Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vivo imaging of nuclear‐cytoplasmic deformation and partition during cancer cell death due to immune rejection

In this report, we investigated the in vivo cell biology of cancer cells during immune rejection. The use of nestin‐driven green fluorescent protein (ND‐GFP) transgenic mice as hosts, in which nascent blood vessels express GFP, and implanted dual‐color mouse mammary tumor 060562 (MMT) cells, in which the cytoplasm expresses red fluorescent protein (RFP) and the nuclei express GFP, allowed very important novel observations of angiogenesis and subcellular death pathways during immune rejection of a tumor. Nascent blood vessels did not form in the initially‐growing mouse mammary tumor in ND‐GFP immunocompetent mice. In contrast, in ND‐GFP immunodeficient nude mice, numerous GFP‐expressing nascent blood vessels grew into the tumor. The results suggest that insufficient nascent tumor angiogenesis was important in tumor rejection. During immune rejection, the cancer cells deformed their cytoplasm and nuclei, which were readily imaged by RFP and GFP, respectively. The nuclear membrane of the cancer cells ruptured, and chromatin extruded during partition of cytoplasm and nuclei. T lymphocytes infiltrated into the initially‐growing tumor in the nestin‐GFP transgenic immunocompetent mice. The cytotoxic role of the sensitized T lymphocytes was confirmed in vitro when they were co‐cultured with MMT cells. The CD8a‐positive lymphocytes attached to the cancer cells and caused nuclear condensation, deformation, and partition from their cytoplasm, similar to what occurred in vivo. The color‐coded subcellular fluorescence‐imaging model of immune rejection of cancer cells can provide a comprehensive system for further testing of immune‐based treatment for cancer. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 465–472, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Avoidance of alcohol-related stimuli in alcohol-dependent inpatients.

BACKGROUND Previous research has shown an attentional bias toward drug-related stimuli in heavy social drinkers. Attentional orientation to drug-related cues may lead to increased craving and preoccupation with the drug and impaired ability to focus attention on nondrug-related activities, resulting in renewed drug taking or relapse from drug abstinence. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate whether alcohol-dependent inpatients would differ in their selective attention toward alcohol-related stimuli in comparison with a group of social drinking controls. METHOD Thirty-five alcohol-dependent inpatients were compared with a group of 39 social drinking controls matched for age, sex, and verbal IQ. Attentional bias was assessed using alcohol-related pictures in a dot probe detection task. Questionnaires were used to examine outcome expectancies after alcohol consumption, anxiety, mood, and craving. RESULTS The alcoholic inpatients showed a bias away from the alcohol-related stimuli, scored higher on alcohol outcome expectancies, and on anxiety measures (both state and trait). They also presented with more negative mood compared with the control group. Craving was higher in the alcoholic group for the factor "loss of control over drinking. " CONCLUSIONS Alcoholic inpatients undergoing treatment based on the 12-step treatment of Alcoholics Anonymous (Minnesota model), which includes counseling, and intensive group, individual, and family psychotherapy, show an avoidance for drug-related stimuli and a perception of loss of control over drinking. We suggest that their increased perception of loss of control over drinking produces the avoidance from the drug-related stimuli.
hrp gene-dependent induction of hin1: a plant gene activated rapidly by both harpins and the avrPto gene-mediated signal.

Two classes of bacterial genes are involved in the elicitation of the plant hypersensitive response (HR) in resistant plants: hrp genes and avr genes. hrp genes have been shown to be involved in the production and secretion of a new class of bacterial virulence/avirulence proteins, including harpin of Erwinia amylovora and harpinPss of Pseudomonas syringae. The ability of avr genes in the elicitation of the HR/resistance is dependent on functional hrp genes. The relationships between harpins and avr gene products are not known. This study investigates the plant genes induced by harpins and the effect of avr genes on the expression of such plant genes. A tobacco gene highly induced by harpins was isolated by a subtractive hybridization method. Induction of hin1 by P.s. pv. syringae 61 (Pss61) was found to be dependent on functional bacterial hrp genes. P. fluorescens (a saprophyte) or hrp mutants defective in the Hrp secretion pathway did not induce hin1 significantly. A hin 1-related gene in tomato cv. Rio Grande-PtoR was found to be rapidly induced by P. s. pv. tomato T1 (a virulent bacterium on Rio Grande-PtoR) containing the avrPto gene, which mediates the elictation of the HR/resistance in a Pto plant resistance gene-dependent manner. The induction of hin1 by bacteria correlates with production of harpins in planta. The putative open reading frame of hin1 encodes a novel protein of 221 amino acids. The data suggest that harpins and the avrPto-mediated signal induce a common plant gene in the elicitation of the HR.
Multi-sensor ISAR technique for feature-based motion estimation of ship targets

The topic of estimating the rotation motion of a target is investigated in this paper. Specifically the focus is on ship targets observed by multiple sensors and a new technique is proposed based on the exploitation of the multi-sensor data. The technique works entirely in image domain and makes use of linear features that can be extracted directly from the different radar images acquired by the different sensors for the target under consideration. The performance of the proposed technique is investigated in order to highlight the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed approach.
Symbol nomenclature for representing glycan structures: Extension to cover different carbohydrate types

This Viewpoint article addresses comments made on our original article describing a symbolic system for the depiction of N‐ and O‐linked carbohydrate structures and proposes a method for extending the symbol set to include monosaccharides commonly found in carbohydrates present in bacteria and plants. As before, basic monosaccharides are shown by shape with one or more additions such as solid fill or additions of lines, crosses or dots to represent functional groups. The use of colour to differentiate constituent monosaccharides is avoided, thus enabling the system to be used in a variety of formats. Linkage and anomericity are shown by the angle and type of line connecting the symbols. In this extended version, new symbols are proposed for additional hexoses and it is proposed that pyranose and furanose forms of the monosaccharides could be shown by solid or broken outlines to the symbols. Conventions for depicting the presence of multiple functional groups such as deoxy‐(NH2)2 are also discussed. It is hoped that these proposals will stimulate discussion so that a consensus can be reached as to how the glycobiology community can best convey complex information in a simple manner.
Identification of variations in SzP proteins of Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus and the relationship between protein variants and clinical signs of infection in horses.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether previously unidentified variations of the SzP protein of Streptococcus equi subsp zooepidemicus were present in horses with various clinical signs of infection and whether any relationship could be identified between SzP protein variants and naturally occurring clinical conditions. SAMPLE POPULATION 23 isolates of S equi subsp zooepidemicus were recovered from specimens of horses with various clinical conditions and used as a representative population of isolates for evaluation of different SzP protein variants. PROCEDURE Genetic heterogeneity of the isolates was demonstrated by repetitive extragenic palindromic-polymerase chain reaction analysis. The SzP gene was sequenced and the presumed protein sequence determined for each isolate. Characteristics of the SzP proteins were compared among the isolates and in relation to the clinical conditions of horses from which they were recovered. RESULTS The signal peptide types, number of proline-glutamic acid-proline-lysine repeats, and anchor sequences were consistent with those previously described for the SzP protein. Many of the isolates clustered with 5 previously described types on the basis of the hypervariable region of the SzP protein. One additional variant, which represented 8 of the isolates, was identified. Particular motifs in the hypervariable region accounted for many of the differences among hypervariable types. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The SzP protein appears to be limited to a selected number of types. Variations in the SzP protein are frequently determined on the basis of different motifs rather than random amino acid substitutions. There does not appear to be any association of SzP protein variations and clinical manifestations of infection in horses.
Comparative Biochemical Characterization of 5′-Phosphodiesterase and Phosphomonoesterase from Barley Malt Sprouts

A comparative biochemical characterization is described of two competing enzymes in the production of flavoring 5′-ribonucleotides, barley malt sprouts 5′-phosphodiesterase (5′-PDE) and phosphomonoesterase (PME). Fractionation of these two enzymes and partial purification of 5′-PDE were achieved by a combination of thermal treatments and precipitation with acetone. With synthetic substrates, under standard assay conditions, 5′-PDE and PME had maximum activities at pH 8.9, 70°C and 55°C, and Km of 0.26 mM and 0.19 mM, respectively. In the presence of 10 mM Mg2+ ions, barley malt sprouts 5′-PDE was activated by up to 160% of the original activity, while PME was inhibited. Zn2+ activated PME by up to 125 % of the original activity. Both enzymes were moderately inhibited after addition of Cu2+, Co2+, Ca2+, and Mn2+ ions (10 mM), but, significantly, by addition of the chelating agent EDTA. In the absence of substrate and up to 80°C, barley malt sprouts 5′-PDE showed excellent stability and retained 70% of its original activity at 70°C after 120 min.
Diagnostic immunohistochemistry in gynaecological neoplasia: a brief survey of the most common scenarios

Immunohistochemistry is a valuable adjunct in routine gynaecological pathology. The molecular revolution has redesigned knowledge of gynaecological cancers and refined histological classification. The direct consequence has been the progressive introduction of new immunostainings for diagnostic and classification purposes. Hence, we review the routine diagnostic use of immunohistochemistry in the field of gynaecological neoplasia. We reviewed the immunomarkers useful in gynaecological pathology according to literature revision, our personal experience and research findings. We discuss the application of immunohistochemistry to reach the most accurate diagnosis in morphologically equivocal cases of gynaecological pathology and present the appropriate panel of immunomarkers in the most common scenarios of gynaecological pathology. This short review provides an updated overview of the essential immunohistochemical markers currently used in the diagnostics of gynaecological malignancies along with their molecular rationale.
Sustainable fashion supply chain management : from sourcing to retailing

Part I: Reviews and Discussions. - Reverse Logistics of US Carpet Recycling. - Green Brand Strategies in the Fashion Industry: Leveraging Connections of the Consumer, Brand, and Environmental Sustainability. - Impacts of Social Media Mediated Electronic Words of Mouth on Young Consumers' Disposals of Fashion Apparel: A Review and Proposed Model. - Part II: Analytical Modeling Studies. - Fashion Supply Chain Network Competition with Ecolabelling. - Reverse Logistics as a Sustainable Supply Chain Practice for the Fashion Industry: An Analysis of Drivers and the Brazilian Case. - Part III: Empirical Studies. - Apparel Manufacturers' Path to World Class Corporate Social Responsibility. - Sustainable Supply Chain Management in the Slow-Fashion Industry. - Mass Market Second-Hand Clothing Retail Operations in Hong Kong: A Case Study. - Constraints and Drivers of Growth in the Ethical Fashion Sector: The Case of France. - Effects of Used Garment Collection Programs in Fast Fashion Brands.
Using a worst pain intensity measure in children and adolescents

AIMS To explore inconsistencies and the reliability in worst pain intensity ratings in children. BACKGROUND Asking for worst pain always requires a retrospective evaluation which is controversially discussed. DESIGN Retrospective analysis of registry data and a prospective study. METHODS Retrospective study: 5970 patients [age: 10·2(4·0) years, female: 41% data collection: 2008-2015]; Prospective study: 240 patients [age: 14·7(1·9) years, female: 43%, data collection 2013-2014] were included. In both studies, the number of implausible pain intensity ratings was calculated (both studies: worst pain lower than movement pain or pain at rest, prospective study: number of patients reporting lower pain intensity ratings in worst pain items for the same time period in a second assessment). Test-retest reliability was calculated for the prospective study. Changes in worst pain ratings were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed ranks test. RESULTS Test-retest reliability ranged from ρ = 0·77-0·90. In the retrospective study, 8·9% (95%CI: 8·2-9·6%) of our patients reported higher movement and/or pain at rest compared with worst pain. In the prospective study, 35·8% (95%CI: 30·0-42·1%) reported higher activity pain ratings compared with worst pain ratings in at least one pain assessment; 13·8% of the pediatric patients reported lower pain intensity ratings in worst pain items in a second assessment compared with the first assessment. CONCLUSION Nine to 36% of our patients showed inconsistent worst pain ratings. To overcome this problem, more specific pain intensity items, more than one item or a better instruction for pediatric patients could be used.
Peripheral sympathetic neural activity in conscious humans.

Hagbarth & Vallbo made the first direct microneurographic recordings of postganglionic sympathetic nerve discharges in man (32). Since then per­ cutaneously inserted microelectrodes have been used extensively for the study of human sympathetic function. Apart from a recent study of sympathetic activity in trigeminal nerve branches (44), the microneurographic exploration of sympathetic mechanisms has bcen confined to nerves of the extremities. Two different types of sympathetic outflow have been recognized in multifi­ ber recordings: muscle nerve sympathetic activity (MSA) and skin nerve sympathetic activity (SSA). The former is dominated by vasoconstrictor signals; the latter is a mixture of sudomotor and vasoconstrictor and probably sometimes includes pilomotor and vasodilator impulses. Thus only two sub­ divisions of the anatomically multifaceted sympathetic nervous system are accessible to study. Despite this limitation, the results have allowed a number of conclusions, not only about peripheral sympathetic function but also about reflex patterns and hence general principles of sympathetic regulation.
Descriptions of the Pupae of Ochlerotatus aloponotum and Ochlerotatus campestris

Abstract Pupae of 2 western species, Ochlerotatus aloponotum and Oc. campestris, are described and illustrated. Sources of the original descriptions and known stages are given. The relation of Oc. aloponotum to Oc. excrucians and characters to separate them are discussed.
A key mechanism underlying sensory experience-dependent maturation of neocortical GABAergic circuits in vivo

Mechanisms underlying experience-dependent refinement of cortical connections, especially GABAergic inhibitory circuits, are unknown. By using a line of mutant mice that lack activity-dependent BDNF expression (bdnf-KIV), we show that experience regulation of cortical GABAergic network is mediated by activity-driven BDNF expression. Levels of endogenous BDNF protein in the barrel cortex are strongly regulated by sensory inputs from whiskers. There is a severe alteration of excitation and inhibition balance in the barrel cortex of bdnf-KIV mice as a result of reduced inhibitory but not excitatory conductance. Within the inhibitory circuits, the mutant barrel cortex exhibits significantly reduced levels of GABA release only from the parvalbumin-expressing fast-spiking (FS) interneurons, but not other interneuron subtypes. Postnatal deprivation of sensory inputs markedly decreased perisomatic inhibition selectively from FS cells in wild-type but not bdnf-KIV mice. These results suggest that postnatal experience, through activity-driven BDNF expression, controls cortical development by regulating FS cell-mediated perisomatic inhibition in vivo.
The ultrastructure of isolated glial (Müller) cells from the turtle retina

Sarthy and Lam (1978) described a method for isolation of glial (Müller) cells from turtle retina which involves papain treatment, mechanical dissociation of the retinae, and subsequent separation of the dispersed cells by velocity sedimentation at unit gravity. In order to establish the cytologic integrity and the extent of contamination, we have carried out ultrastructural studies on the isolated cells using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. During the course of these studies we have also examined the effect of papain on the morphology of the retina. Scanning electron microscopic studies show that the isolated cells have a free surface with limited extraneous material attached. The basal portion of the cell is organized as end bulbs with a convoluted surface while the apical region is specialized with long microvilli. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the isolated cells have intact plasma membranes with very few interruptions. The cytoplasm is dense and contains the normal complement of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, microtubules, and filaments. The extent of contamination as estimated from serial sections of a single cell is about 10–15% of the total cell volume. These studies indicate that Müller cells isolated by this technique should be useful for metabolic studies and for characterizing the Müller cell surface.
Critical but Distinct Roles for the Pleckstrin Homology and Cysteine-Rich Domains as Positive Modulators of Vav2 Signaling and Transformation

ABSTRACT Vav2, like all Dbl family proteins, possesses tandem Dbl homology (DH) and pleckstrin homology (PH) domains and functions as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rho family GTPases. Whereas the PH domain is a critical positive regulator of DH domain function for a majority of Dbl family proteins, the PH domains of the related Vav and Vav3 proteins are dispensable for DH domain activity. Instead, Vav proteins contain a cysteine-rich domain (CRD) critical for DH domain function. We evaluated the contribution of the PH domain and the CRD to Vav2 guanine nucleotide exchange, signaling, and transforming activity. Unexpectedly, we found that mutations of the PH domain impaired Vav2 signaling, transforming activity, and membrane association. However, these mutations do not influence exchange activity on Rac and only slightly affect exchange on RhoA and Cdc42. We also found that the CRD was critical for the exchange activity in vitro and contributed to Vav2 membrane localization. Finally, we found that phosphoinositol 3-kinase activation synergistically enhanced Vav2 transforming and signaling activity by stimulating exchange activity but not membrane association. In conclusion, the PH domain and CRD are mechanistically distinct, positive modulators of Vav2 DH domain function in vivo.
Regulation of the Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate-activated Ca Channel by Activation of G Proteins (*)

Streptolysin O-permeable pancreatic acini were used to study the regulation of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP)-activated Ca channel (IPACC) by agonists and antagonists. Measurements of the apparent affinity for IP (KIP) showed that the IPACC is dynamically controlled during cell stimulation and inhibition, i.e. agonists decreased and antagonists increased KIP. KIP was also independently regulated by thimerosal, Ca content of the stores, the incubation temperature, activation of protein kinases, and inhibition of protein phosphatases, but none of these mechanisms contributed to the regulation by agonists and antagonists. Incubating the cells with low concentration of GTPS or AlF reproduced the effect of the agonist on KIP. Moreover, low [GTPS] allowed activation of the IPACC by agonists at basal levels of IP and markedly impaired channel inactivation by antagonists. Channel sensitization by GTPS also restored the ability of thimerosal to mobilize Ca from internal stores with no change in cellular IP levels. The combination of low [GTPS] and thimerosal locked the channel in an open, antagonist-insensitive state. All modulatory effects of GTPS are independent of phospholipase C activation and IP production. We propose that the dynamic regulation of the IPACC by a G protein-dependent mechanism can play a major role in triggering and maintaining Ca oscillations at low agonist concentrations when minimal or no changes in IP level take place.
Estimating grip forces with a tactilely transparent finger exoskeleton for pinch grip force assistance

A grip force estimation method is presented for an assistive finger exoskeleton which preserves the tactile sensation by allowing direct contact of the wearer's fingerpad and object. The wearer's grip force is estimated using two side-mounted custom load cells that are contacting to the lateral sides of the wearer's fingertip whereas the palmar surface of the finger is exposed through the opening between the load cells. The outputs of the load cells reflect the amount of grip force and are also inevitably susceptible to the lateral force given by frictional traction of the fingerpad skin during object manipulation. A calibration equation for the grip force estimation was built as a combination of two linear functions of the load cell outputs. The grip force estimation error in presence of the lateral force was evaluated for 10 participants, and exhibited 0.653±0.287 N (mean±SD) in RMSE value.
The association of circulating adiponectin levels with pancreatic cancer risk: A study within the prospective EPIC cohort

Excess body weight and type 2 diabetes mellitus, risk factors of pancreatic cancer, are characterized by decreased levels of adiponectin. In addition to anti‐inflammatory and anti‐proliferative actions, adiponectin has an important role in regulating glucose metabolism, i.e., decreasing circulating blood glucose levels. Prospectively, hyperglycemia has been associated with risk of pancreatic cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of pre‐diagnostic adiponectin levels with pancreatic cancer risk. We conducted a case–control study nested within European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. Blood samples of 452 pancreatic cancer cases and 452 individually matched controls were analyzed by immunoassays. Multivariate conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Overall, adiponectin showed no association with pancreas cancer risk; however, among never smokers, higher circulating levels of adiponectin were associated with a reduction in pancreatic cancer risk (OR = 0.44 [95% CI 0.23–0.82] for highest vs. lowest quartile), whereas among current smokers there was no significant association (OR = 1.59 [95% CI 0.67–3.76] for highest vs. lowest quartile; p‐trend = 0.530; p‐interaction = 0.309). In our study, lower adiponectin concentrations may be associated with the development of pancreatic cancer among never smokers, whereas the only other prospective study being conducted so far showed a decrease in risk among male smokers. Therefore, further studies are needed to clarify the role of adiponectin in pancreatic cancer development.