Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RNase L-Independent Specific 28S rRNA Cleavage in Murine Coronavirus-Infected Cells

ABSTRACT We characterized a novel 28S rRNA cleavage in cells infected with the murine coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus (MHV). The 28S rRNA cleavage occurred as early as 4 h postinfection (p.i.) in MHV-infected DBT cells, with the appearance of subsequent cleavage products and a decrease in the amount of intact 28S rRNA with increasing times of infection; almost all of the intact 28S rRNA disappeared by 24 h p.i. In contrast, no specific 18S rRNA cleavage was detected in infected cells. MHV-induced 28S rRNA cleavage was detected in all MHV-susceptible cell lines and all MHV strains tested. MHV replication was required for the 28S rRNA cleavage, and mature cytoplasmic 28S rRNA underwent cleavage. In certain combination of cells and viruses, pretreatment of virus-infected cells with interferon activates a cellular endoribonuclease, RNase L, that causes rRNA degradation. No interferon was detected in the inoculum used for MHV infection. Addition of anti-interferon antibody to MHV-infected cells did not inhibit 28S rRNA cleavage. Furthermore, 28S rRNA cleavage occurred in an MHV-infected mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line derived from RNase L knockout mice. Thus, MHV-induced 28S rRNA cleavage was independent of the activation of RNase L. MHV-induced 28S rRNA cleavage was also different from apoptosis-related rRNA degradation, which usually occurs concomitantly with DNA fragmentation. In MHV-infected 17Cl-1 cells, 28S rRNA cleavage preceded DNA fragmentation by at least 18 h. Blockage of apoptosis in MHV-infected 17Cl-1 cells by treatment with a caspase inhibitor did not block 28S rRNA cleavage. Furthermore, MHV-induced 28S rRNA cleavage occurred in MHV-infected DBT cells that do not show apoptotic signs, including activation of caspase-3 and DNA fragmentation. Thus, MHV-induced 28S rRNA cleavage appeared to differ from any rRNA degradation mechanism described previously.
A Dual-Band High-Gain Resonant Cavity Antenna With Orthogonal Polarizations

In this letter, a new study on the theory and the design of a dual-band dual-polarized high-gain resonant cavity antenna (RCA) is presented. The RCA includes two layers of orthogonal dipole arrays each located at a designated height above the ground plane of a microstrip patch antenna. A prototype is fabricated, and the measured results confirm the theory. The measured prototype has a lower-band gain of 19.6 dBi with the vertical polarization (V-pol) at 10 GHz and the upper band gain of 18 dBi with horizontal polarization (H-pol) at 11.6 GHz. The cross polarization (Xpol) is better than -27 dB at each band. It is demonstrated that the separation between the two bands is controlled arbitrarily.
Regulatory incentives and financial reporting quality in public healthcare organisations

English National Health Service Foundation Trusts are subject to a regulatory regime in which the level of monitoring and intervention is determined by performance against two key performance metrics: a ‘financial risk rating’, based on a number of performance metrics, such as the reported surplus margin and return on assets, and a ‘prudential borrowing limit’. In this paper, we investigate the variation in financial reporting quality, proxied by discretionary accruals, with the incentives introduced by this regime. We find: first, that discretionary accruals are managed to report small surpluses; second, that, consistent with the avoidance of regulatory intervention in both the short and medium term, discretionary accruals are more positive when pre-managed performance is below intervention triggering thresholds and more negative when well above threshold; third, that, despite a move away from financial breakeven as the primary performance objective, there remains an aversion to small loss reporting. We further find that the level of discretionary accruals is driven by two metrics of strategic significance: the surplus margin (a measure of retained earnings) and the prudential borrowing limit (a measure of borrowing capacity).
Rapamycin suppresses axon sprouting by somatostatin interneurons in a mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy

Purpose: In temporal lobe epilepsy many somatostatin interneurons in the dentate gyrus die. However, some survive and sprout axon collaterals that form new synapses with granule cells. The functional consequences of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic synaptic reorganization are unclear. Development of new methods to suppress epilepsy‐related interneuron axon sprouting might be useful experimentally.
Efficacy of florfenicol in the treatment of experimentally induced infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate efficacy of florfenicol in an induced model of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis, using a blinded randomized, controlled trial. ANIMALS 48 male Holstein calves, 2 to 4 months old. PROCEDURE Moraxella bovis infection was induced in all calves. When corneal ulcers developed, each calf was assigned randomly to 1 of 3 treatment groups, using a block design determined by corneal ulcer size (day 0). Calves were treated with florfenicol (20 mg/kg of body weight, IM) on days 0 and 2 (IM group; n = 16). Calves of a second group received a single dose of florfenicol (40 mg/kg, SC) on day 0 (SC group; n = 16). The third group of calves was not treated (control group; n = 16). Corneal ulcers were photographed, and each calf was assessed for 30 days after treatment for 10 clinical signs of infection. Corneal ulcer surface areas were measured, and clinical scores were calculated. Ocular secretions for microbiologic culture were obtained weekly from each eye. RESULTS A Cox regression model indicated that, after adjustment for initial ulcer size, healing rates were 6.2 and 4.8 times greater in calves of the IM and SC groups, respectively, compared with the control group. Clinical scores and surface area measurements for treatment groups were significantly smaller than those for controls during posttreatment weeks 1 through 4. From day 8 through day 29, M bovis was isolated from ocular secretions of 14 of 16 control calves and 1 of 32 treated calves. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Parenterally administered florfenicol reduces corneal ulcer healing time, lessens clinical severity, and reduces the amount of bacterial shedding from calves infected with M bovis.
Efficient second harmonic blue generation from self-doubling of quasi-phase-matched PPLT parametric oscillator

High slope-efficiency ∼25% for green-to-blue wavelength conversion, rendering 60mW/440nm blue laser by 400mW/532nm pump of 20ns/4KHz, was demonstrated on 7. 9µm-period PPLT due to simultaneous phase matching of the 1<sup>st</sup>-order QPM-OPO with the 2<sup>nd</sup>-order QPM-SHG process.
Oocyte‐derived R‐spondin2 promotes ovarian follicle development

R‐spondin proteins are adult stem cell growth factors capable of stimulating gut development by activating LGR4, 5, and 6 receptors to promote Wnt signaling. Although multiple Wnt ligands and cognate Frizzled receptors are expressed in the ovary, their physiological roles are unclear. Based on bioinformatic and in situ hybridization analyses, we demonstrated the exclusive expression of R‐spondin2 in oocytes of ovarian follicles. In cultured somatic cells from preantral follicles, R‐spondin2 treatment (ED50: 3 ng/ml) synergized with Wnt3a to stimulate Wnt signaling. In cultured ovarian explants from prepubertal mice containing preantral follicles, treatment with R‐spondin2, similar to follicle stimulating hormone, promoted the development of primary follicles to the secondary stage. In vivo administration of an R‐spondin agonist stimulated the development of primary follicles to the antral stage in both immature mice and gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist‐treated adult mice. Subsequent treatment with gonadotropins allowed the generation of mature oocytes capable of undergoing early embryonic development and successful pregnancy. Furthermore, R‐spondin agonist treatment of immune‐deficient mice grafted with human cortical fragments stimulated the development of primary follicles to the secondary stage. Thus, oocyte‐derived R‐spondin2 is a paracrine factor essential for primary follicle development, and R‐spondin agonists could provide a new treatment regimen for infertile women with low responses to the traditional gonadotropin therapy. —Cheng, Y. , Kawamura, K. , Takae, S. , Deguchi, M. , Yang, Q. , Kuo, C. , Hsueh, A. J. W. Oocyte‐derived R‐spondin2 promotes ovarian follicle development. FASEB J. 27, 2175–2184 (2013). www.fasebj. org
Directed Transfer Function: Unified Asymptotic Theory and Some of Its Implications

Objective: To present a unified mathematical derivation of the frequency-dependent asymptotic behavior of the three main forms of directed transfer function (DTF). Methods: A synthesis of the results (proved in an extended Appendix) is followed by a series of Monte Carlo simulations of representative examples. Results: DTF estimators are asymptotically normal when the true values are different from zero. Under the null hypothesis H0: DTF=0, the estimator is distributed as a linear combination of independent X12 variables. Conclusions: Null DTF rejection is shown to be achievable with identical performance irrespective of which DTF form is adopted. Significance: Together with recent allied partial directed coherence results, this paper rounds up connectivity inference tools for a class of frequency-domain connectivity estimators.
Impact of chlorhexidine-silver sulfadiazine-impregnated central venous catheters on in vitro quantitation of catheter-associated bacteria

To assess the impact of the antiseptic effects of silver sulfadiazine-chlorhexidine-impregnated central venous catheters on catheter culture systems, a series of in vitro experiments was performed. Segments of antiseptic and non-antiseptic-impregnated catheters were sonicated in thioglycolate broth and removed. After the addition of 10(3) CFU of Staphylococcus epidermidis per ml, aliquots of catheter-exposed broth were subcultured onto blood agar at 15-min intervals. Decreased mean colony counts were noted at 45 min for broth exposed to antiseptic-impregnated catheters compared with the colony counts for broth exposed to non-antiseptic-impregnated catheters (170 versus 540 CFU/ml). These effects, which were also demonstrated by the roll-plate method, were abrogated by the use of medium containing inhibitors of silver sulfadiazine and chlorhexidine. To assess the duration of the antiseptic effects, catheter segments were suspended for up to 14 days in phosphate-buffered saline, incubated with 10(6) CFU of S. epidermidis per ml, and cultured. Inhibition of bacterial growth by antiseptic-impregnated catheters disappeared after 14 days. These studies suggest that antiseptic compounds elute from catheters during broth- and solid medium-based culturing processes, making necessary the addition of inhibitors of these compounds in culture media. They further suggest that the antimicrobial effects of antiseptic-impregnated catheters wane within several days of placement.
Binding Interaction Analysis of the Active Site and Its Inhibitors for Neuraminidase (N1 Subtype) of Human Influenza Virus by the Integration of Molecular Docking, FMO Calculation and 3D-QSAR CoMFA Modeling

Recently, the worldwide spread of A/H5N1 avian influenza with high virulence has highlighted the potential threat of human influenza pandemic. Tamiflu and Relenza are currently the only two anti-influenza drugs targeting the neuraminidase (NA) enzyme of human influenza virus. Reports of the emergence of drug resistance further make the development of new potent anti-influenza inhibitors a priority. The X-ray crystallographic study of A/H5N1 avian influenza NA subtypes (Russell, R. J. Nature 2006, 443, 45-49) has demonstrated that there exist two genetically distinct groups, group-1 (N1, N4, N5 and N8) and group-2 (N2, N3, N6, N7 and N9), whose conformations are substantially different. The detailed comparison of their active sites has established, heretofore, the most accurate and solid molecular basis of structure and mechanism for the development of new anti-influenza drugs. In the present study, a three-dimensional structure of N1 subtype of human influenza type A virus (N1hA) has been generated by homology modeling using the X-ray crystallographic structure of N1 subtype of avian influenza virus (N1aA) as the template. Binding interaction analysis between the active site and its inhibitors has been performed by combining ab initio fragment molecular orbital (FMO) calculations and three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship with comparative molecular field analysis (3D-QSAR CoMFA) modeling. Integrated with docking-based 3D-QSAR CoMFA modeling, molecular surface property (electrostatic and steric) mapping and FMO pair interaction analysis, a set of new receptor-ligand binding models and bioaffinity predictive models for rational design and virtual screening of more potent inhibitors of N1hA are established. In addition, the flexibility of the loop-150 of N1hA and N1aA has been examined by a series of molecular dynamics simulations.
Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer

AbstractThe incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is rising. Research in the field of these tumors is aimed toward developing earlier and less invasive diagnostic methods and more effective, more accessible therapeutic options. Although there is much advancement in the diagnosis and treatment of NMSC, there are few literatures cataloging these developments. The aim of this review was to present the sensitivity and specificity of new imaging modalities, the dosing regimen and clearance rates of topical treatments, newer systemic treatment modalities, and discuss developments in the use of radiation as a mode of therapy. Recent developments in the diagnosis of NMSC include imaging modalities such as reflectance confocal microscopy, elastic scattering spectroscopy, and spectrophotometric intracutaneous analysis. Recent advances in the treatment of these tumors include systemic therapies such as epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, and topical immunomodulating drugs such as imiquimod. The progress in the diagnosis and treatment of these tumors is a gradual but fruitful growth. Scientists and clinicians alike must continue their exploration and study to address these tumors and, hopefully in the future, prevent their occurrence.
Comparative Analysis of R&D-Based Innovation Capabilities in SMEs to Design Innovation Policy

This study suggests a novel approach to assessing research and development (R&D) innovation capabilities and devises solutions to support the strengthening innovation capabilities of technology-based SMEs. An assessment framework is developed using top-down and bottom-up approaches simultaneously to identify the critical capabilities required for R&D-based innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The data envelopment analysis (DEA) is adopted as a method for the assessment of capabilities, and the suggested approach is applied to Korean SMEs to verify its feasibility. The assessment results indicate that different types of core R&D-based innovation capabilities can be identified based on a comparative analysis of SMEs. These findings can help understand SMEs’ innovation capabilities and are expected to be used widely in practices to support SMEs’ innovation activities.
Catheter ablations of supraventricular tachycardias.

BACKGROUND Supraventricular tachycardias (SVT) occur at all ages. Their spectrum as well as tolerance change with increasing age. OBJECTIVES The aim of our study was to assess the course of SVT catheter ablations in elderly patients when compared to younger population. METHODS The course of the SVT radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) in the group of 288 patients, who underwent catheter ablation at our department during 24 months was retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided into two subgroups according to age. In the first group 142 patients younger than 65 years were included and 146 patients aged 65 years or more in the second group. In both groups, the occurrence of heart rhythm disorders, fluoroscopy time and the incidence of complications with varying severity were observed. RESULTS Life-threatening complications were observed only in three patients from the first group (one pulmonary embolism and two unintended complete atrioventricular blocks). Serious complications included a haemopericardium requiring a pericardial drainage in two cases and an arterial-venous fistula in one patient in the first group, and one retroperitoneal heamatoma in the second group. Minor complications represented by one heamatoma larger than 5x5cm occurred in one patient from each group. The occurrence of complications as well as average fluoroscopy time were not correlated between the groups. CONCLUSION Based on our experience, radiofrequency catheter ablation of SVT in elderly patients is a safe procedure when indicated correctly. Taking into account the physical status of patients in this age group it is advisable to simplify and thus shorten the procedure (Tab. 1, Ref. 13). Full Text in PDF www.elis. sk.
Apolipoprotein E genotypes and cognitive functions in healthy elderly persons

Objectives‐ We investigated whether apoE genotypes correlate with cognitive functions in clinically healthy persons. Methods ‐ In 1993 and 1995, we measured information processing speed, delayed free recall and semantic aspects of long‐term memory in 227 men and 105 women aged 65 and over, a randomly selected subsample of the prospective Basel Study. Cardiovascular risk factors and education were assessed. Results ‐E2 were more prevalent in old‐old (>75 years, 23.5% vs 15%) compared to E4 than in young‐old (<75 years, 19.3% vs 23.5%). Taking into account age and education, subjects with ɛ3/ɛ4 or ɛ4/ɛ4 alleles (E4) performed lowest in all 3 tests compared to those homozygous for ɛ3 (E3) or carriers of one or two ɛ2 alleles (E2) (reaction time P=0.009, free recall P=0.05, WAIS‐R vocabulary P<0.05). In old‐old there was a significant difference between E2 and E4 for reaction time (P=0.02) and free recall (P<0.02) but not for vocabulary (P=0.086). In all 3 groups there were no significant changes after 2 years. The subgroup with the genotype ɛ2/ɛ4 performed consistently best in the cognitive tests. Cholesterol was significantly increased in the E4 and E3 group compared to the E2 group. Conclusion ‐ ApoE genotype correlates with cognitive performance. The increased prevalence of E2 in the old‐old and the significantly lower plasma cholesterol levels suggest differential morbidity and mortality as important factors influencing the prevalence of cognitive disorders in late life.
Biased Immunoglobulin G1 Isotype Responses Induced in Cattle with DNA Expressing msp1a of Anaplasma marginale

ABSTRACT Immunization with the native major surface protein 1 (MSP1) (a heterodimer containing disulfide and noncovalently bonded polypeptides designated MSP1a and MSP1b) of the erythrocytic stage ofAnaplasma marginale conferred protection against homologous challenge (G. H. Palmer, A. F. Barbet, W. C. Davis, and T. C. McGuire, Science 231:1299–1302, 1986). The MSP1a polypeptide possesses a conserved neutralization-sensitive epitope. In the present study, the immune response to DNA-mediated immunization using msp1a was studied. The plasmid pVCL/MSP1a, which encodes the complete msp1a gene of A. marginaleunder the control of human cytomegalovirus immediate-early enhancer/promoter and intron A, was constructed. The immune responses elicited by immunization with pVCL/MSP1a into cardiotoxin-induced regenerating muscle were evaluated in mice and cattle. Antibody reactive with native MSP1a was detected in pooled sera of immunized BALB/c mice 3 weeks following primary immunization. Two calves seronegative for A. marginale were immunized four times, at weeks 0, 3, 7, and 13, with pVCL/MSP1a. By 8 weeks, both calves responded to MSP1a with an antibody titer of 1:100, which peaked at 1:1,600 and 1:800 by 16 weeks after the initial immunization. Interestingly, immunoblotting with anti-immunoglobulin G1 (anti-IgG1) and anti-IgG2 specific monoclonal antibodies revealed a restricted IgG1 anti-MSP1a response in both animals. T-lymphocyte lines, established after the fourth immunization, proliferated specifically againstA. marginale homogenate and purified MSP1 in a dose-dependent manner. These data provide a basis for an immunization strategy to direct bovine immune responses by using DNA vaccine vectors containing single or multiple genes encoding major surface proteins ofA. marginale.
Olivocochlear and vestibular efferent neurons of the feline brain stem: Their location, morphology and number determined by retrograde axonal transport and acetylcholinesterase histochemistry

Anterograde degeneration studies have shown that the cochlear and vestibular receptor organs receive an efferent innervation from neurons in the brain stem. This pathway may provide a mechanism by which the CNS could modulate its own afferent input. The neurons which provide this innervation have so far escaped positive identification with methods which depend on retrograde cell changes after axotomy. In the present study, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected into the labryinths of kittens and after allowing 24 hours for the retrograde axonal transport of this tracer, its presence in neurons of the brain stem was demonstrated histochemically. Because there is evidence that the efferent innervation of the labyrinth is cholinergic, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was also demonstrated histochemically in the same or in adjacent tissue sections. Neurons labelled with HRP were found bilaterally in most periolivary cell groups of the superior olivary complex (cochlear efferents) and in the parvocellular reticular nucleus lateral to the abducens nucleus (vestibular efferents). Counts of labelled neurons yielded estimated totals of 1,700–1,800 cochlear and 400–500 vestibular efferent neurons. Approximately 60% of the neurons in each total were located on the side ipsilateral to the injection. The distribution of HRP‐labelled neurons was virtually identical to that of AChE‐positive neurons found in adjacent sections, and in those regions with predominantly ipsilateral or contralateral projections, there was an approximate correspondence in number of HRP‐ and AChE‐positive neurons. In tissue sections processed successively for demonstration of HRP and AChE, virtually all HRP‐labelled neurons were found to be AChE‐positive. These findings suggest that a number of current conceptions regarding labyrinthine efferent systems may need revision.