Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interleukin 4 down‐regulates the expression of CD14 in normal human monocytes

Recombinant interleukin 4 (IL 4) down‐regulates the expression of CD 14 on normal human monocytes, as assessed by flow cytometry, binding assays with radiolabeled anti‐CD 14 monoclonal antibody (mAb), and immunoprecipitation of 125I‐labeled monocytes with anti‐CD14 mAb. In parallel, CD23 expression on monocytes was strongly increased by IL4 stimulation, as assessed by both flow cytometry and immunoprecipitation. Down‐regulation of surface CD14 was first detectable after 24–36 h of incubation with rIL 4, and was almost complete after 4 days of culture. None of the other recombinant lymphokines tested (IL 1, IL 2, IL 3, IL 5, IL 6, interferon‐γ, tumor necrosis factor α and β, granulocytemacrophage colony‐stimulating factor) decreased CD14 expression. Metabolic labeling studies with [35S]methionine showed that both the membrane‐associated and the soluble form of CD 14 are decreased by IL 4 stimulation. Northern blot analysis showed that incubation of monocytes with IL 4 induced a marked decrease in CD 14 mRNA. Nuclear run‐off assays revealed that the IL 4‐dependent down‐regulation of CD 14 resulted from decreased transcription. Thus, IL 4 exerts specific and opposite effects on the expression of monocytic antigens.
Projecting heat-related mortality impacts under a changing climate in the New York City region.

OBJECTIVES We sought to project future impacts of climate change on summer heat-related premature deaths in the New York City metropolitan region. METHODS Current and future climates were simulated over the northeastern United States with a global-to-regional climate modeling system. Summer heat-related premature deaths in the 1990s and 2050s were estimated by using a range of scenarios and approaches to modeling acclimatization (e.g., increased use of air conditioning, gradual physiological adaptation). RESULTS Projected regional increases in heat-related premature mortality by the 2050s ranged from 47% to 95%, with a mean 70% increase compared with the 1990s. Acclimatization effects reduced regional increases in summer heat-related premature mortality by about 25%. Local impacts varied considerably across the region, with urban counties showing greater numbers of deaths and smaller percentage increases than less-urbanized counties. CONCLUSIONS Although considerable uncertainty exists in climate forecasts and future health vulnerability, the range of projections we developed suggests that by midcentury, acclimatization may not completely mitigate the effects of climate change in the New York City metropolitan region, which would result in an overall net increase in heat-related premature mortality.
Molecular Analysis and Clinical Significance of Lactobacillus spp. Recovered from Clinical Specimens Presumptively Associated with Disease

ABSTRACT Lactobacillus spp. are part of the normal human flora and are generally assumed to be nonpathogenic. We determined the genotypic identification of >100 Lactobacillus isolates from clinical specimens in the context of presumed pathogenic potential (e.g., recovered as the single/predominant isolate from a sterile site or at ≥105 CFU/ml from urine). This study assessed the clinical significance and the frequency of occurrence of each Lactobacillus sp. We identified 16 species of Lactobacillus by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, 10 of which could not be associated with disease. While Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Lactobacillus paracasei were associated with infections, L. gasseri was also a common colonizing/contaminating species. Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus johnsonii, and Lactobacillus delbrueckii were associated with at least one infection. Species commonly used in probiotic products (e.g., L. rhamnosus and L. casei) were identical, by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, to our isolates associated with disease. Human isolates of Lactobacillus spp. have differing site associations and levels of clinical significance. Knowing the niche and pathogenic potential of each Lactobacillus sp. can be of importance to both clinical microbiology and the food and probiotic supplement industry.
Ephrin signaling in vivo: Look both ways

Eph receptors and ephrins have captured the interest of the developmental biology community in recent years for their pleiotropic functions during embryogenesis. Loss‐of‐function studies using various animal models have demonstrated the involvement of Ephs and ephrins in many aspects of embryogenesis including segmentation, neural crest cells migration, angiogenesis, and axon guidance. An essential property of this signaling pathway is the ability of both Ephs and ephrins to behave as receptors or ligands and their consequent cell autonomous and nonautonomous mode of action. While many reports did not discriminate between Eph autonomous signaling (forward) and ephrin autonomous signaling (reverse), recent genetic and in vivo studies have shown that both forward and reverse signaling play important roles during embryogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 232:1–10, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Preclinical and Clinical Development of a Multi-Envelope, DNA-Virus-Protein (D-V-P) HIV-1 Vaccine

The human immune system has evolved to recognize antigenic diversity, a strength that has been harnessed by vaccine developers to combat numerous pathogens (e.g., pneumococcus, influenza virus, rotavirus). In each case, vaccine cocktails were formulated to include antigenic variants of the target. To combat HIV-1 diversity, we assembled a cocktail vaccine comprising dozens of envelopes, delivered as recombinant DNA, vaccinia virus, and protein for testing in a clinical trial. One vaccinee has now completed vaccinations with no serious adverse events. Preliminary analyses demonstrate early proof-of-principle that a multi-envelope vaccine can elicit neutralizing antibody responses toward heterologous HIV-1 in humans.
Cloning of a Surface Membrane Glycoprotein Specific for the Infective Form of Trypanosoma cruzi Having Adhesive Properties to Laminin*

Trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi express a set of surface glycoproteins known, collectively, as Tc-85. A monoclonal antibody to these proteins, named H1A10, inhibits (50–90%) in vitro parasite interiorization into host cells, thus implicating these glycoproteins in the infection process. Two DNA inserts, a genomic DNA fragment and a full-length cDNA encoding the H1A10 epitope, have now been cloned and characterized. Results show that both have high sequence identity with all reported members of the gp85/trans-sialidase gene family, although the H1A10 epitope exists only in the Tc-85 subset of the family. The epitope has been mapped by competition of antibody binding to a Tc-85 recombinant protein with peptides having sequences predicted by the Tc-85 DNA sequence, which contains also putativeN-glycosylation sites and COOH-terminal glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor insertion sites, as expected, since an N-glycan chain and a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor have been characterized previously in the Tc-85 subset. The protein encoded by the full-length cDNA insert binds to cells and in vitro to laminin, but not to gelatin or fibronectin, in a saturable manner. For the first time it was possible to assign a defined ligand to a sequenced glycoprotein belonging to the gp85 family. This fact, together with the reported binding of family members to cell surfaces, reinforces the hypothesis that this family encodes glycoproteins with similar sequences but differing enough as to bind to different ligands and thus forming a family of adhesion glycoproteins enabling the parasite to overcome the barriers interposed by cell membranes, extracellular matrices, and basal laminae.
Endothelin induced contractility of stellate cells from normal and cirrhotic rat liver: implications for regulation of portal pressure and resistance

Hepatic stellate cells are similar to tissue pericytes and have been shown to be contractile. In this study, we examined the effects of known mediators of stellate cell contraction on portal pressure in rat livers after carbon tetrachloride induced injury (including cirrhosis) and investigated the contractility of stellate cells as a function of liver injury. Sarafotoxin S6C, an endothelin B (ETB) receptor agonist, had minor effects on portal pressure when perfused into normal livers at concentrations known to elicit stellate cell contraction (2 nmol/L). In contrast, both endothelin‐1 (2 nmol/L) and angiotensin II (8.6 nmol/L) caused a rapid and pronounced rise in portal pressure. The effects of sarafotoxin S6C (a potent stellate cell contractile agonist) on portal pressure were greater in cirrhotic than normal liver, whereas those of angiotensin II were unchanged after liver injury. Endothelin‐1 and sarafotoxin S6C induced contractility of stellate cells increased in proportion to the degree of liver injury. Contractility was greatest for stellate cells isolated from cirrhotic livers, a population of cells that displayed the most activated phenotype, as measured by immunoblot of smooth muscle alpha actin. Autoradiography of cirrhotic livers after perfusion with 125I‐endothelin‐1 revealed binding to cells in both sinusoidal spaces and collagenous fibrotic bands, consistent with known locations of stellate cells. Finally, the mixed endothelin‐A (ETA) and ETB receptor antagonist, bosentan, reduced portal pressure in portal hypertensive animals, consistent with its inhibitory effect on stellate cell contraction. We conclude that stellate cell contractility increases with progressive liver injury and is proportional to the degree of stellate cell activation, becoming most prominent in the cirrhotic liver. Endothelin‐stimulated contraction of stellate cells in cirrhotic liver may contribute to increased intrahepatic resistance and portal pressure.
Molecular Pathophysiology of Myofiber Injury in Deficiencies of the Dystrophin-Glycoprotein Complex

Petrof BJ: Molecular pathophysiology of myofiber injury in deficiencies of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2002;81(Suppl):S162–S174.Duchenne muscular dystrophy is caused by mutations in the gene encoding dystrophin, a 427 kd protein normally found at the cytoplasmic face of the sarcolemma. In normal muscle, dystrophin is associated with a multimolecular glycoprotein complex. Primary mutations in the genes encoding members of this glycoprotein complex are also associated with muscular dystrophy. The dystrophin-glycoprotein complex provides a physical linkage between the internal cytoskeleton of myofibers and the extracellular matrix, but the precise functions of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex remain uncertain. In this review, five potential pathogenetic mechanisms implicated in the initiation of myofiber injury in dystrophin-glycoprotein complex deficiencies are discussed: (1) mechanical weakening of the sarcolemma, (2) inappropriate calcium influx, (3) aberrant cell signaling, (4) increased oxidative stress, and (5) recurrent muscle ischemia. Particular emphasis is placed on the multifunctional nature of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex and the fact that the above mechanisms are in no way mutually exclusive and may interact with one another to a significant degree.
Gender, age, smoking behaviour and plasma clozapine concentrations in 193 Chinese inpatients with schizophrenia.

AIM To study the relationship between age, gender, cigarette smoking and plasma concentrations of clozapine (CLZ) and its metabolite, norclozapine (NCLZ) in Chinese patients with schizophrenia. METHODS Data from a therapeutic drug monitoring programme were analysed retrospectively. One hundred and ninety-three Chinese inpatients with schizophrenia were assessed using clinical data forms. Steady-state plasma concentrations of CLZ and NCLZ were assayed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Comparisons of dosage and plasma CLZ concentrations were undertaken between males (n = 116) and females (n = 77), younger (<or=40 years, n = 82) and older patients (>40 years, n = 111) and current male smokers (n = 50) and nonsmokers (n = 66). RESULTS (i) Plasma CLZ concentrations demonstrated large interindividual variability, up to eightfold at a given dose; (ii) there were significant effects of gender on plasma CLZ concentrations (relative to dose per kg of body weight) with female patients having significantly higher concentrations than males (30.09 +/- 24.86 vs. 19.87 +/- 3.55 ng ml(-1) mg(-1) day(-1) kg(-1); P < 0.001); (iii) there were no significant differences in plasma CLZ concentrations between those patients <or=40 years old and those >40 years; and (iv) there were no significant differences in plasma CLZ concentrations between male smokers and nonsmokers, despite the CLZ dosage for smokers being significantly higher. CONCLUSIONS Plasma CLZ concentrations vary up to eightfold in Chinese patients. Among the patient-related factors investigated, only gender was significant in affecting CLZ concentrations in Chinese patients with schizophrenia, with female patients having higher levels.
The Radioprotective Effect of Vitamins C, E and Vitamin E + Glutathione on the Small Intestine and the Thyroid Gland in Rats Irradiated with X- Rays

This investigation was carried out in order to determine the protective effects of long term administration at supraphysiologi- cal doses of vitamin E, vitamin C and a compound of vitamin E + glutathione against damage induced by free radicals produced by ionizing radiation. Five groups of 8-10-week-old Wistar albino rats were used in the study. Group I was the sham group and Group II was the radiation group (i.e. radiation alone). The rats in Group III were given a daily dose of 400 mg/kg of vit. C for one month. The rats in Group IV were given a daily dose of vit. E for one month. The rats in Group V received a mix- ture of 400 mg/kg vit. E plus 1000 mg/kg of glutathione per day for 15 days. All the com- pounds were administered via a nasogastric tube. At the end of the drug administration period, the rats in all but the sham group were exposed to X-ray with an radiation ener- gy dose of 8.90 Gy. All the rats were sacri- ficed 1 day after irradiation. Thyroid and intestinal tissues were examined for histopathological changes and T3, T4, TSH hormone levels were determined by radioim- munoassay (RIA). The radiation damage observed in the thy- roidal and intestinal cross-sections of the Group II rats was also seen to a lesser extent in the Group III (vit. C group) and Group IV (vit. E) rats. Toxic effects were observed in the Group V (vit. E + glutathione) rats. Sig- nificant T3 and TSH level changes (p<0.001; p<0.01) were observed in the Group II rats (radiation alone) and the levels of these hor- mones appeared to be partly affected in the rats in Group III (vit. C group) and Group V (vit. E + glutathione), albeit insignificantly
Low Concentrations of Mupirocin in the Pharynx following Intranasal Application May Contribute to Mupirocin Resistance in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT We describe a patient with methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonizing the pharynx. The MIC of mupirocin was 0.25 μg/ml before treatment and increased after treatment to 8 μg/ml. Using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, we confirmed that the genotypes of MRSA that colonized the pharynx before and after the use of mupirocin were identical. We measured the delivery of mupirocin to the pharynx in three normal volunteers and two patients. Low concentrations of mupirocin were present in the pharynx in all cases 10 min to 3 days after intranasal application. Our data suggested that low concentrations of the drug in the pharynx after intranasal application of mupirocin ointment might explain the selection of mupirocin resistance in MRSA.
Diagnosis and Treatment of the Inhalation Injuries : Review of the Literature İnhalasyon Yaralanmalarının Tanı ve Tedavisi : Literatürün Gözden Geçirilmesi

Burn patients are one of the most challenging patient profiles at medical literature. At indoor enviroment, inhalation injury adds to the accompanying skin injury and increases the morbidity and mortality. The management of the smoke injury is difficult and complex issue for medical teams. It requires a multidisciplinary work from anesthesiologists to surgeons as inhalation injury affects whole body systems, from respiratory to cardiovascular and neurologic systems. Accordingly, the treatment of burn patients with inhalation injury is different from simple skin burn victims. Early diagnosis and treatment of inhalation injury is mandatory as it can be life saving. Therefore, markers of inhalation injury should be known by emergency sevice workers and the treatment should be started immediately after the admission of the patient. In this rewiev, we collected the medical literature about inhalation injury to create a guide for the diagnosis and the treatment of this pathology. ÖZET Yanık hastaları tıp literatüründe en karmaşık hasta profillerinden biri olmuştur. Kapalı ortamlarda cilt yanığına eklenen inhalasyon yaralanması morbidite ve mortaliteyi arttırmaktadır. Duman yaralanmasının denetimi medikal takım için zorlu ve kompleks bir konudur. Bu, anestezi uzmanından cerrahına kadar multidisipliner bir iştir. Çünkü, inhalasyon yaralanması solunum sisteminden kardiyovasküler ve nörolojik sisteme kadar tüm vücudu etkilemektedir. Ayrıca inhalasyon yaralanmalı yanık hastalarının tedavisi de basit deri yanıklı kurbanların tedavilerinden farklıdır. İnhalasyon yaralanmalı hastada erken teşhis ve tedavi önemlidir. Bu nedenle inhalasyon hasarının belirteçleri acil servis çalışanları tarafından bilinmeli ve hastanın başvurusu anında tedavi başlatılmalıdır. Bu derlemede, patolojinin denetimi ve tedavisi için bir kılavuz oluşturmak için inhalasyon yaralanmasıyla ilgili literatürü topladık.
Steam Temperature Prediction Control for Thermal Power Plant

An advanced control method using a microprocessor is developed for boiler steam temperature control of thermal power plants. A process dynamics model with the Kalman filter in the controller is presented which describes the dynamic plant behavior. Using the model, future changes in steam temperature are predicted and the fuel flow rate compensated accordingly. The model is also used to adjust the control parameters, i.e. proportional and integral gains, to provide values which ensure stable system control.
Quelques méthodes de filtrage en Traitement d'Image

Nous presentons quelques methodes "de base" en filtrage des images numeriques. Un bref apercu du filtrage unidimensionnel est donne puis les techniques lineaires et non lineaires sont abordees. Nous terminons par une ouverture sur les methodes variationnelles tres utilisees actuellement pour la deconvolution et la restauration des images.
The simulation and design of PSFB ZVS DC-DC converter based on Saber

Firstly, the operation principles of a conventional phase-shifted full-bridge (PSFB) zero voltage switching (ZVS) DC-DC converter is briefly introduced. PI control strategy used in voltage loop and current loop is also presented. Secondly, a corresponding simulation model of PSFB based on Saber is built up. The simulation results show a constant output voltage. Phase-shifted and ZVS state have been realized in the simulation results, which verifies the effectiveness of the control system. Finally, the test results of a Prototype based on UCD3138 are also demonstrated in the text.
Edinburgh Research Explorer Achievable Rate Performance of TDD Multi-cell Massive MIMO with Non-Orthogonal Pilots

—Massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) is a promising technology that provides high system capacity, and with excellent performance in energy efﬁciency and system robustness. However, pilot contamination restricts the system performance due to the limited length of orthogonal training sequences. In this paper, we propose optimization of non-orthogonal pilots for uplink training. The Grassmannian line packing method is applied in the design of pilots that leads to maximum chordal distances between training sequences which reduces pilot contamination. The analytical expression of the user equipments (UEs) signal-to-intereference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) in multi-cell massive MIMO system and the analytical SINR of UEs in Grassmannian manifold are presented. Simulation results show shown that non-orthogonal pilot sequences with the Grassmainn line packing method yield signiﬁcant improvements of the system capacity.
Constraining future terrestrial carbon cycle projections using observation‐based water and carbon flux estimates

The terrestrial biosphere is currently acting as a sink for about a third of the total anthropogenic CO2 emissions. However, the future fate of this sink in the coming decades is very uncertain, as current earth system models (ESMs) simulate diverging responses of the terrestrial carbon cycle to upcoming climate change. Here, we use observation‐based constraints of water and carbon fluxes to reduce uncertainties in the projected terrestrial carbon cycle response derived from simulations of ESMs conducted as part of the 5th phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). We find in the ESMs a clear linear relationship between present‐day evapotranspiration (ET) and gross primary productivity (GPP), as well as between these present‐day fluxes and projected changes in GPP, thus providing an emergent constraint on projected GPP. Constraining the ESMs based on their ability to simulate present‐day ET and GPP leads to a substantial decrease in the projected GPP and to a ca. 50% reduction in the associated model spread in GPP by the end of the century. Given the strong correlation between projected changes in GPP and in NBP in the ESMs, applying the constraints on net biome productivity (NBP) reduces the model spread in the projected land sink by more than 30% by 2100. Moreover, the projected decline in the land sink is at least doubled in the constrained ensembles and the probability that the terrestrial biosphere is turned into a net carbon source by the end of the century is strongly increased. This indicates that the decline in the future land carbon uptake might be stronger than previously thought, which would have important implications for the rate of increase in the atmospheric CO2 concentration and for future climate change.
A Novel Protein Interacts with the Werner's Syndrome Gene Product Physically and Functionally*

Werner's syndrome (WS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by premature aging. The gene responsible for WS encodes a protein homologous to Escherichia coli RecQ. Here we describe a novel Wernerhelicase interacting protein (WHIP), which interacts with the N-terminal portion of Werner protein (WRN), containing the exonuclease domain. WHIP, which shows homology to replication factor C family proteins, is conserved from E. coli to human. Ectopically expressed WHIP and WRN co-localized in granular structures in the nucleus. The functional relationship between WHIP and WRN was indicated by genetic analysis of yeast cells. Disruptants of the SGS1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is the WRN homologue in yeast, show an accelerated aging phenotype and high sensitivity to methyl methanesulfonate as compared with wild-type cells. Disruption of the yeast WHIP (yWHIP) gene in wild-type cells andsgs1 disruptants resulted in slightly accelerated aging and enhancement of the premature aging phenotype of sgs1disruptants, respectively. In contrast, disruption of theyWHIP gene partially alleviated the sensitivity to methyl methanesulfonate of sgs1 disruptants.