Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Persistent Gene Expression in Mouse Nasal Epithelia following Feline Immunodeficiency Virus-Based Vector Gene Transfer

ABSTRACT Gene transfer development for treatment or prevention of cystic fibrosis lung disease has been limited by the inability of vectors to efficiently and persistently transduce airway epithelia. Influenza A is an enveloped virus with natural lung tropism; however, pseudotyping feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-based lentiviral vector with the hemagglutinin envelope protein proved unsuccessful. Conversely, pseudotyping FIV with the envelope protein from influenza D (Thogoto virus GP75) resulted in titers of 106 transducing units (TU)/ml and conferred apical entry into well-differentiated human airway epithelial cells. Baculovirus GP64 envelope glycoproteins share sequence identity with influenza D GP75 envelope glycoproteins. Pseudotyping FIV with GP64 from three species of baculovirus resulted in titers of 107 to 109 TU/ml. Of note, GP64 from Autographa californica multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus resulted in high-titer FIV preparations (∼109 TU/ml) and conferred apical entry into polarized primary cultures of human airway epithelia. Using a luciferase reporter gene and bioluminescence imaging, we observed persistent gene expression from in vivo gene transfer in the mouse nose with A. californica GP64-pseudotyped FIV (AcGP64-FIV). Longitudinal bioluminescence analysis documented persistent expression in nasal epithelia for ∼1 year without significant decline. According to histological analysis using a LacZ reporter gene, olfactory and respiratory epithelial cells were transduced. In addition, methylcellulose-formulated AcGP64-FIV transduced mouse nasal epithelia with much greater efficiency than similarly formulated vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein-pseudotyped FIV. These data suggest that AcGP64-FIV efficiently transduces and persistently expresses a transgene in nasal epithelia in the absence of agents that disrupt the cellular tight junction integrity.
Design, modeling, fabrication and characterization of an electret-based MEMS electrostatic energy harvester

This paper reports on the design, modelling, fabrication and characterization of an electret-based MEMS electrostatic energy harvester with an elegant and robust process flow. The fabrication is based on a SOI wafer with self-aligned electrodes of the variable capacitor. The output current of the device shows distinct steps that are caused by strong lateral electrostatic forces. An electro-mechanical model was used to analyze and confirm the observed behaviour.
Computer-delivered interventions for reducing alcohol consumption: meta-analysis and meta-regression using behaviour change techniques and theory

The current aim was to examine the effectiveness of behaviour change techniques (BCTs), theory and other characteristics in increasing the effectiveness of computer-delivered interventions (CDIs) to reduce alcohol consumption. Included were randomised studies with a primary aim of reducing alcohol consumption, which compared self-directed CDIs to assessment-only control groups. CDIs were coded for the use of 42 BCTs from an alcohol-specific taxonomy, the use of theory according to a theory coding scheme and general characteristics such as length of the CDI. Effectiveness of CDIs was assessed using random-effects meta-analysis and the association between the moderators and effect size was assessed using univariate and multivariate meta-regression. Ninety-three CDIs were included in at least one analysis and produced small, significant effects on five outcomes (d+ = 0.07–0.15). Larger effects occurred with some personal contact, provision of normative information or feedback on performance, prompting commitment or goal review, the social norms approach and in samples with more women. Smaller effects occurred when information on the consequences of alcohol consumption was provided. These findings can be used to inform both intervention- and theory-development. Intervention developers should focus on, including specific, effective techniques, rather than many techniques or more-elaborate approaches.
Sequences controlling transcription of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii beta 2-tubulin gene after deflagellation and during the cell cycle

In Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, transcripts from the beta 2-tubulin gene (tubB2), as well as those from other tubulin-encoding genes, accumulate immediately after flagellar excision as well as at a specific time in the cell cycle. Control of tubB2 transcript accumulation following deflagellation is regulated, at least partially, at the transcriptional level. We have fused the tubB2 promoter to the arylsulfatase (ars) reporter gene, introduced this construct into C. reinhardtii, and compared expression of the chimeric gene with that of the endogenous tubB2 gene. After flagellar excision, transcripts from the tubB2/ars chimeric gene accumulate with kinetics similar to those of transcripts from the endogenous tubB2 gene. The tubB2/ars transcripts also accumulate in a cell cycle-specific manner; however, chimeric transcripts are more abundant earlier in the cell cycle than the endogenous tubB2 transcripts. To elucidate transcriptional control of tubB2, we have mutated or removed sequences in the tubB2 promoter and examined the effect on transcription. The tubB2 promoter shares features with the promoters of other tubulin-encoding genes; these include a GC-rich region between the TATA box and the transcription initiation site and multiple copies of a 10-bp sequence motif that we call the tub box. The tubB2 gene contains seven tub box motifs. Changing the GC-rich region to an AT-rich region or removing three of the seven tub box motifs did not significantly affect transcription of the chimeric gene. However, removing four or five tub box motifs prevented increased transcription following deflagellation and diminished cell cycle-regulated transcription from the tubB2 promoter.
TADSSENLNM DPEERSLALS SLKAAGKSEP SSKFRKQLRK LDSVSS SVSSCLSNTT SSHGTRKRFQ IYSKSPFYRA ASACEAQGME QAKSLE DRPQFISRGT FNPEKGKQKL KNVKNSPQKT KETPEGTVSS TVDSDC SSTQQLPLFG NNEFMV

*Present address: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA ‡Present address: Max-Planck-Institute for Psychiatry, Am Klopferspitz 18a, D-82152 Martinsried, Germany §Present address: EMBL Mouse Biology Programme, Adriano Buzzati-Traverso Campus, Via Ramarini 32, I-00015 Monterotondo, Italy ¶Author for correspondence at the Adolf-Butenandt-Institut (e-mail m.baehler@lrz.uni-muenchen.de)
Attempts to demonstrate virus‐specific sequences in human tumors. IV. EB viral DNA in European burkitt lymphoma and immunoblastic lymphadenopathy with excessive plasmacytosis

Various biopsies from different European malignant lymphomas, two biopsies from nasopha‐ryngeal carcinomas, and material from non‐neoplastic lymph nodes were assayed for the presence of Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) DNA by nucleic acid hybridization. Reassociation kinetics of in vitro‐labelled EBV DNA were studied in the presence of tumor DNA. The lymphomas tested included among others follicular lymphomas, germinocytomas, immunoblastic lymphomas and lymphoplasmacytoid immunocytomas. Epstein‐Barr viral DNA was demonstrated within the two nasopharyngeal carcinoma biopsies as expected. A histologically typical Burkitt lymphoma as well as an immunoblastic lymphadenopathy with excessive plasmacytosis also contained EBV‐DNA. The Burkitt biopsy revealed about 15 EBV genome equivalents per cell. Antibodies against EBV‐specific antigens were highly elevated in the serum of this patient. The material of the patient with immunoblastic lymphadenopathy contained 2‐3 EBV genome equivalents per cell.
Cloning and overexpression of Lactobacillus helveticus D-lactate dehydrogenase gene in Escherichia coli.

NAD(+)-dependent D-lactate dehydrogenase from Lactobacillus helveticus was purified to apparent homogeneity, and the sequence of the first 36 amino acid residues determined. Using forward and reverse oligonucleotide primers, based on the N-terminal sequence and amino acid residues 220-215 of the Lactobacillus bulgaricus enzyme [Kochhar, S. , Hunziker, P. E. , Leong-Morgenthaler, P. & Hottinger, H. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 8499-8513], a 0.6-kbp DNA fragment was amplified from L. helveticus genomic DNA by the polymerase chain reaction. This amplified DNA fragment was used as a probe to identify two recombinant clones containing the D-lactate dehydrogenase gene. Both plasmids overexpressed D-lactate dehydrogenase (greater than 60% total soluble cell protein) and were stable in Escherichia coli, compared to plasmids carrying the L. bulgaricus and Lactobacillus plantarum genes. The entire nucleotide sequence of the L. helveticus D-lactate dehydrogenase gene was determined. The deduced amino acid sequence indicated a polypeptide consisting of 336 amino acid residues, which showed significant amino acid sequence similarity to the recently identified family of D-2-hydroxy-acid dehydrogenases [Kochhar, S. , Hunziker, P. E. , Leong-Morgenthaler, P. & Hottinger, H. (1992) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 184, 60-66]. The physicochemical and catalytic properties of recombinant D-lactate dehydrogenase were identical to those of the wild-type enzyme, e.g. alpha 2 dimeric subunit structure, isoelectric pH, Km and Kcat for pyruvate and other 2-oxo-acid substrates. The kinetic profiles of 2-oxo-acid substrates showed some marked differences from that of L-lactate dehydrogenase, suggesting different mechanisms for substrate binding and specificity.
A Systematic Review of the Effects and Side Effects of Treatment with Oral Tetracycline in Acne Vulgaris

Popularvetenskaplig sammanfattning Akne ar en mycket vanlig hudsjukdom som drabbar upp emot 80 % av alla ungdomar. Uppkomsten ar beroende av flera faktorer och bestar av en okad talgproduktion, igenproppning av talgkortelns utforsgang pa huden, okat antal bakterier(Propionibacterium Acnes) och inflammation. Akne kan ses som svarta pormaskar och varfyllda finnar i ansikte och ibland pa balen som kan bli inflammerade. Akne indelas efter svarighetsgrad och det ar ocksa efter denna indelning den behandlas. Fran den lattaste behandlingen ofta bestaendes av lokala kramer som verkar pa oversta hudlagret eller mot bakterier till tablettbehandling med antibiotika och i de varsta fallen med det mycket potenta lakemedlet Roaccutan. Med den okade anvandningen av antibiotika sallas motstandskraftiga bakterier fram mot de vanligaste antibiotikagrupperna som anvands vid akne. Forstahandsvalet vid mattlig till svar akne ar tablettbehandling med antibiotikagruppen tetracykliner. Antibiotika laker inte ut akne utan verkar antiinflammatoriskt och pa bakteriens tillvaxt medan Roaccutan har formagan att helt laka ut akne, dock med en risk for fler och svarare biverkningar. I denna systematiska litteraturoversikt behandlas amnet tablettbehandling med antibiotika och dess effekt och biverkningar i behandling av akne. Da vetenskapen ligger till grund for val av behandling ar det viktigt att behandlare har tillgang till en overblick av kunskapslaget och kan anvanda sig av den i sin klinik. Behovet av kritisk granskning av publicerade vetenskapliga artiklar ar stort da en behandling kan sta emot en annan dar klarheten for ett visst resultat inte alltid ar varderad utifran studiens metod och risk for felberakningar. I denna systematiska litteraturoversikt undersoktes tre studier med hog trovardighet avseende behandling med tetracykliner och annan vanlig aknebehandling. Slutsatsen ar att manga av de lakemedel som kan anvandas lokalt som kramer eller losningar pa huden som verkar mot bakterier vid akne ar lika effektiva som tablettbehandling med antibiotika(tetracykliner). Det potenta lakemedlet Roaccutan ar mycket mer effektiv an all annan aknebehandling men ger ocksa fler biverkningar. Motstandskraft av bakterien Propionibacterium Acnes har en negativ inverkan pa behandlingsresultatet.
Alleviation of bone markers in rats induced nano-zinc oxide by qurecetin and α-lipolic acid

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential protective effect of qurecetin (Qur) and α-lipolic acid (ALA) to modulate the perturbation of bone turnover which is induced by nano-zinc oxide (n-ZnO). Rats were fasted overnight and randomly divided into two groups: G1, normal healthy animals and the other rats were administered zinc oxide nanoparticles orally by guava in a dose of 600 mg/kg body weight/d for 5 sequential days in Wistar albino male rats. N-ZnO-exposed animals were randomly sub-divided into three groups: G2, n-ZnO-exposed animals; G3, n-ZnO-exposed animals co-treated with Qur (200 mg/kg daily); and G4, n-ZnO-exposed animals co-treated with ALA (200 mg/kg). Qur and ALA were administered orally by guava daily for three sequential weeks from the beginning of the experiment. The results revealed a significant reduction of nitiric oxide (NO) and serum level and comet assay in n-ZnO exposure rats after treatment of Qur and ALA. It was found the alteration of pro-inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor alpha; TNF-α, interleukin-6; IL-6 and C-reactive protein; CRP), bone alkaline phosphatase (B-ALP, bone formation marker), and C-terminal peptide type I collagen (CTx, bone resorption marker) levels compared with the normal group. Co-administration of Qur and ALA in n-ZnO-exposed rats significantly alleviated the mentioned alterations of biochemical parameters. These results suggest that Qur and ALA as antioxidant agents may be a candidate for preventive and treatment applications of impaired bone markers induced bone loss caused by nano-particles of metal oxide.
Chronic Kidney Disease-associated Pruritus in Children.

This study evaluated the frequency and severity of pruritus and dry skin in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). A total of 103 children were included: 72 with CKD stage 3-5 (34 on dialysis and 38 treated conservatively without dialysis) and 31 as a reference group. Pruritus was assessed using the 4-item Itch Questionnaire and a visual analogue scale. Skin dryness was evaluated clinically, by non-invasive assessment of epidermis moisturizing and measurement of transepidermal water loss. Pruritus occurred in 20.8% of children with CKD, 18.4% on conservative treatment (receiving supportive care without dialysis) and 23.5% on dialysis. Xerosis was more common in children with pruritus (66.7%) than in those without pruritus (50.9%). Patients with pruritus had a significantly lower estimated glomerular filtration rate and a higher ratio of calcium × phosphate product (Ca × P). In conclusion, CKD-associated pruritus occurs not only in adults, but also in children, and it may already be present in the early stages of CKD.
Brain activity during expectancy of emotional stimuli: an fMRI study

We studied the neural activation associated with the expectancy of emotional stimuli using whole brain fMRI. Fifteen healthy subjects underwent fMRI scanning during which they performed a warned reaction task using emotional pictures carrying pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral content. The task involved an expected or unexpected condition. Data were analyzed by comparing the images acquired under the different conditions. In the expected condition, compared with the unexpected condition, significant activation was observed in the medial, inferior and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Whereas the expectancy of pleasant stimuli produced activation in the left dorsolateral and left medial prefrontal cortex as well as in the right cerebellum, the expectancy of unpleasant stimuli produced activation in the right inferior and right medial prefrontal cortex, the right amygdala, the left anterior cingulate cortex, and bilaterally in the visual cortex. These results suggest that the expectancy of emotional stimuli is mediated by the prefrontal area including the medial, inferior, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Furthermore, our data suggest that left frontal activation is associated with the expectancy of pleasant stimuli and that right frontal activation is associated with the expectancy of unpleasant stimuli. Finally, our findings suggest that the amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex may play an important role in the expectancy of unpleasant stimuli and that the input of this negative information is modulated by these specific brain areas.
Use of Long-Range Repetitive Element Polymorphism-PCR To Differentiate Bacillus anthracisStrains

ABSTRACT The genome of Bacillus anthracis is extremely monomorphic, and thus individual strains have often proven to be recalcitrant to differentiation at the molecular level. Long-range repetitive element polymorphism-PCR (LR REP-PCR) was used to differentiate various B. anthracis strains. A single PCR primer derived from a repetitive DNA element was able to amplify variable segments of a bacterial genome as large as 10 kb. We were able to characterize five genetically distinct groups by examining 105B. anthracis strains of diverse geographical origins. AllB. anthracis strains produced fingerprints comprising seven to eight bands, referred to as “skeleton” bands, while one to three “diagnostic” bands differentiated between B. anthracisstrains. LR REP-PCR fingerprints of B. anthracis strains showed very little in common with those of other closely related species such as B. cereus, B. thuringiensis, and B. mycoides, suggesting relative heterogeneity among the non-B. anthracis strains. Fingerprints from transitional non-B. anthracis strains, which possessed the B. anthracis chromosomal marker Ba813, scarcely resembled those observed for any of the five distinct B. anthracis groups that we have identified. The LR REP-PCR method described in this report provides a simple means of differentiating B. anthracisstrains.
Research on the application of RBF neural network based on K-means clustering in system identification

With a brief analysis of the strong points and drawbacks of RBF neural network, a RBF neural network based on K-means clustering algorithm is provided. The capability of nonlinear mapping and boundary distinguishing of RBF neural network together with the fast convergence of K-average clustering algorithm are both taken advantage of in nonlinear system identification. The simulation results indicate that the algorithm is fast to learn and precise to identify when this neural network is applied to nonlinear system identification.
Cloning and characterization of a pair of novel genes that regulate production of extracellular enzymes in Bacillus subtilis

Two novel Bacillus subtilis genes that regulate the production of several extracellular enzymes were clones and characterized. These two genes are organized as part of an operon. When cloned in a multicopy plasmid, the first gene (tenA, transcription enhancement) stimulates alkaline protease production at the transcriptional level. The second gene (tenI) exerts an opposite effect to reduce alkaline protease production. The production of neutral protease, levansucrase, and alkaline protease can be stimulated up to 11- to 55-fold. Thus, tenA is a new member of the deg (regulatory genes for degradative enzymes) family in B. subtilis. A functional degS product is required to observe the stimulatory effect from tenA. Between the promoter and the ribosome-binding site of tenA, there exists a terminatorlike structure. Deletion of this structure doubles the expression of tenA. Neither tenA nor tenI is essential for cell growth and the production of extracellular enzymes. However, inactivation of these genes causes a delay in sporulation. This operon is located close to tre on the genetic linkage map. The overall organization of this operon and its relationship with other known regulatory factors in the deg family are discussed.
Representing variability in software architecture

Software Architecture is a high level description of a software intensive system that enables architects to have a better intellectual control over the complete system. It is also used as a communication vehicle among the various system stakeholders. Variability in software-intensive systems is the ability of a software artefact (e.g., a system, subsystem, or component) to be extended, customised, or configured for deployment in a specific context. Although variability in software architecture is recognised as a challenge in multiple domains, there has been no formal consensus on how variability should be captured or represented. In this research, we addressed the problem of representing variability in software architecture through a three phase approach. First, we examined existing literature using the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) methodology, which helped us identify the gaps and challenges within the current body of knowledge. Equipped with the findings from the SLR, a set of design principles have been formulated that are used to introduce variability management capabilities to an existing Architecture Description Language (ADL). The chosen ADL was developed within our research group (ALI) and to which we have had complete access. Finally, we evaluated the new version of the ADL produced using two distinct case studies: one from the Information Systems domain, an Asset Management System (AMS); and another from the embedded systems domain, a Wheel Brake System (WBS). This thesis presents the main findings from the three phases of the research work, including a comprehensive study of the state-of-the-art; the complete specification of an ADL that is focused on managing variability; and the lessons learnt from the evaluation work of two distinct real-life case studies.
Feasibility Study of Fault Tolerant Blac Motor Using PM Enhanced Sensing

BLAC motor operation requires the application of identical zero crossing higher voltage applied to its winding. This voltage should be greater than the motional induced EMF. It is possible to obtain a replica of motional induced EMF in its winding using Permanent Magnet (PM) enhanced sensing scheme. Any PM rotor having even number of N-S poles may be suitable for such a scheme. In this paper, the feasibility study of a fault-tolerant BLAC motor using PM enhanced has been experimentally investigated. In actual practice input voltage of PM motor contains larger number of harmonics due to switching action thereby making it quite cumbersome to estimate the EMF induced in its coil. In PM enhanced sensing, the replica of induced EMF is available for each coil under dynamic condition. The scheme introduced can be suitably implemented for fault tolerant motor where the motional induced EMF of each of the winding segment of auxiliary winding may be amplified using commercially available Power Operational amplifier (P-OPAMP). The amplified voltage is used to activate the respective winding segment on the main winding.
Bayesian posterior misclassi fi cation error risk distributions for ensemble classi fi ers

Computing risk-based misclassification error density distribution for ensembles is an important yet difficult task. Bayesian methods provide one way to estimate these density distributions. In this paper, Bayesian modeling approach is used to compute posterior misclassification error density distributions for both binary and non-binary classifiers. Real-world datasets and holdout samples are used to illustrate computation of posterior misclassification error distributions. These posterior error distributions are very useful to compare ensembles, and provide risk-based misclassification cost estimates. & 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.