Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
p45NFE2 Is a Negative Regulator of Erythroid Proliferation Which Contributes to the Progression of Friend Virus-Induced Erythroleukemias

ABSTRACT In previous studies, we identified a common site of retroviral integration designated Fli-2 in Friend murine leukemia virus (F-MuLV)-induced erythroleukemia cell lines. Insertion of F-MuLV at the Fli-2 locus, which was associated with the loss of the second allele, resulted in the inactivation of the erythroid cell- and megakaryocyte-specific genep45 NFE2 . Frequent disruption ofp45 NFE2 due to proviral insertion suggests a role for this transcription factor in the progression of Friend virus-induced erythroleukemias. To assess this possibility, erythroleukemia was induced by F-MuLV inp45 NFE2 mutant mice. Sincep45 NFE2 homozygous mice mostly die at birth, erythroleukemia was induced in +/− and +/+ mice. We demonstrate that +/− mice succumb to the disease moderately but significantly faster than +/+ mice. In addition, the spleens of +/− mice were significantly larger than those of +/+ mice. Of the 37 tumors generated from the +/− and +/+ mice, 10 gave rise to cell lines, all of which were derived from +/− mice. Establishment in culture was associated with the loss of the remaining wild-typep45 NFE2 allele in 9 of 10 of these cell lines. The loss of a functional p45NFE2 in these cell lines was associated with a marked reduction in globin gene expression. Expression of wild-typep45 NFE2 in the nonproducer erythroleukemic cells resulted in reduced cell growth and restored the expression of globin genes. Similarly, the expression ofp45 NFE2 in these cells also slows tumor growth in vivo. These results indicate thatp45 NFE2 functions as an inhibitor of erythroid cell growth and that perturbation of its expression contributes to the progression of Friend erythroleukemia.
Obesity in South Africa

South Africa has not been spared in the rampant global increase in obesity. Throughout Africa, as elsewhere, ethnicity has a major impact on the incidence and pathogenesis of comorbid diseases, particularly diabetes. Combined figures for obesity and overweight (body mass index [BMI] > 25 kg m−2) obtained across all ethnic groups in the adult population in 1998, were 57% for women and 29% for men. From the 1960s until the late 1980s, the notion of ‘healthy’ or ‘benign’ obesity was propagated in South Africa. Not surprisingly, this led to ignorance around the problem of obesity, and treatment of some of the comorbid diseases was neglected. Fortunately, as an increasing number of seminal studies draw us closer to reality, the misperception of benign obesity is being corrected. This is allowing us to address the real issues underlying the current epidemic, and to recognize and manage the comorbid diseases, in particular type 2 diabetes. A new framework for research is also emerging as we begin to define the factors underlying the impact of ethnicity on obesity.
Identification of Mealybug- (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) Resistant Turf-Type Buffalograss Germplasm

Two species of mealybugs, Tridiscus sporoboli (Cockerell) and Trionymus sp. , have emerged as potentially serious pests ofturf-type buffalograss, Buchloe dactyloides (Nuttall) Engelmann. Sixty-two buffalograss selections were screened for resistance to these mealybugs in 4 greenhouse trials. Using a 1-6 rating scale (1 = no signs of mealybugs, 6 = >75% of tillers infested), 'Prairie' and '609' showed high levels of resistance to mealybugs, whereas several experimental selections, including 90-157,84-512 and 84-412, exhibited moderate resistance. Most selections were moderately susceptible, and 85-97 was highly susceptible with almost every tiller infested and plants near death. In field tests, mealybug infestations were highly variable, both within and among plots. However, in most cases, selections evaluated in the field showed similar responses as in greenhouse trials. Pubescence was positively correlated with buffalograss susceptibility to mealybugs. A glabrous leaf surface is suggested as a possible mechanism of resistance.
Human Visual System-based Unequal Error Protection for Robust Video Coding

To increase the overall visual quality of the video services without increasing data rate, a human visual system-based video coding, founded on a hierarchy of the video stream in different levels of importance, is developed. Determining these importance levels takes in count three classification criteria: the position of current image in the group of images (image level), the importance of the motion vectors of macroblocks in the current image (macroblock level) and belonging or not of a pixel in a spatial region of interest (pixel level). At the end of this classification process, an interpolation between the results of the three-level selection allows to establish an index of importance for each macroblock of the image to be encoded. This index determines the type of channel coding to be applied to the corresponding macroblock. Tests have shown that the technique presented in this paper achieves better results in PSNR and SSIM (structural similarity) than an equal error protection technique.
On reduced-order fuzzy observer for one class of bilinear Takagi-Sugeno systems

The paper features a reduced-order state observer structure for one class of continuous-time nonlinear systems representable by a Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy model with bilinear rule consequence. When considering measurable premise variables, the notion of linear state estimation error dynamics is formulated and two forms of sufficient stability conditions are outlined in terms of linear matrix inequalities. The proposed method forms the observer considering each local model, and compiles the local insiders by inference through the membership functions equal those of the bilinear model.
Nationwide Study of the Prevalence, Characteristics, and Molecular Epidemiology of Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in France

ABSTRACT Among 10,872 isolates of Enterobacteriaceae from a nationwide study of 88 French hospitals in 2005, 169 (1.7%) expressed an extended-spectrum β-lactamase. The most prevalent species were Escherichia coli (48.5%), Enterobacter aerogenes (23.7%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (14.8%). Molecular analysis underlined the polyclonal spread of CTX-M-expressing E. coli, primarily isolates of the CTX-M-1 subgroup.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ( NMR ) Spectroscopy in Protein Research

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is increasingly used in protein research. It can be used for protein structure determination in solution, close to the physiological environment. It can determine also the protein dynamics which is very important to understand biological phenomena. This article summarizes about the techniques and methods in NMR routinely used in protein research.
Meta-Analysis of Trials of Streptococcal Throat Treatment Programs to Prevent Rheumatic Fever

Background: Rheumatic fever (RF) is the commonest cause of pediatric heart disease globally. Penicillin for streptococcal pharyngitis prevents RF. Inequitable access to health care persists. Purpose: To investigate RF prevention by treating streptococcal pharyngitis in school- and/or community-based programs. Data Sources: Medline, Old Medline, the Cochrane Library, DARE, Central, NHS, EED, NICE, NRMC, Clinical Evidence, CDC website, PubMed, and reference lists of retrieved articles. Known researchers in the field were contacted where possible. Methods: Randomized, controlled trials or trials of before/after design examining treatment of sore throats in schools or communities with RF as an outcome where data were able to be pooled for analysis. Two authors examined titles, abstracts, selected articles, and extracted data. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. Quantitative Analysis Tool: Review Manager version 4.2 to assess pooled relative risks and 95% confidence intervals. Data Synthesis: Six studies (of 677 screened) which met the criteria and could be pooled were included. Meta-analysis of these trials for RF control produced a relative risk of 0.41 (95% CI: 0.23–0.70). There was statistical heterogeneity (I2 = 70.5%). Hence a random effects analysis was conducted. Limitations: Many studies were poor quality. Title and available abstracts of non-English studies were checked. There may be publication bias. This is the best available evidence in an area with imperfect information. Discussion: It is expected acute RF cases would diminish by about 60% using a school or community clinic to treat streptococcal pharyngitis. This should be considered in high-risk populations.
How light gets through periodically nanostructured metal films: a role of surface polaritonic crystals

The physical origin of the enhanced optical transmission of periodically structured films related to surface plasmon polaritons is discussed from first principles. The enhancement of transmission through smooth, randomly rough and periodically nanostructured films is considered. Analysis shows that any metal (or dielectric) nanostructured film can exhibit enhanced transmission in certain spectral ranges corresponding to surface plasmon (or phonon) polariton Bloch mode states on a periodic structure. Resonant tunnelling via these states is responsible for the transmission enhancement. The properties of surface polaritonic crystals are analogous to those of photonic crystals and can find numerous applications for scaling down optical devices to nanometric dimensions as well as for designing novel nanostructured materials whose optical properties are determined by surface polariton interaction in a periodic structure.
Shoot to Know What: An Application of Deep Networks on Mobile Devices

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have achieved impressive performance in a wide range of computer vision areas. However, the application on mobile devices remains intractable due to the high computation complexity. In this demo, we propose the Quantized CNN (Q-CNN), an efficient framework for CNN models, to fulfill efficient and accurate image classification on mobile devices. Our Q-CNN framework dramatically accelerates the computation and reduces the storage/memory consumption, so that mobile devices can independently run an ImageNet-scale CNN model. Experiments on the ILSVRC-12 dataset demonstrate 4~6x speed-up and 15~20x compression, with merely one percentage drop in the classification accuracy. Based on the Q-CNN framework, even mobile devices can accurately classify images within one second.
A single chip high data rate QPSK demodulator

A single chip VLSI design of a digital quadrature-phase-shift-keying (QPSK) demodulator for satellite communication purposes is presented. The digital demodulator uses an optimized phase recovery scheme suitable for single chip implementation. It also uses an efficient timing recovery scheme based on XOR transition detection. The demodulator is suitable for time-division-multiplexing (TDM) applications and can give a speed of 50 Mbps. <<ETX>>
Antitumor efficacy of DNA vaccination to the epigenetically acting tumor promoting transcription factor BORIS and CD80 molecular adjuvant

Cancer testis (CT) antigens are promising candidates for tumor vaccines due to their immunogenicity and tissue‐restricted expression. Recently, we identified a novel cancer testis gene, BORIS, whose expression is restricted to male testis after puberty and is strictly absent in non‐malignant female tissue. BORIS encodes a DNA‐binding protein that shares 11 zing finger (ZF) with transcription factor CTCF and differs at the N‐ and C‐termini. CTCF has been implicated in epigenetic regulation of imprinting, X chromosome inactivation, repression, and activation of cancer testis antigens. BORIS expression has been documented in cancers of diverse histological origin, including, but not limited to breast, prostate, ovary, gastric, liver, endometrial, glia, colon, and esophagus. Interestingly, BORIS induces demethylation and subsequent expression of many cancer‐testis genes, including MAGE‐A1 and NY‐ESO‐1, indicating that it is expressed very early in malignancy and might be an attractive candidate for immunotherapy. In this study we tested BORIS as a vaccine in a very aggressive, highly metastatic, and poorly immunogenic murine model of mammary carcinoma. Immunizations with a DNA encoding the mutant form of murine BORIS antigen (pmBORIS lacking DNA‐binding function) significantly prolonged survival, and inhibited tumor growth in BALB/c mice inoculated with 4T1 cells. Priming with pmBORIS mixed with molecular adjuvant and boosting with adenoviral vector expressing mBORIS was generally more effective, suggesting that the vaccination protocol could be further optimized. This is the first report demonstrating the feasibility of vaccination with a cancer associated epigenetic regulator for the induction of tumor inhibition. J. Cell. Biochem. 98: 1037–1043, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
glnA Truncation in Salmonella enterica Results in a Small Colony Variant Phenotype, Attenuated Host Cell Entry, and Reduced Expression of Flagellin and SPI-1-Associated Effector Genes

ABSTRACT Many pathogenic bacteria use sophisticated survival strategies to overcome harsh environmental conditions. One strategy is the formation of slow-growing subpopulations termed small colony variants (SCVs). Here we characterize an SCV that spontaneously emerged from an axenic Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium water culture. We found that the SCV harbored a frameshift mutation in the glutamine synthetase gene glnA, leading to an ∼90% truncation of the corresponding protein. Glutamine synthetase, a central enzyme in nitrogen assimilation, converts glutamate and ammonia to glutamine. Glutamine is an important nitrogen donor that is required for the synthesis of cellular compounds. The internal glutamine pool serves as an indicator of nitrogen availability in Salmonella. In our study, the SCV and a constructed glnA knockout mutant showed reduced growth rates, compared to the wild type. Moreover, the SCV and the glnA mutant displayed attenuated entry into host cells and severely reduced levels of exoproteins, including flagellin and several Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1)-dependent secreted virulence factors. We found that these proteins were also depleted in cell lysates, indicating their diminished synthesis. Accordingly, the SCV and the glnA mutant had severely decreased expression of flagellin genes, several SPI-1 effector genes, and a class 2 motility gene (flgB). However, the expression of a class 1 motility gene (flhD) was not affected. Supplementation with glutamine or genetic reversion of the glnA truncation restored growth, cell entry, gene expression, and protein abundance. In summary, our data show that glnA is essential for the growth of S. enterica and controls important motility- and virulence-related traits in response to glutamine availability. IMPORTANCE Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is a significant pathogen causing foodborne infections. Here we describe an S. Typhimurium small colony variant (SCV) that spontaneously emerged from a long-term starvation experiment in water. It is important to study SCVs because (i) SCVs may arise spontaneously upon exposure to stresses, including environmental and host defense stresses, (ii) SCVs are slow growing and difficult to eradicate, and (iii) only a few descriptions of S. enterica SCVs are available. We clarify the genetic basis of the SCV described here as a frameshift mutation in the glutamine synthetase gene glnA, leading to glutamine auxotrophy. In Salmonella, internal glutamine limitation serves as a sign of external nitrogen deficiency and is thought to regulate cell growth. In addition to exhibiting impaired growth, the SCV showed reduced host cell entry and reduced expression of SPI-1 virulence and flagellin genes.
Simple and Efficient Purification of Recombinant Proteins Using the Heparin‐Binding Affinity Tag

Heparin, a member of the glycosaminoglycan family, is known to interact with more than 400 different types of proteins. For the past few decades, significant progress has been made to understand the molecular details involved in heparin‐protein interactions. Based on the structural knowledge available from the FGF1‐heparin interaction studies, we have designed a novel heparin‐binding peptide (HBP) affinity tag that can be used for the simple, efficient, and cost‐effective purification of recombinant proteins of interest. HBP‐tagged fusion proteins can be purified by heparin Sepharose affinity chromatography using a simple sodium chloride gradient to elute the bound fusion protein. In addition, owing to the high density of positive charges on the HBP tag, recombinant target proteins are preferably expressed in their soluble forms. The purification of HBP‐fusion proteins can also be achieved in the presence of chemical denaturants, including urea. Additionally, polyclonal antibodies raised against the affinity tag can be used to detect HBP‐fused target proteins with high sensitivity. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
An open‐label trial of rituximab (Rituxan®) in multifocal motor neuropathy

Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) is an acquired demyelinating motor neuropathy. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has been found to be safe and effective. Rituximab, a genetically engineered monoclonal antibody against CD‐20 antigen, has been reported effective in immune disorders including MMN. We performed an open‐label trial to determine if rituximab would reduce the IVIg requirement, disability, and impairment, and be safe in patients with MMN. Six MMN patients, who were on periodic IVIg treatments, received two doses of IV rituximab (1,000 mg) given 2 weeks later. Assessments were performed at baseline and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 months. The primary outcome was total amount of IVIg used during the 12‐month study compared to the 12 months prior. Secondary outcomes included changes in Medical Research Council (MRC) sum scores, grip strength, disability and handicap scores, and safety. There was no significant change in IVIg use, MRC sum score, grip strength, overall disability sum score, or Rotterdam handicap scale. One patient developed a hypersensitivity reaction during the first infusion that responded to adjustments in the infusion rate and treatment with diphenhydramine and acetaminophen. We conclude that rituximab can be safely given to people with MMN but in this pilot study we were unable to reduce the amount of IVIg required, at least in the regimen used.
Changing the rules of the game - experiences with Web 2.0 learning in higher education

The use of Web 2.0 as tools for social learning within higher education is not as widespread as expected, nor with the expected results within non-distance teaching programmes. The question is why? Many have argued that Web 2.0 tools have potentials to support learning in various ways. It has been argued, but also questioned, that the current generation of students are digital natives prepared to use new media for learning. At the same time critical voices argue that learning designs with high degrees of Web2.0 characteristics challenge the prevailing norms for learning within most teaching
The Kringle-like Domain Facilitates Post-endoplasmic Reticulum Changes to Premelanosome Protein (PMEL) Oligomerization and Disulfide Bond Configuration and Promotes Amyloid Formation*

The formation of functional amyloid must be carefully regulated to prevent the accumulation of potentially toxic products. Premelanosome protein (PMEL) forms non-toxic functional amyloid fibrils that assemble into sheets upon which melanins ultimately are deposited within the melanosomes of pigment cells. PMEL is synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum but forms amyloid only within post-Golgi melanosome precursors; thus, PMEL must traverse the secretory pathway in a non-amyloid form. Here, we identified two pre-amyloid PMEL intermediates that likely regulate the timing of fibril formation. Analyses by non-reducing SDS-PAGE, size exclusion chromatography, and sedimentation velocity revealed two native high Mr disulfide-bonded species that contain Golgi-modified forms of PMEL. These species correspond to disulfide bond-containing dimeric and monomeric PMEL isoforms that contain no other proteins as judged by two-dimensional PAGE of metabolically labeled/immunoprecipitated PMEL and by mass spectrometry of affinity-purified complexes. Metabolic pulse-chase analyses, small molecule inhibitor treatments, and evaluation of site-directed mutants suggest that the PMEL dimer forms around the time of endoplasmic reticulum exit and is resolved by disulfide bond rearrangement into a monomeric form within the late Golgi or a post-Golgi compartment. Mutagenesis of individual cysteine residues within the non-amyloid cysteine-rich Kringle-like domain stabilizes the disulfide-bonded dimer and impairs fibril formation as determined by electron microscopy. Our data show that the Kringle-like domain facilitates the resolution of disulfide-bonded PMEL dimers and promotes PMEL functional amyloid formation, thereby suggesting that PMEL dimers must be resolved to monomers to generate functional amyloid fibrils.
Prevalence of Anti-tissue Transglutaminase Antibodies and Celiac Disease in Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Objectives: Celiac disease can occur in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and poses a diagnostic challenge. We evaluated the presence of anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibodies and celiac disease among children with IBD. Methods: In a retrospective chart review, we assessed the prevalence of tTG antibodies and celiac disease and compared with a control group of children with gastrointestinal symptoms without IBD. Results: Study population included 130 children with IBD and 257 in the control group. Abnormal tTG levels were found in 6 and 20 patients, respectively (4.6% vs 7.8%, P = 0.24). One patient with IBD and 12 in the control group had celiac disease (0.8% vs 4.7%, P = 0.07). Conclusions: False-positive tTG can occur in children with IBD. The prevalence of celiac disease is not increased in children with IBD compared with non-IBD children with gastrointestinal symptoms and is similar to that in the general population.
Behavioral disinhibition and the development of substance-use disorders: Findings from the Minnesota Twin Family Study

One variant of substance-use disorder is characterized by behavioral disinhibition. In this report, we martial evidence for a model for the development of this variant. We hypothesize that genetic liability for this variant is reflected in a spectrum of risk indicators linked to the inability or unwillingness to inhibit behavioral impulses. Included in this spectrum are personality traits suggesting low constraint, and externalizing psychopathology, including conduct, oppositional defiant, and attention-deficit disorder in children and antisocial personality disorder and behavior in adults. We further hypothesize that these individual differences in behavioral disinhibition are manifestations of underlying central nervous system processes associated with various psychophysiological anomalies, some of which may index genetic risk for substance abuse. Support for the model is derived from the analysis of findings from the Minnesota Twin Family Study, an epidemiological investigation of approximately 2,700 adolescent twins and their parents.
Multi-harvesting solution for autonomous sensing node based on LoRa technology

In this paper, different energy harvesting solutions for an autonomous miniature wireless sensing node are invista-gated. The communication part is realized with Low Power Wide Area Network (LP-WAN) LoRa technology that combine low-power and long range capabilities. Solar, Thermal and Piezo harvesting techniques are compared for autonomous sensing application.