Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genomic analysis of orthologous mouse and human olfactory receptor loci

Olfactory receptor (OR) genes represent ≈1% of genomic coding sequence in mammals, and these genes are clustered on multiple chromosomes in both the mouse and human genomes. We have taken a comparative genomics approach to identify features that may be involved in the dynamic evolution of this gene family and in the transcriptional control that results in a single OR gene expressed per olfactory neuron. We sequenced ≈350 kb of the murine P2 OR cluster and used synteny, gene linkage, and phylogenetic analysis to identify and sequence ≈111 kb of an orthologous cluster in the human genome. In total, 18 mouse and 8 human OR genes were identified, including 7 orthologs that appear to be functional in both species. Noncoding homology is evident between orthologs and generally is confined within the transcriptional unit. We find no evidence for common regulatory features shared among paralogs, and promoter regions generally do not contain strong promoter motifs. We discuss these observations, as well as OR clustering, in the context of evolutionary expansion and transcriptional regulation of OR repertoires.
Liver Transplantation at KFSHRC: Achievement and Challenges

The liver transplantation program at KFSHRC has been active since 2001. More than 450 liver transplants have been performed so far. The program evolved from adult cadaveric transplant to living donor and recently to pediatric and split techniques. The 1-year survival of patients for both pediatric and adult exceeded 90% and the 5-year survival of patients is more than 80%. Associated with this success are challenges that include: organ shortage, quality of organ harvested, inability to meet the growing national need, increased demand of resource to meet the need of the program, and lack of a collaborative national strategy in organ donation and transplantation.
HIV fusion inhibitors

Drugs based on amino acid sequence of Heptad Repeats of gp41 of HIV have been explored in search of anti‐HIV drugs acting by inhibition of the gp41 6‐helix formation and subsequent cellular infection. These are classified under a distinct discipline called HIV fusion inhibitors. Resistance to HIV fusion inhibitors and their solutions have also been discussed in this review. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spawning Aggregation Sites of Snapper and Grouper Species (Lutjanidae and Serranidae) on the Insular Shelf of Cuba

Twenty-one spawning aggregation sites on the Cuban shelf were identified for eight species of snappers (Lutjanus) and groupers (Epinephelus and Mycteroperca) using information from experienced fishers and field studies. Three sites are on the southeastern shelf, eight on the southwest shelf bordering the Golfo de Batabano, two in the northwest, and eight in the north-central region along the margins of the Archipielago de Sabana-Camaguey. These numbers may reflect sampling effort as much as absolute aggregation numbers, with most effort concentrated in the southwest and north-central regions. Additional studies, particularly field assessments, are needed to determine the current status and consistency of occurrence of many of these aggregations. Most sites occur near the shelf drop-off at depths of 20–50 m, over reef substrates. Some sites involve sequential use by multiple species over several seasons of the year. Fishing activities have impacted many of these aggregations, both during spawning events and during pre-spawning migrations. This information is being applied in the design of marine reserve networks for several Cuban archipelagos. Intraspecific variations in aggregation formation occur temporally among differing regions of Cuba. Such variations reinforce the need for expanded research efforts on spawning aggregations. Gulf and Caribbean Research Vol 14(2), 91–106, 2003 Manuscript received February 28, 2002; accepted November 12, 2002
Feeder Approach between Trials Is Increased by Uncertainty and Affects Subsequent Choices

Abstract Animals quickly learn to approach sources of food. Here, we report on a form of approach in which rats made volitional orofacial contact with inactive feeders between trials of a self-paced operant task. This extraneous feeder sampling (EFS) was never reinforced and therefore imposed an opportunity and effort cost. EFS decreased during initial training but persisted thereafter. The relative rate of EFS to operant responding increased with novel changes to the operant chamber, reward devaluation by prefeeding, or lesions to the dorsolateral striatum. We speculate that this may function to increase exploration when the task is uncertain (early in learning or introduction of novel apparatus components), when the opportunity cost is low, or when the learned sensorimotor solution is compromised. Moreover, EFS strongly affected subsequent choices by triggering a lose-shift response away from the sampled feeder, even though it occurred outside of the trial context. This indicates that at least some behaviors occurring between trials impact future behaviors and should be considered in decision-making studies.
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the identification of environmental organisms: the Planctomycetes paradigm.

We have developed a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS)-based identification technique for Planctomycetes organisms, which are used here as bacteria of suitable diversity at genus and species level for testing resolution of the method. Planctomyces maris ATCC 29201, Planctomyces brasiliensis ATCC 49424(T) , P. brasiliensis ATCC 49425, Planctomyces limnophilus ATCC 43296(T) , Blastopirellula marina ATCC 49069(T) , Rhodopirellula baltica DSM 10527(T) and Gemmata obscuriglobus DSM 5831(T) were cultured on half-strength marine broth and agar, or alternatively on caulobacter broth and agar. The resulting pellets of organisms (liquid) or colonies (solid agar) were directly applied to a MALDI-TOF plate. This yielded a reproducible, unique protein profiles comprising 23-39 peaks ranging in size from 2403 to 12 091 Da. These peaks were unambiguously distinguished from any of the 3038 bacterial spectra in the Brüker database. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight patterns were similar for isolates grown in solid and in liquid medium, albeit the patterns from solid growth were more easily interpretable. After the incorporation of the herein determined profiles into the Brüker database, Planctomycetes isolates were blindly identified within 10 min, with an identification score in the range of 1.8 to 2.3. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight-based clustering of these Planctomycetes organisms was consistent with 16S rDNA-based phylogeny. However, the incorporation of additional non-Planctomycetes MALDI-TOF profiles in the analysis resulted in inconsequential clustering. In conclusion, MALDI-TOF protein profiling is a new approach for the rapid and accurate identification of cultured environmental organisms, as illustrated in this study through the analysis of Planctomycetes.
A Hybrid Recombinant-Chemical Conjugation Approach to Fc Fusion Mimetics

H. Khalili, S. Brocchini, P. Khaw University College London Purpose We have recently shown that Fab-PEG-Fab (FpF) molecules are antibody (MAb) mimetics [1]. Site-specific conjugation of the Fab in the region where it is naturally bound to the hinge in a MAb to each terminus of a linear PEG molecule yields the FpF. Since the PEG in FpFs appears to allow good avidity of the Fabs, and better stability overall compared to MAbs, this study is to determine if we could extend our approach to examine the analogous Fc mimetics. Aflibercept (VEGF-trap) has two VEGF binding regions (rather than two Fabs) fused to an Fc fragment. The aim of this study was to determine if the corresponding ‘receptor fragment-PEG-receptor fragment’ (RpR) or RVEGF-PEG-RVEGF could be prepared by thiolselective bis-alkylation. Methods Aflibercept (VEGF-trap, Regeneron Pharmaceutical, 2.0 mg/mL, 1.0 mL) was proteolytically digested using FabRICATORE (IdeS enzyme, Genovis) for 30 minutes at ambient temperature. The VEGFR binding fragments were purified using a CaptureSelect column. The fragments were then conjugated by thiol-selective bis-alkylation and purified following the process used to prepare FpFs [1] to give RVEGF-PEG-RVEGF. Results Aflibercept was first incubated with DTT indicating that partial reduction yielded a band at approximately 50-55 kDa, which was presumed to be the individual heavy chains of the Fc with one copy of the VEGF-receptor fragment (VEGFR). Ellmans assay indicated there were 4 free thiols after treating aflibercet with DTT. The presumed VEGFR fragments (VEGFR-2) were obtained after digestion of aflibercept with the FabRICATORE enzyme and passing the digestion solution over a column to remove the Fc fragment (Fig. 1, lanes 1). The VEGFR fragments displayed binding to VEGF as determined by Biacore. The VEGFR fragment was treated with DTT (Fig 1, lane 2). After removal of DTT and incubation (Fig. 1, lane 3) with the bisalkylating reagent derived from PEG (10 kDa), the RVEGF-PEG10-RVEGF was obtained after IEX purification (Fig 1, lane 4). Conclusion A mimetic of a Fc fusion protein has been prepared from alfibercept to give RVEGF-PEG10-RVEGF. Comparative binding studies with aflibercept are currently under way.
Anti-diabetic effects of an alcoholic extract of Juglans regia in an animal model

Many traditional treatments have been recommended in the alternative system of medicine for treatment of diabetes mellitus. Juglans regia is one of the medicinal plants used in traditional Iranian medicine as a treatment for diabetes, but little scientific documentation supports its antidiabetic action. The purpose of this study was to investigate antidiabetic effect of J. regia leaves in type 1 diabetes induced animal model. Materials and methods: Four groups of animals were selected. Group I animals were fed a normal diet. Animals of groups II, III, and IV received streptozotocin. Animals of groups III and IV were treated with J. regia leaf extract 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. The various parameters studied included body weight, blood glucose, triglycerides, cholesterols, LDL, VLDL, HDL, insulin, and glycated hemoglobin in all groups. Results: Treatment with the J. regia extracts resulted in a significant decrease in blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, LDL, triglyceride, and total cholesterol, and a significant increase in insulin and HDL level. Conclusion: The plant extract is capable of ameliorating hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and is a potential source for active agent(s) for diabetes mellitus. It is concluded that J. regia leaf extract can be potentially used to control type 1 diabetes.
No evidence for the persistence of Schmallenberg virus in overwintering mosquitoes

In 2011, Schmallenberg virus (SBV), a novel member of the Simbu serogroup, genus Orthobunyavirus, was identified as the causative agent of a disease in ruminants in Europe. Based on the current knowledge on arthropods involved in the transmission of Simbu group viruses, a role of both midges and mosquitoes in the SBV transmission cycle cannot be excluded beforehand. The persistence of SBV in mosquitoes overwintering at SBV‐affected farms in the Netherlands was investigated. No evidence for the presence of SBV in 868 hibernating mosquitoes (Culex, Anopheles, and Culiseta spp., collected from January to March 2012) was found. This suggests that mosquitoes do not play an important role, if any, in the persistence of SBV during the winter months in northwestern Europe.
Cell Anergy by Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells Responses: ICOS-Dependent Induction of T The Role of ICOS in Directing T Cell

Tolerogenic dendritic cells (DC) play an important role in maintaining peripheral T cell tolerance in steady-state conditions through induction of anergic, IL-10-producing T cells with suppressive properties. ICOS, an activation-induced member of the CD28 family on T cells, is involved in the induction of IL-10, which itself could contribute to induction of anergy and development of suppressive T cells. Therefore, we analyzed the functional role of ICOS in the differentiation process of human CD4 (cid:1) T cells upon their interaction with tolerogenic DC. We compared the functional properties of CD4 (cid:1) T cells from healthy volunteers and ICOS-deﬁcient patients after stimulation with tolerogenic DC. We report that induction of T cell anergy and suppressive capacity is completely blocked after knockdown of ICOS expression in T cells as well as after blocking of ICOS-ICOS ligand interaction in DC/T cell cocultures. Moreover, CD4 (cid:1) T cells from ICOS-deﬁcient patients were completely resistant to anergy induction and differentiation into suppressive T cells even after supplementation of IL-10. Furthermore, ICOS/ICOS ligand interaction stabilizes IL-10R expression on T cells and thus renders them sensitive to IL-10 effects. Taken together, these results indicate a crucial role for ICOS in the induction of peripheral tolerance maintained by tolerogenic DC mediated mostly via an IL-10-independent mechanism. The Journal of Immunology, 2009, 182: 3349–3356.
The Pransky interview: Russ Angold, Co-Founder and President of Ekso™ Labs

Purpose – This paper aims to present a “Q&A interview” conducted by Joanne Pransky of Industrial Robot Journal as a method to impart the combined technological, business and personal experiences of a prominent robotic industry engineer-turned entrepreneur regarding the evolution, commercialization and challenges of bringing a technological invention to market. Design/methodology/approach – The interviewee is Russ Angold, Co-Founder and President of Ekso™ Labs. Mr Angold has a bachelor’s degree in BioResource and Agricultural Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He is a California-registered Professional Mechanical Engineer and has two granted patents and another seven pending. Findings – In 2004, two weeks after Mr Angold was hired by a former colleague to work on exoskeletons (Exos) at the University of California, Berkeley, one of Mr Angold’s six brothers has an accident that leaves him as an incomplete quadriplegic. This is the catalyst that eventually leads him an.
Prevalence and Factors Influencing Dental Problems in a Rural Population of Southern India

INTRODUCTION Poor dental health is a major public health problem, not only in developed countries but also in developing countries. The explanation for this is related most probably to the increased availability and consumption of refined sugars'. The two most prevalent oral diseases are dental caries and periodontal disease. There have been a number of urban studies conducted among school children in India-:" and a few rural studies among the same group2,3,8. The rural schools studied were situated within 10-15 km of main cities. There has been only one previous study? of the dental problems of a rural population as a whole, in spite of the fact that 80070 of the Indian population reside in rural areas. We conducted the present study in 1992 to determine the prevalence of dental caries and gingivitis among the general population in a rural community and to study the association of dental caries and gingivitis with socio-economic conditions and with oral hygiene practices.
Optical character recognition with fast training neural network

Optical character recognition has been extensively investigated in the past few years. Many existing techniques are able to provide high recognition rate, but at the cost of long training time. In this work, we present a neural network based approach to reduce the training time while maintain the high recognition rate. The main idea is to perform a preprocessing stage to partition the training data prior to the training stage. A multi-stage approach is then used to deal with various types of input source. Our experiments on real image datasets have demonstrated that the balance between the training time and recognition time can be achieved using the proposed method.
A modified scheme for segmenting the noisy images

An image segmentation scheme based on gray-level thresholding is presented. To reduce errors in misclassification, gray-level histograms are sharpened before thresholding using a gray-level transformation function that also leads to an expression for computing the expected threshold. Three new thresholding methods are proposed that reduce the noise, smooth region boundaries, and preserve connectedness among different parts of objects, and are not expensive. >
[Influence of rescue service personnel's shift work on psycho-physical parameters].

BACKGROUND The aim of the investigation was to receive information about the interaction between psycho-physical parameters as a function of the strain by shift work for rescue service personnel. MATERIAL AND METHODS We examined 26 persons, who are active in the rescue service. The investigations always took place in the morning between 7.00 and 8.00 o'clock, either after 3 days off (n = 26), after 3 night shifts (n = 14) or in the morning of the third day shift (n = 14). The investigations included measurements of blood pressure, heart rate variability, and salivary cortisol. Additionally, standardized questionnaires (WHO-5, EBF 72/3) were used. RESULTS A significant rise of the quotient LF/HF--as indicator for a sympathetic dominance--could be proven by means of a simple three minute arithmetic task at every investigation (after 3 days off from 0.81 to 2.30; p < 0.001). By means of the EBF a clear impairment could be demonstrated after 3 night shifts. Fatigue and somatic complaints were the main outcomes. In our study a more impaired well-being was associated with a more pronounced decrease of salivary cortisol (r = 0.538; p < 0.05) as well as lower blood pressure values (r = 0.547; p < 0.05), and a lower LF/HF quotient (r = 0.836; p < 0.01), indicating lower sympathetic and/or increased vagale activation, after three night shifts. CONCLUSIONS After three night shifts a lower sympathetic activation seems to negatively affect the well-being. Due to the provable specific strain night- and shift-workers should be a priority target group for prevention and workplace health promotion.
Impact of topical anaesthesia on pain alleviation and wound healing in lambs after mulesing.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of using the topical anaesthetic preparation Tri-Solfen on pain alleviation and wound healing in lambs undergoing mulesing. DESIGN Three separate trials, placebo controlled and/or randomised, were carried out over a 5 month period on three mobs of between 60 and 263 merino lambs undergoing routine mulesing. PROCEDURE Wound pain was assessed using 10 and 75 g calibrated Von-Frey monofilaments to determine sensitivity to light touch and pain stimulation over a 4 to 8 h period. Pain-related behaviour was documented by trained, blinded observers using a numerical rating scale. Wound healing rates were determined using scaled digital photography and image analysis software to calculate contraction in wound surface area 2 and 4 weeks after mulesing. RESULTS There was rapid (3 min) and prolonged (up to 8 h) wound analgesia as shown by pain response scores (P < or = 0.01), with absent or significantly diminished primary and secondary hyperalgesia (P < or = 0.01) and significant reduction in pain-related behaviour (P < 0.001) in treated versus untreated lambs. In addition there was improved wound healing in the treated lambs (P < or = 0.05). CONCLUSION Tri-Solfen effects rapid and prolonged wound analgesia, reduction in pain-related behaviour and improved wound healing in lambs undergoing routine mulesing, providing effective alleviation of pain associated with routine mulesing in sheep.
Pulmonary Inflammatory and Fibrotic Responses in Fischer 344 Rats After Intratracheal Instillation Exposure to Libby Amphibole

Increased incidences of asbestosis have been reported in workers from Libby, MT, associated with exposures to amphibole-contaminated vermiculite. In this study pulmonary and histopathological changes were investigated following Libby amphibole (LA) exposure in a rat model. Rat respirable fractions of LA and amosite (aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm) were prepared by water elutriation. Male F344 rats were exposed to single doses of either saline (SAL), amosite (0.65 mg/rat), or LA (0.65 or 6.5 mg/rat) by intratracheal instillation. At times from 1 d to 3 mo after exposure, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed and right and left lungs were removed for reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and histopathological analysis, respectively. Data indicated that 0.65 mg amosite resulted in a higher degree of pulmonary injury, inflammation, and fibrotic events than LA at the same mass dose. Exposure to either amosite or high dose LA resulted in higher levels of cellular permeability and injury, inflammatory enzymes, and iron binding proteins in both BAL fluid and lung tissue at most time points when compared to SAL controls. However, mRNA expression for some growth factors (e.g., platelet-derived growth factor [PDGF]-A and transforming growth factor [TGF]-1β), which contribute to fibrosis, were downregulated at several time points. Furthermore, histopathological examination showed notable thickening of interstitial areas surrounding the alveolar ducts and terminal bronchioles. On a mass dose basis, amosite produced a greater acute and persistent lung injury for at least 3 mo after exposure. However, further testing and analysis of LA are needed with regard to the dose metric to fully evaluate its potential fibrogenicity and carcinogenicity.
Pilot Study Evaluating the Effect of Massage Therapy on Stress, Anxiety and Aggression in a Young Adult Psychiatric Inpatient Unit

Objective: The aim of the present pilot study was to examine the effectiveness of a relaxation massage therapy programme in reducing stress, anxiety and aggression on a young adult psychiatric inpatient unit. Method: This was a prospective, non-randomized intervention study comparing treatment as usual (TAU) with TAU plus massage therapy intervention (MT) over consecutive 7 week blocks (May–August 2006). MT consisted of a 20 min massage therapy session offered daily to patients during their period of hospitalization. The Kennedy Nurses’ Observational Scale for Inpatient Evaluation (NOSIE), the Symptom Checklist-90–Revised (SCL-90-R), the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and stress hormone (saliva cortisol) levels were used to measure patient outcomes at admission and discharge from the unit. The Staff Observation Aggression Scale–Revised (SOAS-R) was used to monitor the frequency and severity of aggressive incidents on the unit. Results: There was a significant reduction in self-reported anxiety (p < 0.001), resting heart rate (p < 0.05) and cortisol levels (p < 0.05) immediately following the initial and final massage therapy sessions. Significant improvements in hostility (p = 0.007) and depression scores (p < 0.001) on the SCL-90-R were observed in both treatment groups. There was no group×time interaction on any of the measures. Poor reliability of staff-reported incidents on the SOAS-R limited the validity of results in this domain. Conclusions: Massage therapy had immediate beneficial effects on anxiety-related measures and may be a useful de-escalating tool for reducing stress and anxiety in acutely hospitalized psychiatric patients. Study limitations preclude any definite conclusions on the effect of massage therapy on aggressive incidents in an acute psychiatric setting. Randomized controlled trials are warranted.