Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Natural Hypomorphic Variant of the Apoptosis Regulator Gimap4/IAN11

The Gimap/IAN family of GTPases has been implicated in the regulation of cell survival, particularly in lymphomyeloid cells. Prosurvival and prodeath properties have been described for different family members. We generated novel serological reagents to study the expression in rats of the prodeath family member Gimap4 (IAN1), which is sharply up-regulated at or soon after the stage of T cell-positive selection in the thymus. During these investigations we were surprised to discover a severe deficiency of Gimap4 expression in the inbred Brown Norway (BN) rat. Genetic analysis linked this trait to the Gimap gene cluster on rat chromosome 4, the probable cause being an AT dinucleotide insertion in the BN Gimap4 allele (AT(+)). This allele encodes a truncated form of Gimap4 that is missing 21 carboxyl-terminal residues relative to wild type. The low protein expression associated with this allele appears to have a posttranscriptional cause, because mRNA expression was apparently normal. Spontaneous and induced apoptosis of BN and wild-type T cells was analyzed in vitro and compared with the recently described mouse Gimap4 knockout. This revealed a “delayed” apoptosis phenotype similar to but less marked than that of the knockout. The Gimap4 AT(+) allele found in BN was shown to be rare in inbred rat strains. Nevertheless, when wild rat DNA samples were studied the AT(+) allele was found at a high overall frequency (∼30%). This suggests an adaptive significance for this hypomorphic allele.
Airway and Circulating Levels of Carotenoids in Asthma and Healthy Controls

Background: Elevated oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant defences are increasingly recognised features of asthma. Carotenoids are potent dietary antioxidants that may protect against asthma by reducing oxidative damage. Objectives: This study aimed firstly, to characterise circulating and airway levels of carotenoids in asthma compared to healthy controls, in relation to dietary intake. Secondly, the study aimed to test whether airway lycopene defences can be improved using oral supplements. Methods: Induced sputum and peripheral blood samples were collected from subjects with asthma (n = 15) and healthy controls (n = 16). Dietary carotenoid intakes were estimated using the 24-hour recall method and analysed using a modified version of the Foodworks 210 Nutrient Calculation Software. Another group of healthy controls (n = 9) were supplemented with 20 mg/day lycopene for 4 weeks. Carotenoids (β-carotene, lycopene, α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin) were measured by HPLC. Results: Despite similar dietary intake, whole blood levels of total carotenoids, lycopene, lutein, β-cryptoxanthin, α-carotene and β-carotene were significantly lower in asthma than controls. However, there were no differences in plasma or sputum carotenoid levels. Induced sputum carotenoid levels were significantly lower than plasma and whole blood levels, but correlated strongly with plasma levels (r = 0.798, p < 0.001). Although there were no overall increases in either plasma or sputum lycopene levels following supplementation, changes in airway lycopene levels correlated with changes in plasma levels (r = 0.908, p < 0.002). Conclusions: Whole blood, but not plasma or sputum, carotenoid levels are deficient in asthma. Plasma carotenoid levels reflect airway carotenoid levels and when plasma levels are improved using oral supplements this is reflected in the airways.
In Vitro Antimicrobial Activities of Bakuchiol against Oral Microorganisms

ABSTRACT Bakuchiol was isolated from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia, a tree native to China with various uses in traditional medicine, followed by extraction with ether and column chromatography combined with silica gel and octyldecyl silane. In this study, the antimicrobial activities of bakuchiol against some oral microorganisms were evaluated in vitro. The cell growth ofStreptococcus mutans was inhibited in a bakuchiol concentration-dependent manner, and growth of S. mutanswas completely prevented by 20 μg of bakuchiol per ml. The bactericidal effect of bakuchiol on S. mutans was dependent on temperature and stable under the following conditions: sucrose, 0 to 10% (wt/vol); pH, 3.0 to 7.0; organic acids (3% [wt/vol] citric and malic acids). Bakuchiol showed bactericidal effects against all bacteria tested, includingS. mutans, Streptococcus sanguis,Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus sobrinus, Enterococcus faecalis,Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei,Lactobacillus plantarum, Actinomyces viscosus, and Porphyromonas gingivalis, with MICs ranging from 1 to 4 μg/ml and the sterilizing concentration for 15 min ranging from 5 to 20 μg/ml. Furthermore, bakuchiol was also effective against adherent cells of S. mutans in water-insoluble glucan in the presence of sucrose and inhibited the reduction of pH in the broth. Thus, bakuchiol would be a useful compound for development of antibacterial agents against oral pathogens and has great potential for use in food additives and mouthwash for preventing and treating dental caries.
Association of admission blood glucose and outcome in patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis: results from the Safe Implementation of Treatments in Stroke International Stroke Thrombolysis Register (SITS-ISTR).

OBJECTIVE To determine the association between admission blood glucose and outcome in ischemic stroke patients treated with thrombolysis. DESIGN A prospective, open, multinational, observational study. SETTING An ongoing Internet-based, academic-driven, interactive thrombolysis register. PATIENTS Between 2002 and 2007, 16 049 patients were recorded in the SITS-ISTR. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Blood glucose was recorded at admission. Blood glucose was divided into the following categories: less than 80, 80-120 (reference range), 121-140, 141-160, 161-180, 181-200, and greater than 200 mg/dL. Outcomes were mortality and independence (modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2) at 3 months and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale deterioration ≥4 points within 24 hours and type 2 parenchymal hemorrhage). RESULTS In multivariable analysis, blood glucose as a continuous variable was independently associated with a higher mortality (P < .001), lower independence (P < .001), and an increased risk of SICH (P = .005). Blood glucose greater than 120 mg/dL as a categorical variable was associated with a significantly higher odds for mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-1.44; P = .004) and a lower odds for independence (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.48-0.70; P < .001), and blood glucose from 181 to 200 mg/dL was associated with an increased risk of SICH (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.69-4.83; P < .001) compared with the reference level. The trends of associations between blood glucose and outcomes were similar in patients with diabetes (17%) or without such history, except for mortality (P = .23) and SICH (P = .06) in which the association was not statistically significant in patients with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS Admission hyperglycemia was an independent predictor for poor outcome after stroke/thrombolysis, though SICH rates did not increase significantly until reaching 180 mg/dL. These results suggest that tight control of blood glucose may be indicated in the hyperacute phase following thrombolysis. Randomized trial data are needed.
Promoting The Nonlinear Model Of Higher Education In Russian Universities

In modern Russia the system of higher education is actively transforming. The management of the education is centralized in Russia. Reformation policies are formed by the government in accordance with global trends. However, these often turn out to be controversial with current regional demands as the changes in the universities are determined by officials. The issue here is that the educational communities’ potential is not always taken into consideration by the university management. The main aim of this research is to characterize representatives of an academic community from the universities of the Ural macroregion who are able to perceive the transformations and to participate in them. The study presents the results of a survey of professors (n=810) of the Ural where 51 universities are located. The authors have established that professors and researchers of the Ural universities who are ready to take part in institutional management differ from those who are not ready to do so in various types of professional activity and social participation. The academic community of the Ural universities are shown to be ready to participate in university management are oriented to public forms of discussion of managerial problems. © 2019 Published by Future Academy www.FutureAcademy. org.
Early stage ovarian cancer: a randomized clinical trial comparing whole abdominal radiotherapy, melphalan, and intraperitoneal chromic phosphate: a National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group report.

Two hundred fifty-seven eligible patients with stage I, IIA "high risk" ovarian carcinoma and IIB, IIIO (disease confined to pelvis), were randomized to either total abdominal radiotherapy (arm A) 2,250 rad in 20 fractions (107 patients), melphalan (arm B) 8 mg/m2/d X 4 every 4 weeks X 18 courses (106 patients), or intraperitoneal chromic phosphate (arm C) 10 to 20 mCi (44 patients). All patients were initially treated with pelvic radiotherapy; arm A, 2,250 rad in ten fractions; and arms B and C, 4,500 rad in 20 fractions. Entry to arm C was discontinued early because of toxicity. In a multifactor analysis using proportional hazards models, no significant difference in survival was observed although there was a marginally significant difference in disease-free survival (P = .015) with arm B being superior to arm A. Stage (P less than .0001), grade (P less than .0001), and histology (P less than .008) were predictors of survival in the multifactor analysis. Performance status, age, and residual disease were significant predictors in the single factor analysis but were not predictive when correction was made for the effects of stage, grade, and histology. Five-year survival rates are 62% for arm A, 61% for arm B, and 66% for arm C. Median duration of follow-up is 8 years. Long-term complications of radiotherapy were seen in 19 patients on arm A, 11 on arm B, and 11 on arm C. Four patients who had received melphalan developed either a myelodysplastic syndrome or acute leukemia. Violations in covering the whole abdominal target volume were correlated with survival.
Searching for the Next New Energy in Energy Transition: Comparing the Impacts of Economic Incentives on Local Acceptance of Fossil Fuels, Renewable, and Nuclear Energies

This study compares the impacts of economic incentives on attitudes related to the acceptance of fossil fuels, renewable, and nuclear energies. Linear and nonlinear regression models are applied for the robust estimation results. Empirical findings based upon these regression models are summarized as follows: First, when people belong to the upper social class, reside in metropolitan area, and have more trust in the government’s energy policy, they tend to accept the construction of specific energy-related facilities in a neighborhood and raise the probability of attitude change and stability. Second, those who have more perceived risk and negative image are less likely to accept any types of energies and tend to lower the probability of attitude change toward positive direction or stability. Third, those who have more knowledge are less likely to accept some energy sources such as fossil fuels and there exists a trade-off relationship between knowledge and trust. Finally, the structural changes between acceptance of all energy sources with and without economic incentives imply that economic incentives play a significant role in determining acceptance of energies.
Abnormal axons in the albino optic tract.

PURPOSE There have been suggestions that the misrouting of axons at the optic chiasm leading to the abnormal ratio of crossed to uncrossed axons in the optic tract of albinos is a consequence of abnormal timing of ganglion cell axon outgrowth. The sequence of genesis of ganglion cell classes and their axon outgrowth is correlated with the deep-to-superficial distribution of their axons by size in the mammalian optic tract. Optic tract axon order in albino and normally pigmented ferrets was, therefore, examined to determine whether an abnormal pattern of retinal ganglion cell genesis and axon outgrowth is evident in albinos. METHODS Light and electron microscopy were used to study axon diameters and myelin thickness of axons in the optic tracts of adult albino and pigmented ferrets. RESULTS In the optic tract, large-diameter axons are confined superficially in the normally pigmented ferret but are present throughout its depth in albinos. The abnormally located large axons and neighboring small-diameter axons in the albino have an abnormal axon diameter/myelin thickness ratio; large-diameter axons are poorly myelinated, and small-diameter axons exhibit an abnormally thick myelin sheath. These deep abnormal axons originate from the contralateral retina. CONCLUSIONS In addition to the known disruptions of normal organization in the visual system, albinos have an abnormal axon diameter distribution and a population of morphologically abnormal axons in the optic tract. These abnormal axons may represent the population of aberrantly crossed axons found in all albino mammals.
Characterization of the maize Mutator transposable element MURA transposase as a DNA-binding protein

The autonomous MuDR element of the Mutator (Mu) transposable element family of maize encodes at least two proteins, MURA and MURB. Based on amino acid sequence similarity, previous studies have reported that MURA is likely to be a transposase. The functional characterization of MURA has been hindered by the instability of its cDNA, mudrA, in Escherichia coli. In this study, we report the first successful stabilization and expression of MURA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Gel mobility shift assays demonstrate that MURA is a DNA-binding protein that specifically binds to sequences within the highly conserved Mu element terminal inverted repeats (TIRs). DNase I and 1,10-phenanthroline-copper footprinting of MURA-Mu1 TIR complexes indicate that MURA binds to a conserved approximately 32-bp region in the TIR of Mu1. In addition, MURA can bind to the same region in the TIRs of all tested actively transposing Mu elements but binds poorly to the diverged Mu TIRs of inactive elements. Previous studies have reported a correlation between Mu transposon inactivation and methylation of the Mu element TIRs. Gel mobility shift assays demonstrate that MURA can interact differentially with unmethylated, hemimethylated, and homomethylated TIR substrates. The significance of MURA's interaction with the TIRs of Mu elements is discussed in the context of what is known about the regulation and mechanisms of Mutator activities in maize.
Anatomy and three‐dimensional reconstructions of the brain of the white whale (Delphinapterus leucas) from magnetic resonance images

Magnetic resonance imaging offers a means of observing the internal structure of the brain where traditional procedures of embedding, sectioning, staining, mounting, and microscopic examination of thousands of sections are not practical. Furthermore, internal structures can be analyzed in their precise quantitative spatial interrelationships, which is difficult to accomplish after the spatial distortions often accompanying histological processing. For these reasons, magnetic resonance imaging makes specimens that were traditionally difficult to analyze, more accessible. In the present study, images of the brain of a white whale (Beluga) Delphinapterus leucas were scanned in the coronal plane at 119 antero‐posterior levels. From these scans, a computer‐generated three‐dimensional model was constructed using the programs VoxelView and VoxelMath (Vital Images, Inc.). This model, wherein details of internal and external morphology are represented in three‐dimensional space, was then resectioned in orthogonal planes to produce corresponding series of “virtual” sections in the horizontal and sagittal planes. Sections in all three planes display the sizes and positions of such structures as the corpus callosum, internal capsule, cerebral peduncles, cerebral ventricles, certain thalamic nuclear groups, caudate nucleus, ventral striatum, pontine nuclei, cerebellar cortex and white matter, and all cerebral cortical sulci and gyri. Anat Rec 262:429–439, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modified fuzzy adaptive PID algorithm and its application in power plant

The characteristics of thermal plant are nonlinearity, time variation and uncertainty during variable condition. It is difficult to obtain the satisfying control effect with traditional PID controller. In order to solve this problem, a modified fuzzy adaptive PID control algorithm is proposed in the paper. The method is attained by optimizing the traditional fuzzy PID control algorithm based on analysis of the thought of changing universe and online self-tuning. Under the premise of unchanging rules number, make whole universe changes in synchronization with error change, and online adjust the fuzzy PID parameters. So the fuzzy rules of proposed controller are online dynamic adjustment. A series of simulation are tested. The simulation results indicate that, compared with conventional PID control method, the proposed method can not only shorten the step input response time, but also have stronger adaptive capability to the unknown disturbance, parameter time variable character and nonlinear of the system. The proposed algorithm can obtain satisfactory dynamic and stationary performances.
Central sensitization in patients with non-cardiac chest pain: A clinical experimental study

Objective. Patients with non-cardiac chest pain (NNCP) suffer from unexplained and often intractable pain which can pose a major clinical problem. The aim of this study was to investigate nociceptive processing in NNCP patients and their response to experimentally acid-induced oesophageal hyperalgesia using a multimodal stimulation protocol. Material and methods. Ten highly selected patients with NCCP (mean age 43 years, 1 M) were compared with an age- and gender-matched group of 20 healthy subjects. After preconditioning, the distal oesophagus was painfully distended with a balloon using “impedance planimetry”. This method assesses the luminal cross-sectional area of the oesophagus based on the electrical impedance of the fluid inside the balloon. The baseline distensions were done before and after pharmacological relaxation of the smooth muscle with 20 mg butylscopolamine. After baseline distensions, a series of up to 10 mechanical stimuli was performed (temporal summation). The stimulations were repeated after sensitization of the oesophagus induced by acid perfusion. The sensory intensities were assessed during the stimulations and the referred pain area was mapped. Results. At baseline distensions, no differences were seen between patients and controls before and after relaxation of the smooth muscles. The patients tolerated fewer repeated distensions than controls (4.8±0.5 versus 9.1±0.9; p=0.04) and had an increased size of the referred pain areas to the mechanical stimulations (32.9±6.2 versus 64.9±18.3 cm2; p=0.01). After sensitization with acid, the patients developed hyperalgesia (p<0.001), whereas no significant changes were seen in controls. Conclusions. NCCP patients showed facilitated central pain mechanisms (temporal summation and visceral hyperalgesia after sensitization). This could be used in the diagnosis and understanding of the symptoms in these patients.
Application of hidden Markov models to multiple sclerosis lesion count data

This paper is motivated by the work of Albert et al. who consider lesion count data observed on multiple sclerosis patients, and develop models for each patient's data individually. From a medical perspective, adequate models for such data are important both for describing the behaviour of lesions over time, and for designing efficient clinical trials. In this paper, we discuss some issues surrounding the hidden Markov model proposed by these authors. We describe an efficient estimation method and propose some extensions to the original model. Our examples illustrate the need for models which describe all patients' data simultaneously, while allowing for inter‐patient heterogeneity. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bronchorrhoea.

(1975). Thorax, 30, 624-630. Bronchorrhoea. Bronchorrhoea has been defined as a condition in which more than 100 ml of sputum is produced within 24 hours, an amount in excess of that seen in chronic lung diseases. The rheological and chemical characteristics of the sputum are here described. Levels of viscosity, dry weight, N-acetyl neuraminic acid (NANA), fucose, and sulphate fall between those in saliva and mucoid sputum from chronic lung diseases. These levels were always higher in bronchorrhoea sputum than in saliva and therefore may be used in the differential diagnosis of bronchorrhoea and hypersalivation. Bronchorrhoea sputum has the constituents of a bronchial secretion but is low in acid glycoprotein. Certain other features are commonly found-a large amount of froth, increase in viscosity with time, and separation into two phases. Some cases respond to steroids, particularly when the levels of NANA in the sputum are low.
ALLOMETRIC AND NONALLOMETRIC COMPONENTS OF DROSOPHILA WING SHAPE RESPOND DIFFERENTLY TO DEVELOPMENTAL TEMPERATURE

Abstract Phenotypic plasticity of wing size and shape of Drosophila simulans was analyzed across the entire range of viable developmental temperatures with Procrustes geometric morphometric method. In agreement with previous studies, size clearly decreases when temperature increases. Wing shape variation was decomposed into its allometric (24%) and nonallometric (76%) components, and both were shown to involve landmarks located throughout the entire wing blade. The allometric component basically revealed a progressive, monotonous variation along the temperature. Surprisingly, nonallometric shape changes were highly similar at both extremes of the thermal range, suggesting that stress, rather than temperature per se, is the key developmental factor affecting wing shape.
Direct Mail Privacy-Efficiency Trade-offs within an Implied Social Contract Framework

The authors conceptualize direct mail as an implied social contract between marketers and consumers. Four attributes constitute the direct mail social contract: volume, targeting, compensation, and permission. Several proposals have been advanced in an effort to protect consumer privacy in the direct mail environment. These proposals would directly or indirectly result in changes in the levels of the social contract attributes. The authors use a conjoint study to measure the trade-offs consumers make among these attributes. The results suggest consumers want improved targeting efficiency and lower mail volume, and they are not willing to pay for these improvements. These findings suggest that consumers consider several attributes in their evaluation of direct mail social contracts. Proposals to alter the direct mail environment must consider all these attributes in concert.