Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Repression of rac2 mRNA Expression by Anaplasma phagocytophila Is Essential to the Inhibition of Superoxide Production and Bacterial Proliferation1

Anaplasma phagocytophila, the etiologic agent of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis, is an emerging bacterial pathogen that invades neutrophils and can be cultivated in HL-60 cells. Infected neutrophils and HL-60 cells fail to produce superoxide anion (O2−), which is partially attributable to the fact that A. phagocytophila inhibits transcription of gp91phox, an integral component of NADPH oxidase. cDNA microarray and RT-PCR analyses demonstrated that transcription of the gene encoding Rac2, a key component in NADPH oxidase activation, was down-regulated in infected HL-60 cells. Quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated that rac2 mRNA expression was reduced 7-fold in retinoic acid-differentiated HL-60 cells and 50-fold in neutrophils following A. phagocytophila infection. Rac2 protein expression was absent in infected HL-60 cells. Rac1 and Rac2 are interchangeable in their abilities to activate NADPH oxidase. HL-60 cells transfected to express myc-tagged rac1 and gp91phox from the CMV immediate early promoter maintained the ability to generate O2− 120 h postinfection. A. phagocytophila proliferation was severely inhibited in these cells. These results directly attribute the inhibition of rac2 and gp91phox transcription to the loss of NADPH oxidase activity in A. phagocytophila-infected cells and demonstrate its importance to bacterial intracellular survival.
Load profile impact on a Stand-Alone Photovoltaic system

An adequate Stand-Alone Photovoltaic system (SAPV) optimization methodology consists in taking into account different aspects. A compromise solution must be made between energy supply quality and the selected optimization criteria. This paper proposes a methodology to study the load profile impact on SAPV system reliability and storage component. The main objective is to introduce some changes on the load profile shape such as load shifting and amplitude modulation. The system operation was simulated for two days with different load profiles to raise consumers demand impact on battery bank State Of Charge (SOC), load satisfaction and the excess energy. The term used to evaluate system reliability is Loss of Power Supply Probability (LPSP), which is related to load satisfaction. Simulation results showed the efficiency of introducing some changes on the load profile. It enabled an optimal exploitation of the produced PV energy and insured a better supply to the load with minimum energy loss.
Site-directed mutagenesis of the Streptomyces R 61 DD-peptidase Catalytic function of the conserved residues around the active site and a comparison with class-A and class-C / 3-lactamases

The importance of various residues in the Streptomyces R61 penicillin-sensitive DD-peptidase has been assessed by site-directed mutagenesis. The replacement of the active Ser62 by a Cys residue yielded an inactive protein which was also unable to recognize penicillin. The activity of the Lys65hArg mutant with the peptide and thiolester substrates was decreased 100200-fold and the rate of penicillin inactivation was decreased 20000-fold or more. The mutant thus behaved as a poor, but penicillin-resistant, DD-peptidase. The other studied mutations, the mutations Phe58-+Leu, Tyr90+Asn, ThrlOl -+Am, Phel64-+Ala, Asp225 +Glu and Asp225 +Asn had little influence on the catalytic and penicillin-binding properties. The Asp225 mutants did not exhibit an increased sensitivity to cefotaxime. The Phe164+Ala mutant was significantly more unstable than the wild-type enzyme.
Good Sleep Health in Urban Children With Asthma: A Risk and Resilience Approach.

OBJECTIVES To identify children demonstrating "good" sleep health in a sample of urban children with persistent asthma; to compare sociocontextual, asthma clinical characteristics, and sleep behaviors in children with "good" versus "poor" sleep health; and to examine protective effects of family-based health behaviors on sleep health. METHODS Participants were 249 Black (33%), Latino (51%) and non-Latino White (16%) children with asthma, ages 7-9 years, and their primary caregivers. RESULTS 32 percent of children had "good" sleep health. Well-controlled asthma and better lung function were more likely in this group. In the context of urban risks, sleep hygiene appeared to be a protective factor associated with better sleep quality. The protective effect of asthma management functioned differently by ethnic group. CONCLUSIONS This study identifies protective processes that may guard against urban risks to optimize sleep health in children with asthma. Intervention programs can be tailored to consider specific supports that enhance sleep health in this high-risk group.
Concussed or Not? An Assessment of Concussion Experience and Knowledge Within Elite and Semiprofessional Rugby Union

Objective:The primary aim was to assess experience and knowledge of adult concussion among international, professional and semiprofessional players, coaches, medical staff, and referees within Rugby Union. The secondary aim was to identify preferred education dissemination routes. Design:Questionnaires devised specifically for players, coaches, medical staff, and referees. Setting and Participants:A total of 370 players, 44 coaches, 40 medical staff, and 33 referees from within Wales were surveyed. Main Outcome Measures:Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of concussion, return to play guidelines and consequences of concussion were investigated along with experiences of, and attitudes towards, concussion. Results:The respondents had extensive experience of sustaining or witnessing rugby-related concussion. Medical staff had the greatest level of concussion knowledge, with coaches having the least. Players and coaches exhibited a disconnection between being “knocked-out” and practically applying this when managing concussion. Almost half of the players and coaches did not indicate concussion could impair performance. Eighty percent of medical staff had felt pressured to clear a concussed player. Most players (82%), coaches (66%), and referees (64%) incorrectly believed protective equipment prevents concussion. Players and coaches prefer concussion education from medical staff, whereas medical staff and referees prefer such education from governing body Web sites or training courses. Conclusions:Several role-specific misconceptions and deficiencies in concussion knowledge were identified and should be targeted through education. Medical staff had the highest level of concussion knowledge and were the preferred sources of education for players and coaches. Therefore, they are encouraged to play a greater role in providing concussion education.
New motion estimation algorithm for DV to MPEG1 compression domain conversion

Motion estimation is one of the most time-consuming processes in an MPEG1 video encoder. In this paper, a novel hierarchical motion estimation algorithm for DV to MPEG1 conversion is presented. The algorithm performs a novel sparse search, and the block matching utilizes integral projection information from the compression domain. The algorithm has a much smaller computation complexity than those motion estimation algorithms currently available in the industry while maintaining comparable PSNR (peak signal-to-noise ratio).
Ion channel regulation by β-secretase BACE1 – enzymatic and non-enzymatic effects beyond Alzheimer's disease

ABSTRACT β-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) has become infamous for its pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Consequently, BACE1 represents a prime target in drug development. Despite its detrimental involvement in AD, it should be quite obvious that BACE1 is not primarily present in the brain to drive mental decline. In fact, additional functions have been identified. In this review, we focus on the regulation of ion channels, specifically voltage-gated sodium and KCNQ potassium channels, by BACE1. These studies provide evidence for a highly unexpected feature in the functional repertoire of BACE1. Although capable of cleaving accessory channel subunits, BACE1 exerts many of its physiologically significant effects through direct, non-enzymatic interactions with main channel subunits. We discuss how the underlying mechanisms can be conceived and develop scenarios how the regulation of ion conductances by BACE1 might shape electric activity in the intact and diseased brain and heart.
Quantitative localisation of synaptic and extrasynaptic GABAA receptor subunits on hippocampal pyramidal cells by freeze‐fracture replica immunolabelling

Hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells, which receive γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic input from at least 18 types of presynaptic neuron, express 14 subunits of the pentameric GABAA receptor. The relative contribution of any subunit to synaptic and extrasynaptic receptors influences the dynamics of GABA and drug actions. Synaptic receptors mediate phasic GABA‐evoked conductance and extrasynaptic receptors contribute to a tonic conductance. We used freeze‐fracture replica‐immunogold labelling, a sensitive quantitative immunocytochemical method, to detect synaptic and extrasynaptic pools of the alpha1, alpha2 and beta3 subunits. Antibodies to the cytoplasmic loop of the subunits showed immunogold particles concentrated on distinct clusters of intramembrane particles (IMPs) on the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane on the somata, dendrites and axon initial segments, with an abrupt decrease in labelling at the edge of the IMP cluster. Neuroligin‐2, a GABAergic synapse‐specific adhesion molecule, co‐labels all beta3 subunit‐rich IMP clusters, therefore we considered them synapses. Double‐labelling for two subunits showed that virtually all somatic synapses contain the alpha1, alpha2 and beta3 subunits. The extrasynaptic plasma membrane of the somata, dendrites and dendritic spines showed low‐density immunolabelling. Synaptic labelling densities on somata for the alpha1, alpha2 and beta3 subunits were 78–132, 94 and 79 times higher than on the extrasynaptic membranes, respectively. As GABAergic synapses occupy 0.72% of the soma surface, the fraction of synaptic labelling was 33–48 (alpha1), 40 (alpha2) and 36 (beta3)% of the total somatic surface immunolabelling. Assuming similar antibody access to all receptors, about 60% of these subunits are in extrasynaptic receptors.
Correction for Shekhter et al., Branch-cut singularities in thermodynamics of Fermi liquid systems

PHYSICS. For the article ‘‘Branch-cut singularities in thermodynamics of Fermi liquid systems,’’ by Arkady Shekhter and Alexander M. Finkel’stein, which appeared in issue 43, October 24, 2006, of Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (103:15765–15769; first published October 12, 2006; 10.1073 pnas.0607200103), the authors note that, due to a printer’s error, Fig. 2 appeared incorrectly. The corrected figure and its legend appear below.
Near-solidus Melting of the Shallow Upper Mantle: Partial Melting Experiments on Depleted Peridotite

We present the results of melting experiments on a moderately depleted peridotite composition (DMM1) at 10 kbar and 1250–1390°C. Specially designed experiments demonstrate that liquids extracted into aggregates of vitreous carbon spheres maintained chemical contact with the bulk charge down to melt fractions of ~0·02–0·04 and approached equilibrium closely. With increasing melt fraction, SiO_2, FeO*, and MgO contents of the partial melts increase, Al_(2)O_3 and Na_(2)O contents decrease, and CaO contents first increase up to clinopyroxene-out at a melt fraction of 0·09–0·10, then decrease with further melting. A linear fit to melt fraction vs temperature data for lherzolite-bearing experiments yields a solidus of 1272 ± 11°C. The melting reaction is 0·56 orthopyroxene + 0·72 clinopyroxene + 0·04 spinel = 0·34 olivine + 1 liquid. Above clinopyroxene-out, the reaction is 1·24 orthopyroxene = 0·24 olivine + 1 liquid. Near the solidus, DMM1 glass compositions have lower SiO_2, TiO_2, Na_(2)O, and K_(2)O contents, higher FeO*, MgO, and CaO contents, and higher CaO/Al_(2)O_3 ratios compared with glasses from low-degree melting of fertile peridotite compositions. Recent computational models predict partial melting trends generally parallel to our experimental results. We present a parameterization of 10 kbar peridotite solidus temperatures suggesting that K_(2)O and P_(2)O_5 have greater effects on solidus depression than Na_(2)O, consistent with theoretical expectations. Our parameterization also suggests that abyssal peridotites have 10 kbar solidi of ~1278–1295°C.
Effects of ionising radiation exposure on plants, fish and mammals: relevant data for environmental radiation protection

In order to develop a framework for the assessment of the environmental impact of radiation, it is necessary to establish the relationship between exposure (dose rate, accumulated dose) and the effects that may be induced in plants and animals. With this purpose in mind, the data available on effects induced by ionising radiation in various wildlife groups have been reviewed as part of the FASSET project. This paper has highlighted that the available information on the effects of low dose rate, continuous irradiation (<103 µGy h−1) is reasonable for plants, fish and mammals, but is scarce or non-existent for other wildlife groups. Thus, the effects induced in plants, fish and mammals after chronic exposure to radiation are presented in this paper. The fragmentary nature of the available, relevant information has made it very difficult to characterise the desired dose rate–response relationships in any detail. However, it can be broadly concluded that, although minor effects may be seen at lower dose rates in the most sensitive species and systems, the threshold for statistically significant effects in most studies is about 102 µGy h−1. The responses then increase progressively with increasing dose rate and usually become very clear at dose rates>103 µGy h−1 sustained for a large fraction of the lifespan.
A genetic variant of HTR2C may play a role in the manifestation of Tourette syndrome

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) (MIM 137580) is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder probably originating from a disturbed interplay of several neurotransmitter systems in the prefrontal-limbic-basal ganglia loop. Polygenetic multifactorial inheritance has been postulated; nevertheless, no confirmed susceptible genes have been identified yet. As neuroimaging studies allude to dopaminergic and serotonergic dysfunction in GTS and serotonin as an important factor for dopamine release, genotyping of common polymorphisms in the serotonergic receptor (HTR1A: C-1019G; HTR2A: T102C, His452Tyr, A-1438G; HTR2C: C-759T, G-697C) and transporter genes (SLC6A4) was carried out in 87 patients with GTS, compared with 311 matched controls. We found a nominally significant association between both polymorphisms in the HTR2C and the GTS, which was more pronounced in male patients. Analysis of the further serotonergic polymorphisms did not reveal any significant result. A modified function of these promoter polymorphisms may contribute to the complex interplay of serotonin and dopamine and then to the manifestation of GTS.
Obstructive Jaundice Expands Intrahepatic Regulatory T Cells, Which Impair Liver T Lymphocyte Function but Modulate Liver Cholestasis and Fibrosis

Although obstructive jaundice has been associated with a predisposition toward infections, the effects of bile duct ligation (BDL) on bulk intrahepatic T cells have not been clearly defined. The aim of this study was to determine the consequences of BDL on liver T cell phenotype and function. After BDL in mice, we found that bulk liver T cells were less responsive to allogeneic or syngeneic Ag-loaded dendritic cells. Spleen T cell function was not affected, and the viability of liver T cells was preserved. BDL expanded the number of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg), which were anergic to direct CD3 stimulation and mediated T cell suppression in vitro. Adoptively transferred CD4+CD25− T cells were converted into Treg within the liver after BDL. In vivo depletion of Treg after BDL restored bulk liver T cell function but exacerbated the degrees of inflammatory cytokine production, cholestasis, and hepatic fibrosis. Thus, BDL expands liver Treg, which reduce the function of bulk intrahepatic T cells yet limit liver injury.
Therapeutic Vaccination of Active Arthritis with a Glycosylated Collagen Type II Peptide in Complex with MHC Class II Molecules1

In both collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and rheumatoid arthritis, T cells recognize a galactosylated peptide from type II collagen (CII). In this study, we demonstrate that the CII259–273 peptide, galactosylated at lysine 264, in complex with Aq molecules prevented development of CIA in mice and ameliorated chronic relapsing disease. In contrast, nonglycosylated CII259–273/Aq complexes had no such effect. CIA dependent on other MHC class II molecules (Ar/Er) was also down-regulated, indicating a bystander vaccination effect. T cells could transfer the amelioration of CIA, showing that the protection is an active process. Thus, a complex between MHC class II molecules and a posttranslationally modified peptide offers a new possibility for treatment of chronically active autoimmune inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Parental predictors of pediatric panic disorder/agoraphobia: a controlled study in high‐risk offspring

Our objective was to evaluate parental risk factors for pediatric‐onset panic disorder/agoraphobia (PD/AG) in offspring at high risk for PD/AG. Comparisons were made between parents with PD who had a child with PD or AG (N = 27) and parents with PD without children with PD or AG (N = 79). Comparisons were also made between the spouses of these parents with PD. Separation anxiety disorder, social phobia, obsessive–compulsive disorder, and bipolar disorder in the parents with PD and their spouses accounted for the risk for childhood onset PD/AG in the offspring. This risk was particularly high if both parents were affected with social phobia. These findings suggest that psychiatric comorbidity with other anxiety disorders and with bipolar disorder in parents with PD and their spouses confer a particularly high risk in their offspring to develop PD/AG in childhood. Depression and Anxiety 22:114–120, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of 3 quality of life measurement tools in patients with chronic heart failure.

OBJECTIVE The objectives of this study are to (1) Address issues related to selecting a quality of life (QOL) measuring tool; and (2) Present data from a pilot test comparing 3 QOL tools (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 [SF-36], the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire [LHFQ], and a visual analogue scale). DESIGN Descriptive comparative. SETTING A Southern university-affiliated tertiary medical center outpatient heart failure clinic. PATIENTS Thirty adults, randomly selected from those treated in a multidisciplinary, nurse practitioner-managed heart failure clinic. RESULTS Significant correlations were found among the global or broader measures of QOL (visual analog scale and LHFQ Total score) and the component scores (LHFQ Emotional, LHFQ Physical, SF-36 Mental [MCS], and SF-36 Physical [PCS]), with the only exception being that of the LHFQ Total and the SF-36 PCS. Mental and physical components of QOL were not related within the SF-36 or between the SF-36 PCS and the LHFQ Emotional score. However, the emotional and physical scores were highly and significantly related within the LHFQ and between the SF-36 MCS and the LHFQ Physical score. CONCLUSIONS The SF-36 was better able to differentiate physical and emotional aspects of QOL in this sample. The LHFQ subscales may be less useful in QOL assessment than the total score.
Correlation between Rhinometric Measurement Methods in Healthy Young Adults

The most common rhinometric measurement methods used in modern rhinology are acoustic rhinometry, rhinomanometry, and nasal peak expiratory flow (PEF) rate. In this prospective study, we wanted to clarify whether the parameters given by these three methods in the same subject support each other and can be used simultaneously in clinical practice. We also wanted to define the dimensions of normal nasal geometry and function based on these three methods. The rhinometric measurements were done in 249 healthy white subjects consisting of 171 women and 78 men. The geometry was analyzed with regard to body mass index (BMI) and smoking habits. The result could be used as some kind of reference value for the same kind of patient cohort as when rhinological pathology is investigated. The measurements obtained by acoustic rhinometry showed only statistically significant correlations between the measured volume and minimal cross-sectional area in the nasal cavities (r = 0.959). Rhinomanometry showed only a statistically significant correlation between the measured resistance in expiration and inspiration (r = 0.977). Acoustic rhinometry, rhinomanometry, and nasal PEF did not show any correlations and the BMI did not have any effect on the results. Although the smoking group was relatively small in this cohort, the rhinometric methods showed smaller nasal cavity volume, higher resistance, and lower nasal PEF values. Based on these results, we recommend the use of these three rhinometric methods as independent instruments in rhinological examinations. However, in the pathological nose, e.g., smokers, the methods show equal changes in measurements. It is important to measure at least acoustic rhinometry and rhinomanometry at the same time in clinical practice to achieve good quality of examinations.
Comparative effect of thermal, mechanical, and electrical noxious stimuli on the electroencephalogram of the rat.

BACKGROUND Thermal, mechanical, and electrical stimuli are often used in acute pain studies and cause qualitatively different pain sensations. Yet, the comparative electroencephalogram (EEG) changes caused by these stimuli have not been studied. We hypothesized that because these stimuli cause different pain sensations, EEG responses would also differ. METHODS Anaesthesia was maintained with halothane in 46 male Sprague-Dawley rats. The EEG was recorded from the primary somatosensory cortices and vertex. Supramaximal noxious stimuli were applied to the tail and comprised mechanical (forceps clamp 20 N), thermal (52 degrees C water bath), and electrical (50 V, 50 Hz for 2 s) stimuli. The EEG descriptors median frequency (F50), spectral edge frequency (F95), and total power (P(tot)) recorded before (baseline) and after noxious stimulation were compared. Data were analysed using two-way factorial ANOVA (stimulus, EEG channel) followed by Bonferroni adjusted post-tests (P < 0.05). RESULTS F50 increased during electrical stimulation compared with all baseline periods in all EEG channels, increases from baseline ranging from 115.3 (SD 34.8) to 122.1 (39.6)% for the various channels. A significant increase in F50 during thermal stimulation was identified in some EEG channels, whereas no changes in F50 during mechanical stimulation occurred. Changes in F95 during any stimulus compared with baseline were not significant. CONCLUSIONS Different noxious stimuli caused differing EEG changes. As the somatosensory cortex contains relatively few exclusively nociceptive neurons, the EEG recorded from this region during the application of predominantly noxious stimuli (mechanical and thermal) may demonstrate minimal cortical activation compared with non-specific electrical noxious stimuli.