Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Leader-encoded open reading frames modulate both the absolute and relative rates of synthesis of the virion proteins of simian virus 40

Numerous viral and cellular RNAs are polycistronic, including several of the late mRNA species encoded by simian virus 40 (SV40). The functionally bicistronic major late 16S and functionally tricistronic major late 19S mRNA species of SV40 contain the leader-encoded open reading frames (ORFs) LP1, located upstream of the sequence encoding the virion protein VP1, and LP1*, located upstream of the sequence encoding the virion proteins VP2 and VP3. To determine how these leader ORFs affect synthesis of the virion proteins, monkey cells were transfected with viral mutants in which either the leader-encoded translation initiation signal was mutated or the length and overlap of the leader ORF relative to the ORFs encoding the virion proteins were altered. The levels of initiation at and leaky scanning past each initiation signal were determined directly by quantitative analysis of the viral proteins synthesized in cells transfected with these mutants. Novel findings from these experiments included the following. (i) At least one-third of ribosomes bypass the leader-encoded translation initiation signal, GCCAUGG, on the SV40 major late 16S mRNA. (ii) At least 20% of ribosomes bypass even the consensus translation initiation signal, ACCAUGG, when it is situated 10 bases from the 5' end on the major late 16S mRNA. (iii)O The presence of the leader ORF on the bicistronic 16S mRNA species reduces VP1 synthesis threefold relative to synthesis from a similar RNA that lacks it. (iv) At least half and possibly all VP1 synthesized from the bicistronic 16S mRNA species is made by a leaky scanning mechanism. (v) LP1 and VP1 are synthesized from the bicistronic 16S mRNA species at approximately equal molar ratios. (vi) Approximately half of the VP1 synthesized in SV40-infected cells is synthesized from the minor, monocistronic 16S mRNA even though it accounts for only 20% of the 16S mRNA present. (vii) The presence and site of termination of translation of the leader ORF on the late 19S mRNAs affect the relative as well as absolute rates of synthesis of VP2 and VP3.
Energy-Efficient Resource Allocation in Coordinated Downlink Multicell OFDMA Systems

In this paper, a resource allocation algorithm for maximizing the energy efficiency (EE) is studied in multicell orthogonal frequency-division multiple-access (OFDMA) wireless networks. The resource allocation is designed based on imperfect channel state information (CSI). Universal frequency reuse is considered, and cochannel interference is dealt with via the cooperation of multiple base stations (BSs) sharing CSI but not user data. We formulate the energy-efficient resource allocation problem as a probabilistic mixed nonconvex optimization problem. The user scheduling, data rate adaptation, and power allocation are jointly designed to maximize the system EE, under the maximum transmitted power constraint and the outage probability constraint. An iterative algorithm is proposed in which the EE keeps improving until algorithm convergence. In each iteration, the energy-efficient power allocation optimization problem is solved by a lower bound problem and a parameterized transformation. Numerical results illustrate the convergence and the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. In a multicell environment with cochannel interference, the proposed algorithm has large EE gains relative to the spectral efficiency (SE) loss. Compared with noncoordinated methods, the proposed method can achieve higher EE when backhaul power consumption is low.
Heritability of mammographic density, a risk factor for breast cancer.

BACKGROUND Women with extensive dense breast tissue visible on a mammogram have a risk of breast cancer that is 1.8 to 6.0 times that of women of the same age with little or no density. Menopausal status, weight, and parity account for 20 to 30 percent of the age-adjusted variation in the percentage of dense tissue. METHODS We undertook two studies of twins to determine the proportion of the residual variation in the percentage of density measured by mammography that can be explained by unmeasured additive genetic factors (heritability). A total of 353 pairs of monozygotic twins and 246 pairs of dizygotic twins were recruited from the Australian Twin Registry, and 218 pairs of monozygotic twins and 134 pairs of dizygotic twins were recruited in Canada and the United States. Information on putative determinants of breast density was obtained by questionnaire. Mammograms were digitized, randomly ordered, and read by a blinded investigator. RESULTS After adjustment for age and measured covariates, the correlation coefficient for the percentage of dense tissue was 0.61 for monozygotic pairs in Australia, 0.67 for monozygotic pairs in North America, 0.25 for dizygotic pairs in Australia, and 0.27 for dizygotic pairs in North America. According to the classic twin model, heritability (the proportion of variants attributable to additive genetic factors) accounted for 60 percent of the variation in density (95 percent confidence interval, 54 to 66) in Australian twins, 67 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 59 to 75) in North American twins, and 63 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 59 to 67) in all twins studied. CONCLUSIONS These results show that the population variation in the percentage of dense tissue on mammography at a given age has high heritability. Because mammographic density is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, finding the genes responsible for this phenotype could be important for understanding the causes of the disease.
Influence of Die Speed on the Energy Consumption in the Pelleting Process

The forming process and forming principle of the pelleting process are analyzed first, and then the model of the energy consumption on pelleting is presented. Based on the model, the relationship between the die speed and the energy consumption of pelleting is calculated and analyzed. At last the experiments were carried out. It is shown that with the increase of die speed, the extrusion force and the torque are decreased, but the energy consumption is increased.
Immune mechanisms in the pathogenesis of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after lung transplantation

Abstract: Lung transplantation is recognized as the only viable treatment option in a variety of end‐stage pulmonary diseases. However, the long‐term survival after lung transplantation is limited by the development of obliterative bronchiolitis, and its clinical correlate bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), which is considered to represent chronic lung allograft rejection. Histopathologically, BOS is an inflammatory process that leads to fibrous scarring of the terminal and respiratory bronchioles and subsequent total occlusion of the airways. The specific etiology and pathogenesis of BOS are not well understood. The current premise is that BOS represents a common lesion in which different inflammatory insults such as ischemia‐reperfusion, rejection, and infection can lead to a similar histological and clinical outcome. However, the low incidence of BOS in non‐transplanted individuals and the observation that early development of BOS is predicted by the frequency and severity of acute rejection episodes indicate that alloimmune‐dependent mechanisms play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of BOS. The evidence presented in this review indicates that BOS is the result of humoral and cellular immune responses developed against major histocompatibility complex molecules expressed by airway epithelial cells of the lung allograft. This process is aggravated by alloimmune‐independent mechanisms such as ischemia‐reperfusion and infection. Currently, treatment of BOS is frequently unsuccessful. Therefore, a better understanding of the immunopathogenesis of BOS is of paramount importance toward improving long‐term patient and graft survival after lung transplantation.
Relationship of plasma cell‐free DNA level with mortality and prognosis in patients with Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever

Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a viral infection. Circulating plasma cell‐free DNA (pcf‐DNA) is a novel marker indicating cellular damage. So far, the role of pcf‐DNA did not investigate in CCHF patients. In the current study, pcf‐DNA levels were investigated in CCHF patients with different clinical severity grades to explore the relationship between circulating pcf‐DNA level, virus load, and disease severity. Seventy‐two patients were categorized as mild, intermediate, and severe based on severity grading scores. The pcf‐DNA level was obtained from all participants on admission and from the survivors on the day of the discharge. The controls consisted of 31 healthy. Although the pcf‐DNA level at admission was higher in patients than in the controls, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.291). However, at admission and in the convalescent period, the difference between pcf‐DNA levels in mild, intermediate, and severe patient groups was significant. The pcf‐DNA level in severe patients was higher than in the others. Furthermore, compared to survivors, non‐survivors had higher pcf‐DNA levels at admission (P = 0.001). A direct relationship was found between the pcf‐DNA level and the viral load on the day of discharge in surviving patients. ROC curve analysis identified a pcf‐DNA level of 0.42 as the optimal cut‐off for prediction of mortality. The positive predictive value, negative predictive value, specificity, and sensitivity for predicting mortality was 100%, 72%, 100%, and 79%, respectively. In summary, our findings revealed that pcf‐DNA levels may be used as a biomarker in predicting CHHF prognosis. J. Med. Virol. 88:1152–1158, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Using Bilateral Functional and Anthropometric Tests to Define Symmetry in Cross-Country Skiers

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the symmetry of anthropometry and muscle function in cross-country skiers and their association to vertical jumping power. Twenty cross-country skiers were recruited (21.7 ± 3.8 yrs, 180.6 ± 7.6 cm, 73.2 ± 7.6 kg). Anthropometric data was obtained using an iDXA scan. VO2max was determined using the diagonal stride technique on a ski treadmill. Bilateral functional tests for the upper and lower body were the handgrip and standing heel-rise tests. Vertical jump height and power were assessed with a counter movement jump. Percent asymmetry was calculated using a symmetry index and four absolute symmetry index levels. At a group level the upper body was more asymmetrical with regard to lean muscle mass (p = 0.022, d = 0.17) and functional strength (p = 0.019, d = 0.51) than the lower body. At an individual level the expected frequencies for absolute symmetry level indexes showed the largest deviation from zero for the heel-rise test (χ2 = 16.97, p = 0.001), while the leg lean mass deviated the least (χ2 = 0.42, p = 0.517). No relationships were observed between absolute symmetry level indexes of the lower body and counter movement jump performance (p > 0.05). As a group the skiers display a more asymmetrical upper body than lower body regarding muscle mass and strength. Interestingly at the individual level, despite symmetrical lean leg muscle mass the heel-rise test showed the largest asymmetry. This finding indicates a mismatch in muscle function for the lower body.
Persistent infection of mouse fibroblasts (McCoy cells) with a trachoma strain of Chlamydia trachomatis

An in vitro model of persistent infection of mouse fibroblasts (McCoy cells) with a trachoma strain (G17) of Chlamydia trachomatis has been developed. Persistently infected cultures were established by infecting McCoy cells with high multiplicities of chlamydiae. After the first cycle of chlamydial replication, the host cells multiplied more rapidly than the parasites, so that the fraction of inclusion-bearing cells declined to less than 1%. However, after 100 days, the proportion of inclusion-bearing cells rose dramatically, and the cultures alternated between periods of massive host cell destruction by chlamydiae and periods of host cell proliferation. This cycle continued indefinitely as host cell and parasite densities fluctuated periodically. The chlamydiae in the cycling populations were reidentified as the original serotype. No changes in either host cell susceptibility or chlamydial invasiveness were observed in hosts and parasites recovered from persistently infected populations. All evidence suggests that the parasite maintained itself in McCoy cell populations by cell-to-cell transfer and that an equilibrium between host and parasite multiplication was achieved when the persistently infected cultures fluctuated between periods of host cell destruction and proliferation.
Association Study of Matrix Metalloproteinases Gene Polymorphisms with Susceptibility to Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Meta-Analysis

Objective: Association of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) gene polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis is controversial. We conduct a meta-analysis to clarify this dispute. Methods: We systematically searched the electronic PUBMED, EMBASE and CNKI databases for research articles about MMPs (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9) gene polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) up to January 2015. According to the heterogeneity, fixed-effects or random-effects models were used to calculate crude odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Results: A total of 11 articles involving 2143 cases and 2049 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, no significant associations were observed between MMP-1-1607 1G/2G polymorphism and RA. Stratification by ethnicity, no significant associations were observed in Caucasian populations. Similarly, no significant associations were observed between MMP-3-1171 5A/6A, MMP-9-1562 C/T polymorphisms and RA in overall and Caucasian populations, respectively. However, a weak association was found between MMP-2-1306 C/T polymorphism and RA (C vs. T, OR = 0.813, 95%CI = 0.694–0.953, p = 0.010) in overall populations. Conclusions: The present meta-analysis suggests that MMP-1-1607 1G/2G, MMP-3-1171 5A/6A, MMP-9-1562 C/T polymorphisms are not associated with the susceptibility of RA, but MMP-2 -1306 C/T is weakly associated with susceptibility to RA. Further studies with more sample size are needed for definitive conclusions.
Basic Concepts in Generating Capacity Adequacy Evaluation

Generating capacity adequacy evaluation is performed to evaluate the ability of the system generating capacity to meet the total system load. There are several basic reliability indices normally used to represent this ability and a wide range of methods have been developed to perform the evaluation. Although the basic reliability indices have been used for some time, there are still some misconceptions that need to be examined and discussed. Two computer programs have been used to conduct basic generating capacity adequacy evaluation. The simulation program provides the opportunity to extend the basic indices normally calculated using an analytical program to include index probability distributions. These concepts are illustrated in this paper together with some fundamental considerations regarding the basic indices and their interpretation. The concepts presented are illustrated by application to two published reliability test systems
Universities since 1945

Foreword Walter Ruegg Part I. Themes and Patterns: 1. Themes Walter Ruegg 2. Patterns Guy Neave Part II. Structures: 3. Relations with authority Walter Ruegg and Jan Sadlack 4. Management and resources Geoffrey Lockwood 5. Teachers Thomas Finkenstaedt Part III. Students: 6. Admission A. H. Halsey 7. Curriculum, students, education Sheldon Rothblatt 8. Student movements and political activism Louis Vos 9. Graduation and careers Ulrich Teichler Part IV. Learning: 10. Social sciences, history and law Notker Hammerstein and Dirk Heirbaut 11. The mathematical, exact sciences John Ziman 12. The biological sciences Herbert Macgregor 13. Earth sciences Gordon Craig and S. K. Monro 14. Medicine John Ellis 15. Technology Christopher Watson Epilogue: prospects for the universities: a personal view Andris Barblan Appendix: universities founded in Europe between 1945 and 1995 Walter Ruegg.
SR-BI- and ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux to serum from patients with Alagille syndrome Published, JLR Papers in Press, June 21, 2004. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M400133-JLR200

Alagille syndrome is associated with bile duct paucity resulting in liver disease. Patients can be divided into mildly and severely icteric groups, with both groups having altered lipoproteins. The incidence of ischemic heart disease is rare in severely cholestatic children despite increased total cholesterol and decreased high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The present studies examine the impact of altered lipid and lipoproteins on scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI)- and ABCA1-mediated efflux to serum from both groups. Efflux was compared with serum from 29 patients (15 with normal plasma cholesteryl ester, 14 with low cholesteryl ester). Efflux via SR-BI and ABCA1 was studied using cell systems having either low or high expression levels of these receptors. SR-BI efflux was lower (P = 0.04) with serum from severely icteric patients (3.9 ± 1.4%) compared with serum from mildly icteric patients (5.1 ± 1.4%) and was positively correlated with HDL-C and its apolipoproteins. SR-BI-mediated efflux was not correlated with any particular mature HDL but was negatively correlated with small lipid-poor preβ-1 HDL. Consistent with severely icteric patients having high preβ-1 HDL levels, the ABCA1 efflux was significantly higher with their serum (4.8 ± 2.2%) compared with serum from mildly icteric patients (2.0 ± 0.6%) and was positively correlated with preβ-1 HDL. These studies demonstrated that preβ-1 HDL is the preferred acceptor for ABCA1 efflux, whereas many particles mediate SR-BI efflux.
Itraconazole Oral Solution for Primary Prophylaxis of Fungal Infections in Patients with Hematological Malignancy and Profound Neutropenia: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Double-Placebo, Multicenter Trial Comparing Itraconazole and Amphotericin B

ABSTRACT Systemic and superficial fungal infections are a major problem among immunocompromised patients with hematological malignancy. A double-blind, double-placebo, randomized, multicenter trial was performed to compare the efficacy and safety of itraconazole oral solution (2.5 mg/kg of body weight twice a day) with amphotericin B capsules (500 mg orally four times a day) for prophylaxis of systemic and superficial fungal infection. Prophylactic treatment was initiated on the first day of chemotherapy and was continued until the end of the neutropenic period (>0.5 × 109 neutrophils/liter) or up to a maximum of 3 days following the end of neutropenia, unless a systemic fungal infection was documented or suspected. The maximum treatment duration was 56 days. In the intent-to-treat population, invasive aspergillosis was noted in 5 (1.8%) of the 281 patients assigned to itraconazole oral solution and in 9 (3.3%) of the 276 patients assigned to oral amphotericin B; of these, 1 and 4 patients died, respectively. Proven systemic fungal infection (including invasive aspergillosis) occurred in 8 patients (2.8%) who received itraconazole, compared with 13 (4.7%) who received oral amphotericin B. Itraconazole significantly reduced the incidence of superficial fungal infections as compared to oral amphotericin B (2 [1%] versus 13 [5%]; P = 0.004). Although the incidences of suspected fungal infection (including fever of unknown origin) were not different between the groups, fewer patients were administered intravenous systemic antifungals (mainly intravenous amphotericin B) in the group receiving itraconazole than in the group receiving oral amphotericin B (114 [41%] versus 132 [48%];P = 0.066). Adequate plasma itraconazole levels were achieved in about 80% of the patients from 1 week after the start of treatment. In both groups, the trial medication was safe and well tolerated. Prophylactic administration of itraconazole oral solution significantly reduces superficial fungal infection in patients with hematological malignancies and neutropenia. The incidence of proven systemic fungal infections, the number of deaths due to deep fungal infections, and the use of systemic antifungals tended to be lower in the itraconazole-treated group than in the amphotericin B-treated group, without statistical significance. Itraconazole oral solution is a broad-spectrum systemic antifungal agent with prophylactic activity in neutropenic patients, especially for those at high risk of prolonged neutropenia.
Evidence of early adrenal insufficiency in babies who develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

OBJECTIVES To test the cortisol response to adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) in a population of very low birth weight newborns at the end of the first week of life, and to evaluate the relationship of this response to the subsequent development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and to the total length of oxygen dependence. METHODS Appropriate for gestational age newborns < 1500 g birth weight were enrolled prospectively. Response to ACTH stimulation was tested on days 5, 6, or 7. Baseline cortisol, stimulated cortisol, and magnitude of response were compared between babies who developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), defined as oxygen dependence at 28 days, and those who recovered without BPD. RESULTS In this population, the cortisol response to ATCH increased with increasing birth weight (P < .001). Using birth weight as a cofactor, analysis of variance showed that patients who developed BPD (n = 34, BW 974 +/- 192 g, mean +/- S.D.) had significantly reduced responses to ACTH at 5 to 7 days of age compared to those who recovered (n = 25, BW 1251 +/- 194 g), P = . 006. Additionally, 84% of patients who recovered without BPD, but only 26% of BPD patients, achieved a prospectively defined positive cortisol response to ACTH (> or = 9 micrograms/dL; P < .005). Supplemental oxygen was discontinued at a younger postconceptional age in babies with a positive cortisol response to ACTH (P < .01) and fewer of those babies were on supplemental oxygen at 36-week postconceptional age (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS At the end of the first week of life, infants who subsequently developed BPD and prolonged oxygen dependence had significantly lower cortisol secretion in response to ACTH than infants who recovered without BPD. We speculate that these babies may be unable to secrete adequate amounts of cortisol in a setting of increased stress, leaving them vulnerable to continuing lung injury.
A Novel Near‐Infrared Fluorescence Sensor for Detection of Thrombin Activation in Blood

Thrombosis is an important pathophysiologic component of many cardiovascular diseases. Thrombin, a serine protease, plays a central role in thrombosis formation. Detection and imaging of thrombin activity may thus be of considerable biomedical interest. The goal of this study was to design, synthesize, and characterize a novel thrombin‐activated near‐infrared fluorescence (NIRF) probe. The probe consisted of a thrombin‐cleavable peptide spacer (…︁D‐Phe‐Pip‐Arg…︁; Pip=pipecolic acid) and contained a terminal fluorescence reporter which was quenched when conjugated to a biocompatible delivery vehicle. A control peptide spacer was synthesized that differed by one amino acid. Following thrombin addition, the probe was activated within minutes. The NIRF signal increased by a factor of 27‐fold within 20 minutes, and was inhibited by hirudin, a specific thrombin inhibitor. NIRF optical imaging experiments confirmed rapid activation of the probe in both buffer and human blood. The control probe showed minimal activation in all experiments. In addition to potentially furthering our understanding of thrombin regulation in vivo, the thrombin‐activated near‐infrared probe may have broad clinical application to the diagnosis of arterial and venous thrombosis.