Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Binding of Serum Mannan Binding Lectin to a Cell Integrity-Defective Cryptococcus neoformans ccr4Δ Mutant

ABSTRACT Mannan binding lectin (MBL) is an innate immune mediator belonging to the collectin family known to bind to the surfaces of many viruses, bacteria, and fungi. However, pathogenic strains of the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans are resistant to MBL binding. To dissect the mechanism of cryptococcal resistance to MBL, we compared MBL binding to an encapsulated wild-type strain, an encapsulated ccr4Δ mutant defective in cell integrity, and an acapsular cap60Δ strain. No MBL binding was detected on wild-type C. neoformans. In contrast, the ccr4Δ mutant bound MBL to the cell wall, predominantly at the ends of enlarged buds, whereas the acapsular strain bound MBL only at the bud neck and bud scars. In addition, the ccr4Δ mutant was sensitive to the cell wall-active antifungal caspofungin and other cell wall stress inducers, and its virulence was reduced in a mouse model of cryptococcosis. Interestingly, treatment of wild-type cells with caspofungin also increased MBL binding to C. neoformans. These results suggest that both the presence of capsule and wild-type cell wall architecture preclude MBL binding to C. neoformans.
Surgical Treatment of Supratentorial Glioma in Eloquent Areas

Andrea Talacchi1, Giovanna Maddalena Squintani2, Barbara Santini1, Francesca Casagrande3, Francesco Procaccio3, Franco Alessandrini4, Giada Zoccatelli4, Vincenzo Tramontano1, Aurel Hasanbelliu1 and Massimo Gerosa1 1Institute of Neurosurgery, 2Neurological Unit, Department of Neuroscience; 3Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit, Department of Emergency and Intensive Care; 4Neuroradiological Unit, Department of Radiology; University Hospital, Verona, Italy
Substrate integrated waveguide dual-passband filters with flexibly allocated center frequencies and bandwidths

A kind of substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) dual-band bandpass filters (DB-BPFs) with flexibly allocated center frequencies (CFs) and fractional bandwidths (FBWs) is presented based on TE101 and TE201 modes in SIW rectangular cavities. Emphasis is placed on filters design to simultaneously realize the external quality factors Qe and coupling coefficients Mij required for both passbands by determining proper offset positions and coupling dimensions of the feeding ports and coupling windows, respectively. Consequently, both the CFs and FBWs of the two passbands can be specified and allocated over wide ranges.
Participatory Evolving Fuzzy Modeling

This paper introduces an approach to develop evolving fuzzy rule-based models based on the idea of participatory learning. Participatory learning is a means to learn and revise beliefs based on what is already known or believed. Participatory learning naturally induces unsupervised dynamic fuzzy clustering algorithms and provides an effective alternative construct evolving functional fuzzy models and adaptive fuzzy systems. Evolving participatory learning is used to forecast average weekly inflows for hydroelectric generation purposes and compared with eTS, an evolving modeling technique that uses the notion of potential to dynamically cluster data
Automatic structure and keyphrase analysis of scientific publications

Purpose. This work addresses an escalating problem within the realm of scientific publishing, that stems from accelerated publication rates of article formats difficult to process automatically. The amount of manual labour required to organise a comprehensive corpus of relevant literature has long been impractical. This has, in effect, reduced research efficiency and delayed scientific advancement. Two complementary approaches meant to alleviate this problem are detailed and improved upon beyond the current state-of-the-art, namely logical structure recovery of articles and keyphrase extraction.Methodology. The first approach targets the issue of flat-format publishing. It performs a structural analysis of the camera-ready PDF article and recognises its fine-grained organisation over logical units. The second approach is the application of a keyphrase extraction algorithm that relies on rhetorical information from the recovered structure to better contour an article? s true points of focus. A recount of the scientific article? s function, content and structure is provided, along with insights into how different logical components such as section headings or the bibliography can be automatically identified and utilised for higher-quality keyphrase extraction.Findings. Structure recovery can be carried out independently of an article? s formatting specifics, by exploiting conventional dependencies between logical components. In addition, access to an article? s logical structure is beneficial across term extraction approaches, reducing input noise and facilitating the emphasis of regions of interest.Value. The first part of this work details a novel method for recovering the rhetorical structure of scientific articles that is competitive with state-of-the-art machine learning techniques, yet requires no layout-specific tuning or prior training. The second part showcases a keyphrase extraction algorithm that outperforms other solutions in an established benchmark, yet does not rely on collection statistics or external knowledge sources in order to be proficient.
Multisociety Consensus Quality Improvement Guidelines for Intra-Arterial Catheter-Directed Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke: Implications for Neuroradiology and Stroke Centers

In 2001, the leadership of the American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR), the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR), and the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery (SNIS, formerly the American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology) wrote an official statement asserting that
Apparent block of K+ currents in mouse motor nerve terminals by tetrodotoxin, μ‐conotoxin and reduced external sodium

1 In mouse triangularis sterni nerve‐muscle preparations, reduced extracellular Na+ concentrations and low concentrations of the Na+ channel blocking toxins tetrodotoxin (TTX, 18–36 nm) and μ‐conotoxin GIIIB (0.4–2.0 μm) selectively decreased the amplitude of the component of perineural waveforms associated with nerve terminal K+ currents, without affecting the main Na+ spike. 2 Intracellular recording of endplate potentials (e.p.ps) and miniature endplate potentials (m.e.p.ps) from triangularis sterni preparations revealed that TTX and μ‐conotoxin GIIIB depressed the evoked quantal release of acetylcholine without significant effects on m.e.p.p. amplitude, frequency or time constant of decay. 3 The apparent block of K+ current by low concentrations of TTX and μ‐conotoxin is probably not a direct effect on K+ channels but results from a decrease in the passive depolarization of nerve terminals following blockade of a small proportion of axonal Na+ channels.
Ceramide and TLR 4 are mobilized into membrane rafts in response to 1 Helicobacter pylori infection in gastric epithelial cells

Ceramide and TLR4 are mobilized into membrane rafts in response to 1 Helicobacter pylori infection in gastric epithelial cells 2 3 Running title: Mobilization of ceramide and TLR4 to signal H. pylori infection 4 5 Dah-Yuu Lu, Hui-Chen Chen, Mei-Shiang Yang, Yuan-Man Hsu, Hwai-Jeng Lin, Chih-Hsin Tang, 6 Che-Hsin Lee, Cheng-Kuo Lai, Chun-Jung Lin, Woei-Cherng Shyu, Fong-Yan Lin, and Chih-Ho Lai* 7 8 College of Life Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan 9
PCR based diagnosis in the presence of 8% (v/v) blood.

The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) has proven to be an extremely powerful research tool (1). However its full potential as a diagnostic agent still remains to be proven. A major limitation of PCR based diagnostic tests is the inhibition of Taq polymerase by many substances found in clinical material. To date, blood, mucus, urine, sperm and faecal material are some of the body fluids/products that have been shown to inhibit Taq polymerase. This makes PCR-based diagnosis directly from clinical material difficult and therefore most PCR-based tests designed, rely on a DNA or target (bacteria or virus) purification step (2). This increases the labour input and cost of the test. As is not dependent on the concentration of differ tdl Tth polymerase, Thernus thermophilus HB8 successfully a specific 1.3 kb target sequence in PCR reaction mix containing up to 4% (v/v) are no specific of DNA polymerase activity in increase in the amount of blood inhibited the ability of Tth polymerase to amplify that this of DNA polymerase activity is due to the entrapment of target DNA by the large amount of coagulated organic material present in the blood PCR the target DNA is inaccessible to the DNA polymerase. addition of one unit of the single stranded DNA binding protein, T4 gene 32 increases the accessibility of Tth polymerase the target
L’autovalutazione della didattica da parte dei docenti. Presentazione dei risultati di una ricerca esplorativa condotta presso l’Università di Padova

Teaching Self-Evaluation. An Exploratory Research with Padua University Teachers In universities, self-evaluation processes may concern the faculties, teaching staff and students. As regards teaching staff, self-education may refer to procedures to be used at a personal level and strictly linked to teaching experience or connected to the self-evaluation of faculties themselves. In the latter case, these self-evaluation practices become an integral part of the growth process of accountability and of the qualitative improvement of university education. The self-evaluation approach for teaching staff dealt with here is connected to the development of processes of reflection in the teacher in order to improve educational practices. The study presented in this article satisfies the interest of the Governing Council of Padua University, which promoted a new project on teacher self-evaluation that started in 2006 and ended in 2009. A specific working commission including representatives from all faculties, under the direction of R. Semeraro (entrusted by the Rector for the project), aimed at focusing the attention of the teaching staff from all faculties on the use of a selfevaluation tool, which was developed after a comparative analysis of similar tools in use in major universities in the world. At the end of 2007, all the teaching staff were sent the aforesaid self-evaluation tool, developed by the working commission, and 60% of the teaching staff answered by filling in the relative questionnaire. The results showed that some teacher self-evaluation criteria were common to all faculties while other criteria were specific to individual faculties.
P‐31 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Analysis of Brain: II. Effects of Oxygen Deprivation on Isolated Perfused and Nonperfused Rat Brain

Phosphatic metabolite (perchloric acid extractable) concentrations of cerebral tissues were analyzed by phosphorus‐31 nuclear magnetic resonance (P‐31 NMR) spectfoscopy following external perfusion of the isolated rat brain (30 min or 60 min) under the following conditions: (a) constant perfusion pressure with either fluorocarbon‐or erythrocyte‐based medium, and (b) constant perfusate flow rate (3 ml/min) with the erythrocyte‐based medium. Metabolite concentrations of control perfused brains were compared with those in nonperfused controls to provide a basis for detecting any qualitative or quantitative changes in cerebral metabolite composition. Metabolic responses of perfused brains to ischemia (incomplete ischemia, 83% reduction in flow for 10 min; transient complete ischemia for 1.5 or 2 min) were evaluated immediately after the ischemic episode and at selected time points during reperfusion (3 and 15 min). Alterations in cerebral metabolite levels induced by hypoxia were analyzed using a nonperfused rat brain model. Irrespective of the perfusion method employed, the phosphatic metabolites of control perfused rat brains were identical quantitatively to those of the nonperfused controls. Cerebral ischemia resulted in significantly increased levels of ADP, AMP + IMP, Pi, fructose 1,6‐diphosphate, and glycerol 3‐phosphate (global ischemia only), whereas ATP and phosphocreatine (PCr) levels declined significantly. The magnitude of these changes varied with the severity of the ischemia; however, following 15 min of control reperfusion metabolite levels had reverted to preischemic values. Significant perturbations in tissue phosphoethanolamine (3.848 resonance) content were evident at various time points during ischemia and postischemic recovery, which varied according to the perfusion conditions. In contrast to the changes observed in response to ischemia, hypoxia affected only cerebral high‐energy phosphate levels. ATP and PCr levels were reduced, while a concomitant, essentially equimolar, increase in Pi and ADP was observed. The present studies indicate that in terms of phosphatic metabolites, the control equilibrated isolated perfused rat brain is quantitatively and qualitatively indistinguishable from the non‐perfused rat brain in vivo regardless of the perfusion conditions (constant flow versus constant pressure). The metabolic responses to ischemia and hypoxia, as measured by P‐31 NMR, were consistent with the pattern of changes reported elsewhere. Overall, P‐31 NMR spectroscopic evaluation of the intact rat brain provides a potential experimental context for dynamic measures of cerebral metabolism under exogenously controlled conditions. The results reported herein from brain PCA extracts contribute a spectroscopic reference for understanding and interpreting the metabolic information contained in the P‐31 profiles of the intact brain.
Spontaneous Extensor Tendon Rupture in the Rheumatoid Wrist: Risk Factors and Preventive Role of Extended Tenosynovectomy

ObjectiveSpontaneous extensor tendon rupture is often seen in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, but the risk factors are not clearly defined. We therefore collected the data of RA patients with previous extensor tendon rupture and those with tenosynovitis and analyzed the relationship between extended tenosynovectomy and spontaneous extensor tendon rupture. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 17 spontaneous extensor tendon rupture episodes in 15 RA patients and 14 tenosynovitis episodes that required tenosynovectomy in 12 RA patients from 1997 to 2013. Correlations between the incidence of tendon rupture, X-ray findings, and clinical findings in the affected wrists before tendon rupture were analyzed statistically using the test for proportion. ResultsThe following parameters were significantly correlated with spontaneous extensor tendon rupture: disease duration longer than 8 years, persistent tenosynovitis longer than 1 year duration, and Larsen grade greater than 4 (P = 0.02, 0.03, and 0.01, respectively). Dislocation of the distal end of the ulna, carpal collapse, and the scallop sign on X-ray contributed to a higher spontaneous extensor tendon rupture rate among RA patients (P = 0.01, 0.05, and 0.03, respectively). Extended tenosynovectomy was performed on 14 wrists in 12 RA patients with persistent tenosynovitis longer than 6 months, and Larsen grade did not deteriorate in this group compared with those who did not undergo the surgery. No spontaneous extensor tendon rupture occurred following the surgery. ConclusionsRisk factors of spontaneous extensor tendon rupture included disease duration longer than 8 years, persistent tenosynovitis longer than 1 year, and wrist Larsen grade greater than 4. Dislocation of the distal end of the ulna, carpal collapse, and the scallop sign on X-ray indicated a higher probability of extensor tendon rupture. Rheumatologists should consult with hand surgeons promptly to preserve hand function before tendon rupture. Prophylactic extended tenosynovectomy surgery to prevent more severe damage of extensor tendon should be recommended in patients who had the above risk factors.
Risk of cardiovascular outcomes in users of estradiol/dydrogesterone or other HRT preparations

Background Use of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used to be promoted to reduce the risk of ischemic cardiovascular diseases, a concept which has been challenged by results of the large Women's Health Initiative trial in users of estrogen and progestin. It is postulated that the type of progestin used in HRT affects the cardiovascular risk. Methods We used the UK-based General Practice Research Database to conduct a follow-up study with a nested case–control analysis. We assessed and compared the risk of developing myocardial infarction, thrombotic stroke or venous thromboembolism in estradiol/dydrogesterone users, users of other HRT, or non-users of HRT. Results The incidence rates of myocardial infarction, thrombotic stroke and venous thromboembolism in estradiol/dydrogesterone users were 0.40 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18–0.76), 0.27 (95% CI 0.10–0.58) and 0.31 (95% CI 0.13–0.64) per 1000 person-years, respectively. As compared to non-users of HRT, the adjusted relative risk estimates (odds ratios) in the nested case–control analysis for estradiol/dydrogesterone users or users of other HRT were 1.06 (95% CI 0.48–2.36) and 1.12 (95% CI 0.84–1.51) for myocardial infarction, 0.50 (95% CI 0.21–1.22) and 1.18 (95% CI 0.94–1.48) for thrombotic stroke, and 0.84 (95% CI 0.37–1.92) and 1.42 (95% CI 1.10–1.82) for venous thromboembolism, respectively. Conclusion The study provides evidence that estradiol/dydrogesterone use of several months to a few years is not associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events than use of other HRT.
Fiber Optic Parametric Amplifier With 10-dB Net Gain Without Pump Dithering

We present a stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS)-suppressed fiber optic parametric amplifier/wavelength converter constructed from four highly nonlinear fiber pieces with applied strain gradients and separated by isolators. The effective total SBS threshold increase is about 11 dB, and a net parametric gain of 10 dB is obtained without any pump dithering.
Transplantation Antigens in Normal Mouse Organs.∗

Summary 1. Mitochondrial fractions obtained from spleen cells were found to be potent transplantation antigens. 2. No anti-genic activity was detected in a) spleen, liver, or kidney cell sap; b) kidney mitochondria and microsomes. 3. Minimal antigenic activity was associated with liver mitochondria. 4. Exposure of spleen microsomes to RNAase did not affect their antigenic activity. 5. Brief exposure of spleen microsomes to ultrasound waves yielded a semisoluble antigenic preparation.
Production of nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐6 by RAW264.7 macrophage cells treated with lactic acid bacteria isolated from kimchi

The present study investigated immunopotentiating activities of lactic acid bacteria isolated from kimchi (KLAB) in vitro. A RAW264.7 macrophage cell line was stimulated with four strains of KLAB and two strains of bifidobacteria, and then the production of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines ‐ tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) ‐ was determined. Lactobacillus plantarum, a lactic acid bacteria involved in the latent fermentation of kimchi, was the most effective for the generation of NO, TNF‐α, and IL‐6 in macrophage. All strains generated NO, while for the TNF‐α and IL‐6, only L. plantarum had significant activity. Our results indicate that L. plantarum plays an important role in the immunopotentiating activity of kimchi.
High-sensitivity troponin T as a biomarker for the development of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVES Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs in ∼ 30% of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and in 40% of patients after valve surgery. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hsTnT) is a specific and high-sensitivity marker of myocardial injury, while N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is an established biomarker for wall remodelling. We investigated whether hsTnT and NT-proBNP levels could be used as valuable biomarkers for AF occurrence after cardiac surgery. METHODS We included consecutive haemodynamically stable patients undergoing programmed cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass pump. We determined hsTnT and NT-proBNP levels before and after cardiac surgery and recorded AF development by prolonged electrocardiogram monitoring. RESULTS We included 100 patients with predominantly aortic valve (n = 42) or ischaemic heart (n = 58) diseases. Twenty-nine patients (29%) developed post-surgical AF. Patients developing AF had a longer hospital stay (P = 0.005). hsTnT levels increased after surgery [P < 0.001], indicating perioperative myocardial injury, with higher presurgery levels in patients who developed AF [P = 0.015]. Body mass index and EuroSCORE risk scale were independently associated with higher hsTnT levels presurgery. On univariate analysis, age (P = 0.048), male sex (P = 0.031), indexed left atrial volume (P = 0.042), β-blockers treatment (P = 0.024), type of surgery (valve surgery vs CABG; P = 0.034), EuroSCORE risk scale (P = 0.025) and higher preoperative hsTnT levels (P = 0.009) were predictors of AF development, but NT-proBNP did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.060). hsTnT levels in blood samples obtained the day after surgery were not associated with post-surgical AF development (P = 0.165). In a multivariate model, only higher hsTnT levels before cardiac surgery (>11.87 ng/l) [Odds Ratio, OR; (95% Confidence interval, CI) 4.27 (1.43-12.77), P = 0.009] and male sex [OR 5.10 (1.72-15.13), P = 0.003)] were independently associated with the occurrence of post-surgical AF. CONCLUSION High presurgical hsTnT levels were independently predictive of patients developing AF after cardiac surgery. hsTnT levels determined post-surgery suggest that cardiac perioperative myocardial injury is not associated with postoperative AF development. NT-proBNP did not reach statistical significance as a biomarker for AF prediction.
The Safety Argument Manager: an integrated approach to the engineering and safety assessment of computer based systems

This paper presents details of the Safety Argument Manager (SAM) a PC based tool to support safety case construction. SAM is novel in that it stresses total system safety and is designed to support an integrated process for design and assessment. SAM provides facilities for the construction of high level safety arguments and for building up complete and consistent supporting evidence. We focus on the achievement of high quality supporting evidence, by describing SAM's facilities for integrated modelling and safety assessment. We also illustrate the use of SAM with a car braking system example.
Cultural Factors as Co-Determinants of Participation in River Basin Management

An apparatus for use in attaching a leg prosthesis. The purpose of this coupling device is to allow for the quick attachment or detachment of the prosthesis without removal of the bucket portion which is left connected to the wearer by suction or by a belt. The device is both self aligning and quick coupling. One plate has a plug and the other plate has a socket into which the plug fits. A threaded pin joins the two plates and forces the two plates, which are deliberately misaligned, together.
Counterfeiting substitute media-of-exchange: a threat to monetary systems

One justication for cash-in-advance equilibria is the assumption that the counterfeiting of money is impossible, while the counterfeiting of higher-return substitute media-ofexchange is costless. It is shown that this justication is not robust to replacing costless by costly and placing the analysis within a signaling-game framework in which the intuitive criterion is invoked. In particular, if the cost of counterfeiting the substitutes is small, then there is no monetary equilibrium. Therefore, the counterfeiting of substitutes can be a threat to monetary systems. This result provides a new rationale for legal restrictions that prohibit trades using higher-return substitute media-of-exchange.