Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Purification and characterization of a mesohalic catalase from the halophilic bacterium Halobacterium halobium

When subjected to the stress of growth in a relatively low-salt environment (1.25 M NaCl), the halophilic bacterium Halobacterium halobium induces a catalase. The protein has been purified to electrophoretic homogeneity and has an M(r) of 240,000 and a subunit size of approximately 62,000. The enzyme is active over a broad pH range of 6.5 to 10.0, with a peak in activity at pH 7.0. It has an isoelectric point of 4.0. This catalse, which is not readily reduced by dithionite, shows a Soret peak at 406 nm. Cyanide and azide inhibit the enzyme at micromolar concentrations, whereas maleimide is without effect. The addition of 20 mM 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole results in a 33% inhibition in enzymatic activity. The tetrameric protein binds NADP in a 1:1 ratio but does not peroxidize NADPH, NADH, or ascorbate. Although the enzymatic activity is maximal when assayed in a 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer with no NaCl, prolonged incubation in a buffer lacking NaCl results in inactive enzyme. Moreover, purification must be performed in the presence of 2 M NaCl. Equally as effective in retaining enzymatic function are NaCl, LiCl, KCl, CsCl, and NH4Cl, whereas divalent salts such as MgCl2 and CaCl2 result in the immediate loss of activity. The catalase is stained by pararosaniline, which is indicative of a glycosidic linkage. The Km for H2O2 is 60 mM, with inhibition observed at concentrations in excess of 90 mM. Thus, the mesohalic catalase purified from H. halobium seems to be similar to other catalases, except for the salt requirements, but differs markedly from the constitutive halobacterial hydroperoxidase.
Hybrid approach for detecting and preventing DOS attack in VANET

Vehicular ad-hoc network is growing area of research there are many attacks by which network performance degrade there are lots of strategy to prevent and detect those attacks. In this paper, we study about vehicular network and denial of service (DOS) attack. In our proposed work, we offer a hybrid approach for preventing our network from attacks. The productivity of our work we proposed by results which is evaluated in NS-2.35.
Correlation of Foveal Photoreceptor Integrity with Visual Outcome in Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the correlation of foveal photoreceptor integrity with visual outcome in patients undergoing idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Materials and methods: Forty-three eyes of 43 patients were examined by SD-OCT before and at 1 and 6 months after vitrectomy for idiopathic ERM. Patients were divided into two groups based on the preoperative integrity of photoreceptor inner and outer segment junction (IS/OS) – Group I, intact IS/OS and Group D, disrupted IS/OS. Where present, disrupted length of IS/OS was measured, and the association between disrupted length of IS/OS and foveal thickness with best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was evaluated. Results: There were 27 eyes with an intact IS/OS (Group I) and 16 eyes with a disrupted IS/OS (Group D). Patients in Group I had significantly better postoperative BCVA and greater improvement than those in Group D at 6 months after surgery (p = 0.001 and p = 0.030, respectively). By 6 months after surgery, the disrupted length of IS/OS observed preoperatively in Group D had decreased significantly (p = 0.007). The disrupted length of IS/OS before and at 6 months after the surgery in Group D showed a positive correlation with BCVA (r = 0.632 and p = 0.009; r = 0.658 and p = 0.006, respectively). Foveal thickness did not correlate significantly with preoperative and postoperative BCVA. Conclusions: Preoperative disruption of foveal photoreceptors can be restored after ERM surgery. The preoperative integrity of foveal photoreceptors may be a clinically significant prognostic factor for visual recovery in patients with idiopathic ERM.
Absence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis components from Crohn's disease intestinal biopsy tissues.

BACKGROUND Crohn's disease is a chronic human intestinal inflammatory disorder for which an etiologic agent has not been identified. Johne's disease is a similar chronic enteric granulomatous disease of ruminant species and has been used as a model of Crohn's disease. Johne's disease has been proven to be caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (M. avium ss paratuberculosis). It has been proposed that M. avium ss paratuberculosis may also cause Crohn's disease. This is of particular concern because the organism may be spread to humans through inadequately pasteurized dairy products. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine whether M. avium ss paratuberculosis could be detected using identical techniques in paraffin-embedded tissue samples of bovine Johne's disease and human Crohn's, ulcerative colitis and diverticular diseases. Samples were obtained for analysis from national tissue banks. DESIGN Cross-species and cross-disease sample comparisons by multiple detection techniques. METHODS Histology, immunocytochemistry and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were utilized to test and compare the presence of M. avium ss paratuberculosis components. Insertion sequence IS900, present in multiple copies and found only in M. avium ss paratuberculosis, was utilized in both PCR and immunocytochemical analyses. RESULTS The IS900 sequence was demonstrable in all samples of confirmed positive Johne's disease tissue. The sequence was not identified in the 35 Crohn's, 36 ulcerative colitis, and 21 diverticular disease samples. CONCLUSION M. avium ss paratuberculosis was not associated with the lesions in these Crohn's disease samples, using these methods.
Sustaining local language relationships through indigenous community-based tourism initiatives

ABSTRACT This research explores and explains the vital role of language relationships as foundational to supporting culturally appropriate, culturally relevant language use within indigenous community-based tourism settings. Significant language theories broadly posit a nature versus nurture perspective on how people acquire this uniquely human ability. Indigenous perspectives hold that language is place-based: an expression of their relationship with the land, the ancestors, and to each other – that language comes from the land. Both perspectives consider language central to individual and collective cultural identity. The progressive loss of indigenous languages globally is a serious threat to sustaining indigenous peoples' life ways and cultural heritages. This article stems from research exploring language and tourism related issues in Haida Gwaii, Canada drawing on the experiences and insights of those with knowledge of these issues in Hawaiʻi and Aotearoa (New Zealand). This research employed an indigenist methodology drawing on narrative inquiry and participatory action research to develop the methods used. The paper examines the centrality of language as the defining construct or relationship to which community-based tourism initiatives must be oriented – an expanded space wherein the connection to place, through language, provides the cultural basis for integrating language into tourism products and services.
Insertion/deletion polymorphisms are convenient and reliable markers to assess chromosomal instability in human tumors

Chromosomal instability (CIN) is frequently associated with a poor outcome in human carcinomas. The genomes of the main human malignancies are well defined as hundreds of tumors have been characterized by arrays. Targeting the appropriate chromosomes with set of markers appears as a realistic approach for CIN assessment. We decided to test the reliability of different insertion/deletion (InDel) polymorphisms to detect allelic loss in a subset of previously characterized hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). To this aim 3 kinds of markers, L1 insertion (n=1), Alu insertions (n=4) and Marshfield InDel (MID, n=8) markers, were tested on a series of 68 paired HCC/non-tumor liver samples that were previously characterized for loss of heterozygosity (LOH). All markers were analyzed on agarose gels and some were tested with the high resolution melting (HRM) technique. Heterozygosity of the tested markers was high with a mean of 0.489 and a range of 0.265–0.525. Using 6 markers for chromosome 8p, the sensitivity of the method was high. LOH was detected in all samples known to be affected (n=34) whereas retention was found in 29/30 samples (specificity of 96.6%). Finally, the HRM analysis applied to 2 MID markers provided consistent profiles enabling closed-tube determination of chromosomes 17p and 18q status. Overall, our work suggests that different types of InDel markers are suitable for CIN detection in human tumors and may provide convenient and useful information for basic or translational research as well as for future applications in clinical practice.
[Small interfering RNA in silencing cox-2 expression enhances radiosensitivity of esophageal cancer EC9706 cell].

OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of small interfering RNA (siRNA) specific to cox-2 gene on the radiosensitivity of esophageal cancer cell EC9706. METHODS The siRNA vector was established for cox-2 gene and then induced into esophageal cancer cell EC9706 by lipofectamine. G418 screening yielded stably transfected cells. After the irradiation of 0, 2 and 4 Gy, the cellular expression levels of cox-2, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2), Bax and Bcl-2 were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and those of cox-2 protein, AKT protein and phosphorylation AKT protein (pAKT) by Western blot. Cell apoptosis was examined by flow cytometer. Invasion of cells was detected by invasive assay in vitro. The invasive and metastatic capacities of cancer cells were assessed by invasion assay in vitro. Proliferative potential was quantified by clone-forming assay. RESULTS The sequencing result confirmed that siRNA vector pRNA-U6 for cox-2 gene was established. The results of 1-sinCox214, RT-PCR and Western blot showed that cox-2 gene expression of transfected EC9706 cell was silenced efficiently. After the irradiation of 0, 2 and 4 Gy, the expressions of MMP2, Bcl-2 mRNA, AKT protein and pAKT in silencing cox-2 gene expression significantly decreased. There was an inverse correlation with irradiation dose. The Bax mRNA expression evidently increased directly with irradiation dose; the apoptotic rate in cox-2 silencing groups was evidently higher than the control groups. And the difference was significant (P < 0.01); invasion cells in vitro in Cox-2 silencing groups evidently decreased with significant difference (P < 0.01). The colony formation rate of cells decreased obviously in cox-2 silencing groups after the irradiation of 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 Gy (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Small interference RNA in silencing cox-2 gene expression can enhance significantly the radiosensitivity of esophageal cancer EC9706 cells. And the mechanism may be related with MMP2, Bax, Bcl-2, AKT protein and pAKT protein.
A case study exploring Bangladeshi teacher educators' perspectives of information and communication technology (ICT) in education.

This study explores teacher educators’ perceptions of information and communication technology (ICT) within teacher education programs in Bangladesh. The study is set within the context of a nationwide focus on ICT shaped by the Bangladesh Government’s National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Policy – 2009. The intention of this policy is to increase the use and understanding of ICT by introducing specific courses in primary, secondary and tertiary education, technical and vocational education, and teacher education programs. Aligned with this overarching ICT policy, the National Education Policy, 2010, places special emphasis on the integration of ICT in education by recommending that ICT is taught as a separate learning area, and that it is used as a tool across all curriculum areas. Consequently the National Education Policy recommends that all teachers receive training to make the best use of ICT for educational purposes. Given the critical role of teachers in implementing these policies, this study explores teacher educators’ perceptions of ICT within the teacher education programs in Bangladesh. Ten educators from four different teachers’ training colleges (TTC) were interviewed to explore their experiences and understandings of ICT. This study found that the teacher educators believe ICT is more than a simple teaching-learning tool because it has potential for constructing knowledge and enhancing the quality of education. They also recognized that ICT provides relative advantages over traditional teaching tools, and that it facilitates professional learning via access to current knowledge from national and international sources. However, the educators also understood that the mere provision of computers or ICT in institutions does not ensure quality education. Teachers need to develop technological knowledge about how ICTs work; an understanding of pedagogical strategies that utilize ICT; and the capability to design learning experiences that appropriately integrate technology in relation to learning content. In addition, teacher educators should also be prepared with both pedagogical and andragogical knowledge of teaching about and with ICT. The teacher education programs should integrate ICT in cross-curricular activities so that the trainee
Seizure vulnerability and anxiety responses following chronic co-administration and acute withdrawal of caffeine and ethanol in a rat model

Abstract Background: Caffeine antagonizes the intoxicating effects of alcohol. Consequently, there has been a dramatic global increase in the consumption of caffeinated drinks together with alcohol, especially among young adults. We assessed the seizure vulnerability and anxiety responses following the chronic co-administration of, and withdrawal from, caffeine and ethanol in male rats. Methods: The rats were randomly assigned to six groups consisting of 10 animals each: 10 mg/kg of caffeine, 20 mg/kg of caffeine, 4 g/kg of 20% ethanol, combined caffeine (20 mg/kg) and ethanol (4 g/kg of 20%), 4 mL/kg distilled water, and an untreated control group. The test substances were administered intragastrically twice daily for 29 days. On day 29, the rats were tested on the elevated plus maze to assess anxiety-related responses. On day 30, pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), a chemoconvulsant, was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 40 mg/kg to the animals. Seizure responses and mortality up to 72 h were recorded. Results: Compared with the control group, the rats that received chronic treatment with low-dose caffeine, ethanol alone, and combined caffeine and ethanol exhibited significant anxiogenic-like effects, unlike with high-dose caffeine. Both low- and high-dose caffeine significantly increased PTZ seizure latency. Ethanol alone and combined caffeine and ethanol both lowered PTZ seizure latency. No significant difference occurred between the controls and the untreated group for either anxiety or seizure expression. Combined caffeine and ethanol increased the seizure-induced mortality from withdrawal effects at 72 h. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the chronic co-administration of caffeine and ethanol and the acute withdrawal from these drugs lead to anxiogenic effects and increased seizure vulnerability.
Advancing science and policy through a coordinated international study of physical activity and built environments: IPEN adult methods.

BACKGROUND National and international strategies to increase physical activity emphasize environmental and policy changes that can have widespread and long-lasting impact. Evidence from multiple countries using comparable methods is required to strengthen the evidence base for such initiatives. Because some environment and policy changes could have generalizable effects and others may depend on each country's context, only international studies using comparable methods can identify the relevant differences. METHODS Currently 12 countries are participating in the International Physical Activity and the Environment Network (IPEN) study. The IPEN Adult study design involves recruiting adult participants from neighborhoods with wide variations in environmental walkability attributes and socioeconomic status (SES). RESULTS Eleven of twelve countries are providing accelerometer data and 11 are providing GIS data. Current projections indicate that 14,119 participants will provide survey data on built environments and physical activity and 7145 are likely to provide objective data on both the independent and dependent variables. Though studies are highly comparable, some adaptations are required based on the local context. CONCLUSIONS: This study was designed to inform evidence-based international and country-specific physical activity policies and interventions to help prevent obesity and other chronic diseases that are high in developed countries and growing rapidly in developing countries.
Terlipressin and gelafundin: safe therapy of hepatorenal syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND AIM Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) occurs in about 20 % of patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites and is characterized by intensive renal vasoconstriction, low glomerular filtration rate but preserved tubular function and normal renal histology. The potential of terlipressin and albumin to reverse HRS after a time period of 14 days has already been shown. However, intravenous albumin is expensive (approximately 25 per 50 ml 20% albumin in Germany) and has limited availability in some settings. Therefore we used an artificial plasma substitute, Gelatinepolysuccinat, which is less expensive (approximately 12 per 500 ml). The aim of our present study was to examine the effects of terlipressin and Gelatinepolysuccinat on renal function and hemodynamics in a time period of six days. METHODS AND PATIENTS Seven consecutive patients with cirrhosis and hepatorenal syndrome were included in a pilot study of terlipressin (6 mg /24 h iv) therapy associated with i.v. Gelatinepolysuccinat (Gelafundin 4% Infusionslösung, Company Braun, Mw: 30 000 D). RESULTS In five of the seven patients treatment was associated with a marked reduction of serum creatinine after six days (3.85 +/- 0.44 mg/dl vs.1.9 +/- 0.32 mg/dl; p< 0.018). Creatinine clearance improved (20 +/- 8.8 ml/min vs. 43 +/- 11.7 ml/min; p<0.12). There was a remarkable improvement in circulatory function in all patients, with an increase in mean arterial pressure (58+/-4.4 mmHg vs. 75 +/- 4.5 mmHg, p< 0.001). No patient developed signs of intestinal, myocardial or distal ischemia. CONCLUSIONS Terlipressin and Gelatinepolysuccinat appear to be a safe and effective treatment of hepatorenal syndrome.
Relationship of respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, and functional capacity with quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation

Objective To examine the relationship of pulmonary parameters and functional capacity with quality of life (QoL) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods Thirty-six patients with chronic AF were included in this cross-sectional study. QoL was assessed with the Medical Outcomes Survey 36-item Short Form (SF-36) and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). Respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function were also measured. Functional capacity was assessed with the 6-min walk test (6MWT). The Borg CR10 Scale was used to determine the resting dyspnea and fatigue levels. Results The SF-36 physical component summary score was correlated with the maximum inspiratory pressure (r = 0.517), maximum expiratory pressure (r = 0.391), 6MWT distance (r = 0.542), resting Borg dyspnea score (r = −0.692), and resting Borg fatigue score (r = −0.727). The MLHFQ total score was correlated with the maximum inspiratory pressure (r = −0.542), maximum expiratory pressure (r = −0.384), 6MWT distance (r = −0.535), resting Borg dyspnea score (r = 0.641), and resting Borg fatigue score (r = 0.703). The resting Borg fatigue score was the significant independent predictor of the SF-36 physical component score and the MLHFQ total score. Conclusion Respiratory muscle strength, functional capacity measured with the 6MWT, and resting symptoms including dyspnea and fatigue may have an impact on QoL in patients with AF.
Resilience definitions, theory, and challenges: interdisciplinary perspectives

In this paper, inspired by the plenary panel at the 2013 meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Dr. Steven Southwick (chair) and multidisciplinary panelists Drs. George Bonanno, Ann Masten, Catherine Panter-Brick, and Rachel Yehuda tackle some of the most pressing current questions in the field of resilience research including: (1) how do we define resilience, (2) what are the most important determinants of resilience, (3) how are new technologies informing the science of resilience, and (4) what are the most effective ways to enhance resilience? These multidisciplinary experts provide insight into these difficult questions, and although each of the panelists had a slightly different definition of resilience, most of the proposed definitions included a concept of healthy, adaptive, or integrated positive functioning over the passage of time in the aftermath of adversity. The panelists agreed that resilience is a complex construct and it may be defined differently in the context of individuals, families, organizations, societies, and cultures. With regard to the determinants of resilience, there was a consensus that the empirical study of this construct needs to be approached from a multiple level of analysis perspective that includes genetic, epigenetic, developmental, demographic, cultural, economic, and social variables. The empirical study of determinates of resilience will inform efforts made at fostering resilience, with the recognition that resilience may be enhanced on numerous levels (e.g., individual, family, community, culture).
Investigation of depression and quality of life factors in cancer patients' caregivers.

PURPOSE This study aimed to explore depression and quality of life (QoL) factors among caregivers of patients with cancer and to better understand who the caregivers are and how caregiving affects them. METHODS This descriptive study was conducted at the Medical Oncology Department of Cukurova University, Balcali Hospital. The study consisted of 150 cancer patients' caregivers who had been treated between September 1 and October 15, 2015. Percent distribution was used to evaluate the sociodemographic characteristics of caregivers. One way ANOVA, t-test and frequencies were used for other analyses. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Of the caregivers, 42.7% (n=64) were male, 67.3% (n=101) were married, 30% (n=45) had university education, and their mean age was 40.1±13.7 years. Also, 36% were offspring of the cancer patients. Of caregivers 51.3% were sharing the caregiving process with someone else. The mean value of Beck depression inventory (BDI) was 14.08±10.9 (min-max, 0-55). According to the values of the inventory, 42% were normal, 24.7% were mildly, 20.7% were moderately and 12.7% were severely depressed. A significant association was found between BDI and overall QoL (WHOQOL-Bref) for all domains (p<0.001). CONCLUSION We believe that these results are a step toward identifying the associated factors for reducing caregivers' depression and ameliorating their QoL.