Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trypsin Action on the Growth of Sendai Virus in Tissue Culture Cells III. Structural Difference of Sendai Viruses Grown in Eggs and Tissue Culture Cells

Polypeptides of egg-borne Sendai virus (egg Sendai), which is biologically active on the basis of criteria of the infectivity for L cells and of hemolytic and cell fusion activities, were compared by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with those of L cell-borne (L Sendai) and HeLa cell-borne Sendai (HeLa Sendai) viruses, which are judged biologically inactive by the above criteria. Densitometer profiles on the stained gels of egg Sendai resolved six polypeptides (virion protein [VP] 1 to VP6), in which VP2 and VP4 were identified as glycoproteins by PAS stain. Comparative electropherograms of both L Sendai and HeLa Sendai revealed that there were significantly larger amounts in the VP2 region of these viruses but VP4 was present only in greatly reduced amounts as compared to egg Sendai. It was also found that VP2 of L Sendai and HeLa Sendai consisted of two components, VP2a and VP2b, but the one of egg Sendai consisted of only VP2a. A mild trypsin treatment which converts both L Sendai and HeLa Sendai to a biologically active form selectively removed VP2b from these viruses and increased concomitantly the amounts of materials in the VP4 region. The same treatment of egg Sendai affected neither its biological activities nor its electropherogram. Consequently, gross polypeptide profiles on the stained gels of L Sendai and HeLa Sendai after trypsin treatment became favorably comparable to that of egg Sendai. Electrophoresis of labeled L Sendai and HeLa Sendai with a 3H-amino acids mixture and 14C-glucosamine resolved at least three glycoproteins, GP1, GP2, and GP3, each corresponding to VP2a, VP2b, and VP4, respectively. The trypsin treatment of these viruses removed almost all the radioactivity of GP2 and simultaneously increased the radioactive counts of GP3 and raised small amounts of rapidly moving heterogeneous glycoprotein, GP4. A possible relationship between the biological modification and the above characteristic polypeptide patterns of Sendai virus was discussed.
Location and Assessment of an Historic (150–160 Years Old) Mass Grave Using Geographic and Ground Penetrating Radar Investigation, NW Ireland *

Abstract: Reburial of human remains and concerns regarding pathogens and pollution prompted the search for, and assessment of, a 156‐year‐old graveyard. To locate this graveyard, historic and anecdotal information was compared to landscape interpretation from aerial photography. To assess and map the contents, surface collapses, metal detector indications, and ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) were used. Some 170 anomalies compatible with burials were identified on 200 MHz GPR data, 84 of which coincided with surface collapses, suggesting both noncollapsed ground, subsequent infill, and multiple inhumations. The graveyard was possibly split into Roman Catholic plots with multiple inhumations; Protestant plots; and a kileen, or graveyard for the unbaptized (often children). The work serves as one approach to the location and mapping of recent and historic unmarked graves.
A systematic review of professional support interventions for breastfeeding.

OBJECTIVES The objectives of this systematic review were first, to describe how breastfeeding is professionally supported during pregnancy, at maternity hospitals and during the postnatal period. Secondly, to find out how effective interventions are in supporting breastfeeding. BACKGROUND Breastfeeding is an effective way to promote the health of infants. In many countries, the rates for breastfeeding remain lower than recommended. Many studies have examined breastfeeding promotion interventions; some of them are successful and some fail. It is important to find effective combinations of support. DESIGN Systematic review. METHODS Search of CINAHL, Medline and Cochrane Central Register databases were conducted for data collection. The search was limited to articles published in Finnish, Swedish and English between the year 2000 and March 2006, focusing on breastfeeding and breastfeeding support interventions. Two reviewers independently analysed 36 articles in the final analysis. RESULTS Interventions expanding from pregnancy to the intrapartum period and throughout the postnatal period were more effective than interventions concentrating on a shorter period. In addition, intervention packages using various methods of education and support from well-trained professionals are more effective than interventions concentrating on a single method. CONCLUSIONS During pregnancy, the effective interventions were interactive, involving mothers in conversation. The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) as well as practical hands off -teaching, when combined with support and encouragement, were effective approaches. Postnatally effective were home visits, telephone support and breastfeeding centres combined with peer support. Relevance to clinical practice. Professionals need breastfeeding education and support of their organisations to act as breastfeeding supporters. The BFHI -programme is effective and it would be wise to include the core components of the programme in breastfeeding promotion interventions. Mothers benefit from breastfeeding encouragement and guidance that supports their self-efficacy and feelings of being capable and empowered, and is tailored to their individual needs.
Visual fatigue for laser-projection light-field 3D display in contrast with 2D display

In this paper, we evaluate the quality of laser projection light field 3D display and propose a comprehensive evaluation of visual fatigue. Subjective questionnaires including the feeling about the quality of two displays and degree of visual fatigue, as well as objective indicators such as Electrocardiograph (ECG) and Electroencephalography (EEG) are recorded during the whole experiment. The results show that subjects feel more and more fatigue during watching the image of the displays. Moreover, the experiment further validates that the visual fatigue from watching 3D display is higher than that from 2D display.
Propuesta de un Modelo de Medición Integral de Gestión Competitiva en la Banca Mexicana

El objetivo de esta investigacion consistio en proponer un modelo de diagnostico de la gestion competitiva en el sector bancario mexicano y encontrar cuales son las variables que determinan la competitividad en las organizaciones de este sector. Para lo cual se utilizo el metodo de caso multiple trabajando con datos de cinco bancos que representaban el 68% de los activos bancarios del sector. Se realizo la agrupacion de variables clave en cinco dimensiones (estrategia competitiva, posicion financiera, riesgos, tecnologias de informacion y productividad en activos no financieros) posteriormente se aplico un instrumento de recoleccion de datos y se realizo un analisis factorial con el que se identifico las variables de mayor relevancia, que sirvieron de base para proponer el modelo, que se presenta como resultado del analisis teorico y empirico realizado.
Refinement of Glucagon-like Peptide 1 Docking to Its Intact Receptor Using Mid-region Photolabile Probes and Molecular Modeling*

The glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) receptor is an important drug target within the B family of G protein-coupled receptors. Its natural agonist ligand, GLP1, has incretin-like actions and the receptor is a recognized target for management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Despite recent solution of the structure of the amino terminus of the GLP1 receptor and several close family members, the molecular basis for GLP1 binding to and activation of the intact receptor remains unclear. We previously demonstrated molecular approximations between amino- and carboxyl-terminal residues of GLP1 and its receptor. In this work, we study spatial approximations with the mid-region of this peptide to gain insights into the orientation of the intact receptor and the ligand-receptor complex. We have prepared two new photolabile probes incorporating a p-benzoyl-l-phenylalanine into positions 16 and 20 of GLP1(7–36). Both probes bound to the GLP1 receptor specifically and with high affinity. These were each fully efficacious agonists, stimulating cAMP accumulation in receptor-bearing CHO cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Each probe specifically labeled a single receptor site. Protease cleavage and radiochemical sequencing identified receptor residue Leu141 above transmembrane segment one as its site of labeling for the position 16 probe, whereas the position 20 probe labeled receptor residue Trp297 within the second extracellular loop. Establishing ligand residue approximation with this loop region is unique among family members and may help to orient the receptor amino-terminal domain relative to its helical bundle region.
Physiologic Strains in the Lumbar Spinal Ligaments: An In VitroBiomechanical Study

For understanding of the mechanical causes of low-back pain, knowledge of the biomechanics of the various spinal elements is essential. In this in vitro biomechanical study, in situ behavior of spinal ligaments of the L3-4 and L4-5 functional spinal units during physiologic activities was studied in a three-stage procedure. First, 72 load-displacement curves were obtained to determine the three-dimensional flexibility characteristics of the spinal units. Second, three-dimensional morphometric measurements were made of all the spinal ligament attachment points. Finally, a mathematical model was constructed to combine the flexibility and morphometric data and compute the ligament length changes and strains as functions of various spinal movements. In flexion movement, the interspinous and supraspinous ligaments were found to be subjected to the highest strains, followed by the capsular ligaments and the ligamentum flavum. During extension, it is the anterior longitudinal ligament that has the maximum strain. In lateral bending, the contralateral transverse ligament followed by the ligamentum flavum and the capsular ligaments carried the highest strains, while the interspinous and supraspinous ligaments were relatively unstrained. In rotation, the capsular ligaments were by far the most strained ligaments.
Machine learning of timed automata

This dissertation investigates the applicability of timed automata in the domain of biological process mining. A new type of automata models the change of the variables' values without explicitly assuming the inter-dependencies. Thus, a method which automatically identifies states and transitions of the given process is established. A subsequent problem is the scalability of the approach for large data sets. Therefore, two methods that use online maximum frequent pattern based clustering are presented. Background knowledge is included in the model by attribute constrained clustering.
Iron Deposition in the Anterior Pituitary in Homozygous Beta-Thalassemia: MRI Evaluation and Correlation with Gonadal Function

OBJECTIVE Iron deposition in the anterior pituitary continues to pose a serious problem in older patients with homozygous beta-thalassemia particularly in terms of gonadal function. This study aimed to investigate whether iron loading within the pituitary correlated with endocrine function. PATIENTS 33 patients above 15 years of age, with transfusion-dependent homozygous beta-thalassemia and iron overload were studied. All had been receiving deferoxamine since 1978. DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS The endocrine status of the patients was assessed on clinical examination by an endocrinologist, and by a gonadotropin releasing hormone stimulation test. MRI of the pituitary was carried out for each patient. RESULTS Anterior pituitary function (GnRH stimulation test) correlated well with MRI results. However, no correlation was found between the MRI measurements, the GnRH stimulation test and the clinical status of the patients, as 28 out of the 33 patients achieved normal puberty. CONCLUSIONS MRI in conjunction with a GnRH stimulation test may be useful in predicting future impairment of pituitary function; however, further studies are needed to assess the effect of chelation therapy on the iron overload in the gland.
The Rho kinase inhibitor fasudil inhibits tumor progression in human and rat tumor models

The ability of cancer cells to undergo invasion and migration is a prerequisite for tumor metastasis. Rho, a Ras-related small GTPase, and the Rho-associated coiled coil–containing protein kinases (Rho kinases, ROCK1 and ROCK2) are key regulators of focal adhesion, actomyosin contraction, and thus cell motility. Inhibitors of this pathway have been shown to inhibit tumor cell motility and metastasis. Here, we show that fasudil [1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-homopiperazine], an orally available inhibitor of Rho kinases, and its metabolite 1-(hydroxy-5-isoquinoline sulfonyl-homopiperazine) (fasudil-OH) modify tumor cell morphology and inhibit tumor cell migration and anchorage-independent growth. In addition, we show that fasudil inhibited tumor progression in three independent animal models. In the MM1 peritoneal dissemination model, tumor burden and ascites production were reduced by >50% (P < 0.05). In the HT1080 experimental lung metastasis model, fasudil decreased lung nodules by ∼40% (P < 0.05). In the orthotopic breast cancer model with MDA-MB-231, there were 3-fold more tumor-free mice in the fasudil-treated group versus saline control group (P < 0.01). Fasudil has been approved for the treatment of cerebral vasospasm and associated cerebral ischemic symptoms. In patients, fasudil is well tolerated without any serious adverse reactions. Therefore, the concept of Rho kinase inhibition as an antimetastatic therapy for cancer can now be clinically explored. [Mol Cancer Ther 2006;5(9):2158–64]
A CLINICAL AND RADIOLOGICAL CORRELATION OF THE LESIONS PRODUCED BY CHEMOPALLIDECTOMY AND THALAMECTOMY*

The purpose of this paper is to present the clinical and radiological correlation of 360 intracerebral lesions placed in 300 patients who underwent surgery for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. These cases represent a consecutive series of patients, part of a total of more than 800 basal ganglia operations per-formed on our service since 1952. Details of the surgical technique employed have already been reported (St. Barnabas Symposium on "Surgical Therapy of Extrapyramidal Disorders", Cooper, Cooper and 1958a). The cases selected for this study have been those operated on by using the balloon cannula technique (Bravo Cooper, 1957) which allows testing of the physiological effects of a temporary lesion before the injection of alcohol and, by creating a small cavity, facilitates the production of a well-circum- scribed alcohol lesion Such lesions, when the alcohol has been mixed with pantopaque, can be visualized radiographically. In earlier In 120 lesions visualized radiographically anatomical studies each brain.
The selective retinoid X receptor agonist bexarotene (LGD1069, Targretin) prevents and overcomes multidrug resistance in advanced breast carcinoma

Acquired drug resistance represents a major challenge in the therapeutic management of breast cancer patients. We reported previously that the retinoid X receptor–selective agonist bexarotene (LGD1069, Targretin) was efficacious in treating animal models of tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of bexarotene on development of acquired drug resistance and its role in overcoming acquired drug resistance in advanced breast cancer. Paclitaxel, doxorubicin, and cisplatin were chosen as model compounds to determine the effect of bexarotene on the development of acquired drug resistance. Human breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 were repeatedly treated in culture with a given therapeutic agent with or without bexarotene for 3 months. Thereafter, cells were isolated and characterized for their drug sensitivity. Compared with parental cells, cells treated with a single therapeutic agent became resistant to the therapeutic agent, whereas cells treated with the bexarotene combination remained chemosensitive. Cells with acquired drug resistance, when treated with the combination, showed increased sensitivity to the cytotoxic agent. Furthermore, cells treated with the combination regimen had reduced invasiveness and angiogenic potential than their resistant counterparts. These in vitro findings were further confirmed in an in vivo MDA-MB-231 xenograft model. Our results suggest a role for bexarotene in combination with chemotherapeutic agents in prevention and overcoming acquired drug resistance in advanced breast carcinoma.
Transition regions detection from satellite images based on evolutionary region growing segmentation

In nature, there exist transition regions between homogeneous land-cover changes. These specific regions cause ambiguity and uncertainty to segmentation and classification algorithms when applied to remote sensed images. Our research, proposes a novel method called TReDet to identify transition regions in the way they are found in nature. They appear in a random way without following a defined geometric pattern. Experimental results with synthetic images show that TReDet clearly outperforms commercial software using some of the quantitative measures used to evaluate our method. Even when in some cases the difference in percentage is not so high for some of the measures used, TReDet obtains a more realistic segmentation of the transition regions. Furthermore, it does not follow parallel transition bands or any other geometric pattern avoiding the errors falling in the borderline of the transition region of other methods.
Attenuation of high cholesterol-induced oxidative stress in rabbit liver by thymoquinone

Background/aims This study examines the modifying effects of thymoquinone (TQ), an agent with antioxidant and hypolipidemic properties, on reactive oxygen species, antioxidant activity, and steatosis in livers of hyperlipidemic rabbit. Methods Oxidative stress was induced in New Zealand White rabbit by a high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks. Four groups of six animals each were divided into a control group; a high cholesterol group (received 1% cholesterol diet); a high cholesterol/low TQ group (received 1% cholesterol diet plus TQ 10 mg/kg/day), and a high cholesterol/high TQ (20 mg/kg/day) group. Blood samples were taken at the end of the study and examined for fasting serum glucose, insulin, and aminotransaminases. Hepatic tissue samples were examined for malondialdehyde, protein carbonyls, antioxidant enzymes, and steatosis. Results There was severe hepatic steatosis and elevated serum alanine aminotransferase in the high cholesterol group (group II) but not in the high cholesterol and low or high TQ groups (groups III, IV). The hepatic reactive oxygen species activity in the high cholesterol group was significantly higher while the antioxidant enzymes were lower (P<0.05) when compared with the control (group I) or either of the high cholesterol and TQ groups. Conclusion TQ attenuates hepatic oxidative stress in fatty liver injury induced by high-cholesterol diet in rabbits.
Mastoid Oscillation in Canalith Repositioning for Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Objective The canalith repositioning procedure (CRP) was developed to treat paroxysmal positional vertigo (PPV). Successful CRP results in cessation of PPV and positional nystagmus. Mastoid oscillation (MO) has been advocated to enhance the efficacy of CRP. The authors sought to objectively determine the effect of MO on CRP. Study Design Retrospective review. Setting Ambulatory referral center. Patients Patients with PPV seen from 1993 through 1999 (N = 168). Interventions Canalith repositioning procedure performed without MO (n = 104) and performed with MO (n = 64). Main Outcome Measure Presence or absence of nystagmus on Dix-Hallpike testing 6 weeks after CRP. Results Eighty-four percent of patients treated with MO had resolution, and 16% had persistent nystagmus. Seventy-three percent of patients without MO had resolution, and 27% had persistent nystagmus. Although suggesting a trend, the difference did not reach the level of significance (p = 0.151). Conclusions Mastoid oscillation does not significantly enhance the efficacy of the CRP.
Estimation of aliasing error in layered coding system

This paper theoretically investigates data distortion caused by resolution conversion in DCT (discrete cosine transform) based layered coding system. The system is attractive because it can not only compress large amounts of video data but also convert the scale of reconstructed pictures. However only a few attempts have so far been made at the degree of aliasing error. In this paper we treat the DCT system as a filter bank so that we can evaluate the system in the frequency domain. As a result of our study the system is theoretically evaluated from the multirate stand point and the DCT system is compared with other layered coding systems, e.g. subband coding and Gaussian/Laplacian pyramid, by means of one objective measure. <<ETX>>
Productivity Impact of IT Investment in Singapore

While much empirical research has been done on the "productivity paradox" problem in the United States (for a recent survey, see Brynjolfsson 1993), Lhere has been little comparable research among newly industrializing economies (NIEs). The recent work of Krae,ner and Dedrick (1993) shows some correlation of IT investment-GDP ratio with GDP growth rate for a cross section of eleven Asia-Pacific economies, but since no attempt is made to control for other influencing factors (e.g., non-IT related investment), such correlations may be spurious. Whether NIEs face the productivity paradox therefore remains an open question. Among NIEs. Singapore has one of the highest intensities of IT investment per capita. This paper investigates the impact of IT investment on overall productivity in the Singaporean economy by estimating an econoiny-wide Cobb-Douglas production function that separates capital stock into an IT-component and a non-IT component. Output of the production function is measured by real GDP, while labor, the other input in the production function, is measured by total employment adjusted for average work-hours per week. Econometric estimation results for the period 1980-1992 show that, for reasonable range of IT and non-IT capital depreciation ratcs assumed. the production function model fits the data reasonably well in tenns of the usual statistical tests. Moreover, the estimated coefficient for IT capital is significant at the . 95 level for all cases. Even the lowest coefficient estimate implies a rate of return (ROI) estimate of IT investment exceeding 88%, which is significantly higher Uhan the assumed capital depreciation rate plus interest rate. It is also higher than the estimated ROl of 68% for a sample of 380 large firms in the US over 1987-1991 as reported recently by Brynjolfsson and Hitt (1994). The estimation results thus appear 10 refute the productivity paradox in the case of Singapore. This is in contrast to most other fi ndings for the United States in the literature, but consistent with the recent findings of Brynjolfsson and Hit[. It would be interesting to see whether similar conclusions can be obtained in other NIEs using a similar estimation method. or that Singapore represents a special case.