Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An influenza A (H1N1) virus, closely related to swine influenza virus, responsible for a fatal case of human influenza

In July 1991, an influenza A virus, designated A/Maryland/12/91 (A/MD), was isolated from the bronchial secretions of a 27-year-old animal caretaker. He had been admitted to the hospital with bilateral pneumonia and died of acute respiratory distress syndrome 13 days later. Antigenic analyses with postinfection ferret antisera and monoclonal antibodies to recent H1 swine hemagglutinins indicated that the hemagglutinin of this virus was antigenically related to, but distinguishable from, those of other influenza A (H1N1) viruses currently circulating in swine. Oligonucleotide mapping of total viral RNAs revealed differences between A/MD and other contemporary swine viruses. However, partial sequencing of each RNA segment of A/MD demonstrated that all segments were related to those of currently circulating swine viruses. Sequence analysis of the entire hemagglutinin, nucleoprotein, and matrix genes of A/MD revealed a high level of identity with other contemporary swine viruses. Our studies on A/MD emphasize that H1N1 viruses in pigs obviously continue to cross species barriers and infect humans.
Characterization of Rous sarcoma virus src gene products synthesized in vitro

The cell-free synthesis of three major proteins from virion RNA of nondefective Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), but not from RNA of transformation-defective deletion mutants, has been observed. The apparent molecular weights of these transformation-specific proteins are approximately 60,000 (60K), 25K, and 17K. Tryptic maps of methionine-containing peptides revealed the 17K, 25K, and 60K proteins to be overlapping in sequence. However, only partial homology was observed between the 17K, 25K and 60K proteins synthesized from Schmidt-Ruppin strain, subgroup D, RSV RNA and those synthesized from Prague strain, subgroup B, RSV, RNA. About half of the methionine peptides in the Schmidt-Ruppin strain, subgroup D, 60K protein were shared with the Prague strain, subgroup D, 60K protein, and the rest were distinct to each. The virion RNAs coding for the 60K, 25K, and 17K proteins were found to be polyadenylated and to sediment with maximal mRNA activity at about 23, 19 to 20, and 18S, respectively. In addition, transformation-specific proteins with molecular weights of 39K and 33K were observed by in vitro synthesis. These proteins are also related to the 60K, 25K, and 17K proteins and were synthesized from polyadenylated RSV RNA of approximately 21 to 22S. RNase T1-resistant oligonucleotides were analyzed in parallel, and the src-specific oligonucleotides were found to be first present in equimolar amounts in those gradient fractions sedimenting at 21 to 22S. Our data suggest that synthesis of the 60K protein is initiated near the 5' terminus of the src gene, whereas the 39K, 33K, 25K, and 17K proteins are initiated internally in the src gene. All of these proteins appear to be initiated independently, but they may have a common termination site.
Identification of a MHC Class II-Restricted Human gp100 Epitope Using DR4-IE Transgenic Mice

CD4+ T cells play a central role in the induction and persistence of CD8+ T cells in several models of autoimmune and infectious disease. To improve the efficacy of a synthetic peptide vaccine based on the self-Ag, gp100, we sought to provide Ag-specific T cell help. To identify a gp100 epitope restricted by the MHC class II allele with the highest prevalence in patients with malignant melanoma (HLA-DRB1*0401), we immunized mice transgenic for a chimeric human-mouse class II molecule (DR4-IE) with recombinant human gp100 protein. We then searched for the induction of CD4+ T cell reactivity using candidate epitopes predicted to bind to DRB1*0401 by a computer-assisted algorithm. Of the 21 peptides forecasted to bind most avidly, murine CD4+ T cells recognized the epitope (human gp10044–59, WNRQLYPEWTEAQRLD) that was predicted to bind best. Interestingly, the mouse helper T cells also recognized human melanoma cells expressing DRB1*0401. To evaluate whether human CD4+ T cells could be generated from the peripheral blood of patients with melanoma, we used the synthetic peptide h-gp10044–59 to sensitize lymphocytes ex vivo. Resultant human CD4+ T cells specifically recognized melanoma, as measured by tumor cytolysis and the specific release of cytokines and chemokines. HLA class II transgenic mice may be useful in the identification of helper epitopes derived from Ags of potentially great clinical utility.
Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia complicating haematopoietic cell transplantation in paediatric patients: high incidence and significant mortality in unrelated donor transplants for non‐malignant diseases

Haemolytic anaemia is a recognized complication of haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and can result from alloimmune‐ or autoimmune‐derived antibodies. Unlike alloimmune haemolytic anaemia, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) is poorly understood, particularly in the paediatric population where only case reports have been published. Between January 1995 and July 2001, 439 consecutive allogeneic HCT were performed in paediatric patients at the University of Minnesota, 31% (n = 136) from related donors (RD) and 69% (n = 303) from unrelated donors (URD). Nineteen cases of AIHA were identified with documented significant haemolysis and a positive direct antiglobulin test. All cases of AIHA occurred in URD transplants, yielding a cumulative incidence of AIHA post‐transplant of 6% at 1 year. Patients transplanted for non‐malignant disease, particularly metabolic diseases, had a higher incidence of AIHA post‐HCT when compared with patients transplanted for malignancies (RR 4·2 95% CI 1·2–15·4, P = 0·01). Mortality was high in our series of 19 patients with 10 (53%) dying following the onset of AIHA, three as a direct consequence of haemolysis. Fifty per cent of deaths occurred from infection while on immunosuppressive therapy to treat haemolysis. Alternative treatment strategies were employed, with the majority of patients demonstrating disease refractory to traditional steroid therapy.
Membrane Topology Mapping of the Na+-Pumping NADH: Quinone Oxidoreductase from Vibrio cholerae by PhoA- Green Fluorescent Protein Fusion Analysis

ABSTRACT The membrane topologies of the six subunits of Na+-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (Na+-NQR) from Vibrio cholerae were determined by a combination of topology prediction algorithms and the construction of C-terminal fusions. Fusion expression vectors contained either bacterial alkaline phosphatase (phoA) or green fluorescent protein (gfp) genes as reporters of periplasmic and cytoplasmic localization, respectively. A majority of the topology prediction algorithms did not predict any transmembrane helices for NqrA. A lack of PhoA activity when fused to the C terminus of NqrA and the observed fluorescence of the green fluorescent protein C-terminal fusion confirm that this subunit is localized to the cytoplasmic side of the membrane. Analysis of four PhoA fusions for NqrB indicates that this subunit has nine transmembrane helices and that residue T236, the binding site for flavin mononucleotide (FMN), resides in the cytoplasm. Three fusions confirm that the topology of NqrC consists of two transmembrane helices with the FMN binding site at residue T225 on the cytoplasmic side. Fusion analysis of NqrD and NqrE showed almost mirror image topologies, each consisting of six transmembrane helices; the results for NqrD and NqrE are consistent with the topologies of Escherichia coli homologs YdgQ and YdgL, respectively. The NADH, flavin adenine dinucleotide, and Fe-S center binding sites of NqrF were localized to the cytoplasm. The determination of the topologies of the subunits of Na+-NQR provides valuable insights into the location of cofactors and identifies targets for mutagenesis to characterize this enzyme in more detail. The finding that all the redox cofactors are localized to the cytoplasmic side of the membrane is discussed.
The influence of consumer confidence on inter-format competition: An analysis based on the French Consumer Confidence Index

The multiple store formats (Drive, hypermarkets, hard discount stores, convenience stores) tend to strengthen inter-format competition in addition to the intra-format competition. Thus, when he or she has to shop, the consumer is now facing several solutions. Research in marketing was much interested in determining the choice of store formats using variables such as the composition of the assortment, price, and sales promotions. More recently, analysts have raised the issue of whether the economic context could affect households’ preferences for store formats without providing a convincing answer. To contribute to this debate, which is now important at a time when many economies are in crisis, this research examines the influence of consumer confidence on households’ spending per trip. An analysis of panel data during the 2004–2013 period and four store formats shows that the changes (increase, decrease) in consumer confidence have asymmetric and nonlinear effects on households’ spending per trip across the different store formats and this also depends on the economic cycle (expansion, contraction).
The importance of Campylobacter coli in human campylobacteriosis: prevalence and genetic characterization

The primary aim of this study was to detect and genotype Campylobactercoli strains from humans over a period of one year from November 2002 to October 2003. Campylobacter spp. were isolated from patients with symptoms of enteric infection. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was used to identify the genetic diversity of C. coli strains by cluster analysis. A total of 18·6% of all Campylobacter isolates were identified as C. coli. These data show, that C. coli is indeed of importance to human campylobacter infections. Heterogeneous patterns were detectable among the human C. coli pool by AFLP analysis suggesting different sources of infection. A continuous seasonal shift of genotypes was detectable.
Rethinking the economist’s evaluation toolkit in light of sustainability policy

Abstract The dominant economic evaluation technique is benefit-cost analysis (BCA). However, sustainability policy must handle outcomes that cannot easily be quantified in monetary units. Multiple criteria analysis (MCA) is emerging as an alternative, and/or complementary, economic evaluation tool. The economics profession has been slow to adopt MCA. This paper first explores the role of MCA within the economist’s evaluation toolkit alongside BCA, costeffectiveness analysis (CEA), and cost-utility analysis (CUA) and then proposes a process for selecting an appropriate evaluation method. The choice of technique will depend on the extent to which environmental goods can be valued in monetary units. The paper argues that MCA has an expanded role to play alongside BCA (and the other methods) to ensure that sustainability policies are realized.
Left ventricular torsional parameters before and after atrial fibrillation ablation: a velocity vector imaging study

Background and aim Effects of atrial fibrillation (AF) and its ablative treatment on LV torsion have not yet been fully investigated. This study aimed to examine whether AF patterns of LV contraction and its ablative correction can exert a significant impact on LV torsion by velocity vector imaging (VVI). Methods This case-control study conducted in Rajaie Cardiovascular, Medical and Research Center between October 2012 and June 2013. Study participants were 30 consecutive patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF who met the inclusion criteria. The control group included 24 healthy participants with no history of cardiovascular disease. All individuals were in sinus rhythm at the time of echocardiography before and after the ablation procedure. Two-dimensional (2D) and Doppler echocardiography on a commercially available ultrasound system was performed for all the patients. Scanning was done by a wide-band ultrasound transducer with the frequency range between 2.5–3.5 MHz. The two short-axis views at basal and apical levels were subsequently processed off-line by VVI XStrain software. In order for data analysis, SPSS 16 utilized using paired and independent t-test. p-value ≤0.05 was considered significant. Results LV torsion (°/cm) mean ± SD was significantly lower in paroxysmal AF patients before ablation (0.8±0.3) than the control group (1.5±0.4) (p<0.001) and increased significantly after ablation (1.1±0.5) compared with before ablation (p=0.004), but still significantly lower than the control group (p=0.003). LV Twist, twist rate and untwist rate mean ± SD were significantly lower in paroxysmal AF patients before ablation than the control group and increased significantly after ablation compared with before ablation, but still significantly lower than the control group. Conclusion Subclinical LV dysfunction may be detected in paroxysmal AF rhythm by measuring torsional parameters through VVI which improves after AF ablation.
Silver-Coated Textiles Reduce Staphylococcus aureus Colonization in Patients with Atopic Eczema

Background: In atopic eczema (AE), skin colonization with Staphylococcus aureus is known to play a major triggering and possibly pathophysiological role. Methods: In this open-labeled controlled side-to-side comparative trial, affected sites (flexures of both elbows) in 15 patients diagnosed as having generalized or localized AE were evaluated regarding S. aureus colonization and clinical severity of AE over a 2-week period. Flexures of the elbows were covered with silver-coated textiles on one arm and cotton on the other for 7 days followed by a 7-day control period. Results: A highly significant decrease in S. aureus colonization could be seen on the site covered by the silver-coated textile already 2 days after initiation lasting until the end of the treatment. Seven days after cessation, S. aureus density remained significantly lower compared to baseline. In addition, significantly lower numbers of S. aureus were observed on the silver-coated textile site in comparison to cotton at the end of treatment as well as at the time point of control. Clinical improvement correlated with the reduction of S. aureus colonization. Conclusion: A superior improvement achieved by silver-coated compared to cotton textiles paralleled a potent anti-S. -aureus effect.
MxN optical matrix switch using polymer thermo-optic total-internal-reflection switches

We have developed a fully non-blocking optical matrix switch using the polymer thermo-optic TIR (total-internal-reflection) switch as a unit switching element. The TIR switch consists of two multimode polymer optical waveguides crossing each other and a heater on the crossing region. The fabricated 2×2, 4×4 and 8×8 optical matrix switch chips showed excellent optical properties. The insertion losses were less than about 2.5 dB and 4.5 dB for the 4×4 and 8×8 matrix switches, respectively. The switching isolation in the turned-off state was higher than 40 dB, the switching time was about 3 ms, and the electrical power consumption for each switching element could be below 30 mW. To our knowledge, our optical matrix switch has the simplest structure and can be mass-produced very easily and inexpensively.
Study of a noncovalent trp repressor: DNA operator complex by electrospray ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (ESI‐TOF MS) has been used to study noncovalent interactions between the trp apo‐repressor (TrpR), its co‐repressor tryptophan and its specific operator DNA. In 5 mM ammonium acetate, TrpR was detected as a partially unfolded monomer. In the presence of a 21‐base‐pair DNA possessing the two symmetrically arranged CTAG consensus sequences required for specific TrpR binding, a homodimer‐dsDNA complex with a 1:1 stoichiometry was observed. Co‐repressor was not needed for the complex to form under our experimental conditions. Collision induced dissociation (CID‐MS) revealed that this complex was very stable in the gas phase since dissociation was achieved only at energies that also broke covalent bonds. We saw no evidence for the presence of the six water molecules that mediate the interaction between the protein and the DNA in the crystal structure. To check the binding specificity of the TrpR for its target DNA, a competitive experiment was undertaken: the protein was mixed with an equimolar amount of three different DNAs in which the two CTAG sequences were separated by 2, 4, and 6 bp, respectively. Only the DNA with the correct consensus spacing of 4 bp was able to form stable interactions with TrpR. This experiment demonstrates the potential of ESI‐MS to test the sequence‐specificity of protein‐DNA complexes. The interactions between the TrpR‐DNA complex and 5‐methyl‐, L‐ and D‐tryptophan were also investigated. Two molecules of 5‐methyl‐ or L‐tryptophan were bound with high affinity to the TrpR‐DNA complex. On the other hand, D‐tryptophan appeared to bind to the complex with poor specificity and poor affinity.
The Influence of Biosurfactants Released by S. mitis BMS on the Adhesion of Pioneer Strains and Cariogenic Bacteria

The influence of Streptococcus mitis BMS biosurfactants on the adhesion of eight pioneer and four cariogenic oral bacterial strains was, for a first screening, examined in a microtiter plate assay. The adhesion to pellicle-coated wells of three cariogenic strains was inhibited > 70% by the biosurfactants, while only one pioneer strain showed > 70% reduction. The reduction for the other strains did not exceed 50%. Subsequently, adhesion of Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 and Streptococcus sobrinus HG 1025, both cariogenic strains, and Actinomyces naeslundii T14V-J1 and Streptococcus oralis J22, two pioneer strains, to biosurfactants-coated enamel with and without a salivary pellicle was studied in a parallel plate flow chamber. A biosurfactants coating to enamel with or without a pellicle caused a reduction in the number of adhering cariogenic organisms, although no such reduction was observed for the pioneer strains. Consequently, it is concluded that S. mitis BMS biosurfactants may play a protective role against adhesion of cariogenic bacteria.
Effects of the seasonal sunlight variation on predictions of the solar-aeolic potential for power generation

This study discusses the yearly seasonal influence on sunlight time series to predict oscillations of the solar potential for generation of electricity and thermal energy along with its implications on climate changes. It is confirmed that there has been a decrease of 1% in the average variation of insolation from 1961 to 2011 and a trend of lower rates in all seasons. Both the predicted and measured data have demonstrated the possibility of a reduced insolation or sustained lower levels in the coming quarters in most months, with likely direct consequences on climate change and, in those forms of power generation dependent on the climatic stability.
Automatic Extraction and Identification of Lunar Impact Craters Based on Optical Data and DEMs Acquired by the Chang’E Satellites

Craters form the basis for lunar geological stratigraphy and yield significant information on terrain evolution and the history of the solar system. Thus, the recognition of lunar impact craters is an important branch of modern planetary studies. To resolve issues associated with the insufficient and inaccurate extraction of quantitative information about lunar impact craters, this study proposes an algorithm for the automatic extraction and identification of impact craters that is based on CCD stereo camera images and associated digital elevation model (DEM) data that were acquired by the Chang'E satellites. The proposed procedure works by jointly characterizing a crater candidate by means of its 2-D and 3-D features. Specifically, the novel procedure discussed in this paper selects possible crater candidates based on the extraction of geometric features from optical images and improves the final selection using 3-D features that are extracted from the DEM. Additionally, this study addresses for the first time to accurately identify different types of impact craters based on the 2-D and 3-D characteristics of the crater bottoms as well as topographic transects across the craters. The proposed approach is tested on multiple data sets that were acquired by the Chang'E satellites and provides a very high level of accuracy in both the detection and identification phases.
Rhizobium japonicum mutants that are hypersensitive to repression of H2 uptake by oxygen

The synthesis of an H2 oxidation system in free-living Rhizobium japonicum wild-type strain SR is repressed by oxygen. Maximal H2 uptake rates were obtained in strain SR after derepression in 11 microM or less dissolved oxygen. Oxygen levels above 45 microM completely repressed H2 uptake in strain SR. Five R. japonicum mutant strains that are hypersensitive to repression or H2 oxidation by oxygen were derived from strain SR. The mutants were obtained by screening H2 uptake-negative mutants that retained the ability to oxidize H2 as bacteroids from soybean nodules. As bacteroids, the five mutant strains were capable of H2 oxidation rates comparable to that of the wild type. The mutants did not take up H2 when derepressed in 22 microM dissolved oxygen, whereas strain SR had substantial activity at this oxygen concentration. The O2 repression of H2 uptake in both the wild-type and two mutant strains, SR174 and SR200, was rapid and was similar to the effect of inhibiting synthesis of H2 uptake system components with rifampin. None of the mutant strains was able to oxidize H2 when the artificial electron acceptors methylene blue or phenazine methosulfate were provided. The mutant strains were not sensitive to killing by oxygen, they took up O2 at rates similar to strain SR, and they did not produce an H2 uptake system that was oxygen labile. Cyclic AMP levels were comparable in strain SR and the five mutant strains after subjection of the cultures to the derepression conditions.
The GeneTrawler®: mapping potential drug targets in human and rat tissues

Expression data are an important element of target identification and validation. The authors have established an automated high-throughput method based on real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, called the GeneTrawler®, for the characterization of pharmaceutical targets on an annotated collection of human tissues. The authors have conducted a variability analysis of the system, which demonstrates that the majority of the variability between expression levels determined is due to biologic variation between samples, rather than technical variation due to imprecision of the method. Gene expression maps, generated with this carefully controlled system provide a large, reliable, consistent data set. The authors have used this system to characterize the expression of > 100 genes, and here they show the expression profile of SUR1 in order to illustrate its use. The authors were able to confirm SUR1 expression in the lung, which was suggested on the basis of pharmacologic experiments but has not previously been confirmed by mRNA detection. The data also show SUR1 expression in tissues that have been associated with some of the side effects seen with SUR1 modulators. This and other examples demonstrate that the GeneTrawler is useful to gauge the suitability of a prospective therapeutic target, to fully exploit a known drug target, or to identify and help validate new hypothetical druggable targets to fuel drug discovery pipelines.
c-erbB2 Protein Overexpression in Breast Cancer as a Target for PET Using Iodine- 124-Labeled Monoclonal Antibodies

mice received potassium iodide in their drinking water 24 hr prior to injection of radiolabeled antibody to minimize the uptake by the thyroid of any releasedradioiodine.Micewereinjectedvia the tail vein with 100 zCi â€˜24I-ICR12(10 @iCi/@tg). The mice were anesthetized with pentobarbitone and imaged using the RMH/ICR MUP-PET positron camera (20) at 24, 48 and 120 hr postinjection. Fifty thousand counts per image were collected.