Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oncoviral Bovine Leukemia Virus G4 and Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 p13II Accessory Proteins Interact with Farnesyl Pyrophosphate Synthetase

ABSTRACT G4 and p13II are accessory proteins encoded by the X region of bovine leukemia virus and human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), respectively. Disruption of the G4 and p13II open reading frames interferes with viral spread in animal model systems, indicating that the corresponding proteins play a key role in viral replication. In addition, G4 is oncogenic in primary cell cultures and is absolutely required for efficient onset of leukemogenesis in sheep. To gain insight into the function of these proteins, we utilized the yeast two-hybrid system to identify protein partners of G4. Results revealed that G4 interacts with farnesyl pyrophosphate synthetase (FPPS), a protein involved in the mevalonate/squalene pathway and in synthesis of FPP, a substrate required for prenylation of Ras. The specificity of the interaction was verified by glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull-down assays and by coimmunoprecipitation experiments. Furthermore, confocal microscopy showed that the subcellular localization of G4 was profoundly affected by FPPS. The G4 protein itself was not prenylated, at least in rabbit reticulocyte lysate-based assays. The domain of G4 required for binding to FPPS was restricted to an amphipathic α-helix rich in arginine residues. Subtle mutation of this α-helix abrogated G4 oncogenic potential in vitro, providing a biological relevance for FPPS-G4 complex formation in cells. Finally, HTLV-1 p13II was also found to specifically interact with FPPS (in yeast as well as in GST pull-down assays) and to colocalize with G4 in mitochondria, suggesting a functional analogy between these oncoviral accessory proteins. Identification of FPPS as a molecular partner for p13II and G4 accessory proteins opens new prospects for treatment of retrovirus-induced leukemia.
G‐CSF‐mediated inhibition of JNK is a key mechanism for Lactobacillus rhamnosus‐induced suppression of TNF production in macrophages

Lactobacillus rhamnosus is a human commensal with known immunomodulatory properties. To date the mechanism of these immunomodulatory effects is not well understood. To unravel the immunomodulatory signalling mechanism, we investigated the effects of two strains of L. rhamnosus, L. rhamnosus GG and GR‐1, in modulating production of tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF) in human monocytic cell line THP‐1 and mouse macrophages. Live L. rhamnosus GG and GR‐1 or their spent culture supernatant induced minuscule amounts of TNF production but large quantities of granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF) in macrophages compared with those induced by pathogenic Escherichia coli GR‐12 and Enterococcus faecalis. By using neutralizing antibodies and G‐CSF receptor knockout mice, we demonstrated that G‐CSF secreted from L. rhamnosus GG‐ and GR‐1‐exposed macrophages suppressed TNF production induced by E. coli‐ or lipopolysaccharide‐activated macrophages through a paracrine route. The suppression of TNF production by G‐CSF was mediated through activation of STAT3 and subsequent inhibition of c‐Jun‐N‐terminal kinases (JNKs). The inhibition of JNK activation required STAT3α‐mediated de novo protein synthesis. This demonstrates a novel role of G‐CSF in L. rhamnosus‐triggered anti‐inflammatory effects and its mechanism in the suppression of TNF production in macrophages.
Partial 3‐D Correspondence from Shape Extremities

We present a 3‐D correspondence method to match the geometric extremities of two shapes which are partially isometric. We consider the most general setting of the isometric partial shape correspondence problem, in which shapes to be matched may have multiple common parts at arbitrary scales as well as parts that are not similar. Our rank‐and‐vote‐and‐combine algorithm identifies and ranks potentially correct matches by exploring the space of all possible partial maps between coarsely sampled extremities. The qualified top‐ranked matchings are then subjected to a more detailed analysis at a denser resolution and assigned with confidence values that accumulate into a vote matrix. A minimum weight perfect matching algorithm is finally iterated to combine the accumulated votes into an optimal (partial) mapping between shape extremities, which can further be extended to a denser map. We test the performance of our method on several data sets and benchmarks in comparison with state of the art.
Bezoar-induced Small Bowel Obstruction

Purpose The aim of this study was to observe the clinical features of a bezoar-induced small bowel obstruction and to investigate the role of abdominal computed tomography (CT) in establishing the diagnosis. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 20 cases of bezoar-induced small bowel obstruction in our hospital from 1996 to 2010. Results Thirteen patients (65%) had a history of abdominal surgery. Nine patients (45%) were diagnosed with a bezoar before surgery, seven patients were diagnosed by using abdominal CT, and two patients were diagnosed with a small bowel series. Abdominal CT was performed in 15 patients, and the diagnostic accuracy was 47% (7/15). Surgery revealed ten bezoars in the jejunum and 11 in the ileum. Two patients had bezoars found concurrently in the stomach. Spontaneous removal took place in two patients. An enterotomy and bezoar extraction was performed in 15 patients. Fragmentation and milking, a small bowel resection, and a Meckel's diverticulectomy were performed in one patient each. Early operative treatment was possible (P = 0.036) once the bezoar had been diagnosed by using abdominal CT. There tended to be fewer postoperative complications in patients who were diagnosed with a bezoar by using abdominal CT, but the result was not statistically significant (P = 0.712). Conclusion A preoperative diagnosis of bezoar-induced small bowel obstruction by using clinical features was difficult. Increased use of abdominal CT led to a more accurate diagnosis and to earlier surgery for bezoar-induced small bowel obstructions, thereby reducing the rate of complications.
Re-appraising HIV Testing among Scottish Gay Men: The Impact of New HIV Treatments

This paper explores Scottish gay men's understandings of HIV testing within the context of changes stemming from the availability of new treatments for HIV. Transcripts of one-toone interviews with 18 gay men were analysed together with those from four focus groups (n= 19) concerning HIV testing, HIV status and HIV risk management. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was employed to identify recurrent themes. We focus upon a rise of HIV-optimism, risk-complacency and HIV fatigue and chart the apparent transformation of HIV diagnosis from ‘death sentence’ to ‘life sentence’. In turn, we explore how these changes have impacted upon HIV testing. As HIV management becomes increasingly medicalized, we highlight the ongoing need to attend to psychological and social issues.
Dispersive and non-dispersive waves through plants: implications for arthropod vibratory communication

Vibratory communication in arthropods is a widespread phenomenon. Arthropods living on plants have been reported to use only dispersive bending waves in the context of prey–predator, competition, social and sexual interactions. Differences in signal structure have also been postulated to work as species recognition mechanisms and speciation agents. Using two identical laser Doppler vibrometers and a wavelet analysis, we quantified the wave propagation modes in rush stems (Juncus effusus) over the whole range of frequencies used by arthropods. A non-dimensionalized analysis shows that mechanical waves propagate not only as dispersive bending waves, but also as non-dispersive waves. Our analysis implies that an arthropod can communicate through non-dispersive bending waves by either producing signals of high frequencies or by choosing large stems, two widely different options tapping into the physiological and the behavioural repertoires, respectively. Non-dispersive waves, unreported so far in insect vibratory communication in plants, present serious advantages over dispersive bending waves in terms of signal integrity and may well be much more widely used than anticipated, in particular for species recognition.
Bench-Scale Flammability Measures for Electronic Equipment

An experimental study of the bench-scale fire performance of 18 commercial polymeric materials was conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The performance of these materials was characterized using three standard flammability tests. The ignition resistance, self-extinguishing behavior, heat release rate, and combustion product yields for these burning materials were evaluated at two material thicknesses and are discussed in terms of fire safety. This report details the first of a two part study in which the relationship between bench-scale and full-scale fire performance will be examined. Several of the materials characterized in this report will be selected for use in the full-scale study. Introduction An experimental investigation is in progress at NIST to study the fire hazard of electronic equipment housed in thermoplastic enclosures. This work is part of the project titled “Flammability Measures for Electronic Equipment” which is funded by the NIST “Reduced Risk of Flashover” program. It is one of several related projects aimed at studying fire growth and spread on real materials. Three standardized bench-scale flammability tests were used to characterize a set of commercially available resins. The bench scale flammability tests included the Cone Calorimeter test (ASTM E 1354), the UL94 vertical burn test, and the Glow Wire Ignitability Temperature test (GWIT) (IEC 695-2-1/3). The objectives of this report are to describe the bench scale tests performed, and to describe the results of the bench scale tests with statistical uncertainties. The ultimate goal of this project is to determine the accuracy of bench scale material testing in predicting full-scale end product fire performance. One aspect of fire performance that will be addressed is the extent to which the specimen contributes to the propagation of fire from a candle flame to surrounding objects. Another aspect of fire performance that will be addressed is the response of a specimen to an existing fire. Experimental Materials The formulations used in this study were chosen based on industry use and flame retardant (FR) approach. Industry experts were consulted in choosing a set of 18 resins which included a variety of resin types, FR levels and FR approaches. Commercial resins were chosen instead of model formulations so that the effects of processing aids and other additives are included in the fire performance results. The compounded formulations were provided by four different resin manufacturers. The 18 different material identification labels used in this study are listed in Table 1. The format of the label is: number resin type – FR type. The resin types include Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS), Polycarbonate (PC), Polypropylene (PP), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and a PC/ABS blend. The flame retardant types include
Effects of extracts and tannins from Arbutus unedo leaves on rat platelet aggregation

Many cardiovascular diseases such as arterial hypertension are associated with an increase in blood platelet activity. Arbutus unedo (Ericaceae) is a medicinal plant reputed to treat arterial hypertension, so the present study was undertaken in order to determine the antiaggregant effect. The crude aqueous extract showed an inhibition of thrombin‐induced platelet aggregation (IC50 = 1.8 ± 0.09 g/L, n = 10). The subsequent extraction of Arbutus unedo leaves by successive solvents showed that the methanol and ethyl acetate extracts accounted for most of the antiaggregant activity (IC50 = 0.7 ± 0.08, n = 9; 0.6 ± 0.05; n = 9, respectively).
Recent Studies on Selective Serotonergic Antidepressants: Trazodone, Fluoxetine, and Fluvoxamine

In recent years, the role of serotonin in the pathophysiology of depressive disorders has been intensively studied. These studies have been complemented by the development of newer antide- pressant agents that exert specific effects on serotonin systems. This paper reviews the pharmacology of these newer compounds and contrasts it with those of the standard tricyclic antidepressants. The current status of various serotonergic agents is discussed. Results are reviewed from recent double-blind studies comparing three compounds (trazodone, fluoxetine, and fluvoxamine) to a standard tricyclic antidepressant. Relative efficacy, dropout rates, optimal dosages, and side effects are emphasized. Data from studies on trazodone and fluoxetine suggest that lower dosages may prove as effective (if not more effective) than very high dosages. Implications of these data are discussed. Side effects of fluoxetine and fluvoxamine include primarily nausea, weight loss, insomnia, and anxiety. Possible application of specific serotonin reuptake blockers in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder and in the reduction of alcohol consumption is also reviewed.
Surface Reconstruction From Problem Point Clouds

We present an algorithm for creating a CAD model of an existing physical object from a scanned point cloud containing badly scanned regions. The algorithm has a linear complexity and can be applied to processing big clouds. For the triangulation of well-scanned regions, a method from the group of greedy triangulation algorithms is used. The possibility and efficiency of use of very simple and fast tests for this method are shown. Triangulation of badly scanned regions is done using a projection onto 2D surface. The projection surface is defined locally for each region on the basis of already triangulated well-scanned regions. The presented algorithm can reconstruct a surface when wellscanned regions are represented by isolated “islands”.
P2PPerf: a framework for simulating and optimizing peer‐to‐peer‐distributed computing applications

Peer‐to‐peer paradigm is more and more studied by the distributed computing community. Indeed, this type of architecture has interesting properties like the absence of centralized topology, fault tolerance or dynamic reorganization of the network. However, managing these networks is complex and the acceleration of the distributed applications is not ensured. That is why it is necessary to predict the performance as soon as possible in design and development phases, to bypass bottlenecks and to correct part of the applications that slow down the execution time. In this context, we propose P2PPerf: a simulation tool that aims at predicting performance and the execution time of a distributed application before its finalization. P2PPerf has been tested on JNGI: a P2P distributed computing application using the JXTA platform. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic connectivity management with an intelligent route service control point

Increased use of demanding network applications, as well as the increase of unwanted network traffic in the form of DDoS attacks, are putting new pressures on service providers to meet the expectations of customers in terms of network availability and performance. Providers are expected to deal with potential problems in near real-time fashion. Further, many of these demanding application, such as VoIP and online gaming, are very sensitivity to even small periods of disruption. In this work we therefore specifically focus on dynamic connectivity management, which we broadly define as the ability to dynamically manage how and where traffic flows across a network. Because it is intimately involved with how traffic flows through the network, BGP would be an ideal candidate for many of these management tasks. Unfortunately, BGP is itself a complicated protocol and up to now the prospect of using it to perform routine management tasks has not been considered a feasible approach. In this paper we show how the simplification introduced by a centralized Intelligent Route Service Control Point (IRSCP) that allows route selection to be performed outside the routers and also allows such route selection to be informed by external network intelligence, address this quandary. We present several examples of connectivity management tasks that can benefit from our approach. We describe our trial implementation of the IRSCP and show how our approach raise the level of abstraction, allowing operators to focus on what functions need to be performed, rather than getting bogged down with how to perform them.
Self-organized coordination in collective response of non-interacting agents: Emergence of bimodality in box-office success

Many socio-economic phenomena are characterized by the appearance of a few "hit" products having a substantially higher popularity compared to their often equivalent competitors, reflected in a bimodal distribution of response (success). Using the example of box-office performance of movies, we show that the empirically observed bimodality can emerge via self-organization in a model where agents (theatres) independently decide whether to adapt a new movie. The response exhibits extreme variability even in the absence of learning or communication between agents and suggests that properly timing the release is a key determinant of box-office success.
Subarachnoid haemorrhage in Sweden 1987–2002: regional incidence and case fatality rates

Background: Incidence estimates of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) in Sweden vary, which may be caused by regional variations. Reliable estimates of age-specific case fatality rates are lacking. We analysed regional incidence rates and case fatality rates of SAH in Sweden. Methods: The Swedish Hospital Discharge and Cause of Death Registries from 1987 to 2002 yielded data on 18 443 patients with SAH. Incidence and case fatality rates by age, gender, region and time period were calculated by Poisson regression. Results: The incidence rate was 12.4 per 100 000 person-years (95% CI 12.2 to 12.6) and increased with age, from 6.4/100 000 person-years in patients who were 30–39 years old to 25.8/100 000 person-years in patients who were older than 80 years. Incidence was higher for women (14.4 (95% CI 14.2 to 14.7)) than for men (10.3 (95% CI 10.3 to 10.6)), and higher in the north than in the south (RR 1.31 (95% CI 1.25 to 1.37)). This geographical gradient was more evident in women (RR 1.41 (95% CI 1.33 to1.49)) than in men (RR 1.23 (95% CI 1.15 to 1.33)). The 28-day case fatality rate was 31.7% (95% CI 31.0 to 32.3). It increased with age from 18.1% (95% CI 16.0 to 20.3) in patients who were 30–39 years old to 57.6% (95% CI 55.2 to 59.9) in patients over 80 years, then levelling off. Over time (1995–2002 compared with 1987–1994), the incidence rate decreased (RR 0.93 (95% CI 0.90 to 0.96)) and case fatality rate decreased (RR 0.89 (95% CI 0.85 to 0.93)). Conclusions: SAH incidence rates in Sweden increase from south to north, more in women than in men. Octogenarians have a quadrupled incidence and a tripled case fatality compared with young adults. During 16 years, both incidence and case fatality have decreased.
DNA damage in cultured skin microvascular endothelial cells exposed to gamma rays and treated by the combination pentoxifylline and α-tocopherol

Purpose: This in vitro study aims at evaluating the effect of the combination of pentoxifylline (PTX) and trolox (Tx), the water-soluble analogue of α-tocopherol, on the oxidative state and DNA damage in dermal microvascular endothelial cells exposed to doses up to 10 Gy of ionizing radiation. Materials and methods: Confluent primary cultures of dermal endothelial cells were gamma irradiated at 3 and 10 Gy, and 0.5 mM of both drugs, PTX and Tx, was added either before (15 min) or after (30 min or 24 h) irradiation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), measured by the dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate assay, and DNA damage, assessed by the comet and micronucleus assays, were measured at different times after exposure (0 – 21 days). Results: The PTX/Tx treatment decreased the early and delayed peak of ROS production by a factor of 2.8 in 10 Gy-irradiated cells immediately after irradiation and the basal level by a factor of 2 in non-irradiated control cells. Moreover, the level of DNA strand breaks, as measured by the comet assay, was shown to be reduced by half immediately after irradiation when the PTX/Tx treatment was added 15 min before irradiation. However, unexpectedly, it was decreased to a similar extent when the drugs were added 30 min after radiation exposure. This reduction was accompanied by a 2.2- and 3.6-fold higher yield in the micronuclei (MN) frequency observed on days 10 and 14 post-irradiation, respectively. Conclusion: These results suggest that oxidative stress and DNA damage induced in dermal microvascular endothelial cells by radiation can be modulated by early PTX/Tx treatment. These drugs acted not only as radical scavengers, but they were also responsible for the increased MN frequency in 10 Gy-irradiated cells. Thus, these drugs may cause a possible interference with DNA repair processes.
Do words facilitate object categorization in 9-month-old infants?

Previous research reveals that novel words highlight object categories for preschoolers and infants as young as 12 months. Three experiments extend these findings to 9-month-olds. Infants were familiarized to slides of animals (e.g., rabbits). Infants in the Word condition heard infant-directed word phrases ("a rabbit") and infants in the Tone condition heard tones. During familiarization, infants' visual fixation was enhanced on trials with sounds (either words or tones), relative to silent trials. On test trials, a new exemplar from the familiar category (e.g., rabbit) was paired with a novel animal (e.g., pig). Infants in the Word condition showed greater attention to novelty than those in the Tone condition. A third group of infants who heard content-filtered words responded similarly to infants in the Word condition. Implications of the facilitative effects of words and content-filtered words on object categorization are discussed within a framework describing infants' emerging appreciation of language over the first year of life.
Microtubule Depolymerization and Tau Phosphorylation Dedicated to

Inge Grundke-Iqbal and Khalid Iqbal found a connection between microtubule associated tau and Alzheimer’s disease. They described that abnormally phosphorylated tau is a component of the paired helical filaments found in the disease. Afterwards they described that tau hyperphosphorylation prevents microtubule assembly. Now trying to complement the relationship between microtubules and tau phosphorylation, we have commented on the effect of microtubule disassembly on tau phosphorylation. In this study, we investigated the role of microtubule depolymerization induced by nocodazole on tau phosphorylation in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Our results indicate that nocodazole provokes tau phosphorylation mediated by GSK3, as determined by using AT-8 or Tau-1 antibodies. Interestingly, total GSK3 and GSK3 phosphorylation on Ser-9 are not altered during nocodazole treatment. In addition, microtubule stabilization with taxol had similar effects, likely because taxol and tau compete for the same binding sites on microtubules, and in the presence of taxol, tau could be detached from microtubules. Thus, unbound tau from microtubles can be phosphorylated by GSK3, even if the activity of GSK3 is not altered, probably because tau unbound to microtubules could be a better substrate for the kinase than microtubule-associated tau. These findings suggest that microtubule depolymerization can be a primary event in neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and that tau phosphorylation takes place afterwards.