Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Evolution of HLA‐B*3501 Binding Affinity to Variable Immunodominant NP418‐426 Peptides from 1918 to 2009 Pandemic Influenza A Virus: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation and Free Energy Calculation Study

Virus‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes contribute to the control of virus infections including those caused by influenza viruses. However, during the evolution of influenza A viruses, variations in cytotoxic T lymphocytes epitopes have been observed and it will affect the recognition by virus‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes and the human virus‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes response in vitro. Here, to gain further insights into the molecular mechanism of the virus‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes immunity, the class I major histocompatibility complex‐encoded HLA‐B*3501 protein with six different NP418‐426 antigenic peptides emerging from 1918 to 2009 pandemic influenza A virus were studied by molecular dynamics simulation. Dynamical and structural properties (such as atomic fluctuations, solvent‐accessible surface areas, binding free energy), based on the solvated protein‐peptide complexes, were compared. Free energy calculations emphasized the important role of the secondary anchors (positions 2 and 9) in influencing the binding of MHC‐I with antigenic non‐apeptides. Furthermore, major interactions with peptides were gained from HLA‐B*3501 residues: Tyr7, Ile66, Lys146, Trp147, and Tyr159. Detailed analysis could help to understand how different NP418‐426 mutants effectively bind with the HLA‐B*3501.
Prevention of Kidney Ischemia/Reperfusion-induced Functional Injury and JNK, p38, and MAPK Kinase Activation by Remote Ischemic Pretreatment*

MAPK activities, including JNK, p38, and ERK, are markedly enhanced after ischemia in vivoand chemical anoxia in vitro. The relative extent of JNK, p38, or ERK activation has been proposed to determine cell fate after injury. A mouse model was established in which prior exposure to ischemia protected against a second ischemic insult imposed 8 or 15 days later. In contrast to what was observed after 30 min of bilateral ischemia, when a second period of ischemia of 30- or 35-min duration was imposed 8 days later, there was no subsequent increase in plasma creatinine, decrease in glomerular filtration rate, or increase in fractional excretion of sodium. A shorter period of prior ischemia (15 min) was partially protective against subsequent ischemic injury 8 days later. Unilateral ischemia was also protective against a subsequent ischemic insult to the same kidney, revealing that systemic uremia is not necessary for protection. The ischemia-related activation of JNK and p38 and outer medullary vascular congestion were markedly mitigated by prior exposure to ischemia, whereas preconditioning had no effect on post-ischemic activation of ERK1/2. The phosphorylation of MKK7, MKK4, and MKK3/6, upstream activators of JNK and p38, was markedly reduced by ischemic preconditioning, whereas the post-ischemic phosphorylation of MEK1/2, the upstream activator of ERK1/2, was unaffected by preconditioning. Pre- and post-ischemic HSP-25 levels were much higher in the preconditioned kidney. In summary, post-ischemic JNK and p38 (but not ERK1/2) activation was markedly reduced in a model of kidney ischemic preconditioning that was established in the mouse. The reduction in JNK and p38 activation can be accounted for by reduced activation of upstream MAPK kinases. The post-ischemic activation patterns of MAPKs may explain the remarkable protection against ischemic injury observed in this model.
Dissociating β-Amyloid from α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor by a Novel Therapeutic Agent, S 24795, Normalizes α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine and NMDA Receptor Function in Alzheimer's Disease Brain

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by synaptic dysfunction and cardinal neuropathological features including amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Soluble amyloid-β (Aβ) can suppress synaptic activities by interacting with α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChRs). Here, we show that α7nAChR and NMDA glutamatergic receptor (NMDAR) activities are severely compromised in synaptosomes prepared from AD and Aβ1-42 (Aβ42)-exposed control frontal cortex slices from postmortem tissue. Whereas Aβ12-28 prevents Aβ42 from binding to α7nAChRs, 2-[2-(4-bromophenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-1-methyl pyridinium (S 24795), a novel α7nAChR partial agonist, facilitates release of Aβ42 from Aβ42–α7nAChR and –Aβ42 complexes. S 24795 interacts with α7nAChR and Aβ15-20 region of the Aβ42 to enable partial recovery of the α7nAChR and NMDAR channel function. These findings suggest that the Aβ–α7nAChR interaction may be an upstream pathogenic event in AD and demonstrate that some recovery of neuronal channel activities may be achieved in AD brains by removing Aβ from α7nAChRs.
How hydrology, habitat type, and litter quality affect leaf breakdown in wetlands on the Gulf Coastal Plain of Georgia

Since the 1970s, southwestern Georgia has seen significant decreases in annual stream flows and changes in seasonal rainfall patterns (i.e., slightly wetter winters and drier springs) that have implications for leaf breakdown processes in wetlands. In four separate study years (1999–2002), we examined leaf breakdown processes in two types of forested wetlands, floodplain and depressional. Using a reciprocal transfer design, litter bags containing black gum (Nyssa syhatica biflora) and water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica) were placed in three wetlands of each type. We predicted open wetlands (floodplain) would have faster breakdown rates than isolated wetlands (depressional), and water tupelo leaves acquired from high-nutrient wetlands (floodplain) would be less refractory and decompose faster than black gum leaves obtained from low-nutrient wetlands (depressional). There was no consistent pattern of one wetland type having faster breakdown rates than the other. Breakdown of water tupelo (k = −0.57 to −1.77 yr−1) was faster than black gum (k = −0.53 to −1.31 yr−1) in three out of eight instances (i.e., same wetland type and year); otherwise, no difference was detected between species. Results from the drier years (1999, 2000, and 2001) suggest that litter species was more important than wetland type in determining P levels in litter and in some instances N concentrations, but in the wetter year (2002) N and P patterns in litter differed by wetland type. This multiyear study allowed us to conclude that in drought years, moisture levels primarily influenced breakdown of organic matter, but in years with prolonged flooding, faster breakdown rates occurred in the wetland type and litter species with the higher nutrient levels. A 1.4 to 3-fold difference in breakdown rates among study years (for the same wetland type and litter) suggest that caution should be used in making conclusions based on a single decomposition study.
Price levels convergence of consumer expenditures in the European Union

The convergence of price levels is one of the important aspects of a real convergence and is often viewed as a criterion for the evaluation of preparedness. The convergence process of comparative price levels can run either through the exchange rate channel and/or that of nominal prices. The paper is focused on the assessment of comparative price levels and the rate of their convergence in the enlarged European Union within the period of 1999–2003. With the exception of Cyprus, the price levels in the new EU member countries were significantly lower. The greatest differences from the price level of EU countries existed in Poland, Slovakia and Baltic countries. The new member countries differ also in the rate of convergence. When combining their initial position and the rate of convergence, it can be concluded that all countries will be able to reach 80% of the comparative price level of the European Union till the year 2010. In Poland, the development is very unfavourable because its price level will reach only 55% provided that there will be no changes in its development.
Reference values and hematologic changes from birth to 5 years in patients with sickle cell disease. Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease.

OBJECTIVE To examine hematologic changes from birth to 5 years of age and establish hematologic reference values for infants and children with sickle cell disease. RESEARCH DESIGN Prospective natural history study. SETTING Nineteen pediatric sickle cell centers across the United States. PATIENTS Six hundred ninety-four infants with sickle cell disease (sickle cell anemia, sickle cell-hemoglobin C disease, and sickle-beta-thalassemia) who were enrolled in the Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease at younger than 6 months of age. Median follow-up time through 5 years of age was 4.1 years. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS We present longitudinal analyses of total hemoglobin concentration, percent fetal hemoglobin values, mean corpuscular volumes, total bilirubin concentration, and red blood cell (RBC), "pocked" RBC, white blood cell, platelet, and reticulocyte counts. Anemia was apparent by 10 weeks of life in infants with sickle cell anemia (SS infants). This anemia was associated with a rising reticulocyte count consistent with a hemolytic process. The reticulocyte count of SS infants increased steadily, exceeding 12% at 5 years of age. The fetal hemoglobin concentration of SS infants declined more slowly than that of infants with sickle cell hemoglobin C disease (SC infants). Pocked RBC counts rose sharply after 6 months of age, and by 1 year, 28% of SS infants had abnormal counts, above 3.5%, indicating poor splenic function. At 3 years of age, 78% of SS patients and 32% of SC patients had abnormal pocked RBC counts. The SS patients with concurrent alpha-thalassemia had, after 6 months of age and throughout early childhood, a slightly higher mean total hemoglobin concentration and lower mean pocked RBC and reticulocyte counts than SS patients without alpha-thalassemia. The hematologic profile of SC infants more closely resembled that of normal black infants, but there was mild anemia (10.5 g/dL) and slightly elevated mean values for reticulocytes (3%) and fetal hemoglobin (3%) during early childhood.
Systematic review: Rabeprazole-based therapies in Helicobacter pylori eradication.

AIM To perform a systematic review of the efficacy of rabeprazole-based therapies in Helicobacter pylori eradication, and to conduct a meta-analysis comparing the efficacy of rabeprazole and other proton pump inhibitors when co-prescribed with antibiotics. METHODS Studies evaluating rabeprazole plus antibiotics were considered. Only randomized trials comparing rabeprazole and other proton pump inhibitors with antibiotics, and differing only in the proton pump inhibitor, were included in the meta-analysis. Electronic and manual bibliographic searches were conducted. The percentage (weighted mean) of successful eradication was calculated. Meta-analysis was performed by combining the odds ratios (OR) of the individual studies. RESULTS The eradication rates were as follows: 14-day rabeprazole-amoxicillin, 73%; rabeprazole-amoxicillin-clarithromycin for 3, 5, 7 and 10 days, 44%, 72%, 78% and 75%, respectively; low-dose rabeprazole (20 mg/day), amoxicillin and clarithromycin for 7 days, 81%; high-dose rabeprazole (40 mg/day), amoxicillin and clarithromycin for 7 days, 75%; 7-day rabeprazole-clarithromycin-nitroimidazole, 85%. Twelve comparative studies were included in the meta-analysis. The eradication rate with rabeprazole plus antibiotics was 79%; it was 77% with other proton pump inhibitors (OR = 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 0.93-1.42). Sub-analysis comparing rabeprazole at low doses (10 mg b.d.) with other proton pump inhibitors at standard doses (omeprazole 20 mg b.d. or lansoprazole 30 mg b.d.) showed no differences. CONCLUSIONS Rabeprazole achieves similar H. pylori eradication rates to omeprazole and lansoprazole when co-prescribed with antibiotics. Low doses of rabeprazole (10 mg b.d.), when administered with two antibiotics, may be sufficient to eradicate H. pylori infection.
Effective Antenna Simulations using CST MICROWAVE STUDIO®

CST MICROWAVE STUDIO reg (CST MWS) is based on the finite integration technique (FIT), a very general approach, which describes Maxwell's equations on a grid space and can be written in time domain as well as in frequency domain and is not restricted to a certain grid type. A large step forward in the area of meshing was introduced by a method called "perfect boundary approximation (PBA)" and it allowed a technique to represent curves and inclines very accurately within a coarse discretization. One main advantage of the time domain solver of CST MWS is that the resource requirement only scales linear with the numbers of mesh nodes and therefore the problem size. Thus it is possible to handle large radiating structures and even complete arrays with more than some hundreds of radiating elements. The ability to extract a high resolution of broadband antenna data is a result of the time domain solver's ability to define and calculate a large number of farfield monitors in one single simulation run. This represents a significant performance advantage compared to non-time domain methods which entail the simulation of a large number of discrete frequencies for the broadband data extraction. However, despite having the ability to solve a vast variety of problems, other techniques have shown advantages for certain class of problem. A frequency domain method based on hexa- and tetrahedral meshing was introduced to focus on the subset of problems where this technique excelled, e.g. in narrow band antennas, electrically smaller devices or phased array unit cells. Both solvers -time and frequency domain- are completely available on a common user-interface. Examples included and demonstrated here are UWB- antennas, RF-IDs, phased arrays and antennas based on left-handed- materials (LHM). An overview of a subset of post processing features concludes the presentation.
Cyclic AMP and acidic fibroblast growth factor have opposing effects on tight and adherens junctions in microvascular endothelial cells in vitro.

Endothelial adherens junctions (AJ) and tight junctions (TJ) are important determinants of vascular permeability and cell morphology. Here, we investigate their regulation, in primary human placental microvascular endothelial cell (HPMEC) cultures, by either aFGF plus heparin (ECGS) or elevated cAMP. The proliferation of HPMEC was weakly stimulated by ECGS, while cAMP was inhibitory. ECGS had little effect on transendothelial resistance (TER), but increased macromolecular permeability, whereas cAMP induced a twofold increase in TER and reduced macromolecular permeability. Ultrastructurally, ECGS-treated HPMEC exhibited an "activated" phenotype typified by proliferating cells, with poorly organized cell-cell junctions, whereas cAMP-treated cells appeared quiescent and markedly flattened with extended paracellular junctions, resembling endothelium in situ. The expression and localization of junctional molecules, F-actin, and junctional phosphotyrosine were examined by confocal microscopy and immunoblotting. Junctional molecules in ECGS-treated cells were less organized at lateral membranes than in control cells, whereas in cAMP-treated cells, they were highly localized at continuous contacts. These differences correlated with the intensity of junctional phosphotyrosine, being lowest with cAMP treatment. In the AJ of ECGS-treated and control cells, beta-catenin predominated but in cAMP-treated cells, gamma-catenin/plakoglobin was enriched. In addition, cAMP upregulated junctional expression of VE-cadherin and PECAM-1 and increased the levels of the TJ molecules occludin and ZO-1. The expression levels of junctional components, and their tyrosine phosphorylation, play an important role in dynamic regulation of endothelial cell-cell junctions.
Neural Background Subtraction for Pan-Tilt-Zoom Cameras

We propose an extension of a neural-based background subtraction approach to moving object detection to the case of image sequences taken from pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras. The background model automatically adapts in a self-organizing way to changes in the scene background. Background variations arising in a usual stationary camera setting, such as those due to gradual illumination changes, to waving trees, or to shadows cast by moving objects, are accurately handled by the neural self-organizing background model originally proposed for this type of setting. Handling of variations due to the PTZ camera movement is ensured by a novel registration mechanism that allows the neural background model to automatically compensate the eventual ego-motion, estimated at each time instant. Experimental results on several real image sequences and comparisons with seven state-of-the-art methods demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed approach.
Open‐field Behaviors and Water‐maze Learning in the F Substrain of Ihara Epileptic Rats

Summary: Purpose: Genetically epileptic model rats, Ihara epileptic rat (IER/F substrain), have neuropathologic abnormalities and develop generalized convulsive seizures when they reach the age of ∼5 months. Because the neuromorphologic abnormalities are centered in the hippocampus, we expected to observe spatial cognitive deficits. The present study aimed to evaluate emotionality and learning ability of the F substrain of IER.
Preparation and properties of an analogue of poly(A) and poly(G): poly(isoguanylic acid).

Isoguanosine-5'-pyrosphosphate, in the presence of an oligonucleotide primer, was polymerized by Escherichia coli polynucleotide phosphorylase under conditions analogous to those required for polymerization of 5'-GMP. The resulting poly(isoguanylic acid), poly(isoG), was a multistranded helix with a stability considerably higher than that of poly(G), and fully resistant to various nucleolytic enzymes. The polymer exhibited a two-step temperature transition profile in moderately alkaline propylene glycol. Alkaline titration in aqueous medium, by ultraviolet and circular dichroism spectroscopy, showed two clearly defined transitions, the second of which was fully cooperative. The accompanying changes in sedimentation constants were consistent with a structure for poly(isoG) of a fourstranded helix, like neutral poly(G). In acid medium, spectral and potentiometric titrations demonstrated the existence of more than one transition in the pH range 6-12, with accompanying protonation of the isoguanosine residues. In neutral medium the polymer formed no complexes with other potentially complementary homopolymers. In acid medium, on the other hand, the protonated form of poly(isoG) did form a triple-stranded complex with poly(I), viz. 2poly(I) . poly(isoG)+. Possible structures are formulated for the neural and protonated forms of poly(isoG) which account for the two-step thermal transition in alkaline propylene glycol and on alkaline titration in aqueous medium. The nature of the protonated form, and its complex with poly(I) is also discussed.
A clinical prediction score to diagnose unilateral primary aldosteronism.

CONTEXT Adrenal venous sampling is recommended to assess whether aldosterone hypersecretion is lateralized in patients with primary aldosteronism. However, this procedure is invasive, poorly standardized, and not widely available. OBJECTIVE Our goal was to identify patients' characteristics that can predict unilateral aldosterone hypersecretion in some patients who could hence bypass adrenal venous sampling before surgery. DESIGN AND SETTING A cross-sectional diagnostic study was performed from February 2009 to July 2010 at a single center specialized in hypertension care. PATIENTS A total of 101 consecutive patients with primary aldosteronism who underwent adrenal venous sampling participated in the study. The autonomy of aldosterone hypersecretion was assessed with the saline infusion test. INTERVENTION Adrenal venous sampling was performed without ACTH infusion but with simultaneous bilateral sampling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Variables independently associated with a lateralized adrenal venous sampling in multivariate logistic regression were used to derive a clinical prediction rule. RESULTS Adrenal venous sampling was successful in 87 patients and lateralized in 49. All 26 patients with a typical Conn's adenoma plus serum potassium of less than 3.5 mmol/liter or estimated glomerular filtration rate of at least 100 ml/min/1.73 m2 (or both) had unilateral primary aldosteronism; this rule had 100% specificity (95% confidence interval, 91-100) and 53% sensitivity (95% confidence interval, 38-68). CONCLUSIONS If our results are validated on an independent sample, adrenal venous sampling could be omitted before surgery in patients with a typical Conn's adenoma if they meet at least one of two supplementary biochemical characteristics (serum potassium<3.5 mmol/liter or estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥100 ml/min/1.73 m2).
Super high speed electrical machines - summary

There is increasing interests in super-high-speed motors and generators in industry applications such as microgas turbines, compressors, blowers, pumps, hybrid electric vehicles, turbo-molecular pumps, machine tool spindle drives, information storage disk drives and etc. In this paper, the state of the art survey of super-high speed electrical machines presented. Recent development of high speed and power ranges are summarized. Various structures of electrical machines, including induction, permanent magnet, claw pole, homopolar, axial gap synchronous and switched reluctance machines, are reviewed from the point of view of high rotational speed characteristics. Emerging technologies such as bearingless operation and intelligent controls are introduced in other papers of the panel session
Conditional ablation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor-TrkB signaling impairs striatal neuron development

Neurotrophic factors, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), are associated with the physiology of the striatum and the loss of its normal functioning under pathological conditions. The role of BDNF and its downstream signaling in regulating the development of the striatum has not been fully investigated, however. Here we report that ablation of Bdnf in both the cortex and substantia nigra depletes BDNF in the striatum, and leads to impaired striatal development, severe motor deficits, and postnatal lethality. Furthermore, striatal-specific ablation of TrkB, the gene encoding the high-affinity receptor for BDNF, is sufficient to elicit an array of striatal developmental abnormalities, including decreased anatomical volume, smaller neuronal nucleus size, loss of dendritic spines, reduced enkephalin expression, diminished nigral dopaminergic projections, and severe deficits in striatal dopamine signaling through DARPP32. In addition, TrkB ablation in striatal neurons elicits a non–cell-autonomous reduction of tyrosine hydroxylase protein level in the axonal projections of substantia nigral dopaminergic neurons. Thus, our results establish an essential function for TrkB in regulating the development of striatal neurons.