Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
VH Replacement Rescues Progenitor B Cells with Two Nonproductive VDJ Alleles1

Inaccurate VDJ rearrangements generate a large number of progenitor (pro)-B cells with two nonproductive IgH alleles. Such cells lack essential survival signals mediated by surface IgM heavy chain (μH chain) expression and are normally eliminated. However, secondary rearrangements of upstream VH gene segments into assembled VDJ exons have been described in mice transgenic for productive μH chains, a process known as VH replacement. If VH replacement was independent of μH chain signals, it could also modify nonproductive VDJ exons and thus rescue pro-B cells with unsuccessful rearrangements on both alleles. To test this hypothesis, we homologously replaced the JH cluster of a mouse with a nonproductive VDJ exon. Surprisingly, B cell development in IgHVDJ−/VDJ− mice was only slightly impaired and significant numbers of IgM-positive B cells were produced. DNA sequencing confirmed that all VDJ sequences from μH chain-positive B lymphoid cells were generated by VH replacement in a RAG-dependent manner. Another unique feature of our transgenic mice was the presence of IgH chains with unusually long CDR3-H regions. Such IgH chains were functional and only modestly counter-selected, arguing against a strict length constraint for CDR3-H regions. In conclusion, VH replacement can occur in the absence of a μH chain signal and provides a potential rescue mechanism for pro-B cells with two nonproductive IgH alleles.
Effect of Antibody to Neuraminidase on the Maturation and Hemagglutinating Activity of an Influenza A2 Virus

Antiserum to a recombinant between an Ao and an A2 influenza virus had no detectable antibody against an A2 virus in standard hemagglutination-inhibition tests, and inhibited 95% of viral neuraminidase activity at a 1 to 400 dilution. However, on mixing virus with antiserum, a drop of up to 90% in hemagglutinin titer was observed. The effects of ultrasonication and direct electron microscopic examination indicated that the antiserum caused aggregation of virus particles. When antiserum was added to A2 virus-infected chick embryo fibroblasts, release of virus appeared markedly inhibited. After ultrasonication to disrupt aggregates, an increase in released hemagglutinin was observed, but the resulting level was considerably lower than that in control cultures containing normal rabbit serum. In thin sections of infected cells, similar numbers of virus profiles were observed in control and antiserum-treated cultures. A marked increase in release of hemagglutinin was noted if receptor-destroying enzyme was added to antiserum-treated cultures. The results indicate that antibody to neuraminidase does not exert a direct effect on viral maturation, but inhibits the detachment of viral progeny from cell surface receptors.
Abnormal stress echocardiography findings in cardiac amyloidosis

Abstract Background: Cardiac involvement in immunoglobulin light chain (amyloid light chain, AL) amyloidosis is characterized by myocardial interstitial deposition but can also cause obstructive deposits in the coronary microvasculature. Methods: We retrospectively identified 20 patients who underwent stress echocardiography within 1 year prior to the histologic diagnosis of AL amyloidosis. Only patients with cardiac amyloidosis and no known obstructive coronary disease were included. Results: Stress echocardiograms (13 exercise; 7 dobutamine) were performed for evaluation of dyspnea and/or chest pain. Stress-induced wall motion abnormalities (WMAs) occurred in 11 patients (55%), 4 of whom had normal left ventricular wall thickness. Coronary angiogram was performed in 9 of 11 patients and demonstrated no or mild epicardial coronary artery disease. Seven (54%) patients had an abnormal exercise blood pressure which occurred with similar likelihood between those with and without stress-induced WMAs. Conclusions: Stress-induced WMAs and abnormal exercise blood pressure may occur in patients with cardiac AL amyloidosis despite the absence of significant epicardial coronary artery disease. This finding should raise the possibility of cardiac amyloidosis even in the absence of significant myocardial thickening.
Development and evaluation of a capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for determination of rubella immunoglobulin M using monoclonal antibodies

A capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of virus-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody was developed which used a panel of labeled monoclonal antibodies to rubella virus hemagglutinin. The rapidity of the test system was increased by using, after 1-h incubation of the test serum, a second 1-h incubation of the serum with a mixture of viral antigen and labeled monoclonal antibody. The new assay was tested for specificity on 371 human sera from people without any recent contact with rubella virus; of these, 66 were sera selected from people with rheumatoid factor or IgM antibody to human cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, or other viruses. In parallel, the new assay was performed on 191 sera from patients having recent contact with rubella virus. Results were compared with those obtained by an indirect ELISA method on IgM serum fractions, using purified rubella virus as a solid phase. Of the 371 sera tested for specificity, 5 (1.3%) gave false-positive results with indirect ELISA (1 rheumatoid factor, 2 heterophil antibody, and 2 human cytomegalovirus sera positive for IgM), and none were false-positive with the capture assay. Two sera from a patient with primary cytomegalovirus infection, which were positive for rubella IgM antibody with both methods and were initially interpreted as false-positive, were finally considered to be true-positive, since they were reactive only in the presence of IgM antibody and viral antigen. Of the 191 sera from 92 patients (84 patients with acute rubella, four newborns from mothers with rubella during pregnancy, and four vaccinees), 136 (71.2%) were found to be positive for IgM by direct ELISA, and 128 (67.0%) were positive by capture ELISA; 12 sera drawn during the first 2 days of disease, or at least 40 days after onset (or after vaccination), were detected only by indirect ELISA, and 4 sera were detected only by capture ELISA. Thus, specificity and sensitivity, respectively, were 100 and 91.4% for capture ELISA and 98.6 and 97.1% for indirect ELISA. However, when the number of patients was considered, 86 were detected as IgM positive by indirect ELISA, and 87 were detected positive by capture ELISA. The overall agreement between the two assays was 96.2%. Capture ELISA using monoclonal antibody appears preferable over indirect ELISA on IgM serum fractions because of its higher specificity and shorter time for test performance; furthermore, there is no need for serum fractionation or virus purification for the capture ELISA.
Time behavior of focused vector beams.

We elucidate the pecularities of time behavior of focused vector optical fields. In particular, for linear or radial incident polarizations, we demonstrate explicitly the π/2 phase delay between transverse and longitudinal components of the field generated at the focus, i.e., their appearance and reaching the peak at different instances of the optical period. For clockwise circular polarization with -1 order vortex the longitudinal component is in phase with the transverse one. For clockwise circular polarization, the same circular polarization with a +1 order vortex and for radial polarization with +1 order vortex the longitudinal field component has a constant, azimuthally rotating in time shape and it coexists with one or simultaneously with both x and y field components. In addition, we show that the recently studied ultrafast rotating dipole produced by focusing an azimuthally polarized vortex beam [Opt. Lett.41, 1605 (2016)OPLEDP0146-959210.1364/OL.41. 001605] differs significantly from a pattern obtained by focusing circularly polarized light. The numerically calculated field component distributions are verified by simplifying the system with an application of a narrow ring aperture allowing precise analytical expressions to be obtained confirming the phase relations between different field components. These findings will have to be taken into account or can be taken advantage of when using vector beams in studying light-matter interactions (particle manipulation and acceleration) and especially ultrafast optical phenomena.
Kibdelosporangium lantanae sp. nov., isolated from the rhizosphere soil of an ornamental plant, Lantana camara L.

Strain XMU 506T, isolated from the rhizosphere soil of an ornamental plant, Lantana camara L. , collected from Xiamen City, China, was identified using a polyphasic approach to clarify its taxonomic position. The aerial mycelium of this organism formed long straight or curved chains of spores and sporangium-like structures. The optimum growth occurred at 28-30 °C, pH 7.0 with 0-1% NaCl. Strain XMU 506T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (96.5%) to Kibdelosporangium philippinense DSM 44226T, and formed a monophyletic clade in the 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic tree together with the type strains of the genus Kibdelosporangium. The chemotaxonomic properties further supported the assignment of strain XMU 506T to the genus Kibdelosporangium: meso-diaminopimelic acid was the diagnostic amino acid in the cell wall peptidoglycan; mycolic acids were not present in the cell wall; the whole-cell hydrolysates contained arabinose, galactose, glucose and ribose. The major menaquinone was MK-9(H4); the phospholipids of the isolate comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, OH-phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and unidentified amino-, glyco- and phospholipids; the major fatty acids of the strain were iso-C16 : 0, C17 : 1 ω6c and iso-C16 : 1 H. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 67.3 mol%. Based on the results of phylogenetic analysis, phenotypic and genotypic characterization, strain XMU 506T represents a novel species in the genus Kibdelosporangium, for which the name Kibdelosporangium lantanae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XMU 506T ( = KCTC 29675T = MCCC 1K00430T).
Homomorphic error-control codes for linear network coding in packet networks

In this work, the homomorphism of the classic linear block code in linear network coding for the case of binary field and its extensions is studied. It is proved that the classic linear error-control block code is homomorphic network error-control code in network coding. That is, if the source packets at the source node for a linear network coding are precoded using a linear block code, then every packet flowing in the network regarding to the source satisfies the same constraints as the source. As a consequence, error detection and correction can be performed at every intermediate nodes of multicast flow, rather than only at the destination node in the conventional way, which can help to identify and correct errors timely at the error-corrupted link and save the cost of forwarding error-corrupted data to the destination node when the intermediate nodes are ignorant of the errors. In addition, three examples are demonstrated which show that homomorphic linear code can be combined with homomorphic signature, McEliece public-key cryptosystem and unequal error protection respectively and thus have a great potential of practical utility.
Contextualizing “The Contemporary Eruv”

The construction of eruvin – symbolic boundaries demarcating communal space that enable traditionally observant Jews to carry in public domains on the Sabbath – poses a unique problem at the intersection of religious and secular life. The application of the ancient doctrines of eruv to modern urban spaces has proven to be controversial in rabbinic circles, and in many respects the attendant Jewish law questions remain unsettled. At the same time, controversy over the construction of eruvin in modern metropolitan areas has metastasized to impact a much broader field of inquiry that includes law, politics, sociology, architecture, and aesthetics. My research in this area – which began with the publication of my book, The Contemporary Eruv: Eruvin in Modern Metropolitan Areas, and continues in this commentary and my recent essay, The Non-Territoriality of an Eruv: Ritual Bearings in Jewish Urban Life – touches on all these areas of inquiry. This commentary provides a broad overview of my work on eruvin and offers insights into the significance of my original research, the impact my work has had on the broader scholarly community, and possible lines of further inquiry for future work. Part 2 provides a glossary that defines the many Hebrew and technical-legal rabbinic terms used throughout this commentary. Next, Part 3 of this commentary offers a broad overview of my past and ongoing research into eruvin and touches briefly on the central question that drives much of my work. Part 4 discusses the central research questions that both animate my broader body of work and frame my more specific work on the study of eruvin in modern metropolitan spaces. Building on these research concerns, Part 5 of this commentary provides a general overview of the central concepts, doctrines, and issues in the construction of eruvin, tracing the topic from its biblical origins through early rabbinic legislation that set the stage for ongoing concerns. Part 6 explains the methodology of my research into eruvin, and lays out its three-pronged approach: addressing past rabbinic scholarship, actual hands-on experience with the urban spaces in which contemporary eruvin are built, and reconceptualizing traditional doctrines so as to apply them to modern contexts. In Part 7, I offer a literature review that focuses principally on the impact that The Contemporary Eruv has had on a variety of fields of inquiry, including law, urban studies, architecture, religious studies, public policy, and art. Part 8 includes abstracts of my other published works offered as further support for the merits of my scholarship. Finally, Part 9 of this commentary provides a tentative look forward at areas for future research, including a brief discussion of some of the ethical concerns raised by the construction of eruvin in modern metropolitan areas. Part 10 includes a list of sources referenced in this commentary.
The Role of Cognitive Styles and Sociodemographic Characteristics in Consumer Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Nonhuman Animal Welfare

Given the increasing importance of exploring consumers' concerns about the welfare of farmed animals, a survey questionnaire was designed to investigate the role of cognitive styles along with sociodemographic characteristics in consumers' perceptions about nonhuman animal welfare (AW) and their willingness to pay for animal-friendly products. The results revealed that the survey respondents were concerned about AW and had negative perceptions of the way animals were treated. They showed positive attitudes toward some actions to be taken for improving AW and strongly agreed to pay more for animal-friendly products. Consistent with previous studies, results revealed significant associations between sociodemographics and concern toward AW. However, some observed differences were highlighted by cognitive styles rather than by sociodemographic characteristics. These results indicate a significant link between cognitive styles and perceptions and attitudes toward AW, which may outweigh previously found sociodemographic differences and fuel the contemporary debate on AW.
Incidence of acute myocardial infarction in Takashima, Shiga, Japan.

BACKGROUND The incidence and mortality from ischemic heart disease (IHD) in Japan seem to be among the lowest of all the industrialized countries, but there are few reliable registers of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS AND RESULTS To assess the incidence of AMI in Takashima County, Shiga, Japan, from 1988 to 1998 and compare the data with similar registers in the world, cases of AMI or sudden death presumed from myocardial ischemia were registered. The criteria of AMI were based on the WHO MONICA Projects. The medical records of all the hospitals inside as well as outside the county, the original death records in the health center, and the ambulance records in the county were investigated and 291 cases were registered (190 males, 101 females; average age (mean +/- SD), 69.5+/-12.2). The 28-day and 24-h case fatality was 38.1% and 33.0%, respectively. Age-adjusted annual incidence of AMI per 100,000 population aged between 25 and 74 years were 58.2 for men and 18.0 for women. The incidence of AMI showed a constant trend from 1988 to 1998. CONCLUSION The results confirmed that Japan has the lowest incidence of AMI among the industrialized countries.
Predominant Expression of Mutant EGFR (EGFRvIII) is Rare in Primary Glioblastomas

EGFR amplification is a frequent genetic alteration in primary (de novo) glioblastomas, and is often associated with structural alterations. Most common is variant III (EGFRvIII), which results from a non‐random 801 bp in‐frame deletion of exons 2 to 7 of the EGFR gene. We assessed amplification and overexpression of EGFRvIII and wild‐type EGFR in 30 glioblastoma biopsies. Immunohistochemically, EGFR overexpression was observed in 20 (67%) of 30 glioblastomas. Eight (27%) cases also showed immunoreactivity to an EGFRvIII antibody. In 6 of these cases, the pattern of EGFR and EGFRvIII overexpression was compared in serial sections: In 4 cases, areas with immunoreactivity to EGFRvIII largely coincided with wild‐type EGFR expression. In the other 2 cases, the areas immunoreactive to EGFRvIII were significantly less extensive than EGFR‐positive areas. To assess whether EGFRvIII is predominantly amplified in tumors with concurrent wild‐type EGFR amplification, we carried out real‐time quantitative PCR using 2 sets of primers located in exon 2 and intron 15 of the EGFR gene. A>5‐fold ratio of relative copy numbers between intron 15 (present both in wild‐type EGFR and EGFRvIII) and exon 2 (present only in wild‐type EGFR, but missing in EGFRvIII) suggested predominant amplification of EGFRvIII in only 3 (10%) of 30 glioblastomas. The observation that intratumoral wild‐type EGFR overexpression is often more extensive and that predominant amplification of EGFRvIII is a rare event would limit the effectiveness of therapeutic approaches based on selective targeting of EGFRvIII.
Glutamatergic synapses in the rat nucleus tractus solitarii develop by direct insertion of calcium‐impermeable AMPA receptors and without activation of NMDA receptors

Calcium influxes through ionotropic glutamate receptors (AMPA and NMDA receptors, AMPARs and NMDARs) are considered to be critical for the shaping and refinement of neural circuits during synaptogenesis. Using a combined morphological and electrophysiological approach, we evaluated this hypothesis at the level of the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS), a brainstem structure that is a gateway for many visceral sensory afferent fibres. We confirmed that in the NTS, the first excitatory synapses appeared at embryonic day 18. We next characterized the biophysical properties of NTS AMPARs. Throughout perinatal development, both evoked and miniature EPSCs recorded in the presence of an NMDAR blocker were insensitive to polyamines and had linear current–voltage relationships. This demonstrated that AMPARs at NTS excitatory synapses were calcium‐impermeable receptors composed of a majority of GluR2 subunits. We then investigated the influence of calcium influxes through NMDARs on the development of NTS synaptic transmission. We found that NMDAR expression at synaptic sites did not precede AMPAR expression. Moreover, NMDAR blockade in utero did not prevent the development of AMPAR synaptic currents and the synaptic clustering of GluR2 subunits. Thus, our data support an alternative model of synaptogenesis that does not depend on calcium influxes through either AMPARs or NMDARs. This model may be particularly relevant to the formation of neural networks devoted to basic behaviours required at birth for survival.
Does diffusion tensor data reflect pathological changes in the spinal cord with chronic injury

Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging has been shown to quantitatively measure the early pathological changes in chronic cervical spondylotic myelopathy. In this study, a novel spongy polyurethane material was implanted in the rat C3–5 epidural space to establish a rat model of chronic cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Diffusion tensor data were used to predict pathological changes. Results revealed that the fractional anisotropy value gradually decreased at 4, 24, and 72 hours and 1 week after injury in rat spinal cord, showing a time-dependent manner. Average diffusion coefficient increased at 72 hours and 1 week after implantation. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Luxol-fast-blue staining exhibited that the number of neurons in the anterior horn of the spinal cord gray matter and the nerve fiber density of the white matter gradually reduced with prolonged compression time. Neuronal loss was most significant at 1 week after injury. Results verified that the fractional anisotropy value and average diffusion coefficient reflected the degree of pathological change in the site of compression in rat models at various time points after chronic spinal cord compression injury, which potentially has a reference value in the early diagnosis of chronic cervical spondylotic myelopathy.
Determinants of variability in acute to chronic toxicity ratios for aquatic invertebrates and fish

Variability in acute to chronic ratios (ACRs; median lethal or effect concentration divided by chronic value) has been of continuing interest in aquatic toxicology because of the reliance on ACRs to estimate chronic toxicity for chemicals and species with known acute toxicity data but with limited or no information for chronic toxicity. To investigate the variability and significant differences in ACRs, an extensive data set was compiled of 456 same‐species pairs of acute and maximum acceptable toxicant concentrations for metals, narcotics, pesticides, and other organic chemicals. The overall median value for 456 aquatic invertebrate and fish ACRs analyzed in the present study was 8.3, with a 16,000‐fold range in values (1.1–18,550) and a 32‐fold range in 10th and 90th percentile values (2.5–79.5). Median ACRs for taxa, ambient habitat media, chronic test end point, and chemical mode of action (MOA)/class categories generally were similar but, in some cases, extremely variable (ranges of 1 to gt;10,000). No significant differences (p ⩽ 0.05) were found in median ACRs between taxa, although invertebrate ACRs generally were more variable than fish ACRs. Freshwater organisms had median ACRs significantly greater than those of saltwater species and also were more variable. No significant differences were found in median ACRs among chemical MOA/class data sets; however, ACR variance differed significantly among MOAs. Although few significant differences occurred among median ACRs for different groups, those categories that were highly variable are at an increased risk of underestimated chronic toxicity when mean or median ACRs are used.