Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
First Tools for Tannin-Furanic Foams Design

Formaldehyde-free quebracho tannin foams were prepared for the first time. Several simple formulations have been presented in order to study the capital influence of each component on foaming and therefore on the characteristics of the obtained foams. Incorporation of a non-ionic surfactant leads to smaller cells and a more homogeneous cell size distribution. Cross-linking agents improve the mechanical properties of foams. A combination of different catalysts allows control of the ratio between the expansion/hardening processes. The understanding of the roles and interactions of the different components of formulation make possible the design of tannin foams having specific properties.
Geology and Hydrocarbon Systems in the Western Black Sea

This paper presents the author's integrated regional studies during the last decade. The main purpose is to present an overall understanding of the geological structure, sedimentary basins and hydrocarbon systems of the whole Western Black Sea Zone (WBSZ). This study is based on original data from boreholes, seismic and gravity-magnetic surveys and hydrocarbon accumulations. Many geophysical borehole data obtained for WBSZ during the last 3-4 decades were interpreted mostly at a national level using different approaches, terminology and nomenclature for the same or similar lithostratigraphic and tectonic units. Therefore, a unified approach to interpretation of borehole-seismic data and correlation of stratigraphic, sedimentological and tectonic units has a key importance for overall clarification of the deep geological structure and the hydrocarbon challenges. A set of regional geological cross-sections along good quality basic seismic lines and basic boreholes was constructed. A detailed tectonic map of the WBSZ has been compiled by integrated interpretation of seismic borehole and gravity-magnetic data. The definition of hydrocarbon systems and promising exploration trends is made by source rock assessment, Oil-Oil and Oil-Source rock correlations, analyses of the reservoir/seal pairs and the hydrocarbon migration and accumulation. Genetic correlations are based on many Rock-Eval, Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and carbon isotope analyses. The complex geological structure of the WBSZ is defined by four groups of tectonic units: (1) Western Black Sea basin (WBSB) - its western zone with the Kamchia and the Histria westward wedging branches (sub-basins); (2) portions of the Moesian, Scythian and East European platforms; (3) fragments of the North Dobrogea, Eastern Balkan, Eastern Srednogorie and Strandzha orogens; (4) Burgas and Babadag basins. Four different oil genetic types have been identified. Three main hydrocarbon systems with economic potential are defined, they relate to: WBSB and its Histria and Kamchia branches, the East-Varna trough and the Bourgas basin. Conceptual models for hydrocarbon systems and their prospect exploration trends are constructed.
The Actin-associated Protein Palladin Is Required for Development of Normal Contractile Properties of Smooth Muscle Cells Derived from Embryoid Bodies*

Palladin is a widely expressed actin-associated protein localized at stress fibers, focal adhesions, and other actin-based structures, playing a significant role in cell adhesion and cell motility. Knockout of Palladin in mice is embryonic lethal, demonstrating the importance of Palladin in development yet its role in the vasculature is not known. In the present study, smooth muscle cell (SMC) markers, such as myosin, actin, caldesmon, calponin, and LPP, were down-regulated in embryoid bodies (EBs) derived from embryonic stem cells lacking Palladin. Transgenic embryonic stem cell lines were generated that stably expressed a puromycin-resistance gene under the control of a SM α-actin (SMA) promoter. Negative selection was then used to purify SMCs from EBs. Purified SMCs expressing multiple SMC markers were designated APSCs (SMA-puromycin-selected cells). Palladin null APSCs express significantly less myosin, actin, calponin, and h-caldesmon. The filamentous (F) to globular (G) actin ratio, known to regulate myocardin family transcription factors, was also decreased. Palladin null APSCs showed increased cell adhesion and decreased cell motility. Importantly, Palladin null APSCs within collagen gels generated less maximum contractile force when stimulated with endothelin-1, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), and thrombin. Myosin light chains (MLC20) were phosphorylated by lysophosphatidic acid to the same extent in Palladin null and wild type APSCs but myosin content/total protein was reduced by >50%, consistent with the observed decreases in contractility. All together, these results suggest that Palladin is essential for expression of the full complement of contractile proteins necessary for optimal force development of SMCs derived from EBs.
Modeling and Simulation of Shape Memory Alloys using Microplane Model

In this chapter, a three-dimensional phenomenological constitutive model for the simulation of shape memory alloys is introduced. The proposed macromechanical model is based on microplane theory. Microplane approach is chosen to have limited material parameters in that all of those are measurable by simple tests. User material subroutine is developed to implement the proposed model in a commercial finite element package. NiTi hollow tube specimens are under various loading conditions in order to experimentally study the superelastic response of shape memory alloys. Comparing experimental data with numerical results in simple tension and pure torsion as well as proportional and nonproportional tension-torsion loadings demonstrates the capability of proposed model in constitutive modeling of shape memory alloys.
Medicinal Chemistry Research Synthesis of Pyridine, Pyran and Thiazole Containing Thiophene Derivatives and Their Anti-tumor Evaluations

The multi-component reaction of 2-acetylthiophene with aromatic aldehydes and either mal-ononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate gave the pyran derivatives 4a–4f and pyridine derivatives 5a–5f. On the other hand, the reaction of the 2-acetylthiophene with elemental sulfur and either malononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate gave the thiophene derivatives 6a and 6b; respectively. Compounds 6a and 6b underwent a series of heterocyclic reactions to give thiazole and thiophene derivatives. All the products were assessed for antitumor activity towards human cancer human gastric cancer (NUGC and HR), human colon cancer (DLD1), human liver cancer (HA22T and HEPG2), human breast cancer (MCF), nasopharyngeal carcinoma (HONE1) cell lines. and 18b exhibited optimal cyto-toxic effect against cancer cell lines, with IC 50 's in the nM range. Moreover, 7b, 10e, 14d, 15e and 16b showed no toxicity against shrimp larvae. Anti-proliferative cell activity against cancer cell lines of the most potent compounds showed that compounds 5f and 10e achieved the highest activities among the tested compounds.
Molecular cloning of the unintegrated squirrel monkey retrovirus genome: organization and distribution of related sequences in primate DNAs

The closed circular form of the endogenous squirrel monkey type D retrovirus (SMRV) was molecularly cloned in a bacteriophage vector. The restriction map of the biologically active clone was determined and found to be identical to that of the parental SMRV linear DNA except for the deletion of one long terminal repeat. Restriction enzyme analysis and Southern blotting indicated that the SMRV long terminal repeat was approximately 300 base pairs long. The SMRV restriction map was oriented to the viral RNA by using a gene-specific probe from baboon endogenous virus. Restriction enzyme digests of a variety of vertebrate DNAs were analyzed for DNA sequence homology with SMRV by using the cloned SMRV genome as a probe. Consistent with earlier studies, multiple copies of SMRV were detected in squirrel monkey DNA. Related fragments were also detected in the DNAs from other primate species, including humans.
Cushing's syndrome associated with ectopic production of corticotrophin‐releasing hormone, corticotrophin and vasopressin by a phaeochromocytoma

We describe a case of Cushing's syndrome caused by a phaeochromocytoma secreting corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH) and corticotrophin (ACTH). A 49‐year‐old white woman presented with a 1‐month history of lower limb oedema, polydipsia and polyuria. Physical examination revealed a patient with plethoric facles, lanugo‐type facial hair, central obesity, red abdominal striae, lower limb oedema, and blood pressure of 210/115 mmHg. Laboratory studies showed high plasma ACTH and markedly elevated urinary cortisol excretion that suppressed more than 50% with high‐dose dexamethasone administration. Computed tomographic scan of the abdomen showed a 4‐cm left adrenal tumour. Catecholamines and metabolites were markedly increased in a 24‐hour urine collection. Results of venous catheterization studies showed that CRH and ACTH were secreted by the tumour. In addition, with ovine CRH administration, inferior petrosal sinus sampling showed pituitary secretion of ACTH. Left adrenalectomy resulted in complete remission of Cushing's syndrome. Light microscopic and immunohis‐tochemical studies revealed a phaeochromocytoma that produced CRH, ACTH and vasopressin. RNA studies showed that this tumour, in contrast to normal adrenal and other reported phaeochromocytomas, transcribed a lone pituitary‐sized (1200 nucleotide) pro‐oplomelanocortin mRNA. This is the second reported case of a CRH‐secreting phaeochromocytoma.
Serum levels of soluble Fas/APO‐1 (CD95) and its molecular structure in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other autoimmune diseases

There are two major forms of the Fas molecule, membranous Fas and soluble Fas (sFas). To clarify the clinical significance of sFas in autoimmune diseases, we designed a sandwich ELISA to determine serum concentrations of sFas and its molecular structure, and we then analysed the correlation between levels of sFas and laboratory findings in patients with SLE and other autoimmune diseases. The levels of serum sFas were significantly higher in SLE patients than in subjects with other autoimmune diseases and in healthy donors, and the frequency of a positive serum sFas was much greater in SLE patients with high SLE disease activity index scores than in those with low scores. In addition, sFas‐positive SLE patients showed a significant difference in various laboratory parameters from sFas‐negative SLE patients. Serial measurements of serum sFas levels in SLE patients with active disease revealed that the elevated level of sFas dramatically decreased with improvement in clinical and laboratory findings, following corticosteroid therapy. We propose that the serum level of sFas can serve as an appropriate marker for evaluating SLE disease activity. Serum sFas is heterogeneous with respect to molecular structure, thus several mechanisms are involved in the generation of sFas.
Does Receiving an Earnings Supplement Affect Union Formation? Estimating Effects for Program Participants Using Propensity Score Matching

This article demonstrates a novel application of propensity score matching techniques: to estimate nonexperimental impacts on program participants within the context of an experimental research design. The author examines the relationship between program participation, defined as qualifying for an earnings supplement by working full-time, and marital union formation among low-income mothers in two Canadian provinces. The author finds that receipt of an earnings supplement substantially increased union formation in one province but not the other. A subgroup analysis based on propensities of program participation revealed that the positive effect on unions was concentrated among relatively disadvantaged participants. The techniques demonstrated in the article are broadly applicable to studies in which take-up is less than 100% among those randomly assigned to a program group.
Tyr‐326 plays a critical role in controlling SecA–preprotein interaction

SecA is an essential ATP‐dependent motor protein that interacts with the preprotein and translocon to drive protein translocation across the eubacterial plasma membrane. A region containing residues 267–340 has been proposed to comprise the preprotein binding site of Escherichia coli SecA. To elucidate the function of this region further, we isolated mutants using a combination of region‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) mutagenesis and a genetic and biochemical screening procedure. Although this region displayed considerable plasticity based on phylogenetic and genetic analysis, Tyr‐326 was found to be critical for SecA function. secA mutants with non‐conservative substitutions at Tyr‐326 showed strong protein secretion defects in vivo and were completely defective for SecA‐dependent translocation ATPase activity in vitro. The SecA‐Y326 mutant proteins were normal in their membrane, SecYE and nucleotide‐binding properties. However, they exhibited a reduced affinity for preprotein and were defective in preprotein release, as assessed by several biochemical assays. Our results indicate that the region containing Tyr‐326 functions as a conformational response element to regulate the preprotein binding and release cycle of SecA.
Safety and Immunogenicity of Heptavalent Pneumococcal Vaccine Conjugated to CRM197 in United States Infants

curs only in patients with biochemical and histologic evidence of chronic hepatitis C liver disease or whether it can manifest in those who are only chronic carriers. The present study examined only the former group. In any case, it would be prudent to immunize patients against hepatitis A before they develop significant hepatitis C disease, and it is anticipated that more than half of those with persistent hepatitis C antigen will eventually develop such changes. Chronic carriers who will go on to develop progressive disease cannot be identified at the present time. There is no question but that in the near future we shall recommend universal immunization against hepatitis A. Although it is a very mild disease in children, the vaccines available are highly immunogenic and protection is long lasting. Once the vaccine is combined with other recommended vaccine products, likely hepatitis B, such a product will eliminate the requirement for a separate injection, and acceptance by patients should be readily achieved. Ideally the federal government will also allocate adequate financial support so that all children can be offered this preventive intervention. Meanwhile, it would be prudent to encourage hepatitis A immunization for those children who are antibody positive for hepatitis C, whether or not they have evidence of chronic active infection. -RWS
Prevalence of Depression in Tuberculosis Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health problem, particularly in developing countries. World health organization estimates that 2 billion people have latent TB, while another 3 million people worldwide die each year due to TB. Co morbidity of TB and depression is common and the prevalence of depression with a chronic physical condition ranges between 25 and 33%. Management of depression in TB patients presents a challenge to physicians. This was a prospective study conducted at a tertiary care hospital in South India from March 2014 to June 2015. Patients registered in the DOTS clinic, and currently on anti-tubercular drugs for at least one month duration were included in the study. Patients with medical disorders, psychiatric disorders and treatment for depression prior to the onset of TB were excluded from the study. The study was approved by institutional ethics committee and informed consent was taken from all the participants. A total of 147 participants were included in the study. 84% of TB patients had some degree of depression. Depression was higher in males and in age group of 26-40 years. Most common degree of depression was moderate depression followed by minimal depression. Other statistical significant difference in prevalence of depression was observed in unmarried, patients experiencing side effects, coughing and weight gain patients. Presence of a persistent cough at the time of the study was significantly related to depression (P=0.03), and of the 107 patients, 36 had persistent cough (33.6). A commonly used measure of improvement in patients with TB is weight gain. In the present study 44 patients had weight pain with depression. A significant association was found between the duration of treatment and prevalence of depression. Interestingly the depression was statistically significant in patients <7months of treatment, but other studies have reported that depression increase with the duration of treatment. It is suggested that in order to improve adherence and continuation of anti-TB treatment, timely treatment of depression can play an important role. Primary care doctors and community workers should have a high index of index of suspicion for depression when assessing TB patients
Interaction between the Grb10 SH2 Domain and the Insulin Receptor Carboxyl Terminus (*)

Grb10 is a member of a recently identified family of adapter proteins that are thought to play a role in receptor tyrosine kinase-mediated signal transduction. We identified and isolated the Grb10 SH2 domain based on its interaction with the intracellular domain of the insulin receptor β-subunit using the yeast two-hybrid system. The interaction was specific for the insulin receptor and the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor, and it required a catalytically active receptor kinase domain and an intact Grb10 SH2 domain. Glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins containing the Grb10 SH2 domain associated in an insulin-dependent manner with insulin receptors from cell lysates and with purified insulin receptors. Co-precipitation experiments revealed the association of cellular Grb10 with hormone-stimulated insulin receptors in cell extracts. The Grb10 SH2 domain did not bind to an insulin receptor lacking 43 amino acids at the carboxyl terminus, and it exhibited highest affinity for a phosphopeptide containing Tyr(P)-1322. Unlike p85 and Syp, which also bind to Tyr(P)-1322, Grb10 was not found to associate with insulin receptor substrate-1. These results suggest that Grb10 is a novel insulin receptor interactive protein and provide direct evidence for an insulin receptor substrate-1-independent function of the insulin receptor carboxyl terminus in protein binding.
Differential Interactions of Human Sos1 and Sos2 with Grb2 (*)

The guanine nucleotide exchange factor Son of sevenless (Sos) performs a crucial step in the coupling of receptor tyrosine kinases to Ras activation. Mammalian cells contain two related but distinct Sos proteins, Sos1 and Sos2. Although they share a high degree of overall similarity, it is not known to what extent their biological and biochemical properties overlap. In the present study, we have compared the interactions of the two human homologues of Sos, hSos1 and hSos2, with the adaptor protein Grb2. We show that hSos2 interacts with Grb2 via its proline-rich COOH-terminal domain and that this interaction is dependent on the SH3 domains of Grb2. In general, these characteristics are similar to the ones reported previously for the interaction of hSos1 with Grb2. However, the apparent binding affinity of hSos2 for Grb2 is significantly higher relative to that of hSos1 both in vitro and in vivo. The region conferring this higher binding affinity has been mapped to residues 1126-1242 of the hSos2 COOH-terminal domain. These results suggest that Sos1 and Sos2 may differentially contribute to receptor-mediated Ras activation.
ISOLATION OF INFECTIOUS DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID FROM SE POLYOMA-INFECTED TISSUE CULTURES.

Several examples of ribonucleic acids isolated from purified viruses or virusinfected animal or plant tissue have proved to be infectious. 1-8 On the other hand, findings of infectious deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) have not been substantiated. Hayes et al.9 have observed leukemias in AKR-C3H hybrid mice injected with mixed nucleic acids prepared from the leukemic organs of AKR mice. These hybrid mice, however, show a high incidence of spontaneous leukemia. '0 Latarjet et al." have reported the induction of multiple tumors in C3H and AKR mice injected with nucleic acid extracted from the cells of leukemic AKR mice. Elucidation of the nature of the infectious principle in these preparations is yet to be made. (In a personal communication, Dr. R. Latarjet has informed us of his recent results. The preparations appeared to lose their ability to induce tumors in mice after treatment with DNase.) There is strong evidence' for the presence of at least two carcinogenic viruses in AKR leukemic mice. Whether the activity of the tissue preparations is due to the presence of infective nucleic acid remains unclear. In view of the difficulties in preparing highly-purified nucleic acids devoid of other cellular or viral constituents, the most convincing evidence for the successful isolation of an infectious nucleic acid rests on its sensitivity to a specific nuclease. The present report describes the isolation from mouse embryo tissue cultures infected with SE polyoma virus'" of an infectious nucleic acid resistant to the action of ribonuclease (RNase), but which is inactivated by deoxyribonuclease (DNase). The intact virus is resistant to both enzymes. The method of culturing the virus has been described. '4 In brief, Swiss mouse embryo cells were grown in 32-ounce bottles, then retrypsinized and grown in 2-ounce prescription bottles. The maintenance fluid consisted of medium 199 and 2 per cent horse serum with the addition of 3.5 ml of 5 per cent sodium bicarbonate solution for each 100 ml of fluid. At the time the virus was inoculated, each bottle contained approximately 3 X 105 cells in a sheet which completely covered one flat surface of the bottle. On harvesting, the cells were frozen and thawed, then pooled, and this constituted the starting material for the preparation of nucleic acids. The "crude virus suspension" was either an aliquot of pooled cultures used as such or concentrated tenfold by lyophilization. After storage from 1 to 24 hours at 4 to 6VC, aliquots of 50 ml were dialyzed against 3 liters of 0.02 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.2, for 24 hours. For the concentrated virus suspensions, a 48-hour period of dialysis, with two changes of buffer, was employed. The infectious titers of the pooled virus varied between 10-5 and 10-fi, whereas that of the concentrated virus was 10-7. Two methods of preparing nucleic acids from the tissue cultures were employed: Method 1: This procedure followed in general that described by Gierer and Schramm. ' To 50 ml of dialyzed crude virus suspension, an equal volume of 80