Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conserved CDR3 Regions in T-Cell Receptor (TCR) CD8+T Cells That Recognize the Tax11-19/HLA-A*0201 Complex in a Subject Infected with Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1: Relationship of T-Cell Fine Specificity and Major Histocompatibility Complex/Peptide/TCR Crystal Structure

ABSTRACT We investigated the T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire of CD8+ T cells that recognize the Tax11-19 immunodominant epitope of Tax protein expressed by human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV-1) that is implicated in the disease HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (HAM/TSP). A panel of Tax11-19-reactive CD8+ T-cell clones was generated by single-cell cloning of Tax11-19/HLA-A*0201 tetramer-positive peripheral blood lymphocytes from an HTLV-1-infected individual. The analyses of TCR usage revealed that the combination of diverse TCR alpha and beta chains could be used for the recognition of Tax11-19 but the major population of T-cell clones (15 of 24 clones) expressed the TCR V beta 13S1 and V alpha 17 chain. We found striking similarities in CDR3 regions of TCR alpha and beta chains between our major group of CD8+ T-cell clones and those originating from different subjects as previously reported, including TCRs with resolved crystal structures. A 3-amino-acid sequence (PG-G) in the CDR3 region of the V beta chain was conserved among all the Tax11-19-reactive T-cell clones expressing V beta 13S1 and V alpha 17 chains. Conserved amino acids in the CDR3 region do not directly contact the Tax11-19 peptide, as corroborated by the crystal structure of B7-TCR, a TCR that is almost identical to VB13S1 clones isolated in this study. Analysis of fine peptide specificity using altered peptide ligands (APL) of Tax11-19 revealed a similar recognition pattern among this panel of T-cell clones. These data suggest that the PG-G amino acids in the CDR3 beta loop provide a structural framework necessary for the maintenance of the tertiary TCR structure.
TRANSURETHRAL INCISION FOR HEMATOSPERMIA CAUSED BY EJACULATORY DUCT OBSTRUCTION

Hematospermia is supposed to be derived from pathological conditions in the seminal vesicle, prostate, testis, epididymis, or urethra. A recent advance in diagnostic procedures has demonstrated the seminal vesicle, the prostate, and midline cyst as potential sources of hematospermia. The authors describe a case of hematospermia caused by ejaculatory duct obstruction, in which a transurethral technique was successful. A 51-year-old male was referred to the authors' clinic with a chief complaint of hematospermia. Transurethral ultrasonography showed a cystic lesion surrounded with hyperechoic area in the middle of the prostate. Vasography demonstrated the distal dilation of the ejaculatory duct. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a high signal intensity area in the middle of the prostate. Urethrocystoscopy showed an enlarged cystic lesion with an orifice at the prostatic urethra, which was incised endoscopically. There was no complication observed postoperatively. Seven months after the technique, hematospermia resolved completely. A midline cyst should be considered a cause of hematospermia and the incidence of such cysts may be higher than that previously recognized. The transurethral technique is expected to be a successful treatment approach.
Using Group Support Systems and Joint Application Development for Requirements Specification

The increasing use of integrated computer-aided software engineering (CASE) environments is shifting the bottleneck of systems development from physical design and coding to upstream activities, particularly requirements specification. This paper explores the use of group support systems (GSS) and joint application development (JAD) in the context of CASE environments to facilitate the requirements specification process. We first examine the relevance of GSS, JAD, and CASE to requirements specification. We then propose an integrated framework that is augmented by a domain-analysis methodology. Results of a pilot study that evaluated two process models using tools of a GSS, GroupSystemsTM, for requirements specification are discussed.
Accurate Symmetric Indefinite Linear Equation Solvers

The Bunch-Kaufman factorization is widely accepted as the algorithm of choice for the direct solution of symmetric indefinite linear equations; it is the algorithm employed in both LINPACK and LAPACK. It has also been adapted to sparse symmetric indefinite linear systems. While the Bunch--Kaufman factorization is normwise backward stable, its factors can have unusual scaling, with entries bounded by terms depending both on |A| and on $\kappa(A)$. This scaling, combined with the block nature of the algorithm, may degrade the accuracy of computed solutions unnecessarily. Overlooking the lack of a triangular factor bound leads to a further complication in LAPACK such that the LAPACK Bunch--Kaufman factorization can be unstable. We present two alternative algorithms, close cousins of the Bunch-Kaufman factorization, for solving dense symmetric indefinite systems. Both share the positive attributes of the Bunch-Kaufman algorithm but provide better accuracy by bounding the triangular factors. The price of higher accuracy can be kept low by choosing between our two algorithms. One is appropriate as the replacement for the blocked LAPACK Bunch-Kaufman factorization; the other would replace the LINPACK-like unblocked factorization in LAPACK. Solving sparse symmetric indefinite systems is more problematic. We conclude that the Bunch-Kaufman algorithm cannot be rescued effectively in the sparse case. Imposing the constraint of bounding the triangular factors leads naturally to one particular version of the Duff-Reid algorithm, which we show gives better accuracy than Liu's sparse variant of the Bunch-Kaufman algorithm. We extend the work of Duff and Reid in two respects that often provide higher efficiency: a more effective procedure for finding pivot blocks and a stable extension to pivot blocks of size larger than two.
Cushing's Syndrome, Tryptophan and Depression

Summary Fifteen patients with active Cushing's syndrome have been compared with 15 other patients who had been treated successfully for Cushing's syndrome and with 13 patients with other pituitary tumours. Depression was the main psychiatric diagnosis made by the CATEGO programme after Present State Examinations. Patients with active Cushing's syndrome were significantly more depressed (Hamilton Rating Scores), than were the other patients. Compared with the control patients, those with active Cushing's syndrome had slightly lower plasma concentrations of total tryptophan, though the concentrations of freely diffusible tryptophan were not significantly changed.
Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of intravenous pefloxacin for antibiotic prophylaxis in biliary surgery

The plasma levels and tissue penetration of pefloxacin were studied after prophylactic administration to patients undergoing elective biliary surgery. Pefloxacin was administered as a single dose of 800 mg given intravenously as an infusion 1 h before surgery. Over a period of two years, cultures of bile and stone were performed after cholecystectomy in order to find the main pathogens present in the geographical area of the hospital of Txagorritxu (Vitoria, Spain), as well as to test the antimicrobial susceptibility of these bacteria to pefloxacin. Thirty seven per cent of the bile and stone cultures were positive, and 75 different species were isolated. E. coli was the predominant microorganism (25%). Other frequent microorganisms were E. faecium (9.3%), S. epidermidis (6.6%) and Cl. perfringens (6.6%). Most species isolated were susceptible to pefloxacin, with MIC90 values of 0.125 μg/ml for E. coli, 0.5 μg/ml for S. epidermidis and 1 μg/ml for Cl. perfringens. E. faecium was resistant, with a MIC90 value of 8 μg/ml but a MIC50 of 4 μg/ml (intermediate). After pefloxacin infusion, adequate drug plasma levels (>MIC90) for the most frequent pathogens were found throughout the procedure. Elimination half‐life was estimated as 22.03±6.91 h; the area under the concentration–time curve from zero to infinite had a value of 275.07±130.02 mg h/l and the values for volume of distribution at steady‐state and plasma clearance were 96.48±28.65 L and 3.60±1.83 l/h, respectively. Bile pefloxacin concentrations generally exceeded the minimum inhibitory concentrations for most relevant pathogens. Drug levels in gallbladder and subcutaneous tissues were also above the MIC90 for extended periods. Patients were observed daily throughout their hospital stay. This included examination of the surgical wound and recording of body temperature. No cases of anaerobic infection were noted in the study patients. Other constants such as hospitalization stay and time of recuperation were normal for this type of surgery. According to these results, pefloxacin presents many features that make it suitable for use as a therapeutic prophylactic agent, such as its broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and favorable pharmacokinetic properties. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MIR measurements of atmospheric water vapor profiles

Three subjects related to atmospheric water vapor profiling using the 183.3 GHz absorption line are discussed. First, data acquired by an airborne millimeter-wave imaging radiometer (MIR) over ocean surface in the western Pacific are used to estimate three-dimensional (3D) distribution of atmospheric water vapor. The instrument's radiometric measurements with mixed vertical and horizontal polarizations require modifications to the retrieval algorithm used in the past. It is demonstrated that, after the modifications, the new algorithm can provide adequate retrieval of water vapor profiles, even though the measured data are of mixed polarizations. Next, the retrieved profiles, in terms of water vapor mixing ratio /spl rho/ (g/kg), are compared with those measured in near concurrence by dropsondes from a research aircraft in the western Pacific and by a ground-based Raman lidar at Wallops Island, Virginia. The ratio of the standard deviation to the mean /spl rho/ is found to be 0.12 at 0.25 km altitude and gradually degraded to 0.67 at the highest altitude of the retrieval of 10.25 km. Finally, the effect of the "initial guess" relative humidity profile on the final retrieved product is analyzed with respect to the condition for the convergent retrieval. It is found that the effect is minimal if the initial profile is not unrealistically different from the true one. If the initial profile is very different from the true one, the final retrieved product could be subject to a substantial error. Tightening of the convergent condition in the retrieval helped reduce magnitude of the error, but not remove it totally. It is concluded that an initial profile based on climatology is likely to provide most reliable retrieval results.
Resource Allocation Behavior in Conventional Channels

This exploratory study assesses the impact of variables associated with a financial portfolio model (marginal returns, growth, synergy, and uncertainty) and characteristics of the channel relationship (power, organizational climate, and communications) on the selling time allocated by 71 independent sales agencies to the principals they represent. The results indicate that the time allocated to principals is consistent with a normative microeconomic model; however, aspects of the channel relationship, particularly communications, participation, and feedback, also influence resource allocations.
Genetic variation in NR1H4 encoding the bile acid receptor FXR determines fasting glucose and free fatty acid levels in humans.

CONTEXT Bile acid signaling via farnesoid X receptor (FXR) regulates glucose and lipid levels, fat mass, and hepatic steatosis in animal models. OBJECTIVE To understand the role of FXR in human metabolism, we investigated associations of common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the FXR-encoding gene NR1H4 with glucose and lipid metabolism, body fat mass, and liver fat content. DESIGN We genotyped 2166 healthy German subjects for 7 tagging SNPs within NR1H4 (rs35735, rs1030454, rs11110415, rs11610264, rs17030285, rs4764980, and rs11110390) covering 100% of common genetic variation (minor allele frequency > 10%). OUTCOME MEASURES Subjects were metabolically characterized by an oral glucose tolerance test. In subgroups, hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp and liver fat quantification by (1)H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy were performed. RESULTS SNP rs4764980 was significantly associated with fasting glycemia (P = .0043) and nominally associated with fasting and postglucose load free fatty acid (FFA) levels (P = .01). Upon interrogation of publicly available Meta-Analyses of Glucose and Insulin-related traits Consortium data, the association of rs4764980 with fasting glycemia was replicated (Meta-Analyses of Glucose and Insulin-related traits Consortium, P = .005). Additionally, SNP rs11110390 showed significant associations with fasting (P = .0054) and postload (P = .0051) FFA levels. For none of the investigated SNPs, associations with insulin secretion or sensitivity, body fat mass, or liver fat content were detected. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that FXR contributes to fasting glucose and FFA levels in humans independent of unhealthy body fat accumulation. The receptor represents an interesting target to influence lipid and glucose metabolism.
Sea ice and the ocean mixed layer over the Antarctic shelf seas

An ocean mixed-layer model has been incorporated into the Los Alamos sea ice model CICE to investigate regional variations in the surface-driven formation of Antarctic shelf waters. This model captures well the expected sea ice thickness distribution, and produces deep (> 500 m) mixed layers in the Weddell and Ross shelf seas each winter. This results in the complete destratification of the water column in deep southern coastal regions leading to high-salinity shelf water (HSSW) formation, and also in some shallower regions (no HSSW formation) of these seas. Shallower mixed layers are produced in the Amundsen and Bellingshausen seas. By deconstructing the surface processes driving the mixed-layer depth evolution, we show that the net salt flux from sea ice growth/melt dominates the evolution of the mixed layer in all regions, with a smaller contribution from the surface heat flux and a negligible input from wind stress. The Weddell and Ross shelf seas receive an annual surplus of mixing energy at the surface; the Amundsen shelf sea energy input in autumn/winter is balanced by energy extraction in spring/summer; and the Bellingshausen shelf sea experiences an annual surface energy deficit, through both a low energy input in autumn/winter and the highest energy loss in spring/summer. An analysis of the sea ice mass balance demonstrates the contrasting mean ice growth, melt and export in each region. The Weddell and Ross shelf seas have the highest annual ice growth, with a large fraction exported northwards each year, whereas the Bellingshausen shelf sea experiences the highest annual ice melt, driven by the advection of ice from the northeast. A linear regression analysis is performed to determine the link between the autumn/winter mixed-layer deepening and several atmospheric variables. The Weddell and Ross shelf seas show stronger spatial correlations (temporal mean – intra-regional variability) between the autumn/winter mixed-layer deepening and several atmospheric variables compared to the Amundsen and Bellingshausen. In contrast, the Amundsen and Bellingshausen shelf seas show stronger temporal correlations (shelf sea mean – interannual variability) between the autumn/winter mixed-layer deepening and several atmospheric variables.
Perception of Jordanian mothers to nursing support during their children hospitalisation.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To describe Jordanian mothers' perceptions of nursing support provided during hospitalisation of their children and identify socio-demographic characteristic of mothers and children associated with mothers' perceptions of nursing support. BACKGROUND Nursing support is crucial to mothers to ease and relieve pain and stress experience during hospitalisation of their children. DESIGN A cross-sectional design. METHOD A total of 235 mothers who stayed with their children during their hospitalisations for medical or surgical health problems were recruited for the purpose of the study. Mothers of children of one month to two years old from two governmental hospitals in Amman-Jordan were interviewed over a period of two months. Data were collected using Nursing Parent Support Tool and demographic data questionnaire. RESULTS This study showed that the perception of Jordanian mothers to nursing support was moderate (M = 3·23, SD = 0·95). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that mothers' satisfaction to nursing support and mothers' education explained (0·332) of the variance in the mother's perception of nursing support. CONCLUSION Satisfaction with nursing care and level of education are important factors in Jordanian mothers' perception of nursing support. Nurses need to understand the importance of these factors when providing support and holistic care. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE To enhance high level of satisfaction of nursing care, paediatric nurses in the practice settings should establish parent support groups and provide educational materials that are beneficial for educated and uneducated parents.
Vitamin levels in Behçet's disease

Objective: To determine the role of oxidative stress and the antioxidant defense mechanism in the etiopathogenesis of active and inactive Behçets disease. In line with this objective, the present study aimed to examine the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA), which are the end products of oxidant stress, and vitamins, which are non‐enzymatic antioxidants, for the diagnosis and particularly the follow‐up of Behçet's disease. Materials and methods: The study group consisted of a total of 60 individuals: 40 of whom were Behçet's disease patients and 20 were healthy individuals. Of the 40 Behçet's patients, 29 had the active and 11 had the inactive (stable) form of the disease. Results: Although plasma MDA and NO (its stable form nitrite) levels in the total patient group were statistically significantly higher than those in the control group (p<0.06), there was no statistically significant difference as such between inactive Behçet's patients and the control group (p>0.05). Vitamin E, C, B1, B2 and flavin mononucleotide (FMN) values were significantly lower in the patient group in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in other vitamin values. Discussion: It is contemplated that measurement of such oxidative stress factors as MDA and NO and an accompanying evaluation of the antioxidant defense system can be significant in the diagnosis and treatment follow‐up of Behçet's disease.
Examining cellular immune responses to inform development of a blood-stage malaria vaccine

SUMMARY Naturally acquired immunity to the blood-stage of the malaria parasite develops slowly in areas of high endemicity, but is not sterilizing. It manifests as a reduction in parasite density and clinical symptoms. Immunity as a result of blood-stage vaccination has not yet been achieved in humans, although there are many animal models where vaccination has been successful. The development of a blood-stage vaccine has been complicated by a number of factors including limited knowledge of human-parasite interactions and which antigens and immune responses are critical for protection. Opinion is divided as to whether this vaccine should aim to accelerate the acquisition of responses acquired following natural exposure, or whether it should induce a different response. Animal and experimental human models suggest that cell-mediated immune responses can control parasite growth, but these responses can also contribute to significant immunopathology if unregulated. They are largely ignored in most blood-stage malaria vaccine development strategies. Here, we discuss key observations relating to cell-mediated immune responses in the context of experimental human systems and field studies involving naturally exposed individuals and how this may inform the development of a blood-stage malaria vaccine.
Vision-based triangular formation control of mobile robots

In this paper, we study a vision-based triangular formation control problem for a group of three mobile robots. The control objective is to enable the robots to maintain a desired triangular formation via local relative measurements. Cameras mounted on the robots are employed to make relative measurements among the robots including distances and bearing angles. The relative measurements made by each individual robot are integrated via an information exchange method to obtain a complete description of the formation. The group dynamics governing the evolution of the robot states are deduced to guide the controller design. Experimental results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed formation control scheme.
Complex relationship between Parkin mutations and Parkinson disease.

Mutations in the Parkin gene cause juvenile and early onset Parkinsonism. While Parkin-related disease is presumed to be an autosomal-recessive disorder, cases have been reported where only a single Parkin allele is mutated and raise the possibility of a dominant effect. In this report, we re-evaluate twenty heterozygous cases and extend the mutation screening to include the promoter and intron/exon boundaries. Novel deletion, point and intronic splice site mutations are described, along with promoter variation. These data, coupled with a complete review of published Parkin mutations, confirms that not only is recessive loss of Parkin a risk factor for juvenile and early onset Parkinsonism but that Parkin haplo-insufficiency may be sufficient for disease in some cases.
How Direct-to-Consumer Drug Websites Convey Disease Information: Analysis of Stigma-Reducing Components

Given the growing trend of the Internet as a source of health information, this study evaluated whether direct-to-consumer prescription drug websites for stigmatized illnesses contained stigma-reducing components: onset controllability, offset controllability, and recategorization. The authors examined the contents of the first-level homepages and the second-level pages in 88 stand-alone websites for 15 different stigmatized conditions. Overall, about a third of the websites did not provide a direct link to detailed disease information on the homepage. On the homepages, three stigma-reducing components were rarely offered either through textual or visual cues. On the second level, in terms of textual cues, onset controllability and recategorization were the most prevalent, while offset controllability was relatively less frequent. There were no visual cues on the second level. Results point out the limited and insufficient stigma-reducing components of direct-to-consumer prescription drug websites.
Assessment of household food security among food stamp recipient families in Maryland.

OBJECTIVES We assessed the relationship between food security status and various sociodemographic characteristics among households that include children and that receive food stamps. METHODS A modified version of the US Food Security Survey Module was implemented by telephone survey with Maryland food stamp recipients. RESULTS Of the 245 households, 66% experienced food insecurity. Food security status was associated with participation in the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children, the summer food program, and a food bank. Food security status was not associated with the number of months households received food stamps. There was no difference between the food security status of households living in urban and rural counties. CONCLUSIONS A gap exists between the food stamp support provided and some households' nutritional and economic needs.