Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐anchored cell‐surface proteins from Arabidopsis

Remodeling of the plant cell surface occurs during the establishment of cell polarity, cellular differentiation, and organ development. This report demonstrates the existence of multiple glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchored proteins in the model plant Arabidopsis. Using two‐dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE), we also show that GPI‐anchored proteins are a relatively abundant class of protein and that they are present at the plant plasma membrane. Furthermore, some of these proteins are released into the extracellular matrix. At least one of these is an arabinogalactan protein (AGP), a class of proteins known to be associated with cellular differentiation. Analysis of the amino acid sequences of two novel AGP‐like proteins from Arabidopsis predicts that these proteins contain consensus signals for GPI‐anchor addition. These findings support a model where GPI‐anchored proteins are involved in the generation of specialized cell surfaces and extracellular signaling molecules.
Effects of fish meal and sodium bentonite on daily gain, wool growth, carcass characteristics, and ruminal and blood characteristics of lambs fed concentrate diets.

We evaluated the effects of replacing some soybean meal (SBM) protein with fish meal (FM) protein in diets adequate and slightly deficient in CP, with or without . 75% sodium bentonite (NaB) on performance and ruminal and blood metabolites of individually fed Suffolk lambs. Diets were based on corn, SBM, and cottonseed hulls. In Exp. 1, five lambs were assigned to each of the three dietary treatments (11% CP with 3% FM, 13% CP with 0 or 3% FM). Lambs fed diets that contained 11% CP with 3% FM or 13% CP with 0% FM had similar DMI and ADG. Gain and feed efficiency were slightly improved (P = .18) by the 13% CP diet with 3% FM. In Exp. 2, 32 lambs were assigned to four dietary treatments (13.5% CP of DM) in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement (0 or 3% FM, and 0 or .75% NaB on an as-fed basis). The DMI and ADG were increased (P < .05) by FM and NaB supplementation. Interactions (P < .05) revealed that NaB increased DMI, ADG, gain per feed (g/kg of DMI), and plasma urea N concentration in the absence of FM but not in the presence of FM in the diet. Neither FM nor NaB influenced (P = .25) wool growth. Total ruminal VFA were increased (P < .06) by FM and NaB. Differences in mineral content of phalanx bone, liver, and kidney were small and may be related to the mineral content of diets and the effect of NaB on mineral solubilities. Similar DMI and ADG of lambs fed FM and NaB separately and in combination suggest that their beneficial effect is not additive.
Paracrine and Autocrine Functions of Neuronal Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in the Central Nervous System*

Recent data have demonstrated that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is expressed by subsets of neurons, coincident with angiogenesis within the developing cerebral cortex. Here we investigate the characteristics of VEGF expression by neurons and test the hypothesis that VEGF may serve both paracrine and autocrine functions in the developing central nervous system. To begin to address these questions, we assayed expression of VEGF and one of its potential receptors, Flk-1 (VEGFR-2), in the embryonic mouse forebrain and embryonic cortical neurons grown in vitro. Both VEGF and Flk-1 are present in subsets of post-mitotic neuronsin vivo and in vitro. Moreover, VEGF levels are up-regulated in neuronal cultures subjected to hypoxia, consistent with our previous results in vivo. While the abundance of Flk-1 is unaffected by hypoxia, the receptor exhibits a higher level of tyrosine phosphorylation, as do downstream signaling kinases, including extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase, p90RSK and STAT3a, demonstrating activation of the VEGF pathway. These same signaling components also exhibited higher tyrosine phosphorylation levels in response to exogenous addition of rVEGFA165. This activation was diminished in the presence of specific inhibitors of Flk-1 function and agents that sequester VEGF, resulting in a dose-dependent increase in apoptosis in these neuronal cultures. Further, inhibition of MEK resulted in increased apoptosis, while inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase had no appreciable affect. In addition to the novel function for VEGF that we describe in neuronal survival, neuronal VEGF also affected the organization and differentiation of brain endothelial cells in a three-dimensional culture paradigm, consistent with its more traditional role as a vascular agent. Thus, our in vitro data support a role for neuronal VEGF in both paracrine and autocrine signaling in the maintenance of neurons and endothelia in the central nervous system.
Interference-aware discovery and optimal uplink scheduling for D2D communication in LTE networks

Device-to-Device (D2D) communication underlaying a cellular infrastructure has recently gained tremendous interest not only by the researchers but also by cellular operators and equipment manufacturers. In this paper, we have introduced a novel D2D communication scheme which can be realized by a D2D discovery mechanism along with a two-phase interference-aware optimal D2D uplink scheduling scheme for Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks. Our proposed scheme is different from the D2D emergency communication use-case being proposed by 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) in (i) reuse of Resource Blocks (RBs) and (ii) network assisted D2D communication, because of which commercial use of the proposed scheme can be made possible. To validate the proposed scheme, we have conducted extensive simulations usingMatlab and emulations in a test-bed created for this purpose. Both simulation and emulation results demonstrate that by allowing D2D communication along with cellular communication, network performance is improved significantly. However, implementing D2D along with the cellular transmissions requires certain changes in the 3GPP standards and should be reflected in the future releases of LTE.
Intratumoral distribution of tritiated-FDG in breast carcinoma: correlation between Glut-1 expression and FDG uptake.

UNLABELLED Increased expression of glucose transporters is frequently associated with transformation and is often found in malignant tumors. To assess the relationship between cellular glucose transporter Glut-1 (brain/erythrocyte) and FDG uptake in malignant tumors we studied the expression of Glut-1 and 3H-FDG uptake in a syngeneic rat mammary cancer (RMC), an animal tumor model that closely mimics human breast carcinoma. METHODS Tumors of 1-9 RMT cell line were grown in female Lewis rats and were studied by immunoperoxidase staining with anti-Glut-1 antibodies, macro- and microautoradiography and densitometry following intravenous injection of 3H-FDG. RESULTS Most of the cancer cells contained Glut-1 positive cytoplasmic granules. Cells with strongly stained cell membrane were mainly observed in areas of intensive intraductal proliferation and high tumor cell density. No staining was observed in necrotic areas, connective tissue stroma or granulation tissue. FDG uptake in areas of high cancer cell density was consistently higher than average tumor uptake. Silver grain counts were 31 +/- 8/0.023 mm2 in regions of viable cancer cells, and were higher as compared to 10 +/-7 counted in necrotic or 8 +/- 8 in connective tissue areas (p = 0.0001). Densitometry of the autoradiograms and of the histochemically stained consecutive sections showed positive correlation between estimates of FDG uptake and the intensity of staining of the Glut-1 antigen (r=0.3-0.6; p=0.0001). CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate significant positive correlation between the expression of the facilitative glucose transporter Glut-1 and FDG accumulation in viable cancer cells in the syngeneic rat breast cancer. They suggest that the regulation of FDG uptake may be mediated by Glut-1 and the heterogeneous expression of Glut-1 and tracer uptake may reflect localized variations in the metabolic conditions.
Experimental analysis of passive intermodulation at TNC coaxial connectors

In this paper, the generation of passive intermodulation at standard TNC coaxial connectors is investigated. A series of tests has been performed in order to analysis the intermodulation level under different temperature circumstances. The relationship between the intermodulation response of the connectors and the change of temperature and straining on the junctions has been studied. It has been found that the passive intermodulation of TNC coaxial connectors was very sensitive to the changes of temperature and straining. High intermodulation should be caused when warming up from the low temperature.
Noncontact Mapping of the Left Ventricle:

It is not clear whether the noncontact electrograms obtained using the EnSite system in the left ventricle resemble most closely endocardial, intramural, or epicardial contact electrograms or a summation of transmural electrograms. This study compared unipolar virtual electrograms from the EnSite system with unipolar contact electrograms from transmural plunge needle electrodes using a 256‐channel mapping system. The study also evaluated the effects of differing activation sites (endocardial, intramural, or epicardial). A grid of 50–60 plunge needles was positioned in the left ventricles of eight male sheep. Each needle had four electrodes to record from the endocardium, two intramural sites, and the epicardium. Correlations between contact and noncontact electrograms were calculated on 32,242 electrograms. Noncontact electrograms correlated equally well in morphology and accuracy of timing with endocardial (0.88 ± 0.15), intramural (0.87 ± 0.15), epicardial (0.88 ± 0.15), and transmural summation contact electrograms (0.89 ± 0.14) during sinus rhythm, endocardial pacing, and epicardial pacing. There was a nonlinear relationship between noncontact electrogram accuracy as measured by correlation with the contact electrogram and distance from the multielectrode array (MEA): beyond 40 mm accuracy decreased rapidly. The accuracy of noncontact electrograms also decreased with increasing distance from the equator of the MEA. Virtual electrograms from noncontact mapping of normal left ventricles probably represent a summation of transmural activation. Noncontact mapping has similar accuracy with either endocardial or epicardial sites of origin of electrical activity provided the MEA is within 40 mm of the recording site. (PACE 2004; 27:570–578)
Decoration of Pasteurella multocida Lipopolysaccharide with Phosphocholine Is Important for Virulence

ABSTRACT Phosphocholine (PCho) is an important substituent of surface structures expressed by a number of bacterial pathogens. Its role in virulence has been investigated in several species, in which it has been shown to play a role in bacterial adhesion to mucosal surfaces, in resistance to antimicrobial peptides, or in sensitivity to complement-mediated killing. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) structure of Pasteurella multocida strain Pm70, whose genome sequence is known, has recently been determined and does not contain PCho. However, LPS structures from the closely related, virulent P. multocida strains VP161 and X-73 were shown to contain PCho on their terminal galactose sugar residues. To determine if PCho was involved in the virulence of P. multocida, we used subtractive hybridization of the VP161 genome against the Pm70 genome to identify a four-gene locus (designated pcgDABC) which we show is required for the addition of the PCho residues to LPS. The proteins predicted to be encoded by pcgABC showed identity to proteins involved in choline uptake, phosphorylation, and nucleotide sugar activation of PCho. We constructed a P. multocida VP161 pcgC mutant and demonstrated that this strain produces LPS that lacks PCho on the terminal galactose residues. This pcgC mutant displayed reduced in vivo growth in a chicken infection model and was more sensitive to the chicken antimicrobial peptide fowlicidin-1 than the wild-type P. multocida strain.
NFκB induces overexpression of bovine FcRn

Among the many functions of the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) for IgG, it binds to IgG-opsonized antigen complexes and propagates their traffic into lysosomes where antigen processing occurs. We previously reported that transgenic (Tg) mice and rabbits that carry multiple copies and overexpress FcRn have augmented humoral immune responses. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NFκB) is a critical molecule in the signaling cascade in the immune response. NFκB induces human FcRn expression and our previous in silico analysis suggested NFκB binding sites in the promoter region of the bovine (b) FcRn α-chain gene (FCGRT). Here, we report the identification of three NFκB transcription binding sites in the promoter region of this gene using luciferase reporter gene technology, electromobility shift assay and supershift analysis. Stimulation of primary bovine endothelial cells with the Toll-like receptor-4 ligand lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which mediates its effect via NFκB, resulted in rapid upregulation of the bFcRn expression and a control gene, bovine E-selectin. This rapid bFcRn gene induction was also observed in the spleen of bFcRn Tg mice treated with intraperitoneally injected LPS, analyzed by northern blot analysis. Finally, NFκB-mediated bFcRn upregulation was confirmed at the protein level in macrophages isolated from the bFcRn Tg mice using flow cytometry with a newly developed FcRn specific monoclonal antibody that does not cross-react with the mouse FcRn. We conclude that NFκB regulates bFcRn expression and thus optimizes its functions, e.g., in the professional antigen presenting cells, and contributes to the much augmented humoral immune response in the bFcRn Tg mice.
THE FUNDAMENTAL PLANE OF DAMPED Lyα SYSTEMS

Using a sample of 100 H i-selected damped Lyα (DLA) systems, observed with the High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer on the Keck I telescope, we present evidence that the scatter in the well-studied correlation between the redshift and metallicity of a DLA is largely due to the existence of a mass–metallicity relationship at each redshift. To describe the fundamental relations that exist between redshift, metallicity, and mass, we use a fundamental plane description, which is described by the following equation: [M/H] = (− 1.9 ± 0.5) + (0.74 ± 0.21) · log Δv90 − (0.32 ± 0.06) · z. Here, we assert that the velocity width, Δv90, which is defined as the velocity interval containing 90% of the integrated optical depth, traces the mass of the underlying dark matter halo. This description provides two significant improvements over the individual descriptions of the mass–metallicity correlation and metallicity–redshift correlation. Firstly, the fundamental equation reduces the scatter around both relationships by about 20%, providing a more stringent constraint on numerical simulations modeling DLAs. Secondly, it confirms that the dark matter halos that host DLAs satisfy a mass–metallicity relationship at each redshift between redshifts 2 through 5.
Angiosperm genome comparisons reveal early polyploidy in the monocot lineage

Although the timing and extent of a whole-genome duplication occurring in the common lineage of most modern cereals are clear, the existence or extent of more ancient genome duplications in cereals and perhaps other monocots has been hinted at, but remain unclear. We present evidence of additional duplication blocks of deeper hierarchy than the pancereal rho (ρ) duplication, covering at least 20% of the cereal transcriptome. These more ancient duplicated regions, herein called σ, are evident in both intragenomic and intergenomic analyses of rice and sorghum. Resolution of such ancient duplication events improves the understanding of the early evolutionary history of monocots and the origins and expansions of gene families. Comparisons of syntenic blocks reveal clear structural similarities in putatively homologous regions of monocots (rice) and eudicots (grapevine). Although the exact timing of the σ-duplication(s) is unclear because of uncertainties of the molecular clock assumption, our data suggest that it occurred early in the monocot lineage after its divergence from the eudicot clade.
The effect of occupational exposure to wasted halothane on liver functions of operating room personnel.

The aims of our study were to determine concentrations of wasted halothane in operating rooms and to investigate the effect of halothane pollution on liver functions of exposed personnel. The studied group included operating room personnel from the clinic of surgery, Novi Sad University Clinical Center. Surgeons were exposed to an average concentration of 29.41 mg/m 3 , anesthesiologists to 34.60 mg/m 3 , instrumenting nurses to 28.62 mg/m 3 and anesthetists to 30.09 mg/m 3 of halothane. Anesthesiologists in 32% of operations were exposed to a concentration higher than the threshold limit value, surgeons in 23%, instumenting nurses in 22% and anesthetists in 18% of operations. Laboratory values of the liver function indicators in the exposed group were significantly worse than in the control group. The results suggest that exposure to wasted halothane may be harmful to the livers of operating room personnel.
The MIG-2/Integrin Interaction Strengthens Cell-Matrix Adhesion and Modulates Cell Motility*

Integrin-mediated cell-matrix adhesion plays an important role in control of cell behavior. We report here that MIG-2, a widely expressed focal adhesion protein, interacts with β1 and β3 integrin cytoplasmic domains. Integrin binding is mediated by a single site within the MIG-2 FERM domain. Functionally, the MIG-2/integrin interaction recruits MIG-2 to focal adhesions. Furthermore, using αIIbβ3 integrin-expressing Chinese hamster ovary cells, a well described model system for integrin activation, we show that MIG-2 promotes integrin activation and enhances cell-extracellular matrix adhesion. Although MIG-2 is expressed in many cell types, it is deficient in certain colon cancer cells. Expression of MIG-2, but not of an integrin binding-defective MIG-2 mutant, in MIG-2-null colon cancer cells strengthened cell-matrix adhesion, promoted focal adhesion formation, and reduced cell motility. These results suggest that the MIG-2/integrin interaction is an important element in the cellular control of integrin-mediated cell-matrix adhesion and that loss of this interaction likely contributes to high motility of colon cancer cells.
Prosody and performance in language production

Language production theories should explain how speakers generate an utterance's sound structure. One critical question is whether prosody and performance effects have different sources in the production system. It is argued that algorithms designed to predict phenomena such as pauses or intonational breaks are problematic because they tend to conflate prosody and planning. In addition, algorithms that have been proposed have not been evaluated systematically enough to allow their strengths and weaknesses to be assessed and compared, and to the extent that the algorithms have been evaluated, it is clear that they are only moderately successful at predicting the dependent measures of interest. Experimental work suggests that prosodic effects are based on prosodic constituency to the left of a potential boundary, and hesitations are due to planning of syntactic and semantic constituents to the right. Thus, any adequate algorithm must distinguish between prosody and performance, prosodic and syntactic-semantic constituency, and planning and execution effects.
The sensor kinase KdpD of Escherichia coli senses external K+

The Kdp system of Escherichia coli is composed of the high‐affinity K+ transporter KdpFABC and the two regulatory proteins KdpD (sensor kinase) and KdpE (response regulator), which constitute a typical two‐component system. The kdpFABC operon is induced under K+‐limiting conditions and, to a lesser extent, under high osmolality in the medium. In search for the stimulus sensed by KdpD, we studied the inhibitory effect of extracellular K+ on the Kdp system at pH 6.0, which is masked by unspecific K+ transport at higher pH values. Based on KdpD derivatives carrying single aspartate replacements in the periplasmic loops which are part of the input domain, we concluded that the inhibition of the Kdp system at extracellular K+ concentrations above 5 mM is mediated via KdpD/KdpE and not due to inhibition of the K+‐transporting KdpFABC complex. Furthermore, time‐course analyses of kdpFABC expression revealed that a decline in the extracellular K+ concentration efficiently stimulates KdpD/KdpE‐mediated signal transduction. In this report we provide evidence that the extracellular K+ concentration serves as one of the stimuli sensed by KdpD.
End-user customization of affective tactile messages: A qualitative examination of tool parameters

Vibrotactile (VT) signals are found today in many everyday electronic devices (e.g., notification of cellphone messages or calls); but it remains a challenge to design engaging, understandable vibrations to accommodate a broad range of preferences. Here, we examine customization as a way to leverage the affective qualities of vibrations and satisfy diverse tastes; specifically, the desirability and composition of VT customization tools for end-users. A review of existing design and customization tools (haptic and otherwise) yielded five parameters in which such tools can vary: 1) size of design space, 2) granularity of control, 3) provided design framework, 4) facilitated parameter(s), and 5) clarity of design alternatives. We varied these parameters within low-fidelity prototypes of three customization tools, modeled in some respects on existing popular examples. Results of a Wizard-of-Oz study confirm users' general interest in customizing everyday VT signals. Although common in consumer devices, choosing from a list of presets was the least preferred, whereas an option allowing users to balance VT design control with convenience was favored. We report users' opinion of the three tools, and link our findings to the five characterizing parameters for customization tools that we have proposed.
Ocena funkcji nerek u osób w podeszłym wieku

Wstep. Określenie funkcji nerek pozwala na wczesną diagnostyke i leczenie przewleklej choroby nerek (PChN). Z wiekiem dochodzi do zmian w nerkach. Wzrasta czestośc wystepowania chorob prowadzących do PChN. W polskiej populacji osob w podeszlym wieku nie porownywano dotąd funkcji nerek z uzyciem roznych wzorow do szacowania przesączania klebuszkowego (GFR). Cel pracy. Porownanie funkcji nerek u osob w podeszlym wieku na podstawie roznych metod do szacowania GFR. Material i metody. Badaniem objeto 234 osoby — 161 kobiet (68,8%) i 73 mezczyzn (31,2%). Średni wiek wynosil 84,36 ± 4,21 lat. Funkcje nerek oszacowano na podstawie wzorow Cockcrofta-Gaulta (CG), Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) oraz Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI). Wyniki. Średnia wartośc GFR wedlug Cockcrofta-Gaulta wynosila 64,93 ml/min/1,73 m2, CKD-EPI — 69,59 ml/min/1,73 m2, MDRD — 82,64 ml/min/1,73 m2. Istotne roznice stwierdzono miedzy wartościami GFR wyliczonymi wedlug MRDR i Cockcrofta-Gaulta (p < 0,001), MRDR i CDK-EPI (p = 0,001); miedzy Cockcrofta-Gaulta i CKD-EPI nie stwierdzono istotnych statystycznie roznic (p = 0,081). GFR < 60 ml/min/1,73 m 2 wedlug Cockcrof ta-Gaulta obserwowano u 111 pacjentow (47,44%), MDRD u 45 pacjentow (19,23%), CKD-EPI u 71 pacjentow (30,34%). GFR < 30 ml/min/1,73 m2 wedlug Cockcrofta-Gaulta obserwowano u 7 pacjentow (3,03%), MRDR u 3 pacjentow, CKD-EPI u 3 pacjentow (1,28%). Wnioski. Stosując rozne metody określania GFR , uzyskuje sie heterogenne wartości. Roznią sie one szczegolnie w przypadku wykorzystania wzoru MDRD.