCS2−/− neurons were larger than GHR−/− neurons. In addition, primary dendritic length was similar in all genotypes but dendritic branching of pyramidal neurons in the cortex appeared sparser in GHR−/− and SOCS2−/− mice. These results suggest that GH, possibly regulated by SOCS2, has multiple effects on central nervous system (CNS) development and maturation, regulating the number and size of multiple neuronal and glial cell types.
Self-injurious behaviour before and after deinstitutionalization.

The deinstitutionalization movement is presently spreading in Europe. Studies evaluating the effects of deinstitutionalization on behaviour disturbances among people with intellectual disability (ID) have been inconclusive. The present paper focuses on people without self-injurious behaviour (SIB) who developed SIB after deinstitutionalization. The present authors studied individual and environmental characteristics before and after deinstitutionalization to look for factors associated with the development of SIB which could also be possible intervention points for preventive action. All those individuals in an institution for people with ID who did not have SIB before deinstitutionalization were included in the present study. The individuals who developed SIB after deinstitutionalization (n = 15) formed the study group (group A) and those who did not (n = 53) comprised the control group (group B). The population was examined both before and after deinstitutionalization. As far as possible, the same methods were used at both occasions. The covariates were both individual (e.g. mental health, behaviour disturbances and behaviour deficits) and environmental (e.g. caretaker education, caretaker:patient ratio, housing and leisure activities). Psychiatric disorders were identified in 1987 and 1995 with the Psychopathology Instrument for Mentally Retarded Adults, which was filled in by the caretakers. In 1987, the people in group A who acquired SIB had lower developmental quotients, used wheelchairs more often and had trouble with moving around without help. They also had a greater frequency of epileptic seizures, and hearing and communication impairment. In 1995, there were only minor environmental differences between groups A and B. There were significantly more individuals involved in the rotation period and more unskilled caretakers working with the people in group A than group B. The present authors found no differences between the two groups on variables such as global mental health and behaviour disturbances, or in the use of neuroleptics before or after deinstitutionalization. Groups A and B did not show differences in behaviour disturbances or psychiatric disorders in 1987. In both 1987 and 1995, there were no differences between groups A and B on variables such as accommodation, caretaker:patient ratio, the number of caretakers involved in direct care, the caretakers' education, or the time spent in structured activities before and after deinstitutionalization. The individual characteristics indicating that a person may acquire SIB are behaviour deficits which are suggestive of central nervous system dysfunction or damage, even if the results are inconclusive. The development of SIB may also be facilitated by communication deficits or by reinforcement of a incidentally occurring SIB if the staff includes many unskilled caretakers in the rotation period.
Determination of Ototoxicity of Common Otic Drops Using Isolated Cochlear Outer Hair Cells

Objectives Otic drops are commonly used not only for otitis externa, but also for otorrhea in the presence of tympanostomy tubes or tympanic membrane perforations. Many studies have demonstrated the ototoxicity of common otic preparations such as Cortisporin® otic drops (Monarch Pharmaceuticals, Bristol, TN). The purpose of this study was to assess the relative ototoxicity of common otic preparations by direct exposure to isolated cochlear outer hair cells (OHCs).
Do Good Institutions Promote Countercyclical Macroeconomic Policies?

The literature has argued that developing countries are unable to adopt counter-cyclical monetary and fiscal policies due to financial imperfections and unfavorable politicaleconomy conditions. Using a world sample of 115 industrial and developing countries for 1984-2008, we find that the level of institutional quality plays a key role in countries' ability to implement counter-cyclical macroeconomic policies. The results show that countries with strong (weak) institutions adopt counter- (pro-) cyclical macroeconomic policies, reflected in extended monetary policy and fiscal policy rules. The threshold level of institutional quality at which monetary and fiscal policies are a-cyclical is found to be similar.
Widespread Dispersal of Borrelia burgdorferi–Infected Ticks Collected from Songbirds Across Canada

abstract: Millions of Lyme disease vector ticks are dispersed annually by songbirds across Canada, but often overlooked as the source of infection. For clarity on vector distribution, we sampled 481 ticks (12 species and 3 undetermined ticks) from 211 songbirds (42 species/subspecies) nationwide. Using PCR, 52 (29.5%) of 176 Ixodes ticks tested were positive for the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. Immature blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, collected from infested songbirds had a B. burgdorferi infection prevalence of 36% (larvae, 48%; nymphs, 31%). Notably, Ixodes affinis is reported in Canada for the first time and, similarly, Ixodes auritulus for the initial time in the Yukon. Firsts for bird-parasitizing ticks include I. scapularis in Quebec and Saskatchewan. We provide the first records of 3 tick species cofeeding on passerines (song sparrow, Swainson's thrush). New host records reveal I. scapularis on the blackpoll warbler and Nashville warbler. We furnish the following first Canadian reports of B. burgdorferi–positive ticks: I. scapularis on chipping sparrow, house wren, indigo bunting; I. auritulus on Bewick's wren; and I. spinipalpis on a Bewick's wren and song sparrow. First records of B. burgdorferi–infected ticks on songbirds include the following: the rabbit-associated tick, Ixodes dentatus, in western Canada; I. scapularis in Quebec, Saskatchewan, northern New Brunswick, northern Ontario; and Ixodes spinipalpis (collected in British Columbia). The presence of B. burgdorferi in Ixodes larvae suggests reservoir competency in 9 passerines (Bewick's wren, common yellowthroat, dark-eyed junco, Oregon junco, red-winged blackbird, song sparrow, Swainson's thrush, swamp sparrow, and white-throated sparrow). We report transstadial transmission (larva to nymph) of B. burgdorferi in I. auritulus. Data suggest a possible 4-tick, i.e., I. angustus, I. auritulus, I. pacificus, and I. spinipalpis, enzootic cycle of B. burgdorferi on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Our results suggest that songbirds infested with B. burgdorferi–infected ticks have the potential to start new tick populations endemic for Lyme disease. Because songbirds disperse B. burgdorferi–infected ticks outside their anticipated range, health-care providers are advised that people can contract Lyme disease locally without any history of travel.
Comparison between thoracoabdominal and abdominal approaches in occurrence of pleural effusion after liver cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Pleural effusion is a complication occasionally encountered in hepatic surgery. The production of pleural effusion was compared between thoracoabdominal and abdominal approach for hepatic surgery of hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODOLOGY All the 98 patients undergoing liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma at the National Cancer Center Hospital from May 1992 to March 1994 were included into the study, of those 70 were by the thoracoabdominal and 28 by the standard abdominal approach. Comparisons were made in regard to the rate of pleural effusion, the rate of postoperative thoracentesis, the number of postoperative thoracentesis procedures per patient, the total volume of pleural effusion obtained by thoracentesis per patient, and the duration of pleural effusion. RESULTS Forty-three percent of patients treated with the abdominal approach in contrast to 73% of patients treated with the thoracoabdominal approach developed pleural effusion (p < 0.01). Seven percent of the patients treated with the abdominal approach in contrast to 17% of the patients treated by the thoraco-abdominal approach required thoracentesis. The number of thoracentesis required for the abdominal approach was 1, for the thoracoabdominal approach was 3 (p < 0.02). The bile leakage rate was 17% for thoracoabdominal versus 33% for abdominal approach. CONCLUSIONS Due to frequent pleural effusion, the thoracoabdominal approach should not be used for every liver operation. However, when treatment to the neck of the right hepatic vein is necessary, the thoracoabdominal approach might be recommended because of the easy access to the operating field and the reduced rate of bile leakage.
Analysis of business environment in hospitality companies in North Sumatera

The aim of the research is to find out the empirical evidence about the business environment which is faced by hospitality companies in North Sumatra. The business environment can be seen on an internal environment and an external environment. The internal environment consists of variables (advantage and disadvantage) which are inside of the company whereas the external environment consists of variables (threat and opportunity) which are outside the company. The research uses descriptive approach. The data collection is done by a survey which distributes a questionnaire to 113 the luxury hotel in North Sumatra. The result of the research shows that the business environment is viewed from the internal environment dimension with three indicators, namely organizational personnel, organizational function, and organizational level staff are in moderate-high uncertainty condition. Furthermore, the business environment is seen from the external environment dimension with five indicators, namely customers, suppliers, social, political, and technological competitors are in moderate-high uncertainty condition.
OX40-OX40 Ligand Interaction through T Cell-T Cell Contact Contributes to CD4 T Cell Longevity1

Signals through the OX40 costimulatory receptor on naive CD4 T cells are essential for full-fledged CD4 T cell activation and the generation of CD4 memory T cells. Because the ligand for OX40 is mainly expressed by APCs, including activated B cells, dendritic cells, and Langerhans cells, the OX40-OX40 ligand (OX40L) interaction has been thought to participate in T cell-APC interactions. Although several reports have revealed the expression of OX40L on T cells, the functional significance of its expression on them is still unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that Ag stimulation induced an increase in the surface expression and transcript levels of OX40L in CD4 T cells. Upon contact with OX40-expressing T cells, the cell surface expression of OX40L on CD4 T cells was markedly down-regulated, suggesting that OX40-OX40L binding occurs through a novel T cell-T cell interaction. To investigate the function of this phenomenon, we examined the proliferative response and survival of OX40L-deficient CD4 T cells when challenged with Ag. In vitro studies demonstrated markedly less CD3-induced proliferation of OX40L-deficient CD4 T cells compared with wild-type CD4 T cells. When using TCR transgenic CD4 T cells upon Ag stimulation, survival of OX40L-deficient T cells was impaired. Furthermore, we show that upon antigenic stimulation, fewer OX40L-deficient CD4 T cells than wild-type cells survived following transfer into wild-type and sublethally irradiated recipient mice. Taken together, our findings indicate that OX40L-expressing T cells have an autonomous machinery that provides OX40 signals through a T cell-T cell circuit, creating an additional mechanism for sustaining CD4 T cell longevity.
Prospective multicenter bronchiolitis study: predicting intensive care unit admissions.

OBJECTIVES The authors sought to identify predictors of intensive care unit (ICU) admission among children hospitalized with bronchiolitis for > or =24 hours. METHODS The authors conducted a prospective cohort study during two consecutive bronchiolitis seasons, 2004 through 2006, in 30 U.S. emergency departments (EDs). All included patients were aged <2 years and had a final diagnosis of bronchiolitis. Regular floor versus ICU admissions were compared. RESULTS Of 1,456 enrolled patients, 533 (37%) were admitted to the regular floor and 50 (3%) to the ICU. Comparing floor and ICU admissions, multivariate ED predictors of ICU admission were age <2 months (26% vs. 53%; odds ratio [OR] = 4.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.1 to 8.3), an ED visit the past week (25% vs. 40%; OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.1 to 4.4), moderate/severe retractions (31% vs. 48%; OR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.3 to 5.2), and inadequate oral intake (31% vs. 53%; OR = 3.3; 95% CI = 1.6 to 7.1). Unlike previous studies, no association with male gender, socioeconomic factors, insurance status, breast-feeding, or parental asthma was found with ICU admission. CONCLUSIONS In this prospective multicenter ED-based study of children admitted for bronchiolitis, four independent predictors of ICU admission were identified. The authors did not confirm many putative risk factors, but cannot rule out modest associations.
Genetics and epigenetics in family context: introduction to the special section.

We introduce the special section on "Genetics and Epigenetics in Family Context. " It is noted that family researchers are incorporating genetic factors in their research with increasing frequency. The current special section includes contributions from behavioral genetic, molecular genetic, and epigenetic perspectives, reflecting the diversity of methodologies that are currently being applied to the study of genetic contributions to family processes and outcomes. The special section is both an acknowledgment of the increasing prominence of genetic factors in family models as well as an effort to highlight different approaches and foster greater cross-pollination between approaches.
Biofilms in chronic wounds

Chronic wounds including diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, and venous leg ulcers are a worldwide health problem. It has been speculated that bacteria colonizing chronic wounds exist as highly persistent biofilm communities. This research examined chronic and acute wounds for biofilms and characterized microorganisms inhabiting these wounds. Chronic wound specimens were obtained from 77 subjects and acute wound specimens were obtained from 16 subjects. Culture data were collected using standard clinical techniques. Light and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to analyze 50 of the chronic wound specimens and the 16 acute wound specimens. Molecular analyses were performed on the remaining 27 chronic wound specimens using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and sequence analysis. Of the 50 chronic wound specimens evaluated by microscopy, 30 were characterized as containing biofilm (60%), whereas only one of the 16 acute wound specimens was characterized as containing biofilm (6%). This was a statistically significant difference (p<0.001). Molecular analyses of chronic wound specimens revealed diverse polymicrobial communities and the presence of bacteria, including strictly anaerobic bacteria, not revealed by culture. Bacterial biofilm prevalence in specimens from chronic wounds relative to acute wounds observed in this study provides evidence that biofilms may be abundant in chronic wounds.
Results of lumbar pseudarthrosis repair.

Forty patients underwent 47 procedures for repair of a lumbar pseudarthrosis at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Scoliosis Center between 1973 and 1986. Forty-three procedures in 36 patients with a minimum follow-up of 2 years were reviewed. Symptoms at the time of surgery included back pain (100%), leg pain (61%), subjective neurologic symptoms (49%), and thigh pain (35%). The diagnosis was made most commonly on the basis of pain radiographs (70%). In 38 cases, posterolateral fusion was performed, using segmental sublaminar wiring in 37%, a variable screw plate in 29%, Harrington compression rods in 16%, and no implant in 18%. Anterior interbody fusion was performed in six cases, including one combined fusion. Follow-up averaged 4.4 years. Solid fusion was achieved in 49% of cases. Eighty-six percent of patients continued to have low-back pain. Clinical outcomes were graded as excellent in 7%, good in 35%, fair in 9%, and failure in 49%. Significantly improved results were seen in patients in whom a solid fusion was obtained (p less than 0.005), in patients who had undergone only one prior surgery on the lumbar spine (p less than 0.01), and in patients in whom the initial fusion had been performed for spondylolisthesis rather than a primarily degenerative disorder (p less than 0.025). A trend toward better results was seen in cases in which the patient did not complain of leg pain preoperatively, in which a Workers' Compensation claim was not involved, and in which a prior attempt at pseudarthrosis repair had not been performed. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A Naturally Occurring Allele of BRCA1 Coding for a Temperature-Sensitive Mutant Protein

Recent evidence suggests that the breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility gene product BRCA1 is involved in at least two fundamental cellular processes: transcriptional regulation and DNA repair. However, the mechanism of action of BRCA1 in either of these processes is still unknown. Here, we report the characterization of a disease-predisposing allele of BRCA1, identified in a family with several cases of ovarian cancer, coding for a protein that displays temperature-sensitive activity in transcriptional activation. The mutant protein differs from the wild type protein at a single amino acid, R1699W that occurs in a region at the N-terminal BRCT domain that is highly conserved among BRCA1 homologs. When the C-terminus of the mutant protein (aa 1560–1863) was fused to a heterologous GAL4 DNA-binding domain and expressed in yeast or mammalian cells, it was able to activate transcription of a reporter gene to levels observed for wild type BRCA1 at the permissive temperature (30? C) but exhibited significantly less transcription activity at the restrictive temperature (37? C or 39? C). Our results indicate that the transcriptional activity of the R1699W mutant can be modulated as a function of temperature and provide a novel experimental approach which can be utilized to dissect the molecular mechanism(s) of BRCA1 in processes related to transcription. Key Words: BRCA1, Yeast, Transcription, Temperature-sensitive mutants, BRCT domain, Ovarian cancer
Assessment of halothane and sevoflurane anesthesia in spontaneously breathing rats.

OBJECTIVE To characterize halothane and sevoflurane anesthesia in spontaneously breathing rats. ANIMALS 16 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats. PROCEDURE 8 rats were anesthetized with halothane and 8 with sevoflurane. Minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) was determined. Variables were recorded at anesthetic concentrations of 0.8, 1.0, 1.25, and 1.5 times the MAC of halothane and 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, and 1.75 times the MAC of sevoflurane. RESULTS Mean (+/- SEM) MAC for halothane was 1.02 +/- 0.02% and for sevoflurane was 2.99 +/- 0.19%. As sevoflurane dose increased from 1.0 to 1.75 MAC, mean arterial pressure (MAP) decreased from 103.1 +/- 5.3 to 67.9 +/- 4.6 mm Hg, and PaCO2 increased from 58.8 +/- 3.1 to 92.2 +/- 9.2 mm Hg. As halothane dose increased from 0.8 to 1.5 MAC, MAP decreased from 99 +/- 6.2 to 69.8 +/- 4.5 mm Hg, and PaCO2 increased from 59.1 +/- 2.1 to 75.9 +/- 5.2 mm Hg. Respiratory rate decreased in a dose-dependent fashion from 88.5 +/- 4.5 to 58.5 +/- 2.7 breaths/min during halothane anesthesia and from 42.3 +/- 1.8 to 30.5 +/- 4.5 breaths/min during sevoflurane anesthesia. Both groups of rats had an increase in eyelid and pupillary aperture with an increase in anesthetic dose. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE An increase in PaCO2 and a decrease in MAP are clinical indicators of an increasing halothane and sevoflurane dose in unstimulated spontaneously breathing rats. Increases in eyelid aperture and pupil diameter are reliable signs of increasing depth of halothane and sevoflurane anesthesia. Decreasing respiratory rate is a clinical indicator of an increasing dose of halothane.