Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Autologous stem cell transplantation after complete remission and first consolidation in acute myeloid leukemia patients aged 61-70 years: results of the prospective EORTC-GIMEMA AML-13 study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The optimal post-remission treatment for elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is presently unknown. Recent studies have reported the feasibility of autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) in this population. We evaluate the outcome of this post-remission approach after complete remission (CR) and consolidation in elderly patients included in the EORTC-GIMEMA AML-13 trial. DESIGN AND METHODS PBSCT after induction and consolidation chemotherapy was evaluated in patients aged 61 to 70 years with a WHO performance status 0-1. The induction therapy was mitoxantrone, etoposide and cytarabine (MICE) with or without granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) during and/or after chemotherapy. The consolidation therapy consisted of non-infusion or infusional idarubicin, etposide and cytarabine (mini-ICE). RESULTS Sixty-one patients were scheduled for stem cell harvest by leukapheresis after s.c. recombinant human G-CSF administration initiated after hematopoietic recovery from consolidation. Stem cells were effectively harvested from 54 patients. A median of two aphereses (range, 1-5) were performed, resulting in a median collection of 11.7 x 10(8) nucleated cells/kg (range, 2.4-99.8) containing 40.2 x 10(4) CFU-GM/kg (range, 0-786.8), and 5 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg (range, 0.1-99.8). For the whole group of 61 patients, the median disease-free survival (DFS) was 1.0 years and the 3-year DFS rate was 21%, while the median overall survival (OS) was 1.4 years and the 3-year OS rate was 32%. A total of 26 patients could not be autografed due to inadequate/no harvest (21 patients), early relapse (3 patients), or treatment refusal (2 patients). Autologous transplantation was performed in 35 patients following conditioning with the BAVC regimen. The median time for granulocyte recovery >0.5 109 yen/L was 24 days and for platelets >20 x10(9)/L was 23 days following transplantation. After a median follow-up of 5.0 years from transplantation, the median DFS and OS were 1.1 and 1.6 years respectively, and the 3-year rates were 28% and 39% respectively. Eight autografted patients were still in continuous complete remission, 22 patients had relapsed and five had died in CR. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS Intensification of remission including autologous PBSCT is feasible in about half of harvested patients aged 61 to 70 years old, and did not improve the general outcome. This shows the limitations of autologous PBSCT and other intensive treatment modalities in elderly AML patients. Key words: acute myeloid leukemia, elderly, autologous stem cell transplantation.
Listeriolysin O-Induced Membrane Permeation Mediates Persistent Interleukin-6 Production in Caco-2 Cells during Listeria monocytogenes Infection In Vitro

ABSTRACT Listeriolysin O (LLO), a major virulence factor of Listeria monocytogenes, is a member of the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin family and plays important roles not only in survival of this bacterium in phagocytes but also in induction of various cellular responses, including cytokine production. In this work, we examined the involvement of LLO in induction of the cytokine response in intestinal epithelial cells, the front line of host defense against food-borne listeriosis. Infection of Caco-2 cells with wild-type L. monocytogenes induced persistent expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA. In contrast, IL-6 expression was observed only transiently during infection with non-LLO-producing strains. A sublytic dose of recombinant LLO (rLLO) induced the expression of IL-6 via formation of membrane pores. Under conditions of LLO-induced pore formation without extensive cell lysis, Ca2+ influx was observed, and the IL-6 expression induced by rLLO was inhibited by pretreatment with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid tetrakis(acetoxymethyl ester) (BAPTA-AM), an intracellular Ca2+ chelator. LLO secreted by cytoplasmic L. monocytogenes appeared to induce pore formation in the membrane and to enable the trafficking of intracellular and extracellular molecules. Pretreatment with BAPTA-AM inhibited persistent IL-6 expression in Caco-2 cells infected with wild-type L. monocytogenes. These results suggest that LLO is involved in IL-6 production in the late phase of infection through the formation of Ca2+-permeable pores and subsequent Ca2+-dependent modulation of signaling and gene expression.
Use of FT-Raman Spectroscopy to Determine the Degree of Polymerization of Dental Composite Resin Cured with a New Light Source

Objectives To use the FT-Raman spectroscopy for evaluation the degree of polymerization of dental composite as a result of photo curing with a new light source in comparison to the conventional halogen light. Materials and Methods In this study a new light source, based on a metal-halide lamp (TOPSPOT G12) was developed at NRC-Egypt for curing dental composites. Two groups of 108 composite samples each were cured using both the new light source and a conventional halogen source, as a control source. Different samples’ sizes (2x2, 3x3 and 6x3 mm2) were cured for different periods of time (2, 4, 8, 12, 20, and 40 seconds). The spectroscopic data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Duncan’s multiple range test (P< .05). Results The results showed that the samples cured by the new metal-halide source produced higher polymerization rates than those cured by the halogen source. The polymerization rate was directly proportional to the exposure time and inversely proportional to the sample size, irrespective to the light source used. The results also showed that 12 seconds of metal-halide light curing produced polymerization rate comparable to or even higher than that produced by 40 seconds halogen light curing. Conclusions The new light source produced a satisfactory degree of polymerization in a remarkable shorter curing time and it can be recommended for clinical use.
State of the Art of Correlation-Based Models of Project Scheduling Networks

In traditional network critical path method/program evaluation and review technique models for project scheduling, it is assumed that the durations or costs of individual activities are independently distributed. In real situations, however, there may exist correlations between parallel or serial activities; they may be positive or negative, linear, or nonlinear. The purpose of this paper is to examine how the correlations influence uncertain networks of project scheduling, and to summarize emerging research in this area. We review previous approaches modeling correlations or interdependence between activities by classifying them into three broad methodological groups: analytical models, simulation methods, and expert systems. These approaches are compared in terms of methodological approach, basic assumptions, inputs, advantages, limitations, and applications. Some new methods and areas based on complex system theory such as agent-based modeling and simulation (ABMS), system dynamics (SD) modeling, and integrated ABMS-SD modeling are noted as an agenda for analyzing or simulating correlations between activities in project scheduling.
Desulfovibrio senegalensis sp. nov., a mesophilic sulfate reducer isolated from marine sediment.

Several strains of sulfate-reducing bacteria were isolated from marine sediments recovered from Hann Bay (Senegal). All were related to members of the genus Desulfovibrio. A strictly anaerobic, mesophilic and moderately halophilic strain designated BLaC1T was further characterized. Cells of strain BLaC1T stained Gram-negative and were 0.5 µm wide and 2-4 µm long, motile, rod-shaped and non-spore-forming. The four major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. Growth was observed from 15 to 45 °C (optimum 40 °C) and at pH 5.5-8 (optimum pH 7.5). The salinity range for growth was 5-65 g NaCl l-1 (optimum 30 g l-1). Yeast extract was required for growth. Strain BLaC1T was able to grow on lactate and acetate in the presence of sulfate as an electron acceptor. Sulfate, thiosulfate and sulfite could serve as terminal electron acceptors, but not fumarate, nitrate or elemental sulfur. The DNA G+C content was 55.8 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis assigned strain BLaC1T to the family Desulfovibrionaceae; its closest relative was Desulfovibrio oxyclinae DSM 19275T (93.7 % similarity). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons and physiological characteristics, strain BLaC1T is proposed as representing a novel species of Desulfovibrio, with the name Desulfovibrio senegalensis sp. nov. The type strain is BLaC1T (=DSM 101509T=JCM 31063T).
Immunological paralysis induced by brief exposure of cells to protein antigens.

The paralysing effect of brief exposure to antigen has been studied in a system in which cells were exposed and then tested by challenge immunization after transfer into syngeneic unresponsive mice. Bovine and human serum albumins (BSA and HSA) were used chiefly, but lysozyme was also tested. Irradiation and paralysis on their own had drawbacks as methods of procuring unresponsive hosts, and worked best in combination. The response measured in the hosts as antigen binding capacity (ABC) was found to be proportional to the number of reactive cells transferred. Lymph node cells and blood leucocytes proved more active than spleen cells. Cells did not become paralysed immediately upon exposure to high concentrations of antigen; blood leucocytes required approximately 2 hours in vivo exposure, and cells from lymphoid organs approximately 24 hours. The effectiveness of 24 hours exposure depended on antigen dose. Tentative measurements of the time taken for antigen to diffuse through the organs suggested that this delay would not account for the difference in timing between cells of different anatomical origin. Exposure in vitro was not found repeatably effective in inducing paralysis. The conclusion was drawn that paralysis is induced by the direct action of antigen on lymphocytes, but that the cells may undergo some further step of differentiation before induction is complete.
Photocontrol of sorghum leaf phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase : characterization of messenger RNA and of photoreceptor.

The mechanism underlying the light effect on phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) from the C(4) plant sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers., var Tamaran) leaves was investigated. Following exposure to light a new isozyme of PEPC, specific for the green leaf and responsible for primary CO(2) fixation in photosynthesis, was established. Northern blot experiments revealed the presence of PEPC mRNA showing a molecular weight of 3.4 kilobases. During the greening process, concomitant to enzyme activity, PEPC protein and PEPC messenger RNA amounts increased considerably. This photoresponse was shown to be under phytochrome control.
Crystal Structures of the HIV-1 Inhibitory Cyanobacterial Protein MVL Free and Bound to Man3GlcNAc2

The cyanobacterial protein MVL inhibits HIV-1 envelope-mediated cell fusion at nanomolar concentrations by binding to high mannose N-linked carbohydrate on the surface of the envelope glycoprotein gp120. Although a number of other carbohydrate-binding proteins have been shown to inhibit HIV-1 envelope-mediated cell fusion, the specificity of MVL is unique in that its minimal target comprises the Manα(1→6)Manβ(1→4)GlcNAcβ(1→4)GlcNAc tetrasaccharide core of oligomannosides. We have solved the crystal structures of MVL free and bound to the pentasaccharide Man3GlcNAc2 at 1.9- and 1.8-Å resolution, respectively. MVL is a homodimer stabilized by an extensive intermolecular interface between monomers. Each monomer contains two structurally homologous domains with high sequence similarity connected by a short five-amino acid residue linker. Intriguingly, a water-filled channel is observed between the two monomers. Residual dipolar coupling measurements indicate that the structure of the MVL dimer in solution is identical to that in the crystal. Man3GlcNAc2 binds to a preformed cleft at the distal end of each domain such that a total of four independent carbohydrate molecules associate with each homodimer. The binding cleft provides shape complementarity, including the presence of a deep hydrophobic hole that accommodates the N-acetyl methyl at the reducing end of the carbohydrate, and specificity arises from 7-8 intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The structures of MVL and the MVL-Man3GlcNAc2 complex further our understanding of the molecular basis of high affinity and specificity in protein-carbohydrate recognition.
Sphingomyelin, ORAI1 channels, and cellular Ca2+ signaling

An immunologist, asked to connect sphingomyelin and T lymphocyte signaling, would likely think first of the sphingomyelin metabolite sphingosine-1-phosphate. That thought is understandable in light of the rapid progress that has been made in studies of sphingosine-1-phosphate signaling and its role
Turnover of microfilariae in small mammals. 1. Disintegration of microfilariae (Litomosoides sigmodontis) (Filarioidea: Nematoda) after intravenous injection into Sigmodon hispidus, the cotton rat.

After i.v. injection of 833 x 10(3) microfilariae (mf) per animal (150 g) into naive recipient cotton rats, at autopsy 15 min thereafter 30.4% of them could be recovered as a total: 19.1% were proved in the peripheral circulating blood (PCB) completely intact. 6.5% were recovered by perfusion of the lungs, of which 3/5 were associated with adherent macrophages and neutrophils or partly disintegrated. By perfusion of the liver only 3.8% were obtained, in spite of the four times greater volume of blood, of which 2/3 had adherent cells or were partly disintegrated. 0.7% and 0.3% were recovered from kidneys and spleen, respectively. In patent animals with adult worms the permanently delivered mf were distributed as follows: 41.6% were proved in the PCB; by perfusion 19.1% were obtained from the lungs and 32.9% from the liver; the rest of 6.4% were found in kidneys and spleen. In the capillary systems of lungs as well as the liver the proportion of normal mf (1/3), with adherent cells (1/3), partly disintegrated ones (1/5) and fragments (1/20) were quite similar. In long term mf injection experiments using the same dosage the autopsy was done 30 min and 1, 2, 3 and 28 days p. inj. of mf into naive animals. 30 min p.inj. 56% of the mf injected could be recovered as a total: 28.6% were obtained from the PCB, 16.0% from the lungs and 7.1% from the liver as normal mf (no perfusion), the rest of 4.1% from heart muscle, kidneys and spleen. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
More on the acquisition of locative prepositions: an analysis of Hebrew data

ABSTRACT The use of locative prepositions by Hebrew-speaking children aged 2; 0–3; 0, was investigated in a cross-sectional study. Thirty kibbutz children served as subjects. The spontaneous utterances of each child were analyzed and scored for the frequency with which the child supplied obligatory contexts for locative expressions as well as for appropriate use. The findings suggest the following order of acquisition: be- ‘in’; le- ‘to’; le+ pronominal suffixes ‘to’ (dative); al ‘on’; le ‘to’ (directional); mi- ‘from’; al-yad ‘beside’; meaxorey ‘behind’; mitaxat le- ‘under’. The role of formal linguistic complexity in determining that order is discussed. Special reference is made to the contrast between enclitic prefix prepositions and separate word prepositions that express the same locative notions.
BCNU/PLGA microspheres: a promising strategy for the treatment of gliomas in mice.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of BCNU/PLGA microspheres on tumor growth, apoptosis and chemotherapy resistance in a C57BL/6 mice orthotopic brain glioma model using GL261 cell line. METHODS BCNU/PLGA sustained-release microspheres were prepared by the water-in-oil-in-water emulsion technique. GL261 cells were intracranially injected into C57BL/6 mouse by using the stereotactic technology. A total of 60 tumor-bearing mice were randomly and equally divided into three groups: untreated control, PLGA treated, BCNU/PLGA treated. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was taken to evaluate tumor volume. BCNU/PLGA sustained-release wafers were implanted in the treatment group two weeks after inoculation. Survival time and quality were observed. Specimens were harvested, and immunohistochemical staining was used to check the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT). Statistical methods was used for analysis of relevant data. RESULTS BCNU/PLGA sustained-release wafers were fabricated and implanted successfully. There is statistical difference of survival time between the BCNU/PLGA treated group and control groups (P<0.05). MRI scan showed inhibitory effect of BCNU/PLGA on tumor growth. Compared to the group A and B, BCNU/PLGA decreased the expression of apoptosis related gene Bcl-2 (P<0.05), but did not elevate the expression level of Bax (P>0.05), with the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 increased. For MGMT protein expression, no statistically significant change was found in treated group (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Local implantation of BCNU/PLGA microspheres improved the survival quality and time of GL261 glioma-bearing mice significantly, inhibited the tumor proliferation, induced more cell apoptosis, and did not increase the chemotherapy resistance.
Pig to rat cell transplantation: reduced cellular and antibody responses to xenografts overexpressing PD‐L1

Programmed death‐1 (PD‐1) costimulation acts as a negative regulator of T‐cell responses to allografts. However, the role of the PD‐1 pathway in xenotransplantation is not well defined yet. We have shown previously that human in vitro T‐cell responses to porcine transfectants overexpressing PD‐Ligand1 (L23‐PD‐L1 cells) are remarkably weak. In this report, we asked whether the PD‐1/PD‐L1 pathway has the potential to diminish xenogeneic immune responses also in vivo.
A chimeric EGF‐R‐neu proto‐oncogene allows EGF to regulate neu tyrosine kinase and cell transformation.

The neu oncogene, characterized by Weinberg and colleagues, is a transforming gene found in ethylnitrosourea‐induced rat neuro/glioblastomas; its human proto‐oncogene homologue has been termed erbB2 or HER2 because of its close homology with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF‐R) gene (c‐erbB1). Expression of the rat neu oncogene is sufficient for transformation of mouse NIH 3T3 fibroblasts in culture and for the development of mammary carcinomas in transgenic mice, but the neu proto‐oncogene has not been associated with cell transformation. We constructed a vector for expression of a chimeric cDNA and hybrid protein consisting of the EGF‐R extracellular, transmembrane and protein kinase C‐substrate domains linked to the intracellular tyrosine kinase and carboxyl terminal domain of the rat neu cDNA. Upon transfection with the construct, NIH 3T3 cells gave rise to EGF‐R antigen‐positive cell clones with varying amounts of specific EGF binding. Immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation using neu‐ and EGF‐receptor specific antibodies demonstrated a correctly oriented and positioned chimeric EGF‐R‐neu protein of the expected apparent mol. wt on the surface of these cells. EGF or TGF alpha induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the chimeric receptor protein, stimulated DNA synthesis of EGF‐R‐neu expressing cells and led to a transformed cell morphology and growth in soft agar. In contrast, the neu proto‐oncogene did not show kinase activity or transforming properties when expressed at similar levels in NIH 3T3 cells. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Analysis of the Parameters of Symmetrical Multi - Fed Full - Wave Dipole Antenna

This paper demonstrates the analysis of the parameters of symmetrical full-wave dipole antenna based on multi – fed techniques. The current distributions were measured, followed by the measurement of parameters of antenna like gain, radiation patterns and input impedance. Based on these observations four equations for current distribution were eventually formulated. These equations were then used to compute the values of the same parameters of the antenna. Finally, the values of parameters obtained practically and theoretically were compared to analyse the validity of the developed equation.
DETECTION OF MOVING TARGET IN WIDEBAND SAR USING FAST TIME BACKPROJECTION PROCESSING

ABSTRACT A likelihood ratio test is proposed for moving target detection in an ultra wide frequency band and wide antenna beam (wide band) SAR system. The developed method combines time domain fast backprojection SAR processing methods with moving target detection. It saves computational load when all relative speeds can be tested using the same clutter suppressed sub-aperture beams. The proposed method is tested on narrow band radar data.
Functional status in 5 to 7-year-old children with Down syndrome in relation to motor ability and performance mental ability

Purpose. To examine the contribution of motor ability and ‘performance’ mental ability on functional skills in children with Down syndrome (DS). Method. A structural equation modelling approach was used to test the relation between motor ability, performance mental ability and functional status. Functional status was assessed with the Pediatric Evaluation Disability Inventory (PEDI), motor ability with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC), and performance mental ability was assessed with the Gross-Form Board (GFB). Sixty-five children with DS, selected by the Dutch Down Syndrome Foundation, were asked to participate in the study. Data were analysed with the programme AMOS using the Bollen-Stine bootstrap method. Chi2 and NFI index were used as goodness-of-fit indices. Results. The fit of the model was good (χ2 4 = 1.35, p = 0.85; and NFI = 0.99). ‘Functional status’ explained 70% of the variance in the model. Standardized regression weights indicated that motor ability was a far better predictor of functional status of children with DS than performance mental ability (0.96 vs. 0.17). Conclusions. Limitations in functional activities of 5 to 7-year-old children with Down syndrome seem to be more related to the level of motor ability than to the level of performance mental ability.
Dynamic sliding mode control of four dimensional hyperchaotic systems using LMI

The paper deals with the dynamic sliding mode control of four dimensional hyperchaotic systems. Only one control input has been used and moreover the controller is a simple sliding mode controller. Here it is shown that this simple control law suffices to stabilize the hyper-chaotic system to the zero equilibrium globally and asymptotically. Chattering has been successfully reduced by dynamic sliding surface and reaching law. The dynamic sliding surface is also used to improve the performance in sliding mode. The parameters of the sliding surface are obtained using linear matrix inequality (LMI). The simulation for hyperchaotic Xu and Qi system has been done using MATLAB.
Human Object Detection by HoG, HoB, HoC and BO Features

Human object detection in image or video is always a challenge in computer vision which is hurdle in development of automatic cars and robots since machine till now is not able to categorize the object on its own. We have discussed the issues in human object detection algorithms in this paper and suggested a new feature extraction approach with SVM classifier. We have cascaded a new features set using four different features which provides color, edge, bar information along with minimization of false detection. These are HoG, HoC, HoB and BO respectively. With these features set we are able to get a good accuracy rate then previous work.