Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ratio of transferrin (Tf) to Tf-receptor complex in circulation differs depending on Tf iron saturation.

Serum transferrin receptor (TfR) is mostly derived from bone marrow erythroblasts, and TfR concentrations are increased by both enhanced erythropoiesis and iron deficiency (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). Several studies have shown that serum TfR measurements are especially useful in the differential diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and anemia of chronic disease (ACD) (6)(7)(8). Soluble TfR released by cleavage of membrane receptors between amino acids 100 and 101 (Arg-Lys) just above the cell membrane and purified from human serum is able to rebind with transferrin (Tf) (9)(10)(11). However, details regarding the molecular structure of the soluble TfR present in serum or plasma have not been clarified. Previously it was shown that in serum, truncated TfR exists as a complex with Tf (9)(11), and we have demonstrated by HPLC size fractionation that the predominant form of serum TfR is a dimeric TfR in complex with Tf (12). A study on the binding of radiolabeled Tf to the surface TfR of K562 human myelogenous leukemia cells showed that the binding affinity of monoferric Tf was reduced to approximately one-fourth that of diferric Tf and that the binding affinity of apo-Tf was nearly zero (13)(14). Therefore, it is plausible that in serum, Tf-TfR binding affinity is decreased under conditions associated with decreased Tf iron saturation and that this may affect the ratio of these two substances in complex formation. In the present study, we examined whether there is a difference in the molecular structure of serum TfR between healthy individuals and patients with decreased Tf iron saturation, such as in cases of IDA and ACD. Blood samples were collected from patients who were diagnosed as having IDA (n = 40; defined as serum ferritin <12 μg/L …
Cloning and sequencing of the genes involved in the conversion of 5-substituted hydantoins to the corresponding L-amino acids from the native plasmid of Pseudomonas sp. strain NS671

Pseudomonas sp. strain NS671, which produces L-amino acids asymmetrically from the corresponding racemic 5-substituted hydantoins, harbored a plasmid of 172 kb. Curing experiments suggest that this plasmid, designated pHN671, is responsible for the conversion of 5-substituted hydantoins to their corresponding L-amino acids by strain NS671. DNA fragments containing the genes involved in this conversion were cloned from pHN671 in Escherichia coli by using pUC18 as a cloning vector. The smallest recombinant plasmid, designated pHPB12, contained a 7.5-kb insert DNA. The nucleotide sequence of the insert DNA was determined, and three closely spaced open reading frames predicted to encode peptides with molecular masses of 75.6, 64.9, and 45.7 kDa were found. These open reading frames were designated hyuA, hyuB, and hyuC, respectively. Cell extracts from E. coli carrying deletion derivatives of pHPB12 were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the gene products of hyuA, hyuB, and hyuC were identified. The functions of these gene products were also examined with the deletion derivatives. The results indicate that both hyuA and hyuB are involved in the conversions of D- and L-5-substituted hydantoins to corresponding N-carbamyl-D- and N-carbamyl-L-amino acids, respectively, and that hyuC is involved in the conversion of N-carbamyl-L-amino acids to L-amino acids.
Rapid communication In vivo hippocampal microdialysis reveals impairment of NMDA receptor – cGMP signaling in APPSW and APPSW / PS 1 L 166 P Alzheimer ’ s transgenic mice

Transgenic (Tg) mice overexpressing human amyloid precursor protein (APP) mutants reproduce features of early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) including memory deficit, presence of b-amyloid (Ab) oligomers, and age-associated formation of amyloid deposits. In this study we used hippocampal microdialysis to characterize the signaling of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptors (NMDA-Rs) in awake and behaving AD Tg mice. The NMDA-R signaling is central to hippocampal synaptic plasticity underlying memory formation and several lines of evidence implicate the role of Ab oligomers in effecting NMDA-R dysfunction. CA1 NMDA-Rs were stimulated by NMDA infused through reverse microdialysis while changes in the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) concentration in the brain interstitial fluid (ISF) were used to determine NMDA-Rs responsiveness. While 4 months old wild type C57BL/6 mice mounted robust cGMP response to the NMDA challenge, the same stimulus failed to significantly change the cGMP level in 4 and 15 months old APPSW and 4 months old APPSW/PS1L166P Tg mice, which were all on C57BL/6 background. Lack of response to NMDA in AD Tg mice occurred in the absence of changes in expression levels of several synaptic proteins including synaptophysin, NR1 NMDA-R subunit and postsynaptic density protein 95, which indicates lack of profound synaptic degeneration. Ab oligomers were detected in all three AD Tg mice groups and their concentration in the hippocampus ranged from 40.5 ± 3.6 ng/g in 4 months old APPSW mice to 60.8 ± 15.9 ng/g in 4 months old APPSW/PS1L166P mice. Four months old APPSW mice had no Ab amyloid plaques, while the other two AD Tg mice groups showed evidence of incipient Ab amyloid plaque formation. Our studies describes a novel approach useful to study the function of NMDARs in awake and behaving AD Tg mice and demonstrate impairment of NMDA-R response in the presence of endogenously formed Ab oligomers but predating onset of Ab amyloidosis. 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Correlates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in a prison population

Prisons represent a crucial setting for tuberculosis control. Currently, there is scarce information concerning Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT) infection in European prisons, and no data are available for Italy. This study aims to describe the prevalence and correlates of MT infection in an Italian prison population. In this multicentre cross-sectional study, 1,247 inmates from nine prisons were recruited and asked to undergo questioning regarding socio-economic and demographic variables, tuberculin skin testing (TST), chest radiographs and testing for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infection. TST was positive in 17.9% of the 448 evaluable subjects. With multivariate logistic regression (performed among male inmates), MT infection was correlated with age (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 4.12 for inmates aged 31–40 yrs; 3.78 for those aged >40 yrs), being foreign-born (OR = 4.9), education ≤5 yrs (OR = 1.88) and length of detention (increased risk per yr: 11%). As with elsewhere in the world, the prison system in Italy features a population with an increased rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and at-risk rate for Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission. Improved tuberculosis surveillance and control measures are deemed necessary in correctional facilities nationwide, especially for subjects with the above risk factors and those who are HIV infected, in whom the tuberculin skin testing can be misleading. The screening of entrants is particularly important to avoid undiagnosed smear-positive tuberculosis cases.
Studies on milk ejection and milk removal during machine milking in different species

Before milking, only milk stored in cistern is immediately available for removal. Alveolar milk is available only after milk ejection occurs in response to tactile teat stimulation and OT release. Tactile teat stimulation is performed during the pre-milking teat preparation process. Continuously elevated OT concentrations are necessary for complete milk removal. This work comprises information about the requirement for pre-milking stimulus in several dairy species to ensure OT release, milk ejection and complete milk removal. Measurements included plasma concentrations of OT during mare and cow milkings. Milk flow patterns were recorded during mare, ewe and cow milking. Pre-milking teat preparation caused milk ejection before the milking started in mares, cows and ewes. Anyhow, there are some differences between the species. Mares released high OT concentrations only in the pre-milking teat preparation phase. On contrary, cows milked in an automatic milking system (AMS) released OT already 30 s after the start of pre-milking teat preparation. Moreover, the teat cup liner was suitable to stimulate further milk ejection and therefore OT concentrations remained elevated throughout the milking process. However, the liner was not able to replace pre-milking teat preparation in mares. Milk ejection in combined suckling  milking regime is still not clearly defined. Ewes have larger cisternal cavities, if milk ejection does not start immediately at the start of milking, interruption of the milk flow would not occur. Mares, cows and ewes are usually milked in a stable with a milking machine or in a milking parlour. However, there are an increasing number of cows milked in an AMS which includes different milking routines. Therefore we tested two different automatic milking systems milking routines influence on milk ejection and milk removal. Pre-milking teat preparation for 1 min is sufficient to induce OT release and milk ejection before the start of milking in both systems for all cows. In well filled udders, 30 s of pre-milking teat preparation is sufficient (i.e. early lactation or longer milking interval). In conclusion, the udders of mares, ewes and cows differ anatomically. However sufficient pre-milking teat preparation is needed to collect alveolar milk and reduce residual milk. AMS require individual pre-milking teat preparation, while in conventional milking systems this fact is less crucial. Mixed milking systems (milking and suckling) require longer pre-milking teat preparation for complete milk removal. Complete milk removal in ewes is more dependent on morphological characteristics after milk ejection occurs. The knowledge gathered in this work is a useful tool to optimize pre-milking teat preparation requirement for the observed species and milking systems.
Molecules Involved in the Modulation of Rapid Cell Death in Xanthomonas

ABSTRACT In earlier studies from this laboratory, Xanthomonas campestris pv. glycines was found to exhibit a nutrition stress-related postexponential rapid cell death (RCD). The RCD was exhibited in protein-rich media but not in starch or other minimal media. This RCD in X. campestris pv. glycines was found to display features similar to those of the programmed cell death (PCD) of eukaryotes. Results of the present study showed that the observed RCD in this organism is both positively and negatively regulated by small molecules. The amino acids glycine and l-alanine as well as the D isomers of valine, methionine, and threonine were found to induce the synthesis of an active caspase-3-like protein that was associated with the onset of RCD. Addition of pyruvate and citrate to the culture medium induced both the synthesis of active caspase-3-like protein and RCD. Higher levels of intracellular accumulation of pyruvate and citrate were also observed under conditions favoring RCD. On the other hand, dextrin and maltose, the hydrolytic products of starch, inhibited the synthesis of the caspase-3-like protein. Addition of glucose and cyclic AMP (cAMP) to the RCD-favoring medium prevented RCD. Glucose, cAMP, caffeine (a known inhibitor of a phosphodiesterase that breaks down cAMP), and forskolin (from the herb Coleus forskholii, known to activate the enzyme adenylate cyclase that forms cAMP) inhibited the caspase enzyme activity in vivo and consequently the RCD process. The addition of glucose and other inhibitors of RCD enhanced intracellular cAMP accumulation. This is the first report demonstrating the involvement of small molecules in the regulation of nutrition stress-related stationary-phase rapid cell death in X. campestris pv. glycines, which is programmed.
Algorithms for image processing and computer vision

A cookbook of algorithms for common image processing applicationsThanks to advances in computer hardware and software, algorithms have been developed that support sophisticated image processing without requiring an extensive background in mathematics. This bestselling book has been fully updated with the newest of these, including 2D vision methods in content-based searches and the use of graphics cards as image processing computational aids. Its an ideal reference for software engineers and developers, advanced programmers, graphics programmers, scientists, and other specialists who require highly specialized image processing.Algorithms now exist for a wide variety of sophisticated image processing applications required by software engineers and developers, advanced programmers, graphics programmers, scientists, and related specialistsThis bestselling book has been completely updated to include the latest algorithms, including 2D vision methods in content-based searches, details on modern classifier methods, and graphics cards used as image processing computational aidsSaves hours of mathematical calculating by using distributed processing and GPU programming, and gives non-mathematicians the shortcuts needed to program relatively sophisticated applications.Algorithms for Image Processing and Computer Vision, 2nd Edition provides the tools to speed development of image processing applications.
A 0.016-mm2 144-µW Three-Stage Amplifier Capable of Driving 1-to-15 nF Capacitive Load With > 0.95-MHz GBW

A 0.016-mm 144W three-stage amplifier capable of driving 1-to-15-nF capacitive load is described. It is optimized via combining current-buffer Miller compensation and parasitic-pole cancellation (via an active left-half-plane zero circuit) to extend the drivability with small power and area. Fabricated in 0.35m CMOS, the minimum gain-bandwidth product (GBW), slew rate (SR) and phase margin measured over 1-to-15-nF are 0.95 MHz, 0.22 V/ s and 52.3 , respectively. The results at 15-nF correspond to 2.02x-improved small-signal , and 1.44x-improved large-signal with respect to prior art. The sizing and optimization are systematically guided by Local Feedback Loop Analysis. It is an insightful control-centric method allowing the pole-zero placements to be more analyzable and comparable at the system level.
Is head injury caused by linear or angular acceleration

Currently, angular acceleration is believed to be more damaging to the brain than linear acceleration, even though both are present in any head impact. In a recent experiment, it was found that a helmeted head sustained the same degree of angular acceleration as the unhelmeted head for the same impact, but its linear acceleration was decreased significantly. So, if angular acceleration is the cause of brain injury, then how is the brain protected by the helmet? This paper proposes a new hypothesis of brain injury and suggests that input acceleration limits should be replaced by response variables.
Reusable software documentation with phrase annotations

ProblemReoccurring software documentation fragments called documentation phrases crosscut documentation body and introduce undesired redundancy. The redundancy imposes problems with software documentation development and evolution.ObjectiveWe want to reduce the negative effect caused by documentation phrases redundancy by centralizing the documentation phrases sources. This way a documentation phrase will have a single source that can be used for maintenance and evolution.MethodWe discuss the nature of documentation phrases and argue for the support of their parametrization. We present a new documentation phrase instantiation method based on source code annotations. The provides free IDE support for writing documentation and is aided by our tool prototype.Results and contributionsOur contributions of this paper include identification of documentation phrase parametrization and the annotation-based documentation phrase instantiation. The annotation-based documentation phrase instantiation method enables to reduce the effort needed for documentation development and evolution.
Improving automatic query expansion

Most casual users of IR systems type short queries. Recent research has shown that adding new words to these queries via odhoc feedback improves the retrieval effectiveness of such queries. We investigate ways to improve this query expansion process by refining the set of documents used in feedback. We start by using manually formulated Boolean filters along with proximity constraints. Our approach is similar to the one proposed by Hearst[l2]. Next, we investigate a completely automatic method that makes use of term cooccurrence information to estimate word correlation. Experimental results show that refining the set of documents used in query expansion often prevents the query drift caused by blind expansion and yields substantial improvements in retrieval effectiveness, both in terms of average precision and precision in the top twenty documents. More importantly, the fully automatic approach developed in this study performs competitively with the best manual approach and requires little computational overhead.
Locating and fractionating working memory using functional neuroimaging: Storage, maintenance, and executive functions

Working memory encompasses the short‐term store of information and operations on that information. We review functional neuroimaging studies that have attempted to determine cortical areas involved in working memory functions. Current research suggests distinct systems for verbal information, visual objects, and spatial locations. Passive storage buffers appear to be located in posterior brain areas, whereas active maintenance of the information involves ventrolateral prefrontal areas. More complex, executive operations appear to recruit dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex. The possible involvement of reciprocal circuits including frontal cortex, basal ganglia, and thalamus is also discussed. Microsc. Res. Tech. 51:45–53, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Blind Tricyclist Problem and a Comparative Study of Nonlinear Filters

A blind tricyclist problem, an example nonlinear Kalman filtering problem, has been developed and used to compare several nonlinear estimation methods. This comparison illustrates potential weaknesses of algorithms that many practitioners had believed to be suitable for most nonlinear/non-Gaussian problems. It also highlights the strength of a relatively new algorithm, the Backwards-Smoothing Extended Kalman Filter (BSEKF). The blind tricyclist problem has nonlinear dynamics and measurement models. The kinematic state of the tricyclist is comprised of the two-dimensional Cartesian position in the horizontal plane and the heading. The tricyclist navigates based on relative-bearing measurements to moving targets that have parametric location uncertainties. Thus, the full filter state includes the tricyclist's position and heading along with the unknown parameters of the moving reference points. The extended Kalman filter (EKF), the unscented sigma-points Kalman filter (UKF), the particle filter (PF), a batch least-squares filter (BLSF), and the BSEKF are all tested on this problem. For moderate levels of initial uncertainty, all of the filters show reasonable performance. For larger initial uncertainties, however, the EKF performs poorly, as does the UKF and the PF. The BLSF has degraded accuracy, but it does not diverge. The BSEKF performs the best. The BSEKF is expensive computationally, but the PF is even more expensive on this problem. Additional tests using two 1-dimensional problems counterbalance the results on the blind tricyclist problem. They show that the PF has advantages in certain situations.
Barriers to Accessing Health Care Services for West African Refugee Women Living in Western Australia

Help-seeking pathways and barriers to accessing health care services were surveyed in 51 West African refugee women who had settled recently in Perth, Western Australia, and in 100 Australian women. Shame or fear of what family and friends might think, fear of being judged by the treatment provider, fear of hospitalization, and logistical difficulties were significant impediments to accessing health care services for the refugee women. Surprisingly, barriers often were greater for the more-educated refugee women and strengthened with years of residence in Australia. Strategies to help at-risk women overcome these barriers need to be implemented to ensure appropriate access to health care services.
Intracranial aneurysms: links among inflammation, hemodynamics and vascular remodeling

Abstract Abnormal vascular remodeling mediated by inflammatory cells has been identified as a key pathologic component of various vascular diseases, including abdominal aortic aneurysms, brain arteriovenous malformations and atherosclerosis. Based on findings from observational studies that analysed human intracranial aneurysms and experimental studies that utilized animal models, an emerging concept suggests that a key component of the pathophysiology of intracranial aneurysms is sustained abnormal vascular remodeling coupled with inflammation. This concept may provide a new treatment strategy to utilize agents to inhibit inflammation or cytokines produced by inflammatory cells such as matrix metalloproteinases. Such an approach would aim to stabilize these vascular lesions and prevent future expansion or rupture.
Navigation expertise and the human hippocampus: A structural brain imaging analysis

Grey matter volume in the posterior hippocampus of London taxi drivers is greater than in age‐matched controls, and the size of this increase correlates positively with time spent taxi driving (E.A. Maguire et al., 2000. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 97: 4398–4403). This change suggests that increased posterior hippocampal grey matter volume is acquired in response to increased taxi driving experience, perhaps reflecting their detailed representation of the city. However, an alternate hypothesis is that the difference in hippocampal volume is instead associated with innate navigational expertise, leading to an increased likelihood of becoming a taxi driver. To investigate this possibility, we used structural brain imaging and voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) to examine a group of subjects who were not taxi drivers. Despite this group showing a wide range of navigational expertise, there was no association between expertise and posterior hippocampal grey matter volume (or, indeed, grey matter volume throughout the brain). This failure to find an association between hippocampal volume and navigational expertise thus suggests that structural differences in the human hippocampus reflect the detail and/or duration of use of the spatial representation acquired, and not innate navigational expertise per se. Hippocampus 2003;13:250–259. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.