Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A follow-up study of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis into adulthood.

AIM OF THE STUDY To study the clinical profile of various subtypes of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) in adulthood and analyse the outcome of the disease in terms of functional status, educational achievement, growth abnormalities, radiological progression and activity of the disease. METHODS From a group of 150 JRA cases, 26 adult patients were included in the study. All of them were under follow up since the onset of disease in childhood. Clinical data at the onset were obtained from old medical documents. Detailed clinical and laboratory assessment of all cases were done. RESULTS There were 10 oligoarticular, 13 polyarticular and three systemic onset cases. Mean age of onset of disease was 11.7 +/- 3.39 years (range 2-15). Mean duration of follow up was 11.4 +/- 4.46 years range (6-22). Twenty-one patients had active disease. Ninety percent of oligoarthritis group were in class 1 status whereas none of the systemic onset JRA cases were in class I. Micrognathia, short stiff neck and short stature were noticed among polyarticular and systemic onset JRA. Seventy percent of oligoarthritis group developed inflammatory low back ache. Bony ankylosis of tarsal and carpal bones were seen in eight cases. CONCLUSION In our study there is a male predominance in JRA. Pauciarticular (oligoarthritis) JRA occurring in older boys had the best functional outcome. Growth abnormalities and radiological changes were more common in polyarticular and systemic onset JRA.
Inflammatory Leukocyte Infiltration in Focal Cerebral Ischemia: Unrelated to Infarct Size

Objective: An inflammatory host response in the ischemically injured brain is well documented. However, its pathophysiological relevance is uncertain. We investigated whether inflammatory leukocyte response in the ischemic brain alters infarct size. Methods: The cellular inflammatory response to cerebral ischemia in Wistar-derived rats induced by the transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery with a thread was pharmacologically upmodulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or downmodulated by continuous infusion of carboxylated sialyl Lewisx (sLex). The effects of such experimental modulation of focal cerebral leukocyte recruitment on the extent of the resulting infarction were assessed. Results:Compared to control treatments, LPS strongly enhanced (540.5 ± 504.8 vs. 94.6 ± 60.6, p < 0.01) and sLex decreased (32.8 ± 29.1vs. 97.0 ± 49.7, p < 0.05) the numbers of neutrophils at the investigated sites in cerebral ischemia. Unexpectedly, despite such marked experimental modulation of leukocyte infiltration in the ischemic brain, the extent of the resulting cerebral infarction (percent of total hemisphere) remained unchanged under these different conditions (54.5 ± 10.8vs. 53.0 ± 19.1, n.s. and 50.3 ± 18.0 vs. 57.2 ± 10.0, n.s., respectively). Conclusions: The striking dissociation between the massively altered inflammatory leukocyte infiltration in the ischemic brain and the unchanged infarct outcome indicates that intracerebral inflammatory leukocyte recruitment is not a major pathogenic factor in the development of ischemic tissue damage.
The Mouse Formin, FRLα, Slows Actin Filament Barbed End Elongation, Competes with Capping Protein, Accelerates Polymerization from Monomers, and Severs Filaments*

Formins are a conserved class of proteins expressed in all eukaryotes, with known roles in generating cellular actin-based structures. The mammalian formin, FRLα, is enriched in hematopoietic cells and tissues, but its biochemical properties have not been characterized. We show that a construct composed of the C-terminal half of FRLα (FRLα-C) is a dimer and has multiple effects on muscle actin, including tight binding to actin filament sides, partial inhibition of barbed end elongation, inhibition of barbed end binding by capping protein, acceleration of polymerization from monomers, and actin filament severing. These multiple activities can be explained by a model in which FRLα-C binds filament sides but prefers the topology of sides at the barbed end (end-sides) to those within the filament. This preference allows FRLα-C to nucleate new filaments by side stabilization of dimers, processively advance with the elongating barbed end, block interaction between C-terminal tentacles of capping protein and filament end-sides, and sever filaments by preventing subunit re-association as filaments bend. Another formin, mDia1, does not reduce the barbed end elongation rate but does block capping protein, further supporting an end-side binding model for formins. Profilin partially relieves barbed end elongation inhibition by FRLα-C. When non-muscle actin is used, FRLα-C's effects are largely similar. FRLα-C's ability to sever filaments is the first such activity reported for any formin. Because we find that mDia1-C does not sever efficiently, severing may not be a property of all formins.
Postsynaptic activity of metabotropic glutamate receptors in the piriform cortex

Effects of some glutamate receptor antagonists on signal propagation elicited by stimulation of association fibers in guinea pig piriform cortex slices were investigated using optical imaging. During simultaneous application of both NMDA and non-NMDA receptor antagonists (D-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid and 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, respectively) the postsynaptic activity was largely suppressed, and a weak although distinct late propagation component was found to survive. This latter component was reversibly suppressed by application of low Ca2+ solution or a group I/II specific metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) antagonist (+)-&agr;-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine. These results suggest that mGluRs mediate postsynaptic excitation, which would play a crucial role in activating the reverberating positive feedback circuit effectively.
GIS morphology knowledge aided texture windows determination for RS image classification

Texture is an important feature in RS image classification of land-use, and its precision mainly depends on the scale parameters, which are strongly correlated with the geometry characteristics of the classified objects. However, there is no a recognized reliable method for texture scale extraction. So this paper proposes an new approach to indirectly extract them with the assistance of domain GIS database knowledge. According to the human cognition characteristics, we firstly obtain a set of polygons with representative shapes from existing GIS database, by the spatial partition, the image segmentation and the space-time system evaluation. Secondly, MER algorithm is employed to describe the consistent morphology knowledge of each category's polygon sets, so that the multi texture windows can be correspondingly determined. The experimental results show that: compare with traditional methods, the proposed one calculate the results by integrating computation and inspired calculations, which can extract high-precision scale parameters with the similar performance of enumeration method, meanwhile obtain greatly improvement in algorithm efficiency. Furthermore, under the multi-scale, texture descriptors can evidently represent the different categories, thereby increase the total number of classification system, to meet the requirements of thematic cartography better.
Cell swelling, heat, and chemical agonists use distinct pathways for the activation of the cation channel TRPV4

TRPV4 is a Ca2+- and Mg2+-permeable cation channel within the vanilloid receptor subgroup of the transient receptor potential (TRP) family, and it has been implicated in Ca2+-dependent signal transduction in several tissues, including brain and vascular endothelium. TRPV4-activating stimuli include osmotic cell swelling, heat, phorbol ester compounds, and 5′,6′-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid, a cytochrome P450 epoxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid (AA). It is presently unknown how these distinct activators converge on opening of the channel. Here, we demonstrate that blockers of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and cytochrome P450 epoxygenase inhibit activation of TRPV4 by osmotic cell swelling but not by heat and 4α-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate. Mutating a tyrosine residue (Tyr-555) in the N-terminal part of the third transmembrane domain to an alanine strongly impairs activation of TRPV4 by 4α-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate and heat but has no effect on activation by cell swelling or AA. We conclude that TRPV4-activating stimuli promote channel opening by means of distinct pathways. Cell swelling activates TRPV4 by means of the PLA2-dependent formation of AA, and its subsequent metabolization to 5′,6′-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid by means of a cytochrome P450 epoxygenase-dependent pathway. Phorbol esters and heat operate by means of a distinct, PLA2- and cytochrome P450 epoxygenase-independent pathway, which critically depends on an aromatic residue at the N terminus of the third transmembrane domain.
Remifentanil vs. Lignocaine for Attenuating the Haemodynamic Response during Rapid Sequence Induction Using Propofol: Double-Blind Randomised Clinical Trial

This study was conducted to determine whether lignocaine or remifentanil effectively attenuate the response to endotracheal intubation during rapid sequence induction. Forty-eight patients were randomly divided into three groups: Group NS (n=16) received normal saline 0.1 ml/kg, Group L (n=16) received lignocaine 1.5 mg/kg, and Group R (n=16) received remifentanil 1 /μg/kg. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol 2 mg/kg after glycopyrrolate 0.2 mg IV. Each study drug was given intravenously over 30 seconds after loss of consciousness. Cricoid pressure was applied until intubation. Succinylcholine 1.0 mg/kg was administered to facilitate tracheal intubation. After intubation, the patient's lungs were ventilated with sevoflurane 1% and nitrous oxide 50% in oxygen. Mean arterial pressure and heart rate were recorded before induction, at loss of consciousness, immediately before laryngoscopy and every minute after intubation for 10 minutes. Mean arterial pressure fell following propofol in all groups. The maximum increase in mean arterial pressure in Group NS and Group L were 46% and 38% respectively above the baseline value one minute after intubation, whereas the mean arterial pressure in Group R increased only back to the baseline value. Heart rate in Group NS and Group L were increased by 27% and 33% above baseline value respectively one minute after intubation, while that in Group R was increased only to the baseline value. The results indicate that remifentanil 1 μg/kg, but not lignocaine 1.5 mg/kg, effectively attenuates the haemodynamic response to endotracheal intubation during rapid sequence induction using propofol.
A Newton-like method for solving a non-smooth elliptic equation

In this paper, we use finite element method to discrete a non-smooth elliptic equation and present some error estimates. Non-smooth Newton-like method is applied to solve the discrete problem. Since Newton's equations have a very bad conditioner when the mesh-size is finer, multigrid technique is used to solve the subproblems. It is shown that if we use V-cycle or cascadic multigrid as an inner iterator, an (nearly) optimal property can be obtained. Numerical results are illustrated to confirm the error estimates we obtained and the efficiency of the non-smooth Newton-like method combining with multigrid technique. Especially, if the mesh-size h becomes much smaller, the method can save substantial computational work.
Sensitive assay for mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma.

BACKGROUND The mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma is the principal polymerase required for mitochondrial DNA replication. Primary or secondary deficiencies in the activity of DNA polymerase gamma may lead to mitochondrial DNA depletion. We describe a sensitive and robust clinical assay for this enzyme. METHODS The assay was performed on mitochondria isolated from skeletal muscle biopsies. High-molecular weight polynucleotide reaction products were captured on ion-exchange paper, examined qualitatively by autoradiography, and quantified by scintillation counting. RESULTS Kinetic analysis of DNA polymerase gamma by this method showed a K(m) for dTTP of 1.43 micromol/L and a K(i) for azidothymidine triphosphate of 0.861 micromol/L. The assay was linear from 0.1 to 2 microgram of mitochondrial protein. The detection limit was 30 units (30 fmol dTMP incorporated in 30 min). The linear dynamic range was three orders of magnitude; 30-30 000 units. Imprecision (CV) was 6.4% within day and 12% between days. Application of this assay to a mixed population of 38 patients referred for evaluation of mitochondrial disease revealed a distribution with a range of 0-2506 U/microgram, reflecting extensive biologic variation among patients with neuromuscular disease. CONCLUSION This assay provides a useful adjunct to current laboratory methods for the evaluation of patients with suspected mitochondrial DNA depletion syndromes.
p63: Defining roles in morphogenesis, homeostasis, and neoplasia of the epidermis

p63 is a member of a gene family also including the p53 tumor suppressor and p73. In contrast to p53, p63 is rarely mutated in human cancers. Rather, gene amplification and dysregulated expression of p63 protein have been observed, particularly in squamous cell carcinomas. p63 is essential for development of stratified squamous epithelium, including the epidermis. The p63 gene is expressed as multiple protein isoforms with different functional capacities, and the balance of these isoforms, along with the presence or absence of the other family members, p53 and p73, can impact biological outcome. Both gene silencing and overexpression approaches have been utilized to elucidate the contributions of specific p63 isoforms to normal epidermal morphogenesis and tissue maintenance. While numerous studies have established the essential nature of p63 in the epidermis, the basis of this requirement, and the unique, as well as, overlapping functions of the individual isoforms, remain controversial. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of roles played by specific p63 isoforms within the context of epidermal morphogenesis and homeostasis of the established epidermis, and the potential impact of p63 dysregulation on cancer development. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of calcofluor white on chitin synthases from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The growths of Saccharomyces cerevisiae wild-type strain and another strain containing a disrupted structural gene for chitin synthase (chs1::URA3), defective in chitin synthase 1 (Chs1) but showing a new chitin synthase activity (Chs2), were affected by Calcofluor. To be effective, the interaction of Calcofluor with growing cells had to occur at around pH 6. Treatment of growing cells from these strains with the fluorochrome led to an increase in the total levels of Chs1 and Chs2 activities measured on permeabilized cells. During treatment, basal levels (activities expressed in the absence of exogenous proteolytic activation) of Chs1 and Chs2 increased nine- and fourfold, respectively, through a mechanism dependent on protein synthesis, since the effect was abolished by cycloheximide. During alpha-factor treatment, both Chs1 and Chs2 levels increased; however, as opposed to what occurred during the mitotic cell cycle, there was no further increase in Chs1 or Chs2 activities by Calcofluor treatment.
The extracellular matrix and atherosclerosis

The vascular extracellular matrix is a collection of vastly different macromolecules organized by entanglement and cross-linking into a biomechanically active polymer that imparts regional tensile strength, viscoelasticity, and compressibility to the atherosclerotic lesion. Each component of the extracellular matrix possesses unique structural properties that determine its separate roles during atherogenesis. Not only does this matrix provide the architectural framework that influences the structural integrity of the lesion, but it also provides the milieu for vascular cells and participates in the adhesive, proliterative, and migratory events that characterize lesion development. The fact that different components of the extracellular matrix selectively bind plasma proteins, growth factors, cytokines, and enzymes implicate these molecules in the regulation of key metabolic events in the formation of the atherosclerotic plaque. The extracellular matrix can no longer be thought of as simply an inert structural mass, but rather as a collection of molecules that possesses the capacity to 'instruct' and 'transduce the information' that 'drives' events central to the atherogenic process. A more thorough understanding of the nature and properties of the vascular extracellular matrix and the factors that regulate its accumulation would seem to be a reasonable goal if progress is to be made towards alleviating this disease.
The Effect of Factor Xa/Phospholipid Infusion on the Acute Phase Response in Baboons

Summary Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a frequent complication of septicemia or tissue injury and may be accompanied by elevations of interleukin-6, a mediator of the acute phase response. It is not known whether thrombin or fibrin deposition may directly induce an acute phase response. To study this, we employed a baboon model of in vivo thrombin generation, induced by the administration of purified bovine Factor Xa and phospholipid vesicles. Two Xa/phospholipid dosages were used, a low dosage (2 animals) leading to a rapid 49% decrease in fibrinogen and a high dosage (two injections at 5h interval; 3 animals) leading to complete fibrinogen depletion. Thereafter, fibrinogen levels increased in both treatment groups, reached a maximum of 2.52 ± 0.23 g/1 (mean ± SE, n = 5; p <0.01 with respect to basal levels) at day 2, and returned to normal by day seven. In five control (injection of 0.15% NaCl) baboons no significant changes of fibrinogen were observed (maximal values: 1.88 ± 0.12 g/1). Serum concentrations of C-reactive protein, an acute phase protein, increased from 3.7 ± 0.4 mg/1 to a maximum of 33.0 ± 7.3 at day one, which was five-fold higher (p <0.01) than in control animals at day one (6.2 ± 0.5 mg/1). Transient increases were observed within 6 h for interleukin-6 from basal values of 6.2 ± 1.7 ng/1 to peak plasma levels of 42.9 ±21.4 ng/1, a value threefold higher (p = 0.07) than in control animals (14.8 ± 4.0 ng/1). The preliminary results of this observational study suggest that factor Xa/phospholipid infusion is followed by an acute phase response, leading after one day to significant increases of fibrinogen and of C-reactive protein.
Coming of age of the service economy

The modern service economy relies not just on the manufacture of products but on their correct functioning. This measuring of how systems work means that qualitative and nonmonetarized considerotions are becoming more important. The notion of risk and the management of vulnerability and uncertainty become key issues in the service economy. Consideration has now to be given to both risks which those involved can influence and also those over which there is no control. It is essential to adapt to the new service economy and see the opportunities for real economic and social growth.
Identification and Localization of a Lipase-like Acyltransferase in Phenylpropanoid Metabolism of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)*

We have isolated an enzyme classified as chlorogenate: glucarate caffeoyltransferase (CGT) from seedlings of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) that catalyzes the formation of caffeoylglucarate and caffeoylgalactarate using chlorogenate (5-O-caffeoylquinate) as acyl donor. Peptide sequences obtained by trypsin digestion and spectrometric sequencing were used to isolate the SlCGT cDNA encoding a protein of 380 amino acids with a putative targeting signal of 24 amino acids indicating an entry of the SlCGT into the secretory pathway. Immunogold electron microscopy revealed the localization of the enzyme in the apoplastic space of tomato leaves. Southern blot analysis of genomic cDNA suggests that SlCGT is encoded by a single-copy gene. The SlCGT cDNA was functionally expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves and proved to confer chlorogenate-dependent caffeoyltransferase activity in the presence of glucarate. Sequence comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence identified the protein unexpectedly as a GDSL lipase-like protein, representing a new member of the SGNH protein superfamily. Lipases of this family employ a catalytic triad of Ser-Asp-His with Ser as nucleophile of the GDSL motif. Site-directed mutagenesis of each residue of the assumed respective SlCGT catalytic triad, however, indicated that the catalytic triad of the GDSL lipase is not essential for SlCGT enzymatic activity. SlCGT is therefore the first example of a GDSL lipase-like protein that lost hydrolytic activity and has acquired a completely new function in plant metabolism, functioning in secondary metabolism as acyltransferase in synthesis of hydroxycinnamate esters by employing amino acid residues different from the lipase catalytic triad.
The Costs of Remedial and Developmental Education in Postsecondary Education.

Current research and policy literature indicate an increase in remediation courses nationwide (Tierney & Garcia, 2011; Parsad & Lewis, 2003). However, the most critical theme in research suggests variability and possible inaccuracies in remedial and developmental education data (Kirst, 2007; Venezia, Kirst & Antonio, 2004). In particular, there is little current research surrounding the actual costs of remedial education (Kirst, 2007; The Institute for Higher Education Policy, 1998). The significance of inaccurate remediation costs means that education leaders and policy makers could perceivably be making decisions based upon poor data (Attewell, Lavin, Domain & Levey, 2006). In addition, research indicates that education finance and budget policy is affected by increases in remediation (Jenkins & Boswell, 2002). Jenkins and Boswell (2002) reported that universities are not given adequate financial incentive to provide remedial education. This may prove true especially for community colleges since they bear the burden of providing most remedial education in postsecondary education (Boylan & Saxon, 1999). Overall, in order to formulate sound remediation cost policy, education leaders and policy makers need reliable information.
Duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytosis is common in children without coeliac disease, and is not meaningfully influenced by Helicobacter pylori infection

Increased numbers of duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) characterise coeliac disease (CD) but have also been described in noncoeliacs. Controversy exists regarding an association between increased IELs and infection with Helicobacter pylori, which is commonly found in children.
Genomic and transcriptomic landscape of Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)

Abstract Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) has long served as a model organism for scientific research, as well as a workhorse for biotechnology. Here we present the most current genome annotation of E. coli BL21(DE3) based on the transcriptome structure of the strain that was determined for the first time. The genome was annotated using multiple automated pipelines and compared to the current genome annotation of the closely related strain, E. coli K-12. High-resolution tiling array data of E. coli BL21(DE3) from several different stages of cell growth in rich and minimal media were analyzed to characterize the transcriptome structure and to provide supporting evidence for open reading frames. This new integrated analysis of the genomic and transcriptomic structure of E. coli BL21(DE3) has led to the correction of translation initiation sites for 88 coding DNA sequences and provided updated information for most genes. Additionally, 37 putative genes and 66 putative non-coding RNAs were also identified. The panoramic landscape of the genome and transcriptome of E. coli BL21(DE3) revealed here will allow us to better understand the fundamental biology of the strain and also advance biotechnological applications in industry.