Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Peroxynitrite-modified H3 Histone is Highly Immunogenic and Binds Circulating SLE Autoantibodies Better than Native DNA

Peroxynitrite is a bifaceted reactive species. It can oxidize and nitrate proteins/nucleic acids/lipids and is involved in inflammation, apoptosis, cytotoxicity and autoimmune disorders of unknown etiology, including SLE. In this study, H3 histone exposed to peroxynitrite caused loss of tertiary structure, nitration of tyrosine residues and dityrosine formation. Experimentally produced antibodies against peroxynitrite-modified H3 histone showed specificity for the immunogen. However, cross-reactions with other nitrated proteins were also observed. We further investigated the binding of SLE autoantibodies with native DNA, native H3 histone and peroxynitrite-modified H3 histone to explore the possible role of modified-H3 histone in the initiation and/or progression of SLE in a sub-group of patients. The results showed preferential binding of SLE anti-nDNA autoantibodies to peroxynitrite-modified H3 histone. The visual detection of immune complex formation with native and peroxynitrite-modified H3 histone reiterated preferential binding of SLE autoantibodies with modified H3 histone. It may be concluded that anti-histone autoantibodies seen in a subgroup of SLE patients might be due to the immunogenicity of peroxynitrite-modified H3 histone.
Privacy Protecting, Real-time Face Re-recognition

We present a novel system for recognizing human individuals walking past a depth camera that is compatible with privacy protecting laws. The system is developed to support the statistical analysis of movement patterns in indoor spaces. The system is able to re-recognize previously seen individuals but is also capable of recognizing that an individual has not been seen before. The system is designed in a privacy protecting way and does not rely on previously collected training data but rather collects data during run-time. The proposed system processes each image of an individual separately, but we also present a new approach that is based on combining several decisions into a single meta-decision in order to enhance classiﬁcation performance.
Optimal Compensation of Dual Carrier Frequency Offsets for MISO-mode DVB-T2

Dual carrier frequency offsets (CFOs) occur in multiple-input single-output (MISO)-mode DVB-T2 systems, where signals are transmitted simultaneously from two distributed transmitters in a single frequency network (SFN). In this paper, we first derive an optimal compensation frequency for dual CFOs. We also propose an algorithm that optimizes the compensation frequency for the MISO-mode DVB-T2 application. Its performance is compared with the conventional scheme by using a full DVB-T2 simulator.
Assessing the damage control resuscitation: Development, drivers and direction

Damage control resuscitation (DCR) has become a more widely adopted acute management strategy over the past decade. A cornerstone of this strategy is the performance of an initial limited surgical intervention for the control of active bleeding and contamination. This technique is indicated where significant physiological compromise exists and immediate surgical intervention is required. This damage control surgery itself is completed judiciously to allow a period of resuscitative stabilisation before later definitive surgical solutions. This discussion describes the three further principles of DCR and then explores the rationale and drivers behind the development of this approach.
Carbohydrate intake and resistance-based exercise: are current recommendations reflective of actual need?

Abstract Substantial research has been completed examining the impact of carbohydrate (CHO) intake on endurance exercise, whereas its role in resistance-based exercise performance, adaptation and cell signalling has yet to be fully characterised. This empirical shortcoming has precluded the ability to establish specific CHO recommendations for resistance exercise. This results in recommendations largely stemming from findings based on endurance exercise and/or anecdotal evidence despite the distinct energetic demands and molecular responses mediating adaptation from endurance- and resistance-based exercise. Moreover, the topic of CHO and exercise has become one of polarising nature with divergent views – some substantiated, others lacking evidence. Current literature suggests a moderately high daily CHO intake (3–7 g/kg per d) for resistance training, which is thought to prevent glycogen depletion and facilitate performance and adaptation. However, contemporary investigation, along with an emerging understanding of the molecular underpinnings of resistance exercise adaptation, may suggest that such an intake may not be necessary. In addition to the low likelihood of true glycogen depletion occurring in response to resistance exercise, a diet restrictive in CHO may not be detrimental to acute resistance exercise performance or the cellular signalling activity responsible for adaptation, even when muscle glycogen stores are reduced. Current evidence suggests that signalling of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1, the key regulatory kinase for gene translation (protein synthesis), is unaffected by CHO restriction or low muscular glycogen concentrations. Such findings may call into question the current view and subsequent recommendations of CHO intake with regard to resistance-based exercise.
In vitro evaluation of quaternized polydimethylaminoethylmethacrylate sub-microparticles for oral insulin delivery

This investigation describes the synthesis and in vitro evaluation of cationic hydrogel sub-microparticles based on polydimethylaminoethylmethacrylate for oral insulin delivery. Polymerization of dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate was carried out in aqueous medium with potassium persulfate as the initiator. Quaternization of the resulting hydrogel was carried out to introduce cationic surface groups and the derivatization was confirmed by zeta potential measurements, nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopies. Swelling behavior of these particles was evaluated for dependence of pH. Insulin-loaded particles were subjected to in vitro release experiments at gastric and intestinal pH. Moreover, cytotoxicity evaluation showed that both polydimethylaminoethylmethacrylate and its quaternized derivative were non-toxic to Caco-2 and L929 cell lines. The presence of quaternary ammonium groups improved the cationic charge and enhanced the mucoadhesive properties of the hydrogel. Confocal microscopic observations showed that these sub-microparticles were capable of opening tight junctions between the Caco-2 cells and thus increased the paracellular permeability. The above studies suggest that cationic hydrogel sub-microparticles can act as a good candidate for oral insulin delivery.
Comparison of 16S rRNA, ammonia monooxygenase subunit A and hydroxylamine oxidoreductase gene, in chemolithotrophic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria.

obtain energy for growth from the oxidation of ammonia to nitrite and play an important role in the global cycle of nitrogen (Prosser, 1989). cAOB are phylogenetically divided into two major groups (Head et al., 1993; Teske et al., 1994; Woese et al., 1984, 1985). One group belongs to the g subclass of the Proteobacteria as Nitrosococcus oceani and Nitrosococcus halophilus (Purkhold et al., 2000). Another group belongs to the b subclass of the Proteobacteria and comprises most cAOB strains (Head et al., 1993; Teske et al., 1994). Ammonia is oxidized by cAOB through two steps: i) Ammonia is oxidized to hydroxylamine by the ammonia monooxygenase (AMO); ii) Hydroxylamine as a product of the first step is oxidized to nitrite by the hydroxylamine oxidoreductase (HAO), a periplasmic enzyme. The sequence of the HAO-encoding gene from Nitrosomonas europaea ATCC 19178 was determined by Sayavedra-Soto et al. for the first time in 1994, and the deduced amino acid sequences have eight heme binding motifs (CxxCH) (Sayavedra-Soto et al., 1994). The hao is expressed from multiple copies of the genes on one genome in Nitrosomonas europaea ATCC 19178 (Sayavedra-Soto et al., 1994) and Nitrosomonas sp. ENI-11 (Hirota et al., 2000). However, the gene copies and DNA sequences in Nitrosospira group and Nitrosococcus group have been unknown so far. Thus, we determined and analyzed the sequences of hao gene in Nitrosomonas europaea C-31 and Nitrosospira (Nitrosolobus) multiformis ATCC 25196, for the first time. The strains of cAOB, Nitrosomonas europaea IFO 14298, C-31, and Nitrosospira multiformis ATCC 25196, were used in this study. The pure cultures of these bacteria were grown aerobically on PM 50 medium at 28°C in the dark (Tokuyama et al., 1997). The cells were harvested by centrifugation (6,000 g, 4°C) and kept at 20°C until use. The genomic DNA was extracted by the CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) method combined with isopropanol precipitation (Wilson, 1992). The extracted DNA was resuspended in TE (10 mM Tris/1 mM EDTA, pH 8.0) buffer and kept at 20°C until use. The fragment of the hao gene was amplified with a thermal cycler (Hybaid, Middlesex, UK) by using the following primers: hao-F (5 -AAA GAC TGC GTG GAA TGC CAC) and hao-R (5 -GGT TGT TTT CTC CCA TTT CCA). The above PCR primers were designed on the basis of a published sequence for the hao gene from Nitrosomonas europaea ATCC 19178 (SayaveComparison of 16S rRNA, ammonia monooxygenase subunit A and hydroxylamine oxidoreductase gene, in chemolithotrophic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria
Overlapping peptide-binding specificities of HLA-B27 and B39: evidence for a role of peptide supermotif in the pathogenesis of spondylarthropathies.

OBJECTIVE Previous studies indicated the increase of HLA-B39 among HLA-B27 negative patients with spondylarthropathies (SpA). This study was performed to examine whether the natural ligands of HLA-B27 are capable of binding to HLA-B39. METHODS Peptides were synthesized according to the sequences of known natural ligands of HLA-B27 or B39 and were tested for their binding to HLA-B*3901 and B*2705 by quantitative peptide binding assay, using a TAP-deficient RMA-S cell line transfected with human beta2-microglobulin and HLA class I heavy chain genes. RESULTS Four of the 10 HLA-B27 binding peptides significantly bound to HLA-B*3901. All 4 peptides had hydrophobic/aromatic amino acids (Leu or Phe) at the C-terminus. In contrast, peptides with basic residues (Lys, Arg) or Tyr at the C-terminus did not bind to B*3901. In parallel experiments, 1 of the 2 natural ligands of HLA-B*3901 was found to bind to B*2705. CONCLUSION A subset of natural HLA-B27 ligands was capable of binding to B*3901. In addition to Arg at position 2 (Arg2), hydrophobic/aromatic C-terminal residues, such as Leu or Phe, seemed to be crucial for the cross-specificity. These results suggested that HLA-B27 and B39 recognize overlapping peptide repertoires, supporting the hypothesis that the peptides presented by both of these class I antigens play a role in the pathogenesis of SpA.
Laparoscopic segmental resection for infiltrating endometriosis of rectosigmoid colon: a preliminary report.

: The following is a description of the first series of laparoscopic partial proctectomies performed without a separate surgical incision. Sixteen women were treated for extensive endometriosis invading the rectal wall. This original series of patients tolerated the procedure well, with no major intraoperative or postoperative complications noted.
A Real-Time Decision Support System for Voltage Collapse Avoidance in Power Supply Networks

This paper presents a real-time decision support system (RDSS) based on artificial intelligence (AI) for voltage collapse avoidance (VCA) in power supply networks. The RDSS scheme employs a fuzzy hyperrectangular composite neural network (FHRCNN) to carry out voltage risk identification (VRI). In the event that a threat to the security of the power supply network is detected, an evolutionary programming (EP)-based algorithm is triggered to determine the operational settings required to restore the power supply network to a secure condition. The effectiveness of the RDSS methodology is demonstrated through its application to the American Electric Power Provider System (AEP, 30-bus system) under various heavy load conditions and contingency scenarios. In general, the numerical results confirm the ability of the RDSS scheme to minimize the risk of voltage collapse in power supply networks. In other words, RDSS provides Power Provider Enterprises (PPEs) with a viable tool for performing on-line voltage risk assessment and power system security enhancement functions.
Why Not Both? - Combining 2D Maps and 3D Space-time Cubes for Human Trajectory Data Visualization

Throughout the years, researchers have tried to understand dynamics and general patterns associated with human movement, e.g. in the context of urban planning, to improve the lives of citizens. To do this, it is necessary to properly analyse the spatio-temporal and the thematic properties of their trajectory data. Thematic maps, particularly 2D maps and 3D space-time cubes (STCs), are among the most common approaches to analyse and visualize these data. Previous research attests to the usefulness of these visualization techniques in different types of tasks. However, it is unlikely that the analysis of trajectories will be always limited to a specific type of task, thus, motivating additional studies to evaluate the dis/advantages of combining both techniques, within the same view/interaction context. In this paper, we address this specific challenge, by presenting a comparative study between three prototypes, one using a 2D map, one using a STC, and one combining both techniques, for the visualization of trajectories. Our results support previous studies' conclusions, by showing the advantages of 2D maps and STCs for spatial and spatio-temporal tasks, respectively. They also point out towards the advantages of using both techniques together, as users seem to prefer this alternative and are able to complete different types of tasks accurately, despite the increasing complexity of the visualization.
Comparison of in vitro disc diffusion and time kill‐kinetic assays for the evaluation of antimicrobial wound dressing efficacy

There is a plethora of new silver‐containing dressings on the market today. Various manufacturers attempt to show that their dressings are the most efficacious and therefore should be preferentially employed by health care workers based on the results of their in vitro tests. However, there have been no studies that clearly identify which tests are appropriate for comparison purposes. The purpose of this study was to determine which in vitro test is most appropriate for evaluating the antimicrobial efficacy of silver‐containing dressings. This was done by testing seven silver‐containing dressings and two non‐silver‐containing topical agents against 17 clinically relevant microorganisms using zone of inhibition assays and time‐kill kinetic assays in complex media. The results for the two assays were then correlated to determine whether the methods generated similar results. It was determined that the two methods do not correlate at all. This is most likely a result of the silver interacting with the media in the zone of inhibition test, thus invalidating the results of this test. We therefore conclude that zone of inhibition data generated for silver‐containing dressings is of little value when assessing antimicrobial efficacy and that time‐kill assays are of greater use.
Telomerase activity and differential expression of telomerase genes and c‐myc in chicken cells in vitro

This study examined telomerase activity and gene expression profiles for three genes in Gallus gallus domesticus: telomerase reverse transcriptase (chTERT), telomerase RNA (chTR), and c‐myc. Expression of these genes was studied in chicken embryonic stem (chES) cells, chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEFs), and DT40 cells using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Our results establish that, relative to transcription levels in telomerase‐negative CEFs, chTERT and chTR are up‐regulated in telomerase‐positive chES cells. Transcription levels of chTERT, chTR, and c‐myc are dramatically up‐regulated in telomerase‐positive DT40 cells, relative to CEFs and chES cells. These results are consistent with a model in which telomerase activity is up‐regulated in proliferating embryonic stem cells requiring stable telomeres to endure multiple rounds of cell division; down‐regulated in differentiated, lifespan‐limited cells; and dramatically up‐regulated in immortalized, transformed cells for which uncontrolled proliferation is correlated with c‐myc dysregulation and telomerase activity. Developmental Dynamics 231:14–21, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Investigations on Automata and Languages Over a Unary Alphabet

The investigation of automata and languages defined over a one letter alphabet shows interesting differences with respect to the case of alphabets with at least two letters. Probably, the oldest example emphasizing one of these differences is the collapse of the classes of regular and context-free languages in the unary case (Ginsburg and Rice, 1962). Many differences have been proved concerning the state costs of the simulations between different variants of unary finite state automata (Chrobak, 1986, Mereghetti and Pighizzini, 2001). We present an overview of those results. Because important connections with fundamental questions in space complexity, we give emphasis to unary two-way automata. Furthermore, we discuss unary versions of other computational models, as one-way and two-way pushdown automata, even extended with auxiliary workspace, and multi-head automata.
Whole‐body autoradiography reveals that the Peptostreptococcus magnus immunoglobulin‐binding domains of protein L preferentially target B lymphocytes in the spleen and lymph nodes in vivo

Protein L is an immunoglobulin (Ig)‐binding protein produced by the Gram‐positive bacterium Peptostreptococcus magnus that interacts with the variable region of Ig κ light chains. The Ig light chain‐binding capacity of protein L gives it the potential to interact with cells expressing surface Ig such as B cells. The present study was performed to address the in vivo trafficking of protein L at both the organ and the cellular level. Using the powerful technique of whole‐body autoradiography in a murine model system, we demonstrate specific targeting of protein L to secondary lymphoid tissues in whole‐animal analysis. The observed targeting depends on the capacity to interact with murine Ig, as tissue targeting was not apparent in mice given protein H, an Ig‐binding protein produced by Streptococcus pyogenes with affinity for human but not murine Ig. Tissue targeting data were combined with flow cytometry analysis, which demonstrated the capacity of protein L to target and activate B lymphocytes in vivo. B cells targeted by protein L had increased surface expression of CD86 and MHC‐II, and protein L was present in vacuolar compartments of B cells. Protein L did not bind T cells or natural killer cells but had some capacity to target dendritic cells and macrophages. The data show that protein L preferentially targets secondary lymphoid organs, and activates and is internalized by B cells in vivo. Furthermore, the observed tissue and cell targeting properties require an affinity for murine Ig. These data support the potential use of this Ig‐binding protein as a targeting approach to deliver agents to defined cell populations in vivo.
Ab Initio Electronic Relaxation Times and Transport in Noble Metals

Relaxation times employed to study electron transport in metals are typically taken to be constants and obtained empirically. Here, we use fully ab initio calculations to compute the electron-phonon relaxation times of Cu, Ag, and Au and find that they vary significantly on the Fermi surface, with values from ∼15 to 45 fs that are correlated with the Fermi surface topology. We compute room-temperature resistivities in excellent agreement with experiment by combining GW quasiparticle band structures, Wannier-interpolated band velocities, and ab initio relaxation times. We introduce an importance sampling scheme to speed up the convergence of resistivity and transport calculations.
Sexual Function in Female Veterans: A Review

Women comprise a significant proportion of the veteran population. Much research has been devoted to physical and mental health outcomes in veterans, both of which show significant decreases in quality of life. However, little is known about the effects of female veterans’ unique military experience on sexual function. In particular, military sexual trauma, general military stressors, mental health diagnoses, and other vulnerability factors contribute to sexual dysfunction, dissatisfaction, and decreases in mental health-related quality of life. We propose a model whereby all of these factors interact and contribute to sexual dysfunction in female veterans, and areas for growth in assessment and treatment are discussed.
Modeling of risk factors for the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells following ischemia/reperfusion in rats: effects of age, caloric restriction, diabetes, pigmentation, and glaucoma

We have determined whether various risk factors relevant to neural injury in the human central nervous system (CNS) can be modeled in the rat. In a model for CNS injury, we have quantitated the survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) following retinal ischemia/reperfusion. Aging was studied by comparing 2‐year‐old rats with 2‐month‐old rats. Caloric restriction was created by providing food to both young and old animals three days per week for 3 months; controls had continuous access to food. Diabetes was induced by intravenous injection of streptozotocin; controls were injected with citrate buffer. Rats with chronic, moderately elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) were compared with rats with normal IOP. Albino rats and pigmented rats were compared. In all animals, ischemia/reperfusion was produced unilaterally by elevating IOP above systolic pressure for 75 minutes by using anterior chamber cannulation. Loss of RGCs was determined by retrograde labeling with fluorogold. The number of RGCs decreases with age. The remaining RGCs in old rats in both central and peripheral retina were significantly more susceptible to ischemia/reperfusion compared with young rats. Caloric restriction significantly protected against loss of RGCs in the peripheral retina in both young and old rats. In diabetic rats, RGCs throughout the retina were more susceptible to ischemia/reperfusion compared with control rats. The remaining RGCs in rats with glaucoma (preexisting chronic, moderately elevated IOP) were more susceptible to ischemia/reperfusion damage. Comparing pigmented and albino rats, the loss of RGCs following ischemia/reperfusion did not differ. Our results suggest that aging, diabetes, and glaucoma are risk factors for the loss of RGCs following ischemic damage of the retina and can be modeled in rats. Furthermore, reducing caloric intake appears to be neuroprotective for ischemic damage of the retina at all ages. The underlying cellular and molecular factors that are responsible for these risk factors can be studied by using these expanded models of neural injury.