Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular Cloning, Expression, and Characterization of the Authentic Hyaluronan Synthase from Group C Streptococcus equisimilis *

We previously reported the first cloning of a functional glycosaminoglycan synthase, the hyaluronan synthase (HAS) from Group A Streptococcus pyogenes (spHAS) (DeAngelis, P. L., Papaconstantinou, J., and Weigel, P. H. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 19181–19184). Group A spHAS was unrelated to a putative Group C HA synthase reported by others (Lansing, M., Lellig, S., Mausolf, A., Martini, I., Crescenzi, F., Oregon, M., and Prehm, P. (1993) Biochem. J. 289, 179–184). Here we report the isolation of a bona fide HA synthase gene from a highly encapsulated strain of Group C Streptococcus equisimilis. The encoded protein, designated seHAS, is 417 amino acids long (calculated molecular weight, 47,778; calculated pI, 9.1) and is the smallest member of the HAS family identified thus far. The enzyme migrates anomalously fast in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (∼42,000 Da). The seHAS protein shows no similarity (<2% identity) to the previously reported Group C gene, which is not an HA synthase. The seHAS and spHAS protein and coding sequences are 72 and 70% identical, respectively. seHAS is also similar to eukaryotic HAS1 (∼31% identical), HAS2 (∼28% identical), and HAS3 (28% identical). The deduced protein sequence of seHAS was confirmed by reactivity with a synthetic peptide antibody. Recombinant seHAS expressed in Escherichia coli was recovered in membranes as a major protein (∼10% of the total protein) and synthesized very large HA (M r >7 × 106) in the presence of UDP-GlcNAc and UDP-GlcA. The product contained equimolar amounts of both sugars and was degraded by the specificStreptomyces hyaluronidase. Comparison of the two recombinant streptococcal enzymes in isolated membranes showed that seHAS and spHAS are essentially identical in the steady-state size distribution of HA chains they synthesize, but seHAS has an intrinsic 2-fold faster rate of chain elongation (V max) than spHAS. seHAS is the most active HA synthase identified thus far; it polymerizes HA at an average rate of 160 monosaccharides/s. The two bacterial HA synthase genes may have arisen from a common ancient gene shared with the early evolving vertebrates.
Effect of prolonged exercise on arterial oxygen saturation in athletes susceptible to exercise‐induced hypoxemia

This study examined the effect of prolonged endurance exercise on the development of exercise‐induced hypoxemia (EIH) in athletes who had previously displayed EIH during an incremental maximal exercise test. Five male and three female endurance‐trained athletes participated. Susceptibility to EIH was confirmed through a maximal incremental exercise test and defined as a reduction in the saturation of arterial oxygen (SpO2) of ≥4% from rest. Sixty minutes of running was conducted, on a separate day, at an oxygen consumption corresponding to 95% of ventilatory threshold. Immediately following the 60 min exercise bout, athletes commenced a time trial to exhaustion at 95% maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). The reduction in SpO2 was significantly greater during the maximal incremental test, than during the 60 min, or time trial to exhaustion (−8.8±1.4%, −3.3±1.1%, and −4.1±2.3%, P<0.05, respectively). The degree of desaturation during the 60 min was significantly related to the relative intensity of exercise at 95% ventilatory threshold (adjusted r2=0.54, P=0.02). In conclusion, athletes who did not exercise at greater than 73% VO2max during 60 min of endurance exercise did not display EIH, despite being previously susceptible during an incremental maximal test.
Day-to-Day Dynamics of Associations Between Sleep, Napping, Fatigue, and the Cortisol Diurnal Rhythm in Women Diagnosed as Having Breast Cancer

Objectives To examine whether day-to-day variations in sleep behaviors, ongoing sleep disturbance, and fatigue predict the cortisol diurnal rhythm in women recently diagnosed as having early-stage breast cancer. Methods Women (N = 130, mean [standard deviation] age = 55.6 [9.4] years) collected saliva 5×/day/2 days for cortisol. Diaries were used to assess prior-day nap duration, nocturnal awakenings, sleep latency, and morning restfulness. Ongoing fatigue and sleep disturbance were measured using the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Inventory. Data were analyzed using a multilevel growth curve modeling. Results Greater ongoing fatigue (b = 0.035, p = .032), or sleep disturbance (b = 0.026, p = .006) predicted a slower cortisol decline. Greater ongoing fatigue also predicted higher awakening cortisol (b = 0.154, p = .030) and lower cortisol awakening response (CAR; b = −0.146, p = .005). Longer prior-day naps predicted higher CAR (b = 0.042, p = .050) and a steeper cortisol decline (b = −0.035, p = .003). Longer sleep latency predicted both a greater cortisol linear decline (b = −0.013, p < .001) and a greater quadratic slope curvature (b = 0.0007, p < .001). Feeling less rested in the morning predicted lower awakening cortisol (b = −0.187, p = .004), higher CAR (b = 0.124, p = .016), and a slower cortisol decline (b = 0.023, p = .042). Conclusions Both daily variations in sleep behaviors and ongoing sleep disturbance and fatigue are associated with a disrupted cortisol rhythm. In contrast, prior-day napping is associated with a more robust cortisol rhythm. These findings are particularly relevant to women with breast cancer who often experience sleep disturbance and fatigue. Additional research is needed to determine causal pathways between sleep disturbance and dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in patients with breast cancer.
The G‐protein‐coupled receptor kinase GRK4 mediates homologous desensitization of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1

G‐protein‐coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) are involved in the regulation of many G‐protein‐coupled receptors. As opposed to the other GRKs, such as rhodopsin kinase (GRK1) or β‐adrenergic receptor kinase (βARK, GRK2), no receptor substrate for GRK4 has been so far identified. Here we show that GRK4 is expressed in cerebellar Purkinje cells, where it regulates mGlu1metabotropic glutamate receptors, as indicated by the following: 1) When coexpressed in heterologous cells (HEK293), mGlu1 receptor signaling was desensitized by GRK4 in an agonist‐dependent manner (homologous desensitization). 2) In transfected HEK293 and in cultured Purkinje cells, the exposure to glutamate agonists induced internalization of the receptor and redistribution of GRK4. There was a substantial colocalization of the receptor and kinase both under basal condition and after internalization. 3) Kinase activity was necessary for desensitizing mGlu1a receptor and agonist‐dependent phosphorylation of this receptor was also documented. 4) Antisense treatment of cultured Purkinje cells, which significantly reduced the levels of GRK4 expression, induced a marked modification of the mGlu1‐mediated functional response, consistent with an impaired receptor desensitization. The critical role for GRK4 in regulating mGlu1 receptors implicates a major involvement of this kinase in the physiology of Purkinje cell and in motor learning. —Sallese, M. , Salvatore, L. , D'Urbano, E. , Sala, G. , Storto, M. , Launey, T. , Nicoletti, F. , Knopfel, T. , De Blasi, A. The G‐protein‐coupled receptor kinase GRK4 mediates homologous desensitization of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1. FASEB J. 14, 2569–2580 (2000)
Direct large-area growth of graphene on silicon for potential ultra-low-friction applications and silicon-based technologies

Deposition of layers of graphene on silicon has the potential for a wide range of optoelectronic and mechanical applications. However, direct growth of graphene on silicon has been difficult due to the inert, oxidized silicon surfaces. Transferring graphene from metallic growth substrates to silicon is not a good solution either, because most transfer methods involve multiple steps that often lead to polymer residues or degradation of sample quality. Here we report a single-step method for large-area direct growth of continuous horizontal graphene sheets and vertical graphene nano-walls on silicon substrates by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) without active heating. Comprehensive studies utilizing Raman spectroscopy, x-ray/ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS/UPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical transmission are carried out to characterize the quality and properties of these samples. Data gathered by the residual gas analyzer (RGA) during the growth process further provide information about the synthesis mechanism. Additionally, ultra-low friction (with a frictional coefficient ∼0.015) on multilayer graphene-covered silicon surface is achieved, which is approaching the superlubricity limit (for frictional coefficients <0.01). Our growth method therefore opens up a new pathway towards scalable and direct integration of graphene into silicon technology for potential applications ranging from structural superlubricity to nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, and even the next-generation lithium-ion batteries.
Membrane polarization induced in the myocardium by defibrillation fields: an idealized 3-D finite element bidomain/monodomain torso model

This study develops a three-dimensional finite element torso model with bidomain myocardium to simulate the transmembrane potential (TMP) of the heart induced by defibrillation fields. The inhomogeneities of the torso are modeled as eccentric spherical volumes with both the curvature and the rotation features of cardiac fibers incorporated in the myocardial region. The numerical computation of the finite element bidomain myocardial model is validated by a semianalytic solution. The simulations show that rotation of fiber orientation through the depth of the myocardial wall changes the pattern of polarization and decreases the amount of cardiac tissue polarized compared to the idealized analytic model with no fiber rotation incorporated. The TMP induced by transthoracic and transvenous defibrillation fields are calculated and visualized. The TMP is quantified by a continuous measure of the percentage of myocardial mass above a potential gradient threshold. Using this measure, the root mean square differences in TMP distribution produced by reversing the electrode polarity for anterior-posterior and transvenous electrode configurations are 13.6 and 28.6%, respectively. These results support the claim that a bidomain model of the heart predicts a change of defibrillation threshold with reversed electrode polarity.
The relA Homolog of Mycobacterium smegmatis Affects Cell Appearance, Viability, and Gene Expression

ABSTRACT The modification of metabolic pathways to allow for a dormant lifestyle appears to be an important feature for the survival of pathogenic bacteria within their host. One regulatory mechanism for persistent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections is the stringent response. In this study, we analyze the stringent response of a nonpathogenic, saprophytic mycobacterial species, Mycobacterium smegmatis. The use of M. smegmatis as a tool for studying the mycobacterial stringent response was demonstrated by measuring the expression of two M. tuberculosis genes, hspX and eis, in M. smegmatis in the presence and absence of relMsm. The stringent response plays a role in M. smegmatis cellular and colony formation that is suggestive of changes in the bacterial cell wall structure.
An infant with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest secondary to enteroviral myocarditis surviving up to cardiac transplantation

Abstract We report the case of a 13-day-old infant with enteroviral myocarditis surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. She underwent orthotopic cardiac transplantation three months later. A year after the transplantation, she is alive and well. Enteroviral infection is common in neonates with high mortality in cases of enteroviral myocarditis. Cardiac transplantation is a treatment option for infants who fail to recover and remain dependent on inotropic support. This is the first report of an infant with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest secondary to enteroviral myocarditis surviving up to cardiac transplantation.
The Effect of Locomotion on the Outcome following Total Hip Arthroplasty

The relationship between contralateral hip arthritis and co-morbid medical conditions that affect a patient's ability to walk, and outcome following total hip arthroplasty (THA) is not fully understood. We investigated this relationship in a prospective, multi-centre study. 1497 hips (1428 patients) were recruited. At five years follow-up there was complete data for 1053 hips. We recorded Oxford Hip Score (OHS) and Charnley Class (CC) both pre-operatively and at one and five years after surgery. Pre-Operatively there was a significant difference in OHS between CC categories and OHS deteriorated from CC-A to CC-C (p<0.001). The absolute OHS was significantly worse in CC-C compared to CC-A. Patients who remained in CC-A at five year follow-up had a larger change in OHS (mean 24) compared to those who had changed from CC-A to CC-C at five years (mean 21) p<0.001. The OHS an outcome measure frequently used for THA is influenced by several extraneous factors which may be present pre-operatively but also change over time. These factors include the condition of the opposite hip as well as other disease processes that affect a patient's locomotion and therefore interpretation of OHS in isolation without additional information may not be appropriate.
Fabrication of high quality Nb/AlO/sub x/-Al/Nb Josephson junctions. II. Deposition of thin Al layers on Nb films

The surface of thin Al layers deposited on Nb films with different sputtering parameters was studied. The anodization profile and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed that the underlying Nb layer is wet by a thin 2.9-nm Al layer, and the oxide formation on the Nb layer is completely suppressed. The excellent surface coverage is due to the affinity of Al for Nb and is quite different from the degraded coverage of Al on Si. It was observed that the surface coverage of Al on Nb depends on the film characteristics of the underlying Nb layers. Nb/AlO/sub x/-Al/Nb junctions with lower Nb layers deposited with different sputtering parameters were fabricated. The authors verified that the quality of the junction is closely related to the surface coverage as analyzed by the anodization profiles and XPS. <<ETX>>
Proposing an efficient combination of interesting measures for mining association rules via NSGA-II

Selecting accurate and simple association rules that efficiently cover all data samples is very important in knowledge discovery. There are several measures to assess accuracy and relations in a rule. This poses a challenge for researchers to select effective measures. Combining different measures via multi-objective evolutionary algorithms is an effective method to select suitable association rules. Therefore in this paper NSGA-II algorithm is employed for rule selection via different combination of existing measures (support, certainty factor, change of support, Yao and Liu's one way support, cosine and lift) as objectives. The contributions of the paper are twofold. Firstly, some existing measures are modified. Secondly, several experiments are done to evaluate the performance of different combinations of measures through NSGA-Π. The experimental results show that the combination of certainty factor and square of cosine measures are more effective in rule selection.
Use of Imaging in the Follow-up of Workers Exposed to Lung Carcinogens: Practices in Occupational Medicine and its Determinants

Abstract We studied occupational physicians' (OPs) practices of referrals for imaging of workers occupationally exposed to lung/pleural carcinogens and the factors associated with them. This cross-sectional telephone survey of 379 OPs practicing in Southeastern France showed that 81% of them referred exposed patients for chest radiographs, 33.5% for computed tomography (CT), and 16.1% for neither. Making no referral was positively associated with believing cancer risks are lower in one's own geographic sector than elsewhere and negatively associated with keeping employee risk records up-to-date. Referrals for CT were positively associated with work at in-house occupational health services (OHS), and completing employee exposure histories often/always. Both the OHS type and factors that may shape OPs' awareness of cancer risks in their sector appear to influence imaging referral practices. Occupational physicians would benefit from guidelines clarifying benefits and risks associated with imaging in such patients. An effort to harmonize regulatory provisions and guidelines also appears necessary.
Childhood history of anxiety disorders among adults with social phobia: Rates, correlates, and comparisons with patients with panic disorder

We examined the rates and correlates of a childhood history of anxiety disorders in 100 adults with a primary diagnosis of social phobia (social anxiety disorder). Adulthood and childhood disorders were assessed by experienced clinicians with structured clinical interviews. Rates of childhood anxiety disorders were evaluated to diagnostic comorbidity and a comparison group of patients with panic disorder. Onset of social phobia occurred before age 18 in 80% of the sample. Over half of the sample (54%) met criteria for one or more childhood anxiety disorders other than social phobia: 47% for overanxious disorder, 25% for avoidant disorder, 13% for separation anxiety disorder, and 1% for childhood agoraphobia. A history of childhood anxiety was associated with an early age of onset of social phobia, greater severity of fear and avoidance of social situations, greater fears of negative evaluation, and greater anxiety and depression morbidity. Rates of childhood social phobia, overanxious disorder, and avoidant disorder were significantly higher in patients with social phobia relative to our panic‐disordered comparison group. We found approximately equal rates of a childhood history of separation anxiety disorder in patients with social phobia and panic disorder, providing further evidence against a unique relationship between separation anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Depression and Anxiety 14:209–213, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
RHS6 coordinately regulates the Th2 cytokine genes by recruiting GATA3, SATB1, and IRF4

Asthma is a Th2 cell‐driven inflammatory disease and a major public health concern. The cis‐acting element Rad50 hypersensitive site 6 (RHS6) in the Th2 locus control region is essential for regulation of the Th2 cytokine genes; however, its role in allergic airway inflammation and underlying molecular mechanisms of the regulation by RHS6 are poorly understood.
Reduced Left Ventricular Function in Hypoxemic Newborn Pigs: A Strain Doppler Echocardiographic Study

Myocardial dysfunction, hypotension, and increased pulmonary artery pressure are induced by asphyxia in neonates. We sought to define left ventricular (LV) systolic function by measuring longitudinal and radial contraction by strain Doppler echocardiography (SDE) in hypoxemic newborn pigs. Hypoxemia was induced in 11 anesthetized and instrumented newborn pigs by ventilation with 8% O2 in nitrogen. When mean arterial blood pressure (BP) decreased to 15 mm Hg or arterial base excess reached −20 mmol/L or less, the pigs were reoxygenated and ventilated for 150 min. Echocardiography was performed at baseline and during hypoxemia and reoxygenation. Baseline measurements of myocardial peak systolic strain demonstrated normal longitudinal shortening and radial thickening. During hypoxemia, systolic longitudinal shortening in the mid-posterior and septal segments changed to systolic stretching. Peak strain in the mid-lateral and anterior segments decreased but without signs of paradox wall motion. Short-axis peak strain remained positive during hypoxemia, although the amplitude was reduced and delayed with respect to timing. In the newborn pig heart, we found a complex and heterogeneous systolic pattern with distinct regional differences during global hypoxemia. Rapid changes in LV function during hypoxemia and reoxygenation are assessable by SDE, and the results indicate that longitudinal systolic contraction is more vulnerable to hypoxemic changes than radial contraction. To explore the full picture of a global hypoxemic injury, both long- and short-axis functions have to be considered.
Influence of dietary palm oil supplementation on serum lipid metabolites, carcass characteristics, and lipid composition of carcass tissues of growing ram and ewe lambs.

The objective of this research was to determine the influence of dietary palm oil supplementation on carcass characteristics and lipid composition of tissues from growing lambs. Twenty-eight Suffolk x Hampshire lambs were weaned at 60 d of age (average 36 kg BW) and assigned to a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement consisting of diet (control [NPO] or 10.6% added dietary palm oil [PO]) and sex (ram vs ewe). The NPO diet (77% forage and 23% concentrate) contained 11.2% CP and 2.66 Mcal of ME/kg. Palm oil replaced molasses in the PO diet. Lambs were individually given ad libitum access to feed for 60 d to a final BW average of 50.1 kg. Lipid composition of the longissimus muscle and corresponding subcutaneous (s.c.) adipose tissue was determined by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). Lambs fed PO were fatter (P less than .01) than lambs fed NPO (.77 vs .56 cm, s.c. fat). Diet had no effect on cholesterol content of lean tissue; however, feeding PO increased the saturated fatty acids of lean tissue. The s.c. fat from lambs fed PO had less (P less than .01) cholesterol (64.79 vs 89.67 mg/100 g) and more saturated fatty acids than that from lambs fed NPO. Ewes were fatter (P less than .01) than rams, yet they had less cholesterol content in the s.c. adipose tissue (68.71 vs 85.74 mg/100 g). High amounts of dietary palm oil fed to growing lambs caused changes in fatty acid deposition and cholesterol metabolism and may be a useful investigative tool to study lipid metabolism in growing ruminants. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
[Prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and its comorbidities in a sample of school-aged children].

UNLABELLED Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a frequent condition in school-age children and commonly presents in comorbidity with other psychiatric diseases. In Brazil, there are few studies concerning non-clinical samples. PURPOSE The present study aims to calculate the prevalence of this disorder and its comorbidities in a sample of school-age children. METHOD Cross-sectional analytic study was conducted on a non-clinical sample of children and adolescents registered in 2003 in the elementary school of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. A screening questionnaire was used and parents of those possible affected children were invited for a clinical structured interview. RESULTS The prevalence of ADHD was 8.6%. Comorbidities were present in 58% of the cases and oppositional-defiant disorder was the most common, found in 38.5%. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of ADHD and its comorbidities in this sample is similar to that observed in the literature.