Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The granin VGF promotes genesis of secretory vesicles, and regulates circulating catecholamine levels and blood pressure

Secretion of proteins and neurotransmitters from large dense core vesicles (LDCVs) is a highly regulated process. Adrenal LDCV formation involves the granin proteins chromogranin A (CgA) and chromogranin B (CgB); CgA‐ and CgB‐derived peptides regulate catecholamine levels and blood pressure. We investigated function of the granin VGF (nonacronymic) in LDCV formation and the regulation of catecholamine levels and blood pressure. Expression of exogenous VGF in non‐endocrine NIH 3T3 fibroblasts resulted in the formation of LDCV‐like structures and depolarization‐induced VGF secretion. Analysis of germline VGF‐knockout mouse adrenal medulla revealed decreased LDCV size in noradrenergic chromaffin cells, increased adrenal norepinephrine and epinephrine content and circulating plasma epinephrine, and decreased adrenal CgB. These neurochemical changes in VGF‐knockout mice were associated with hypertension. Germline knock‐in of human VGF1–615 into the mouse Vgf locus rescued the hypertensive knockout phenotype, while knock‐in of a truncated human VGF1–524 that lacks several C‐terminal peptides, including TLQP‐21, resulted in a small but significant increase in systolic blood pressure compared to hVGF1–615 mice. Finally, acute and chronic administration of the VGF‐derived peptide TLQP‐21 to rodents decreased blood pressure. Our studies establish a role for VGF in adrenal LDCV formation and the regulation of catecholamine levels and blood pressure. —Fargali, S. , Garcia, A. L. , Sadahiro, M. , Jiang, C. , Janssen, W. G. , Lin, W. ‐J., Cogliani, V. , Elste, A. , Mortillo, S. , Cero, C. , Veitenheimer, B. , Graiani, G. , Pasinetti, G. M. , Mahata, S. K. , Osborn, J. W. , Huntley, G. W. , Phillips, G. R. , Benson, D. L. , Bartolomucci, A. ,Salton, S. R. The granin VGF promotes genesis of secretory vesicles, and regulates circulating catecholamine levels and blood pressure. FASEB J. 28, 2120–2133 (2014). www.fasebj. org
Post-Endoplasmic Reticulum Rescue of Unstable MHC Class I Requires Proprotein Convertase PC7

The function of the peptide-loading complex (PLC) is to facilitate loading of MHC class I (MHC I) molecules with antigenic peptides in the endoplasmic reticulum and to drive the selection of these ligands toward a set of high-affinity binders. When the PLC fails to perform properly, as frequently observed in virus-infected or tumor cells, structurally unstable MHC I peptide complexes are generated, which are prone to disintegrate instead of presenting Ags to cytotoxic T cells. In this study we show that a second quality control checkpoint dependent on the serine protease proprotein convertase 7 (PC7) can rescue unstable MHC I, whereas the related convertase furin is completely dispensable. Cells with a malfunctioning PLC and silenced for PC7 have substantially reduced MHC I surface levels caused by high instability and significantly delayed surface accumulation of these molecules. Instead of acquiring stability along the secretory route, MHC I appears to get largely routed to lysosomes for degradation in these cells. Moreover, mass spectrometry analysis provides evidence that lack of PLC quality control and/or loss of PC7 expression alters the MHC I-presented peptide profile. Finally, using exogenously applied peptide precursors, we show that liberation of MHC I epitopes may directly require PC7. We demonstrate for the first time an important function for PC7 in MHC I-mediated Ag presentation.
Comon's Conjecture, Rank Decomposition, and Symmetric Rank Decomposition of Symmetric Tensors

Comon's Conjecture claims that for a symmetric tensor, its rank and its symmetric rank coincide. We show that this conjecture is true under an additional assumption that the rank of that tensor is not larger than its order. Moreover, if its rank is less than its order, then all rank decompositions are necessarily symmetric rank decompositions.
Complex Cellular Responses of Helicobacter pylori-Colonized Gastric Adenocarcinoma Cells

ABSTRACT Helicobacter pylori is an important class I carcinogen that persistently infects the human gastric mucosa to induce gastritis, gastric ulceration, and gastric cancer. H. pylori pathogenesis strongly depends on pathogenic factors, such as VacA (vacuolating cytotoxin A) or a specialized type IV secretion system (T4SS), which injects the oncoprotein CagA (cytotoxin-associated gene A product) into the host cell. Since access to primary gastric epithelial cells is limited, many studies on the complex cellular and molecular mechanisms of H. pylori were performed in immortalized epithelial cells originating from individual human adenocarcinomas. The aim of our study was a comparative analysis of 14 different human gastric epithelial cell lines after colonization with H. pylori. We found remarkable differences in host cell morphology, extent of CagA tyrosine phosphorylation, adhesion to host cells, vacuolization, and interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion. These data might help in the selection of suitable cell lines to study host cell responses to H. pylori in vitro, and they imply that different host cell factors are involved in the determination of H. pylori pathogenesis. A better understanding of H. pylori-directed cellular responses can provide novel and more balanced insights into the molecular mechanisms of H. pylori-dependent pathogenesis in vivo and may lead to new therapeutic approaches.
Spatial Coding of Information on Temporal Order in Short-Term Memory

This study examined the effect of spatial cues on judgments of temporal order for digits presented to the right or left visual field. 56 subjects were better able to recall temporal order on trials with congruent temporal and spatial cues, and on trials in which stimuli were presented to the right visual field. The implications of these results for several models of temporal encoding are discussed.
Protection of wind turbine against the lightning damage

Damages of wind turbines by lightning is currently one of the main sources of wind turbine insurance claims and downtime. Understanding the effects of lightning strikes has become increasingly important as the size and rated power of wind turbines increase and they are placed in locations where repair is difficult and costly. The wind turbines are important structures, since they can easily attract the wrath of storms hits heights close, they can also capture the most distant. The rotation of the blades may also trigger lightning and result in considerable increase in the number of strikes to a wind turbine unit. Since wind turbines are tall structures, the lightning currents that are injected by return strokes into the turbines will be affected by reflections at the top, at the bottom, and at the junction of the blades with the static base of the turbine. We present our contribution in this paper to study lightning strokes and their effects on the wind turbines with the aim to enrich the work and to suggest more effective means of protection against lightning.
The seasonal behavior of interferometric coherence in boreal forest

The capability of SAR interferometry has been previously demonstrated in various applications. In particular, the use of interferometric coherence has shown promising results in forest monitoring, however, mainly in discriminating forested and nonforested areas. The authors have collected ERS-1 and ERS-2 Tandem data from two boreal forest test sites in Finland. The data have been processed into interferometric coherence and intensity images. These images have been used to a) compare the behavior of interferometric coherence and intensity for various land-use and forest classes and b) extensive analysis on the behavior of interferometric coherence in boreal forests as a function of stem volume. Based on the observations and the use of a boreal forest semi-empirical backscattering model, they have developed an empirical model that describes interferometric coherence of boreal forests using backscattering information. The results indicate that coherence is more sensitive to the stem volume than the C-band backscattering intensity. However, the intensity and coherence data contain complementary information and therefore, the use of both data sources is beneficial in the observation of boreal forest.
Intelligence Impairment, Personality Features and Psychopathology Disturbances in a Family Affected with CADASIL

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a small-vessel disease of the brain that is characterized by headache, recurring lacunar strokes, mood changes and progressive cognitive deterioration. The disease is transmitted with an autosomal dominant pattern and usually starts during midadulthood (at 30–50 years of age). Cognitive deficits in patients with CADASIL develop slowly. The dementia causes frontal-like symptoms and it typically develops after a history of recurrent stroke. We describe three patients from one Spanish family affected by this disease. All three cases underwent comprehensive clinical and neuropsychological examination, and were monitored for seven years. The results obtained in this study describe a) a significant loss of the intelligence quotient (IQ) and noticeable damage to abstract ability (g factor), b) mood and psychopathological disturbances (major depression and dysthymia), and c) a personality with neurotic features. La arteriopatía cerebral autosómica dominante con infartos subcorticales y leucoencefalopatía (CADASIL) se caracteriza por una alteración de las arterias cerebrales de pequeño y mediano calibre. La presentación clínica incluye migraña, infartos cerebrales recurrentes, cambios del humor y deterioro cognitivo. La enfermedad se transmite siguiendo un patrón autosómico dominante e inicia su desarrollo entre los 30-50 años de edad. El deterioro cognitivo evoluciona lentamente hasta un cuadro similar al de la demencia frontal, y con frecuencia se desarrolla tras un periodo previo de episodios isquémicos recurrentes. Este trabajo describe a tres pacientes de una familia española afectada por la enfermedad. Se les siguió durante un período de siete años. Con el fin de estudiar la evolución del cuadro, se efectuaron diversas pruebas clínicas y neuropsicológicas. Los resultados obtenidos muestran a) una disminución significativa del cociente de inteligencia (CI) y un notorio deterioro del factor de inteligencia general (factor g), b) alteraciones psicopatológicas (depresión mayor y distimia), y c) un perfil de personalidad de rasgos neuróticos.
[Association between Fas/Fas L genes promoter polymorphisms and pathogenic risk of cervical cancer].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between apoptosis genes Fas/Fas L promoter polymorphisms and the risk of the development of cervical cancer. METHODS Blood samples were collected from 314 cases with primary cervical cancer and 615 healthy controls. Genotypes of Fas/Fas L genes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism. The associations with the risk of cervical cancer and impact of clinicopathological characteristics were estimated by logistic regression. RESULTS Fas L-844CC genotype was significantly associated with increased risk of cervical cancer compared with Fas L-844TC or -TT genotype (OR = 3.05; P < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference of Fas-670A/G or -1377G/A genotypes. Interaction of genetic polymorphism between Fas and Fas L was observed. Stratification analysis revealed that Fas-670G or -1377A allele was significantly higher in squamous carcinoma in situ (OR = 1.77 or 1.93; P < 0.05) while Fas L-844CC genotype had an increased risk of invasive squamous carcinoma compared with that of Fas L-844TT genotype (OR = 3.33; P < 0.01). No significant associations were observed between polymorphisms in Fas/Fas L and clinical FIGO stage, cell differentiation, size of tumors, serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen value at the diagnosis and so on. CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest that genetic polymorphisms of Fas and Fas L in apoptotic pathway are associated with the risk of development of cervical carcinoma.
Modified LDLs are internalized by macrophages in part via macropinocytosis

Macrophage foam cell formation in vitro requires uptake of modified low density lipoproteins (LDL) such as acetylated LDL (AcLDL) and moderately oxidized LDL (OxLDL). Macrophages incubated with AcLDL and OxLDL, but not LDL, showed increased membrane ruffling as seen with time‐lapse phase contrast video light microscopy. Modified LDLs stimulated circular membrane ruffles between 2 and 10 min after incubation. These membrane ruffles were readsorbed into the plasma membrane between 5 and 15 min later. Phase‐bright macropinosomes formed at the base of the stimulated membrane ruffles. The fluid‐phase marker lucifer yellow labeled the modified LDL stimulated macropinosomes. Modified LDLs stimulate fluid‐phase uptake by 1.5‐fold to threefold as measured with 14C‐sucrose uptake. Transmission electron microscopy showed that gold conjugated AcLDL and OxLDL bound preferentially to membrane ruffles and were present in macropinosomes (diameter >0.2 μm) underneath these membrane ruffles. AcLDL and OxLDL were also present in clathrin‐coated pits and endosomes. These studies suggest that modified lipoproteins stimulate macropinocytosis. AcLDL and OxLDL are partially internalized by macropinocytosis and partially internalized via clathrin‐coated pit endocytosis. Anat Rec 255:57–68, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Determination of phenolic compounds in rose hip (Rosa canina) using liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry and diode-array detection.

Liquid chromatography coupled with negative and positive electrospray ionisation (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and diode-array detection (DAD) was used for determination of phenols in rose hip (Rosa canina) extract. ESI mass spectra of the chromatographically separated phenols gave the molecular weight of the compounds through prominent [M - H](-) ions for most of the compounds and M(+) ions for the anthocyanins. Collision induced dissociation (CID) of the [M - H](-) (or M(+)) precursor ions yielded product ions which determined the molecular weight of the aglycones. In-source fragmentation followed by CID of the resulting deprotonated aglycone ([A - H](-)) provided product ions for the identification of the unconjugated phenols. The identification was based on comparison with product ion spectra of commercial standards. UV-diode-array spectra were used for identity confirmation. This combined approach allowed the identification in rose hip extract of an anthocyanin, i.e. cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, several glycosides of quercetin and glycosides of taxifolin and eriodictyol. Phloridzin was identified, and several conjugates of methyl gallate were also found, one of which was tentatively identified as methyl gallate-rutinoside. Catechin and quercetin were found as the aglycones in the extract.
SAR Study of Different MIMO Antenna Designs for LTE Application in Smart Mobile Handsets

This paper mainly focuses on the specific absorption rate (SAR) of the dual-element LTE MIMO antenna in mobile phones. Four designs of dual-element MIMO antenna (namely, dual semi-ground-free planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA), co-located antenna, dual OG PIFA in parallel position, and dual OG PIFA in orthogonal position) are studied under four typical LTE frequency points (0.75, 0.85, 1.9, and 2.1/2.6 GHz) when the ground plane length varies from 90 to 150 mm. The SAR, when dual elements operate simultaneously, is also studied through the SAR to PEAK location spacing ratio (SPLSR) according to the FCC standard. The simulations are carried out on both an SAM head phantom and a flat phantom by CST 2011, and measurements on the flat phantom are made with iSAR and DASY4 to verify the accuracy of our simulations.
Position-Based Adaptive Broadcast for Inter-Vehicle Communications

With the techniques of wireless communications growing mature, inter-vehicle communications provide an efficient way to improve traffic safety and prevent congestion through exchanging or disseminating the traffic information. Broadcast techniques are usually applied for delivering the emergency messages to drivers but often influenced by the hidden terminal, interference, and contention problems. The paper proposes a new broadcast algorithm which is an event- driven protocol and suitable for cooperative collision avoidance in two-way multi-lane highway. Its message-relaying decisions are made in receiver based on the position, direction, and velocity properties of transmitting and receiving vehicles. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm delivers the emergency messages efficiently and it has the lower latency and less retransmission than other flooding based protocols.
Depression and reduced natural killer cytotoxicity: a longitudinal study of depressed patients and control subjects

Synopsis Cross-sectional studies have demonstrated that natural killer (NK) cell activity is reduced in depression. To extend these observations and examine further the association between severity of depressive symptoms and values of NK activity, this study used a longitudinal case control design and assessed NK cytotoxicity at intake and at follow-up 6 months after discharge from the hospital in depressed patients and control subjects. From acute hospitalization to follow-up, depression scores significantly (P < 0·01) decreased following treatment in the depressed patients but did not change in the control subjects. NK activity significantly (P < 0·05) increased from intake to follow-up in the depressives while lytic activity did not change in the controls. At intake NK activity was significantly (P < 0·01) reduced in the depressed patients as compared to values in the controls, while at follow-up cytotoxicity was similar between the two groups. These longitudinal data suggest that a reduction of NK cytotoxicity is temporally associated with the state of acute depression.
Use of bio-informatics assessment schema (BIAS) to improve diagnosis and prognosis of myocardial perfusion data: results from the NHLBI-sponsored women's ischemia syndrome evaluation (WISE).

BACKGROUND We introduce an algorithmic approach to optimize diagnostic and prognostic value of gated cardiac single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and magnetic resonance (MR) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) modalities in women with suspected myocardial ischemia. The novel approach: bio-informatics assessment schema (BIAS) forms a mathematical model utilizing MPI data and cardiac metrics generated by one modality to predict the MPI status of another modality. The model identifies cardiac features that either enhance or mask the image-based evidence of ischemia. For each patient, the BIAS model value is used to set an appropriate threshold for the detection of ischemia. METHODS Women (n=130), with symptoms and signs of suspected myocardial ischemia, underwent MPI assessment for regional perfusion defects using two different modalities: gated SPECT and MR. To determine perfusion status, MR data were evaluated qualitatively (MRIQL) and semi-quantitatively (MRISQ) while SPECT data were evaluated using conventional clinical criteria. Evaluators were masked to results of the alternate modality. These MPI status readings were designated "original". Two regression models designated "BIAS" models were generated to model MPI status obtained with one modality (e.g., MRI) compared with a second modality (e.g., SPECT), but importantly, the BIAS models did not include the primary Original MPI reading of the predicting modality. Instead, the BIAS models included auxiliary measurements like left ventricular chamber volumes and myocardial wall thickness. For each modality, the BIAS model was used to set a progressive threshold for interpretation of MPI status. Women were then followed for 38±14 months for the development of a first major adverse cardiovascular event [MACE: CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) or hospitalization for heart failure]. Original and BIAS-augmented perfusion status were compared in their ability to detect coronary artery disease (CAD) and for prediction of MACE. RESULTS Adverse events occurred in 14 (11%) women and CAD was present in 13 (10%). There was a positive correlation of maximum coronary artery stenosis and BIAS score for MRI and SPECT (P<0.001). Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted and showed an increase in the area under the curve of the BIAS-augmented MPI interpretation of MACE vs. the original for MRISQ (0.78 vs. 0.54), MRIQL (0.78 vs. 0.64), SPECT (0.82 vs. 0.63) and the average of the three readings (0.80±0.02 vs. 0.60±0.05, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Increasing values of the BIAS score generated by both MRI and SPECT corresponded to the increasing prevalence of CAD and MACE. The BIAS-augmented detection of ischemia better predicted MACE compared with the Original reading for the MPI data for both MRI and SPECT.
[Quality of life in children with sickle cell disease in Amsterdam area].

OBJECTIVE To determine the differences in quality of life between children with sickle cell disease and healthy immigrant children. DESIGN Descriptive, comparative. METHOD The quality of life of children with sickle cell disease between 5 and 15 years old being treated in the Emma Children's Hospital AMC in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, was assessed by using a questionnaire for parents (TNO-AZL Children's Quality of Life Questionnaire (TACQOL) parent form) if the child was between 5 and 11 years old and a questionnaire for children (TACQOL child form) if the child was between 8 and 15 years old. The study period was April-October 1998. The questionnaires were completed by 45 (parents of) patients. The results were compared with a healthy reference group of immigrant children. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student t-Test. RESULTS Children with sickle cell disease as well as their parents scored significantly lower on the items general physical, motor and independent daily functioning and on occurrence of negative emotions. No significance was observed for the items cognitive functioning and school performance nor for social functioning or occurrence of positive emotions. CONCLUSION In children, sickle cell disease leads to compromised physical and possibly also psychological wellbeing, as well as the experience of decreased independence in daily functioning, but not to compromised cognitive or social aspects of the quality of life.
Molecular characterization of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 viruses isolated from Baikal teals found dead during a 2014 outbreak in Korea

Nineteen highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 viruses were isolated from wild birds in the Donglim reservoir in Gochang, Jeonbuk province, Korea, which was first reported to be an outbreak site on January 17, 2014. Most genes from the nineteen viruses shared high nucleotide sequence identities (i.e., 99.7% to 100%). Phylogenetic analysis showed that these viruses were reassortants of the HPAI H5 subtype and the H4N2 strain and that their hemagglutinin clade was 2.3. 4.4, which originated from Eastern China. The hemagglutinin protein contained Q222 and G224 at the receptor-binding site. Although the neuraminidase protein contained I314V and the matrix 2 protein contained an S31N substitution, other mutations resulting in oseltamivir and amantadine resistance were not detected. No substitutions associated with increased virulence and enhanced transmission in mammals were detected in the polymerase basic protein 2 (627E and 701D). Non-structural-1 was 237 amino acids long and had an ESEV motif with additional RGNKMAD amino acids in the C terminal region. These viruses caused deaths in the Baikal teal, which was unusual, and outbreaks occurred at the same time in both poultry and wild birds. These data are helpful for epidemiological understanding of HPAI and the design of prevention strategies.