Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Point Mutation in Syntaxin-1A Causes Abnormal Vesicle Recycling, Behaviors, and Short Term Plasticity*

Background: Roles of the syntaxin-1A·CaMKII interaction are not physiologically understood in vivo. Results: A point mutation in syntaxin-1A caused abnormal plasticity, recycling, and behaviors in mice. Conclusion: The CaMKII/syntaxin-1A interaction is essential for maintenance of neuronal plasticity. Significance: Syntaxin-1A is involved in regulatory pathways in higher brain functions. Syntaxin-1A is a t-SNARE that is involved in vesicle docking and vesicle fusion; it is important in presynaptic exocytosis in neurons because it interacts with many regulatory proteins. Previously, we found the following: 1) that autophosphorylated Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), an important modulator of neural plasticity, interacts with syntaxin-1A to regulate exocytosis, and 2) that a syntaxin missense mutation (R151G) attenuated this interaction. To determine more precisely the physiological importance of this interaction between CaMKII and syntaxin, we generated mice with a knock-in (KI) syntaxin-1A (R151G) mutation. Complexin is a molecular clamp involved in exocytosis, and in the KI mice, recruitment of complexin to the SNARE complex was reduced because of an abnormal CaMKII/syntaxin interaction. Nevertheless, SNARE complex formation was not inhibited, and consequently, basal neurotransmission was normal. However, the KI mice did exhibit more enhanced presynaptic plasticity than wild-type littermates; this enhanced plasticity could be associated with synaptic response than did wild-type littermates; this pronounced response included several behavioral abnormalities. Notably, the R151G phenotypes were generally similar to previously reported CaMKII mutant phenotypes. Additionally, synaptic recycling in these KI mice was delayed, and the density of synaptic vesicles was reduced. Taken together, our results indicated that this single point mutation in syntaxin-1A causes abnormal regulation of neuronal plasticity and vesicle recycling and that the affected syntaxin-1A/CaMKII interaction is essential for normal brain and synaptic functions in vivo.
Effects of CTGF/Hcs24, a hypertrophic chondrocyte‐specific gene product, on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblastic cells in vitro

Connective tissue growth factor/hypertrophic chondrocyte‐specific gene product Hcs24 (CTGF/Hcs24) promotes the proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes and endothelial cells which are involved in endochondral ossification (Shimo et al., 1998, J Biochem 124:130–140; Shimo et al., 1999, J Biochem 126:137–145; Nakanishi et al., 2000, Endocrinology 141:264–273). To further clarify the role of CTGF/Hcs24 in endochondral ossification, here we investigated the effects of CTGF/Hcs24 on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblastic cell lines in vitro. A binding study using 125I‐labeled recombinant CTGF/Hcs24 (rCTGF/Hcs24) disclosed two classes of specific binding sites on a human osteosarcoma cell line, Saos‐2. The apparent dissociation constant (Kd) value of each binding site was 17.2 and 391 nM, respectively. A cross‐linking study revealed the formation of 125I‐rCTGF/Hcs24‐receptor complex with an apparent molecular weight of 280 kDa. The intensity of 125I‐rCTGF/Hcs24‐receptor complex decreased on the addition of increasing concentrations of unlabeled rCTGF/Hcs24, but not platelet‐derived growth factor‐BB homodimer or basic fibroblast growth factor. These findings suggest that osteoblastic cells have specific receptor molecules for CTGF/Hcs24. rCTGF/Hcs24 promoted the proliferation of Saos‐2 cells and a mouse osteoblast cell line MC3T3‐E1 in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. rCTGF/Hcs24 also increased mRNA expression of type I collagen, alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin, and osteocalcin in both Saos‐2 cells and MC3T3‐E1 cells. Moreover, rCTGF/Hcs24 increased alkaline phosphatase activity in both cells. It also stimulated collagen synthesis in MC3T3‐E1 cells. Furthermore, rCTGF/Hcs24 stimulated the matrix mineralization on MC3T3‐E1 cells and its stimulatory effect was comparable to that of bone morphogenetic protein‐2. These findings indicate that CTGF/Hcs24 is a novel, potent stimulator for the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts in addition to chondrocytes and endothelial cells. Because of these functions, we are re‐defining CTGF/Hcs24 as a major factor to promote endochondral ossification to be called “ecogenin: endochondral ossification genetic factor. ” J. Cell. Physiol. 184:197–206, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Homo economicus : evidence from experimental economics

Environmental policies are generally based on a model of the human actor taken from neoclassical economic theory. This paper reports on laboratory experiments suggesting weaknesses in this model and describes alternative models correcting these weaknesses. One finding is that economic actors tend to be hyperbolic as opposed to exponential discounters who discount the immediate future at a higher rate than the more distant future. Another finding is that economic actors are not self-regarding, but rather in many circumstances are strong reciprocators who come to strategic interactions with a propensity to cooperate, respond to cooperative behavior by maintaining or increasing cooperation, and respond to free-riders by retaliating against the ‘offenders’, even at a personal cost, and even when there is no reasonable expectation that future personal gains will flow from such retaliation. We discuss some implications for policy analysis. © 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Web-Based Counselling System

This paper introduces a Web-based counselling system (hereafter called E-Counsellor), a non-profit online counselling Web portal that was built to provide a platform for counsellors to reach out to the general public. We examine the background that induced the conceptualization of the portal, the system's architecture and design as well as the implementation of the working system. The paper closes with an evaluation of the system.
Ku-band transition between microstrip and substrate integrated waveguide (SIW)

In this paper, a Ku-band planar transition between microstrip and substrate integrated waveguide at satellite communication band is discussed. The SIW is one of alternatives for packaging the microwave components on the same substrate. The transition structure suggested in this paper shows the insertion loss of 0.7 dB at 12 GHz including transmission line of full wavelength.
A New Fast and Efficient Conformal Mapping Based Technique for Remote Sensing Data Compression and Transmittal

In this paper we deal with a new technique for large data compression. Contour mapping of two dimensional objects is of fundamental importance in remote sensing and computer vision applications. We present extensive algorithms applied to polygonized, simply-connected contours and reproduce desired shapes using an innovative data compression technique based on conformal mapping. In a previous work, through a conformal mapping process, we demonstrated the ability to 1) recognize shapes, and 2) concisely represent shape boundaries using a set of polynomial coefficients derived in the mapping process. In this work we illustrate how these previous results can be applied to data compression. In particular, in the approach outlined herein, a syntactic representation is formed for polygon shapes whose representation we desire to extract and reproduce compactly. Additionally, we present a problem of concavity in shape boundaries and a proposed solution in which polygons are divided into convex subsets and reconstructed accordingly.
Serum biochemical values in sled dogs before and after competing in long-distance races.

OBJECTIVE To measure and compare blood values in sled dogs before and after long-distance racing. DESIGN Prospective study. ANIMALS 17 adult sled dogs in the 1991 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and 21 in a simulated sled dog race. PROCEDURE Blood samples were obtained from 17 dogs 7 days before they began and after they finished (finisher group) or were eliminated from (nonfinisher group) the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Blood samples were also obtained from 21 dogs before and after a simulated sled dog race. RESULTS In finisher-group dogs, BUN and uric acid (UA) concentrations were increased after racing; nonfinisher-group dogs had significantly lower postrace BUN and UA concentrations. Significant increases in creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate transferase (AST) activities were detected in all dogs after racing, and postrace values were higher in nonfinisher-group dogs, compared with finisher-group dogs. Mean alkaline phosphate activities were significantly increased after racing in nonfinisher-group dogs only. In dogs that ran the simulated race, postrace values for serum albumin, total protein, calcium, and potassium concentrations, as well as Hct, hemoglobin concentration, and RBC count, were significantly lower than prerace values. Postrace values for alkaline phosphate, alanine transaminase, AST, lactate dehydrogenase, CK, BUN, and UA were significantly higher than prerace values. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS High CK activities are indicative of severe muscle degeneration and, in sled dogs, may represent a degree of muscle breakdown beyond which a dog cannot continue to work. Markedly high CK, and possibly AST, serum activities may be indicators of performance failure in sled dogs competing in long-distance races.
Functionalized Textile Based Therapy for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by intense puritus and skin dryness. The pathogenesis for AD has not been fully understood to date. Complementary therapies are very popular as effective treatment for AD among clinical practitioners. This study presents a comprehensive review of published works associated with textiles-based complementary therapies for AD treatment such as wet-wrap dressing, functionalized textiles, and the application of hydrogel techniques in the textile industry to provide a better understanding of the development and design of new textiles-based transdermal therapies.
SOME ENZYMIC ASPECTS OF THE PRODUCTION OF OXIDIZED OR REDUCED METABOLITES OF CATECHOLAMINES AND 5‐HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE BY BRAIN TISSUES

The Michaelis constants of purified aldehyde dehydrogenase (aldehyde: NAD oxidoreductase, EC 1.2.1.3) and aldehyde reductases (alcohol: NADP oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.2) from pig brain have been obtained for a number of biologically important aldehydes. The aldehydes include 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde, D‐3,4‐dihydroxyphenylglycolaldehyde, and 5‐hydroxyindoleacetaldehyde. The relative activities of the aldehyde‐catabolizing enzymes in the soluble fractions of the cerebral cortex and caudate nucleus of pig brain have also been obtained. The values are used to show that the metabolic fates of the various aldehydes—and hence of the parent amines—may be explained in terms of the simple kinetics of these enzymes. It is also shown that the metabolic fates of the aldehydes may be influenced by their rates of synthesis. As the rate of aldehyde production increases the proportion of aldehyde reduced may be expected to increase at the expense of the proportion of aldehyde oxidized.
Link between the conductivity and elastic moduli of composite materials.

We derive relations linking the conductivity [sigma][sub *] and elastic moduli of any two-dimensional, isotropic composite material. Specifically, upper and lower bounds are derived on the effective bulk modulus [kappa][sub *] in terms of [sigma][sub *] and on the effective shear modulus [mu][sub *] in terms of [sigma][sub *]. In some cases the bounds are attainable by certain microgeometries and thus optimal. Knowledge of the conductivity can yield sharp estimates of the elastic moduli (and vice versa) even for infinite phase contrast.
Craving predicts opioid use in opioid-dependent patients initiating buprenorphine treatment: A longitudinal study

Abstract Background: Few studies have assessed associations between craving and subsequent opioid use. We prospectively evaluated the relative utility of two craving questionnaires to predict opioid use among opioid-dependent patients in outpatient treatment. Method: Opioid-dependent patients (n = 147) initiating buprenorphine treatment were assessed every two weeks for 3 months. Craving was measured using the: (1) Desires for Drug Questionnaire (DDQ) and (2) Penn Alcohol-Craving Scale adapted for opioid craving (PCS). Multi-level logistic regression models estimated the effects of craving on the likelihood of opioid use. Craving assessed at time t was entered as a time-varying predictor of opioid use at time t + 1. Results: Craving scores plateaued at approximately 2 weeks after initiation of buprenorphine. In adjusted regression models, a 1-point increase in PCS scores (on a 7-point scale) was associated with a significant increase in the odds of opioid use at the subsequent assessment (OR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.08; 1.49, p < 0.01). The odds of opioid use at the subsequent follow-up assessment increased significantly as DDQ desire and intention scores increased (OR = 1.25, 95%CI 1.03; 1.51, p < 0.05), but was not significantly associated with DDQ negative reinforcement (OR = 1.01, 95%CI 0.88; 1.17, p > 0.05) or DDQ control (OR = 0.97, 95%CI 0.85; 1.11, p > 0.05) scores. Conclusion: Self-reported craving for opioids was modestly associated with subsequent relapse to opioid use among a cohort of patients treated with buprenorphine. Assessment of craving may provide clinical utility in predicting relapse among treated opioid-dependent patients.
Poboljšanje sigurnosti i kakvoće tradicionalnih fermentiranih kobasica

SAŽETAK Cilj ovog rada bio je istražiti utjecaj bakteriocinogene kulture Lactobacillus sakei na sigurnost i kakvoću tradicionalnih fermentiranih kobasica. Istraživanje je provedeno u dva dijela; prvom zbog uvida u učinak kulture na inokuliranu populaciju bakterije Listeria monocytogenes, i drugom s ciljem uvida u utjecaj kulture na mikrobiološke, fizikalno-kemijske i senzorne karakteristike kobasica. Broj L. monocytogenes značajno je smanjen u svim fazama zrenja (P<0,05). Primjenom bakteriocinogene kulture smanjen je broj enterokoka, koagulaza negativnih koka i kvasaca u gotovom proizvodu (P<0,05). Rezultati su pokazali poboljšanje senzornih svojstava kobasica u odnosu na izgled, okus, miris i konzistenciju. Ključne riječi: sigurnost, kakvoća, fermentirane kobasice
Successful treatment of refractory chronic disseminated candidiasis after prolonged administration of caspofungin in a child with acute myeloid leukemia

This report documents the clinical activity of caspofungin in a 13‐year‐old girl with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic disseminated candidiasis (CDC), refractory to amphotericin B and fluconazole. Caspofungin was started at 50 mg/d resulting in a temporary response. With no further clinical improvement and radiological progress after 2 months of therapy, the dose of caspofungin was increased to 100 mg/d, leading to a sustained clinical response. Therapy was given for a total of 12 months and had no attributable adverse effects. This approach resulted in successful treatment of refractory CDC with caspofungin. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:360–362. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Altered contractile and ion channel function in rabbit portal vein with dietary atherosclerosis.

This study was performed to determine the effects of dietary atherosclerosis on the pharmacology and ion channel properties of rabbit portal vein (PV). New Zealand White rabbits were fed normal rabbit chow +/- 2% cholesterol for 10 wk. Contractions to norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin were studied under isometric conditions with longitudinal strips. Ca2+ and K+ currents (ICa and IK, respectively) were recorded in freshly dispersed myocytes by whole cell voltage clamp methods. Cholesterol feeding increased total plasma cholesterol levels from 28.4 +/- 5.2 to 1,387 +/- 172 mg/dl as well as the cholesterol-to-phospholipid molar ratio of the PV from 0.34 +/- 0.02 to 0.66 +/- 0.08. Only maximum contractile responses to serotonin were larger in atherosclerotic PV when normalized to the maximum KCl response. Concentration-active stress curves of the atherosclerotic PV to NE and serotonin were shifted to the left. Maximum values of ICa were larger in myocytes from atherosclerotic compared with control animals (4.4 +/- 0.4 vs. 3.1 +/- 0.2 pA/pF, P < 0.05). The voltage dependence of activation and availability of ICa was shifted toward more negative potentials by approximately 10 mV. Whole cell K+ currents were smaller in atherosclerotic myocytes. At a test voltage of +20 mV, IK averaged 14.9 +/- 2.8 pA/pF in control compared with 7.7 +/- 0.8 pA/pF in atherosclerotic myocytes from a holding potential of -80 mV with external Ca2+ concentration of 5 mM. The reversal potential for IK tail currents was significantly less negative in atherosclerotic myocytes (-70 +/- 1 vs. -64 +/- 1 mV). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Inhibition of norepinephrine uptake in hearts by angiotensin II and analogs.

Isolated rabbit hearts were perfused for 2 hr with Krebs' solution at 37°C, pH 7.3 to 7.35 and flow rates of 8 to 12 ml/min. H3-norepinephrine (H3NE), 10 ng/ml, was added to the perfusate, and the hearts were perfused for 15 min. The amount of H3NE accumulated in the heart was determined in the right auricle and left ventricle by scintillation counting. Total myocardial NE was determined fluorometrically. Angiotensin II (02 ng/ml) and angiotensin amide (2.0, 0.2 and 0.05 ng/ml) inhibited the uptake of H3NE. Addition of blood to the perfusate decreased the amount of inhibition obtained with peptide administration. When significant inhibition of uptake occurred, there was a potentiation of the positive chronotropic response to NE. Angiotensin also inhibited the uptake of H3-metaraminol. Several analogs of angiotensin were studied in an attempt to determine thestructural requirements needed for uptake inhibition in the heart. In general, changes in positions 1 to 7 showed good correlation between inhibition of H3NE uptake and pressor activity. However, a similar correlation was not found with peptides substituted in position 8. These analogs had pressor activities ranging from 0.1 to 10% but produced marked inhibition of H3NE accumulation. These results suggest that angiotensin receptors on sympathetic nerve endings have different structural requirements than do muscle receptors and that levels of the peptide close to normal circulating plasma levels have the ability to modulate NE inactivation by uptake processes.
Alleviation of doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity by chrysin in Wistar rats

Abstract Objective: Doxorubicin (DXR) is an anticancer drug used in the treatment of many human malignancies. However, its clinical use is limited because of several side effects like cardiotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. In the present study, we investigated the protective efficacy of chrysin against DXR-induced oxidative stress, nephro- and hepatotoxicity in male Wistar rats using biochemical and histopathological approaches. Methodology: Wistar rats were subjected to concomitant pre- and post-phylactic oral treatment of chrysin (40 and 80 mg/kg b.wt.) against nephro- and hepatotoxicity induced by single i.p. injection of DXR (40 mg/kg b.wt). Nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity were assessed by measuring the level of serum creatinine, BUN, AST, ALT and LDH. The level of antioxidant armory of kidney and liver tissue was also measured. Key findings: Treatment with chrysin significantly decreased the levels of serum toxicity markers and additionally elevated antioxidant defense enzyme levels. Histopathological changes further confirmed the biochemical results showing that DXR caused significant structural damage to kidney and liver tissue architecture which were reversed with chrysin. Conclusion: The results suggest that chrysin attenuated nephro and hepatic damage induced by DXR.
Feasibility of micro-elastography for tissue surrounding phase-change microbubbles using bubble wavelet transform

Pathological states of soft tissue are usually correlated with changes in its mechanical properties. Currently, several sonoelastographic methods have been developed to evaluate the elastic properties. However, applicability of sonoelastography for small targets such as tissues surrounding tumor angiogenesis, is limited because of poor resolution and difficulty in producing detectable strain by external induction or internal physiological fluctuations. We propose to explore the possibility of quantifying the viscoelastic properties of soft tissues through phase-change microbubble (PCMB) dynamic in tissue and bubble wavelet transform detection method. A mother wavelet named “PCMB wavelet” was constructed according to the modified Yang-Church equation, and also expected to obtain a high correlation with echoes backscattered from the PCMBs. A transparent homogeneous tissue-mimicking polyacrylamide phantom containing nanoparticles of perfluoropentane was built. The comparison of contrast-to-tissue ratio among the images processed by continuous wavelet transform with “PCMB wavelet” of different shear elasticity and viscosity revealed the viscoelastic properties of the phantoms. The values of shear elasticity and viscosity of different kinds of phantoms were compared. This technique demonstrated the possibility to quantify the viscoelastic properties.
Elevated plasma calcifediol is associated with aggressive periodontitis.

BACKGROUND Vitamin D is associated with a number of inflammatory diseases and plays a significant role in regulating bone metabolism. Serum calcifediol was demonstrated to be potentially associated with periodontal disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether an association exists between plasma calcifediol concentrations and aggressive periodontitis (AgP) and whether plasma levels of bone-related biomarkers (osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, and phosphorus) regulated by vitamin D are related to AgP. METHODS Sixty-six patients with generalized AgP, 52 patients with chronic periodontitis, and 60 healthy controls were included in this study. Periodontal examination consisted of probing depth, attachment loss, and bleeding index measurements. Hematic calcifediol and bone-related biomarker levels were detected using radioimmunity assay kits or a biochemical analyzer. RESULTS Plasma calcifediol levels in patients with AgP were higher than those of healthy controls (29.28 versus 21.60 nmol/l; P <0.05) and were statistically significantly correlated with bleeding index (r = 0.321; P <0.05). Plasma osteocalcin concentrations in patients with AgP were higher than those of healthy controls (0.90 versus 0.70 ng/ml; P <0.05). Serum inorganic phosphorus values of both periodontitis groups were lower than those of healthy controls (1.06 +/- 0.18 mmol/l and 1.10 +/- 0.15 mmol/l versus 1.26 +/- 0.17 mmol/l; P <0.05). CONCLUSION Plasma calcifediol levels might be associated with periodontal inflammation.
Gaze during Speaking as Related to Shyness

32 shy and 32 nonshy women were selected from a population of Japanese junior college students on the basis of their responses to the Trait Shyness Scale. This study manipulated shyness (shy and nonshy), interviewers' gaze (high amount of gaze and low amount of gaze), and interviewers' sex in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design. Subjects were randomly assigned to eight groups and interviewed by one of two male or two female confederates. Two trained judges recorded duration of gaze and speech through a one-way mirror and watching videotaped records. Analysis showed that for the interviewer in the high gaze condition the self-reported shy women gazed less while speaking than the nonshy women.