Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular Basis of Enhanced Activity in Factor VIIa-Trypsin Variants Conveys Insights into Tissue Factor-mediated Allosteric Regulation of Factor VIIa Activity*

The complex of coagulation factor VIIa (FVIIa), a trypsin-like serine protease, and membrane-bound tissue factor (TF) initiates blood coagulation upon vascular injury. Binding of TF to FVIIa promotes allosteric conformational changes in the FVIIa protease domain and improves its catalytic properties. Extensive studies have revealed two putative pathways for this allosteric communication. Here we provide further details of this allosteric communication by investigating FVIIa loop swap variants containing the 170 loop of trypsin that display TF-independent enhanced activity. Using x-ray crystallography, we show that the introduced 170 loop from trypsin directly interacts with the FVIIa active site, stabilizing segment 215–217 and activation loop 3, leading to enhanced activity. Molecular dynamics simulations and novel fluorescence quenching studies support that segment 215–217 conformation is pivotal to the enhanced activity of the FVIIa variants. We speculate that the allosteric regulation of FVIIa activity by TF binding follows a similar path in conjunction with protease domain N terminus insertion, suggesting a more complete molecular basis of TF-mediated allosteric enhancement of FVIIa activity.
Automotive child restraint systems in Northeastern Italy

Aim: To evaluate the use of automotive restraint systems among children in Northeast of Italy and to describe parental knowledge and reasons for either use or non‐use. Methods: This population survey included subjects recruited at three Vaccination Services serving approximately 24000 children aged 0–12 y. From March 8, 2002 to June 7, 2002 parents of children being vaccinated were asked to complete a self‐administered structured questionnaire. A total of 1093 questionnaires were collected. Data were analysed using contingency tables, χ2 tests, and multivariable logistic regression. Results: Although 98% of children were restrained when riding in a car, less than 90% were using the restraint system appropriate to their body size, and 38% of parents were making some errors in the way they transported their children. Parents of children ≥3 y of age were significantly more likely to make errors. Less than half of the respondents had ever received any information on child restraint systems and it was found that being given information significantly reduced the likelihood of parents making errors when transporting children.
Lifetime Persistence and Clonality of Chromosome Aberrations in the Peripheral Blood of Mice Acutely Exposed to Ionizing Radiation

Abstract Spruill, M. D. , Nelson, D. O. , Ramsey, M. J., Nath, J. and Tucker, J. D. Lifetime Persistence and Clonality of Chromosome Aberrations in the Peripheral Blood of Mice Acutely Exposed to Ionizing Radiation. As the measurement of chromosomal translocations increases in popularity for quantifying prior radiation exposure, information on the possible decline of these “stable” aberrations over time is urgently needed. We report here information about the persistence of radiation-induced chromosome aberrations in vivo over the life span of a rodent. Female C57BL/6 mice were given a single whole-body acute exposure of 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 Gy 137Cs γ rays at 8 weeks of age. Chromosome aberrations were analyzed from peripheral blood samples at various intervals between 1 day and 21 months after exposure. Aberrations were detected by painting chromosomes 2 and 8. Translocations decreased dramatically during the first 3 months after irradiation, beyond which time the frequencies remained relatively constant out to 1 year, when the effects of aging and clonal expansion became significant. Both reciprocal and nonreciprocal translocations increased with age in the unexposed control animals and were involved in clones. As expected of unstable aberrations, dicentrics decreased rapidly after exposure and reached baseline levels within 3 months. These results indicate that the persistence of translocations induced by ionizing radiation is complicated by aging and clonal expansion and that these factors must be considered when quantifying translocations at long times after exposure. These results have implications for biological dosimetry in human populations.
Cataract Surgery in HIV Seropositive Patients: Long-Term Follow-Up

ABSTRACT Purpose: To study epidemiology and clinical findings of cataract in HIV+ patients. Methods: A total of 32 HIV+ patients, 11 with uveitis/retinitis before surgery and 21 without, mean follow-up 44.9 ± 36.6 months, and 114 HIV- patients, 57 with uveitis/retinitis before surgery and 57 without, were retrospectively compared. Results: Visual acuity improved in all HIV+ patients (p < 0.001), who were younger (p = 0.01) and more frequently males (p = 0.027). HIV+ patients with uveitis prior surgery improved less (p = 0.046) than HIV- (p < 0.001); their anterior chamber inflammation was similar to baseline. Male sex (p = 0.005), younger age (p < 0.001), dyslipidaemia (p = 0.058), HBV+ (p = 0.037), and unilateral cataract (p = 0.001) were more frequent in HIV+ patients with senile cataract, but they showed the same postoperative course as HIV- patients. Conclusion: Cataract surgery in HIV+ patients is safe and effective. Uveitis prior to surgery did not significantly affect the postoperative course. Systemic comorbidities are more frequent in HIV+ patients with senile cataract than in HIV- subjects.
Analysis and comparison of different diode rectifiers solutions in grid connected WECS employing modular PMSGs

The paper analyses and compares some solutions of AC/DC converter stages in grid connected Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECSs), using modular Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generators (PMSGs). The converter dispositions here analyzed are based on 3-phase diode bridge rectifiers, and consider also the possibility of a commutation in winding connections.
Predicting protein functional sites with phylogenetic motifs

In this report, we demonstrate that phylogenetic motifs, sequence regions conserving the overall familial phylogeny, represent a promising approach to protein functional site prediction. Across our structurally and functionally heterogeneous data set, phylogenetic motifs consistently correspond to functional sites defined by both surface loops and active site clefts. Additionally, the partially buried prosthetic group regions of cytochrome P450 and succinate dehydrogenase are identified as phylogenetic motifs. In nearly all instances, phylogenetic motifs are structurally clustered, despite little overall sequence proximity, around key functional site features. Based on calculated false‐positive expectations and standard motif identification methods, we show that phylogenetic motifs are generally conserved in sequence. This result implies that they can be considered motifs in the traditional sense as well. However, there are instances where phylogenetic motifs are not (overall) well conserved in sequence. This point is enticing, because it implies that phylogenetic motifs are able to identify key sequence regions that traditional motif‐based approaches would not. Further, phylogenetic motif results are also shown to be consistent with evolutionary trace results, and bootstrapping is used to demonstrate tree significance. Proteins 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Extracting relational network from the online forums: Methods and applications

We study the problem of automatically extracting semantic information network and social network from the online forum. We describe an efficient system called INEOF which is capable of processing millions of forum posts in a few hours. We also introduce some applications, including topic detection and opinion leader detection based on social network analysis techniques after building the two type of relational networks. Experiments based on real forum data are given, and the results prove the effectiveness and efficiency of our methodology.
An Epidemiological Survey on the Awareness towards Orthodontic Treatment among Middle School and High School Children of Karnataka State

Context: Malocclusion can conciliate the oral health tissues and can lead to social and psychological problem. Hence an investigation of the malocclusion status in growing children to intercept the same is required Aims: To assess the awareness towards Orthodontic treatment among middle school and high school children of Karnataka state. Settings and design: School settings and Descriptive cross-sectional survey Methods and Material: A cross-sectional epidemiological survey was conducted in all the 30 districts of Karnataka. School children in the age group of 10-16 years were the target population. Population proportionate technique was employed for the sample size estimation. A total sample of 9505 was randomly selected from 102 schools all over Karnataka. A pre-structured questionnaire was used to assess the awareness of children towards orthodontic treatment. Statistical analysis used: Simple descriptive statistics, t-test. Results: High school children exhibited high awareness with respect to the statement 5, 6, 8 and 14 when compared with the middle school children. Similarly middle school children had high awareness with respect to the statement 9, 10 and 12. Conclusions: High school children showed a higher level of awareness about orthodontic treatment when compared to middle school children.
THE EVOLUTION OF FLORAL LONGEVITY: RESOURCE ALLOCATION TO MAINTENANCE VERSUS CONSTRUCTION OF REPEATED PARTS IN MODULAR ORGANISMS

The component parts of modular organisms often show interspecific variation in their longevity. In plants, the flower is an example of such a structure. Models are developed in this paper to predict optimal floral longevity (the optimal length of time that flowers should remain open and functional) under a variety of conditions. A tradeoff involving allocation of resources to floral construction versus floral maintenance is assumed. The main model variables are the rate at which pollen and seed fitness accrue over time (fitness‐accrual rates) and the daily cost of maintaining an existing flower relative to the cost of constructing a new one (floral maintenance cost). Long‐lived flowers are selected when fitness‐accrual rates and floral maintenance costs are low, whereas short‐lived flowers are selected when fitness‐accrual rates and floral maintenance costs are high. Dichogamy favors longer‐lived flowers relative to homogamy, whereas nonindependence among flowers in their attractiveness to pollinators (attraction to flower clusters) selects for shorter‐lived flowers. Reduction in floral maintenance costs later on in the flower's life favors longer‐lived flowers. Observations on the dissemination and receipt of pollen in individual flowers over time, together with measurements of corolla respiration and nectar sugar production rate are required to test the model quantitatively. The parameters important to the evolution of optimal floral longevity (i.e., maintenance and construction costs, and fitness‐accrual rates) may be general features of evolution of optimal longevities of other repeated structures.
High-resolution CT of benign asbestos-related diseases: clinical and radiographic correlation.

We prospectively analyzed benign asbestos-related pleural and parenchymal abnormalities on high-resolution CT scans and correlated them with clinical diagnoses in 100 asbestos-exposed workers. All subjects had high-resolution CT scans in conjunction with conventional CT at the time of clinical evaluation. To evaluate for asbestosis, we ranked high-resolution CT scans as high, intermediate, or low probability of asbestosis on the basis of the multiplicity and extent of observed parenchymal changes. By linear regression analysis, the most distinctive high-resolution CT features of asbestosis included thickened nondependent interstitial short lines and parenchymal bands. In 45 subjects satisfying clinical criteria of asbestosis, high-resolution CT probability of asbestosis was high in 38 (84%), intermediate in five (11%), and low in two (4%). In 20 (36%) of 55 subjects without clinical asbestosis, parenchymal abnormalities indicative of a high probability of asbestosis were observed on high-resolution CT. High-resolution CT probability scores had a strong positive correlation with chest radiographic profusion scores (p less than .0001) and asbestos-related pleural thickening (p less than .0001). Significant inverse correlations were seen with forced vital capacity (p less than .006) and single-breath diffusing capacity (p less than .03), both functional measures of restrictive interstitial lung disease. Neither clubbing nor rales were sufficiently prevalent to have statistical correlation with high-resolution CT scores. High-resolution CT is sensitive in detecting both pleural and parenchymal abnormalities in the asbestos-exposed subject. Asbestos-related pleural changes are observed more frequently on high-resolution CT than on conventional CT or chest radiography. The probability of asbestosis based on high-resolution CT parenchymal features has a significant correlation with existing clinical determinants of disease, and high-resolution CT can detect abnormality when other methods are not diagnostic.
Treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas by intralesional interferon alfa-2b therapy.

BACKGROUND AND DESIGN Intralesional recombinant interferon alfa-2b has been shown to be effective in the treatment of actinic keratoses and basal cell carcinomas. This open-label study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness and cosmetic result of this therapy on actinically induced, primary cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas. Thirty-six squamous cell carcinomas (28 invasive lesions and 8 in situ lesions) ranging in size from 0.5 to 2.0 cm in the longest dimension were treated with interferon alfa-2b 1.5 million units injected intralesionally three times per week for 3 weeks. Eighteen weeks following therapy, the treatment sites were excised and examined for histologic evidence of remaining tumor. RESULTS Thirty-three (97.1%) of 34 evaluable lesions revealed an absence of squamous cell carcinoma histologically after therapy, although three biopsy specimens (8.8%) obtained after treatment showed actinic keratoses, for an overall complete response rate of 88.2%. The lesion not eliminated after treatment was an invasive squamous cell carcinoma. The investigators and patients independently judged 93.9% of cases to have a very good or excellent cosmetic result. Adverse reactions were limited to those influenzalike symptoms well recognized to occur with interferon therapy and these were well tolerated. Only one patient discontinued therapy due to side effects. CONCLUSIONS This trial demonstrates that intralesional interferon is effective in the treatment of small sun-induced squamous cell carcinomas with well-tolerated side effects and a highly acceptable cosmetic result.
Effect of exercise on blood pressure in older persons: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Because of age-related differences in the cause of hypertension, it is uncertain whether current exercise guidelines for reducing blood pressure (BP) are applicable to older persons. Few exercise studies in older persons have evaluated BP changes in relation to changes in body composition or fitness. METHODS This was a 6-month randomized controlled trial of combined aerobic and resistance training; controls followed usual care physical activity and diet advice. Participants (aged 55-75 years) had untreated systolic BP (SBP) of 130 to 159 mm Hg or diastolic BP (DBP) of 85 to 99 mm Hg. RESULTS Fifty-one exercisers and 53 controls completed the trial. Exercisers significantly improved aerobic and strength fitness, increased lean mass, and reduced general and abdominal obesity. Mean decreases in SBP and DBP, respectively, were 5.3 and 3.7 mm Hg among exercisers and 4.5 and 1.5 mm Hg among controls (P < .001 for all). There were no significant group differences in mean SBP change from baseline (-0.8 mm Hg; P=.67). The mean DBP reduction was greater among exercisers (-2.2 mm Hg; P=.02). Aortic stiffness, indexed by aortofemoral pulse-wave velocity, was unchanged in both groups. Body composition improvements explained 8% of the SBP reduction (P = .006) and 17% of the DBP reduction (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS A 6-month program of aerobic and resistance training lowered DBP but not SBP in older adults with mild hypertension more than in controls. The concomitant lack of improvement in aortic stiffness in exercisers suggests that older persons may be resistant to exercise-induced reductions in SBP. Body composition improvements were associated with BP reductions and may be a pathway by which exercise training improves cardiovascular health in older men and women.
The adjoint of a bilinear operation

is an extension of m. Recall that X, Y, Z are naturally embeddable in X-, Y--, Z-resp. Moreover, certain properties, such as associativity, when m has them, are transmitted to m*** (this makes sense only when Y=Z=X). On the other hand, the transmission of commutativity (which makes sense when Y=X) was left open, and will be considered in this paper. This question of commutativity can be generalized as follows. If m satisfies 1.1-1.3, one can define the transposed operation
Evaluation of Automated Speed Enforcement in Montgomery County, Maryland

Objectives. Almost one quarter of speeding-related fatalities occur on streets with speed limits of 35 mph or less. In 2007, Montgomery County, Maryland, implemented the state's first automated speed enforcement program, with camera use limited to residential streets with speeds limits of 35 mph or less and school zones. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate initial effects of camera enforcement on traffic speeds and to assess public attitudes. Methods. Vehicle speeds were measured approximately 6 months before and 6 months after speed cameras were deployed and warning signs were installed. Speed data were collected on a sample of roads with and without camera enforcement in Montgomery County, as well as on a sample of roads in a comparison community that did not have speed cameras. In addition, telephone surveys were conducted in Montgomery County. Results. Relative to speeds of drivers on roads in the comparison community, the proportion of drivers in Montgomery County traveling more than 10 mph above posted speed limits declined by about 70% at locations with both warning signs and speed camera enforcement, 39% at locations with warning signs but no speed cameras, and 16% on residential streets with neither warning signs nor speed cameras. Public opinion surveys found 74% of Montgomery County drivers thought speeding on residential streets was a problem. Six months after enforcement began, 60% of drivers were aware of the camera program and 62% supported it. Conclusions. The camera program was effective at reducing speeding on targeted streets. The finding of speed reductions beyond targeted locations is evidence that highly visible automated enforcement can promote community-wide changes in driver behavior. Although a majority of drivers supported automated speed enforcement, about one third opposed it. Jurisdictions planning to implement speed cameras should draw on international experience to anticipate controversies that generally arise and take steps to address them.
Host cellular annexin II is associated with cytomegalovirus particles isolated from cultured human fibroblasts

A significant amount of host cellular annexin II was found to be associated with human cytomegalovirus isolated from cultured human fibroblasts (approximately 1,160 molecules per virion). This composition was established by four different analytical approaches that included (i) Western blot (immunoblot) analysis of gradient-purified virions with a monoclonal antibody specific for annexin II, (ii) peptide mapping and sequence analysis of virus-associated proteins and proteins dissociated from virus following EDTA treatment, (iii) electron microscopic immunocytochemistry of gradient-purified virions, and (iv) labeling of virus-associated proteins by lactoperoxidase-catalyzed radioiodination. These results indicated that annexin II was primarily localized to the viral surface, where it bound in a divalent cation-dependent manner. In functional experiments, a rabbit antiserum raised against annexin II inhibited cytomegalovirus plaque formation in human foreskin fibroblast monolayers in a concentration-dependent manner. Cumulatively, these studies demonstrate an association of host annexin II with cytomegalovirus particles and provide evidence for the involvement of this cellular protein in virus infectivity.
Genome evolution reveals biochemical networks and functional modules

The analysis of completely sequenced genomes uncovers an astonishing variability between species in terms of gene content and order. During genome history, the genes are frequently rear-ranged, duplicated, lost, or transferred horizontally between genomes. These events appear to be stochastic, yet they are under selective constraints resulting from the functional interactions between genes. These genomic constraints form the basis for a variety of techniques that employ systematic genome comparisons to predict functional associations among genes. The most powerful techniques to date are based on conserved gene neighborhood, gene fusion events, and common phylogenetic distributions of gene families. Here we show that these techniques, if integrated quantitatively and applied to a sufficiently large number of genomes, have reached a resolution which allows the characterization of function at a higher level than that of the individual gene: global modularity becomes detectable in a functional protein network. In Escherichia coli, the predicted modules can be bench-marked by comparison to known metabolic pathways. We found as many as 74% of the known metabolic enzymes clustering together in modules, with an average pathway specificity of at least 84%. The modules extend beyond metabolism, and have led to hundreds of reliable functional predictions both at the protein and pathway level. The results indicate that modularity in protein networks is intrinsically encoded in present-day genomes.
Capital Flight and Trade Misinvoicing in Zimbabwe

type="main" xml:lang="en"> This paper estimates trade misinvoicing in Zimbabwe from major trading partners using the Morgenstern ( ) methodology. It uses trade data from 1980 to 2014 from the United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database. The results show that unrecorded capital outflows occur through trade with different countries including Italy, United States, Germany, and China, while unrecorded capital inflows into Zimbabwe are mainly from South Africa, Belgium, and Australia. Trade misinvoicing occurs mostly in exports of diamonds, gold, and nickel. Misinvoicing through imports is not rampant and occurs mostly through Germany, South Africa, and Zambia. The results show that capital flight increased during the period of macroeconomic and political instability. This indicates the need to ensure political and macroeconomic stability to reduce capital flight.
Contraceptive Choices: Is the Future with Men?

A credible, reversible male contraceptive with sufficient efficacy and convenience to rival established female methods has been eagerly awaited for some years. What are the issues surrounding its development and when is a launch likely? At present, many different approaches and targets have been identified for further development. These include spermatogenesis, unique testicular proteins, immunocontraception, the vas deferens and the potential method currently closest to fruition, hormonal contraception. This is now in Phase III studies in China and commercial studies are underway in Europe.