Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of the apical stem in maintaining the structure and function of adenovirus virus-associated RNA

Adenovirus virus-associated (VA) RNAI maintains efficient protein synthesis during the late phase of infection by preventing the activation of the double-stranded-RNA-dependent protein kinase, DAI. A secondary structure model for VA RNAI predicts the existence of two stems joined by a complex stem-loop structure, the central domain. The structural consequences of mutations and compensating mutations introduced into the apical stem lend support to this model. In transient expression assays for VA RNA function, foreign sequences inserted into the apical stem were fully tolerated provided that the stem remained intact. Mutants in which the base of the apical stem was disrupted retained partial activity, but truncation of the apical stem abolished the ability of the RNA to block DAI activation in vitro, suggesting that the length and position of the stem are both important for VA RNA function. These results imply that VA RNAI activity depends on secondary structure at the top of the apical stem as well as in the central domain and are consistent with a two-step mechanism involving DAI interactions with both the apical stem and the central domain.
Chronic Physical Illness and Emotional Disorder in Childhood

With better methods of treating childhood chronic illness and improved survival rates, more emphasis is being put on the effects of illness on the child and family. About 5% of children in Western countries have persistent or recurrent handicapping physical dis orders (Rutter ci a! , 1970; McAnarney, 1985; Pless & Nolan, 1991), the most common problems being asthma, eczema and epilepsy. Whether chronic physical illness affects the quality of child and family life has been investigated by surveys of psychiatric disturbance in such families. Results have seemed inconsistent, but it is possible to draw general con clusions when due note is taken of type of illness studied and the methods of sampling and measure ments used. These will be considered here. Other aspects of the child's emotional and social adjust ment (i.e. self-esteem, peer relations, educational progress) (McAnarney, 1985; Eiser, 1990) are not discussed in this editorial. When assessing psychiatric adjustment, a com monly used research strategy is to compare children with different physical problems. Breslau (1990) has summarised the evidence from epidemiological surveys, and has shown that any increase in psy chiatric risk for children with chronic physical illness is, to a large extent, accounted for by disorders involving the brain (e.g. epilepsy). However, epidemiological studies have surveyed children with disorders of differing severity and at different stages of illness. This should be considered before concluding that conditions not involving the brain have little effect on psychiatric health.
Approach to Multi-Objective Evolutionary Compitation Method for Generating Variable Walking Patterns

The generation of the optimal walking trajectory is an important question for a biped robot to keep walking stably. This paper is proposed for generating the walking trajectories resulted in best performance of the biped robot using multi-objective evolutionary computation. We formulate a trajectory generation problem as a multi-objective optimal problem. We obtain all Pareto-optimal solutions on the feasible solution region for various walking pattern generation of a biped robot in simulation.
An magnetic resonance imaging T2*‐weighted sequence at short echo time to detect putaminal hypointensity in Parkinsonisms

At 1.5 T, T2*‐weighted gradient echo (GE) sequences are more sensitive in revealing mineral deposition in the basal ganglia than standard T2 weighted sequences. T2*‐weighted GE sequences, however, may detect putaminal hypointensities either in patients affected by parkinsonian syndromes or in healthy subjects. The aim of this study was to identify the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2*‐weighted sequence which more specifically detected putaminal hypointensities differentiating atypical parkinsonian syndromes from Parkinson's disease (PD) and control subjects. In a sample of 38 healthy subjects, we performed three T2*‐weighted GE sequences at increasing time echo (TE; TE = 15 millisecond, TE = 25 millisecond, and echoplanar at TE = 40 millisecond; T2* sequences study). The sequence not showing any putaminal abnormality in the healthy subjects was then used to assess putaminal signal intensity in 189 patients with PD, 20 patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA), 41 patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and in 150 age and sex‐matched control subjects. In the T2* sequences study, the T2*‐weighted TE = 15 (T2*/15) did not show any putaminal abnormalities in the healthy subjects. This sequence detected putaminal hypointensities in a significantly higher proportion of patients with MSA (35%, P < 0.05) and PSP (24.4%, P < 0.05) than in patients with PD (5.3%), but in none of the controls. The sensitivity of putaminal hypointensity in T2*/15 sequence was 25.4% for PD, 43.9% for PSP, and 55% for MSA versus controls whereas the specificity was 93.2% for all groups. Despite the suboptimal sensitivity, the high specificity of the T2*/15 sequence performed on routine MRI suggests its usefulness in clinical practice for identifying putaminal hypointensities associated with parkinsonian disorders. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Bicarbonate-Sensitive Calcification and Life Span of klotho-deficient mice 1 2

21 22 Klotho, a protein counteracting aging, is a powerful inhibitor of 1,25(OH)2D3 formation and regulator 23 of mineral metabolism. In klotho-hypomorphic mice (kl/kl) excessive 1,25(OH)2D3 formation leads to 24 hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia and vascular calcification, severe growth deficit, accelerated aging 25 and early death. The kl/kl mice further suffer from extracellular volume depletion and hypotension, 26 leading to stimulation of ADH and aldosterone release. Vitamin-D-deficient diet, restriction of dietary 27 phosphate, inhibition of mineralocorticoid receptors with spironolactone and dietary NaCl all extend 28 the life span of kl/kl mice. Kl/kl mice suffer from acidosis. The present study explored whether 29 replacement of tap drinking water by 150 mM NaHCO3 affects growth, tissue calcification and life 30 span of kl/kl mice. As a result, NaHCO3 administration to kl/kl mice did not reverse the growth deficit 31 but substantially decreased tissue calcification and significantly increased the average life span from 78 32 days to 127 days. NaHCO3 did not significantly affect plasma concentrations of 1,25(OH)2D3 and Ca, 33 but significantly decreased plasma phosphate concentration and plasma aldosterone concentration. The 34 present study reveals a novel effect of bicarbonate, i.e. a favorable influence on vascular calcification 35 and early death of klotho-deficient mice. 36 37
SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS PRESENTING AS SUBARACHNOID HAEMORRHAGE AND SPACE OCCUPYING LESION

SINCE Kaposi first described systemic lupus erythematosus in 1872, many descriptions of both central and peripheral nervous system involvement have appeai-ed. Previous papers have described psychoses (Daly, 1045; (.'lark, 1! J5(); Dubois, 1964), coma (Kaposi, 1875), eonvulsions (Klemperer, 1941; (.'lark, 1956; Dubois, 19H4), hemipiegia and aphasia (Dubois, 1964), chorea (Paradise, 19ti()), periplieral neuropathy (Heptinstall, 1952; Bailey et aL, 1950; Dubois, 19fi4), and disseminated encephalomyelitis (Vejjajiva. 1966). There is only 1 previous report of a space-oecupying lesion occurring in association with systemic lupus erytheinato.sus (Meagher et al., 1961). This paper describes a further case, whieh also presented \nth subarachnoid liaemorrhage.
Elucidating the role of cathepsin B in the lifecycle of influenza A virus

ii Acknowledgements iii Table of Figures vi Table of Appendices vii Abbreviations viii Chapter 1: Introduction 1 1.1 Influenza A Virus 1 1.1.1 IVA Structure 1 1.1.2 IVA Genetics 4 1.1.3 IVA Lifecycle 5 1.1. 4 Hemagglutinin 9 1.2 Cathepsin B 10 1.2.1 Background 10 1.2.2 The role of Cathepsin B in viral lifecycles 11 1.2.3 Potential involvement of Cathepsin B in lipid homeostasis 12 1.3 Rationale, hypothesis and objectives 13 Chapter 2: Methods 14 2.1 Reagents 14 2.2 Cell Culture 14 2.3 Viral Infections 15 2.4 Western Blot 15 2.5 RT-qPCR 15 2.6 Fractionation 16 2.7 Cholesterol Assay 17 2.8 Protein Assay 17 2.9 Immunofluorescence Microscopy 17 2.10 Hemagglutination Assay 18 2.11 MTT Assay 18 2.12 Statistical Analysis 19
Four Lymphomas in 1 Patient: A Unique Case of Triple Composite Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Followed by Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma

Composite lymphomas consist of 2 or more distinct lymphomas occurring in a single anatomical site or simultaneously in different sites and can be composed of any combination of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), T-cell NHL, or Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Cases of composite lymphomas with more than 2 lymphomas are extremely rare, with only 4 reports in the literature. We report the case of a 49-year-old man with a triple composite lymphoma in a single lymph node, consisting of small lymphocytic lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma in situ. The patient received multiple courses of chemotherapy and an autologous stem cell transplant, which resulted in complete remission. Then, 6 years after the stem cell transplant, he developed classical HL. This unique case is, to our knowledge, the first report of a patient with triple composite lymphoma consisting of 3 small mature B-cell NHLs, who subsequently developed a fourth lymphoma.
A failure-resilient xDSL line driver with on-chip degradation monitor

Continuous scaling to smaller CMOS nodes has introduced die-level degradation effects, reducing the reliability of integrated circuits. This paper presents a failure-resilient xDSL line driver with reconfigurable output-stage, on-chip degradation monitors and system controller, resulting in a guaranteed power efficiency in presence of degradation. Preservation of the power efficiency is verified using voltage-overstressing and temperature variation measurements.
A Novel Proportionally Fair Spectrum Allocation in Two Tiered Cellular Networks

Heterogeneity in cellular networks leads to a complex scenario wherein several tiers co-exist. For closed access scenario in such a heterogeneous network, the inter-tier interference has an impact on the overall network throughput. The impact becomes severe with increasing base station density in the interfering tiers. Here, we present a method of orthogonal spectrum allocation for two tiered cellular networks such that each tier gets improvement in mean throughput over the co-channel deployment. We have formulated the problem as a novel proportionally fair spectrum allocation and prove that a unique Nash Bargaining Solution exists. Necessary conditions for the existence of optimal bandwidth partioning is also derived.
Aortic valve reconstruction using autologous pericardium for ages over 80 years

Background We performed original aortic valve reconstruction using autologous pericardium; the feasibility for elderly patients is reviewed. Methods From April 2007 through September 2011, aortic valve reconstruction was carried out in 86 patients over the age of 80 years. Twenty-seven patients were male and 59 were female. Mean age was 82.9 ± 2.5 years. Seventy-two patients had aortic stenosis and 14 had aortic regurgitation. Mean preoperative surgical annular diameter was 19.5 ± 2.5 mm. There were 80 (90.7%) cases of small aortic annulus. Mean preoperative logistic EuroSCORE was 22.9 ± 15.8. Results Isolated aortic valve reconstructions were performed in 51 patients. Concomitant procedures included coronary artery bypass grafting in 6, hemiarch aortic replacements in 6, 9 maze procedures, and some combinations. No conversion to valve replacement was required. Mean follow-up was 1243 days. There were 3 hospital deaths due to noncardiac causes. No reoperation was needed. Survival at 56 months was 87.0%. No thromboembolic event occurred. Echocardiography 3.5 years after surgery revealed an average peak pressure gradient of 14.6 ± 3.8 mm Hg. No moderate or severe regurgitation was recorded. Conclusions Aortic valve reconstruction is feasible for patients older than 80 years, resulting in good hemodynamics and a better quality of life, without anticoagulation.
Complete Draft Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli KRX, a Strain for Efficient Cloning and High-Yield Expression of Proteins under Control of the T7 RNA Polymerase

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli KRX is a strain offering both a high transformation efficiency and the possibility to produce the target protein to high yields in one host, avoiding additional cloning steps. Here, the draft genome sequence of E. coli KRX is presented and provides the genetic basis for additional biotechnological applications.
Evaluation and Management of Lower Back Pain in Oncological Patients

Back pain is one of the most common complaints that brings patients to be examined by a physician (Moore, 2010). Pain may originate from a variety of tissues, including intervertebral disks, vertebrae, ligaments, neural structures, muscles, and fascia, or present as referred pain from adjacent pathology, such as peptic ulcers, pancreatitis, pyelonephritis, aortic aneurysm, and more (Henschke, et al., 2009). Nonspecific low back pain is typically managed with symptomatic care and physical therapy, with up to 90% of patients improving substantially over 3 months. It is such a common condition that the American College of Physicians has issued guidelines with a mandate against imaging patients for the first month after pain onset (Chou, 2010).
A study on the seroprevalence of brucellosis in human and goat populations of district Bhimber, Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The present study was design to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis in human and goat population. A total of 300 blood samples, comprising of 150 each from goats and humans were randomly collected from District Bhimber Azad Jmmu and Kashmir. Out of the 150 blood samples 75 were collected from each males and females. The serum samples were tested for the presence of anti-Brucella antibodies by Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), Serum Plate Agglutination Test (SPAT) and Serum Tube Agglutination Test (STAT). The overall prevalence of brucellosis in goats was recorded as 13.33%, 11.33% and 9.33% by RBPT, SPAT and STAT, respectively and in humans was found to be 9.33%, 7.33% and 6.0% by RBPT, SPAT and STAT, respectively. The sex-wise prevalence of brucellosis in male goats was recorded as 10.66%, 8.0% and 6.66% by RBPT, SPAT and STAT, respectively; while in females it was 16.0%, 14.66% and 12.0% by RBPT, SPAT and STAT respectively. In males of human, the seroprevalence of brucellosis was recorded 6.66%, 5.33%, and 4.0%, whereas in females it was 12.0%, 9.33% and 8.0% by RBPT, SPAT and STAT, respectively. The prevalence of brucellosis was relatively higher in goats as compared to humans, irrespective of techniques used. It was also concluded that brucellosis was higher in females than in males in both goats and humans. Among all the serological tests applied in the present study, RBPT was found to be more sensitive and showed higher prevalence of brucellosis in goat as well as in human populations.
Promoting effect of bile acids in colon carcinogenesis in germ-free and conventional F344 rats.

The promoting effect of sodium cholate or sodium chenodeoxycholate on colon carcinogenesis was studied in female F344 germ-free and conventional rats. Both germ-free and conventional rats received intrarectal instillations of N -methyl- N ′-nitro- N -nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) for 2 weeks (total dose, 8 mg/rat) and then intrarectal doses of sodium cholate or sodium chenodeoxycholate (20 mg/rat/dose) three times a week for 46 weeks; other groups received MNNG for 2 weeks and vehicle thereafter for 46 weeks or bile acids alone for 48 weeks. Sodium cholate or sodium chenodeoxycholate increased MNNG-induced adenocarcinomas and adenomas in germ-free rats, whereas in conventional rats these bile acids induced more adenomas. Conventional rats treated with MNNG + sodium cholate or MNNG + sodium chenodeoxycholate had a higher incidence ( p 0.05) frequency of colon tumors than did those given MNNG alone. No tumors were detected in the colons of germ-free and conventional rats given sodium cholate or sodium chenodeoxycholate alone. It is concluded that sodium cholate or sodium chenodeoxycholate had a promoting effect in colon carcinogenesis in rats evoked by MNNG.
A short‐term poikilothermic period occurs just after paradoxical sleep onset in humans: characterization changes in sweating effector activity

SUMMARY We examined the changes in sudorific effector activity in five healthy young (21‐23 y) subjects just before, during and just after successive paradoxical sleep (PS) phases. Local sweat rates were evaluated minute by minute over the chest (ṁcs). Previous observations, showing that ṁcs levels dropped before paradoxical sleep onset was electrophysiologically scored, were confirmed. At the end of this period of ṁcs depression, which in the present study coincided with paradoxical sleep onset, we show for the first time a short period (3–7 min) (period I) during which sweat production completely disappeared. A second period then followed (period II), at the very beginning of which ṁcs was re‐elicited and thereafter increased in close correlation with paradoxical sleep duration. During period 11, the remaining inhibiting influences (maximal during period I) and their releases could be specified by the successive valleys (indicating ṁcs inhibition) and peaks (indicating release of the ṁcs inhibition) drawn by the minute by minute mcs changes. These inhibitions became weaker as paradoxical sleep advanced. Given the strategic position of period I (at paradoxical sleep onset) and the total mcs abolition therein observed, it may be assumed that this poikilothermic state is the re‐emergence of the ‘ancestral’ mode of body temperature regulation. From a thermophysiological point of view, period II may be considered as more ‘modern’ and directly related to the extension of paradoxical sleep in humans. This extension could be underlain by the unique development of our cognitive and/or learning functions.
Pathologic correlates of incidental MRI white matter signal hyperintensities

We related the histopathologic changes associated with incidental white matter signal hyperintensities on MRIs from 11 elderly patients (age range, 52 to 82 years) to a descriptive classification for such abnormalities. Punctate, early confluent, and confluent white matter hyperintensities corresponded to increasing severity of ischemic tissue damage, ranging from mild perivascular alterations to large areas with variable loss of fibers, multiple small cavitations, and marked arteriolosclerosis. Microcystic infarcts and patchy rarefaction of myelin were also characteristic for irregular periventricular high signal intensity. Hyperintense periventricular caps and a smooth halo, however, were of nonischemic origin and constituted areas of demyelination associated with subependymal gliosis and discontinuity of the ependymal lining. Based on these findings, our classification appears to reflect both the different etiologies and severities of incidental MRI signal abnormalities, if it is modified to treat irregular periventricular and confluent deep white matter hyperintensities together.
The effect of periodontal status and occlusal support on masticatory performance: the Suita study.

AIM In this study, we investigated the effect of differences in periodontal status in the masticatory performance of dentate subjects with the same occlusal supporting area. MATERIALS AND METHODS The subjects of the analysis were classified into those of Eichner A1-3 (n = 1094) and Eichner B1-4 (n = 529). Subjects' periodontal status was evaluated on the basis of the Community Periodontal Index (CPI). The number of functional teeth and occlusal support were investigated, the latter on the basis of the Eichner Index. Furthermore, masticatory performance was investigated by means of test gummy jelly. For each group, periodontal status was classified in two different ways, either with/without moderate periodontitis (CPI Code ≤2/≥3) or with/without severe periodontitis (CPI Code ≤3/4), and masticatory performance was compared between the various groups. RESULTS In subjects who were Eichner A1 and B3, masticatory performance was significantly lower in subjects with moderate periodontitis compared with those without, and in subjects with severe periodontitis compared with those without. CONCLUSION Periodontal disease affects masticatory performance not only if occlusion is established by natural dentition with no tooth loss but also if occlusal support has decreased.
M ODELING ALGORITHM OF ESTIMATION OF RENAL FUNCTION BY THE COCKCROFT AND MDRD FORMULAS

The purpose of this study was to determine theconcordance between two equations used for estimating glomerular filtration rate, in order to verify the possibility to be used interchangeably in the clinical practice. The two equations are of Cockcroft & Gault (CG) (1976) formula and MDRD (modification of Diet in Renal Disease) (1999) formula, these two models allow the assessment of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by calculating creatinine clearance (CL CR). To make a comparison between these two formulas different models were examined forSubjects with normal renal function, Patients with renal impairment, Diabetic patients, Age and sex, finally lean and obese patients by modeling two algorithms withthe two functions. Results show that the formula of Cockcroft & Gault remains the method of choice for e stimating renal function in clinical practice.
Molecular characterization of the tia invasion locus from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) shares with other diarrheal pathogens the capacity to invade epithelial cell lines originating from the human ileum or colon, although the role of invasion in ETEC pathogenesis remains undefined. Two distinct loci (tia and tib) that direct noninvasive E. coli to adhere to and invade intestinal epithelial cell lines have previously been isolated from cosmid libraries of the classical ETEC strain H10407. Here, we report the molecular characterization of the tia locus. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of cellular fractions of E. coli DH5alpha carrying the tia-positive cosmids and recombinant plasmid subclones revealed that this locus directs the production of a 25-kDa protein (the Tia protein) that is localized to the outer membrane. The tia locus was subcloned to a maximum of 2 kb and mutagenized with bacteriophage Mud. Synthesis of this protein was directly correlated with the ability of subclones and Mud transposon mutants to adhere to and invade epithelial cells. Sequencing of the tia locus identified a 756-bp open reading frame. All transposon insertions resulting in an invasion-negative phenotype mapped to this open reading frame. The open reading frame was amplified and directionally cloned behind the lac promoter of pHG165. This construct directed DHalpha to express a 25-kDa protein and to adhere to and invade epithelial cells. The role of the tia gene in directing epithelial adherence and invasion was further assessed by the construction of chromosomal tia deletion derivatives of the parent ETEC strain, H10407. These tia deletion strains were noninvasive and lacked the ability to adhere to human ileocecal cells. The tia gene shares limited homology with the Yersinia ail locus and significant homology with the hra1 agglutinin gene cloned from a porcine ETEC strain. Additionally, tia probes hybridized to geographically diverse ETEC strains, as well as some enteropathogenic E. coli, enteroaggregative E. coli, and Shigella sonnei strains.