Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interaction between the Btk PH Domain and Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate Directly Regulates Btk*

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) binds to phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PtdIns-3,4,5-P3) through the Btk pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, an interaction thought to be required for Btk membrane translocation during B cell receptor signaling. Here, we report that interaction of PtdIns-3,4,5-P3 with the PH domain of Btk directly induces Btk enzymatic activation in an in vitrokinase assay. A point mutation that reduces interaction of PtdIns-3,4,5-P3 with the Btk PH domain blocks in vitro PtdIns-3,4,5-P3-dependent Btk activation, whereas the PH domain deletion enhances Btk basal activity but eliminates the PtdIns-3,4,5-P3-dependent stimulation. Btk kinase activity and the Btk activation loop phosphorylation site are both required for the PtdIns-3,4,5-P3-mediated stimulation of Btk kinase activity. Together, these results suggest that the Btk PH domain is positioned such that it normally suppresses both Btk kinase activity and access to substrates; when interacting with PtdIns-3,4,5-P3, this suppression is relieved, producing apparent Btk activation. In addition, using Src family kinase inhibitors and Btk catalytically inactive mutants, we demonstrate thatin vivo, the activation of Btk is due to both Lyn phosphorylation and PtdIns-3,4,5-P3-mediated direct activation. Thus, the Btk-PtdIns-3,4,5-P3 interaction serves to translocate Btk to the membrane and directly regulate its signaling function.
Mechanism by which hyperglycemia inhibits hepatic glucose production in conscious rats. Implications for the pathophysiology of fasting hyperglycemia in diabetes.

To examine the relationship between the plasma glucose concentration (PG) and the pathways of hepatic glucose production (HGP), five groups of conscious rats were studied after a 6-h fast: (a) control rats (PG = 8.0 +/- 0.2 mM); (b) control rats (PG = 7.9 +/- 0.2 mM) with somatostatin and insulin replaced at the basal level; (c) control rats (PG = 18.1 +/- 0.2 mM) with somatostatin, insulin replaced at the basal level, and glucose infused to acutely raise plasma glucose by 10 mM; (d) control rats (PG = 18.0 +/- 0.2 mM) with somatostatin and glucose infusions to acutely reproduce the metabolic conditions of diabetic rats, i.e., hyperglycemia and moderate hypoinsulinemia; (e) diabetic rats (PG = 18.4 +/- 2.3 mM). All rats received an infusion of [3-3H]glucose and [U-14C]lactate. The ratio between hepatic [14C]UDP-glucose sp act (SA) and 2X [14C]-phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) SA (the former reflecting glucose-6-phosphate SA) measured the portion of total glucose output derived from PEP-gluconeogenesis. In control rats, HGP was decreased by 58% in hyperglycemic compared to euglycemic conditions (4.5 +/- 0.3 vs. 10.6 +/- 0.2 mg/kg.min; P < 0.01). When evaluated under identical glycemic conditions, HGP was significantly increased in diabetic rats (18.9 +/- 1.4 vs. 6.2 +/- 0.4 mg/kg.min; P < 0.01). In control rats, hyperglycemia increased glucose cycling (by 2.5-fold) and the contribution of gluconeogenesis to HGP (91% vs. 45%), while decreasing that of glycogenolysis (9% vs. 55%). Under identical plasma glucose and insulin concentrations, glucose cycling in diabetic rats was decreased (by 21%) and the percent contribution of gluconeogenesis to HGP (73%) was similar to that of controls (84%). These data indicate that: (a) hyperglycemia causes a marked inhibition of HGP mainly through the suppression of glycogenolysis and the increase in glucokinase flux, with no apparent changes in the fluxes through gluconeogenesis and glucose-6-phosphatase; under similar hyperglycemic hypoinsulinemic conditions: (b) HGP is markedly increased in diabetic rats; however, (c) the contribution of glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis to HGP is similar to control animals.
Differentiation of Acinar Cells into Acinoductular Cells in Regenerating Rat Pancreas

Background/Aims: Several lines of experimental data suggest that acinar cells have the potential to differentiate into ductular-like cells, and these newly formed acinoductular cells may act as (facultative) stem cells. The purpose of this study was to test this hypothesis in a model of pancreatic regeneration in rats. Methods: In the current study, using a 90% pancreatectomy as a rat model for pancreatic regeneration, we serially examined the pancreatic tissues in a time-dependent manner by conventional histology and immunostaining. Cell proliferation was assessed by in vivo bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling. Results: By 24 h after surgery, acini showed depleted granules with more dilated lumens (acinar ectasia). By day 2, focal regions of regeneration appeared which were separated by fibrosis and composed of ductular-like cells (tubular complexes) and acinar cells with dilated lumina. Double immunofluorescent staining revealed that both amylase and CK19 were positive in the same cells localized to the focus of regeneration from the animals on day 2, the phenotype of cells from those regions apparently reverted to acinar cells, and the regions completely disappeared by day 7. By 48 h after surgery, the number of BrdU-positive cells increased 4.3-fold in ductular cells, and 2.5-fold in acinar cells compared with control tissue. Conclusion: Acinar cells through acinoductular metaplasia may be a source of pancreatic regeneration.
On Codes with the Identifiable Parent Property

IfCis aq-ary code of lengthnandaandbare two codewords, thencis called a descendant ofaandbifci? {ai, bi} fori=1, ? , n. We are interested in codesCwith the property that, given any descendantc, one can always identify at least one of the “parent” codewords inC. We study bounds onF(n, q), the maximal cardinality of a codeCwith this property, which we call theidentifiable parent property. Such codes play a role in schemes that protect against piracy of software.
Antiinflammatory activity of an herbal preparation (HemoHIM) in rats

This study evaluated a new herbal preparation, HemoHIM, for its antiinflammatory activity against carrageenan‐induced edema, the formation of granulation tissues by cotton pellet and experimental colitis by 2,4,6‐trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). The HemoHIM was prepared by adding its ethanol‐insoluble polysaccharide fraction to the total water extract of Angelica Radix, Cnidii Rhizoma and Paeonia Radix. The preparation (4 mg of solids/mL of drinking water, p.o., 50–100 mg/kg of body weight, i.p.) produced a dose‐related inhibition of carrageenan‐induced paw edema and cotton pellet‐induced granuloma in rats. In addition, HemoHIM also reduced the degree of TNBS‐induced colitis and improved the gross and histological changes such as thickening, dilatation, ulceration, and infiltration by polymorphonuclear leukocytes and multiple erosive lesions. These results demonstrate that the HemoHIM has a potent antiinflammatory effect. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Layer-dependent electronic structure of an atomically heavy two-dimensional dichalcogenide

The first direct measurements are reported of the evolution of the thickness-dependent electronic band structure of monolayers of a material of much current interest. Angle-resolved photoemission is performed on the few-layer single-crystal dichalcogenide WSe${}_{2}$, which is in a class of graphene-like semiconductors with a desirable band gap in the visible frequency range. These results strongly support the presence of a predicted transition from an indirect (bulk or bilayer) to direct (one monolayer) band gap. Values are obtained for the effective mass and spin-orbit splitting of few-layer WSe${}_{2}$, parameters which are very important for transport studies and device applications.
As tecnologias médicas na construção de estratégias entre especialidades: O caso da transplantação hepática

Esta comunicacao surge na sequencia de uma investigacao de doutoramento 1 sobre a construcao social de tecnocracias medicas, a partir da observacao participante e continuada numa unidade hospitalar de transplantacao hepatica e de entrevistas semi-estruturadas aplicadas as varias categorias representadas no terreno de pesquisa. O objectivo e compreender de que forma as tecnologias medicas sao instrumentalizadas nas praticas medicas de modo a constituirem-se estrategias de poder por parte das diferentes especialidades, identificando-se assim diferentes tecnocracias medicas. Trata-se de uma investigacao onde os contributos contemporâneos na area da sociologia medica, da sociologia das profissoes e da sociologia das organizacoes assumem um papel significativo, particularmente autores cujas teorias nos habituamos a enquadrar na abordagem as questoes da modernidade e em particular no construtivismo social. Estes trabalhos revelam um interesse particular na relacao entre o conhecimento e o poder medico, evidenciando o papel do discurso na construcao desse poder. Concretamente, o objectivo desta comunicacao e discutir o significado que as tecnologias medicas assumem na producao dos cuidados medicos e particularmente na definicao dos limites que separam as varias areas do conhecimento e praticas medicas, agrupados em especialidades. Daqui decorre a necessidade de apresentar as formas sob as quais se constroem as fronteiras entre as especialidades medicas envolvidas na transplantacao hepatica, bem como a definicao de esquemas de diferenciacao no interior de cada uma das especialidades, a partir do dominio de tecnologias particulares que sao instrumentalizadas na construcao de estrategias de poder medico. No caso da profissao medica, e importante identificar os processos associados ao
Effects of pitavastatin on pressure overload-induced heart failure in mice.

BACKGROUND 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins), which are widely used to lower plasma cholesterol levels, have been reported to have various pleiotropic effects such as protective effect of endothelial cells, angiogenic effect, antioxidant effect and anti-inflammatory effect. It is unclear, however, whether statins have any effects on the progression from left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy to heart failure in the established hypertrophied heart. METHODS AND RESULTS C57BL/6 mice were treated with pitavastatin (pitava) or vehicle (control) from 2 weeks (established hypertrophy stage) after transverse aortic constriction (TAC) and the treatment was continued for 4 weeks. Pitavastatin significantly inhibited the progression from LV hypertrophy to heart failure as assessed on echocardiography. The cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area was significantly increased in the control group compared to the sham-operated mice (sham group), but it was not significantly different between the control group and the pitava group at 6 weeks after TAC. Moreover, pitavastatin induced myocardial angiogenesis (ratio of number of endothelial cells to cardiomyocytes) and decreased the myocardial fibrosis and oxidative stress. The expression of angiopoietin-1 in the heart was significantly increased by pitavastatin at 6 weeks after TAC. CONCLUSIONS Pitavastatin has preventive effects on the progression of heart failure even in the hypertrophied heart.
A polarization-stable Er-doped superfluorescent fiber source including a Faraday rotator mirror

We report a tenfold stability improvement in the mean wavelength variations induced by polarization fluctuations in an Er-doped superfluorescent fiber source. This was accomplished by replacing the mirror in a double-pass source with a Faraday rotator mirror, thereby nearly eliminating polarization dependent gain. The resulting mean wavelength variations of less than 3.5 parts-per-million (limited by the detection noise floor), approach the requirement for inertial-grade fiber optic gyroscopes.
Efficient Warnings, Not "Wolf or Puppy" Warnings

Governments often require that products carry warnings to inform people about risks. The warnings approach, as opposed to the command and control approach to risk regulation, functions as a decentralized regulatory mechanism that empowers individuals to make decisions that take into account their own circumstances and preferences. Thus, individuals will be aware of the risks and the value of taking precautions, and they may avoid a product that others consume if they find the risk unacceptable. Ideally, warnings would allow individuals to assess both their personal level of risk and the benefits they will receive from another unit of consumption. Then those receiving positive expected benefits will consume more; those receiving negative net benefits will curtail their consumption. Only Pangloss would be happy with the current warning system. It fails miserably at distinguishing between large and small risks; that is to say between wolves and rabbits. Such a system is of little value, since people quickly learn to ignore a warning, given that rabbits, which pose little danger, are many times more plentiful than wolves. When a wolf is truly present, people all too often ignore the warning, having been conditioned to believe that such warnings rarely connote a serious threat. We illustrate the clumsy-discrimination issue with examples related to cigarette labeling, mercury in seafood, trans fat in food, and California’s Proposition 65. We argue that the decision to require a warning and the wording of the warning should be designed in a manner that will lead consumers to roughly assess their accurate risk level, or to at least distinguish between serious and mild risks. Empowering individuals to make appropriate risk decisions is a worthwhile goal. The present system fails to provide them with the requisite information.
In-Service Training Opportunities Provided for Business Educators for Improving Job Performance in Secondary Schools in Delta State

This study examined in-service training programme opportunities provided for business educators for improving their job performance in secondary schools in Delta State. Three research questions guided the study. The study employed descriptive survey research design. Population of this study consisted of 2,100 business educators within 448 public secondary schools in Anambra State. Sample size of this study constituted a total of 630 business educators selected from 448 public secondary schools using the proportionate stratified random sampling technique. A 24-item researchers’ self-developed questionnaire titled “In-service Training Opportunities Questionnaire (ISTOQ)” arranged into three (3) clusters, and structured on 4 point scale which weighted as follows: (a) Strongly Agree (SA) 4, Agree (A) 3, Disagree (D) 2, Strongly Disagree (SD) – 1, was used as the main instrument for data collection in this study. The research instrument was validated by three experts and reliability determined through a pilot test which yielded an internal consistency reliability value of 0.82, showing that the instrument was trustworthy in collecting the necessary information for the study. Method of data collection involved a direct and hand delivery contact with the respondents. Data collated were analyzed using the mean score and standard deviation. The findings of this study revealed others that induction training, on-the-job and off-the-job in-services training opportunities were not appropriately provided for business educators in the secondary schools in Delta State in order to guarantee or ensure their job performances. From the findings of this study, recommendations were proffered and among them were that principals should ensure that newly employed business educators/teachers always undergo appropriate induction training programmes in order to boost their job performances. This includes that induction training programmes like specific orientation, physical tour around the school premises, short seminars and the school’s handbook/pamphlet which describes the general philosophy, goals and objectives of the schools should highly be encouraged in the school for increased performances. On-the-job training opportunities should be highly provided for business educators by their principals including the State Government and the Delta State Post Primary Education Board (PPEB).
A computationally efficient approach for temporal pattern mining in IoT

Data generated in IOT is implicitly temporal. This research essentially focuses on design of novel similarity measure to find similarity between temporal patterns subjected to subset specifications which include specifying reference, a distance value permissible. At present, existing approaches do not reveal seasonal patterns, emerging or diminishing patterns. Determining similar temporal patterns and unearthing eccentric patterns require an efficient measure. This research makes attempt to come up with an efficient similarity measure for revealing similar temporal patterns in time series data generated by IoT.
M&A Due Diligence, Post-Acquisition Performance, and Financial Reporting for Business Combinations

After signing an acquisition agreement, acquiring firms conduct transactional due diligence to identify potential material adverse events and breaches of target firm representations and warranties. When detected, these outcomes of due diligence provide acquiring firms the contractual right to terminate the transaction or renegotiate a lower purchase price. However, acquirers face pressure to complete M&A transactions quickly and cut the transactional due diligence process short. Based on a survival analysis of terminated and completed M&A transactions, I find that less extensive transactional due diligence is associated with lower post-acquisition profitability, a higher probability of post-acquisition goodwill impairments, and lower quality fair value estimates for the acquired assets and liabilities. These findings highlight transactional due diligence as an important factor explaining cross-sectional variation in post-acquisition performance and financial reporting.
Throughput derivation for analysis of interference of the system with interference avoidance function in 2.4GHz ISM band

There are various systems using ISM (Industrial Science Medical) band, resulting in a potential for interference. To avoid interference effectively, interference analysis in ISM band is essential. Monte-Carlo method is mainly used for interference analysis among wireless communication systems. In this paper, we suggest a modified Monte-Carlo method which can calculate throughput to provide the effect of interference on data communication system. And we analyze the throughput of the system with interference avoidance function in the presence of other interfering systems in ISM band.
Immunohistochemical expression of matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 2 (MMP-1 and MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2) in ruptured and non-ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE Recent evidence suggests that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) are crucial for trophoblast implantation in normal pregnancy. To evaluate the expression of MMP-1, MMP2, and the tissue inhibitor of MMP-2 (TIMP-2) along the invasive pathway of trophoblast in ruptured and non-ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancies, we performed a retrospective immunohistochemical study. METHODS In 15 tissue specimens of patients with ruptured (N = 7) and non-ruptured (N = 8) first trimester tubal ectopic pregnancies who underwent laparoscopic salpingectomy, immunohistochemical staining against MMP-1, MMP-2, and TIMP-2 was performed. Serial paraffin sections were photographed and digitized for a computerized quantitative image analysis. Mean percentages of positive stained areas by MMP-1, MMP-2, and TIMP-2 antibodies in the extravillous trophoblast were determined for ruptured and non-ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancies and compared. RESULTS In our 15 tissue specimens of ectopic pregnancies MMP-1 and TIMP-2 were found to be more prominent in the immunohistochemical distribution pattern than MMP-2. However, no statistically significant difference could be detected between the mean percentages of positive stained area by MMP-1, MMP-2, and TIMP-2 antibodies in ruptured and non-ruptured tubal pregnancies. DISCUSSION For the first time, we measured the comparative immunohistochemical expression of MMP-1, MMP-2, and TIMP-2 in ruptured and non-ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancies. Although our results did not show any statistically significant difference between ruptured and non-ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancies, we conclude that MMP-1, MMP-2, and TIMP-2 are functionally involved in the highly proliferative early first part of ectopic implantation.
Gut microbiota and allergic disease: new findings

Purpose of review Disturbed gut colonization patterns are proposed to be associated with the development of allergic disease. Recent findings Studies using new systems biology methods confirm previous findings that early environmental exposures, for example cesarean delivery, are associated with disturbed gut colonization patterns and reduced microbial diversity. Low microbial diversity in infancy is also observed to precede onset of allergic disease. In a large population-based cohort study, probiotic consumption in pregnancy was associated with reduced risk of eczema and rhinoconjunctivitis in the child, but not asthma. The association between probiotics and rhinoconjunctivitis appeared stronger if both mother and child (from 6 months) consumed probiotics. Follow-up data from primary prevention studies with probiotics do not support a role for probiotics in asthma prevention. In meta-analyses, both prebiotics (high-risk infants only) and probiotics modestly reduce the eczema risk, but no other allergic manifestations. Their use is not generally recommended for prevention, or treatment, of allergic disease. Summary Gut microbial patterns are associated with susceptibility to allergic disease, but the incomplete understanding of what constitutes a healthy gut microbiota that promotes tolerance, remains a challenge. Further understanding of gut microbial functions may pave the way for more effective allergy prevention and treatment strategies.
[Weight excess and abdominal fat in the metabolic syndrome among Japanese-Brazilians].

OBJECTIVE Obesity, especially abdominal, has been associated with cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia, hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM). The importance of these risk factors among Japanese-Brazilians was previously shown, although obesity is not a typical characteristic of Japanese migrants. In this study the prevalence of weight excess and central adiposity (CA) among Japanese-Brazilians and their association with metabolic disorders was evaluated. METHODS A sample of 530 1st and 2nd generation Japanese-Brazilians (aged 40 - 79 years) went through anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, lipid profile and oral glucose tolerance tests. The prevalence rate (point and confidence interval) of overweight was calculated using a cut-off value of >26.4 kg/m2. CA diagnosis was based on waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR): greater-than-or-equal 0.85 and 0.95 in women and men, respectively. RESULTS The prevalence of weight excess was 22.4% (CI 95% 20.6 - 28.1), and CA was 67.0% (95% CI 63.1 - 70.9). In addition to higher prevalence of DM, hypertension and dyslipidemia, stratifying by BMI and WHR, people with weight excess and CA revealed a poorer metabolic profile: blood pressure levels were significantly higher among those with weight excess with or without CA; CA individuals had higher glucose, triglycerides, total and LDL cholesterol, and lower HDL than those without weight excess or CA; fasting insulinemia was significantly higher among subjects with weight excess (with or without CA) than among those without weight excess or CA. CONCLUSION Comparing subgroups with and without CA supports the hypothesis that abdominal fat accumulation represents a risk factor for insulin resistance-related diseases, even among Japanese descendants. The increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Japanese migrants could be attributed to visceral fat deposition, which has been implicated in the genesis of insulin resistance.