Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonoxidative antimicrobial effects of human polymorphonuclear leukocyte granule proteins on Chlamydia spp. in vitro

Proteins from isolated granules of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes were assessed for their nonoxidative microbicidal effect on chlamydiae by two different methods: a radioisotope assay for elementary body integrity and a biological assay for inclusion development. Crude granule extract, which consisted of a mixture of all granule proteins, caused a 20 to 30% decrease in infectivity and a 52% decrease in infectivity when incubated with Chlamydia psittaci CAL-10 and Chlamydia trachomatis serovar E, respectively. To define more specifically the components that were damaging to chlamydiae, crude granule extract was subjected to Sephadex G-75 column chromatography and isolated granule fractions were obtained. Only fractions containing lysozyme as the major component consistently caused reductions in infectivity of C. trachomatis elementary bodies. In contrast, fractions collected after the lysozyme fraction, containing proteins with molecular masses of 13,000 daltons or less, had detrimental effects on C. psittaci infectivity. Additional experiments using highly purified human polymorphonuclear leukocyte lysozyme confirmed its infectivity-reducing action upon C. trachomatis but not upon C. psittaci.
Estimates of Transaction Costs in Transfer of Development Rights Programs

Problem, research strategy, and findings: Local jurisdictions in 36 states have implemented transfer of development rights (TDR) programs to provide a market-based approach to preserving farmlands and open space while redirecting future development to targeted areas. Participation in TDR programs involves transaction costs over and above paying for TDR credits. Planners know little about the magnitude of transaction costs; who, if anyone, incurs a disproportionate share of these costs; or how transaction costs affect TDR participation. In this study we estimate the magnitude and distribution of transaction costs incurred by participants in 4 countywide TDR programs in Maryland, a TDR pioneer, by interviewing multiple participants in these programs. We fi nd that total transaction costs were high and borne largely by private sector participants, although we exclude the initial public sector costs of establishing the programs. Total transaction costs range from 13% to 21% of total TDR costs per transaction. Our findings are based on data reported by participants and may not be scalable; transaction costs, however, might deter landowners from participating in TDR programs, thus thwarting the land use goals of planners. Takeaway for practice: Planners should work to reduce transaction costs by better constructing TDR programs and providing greater information on TDR sale prices and potential buyers and sellers. Lowering and more fairly distributing transaction costs will make the TDR program a more successful approach to achieving land use goals and addressing the externalities arising from land use markets.
Infectivity and antigenicity reduction rates of human rotavirus strain Wa in fresh waters

The rates of inactivation of human rotavirus type 2 (strain Wa) (HRV-Wa) and poliovirus type 1 (strain CHAT) were compared in polluted waters (creek water and secondary effluent before chlorination) and nonpolluted waters (lake water, groundwater, and chlorinated tap water). Viral infectivity titers were determined by plaque assays, while HRV-Wa antigenicity also was monitored by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Both viruses persisted longest in lake water and shortest in tap water. The actual inactivation times (i.e., times required for two-log10 reductions of initial viral titers) for the two viruses were significantly different in all waters except tap water. With the exception of the groundwater and secondary effluent results, the HRV-Wa inactivation times in the fresh waters tested were significantly different. Owing perhaps to aggregation, HRV-Wa appeared less susceptible to the effects of chlorine than previously reported for this virus and for the simian rotavirus SA11. HRV-Wa displayed prolonged survival in lake water and groundwater exceeding that previously reported for the SA11 virus. The HRV-Wa infectivity reduction rate (ki) was significantly correlated with the water pH (i.e., as pH increased, ki increased). The water pH may have influenced viral aggregation and thereby HRV-Wa susceptibility to other virucidal factors in the water. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results showed similar inactivation patterns with the most significant reduction in HRV-Wa antigenicity occurring in polluted waters and tap water. In all waters, particularly tap water, infectivity declined at a faster rate than antigenicity. It is proposed that HRV-Wa can be used as a model for future studies of rotaviral persistence in the aquatic environment.
Enhancing Sustainability Transparency in Local Governments—An Empirical Research in Europe

In the current socioeconomic context, the question of local government sustainability transparency is of great interest to policymakers, managers, citizens and other stakeholders, and yet one to which previous research has devoted little specific attention. At the same time, the Internet has become an instrument of good governance worldwide and government entities in Europe have strived to promote e-government to improve transparency towards citizens. The aim of this study was to identify factors that can help politicians and managers improve practices of sustainability information disclosed by European local governments. To do so, an empirical study was conducted of 91 municipalities in nine countries, comparing three main administrative cultures. Our analysis of the study results highlights various demographic, socioeconomic, financial and legal factors that may be useful to policymakers and managers in promoting the online provision of sustainability information in Anglo-Saxon, Nordic and Southern European countries.
Haemodiafiltration at increased plasma ionic strength for improved protein‐bound toxin removal

Protein‐bound uraemic toxin accumulation causes uraemia‐associated cardiovascular morbidity. Enhancing the plasma ionic strength releases toxins from protein binding and makes them available for removal during dialysis. This concept was implemented through high sodium concentrations ([Na+]) in the substituate of pre‐dilution haemodiafiltration at increased plasma ionic strength (HDF‐IPIS).
Analysis of TLR4 and TLR2 polymorphisms in inflammatory bowel disease in a Guangxi Zhuang population.

AIM To study the polymorphisms of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene Asp299Gly, Thr399Ile and TLR2 gene Arg753Gln, Arg677Trp and susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the Zhuang population from Guangxi, China. METHODS A case-control study was performed from February 2007 to October 2011 which included 146 Zhuang patients with IBD in the experimental group and 164 healthy Zhuang subjects who acted as the control group. All patients and healthy subjects were from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China. Genomic DNA was extracted from intestinal tissue by the phenol chloroform method. TLR4 gene Asp299Gly, Thr399Ile and TLR2 gene Arg753Gln, Arg677Trp were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and then detected by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). RESULTS The TLR4 gene Asp299Gly was digested using Nco I restriction enzyme, and a single band of 249 bp was observed which showed that it was a wild type (AA). The TLR4 gene Thr399Ile was digested using Hinf Irestriction enzyme and only the wild type (CC) was detected. In addition, the TLR2 gene Arg677Trp was digested using Aci I restriction enzyme and only the wild type (CC) was detected. The TLR2 gene Arg753Gln was digested using Pst I restriction enzyme. Only the wild type (GG) as a single band of 254 bp was observed during RFLP. Overall, no heterozygous or homozygous single nucleotide polymorphism mutations were found in patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis both in the TLR4 gene Asp299Gly, Thr399Ile and the TLR2 gene Arg677Trp, Arg753Gln in the Zhuang population from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China. CONCLUSION The TLR4 gene Asp299Gly, Thr399Ile and TLR2 gene Arg753Gln, Arg677Trp polymorphisms may not be associated with IBD in the Zhuang population from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China.
Defective T helper cell epitope responsible for the failure of region 69–84 of the human myelin basic protein to induce experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in the lewis rat

Studies from our laboratory have shown that region 69–84 (synthetic peptide S49S) of myelin basic protein (MBP) defines an encephalitogenic sequence for experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in Lewis rats. The most potent EAE inducers are the guinea pig MBP (Gp‐MBP) and region 69–84, known as synthetic peptide Gp‐S49S: Human (H‐MBP) was considerably less potent than Gp‐MBP, and region 69–84 (H‐S49S) of H‐MBP did not induce hind leg paralysis or any histological signs of EAE. Since the development of EAE requires the expression of specific T and B cell epitopes, sequence analysis of H‐S49S and Gp‐S49S revealed phylogenetic variations in the H‐S49S sequence, characterized by deletion of Gln (No.76), insertion of His‐Gly at positions 77 and 78, and substitution of Ser with Thr at position 80: Like Gp‐S49S, peptide H‐S49S induced the formation of antibodies with specificities directed against the C‐terminal of the H‐S49S, Gp‐S49S, and homologous sequences. In contrast to Gp‐S49S, neither H‐S49S nor shorter peptides induced clonal T cell expansion when either of the peptides was added to encephalitogenic T cell clone D in culture. Clone D, which expresses T helper phenotype, was selected from encephalitogenic peptide‐primed Lewis rats. The results of the study show that the failure of H‐S49S to induce EAE is related to sequence alterations in the T helper cell epitope but not in the B cell epitope located in the N‐ and C‐terminal portions of the S49S sequence, respectively. Also, the results suggest that the EAE activity of H‐MBP may be related to either a second EAE region that expresses T helper and B cell functions or to a dislocated T helper cell epitope that operates in conjunction with the B cell epitope located in the C‐terminal region of the H‐S49S sequence.
RETHINKING PARTICIPATION IN THE DIGITAL ERA Social Media Networks as a Digital Public Sphere for European Politics

The digital structure of social networking sites hold vast democratic value in light of the democratic deficit in the European Union. The sites have increased the possibility for the public of European citizens to participate in politics through cross-border deliberation, and has potential to constitute as a digital European public sphere. However, no approach in the works on political participation online has so far put forward an empirical actor-focused analysis of how the European public is truly utilising this potential. This thesis address these shortcomings in current research and aims to investigate the digital European public sphere and the public of European citizens’ participation in European politics through social networking sites. In order to do so, a qualitative content analysis with a directed approach is applied as the research method. An analytical framework based on previous research and key theoretical considerations is used as a coding scheme for organisation and analysis of data collected from the European Parliament’s official Twitter account. The thesis’ analysis indicates that the public of European citizens make use of Twitter’s potential for political deliberation in many noteworthy ways. In particular, the public showed a strong critical function and there is little deviation from the topic of EU policy during the discussions on the site. Yet, it may be too early to speak of a fully European digital public sphere.
Femur–LISS and Distal Femoral Nail for Fixation of Distal Femoral Fractures: Are There Differences in Outcome and Complications?

We evaluated the functional and radiologic outcomes after stabilization of distal femoral fractures using the distal femoral nail and a less invasive stabilization system to determine if the new implants are superior to other implants (especially the condylar blade plate) regarding the rates of axial deviation, nonunion, and infection and if one of these new implants (Less Invasive Stabilization System, or distal femoral nail) is superior to the other. Two groups, each with 16 patients, were documented prospectively and the results were compared. To record the findings objectively, the Lysholm-Gillquist score was used. A conversion procedure was done in two patients in the plate group and one patient of the nail group. At the 1-year followup mobility of the knee was on average 110° in the plate group and 103° in the nail group. The Lysholm-Gillquist score did not show any significant differences between the groups. There were clinically relevant varus or outer rotation deviations in three patients in the plate group and two patients in the nail group. The two minimally invasive implants used were good in terms of technique and outcome for treatment of distal femoral fractures and did not differ significantly for epidemiology, fracture type, conversion procedures, infection rate, malalignments, and subjective and objective findings at the 1-year followup. They were also superior to the condylar plate in terms of infection and axial malalignments.
Public–Private Partnerships for Biosecurity: An Opportunity for Risk Sharing

Private efforts to prevent and control biological pests and infectious diseases can be a public good, and so incentivizing private biosecurity management actions is both desirable and problematic. Compensation contracts can encourage biosecurity efforts, provide support against the collapse of economic sectors, and create an insurance network. We conceptualise a novel biosecurity instrument relying on formal compensation private-public partnerships using contract theory. Our framework explains how the public sector can harness increased private biosecurity measures by making payments to agents which depend both on their performance and that of the other stakeholders. Doing so allows the government to spread the risk across signatory agents. The framework also improves our understanding of government involvement due to public effects of biosecurity, influenced by the private agents’ capacity to derive private benefit from their own efforts on monitoring and control. Lastly, these theoretical results provide a foundation for further study of contractual responsibility sharing for pest management.
Characterization of a Thermophilic P-type Ag+/Cu+-ATPase from the ExtremophileArchaeoglobus fulgidus*

The thermophilic, sulfur metabolizingArchaeoglobus fulgidus contains two genes,AF0473 and AF0152, encoding for PIB-type heavy metal transport ATPases. In this study, we describe the cloning, heterologous expression, purification, and functional characterization of one of these ATPases, CopA (NCB accession number AAB90763), encoded by AF0473. CopA is active at high temperatures (75 °C; E a = 103 kJ/mol) and inactive at 37 °C. It is activated by Ag+(ATPase V max = 14.82 μmol/mg/h) and to a lesser extent by Cu+ (ATPase V max = 3.66 μmol/mg/h). However, Cu+ interacts with the enzyme with higher apparent affinity (ATPase stimulation, Ag+ K 1 2 = 29.4 μm; Cu+ K 1 2 = 2.1 μm). This activation by Ag+ or Cu+ is dependent on the presence of millimolar amounts of cysteine. In the presence of ATP, these metals drive the formation of an acid-stable phosphoenzyme with apparent affinities similar to those observed in the ATPase activity determinations (Ag+, K 1 2 = 23.0 μm; Cu+, K 1 2 = 3.9 μm). However, comparable levels of phosphoenzyme are reached in the presence of both cations (Ag+, 1.40 nmol/mg; Cu+, 1.08 nmol/mg). The stimulation of phosphorylation by the cations suggests that CopA drives the outward movement of the metal. CopA presents additional functional characteristics similar to other P-type ATPases. ATP interacts with the enzyme with two apparent affinities (ATPase K m = 0.25 mm; phosphorylation K m = 4.81 μm), and the presence of vanadate leads to enzyme inactivation (IC50= 24 μm). This is the first Ag+/Cu+-ATPase expressed and purified in a functional form. Thus, it provides a model for structure-functional studies of these transporters. Moreover, its characterization will also contribute to an understanding of thermophilic ion transporters.
Exploring the effectiveness of linguistic knowledge for biographical relation extraction†

Abstract Machine learning techniques have been implemented to extract instances of semantic relations using diverse features based on linguistic knowledge, such as tokens, lemmas, PoS-tags, or dependency paths. However, there has been little work aiming to know which of these features works better in the relation extraction task, and less in languages other than English. In this paper, various features representing different levels of linguistic knowledge are systematically evaluated for biographical relation extraction. The effectiveness of these features was measured by training several supervised classifiers that only differ in the type of linguistic knowledge used to define their features. The experiments performed in this paper show that some basic linguistic knowledge (provided by lemmas and their combination in bigrams) behaves better than other complex features, such as those based on syntactic analysis. Furthermore, some feature combinations using different levels of analysis are proposed in order (i) to avoid feature overlapping as well as (ii) to evaluate the use of computationally inexpensive and widespread tools such as tokenization and lemmatization. This paper also describes two new freely available corpora for biographical relation extraction in Portuguese and Spanish, built by means of a distant-supervision strategy. Experiments were performed with five semantic relations and two languages, using these corpora.
ATP Induces Conformational Changes in the Carboxyl-terminal Region of ClC-5*

ATP binding enhances the activity of ClC-5, the transporter mutated in Dent disease, a disease affecting the renal proximal tubule. Previously, the ATP binding site was revealed in x-ray crystal structures of the cytoplasmic region of this membrane protein. Disruption of this site by mutagenesis (Y617A-ClC-5) reduced the functional expression and ATP-dependent regulation of the full-length transporter in Xenopus oocytes. However, insight into the conformational changes underlying ATP-dependent regulation is lacking. Here, we show that ATP binding induces a change in protein conformation. Specifically, small angle x-ray scattering experiments indicate that ATP binding promotes a clamp-like closure of the isolated ClC-5 carboxyl-terminal region. Limited proteolysis studies show that ATP binding induces conformational compaction of the carboxyl-terminal region in the intact membrane protein as well. In the context of fibroblasts and proximal tubule epithelial cells, disruption of the ATP binding site in full-length ClC-5 (Y617A-ClC-5) led to a defect in processing and trafficking out of the endoplasmic reticulum. These latter findings account for the decrease in functional expression previously reported for this ATP-binding mutant and prompt future study of a model whereby conformational compaction caused by ATP binding promotes biosynthetic maturation.
Characterization of the Activation Domains of AP-2 Family Transcription Factors*

Despite sequence variation, all AP-2 isotypes are capable of activating transcription, which indicates a functional conservation. We used this property to gain a unique insight into the structure and function of the activation motifs of AP-2 family transcription factors. We have precisely localized the activation motif of human AP-2α to amino acids 52–108. Our experiments indicate that similar sequence of amino acids in all AP-2 isotypes exceptDrosophila AP-2α harbor their activation motifs. Within this sequence, fewer than 36 residues are critical for transcription activation. Our comparison studies and site-directed mutagenic analyses show that these critical amino acids are strategically placed within this sequence. These residues are interspersed with nonessential and influential residues that vary in composition and length, indicating a structural flexibility. The Drosophila AP-2α has its partly conserved activation motif in an extended region about twice the length of other AP-2 isotypes. Our results reveal essential elements of the amino acid composition of activators in general and shed new light on the mechanism of transcription activation.
Clinical and microbiological determinants of ailing dental implants.

BACKGROUND The failure of the host tissue to establish or maintain osseointegration around dental implants is due to either occlusal or parafunctional forces, premature loading, ill-directed stress, or microbial infection. The long-term failure rate of dental implants is generally 5-10%. Although a variety of etiologies of early peri-implant bone loss (from implant placement to 1-year post-loading) have been proposed, factors associated with late implant failures are less well understood but are probably related to both the peri-implant microbial environment and host factors. Discriminating between causes of implant failure is of importance for instituting a successful implant therapy. PURPOSE The objective of this cross-sectional split-mouth study was to identify clinical, radiographic, and bacterial characteristics of peri-implant disease sites. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen patients with bilateral implants (Brånemark, Nobel Biocare AB, Göteborg, Sweden; and 3i implant systems, Implant Innovations Inc., Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA) participated in the study. Sites with peri-implant (radiographic bone loss beyond the third implant thread) and peri-implant healthy tissues (radiographic bone level above the first implant thread) were identified in periapical radiographs using a long-cone paralleling projection technique. Microbiological identification was carried out using established anaerobic culture techniques. A descriptive statistics based on means and standard deviations was reported. RESULTS Peri-implant bone loss was associated with the absence of radiographic crestal lamina dura, peri-implant pocket depth, pain on chewing, and the submucosal presence of the putative periodontopathogens Tannerella forsythia, Campylobacter species, and Peptostreptococcus micros. Pain was associated with P. micros, Fusobacterium species, and Eubacterium species. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The absence of radiographic crestal lamina dura and the presence of suspected major periodontal pathogens seem to be associated to peri-implantitis.