Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of a 68-kilodalton protective protein antigen from Bordetella bronchiseptica

A 68-kilodalton (kd) outer membrane protein antigen of Bordetella bronchiseptica has been identified by using monoclonal antibodies that recognized two nonoverlapping determinants. Antibody BB05 also reacted with homologous proteins from Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis but not with another 12 organisms from various bacterial genera. Passive injection of BB05 antibody protected mice from aerosol infection with B. bronchiseptica as shown by reduced mortality and reduced pathology of turbinate bones. The 68-kd B. bronchiseptica antigen was purified by BB05-based affinity chromatography and evaluated for its potency to immunize mice actively against either intraperitoneal or aerosol challenge with B. bronchiseptica. Immunization with the 68-kd antigen in incomplete Freund adjuvant significantly reduced the levels of mortality in intraperitoneally challenged mice. In the aerosol infection model, injection of the 68-kd antigen with complete or incomplete Freund adjuvant or saponin reduced the bacterial counts in the lungs of infected mice. These results suggest that the 68-kd protein may represent a potential "protective" antigen of B. bronchiseptica.
Quantification of Local Morphodynamics and Local GTPase Activity by Edge Evolution Tracking

Advances in time-lapse fluorescence microscopy have enabled us to directly observe dynamic cellular phenomena. Although the techniques themselves have promoted the understanding of dynamic cellular functions, the vast number of images acquired has generated a need for automated processing tools to extract statistical information. A problem underlying the analysis of time-lapse cell images is the lack of rigorous methods to extract morphodynamic properties. Here, we propose an algorithm called edge evolution tracking (EET) to quantify the relationship between local morphological changes and local fluorescence intensities around a cell edge using time-lapse microscopy images. This algorithm enables us to trace the local edge extension and contraction by defining subdivided edges and their corresponding positions in successive frames. Thus, this algorithm enables the investigation of cross-correlations between local morphological changes and local intensity of fluorescent signals by considering the time shifts. By applying EET to fluorescence resonance energy transfer images of the Rho-family GTPases Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoA, we examined the cross-correlation between the local area difference and GTPase activity. The calculated correlations changed with time-shifts as expected, but surprisingly, the peak of the correlation coefficients appeared with a 6–8 min time shift of morphological changes and preceded the Rac1 or Cdc42 activities. Our method enables the quantification of the dynamics of local morphological change and local protein activity and statistical investigation of the relationship between them by considering time shifts in the relationship. Thus, this algorithm extends the value of time-lapse imaging data to better understand dynamics of cellular function.
Intervention Fidelity: Aspects of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research

Background: The Treatment Fidelity Workgroup (TFW) established by the National Institutes of Health provides a 5-point structure for intervention fidelity: dosing, interventionists' consistency, intervention delivery, receipt, and enactment of the intervention. Using our reflexology trial, we apply the first 3 points. Objectives: Study objectives were to (1) evaluate key dosage dimensions associated with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) research, (2) evaluate approaches to interventionists' consistency of delivery of CAM protocols, and (3) evaluate and discuss data that reflect CAM intervention fidelity. Methods: Women with late-stage breast cancer (N = 318) were randomly assigned to either 4 weeks of reflexology, placebo, or standard care. Results: Dosing consists of 3 dimensions: frequency (4 sessions), duration (30 minutes), and interval between sessions (5-9 days). Interventionist consistency revealed more than a 90% accuracy rate in following the protocol; 84% and 89% completion rate of the 4 sessions in the reflexology and placebo groups, respectively; and no differences in attrition after randomization between reflexology and placebo groups (17% and 15%, respectively). Intervention delivery, examined through debriefing data, indicated a significantly higher rate of correct guesses on group assignment in the reflexology group as compared with the placebo (82% vs 46%, P = .0002). Conclusion: This study points out the relevance of dosing, interventionists' consistency, and delivery data within a CAM clinical trial, as well as the challenges of blinding. Implications for Practice: Monitoring intervention fidelity by using the key areas identified by the TFW ensures that findings from a clinical trial are meaningful and have the potential to be translated to clinical practice.
Plumbagin, a plant derived natural agent inhibits the growth of pancreatic cancer cells in in vitro and in vivo via targeting EGFR, Stat3 and NF‐κB signaling pathways

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the most aggressive malignant disease, ranks as the fourth most leading cause of cancer‐related death among men and women in the United States. We present here that plumbagin (PL), a quinoid constituent isolated from the roots of the medicinal plant Plumbago zeylanica L, inhibits the growth of PC cells both in vitro and in vivo model systems. PL treatment induces apoptosis and inhibits cell viability of PC cells (PANC1, BxPC3 and ASPC1). In addition, i.p. administration of PL (2 mg/kg body weight, 5 days a week) in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice beginning 3 days after ectopic implantation of PANC1 cells resulted in a significant (P < 0.01) inhibition of both tumor weight and volume. PL treatment inhibited (1) constitutive expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), pStat3Tyr705 and pStat3Ser727, (2) DNA binding of Stat3 and (3) physical interaction of EGFR with Stat3, in both cultured PANC1 cells and their xenograft tumors. PL treatment also inhibited phosphorylation and DNA‐binding activity of NF‐κB in both cultured PC cells (PANC1 and ASPC1) and in PANC1 cells xenograft tumors. Downstream target genes (cyclin D1, MMP9 and Survivin) of Stat3 and NF‐κB were similarly inhibited. These results suggest that PL may be used as a novel therapeutic agent against human PC.
A systematic review of duloxetine and venlafaxine in major depression, including unpublished data

Schueler Y‐B, Koesters M, Wieseler B, Grouven U, Kromp M, Kerekes MF, Kreis J, Kaiser T, Becker T, Weinmann S. A systematic review of duloxetine and venlafaxine in major depression, including unpublished data.
Dynamic feeder dyke systems in basaltic volcanoes: the exceptional example of the 1809 Etna eruption (Italy)

In this paper, we describe the 1809 eruption of Mt. Etna, Italy, which represents one historical and rare case in which it is possible to closely observe the internal structure of the feeder system. This is possible thanks to the presence of two large pit craters located in the middle of the eruptive fracture field that allow studying a section of the shallow feeder system. Along the walls of one of these craters, we analysed well-exposed cross sections of the uppermost 15–20 m of the feeder system and related volcanic products. Here, we describe the structure, morphology and lithology of this portion of the 1809 feeder system, including the host rock which conditioned the propagation of the dyke, and compare the results with other recent eruptions. Finally, we propose a dynamic model of the magma behaviour inside a laterally–propagating feeder dyke, demonstrating how this dynamic triggered important changes in the eruptive style (from effusive/Strombolian to phreatomagmatic) during the same eruption. This is therefore an exceptional case to understand how basaltic magmas move during the propagation of an eruptive fissure. Our results are also useful for hazard assessment related to the development of flank eruptions, potentially the most hazardous type of eruption from basaltic volcanoes in densely urbanized areas like those at Mt. Etna.
Analysis and Improvement of the Bacterial Foraging Optimization Algorithm

The Bacterial Foraging Optimization Algorithm is a swarm intelligence optimization algorithm. This paper first analyzes the chemotaxis, as well as elimination and dispersal operation, based on the basic Bacterial Foraging Optimization Algorithm. The elimination and dispersal operation makes a bacterium which has found or nearly found an optimal position escape away from that position, which greatly affects the convergence speed of the algorithm. In order to avoid this escape, the sphere of action of the elimination and dispersal operation can be altered in accordance with the generations of evolution. Secondly, we put forward an algorithm of an adaptive adjustment of step length we called improved bacterial foraging optimization (IBFO) after making a detailed analysis of the impacts of the step length on the efficiency and accuracy of the algorithm, based on chemotaxis operation. The classic test functions show that the convergence speed and accuracy of the IBFO algorithm is much better than the original algorithm. Category: Smart and intelligent computing
Characterization of uptake of the new PET imaging compound 18F-fluorobenzyl triphenyl phosphonium in dog myocardium.

UNLABELLED 18F-Labeled p-fluorobenzyl triphenyl phosphonium cation (18F-FBnTP) is a member of a new class of positron-emitting lipophilic cations that may act as myocardial perfusion PET tracers. Here, we characterize the 18F-FBnTP uptake and retention kinetics, in vitro and in vivo, as well as the myocardial and whole-body biodistribution in healthy dogs, using PET. METHODS Time-dependent accumulation and retention of 18F-FBnTP in myocytes in vitro was studied. Seven anesthetized, mongrel dogs underwent dynamic PET scans of the heart after intravenous administration of 126-240 MBq 18F-FBnTP. In 4 of the 7 dogs, at the completion of a 60-min dynamic scan, whole-body scans (4 bed positions, 5-min emission and 3-min transmission per bed) were acquired. Arterial blood samples were collected at 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 60 min after administration, plasma activity was counted, and high-performance liquid chromatographic analyses for metabolites were performed. The extent of defluorination was assessed by measuring 18F-FBnTP bone uptake in mice, compared with 18F-fluoride. RESULTS The metabolite fraction comprised <5% of total activity in blood at 5 min and gradually increased to 25% at 30 min after injection. In vivo, 18F-FBnTP myocardial concentration reached a plateau level within a few minutes, which was retained throughout the scanning time. In contrast, activity in the blood pool and lungs cleared rapidly (half-life = 19.5 +/- 4.4 and 30.7 +/- 11.6 s, respectively). Liver uptake did not exceed the activity measured in the myocardium. At 60 min, the uptake ratios of left ventricular wall to blood, lung, and liver (mean of 7 dogs) were 16.6, 12.2, and 1.2, respectively. Summation of activity from 5 to 15 min and from 30 to 60 min after injection produced high-quality cardiac images of similar contrast. Circumferential sampling and a polar plot revealed a uniform distribution, near unitary value, throughout the entire myocardium. The mean coefficient of variance, on 30- to 60-min images along the septum-to-anterior wall and the apex-to-base axes was 7.58% +/- 1.04% and 6.11% +/- 0.89% (mean +/- SD; n = 7), respectively, and on 5- to 15-min images was 7.25% +/- 1.43% and 6.12% +/- 1.88%, respectively. 18F-FBnTP whole-body distribution was highly organ specific with the kidney cortex being the major target organ, followed by the heart and the liver. CONCLUSION 18F-FBnTP is a promising new radionuclide for cardiac imaging using PET with rapid kinetics, uniform myocardial distribution, and favorable organ biodistribution.
Extreme value theory for moving average processes with light-tailed innovations

We consider stationary infinite moving average processes of the form $Y_n = \sum c_i Z_{n+i}$, where the sum ranges over the integers, (Z_i) is a sequence of iid random variables with ``light tails'' and (c_i) is a sequence of positive and summable coefficients. By light tails we mean that Z_0 has a bounded density $f(t)$ behaving asymptotically like $v(t) \exp (-g(t) )$, where v(t) behaves roughly like a constant as t goes to infinity, and g(t) is strictly convex satisfying certain asymptotic regularity conditions. We show that the iid sequence associated with Y_0 is in the maximum domain of attraction of the Gumbel distribution. Under additional regular variation conditions on g, it is shown that the stationary sequence (Y_n) has the same extremal behaviour as its associated iid sequence. This generalizes results of Rootz\'en (1986, 1987), where $g(t) = t^p$ and $v(t)=c t^d$ for p > 1, positive c and a real constant d.
Self-detoxification by Opiate Addicts

A study of 50 opiate addicts attending a London service for treatment of drug dependence found that 47 subjects had previously made at least one attempt at self-detoxification. These subjects reported 212 previous attempts. Although 30 subjects reported having managed to complete at least one attempt, the success rate per episode was low (24%). One of the most commonly reported methods, used by 28 subjects, involved an abrupt cessation of opiates (‘cold turkey’). Of the drugs used in their attempts at self-detoxification, benzodiazepines were reported by 24 subjects and opiates by 20. Practical strategies such as distraction and avoidance were also used. Self-help detoxification materials for opiate addicts might be useful.
Executive functions in developmental dyslexia

The present study was aimed at investigating different aspects of Executive Functions (EF) in children with Developmental Dyslexia (DD). A neuropsychological battery tapping verbal fluency, spoonerism, attention, verbal shifting, short-term and working memory was used to assess 60 children with DD and 65 with typical reading (TR) abilities. Compared to their controls, children with DD showed deficits in several EF domains such as verbal categorical and phonological fluency, visual-spatial and auditory attention, spoonerism, verbal and visual short-term memory, and verbal working memory. Moreover, exploring predictive relationships between EF measures and reading, we found that spoonerism abilities better explained word and non-word reading deficits. Although to a lesser extent, auditory and visual-spatial attention also explained the increased percentage of variance related to reading deficit. EF deficits found in DD are interpreted as an expression of a deficient functioning of the Central Executive System and are discussed in the context of the recent temporal sampling theory.
The Bovine Herpesvirus 4 Bo10 Gene Encodes a Nonessential Viral Envelope Protein That Regulates Viral Tropism through both Positive and Negative Effects

ABSTRACT All gammaherpesviruses encode a glycoprotein positionally homologous to the Epstein-Barr virus gp350 and the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) K8.1. In this study, we characterized the positional homologous glycoprotein of bovine herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4), encoded by the Bo10 gene. We identified a 180-kDa gene product, gp180, that was incorporated into the virion envelope. A Bo10 deletion virus was viable but showed a growth deficit associated with reduced binding to epithelial cells. This seemed to reflect an interaction of gp180 with glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), since compared to the wild-type virus, the Bo10 mutant virus was both less infectious for GAG-positive (GAG+) cells and more infectious for GAG-negative (GAG−) cells. However, we could not identify a direct interaction between gp180 and GAGs, implying that any direct interaction must be of low affinity. This function of gp180 was very similar to that previously identified for the murid herpesvirus 4 gp150 and also to that of the Epstein-Barr virus gp350 that promotes CD21+ cell infection and inhibits CD21− cell infection. We propose that such proteins generally regulate virion attachment both by binding to cells and by covering another receptor-binding protein until they are displaced. Thus, they regulate viral tropism both positively and negatively depending upon the presence or absence of their receptor.
Differences in Protonation of Ubiquinone and Menaquinone in Fumarate Reductase from Escherichia coli*

Escherichia coli quinol-fumarate reductase operates with both natural quinones, ubiquinone (UQ) and menaquinone (MQ), at a single quinone binding site. We have utilized a combination of mutagenesis, kinetic, EPR, and Fourier transform infrared methods to study the role of two residues, Lys-B228 and Glu-C29, at the quinol-fumarate reductase quinone binding site in reactions with MQ and UQ. The data demonstrate that Lys-B228 provides a strong hydrogen bond to MQ and is essential for reactions with both quinone types. Substitution of Glu-C29 with Leu and Phe caused a dramatic decrease in enzymatic reactions with MQ in agreement with previous studies, however, the succinate-UQ reductase reaction remains unaffected. Elimination of a negative charge in Glu-C29 mutant enzymes resulted in significantly increased stabilization of both \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\mathrm{UQ}^{{\bar{{\cdot}}}}\) \end{document}. and \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\mathrm{MQ}^{{\bar{{\cdot}}}}\) \end{document} semiquinones. The data presented here suggest similar hydrogen bonding of the C1 carbonyl of both MQ and UQ, whereas there is different hydrogen bonding for their C4 carbonyls. The differences are shown by a single point mutation of Glu-C29, which transforms the enzyme from one that is predominantly a menaquinol-fumarate reductase to one that is essentially only functional as a succinate-ubiquinone reductase. These findings represent an example of how enzymes that are designed to accommodate either UQ or MQ at a single Q binding site may nevertheless develop sufficient plasticity at the binding pocket to react differently with MQ and UQ.
Absence of the Yeast Hsp31 Chaperones of the DJ-1 Superfamily Perturbs Cytoplasmic Protein Quality Control in Late Growth Phase

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae heat shock proteins Hsp31, Hsp32, Hsp33 and Hsp34 belong to the DJ-1/ThiJ/PfpI superfamily which includes the human protein DJ-1 (PARK7) as the most prominent member. Mutations in the DJ-1 gene are directly linked to autosomal recessive, early-onset Parkinson’s disease. DJ-1 acts as an oxidative stress-induced chaperone preventing aggregation and fibrillation of α-synuclein, a critical factor in the development of the disease. In vivo assays in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using the model substrate ΔssCPY*Leu2myc (ΔssCL*myc) as an aggregation-prone misfolded cytoplasmic protein revealed an influence of the Hsp31 chaperone family on the steady state level of this substrate. In contrast to the ubiquitin ligase of the N-end rule pathway Ubr1, which is known to be prominently involved in the degradation process of misfolded cytoplasmic proteins, the absence of the Hsp31 chaperone family does not impair the degradation of newly synthesized misfolded substrate. Also degradation of substrates with strong affinity to Ubr1 like those containing the type 1 N-degron arginine is not affected by the absence of the Hsp31 chaperone family. Epistasis analysis indicates that one function of the Hsp31 chaperone family resides in a pathway overlapping with the Ubr1-dependent degradation of misfolded cytoplasmic proteins. This pathway gains relevance in late growth phase under conditions of nutrient limitation. Additionally, the Hsp31 chaperones seem to be important for maintaining the cellular Ssa Hsp70 activity which is important for Ubr1-dependent degradation.
A fruit in the hand or two in the bush? Divergent risk preferences in chimpanzees and bonobos

Human and non-human animals tend to avoid risky prospects. If such patterns of economic choice are adaptive, risk preferences should reflect the typical decision-making environments faced by organisms. However, this approach has not been widely used to examine the risk sensitivity in closely related species with different ecologies. Here, we experimentally examined risk-sensitive behaviour in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and bonobos (Pan paniscus), closely related species whose distinct ecologies are thought to be the major selective force shaping their unique behavioural repertoires. Because chimpanzees exploit riskier food sources in the wild, we predicted that they would exhibit greater tolerance for risk in choices about food. Results confirmed this prediction: chimpanzees significantly preferred the risky option, whereas bonobos preferred the fixed option. These results provide a relatively rare example of risk-prone behaviour in the context of gains and show how ecological pressures can sculpt economic decision making.
An analysis of the three-level neutral-point clamped (NPC) inverter with two independent DC sources

In addition to its other merits, the three-level neutral-point clamped (NPC) inverter allows two dc sources, which may be an advantage in photovoltaic systems for enhanced maximum power-point tracking capability and higher energy yield. This paper takes a look at the impact of power mismatch between the two dc sources on the performance of the inverter. The paper develops a mathematical model for the calculation of the inverter mid-point current (and its harmonic components), for three different pulse-width modulation (PWM) strategies.
Scenario driven evaluation and interference mitigation proposals for Bluetooth and high data rate Bluetooth enabled consumer electronic devices

This paper investigates the effects of interference occurring between Bluetooth and high data rate Bluetooth enabled consumer electronic devices in the home and office environment. Software simulated results for frequency collisions between piconets operating in both synchronous and asynchronous modes with typical up and downlink loading factors are presented (for time-bounded and non-time bounded electronic devices). The significance of this interference on the data throughput in a number of example scenarios is investigated using a state-of-the-art indoor space-time propagation model. These results are then compared with measured channel data taken in the test environment using a MEDAV RUSK BRI channel sounder. The paper concludes by proposing to mitigate the effects of interference by employing synchronous communication in future Bluetooth and Bluetooth evolution networks.