Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of Host Proteins Associated with Retroviral Vector Particles by Proteomic Analysis of Highly Purified Vector Preparations

ABSTRACT The Moloney murine leukemia virus (MMLV) belongs to the Retroviridae family of enveloped viruses, which is known to acquire minute amounts of host cellular proteins both on the surface and inside the virion. Despite the extensive use of retroviral vectors in experimental and clinical applications, the repertoire of host proteins incorporated into MMLV vector particles remains unexplored. We report here the identification of host proteins from highly purified retroviral vector preparations obtained by rate-zonal ultracentrifugation. Viral proteins were fractionated by one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, in-gel tryptic digested, and subjected to liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Immunogold electron microscopy studies confirmed the presence of several host membrane proteins exposed at the vector surface. These studies led to the identification of 27 host proteins on MMLV vector particles derived from 293 HEK cells, including 5 proteins previously described as part of wild-type MMLV. Nineteen host proteins identified corresponded to intracellular proteins. A total of eight host membrane proteins were identified, including cell adhesion proteins integrin β1 (fibronectin receptor subunit beta) and HMFG-E8, tetraspanins CD81 and CD9, and late endosomal markers CD63 and Lamp-2. Identification of membrane proteins on the retroviral surface is particularly attractive, since they can serve as anchoring sites for the insertion of tags for targeting or purification purposes. The implications of our findings for retrovirus-mediated gene therapy are discussed.
Consequences of Abrupt Glutathione Depletion in Murine Clara Cells: Ultrastructural and Biochemical Investigations into the Role of Glutathione Loss in Naphthalene Cytotoxicity

Glutathione plays many critical roles within the cell, including offering protection from reactive chemicals. The bioactivated toxicant naphthalene forms chemically reactive intermediates that can deplete glutathione and covalently bind to cellular proteins. Naphthalene selectively injures the nonciliated epithelial cells of the intrapulmonary airways (i.e., Clara cells). This study attempted to define what role glutathione loss plays in naphthalene cytotoxicity by comparing Swiss-Webster mice treated with naphthalene with those treated with the glutathione depletor diethylmaleate. High-resolution imaging techniques were used to evaluate acute changes in Clara cell ultrastructure, membrane permeability, and cytoskeleton structure. A single dose of either diethylmaleate (1000 mg/kg) or naphthalene (200 mg/kg) caused similar glutathione losses in intrapulmonary airways (<20% of control). Diethylmaleate did not increase membrane permeability, disrupt mitochondria, or lead to cell death— hallmark features of naphthalene cytotoxicity. However, diethylmaleate treatment did cause Clara cell swelling, plasma membrane blebs, and actin cytoskeleton disruptions similar to naphthalene treatment. Structural changes in mitochondria and Golgi bodies also were noted. Changes in ATP levels were measured as an indication of overall cell function, in isolated airway explants incubated with diethylmaleate, naphthalene, or naphthalene metabolites in vitro. Only the reactive metabolites of naphthalene caused significant ATP losses. Unlike the lethal injury caused by naphthalene, the disruptive cellular changes associated with glutathione loss from diethylmaleate seemed to be reversible after recovery of glutathione levels. This suggests that glutathione depletion may be responsible for some aspects of naphthalene cytotoxicity, but it is not sufficient to cause cell death without further stresses.
Paediatric ureteroscopy for ureteric calculi: a 4-year experience.

OBJECTIVE To study the efficacy and safety of ureteroscopy in the management of paediatric ureteric calculi at various levels. PATIENTS AND METHODS The records of 50 ureteroscopic procedures performed on 43 children (age range 6 months-12 years) for primary ureteric calculi or ureteric fragments after electrohydraulic shockwave lithotripsy (EHWL) were analysed retrospectively. The distribution of the calculi was in nine in the upper upper, seven in the mid and 30 in the lower ureter, with a mean stone burden of 1.26 cm. Ureteroscopy was performed with the 8.5/9.5/11.5 F Wolf ureteroscopes, and EHL was used as the primary method of fragmentation. Intravenous urograms were available in 34 children (79%) and micturating cystography (MCUG) was performed in 23 children (54%) during the follow-up. RESULTS An overall stone-free status was achieved in 40 children (93%) after performing 47 ureteroscopies (94%). Stones were completely cleared in 78%, 100% and 97% of the procedures in the upper, mid and lower ureters, respectively. In three children the procedure failed and they were salvaged by uretero-lithotomy. During the procedures, an upper ureteric perforation occurred in one patient and a lower perforation in another. MCUG revealed low grade vesico-ureteric reflux in 17% of the patients, but close follow-up showed the reflux to be sterile and clinically insignificant. CONCLUSION Ureteroscopy was safe and effective for the management of mid and lower ureteric calculi but the results for upper ureteric calculi were marginally inferior. Ureteroscopy must be performed judiciously to minimize ureteric injury in children. The incidence of vesico-ureteric reflux after mechanical dilatation of the intramural ureter was infrequent and clinically insignificant.
Cognitive impairment among methadone maintenance patients.

AIMS To compare the cognitive performance of methadone maintenance patients (MMPs) and a matched sample of non-heroin-using control subjects, and to ascertain risk factors for poorer cognitive performance. DESIGN Matched control study. SETTING Sydney, Australia. PARTICIPANTS Thirty MMPs and 30 non-heroin using controls, matched for age, gender and education. FINDINGS The MMP group had significantly higher rates than controls of alcohol dependence, heroin overdose and head injury. There was no difference between the groups on pre-morbid functioning. The MMP group performed significantly poorer than controls on all of the neuropsychological domains measured: information processing, attention, short-term visual memory, delayed visual memory, short-term verbal memory, long-term verbal memory and problem solving. A life-time diagnosis of alcohol dependence and the number of non-fatal heroin overdoses were independent significant predictors of poorer cognitive performance. CONCLUSIONS In addition to high rates of psychiatric morbidity, MMPs also show cognitive deficits compared to matched controls. A history of alcohol dependence and repeated exposure to overdose increase the likelihood of cognitive impairment. The current study does not rule out the possibility of other factors, that were not measured, that may contribute to cognitive impairment among this MMPs.
Early Visual Concept Learning with Unsupervised Deep Learning

Automated discovery of early visual concepts from raw image data is a major open challenge in AI research. Addressing this problem, we propose an unsupervised approach for learning disentangled representations of the underlying factors of variation. We draw inspiration from neuroscience, and show how this can be achieved in an unsupervised generative model by applying the same learning pressures as have been suggested to act in the ventral visual stream in the brain. By enforcing redundancy reduction, encouraging statistical independence, and exposure to data with transform continuities analogous to those to which human infants are exposed, we obtain a variational autoencoder (VAE) framework capable of learning disentangled factors. Our approach makes few assumptions and works well across a wide variety of datasets. Furthermore, our solution has useful emergent properties, such as zero-shot inference and an intuitive understanding of "objectness".
Macro determinants of Iranian provincial healthcare expenditures from 2006 to 2013: evidence from panel data

Introduction During the last few decades, healthcare expenditures (HCEs) have increased significantly in Iran and throughout the world. Understanding the determinants of such increases is essential to health policymakers in finding the best policies to manage healthcare costs. This study aimed to determine the impact of some of the key explanatory variables on household healthcare expenditures across the provinces of Iran. Methods A panel data econometric model was used to determine the main factors that affected household healthcare expenditures (HHCEs) across the provinces of Iran from March 21, 2006 to February 19, 2013. The data on household healthcare expenditures per capita, number of physicians per 10,000 population, the degree of urbanization, the proportion of the population that was 65 or older, household income per capita, and literacy rate were obtained from the Household Expenditure and Income Survey (HEIS) data in the Statistical Center of Iran. F-Limer and Hausman tests were used to choose the panel data, and Stata V.12 was used to analyze the data. Results Our findings indicated that income per capita, physicians per 10,000 population, and the degree of urbanization had significant impacts on healthcare expenditures. Also, the results of the study showed the elasticity of income, physicians, urbanization, proportion of the population 65 or older, and the literacy rate were 0.25 (p < 0.002), 0.37 (p < 0.001), 5.01 (p < 0.001), −0.1 (p < 0.73), and −1.02 (p < 0.082), respectively. Conclusion The results of the study indicated that the income elasticity of healthcare expenditures was less than 1; health expenditures were considered to be a “necessity good” across the provinces of Iran during the period that was studied. In addition, there were some other factors that affected healthcare expenditures that were not considered in the study, such as the advancement of new technology and the costs of dying. However, it is recommended that future research examine the effect of these factors on HCEs in Iran.
Mapping of homologous, amino-terminal neutralizing regions of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I and II gp46 envelope glycoproteins

Twelve synthetic peptides containing hydrophilic amino acid sequences of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) envelope glycoprotein were coupled to tetanus toxoid and used to raise epitope-specific antisera in goats and rabbits. Low neutralizing antibody titers (1:10 to 1:20) raised in rabbits to peptides SP-2 (envelope amino acids [aa] 86 to 107), SP-3 (aa 176 to 189), and SP-4A (aa 190 to 209) as well as to combined peptide SP-3/4A (aa 176 to 209) were detected in the vesicular stomatitis virus-HTLV-I pseudotype assay. Higher-titered neutralizing antibody responses to HTLV-I (1:10 to 1:640) were detected with pseudotype and syncytium inhibition assays in four goats immunized with a combined inoculum containing peptides SP-2, SP-3, and SP-4A linked to tetanus toxoid. These neutralizing anti-HTLV-I antibodies were type specific in that they did not inhibit HTLV-II syncytium formation. Neutralizing antibodies in sera from three goats could be absorbed with peptide SP-2 (aa 86 to 107) as well as truncated peptides containing envelope aa 90 to 98, but not with equimolar amounts of peptides lacking envelope aa 90 to 98. To map critical amino acids that contributed to HTLV-I neutralization within aa 88 to 98, peptides in which each amino acid was sequentially replaced by alanine were synthesized. The resulting 11 synthetic peptides with single alanine substitutions were then used to absorb three neutralizing goat antipeptide antisera. Both asparagines at positions 93 and 95 were required for adsorption of neutralizing anti-HTLV-I antibodies from all three sera. Peptide DP-90, containing the homologous region of HTLV-II envelope glycoprotein (aa 82 to 97), elicited antipeptide neutralizing antibodies to HTLV-II in goats that were type specific. In further adsorption experiments, it was determined that amino acid differences between homologous HTLV-I and HTLV-II envelope sequences at HTLV-I aa 95 (N to Q) and 97 (G to L) determined the type specificity of these neutralizing sites. Thus, the amino-terminal regions of HTLV-I and -II gp46 contain homologous, linear, neutralizing determinants that are type specific.
Cruciferous and Allium Vegetable Intakes are Inversely Associated With 15‐Year Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease Deaths in Older Adult Women

Background Higher vegetable intake is consistently associated with lower atherosclerotic vascular disease (ASVD) events. However, the components responsible and mechanisms involved are uncertain. Nonnutritive phytochemicals may be involved. The objective of this study was to investigate the associations of total vegetable intake and types of vegetables grouped according to phytochemical constituents with ASVD mortality. Methods and Results The cohort consisted of 1226 Australian women aged 70 years and older without clinical ASVD or diabetes mellitus at baseline (1998). Vegetable intakes were calculated per serving (75 g/d) and were also classified into prespecified types relating to phytochemical constituents. ASVD‐related deaths were ascertained from linked mortality data. During 15 years (15 947 person‐years) of follow‐up, 238 ASVD‐related deaths occurred. A 1‐serving increment of vegetable intake was associated with a 20% lower hazard of ASVD‐related death (multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.69–0.94 [P=0.005]). In multivariable‐adjusted models for vegetable types, cruciferous (per 10‐g/d increase: hazard ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.81–0.94 [P<0.001]) and allium (per 5‐g/d increase: hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.73–0.94 [P=0.003]) vegetables were inversely associated with ASVD‐related deaths. The inclusion of other vegetable types, as well as lifestyle and cardiovascular risk factors, did not alter these associations. Yellow/orange/red (P=0.463), leafy green (P=0.063), and legume (P=0.379) vegetables were not significant. Conclusions Consistent with current evidence, higher cruciferous and allium vegetable intakes were associated with a lower risk of ASVD mortality. In addition, cruciferous and allium vegetables are recognized to be a good source of several nonnutritive phytochemicals such as organosulfur compounds. Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://www.anzctr. org.au. Unique identifier: ACTRN12617000640303.
CHOLINESTERASES IN RETICULAR NERVE CELLS

UNTIL recently it has been uncertain whether ACh acts as a transmitter a t central synapses or not. CURTIS (1963), summarising the results obtained with the electrophoretical administration of active substances, concluded that ACh is one of transmitters within the mammalian CNS. It is therefore of considerable interest to obtain more insight into the activity of cholinesterase in the brain nerve cells, In a previous work (PAVLIN, 1963) the cholinesterase activity of single nerve cells of the rat reticular formation was measured; this work has now been extended by testing the activity with more specific substrates.
The Two-State Dimer Receptor Model: A General Model for Receptor Dimers

Nonlinear Scatchard plots are often found for agonist binding to G-protein-coupled receptors. Because there is clear evidence of receptor dimerization, these nonlinear Scatchard plots can reflect cooperativity on agonist binding to the two binding sites in the dimer. According to this, the “two-state dimer receptor model” has been recently derived. In this article, the performance of the model has been analyzed in fitting data of agonist binding to A1 adenosine receptors, which are an example of receptor displaying concave downward Scatchard plots. Analysis of agonist/antagonist competition data for dopamine D1 receptors using the two-state dimer receptor model has also been performed. Although fitting to the two-state dimer receptor model was similar to the fitting to the “two-independent-site receptor model”, the former is simpler, and a discrimination test selects the two-state dimer receptor model as the best. This model was also very robust in fitting data of estrogen binding to the estrogen receptor, for which Scatchard plots are concave upward. On the one hand, the model would predict the already demonstrated existence of estrogen receptor dimers. On the other hand, the model would predict that concave upward Scatchard plots reflect positive cooperativity, which can be neither predicted nor explained by assuming the existence of two different affinity states. In summary, the two-state dimer receptor model is good for fitting data of binding to dimeric receptors displaying either linear, concave upward, or concave downward Scatchard plots
Swirl defect investigation using temperature- and injection-dependent photoluminescence imaging

The swirl defect is observed in both n-type Czochralski (Cz) and non-contact crucible (NOC) Si wafers. It is postulated to be the outcome of oxygen precipitation during crystal growth and/or post-growth high temperature processes, specifically processes involving temperatures in the range of 800°C-1000°C. This defect is characterized by low lifetime ring-like regions that decrease the device performance. We employ a technique based on temperature- and injection-dependent photoluminescence imaging (TIDPLI) to characterize the swirl defect. We compare the calculated fingerprints of the defects responsible for the swirl pattern observed in both Cz and NOC-Si wafers to determine whether the swirls are caused by the same defect. We find significantly different defect fingerprints for the swirl defects in n-type Cz and NOC-Si. The Shockley-Read-Hall (SRH) description of the Cz-Si defects differ not much from the SRH description of intentionally grown oxygen precipitates, whereas the SRH parameters for the NOC-Si defects differ significantly. Identifying the limiting defect, allows us to suggest methods for its annihilation. We then successfully apply a rapid thermal annealing treatment to dissolve swirl defects in Cz-Si samples and homogenize the lifetime.
Non-metallic fixation of patella fractures using high resistance suture materials

Introduction: Patella fractures account for 0.5% to 1.5% incidence of all bone fractures. The gold standard procedure for the patella fractures so far is AO modified anterior tension band wiring with stainless steel and K-wires. The hardware related complication in this technique is high ranging from 060%. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the functional outcome for fixation done with high resistance suture material. Methods: A prospective study was conducted in a group of 24 patients who were hospitalised in Govt Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital, Chennai in the Department of Orthopaedics between August 2015 and September 2017. The patella fractures included in the study were performed open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with FiberTape using a novel transosseous tunnel technique. The functional outcomes were evaluated with Tegner-Lysholm score and Bostman scoring. The clinical and radiological outcomes were evaluated as well. Results: Among the 24 patients with patella fractures studied, all fractures united. The mean time of union is 3 months 8 days. 4 patients presented with minor complications like superficial infection, displacement < 4mm, anterior knee pain and extensor lag ~ 10°. Average scores: Lysholm – 96, Bostman – 27. All fractures united uneventfully. No hardware related complications or resurgery reported in the study. Conclusion: The complete non-metallic fixation rules out the most important complication of metallic fixation, which is the symptomatic hardware. It also brought down the reoperation rates and the infection rates post-surgery considerably. Using a non-absorbable suture material also precludes the possibility of a second surgery needed for the implant exit. Hence, these high resistance suture materials like Fiber Wire and FiberTape can be used for efficient non-metallic fixation of patella on par with that of traditional metallic fixation with reduced complications and re-surgery rates.
NEUROPHYSIOLOGY OF LOWER‐LIMB FUNCTION IN HEMIPLEGIC CHILDREN

Equinus in hemiplegic children is multifactorial. In some cases it is due to a short muscle, in others to simple foot‐drop, tonic spasticity, rigidity, compensation for a short limb, fixed flexion contracture at the hip, dominantly inherited forefoot deformity, forefoot equinus secondary to chronic toe‐walking, or abnormalities of the visco‐elastic properties of the muscle, with true intramuscular contracture. This neurophysiological study confirms that hemiplegia in children is not a homogeneous condition. Some have tonic spasticity; some, although stiff, show electrical silence on stretching; some appear to have a short muscle, with no hypertonicity; and others have hypertonicity in relation to position (i. e. rigidity). A short muscle is not always associated with tonic spasticity with reciprocal inhibition. Weakness can occur without spasticity. Speed of movement of toes, ankle and hip is also significantly reduced.
Measurement of the absolute branching fraction of D(s)+ ---> tau+ nu(tau) decay

K. M. Ecklund, W. Love, V. Savinov, A. Lopez, H. Mendez, J. Ramirez, J. Y. Ge, D. H. Miller, I. P. J. Shipsey, B. Xin, G. S. Adams, M. Anderson, J. P. Cummings, I. Danko, D. Hu, B. Moziak, J. Napolitano, Q. He, J. Insler, H. Muramatsu, C. S. Park, E. H. Thorndike, F. Yang, M. Artuso, S. Blusk, S. Khalil, J. Li, R. Mountain, S. Nisar, K. Randrianarivony, N. Sultana, T. Skwarnicki, S. Stone, J. C. Wang, L. M. Zhang, G. Bonvicini, D. Cinabro, M. Dubrovin, A. Lincoln, J. Rademacker, D. M. Asner, K. W. Edwards, P. Naik, J. Reed, R. A. Briere, T. Ferguson, G. Tatishvili, H. Vogel, M. E. Watkins, J. L. Rosner, J. P. Alexander, D. G. Cassel, J. E. Duboscq, R. Ehrlich, L. Fields, L. Gibbons, R. Gray, S. W. Gray, D. L. Hartill, B. K. Heltsley, D. Hertz, C. D. Jones, J. Kandaswamy, D. L. Kreinick, V. E. Kuznetsov, H. Mahlke-Kruger, D. Mohapatra, P. U. E. Onyisi, J. R. Patterson, D. Peterson, D. Riley, A. Ryd, A. J. Sadoff, X. Shi, S. Stroiney, W. M. Sun, T. Wilksen, S. B. Athar, R. Patel, J. Yelton, P. Rubin, B. I. Eisenstein, I. Karliner, S. Mehrabyan, N. Lowrey, M. Selen, E. J. White, J. Wiss, R. E. Mitchell, M. R. Shepherd, D. Besson, T. K. Pedlar, D. Cronin-Hennessy, K. Y. Gao, J. Hietala, Y. Kubota, T. Klein, B. W. Lang, R. Poling, A. W. Scott, P. Zweber, S. Dobbs, Z. Metreveli, K. K. Seth, A. Tomaradze, J. Libby, A. Powell, and G. Wilkinson
Dose enhancement effects by different size of gold nanoparticles under irradiation of megavoltage photon beam

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been extensively investigated as dose enhancement agent to increase the lethal dose to the tumourswhile minimizing dose to the normal tissue. Their intriguing properties and characteristics such as small size and shape provide favorable option in increasing radiotherapy therapeutic efficiency. In this study, the effects of AuNPs size on the dose enhancement effects irradiated under megavoltage photon beams were investigated. The study was conducted in-vitro on HeLa cells using AuNPs of 5 nm and 15 nm sizes. The cells samples were incubated with AuNPs and irradiated with photon beam of energy 6 MV and 10 MV at 100 cm SSD and 10 cm x10 cm field size. Clonogenic assay were performed to observe the dose enhancement effects on cell survival. Dose enhancement factor (DEF) were extrapolated and evaluated from the cell survival curves. The results show that both sizes of AuNPs produce dose enhancement with the larger size AuNPs of 15 nm produce more dose enhancement compare to 5 nm AuNPs for 6 MV photon beam. Dose enhancements were observed for 10 MV photon beams but DEF for both sizes AuNPs shows no differences. In conclusion, larger size AuNPs produce higher dose enhancement compare to small size of AuNPs which conclude that nanoparticles size is important factor that need to be taken into account for AuNPs to be applied in radiotherapy.