Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Host cell caveolae act as an entry‐port for Group A streptococci

This study identified caveolae as an entry port for group A streptococci into epithelial and endothelial cells. Scanning electron microscopy as well as ultrathin sections of infected cells demonstrated accumulation of small omega‐shaped cavities in the host cell membrane close to adherent streptococci. During invasion, invaginations were formed that subsequentely revealed intracellular compartments surrounding streptococci. Caveolin‐1 was shown to be present in the membrane of invaginations and the compartment membranes. These compartments were devoid of any classic endosomal/lysosomal marker proteins and can thus be described as caveosomes. Disruption of caveolae with methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin and filipin abolished host cell invasion. Importantly, streptococci inside caveosomes avoid fusion with lysosomes. Expressing of SfbI protein on the surface of the non‐invasive S. gordonii resulted in identical morphological alterations on the host cell as for S. pyogenes. Incubation of HUVEC cells with purified recombinant sole SfbI protein also triggered accumulation of cavity‐like structures and formation of membrane invaginations. Tagged to colloidal gold‐particles, SfbI protein was shown to cluster following membrane contact. Thus, our results demonstrate that host cell caveolae initiate the invasion process of group A streptococci and that the streptococcal invasin SfbI is the triggering factor that activates the caveolae‐mediated endocytic pathway.
Cloning and Characterization of Mouse RIP140, a Corepressor for Nuclear Orphan Receptor TR2

ABSTRACT The mouse homologue of the human receptor-interacting protein 140 (RIP140) was isolated from a mouse embryonic cDNA library in yeast two-hybrid screening experiments by using the ligand binding domain (LBD) of nuclear orphan receptor TR2 as the bait. The receptor-interacting domains of mouse RIP140 were mapped to the regions containing the LXXLL motif (where L is leucine and X is any amino acid), and the RIP140-interacting domain of TR2 was mapped to its C-terminal 10- to 20-amino-acid sequence, a putative activation function 2 (AF-2) region. In a GAL4 reporter system and a reporter driven by the proximal region of the TR2 promoter, RIP140 functioned as a corepressor for both a GAL4 DNA binding domain (BD)–TR2 fusion and the wild-type receptor. When tethered to the BD of GAL4, RIP140 exerted a trans-repressive effect on the GAL4 reporter. In addition, RIP140 suppressed the retinoic acid (RA) receptor-mediated RA induction in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, it was demonstrated that in the presence of RIP140, a cytosolic, green fluorescent protein-tagged TR2 LBD translocated into the nucleus, and TR2 and RIP140 were coimmunoprecipitated from the cell extract, indicating that the interaction between RIP140 and the LBD of TR2 occurred in vivo. The potential biological role of RIP140 in TR2-modulated transcriptional activity is discussed.
Football Increases the Risk for Lou Gehrig's Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

A recent report of a six-fold increase in prevalence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurodegenerative disease, in soccer players prompted a similar investigation in National Football League players in the United States. Using the internet, a retrospective analysis indicated 8 of the 3,891 players who played or debuted after 1960 had ALS, a prevalence of 206 per 100,000, a 40-fold higher prevalence rate than the rate of 5 per 100,000 in the general U.S. population (p<.001, binomial theorem). While no etiology for ALS has been established, the very high rate associated with professional football warrants further examination.
Risk Factors Associated with Unplanned Hospital Readmissions in Adults with Cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To identify risk factors associated with 30-day unplanned hospital readmissions in adults with cancer. DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING A teaching hospital in an urban center in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. SAMPLE 302 adults with solid tumors. METHODS The Conceptual Model of Re-Hospitalization was used as a theoretic framework. Univariate logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression were conducted to identify risk factors for hospital readmission. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Risk factors included patient, clinical, hospitalization, and discharge-planning characteristics. FINDINGS From November 2011 to November 2012, 29% of patients were readmitted within 30 days after discharge, and a higher percentage of those readmissions occurred within the first week of discharge. Several predictors for hospital readmission were identified in the univariate logistic analysis, but the most relevant in the final multivariate logistic model were moderate to high risk for falls and advanced stage disease (metastatic). CONCLUSIONS Hospital readmission is an indicator of quality care. Learning about risk factors allows opportunities to prevent hospital readmission by identifying those at high risk and implementing optimal discharge-planning systems and early referrals to palliative care. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Oncology nurses are best positioned to develop strategic plans aimed at improving discharge planning and transitions of care that will decrease unplanned hospital readmissions.
Electron transport in normal-metal'superconductor junctions

On the basis of the Keldysh method of nonequilibrium systems, we develop a theory of electron tunneling in normal-metal-superconductor junctions. By using the tunneling Hamiltonian model (being appropriate for the tight-binding systems), the tunneling current can be exactly obtained in terms of the equilibrium Green functions of the normal metal and the superconductor. We calculate the conductance of various junctions. The discrepancy bt:tween the present treatment and the well-known scheme by Blender, Tinkham, and Klapwijk is found for some junctions of low interfacial potential barrier.
Verification of knowledge shared across design and manufacture using a foundation ontology

Seamless computer-based knowledge sharing between departments of a manufacturing enterprise is useful in preventing unnecessary design revisions. A lack of interoperability between independently developed knowledge bases, however, is a major impediment in the development of a seamless knowledge-sharing system. Interoperability, being an ability to overcome semantic and syntactic differences during computer-based knowledge sharing, can be enhanced through the use of foundation ontologies. Foundation or core ontologies can be used to overcome differences existing in more specialised ontologies and to ensure seamless knowledge sharing. This is because these ontologies provide a common grounding for domain ontologies to be used by different functions or departments. This common base can be used by mediation and knowledge verification systems to authenticate the meaning of knowledge understood across different domains. For this reason, this research proposes a knowledge verification framework for developing a system capable of verifying knowledge between those domain ontologies which are developed out of a common core or foundation ontology. This framework makes use of ontology logic to standardise the way concepts from a foundation and core concepts ontology are used in domain ontologies and then, by using the same principles, the knowledge being shared is verified.
Phylogenetic relationships between Oxytropis DC. and Astragalus L.species native to an Old World diversity center inferred from nuclear ribosomal ITS and plastid matK gene sequences

Ayten DIZKIRICI TEKPINAR, Seher KARAMAN ERKUL, Zeki AYTAC, Zeki KAYA* Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Arts, Aksaray University, Aksaray, Turkey Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Arts, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
Phage Display Technology: A Tool to Explore the Diversity of Inhibitors to Blood Coagulation Factor VIII

Hemophilia A is a X-linked bleeding disorder that is caused by the functional absence of blood coagulation factor VIII. The bleeding tendency in hemophilia A patients can be corrected by the administration of plasma-derived or recombinant factor VIII concentrates. A serious complication in hemophilia care is the development of factor VIII neutralizing antibodies (inhibitors) that arise as a consequence of factor VIII replacement therapy. The majority of factor VIII inhibitors are directed toward epitopes located within the A2, A3, and C2 domains of factor VIII. In this article, we summarize current knowledge on the epitope specificity of factor VIII inhibitors. In addition, we will discuss recent information on the molecular characteristics of human anti-factor VIII antibodies generated by phage display technology.
Arbitrary length zero-phase substrate integrated coaxial lines using NRI-TL metamaterials

Arbitrary-length zero-degree phase-shifting lines are presented at X-band that are based on negative-refractive-index transmission-line (NRI-TL) metamaterials implemented in substrate integrated coaxial line (SICL) technology. Initially, a host substrate integrated coaxial line was loaded with a series interdigital capacitor and shunt printed inductors to form a single NRI-TL metamaterial unit cell. Subsequently, multi-stage NRI-TL metamaterial lines were realized by cascading multiple NRI-TL metamaterial unit cells. The performance of the metamaterial lines is analyzed based on their reflection loss, insertion loss, radiation loss and insertion phase for different lengths of line ranging from λ/5 to λ at 10 GHz. It is shown that the radiation loss remains below 0.003% of the total losses for all presented lengths of metamaterial lines, while exhibiting good reflection and transmission characteristics. These results indicate that the proposed zero-phase NRI-TL metamaterial lines in SICL technology are well suited for very low-loss guided-wave applications.
An improved particle swarm optimization and its application in maneuvering control laws design of the unmanned aerial vehicle

An improved particle swarm optimization algorithm with dynamic population mechanism is introduced in this paper aiming at the optimal design of the maneuvering flight scheme of the unmanned aerial vehicle system which confronts complex nonlinear flight characteristics. The control law of the typical S maneuver in vertical plane is parameterized through spline method and the constraints are disposed by the penalty function method in a weighted objective function. A practical design example of the unmanned aerial vehicle maneuvering scheme is given at last, and the simulation results show the availability of the method proposed in this paper and also a good application prospects in the flight scheme optimal design of the unmanned aerial vehicles.
Radiometric measurements of the microwave emissivity of reproducible breaking waves

In a recent experiment the microwave emissivity of foam on calm water was measured to be 0.75 to 0.95 and dependent on polarization. Microwave radiometric measurements of breaking waves on the open ocean showed that the emission due to wave breaking varies with the time dynamics of the wave, as well as with radiometer polarization and viewing angle. However, the inherent intermittency and sparseness of breaking waves makes it very difficult to perform repeatable measurements on the open ocean. Therefore, the authors conducted a wave basin experiment in which reproducible breaking waves were generated every 1-2 seconds. This paper reports preliminary results of the combined observations of polarimetric brightness temperatures and physical characteristics of these waves and foam. These and future results will provide input parameters to bound numerical electromagnetic models for prediction of foam emissivities.
Nonresonant Excitation Inside an Ultrahigh-  $Q$ Nanocavity

Achieving on-chip optical wavelength conversion is a long-pursued object with fundamental difficulty in integrated photonics. As a step toward this goal, we theoretically and numerically demonstrate that wavelength conversion can be realized in a high-Q photonic crystal nanocavity, without any phase matching and high power requirement. The wavelength conversion efficiency of nearly 100% is achieved for a broad conversion range, and the mechanism is attributed to the dynamic interaction between the trapped light and an ultrahigh-Q cavity.
EEG Power Spectra of Children with Dyslexia, Slow Learners, and Normally Reading Children with ADD During Verbal Processing

EEG power spectra were studied in two poor reader groups (with dyslexia and slow learning) and a normally reading clinic control group (with attention deficit disorder) as the children viewed strings of words and letters (seven categories). The children ranged in age from 7.5 to 12 years; 33 were girls, 86 were boys. Bilateral temporal and parietal sites and four midline sites were used. The major difference between groups was in the low beta band, where the ADD group had greater power at the parietal and midline sites. Also, the slow learner group had marginally greater low betn at the left than right temporal site, with the opposite trend found for the dyslexic and ADD groups. Across groups, power was greater at the right than at the left parietal site in the delta and alpha bands and at the right than at the left temporal site in the low beta band. Stimulus category effects were modest, with some alpha suppression to word strings, relative to letter strings, found in the poor readers. In correlational analyses, the Combination of greater low beta and less theta power significantly predicted better reading and spelling, Results indicate that the adequate readers more actively processed the stimuli than did the poor readers.
Characterization of an ATP-dependent DNA strand transferase from human cells

We have characterized an enzymatic activity from human cell nuclei which is capable of catalyzing strand exchange between homologous DNA sequences. The strand exchange activity was Mg2+ dependent and required ATP hydrolysis. In addition, it was capable of promoting reannealing of homologous DNA sequences and could form nucleoprotein networks in a fashion reminiscent of purified bacterial RecA protein. Using an in vitro recombination assay, we also showed that the strand exchange activity was biologically important. The factor(s) responsible for the activity has been partially purified.
Scientific Research Collaboration Hypernetwork Modeling and Node Importance Measuring

In research collaboration organizations, to evaluate the contributions of researchers and then to identify core researchers is an important issue. Network is a basic model to investigate this question, but with increasingly complex collaborative behavior, it shows limitations for semantic representations. In this paper, by introducing hyper network, a more powerful modeling tool than traditional network to construct scientific research collaboration hyper network (SRCH), we measure the importance of researchers in two aspects as collaborative relationship structure and collaborative achievement value. An additive weighting method with adjustable parameters is utilized to integrate the evaluations into a synthetical one. Data instance verifies that our measuring method for SRCH is reasonable and effective.
Two-bit all-optical analog-to-digital conversion by filtering broadened and split spectrum induced by soliton effect or self-phase modulation in fiber

The Kerr effect in fiber is expected to play a major role in ultrafast all-optical signal processing, which can overcome the obstacles of inherently limited operating speed of electronic devices. In this paper, we propose novel ultrafast and polarization-independent all-optical analog-to-digital conversion schemes. The proposed schemes are realized by filtering the broadened and split spectrum induced by the soliton effect or self-phase modulation in fiber with an arrayed waveguide grating. We conducted proof-of-principle experiments and successfully demonstrated two-bit all-optical analog-to-digital conversions with Gray code output, which shows the feasibility of the proposed scheme.
Skin secretion of the toad Bombina variegata contains multiple insulin-releasing peptides including bombesin and entirely novel insulinotropic structures

Abstract Skin secretions of the toad Bombina variegata were evaluated for the isolation and characterisation of insulinotropic peptides. Crude secretions obtained from young adult toads by mild electrical stimulation of the dorsal skin surface were purified by reverse phase HPLC yielding 44 peaks. In acute incubations with glucose-responsive BRIN-BD11 cells, peaks 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 showed a 1.5-3.5-fold increase in insulin release compared with 5.6 mM glucose alone (p<0.001; n=3). Structural analyses of the purified insulinreleasing peaks were performed by automated Edman degradation and mass spectrometry. Peptides represented by peaks 21, 22 and 23 had molecular masses of 1641.7 Da, 1662.6 Da and 1619.8 Da respectively. These peptides were unblocked by removal of pyroglutamic acid from the Nterminus prior to Edman degradation, revealing lengths of 14 amino acids. Peak 21 yielded a primary structure of PyrQRLGHQWAVGHLM, which a data base search revealed as an analogue of bombesin (His6 bombesin), while peak 23 was an exact match of bombesin (PyrQRLGNQWAVGHLM) originally isolated from Bombina bombina. Peak 22 indicated a primary structure of PyrDSFGNQWARGHFM (72% homology with bombesin). Peaks 24 and 25 revealed entirely novel insulinotropic peptides with molecular masses and primary structures of 1650.5 Da and 2300.0 Da and GKPFYPPPIYPEDM (GM-14) and IYNAICPCKHCNKCKPGLLAN (IN-21) respectively. Preliminary studies on the mechanisms underlying the insulinotropic actions of peaks 21, 22, 23 and 24 suggest possible involvement of a cAMPdependent, G protein-insensitive pathway. These data indicate that Bombina variegata skin secretions contain peptides with insulinreleasing activity, which may have mammalian counterparts and prove useful for possible exploitation as antidiabetic agents from natural resources.
The Role of Social Ties in Factor Allocation

We investigate whether social structure helps or hinders factor allocation using unusually rich data from the Gambia. Evidence indicates that land available for cultivation is allocated unequally across households; and that factor transfers are more common between neighbors, co-ethnics, and kinship-related households. Does this lead to the conclusion that land inequality is due to flows of land between households being impeded by social divisions? To answer this question, a novel methodology that approaches exhaustive data on dyadic flows from an aggregate point of view is introduced. Land transfers lead to a more equal distribution of land and to more comparable factor ratios across households in general. But equalizing transfers of land are not more likely within ethnic or kinship groups. In conclusion, ethnic and kinship divisions do not hinder land and labor transfers in a way that contributes to aggregate factor inequality. Labor transfers do not equilibrate factor ratios across households. But it cannot be ruled out that they serve a beneficial role, for example, to deal with unanticipated health shocks.
Prevalence of nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson's disease in an international setting; Study using nonmotor symptoms questionnaire in 545 patients

2006, there was, no single instrument (questionnaire or scale) for attempting a comprehensive assessment of the wide range of nonmotor symptoms (NMS) of Parkinson's disease (PD). The PD nonmotor group, a multidisciplinary group of experts including patient group representatives developed and validated the NMS screening questionnaire (NMSQuest) comprising 30 items. The NMSQuest is a self completed screening tool designed to draw attention to the presence of NMS. In this paper, we present the results gathered from 545 patients using the definitive version of the NMSQuest highlighting the prevalence of the wide range of NMS flagged in the NMSQuest from consecutive PD patients in an international setting. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Viral infections in the ICU

Purpose of reviewThe present study reviews the precise role of viruses as causes of pneumonia in mechanically ventilated patients. Recent findingsIn patients requiring mechanical ventilation, Herpesviridae, mostly herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus, are commonly recovered from the respiratory tract. However, viral detection does not necessarily mean viral disease, and the exact role of viruses recovered in the respiratory tract is still being debated. Are they only benign colonizers activated in proportion to the severity of the underlying illness, or are they infectious agents with true attributable morbidity or mortality or both? SummaryRespiratory viruses are responsible for 10% of community-acquired pneumonia cases but do not cause nosocomial pneumonia. Herpesviridae, mainly herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus, are commonly detected in the respiratory tract of nonimmunocompromised, mechanically ventilated patients. Although their detection usually reflects viral reactivation without lung parenchymal involvement, in a particular subset of patients, viral lung disease (bronchopneumonitis) occurs. This bronchopneumonitis seems to have a true impact on outcome, but only interventional studies will be able to determine its real impact. Whether other viruses, such as mimivirus, are responsible for nosocomial pneumonia in mechanically ventilated patients requires additional studies.
A phase I trial of GMX1777, an inhibitor of nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase (NAMPRT), given as a 24-hour infusion.

3581 Background: GMX1777 is a pro-drug which converts to GMX1778, a potent and specific small molecule inhibitor of NAMPRT, the rate-limiting enzyme in NAD+ synthesis. NAMPRT activity is increased in tumor cells dependent on the glycolytic pathway. The aims of this first-in-man study were to define a dose of GMX1777 administered by 24-hr infusion with acceptable safety for phase II studies, and to determine the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of both GMX1777 and GMX1778. METHODS GMX1777 was administered at ascending doses as a 24 hour IV infusion q21 days to successive cohorts of patients with advanced malignancies. Single patient cohorts were utilized until a toxicity >Grade (Gr) 1 was observed during cycle (C) 1; then a standard 3+3 dose escalation schema was used. PK samples were drawn during C1. RESULTS 19 patients (11 males; median age 57) received doses of 60, 120, 160, 200 or 140 mg/m2 over 24 hours. 49 doses were administered. There were no toxicities >Gr 1 during C1 at 60 mg/m2; however Gr 2 toxicities were observed at 120 mg/m2 and the cohort was expanded to 3 patients. Gr 4 GI hemorrhage and Gr 4 thrombocytopenia occurred at 200 mg/m2, leading to expansion of the 160 mg/m2 cohort. 3/6 patients at 160 mg/m2 had erythematous symmetrical Gr 3 rash occur during C2-5. Six patients enrolled at 140 mg/m2 had no Gr 3 rash and 140 mg/m2 was determined to be the MTD. Preliminary data indicate that the most common (>30%) adverse events of all grades were nausea (89%), diarrhea (79%), fatigue (68%), vomiting (58%), anorexia (42%), pruritis (42%), thrombocytopenia (42%), rash (37%), anemia (32%), constipation (32%), dyspnea (32%), and insomnia (32%). Lab findings include lymphopenia. Two patients had stable disease for > 4 cycles (6 & 4 mos), and 3 additional patients had SD for ≥ 3 mos. Preliminary PK data document rapid conversion of GMX1777 to GMX1778 at all dose levels. CONCLUSIONS The MTD for GMX1777 administered as a 24 hour infusion q21 days is 140 mg/m2. Thrombocytopenia, GI hemorrhage, and skin rash (the last occurring after multiple cycles) were encountered at higher doses. Single-agent GMX1777 exhibited moderate clinical activity, suggesting that inhibition of NAMPRT should be explored in other schedules or in combination with other agents. [Table: see text].