Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Calcium regulation in individual peripheral sensory nerve terminals of the rat

Ca2+ is vital for release of neurotransmitters and trophic factors from peripheral sensory nerve terminals (PSNTs), yet Ca2+ regulation in PSNTs remains unexplored. To elucidate the Ca2+ regulatory mechanisms in PSNTs, we determined the effects of a panel of pharmacological agents on electrically evoked Ca2+ transients in rat corneal nerve terminals (CNTs) in vitro that had been loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, Oregon Green 488 BAPTA‐1 dextran or fura‐2 dextran in vivo. Inhibition of the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase, disruption of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, or inhibition of the Na+–Ca2+ exchanger did not measurably alter the amplitude or decay kinetics of the electrically evoked Ca2+ transients in CNTs. By contrast, inhibition of the plasma membrane Ca2+‐ATPase (PMCA) by increasing the pH slowed the decay of the Ca2+ transient by 2‐fold. Surprisingly, the energy for ion transport across the plasma membrane of CNTs is predominantly from glycolysis rather than mitochondrial respiration, as evidenced by the observation that Ca2+ transients were suppressed by iodoacetate but unaffected by mitochondrial inhibitors. These observations indicate that, following electrical activity, the PMCA is the predominant mechanism of Ca2+ clearance from the cytosol of CNTs and glycolysis is the predominant source of energy.
Risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection in United States blood donors

Injection drug use (IDU) is a known risk factor for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, but the strength of other parenteral and sexual risk factors is unclear. In 1997, we performed a case‐control study of 2,316 HCV‐seropositive blood donors and 2,316 seronegative donors matched on age, sex, race/ethnicity, blood center, and first‐time versus repeat‐donor status. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using conditional logistic regression. Questionnaires were returned by 758 (33%) HCV+ and 1,039 (45%) control subjects (P = .001). The final multivariate model included only the following independent HCV risk factors: IDU (OR = 49.6; 95% CI: 20.3‐121.1), blood transfusion in non‐IDU (OR = 10.9; 95% CI: 6.5‐18.2), sex with an IDU (OR = 6.3; 95% CI: 3.3‐12.0), having been in jail more than 3 days (OR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.3‐6.6), religious scarification (OR = 2.8; 95% CI: 1.2‐7.0), having been stuck or cut with a bloody object (OR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.1‐4.1), pierced ears or body parts (OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.1‐3.7), and immunoglobulin injection (OR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.0‐2.6). Although drug inhalation and a high number of lifetime sex partners were significantly more common among HCV seropositives, they were not associated with HCV after controlling for IDU and other risk factors. IDU, blood transfusion among non‐IDU, and sex with an IDU are strong risk factors for HCV among United States blood donors. Weaker associations with incarceration, religious scarification, being stuck or cut with a bloody object, pierced ears or body parts, and immunoglobulin injection must be interpreted with caution.
Randomized trial to assess the impact of venlafaxine and soy protein on hot flashes and quality of life in men with prostate cancer.

PURPOSE Hot flashes occur in approximately 80% of androgen-deprived men. Few intervention studies have been conducted to relieve hot flashes in men. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eligible androgen-deprived men were randomly assigned to one of four daily regimens (2 × 2 factorial design) for 12 weeks: milk protein powder and placebo pill, venlafaxine and milk protein powder, soy protein powder and placebo pill, or venlafaxine and soy protein powder. The primary end point was hot flash symptom severity score (HFSSS), defined as number of hot flashes times severity. The secondary end point was quality of life (QoL), assessed by using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate. RESULTS In all, 120 men age 46 to 91 years participated. Most were white (78%) and overweight or obese (83%). Toxicity was minimal. Neither venlafaxine nor soy protein alone or in combination had a significant effect on HFSSS. Soy protein, but not venlafaxine, improved measures of QoL. CONCLUSION In androgen-deprived men, neither venlafaxine nor soy proved effective in reducing hot flashes. Interventions that appear effective for decreasing hot flashes in women may not always turn out to be effective in men.
325 GHz Single Layer Sub-Millimeter Wave FSS Based Split Slot Ring Linear to Circular Polarization Convertor

A single layer, frequency selective surface based, sub-millimeter wave transmission polarizer is presented that converts incident slant linear 45° polarization into circular polarization upon transmission. The polarization convertor consists of a 30 mm diameter 10 thick silicon reinforced metalized screen containing 2700 resonator cells and perforated with nested split ring slot apertures. The screen was designed and optimized using CST Microwave Studio and predictions were validated experimentally by transmission measurements over the 250-365 GHz frequency range. This frequency range is used for remote environmental monitoring and 325 GHz represents a molecular emission line for H2O. The results obtained show good agreement between measured and modeled predictions. The measured 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth was 11.75%, measured minimum Axial Ratio was 0.19 dB and the measured insertion loss of the single layer screen was 3.38 dB.
Frequent wheeze at follow up of very preterm infants: which factors are predictive?

Objective: To determine if chest radiograph appearance at 28 days or 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) can predict recurrent wheeze or cough at follow up in prematurely born infants more effectively than readily available clinical data. Design: Chest radiographs of infants entered into the UKOS trial, who had had a chest radiograph at 28 days and 36 weeks PMA and completed six months of follow up, were assessed for the presence of fibrosis, interstitial shadows, cystic elements, and hyperinflation. At 6 months of corrected age, the occurrence and frequency of wheeze and cough since discharge were determined using a symptom questionnaire. Patients: A total of 185 infants with a median gestational age of 26 (range 23–28) weeks. Results: Thirty seven infants wheezed more than once a week, compared with the rest of the cohort. These infants had significantly higher chest radiograph scores at 28 days (p = 0.020) and 36 weeks PMA (p = 0.005), with significantly higher scores at 28 days for fibrosis (p = 0.017) and at 36 weeks PMA for fibrosis (p = 0.001) and cystic elements (p = 0.0007). They had also been ventilated for longer (p = 0.013). Forty four infants coughed more than once a week; they did not differ significantly from the rest of the cohort. An abnormal chest radiograph score at 36 weeks PMA had the largest area under the receiver operator characteristic curve with regard to prediction of frequent wheeze. Conclusion: An abnormal chest radiograph appearance at 36 weeks PMA predicts frequent wheeze at follow up and appears to be a better predictor than readily available clinical data.
Disruption of muREC2/RAD51L1 in Mice Results in Early Embryonic Lethality Which Can Be Partially Rescued in a p53−/− Background

ABSTRACT muREC2/RAD51L1 is a radiation-inducible gene that regulates cell cycle progression. To elucidate the biological function of muREC2/RAD51L1, the gene was disrupted in embryonic stem cells by homologous recombination. Mice heterozygous formuREC2/RAD51L1 appear normal and fertile; however, no homozygous pups were born after interbreeding of heterozygous mice. Timed pregnancy studies showed that homozygous mutant embryos were severely retarded in growth as early as ca. 5 days gestation (E5.5) and were completely resorbed by E8.5. Mutant blastocyst outgrowth was also severely impaired in a double-knockout embryo, but embryonic development did progress further in a p53-null background. These results suggest that muREC2/RAD51L1 plays a role in cell proliferation and early embryonic development, perhaps through interaction with p53.
Effective depletion of alloreactive lymphocytes from peripheral blood mononuclear cell preparations.

BACKGROUND T cells present in an allogeneic bone marrow transplant may produce graft-versus-host disease but also contribute to immune reconstitution and enhance engraftment. Our aim was to separate alloreactive from nonalloreactive T lymphocytes, by performing a mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) stimulation of donor cells, followed by selective depletion of activated cells expressing the high-affinity interleukin 2 receptor. We then characterized the resulting depleted cell fraction. METHODS Donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cocultured with irradiated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HLA-nonidentical recipient stimulators in an MLC. After 3 days, CD25+ lymphocytes (alloreactive cells expressing the alpha chain of the interleukin 2 receptor) were removed by immunomagnetic separation. The depleted donor fraction and untreated cells were then rechallenged in a secondary MLC with the original irradiated stimulator cells or a third party to assess relative alloreactivity. RESULTS Inhibition of the secondary MLC and of host-specific cytotoxic activities was observed as well as a disappearance of interleukin 2 receptor-positive cells. Alloreactivity against unrelated third-party cells was preserved. Limiting dilution analysis of residual alloantigen-reactive T lymphocytes demonstrated a 1.3 log reduction of antihost reactivity. The depletion largely removed host-specific alloreactive CD4+ cells. CONCLUSIONS This method reduces alloreactivity while retaining reactivity against third-party targets. This approach may allow therapeutic infusion of T cells after HLA-nonidentical allografts with a reduced capacity to produce graft-versus-host disease.
Nutrition-Related Diseases and Dietary Change among Third World Immigrants in Northern Europe

Immigrants from the third world are more prone to acquire nutritional deficiency diseases, such as rickets, osteomalacia and iron deficiency anemia than the rest of the population in the recipient countries. Lately, evidence is also emerging that some immigrant groups are particularly susceptible to diseases related to overputrition, such as coronary heart disease and non-insulin dependent diabetes. The purpose of this review article is to give a holistic view of the nutrition related diseases and disorders among immigrants. It deals with the prevalence of these diseases among immigrants in Northern European countries, and looks into some of the hypotheses, which have been put forward to explain why immigrant groups are more prone to acquire these diseases than the rest of the population. The focus of this part of the paper is the process of dietary change after migration. The practical implications of the findings from the literature review are then discussed.
Project in robotics at The Copenhagen University College of Engineering

In this paper we present the development process of the small, autonomous mobile robot. The development of the robot is the main part of the interdisciplinary undergraduate course (4/sup th/ semester, 20 ECTS points) at The Copenhagen University College of Engineering, Denmark. The aim of the course is to teach the basics of mathematical modeling, control theory and how to complete the engineering design project from the specification to the working model of the specified product. During the course we work in teams and build the robots, which perform a compulsory task decided by professors and a free task decided by us (students). Each team consists of 3 to 5 students and has an appointed supervisor, who is one of the supporting professors attached to this course. The course ends with a competition where the fastest, most precise and most elegant robots - 3 STARS - win prizes. This paper describes the process of learning new disciplines, especially control theory, by combining the theory and practical design. We describe our learning process throughout the project, the advantages and disadvantages connected to this learning by doing method. Finally, we compare the time schedule planned at the beginning of the semester with the actual one.
Using Personas and Prototypes to Define Nurses' Requirements for a Novel Patient Monitoring Display

Software is often designed based on the designer's mental model rather than the user's. To correct this, we created personas (archetypes) of nurses using observations and semi-structured interviews. We developed and evaluated patient monitoring display prototypes for each persona. Among 11 ICU nurses, we found that the majority of nurses preferred a parsimonious data representation with large numbers and waveforms allowing all relevant data to be visible. Using personas and paper prototypes is an inexpensive and effective way to assess nurses' requirements and design preferences.
Influenza A Virus-Induced Degradation of Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4B Contributes to Viral Replication by Suppressing IFITM3 Protein Expression

ABSTRACT Although alteration in host cellular translation machinery occurs in virus-infected cells, the role of such alteration and the precise pathogenic processes are not well understood. Influenza A virus (IAV) infection shuts off host cell gene expression at transcriptional and translational levels. Here, we found that the protein level of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4B (eIF4B), an integral component of the translation initiation apparatus, was dramatically reduced in A549 cells as well as in the lung, spleen, and thymus of mice infected with IAV. The decrease in eIF4B level was attributed to lysosomal degradation of eIF4B, which was induced by viral NS1 protein. Silencing eIF4B expression in A549 cells significantly promoted IAV replication, and conversely, overexpression of eIF4B markedly inhibited the viral replication. Importantly, we observed that eIF4B knockdown transgenic mice were more susceptible to IAV infection, exhibiting faster weight loss, shorter survival time, and more-severe organ damage. Furthermore, we demonstrated that eIF4B regulated the expression of interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3), a critical protein involved in immune defense against a variety of RNA viruses, including influenza virus. Taken together, our findings reveal that eIF4B plays an important role in host defense against IAV infection at least by regulating the expression of IFITM3, which restricts viral entry and thereby blocks early stages of viral production. These data also indicate that influenza virus has evolved a strategy to overcome host innate immunity by downregulating eIF4B protein. IMPORTANCE Influenza A virus (IAV) infection stimulates the host innate immune system, in part, by inducing interferons (IFNs). Secreted IFNs activate the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway, leading to elevated transcription of a large group of IFN-stimulated genes that have antiviral function. To circumvent the host innate immune response, influenza virus has evolved multiple strategies for suppressing the production of IFNs. Here, we show that IAV infection induces lysosomal degradation of eIF4B protein; and eIF4B inhibits IAV replication by upregulating expression of interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3), a key protein that protects the host from virus infection. Our finding illustrates a critical role of eIF4B in the host innate immune response and provides novel insights into the complex mechanisms by which influenza virus interacts with its host.
Acute exacerbation of COPD: factors associated with poor treatment outcome.

OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of age, severity of lung disease, severity and frequency of exacerbation, steroid use, choice of an antibiotic, and the presence of comorbidity on the outcome of treatment for an acute exacerbation of COPD. DESIGN A retrospective chart analysis over 24 months. SETTING A university Veterans Affairs medical center. PATIENTS Outpatients with COPD who were treated with an antibiotic over a period of 24 months for an acute exacerbation of COPD. METHODS Severity of an acute exacerbation of COPD was defined using the criteria of Anthonisen et al: increased dyspnea, increased sputum volume, and increased sputum purulence. Severity of lung disease was stratified based on FEV(1) percent predicted using American Thoracic Society guidelines (stage I, FEV(1) > or = 50%; stage II, FEV(1) 35 to 49%; stage III, FEV(1) < 35%). Treatment outcome was judged successful when the patient had no return visit in 4 weeks for a respiratory problem. Failure was defined as a return visit for persistent respiratory symptoms that required a change of an antibiotic in < 4 weeks. RESULTS One-hundred seven patients with COPD (mean age +/- SD, 66.9 +/- 9.5 years) experienced 232 exacerbations over 24 months. First-line antibiotics (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ampicillin/amoxicillin, and erythromycin) were used to treat 78% of all exacerbations. Treatment failure was noted in 12.1% of first exacerbations and 14. 7% of all exacerbations, with more than half the failures requiring hospitalization. Host factors that were independently associated with treatment failure included the following: FEV(1) < 35% (46.4% vs 22.4%; p = 0.047), use of home oxygen (60.7% vs 15.6%; p < 0. 0001), frequency of exacerbation (3.8 +/- 2.0 vs 1.6 +/- 0.91; p < 0. 001), history of previous pneumonia (64.3% vs 35.1 p < 0.007), history of sinusitis (28.6% vs 8.8%; p < 0.009) and use of maintenance steroids (32.1% vs 15.2% p = 0.052). Using stepwise logistic regression analysis to identify the top independent variables, the use of home oxygen (p = 0.0002) and frequency of exacerbation (p < 0.0001) correctly classified failures in 83.3% of the patients. Surprisingly, age, the choice of an antibiotic, and the presence of any one or more comorbidity did not affect the treatment outcome. CONCLUSION The results of our study suggest that patient host factors and not antibiotic choice may determine treatment outcome. Prospective studies in appropriately stratified patients are needed to validate these findings.
LSU Digital Commons LSU Digital Commons A Drosophila ESC-E(Z) protein complex is distinct from other A Drosophila ESC-E(Z) protein complex is distinct from other polycomb group complexes and contains covalently modified ESC polycomb group complexes and contains covalently modified ESC

The extra sex combs (ESC) and Enhancer of zeste [E(Z)] proteins, members of the Polycomb group (PcG) of transcriptional repressors, interact directly and are coassociated in ﬂy embryos. We report that these two proteins are components of a 600-kDa complex in embryos. Using gel ﬁltration and afﬁnity chromatography, we show that this complex is biochemically distinct from previously described complexes containing the PcG proteins Polyhomeotic, Polycomb, and Sex comb on midleg. In addition, we present evidence that ESC is phos- phorylated in vivo and that this modiﬁed ESC is preferentially associated in the complex with E(Z). Modiﬁed ESC accumulates between 2 and 6 h of embryogenesis, which is the developmental time when esc function is ﬁrst required. We ﬁnd that mutations in E ( z ) reduce the ratio of modiﬁed to unmodiﬁed ESC in vivo. We have also generated germ line transformants that express ESC proteins bearing site-directed mutations that disrupt ESC-E(Z) binding in vitro. These mutant ESC proteins fail to provide esc function, show reduced levels of modiﬁcation in vivo, and are still assembled into complexes. Taken together, these results suggest that ESC phos- phorylation normally occurs after assembly into ESC-E(Z) complexes and that it contributes to the function or regulation of these complexes. We discuss how biochemically separable ESC-E(Z) and PC-PH complexes might work report that that found present chromatography. (15 from to 24-h HA-esc transgenic embryos incubated with anti-HA.11 m l; Babco) 4°C 16 with 50 nuclear eluted ﬁve 100- m l aliquots nuclear plus 1 HA peptide Babco) for 45 min each. Aliquots of the nuclear extract, unbound ﬂowthrough, ﬁnal column wash, and peptide-eluted material (HA) were analyzed on immunoblots. E(Z), and were detected as described above. Sex comb on midleg (SCM) and pleiohomeotic (PHO) were detected using rabbit afﬁnity-puriﬁed polyclonal (3, at 1:2,000 and 1:750, respectively.
Isomeric Flavonoids of Artemisia annua (Asterales: Asteraceae) as Insect Growth Inhibitors Against Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

ABSTRACT Artemisia annua (Asterales: Asteraceae) is one of the important natural sources of antimalarial compounds i.e., artemisinin and artemisinic acid. Also this plant is cultivated on a large area in India under industry-farmer partnerships. With a view to enhance the added value of the raw material of A. annua and its chemical constituents, we evaluated methanolic extract of powdered A. annua leaves and different compounds isolated from the extract for toxicity and inhibition and disruption of growth and development of the African pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Methanol extract of A. annua and eight known constituent compounds [artemisinic acid, artemisinin, scopoletin, arteannuin-B, deoxy-artemisinin, artemetin and isomeric flavonoids (casticin and chrysosplenetin)] were bio-assayed for larval mortality, abnormal development, and growth inhibition. The methanol extract severely affected 100% of the larva treated, i.e., larvae gained very little weight, some larvae died, some formed larval-pupal intermediates, some pupae died and a few abnormal adults (adultoids) emerged. The mean weight of treated larvae reached only 0.026 g compared to the 0.270 g in the control and at par with larvae treated with 2% neem seed kernel extract (0.035 g) and 0.02% w/w azadirachtin (0.059 g). Among A. annua constituent compounds, the isomeric flavonoids exhibited a strong reduction in mean larval weight (58.5%), and growth inhibition (50.0%) as compared to the control. Extracts of A. annua and its isomeric flavonoids appear to have potential for developing novel biopesticides.
Evaluation of Genetically Engineered Derivatives of a Chinese Strain of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Reveals a Novel Cell-Binding Site Which Functions in Cell Culture and in Animals

ABSTRACT Adaptation of field isolates of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) to grow in cells in culture can result in changes in viral properties that include acquisition of the ability to bind to cell surface heparan sulfate (HS). After 13 passages on BHK cells to produce a vaccine, a Cathay topotype isolate of FMDV serotype O from China (O/CHA/90) extended its cell culture host range and bound to heparin-Sepharose, although it did not require cell surface HS as a receptor molecule. To understand these phenomena, we constructed chimeric viruses by using a type A12 infectious cDNA and the capsid protein-coding regions of O/CHA/90 and its cell culture-adapted derivative (vac-O/CHA/90). Using a set of viruses derived from these chimeras by exchanging portions of the capsid-coding regions, we discovered that a group of amino acid residues that surround the fivefold axis of the icosahedral virion determine host range in cell culture and influence pathogenicity in pigs. These residues included aromatic amino acids at positions 108 and 174 and positively charged residues at positions 83 and 172 in protein 1D. To test if these residues participated in non-integrin-dependent cell binding, the integrin-binding RGD sequence in protein 1D was changed to KGE in two different chimeras. Evaluation of these KGE viruses indicated that growth in cell culture was not dependent on HS. One of these viruses was tested in pigs, where it produced a mild disease and maintained its KGE sequence. These results are discussed in terms of receptor utilization and pathogenesis of this important pathogen.