Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interaction between a Unique Minor Protein and a Major Capsid Protein of Bluetongue Virus Controls Virus Infectivity

ABSTRACT Among the Reoviridae family of double-stranded RNA viruses, only members of the Orbivirus genus possess a unique structural protein, termed VP6, within their particles. Bluetongue virus (BTV), an important livestock pathogen, is the prototype Orbivirus. BTV VP6 is an ATP-dependent RNA helicase, and it is indispensable for virus replication. In the study described in this report, we investigated how VP6 might be recruited to the virus capsid and whether the BTV structural protein VP3, which forms the internal layer of the virus capsid core, is involved in VP6 recruitment. We first demonstrated that VP6 interacts with VP3 and colocalizes with VP3 during capsid assembly. A series of VP6 mutants was then generated, and in combination with immunoprecipitation and size exclusion chromatographic analyses, we demonstrated that VP6 directly interacts with VP3 via a specific region of the C-terminal portion of VP6. Finally, using our reverse genetics system, mutant VP6 proteins were introduced into the BTV genome and interactions between VP6 and VP3 were shown in a live cell system. We demonstrate that BTV strains possessing a mutant VP6 are replication deficient in wild-type BSR cells and fail to recruit the viral replicase complex into the virus particle core. Taken together, these data suggest that the interaction between VP3 and VP6 could be important in the packaging of the viral genome and early stages of particle formation. IMPORTANCE The orbivirus bluetongue virus (BTV) is the causative agent of bluetongue disease of livestock, often causing significant economic and agricultural impacts in the livestock industry. In the study described in this report, we identified the essential region and residues of the unique orbivirus capsid protein VP6 which are responsible for its interaction with other BTV proteins and its subsequent recruitment into the virus particle. The nature and mechanism of these interactions suggest that VP6 has a key role in packaging of the BTV genome into the virus particle. As such, this is a highly significant finding, as this new understanding of BTV assembly could be exploited to design novel vaccines and antivirals against bluetongue disease.
The Role of Real-Time Glucose Monitoring

Copyright: © 2016 Bernot J, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Diabetes mellitus is a widespread disease affecting 387 million individuals worldwide and is projected to exceed half a billion by 2035 [1]. Despite spending over $175 million annually in direct medical costs, there has been an overall lack of success with disease management [2]. One likely contributor to this phenomenon is clinical inertia, or the failure to intensify or modify treatment following lab results that show a patient is not at evidence-based goals. Stain et al. [3] found that impairments in communication are at the heart of clinical inertia [3]. Furthermore, it can be difficult to accurately assess disease progression due to poor documentation and communication of patient-monitored blood sugars. Accurate and efficient communication between the patient and provider needs to be a key factor to efficiently manage the disease.
Phenology and classification of abandoned agricultural land based on ALOS-1 and 2 PALSAR multi-temporal measurements

ABSTRACT Agricultural crop abandonment negatively impacts local economy and environment since land, as a resource for agriculture, is not optimally utilized. To take necessary actions to rehabilitate abandoned agricultural lands, the identification of the spatial distribution of these lands must be acknowledged. While optical images had previously illustrated potentials in the identification of agricultural land abandonment, tropical areas often suffer cloud coverage problem that limits the availability of the imageries. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the potential of ALOS-1 and 2 (Advanced Land Observing Satellite-1 and 2) PALSAR (Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar) images for the identification and classification of abandoned agricultural crop areas, namely paddy, rubber and oil palm fields. Distinct crop phenology for paddy and rubber was identified from ALOS-1 PALSAR; nonetheless, oil palm did not demonstrate any useful phenology for discriminating between the abandoned classes. The accuracy obtained for these abandoned lands of paddy, rubber and oil palm was 93.33% ± 0.06%, 78% ± 2.32% and 63.33% ± 1.88%, respectively. This study confirmed that the understanding of crop phenology in relation to image date selection is essential to obtain high accuracy for classifying abandoned and non-abandoned agricultural crops. The finding also portrayed that PALSAR offers a huge advantage for application of vegetation in tropical areas.
β-Carotene Inhibits Growth of Human Colon Carcinoma Cells in Vitro by Induction of Apoptosis

Abstract Epidemiological studies suggest that βcarotene is able to modulate the risk of cancer. A number of in vitro studies reported that βcarotene inhibits the growth of cancer cells; however, so far little is known about the molecular mechanisms of the antiproliferative effect of βcarotene. Here we have investigated the effects of two βcarotene preparations, (i) βcarotene dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (final concentration in cell culture medium: 0.5%) and (ii) βcarotene incorporated in a water dispersible bead form, on cultured human colon carcinoma cells HT29. The treatment of cells with βcarotene up to 30 M for 72 h led to a significant increase in the cellular βcarotene concentration and formation of retinol. βCarotene showed only low cytotoxicity for confluent cells tested up to 30 M, but at dietary relevant concentrations for the intestinal tract (10, 30 M) βcarotene was strongly cytotoxic for growing cells and induced apoptosis in HT29 cells as assessed by the AnnexinV assay (the maximal effect was observed 15 h after treatment with βcarotene). Exposure of cells to retinol at concentrations yielding cellular retinol levels similar to those observed by βcarotene treatment had no antiproliferative or cytotoxic effect. Furthermore, βcarotene did not affect the activation of the extracellular signalregulated kinases (ERK1 and ERK2) that are essential for cellular growth. In summary, βcarotene can inhibit growth of human colon carcinoma cells in vitro by induction of apoptosis in proliferating cells.
Sufentanil-propofol vs remifentanil-propofol during total intravenous anesthesia for neurosurgery. A multicentre study.

BACKGROUND In a randomised, prospective multi-centre study, we compared the intraoperative and postoperative effects of two opioids: sufentanil and remifentanil, in combination with propofol in two groups of patients undergoing neurosurgery. METHODS After Local Ethics Committee approval and informed consent obtaining, 69 patients undergoing neurosurgery for supratentorial tumours, between 18 and 75 years of age were randomised to receive either sufentanil or remifentanil in combination with propofol. Intraoperative and postoperative haemodynamic variables, recovery times (time to eye opening and to extubation), the incidence of postoperative respiratory depression, pain, nausea and vomiting were also evaluated. The Short Orientation-Memory-Concentration Test was used to evaluate cognitive function at 15, 45 and 180 min after emergence from anesthesia. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the groups in the duration of surgery and anesthesia, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, time to eye opening or extubation. The incidence of vomiting, respiratory depression and shivering was similar in both groups. Postoperative pain requiring supplemental analgesics was significantly lower in the sufentanil group (P<0.05). Although there were no significant differences between the groups in postoperative behavioural examinations by Rancho Los Amigos Test, patients anesthetised with sufentanil had significantly better Short Orientation-Memory-Concentration Test values at 15 and 180 min postoperatively (P<0.05). CONCLUSION. We conclude that remifentanil and sufentanil are suitable adjunct to propofol for total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA). Patients receiving sufentanil have reduced analgesic requirements and better cognitive function postoperatively than those who received remifentanil.
When Do Drivers Yield to Cyclists at Unsignalized Roundabouts?

Cycling has grown in popularity during the past decades in many cities in Europe and in the United States because of its environmental and health benefits. However, cyclists are frequently involved in traffic accidents, especially when they interact with vehicles at unsignalized intersections. There is still a lack of evidence and of analysis of what happens in such interactions. This paper explores empirical evidence of vehicle–bicycle interactions on a typical Swedish roundabout and provides insights into factors that influence car drivers' yielding decisions when they interact with cyclists. Vehicle–bicycle interactions were divided into groups (nonconflict, conflict, yield, and nonyield), and their speed differences were analyzed by group. Furthermore, a discrete choice model was developed to estimate behavioral aspects of such interactions. The observed data showed a higher and significant speed variation among vehicles compared with bicycles, which exhibited smaller variation across groups. The modeling results revealed that the probability of yielding decreased when the speed of the vehicle was higher. But a bicycle's speed had little effect on a driver's decision to yield. More important, the probability of yielding was increased significantly by the proximity of the cyclist to the conflict zone. The yielding rate of drivers can be improved by keeping vehicles' speed to less than 20 km/h, as drivers then have the capacity to detect and yield to cyclists.
Advances in the theory of the circular waveguide with an azimuthally magnetized ferrite toroid and a dielectric cylinder

The domains of propagation, the phase characteristics and the lower and upper cut-off frequencies of the circular waveguide, containing a thin central dielectric cylinder, surrounded by a thick latching ferrite toroid, magnetized azimuthally to remanence, are studied for the normal TE01 mode, assuming equal values of the relative permittivities of both strata. The main result of analysis is that the presence even of a tiny symmetric isotropic non-uniformity in the anisotropic medium around the axis alters completely the phase behaviour of the configuration, compared to the case in which the ferrite takes up the entire transmission line, discussed earlier. This is especially noticeable, if the sign of its magnetization is positive (counter-clockwise). Moreover, the change of the dimension of the inner layer, of its permittivity, preserving that of the outer one the same and of the direction of magnetization, are the most important factors that determine the position, borderlines, form and size of the area in the phase plane in which the wave might be supported, as well as the distribution of its two kinds of cut-off frequencies.
Preemptive therapy for cytomegalovirus with oral ganciclovir after liver transplantation.

In their otherwise excellent study, Rayes et al. have omitted to discuss the following points relevant to their report (1). First, the authors reported that in 32% of the patients, antigenemia did not precede symptoms. These findings are largely inconsistent with the existing literature regarding cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenemia in transplant recipients, and the authors have not discussed the reasons their results are at variance with the published data. Antigenemia is among the earliest tests to detect subclinical CMV infection and has yielded the greatest time from positivity to onset of CMV disease (2, 3). Studies in liver and renal transplant recipients have shown that CMV positivity was rarely detected earlier by molecular diagnostic tests than by antigenemia (2, 3). In 1996, CMV antigenemia replaced shell-vial assay as the detection test for early CMV infection in our liver transplant recipients. Since then, despite a significant increase in primary CMV infection, there have been no cases of CMV disease as shown in the Table 1 below. An insignificant reduction in the incidence of CMV disease between 1993 and1995 as compared with 1990 and 1992 was caused by the initiation of routine preemptive prophylaxis with ganciclovir in 1993. Although our prophylactic practices have remained unchanged, CMV disease has been eliminated since the introduction of antigenemia as a preemptive therapy tool. Second, oral ganciclovir was used for only 14 days to treat antigenemia. Given the poor bioavailability of oral ganciclovir that ranges between 6% and 8%, such a duration of prophylaxis may have been inadequate to prevent disease. Indeed, the median time until antigenemia became negative in patients receiving oral ganciclovir in the Rayes’ study was 19 days. Thus, prophylaxis with oral ganciclovir may have been prematurely discontinued in many patients. A positive antigenemia test upon conclusion of therapy has been shown to predict failure of therapy and relapse of CMV disease (2). Principles of antimicrobial agent use would dictate that prophylaxis be confined only to patients at risk for disease. In this regard, the authors deserve to be congratulated for using a thoughtful approach to CMV prophylaxis in their patients. It should, however, be noted that failures in their report may have resulted from a suboptimal regimen rather than inefficacy of the approach.
Multivariate pattern analysis reveals subtle brain anomalies relevant to the cognitive phenotype in neurofibromatosis type 1

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is a common genetic condition associated with cognitive dysfunction. However, the pathophysiology of the NF1 cognitive deficits is not well understood. Abnormal brain structure, including increased total brain volume, white matter (WM) and grey matter (GM) abnormalities have been reported in the NF1 brain. These previous studies employed univariate model‐driven methods preventing detection of subtle and spatially distributed differences in brain anatomy. Multivariate pattern analysis allows the combination of information from multiple spatial locations yielding a discriminative power beyond that of single voxels. Here we investigated for the first time subtle anomalies in the NF1 brain, using a multivariate data‐driven classification approach. We used support vector machines (SVM) to classify whole‐brain GM and WM segments of structural T1‐weighted MRI scans from 39 participants with NF1 and 60 non‐affected individuals, divided in children/adolescents and adults groups. We also employed voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) as a univariate gold standard to study brain structural differences. SVM classifiers correctly classified 94% of cases (sensitivity 92%; specificity 96%) revealing the existence of brain structural anomalies that discriminate NF1 individuals from controls. Accordingly, VBM analysis revealed structural differences in agreement with the SVM weight maps representing the most relevant brain regions for group discrimination. These included the hippocampus, basal ganglia, thalamus, and visual cortex. This multivariate data‐driven analysis thus identified subtle anomalies in brain structure in the absence of visible pathology. Our results provide further insight into the neuroanatomical correlates of known features of the cognitive phenotype of NF1. Hum Brain Mapp 35:89–106, 2014. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A systematic review of studies performing the hypo-osmotic swelling test to evaluate the quality of canine spermatozoa.

The hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOS test) is a simple and inexpensive test to evaluate the functional integrity of sperm cell membranes. According to the existing literature, its simple applicability has turned it into a valuable additional parameter to standard canine semen analysis. In the recent years, much research has been conducted in this field. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the quality of published literature in canine reproduction concerning the HOS test. Using two distinguished databases, 38 articles were detected and analysed subsequently according to various aspects, for example study design, population, semen sampling and implementation concerning the HOS test. Although there are numerous articles available, the diagnostic value of the HOS test remains ambiguous. Until now, neither a recognized test protocol nor reliable reference values have been defined. Most of the trials evaluated show serious methodological flaws and therefore do not permit drawing reliable conclusions. According to our results, approximately half of the studies (n = 20) included a sample size of five or less animals. None of the studies examined the inter- or intraobserver agreement for the HOS test. Further research is warranted including appropriate statistical methods and a sufficient number of animals to establish a standardized test protocol as well as reliable reference values. Most importantly, it is required to clarify a correlation between the HOS test and the fertilizing capacity to determine the diagnostic value of the HOS test.
Palaeodemography and earlier British populations.

Abstract New data is presented relevant to some aspects of the palaeodemography of early British populations. Certain earlier work is also discussed. Some of the difficulties and problems of establishing meaningful demographic information for earlier populations is first discussed. Following this, there is a consideration of population size, age variation and differences between the sexes in early British groups, with concluding remarks related to this data.
Relationship Between A1C and Fasting PlasmaGlucose in Dysglycemia or Type 2 Diabetes An analysis of baseline data from the ORIGIN trial

OBJECTIVEdA1Cmeasurement has advantages over measures of plasma glucose. Few studies have evaluated the A1C–fasting plasma glucose (FPG) relationship and whether oral antidiabetes drugs (OADs) and ethnic or geographic variations affect the relationship. Baseline A1C and FPG data from the Outcome Reduction with Initial Glargine Intervention (ORIGIN) trial participants were analyzed to 1) elucidate the relationship between A1C and FPG in people with moderate dysglycemia (A1C 5.6–9.0% [38–75 mmol/mol]) and additional risk factors for cardiovascular disease, 2) determine whether this relationship is altered by use of an OAD, and 3) study whether geographic and ethnic differences exist.
3D Eye Movement Analysis During Sinusoidal Off Vertical Axis Rotation in Human Subjects

Objective—It has been reported that the eye movements induced by off vertical axis rotation (OVAR) are composed of two components: a bias component (BIC) and a modulation component (MOC). It was suggested that the MOC compensates for changes in head orientation with respect to gravity and that the BIC is related to the velocity storage mechanism. However, the characteristics of the otolith organs remain obscure. In order to investigate these characteristics, we performed a 3D analysis of eye movements induced by human sinusoidal s-OVAR, and compared the result with that of eye movements induced by constant c-OVAR. Material and Methods—Fifteen healthy human subjects participated in this study. OVAR stimulation was produced by rotation following tilt. After a 30° tilt, the subject was rotated sinusoidally at 0.05 and 0.02 Hz at 50°/s peak velocity. Eye movements were recorded using an infrared charge-coupled device camera, and the updated version of our standard computerized image recognition method was used to analyze them three-dimensionally. Results—The eye movements induced by s-OVAR consisted of two kinds of sine waves: low- and high-frequency components. The low-frequency component was related to the change in angular acceleration, and the eye movements were found to derive from the semicircular canals. In contrast, the high-frequency component was related to the change in head position, and the eye movements were found to derive from the otolith organs. Conclusion—s-OVAR may prove to be a useful tool for simultaneously assessing the functions of both the otolith organs and the semicircular canals.
Disputants' Preferences for Court-Connected Dispute Resolution Procedures: Why We Should Care and Why We Know So Little

The last quarter of the 20th century produced dramatic changes in the legal landscape with respect to the resolution of legal disputes. Courts began to offer procedures that served as alternatives to the then-default trial. Today, disputes are increasingly being transferred from court dockets to mediation, arbitration, 2 or some other alternative dispute resolution ("ADR") procedure that is "court-connected," or required or advised by the court. Although the growth in court-connected ADR has undoubtedly changed how judges work
Cell Fate Determination by the Cell Wall in Early Fucus Development

In multicellular plants, development starts with an asymmetric division of the zygote into two differentiated cells. The nature and distribution of fate-determining factors operating during embryogenesis remain largely obscure. Laser microsurgery was used here to dissect two-celled embryos of the alga Fucus spiralis. Removal of protoplasts from the cell wall induced dedifferentiation. However, isolated cells within the walls followed their restricted fate. Moreover, contact of one cell type with the isolated cell wall of the other cell type caused its fate to be switched. The cell wall thus appears to maintain the differentiated state and to direct cell fate in plant development.
A matched-pair comparison of two cochlear implant systems.

OBJECTIVES To compare the overall performance of two implant systems based on audiologic outcome, tinnitus handicap, and quality of life using objective and subjective measures. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Sunnybrook & Women's College Health Science Centre. METHODS Two matched groups, with 24 Nucleus 22 SPEAK (Advanced Bionics, Symlar, CA) and 24 Clarion CIS (Cochlear Corporation, Sydney, Australia), were selected. Patients were administered survey forms to evaluate subjective tinnitus and dizziness symptomatology, as well as a 27-item tinnitus handicap questionnaire. Both groups were administered survey forms to assess the frequency of implant use, the subjective benefit derived, and the perceived impact on quality of life. The 36-Item Short-Form (SF-36) Health Survey was administered as a measure of quality of life at 6 months postimplant. Standardized open-set speech recognition parameters were evaluated at 24 months postimplant. Vestibular function was determined by pre-and postimplant electronystagmography with caloric testing. The first author was blinded to implant type during data collection and analysis RESULTS Cochlear implantation yielded a significant 22% reduction in overall tinnitus handicap (p < .05). There was a 27% reduction in vestibular function that failed to show statistical significance (p = .78). There was no significant reduction in vestibular function postimplant in either group. The average open-set speech perception responses at 24 months postimplant were monosyllabic word recognition 45%, phoneme recognition 65%, and sentence recognition 86.5%. There was no significant difference with respect to implant type. Overall, 76% of implantees reported satisfaction with the amount of subjective benefit they received from their implants. Furthermore, 96% reported an overall positive impact on quality of life. CONCLUSION Overall, there was no significant difference between the two multichannel devices studied using the present software and hardware configurations.