Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cloning, Sequencing and Expression of Immunoglobulin Variable Regions of Murine Monoclonal Antibodies Specific for the P1.7 and P1.16 PorA Protein Loops of Neisseria meningitidis

The P1.7 and P1.16 epitopes on the PorA protein on the outer membrane of Neisseria meningitidis can induce protective antibodies upon vaccination. Structural analysis of antibodies to these targets can give information on the immune response induced by these epitopes and can reveal any structural similarities among the antibodies. To do so, we have isolated the immunoglobulin (Ig) variable genes from four mouse hybridomas expressing antibodies against the P1.7 and P1.16 epitopes. These V genes were successfully expressed as functional chimeric (ch) mouse/human IgG1 antibodies by subcloning them into expression vectors containing the constant genes of human heavy and light chains. Sequencing the two sets of V genes against P1.16 revealed a high degree of homology, similar to that previously published for P1.7 V genes. The close homology allowed us to interchange heavy and light chains between antibodies in some instances to construct new antibodies that bind the original antigen. This study demonstrates that the immune response in mice against the meningococcal PorA protein epitopes P1.7 as well as P1.16 is limited to few and very similar germline genes, and therefore the P1.7‐ and P1.16‐specific antibodies share high degree of similarities amongst each other. These V genes were used to construct chimeric antibodies with conserved antigen‐binding activity.
HUMAN ACTION RECOGNITION IN VIDEOS : A SURVEY

This document provides a brief overview of recent developments in human action recognition in videos. In recent years, there is a increasing interest over analyses of human action and activities on videos because of its broad range of applicability. While video retrieval from various datasets (like YouTube) is one of the favorite studies of action recognition, video surveillance, rehabilitation tasks, abnormal activity detection among many others can benefit from it. In general action recognition approaches can be classified in five main categories: Model-based or feature-based. Also, there are lots of activity recognition methods in the literature. Here, we investigate some of major works which have been done in the field over last twenty years, with an emphasis on the recent state-of-the-art developments on each of the topics.
Interferon-induced sarcoidosis with osseous involvement in a patient with melanoma.

To the Editor: Interferons are widely used in the treatment of both malignant and nonmalignant diseases. One rare complication, attributable to the immunomodulatory effect of interferon (IFN) treatment is the triggering or exacerbation of sarcoidosis [1]. We present the scintigraphic and radiographic imaging findings of a patient that developed sarcoidosis with bone involvement mimicking metastatic disease during the course of adjuvant IFN-alpha treatment for malignant melanoma. A 32 years old woman was diagnosed with a superficial left tibial melanoma, metastatic to the inguinal lymph nodes (Clark level IV; Breslow tumor thickness 1.82mm). Since the primary tumour had more than 0.75mm thickness the patient underwent re-excision of the primary lesion with radioguided sentinel lymph node biopsy [2], which was positive for micrometastases and subsequently underwent dissection of
Finding flexible patterns in unaligned protein sequences

We present a new method for the identification of conserved patterns in a set of unaligned related protein sequences. It is able to discover patterns of a quite general form, allowing for both ambiguous positions and for variable length wildcard regions. It allows the user to define a class of patterns (e.g., the degree of ambiguity allowed and the length and number of gaps), and the method is then guaranteed to find the conserved patterns in this class scoring highest according to a significance measure defined. Identified patterns may be refined using one of two new algorithms. We present a new (nonstatistical) significance measure for flexible patterns. The method is shown to recover known motifs for PROSITE families and is also applied to some recently described families from the literature.
The association between dental proximal restorations and periodontal disease: A retrospective 10-18 years longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE Dental restorations may be plaque retentive. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term association between proximal restorations and the incidence and progression of periodontal disease in well-maintained patients. METHOD AND MATERIALS Probing pocket depths (PPD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and radiographic status of proximal restorations were retrospectively retrieved from files of patients attending a specialist periodontal office. Ill-fitting margins were recorded. The association between these parameters was evaluated at baseline examination (T0), after cause-related therapy (T1) and after ≥ 10 years from T0 (T2), during which supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) was administered, using descriptive statistics, ANOVA-Bonferroni, and chi-square analyses. RESULTS 1,301 teeth were examined. Mean PPD in unrestored surfaces was 3.7 ± 1.7 mm, 3.1 ± 1.3 mm, and 2.8 ± 1 mm at T0, T1, and T2, respectively. Deeper pockets were found in restored surfaces at those time points with PPD values of 4.4 ± 1.8 mm, 3.6 ± 1.4 mm, and 3.2 ± 1.1 mm, respectively (P < .001). Higher PPD values were found in restored surfaces exhibiting inadequate restorations when compared to restored surfaces with adequate restorations at all time points. These values were 4.9 ± 1.9 mm, 4.1 ± 1.5 mm, and 4 ± 1.7 mm vs 4.3 ± 1.8 mm, 3.6 ± 1.4 mm, and 3.1 ± 1.1 mm, respectively (P < .001). CONCLUSION The present study confirmed that restorations might be detrimental to periodontal health. A significant association between the presence of proximal restorations and the incidence of periodontal disease was observed. This association was more pronounced for inadequate restorations while becoming less significant over time in patients receiving routine SPT.
Early cognitive–behavioural therapy for post-traumatic stress symptoms after physical injury

Background Early single-session psychological interventions, including psychological debriefing following trauma, have not been shown to reduce psychological distress. Longer early psychological interventions have shown some promise. Aims To examine the efficacy of a four-session cognitive–behavioural intervention following physical injury. Method A total of 152 patients attending an accident and emergency department displaying psychological distress following physical injury were randomised 1–3 weeks post-injury to a four-session cognitive–behavioural intervention that started 5–10 weeks after the injury or to no intervention and then followed up for 13 months. Results At 13 months, the total Impact of Event Scale score was significantly more reduced in the intervention group (adjusted mean difference=8.4, 95% CI 2.4–14.36). Other differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions Abrief cognitive–behavioural intervention reduces symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in individuals with physical injury who display initial distress.
Adherence to a COPD treatment guideline among patients in Hong Kong

Background This study aimed to assess the adherence rate of pharmacological treatment to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guideline published in 2011 and the prevalence of comorbidities among patients with COPD in Hong Kong (HK). Methods Patients were recruited from five tertiary respiratory centers and followed up for 12 months. Data on baseline physiological, spirometric parameters, use of COPD medications and coexisting comorbidities were collected. The relationship between guideline adherence rate and subsequent COPD exacerbations was assessed. Results Altogether, 450 patients were recruited. The mean age was 73.7±8.5 years, and 92.2% of them were males. Approximately 95% of them were ever-smokers, and the mean post-bronchodilator (BD) forced expiratory volume in 1 second was 50.8%±21.7% predicted. The mean COPD Assessment Test and modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale were 13.2±8.1 and 2.1±1.0, respectively. In all, five (1.1%), 164 (36.4%), eight (1.8%) and 273 (60.7%) patients belonged to COPD groups A, B, C and D, respectively. The guideline adherence rate for pharmacological treatment ranged from 47.7% to 58.1% in the three clinic visits over 12 months, with overprescription of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and underutilization of long-acting BDs in group B COPD patients. Guideline nonadherence was not associated with increased risk of exacerbation after adjustment of confounding variables. However, this study was not powered to assess a difference in exacerbations. In all, 80.9% of patients had at least one comorbidity. Conclusion A suboptimal adherence to GOLD guideline 2011, with overprescription of ICS, was identified. The commonly found comorbidities also aligned with the trend observed in other observational cohorts.
Quadband Rectifier Using Resonant Matching Networks for Enhanced Harvesting Capability

A multiband rectifier was designed according to multiple resonator networks by simultaneously matching the rectifier at different frequencies (1.3, 1.7, 2.4, and 3.6 GHz). The rectifier can simultaneously harvest energy from RF sources at the L-band (1–2 GHz), GSM1800, Wi-Fi bands, and long-term evolution. Through sequential application of the resonator networks during the rectifier-matching process, the resonance characteristic of the resonator facilitates the nearly independent design of each matching frequency. A fabricated prototype showed a 1-V output voltage when the input power was set at −11 dBm for each of the four RF bands with a 3-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{k}\Omega $ </tex-math></inline-formula> load.
Epilepsy, psychosis and clozapine

Six patients with epilepsy and severe psychosis were treated with the atypical antipsychotic clozapine. The use of clozapine might be complicated in epileptic patients because of an increased risk of seizures. However, none of the reported patients had an increase of their seizure frequency, in contrast, three patients had a substantial reduction of seizures. One patient had a reduction of non‐epileptic seizures as well. In the second part of this paper, combinations of clozapine with newer and older anticonvulsants as well as their interactions and associated risks are discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Small Molecule Therapeutics Delineating themTORKinasePathwayUsingaDual TORC 1 / 2 Inhibitor , AZD 8055 , in Multiple Myeloma

Despite promising preclinical results with mTOR kinase inhibitors in multiple myeloma, resistance to these drugs may arise via feedback activation loops. This concern is especially true for insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R), because IGF1R signaling is downregulated by multiple AKT and mTOR feedback mechanisms. We have tested this hypothesis in multiple myeloma using the novel selective mTOR kinase inhibitorAZD8055.We evaluatedp-mTORS as the readout formTORC2/Akt activity inmultiplemyeloma cells in the context of mTOR inhibition via AZD8055 or rapamycin. We next validated AZD8055 inhibition of mTORC1 andmTORC2 functions inmultiplemyeloma cells alone or in culturewith bonemarrow stroma cells and growth factors. Unlike rapamycin, AZD8055 resulted in apoptosis of multiple myeloma cells. AZD8055 treatment, however, induced upregulation of IGF1R phosphorylation in p-Akt S–expressing multiple myeloma cell lines. Furthermore, exposure of AZD8055-treated cells to IGF1 induced p-Akt S and rescued multiple myeloma cells from apoptosis despite mTOR kinase inhibition and TORC2/Akt blockage. The addition of blocking IGF1R antibody resulted in reversing this effect and increased AZD8055-induced apoptosis. Our study suggests that combination treatment with AZD8055 and IGF1R-blocking agents is a promising strategy in multiple myeloma with potential IGF1R/Akt signaling–mediated survival. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(11); 2489–500. 2014 AACR.
Mitochondrial DNA-HVR1 Variation Reveals Genetic Heterogeneity in Thai-Isan Peoples from the Lower Region of Northeastern Thailand

The Thai-Isan are the largest ethnic group in Northeastern Thailand, who migrated from the territory of present-day Laos around 200 years ago. There are a limited number of previous studies of mtDNA diversity in Northeastern Thai populations. The present study investigates genetic variation and genetic structure in three Thai-Isan populations by analyzing mitochondrial DNA variation in hypervariable region 1. We also evaluate genetic relationship and admixture between Thai-Isan and surrounding populations from Northeastern Thailand, and neighboring countries. The studied Thai-Isan populations reveal genetic differentiation from each other and from compared populations. Thai-Isan exhibit a close relationship with surrounding populations, particularly the Lao and Khmer, reflecting extensive gene flow among them. Admixture proportions observed in most Thai-Isan populations exhibit a higher contribution from the parental Lao than the Khmer. Different admixture patterns reflect genetic heterogeneity of Thai-Isan groups. The lower the latitude, the higher the Khmer contribution might be associated with the ethnic constitution of parental populations in each Thai-Isan population. More genetic data from HVR2 and coding regions, as well as different marker systems are needed to infer population history of Thai-Isan populations.
Moloney murine sarcoma virus MuSVts110 DNA: cloning, nucleotide sequence, and gene expression

We have cloned Moloney murine sarcoma virus (MuSV) MuSVts110 DNA by assembly of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified segments of integrated viral DNA from infected NRK cells (6m2 cells) and determined its complete sequence. Previously, by direct sequencing of MuSVts110 RNA transcribed in 6m2 cells, we established that the thermosensitive RNA splicing phenotype uniquely characteristic of MuSVts110 results from a deletion of 1,487 nucleotides of progenitor MuSV-124 sequences. As anticipated, the sequence obtained in this study contained precisely this same deletion. In addition, several other unexpected sequence differences were found between MuSVts110 and MuSV-124. For example, in the noncoding region upstream of the gag gene, MuSVts110 DNA contained a 52-nucleotide tract typical of murine leukemia virus rather than MuSV-124, suggesting that MuSVts110 originated as a MuSV-helper murine leukemia virus recombinant during reverse transcription rather than from a straightforward deletion within MuSV-124. In addition, both MuSVts110 long terminal repeats contained head-to-tail duplications of eight nucleotides in the U3 region. Finally, seven single-nucleotide substitutions were found scattered throughout MuSVts110 DNA. Three of the nucleotide substitutions were in the gag gene, resulting in one coding change in p15 and one in p30. All of the remaining nucleotide changes were found in the noncoding region between the 5' long terminal repeat and the gag gene. In NIH 3T3 cells transfected with the cloned MuSVts110 DNA, the pattern of viral RNA expression conformed with that observed in cells infected with authentic MuSVts110 virus in that viral RNA splicing was 30 to 40% efficient at growth temperatures between 28 and 33 degrees C but reduced to trace levels above 37 degrees C.
Nutritional Status of Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Patients Undergoing Conventional Cancer Therapies

Conventional cancer therapies are anti-cancer therapies taken by cancer patients with a purpose to achieve ultimate cure. Nutritional status of cancer patients undergoing such cancer therapies is very crucial as they determine their quality of life during as well as after therapy. However there are some common nutritional problems that occur as a result of the disease, treatment or both. So the main nutritional goal is to prevent or reverse nutrient deficiencies, to preserve lean- body mass, to minimize nutrition related side effects and to maximize the quality of life. So the aim of the present study is to gain a better understanding on the nutritional status, food consumption anddietary pattern of the subjects undergoing various conventional cancer therapies. Therefore a survey with the aid of a well formulated interview schedule assessed the nutritional status and health of 80 colorectal cancer patients of 35-65 years from various hospitals of Thrissur and Kozhikode districts.On the basis of the salient observations made in the study, in corporation with the quantitative and qualitative data, it can be concluded that the colorectal cancer patients undergoing various conventional cancer treatment faced many health and nutrition related problems.
The informed consent process in whole blood donation.

CONTEXT Informed consent in transfusion medicine has been an area lacking of significant research and it is unknown if donors fully comprehend the risks associated with whole blood donation. OBJECTIVE To assess the adequacy of the informed consent process in whole blood donation. DESIGN A brief questionnaire was constructed and distributed to whole blood donors visiting various fixed and mobile donor sites of the Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank. Questions consisted of demographic information; donor opinions of information content, length, and comprehension; and a short quiz pertaining to donor risks and eligibility. RESULTS Analysis of 849 surveys demonstrated that donors comprehended a mean of 73.5% of the various donor eligibility and risks that were surveyed. Female and younger donors scored statistically higher on comprehension questions compared with male and older counterparts. Donors were most aware of (1) donor eligibility requirements related to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome comprehension, (2) the risk of dizziness postdonation, and (3) having lived in a certain country (93.7%-95.6% comprehension, respectively). Donors were least aware of (1) the risk of a possible referral to a physician for outstanding medical conditions or positive test results, (2) the risk of a positive test result, and (3) West Nile virus testing information (22.4%-49.3% comprehension, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Whole blood donors believed that they were giving informed consent, but a significant percentage of donors were unaware of several of the risks associated with blood donation, including participation in West Nile virus research testing. Our data suggest that donors do not fully comprehend the risks of whole blood donation and that repetition of information to the donor, and in multiple formats, strengthens the level of comprehension and thus the informed consent process.
Convective Self-Aggregation and Tropical Cyclogenesis under the Hypohydrostatic Rescaling

AbstractThe behavior of rotating and nonrotating aggregated convection is examined at various horizontal resolutions using the hypohydrostatic, or reduced acceleration in the vertical (RAVE), rescaling. This modification of the equations of motion reduces the scale separation between convective- and larger-scale motions, enabling the simultaneous and explicit representation of both types of flow in a single model without convective parameterization. Without the RAVE rescaling, a dry bias develops when simulations of nonrotating radiative–convective equilibrium are integrated at coarse resolution in domains large enough to permit convective self-aggregation. The rescaling reduces this dry bias, and here it is suggested that the rescaling moistens the troposphere by weakening the amplitude and slowing the group velocity of gravity waves, thus reducing the subsidence drying around aggregated convection. Separate simulations of rotating radiative–convective equilibrium exhibit tropical cyclogenesis; as horizo.
Renal function in the separate kidneys of man. II. Hemodynamics and excretion of solute and water in essential hypertension.

The frequent coincidence of hypertension and renal disease is universally recognized, and it has been proposed that all hypertensive disease, including essential hypertension, somehow or other has its origin in the kidneys. This interpretation would be favored by the demonstration of one or more defects in renal function early in the course of essential hypertension. Although the presumed causal defect may, of course, be bilateral, the only feasible approach to this problem at the present time appears to lie in the functional comparison of the separate kidneys, which might reveal some subtle impairment not evident in bilateral studies. In 1941, Chasis and Redish (1) examined 21 patients with essential hypertension by conventional methods and found that both kidneys were, grossly at least, equally affected. At that time, no data were available on the natural variability of function in the two kidneys of normotensive individuals. We have extended these observations by examining function in the separate kidneys, by ureteral catheterization, in 21 normotensive and 50 additional hypertensive subjects with respect to filtration rate, renal plasma flow, TmPAH, sodium, total solute and water excretion. In the preceding paper (2) we have described the functional capacity of the separate kidneys in normotensive individuals and, in so doing, have defined a 'normal' limit of difference between the two kidneys for renal hemodynamics and sodium, solute and water excretion. The present study
Mitochondrial Long Chain Fatty Acid Oxidation Related Enzyme Changesin Different Preeclampsia-Like Mouse Models

Background: Long-chain Free Fatty Acids (FFA) and long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD) are related to some preeclampsia. We studied the relationship between LCHAD, carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) I and II and FFA in different preeclampsia-like models. Methods: Classic preeclampsia models with Nw-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NA) or Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection, antiphospholipid syndrome model with β2 glycoprotein I (β2GPI) injection, and ApoC3 mice with abnormal fatty acid metabolism (ApoC3+NS and ApoC3+L-NA) were used. Controls were saline injected. At days 14 and 18 of pregnancy, serum FFA levels were compared and placental and hepatic LCHAD, CPT I and II mRNA and protein were detected using real-time quantitative PCR and western blot. Results: Serum FFA levels increased significantly except in LPS, compared to controls (P<0.05). CPT I mRNA and protein increased significantly in the liver and placenta of L-NA and β2GPI and liver of ApoC3+L-NA (P<0.05). CPT II mRNA and protein increased significantly in the liver and placenta of L-NA and the liver of ApoC3+L-NA and β2GPI (P<0.05). LCHAD mRNA and protein increased significantly in the liver and placenta of ApoC3+NS, ApoC3+L-NA and β2GPI, and decreased significantly in L-NA (P<0.05). Serum FFA levels positively correlated with liver CPT I mRNA and protein in all groups (P<0.05) and negatively correlated with liver LCHAD mRNA and protein expression in all groups except in β2GPI group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Changes and correlations in FFA levels and LCHAD, CPT I and II were different according to preeclampsia-like models. β-oxidation disorders may occur at different stages.