Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Co-encapsulation of Sertoli enriched testicular cell fractions further prolongs fish-to-mouse islet xenograft survival.

BACKGROUND We previously demonstrated that alginate microencapsulation can prolong fish (tilapia) islet xenograft survival in diabetic animals. However, at present, microencapsulation does not provide complete immune protection to discordant islet xenografts, and long-term graft survival requires supplemental low-dose systemic immunosuppression. In the present study, fish islets were co-encapsulated with Sertoli enriched testicular cell fractions to find out whether this would further prolong fish islet graft survival in diabetic mice. METHODS Sertoli enriched testicular cell fractions were enzymatically harvested from adult Balb/c or Wistar-Furth rats. They were cultured and co-encapsulated with fragmented tilapia islets in alginate microcapsules. Encapsulated islets alone or islets co-encapsulated with Sertoli cells were then intraperitoneally transplanted into streptozotocin-diabetic Balb/c mice, and graft survival times were compared. Encapsulated and co-encapsulated islet function was also confirmed in streptozotocin-diabetic athymic nude mice. RESULTS Co-encapsulation with Sertoli enriched testicular cell fractions further prolonged mean fish islet graft survival time from 21+/-6.7 days (encapsulated islet cells alone) to >46+/-6.3 days (co-encapsulated with syngeneic murine Sertoli cells), without additional systemic immunosuppression. Testicular cells harvested from xenogeneic Wistar-Furth rats produced similar protective results (>46+/-10.9 days). CONCLUSIONS Our results support the theory that Sertoli cells produce local immunosuppressive factors. These factors supplement the immune protective feature of alginate microcapsules in our model. Testicular cell fractions may be an important naturally occurring facilitator in the development of new microencapsulation systems for islet xenotransplantation.
Effect of Iron Type on Kinetics and Carbon Isotopic Enrichment of Chlorinated Ethylenes During Abiotic Reduction on Fe(0)

Four samples of two commercially available iron brands used as substrate for iron permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) were tested for suitability for remediation of perchloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), cis‐dichloroethylene (cDCE) and vinyl chloride (VC). Kinetic studies indicate that rates of reaction are enhanced for cDCE and VC on Connelly iron (2.8 × 10−4 to 6.9 × 10−4 L/m2/hr and 2.0 × 10−4 to 9.0 × 10−4 L/m2/hr, for cDCE and VC, respectively) vs. Peerless iron (3.1 × 10−5 to 4.6 × 10−5 L/m2/hr and 2.4 × 10−5 to 4.1 × 10−5 L/m2/hr, for cDCE and VC, respectively). Carbon isotopic analyses of the residual chlorinated ethylene (CE) during degradation indicate significant fractionation occurs during reductive dechlorination, with, for example, up to 70 %o enrichment in carbon isotopic values observed when VC is more than 99% degraded. Comparison of fractionation factors (×) indicates significant differences in carbon isotopic fractionation for different iron types and for different CEs. For the lower CEs (cDCE and VC) in particular, both slower reaction rates and larger fractionation are observed for degradation on Peerless vs. Connelly iron. This is the first study to establish a correlation between the rate of abiotic degradation on Fe(0) and the extent of isotopic fractionation, and the first to confirm consistent differences in these two parameters as a function of iron type. The possibility that these differences in kinetics and carbon isotopic fractionation for cDCE and VC are related to differences in branching ratios between competing hydrogenolysis and β‐elimination reactions during reductive dechlorination on the iron surfaces is discussed.
Improving the Light-Emitting Efficiency of GaN LEDs Using Nanoimprint Lithography

A light-emitting diode (LED) is an electroluminescent device with a broad selection of emission wavelengths (colors). The unique properties of LEDs, such as compactness, low power consumption, long lifetime, and fast turn-on time have made LEDs an indispensable component in modern traffic lighting, display, car lighting, and cell phones applications. In recent years, LED usage has grown more rapidly due to the application of backlights in large-size flat panel displays, a market previously dominated by CCFL. In addition, wide speculation foresees that the next boom for LEDs could arise from the interior/exterior lighting market. As shown in U.S. energy consumption statistics conducted by the U.S. government, the energy consumption for interior/exterior lighting occupies 22%~25% of the total electrical energy produced in the U.S. Using LEDs to replace all traditional interior/exterior lighting used today can save at least an estimated amount of 20 billion U.S. dollars in annual energy costs while also significantly reducing carbon emission. Therefore, LEDs have attracted a large amount of investments from corporations in Asia, North America, and Europe, aiming to develop reliable processes to improve the production yield and optical efficiency of LEDs. The nanoimprint lithography is a nanoscale structural formation technique with highly reproducible patterns, and is therefore suitable for LED fabrication. The typical length scale of structures for applications of LEDs ranges from a few hundred nanometers to a few micrometers, which is roughly on par with the resolution limit of the traditional optical lithography technology. Though a higher resolution is attainable using the stepper projection lithography method, the corresponding higher process cost renders the fabricated LEDs less economical. Unlike the integrated circuit, the microand nanostructures of an LED are often simple 2D periodic patterns. Once an imprinting mold with a high accuracy and precision is made from techniques such as the stepper projection lithography (or alternatively the electron beam, the ion beam, and the interference lithography), the LED patterns can be massively reproduced. This article discusses the role of the precision nanoimprint lithography for improving the optical efficiency of LEDs.
Corporate Governance Structures in Transition Economies - Issues and Concerns for India

Corporate Governance (CG) has become an important concern for transition economies like India worldwide economies with increasing dynamism of socio‑economic environment. Sound system of governance is essential to the economic development of any nation that essentially requires a well‑defined legislation, adoption of ethical standards and efficient market structures. Compared to developed economies, CG system in transition economies including BRICS nations is still an unbalanced one and evolving. The objective of this paper is to examine the present status of CG structure in India on certain selected CG parameters, legal and regulatory framework, and compare with the CG structures in other transition economies (BRICS). We use the sample of top 100 companies listed on National Stock Exchange to evaluate them on selected parameters. We examine the Indian corporate sector for transparency, compliances and ethics using reports of national and international agencies. We find that CG structure is weak, unreliable with concentration of controls and instances of growing corporate frauds with poor monitoring system fuelled by a variety of regulators. We suggest that an effective CG code must be developed to overcome these issues in the best interest of society and economy.
Purification and partial characterization of the OmpA family of proteins of Pasteurella haemolytica

This study was conducted to partially characterize and identify the purity of two major outer membrane proteins (OMPs) (with molecular weights of 32,000 and 35,000 [32K and 35K, respectively]) of Pasteurella haemolytica. The 35K and 32K major OMPs, designated Pasteurella outer membrane proteins A and B (PomA and PomB, respectively), were extracted from P. haemolytica by solubilization in N-octyl polyoxyl ethylene. The P. haemolytica strain used was a mutant serotype A1 from which the genes expressing the 30-kDa lipoproteins had been deleted. PomA and PomB were separated and partially purified by anion-exchange chromatography. PomA but not PomB was heat modifiable. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of the two proteins were determined and compared with reported sequences of other known proteins. PomA had significant N-terminal sequence homology with the OmpA protein of Escherichia coli and related proteins from other gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, polyclonal antiserum raised against the E. coli OmpA protein reacted with this protein. PomA was surface exposed, was conserved among P. haemolytica biotype A serotypes, and had porin activity in planar bilayers. No homology between the N-terminal amino acid sequence of PomB and those of other known bacterial proteins was found. Cattle vaccinated with live P. haemolytica developed a significant increase in serum antibodies to partially purified PomA, as shown by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and to purified PomA and PomB, as detected on Western blots and by densitometry.
Surgical Repair of Renal Artery Aneurysms

The pathogenesis of renal artery aneurysms (RAAs) is degenerative, which eventually leads to weakening of the vessel wall and, in extreme cases, rupture. RAAs are a rare occurrence. Patients generally are asymptomatic, with a small number presenting with uncontrollable hypertension or hematuria. Most RAAs are discovered incidentally on imaging and do not pose an immediate health threat. However, the risk of rupture is an indication for prophylactic repair in certain patients. Interest in interventional radiologic procedures in the management of RAAs has recently increased; however, open repair should still be considered in select instances. In this case series, we present three patients for whom an open approach was indicated and performed.
Occupational health and school health: a natural alliance?

BACKGROUND The United Kingdom National Health Service aims to provide a holistic 'cradle to grave' service. In order to achieve this, systems are in place for effective communication between providers of services for babies and children. However, when children leave school, communication between the school health services and workplace health services to protect and promote the health of the new workforce is rare. Working together is a commonly-stated rhetoric of contemporary nursing theory, but often this is not applied in practice. School health and occupational health have similar aims and objectives and, by working together, may be able to improve the health of large populations for a lifetime. AIM This paper aims to examine the similarities in principles and practices between school health and occupational health nurses, and to identify areas of overlap in which collaboration could improve care for clients of both services. DISCUSSION The paper examines the nature of nursing in occupational and school settings, and similarities and differences in policy, law and principles. It also examines these two areas of practice within a public health framework, looking for areas of overlap. A basis is suggested for collaborative working between the two areas, and barriers, facilitators and benefits of this practice are examined. CONCLUSION We conclude that there does exist a natural alliance between occupational and school health nursing, and that the two should work together to provide continuity of care for clients on leaving school, and to prepare children and young people for the workplace and any special health issues in their chosen careers.
A Second Two-Component Regulatory System of Bordetella bronchiseptica Required for Bacterial Resistance to Oxidative Stress, Production of Acid Phosphatase, and In Vivo Persistence

ABSTRACT Random minitransposon mutagenesis was used to identify genes involved in the survival of Bordetella bronchiseptica within eukaryotic cells. One of the mutants which exhibited a reduced ability to survive intracellularly harbored a minitransposon insertion in a locus (ris) which displays a high degree of homology to two-component regulatory systems. This system exhibited less than 25% amino acid sequence homology to the only other two-component regulatory system described in Bordetellaspp. , the bvg locus. A risA′-′lacZtranslational fusion was constructed and integrated into the chromosome of B. bronchiseptica. Determination of β-galactosidase activity under different environmental conditions suggested that ris is regulated independently ofbvg and is optimally expressed at 37°C, in the absence of Mg2+, and when bacteria are in the intracellular niche. This novel regulatory locus, present in all Bordetellaspp. , is required for the expression of acid phosphatase byB. bronchiseptica. Although catalase and superoxide dismutase production were unaffected, the ris mutant was more sensitive to oxidative stress than the wild-type strain. Complementation of bvg-positive andbvg-negative ris mutants with the intact ris operon incorporated as a single copy into the chromosome resulted in the reestablishment of the ability of the bacterium to produce acid phosphatase and to resist oxidative stress. Mouse colonization studies demonstrated that the ris mutant is cleared by the host much earlier than the wild-type strain, suggesting that ris-regulated products play a significant role in natural infections. The identification of a second two-component system in B. bronchiseptica highlights the complexity of the regulatory network needed for organisms with a life cycle requiring adaptation to both the external environment and a mammalian host.
Hepatitis B Virus Antiviral Drug Resistance: From the Laboratory to the Patient

The development and application of nucleoside (and nucleotide) analogues for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection will transform the management of this condition. For instance, treatment with lamivudine effects a dramatic and measurable reduction of serum virus titre. This is associated with biochemical and histological improvements. Unfortunately, for the majority, replication resumes when treatment is withdrawn. Prolongued lamividine treatment may be associated with the emergence of drug-resistant species with specific polymerase mutations. Compared with the observed rate for the development of drug resistance observed during monotherapy of HIV infection, resistance is slow to emerge during treatment of hepatitis B. The rate of emergence might be dependent on the rate of infected hepatocyte turnover, which is extremely variable in chronic HBV infection (and significantly slower than infected lymphocyte turnover during HIV infection). Preliminary data suggest that pretreatment serum virus titre may be an important predictor of the development of drug resistance, an observation consistent with pre-existance of the resistant virus in the hepatitis B virus quasispecies. Akin to developments in antiviral treatment of HIV infection, further progress in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B will depend on the development of drugs for use in combination therapy.
Expression of fos immunoreactivity in some catecholaminergic brainstem neurons in rats following high‐altitude exposure

This study examined the response of neurons of the cardiorespiratory centers, i.e., the nucleus tractus solitarius and the ventrolateral medulla as well as the area postrema in adult and postnatal rats subjected to high‐altitude exposure at 4,000 m and 8,000 m. In adult control rats, sporadic Fos‐positive neurons were detected in the above‐mentioned areas. On exposure to 4,000 m altitude, the number of Fos‐positive neurons was noticeably increased. At 8,000 m, the incidence of labeled cells was markedly increased, with many of them doubly labeled for tyrosine hydroxylase. In postnatal rats, Fos expression was not detected in these areas in either control rats or rats exposed to 4,000 m altitude. Fos‐positive cells, however, were observed in the these areas in postnatal rats exposed to 8,000 m. In the latter, tyrosine hydroxylase labeling was observed in some Fos‐positive cells in the nucleus tractus solitarius and ventrolateral medulla. In rats killed at 24 hr after exposure to high altitude, Fos expression in both the adult and the postnatal rats was comparable to that in their corresponding control rats. Present results suggest that Fos expression in various brainstem areas was induced by reduced oxygen tension in the ambient air at high altitude. Double labeling of some Fos‐positive neurons with tyrosine hydroxylase indicates an increased sympathetic activation, which may be involved in the mediation of cardiorespiratory responses to hypoxia. This, however, was less evident in the postnatal animals. It is possible that the peripheral chemoreceptors or the regulation of autonomic functions is not fully developed in this age group. J. Neurosci. Res. 63:54–63, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Binary Quasi Equidistant and Reflected Codes in Mixed Numeration Systems

The problem of constructing quasi equidistant and reflected binary Gray code sequences and code in a mixed factorial, Fibonacci and binomial numeration systems is considered in the article. Some combinatorial constructions and machine algorithms synthesis sequences, based on the method of directed enumeration are offered. For selected parameters of sequences all quasi equidistant (for individual cases reflected) codes with Hamming distance equal to 1 are found.
An optimized-sequence event-related morphological paradigm reveals Bayesian evidence of brain activation during Spanish verb-tense operations

A Bayesian-inference group analysis, done on functional magnetic resonance images corresponding to healthy Mexican Spanish- speaking subjects to whom an optimized-sequence rapid-presentation event-related morphological paradigm was applied, revealed statistically the activation of key brain regions (e.g. the inferior frontal gyrus including areas such as Brodmann 44 and 45, left hemisphere, for verbal inflections, the anterior region of the opercular and right superior temporal gyrus for infinitives, etc.). The sequence of stimuli that allowed us to statistically reveal loci of Spanish verbal computational operations such us rapid verbal inflections was optimized by using a statistical efficiency metrics based on the covariance of the set of regressor coefficients with respect to the matrix of such regressors (basis functions in correspondence to the occurrence of stimuli). This way, by launching a Gaussian- based random search we ended up with one of the best combinatory sequences for presentation of the stimuli.
The self-rating of the effects of alcohol questionnaire predicts heavy episodic drinking in a high-risk eating disorder population.

OBJECTIVE Heavy episodic drinking (HED) is a serious problem among college women at high-risk for developing eating disorders (EDs). The main objectives of this study are to determine the relationship of the self-rating of the effects of alcohol (SRE) questionnaire and HED over time, and to determine the effects of relationship breakups on HED among college-aged women at high-risk for EDs. METHOD Data collected from 163 participants in a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of an ED prevention program were used in the analyses. Measures included the SRE, obtained at baseline, and self-reports of the number of HED episodes and relationship breakups each month for the past 12 months. RESULTS Generalized linear mixed-effect regression models with Poisson distribution were conducted to test the effects of several variables on reported HED episodes over 12 months. Analyses demonstrated that SRE scores and the presence of a breakup predicted increased HED over time. DISCUSSION The SRE may be useful in identifying individuals at risk of or with EDs who are at increased risk of HED. Furthermore, relationship breakups predict HED. Findings from the current study could be used to inform clinical interventions for this population.
IBD and Skeletal Health: Children Are Not Small Adults!

&NA; Patients with inflammatory bowel disease often have decreased bone mass, and fragility fractures can occur. Multiple disease‐ and treatment related factors, including malnutrition, inflammation, malabsorption, decreased weight‐bearing physical activity, and corticosteroids negatively influence bone metabolic activity. Because low‐impact fracture is the pathologic expression of critically reduced bone mass and bone quality, knowing the relative risk of fractures in patients with IBD is of great interest. The absolute risk for incident fractures in these patients is still being debated. Clinical and laboratory research is clarifying mechanisms by which IBD can affect the function of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. In this concise review, we aim to provide an update on this topic, with focus on how pediatric IBD affects bone health.
A synthetic multi-cellular network of coupled self-sustained oscillators

Engineering artificial networks from modular components is a major challenge in synthetic biology. In the past years, single units, such as switches and oscillators, were successfully constructed and implemented. The effective integration of these parts into functional artificial self-regulated networks is currently on the verge of breakthrough. Here, we describe the design of a modular higher-order synthetic genetic network assembled from two independent self-sustained synthetic units: repressilators coupled via a modified quorum-sensing circuit. The isolated communication circuit and the network of coupled oscillators were analysed in mathematical modelling and experimental approaches. We monitored clustering of cells in groups of various sizes. Within each cluster of cells, cells oscillate synchronously, whereas the theoretical modelling predicts complete synchronization of the whole cellular population to be obtained approximately after 30 days. Our data suggest that self-regulated synchronization in biological systems can occur through an intermediate, long term clustering phase. The proposed artificial multicellular network provides a system framework for exploring how a given network generates a specific behaviour.
Shifting the internal model from control input to controlled output in nonlinear output regulation

In this paper we propose an extension, to the case of nonlinear systems, of the general design paradigm for linear multivariable output regulation, in which the regulated variable drives an internal model and the resulting cascade is robustly stabilized. In contrast to the linear design, though, the design of the internal model is intertwined with that of the stabilizer.