Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Application of chimeric glucanase comprising mutanase and dextranase for prevention of dental biofilm formation

Water‐insoluble glucan (WIG) produced by mutans streptococci, an important cariogenic pathogen, plays an important role in the formation of dental biofilm and adhesion of biofilm to tooth surfaces. Glucanohydrolases, such as mutanase (α‐1,3‐glucanase) and dextranase (α‐1,6‐glucanase), are able to hydrolyze WIG. The purposes of this study were to construct bi‐functional chimeric glucanase, composed of mutanase and dextranase, and to examine the effects of this chimeric glucanase on the formation and decomposition of biofilm. The mutanase gene from Paenibacillus humicus NA1123 and the dextranase gene from Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 were cloned and ligated into a pE‐SUMOstar Amp plasmid vector. The resultant his‐tagged fusion chimeric glucanase was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) and partially purified. The effects of chimeric glucanase on the formation and decomposition of biofilm formed on a glass surface by Streptococcus sobrinus 6715 glucosyltransferases were then examined. This biofilm was fractionated into firmly adherent, loosely adherent, and non‐adherent WIG fractions. Amounts of WIG in each fraction were determined by a phenol‐sulfuric acid method, and reducing sugars were quantified by the Somogyi–Nelson method. Chimeric glucanase reduced the formation of the total amount of WIG in a dose‐dependent manner, and significant reductions of WIG in the adherent fraction were observed. Moreover, the chimeric glucanase was able to decompose biofilm, being 4.1 times more effective at glucan inhibition of biofilm formation than a mixture of dextranase and mutanase. These results suggest that the chimeric glucanase is useful for prevention of dental biofilm formation.
Control of Vascular Permeability by Atrial Natriuretic Peptide via a GEF-H1-dependent Mechanism*

Background: Regulation of vascular permeability by microtubule (MT)-associated proteins is not well understood. Results: ANP promoted MT peripheral growth and protected endothelial barrier via Rac-PAK1-dependent inactivation of GEF-H1 and consequent suppression of Rho signaling. Conclusion: A PAK1-GEF-H1 dependent mechanism mediates endothelial barrier protection by ANP. Significance: Modulation of GEF-H1 activity represents a novel approach in prevention of pathologic vascular leak. Microtubule (MT) dynamics is involved in a variety of cell functions, including control of the endothelial cell (EC) barrier. Release of Rho-specific nucleotide exchange factor GEF-H1 from microtubules activates the Rho pathway of EC permeability. In turn, pathologic vascular leak can be prevented by treatment with atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). This study investigated a novel mechanism of vascular barrier protection by ANP via modulation of GEF-H1 function. In pulmonary ECs, ANP suppressed thrombin-induced disassembly of peripheral MT and attenuated Rho signaling and cell retraction. ANP effects were mediated by the Rac1 GTPase effector PAK1. Activation of Rac1-PAK1 promoted PAK1 interaction with the Rho activator GEF-H1, inducing phosphorylation of total and MT-bound GEF-H1 and leading to attenuation of Rho-dependent actin remodeling. In vivo, ANP attenuated lung injury caused by excessive mechanical ventilation and TRAP peptide (TRAP/HTV), which was further exacerbated in ANP−/− mice. The protective effects of ANP against TRAP/HTV-induced lung injury were linked to the increased pool of stabilized MT and inactivation of Rho signaling via ANP-induced, PAK1-dependent inhibitory phosphorylation of GEF-H1. This study demonstrates a novel protective mechanism of ANP against pathologic hyperpermeability and suggests a novel pharmacological intervention for the prevention of increased vascular leak via PAK1-dependent modulation of GEF-H1 activity.
Expression of the Germ Cell-specific Transcription Factor ALF in Xenopus Oocytes Compensates for Translational Inactivation of the Somatic Factor TFIIA*

The discovery of germ cell-specific general transcription factor and coactivator variants has suggested that reproductive tissues control gene expression somewhat differently than somatic tissues. One of these factors, ALF (TFIIAτ), was first described as a testis-specific counterpart of the large (α/β) subunit of TFIIA. Here we characterize endogenous ALF and TFIIA activities in the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis. ALF is present in both testis and ovary in this organism, and it completely replaces TFIIA in immature oocytes. When oocytes undergo progesterone-induced maturation, ALF activity disappears, and TFIIA activity is restored. Reactivation occurs through the translational up-regulation of two maternal TFIIAα/β mRNAs and involves polyadenylation of a conserved 3′-untranslated region module. The effects of ALF overexpression and ALF immunodepletion on a thymidine kinase promoter construct demonstrate that this factor serves as an active replacement for TFIIA. In contrast, overexpression of TFIIA inhibits transcription, indicating that the somatic factor fails to function properly in the context of the oocyte transcription machinery. Overall, the results show that the translationally regulated reciprocal expression of ALF and TFIIA allows for the production of an active TFIIA-like general transcription factor throughout oogenesis.
A DSP-based HEVC decoder implementation using RVC-CAL and native OpenHEVC code

Complexity of both, applications and processors, is permanently increasing. While, designers must face with a lot of challenges, such as reduced time to market, performance and energy efficiency, among others. In this context, dataflow based methodologies and tools, like the Open RVC-CAL Compiler Infrastructure (Orcc), have revealed powerful in supporting platform independent design. Within the Orcc design flow, applications are described using the RVC-CAL language. A set of Orcc backends can generate different source codes (e.g., C, C++, VHDL, Java) that must be finally compiled for a target platform with a native compiler. This approach has several advantages, but the quality of the final product is limited by the quality of the currently implemented backends. In this work, an HEVC decoder implementation for DSP technology has been developed by using a combination of RVC-CAL descriptions and native C-code. The results of this approach are compared with those obtained by using both, a pure RVC-CAL description and a pure native C-code implementation.
Room temperature synthesis of a novel γ-MnO2 hollow structure for aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol

A novel γ-MnO2 hollow structure has been synthesized at room temperature using a simple chemical reaction between MnSO4 and KMnO4 in aqueous solution without using any templates, surfactants, catalysts, calcination and hydrothermal processes. The synthesized γ-MnO2 hollow structure was characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and BET analysis. It was found that the hollow structure consisting of short γ-MnO2 nanorods with diameters of 5–10 nm and lengths of 50–100 nm could form when the MnSO4/KMnO4 mole ratio was equal to or larger than 2.3. The excess amount of Mn2+ in solution was observed to promote the crystallization of γ-MnO2 nanorods and the formation of the γ-MnO2 hollow structure. In addition, the evolution of microstructure and morphology of the products obtained with a MnSO4/KMnO4 mole ratio of 2.3 at different reaction times revealed that the hollow structure was formed via an Ostward ripening process. Furthermore, the obtained γ-MnO2 hollow structure was found to exhibit a better catalytic performance than conventional γ-MnO2 in the aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde, demonstrating its possible application in alcohol oxidation.
Osteogenic differentiation of immature osteoblasts: Interplay of cell culture media and supplements

Differentiation of immature osteoblasts to mature osteoblasts in vitro initially was induced by supplementing the medium with β-gylcerophosphate and dexamethasone. Later, ascorbic acid, vitamin D3, vitamin K3 and TGFβ1 were used in varying concentrations as supplements to generate a mature osteoblast phenotype. We tested the effects of several combinations of cell culture media, seeding protocols and osteogenic supplements on osteogenic differentiation of human primary osteoblasts. Osteogenic differentiation was analyzed by staining alkaline phosphatase (ALP) with 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-phosphate/nitro blue tetrazolium (BCIP/NBT) and by von Kossa staining of deposited calcium phosphate. The combinations of culture media and supplements significantly influenced osteogenic differentiation, but the seeding protocol did not. Staining of ALP and calcium phosphate could be achieved only if our own mix of osteogenic supplements was used in combination with Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium or if a commercial mix of osteogenic supplements was used in combination with osteoblast growth medium. Especially for von Kossa, we observed great variations in the staining intensity. Because osteogenic differentiation is a complex process, the origin of the osteoblasts, cell culture media and osteogenic supplements should be established by preliminary experiments to achieve optimal differentiation. Staining of ALP or deposited calcium phosphate should be supplemented with qRT-PCR studies to learn more about the influence of specific supplements on osteogenic markers.
Polarized deposition of basement membrane proteins depends on Phosphatidylinositol synthase and the levels of Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate

Significance The cellular functions of epithelia rely on their polarized architecture. Loss of their polarity is often associated with carcinoma progression and tumor metastasis. The basement membrane (BM), a specialized sheet of the extracellular matrix, secreted basally by most epithelia, plays an important role in the establishment and maintenance of epithelial cell polarity. However, the process of BM-polarized secretion is not well understood. In this study, we show that a significant decrease of the phospholipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) results in BM protein secretion on both the apical and the basal side of the epithelium. Together, our data indicate a specific role for PIP2 in the organization of epithelial architecture by restricting the deposition of BM proteins to the basal side. The basement membrane (BM), a specialized sheet of the extracellular matrix contacting the basal side of epithelial tissues, plays an important role in the control of the polarized structure of epithelial cells. However, little is known about how BM proteins themselves achieve a polarized distribution. Here, we identify phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) as a critical regulator of the polarized secretion of BM proteins. A decrease of PIP2 levels, in particular through mutations in Phosphatidylinositol synthase (Pis) and other members of the phosphoinositide pathway, leads to the aberrant accumulation of BM components at the apical side of the cell without primarily affecting the distribution of apical and basolateral polarity proteins. In addition, PIP2 controls the apical and lateral localization of Crag (Calmodulin-binding protein related to a Rab3 GDP/GTP exchange protein), a factor specifically required to prevent aberrant apical secretion of BM. We propose that PIP2, through the control of Crag’s subcellular localization, restricts the secretion of BM proteins to the basal side.
Design of Charge-Balanced Time-Optimal Stimuli for Spiking Neuron Oscillators

In this letter, we investigate the fundamental limits on how the interspike time of a neuron oscillator can be perturbed by the application of a bounded external control input (a current stimulus) with zero net electric charge accumulation. We use phase models to study the dynamics of neurons and derive charge-balanced controls that achieve the minimum and maximum interspike times for a given bound on the control amplitude. Our derivation is valid for any arbitrary shape of the phase response curve and for any value of the given control amplitude bound. In addition, we characterize the change in the structures of the charge-balanced time-optimal controls with the allowable control amplitude. We demonstrate the applicability of the derived optimal control laws by applying them to mathematically ideal and experimentally observed neuron phase models, including the widely studied Hodgkin-Huxley phase model, and by verifying them with the corresponding original full state-space models. This work addresses a fundamental problem in the field of neural control and provides a theoretical investigation to the optimal control of oscillatory systems.
Design and evaluation of a compact diversity antenna for LTE application

A compact dual port diversity antenna is designed for LTE (2.5–2.7 GHz) application. The antenna structure is optimized to provide the required bandwidth of 7.7%, the isolation of −24 dB and a small volume. The S-parameters of the antenna and the 3D radiation patterns are presented. The diversity performance of the antenna is evaluated in a mobile Rayleigh fading channel using 3D farfield pattern and different angle of arrival (AoA) models for different wave propagation environments. The envelope correlation coefficient and diversity gain are presented.
Expression and localization of the prion protein PrPC in the olfactory system of the mouse

The normal physiological function of the prion protein PrPC remains elusive despite its widespread expression, particularly throughout the nervous system. A critical step toward identifying its function is to precisely localize its pattern of expression. Historically, the immunolocalization of PrPC has proved to be notoriously difficult and nonconsensual. We have thus undertaken a detailed expression analysis by means of a combination of in situ hybridization, knockout mice, and immunohistochemistry, using recently generated highly specific antibodies. We have attempted to accurately localize PrPC expression in a tissue that is highly structured and of crucial behavioral importance to mice, the olfactory system. We found that PrPC was expressed in both peripheral and central neurons of the olfactory system and that its distribution was axonal‐specific in both olfactory sensory neurons of the olfactory epithelium and mitral cells of the olfactory bulb. Our detailed expression analysis and the axonal localization we observed may provide important hints toward potential functions of PrPC. J. Comp. Neurol. 508:487–499, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Does a smaller tract in percutaneous nephrolithotomy contribute to high renal pelvic pressure and postoperative fever?

OBJECTIVE High renal pelvic pressure brings systemic absorption of irrigation fluid containing bacteria or endotoxins, which leads to postoperative fever. We inspected the renal pelvic pressure (RPP) in vivo during minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (MPCNL) to investigate whether a 14- to 18-French percutaneous tract and perfusion would bring high RPP and postoperative fever. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between July 2005 and December 2007, 80 patients were selected for RPP measurement during MPCNL. The RPP was measured by a baroceptor connected to the open-ended ureteric catheter, which was indwelling retrogradely in the renal pelvic. A computer recorded the RPP each second, and all the data were evaluated statistically with SPSS 12.0 software. RESULTS During MPCNL with 14-, 16-, 18-, and double-16-French percutaneous tracts, the mean RPP was 24.55, 16.49, 11.22, and 6.64 mm Hg, respectively. Logistical analysis suggested that postoperative fever did not correlate to gender (P = 0.195), age (P = 0.641), urinary tract infection (P = 0.663), white blood cell > or = 10 x 10(9)/L in routine postoperative blood examination (P = 0.751), or an occurrence of renal pelvic pressure > or = 30 mm Hg in the operation (P = 0.662), although infection calculi (P = 0.000), percutaneous tract (P = 0.029), mean RPP (P = 0.036), mean RPP > or = 20 mm Hg (P = 0.013), accumulated time of RPP > or = 30 mm Hg (P = 0.010), and RPP > or = 30 mm Hg longer than 50 s (P = 0.024) may contribute a postoperative fever. CONCLUSION Renal pelvic pressure generally remains lower than the backflow level (30 mm Hg) during MPCNL via a 14- to 18-French percutaneous tract. Any factors that brought about poor drainage would result in temporarily elevated RPP greater than 30 mm Hg, and many such occurrences of high pressure would have an accumulating effect, which means enough backflow to cause bacteremia and postoperative fever.
Patients with biopsy-proven nephrosclerosis and moderately impaired renal function have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease: 15 years’ experience in a single, kidney disease center

Background: Nephrosclerosis progresses slowly to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in only a small percentage of patients. However, because hypertension and nephrosclerosis are normally found simultaneously, nephrosclerosis is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). In turn, the onset of CVD may progress to further renal impairment. Aim: To evaluate clinical outcomes and the association between nephrosclerosis and CVD in the long term. Design: Prospective study Methods: We prospectively assessed 35 patients (male/female: 19/16) with nephrosclerosis aged >30 years at disease onset, attending the Kidney Disease Center, Saitama Medical University, in a single teaching hospital center between 1995 and 2014. Nephrosclerosis was diagnosed in accordance with the criteria outlined in the World Health Organization (WHO) monograph of renal diseases. All patients were followed by means of registries for 10 years to record subsequent events, if any. Outcomes: The primary study outcome was correlating the occurrence of CVD, defined as a composite of cardiovascular deaths, nonfatal and fatal myocardial infarction, and stroke, with the development of ESRD or death. Results: The mean age of patients at the time of biopsy was 54.8 ± 12.7 years (range 33–72 years). Of these patients, seven were affected by nonfatal CVD and two died due to CVD. Only one patient developed ESRD during the follow-up period. Using Kaplan–Meier analysis, risk factors for the primary study outcome were estimated to include an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2, systolic blood pressure > 130 mmHg and proteinuria > 1 g/g creatinine. Univariate analysis was used for the assessment of the relative risk for the primary study endpoint of several covariates: age, systolic blood pressure, eGFR and proteinuria at time of renal biopsy. eGFR was found to be the strongest factor determining an event-free period [relative risk (RR) =1.931, p = 0.014]. Conclusions: Patients with nephrosclerosis are at high risk of CVD when they have moderately advanced renal impairment.
Multifrequency inversion in magnetic resonance elastography

Time-harmonic shear wave elastography is capable of measuring viscoelastic parameters in living tissue. However, finite tissue boundaries and waveguide effects give rise to wave interferences which are not accounted for by standard elasticity reconstruction methods. Furthermore, the viscoelasticity of tissue causes dispersion of the complex shear modulus, rendering the recovered moduli frequency dependent. Therefore, we here propose the use of multifrequency wave data from magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) for solving the inverse problem of viscoelasticity reconstruction by an algebraic least-squares solution based on the springpot model. Advantages of the method are twofold: (i) amplitude nulls appearing in single-frequency standing wave patterns are mitigated and (ii) the dispersion of storage and loss modulus with drive frequency is taken into account by the inversion procedure, thereby avoiding subsequent model fitting. As a result, multifrequency inversion produces fewer artifacts in the viscoelastic parameter map than standard single-frequency parameter recovery and may thus support image-based viscoelasticity measurement. The feasibility of the method is demonstrated by simulated wave data and MRE experiments on a phantom and in vivo human brain. Implemented as a clinical method, multifrequency inversion may improve the diagnostic value of time-harmonic MRE in a large variety of applications.
Sustained cell polarity and virulence in the phytopathogenic fungus Ustilago maydis depends on an essential cyclin-dependent kinase from the Cdk5/Pho85 family

Cyclin-dependent kinases from the Cdk5/Pho85 family are thought to play important roles in morphogenesis in organisms as diverse as yeast and humans. Here we used the corn smut fungus Ustilago maydis to address the role of Cdk5/Pho85 kinases in the morphogenesis and virulence of dimorphic phytopathogens. We found that Cdk5 is essential for growth in U. maydis. A temperature-sensitive cdk5 mutant caused cell wall and morphology defects at the restrictive temperature. Actin patches labeled with a fimbrin-GFP fusion protein were delocalized and a GFP-Myo5 fusion was directed towards the growing cell pole and rapidly dissociated from the tip. These defects were found to be due to an impairment in the maintenance of cell polarity. Our results indicated that Cdk5 is required for the activity of Rac1, probably at the level of the localization of its GEF, Cdc24. Cdk5 was required for full virulence, probably because mutant cells are unable to sustain the dramatic polar growth required for the formation of the infective structures. These results support a major role for morphogenesis in the virulence program of dimorphic fungi.
Performance evaluation and comparison of air indexing techniques for full text searches under a unified communication environment

In the challenging world of mobile devices, there is a huge need of satisfying the request of millions of mobile users in a single response. Wireless broadcasting is the most suitable way of disseminating information to a number of mobile users. This dissemination of information must be energy and latency efficient enough so that it can also confined to limitations of a mobile device. A mobile device is mainly characterized by limited battery power and limited bandwidth. Therefore, while disseminating information we make use of indexing techniques so that client can tune and download data of its interest using minimum bandwidth and minimum battery power. However, serving full text query of a client over a broadcast stream has made researchers to rethink of designing indexing techniques that facilitate full text search and meets the constraints imposed on mobile devices. The access time and the tuning time are the two criteria for evaluating the performance of any indexing scheme. This paper evaluates and compares all the existing full text searches indexing schemes over wireless data broadcast stream and proposes an automated indexing technology for full text searches over wireless stream. For the fair comparison we have used Scilab, a scientific software package for numerical computations to simulate our results.