Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SSP3 Is a Novel Plasmodium yoelii Sporozoite Surface Protein with a Role in Gliding Motility

ABSTRACT Plasmodium sporozoites develop within oocysts in the mosquito midgut wall and then migrate to the salivary glands. After transmission, they embark on a complex journey to the mammalian liver, where they infect hepatocytes. Proteins on the sporozoite surface likely mediate multiple steps of this journey, yet only a few sporozoite surface proteins have been described. Here, we characterize a novel, conserved sporozoite surface protein (SSP3) in the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium yoelii. SSP3 is a putative type I transmembrane protein unique to Plasmodium. By using epitope tagging and SSP3-specific antibodies in conjunction with immunofluorescence microscopy, we showed that SSP3 is expressed in mosquito midgut oocyst sporozoites, exhibiting an intracellular localization. In sporozoites derived from the mosquito salivary glands, however, SSP3 localized predominantly to the sporozoite surface as determined by immunoelectron microscopy. However, the ectodomain of SSP3 appeared to be inaccessible to antibodies in nonpermeabilized salivary gland sporozoites. Antibody-induced shedding of the major surface protein circumsporozoite protein (CSP) exposed the SSP3 ectodomain to antibodies in some sporozoites. Targeted deletion of SSP3 adversely affected in vitro sporozoite gliding motility, which, surprisingly, impacted neither their cell traversal capacity, host cell invasion in vitro, nor infectivity in vivo. Together, these data reveal a previously unappreciated complexity of the Plasmodium sporozoite surface proteome and the roles of surface proteins in distinct biological activities of sporozoites.
Social impact due to distress sale of paddy in Attabira block, Bargarh: A case study

This paper examines the distress sale of paddy and peasant movement in the Attabira block of Bargarh district. Due to distress sale of paddy how peasants are affected, which is leading to farmers suicide and what are the steps taken by the district administrations. Data was collected from the interview scheduled. Main objective of this paper is to the social impact of distress sale of paddy and peasant movement.
Regulation of Bacterial Virulence by Csr (Rsm) Systems

SUMMARY Most bacterial pathogens have the remarkable ability to flourish in the external environment and in specialized host niches. This ability requires their metabolism, physiology, and virulence factors to be responsive to changes in their surroundings. It is no surprise that the underlying genetic circuitry that supports this adaptability is multilayered and exceedingly complex. Studies over the past 2 decades have established that the CsrA/RsmA proteins, global regulators of posttranscriptional gene expression, play important roles in the expression of virulence factors of numerous proteobacterial pathogens. To accomplish these tasks, CsrA binds to the 5′ untranslated and/or early coding regions of mRNAs and alters translation, mRNA turnover, and/or transcript elongation. CsrA activity is regulated by noncoding small RNAs (sRNAs) that contain multiple CsrA binding sites, which permit them to sequester multiple CsrA homodimers away from mRNA targets. Environmental cues sensed by two-component signal transduction systems and other regulatory factors govern the expression of the CsrA-binding sRNAs and, ultimately, the effects of CsrA on secretion systems, surface molecules and biofilm formation, quorum sensing, motility, pigmentation, siderophore production, and phagocytic avoidance. This review presents the workings of the Csr system, the paradigm shift that it generated for understanding posttranscriptional regulation, and its roles in virulence networks of animal and plant pathogens.
Multinodular goiter of the thyroid mimicking malignancy: Diagnostic pitfalls in fine‐needle aspiration biopsy

A case of multinodular goiter with multicentric papillary hyperplasia is presented with cytologic features suggestive of thyroid papillary carcinoma. While the cytologic criteria for papillary thyroid carcinoma is well defined, occasional diagnostic difficulties can arise. Cytologically, the presence of focal papillary aggregates, the presence of a psammoma body within a background of copious colloid and scattered follicular cells led to diagnostic confusion. Histologically, the presence of secondary follicles in the papillae and protrusion of the papillary structures into colloid lakes supported the diagnosis of goiter. It is our opinion that most, if not all, of these difficulties can be circumvented by the incorporation of all major and some minor cytologic criteria for papillary carcinoma in the analysis of such lesions. Single criteria for papillary carcinoma, either major or minor, is not sufficient.
The forecast of USD/CNY exchange rate based on the Elman neural network with volatility updating

This paper proposes a procedure for using an EGARCH-M model in conjunction with Elman neural network when estimating the return series of USD/CNY exchange rate. Data analysis shows that the returns of USD/CNY exchange rate are fat-tails and have volatility clusters. The EGARCH-M model captures the asymmetry in volatility and the correlation between the return and its past volatility, and the Elman neural network is applied to fit the nonlinear characteristic of the return series. By comparing the evaluation index of different models, it proves that the approach of Elman neural network with volatility updating derives a satisfactory empirical result. And the forecast of the return series illustrates the excellent performance of the model in the end.
Structural Change and Economic Growth in Schengen Region

The structural change of economy entails that in the long run how the dynamics of three main sectors (i.e. agriculture, industry and services) are related to economic growth. We conduct Granger non-causality (GC) tests with data from 15 Schengen countries in period 1970-2012. The results confirmed that industry sector is still the “engine” of economy and the larger service sector retards the gross domestic product per capita (GDPc ) growth rate in Schengen region. The results support Baumol’s argument concerning the productivity differences and their growth effects across the sectors. Keywords: Sector shares, economic growth, panel data, co-integration, error correction JEL Classifications: E1, E2, J, O1, O4
Culturing the Unculturable: Human Coronavirus HKU1 Infects, Replicates, and Produces Progeny Virions in Human Ciliated Airway Epithelial Cell Cultures

ABSTRACT Culturing newly identified human lung pathogens from clinical sample isolates can represent a daunting task, with problems ranging from low levels of pathogens to the presence of growth suppressive factors in the specimens, compounded by the lack of a suitable tissue culture system. However, it is critical to develop suitable in vitro platforms to isolate and characterize the replication kinetics and pathogenesis of recently identified human pathogens. HCoV-HKU1, a human coronavirus identified in a clinical sample from a patient with severe pneumonia, has been a major challenge for successful propagation on all immortalized cells tested to date. To determine if HCoV-HKU1 could replicate in in vitro models of human ciliated airway epithelial cell cultures (HAE) that recapitulate the morphology, biochemistry, and physiology of the human airway epithelium, the apical surfaces of HAE were inoculated with a clinical sample of HCoV-HKU1 (Cean1 strain). High virus yields were found for several days postinoculation and electron micrograph, Northern blot, and immunofluorescence data confirmed that HCoV-HKU1 replicated efficiently within ciliated cells, demonstrating that this cell type is infected by all human coronaviruses identified to date. Antiserum directed against human leukocyte antigen C (HLA-C) failed to attenuate HCoV-HKU1 infection and replication in HAE, suggesting that HLA-C is not required for HCoV-HKU1 infection of the human ciliated airway epithelium. We propose that the HAE model provides a ready platform for molecular studies and characterization of HCoV-HKU1 and in general serves as a robust technology for the recovery, amplification, adaptation, and characterization of novel coronaviruses and other respiratory viruses from clinical material.
Associations between Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: An Overview

Age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in the elderly, is a degenerative condition of the macula characterized by death or dysfunction of the photoreceptors. With the aging population growing, the incidence of age-related macular degeneration is expected to increase. This raises concern about the future of visual dysfunction related falls and the resulting injuries in the elderly population. Lutein and zeaxanthin are macular pigments that may play a role in reducing the development and progression of age-related macular degeneration. Evidence is accumulating on the consumption of lutein and zeaxanthin (in whole food or supplemental form), the resulting concentrations in the serum, and tissue distribution throughout the body, particularly in the retina. Lutein and zeaxanthin intake increases serum concentrations which in turn increases macular pigment density. Existing literature focuses on factors affecting macular pigment density, functions of lutein and zeaxanthin as blue-light filters and antioxidants, and risk factors associated with age-related macular degeneration. Few studies have focused on the impact of dietary lutein and zeaxanthin on retinal function and the potential to preserve vision and prevent further degeneration. This presents an opportunity for further research to determine an effective dose that delays the progression of age-related macular degeneration.
N1366S mutation of human skeletal muscle sodium channel causes paramyotonia congenita

Paramyotonia congenita is a hereditary channelopathy caused by missense mutations in the SCN4A gene, which encodes the α subunit of the human skeletal muscle voltage‐gated sodium channel NaV1.4. Affected individuals suffered from myotonia and paralysis of muscles, which were aggravated by exposure to cold. We report a three‐generation Chinese family with patients presenting paramyotonia congenita and identify a novel N1366S mutation of NaV1.4. Whole‐cell electrophysiological recordings of the N1366S channel reveal a gain‐of‐function change of gating in response to cold. Modelling and molecular dynamic simulation data suggest that an arginine‐to‐serine substitution at position 1366 increases the distance from N1366 to R1454 and disrupts the hydrogen bond formed between them at low temperature. We demonstrate that N1366S is a disease‐causing mutation and that the temperature‐sensitive alteration of N1366S channel activity may be responsible for the pronounced paramyotonia congenita symptoms of these patients.
Self-Financing Education, Borrowing Constraints, Government Policies, and Economic Growth

We analyze how public policies for self-financing education, public fund for loans and deferred deductibility of education expenses, affect growth in an overlapping generations economy where individuals can be borrowing-constrained on human capital investment. We show that public loans positively affect growth in the unconstrained economy, while how tax deductibility affects growth depends on the magnitude of both public loans and tax deductibility. In the borrowing-constrained economy, public loans positively affect growth, while tax deductibility does not affect growth. Both government policies affect the borrowing-constraint tightness and, therefore, can shift the economy from being borrowing-constrained to unconstrained or vice versa.
An Inter-Cell Interference Mitigation Scheme Based on MIMO-Relay Technique

MIMO-relay technology is accepted as a promising solution to improve cell edge performance for the future 4G wireless system. In this paper, an inter-cell interference mitigation scheme based on MIMO-relay technique is proposed to improve the average capacity for cell edge users. In the paper, a new network structure with shared relay station (SRS) is first studied, and a two-tier channel decomposition method is proposed based on the structure; then the BS (base station) precoding and relay filtering scheme is designed based on the proposed method, and the power allocation scheme at SRS is further discussed with two solutions of average power allocation algorithm and genetic based optimization algorithm. Numerical results show that compare with other inter-cell interference mitigation schemes, the proposed scheme can effectively cancel the inter-cell interference and significantly improve the capacity performance for cell edge users.
Functional Assessment of the Right Ventricle with Gated Myocardial Perfusion SPECT

Background The evaluation of right ventricular function can provide valuable information in a variety of cardiac and noncardiac conditions. Functional assessment of the right ventricle is difficult because of its anatomy and geometry. The authors describe a method for assessing right ventricular function using gated myocardial perfusion SPECT. Methods In 20 patients, right and left ventricular ejection fractions (RVEF, LVEF) were determined using gated blood-pool scintigraphy (GBPS) and gated myocardial perfusion SPECT (GSPECT). To avoid contamination with right atrial activity, the two-frame method was adopted for gated blood-pool data when RVEF was measured. In nine patients with normal right ventricles, an index of wall thickening for the right ventricle was derived from the peak systolic and diastolic counts in the free wall. Results Linear correlation between the two methods adopted for calculation of LVEF and RVEF was good. Bland-Altman analysis revealed good agreement between the two methods with no specific bias. The mean LVEF was 47.9 ± 12% (GBPS) and 47.3 ± 12.4 (GSPECT). The mean RVEF was 43.2 ± 9.6% (GBPS) and 44.2 ± 8.5% (GSPECT). In both cases, the values were not significantly different. The mean wall motion index was 35%. There was no correlation between the wall thickness index and ejection fraction, but the index was greater in patients with a normal right ventricle compared with those with reduced RVEF. Conclusions Gated SPECT offers an alternative to GBPS for the functional assessment of the right ventricle. Using GSPECT will allow the simultaneous assessment of both the right and left ventricles.
External influence on exchange rates: An empirical investigation of US pressure and the Chinese RMB

Abstract Trade imbalances have often led to accusations of ‘currency manipulation’ and efforts to remedy the purported effects of exchange rate misalignment. This paper investigates the impact of US pressure on China to revalue the RMB. Using vector autoregression (VAR) to analyze an original dataset of US statements and actions between 2005 and 2012, we examine the over-time dynamics between US pressure and the nominal RMB/USD exchange rate. A case study of mounting US pressure in advance of the 2010 midterm election illustrates China’s responsiveness in timing adjustments in the RMB to defuse the risk of an international confrontation. Our findings indicate that external political pressures can influence national exchange rate policies under certain conditions.
Regulation and function of pulmonary surfactant protein B.

Pulmonary surfactant, a complex mixture of phospholipids and specific associated proteins, reduces the surface tension at the air-liquid interface of the distal conducting airways and gas exchanging alveoli of the lung. Lipids, primarily neutral and phospholipids, compose approximately 90% of the surfactant complex. The remaining 10% of surfactant is composed of at least three surfactant-specific proteins, designated surfactant protein A (SP-A), SP-B, and SP-C. These proteins contribute to the formation, stabilization, and function of organized surfactant structures. This article briefly reviews the normal composition and function of pulmonary surfactant and specifically reviews the structure, function, and regulation of surfactant protein B (SP-B). The recent identification of neonates with refractory respiratory failure due to a genetic absence of SP-B and the study of transgenic mice in which SP-B gene expression has been ablated highlight the importance of the protein to surfactant function, synthesis, and metabolism and to the maintenance of lung function. Gene reconstitution experiments in vitro and in SP-B-deficient transgenic mice suggest specific functions for the amino and carboxyl terminal domains of the protein. SP-B deficiency is a potential target for gene therapy in human patients.
Regulation of M(Kv7.2/7.3) channels in neurons by PIP2 and products of PIP2 hydrolysis: significance for receptor‐mediated inhibition

M‐channels are voltage‐gated K+ channels that regulate the excitability of many neurons. They are composed of Kv7 (KCNQ) family subunits, usually Kv7.2 + Kv7.3. Native M‐channels and expressed Kv7.2 + 7.3 channels are inhibited by stimulating Gq/11‐coupled receptors – prototypically the M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M1‐mAChR). The channels require membrane phosphatidylinositol‐4,5‐bisphosphate (PIP2) to open and the effects of mAChR stimulation result primarily from the reduction in membrane PIP2 levels following Gq/phospholipase C‐catalysed PIP2 hydrolysis. However, in sympathetic neurons, M‐current inhibition by bradykinin appears to be mediated through the release and action of intracellular Ca2+ by inositol‐1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3), a product of PIP2 hydrolysis, rather than by PIP2 depletion. We have therefore compared the effects of bradykinin and oxotremorine‐M (a muscarinic agonist) on membrane PIP2 in sympathetic neurons using a fluorescently tagged mutated C‐domain of the PIP2 binding probe, ‘tubby’. In concentrations producing equal M‐current inhibition, bradykinin produced about one‐quarter of the reduction in PIP2 produced by oxotremorine‐M, but equal reduction when PIP2 synthesis was blocked with wortmannin. Likewise, wortmannin restored bradykinin‐induced M‐current inhibition when Ca2+ release was prevented with thapsigargin. Thus, inhibition by bradykinin can use product (IP3/Ca2+)‐dependent or substrate (PIP2) dependent mechanisms, depending on Ca2+ availability and PIP2 synthesis rates.
Improving Quality of Geriatric Health Care in Four Delivery Sites: Suggestions from Practitioners and Experts

t is well documented that physicians and other health care I practitioners often miss important problems in older patient~. ’-~ This has occurred in the outpatient setting,’ hospita1,2-6 emergency department,’ and nursing A number of studies in the United States as well as in other countries have demonstrated that one-quarter to two-thirds of seniors who undergo carotid endarterectomies, upper gastrointestinal endoscopies, coronary angiographies, coronary artery bypass surgery, and cholecystectomies have the procedure performed for inappropriate or questionable At the same time, elderly patients suffer a high rate of iatrogenic complications, more than a third of which are potentially preventable.12 If these problems were managed better, elderly patients would receive better care and would probably experience improved health care outcome^. ^^^^^ A simple change in method of physician payment or limitation of resources through global budgeting is unlikely to improve this situation; rather, approaches that affect clinical care more directly will be required. ” One such approach is quality improvement (QI). Newer QI techniques, with exciting potential for improving the quality and efficiency of services, have recently been introduced to health are. ^'***'^ M uch congruence exists between the philosophy and methodology of these new techniques and those of geriatric medicine. Thus, these modern QI approaches offer an important opportunity for improving geriatric care.16 We conducted surveys of and group discussions with experts in the care of older persons and in modem QI techniques to develop an agenda for QI in geriatric care and to identify a model method for designing specific QI programs. Results regarding the QI agenda for geriatric care will be presented here.
ECG Wave-Maven: a self-assessment program for students and clinicians

Proficiency in the interpretation of electrocardiograms (ECGs) is an essential skill for medical students, house officers, and attending physicians. However, resources to develop and upgrade the necessary high level of "ECG literacy" are limited. A small number of centers have attempted to address this challenge by developing "ECG of the week" internet sites. These resources are difficult to maintain and update, and many of them quickly become stagnant. We present "ECG Wave-Maven," an innovative web-based tutorial that overcomes these obstacles via a direct link to the hospital's extensive and increasing clinical ECG repository. By interfacing our educational tool to live data, we can greatly decrease the time and effort required from the time a practitioner notes an interesting case to its inclusion in the program. Users can opt to encounter the test cases sequentially or randomly, or by reviewing a list of questions or diagnoses, making this not just a quiz, but a basic educational reference. This tool may be useful in meeting the challenge of reducing serious medical errors related to ECG misinterpretation.
Silymarin protects against acute ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in mice.

BACKGROUND Accumulated evidence has demonstrated that both oxidative stress and abnormal cytokine production, especially tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), play important etiological roles in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Agents that have both antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties, particularly anti-TNF production, represent promising therapeutic interventions for ALD. We investigated the effects and the possible mechanism(s) of silymarin on liver injury induced by acute ethanol (EtOH) administration. METHODS Nine-week-old mice were divided into 4 groups, control, silymarin treatment, EtOH treatment, and silymarin/EtOH treatment, with 6 mice in each group. Because control and silymarin values were virtually identical, only control treatment is shown for ease of viewing. Ethanol-treated mice received EtOH [5 g/kg body weight (BW)] by gavage every 12 hours for a total of 3 doses. Control mice received an isocalorical maltose solution. In the silymarin/EtOH group, silymarin was dissolved in the EtOH and gavaged simultaneously with EtOH at a dose of 200 mg/kg BW. At 4 hours after the last dosing, the mice were anesthetized and subsequent serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level, hepatic lipid peroxidation, enzymatic activity of hepatic cytochrome P450 2E1, hepatic TNF-alpha, and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured. Histopathological change was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. RESULTS Acute EtOH administration caused prominent hepatic microvesicular steatosis with mild necrosis and an elevation of serum ALT activity, induced a significant decrease in hepatic GSH in conjunction with enhanced lipid peroxidation, and increased hepatic TNF production. Supplementation with a standardized silymarin attenuated these adverse changes induced by acute EtOH administration. CONCLUSIONS Silymarin protects against the liver injury caused by acute EtOH administration. In view of its nontoxic nature, it may be developed as an effective therapeutic agent for alcohol-induced liver disease by its antioxidative stress and anti-inflammatory features.