Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Folding-unfolding equilibrium and kinetics of equine beta-lactoglobulin: equivalence between the equilibrium molten globule state and a burst-phase folding intermediate.

The denaturant-induced equilibrium unfolding transition of equine beta-lactoglobulin was investigated by ultraviolet absorption, fluorescence, and circular dichroism (CD) spectra. An equilibrium intermediate populates at moderate denaturant concentrations, and its CD spectrum is similar to that of the molten globule state previously observed for this protein at acid pH [Ikeguchi, M. , Kato, S. , Shimizu, A. , and Sugai, S. (1997) Proteins: Struct. , Funct. , Genet. 27, 567-575]. The unfolding and refolding kinetics were also investigated by the stopped-flow CD and fluorescence. A significant change in the CD intensity was observed within the dead time of measurements (25 ms) when the refolding reaction was initiated by diluting the urea-unfolded protein solution, indicating the transient accumulation of the folding intermediate. The CD spectrum of this burst-phase intermediate agrees well with that of the molten globule state at acid pH. The stability of the burst-phase intermediate was also estimated from the urea-concentration dependence of the burst-phase amplitude, and it shows a fair agreement with that of the equilibrium intermediate. These results indicate that the molten globule state of equine beta-lactoglobulin populates at moderate urea concentration as well as at acid pH and it is equivalent with the kinetic folding intermediate.
Effects of secondary structure on pre‐mRNA splicing: hairpins sequestering the 5′ but not the 3′ splice site inhibit intron processing in Nicotiana plumbaginifolia.

We have performed a systematic study of the effect of artificial hairpins on pre‐mRNA splicing in protoplasts of a dicot plant, Nicotiana plumbaginifolia. Hairpins with a potential to form 18 or 24 bp stems strongly inhibit splicing when they sequester the 5′ splice site or are placed in the middle of short introns. However, similar 24 bp hairpins sequestering the 3′ splice site do not prevent this site from being used as an acceptor. Utilization of the stem‐located 3′ site requires that the base of the stem is separated from the upstream 5′ splice site by a minimum of approximately 45 nucleotides and that another ‘helper’ 3′ splice site is present downstream of the stem. The results indicate that the spliceosome or factors associated with it may have a potential to unfold secondary structure present in the downstream portion of the intron, prior to or at the step of the 3′ splice site selection. The finding that the helper 3′ site is required for utilization of the stem‐located acceptor confirms and extends previous observations, obtained with HeLa cell in vitro splicing systems, indicating that the 3′ splice site may be recognized at least twice during spliceosome assembly.
Safety and Efficacy of Posterior Instrumentation for Patients With Congenital Scoliosis and Spinal Dysraphism

Objective: Instrumentation and correction of severe congenital scoliosis, particularly in patients with spinal dysraphism, has been reported to cause a high potential rate of neurological compromise after instrumentation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of posterior instrumentation and correction of congenital scoliosis with accompanying spinal dysraphism. Level of Evidence: Level IV therapeutic studies. Methods: Retrospective x-ray measurements to analyze the efficacy and the evaluation of hospital charts to document the intraoperative and postoperative complications were performed for a consecutive patient series. Scoliosis Research Society-22 questionnaire was used to analyze the health-related quality of life. Results: Twenty-two patients (18 girls and 4 boys) formed the basis of the study. The average age was 12 years (range, 7-18 years) and the average follow-up period was 3.2 years (range, 2-10 years). The types of spinal dysraphism were diastematomyelia in 20 patients and syringomyelia with tethered cord in 2 patients. Twelve patients had previous surgery and 3 patients had simultaneous surgeries for spinal dysraphism. Posterior instrumentation with/without anterior release and fusion was performed in all patients. Major curve was corrected from an average of 71 degrees to 40 degrees (correction rate, 43.6%). The compensatory curve was corrected from an average of 47 degrees to 25 degrees (correction rate, 46.8%). The average loss of correction at final follow-up was 2.2 degrees for major curve and 3.5 degrees for the compensatory curve. The average scores for the 5 domains of Scoliosis Research Society-22 questionnaire were 3.5 for function, 3.9 for pain, 3.5 for self-image, 3.6 for mental health, 3.9 for satisfaction, and 3.6 for total. Neurological monitoring was conducted by using the wake-up test in all patients. The overall complication rate was 31%, including neurological compromise in 2 patients (9%). Conclusions: Spinal instrumentation was effective for the control of deformity with a relatively higher rate of complications. However, with respect to high complication rate, the ideal solution for managing the congenital cases is still to prevent the progression of the curve with early intervention by using the optimal surgical approach for that particular patient.
Breast Health Educational Interventions

Health education programs supported by women's groups or workplaces have been successful in reaching large populations and changing intentions to perform breast health behaviors. This study examined the responses women working in the automotive industry had to two health education interventions, mailed pamphlets, and a combination of mailed material and classes at the worksite compared to a control group. A quasi-experimental design was used. Of the 948 women completing the pre-test, 437 also completed the post-test and were highly representative of the initial sample. The findings suggest that although the mailed information produced some change in practices and intentions, the classes in combination with the mailed pamphlets produced greater change. In addition, confidence in breast self examination as a method of detecting an existing breast lump increased from pre-test to post-test across all age groups. The reported influences on the women's decisions related to breast health varied across the life span. The results of this study can be used to support the development of effective health promotion programs for use at workplaces to increase the likelihood of women engaging in healthy breast practices.
Efecto del tratamiento térmico en un hidrolizado enzimático de crema de levadura Saccharomyces cerevisiae en los niveles de colesterol en pollos de ceba

Se estudio el efecto del tratamiento termico en las caracteristicas hipocolesterolemicas de un hidrolizado enzimatico de crema de levadura Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Se utilizaron 225 pollos de ceba (White Plymouth Rock x Cornish) distribuidos en tres grupos para evaluar el hidrolizado enzimatico, tratado termicamente y sin tratar, con respecto a una dieta basal comun para todos los grupos, sin la adicion de este. Se determi- naron los niveles de colesterol serico a los 21, 35 y 42 d de edad, y la concentracion de HDL-colesterol (lipoproteina de alta densidad) y VLDL+IDL+LDL- colesterol (lipoproteinas de baja y muy baja densidad) en suero a los 35 y 42 d. Los niveles de colesterol en suero a los 21 d no mostraron diferencias entre los grupos estudiados. Sin embargo, los resultados de colesterol en suero si difirieron (P < 0.05) en el producto tratado termicamente, con respecto al control y al grupo con el hidrolizado natural en el siguiente orden: 93.20 vs 119.20 y 123.60 mg/dL a los 35 d y 98.42 vs 118.53 y 109.54 a los 42 d. Mientras que la concentracion de HDL-colesterol resulto similar entre los grupos estudiados, la concentracion de VLDL+IDL+LDL- colesterol en el grupo con el hidrolizado tratado termicamente fue menor (P < 0.05) a los 35 d, con respecto a los otros; pero a los 42 d solo resulto menor (P < 0.05) con respecto al control. Los resultados sugieren que el tratamiento termico posibilita la accion hipocolesterolemica del hidrolizado de levadura Saccharomyces cerevisiae, y se recomienda continuar estudios acerca de este producto. Palabras clave: colesterol, probioticos, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, pollos de ceba .
Activation of the Voltage‐Sensitive Sodium Channel by a β‐Scorpion Toxin in Rat Brain Nerve‐Ending Particles

Neurotoxins purified from scorpion venoms previously had been divided into two classes according to their binding properties in rat brain synaptosomes. However, the pharmacological action of β‐scorpion toxin (β‐ScTx) on this preparation has not yet been described. In this report we show that a β‐ScTx induced an increase in 22Na+ uptake through synaptosomal voltage‐sensitive sodium channels since this stimulation was abolished by tetrodotoxin (TTX). The increase was smaller than with veratridine and no synergy was observed between β‐ScTx and veratridine, as is the case for α‐scorpion toxin (α‐ScTx) and veratridine. The effects of α‐ and β‐ScTx were additive and the concentration‐effect curves for each type of toxin were not modified by the other, suggesting that these two types of toxins act through distinct and noninteracting receptor sites. This was confirmed by the absence of mutual modification of the equilibrium and kinetic binding properties. β‐ScTx was shown to inhibit the uptake and to stimulate the release of [3H]γ‐aminobutyric acid. These effects were blocked by TTX, and no synergy was observed with veratridine. It was concluded that all these effects are mediated by the activation of voltagesensitive sodium channels induced by the binding of β‐ScTx to a receptor site (site 4) distinct from those for other neurotoxins acting on sodium channels.
REPEATED MEASURES ANALYSIS FOR FUNC- TIONAL DATA USING BOX-TYPE APPROXIMA- TION-WITH APPLICATIONS

• The repeated measures analysis for functional data is investigated. In the literature, the test statistic for the two-sample problem when data are from the same subject is considered. Unfortunately, the known permutation and bootstrap approximations for distribution of it may be time-consuming. To avoid this drawback, a Box-type approximation for asymptotic null distribution of that test statistic is proposed. This approximation results in a new testing procedure, which is more efficient from a computational point of view than the known ones. Root-n consistency of the new method is also proved. Via intensive simulation studies, it is found that in terms of size control and power, the new test is comparable with the known tests. An illustrative example of the use of tests in practice is also given.
O valor real do cliente no processo de crm e a contabilidade: um estudo de caso em empresa do setor de varejo supermercadista

No mercado competitivo atual, tao importante quanto reunir dados transacionais, tipos e padroes de clientes e estimar o mais precisamente possivel o valor do cliente, como forma de analisar e entender cada consumidor. Nessa perspectiva, este trabalho propoe uma forma de estimar o valor real do cliente (LTV-Life Time Value) do comercio de varejo supermercadista com base na sua historia transacional e financeira, bem como nas suas interacoes com a organizacao. Para tanto, foi realizado um estudo exploratorio de caso unico em empresa do ramo supermercadista, com o intuito de conhecer como o LTV pode ser empregado na tomada de decisao no processo de gerenciamento de relacionamento com o cliente (CRM-Customer RelationshipManagement). Como resultado da pesquisa, verificou-se que a empresa, conhecendo o real valor de sua carteira de clientes, podera tratar de forma diferenciada e personalizada um ou cada segmento de clientes, facilitando o direcionamento de investimentos para as estrategias de relacionamento, evitando desperdicios e auxiliando no crescimento da empresa. Por fim, buscou-se enfatizar a importância das informacoes geradas pela Contabilidade nesse processo, como modesta contribuicao academica para o avanco dos estudos sobre o LTV, assunto amplamente abordado na literatura internacional.
Mutations in the lamin B1 gene are not present in multiple sclerosis

Background: Whole gene duplication of the lamin B1 gene (LMNB1), encoding for a protein of the nuclear lamina, causes an adult‐onset autosomal dominant leukodystrophy (ADLD). Clinical features of ADLD (onset in adult life, dysautonomic symptoms, followed by pyramidal and cerebellar dysfunctions) partially resemble those of multiple sclerosis (MS), particularly the primary‐progressive form. Our aim was to test whether LMNB1 gene mutations were present amongst patients with a diagnosis of MS.
Epithelial cell morphology and airspace size in hypoplastic human fetal lungs associated with oligohydramnios.

The relative frequency of different types of respiratory epithelial cells in normal fetal lungs (control, CON) and hypoplastic lungs associated with oligohydramnios (OH) was determined at the electron microscopic level and airspace size was measured. At 24+ weeks CON lungs had 82.4 +/- 1.2% undifferentiated cells, 15.9 +/- 1.2% type II cells, and 1.7 +/- 0.4% type I cells (n = 3), whereas OH lungs had 94.6 +/- 2.1% undifferentiated cells, 5.4 +/- 2.1% type II cells, and no type I cells (n = 3). At 36+ weeks CON lungs had 7.8 +/- 3.4% undifferentiated cells, 46.1 +/- 3.1% type II cells, and 46.1 +/- 1.4% type I cells (n = 3), whereas OH lungs had 37.7 +/- 1.2% undifferentiated cells, 42.5 +/- 1.7% type II cells, and 19.8 +/- 0.8% type I cells (n = 3). Differences between CON and OH lungs in the proportions of undifferentiated and type I cells at 36+ weeks were highly significant (p less than .001), whereas type II cell proportions did not differ significantly in either age group. The proportion of lung occupied by airspaces increased from 38.3% at 24+ weeks to 68.7% at 36+ weeks in CON lungs but only from 26.7% to 35.7% in OH lungs. The differences between the groups were significant at both 24+ weeks (p less than .01) and 36+ weeks (p less than .001). Mean airspace size in CON lungs varied from 2.8 x 10(-6) mm2 at 24+ weeks to 4.4 x 10(-6) mm2 at 36+ weeks and in OH lungs from 1.7 x 10(-6) mm2 at 24+ weeks to 2.7 x 10(-6) mm2 at 36+ weeks. These results give quantitative expression to the severity of impaired morphologic maturation in OH lungs.
Dietary prevention of sudden cardiac death.

Summary : Based on current knowledge of the eﬀectof (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid on sudden cardiacdeath, what should clinicians do in relation to primaryprevention of sudden cardiac death? Existing evidencesuggests that an intake of (n-3) polyunsaturated fattyacid (about 1 g daily), in the form of supplements or,alternatively, by eating at least two large (about 200 g)servings of fatty ﬁsh per week, will help to preventsudden cardiac death. At present, there is no reason toencourage (or prescribe) a consumption of much morethan 1 to 2 g of (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid per day.The dosage to be recommended in high-risk patients andin secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death war-rants further investigation, which should be urgentlydesigned. Other dietary fatty acids and suddencardiac death Animal experiments have clearly indicated that a dietrich in saturated fatty acids is associated with a highincidence of ischaemia- and reperfusion-induced ven-tricular arrhythmias, whereas polyunsaturated fatty acidof either the (n-6) or (n-3) family reduce that risk
Airway and respiratory management following non-lethal hanging.

PURPOSE To review the literature on airway and respiratory management following non-lethal (suicidal) hanging and to describe the anatomy, injury and pathophysiological sequelae and their impact on patient care. SOURCE A Medline literature search of English-language and English-abstracted papers for 1990-96. Keywords were hanging; strangulation; airway obstruction; pulmonary oedema. Filters were applied to limit the search to relevant citations. (i.e., keywords = pulmonary oedema; filters = postobstructive, neurogenic). Citations were then hand-culled to obtain current and relevant papers about an unusual cohort of patients. A hand search of the bibliographies of relevant papers supplemented the Medline search. A review of our experience at the University of Ottawa adult hospitals over the last decade was also undertaken to determine the relevance of the literature to our clinical experiences. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Most victims are young men and survivors are uncommon. Laryngo-tracheal injuries, although reported in 20-50% of postmortem examinations, are infrequent in survivors and have little impact on airway management. Spinal injuries are rare in survivors but should be excluded. Pulmonary complications including pulmonary oedema and bronchopneumonia are implicated in most in-hospital deaths. Pulmonary oedema is likely due to neurogenic factors or negative intrathoracic pressure. Although neurological injury determines outcome following hanging, initial neurological presentation is of limited prognostic value: a poor initial condition does not exclude a good recovery. CONCLUSION Airway injuries severe enough to interfere with airway management are uncommon after attempted suicide by hanging. Irrespective of the initial neurological assessment, aggressive and early resuscitation to optimize cerebral oxygenation is recommended.
Why Would Anyone Believe in God

1 Preface 2 What does it mean to "believe"? 3 Where Do Beliefs in Gods Come From? Religious Concepts as Minimally Counterintuitive 4 Where Do Beliefs in Gods Come From? Finding Agents Everywhere 5 Where Do Gods Come From? Additional Factors that Contribute to Gods' Credibility 6 How Religious Actions Enhance Belief in Gods 7 The Naturalness of Belief in God 8 The Naturalness of Believing in Minds: An Analog for Understanding Belief in God 9 Why Would Anyone NOT Believe in God? 10 In Conclusion
45 in mouse and rat cerebellar cortex : species-specific expression , compensation in Cx 36 null mice and co-localization in neurons vs . glia

Electrical synapses formed by connexin36 (Cx36)-containing gap junctions between interneurons in the cerebellar cortex have been well characterized, including those formed between basket cells and between Golgi cells, and there is gene reporter-based evidence for the expression of connexin45 (Cx45) in the cerebellar molecular layer. Here, we used immunofluorescence approaches to further investigate expression patterns of Cx36 and Cx45 in this layer, and to examine localization relationships of these connexins with each other and with glial connexin43 (Cx43). In mice, strain differences were found, such that punctate labelling for Cx36 was differentially distributed in the molecular layer of C57BL/6 vs. CD1 mice. In mice with EGFP reporter representing Cx36 expression, Cx36-puncta were localized to processes of stellate cells and other cerebellar interneurons. Punctate labelling of Cx45 was faint in the molecular layer of wild-type mice and was increased in intensity in mice with Cx36 gene ablation. The vast majority of Cx36-puncta co-localized with Cx45-puncta, which in turn was associated with the scaffolding protein zonula occludens-1. In rats, Cx45-puncta were also colocalized with Cx36-puncta, and additionally occurred along Bergmann glial processes adjacent to Cx43-puncta. The results indicate strain and species differences in Cx36 as well as Cx45 expression, possible compensatory processes after loss of Cx36 expression, and localization of Cx45 to both neuronal and Bergmann glial gap junctions. Further, expression of both Cx43 and Cx45 in Bergmann glia of rat may contribute to the complex properties of junctional coupling between these cells, and perhaps to their reported coupling with Purkinje cells.
Inhibitory effect of cyclosporine A on hepatitis B virus replication in vitro and its possible mechanisms.

BACKGROUND Hepatitis B related end-stage liver disease is recently acknowledged as one of the main indications for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). However, the high recurrence rate of hepatitis B virus infection following transplantation is regarded as a major factor affecting the long-term survival of transplant recipients especially in China. Cyclosporine A (CsA), which is routinely used to prevent the allograft rejection, is reported to have the inhibitory activity on hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication in vitro. In this paper, we review the inhibitory effect and its possible mechanisms of CsA on HBV replication in vitro. DATA RESOURCES An English-language literature search was conducted using MEDLINE (1990-2004) on cyclosporine A, hepatitis B virus, mitochondria, calcium and other related reports and review articles. RESULTS Hepatitis B x protein (HBx) is essential to HBV replication. The cytosolic calcium signaling mediated by mitochondria and the Src kinase pathway were involved during HBx activation of HBV replication. CsA inhibits the HBV replication in vitro by its binding to mitochondrial cyclophilin D, then blocking the mitochondria-mediated cytosolic calcium signaling. The derivates of CsA also have the HBV replication inhibitory effect in vitro. CONCLUSIONS By interacting with mitochondria, preventing the release of intramitochondrial calcium, and then blocking the cytosolic calcium signaling, CsA inhibits the HBV replication in vitro. The derivates of CsA also have this activity.
Psychological correlates of outcome following rehabilitation from stroke

Objectives: To confirm, in a new sample, the value of our previously described procedure for identifying abnormal illness behaviour (AIB) in stroke rehabilitation patients, and to examine the relative effects of AIB, depression, family functioning, knowledge of stroke, and expectations of rehabilitation on long-term rehabilitation outcome. Design: A longitudinal design, with assessments on admission to and discharge from rehabilitation, and six and twelve months after discharge. Setting: The study was undertaken in the rehabilitation unit at Repatriation General Hospital, in Adelaide, South Australia. Subjects: Sixty twelve-month stroke survivors, residing in a family environment, who had undergone an inpatient rehabilitation programme. Main outcome measures: AIB was assessed using the Illness Behaviour Questionnaire, depression with the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, family functioning with the McMaster Family Assessment Device, stroke knowledge with the Stroke Care Information Test, and expectations of rehabilitation with an open-ended question. Functional outcome was assessed with the competence and performance assessments of the Australian ADL Index, and lifestyle activities with the Frenchay Activities Index. Results: Using our previously derived AIB classification rule, AIB cases scored poorly on functional, social and psychological indicators. Further, cluster analysis of discharge data replicated the rule for identifying patients with AIB. AIB was a strong predictor of functional competence and performance at rehabilitation discharge and both six and twelve months later, while depression was associated with an inactive lifestyle at both six and twelve months. Greater stroke knowledge and clearer expectations of rehabilitation were associated with better functional outcome at discharge. Family functioning was strongly associated with lifestyle activities and ADL performance at both six and twelve months. Conclusions: The procedure for identifying AIB in this rehabilitation environment appears to be robust. AIB was a key determinant of long-term functional disability, while depression was associated with poorer social functioning. Family functioning was an important determinant of social activities, and of the activities the patient actually does, rather than those the patient is capable of carrying out. Good stroke knowledge and clear expectations of rehabilitation were important determinants of rehabilitation success, and should be fostered to ensure a good rehabilitation outcome. Psychological factors are crucial in determining long-term outcome after rehabilitation from stroke.