Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The invasive and destructive behavior of HIV‐induced T cell syncytia on collagen and endothelium

HIV‐induced syncytia of the CD4+ SUP‐T1 T cell line mimic the subcellular organization of single cells and are able to crawl like single cells through extension of giant pseudopods. Because syncytia have been demonstrated in lymphoid tissue of HIV‐positive individuals, their behavior has been investigated on more natural substrata, including dehydrated collagen, hydrated collagen, endothelial monolayers, and endothelial monolayers grown on collagen cushions. On hydrated collagen gels, both individual SUPT1 cells and syncytia form unusually long cylindrical projections that possess pseudopodial ends and are highly dynamic. Syncytia penetrate collagen gels through extension of these projections and disrupt their integrity. When incubated on endothelium, both single cells and syncytia readily traverse the monolayer through holes, and when incubated on endothelium supported by a collagen cushion, syncytia generate large holes through the monolayer, penetrate the monolayer, and disrupt the collagen gel through extension of long, complex projections. Invading syncytia also release viruses in a polarized fashion which adhere to and are taken up in vesicles by the endothelium. It is suggested that the destructive behaviors of syncytia which have been demonstrated in vitro may have correlates in vivo. J. Leukoc. Biol. 63: 233–244; 1998.
A Novel Bacteriophage Lysin, LysGH15, Protects a Murine Bacteremia 1 Model Efficiently against Lethal Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus 2 Infection

Phage-coded lysin is an enzyme that destroys the cell wall of bacteria. Phage lysin 17 could be an alternative to conventional antibiotic therapy against pathogens that are 18 resistant to multiple antibiotics. In this report, a novel staphylococcal phage, GH15, was isolated and the endogenous lytic enzyme (LysGH15) was expressed and purified. The 20 lysin LysGH15 displayed a broad lytic spectrum; in vitro treatment killed a number of 21 2 Staphylococcus aureus strains rapidly and completely, including the methicillin-resistant 22 Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In animal experiments, a single intraperitoneal injection 23 of LysGH15 (50 µg) administered 1 h after MRSA injections at double minimum lethal 24 dose, was sufficient to protect mice (P < 0.01). Bacteraemia in unprotected mice reached 25 colony counts of about 10 7 cfu/ml within 3.5 h after challenge, whereas the mean colony 26 count in lysin-protected mice was less than 10 4 cfu/ml (and ultimately became 27 undetectable). These results indicate that LysGH15 can kill S. aureus in vitro and can 28 protect mice efficiently from bacteremia in vivo . The phage lysin LysGH15 might be an 29 alternative treatment strategy for infections caused by MRSA.
Bifrontal Versus Right Unilateral and Bitemporal Electroconvulsive Therapy in Major Depressive Disorder

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of three electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) methods: moderate-dose bifrontal, low-dose bitemporal, and high-dose right unilateral in the treatment of a major depressive episode. Methods: In an 8-session, double-blinded parallel group study, 45 consecutive depressive patients who were referred for ECT to Noor Hospital were assigned randomly to bifrontal, moderate dose (50% above seizure threshold; n = 15); bitemporal, low dose (just above seizure threshold; n = 15); and right unilateral, high dose (400% above the seizure threshold; n = 15) ECT applications. Primary outcome measures included assessment by Mini-Mental State Examination and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Results: Thirty-nine of the patients completed the course of treatment. Two patients in bifrontal, 1 in bitemporal, and 3 in right unilateral dropped out of the study. The 3 groups did not show any difference in baseline characteristics. There was a significant difference between standardized Mini-Mental State scores of patients in bifrontal group compared with bitemporal and right unilateral patients (P < 0.05). The effectiveness of the 3 ECT methods, assessed by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, did not show any significant difference (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Moderate-dose bifrontal ECT revealed fewer cognitive side effects in comparison with bitemporal and right unilateral. Moderate-dose bifrontal ECT had the same efficacy compared with low-dose bitemporal and high-dose right unilateral in the treatment of depression.
Association between weight or body mass index and hand osteoarthritis: a systematic review

Objective To investigate the association between weight or body mass index (BMI) and the development of hand osteoarthritis. Methods Systematic review of observational studies. Medical databases were searched up to April 2008. Articles that presented data on the association between weight and hand osteoarthritis were selected. The qualities of these studies were then assessed by two independent reviewers using a 19 criteria scoring system. Using the mean scores of all studies as a cut-off value, the studies were deemed as high or low quality. Study quality and study designs were combined to determine the level of evidence using best-evidence synthesis, which consisted of five levels of evidence. Results From the 25 studies included, two had cohort, three case–control and 20 cross-sectional study designs. Fifteen studies were considered high-quality studies. Of these high-quality studies, one cohort, two case–control and seven cross-sectional studies showed a positive association between weight or BMI and hand osteoarthritis. Based on three high-quality studies with preferred study designs (one cohort and two case–control) with a positive association, the level of evidence of the association between overweight and developing hand osteoarthritis is moderate. The approximate risk ratio of this association is 1.9. Conclusion Weight or BMI is associated with the development of hand osteoarthritis. The level of evidence of published studies is moderate according to best-evidence synthesis. Further high-quality cohort or case–control studies are needed to elucidate the role of weight in hand osteoarthritis.
The Impact of Self-Efficacy on Mathematics Achievement of Primary School Children

The present study explored the relationship between mathematics self-efficacy and mathematics achievement among primary school children (N= 805) studying in grades 3, 4 and 5 of single gender school in Lahore. The instrument battery consisted of mathematics self-efficacy Questionnaires (Anjum,2004), mathematics pleasant test (Anjum,2004), and mathematics school test from countdown level Maths (Downes, paling, and Dudeja ,2003a, 2003b, 2003c,). A significant correlation was detected between mathematics self-efficacy and mathematics achievement in grade 3 which progressively increased for grade 4 and 5. Mathematics self-efficacy of girls was positively correlated to mathematics achievement to all grade level whereas significant correlation was detected for boys in grades 4 and 5. Regression analyses showed mathematics self-efficacy to be a significant indicator of mathematics performance in grade 3 through 5.
Effects of electroconvulsive therapy on neuropsychological function and circulating levels of ACTH, cortisol, prolactin, and TSH in patients with major depressive illness

ABSTRACT– Thirteen patients with major depressive illness received unilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Memory and some other neuropsychological functions were studied concomitantly with changes in clinical symptoms. ACTH in plasma and cortisol, prolactin (PRL) and TSH in serum were measured 30 min before and 1, 5, 15, 30 and 60 min after treatment. Memory functions, impaired after the ECT series, were completely regained 1 month later. ACTH, cortisol, PRL and TSH were significantly increased by ECT. The maximum hormone level after ECT was lower at the last ECT in the series as compared with the first. After the last treatment, nonverbal memory performance was negatively associated with the maximum ACTH level after ECT and verbal learning was negatively correlated to the maximum cortisol level. The reason for these relationships is not known. Since both the ACTH secretion and memory function may be dependent upon the intracerebral catecholamines, the present findings may reflect variations in central monoaminergic receptor function.
Array comparative genomic hybridization analysis in first‐trimester spontaneous abortions with ‘normal’ karyotypes

Array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) analysis was conducted in chorionic villous samples from 20 first‐trimester spontaneous abortions with G‐banding normal chromosomes. A microarray, containing 2,173 BAC clones and covering the whole genome with a 1.5‐Mb resolution, was constructed and used in the analysis. Two deletions were identified: a 1.4‐Mb deletion at 3p26.2‐p26.3 and a 13.7‐Mb deletion at 13q32.3‐qter. Reexamination of chromosome preparations from the sample with the 13.7‐Mb deletion documented a mixture of cells with the 13q‐ chromosome and those with 46,XX chromosomes, the latter of which are likely to have been derived from contaminating decidual cells. This left the 1.4‐Mb 3p deletion as the only instance with submicroscopic imbalance detected, giving a frequency of 1 in 19 (5%) G‐banding normal abortions. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A new GA approach for the vehicle routing problem

This paper focuses on the study of a hybrid of two search heuristics, tabu search (TS) and genetic algorithms (GA) in the vehicle routing problem with time-windows (VRPTW). TS is a local search technique that has been successfully applied to many NP-complete problems. On the other hand, a GA which is capable of searching multiple search areas in a search space is good for diversification. We investigate whether a hybrid of the two heuristics outperforms the individual heuristics.
A Survey of Machine Scheduling Problems with Blocking and No-Wait in Process

An important class of machine scheduling problems is characterized by a no-wait or blocking production environment, where there is no intermediate buffer between machines. In a no-wait environment, a job must be processed from start to completion, without any interruption either on or between machines. Blocking occurs when a job, having completed processing on a machine, remains on the machine until a downstream machine becomes available for processing. A no-wait or blocking production environment typically arises from characteristics of the processing technology itself, or from the absence of storage capacity between operations of a job. In this review paper, we describe several well-documented applications of no-wait and blocking scheduling models and illustrate some ways in which the increasing use of modern manufacturing methods gives rise to other applications. We review the computational complexity of a wide variety of no-wait and blocking scheduling problems and describe several problems which remain open as to complexity. We study several deterministic flowshop, jobshop, and openshop problems and describe efficient and enumerative algorithms, as well as heuristics and results about their performance. The literature on stochastic no-wait and blocking scheduling problems is also reviewed. Finally, we provide some suggestions for future research directions.
Mammography—oncogenecity at low doses

Controversy exists regarding the biological effectiveness of low energy x-rays used for mammography breast screening. Recent radiobiology studies have provided compelling evidence that these low energy x-rays may be 4.42 ± 2.02 times more effective in causing mutational damage than higher energy x-rays. These data include a study involving in vitro irradiation of a human cell line using a mammography x-ray source and a high energy source which matches the spectrum of radiation observed in survivors from the Hiroshima atomic bomb. Current radiation risk estimates rely heavily on data from the atomic bomb survivors, and a direct comparison between the diagnostic energies used in the UK breast screening programme and those used for risk estimates can now be made. Evidence highlighting the increase in relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of mammography x-rays to a range of x-ray energies implies that the risks of radiation-induced breast cancers for mammography x-rays are potentially underestimated by a factor of four. A pooled analysis of three measurements gives a maximal RBE (for malignant transformation of human cells in vitro) of 4.02 ± 0.72 for 29 kVp (peak accelerating voltage) x-rays compared to high energy electrons and higher energy x-rays. For the majority of women in the UK NHS breast screening programme, it is shown that the benefit safely exceeds the risk of possible cancer induction even when this higher biological effectiveness factor is applied. The risk/benefit analysis, however, implies the need for caution for women screened under the age of 50, and particularly for those with a family history (and therefore a likely genetic susceptibility) of breast cancer. In vitro radiobiological data are generally acquired at high doses, and there are different extrapolation mechanisms to the low doses seen clinically. Recent low dose in vitro data have indicated a potential suppressive effect at very low dose rates and doses. Whilst mammography is a low dose exposure, it is not a low dose rate examination, and protraction of dose should not be confused with fractionation. Although there is potential for a suppressive effect at low doses, recent epidemiological data, and several international radiation risk assessments, continue to promote the linear no-threshold (LNT) model. Finally, recent studies have shown that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is more sensitive than mammography in detecting invasive breast cancer in women with a genetic sensitivity. Since an increase in the risk associated with mammographic screening would blur the justification of exposure for this high risk subgroup, the use of other (non-ionising) screening modalities is preferable.
DETERMINATION OF THE DISTANCE TO THE GALACTIC CENTRE

This paper summarises an investigation into the wide ranging methods employed to determine the distance to the Galactic centre, Ro. Remote methods commonly use luminosity reference objects such as RR Lyraes and red clump stars. Ruler methods involve annual parallax or line-of-sight velocity. Examples of all the methods are described and their limitations discussed. The main uncertainties with remote methods arise from calibration, extinction and group eccentricity. The main uncertainties with ruler methods arise from object location error and unknowns in relation to Galactic rotation. A total of 63 determinations were studied, from which six remote method and six ruler method determinations are identified for refining the value of Ro. Both categories are found to give the same mean value of Ro = 7.9  0.3 kpc. High-precision astrometry of objects within the Galactic nucleus provides the most potential for improvement in accuracy of the determination of Ro.
Permanent Draft Genome Sequences of Three Frankia sp. Strains That Are Atypical, Noninfective, Ineffective Isolates

ABSTRACT Here, we present draft genome sequences for three atypical Frankia strains (lineage 4) that were isolated from root nodules but are unable to reinfect actinorhizal plants. The genome sizes of Frankia sp. strains EUN1h, BMG5.36, and NRRL B16386 were 9.91, 11.20, and 9.43 Mbp, respectively.
Freemartin in the amphibian Pleurodeles waltl: Parabiosis between individuals from opposite sex triggers both germ and somatic cells alterations during female gonad development

Wild type embryos of the newt Pleurodeles waltl were used to realize parabiosis, a useful model to study the effect of endogenous circulating hormones on gonad development. The genotypic sex of each parabiont (ZZ male or ZW female) was determined early from the analysis of the sex chromosome borne marker peptidase‐1. In ZZ/ZZ and ZW/ZW associations, gonads develop according to genetic sex. In ZZ/ZW associations, the ZZ gonads differentiate as normal testes while ZW gonads development shows numerous alterations. At the beginning of sex differentiation, these ZW gonads possess a reduced number of germ cells and a reduced expression of steroidogenic factor 1 and P450‐aromatase mRNAs when compared to gonads from ZW/ZW associations. During gonad differentiation, conversely to the control situation, these germ cells do not enter meiosis as corroborated by chromatin status and absence of the meiosis entry marker DMC1; the activity of the estradiol‐producing enzyme P450‐aromatase is as low as in ZZ gonads. At adulthood, no germ cells are observed on histological sections, consistently with the absence of VASA expression. At this stage, the testis‐specific marker DMRT1 is expressed only in ZZ gonads, suggesting that the somatic compartment of the ZW gonad is not masculinized. So, when exposed to ZZ hormones, ZW gonads reach the undifferentiated status but the ovary differentiation does not occur. This gonad is inhibited by a process affecting both somatic and germ cells. Additionally, the ZW gonad inhibition does not occur in the case of an exogenous estradiol treatment of larvae. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 439–449, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic Parameters of Various Backfat Measurements of the Hungarian Large White Pig evaluated Within and Across Sexes

SUMMARY Genetic parameters for various backfat measurements (BF1FT, Backfat shoulder measured at the field test; BF2FT, Backfat mid-back measured at the field test; BF3FT, Backfat loin measured at the field test; BF1ST, Backfat shoulder measured at the station test; BF2ST, Backfat mid-back measured at the station test; BF3ST, Backfat loin measured at the station test) were estimated. The analysis was based on the national database of the field and station tests, using various types of animal models in Hungarian Large White (LW), breed between May 1996 and February 2001 within and across sexes (females, males, castrates). Heritability for BFFT traits ranged between 0.150. 35, but higher estimates were observed in field traits (0.41-0.75). Genetic correlations were generally positive among all fat depth measurements but station traits showed stronger genetic correlations (0.76-0.88) than field traits (0.24-0.67). The genetic correlation estimates between field and station traits ranged between 0.09-0.40.
Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera) Larval Midgut Response to BmNPV in Susceptible and Near-Isogenic Resistant Strains

Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) is one of the primary pathogens causing severe economic losses in sericulture. However, the molecular mechanism of silkworm resistance to BmNPV remains largely unknown. Here, the recurrent parent P50 (susceptible strain) and the near-isogenic line BC9 (resistance strain) were used in a comparative transcriptome study examining the response to infection with BmNPV. A total of 14,300 unigenes were obtained from two different resistant strains; of these, 869 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified after comparing the four transcriptomes. Many DEGs associated with protein metabolism, cytoskeleton, and apoptosis may be involved in the host response to BmNPV infection. Moreover, some immunity related genes were also altered following BmNPV infection. Specifically, after removing genetic background and individual immune stress response genes, 22 genes were found to be potentially involved in repressing BmNPV infection. These genes were related to transport, virus replication, intracellular innate immune, and apoptosis. Our study provided an overview of the molecular mechanism of silkworm resistance to BmNPV infection and laid a foundation for controlling BmNPV in the future.
Effect of copper depletion and repletion on lymphocyte blastogenesis and neutrophil bactericidal function in beef heifers.

Thirty-two beef heifers were used to examine the effect of dietary copper depletion and repletion on neutrophil and lymphocyte functions. Heifers allotted to the control group (C+; n = 8) were fed a basal roughage/concentrate diet with Cu-sulfate supplementation (Cu > or = 8 ppm). To induce a Cu deficiency (depletion phase d 0 to 60), treated (T; n = 24) heifers received a diet supplemented with sulfur (.3% of diet) and sodium molybdate to achieve a Cu:Mo ratio of 1:1.5. Liver biopsies were collected on d 0, 27, and 60. Despite random allocation, T heifers had lower initial liver Cu concentrations (P < .01) than C+ heifers. At the start of the repletion phase (d 0, equal to d 60 of depletion), treated heifers were allotted by liver Cu concentration to three treatments (n = 8/treatment): Cu sulfate (S; Cu = 10 ppm), Cu proteinate (P; Cu = 10 ppm), or a negative control (C-) that remained on Mo and S supplementation. During the repletion phase, livers were biopsied on d 0, 14, and 45. By d 45, both S and P heifers had greater (P < .05) liver Cu concentrations than C- heifers. For both depletion and repletion phases, no treatment differences were detected in liver Mo or S concentrations. Jugular blood was collected on d 0, 27, and 55 of the depletion phase and d 0, 13, and 42 of the repletion phase. Neutrophils were isolated and incubated with Staphylococcus aureus to determine neutrophil bactericidal capacity (NBC). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Evidence for proteasome dysfunction in cytotoxicity mediated by anti-Ras intracellular antibodies.

Anti-Ras intracellular antibodies inhibit cell proliferation in vivo by sequestering the antigen and diverting it from its physiological location [Lener, M. , Horn, I. R. , Cardinale, A. , Messina, S. , Nielsen, U.B. , Rybak, S.M. , Hoogenboom, H.R. , Cattaneo, A. , Biocca, S. (2000) Eur. J. Biochem.267, 1196-1205]. Here we demonstrate that strongly aggregating single-chain antibody fragments (scFv), binding to Ras, induce apoptosis, and this effect is strictly related to the antibody-mediated aggregation of p21Ras. Proteasomes are quickly recruited to the newly formed aggregates, and their activity is strongly inhibited. This leads to the formation of aggresome-like structures, which become evident in the vast majority of apoptotic cells. A combination of anti-Ras scFv fragments with a nontoxic concentration of the proteasome inhibitor, lactacystin, markedly increases proteasome dysfunction and apoptosis. The dominant-negative H-ras (N17-H-ras), which is mostly soluble and does not induce aggresome formation or inhibit proteasome activity, only affects cell viability slightly. Together, these observations suggest a mechanism linking antibody-mediated Ras aggregation, impairment of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and cytotoxicity.
In vivo confocal microscopic evaluation of corneal Langerhans cell density, and distribution and evaluation of dry eye in rheumatoid arthritis

Corneal Langerhans cells (LCs) offer the opportunity to gain insight into the activity of the innate immunity. We examined the density and the distribution of LCs and compared the results with dry-eye parameters in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Fifty-two RA patients with various degrees of disease activity and 24 healthy subjects were enrolled. Peripheral and central LC number and morphology were assessed with in vivo laser confocal microscopy. In addition, ocular surface disease index (OSDI), lid parallel conjunctival folds, Schirmer test, and tear break-up time (TBUT) were evaluated. The prevalence of central and peripheral LC, and the central LC morphology values (LCM) were higher than normal in RA. Within the RA group, LC prevalence and morphology were not affected by disease activity. However, patients on anti-TNF or glucocorticosteroid (GCS) therapy exhibited normal LCM, and normal central and peripheral LC density. OSDI was higher and TBUT was lower than normal in RA. The alteration of LC in RA suggests an active inflammatory process in the cornea, which may reflect an increased activation state of the innate immune system—even in inactive stages of RA and without ocular symptoms. The results also indicate ocular effects of GCS therapy in RA.