Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immune Response against a Cross-Reactive Epitope on the Heat Shock Protein 60 Homologue of Helicobacter pylori

ABSTRACT We previously established a monoclonal antibody (MAb), designated H9, which reacts with the heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) homologue ofHelicobacter pylori as well as with other bacterial and human HSP60s. To determine the importance of a cross-reactive epitope on H. pylori HSP60 in H. pyloriimmunopathogenesis, we performed (i) mapping of an epitope on H. pylori HSP60 recognized by the H9 MAb, (ii) analysis of immunoglobulin G responses of patients with or without H. pylori infection to its epitope region, and (iii) studies of the protective effect of immunization with its epitope region onH. pylori infection in mice. The epitope recognized by the H9 MAb was mapped to the sequence of amino acids 189 to 203 (VEGMQFDRGYLSPYF) on the H. pylori HSP60 molecule. It was confirmed that the synthesized peptide designated pH9 was recognized by the H9 MAb. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis showed that patients with H. pylori infection (n = 349) had significantly lower titers of pH9 antibody than did uninfected patients (n = 200) (P < 0.001), but this was not the case with purified H. pylori HSP60 recombinant Escherichia coli GroEL, or recombinant human HSP60. In C57BL/6 mice immunized with the pH9 peptide with Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA), the number of H. pylori organisms colonizing the stomach was significantly lower than that in mice immunized with pCont plus FCA (P < 0.0001) or FCA only (P < 0.005). The results suggest that the immune response to the cross-reactive epitope (pH9 region) on H. pylori HSP60 is unique and might be associated with protection against H. pylori infection.
The relationship between adopting a synchronous medium and participation in online group work: An explorative study

Achieving student participation it has been argued is one of the most important challenges in distance education. This explorative study examines whether a synchronous communication medium, instant messaging (IM), may enable students to participate more actively in online group work. When comparing two groups that adopted IM with two groups that did not it was found that the adopters had a higher sense of participation and spent more time working with the content and communicating with their peers. Moreover, the social networks of the adopters were slightly denser. Thus, the study indicates that the groups that adopted IM operated with a higher level of participation, although it should be noted that these results are based on a small group of students. All groups used e-mail for group interactions but the adopters also used IM as a complement to e-mail. The paper concludes by calling for more research to test the results of this study in other contexts.
Kinetics of the osteoclast cytoskeleton during the resorption cycle in vitro

Resorption and migration phases alternate in the life of the osteoclast. We have previously described a specific microfilament structure at the attachment sites in resorbing osteoclasts. In the present study we have examined microfilaments and microtubules in both resorbing and migrating rat osteoclasts cultured on bone slices. In migrating osteoclasts microfilaments form so‐called podosome structures containing vinculin, talin, and F‐actin at the paramarginal area of the cell. When the osteoclast prepares itself for resorption, the podosomes gather to a certain area and form a broad ring around the area, which is then resorbed. In the resorbing osteoclast, vinculin and talin form a continuous double circle, which may be partially formed by podosomes, and between these double circles a broad zone is formed by F‐actin. Narrow vinculin and Factin rings were found in osteoclasts at the end of the resorption phase. The different configurations of microfilaments in 1 and 2 day cultures were correlated in terms of their relationship to the resorption lacunae. The vitamin A derivative isotretinoin significantly stimulated resorption and increased the number of microfilament configurations associated with the resorption pits. On the other hand, Bt2cAMP abolished resorption and prevented the formation of a specific ring structure of microfilaments. Based on these data, a kinetic model of the whole migration‐resorption cycle of the osteoclast cultured on the bone slice is presented. With α‐tubulin stainings of microtubules two different cytoskeletal organizations were observed. In migrating osteoclasts, microtubules were evenly distributed over the whole cell. In the resorbing osteoclast, there was a noticeable concentration of these cytoskeletal structures at cytoplasmic sites closest to the resorption lacuna. This orientation of microtubules may reflect the active secretory function of the resorbing osteoclast.
OF A CONTINUOUS FLOW PEDIATRIC VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE

MOTIVATION Recent statistics suggest that approximately 10,000 to 20,000 pediatric patients each year may benefit from long-term circulatory support [1]. These pediatric patients suffer from debilitating congenital heart defects, which ultimately may require a heart transplant. While these patients wait for a donor heart to become available, they normally receive supplemental mechanical circulatory support. With a limited number of donor organs (~400 each year), the need for long-term mechanical circulatory support for this population continues to grow [1,2].
Elevated Hair Cortisol Levels among Heroin Addicts on Current Methadone Maintenance Compared to Controls

Whether methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) can improve the basal function of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which is suppressed by long-term heroin consumption, is a matter of debate. The stress state and depression and anxiety symptoms may affect the basal activity of the HPA axis in MMT patients. However, the effect of psychological factors on HPA activity was not simultaneously controlled in previous studies. This study investigated differences in HPA basal activity between MMT patients and controls using psychological variables as covariates. The participants included 52 MMT patients and 41 age-matched, non-heroin-dependent controls. Psychological states were self-reported with the Perceived Stress Scale, Self-Rating Depression Scale and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale. The hair cortisol level was adopted as a biomarker of HPA basal activity and was determined with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The results revealed that MMT patients had significantly higher hair cortisol levels than the controls (p<0.05), but the difference was not significant (p>0.05) when the perceived stress, depression and anxiety scores were used as covariates. We concluded that patients with long-term MMT showed higher basal activity of the HPA axis. The high chronic stress state and increase in depression and anxiety symptoms may mask the suppression effect of methadone on the HPA activity.
Augmenting travel gossip: design for mobile communities

New communication technologies are changing the way travellers gossip and trade advice while on the road. This paper presents initial results from our studies of backpacker culture and identifies gaps where future technologies could assist backpackers in existing situations. Our research included contextual interviews with backpackers, tours of hostel accommodation, and reviews of online discussion and blogging sites. Results so far indicate the need for mobile devices which can help a social, distributed community to connect and coordinate. To address this, we have developed methods of depicting community interaction and context of use, and prototype mobile travel assistants.
PARALLEL TECHNIQUES FOR CONTENT-MATCHING INTRUSION DETECTION SYSTEMS

Content matching is a necessary component of any signature-based network Intrusion Detection System (IDS). These packet inspections typically require considerable delay often consuming more than 70% of the IDS processing time. Unfortunately, this delay becomes more significant as security policies and network speeds continue to increase. This paper introduces a new parallel IDS content matching technique that provides initial packet inspections with less delay. The technique distributes portions of a packet payload across an array of n processors, each responsible for scanning a smaller amount of original payload. Given this design, each processor has less data to inspect thus reducing the overall delay. Unlike similar parallel approaches, our technique ensures that security is maintained (no false negatives). Furthermore, the proposed parallel technique is shown to result in an initial match speed-up of approximately 1.25n using Snort (an open source IDS), actual IDS policies, and traffic traces – a significant improvement over current parallel techniques.
Endocrine and ovarian responses associated with the first-wave dominant follicle in cattle.

To examine endocrine and biochemical differences between dominant and subordinate follicles and how the dominant follicle affects the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis in Holstein cows, the ovary bearing the dominant follicle was unilaterally removed on Day 5 (n = 8), 8 (n = 8), or 12 (n = 8) of synchronized estrous cycles. Follicular development was followed daily by ultrasonography from the day of detected estrus (Day 0) until 5 days after ovariectomy. Aromatase activity and steroid concentrations in first-wave dominant and subordinate follicles were measured. Intact dominant and subordinate follicles were cultured in 4 ml Minimum Essential Medium supplemented with 100 microCi 3H-leucine to evaluate de novo protein synthesis. Five days after unilateral ovariectomy, cows were resynchronized and the experiment was repeated. Follicular growth was characterized by the development of single large dominant follicles, which was associated with suppression of other follicles. Concentrations of estradiol-17 beta (E2) in follicular fluid and aromatase activity of follicular walls were higher in dominant follicles (438.9 +/- 45.5 ng/ml; 875.4 +/- 68.2 pg E2/follicle) compared to subordinate follicles (40.6 +/- 69.4 ng/ml; 99.4 +/- 104.2 pg E2/follicle). Aromatase activity in first-wave dominant follicles was higher at Days 5 (1147.1 +/- 118.1 pg E2/follicle) and 8 (1028.2 +/- 118.1 pg E2/follicle) compared to Day 12 (450.7 +/- 118.1 pg E2/follicle). Concentrations of E2 and androstenedione in first-wave dominant follicles were higher at Day 5 (983.2 +/- 78.2 and 89.5 +/- 15.7 ng/ml) compared to Days 8 (225.1 +/- 78.6 and 5.9 +/- 14.8 ng/ml) and 12 (108.5 +/- 78.6 and 13.0 +/- 14.8 ng/ml). Concentrations of progesterone in subordinate follicles increased linearly between Days 5 and 12 of the estrous cycle. Plasma concentrations of FSH increased from 17.9 +/- 1.4 to 32.5 +/- 1.4 ng/ml between 0 and 32 h following unilateral removal of the ovary with the first-wave dominant follicle. Increases in plasma FSH were associated with increased numbers of class 1 (3-4 mm) follicles in cows that were ovariectomized at Day 5 or 8 of the cycle. Unilateral ovariectomy had no effects on plasma concentrations of LH when a CL was present on the remaining ovary. First-wave dominant follicles incorporated more 3H-leucine into macromolecules and secreted high (90,000-120,000) and low (20,000-23,000) molecular weight proteins that were not as evident for subordinate follicles at Days 8 and 12. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Overlapping CRE and E Box Motifs in the Enhancer Sequences of the Bovine Leukemia Virus 5′ Long Terminal Repeat Are Critical for Basal and Acetylation-Dependent Transcriptional Activity of the Viral Promoter: Implications for Viral Latency

ABSTRACT Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection is characterized by viral latency in a large proportion of cells containing an integrated provirus. In this study, we postulated that mechanisms directing the recruitment of deacetylases to the BLV 5′ long terminal repeat (LTR) could explain the transcriptional repression of viral expression in vivo. Accordingly, we showed that BLV promoter activity was induced by several deacetylase inhibitors (such as trichostatin A [TSA]) in the context of episomal LTR constructs and in the context of an integrated BLV provirus. Moreover, treatment of BLV-infected cells with TSA increased H4 acetylation at the viral promoter, showing a close correlation between the level of histone acetylation and transcriptional activation of the BLV LTR. Among the known cis-regulatory DNA elements located in the 5′ LTR, three E box motifs overlapping cyclic AMP responsive elements (CREs) in U3 were shown to be involved in transcriptional repression of BLV basal gene expression. Importantly, the combined mutations of these three E box motifs markedly reduced the inducibility of the BLV promoter by TSA. E boxes are susceptible to recognition by transcriptional repressors such as Max-Mad-mSin3 complexes that repress transcription by recruiting deacetylases. However, our in vitro binding studies failed to reveal the presence of Mad-Max proteins in the BLV LTR E box-specific complexes. Remarkably, TSA increased the occupancy of the CREs by CREB/ATF. Therefore, we postulated that the E box-specific complexes exerted their negative cooperative effect on BLV transcription by steric hindrance with the activators CREB/ATF and/or their transcriptional coactivators possessing acetyltransferase activities. Our results thus suggest that the overlapping CRE and E box elements in the BLV LTR were selected during evolution as a novel strategy for BLV to allow better silencing of viral transcription and to escape from the host immune response.
Delivery and therapeutic potential of human granzyme B

Summary: Granzyme B (GzmB) is used by cytotoxic lymphocytes as a molecular weapon for the defense against virus‐infected and malignantly transformed host cells. It belongs to a family of small serine proteases that are stored in secretory vesicles of killer cells. After secretion of these cytolytic granules during killer cell attack, GzmB is translocated into the cytosol of target cells with the help of the pore‐forming protein perforin. GzmB has adopted similar protease specificity as caspase‐8, and once delivered, it activates major executioner apoptosis pathways. Since GzmB is very effective in killing human tumor cell lines that are otherwise resistant against many cytotoxic drugs and since GzmB of human origin can be recombinantly expressed, its use as part of a ‘magic bullet’ in tumor therapy is a very tempting idea. In this review, we emphasize the peculiar characteristics of GzmB that make it suited for use as an effector domain in potential immunoconjugates. We discuss what is known about its uptake into target cells and the trials performed with GzmB‐armed immunoconjugates, and we assess the prospects of its potential therapeutic value.
Clinical evaluation of cochlear hearing status in dogs using evoked otoacoustic emissions.

OBJECTIVES Evoked otoacoustic emission testing is the preferred test in human patients for sensorineural deafness screening in neonates and cochlear outer hair cell function monitoring in adults. This study evaluated evoked otoacoustic emission testing for cochlear function assessment in dogs within a clinical setting. METHODS Two populations of anaesthetised dogs were included. In group 1 the evoked otoacoustic emission response was compared to the brainstem auditory evoked response in 10 dogs having hearing assessment. Group 2 comprised 43 presumed normal dogs, in which the suitability of two types of evoked otoacoustic emissions, transient-evoked and distortion product otoacoustic emissions, were evaluated (brainstem auditory evoked response was not performed in this group). RESULTS Valid transient-evoked otoacoustic emission and distortion-product otoacoustic emission responses were successfully recorded within the clinical setting and correctly identified deaf and hearing ears. Within presumed healthy dogs, normal otoacoustic emission response was demonstrated in more than 80% of dogs using a single, short distortion-product otoacoustic emission run and in 78% of dogs with valid transient-evoked otoacoustic emission responses using a series of three repeated transient-evoked otoacoustic emission short runs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Transient-evoked otoacoustic emission and distortion-product otoacoustic emission testing provided a rapid, non-invasive frequency-specific assessment of cochlear function. Transient-evoked otoacoustic emission and distortion product otoacoustic emission testing is suitable as a screening procedure to detect loss of cochlear function in dogs, although further investigation is needed.
A review of nursing interventions to foster becoming a mother.

OBJECTIVE To determine the current state of knowledge of nursing interventions that foster the process of becoming a mother. DATA SOURCES A literature search was conducted using CINAHL and PubMed electronic databases and other key references. STUDY SELECTION Reports on nursing intervention research published in English that focused on a facet of maternal behavior in the process of becoming a mother during pregnancy or during the first 4 months following birth, or both, were included. Twenty eight reports were found. DATA EXTRACTION Studies were reviewed, categorized, and analyzed and interventions synthesized to determine the current knowledge base for fostering becoming a mother. Categories included instructions for infant caregiving, building awareness of and responsiveness to infant interactive capabilities, promoting maternal-infant attachment, maternal/social role preparation, and interactive therapeutic nurse-client relationships. DATA SYNTHESIS Interactive therapeutic nurse-client relationships and maternal/social role preparation had greater impact on variables indicating progress in becoming a mother than formal teaching. Instructions without nurse input were ineffective. CONCLUSIONS Interactive reciprocal nursing interventions are the most effective in enhancing mother-infant interactions and maternal knowledge about infant care. Evidence is limited on how to foster the mother's feelings about herself in becoming a mother and attachment to her infant.
Role of caspases in dexamethasone‐induced apoptosis and activation of c‐Jun NH2‐terminal kinase and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase in human eosinophils

Eosinophils are the principal effector cells for the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation. Glucocorticoids such as dexamethasone have long been used therapeutically for eosinophilia in allergic inflammation by inducing eosinophil apoptosis, but little is known about the intracellular mechanisms mediating dexamethasone‐induced apoptosis. In the present study, we investigated the effect of dexamethasone on three mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK) involved in the intracellular signalling pathway: c‐Jun NH2‐terminal kinase (JNK), p38 MAPK and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK). We found that dexamethasone could activate JNK and p38 MAPK in a time‐dependent manner but not ERK. Further, SB 203580, a specific p38 MAPK inhibitor, was additive with dexamethasone in inducing eosinophil apoptosis, while JNK1/2 antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides did not show any significant effect. These suggest that dexamethasone‐induced JNK1/2 and p38 MAPK activation are not crucial to the induction of apoptosis. Pretreatment of eosinophils with benzyloxycarbonyl‐Val‐Ala‐Asp‐fluoromethylketone (Z‐VAD.FMK), a broad‐spectrum caspase inhibitor, could inhibit dexamethasone‐induced apoptosis in eosinophils dose‐dependently. Moreover, Z‐VAD.FMK partially inhibited dexamethasone‐activated JNK and p38 MAPK activities. However, dexamethasone treatment did not activate specific caspase‐3, ‐8 activity in eosinophils compared with spontaneous apoptosis. We therefore conclude that dexamethasone‐induced apoptosis and activation of JNK and p38 MAPK activity in eosinophils are regulated by caspases but not through the common apoptosis‐related caspase‐3, ‐8 as in other cell types. Elucidation of the important role of caspases in eosinophil apoptosis may facilitate the development of more specific and effective treatment for allergic inflammation.
Capital Accumulation and Uncertain Lifetimes with Adverse Selection

This paper examines the implications of adverse selection in the private annuity market for the pricing of private annuities and the consequent effects on constrption and bequest behavior. With privately known heterogeneous mortality probabilities, adverse selection causes the rate of return on private annuities to be less than the actuarially fair rate based on population average mortality. However, a fully funded social security system with compulsory participation can offer an implied rate of return equal to the actuarially fair rate based on population average mortality. Thus, since social security offers a higher rate of return than private annuities, consumers cannot completely offset the effects of social security by transacting in the private annuity market. Using an overlapping generations model with uncertain lifetimes, we demonstrate that the introduction of actuarially fair social security reduces the steady state rate of return on annuities and raises the steady state levels of average bequests and average consumption of the young. The steady state national capital stock rises or falls according to the strength of the bequest motive.
Evaluation of Some Risk Factors for Atherosclerosis in the Circle of Willis Observed at Autopsy in University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

There has been a steady change in lifestyle of the Nigerians causing the increase in vulnerability of cerebrovascular disease like atherosclerosis. This study was aimed at evaluating some risk factors for atherosclerosis in the circle of Willis autopsy. The clinical record of patients were retrieved from their case files in order to obtain information on the sex, age, clinical diagnosis, past medical history and presence or absence of cardiovascular risk factors such as cigarette smoking, alcohol intake, diabetes, and hypertension. Samples were obtained from 44 consecutive brains in autopsies conducted on subjects aged 15 years and above at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. With ethical clearance, the subject's case files were retrieved for some data. Twenty-six (59.1%) of the subjects had no identifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis in their medical history. Eighteen (40.9%) of the subjects had at least one risk factor of atherosclerosis in their history. The risk factors identified were hypertension in 10 (55.6%) cases, hypertension combined with previous alcohol ingestion in 3 (16.7%) cases, hypertension combined with diabetes mellitus in 3 (16.7%) cases, and alcohol ingestion in 2 (11.1%) cases (Thus, a total of 16 (61.5%) patients had hypertension, 6 (33.3%) patients had a history of alcohol ingestion.
Alternate Translation Initiation Codons Can Create Functional Forms of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (*)

To evaluate the function of transmembrane domain 1 (TMD1) of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and the methionines that function in translation initiation, a series of progressive 5′ truncations in TMD1 were created to coincide with residues that might serve as translation initiation codons. Expression of the mutants in Xenopus oocytes demonstrated that internal sites in TMD1 can function as initiation codons. In addition, all of the mutants that progressively removed the first four transmembrane segments (M1-M4) of TMD1 expressed functional cAMP-regulated Cl channels with ion selectivity identical to wild-type CFTR but with reduced open probability and single channel conductance. Further removal of transmembrane segments did not produce functional Cl channels. These data suggest that segments M1-M4 are not essential components of the conduction pore or the selectivity filter of CFTR.