Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of stellar feedback on hot gas in galaxy haloes: the Sunyaev–Zel'dovich effect and soft X-ray emission

The thermal Sunyaev–Zel'dovich (SZ) effect and soft X-ray emission are routinely observed around massive galaxies and in galaxy groups and clusters. We study these observational diagnostics of galaxy haloes for a suite of cosmological ‘zoom-in’ simulations from the ‘Feedback In Realistic Environments’ project, which spans a large range in halo mass (10^(10–13) M_⊙). We explore the effect of stellar feedback on the hot gas observables. The properties of our simulated groups, such as baryon fractions, SZ flux, and X-ray luminosities (LX), are broadly consistent with existing observations, even though feedback from active galactic nuclei is not included. We make predictions for future observations of lower mass objects for both SZ and diffuse X-ray measurements, finding that they are not just scaled-down versions of massive galaxies, but more strongly affected by galactic winds driven by star formation. Low-mass haloes (≲ 10^(11) M_⊙) retain a low fraction of their baryons, which results in a strong suppression of the SZ signal. Our simulations therefore predict a scaling with halo mass that is steeper than self-similar for haloes less massive than 10^(13) M_⊙. For halo masses ≲ 10^(12) M_⊙, LX is time variable and correlated primarily with the star formation rate (SFR). For these objects, the diffuse X-ray emission is powered mostly by galactic winds and the gas dominating the X-ray emission is flowing out with radial velocities close to the halo's circular velocity. For halo masses ≳ 10^(13) M_⊙, on the other hand, LX is much less variable and not correlated with the SFR, because the emission originates from the quasi-hydrostatic, virialized halo gas.
Analysis of videotaped consultations to certify competence

The assessment of videotaped genuine consultations in order to provide feedback to the learner is now a well accepted part of postgraduate training for general practice. This article reports on a pilot study which investigates the adaptation of videotape assessment of genuine patient consultations as an alternative to the present simulated patient interview segments of the examination for Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. In particular, the study addresses: the feasibility and cost of collecting and assessing a suitable range of videotaped consultations using portable videocamera equipment and remote examiners; the interobserver reliability of four independent examiners; and the correlation between scores on two different rating scales. The results demonstrate that the assessment of videotaped genuine consultations has the potential to become a means of end‐point assessment of clinical competence. The problem of how to collect videotapes of a suitable range and number of consultations to permit a candidate to demonstrate proficiency needs to be addressed and will be followed up in a trial of the method during 1990.
Reversible color transform for Bayer color filter array images

In this paper, we propose a reversible color transform (RCT) for color images acquired through a Bayer pattern color filter array. One existing RCT with fixed coefficients is simple to implement. However, it is not adaptive to each of input images. Another existing RCT based on eigenvector of covariance matrix of color components, which is equivalent to Karhunen–Loève transform (KLT), is adaptive. However, it requires heavy computational load. We remove a redundant part of this existing method, utilizing fixed statistical relation between two green components at different locations. Comparing to the KLT-based existing RCT, it was observed that the proposed RCT keeps adaptability and has better coding performance, even though its computational load is reduced.
Mutation analysis of a cohort of US patients with hemophilia B

Hemophilia B (HB) is a disorder resulting from genetic mutations in the Factor 9 gene (F9). Genotyping of HB patients is important for genetic counseling and patient management. Here we report a study of mutations identified in a large sample of HB patients in the US. Patients were enrolled through an inhibitor surveillance study at 17 hemophilia treatment centers. A total of 87 unique mutations were identified from 225 of the 226 patients, including deletions, insertions, and point mutations. Point mutations were distributed throughout the F9 gene and were found in 86% of the patients. Of these mutations, 24 were recurrent in the population, and 3 of them (c.316G>A, c.1025C>T, and c.1328T>A) accounted for 84 patients (37.1%). Haplotype analysis revealed that the high recurrence arose from a founder effect. The severity of HB was found to correlate with the type of mutation. Inhibitors developed only in severe cases with large deletions and nonsense mutations. None of the mild or moderate patients developed inhibitors. Our results provide a resource describing F9 mutations in US HB patients and confirm previous findings that patients bearing large deletions and nonsense mutations are at high risk of developing inhibitors. Am. J. Hematol. 89:375–379, 2014. Published 2013.
Low-flow mediated constriction: the yin to FMD’s yang?

Given the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), early detection is crucial. Although traditional cardiovascular risk factors relate to future CVD, the predictive value of these risk factors can be relatively limited. Contemporary scientific attention has focused on alternative direct measures of arterial function. Based on the ability of the endothelium to acutely dilate in response to an increase in flow, ‘flow mediated dilation’ (FMD) was introduced approximately 20 years ago and is now an established non-invasive index of endothelial function predictive of future cardiovascular events. Recently, ‘low-flow mediated constriction’ (L-FMC) has been proposed as a complementary addition to FMD. The technique is based on the constrictor response to decreased flow and is claimed to improve the sensitivity and specificity of FMD. The aim of this review is to examine literature pertaining to this novel technique and to provide insight into the potential use of L-FMC in future research.
Spleen necrosis virus, an avian retrovirus, can infect primate cells

Spleen necrosis virus (SNV) is an avian retrovirus that can infect some mammalian cells such as dog cells as well as all avian cells tested to date. We were interested in testing whether SNV could also infect primate cells. For these experiments, we used HeLa and COS-7 cells. Initially, we determined whether the SNV long terminal repeat promoter was functional in HeLa and COS-7 cells. In transient transfection assays, the SNV promoter efficiently directed chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene expression in both HeLa and COS-7 cells. Using SNV- and murine leukemia virus-derived retroviral vectors containing the neomycin phosphotransferase gene, we found that SNV established a provirus in HeLa and COS-7 cells as efficiently as did an amphotropic murine leukemia virus, as judged by the number of G418-resistant HeLa and COS-7 cell colonies obtained after infection and selection. Although SNV formed a provirus in both HeLa and COS-7 cells, productive infection of these cells was not obtained with use of replication-competent SNV. These results suggest that SNV can infect, form a provirus, and stably express a transduced gene in primate cells, but there is a posttranscriptional block to its replication in these cells.
Cleavage of the fifth component of human complement and release of a split product with C5a-like activity by crystalline silica through free radical generation and kallikrein activation.

The effects of the same form of crystalline silica variously modified were compared to investigate the mechanisms by which silica activates C5 molecules. After incubation in human plasma, silica generated C5a-type fragments that stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemotaxis. This activity was totally abolished when plasma, adsorbed with antiserum against C5a or thermally inactivated, was used. Pretreatment of plasma with deferoxamine, 1,3 dimethyl-2-thiourea, or aprotinin markedly inhibited or totally abolished C5 activation. Finally, a significant increase in kallikrein activity was detected after incubation of silica particles in plasma. The results seem to indicate that the activation of C5 by crystalline silica occurs through a complex mechanism: the redox-active iron possibly present at the silica surface catalyzes, via Haber-Weiss cycles, the production of hydroxyl radicals, which in turn convert native C5 to an oxidized C5-like form. This product is then cleaved by kallikrein, activated by the same silica particles, yielding oxidized C5a with the same functional properties as C5a. The different types of the same form of silica exhibited different reactivity. Two separate properties of the dusts seem to contribute to C5 activation: the potential to release hydroxyl radicals and the extent of C5 adsorption at the surface. The degree of surface hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity appeared sufficient to explain the different responses.
Permanent axotomy, a model of axonal atrophy and secondary segmental demyelination and remyelination

Permanent axotomy in cats produced by hind limb ablation results in sequential pathological alterations of myelinated fibers of the proximal nerve stump. The changes are like those previously described for human uremic neuropathy and such system atrophies as Friedreich's ataxia; axonal atrophy → myelin wrinkling → nodal lengthening and internodal demyelination → remyelination.
Helicobacter pylori Activates the Early Growth Response 1 Protein in Gastric Epithelial Cells

ABSTRACT The early growth response 1 (Egr-1) transcription factor is rapidly induced by various stimuli and is implicated in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and gene expression. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Helicobacter pylori on the expression of Egr-1 and Egr-1-regulated genes in gastric epithelial AGS cells. Egr-1 expression was assayed by immunoblotting and electrophoretic mobility shift assays using H. pylori-stimulated AGS cells. Transient transfection experiments with promoter-reporter constructs of CD44, ICAM-1, and CD95L were used for expression studies. H. pylori induced the expression of Egr-1 in gastric epithelial cell lines in a dose-dependent manner, with the rapid kinetics that are typical of this class of transcription factors. Immunohistochemical studies of biopsies revealed that Egr-1 expression is more abundant in H. pylori-positive patients than in uninfected individuals. Reporter-promoter transfection studies indicated that Egr-1 binding is required for the H. pylori-induced transcriptional promoter activity of the CD44, ICAM-1, and CD95L (APO-1/Fas) constructs. The blocking of egr-1 with an antisense sequence prevented H. pylori-induced Egr-1 and CD44 protein expression. The MEK1/2 signaling cascade participates in H. pylori-mediated Egr-1 expression, but the p38 pathway does not. The data indicate that H. pylori induces Egr-1 expression in AGS cells in vitro and that the Egr-1 protein is readily detectable in biopsies from H. pylori-positive subjects. These observations suggest that H. pylori-associated Egr-1 expression may play a role, in part, in H. pylori-induced pathology.
Reduction of insulin signalling pathway IRS‐1/IRS‐2/AKT/mTOR and decrease of epithelial cell proliferation in the prostate of glucocorticoid‐treated rats

Previous studies by our research group using a model of insulin resistance induced by dexamethasone (DEX) showed that in the rat ventral prostate there was epithelial and smooth muscle cell atrophy and there were also alterations in fibroblasts. Proteins of the insulin signalling pathway are known to be very important for cell proliferation and development. Thus, we investigated the insulin signalling pathway and epithelial proliferation in the rat ventral prostate in this model and correlated the findings with expression of glucocorticoid (GR) and androgen (AR) receptors. Insulin resistance was induced in adult male Wistar rats by injection of DEX (1 mg/kg, ip for 5 consecutive days), whereas control (CTL) rats received saline. DEX treatment resulted in a significant decrease in body weight, but not in prostate weight. Reductions in insulin receptor 1 (IRS‐1) (CTL 1.11 ± 0.06; DEX 0.85 ± 0.03), IRS‐2 (CTL 0.95 ± 0.05; DEX 0.49 ± 0.04), AKT (CTL 0.98 ± 0.03; DEX 0.78 ± 0.02), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR; CTL 0.65 ± 0.08; DEX 0.22 ± 0.05), GR (CTL 1.30 ± 0.09; DEX 0.57 ± 0.10) and AR (CTL 1.83 ± 0.16; DEX 0.55 ± 0.08) protein levels were observed in the prostate of DEX‐treated rats. The expression of the IRα‐subunit, phosphoinositide 3‐kinase, p‐AKT, p70S6K, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and p‐ERK was not altered. The frequency of AR‐positive cells in the epithelium of the prostate decreased in the glucocorticoid‐treated group, and the intensity of the reaction for this receptor in the cell nuclei was lower in this group. Furthermore, the treatment with DEX reduced the frequency of proliferating cell nuclear antigen‐positive (PCNA) cells 30‐fold. This study suggests that the reduction in the insulin signalling pathway proteins IRS‐1/IRS‐2/AKT/mTOR in the prostate of DEX‐treated rats may be associated with the morphological alterations observed previously.
A database study of nonbonded intramolecular sulfur-nucleophile contacts.

A search of the Cambridge Structural Database (1991, version 4.5) was performed to investigate nonbonded intramolecular 1,4 S.O close contacts of the kind seen in the thiazole nucleoside tiazofurin and other classes of compounds. The search yielded 362 structures with 1,4 S.O connectivity. S.O distances in 70% of these structures were less than the sum of the sulfur and oxygen van der Waals radii. Findings indicate that 1,4 S.O close contacts are common and so probably result from intramolecular interactions rather than from external crystal packing forces. A structure containing a sulfur atom in a conjugated ring system is more likely to exhibit 1,4 S.O close contacts than a structure containing a sulfur atom in an unconjugated and/or acyclic environment. Sulfur-nitrogen contacts were also investigated and were found to show similar properties. These results are consistent with findings from previous quantum-chemical-based studies performed on model fragments [Burling & Goldstein (1992). J. Am. Chem. Soc. 114, 2313-2320].
Surveillance for plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinants in Enterobacteriaceae within the Calgary Health Region, Canada: the emergence of aac(6')-Ib-cr.

OBJECTIVES A study was designed to determine the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants among clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae from the Calgary Health Region (CHR). METHODS During January and February 2004 and January and February 2007, 564 non-repeat isolates of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. , Proteus mirabilis and Morganella morganii resistant to ciprofloxacin and/or tobramycin were screened for PMQR determinants using a multiplex PCR for qnrA, qnrS and qnrB and aac(6')-Ib genes; aac(6')-Ib-cr was further identified by digestion with BstF5I. RESULTS In 2004, 6/139 (4%) of the resistant E. coli were positive for aac(6')-Ib-cr. In 2007, 53/398 (13%) were positive for aac(6')-Ib-cr, 3/398 (0.8%) were positive for qnrS, and one isolate was positive for both. All the isolates were present in urines and the majority [40/63 (63%)] were submitted from community collection sites; 8 (13%) isolates co-produced AmpC beta-lactamases and 34 (54%) co-produced CTX-M-15. aac(6')-Ib-cr was present in one Klebsiella pneumoniae and one P. mirabilis, whereas one isolate of K. pneumoniae was positive for both aac(6')-Ib-cr and qnrB. CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that isolates with aac(6')-Ib-cr, often associated with CTX-M-15, are emerging among fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli in the CHR. Our study suggests that surveillance for PMQR determinants should be undertaken on a regular basis.
Cognitive development of Yu-Cheng ("oil disease") children prenatally exposed to heat-degraded PCBs.

OBJECTIVE To compare the cognitive development in Taiwanese children who had been exposed prenatally to high levels of heat-degraded polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) with control children who were exposed to background levels. The disorder was called Yu-Cheng, "oil disease," in Taiwan. DESIGN Matched-pair cohort study. SETTING Communities in central Taiwan in which there had been a cooking-oil contamination and mass poisoning by heat-degraded PCBs in 1978 through 1979. PARTICIPANTS One hundred eighteen children born between June 1978 and March 1985 during or after their mothers' consumption of contaminated rice oil; 118 children matched for age, sex, neighborhood, maternal age, and parental education and occupational class; and 15 older siblings of exposed children, born before the poisoning. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Cognitive development measured from 1985 through 1990 using the Chinese versions of the Stanford-Binet test and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Revised, RESULTS The exposed children scored approximately 5 points lower on the Stanford-Binet test at the ages of 4 and 5 years and approximately 5 points lower on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Revised, at the ages of 6 and 7 years. Children born up to 6 years after their mothers' exposure were as affected as children born within a year or two after exposure when examined at 6 and 7 years of age. Older siblings resembled the control children. CONCLUSION Children prenatally exposed to heat-degraded PCBs had poorer cognitive development than their matched controls. The effect persisted in the children up to the age of 7 years, and children born long after the exposure were still affected.
Significance of Cocaine History in Schizophrenia

Fifty-one schizophrenic inpatients were divided into two groups, those with and without history of cocaine use, and compared on historical, demographic, cognitive, and psychopathological measures. Patients with a cocaine history were found to be significantly more depressed, less socialized, and more impaired in conceptual encoding and verbal memory, while less disordered in attention. The two groups did not differ in severity of illness or positive and negative syndromes. There were also no differences in control variables such as age, gender, education, intelligence, premorbid adjustment, neuroleptic dose, onset and chronicity of illness, continuity of hospitalization, paranoid subtype, and psychiatric illness in the family. Cocaine history was associated with multiple illicit drug use, but for other substances there was no increased liability for depression or cognitive deficits. The results suggest that the clinical presentation in schizophrenia is significantly associated with prior cocaine experience
Bilateral nephrectomy, peritoneal dialysis and subsequent cadaveric renal transplantation for treatment of renal failure due to polycystic kidney disease requiring continuous ventilation

Abstract: We report here on a newborn with end‐stage renal failure due to autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease, also causing ventilation‐requiring respiratory distress. Peritoneal dialysis was able to keep the newborn alive but not wean it from the respirator. After removal of both huge kidneys, dialysis became more effective and allowed the neonate to be extubated only 5 days later. It was decided to register the baby for a pediatric cadaveric kidney transplant when it reached 6 kg/body wt or to perform a living related transplant if no such kidney became available and the baby grew to 7 kg/body wt. At the age of 9 months and a weight of 6 kg a cadaveric kidney from a 20‐month‐old donor became available and was transplanted extraperitoneally. Prophylactic immunosuppression included cyclosporin, mycophenolate mofetil and steroids. Pneumonia on post‐operative day 10 required respiratory care for several days and acute rejection requiring peritoneal dialysis. Both complications were controlled with antibiotics and conversion from cyclosporin to tacrolimus and a temporary increase in steroids. Thirteen months later the child is alive and well with a serum creatinine of 0.6 mg%. From this experience we would recommend early removal of both polycystic kidneys causing end‐stage renal failure and respiratory insufficiency, starting peritoneal dialysis and performing a renal transplant as soon as possible. This therapeutic strategy seems appropriate for this complex situation.
A Pathophysiologic Role for Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Pemphigus Acantholysis*

Background: Cell signaling induced by pathogenic IgG in the human autoimmune skin disease pemphigus vulgaris contributes to loss of adhesion. Results: PV IgG activate EGFR downstream of p38 and inhibiting EGFR blocks antibody induced desmoglein endocytosis, keratin retraction, and blistering. Conclusion: PV IgG-mediated transactivation of EGFR contributes mechanistically to loss of keratinocyte cell-cell adhesion. Significance: This study provides the mechanistic rationale for using EGFR inhibitors in PV. The pemphigus family of autoimmune bullous disorders is characterized by autoantibody binding to desmoglein 1 and/or 3 (dsg1/dsg3). In this study we show that EGF receptor (EGFR) is activated following pemphigus vulgaris (PV) IgG treatment of primary human keratinocytes and that EGFR activation is downstream of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38). Inhibition of EGFR blocked PV IgG-triggered dsg3 endocytosis, keratin intermediate filament retraction, and loss of cell-cell adhesion in vitro. Significantly, inhibiting EGFR prevented PV IgG-induced blister formation in the passive transfer mouse model of pemphigus. These data demonstrate cross-talk between dsg3 and EGFR, that this cross-talk is regulated by p38, and that EGFR is a potential therapeutic target for pemphigus. Small-molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies directed against EGFR are currently used to treat several types of solid tumors. This study provides the experimental rationale for investigating the use of EGFR inhibitors in pemphigus.
Signal Recognition Particle Binds to Ribosome-bound Signal Sequences with Fluorescence-detected Subnanomolar Affinity That Does Not Diminish as the Nascent Chain Lengthens*

The binding of signal recognition particle (SRP) to ribosome-bound signal sequences has been characterized directly and quantitatively using fluorescence spectroscopy. A fluorescent probe was incorporated cotranslationally into the signal sequence of a ribosome·nascent chain complex (RNC), and upon titration with SRP, a large and saturable increase in fluorescence intensity was observed. Spectral analyses of SRP and RNC association as a function of concentration allowed us to measure, at equilibrium, Kd values of 0.05–0.38 nm for SRP·RNC complexes with different signal sequences. Competitive binding experiments with nonfluorescent RNC species revealed that the nascent chain probe did not alter SRP affinity and that SRP has significant affinity for both nontranslating ribosomes (Kd = 71 nm) and RNCs that lack an exposed signal sequence (Kd = 8 nm). SRP can therefore distinguish between translating and nontranslating ribosomes. The very high signal sequence-dependent SRP·RNC affinity did not decrease as the nascent chain lengthened. Thus, the inhibition of SRP-dependent targeting of RNCs to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane observed with long nascent chains does not result from reduced SRP binding to the signal sequence, as widely thought, but rather from a subsequent step, presumably nascent chain interference of SRP·RNC association with the SRP receptor and/or translocon.
1 volt Josephson fast reversed dc source

We have made several improvements to the NIST Josephson FRDC (fast reversed dc) source so that it now operates at 1 volt. We have made a precision comparison to a conventional semiconductor FRDC source by measuring the thermoelectric transfer difference of known thermal voltage converts. The agreement between the two sources was measured to be better than 1 part in 10/sup 7/.