Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Structure-based Approach to Designing Non-natural Peptides That Can Activate Anti-melanoma Cytotoxic T Cells*

Tumor antigens presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules and recognized by CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) may generate an efficient antitumor immune response after appropriate immunization. Antigenic peptides can be used in vivo to induce antitumor or antiviral immunity. The efficiency of naked peptides may be greatly limited by their degradation in the biological fluids. We present a rational, structure-based approach to design structurally modified, peptidase-resistant and biologically active analogues of human tumor antigen MAGE-1.A1. This approach is based on our understanding of the peptide interaction with the MHC and the T cell receptor and its precise degradation pathway. Knowledge of these mechanisms led to the design of a non-natural, minimally modified analogue of MAGE-1.A1, [Aib2,NMe-Ser8]MAGE-1.A1, which was highly peptidase-resistant and bound to MHC and activated MAGE-1.A1-specific anti-melanoma CTLs. Thus, we showed that it is possible to structurally modify peptide epitopes to obtain analogues that are still specifically recognized by CTLs. Such analogues may represent interesting leads for antitumor synthetic vaccines.
Transvaginal ultrasound probe contamination by the human papillomavirus in the emergency department

Objective To determine if human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA can be detected on the transvaginal sonography (TVS) probe in the emergency department (ED) and whether the current barrier method plus disinfection can prevent HPV contamination of the TVS probe. Methods This was a two-part cross-sectional study. In the first part, surveillance samples were taken from the TVS probe for HPV DNA detection daily for 2 months. In the second part, patients presenting with early pregnancy complications were identified in the ED and high vaginal swabs were taken for HPV DNA testing. Several probe swabs were taken to identify if contamination was possible in cases where the procedure was done on an HPV carrier. Results A total of 120 surveillance samples were obtained, nine of which (7.5%) tested positive for HPV DNA. In the second part, 76 women were recruited, of whom 14 (18.4%) were HPV carriers. After the procedure and disinfection of the probe, three out of the 14 probe samples (21%) were HPV DNA positive. Conclusions HPV is commonly encountered in the ED and contamination of the TVS probe with HPV is possible. Although it is difficult to prove the viability and infectivity of the virus, vigilant infection control measures should be maintained.
GREEN'S FUNCTION FOR AN INFINITE ANISOTROPIC MEDIUM. REVIEW

A review of basic papers related to development and implementation of rather efficient mathematical methods aimed at formation of Green’s functions for various types of anisotropic media: uniaxial and biaxial, generalized gyrotropic, layered etc. is provided. Advantages and drawbacks of the methods aimed at both the analytical results and the possibility of numeric or asymptotic estimates of the sought functions are highlighted. The outlook for using them while solving practical problems of current importance are determined.
Increased sphingoid base-1-phosphates and failure of neural tube closure after exposure to fumonisin or FTY720.

BACKGROUND Fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)) is a mycotoxin produced by a common fungal contaminant of corn. Ingestion of FB(1)-contaminated food is associated with increased risk for neural tube defects (NTDs). FB(1) induces NTDs in inbred LM/Bc mice. FB(1) inhibits ceramide synthase in de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis, resulting in accumulation of sphinganine and sphinganine-1-phosphate (Sa1P). Sa1P functions as a ligand for a family of G protein-coupled S1P receptors. METHODS Pregnant SWV and LM/Bc mice were treated with FB(1) (20 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally on embryonic day (ED) 7.5-8.5) or the known S1P receptor agonist FTY720 (10 mg/kg/day oral gavage on ED 6.5-8.5). LC/MS was used to detect sphingoid base-1-phosphates in maternal blood spots, plasma, and embryonic tissue. Strain-specific SWV and LM/Bc mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and serum free mouse embryo (SFME) neural progenitor cells were treated with FB(1) (40 μM for 24 hr) and LC/MS was used to detect sphingoid base-1-phosphates. RESULTS FTY720 induced NTDs in both the SWV and the LM/Bc strains of mice. Sphinganine-1-P (Sa1P) and FTY720-P were elevated in the blood spots and plasma of mice treated with FB(1) or FTY720, respectively. FTY720-P was elevated in ED 9.5 exencephalic embryos. Sa1P was elevated in SFME and MEF cells treated with FB(1), and Sa1P was higher in MEFs generated from the FB(1)-NTD-susceptible LM/Bc strain. CONCLUSIONS Elevated sphingoid base-1-P after FB(1) or FTY720 suggest a potential role for these bioactive lipid ligands and activation of S1P receptor signaling pathways in the failure of neural tube closure after FB(1) or FTY720. Sa1P may represent a biomarker for FB(1)-NTD risk assessment.
A probable role of blood lead levels on some haematological parameters in traffic police, Lahore, Pakistan

The impact of elevated blood lead level on some haematological parameters was studied in the field force of Lahore traffic police, in Pakistan. The blood samples were tested for total leucocytes count (TLC) and differential leucocytes count in the persons with high and low blood lead levels. The TLC and percentage of neutrophils and eosinophils were observed as being significantly elevated in the policemen. No significant change was observed in the percentage of lymphocytes, while the percentage of monocytes was observed as being significantly less in the field force of traffic police.
Solitary benign osteoblastic lesions of bone. Osteoid osteoma and benign osteoblastoma

Cases of osteoid osteoma, benign osteoblastoma, focal osteomyeitis and fibrous dysplasia have been studied. The first two are histologically indistinguishable except for size but are recognizable from fibrous dysplasia and related lesions. When osteoid osteoma and benign osteoblastoma are separated by the size of the lesion (smaller or larger than 1 cm), the skeletal distribution of each is different and different from fibrous dysplasia. Whether these differences imply different etiologies or merely reflect the influence of skeletal site on etiologically similar lesions cannot be settled, except in that focal osteomyelitis has no etiologic relationship to the others. The relationship between osteoid osteoma and benign osteoblastoma was studied in cases with serial roentgenograms. The former did not grow into the latter but sometimes grew larger, preserving the radiologic essentials of osteoid osteoma. The early phases of benign osteoblastoma were not elucidated. Axons have been demonstrated in four osteoid osteomas and the systematic search for nerves in benign osteoblastoma and fibrous dysplasia is advocated.
Production with sodium sulphates of an electrolyte-steroid-cardiopathy characterized by necroses (ESCN), and its prevention by MgC12 and KCl.

Massive myocardial necroses and hemorrhagic necroses of the liver can be produced by combined treatment with monosodium or disodium sulphate (NaHSO4 or Na2SO4) and 2α-methyl-9α-chlorocortisol (Me-Cl-COL) in the rat. In this respect, the effect of the sulphates resembles that previously described for sodium phosphates and perchlorate. It differs from that of most other sodium salts that have been tested for this activity up to the present time.NaCl slightly inhibits the cardiotoxic and hepatotoxic effect of concurrent treatment with Na2SO4 plus Me-Cl-COL. Equimolecular amounts of MgCl2 or KCl are even considerably more effective in this respect. It is noteworthy that, under these experimental conditions, the effect of 1 mM. of Na2SO4 can be inhibited by 0.5 mM. of MgCl2 or KCl.We may conclude from these observations that, in rats conditioned by a highly active corticoid, such as Me-Cl-COL, the production of an "infarctoid cardiopathy" (as well as of the accompanying hepatic changes) does not only depend up.
A two-part personality measure for use as a research criterion.

present paper describes development and evaluation of a 20 min. two-part personality measure suitable for use as a research criterion in a wide variety of situations. One part provides a score of emotional maladjustment based on twenty of seventy-four items, having an internal consistency of 0.81; other part a score of sociability based on twelve of thirty-six items, having an internal consistency of 0.74. Evidence is presented for validity of both scores, and for their independence of age and intelligence as assessed in adequately heterogeneous samples.
Eccrine Nevus Presenting as a Hypopigmented Patch

Abstract: A 14‐month‐old Caucasian male presented with a hypopigmented patch associated with increased perspiration on the right side of his back, flank, and abdomen. Starch iodide test and biopsy revealed an eccrine nevus. The truncal presentation and light color both were unique presentations of this rare hamartoma.
Characterization of the components of hemolysin BL from Bacillus cereus

Previously we described the partial purification of a novel hemolysin from Bacillus cereus and showed that hemolytic activity required the combined action of at least two components, called B and L to signify their cell-binding and cell-lytic roles in this activity. On further purification, as described in the present article, a combination of anion-exchange chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis separated three proteins, B, L1, and L2 (35, 36, and 45 kDa, respectively). Individually, these proteins were inactive in hemolytic and vascular permeability assays, and combinations of B and L1 or B and L2 were either inactive or slightly active. Combinations of all three moieties produced the unique ring-shaped zone of hemolysis, a previously described characteristic of hemolysin BL, as well as edema and bluing in the vascular permeability assay. Since the vascular permeability assay is known to correlate with enterotoxicity, these results suggest that hemolysin BL is enterotoxigenic. Furthermore, the molecular weights and isoelectric point values of the hemolysin BL components are consistent with those described by others for the multicomponent diarrheal enterotoxin of B. cereus. Immunofluorescent staining of B-treated erythrocytes confirmed that B binds to cells as an initial step required before the L components can act to cause cell lysis.
The Electrocardiogram of the Normal Dog.∗

Summary 1. A table of values is presented for the electrocardiogram of the average normal laboratory dog; trained, un-anesthetized, and in the supine position, based on data from 62 tracings on 30 dogs. 2. Data obtained from 10 serial tracings on each of 3 dogs indicates a variation within the same animal not significantly different from that obtaining among different animals. 3. It is recommended that to establish the normal electrocardiogram of a dog a mean of 3 tracings taken at different times be used to reduce the effect of the occasional extreme value.
Examining Procedural Consolidation with Visuomotor Learning in the Lower Limb

ABSTRACT To investigate the effects of interference tasks in the early stages of motor learning, we used a computerized motor skill analyzer (CMSA) for the lower limb that evaluates the accuracy and speed of movements in tracking tasks. Forty-five healthy subjects were randomly divided into three groups: a control group without an interference task, a mirror image interference group, and a point symmetry interference group. The practice and measurement of motor-learning trials were carried out as follows: (1) 10 practice trials followed by 10 measurement trials in the morning of the first day. (2) 10 measurement trials 6–7 awake hours after the first measurement. (3) 10 measurement trials on the morning of day 2. In the learning interference groups, 10 trials of the mirror image or point symmetry task were performed immediately after the first measurement. Although motor skills of the control group improved, those of the learning interference groups did not. This suggests that a second task performed immediately after the first task interferes with the consolidation of motor skill learning demanding complex visuomotor transformation.
Characterisation of music-evoked autobiographical memories

Despite music's prominence in Western society and its importance to individuals in their daily lives, very little is known about the memories and emotions that are often evoked when hearing a piece of music from one's past. We examined the content of music-evoked autobiographical memories (MEAMs) using a novel approach for selecting stimuli from a large corpus of popular music, in both laboratory and online settings. A set of questionnaires probed the cognitive and affective properties of the evoked memories. On average, 30% of the song presentations evoked autobiographical memories, and the majority of songs also evoked various emotions, primarily positive, that were often felt strongly. The third most common emotion was nostalgia. Analyses of written memory reports found both general and specific levels of autobiographical knowledge to be represented, and several social and situational contexts for memory formation were common across many memories. The findings indicate that excerpts of popular music serve as potent stimuli for studying the structure of autobiographical memories.
Relationship of symptoms with sleep-stage abnormalities in obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome

Background Patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) present with a variety of sleep-related symptoms. In polysomnography, sleep architecture is almost always abnormal, but it is not known which of the sleep-stage abnormalities are related to symptoms. Finding key sleep-stage abnormality that cause symptoms may be of therapeutic importance to alleviate symptoms. So far the mainstay of treatment is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)/bi-level positive airway pressure (BIPAP) therapy, but many patients are non-compliant to it. Correcting the sleep-stage abnormality that cause symptoms by pharmacotherapy may become an important adjunct to CPAP/BIPAP therapy. Methods A cross-sectional study. Adult subjects who attended a sleep laboratory for diagnostic polysomnography for a period of 1 month were recruited consecutively. OSAHS was diagnosed using American Academy of Sleep Medicine criteria. Subjects filled a questionnaire for symptoms prior to polysomnography. Results Thirty subjects, of whom 83.3% were obese, met diagnostic criteria, with males constituting 46.7% and females constituting 53%. Mean age was 53.40±11.60 years. Sleep architecture comprised N1 19.50±19.00%, N2 53.93±13.39%, N3 3.90±19.50%, and rapid eye movement 8.92±6.21%. Excessive fatigue or sleepiness, waking up tired, falling asleep during the day, trouble paying attention, snoring and insomnia were significantly related to decreased N3 sleep. Conclusions Most of the symptoms in OSAHS in adults are related to decreased stage N3 sleep. If confirmed by larger controlled studies, correcting N3 sleep deficiency by pharmacotherapy may become an important adjunct to CPAP/BIPAP therapy to alleviate symptoms.
Role of the plasma membrane calcium adenosine triphosphatase on domoate‐induced intracellular acidification in primary cultures of cerebelar granule cells

Changes in intracellular pH (pHi) and cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]c) caused by the glutamate agonist domoate (DOM) were studied in single cultured mouse cerebellar granule cells (CGC) by using the fluorescent probes 2′,7′‐bis(carboxyethyl)‐5(6)‐carboxyfluorescein acetoxymethyl ester (BCECF‐AM) and simultaneous evaluation of cytosolic calcium concentration with the fluorescent dye Fura‐2 acetoxymethyl ester (Fura‐2 AM). DOM caused a concentration‐dependent increase in [Ca2+]c and a concentration‐dependent intracellular acidification of CGC. DOM‐induced intracellular acidification was completely abolished by the use of Ca2+‐free medium, suggesting that it was due mostly to an influx of extracellular calcium. The pHi decrease caused by DOM was also completely blocked in the presence of the AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist CNQX, indicating that the DOM‐induced intracellular acidification was caused by DOM activation of the AMPA/kainate subtype of glutamate receptors. Different mechanisms that could be involved in DOM‐induced pHi decrease, such as displacement of H+ by Ca2+ from a common intracellular binding site, DOM‐induced alteration of pHi regulation mechanisms, and a possible acidification caused by DOM‐induced increase of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, were excluded. DOM‐induced intracellular acidification was completely prevented by inhibitors of the plasma membrane calcium adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) (PMCA), including orthovanadate, lanthanum extracellular pH of 8.5, and the specific PMCA inhibitor caloxin 2A1. Our results therefore indicate that PMCA is involved in DOM‐induced intracellular acidification in primary cultures of CGC. Simultaneous recording of [Ca2+]c and pHi indicates that the increase in intracellular calcium evoked by DOM will activate the calcium extrusion mechanisms through the calcium pump, which, in turn, will decrease intracellular pH by countertransport of H+ ions. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Microglia-like or microglia: results of the weak silver carbonate staining method of del Rio-Hortega

Abstract We investigated the character and origin of the newly described “microglia-like” cell in the mammalian organ of Corti after aminoglycoside intoxication. We replicated the neomycin-induced ototoxicity model in cochleae of neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats and used their brains as microglia positive controls. The weak silver carbonate staining method of del Rio-Hortega was used to identify the microglia-like cell. The microglia-like cell was confirmed by transmission electron microscope (TEM). Microglia in the brain were stained while rat microglia-like cells in the cochlea were unstained by the weak silver carbonate staining method of del Rio-Hortega. Because the microglia-like cell was unstained by the method of del Rio-Hortega, it is unlikely that the newly found cell is related to microglia.
Cutting and stacking in ergodic theory

Carole Agyeman-Prempeh : Cutting and Stacking in Ergodic Theory (Under the direction of Dr. Idris Assani) This thesis looks at constructing transformations using cutting and stacking methods. It focuses mainly on the construction of Chacon’s transformation. This transformation provides an example of a measure-preserving transformation which is weakly mixing and not strongly mixing.
Enhancement of Dissolution and Bioavailability of Piroxicam in Solid Dispersion Systems

Solid dispersion systems of water-insoluble piroxicam in polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000 and in urea were prepared by fusion and solvent methods and were characterized in this study. The in vitro dissolution studies showed that the dispersion systems containing piroxicam and PEG4000 or urea gave faster dissolution than the corresponding simple mixtures. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) study indicated that the piroxicam-PEG system prepared by the fusion method is a solid dispersion, while the piroxicam-urea system prepared by the solvent method is likely to be a solid solution of piroxicam in urea. The storage testings showed that all dispersions were stable, except that uptake of water during storage may occur in the PEG system. A single-dose study with rabbits showed that the dispersion systems provided statistically significant to a higher extent and rate of bioavailability than the corresponding physical mixture (p < 0.05).
Postgraduate Students' Attitudes towards Research

Students often rate courses in research methods negatively and regard them as difficult. This study used the Attitudes towards Research Scale (Papanastasiou, 2005) to assess the attitudes of 201 randomly selected postgraduate students of teacher education programs from public and private universities in Pakistan. It was hypothesized that students hold positive attitudes toward different aspects of research. This scale consisted of 32 items having 5 constructs: usefulness of research in a career, research anxiety, positive attitudes toward research, research relevance to life, and research difficulty. Data were collected by self-administered approach. Data were gathered from the trainee teachers during their class time. Three programs (B.S honors/ M.A education, (N = 63), M.Phil / MS education (N = 114), and PhD education (N = 24) were selected as a sample of the study. Data were analyzed by using t-test and ANOVA. Results indicated that the males had significantly positive attitudes towards research than the females. Similarly significant results were found on age, different programs of study, and university type.
Stepping Back from Social Norms Campaigns: Comparing Normative Influences to Other Predictors of Health Behaviors

Recent health campaigns on college campuses have used a social norms approach, which suggests that one's perceptions of others' attitudes and behaviors are the key components in attitude and behavior change. However, the efficacy of social norms campaigns has been mixed. This study was conducted to assess the relationships among sociodemographics, normative perceptions, and individual attitudes on 3 health behaviors. Students at 2 universities (N = 393) completed questionnaires assessing how these variables related to their consumption of alcohol, tobacco use, and exercise behaviors. Regressions indicated that each of these variables was associated with behavior, but varied independent variables emerged as the salient predictors among behaviors. In several conditions the effect of normative perceptions on behaviors was not significant, a finding in direct opposition to social norms marketing. In all 3 behavioral conditions, the variable accounting for the greatest variance was whether or not the individual liked participating in that particular behavior. Thus, although some social norms marketing may be meeting with success, it may be the case that predicted attitudinal and behavioral changes will not be found when applied across diverse health topics.
Short‐pulse duration retinal lasers: a review

The development of lasers for biological use was an important medical advance in the 20th century with numerous evidence‐based therapeutic applications to retinal disease, including capillary leakage at the macula. Although the role of photocoagulative laser in the treatment of macular oedema has diminished, there is evidence for a modified role in clinical management, particularly for extrafoveal leakage. Additionally, it may reduce the frequency of required intravitreal injections and assist in visual stabilization when used as an adjunct. The tissue destructive effect of photocoagulative lasers has motivated the development of safer macular lasers and the search for novel therapeutic applications, including treatment of drusen and regeneration of dysfunctional retinal pigment epithelium.