Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Receptor-Ligand Requirements for Increased NK Cell Polyfunctional Potential in Slow Progressors Infected with HIV-1 Coexpressing KIR3DL1*h/*y and HLA-B*57

ABSTRACT Carriage of the natural killer (NK) receptor genotype KIR3DL1*h/*y with its HLA-B*57 ligand (*h/*y+B*57) is associated with slow time to AIDS and low viral load (VL). To provide a functional basis for these epidemiological observations, we assessed whether HIV-1-infected slow progressors (SP) carrying the *h/*y+B*57 compound genotype would have increased NK cell polyfunctional potential in comparison to SP with other killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR)/HLA compound genotypes and whether this enhanced polyfunctionality was dependent upon the coexpression of both KIR3DL1*h/*y and HLA-B*57. The functional potential of NK cells was investigated by stimulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells with HLA-devoid targets or single HLA transfectants. Multiparametric flow cytometry was used to detect NK cells with seven functional profiles representing all permutations of CD107a expression and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) secretion. NK cells from individuals carrying KIR3DL1 receptor–HLA-Bw4 ligand pairs had greater trifunctional responses than those from KIR3DL1 homozygotes (hmz), who were Bw6 homozygotes. NK cells from subjects carrying the *h/*y+B*57 genotypes exhibited the highest trifunctional potential, and this was dependent on cocarriage of the NK receptor and its ligand. Trifunctional cells secreted more of each function tested on a per-cell basis than each corresponding monofunctional NK subset. Although VL influenced NK functionality, individuals with defined KIR/HLA genotypes exhibited differences in NK cell polyfunctionality that could not be accounted for by VL alone. The protective effect of HLA-B*57 on slow progression to AIDS and low VL may be mediated through its interaction with KIR3DL1 alleles to educate NK cells for potent activity upon stimulation.
Reduced-Rank Space-Time Adaptive Interference Suppression With Joint Iterative Least Squares Algorithms for Spread-Spectrum Systems

This paper presents novel adaptive space-time reduced-rank interference-suppression least squares (LS) algorithms based on a joint iterative optimization of parameter vectors. The proposed space-time reduced-rank scheme consists of a joint iterative optimization of a projection matrix that performs dimensionality reduction and an adaptive reduced-rank parameter vector that yields the symbol estimates. The proposed techniques do not require singular value decomposition (SVD) and automatically find the best set of basis for reduced-rank processing. We present LS expressions for the design of the projection matrix and the reduced-rank parameter vector, and we conduct an analysis of the convergence properties of the LS algorithms. We then develop recursive LS (RLS) adaptive algorithms for their computationally efficient estimation and an algorithm that automatically adjusts the rank of the proposed scheme. A convexity analysis of the LS algorithms is carried out along with the development of a proof of convergence for the proposed algorithms. Simulations for a space-time interference suppression application with a direct-sequence code-division multiple-access (DS-CDMA) system show that the proposed scheme outperforms in convergence and tracking the state-of-the-art reduced-rank schemes at a comparable complexity.
Murine Coronavirus Receptors Are Differentially Expressed in the Central Nervous System and Play Virus Strain-Dependent Roles in Neuronal Spread

ABSTRACT Coronavirus infection of the murine central nervous system (CNS) provides a model for studies of viral encephalitis and demyelinating disease. Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) neurotropism varies by strain: MHV-A59 causes mild encephalomyelitis and demyelination, while the highly neurovirulent strain JHM.SD (MHV-4) causes fatal encephalitis with extensive neuronal spread of virus. In addition, while neurons are the predominant CNS cell type infected in vivo, the canonical receptor for MHV, the carcinoembryonic antigen family member CEACAM1a, has been demonstrated only on endothelial cells and microglia. In order to investigate whether CEACAM1a is also expressed in other cell types, ceacam1a mRNA expression was quantified in murine tissues and primary cells. As expected, among CNS cell types, microglia expressed the highest levels of ceacam1a, but lower levels were also detected in oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and neurons. Given the low levels of neuronal expression of ceacam1a, primary neurons from wild-type and ceacam1a knockout mice were inoculated with MHV to determine the extent to which CEACAM1a-independent infection might contribute to CNS infection. While both A59 and JHM.SD infected small numbers of ceacam1a knockout neurons, only JHM.SD spread efficiently to adjacent cells in the absence of CEACAM1a. Quantification of mRNA for the ceacam1a-related genes ceacam2 and psg16 (bCEA), which encode proposed alternative MHV receptors, revealed low ceacam2 expression in microglia and oligodendrocytes and psg16 expression exclusively in neurons; however, only CEACAM2 mediated infection in human 293T cells. Therefore, neither CEACAM2 nor PSG16 is likely to be an MHV receptor on neurons, and the mechanism for CEACAM1a-independent neuronal spread of JHM.SD remains unknown.
Cross-Recognition of Avian H5N1 Influenza Virus by Human Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Populations Directed to Human Influenza A Virus

ABSTRACT Since the number of human cases of infection with avian H5N1 influenza viruses is ever increasing, a pandemic outbreak caused by these viruses is feared. Therefore, in addition to virus-specific antibodies, there is considerable interest in immune correlates of protection against these viruses, which could be a target for the development of more universal vaccines. After infection with seasonal influenza A viruses of the H3N2 and H1N1 subtypes, individuals develop virus-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses, which are mainly directed against the relatively conserved internal proteins of the virus, like the nucleoprotein (NP). Virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are known to contribute to protective immunity against infection, but knowledge about the extent of cross-reactivity with avian H5N1 influenza viruses is sparse. In the present study, we evaluated the cross-reactivity with H5N1 influenza viruses of polyclonal CTL obtained from a group of well-defined HLA-typed study subjects. To this end, the recognition of synthetic peptides representing H5N1 analogues of known CTL epitopes was studied. In addition, the ability of CTL specific for seasonal H3N2 influenza virus to recognize the NP of H5N1 influenza virus or H5N1 virus-infected cells was tested. It was concluded that, apart from some individual epitopes that displayed amino acid variation between H3N2 and H5N1 influenza viruses, considerable cross-reactivity exists with H5N1 viruses. This preexisting cross-reactive T-cell immunity in the human population may dampen the impact of a next pandemic.
Impaired Virion Secretion by Hepatitis B Virus Immune Escape Mutants and Its Rescue by Wild-Type Envelope Proteins or a Second-Site Mutation

ABSTRACT Hepatitis B virus immune escape mutants have been associated with vaccine failure and reinfection of grafted liver despite immune prophylaxis, but their biological properties remain largely unknown. Transfection of 20 such mutants in a human hepatoma cell line identified many with severe impairment in virion secretion, which can be rescued to various extents by coexpression of wild-type envelope proteins or introduction of a novel glycosylation site. Consistent with their role in maintaining intra- or intermolecular disulfide bonds, cysteine residues within the “a” determinant are critical for virion secretion.
Highly stretchable and sensitive unidirectional strain sensor via laser carbonization.

In this paper, we present a simple and low-cost technique for fabricating highly stretchable (up to 100% strain) and sensitive (gauge factor of up to 20 000) strain sensors. Our technique is based on transfer and embedment of carbonized patterns created through selective laser pyrolization of thermoset polymers, such as polyimide, into elastomeric substrates (e.g., PDMS or Ecoflex). Embedded carbonized materials are composed of partially aligned graphene and carbon nanotube (CNT) particles and show a sharp directional anisotropy, which enables the fabrication of extremely robust, highly stretchable, and unidirectional strain sensors. Raman spectrum of pyrolized carbon regions reveal that under optimal laser settings, one can obtain highly porous carbon nano/microparticles with sheet resistances as low as 60 Ω/□. Using this technique, we fabricate an instrumented latex glove capable of measuring finger motion in real-time.
Battery-Management System (BMS) and SOC Development for Electrical Vehicles

Battery monitoring is vital for most electric vehicles (EVs), because the safety, operation, and even the life of the passenger depends on the battery system. This attribute is exactly the major function of the battery-management system (BMS)-to check and control the status of battery within their specified safe operating conditions. In this paper, a typical BMS block diagram has been proposed using various functional blocks. The state of charge (SOC) estimation has been implemented using Coulomb counting and open-circuit voltage methods, thereby eliminating the limitation of the stand-alone Coulomb counting method. By modeling the battery with SOC as one of the state variables, SOC can be estimated, which is further corrected by the Kalman filtering method. The battery parameters from experimental results are integrated in the model, and simulation results are validated by experiment.
Imaging features of spinal tanycytic ependymoma

Tanycytic ependymoma is an unusual morphological variant of WHO grade II ependymoma, typically arising from the cervical or thoracic spinal cord. Although the literature deals extensively with pathological features of this tumour entity, imaging features have not been well characterised. The purpose of this study was to review magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of spinal tanycytic ependymomas reported in the literature to date, exemplified by a case of a patient with tanycytic ependymoma of the conus medullaris presenting to our hospital. A Medline search of the English literature for all previously published cases of spinal tanycytic ependymoma was carried out and the reported MRI features reviewed. The tumours were found to be typically well-demarcated masses, predominantly showing isointensity on T1-weighted signal, and T2-weighted hyperintensity, with variable patterns of contrast enhancement. A cystic component was seen in half of the cases, and in a minority a mural nodule was present within the cyst wall. Associated syrinx formation was observed in one-third of the cases and haemorrhage was rare, which may be helpful pointers in differentiating the lesion from other ependymoma subtypes. In conclusion, MRI characteristics of spinal tanycytic ependymoma are variable and non-specific, and radiological diagnosis thus remains challenging, although certain predominant features are identified in this report. Knowledge of these is important in the diagnostic differentiation from other intramedullary and extramedullary spinal tumours in order to guide appropriate surgical management.
Case fatality of Pneumonia: A '5' year retrospective study

Context: Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung affecting the alveoli with the infection of microorganisms. Aim: The present study aims to find out the case fatality of pneumonia based on the variables such as age, sex and year. Study Design and Settings: It is a retrospective study of five years conducted in medical college hospital at the Ernakulam district of Kerala State in India. Methods and Materials: The data were collected from the Medical Records department and analyzed by using Microsoft Excel. Statistical Analysis Used: 'Z' test was applied for finding out the difference in proportions. Result: Out of 5496 pneumonia cases, 3340 (60.77%) were males and 2156 (39.22%) were females. The proportion of males was higher than females. The proportion of pneumonia cases was higher in the low age group (0-5 years) than other age groups. Broncho-pneumonia (84.95%) was reported as the most dominant type of infection in the present study. Of 5496 cases, 79 deaths were reported with a case fatality rate of 1.43%. Case fatality rate among males (1.67%) was higher than females (1.06%) ( P = 0.05). Case fatality rate of pneumonia in 0-5 years was 0.11% and 36.84% in 85 years and above. Case fatality of pneumonia increased from 0.55% in 2005 to 4.39% in 2010. Conclusion: The case infection of pneumonia is higher in low age groups due to associated risk factors while case fatality is higher in old age groups may be due to aging of organ systems and age-associated diseases.
Enhanced Group Handover Scheme in Multiaccess Networks

We propose a group handover scheme for multiaccess networks that uses adjusted delay to reduce the number of handover blockings that occur during group handover. In a group handover, many users simultaneously start the handover process, which causes network congestion and increases the number of handover blockings. In the proposed scheme, each user in the group handover selects a base station (BS) on the basis of the remaining bandwidth of the BS at that time and initiates the handover process after adjusted delay. To find a strategy for selecting BSs, an optimization problem whose objective is to minimize the probability that handover blocking will occur is formulated, and a solution is derived by using the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker condition. Through performance analysis and simulation results, we show that the probability that handover blocking will occur during group handover is less in our proposed scheme than in a conventional scheme.
Plunging Ranula (Right side): A Case Report

Plunging ranulas, also known as deep, diving, cervical or deep plunging ranula, usually appear in conjunction with oral ranula. Rarely, these ranulas may arise independent of oral swelling. A rare case of plunging ranula without oral swelling is discussed along with review of literature. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/medtoday.v25i1. 16074 Medicine Today 2013 Vol.25(1): 52-53
Resting state fMRI: A review on methods in resting state connectivity analysis and resting state networks

The inquisitiveness about what happens in the brain has been there since the beginning of humankind. Functional magnetic resonance imaging is a prominent tool which helps in the non-invasive examination, localisation as well as lateralisation of brain functions such as language, memory, etc. In recent years, there is an apparent shift in the focus of neuroscience research to studies dealing with a brain at ‘resting state’. Here the spotlight is on the intrinsic activity within the brain, in the absence of any sensory or cognitive stimulus. The analyses of functional brain connectivity in the state of rest have revealed different resting state networks, which depict specific functions and varied spatial topology. However, different statistical methods have been introduced to study resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging connectivity, yet producing consistent results. In this article, we introduce the concept of resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging in detail, then discuss three most widely used methods for analysis, describe a few of the resting state networks featuring the brain regions, associated cognitive functions and clinical applications of resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging. This review aims to highlight the utility and importance of studying resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging connectivity, underlining its complementary nature to the task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging.
New Vehicle Classification Method Based on Hybrid Classifiers

In this work, a real world problem of the vehicle type classification for automatic toll collection is considered. This problem is very challenging because any loss of accuracy even of the order of 1% quickly turns into a significant economic loss. To deal with such problem, many companies currently use Optical Sensors (OS) and human observers to correct the classification errors. Herein, a novel vehicle classification method is proposed. It consists in regularizing the problem using one camera to obtain vehicle class probabilities using a set of Convolutional Neural Network (CNNs) models, followed by the Gradient Boosting based classifier to fuse the continuous class probabilities with the discrete class labels obtained from optical sensors. We evaluate our method using a challenging dataset collected from the cameras of the toll collection points of the VINCI Autoroutes French network. Results show that our method performs significantly better than the existing automatic toll collection system and, hence will vastly reduce the workload of human operators.
Evolution of a Self-Inducible Cytolethal Distending Toxin Type V-Encoding Bacteriophage from Escherichia coli O157:H7 to Shigella sonnei

ABSTRACT Some cdt genes are located within the genome of inducible or cryptic bacteriophages, but there is little information about the mechanisms of cdt transfer because of the reduced number of inducible Cdt phages described. In this study, a new self-inducible Myoviridae Cdt phage (ΦAA91) was isolated from a nonclinical O157:H7 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strain and was used to lysogenize a cdt-negative strain of Shigella sonnei. We found that the phage induced from S. sonnei (ΦAA91-ss) was not identical to the original phage. ΦAA91-ss was used to infect a collection of 57 bacterial strains, was infectious in 59.6% of the strains, and was able to lysogenize 22.8% of them. The complete sequence of ΦAA91-ss showed a 33,628-bp genome with characteristics of a P2-like phage with the cdt operon located near the cosR site. We found an IS21 element composed of two open reading frames inserted within the cox gene of the phage, causing gene truncation. Truncation of cox does not affect lytic induction but could contribute to phage recombination and generation of lysogens. The IS21 element was not present in the ΦAA91 phage from E. coli, but it was incorporated into the phage genome after its transduction in Shigella. This study shows empirically the evolution of temperate bacteriophages carrying virulence genes after infecting a new host and the generation of a phage population with better lysogenic abilities that would ultimately lead to the emergence of new pathogenic strains.
Herpes simplex encephalitis with thalamic, brainstem and cerebellar involvement

Herpes simplex virus encephalitis is a common and treatable cause of acute encephalitis in all age groups. Certain radiological features such as temporal parenchymal involvement facilitate the diagnosis. The use of herpes simplex virus polymerase chain reaction has expanded the clinical and imaging spectrum. We report the case of a young patient who presented with a movement disorder and predominant involvement of thalami, brainstem and cerebellum on magnetic resonance imaging, and was diagnosed with herpes simplex virus encephalitis. Differentiation from Japanese encephalitis may be difficult in these patients, especially in endemic areas, and may necessitate the use of relevant investigations in all patients.
A Survey of the Interactome of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus ORF45 Revealed Its Binding to Viral ORF33 and Cellular USP7, Resulting in Stabilization of ORF33 That Is Required for Production of Progeny Viruses

ABSTRACT The ORF45 protein of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a gammaherpesvirus-specific immediate-early tegument protein. Our previous studies have revealed its crucial roles in both early and late stages of KSHV infection. In this study, we surveyed the interactome of ORF45 using a panel of monoclonal antibodies. In addition to the previously identified extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) and p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK) proteins, we found several other copurified proteins, including prominent ones of ∼38 kDa and ∼130 kDa. Mass spectrometry revealed that the 38-kDa protein is viral ORF33 and the 130-kDa protein is cellular USP7 (ubiquitin-specific protease 7). We mapped the ORF33-binding domain to the highly conserved carboxyl-terminal 19 amino acids (aa) of ORF45 and the USP7-binding domain to the reported consensus motif in the central region of ORF45. Using immunofluorescence staining, we observed colocalization of ORF45 with ORF33 or USP7 both under transfected conditions and in KSHV-infected cells. Moreover, we noticed ORF45-dependent relocalization of a portion of ORF33/USP7 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. We found that ORF45 caused an increase in ORF33 protein accumulation that was abolished if either the ORF33- or USP7-binding domain in ORF45 was deleted. Furthermore, deletion of the conserved carboxyl terminus of ORF45 in the KSHV genome drastically reduced the level of ORF33 protein in KSHV-infected cells and abolished production of progeny virions. Collectively, our results not only reveal new components of the ORF45 interactome, but also demonstrate that the interactions among these proteins are crucial for KSHV lytic replication. IMPORTANCE Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the causative agent of several human cancers. KSHV ORF45 is a multifunctional protein that is required for KSHV lytic replication, but the exact mechanisms by which ORF45 performs its critical functions are unclear. Our previous studies revealed that all ORF45 protein in cells exists in high-molecular-weight complexes. We therefore sought to characterize the interactome of ORF45 to provide insights into its roles during lytic replication. Using a panel of monoclonal antibodies, we surveyed the ORF45 interactome in KSHV-infected cells. We identified two new binding partners of ORF45: the viral protein ORF33 and cellular ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7). We further demonstrate that the interaction between ORF45 and ORF33 is crucial for the efficient production of KSHV viral particles, suggesting that the targeted interference with this interaction may represent a novel strategy to inhibit KSHV lytic replication.
Benign Tumors of Bone

Benign tumors of bone are common while malignant tumors are rare. Benign tumors constitute about 75% of all bone tumors excluding metastasis. Most of these tumors do not need surgery as diagnosis is made on plain films. 2% of all benign tumors may undergo malignancy. Several of these bone tumors present clinically with pain, swelling and symptoms of compression of vascular and neural structures. Many of them present with history of trauma and a pathological fracture. Some of them are called as “leave me alone” lesions as biopsy or surgery is unnecessary. The following table I gives the classification according to the tissue of origin