Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The covalent structure of sheep-heart myoglobin.

The covalent structure of beef myoglobin is being investigated through different experimental approaches. The globin was cleaved by cyanogen bromide. The resulting fragments were fractionated and submitted to tryptic and chymotryptic digestions. The complete amino acid sequence of these peptides has been established. From the overlaps in sequence between chymotryptic and tryptic peptides, it is possible to place most of these peptides of 153 residues of beef myoglobin in unique sequence. The remaining residues have been ordered on the basis of the apparent homology in sequence between beef and horse myoglobins. The horse protein differs from that of beef in 18 positions. All of the amino acid replacements, except three, were confined to amino acid interchange caused by the change of one base in the coding triplet leaving 135 of 153 positions in the sequence invariant in the two proteins. The relations of these data to other is discussed.
The link between altered cholesterol metabolism and Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is characterized by the progressive loss of neurons and synapses, and by extracellular deposits of amyloid‐β (Aβ) as senile plaques, Aβ deposits in the cerebral blood vessels, and intracellular inclusions of hyperphosphorylated tau in the form of neurofibrillary tangles. Several mechanisms contribute to AD development and progression, and increasing epidemiological and molecular evidence suggests a key role of cholesterol in its initiation and progression. Altered cholesterol metabolism and hypercholesterolemia appear to play fundamental roles in amyloid plaque formation and tau hyperphosphorylation. Over the last decade, growing evidence supports the idea that cholesterol oxidation products, known as oxysterols, may be the missing link between altered brain cholesterol metabolism and AD pathogenesis, as their involvement in neurotoxicity, mainly by interacting with Aβ peptides, is reported.
Size effects on Raman spectra of small CdSe nanoparticles in polymer films

The results of a resonant Raman scattering (RRS) study of polymer-stabilized colloidal CdSe nanoparticles (NPs) are reported. The size-selective nature of the RRS is demonstrated by analysing the NP ensembles with different average size and size distribution Δd using a set of excitation wavelengths. The effect of size selection on the estimation of and Δd values from the RRS spectra is discussed, as well as some peculiarities of RRS on surface optical phonons. From the experimentally observed small variation of the I2LO/ILO ratio for 2–5 nm NPs a minor effect of on the electron–phonon coupling strength in this range is supposed.
Multiple Imputation of Missing Genotype Data for Unrelated Individuals

The objective of this study was to investigate the performance of multiple imputation of missing genotype data for unrelated individuals using the polytomous logistic regression model, focusing on different missingness mechanisms, percentages of missing data, and imputation models. A complete dataset of 581 individuals, each analysed for eight biallelic polymorphisms and the quantitative phenotype HDL‐C, was used. From this dataset one hundred replicates with missing data were created, in different ways for different scenarios. The performance was assessed by comparing the mean bias in parameter estimates, the root mean squared standard errors, and the genotype‐imputation error rates. Overall, the mean bias was small in all scenarios, and in most scenarios the mean did not differ significantly from ‘no bias’. Including polymorphisms that are highly correlated in the imputation model reduced the genotype‐imputation error rate and increased precision of the parameter estimates. The method works well for data that are missing completely at random, and for data that are missing at random. In conclusion, our results indicate that multiple imputation with the polytomous logistic regression model can be used for association studies to deal with the problem of missing genotype data, when attention is paid to the imputation model and the percentage of missing data.
The Relation between Trace Elements Levels and Some Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients with Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease inBasra

Objective: This study was performed in order to compare the levels of serum zinc, copper as well as iron in obstructive CAD patients with non CAD patients in Basra and to address the relation of these elements with some cardiovascular risk factors like Diabetes and hypertension. Subjects and Methods: In a retrospective study, we evaluated 200 patients who underwent coronary angiography at AL- Basra Cardiac Center at Al-Sader Teaching Hospital. They were separated into two groups: case (patients with obstructive CAD) and non CAD. About two milliliters of venous blood samples were taken for measuring zinc, copper and iron. For statistical analyses, chi-square test, Student’s t-test and the logistic regression were used. Results: The demographic and baseline clinical characteristics were not statistically different between the groups in terms of age, sex and BMI. Serum concentrations of zinc (56.60 ± 11.68 vs. 103.23 ± 20.62 µg/dl ,p=0.0001) was statistically lower in patient group, serum copper (171.27 ± 28.87 vs. 121.33 ± 28.52 µg/dl, p=0.0001) was significantly higher in CAD patients while serum iron (113.33 ± 24.15 vs. 118.73 ± 23.95 µg/dl, p=0.115) was insignificantly tended to be lower in CAD patients. In subgroups of CAD patients according to DM and HT they had a significant (p value 0.05). Conclusions: Low level of zinc and high level of copper may play a role in the pathogenesis of CAD while no such relation for serum iron as well as in diabetic and hypertensive CAD sub grouping; we found that these risk factors are affect positively on copper, while negatively on zinc. Moreover, insignificant effect is observed on serum iron level.
ATP P2Y1 receptors control cognitive deficits and neurotoxicity but not glial modifications induced by brain ischemia in mice

ATP is a pleiotropic cell‐to‐cell signaling molecule in the brain that functions through activation of the P2 receptors (P2R), encompassing ionotropic P2XR or metabotropic P2YR. Noxious brain insults increase the extracellular levels of ATP and previous studies have implicated different P2R, namely P2Y1R, in the control of ischemic brain damage, but it remains to be defined if P2Y1R antagonists also alleviate the behavioral impairments associated with brain ischemia. Furthermore, as P2Y1R can control neuronal and glial functions, we explored if P2Y1R antagonist‐mediated protection would mainly involve neuronal and/or glial processes. Adult male mice subject to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) displayed an infarcted cortical area (2,3,5‐triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining), decreased neurological score with decreased working and reference memory performance (Y‐maze, object recognition and aversive memory), accompanied by neuronal damage (FluoroJade C), astrogliosis (glial fibrillary acidic protein) and microgliosis (CD11b). All of these changes were attenuated by intracerebroventricular pre‐treatment (10 min before pMCAO) with the generic P2R antagonist 4‐[(E)‐{4‐formyl‐5‐hydroxy‐6‐methyl‐3‐[(phosphono‐oxy)methyl]pyridin‐2‐yl}diazenyl]benzene‐1,3‐disulfonic acid (PPADS, 0.5–1.0 nmol/μL). In contrast, the selective P2Y1R antagonist (1R*,2S*)‐4‐[2‐Iodo‐6‐(methylamino)‐9H‐purin‐9‐yl]‐2‐(phosphono‐oxy)bicycle[3.1.0] hexane‐1‐methanol dihydrogen phosphate ester (MRS2500, 1.0–2.0 nmol/μL) afforded equivalent behavioral benefits but only prevented neuronal damage but not astrogliosis or microgliosis upon pMCAO. These results indicated that P2Y1R‐associated neuroprotection mainly occurred through neuronal mechanisms, whereas other P2R were also involved in the control of astrocytic reactivity upon brain injury.
An open trial of interferon alfa recombinant for hepatitis C after liver transplantation: Antiviral effects and risk of rejection

The aim of this open trial was to assess the efficacy and the safety of interferon (IFN) alfa therapy in liver transplant recipients with chronic active hepatitis caused by hepatitis C virus. In July 1991, among 447 liver recipients regularly observed at our institution, 46 had developed HCV‐related chronic active hepatitis defined by piece meal necrosis. Fourteen of these 46 patients received IFN alfa 3 mIU three times weekly for a planned duration of 6 months and were compared to the 32 untreated patients. Genotyping and quantification of viremia were performed using type‐specific amplification and branched DNA assay. Histological follow‐up was available in all patients and routinely before and after IFN therapy. Treated and untreated patients did not differ regarding gender, age, length of follow‐up, maximum histological score, and genotypes (41 of 46 were of type 1b). Induction of chronic rejection was observed in 5 of 14 treated patients leading to retransplantation in 3. In contrast, chronic rejection occurred in 1 of 32 untreated patients (P < .005) during the posttransplantation follow‐up. Among the 9 treated patients without rejection, a decrease of transaminases or of HCV RNA levels of more than 50% were observed in 8 and 4, respectively; 2 patients had a complete response, and 1 did not relapse after discontinuation of IFN. Histological improvement occurred in 2 of the treated patients and in none of the untreated patients. IFN therapy in liver transplant recipients has poor antiviral effect and can induce chronic rejection. Its use in this setting should be cautious. (HEPATOLOGY 1995; 22:1084–1089.).
Chemosignalling, mechanotransduction and ciliary behaviour in the embryonic node: Computational evaluation of competing theories

Precise specification of left–right asymmetry is essential for patterning the internal organs of vertebrates. Within the embryonic node, posteriorly polarised cilia rotate, causing a leftward fluid flow (nodal flow) that establishes left–right asymmetry. The mechanism by which an embryo senses nodal flow remains uncertain. Existing hypotheses argue that either nodal flow carries morphogen(s) or lipid-bounded vesicles towards the left, thereby generating an asymmetric signal, and/or that mechano-sensory cilia sense this unidirectional flow, stimulating left-sided intracellular calcium signalling. To date, direct and definitive evidence supporting these hypotheses has been lacking. In this study, we conduct a multi-scale study to simulate the nodal cilia and the fluidic environment, analysing left–right signal transmission. By employing computational simulation techniques and solving the relevant three-dimensional unsteady transport equations, we study the flow pattern produced by the rotation of active cilia. By importing dilute species and particles into the computational domain, we investigate the transport of morphogens and nodal vesicular parcels, respectively. Furthermore, by extending the analysis to include the solid mechanics of passive deformable cilia and the coupling of their structural behaviour with the emerging fluid mechanics, we study the response of passive cilia to the nodal flow. Our results reproduce the unidirectional nodal flow, allowing us to evaluate the plausibility of both chemo- and mechano-sensing hypotheses. The quantitative measurements of the flow rate, the molecular transport and distribution provide guidance regarding the necessary morphogen molecular weights to break signalling symmetry. The passive sensory ciliary deformation gives indications regarding the plausibility of this mechano-signalling mechanism.
Schizophrenia and smoking: an epidemiological survey in a state hospital.

OBJECTIVE The authors sought to determine whether smoking is related to schizophrenia or neuroleptic treatment. METHOD Cigarette smoking was measured in all patients hospitalized at a state hospital (N = 360) and compared in relation to gender and diagnosis (schizophrenic versus nonschizophrenic). RESULTS The overall frequency of smoking was 79% (N = 284). Male schizophrenic patients had the highest frequency of smoking, followed by male nonschizophrenic patients, female schizophrenic patients, and female nonschizophrenic patients, respectively. Schizophrenia and polydipsia were associated with both smoking and heavy smoking. CONCLUSIONS After correction for other variables, schizophrenia appears to increase the risk of being both a smoker and a heavy smoker. There was a possible association between high doses of neuroleptics and smoking but only for nonschizophrenic patients.
Higher than normal plasma interleukin-6 concentrations in cancer patients with depression: preliminary findings.

OBJECTIVE This study investigated whether cancer patients with and without major depression exhibit immune system abnormalities similar to those reported in medically healthy, depressed subjects without cancer. METHOD The study subjects consisted of patients diagnosed with pancreatic, esophageal, or breast cancer. Other groups consisted of subjects with major depression (without cancer) and healthy comparison subjects. Subjects' diagnoses were made with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R. Severity of depression was measured with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and postdexamethasone cortisol were measured. RESULTS Cancer patients with depression had markedly higher plasma concentrations of IL-6 than healthy comparison subjects and cancer patients without depression. Although significant correlations were found between Hamilton depression scale scores and plasma concentrations of postdexamethasone cortisol, no significant correlations were found between plasma IL-6 and postdexamethasone cortisol concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Higher than normal plasma IL-6 concentrations were associated with a diagnosis of major depression in cancer patients. IL-6 may contribute to sickness behavior that has overlapping symptoms with major depression.
On physical mechanisms in chemical reaction-driven tip-streaming

In this work we provide a basic physical modeling of the spatiotemporal pattern of emulsification produced by chemical reaction-driven tip-streaming and observed by Fernandez and Homsy [Phys. Fluids 16, 2548 (2004)]. Features of this phenomenon—nonlinear autooscillations, a conical drop shape, tip-streaming, and droplet trajectory splitting—are addressed in this paper. In particular, the experimentally found regimes of self-sustained periodic motion and the transitions between them are explained with the help of a nonlinear relaxation oscillator model. An exact self-similar solution for the steady tip-streaming mode supports the suggested mechanism of a Marangoni-driven phenomenon. Finally, the ionic nature of the surfactant produced at the interface offers a reasonable explanation for the formation of a spray cone, which is due to repulsive electrostatic interactions between droplets. These features distinguish this phenomenon from standard tip-streaming.
Human cells express two differentially spliced forms of topoisomerase II beta mRNA.

Screening of a human B-cell cDNA library with a topoisomerase II beta gene-specific probe revealed the presence of two distinct forms of topoisomerase II beta cDNA. One form (designated topoisomerase II beta-1), representing the majority of the clones, would encode the topoisomerase II beta amino acid sequence reported recently [Jenkins, J.R. et al. (1992) Nucleic Acids Res., 20, 5587-5592]. The second form (designated topoisomerase II beta-2) would encode a protein containing an additional 5 amino acids inserted after Valine-23 of the topoisomerase II beta-1 protein sequence. The topoisomerase II beta-1 and beta-2 mRNAs were both widely expressed in human cell lines and tissues. Topoisomerase II beta-2 mRNA was expressed at a lower level than that of the beta-1 form, but the relative expression of the two forms varied in different cell types. Analysis of genomic DNA clones revealed that the two forms of topoisomerase II beta mRNA arose via differential splicing. These data indicate that in addition to the closely related topoisomerase II alpha and beta isozymes, there are two forms of topoisomerase II beta mRNA widely expressed in human cells.
Shoulder pain among high-level volleyball players and preseason features.

PURPOSE The main goal of this prospective study was to identify the most significant intrinsic risk factors for shoulder pain by measuring strength developed by shoulder rotators and by carrying out various morphostatic assessments. METHODS Sixty-six players (mean ± SD age = 24 ± 5 yr) were recruited from nine volleyball teams from the first and second divisions (34 men and 32 women) to participate in the study. Before the start of the volleyball season, all the participants completed a preseason questionnaire and underwent both a bilateral isokinetic evaluation of the shoulders and morphostatic measurements. During the subsequent 6 months of the competition period, the players reported through a weekly questionnaire any shoulder pain experienced. RESULTS During the ongoing season, 23% (15 of 66 players) of the volleyball players experienced dominant shoulder pain. Interestingly, participants who reported a history of dominant shoulder pain were found to have nine times higher risk of suffering further pain in their dominant shoulder. The eccentric maximal strength developed by the internal and external rotators was found to represent a protective factor in the volleyball players (respective odds ratios = 0.946, P = 0.01 and 0.94, P = 0.05). No risk factors were found among the shoulder morphostatic measurements. CONCLUSION In our study, the evaluation of shoulder rotator muscle strength through isokinetic assessment, especially eccentric mode, appeared to be the most contributing parameter to identify risk factors for shoulder pain. This evaluation should allow to better identify players at risk.
"How to milk a coat:" the effects of semantic and acoustic information on phoneme categorization.

This study examined the effect of sentence context and local acoustic structure on phoneme categorization. Target stimuli from a 10-step GOAT-COAT continuum, differing only on a temporal cue for voice onset time (VOT), were embedded in carrier sentences that biased interpretation toward either "goat" or "coat. " While subjects listened to the sentences they also responded as quickly as possible to a visual probe by indicating whether the probe matched the target stimulus they heard. Results showed that the interaction of VOT and sentence context significantly affected both identification and RT for stimuli near the perceptual boundary; the identification function showed a boundary shift in favor of the biased context and peak response times for each context reflected the shifted identification boundaries. In addition, response times were faster for identification of stimuli near the category boundary when responses were congruent, rather than incongruent with the sentence context. The response time differences for congruent versus incongruent responses in the boundary region are interpreted as depending on the results of initial phonological analysis; potentially ambiguous categorizations may be subject to additional evaluation in which a context-congruent response is both preferred and available earlier.
Prevalence of dementia in a Japanese elderly population

Abstract— The geriatric community study was conducted by the Aichi Prefecture (Japan) Project. The psychiatric epidemiological survey was conducted using a stratified random sampling method. 3106 community residents over the age of 65 years, randomly selected from the whole Aichi Prefecture of Japan, were inter viewed; 476 had suspected dementia. The second interviews and the neurologic examinations were carried out by psychiatrists. The prevalence of dementia was estimated to be 5.8% (moderate and severe, 2.2%; mild 3.6%) of the aged population in the community. Cerebrovascular dementia (CVD) or multi‐infarct dementia (MID) was found in 2.8%, senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT) in 2.4%, and dementia due to other causes in 0.6%. CVD (MID) was diagnosed more frequently in men, and SDAT in women.
AUSTRALIAN POULTRY CRC

Beak trimming in laying hens is a routine practice in which about 1⁄3 – 1⁄2 of the upper and lower beak is removed with the aim of reducing cannibalism. This experiment aimed to identify if this procedure causes pain by examining self-administration of an analgesic (carprofen) and pecking behaviour in 80 laying pullets beak-trimmed by two different methods; at one day of age using hot-blade cauterisation or infra-red cauterisation. We also tested a control treatment, pullets with intact beaks, and a positive control treatment of pullets beak trimmed at 10 weeks of age which were expected to experience some pain due to recent severing of the underlying nerves in the beak. At 11 weeks of age birds trimmed at 10 weeks of age pecked more (P<0.001) gently (0.6±0.06N) at a disc attached to a force-displacement transducer than birds trimmed at 1 day of age with an infra-red machine (0.9±0.1N) or a HB (1.1±0.07N) and intact birds (1.2±0.1N). Maximum force of pecks recorded was also lower (P<0.001) in birds trimmed at 10 weeks of age than birds trimmed at 1 day of age with an infra-red method or a HB and intact birds. However, the pecking force in birds trimmed at 10 weeks of age was not increased by providing them with analgesictreated feed, though birds that ate more carprofen had a higher maximum force of peck (P=0.03). Pecking force in birds beak trimmed at 1 day of age was the same as the pecking force of intact birds, and was unaffected by feeding pullets carprofen. A method of self-administration of an analgesic had previously revealed that chickens in neuromuscular pain arising from lameness consumed more of a feed containing carprofen than healthy chickens. However, we found no evidence that beak trimmed pullets consumed more carprofen-treated feed than pullets with an intact beak. It should be noted that the three beak trimming methods resulted in an average 34% reduction in beak length, considered a light trim, and is perhaps not representative of commercial birds where greater portions of the beak are removed. We conclude that although carprofen has been reported to have an analgesic effect on neuromuscular pain in chickens, it appears to have no analgesic effect on potential neuropathic pain arising from the nerves severed by a light beak trim.