Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Translational Homeostasis: Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4E Control of 4E-Binding Protein 1 and p70 S6 Kinase Activities

ABSTRACT Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) is the mRNA 5′ cap binding protein, which plays an important role in the control of translation. The activity of eIF4E is regulated by a family of repressor proteins, the 4E-binding proteins (4E-BPs), whose binding to eIF4E is determined by their phosphorylation state. When hyperphosphorylated, 4E-BPs do not bind to eIF4E. Phosphorylation of the 4E-BPs is effected by the phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase signal transduction pathway and is inhibited by rapamycin through its binding to FRAP/mTOR (FK506 binding protein–rapamycin-associated protein or mammalian target of rapamycin). Phosphorylation of 4E-BPs can also be induced by protein synthesis inhibitors. These observations led to the proposal that FRAP/mTOR functions as a “sensor” of the translational apparatus (E. J. Brown and S. L. Schreiber, Cell 86:517–520, 1996). To test this model, we have employed the tetracycline-inducible system to increase eIF4E expression. Removal of tetracycline induced eIF4E expression up to fivefold over endogenous levels. Strikingly, upon induction of eIF4E, 4E-BP1 became dephosphorylated and the extent of dephosphorylation was proportional to the expression level of eIF4E. Dephosphorylation of p70S6k also occurred upon eIF4E induction. In contrast, the phosphorylation of Akt, an upstream effector of both p70S6kand 4E-BP phosphorylation, was not affected by eIF4E induction. We conclude that eIF4E engenders a negative feedback loop that targets a component of the PI 3-kinase signalling pathway which lies downstream of PI 3-kinase.
Comparison of Fully Automated Urine Sediment Analyzers H800‐FUS100 and Labumat‐Urised with Manual Microscopy

Recent technical developments have focused on the full automation of urinalyses, however the manual microscopic analysis of urine sediment is considered the reference method. The aim of this study was to compare the performances of the LabUMat‐UriSed and the H800‐FUS100 with manual microscopy, and with each other.
Energy exchanges of swimming man.

Three male swimmers underwent 10-min resting and 20-min swimming (breaststroke) exposures in a swimming flume. Water temperatures in separate exposures were 18, 26, and 33 C. At each water temperature the subjects rested and swam at water velocities of 0.50, 0.75, and 0.95 m/sec, which were designed to produce around 40, 70, and 100% of maximal aerobic power. Measurements were made of esophageal temperature, four skin temperatures, water temperature, heat flow from five local skin surfaces (Hatfield-Turner disks), and oxygen uptake. Calculations were made of mean area-weighted skin temperature and heat flow, metabolic rate, and heat storage. Internal body temperature changes after 20 min of swimming were related to water temperature, swimming intensity, and body composition.
A high-speed, low-power analog-to-digital converter in fully depleted silicon-on-insulator technology

This thesis demonstrates a one-volt, high-speed, ultra-low-power, six-bit flash analog-to-digital converter fabricated in a fully depleted silicon-on-insulator CMOS technology. Silicon-on-insulator CMOS technology provides a number of benefits for low-power low-voltage analog design. The full dielectric isolation of the silicon island, where the transistors are built, allows higher layout packing density and reduces parasitic junction capacitances. Fully depleted silicon-on-insulator (SOI) exhibits improved subthreshold slope, which allows for lower transistor threshold voltages. Significant savings in power consumption can be obtained by leveraging these advantages. However, the floating-body effect can create significant problems in analog circuits, leading to potential circuit malfunction. A single-ended auto-zeroed comparator topology is optimized to leverage the advantages of fully depleted SOI technology and avoid the floating-body effect. Using this comparator topology and other circuit techniques that operate with a one-volt supply, a six-bit 500-MS/s flash A/D converter is designed with the lowest power-consumption figure of merit in its class. Consuming only 32 mA from a one-volt supply, the quantization energy figure of merit for this design is calculated to be EQ = 2 pJ. Test chips were fabricated in MIT Lincoln Laboratory’s 0.25-μm fully depleted SOI CMOS process. Testing of this design demonstrates the potential of SOI technology for the production of high-speed, low-power analog-to-digital converters. Thesis Supervisor: James K. Roberge Title: Professor of Electrical Engineering
The spectrum of spontaneous coronary artery dissection: illustrated review of the literature

Abstract Spontaneous coronary artery dissection or SCAD is a rare and challenging disease that is increasingly diagnosed. It is characterized by a non-traumatic, non-iatrogenic separation of the coronary artery wall and occurs predominantly in young and middle-aged women without traditional cardiovascular risk factors. SCAD is often associated with predisposing conditions such as the peripartum period, systemic inflammatory disease and heritable connective tissue disease. More recently, independent investigators have demonstrated an important association with fibromuscular dysplasia. Extreme emotional or physical stress as well as intense hormonal therapy or drug abuse have been pointed out as precipitating factors. The diagnosis of SCAD can be challenging and starts with clinical suspicion. Advanced imaging techniques such as intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography are useful for the differentiation from atherosclerotic disease and are increasingly used for this indication. The proposed treatment in the acute setting is based on findings from single-centre retrospective series: in stable patients with a TIMI-flow ≥2 a conservative management is proposed because of the high risk of procedural failure and complications as well as a high probability of spontaneous healing. Long-term treatment is comparable to that in non-SCAD acute coronary syndromes (ACS) but dual antiplatelet therapy should only be started in case of stenting and should be kept as short as possible in patients with vascular Ehlers–Danlos syndrome. Prognosis seems to be better compared to non-SCAD ACS but there is a reasonable risk of recurrence. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge of SCAD and provide a clinical pathway for the diagnosis, management and work-up of SCAD patients.
Identification of RTG2 as a modifier gene for CTG*CAG repeat instability in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Trinucleotide repeats (TNRs) undergo frequent mutations in families affected by TNR diseases and in model organisms. Much of the instability is conferred in cis by the sequence and length of the triplet tract. Trans-acting factors also modulate TNR instability risk, on the basis of such evidence as parent-of-origin effects. To help identify trans-acting modifiers, a screen was performed to find yeast mutants with altered CTG.CAG repeat mutation frequencies. The RTG2 gene was identified as one such modifier. In rtg2 mutants, expansions of CTG.CAG repeats show a modest increase in rate, depending on the starting tract length. Surprisingly, contractions were suppressed in an rtg2 background. This creates a situation in a model system where expansions outnumber contractions, as in humans. The rtg2 phenotype was apparently specific for CTG.CAG repeat instability, since no changes in mutation rate were observed for dinucleotide repeats or at the CAN1 reporter gene. This feature sets rtg2 mutants apart from most other mutants that affect genetic stability both for TNRs and at other DNA sequences. It was also found that RTG2 acts independently of its normal partners RTG1 and RTG3, suggesting a novel function of RTG2 that helps modify CTG.CAG repeat mutation risk.
BAFF Overexpression Is Associated with Autoantibody Production in Autoimmune Diseases

Abstract: The B‐cell activity factor (BAFF) acts as a positive regulator of B‐cell function. To gain further insight into the understanding of B‐cell hyperactivity in autoimmune diseases, the serum level of BAFF was determined in 43 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, 58 primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) patients, 28 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and 68 normal control subjects using an in‐house sandwich ELISA. A commercial kit was used to detect soluble CD23 (sCD23) reflecting B‐cell activation. In‐house assays for the detection of autoantibodies also were used. We found an increased level of BAFF in SLE, pSS, and RA sera compared with normal subjects (respectively, 10.6 ± 8.5, 15.8 ± 12.9, 9.7 ± 1.5 ng/mL vs. 4.6 ± 2.9/ng/mL, P < .001). sCD23 released on B‐cell activation also was found to be elevated in SLE, pSS, and RA compared with normal sera. However, no correlation was found between the circulating BAFF and the level of sCD23. By contrast, we observed that high levels of BAFF were associated with the presence of autoantibodies (anti‐double‐stranded DNA antibodies in SLE, anti‐SSA antibodies in pSS, and rheumatoid factors in RA). Our data suggest that BAFF is influential in driving antibody production rather than activation of the B lymphocytes in autoimmune diseases.
Nutritional quality of berries and bioactive compounds in the leaves of black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) cultivars evaluated in Estonia

Polli Horticultural Research Centre (58 ◦ 7 � N; 25 ◦ 32 � E) in Estonia has focused on selecting cultivars with high productivity and suitable to use in local climatic conditions since 1945. Besides important agronomic characteristics, more attention has been recently paid to fruit quality and content of various bioactive compounds. The results of a biochemical analysis of 4 prospective black currant selections (10B, 2-96-51, 1-96-16, 4-96-1), 4 new cultivars ('Karri', 'Almo', 'Ats', 'Elo') from our own breeding program and 7 introduced cultivars ('Ojebyn', 'Zagadka', 'Ben Sarek', 'Intercontinental', 'Pamyati Vavilova', 'Titania' and 'Pilenai') are presented. In addition to the analysis of main biochemical characteristics, the anthocyanin content of the berries was determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The total anthocyanin content of the berries varied in a wide range. The highest anthocyanin content was found in the cultivar 'Almo' (212 ± 9 mg/100 g) and the lowest in 'Ben Sarek' (83 ± 24 mg/100 g). The ascorbic acid content varied from 98 mg/100 g with 'Ats' to 209 mg/100 g with elite selection 4-96-1. The polyphenol composition of the black currant leaves was determined by HPLC, the compounds were identified using polyphenol commercial standards and/or compounds mass spectrometric (MS) characteristics.
The corpus callosum is larger with right‐hemisphere cerebral speech dominance

Variations in the size of the human corpus callosum were examined as a possible morphological substrate of functional asymmetries of the cerebral hemispheres, such as cerebral speech dominance. The midsagittal surface area of the corpus callosum, obtained by magnetic resonance imaging, was measured in 50 patients with epilepsy and 50 neurologically normal control subjects. The mean callosal area did not differ significantly between patients and control subjects, between left‐handed and right‐handed subjects, or between men and women. When measurements were compared among 44 patients, whose cerebral speech dominance had been determined by the intracarotid injection of sodium amytal, the area of the corpus callosum was significantly greater in patients with right‐hemisphere cerebral speech dominance. The mean callosal area was greater by 109 to 159 square millimeters (18–28%) when compared to that of patients with either left‐hemisphere speech dominance or bilateral speech representation. This difference in midsagital surface area could represent as many as 37 to 54 million additional callosal axons in subjects with right‐hemisphere celebral speech dominance.
Within-Plant Distribution of Soybean Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Development of Node-Based Sample Units for Estimating Whole-Plant Densities in Soybean

Abstract The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is capable of reducing soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr. , yield up to 40% during severe outbreaks. Frequent sampling, which can be costly and time-consuming, is essential to making informed management decisions. However, one way to decrease sampling effort is to use a reduced sample unit when possible. The objectives of this study were to describe the vertical distribution of soybean aphid within soybean over time and to define node-based sample units of varying sizes by testing the ability of selected units to accurately estimate whole-plant aphid density. Within-plant distribution of soybean aphid changed significantly with time. However, the average nodal position where soybean aphids were found on soybean remained within the top half of the plant at all three locations studied across all sample dates. Consequently, selecting the node with the highest aphid density multiplied by the total number of infested nodes (NMAX′) was the best predictor of aphids on remaining soybean components in both the original (r2 = 0.855) and validation (r2 = 0.824) data sets. For sample units that included more than a single node to estimate densities, a weighted formula, which incorporated changes observed in the within-plant aphid distribution, improved model performance (higher r2 values) and reduced variability around parameter estimates compared with a node-averaged formula. Our results suggest that smaller sample units provide reliable estimations of whole-plant aphid density throughout the growing season for differently maturing soybean, which is essential to their use in pest management decisions and development of future sampling plans.
MOLECULAR BASIS OF CIRCADIAN PHOTORECEPTION

Among the recently identified vertebrate opsins, melanopsin has emerged as a photopigment critically involved in the light-mediated regulation of circadian rhythms. Melanopsin is found in a subset of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) that directly send photic information to various non-visual light processing brain regions. Melanopsin expression is necessary for the photosensitivity of the ipRGCs and several studies have shown that the melanopsin expressing ipRGCs provide input for photoentrainment, pupillary light reflex, and regulation of the melatonin biosynthetic pathway. Although evidence points towards melanopsin being the functional photopigment of the ipRGCs, melanopsin may simply function as a photoisomerase, facilitating an as yet unidentified opsin-based photopigment in these cells. The purpose of this research was to identify whether melanopsin is in fact a photopigment and to elucidate the details of melanopsin photoactivation and signaling. We have found that heterologous expression of melanopsin in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) imparts photosensitivity upon the cell line. With this system, we have found that melanopsin triggers a Gq or a related G protein, activation of phospholipase C, an increase in intracellular calcium from internal calcium stores, and depolarization that may be dependent upon the presence of the canonical transient receptor potential channel, TRPC3.
Stability and Robust H ∞ Control for Time-Delayed Systems with Parameter Uncertainties and Stochastic Disturbances

This paper investigates the problem of stability analysis and robust H ∞ controller for timedelayed systems with parameter uncertainties and stochastic disturbances. It is assumed parameter uncertainties are norm bounded and mean and variance for disturbances of them are known. Firstly, by constructing a newly augmented Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional, a stability criterion for nominal systems with time-varying delays is derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Secondly, based on the result of stability analysis, a new controller design method is proposed for the nominal form of the systems. Finally, the proposed method is extended to the problem of robust H ∞ controller design for a time-delayed system with parameter uncertainties and stochastic disturbances. To show the validity and effectiveness of the presented criteria, three examples are included.
Expression level and activity profile of membrane bound guanylate cyclase type 2 in rod outer segments

Rod and cone cells of the mammalian retina harbor two types of a membrane bound guanylate cyclase (GC), rod outer segment guanylate cyclase type 1 (ROS‐GC1) and ROS‐GC2. Both enzymes are regulated by small Ca2+‐binding proteins named GC‐activating proteins that operate as Ca2+ sensors and enable cyclases to respond to changes of intracellular Ca2+after illumination. We determined the expression level of ROS‐GC2 in bovine ROS preparations and compared it with the level of ROS‐GC1 in ROSs. The molar ratio of a ROS‐GC2 dimer to rhodopsin was 1 : 13 200. The amount of ROS‐GC1 was 25‐fold higher than the amount of ROS‐GC2. Heterologously expressed ROS‐GC2 was differentially activated by GC‐activating protein 1 and 2 at low free Ca2+ concentrations. Mutants of GC‐activating protein 2 modulated ROS‐GC2 in a manner different from their action on ROS‐GC1 indicating that the Ca2+ sensitivity of the Ca2+ sensor is controlled by the mode of target–sensor interaction.
Nitric Oxide‐dependent Pigment Migration Induced by Ultraviolet Radiation in Retinal Pigment Cells of the Crab Neohelice granulata

The purpose of this study was to verify the occurrence of pigment dispersion in retinal pigment cells exposed to UVA and UVB radiation, and to investigate the possible participation of a nitric oxide (NO) pathway. Retinal pigment cells from Neohelice granulata were obtained by cellular dissociation. Cells were analyzed for 30 min in the dark (control) and then exposed to 1.1 and 3.3 J cm−2 UVA, 0.07 and 0.9 J cm−2 UVB, 20 nmβ‐PDH (pigment dispersing hormone) or 10 μm SIN‐1 (NO donor). Histological analyses were performed to verify the UV effect in vivo. Cultured cells were exposed to 250 μm L‐NAME (NO synthase blocker) and afterwards were treated with UVA, UVB or β‐PDH. The retinal cells in culture displayed significant pigment dispersion in response to UVA, UVB and β‐PDH. The same responses to UVA and UVB were observed in vivo. SIN‐1 did not induce pigment dispersion in the cell cultures. l‐NAME significantly decreased the pigment dispersion induced by UVA and UVB but not by β‐PDH. All retinal cells showed an immunopositive reaction against neuronal nitric oxide synthases. Therefore, UVA and UVB radiation are capable of inducing pigment dispersion in retinal pigment cells of Neohelice granulata and this dispersion may be nitric oxide synthase dependent.
Identification of Different Candida Species Isolated in Various Hospitals in Ankara by Fungichrom Test Kit and Their Differentiation by SDS-PAGE

Identification of 78 Candida isolates was carried out by a commercial Fungichrom test kit, the reliability of which was further confirmed by conventional biochemical tests and the API 20C kit. Differentiation between different Candida species was also observed when sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of whole cell proteins was used. The most frequently isolated species of yeast from vaginal swabs obtained from patients was Candida albicans, which accounted for 39 of 78 (50.00%) of the isolates from women in Ankara. The next most frequent Candida species were Candida glabrata (Torulopsis glabrata) and Candida krusei, which were isolated from 26.92 and 11.53% of the women respectively. Other species of Candida were cultured less often: 7 Candida kefyr (8.97%); 1 Candida tropicalis (1.28%) and 1 Candida parapsilosis (1.28%). The results obtained in this study strongly indicate that as an alternative to classical identification methods, the Fungichrom test can also be used for rapid and accurate identification of all Candida sp.
Haemophilus influenzae type b disease: impact and effectiveness of diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-acellular pertussis (-inactivated poliovirus)/H. influenzae type b combination vaccines.

BACKGROUND Since 1996 in Germany primary infant immunization against Haemophilus influenzae has been most commonly given in the form of diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-acellular pertussis/H. influenzae type b (DTaP/Hib) or diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-acellular pertussis (-inactivated poliovirus)/H. influenzae type b (DTaP-IPV/Hib) combination vaccines. These combination vaccines elicit lower anti-Hib antibody concentrations than the equivalent Hib conjugate administered as a separate injection, but the clinical relevance of this phenomenon is unknown. METHODS AND FINDINGS To assess the impact of DTaP/Hib combination vaccines on the incidence of invasive Hib disease in Germany, two independent surveillance systems, one hospital- and one laboratory-based, were used during 1998 and 1999 for detection of cases. Vaccination histories of all cases detected were obtained by telephone contact with parents or health care providers. During the 2-year study period invasive H. influenzae disease in the <5-year age group continued to fall, with a mean annual incidence of 1.01/100 000 children. National vaccination coverage rates revealed that only 70% of children given DTaP/Hib or DTaP-IPV/Hib received the recommended three doses in their first year of life, but the overall effectiveness of these vaccines was high at 97.5% (95% confidence interval, 96.3 to 98.4) for those who had received at least one dose. In subjects who received the full 3-dose schedule, effectiveness was 98.8% (95% confidence interval, 98.2 to 99.3). CONCLUSION Although it is well-documented that DTaP/Hib vaccines elicit lower anti-Hib titers than separate vaccines, such combinations are effective in reducing the incidence of invasive H. influenzae type b disease.
Cream cheese products: A review

Phadungath, C. Cream cheese products: A review Songklanakarin J. Sci. Technol. , 2005, 27(1) : 191-199 Cream cheese is a soft fresh acid-coagulated cheese product, which is acidified by mesophilic lactic acid starter culture, i.e. Lactococcus and Leuconostoc. Cream cheese products are categorized into two main types based on the different fat content in the initial mix and the final composition. These are double-cream cheese with at least 9-11% fat content in the initial mix, and single-cream cheese with 4.5-5% fat content in initial mix. Cream cheese was first made by using the cooked-curd method, which was developed in the early twenties, and the cold-pack and hot-pack methods were developed, and are still used at present. The products with high quality should have a uniform white to light cream color with a lightly lactic acid and cultured diacetyl flavor and aroma. The texture of the products should be smooth without lumps, grittiness, or any indication of cracking and wheying off, and with the ability to spread at room temperature.