Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization, Molecular Cloning and Expression of Megakaryocyte Potentiating Factor

We examined whether the conditioned media of 64 kinds of cell lines, which have been maintained by a protein‐free culture system, could produce megakaryocyte potentiating (Meg‐POT) activity. In these cell lines, HPC‐Y5, established from human pancreatic cancer, was shown to have the highest level of activity. The megakaryocyte potentiating factor (MPF) was purified from its conditioned medium by a combination of ion‐exchange chromatography, gel filtration and reversed‐phase HPLC. The purified MPF showed Meg‐POT activity almost equal to human (Hu) interleukin 6 (IL‐6) in the presence of murine IL‐3 in a colony‐forming assay with mouse bone marrow cells. The molecular weight of MPF was estimated to be 33 kDa by SDS‐PAGE. Glycopeptidase F digestion and amino sugar analysis of the factor demonstrated that MPF is a glycoprotein carrying at least one N‐linked sugar chain. The N‐terminal amino acid sequence of MPF was determined to be Leu‐Ala‐Gly‐Glu‐Thr‐Gly‐Gln‐Glu‐Ala‐Ala‐Pro‐Leu‐Asp‐Gly‐Val‐Leu‐Ala‐Asn. The same or homologous amino acid sequence has not been found in known proteins, demonstrating that MPF may be a novel cytokine which has Meg‐POT activity. Then, we isolated HuMPF cDNA from an HPC‐Y5 cDNA library using polymerase chain reaction and plaque hybridization methods. The HuMPF cDNA encodes a polypeptide consisting of 622 amino acids, including a signal peptide of 33 amino acids, and with a deduced molecular weight of 68 kDa, although HPC‐Y5 cells secrete a 33 kDa form of HuMPF. HuMPF cDNA does not show any significant homology with other known sequences. The cDNA was expressed in COS‐7 and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, and Meg‐POT activity was detected in their culture supernatant. The COS‐7 cells secreted only a 33 kDa recombinant (r)HuMPF, however, an additional 30 kDa form was detected in the culture medium of CHO cells. The 33 kDa rHuMPF from CHO cells showed Meg‐POT activity, but not the purified 30 kDa rHuMPF. The difference in structure and activity between the 33 and 30 kDa forms of HuMPF was ascribed to the existence in the 33 kDa form of the C‐terminal 25 amino acid residues. The expression of MPF mRNA was examined by Northern blot analysis using labeled MPF cDNA as a probe. MPF mRNA was detected in HPC‐YS cells, with an approximate molecular size of 2.4 kb. We also examined the expression of the MPF gene in various human tissues, and the 2.4 kb band was detected only in lung. Then, the immunohistocytochemical analysis and in situ hybridization revealed that MPF‐producing cells were identified as lung macrophages. MPF may exhibit other biological activities such as regeneration of the lung tissues.
Preparation of High-quality Hematoxylin and Eosin–stained Sections from Rodent Mammary Gland Whole Mounts for Histopathologic Review

Identifying environmental exposures that cause adverse mammary gland outcomes in rodents is a first step in disease prevention in humans and domestic pets. “Whole mounts” are an easy and inexpensive tissue preparation method that can elucidate typical or abnormal mammary gland morphology in rodent studies. Here, we propose procedures to facilitate the use of whole mounts for histological identification of grossly noted tissue alterations. We noted lesions in mammary whole mounts from 14-month-old CD-1 mice that were not found in the contralateral gland hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained section. Whole mounts were removed from the slide and carefully processed to produce high-quality histological sections that mirrored the quality of the original H&E-stained section in order to properly diagnose the unidentified gross abnormalities. Incorporation of this method into testing protocols that focus on human relevant chemical and endocrine disruptors exposure will increase the chances of identifying lesions in the gland and reduce the risk of false negative findings. This method can be especially invaluable when lesions are not always palpable during the course of the study or visible at necropsy, or when a single cross section of the mammary gland is otherwise used for detecting lesions.
The respiratory sensation at high altitude.

The respiratory sensation was studied in Nepal at four different altitudes, 1377 m before and after the ascension, 2800 m, 3900 m and 530 m. Dyspnea was noted at each altitude for the nine subjects. They had to rate 4 external resistive loads between 2.5 and 13 cm H2O.l-1.s, presented in 2 pairs, a low and a high one. The discrimination between the loads i.e. the subject's sensitivity was obtained from Sensory Decision Analysis. These subjects were compared to six normal ones observed at sea level while breathing air, an hypoxic mixture (FIP2:11%) and air in a cold environment (-6 degrees C). In these protocols, the load perception was not modified. The 2 populations exhibited a similar sensitivity when observed in normal conditions. At exertion and with altitude, the nine subjects demonstrated a progressive increase in dyspnea, rated with visual analog scales. At rest, the perception of the loads was not altered but slightly improved with altitude for 6 subjects. The other 3 subjects (2 subjects with clinical impairment, important dyspnea and pulmonary oedema) showed an impairment of the perception. The sensitivity to the loads was similar before and after the ascension for the well adapted subjects to altitude. In conclusion, the respiratory sensation is not impaired with altitude in well adapted subjects and transient hypoxia does not result in change in load perception. An impairment in load perception observed in some subjects is probably related to the secondary effects of chronic hypoxia, i.e. cerebral and/or pulmonary suboedema.
Interaction of Escherichia coli MutS and MutL at a DNA Mismatch*

MutS and MutL are both required to activate downstream events in DNA mismatch repair. We examined the rate of dissociation of MutS from a mismatch using linear heteroduplex DNAs or heteroduplexes blocked at one or both ends by four-way DNA junctions in the presence and absence of MutL. In the presence of ATP, dissociation of MutS from linear heteroduplexes or heteroduplexes blocked at only one end occurs within 15 s. When both duplex ends are blocked, MutS remains associated with the DNA in complexes with half-lives of 30 min. DNase I footprinting of MutS complexes is consistent with migration of MutS throughout the DNA duplex region. When MutL is present, it associates with MutS and prevents ATP-dependent migration away from the mismatch in a manner that is dependent on the length of the heteroduplex. The rate and extent of mismatch-provoked cleavage at hemimethylated GATC sites by MutH in the presence of MutS, MutL, and ATP are the same whether the mismatch and GATC sites are incis or in trans. These results suggest that a MutS-MutL complex in the vicinity of a mismatch is involved in activating MutH.
MPPT algorithm for current balancing of partially shaded Photovoltaic modules

Among Renewable Energy Sources (RES), Photovoltaic (PV) sources represent an attractive solution because the solar energy is accessible everywhere; moreover, the price per watt of PV modules is going on decreasing. The output voltage furnished by a PV module is quite low; therefore, a series connection of different modules have to be employed in order to obtain a sufficient output dc voltage. In non-uniform irradiation conditions of a PV array, the traditional Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithms can converge to a relative maximum point; besides, the total power produced by the array can be lower than the sum of the maximum powers that could been produced by each module. To increase the power produced by partially shaded PV, is necessary to employ a power converter structure able to impose to each module of the PV array a different current value. The paper proposes a non-conventional MPPT algorithm able to maximize the photovoltaic energy supplied by partially shaded PV modules. To validate the algorithm, a comparison with a conventional architecture has been performed pointing out that the proposed configuration produces more power when the solar irradiation of the shaded module is greater than 20–30% of the other modules irradiation.
‘Acceptability’ of a new oral suspension formulation of mercaptopurine in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Aim The aim of this questionnaire-based survey was to determine the ‘acceptability’ of Xaluprine®, a new oral liquid formulation of mercaptopurine, when administered chronically to children during the maintenance treatment phase of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Patients and methods This was a single centre survey of children (aged 3 to 16 years) and their parents at a routine follow-up visit during the maintenance phase of acute lymphoblastic leukaemica treatment. The questionnaire probed for their views on overall acceptability such as taste, smell, incidences of vomiting, ease and willingness to take Xaluprine® on a daily basis, and utilised a 5-point facial hedonic scale (1 = bad, 5 = good) as well as open/closed questions. Results Twenty-two children were recruited; 17 (77%) scored taste between 3 and 5 (‘okay’ to ‘good’) and 20 (91%) scored smell between 3 and 5. Only four children (18%) reported an aftertaste. Of the five children (23%) who scored taste as 1 or 2 (‘bad’), three found taking all oral medicines difficult. Six children (27%) reported vomiting, but this was not considered related to Xaluprine®. Seven children (32%) sometimes complained that they did not want to take Xaluprine®; 15 (68%) never complained. In response to the question, ‘How easy is it for you to take Xaluprine®? ’ 18 children (82%) reported that it was ‘Easy all the time. ’ This was more favourable than other oral liquid medicines that they were taking concurrently. Conclusion The results of this survey show that Xaluprine® has good overall acceptability in the paediatric population and suggests that Xaluprine® is an important, alternative, age-appropriate formulation of mercaptopurine.
Dopamine transporter PET in normal aging: Dopamine transporter decline and its possible role in preservation of motor function

Objectives: To determine the impact of age‐related decline in dopamine transporter (DAT) expression on motor function in the elderly. Methods: About 33 normal individuals of a wide age range were scanned with PET employing d‐threo‐[11C]‐methylphenidate (MP, a marker of DAT) and [11C]‐dihydrotetrabenazine (DTBZ, that binds to the vesicular monoamine transporter Type 2). Motor function was assessed using the Purdue Pegboard Test (PPB). We analyzed the relationship between [11C]‐MP and motor performance. Results: Age ranged from 27‐ to 77‐year old (mean ± SD, 54.75 ± 14.14). There was no age‐related decline in binding potentials (BP) for [11C]‐DTBZ. In contrast, [11C]‐MP BP was inversely related to age in all striatal regions analyzed (caudate: reduction of 11.2% per decade, P < 0.0001, r = −0.86; putamen: reduction of 10.5% per decade, P < 0.0001, r = −0.80). A differential effect of [11C]‐MP on PPB could be observed according to age group. There was a positive relation between the PPB and [11C]‐MP in young individuals (coefficient = 13.56), whereas in individuals greater than 57 years this relationship was negative (coefficient = −19.53, P = 0.031). Conclusions: Our findings confirm prior observations of age‐related DAT decline and suggest that this phenomenon is independent of changes in VMAT2. After the fifth decade of life, this reduction in DAT binding is associated with a motor performance comparable to mid‐adult life. These findings imply that biochemical processes associated with healthy aging may offset the naturaldecline in motor function observed in the elderly. Synapse 64:146–151, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dietary lysine deficiency greatly affects muscle and liver protein turnover in growing chickens

We analysed the respective influences of age and lysine deficiency on skeletal muscle and liver protein turnover. Growing male broilers were fed ad libirum on isoenergetic diets containing 2OO g crude protein/kg which varied in their lysine content (7·7 or 10·1 g/kg). Fractional rates of protein synthesis (FSR) were measured in vivo in the liver and the pectoralis major muscle of 2-, 3- and 4-week-old chickens (flooding dose of l-[143H]phenylalanine). Fractional rates of proteolysis (FBR) were estimated for the same tissues as the difference between synthesis and growth. Over the 2-week period liver FSR and FBR were unchanged, whereas muscle FSR decreased with age. This developmental decline was related to the lower capacity for protein synthesis (Cs) without any modifications of the translational efficiency. Whatever the age, lysine deficiency resulted in significant decreases in body weight, tissue protein content and tissue protein deposition, apparently because of reduced amounts of proteins synthesized. We recorded a difference in the response of the two tissues to lysine deficiency, the pectoralis major being more sensitive than the liver. When comparing birds of the same age, liver FSR and FBR were not modified by the diet, where as muscle FSR, Cs and FBR were higher in chicks fed on a lysinc-deficient diet than in the controls. Conversely, when chicks of similar weights were compared, the main effect of the dietary deficiency was an increase in muscle FBR. The results suggest that lysine deficiency not only delayed chick development so that protein turnover was affected, but also induced greater changes in metabolism. Thus, the principal mechanism whereby muscle mass decreased appeared to be a change in FBR.
Divergent functions of the left and right central amygdala in visceral nociception

Abstract The left and right central amygdalae (CeA) are limbic regions involved in somatic and visceral pain processing. These 2 nuclei are asymmetrically involved in somatic pain modulation; pain-like responses on both sides of the body are preferentially driven by the right CeA, and in a reciprocal fashion, nociceptive somatic stimuli on both sides of the body predominantly alter molecular and physiological activities in the right CeA. Unknown, however, is whether this lateralization also exists in visceral pain processing and furthermore what function the left CeA has in modulating nociceptive information. Using urinary bladder distension (UBD) and excitatory optogenetics, a pronociceptive function of the right CeA was demonstrated in mice. Channelrhodopsin-2–mediated activation of the right CeA increased visceromotor responses (VMRs), while activation of the left CeA had no effect. Similarly, UBD-evoked VMRs increased after unilateral infusion of pituitary adenylate cyclase–activating polypeptide in the right CeA. To determine intrinsic left CeA involvement in bladder pain modulation, this region was optogenetically silenced during noxious UBD. Halorhodopsin (NpHR)-mediated inhibition of the left CeA increased VMRs, suggesting an ongoing antinociceptive function for this region. Finally, divergent left and right CeA functions were evaluated during abdominal mechanosensory testing. In naive animals, channelrhodopsin-2–mediated activation of the right CeA induced mechanical allodynia, and after cyclophosphamide-induced bladder sensitization, activation of the left CeA reversed referred bladder pain–like behaviors. Overall, these data provide evidence for functional brain lateralization in the absence of peripheral anatomical asymmetries.
Hybrid Systems to Boost EEG-Based Real-Time Action Decoding in Car Driving Scenarios

The complexity of concurrent cerebral processes underlying driving makes such human behavior one of the most studied real-world activities in neuroergonomics. Several attempts have been made to decode, both offline and online, cerebral activity during car driving with the ultimate goal to develop brain-based systems for assistive devices. Electroencephalography (EEG) is the cornerstone of these studies providing the highest temporal resolution to track those cerebral processes underlying overt behavior. Particularly when investigating real-world scenarios as driving, EEG is constrained by factors such as robustness, comfortability, and high data variability affecting the decoding performance. Hence, additional peripheral signals can be combined with EEG for increasing replicability and the overall performance of the brain-based action decoder. In this regard, hybrid systems have been proposed for the detection of braking and steering actions in driving scenarios to improve the predictive power of the single neurophysiological measurement. These recent results represent a proof of concept of the level of technological maturity. They may pave the way for increasing the predictive power of peripheral signals, such as electroculogram (EOG) and electromyography (EMG), collected in real-world scenarios when informed by EEG measurements, even if collected only offline in standard laboratory settings. The promising usability of such hybrid systems should be further investigated in other domains of neuroergonomics.
The effect of mental effort on open‐ and closed‐loop accommodation

The accommodative response to stimuli in normal visual environments is determined by a complex and subtle integration of optical and non‐optical factors. Mental effort associated with the visual task can modify significantly the steady‐state accommodative level, but. owing to the diversity of experimental designs, there is no clear consensus on the mechanisms involved. Changes in the accommodation response of ten emmetropic subjects (mean (±SD) age = 20.4 ± 4.5 years) under open‐ and closed‐loop conditions were investigated for three levels of mental activity. (1) A passive task whereby subjects simply read letters, to themselves. (2) A stimulus‐ dependent task (SDT) whereby subjects are instructed to respond only when the letter ‘e’ appears in one of a series of presentations. (3) A stimulus‐independent task (SIT) whereby subjects count backwards in sevens to themselves while viewing the target. An objective infra‐red (IR) optometer was used in its static mode of operation to make monocular measurements of accommodation under monocular viewing conditions. Open‐loop conditions were achieved by placing a pinhole (0.5mm diameter), drilled into an IR filter. 12mm in front of the eye. Under closed‐loop conditions the mean accommodation response for passive viewing of the near target was +3.08D. A significant (F= 5.45 d.f. 9,18 P < 0.005) accommodative shift induced by mental effort in the mean response of +0.17 D occurred for the SDT, The SIT induced a mean shift of −0.05 D which was not significantly different to the passive viewing response. A significant negative correlation between the magnitude of the passive open‐loop response and the size of the shift induced by mental effort was found for both tasks (SIT: y = 1.314 − 0.815x R = 0.86. SDT: y = 2.169 − 0.821xR = 0.70). With respect to zero shift, the relationship was pivotal about 1.61 for SIT and 2.64 D for SDT. It is proposed that when the effect of optical feedback is minimized a significant interaction occurs between mental effort and perceived proximity.
The use of performance improvement methods to enhance emergency department patient satisfaction in the United States: a critical review of the literature and suggestions for future research.

OBJECTIVES The authors reviewed the evidence on performance improvement methods for increasing emergency department (ED) patient satisfaction to provide evidence-based suggestions for clinical practice. METHODS Data sources consisted of searches through MEDLINE, CINAHL, PSYCHINFO, Cochrane Library, and Emergency Medicine Abstracts and a manual search of references. Articles were included if they reported a performance improvement intervention targeting patient satisfaction in the ED setting. Articles on studies not conducted in the United States or that failed to provide enough details to allow critical evaluation of the study were excluded. Two authors used structured evaluation criteria to independently review each retained study. RESULTS Nineteen articles met all selection criteria. Three studies found varying levels of support for multicomponent interventions, predominantly focused on implementation of clinical practice guidelines for specific presenting complaints and process redesign. Sixteen studies evaluated single-component interventions, with the following having at least one supportive study: using alternating patient assignment to provider teams rather than "zone"-based assignment, enhancing provider communication and customer service skills, incorporating information delivery interventions (e.g., pamphlets, video) that target patient expectations, using preformatted charts, and establishing ED-based observation units for specific conditions such as asthma and chest pain. CONCLUSIONS There is modest evidence supporting a range of performance improvement interventions for improving ED patient satisfaction. Further work is needed before specific, evidence-based recommendations can be made regarding which process changes are most effective. Recommendations are made for improving the quality of performance improvement efforts in the ED setting.
Updates on the Management of Diabetes in Dialysis Patients

Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) in the U.S. and many countries globally. The role of improved glycemic control in ameliorating the exceedingly high mortality risk of diabetic dialysis patients is unclear. The treatment of diabetes in ESRD patients is challenging, given changes in glucose homeostasis, the unclear accuracy of glycemic control metrics, and the altered pharmacokinetics of glucose‐lowering drugs by kidney dysfunction, the uremic milieu, and dialysis therapy. Up to one‐third of diabetic dialysis patients may experience spontaneous resolution of hyperglycemia with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels <6%, a phenomenon known as “Burnt‐Out Diabetes,” which remains with unclear biologic plausibility and undetermined clinical implications. Conventional methods of glycemic control assessment are confounded by the laboratory abnormalities and comorbidities associated with ESRD. Similar to more recent approaches in the general population, there is concern that glucose normalization may be harmful in ESRD patients. There is uncertainty surrounding the optimal glycemic target in this population, although recent epidemiologic data suggest that HbA1c ranges of 6% to 8%, as well as 7% to 9%, are associated with increased survival rates among diabetic dialysis patients. Lastly, many glucose‐lowering drugs and their active metabolites are renally metabolized and excreted, and hence, require dose adjustment or avoidance in dialysis patients.
Cellular Immune Responses in Neonates

Reduced numbers of lymphocytes and antigen presenting cells have been described as some of the main factors responsible for antigenic tolerance or low responsiveness in neonates. However, by changing the parameters of immunization, such as dose of antigen and frequency of antigen presenting cells we and others have shown that neonates have the option of developing the same variety of immune responses seen in adults. Several aspects of the development of cellular immunity in human and murine neonates are reviewed in this article, with a special focus on the development of T cell mediated responses, from ontogeny to effector function.