Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanical Wounding Induces the Formation of Extensive Coated Membranes in Giant Algal Cells

Mechanically wounding giant cells of Boergesenia forbesii induces the formation of bristle-coated, plasma-membrane invaginations (coated pits) and coated vesicles, easily providing a plentiful source of coated membranes in a clean cellular system unencumbered by other tissues. Contractions evoked by wounding partition the cytoplasm into hundreds of spherical protoplasts with approximately 40 percent less total plasma-membrane surface area than the original cell. Ferritin labeling and the appearance of numerous large coated pits and vesicles at the peak period of contraction indicate that these organelles play a role in extensive endocytosis of the plasma membrane.
Distinct functions and requirements for the Cys-His boxes of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 nucleocapsid protein during RNA encapsidation and replication

The process of retroviral RNA encapsidation involves interaction between trans-acting viral proteins and cis-acting RNA elements. The encapsidation signal on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA is a multipartite structure composed of functional stem-loop structures. The nucleocapsid (NC) domain of the Gag polyprotein precursor contains two copies of a Cys-His box motif that have been demonstrated to be important in RNA encapsidation. To further characterize the role of the Cys-His boxes of the HIV-1 NC protein in RNA encapsidation, the relative efficiency of RNA encapsidation for virus particles that contained mutations within the Cys-His boxes was measured. Mutations that disrupted the first Cys-His box of the NC protein resulted in virus particles that encapsidated genomic RNA less efficiently and subgenomic RNA more efficiently than did wild-type virus. Mutations within the second Cys-His box did not significantly affect RNA encapsidation. In addition, a full complement of wild-type NC protein in virus particles is not required for efficient RNA encapsidation or virus replication. Finally, both Cys-His boxes of the NC protein play additional roles in virus replication.
Properties of the Hyperpolarization‐activated Cation Current lh in Rat Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons

Intracellular electrophysiological recordings in current‐ and voltage‐clamp mode were obtained from dopaminergic neurons of the rat mesencephalon in an in vitro slice preparation. In current‐clamp mode, a time‐dependent anomalous rectification (TDR) of the membrane was observed in response to hyperpolarizing current pulses. In single‐electrode voltage‐clamp mode, a slowly developing inward current (lh) underlying the TDR was studied by hyperpolarizing voltage commands from a holding potential of ‐50 to ‐60 mV. lh started to be activated at ‐69 mV, was fully activated at ‐129 to ‐141 mV, with half‐maximal activation at ‐87 mV, and showed no inactivation with time. The time course of development of Ih followed a single exponential, and its time constant was voltage‐dependent. At ‐81 mV, lh activated with a time constant of 379 2 47.6 ms, whereas at ‐129 mV lh activated with a time constant of 65 ? 2.2 ms. Its estimated reversal potential was ‐35 ± 4 mV. Raising the extracellular concentration of K+ from 2.5 to 6.5 and to 12.5 mM increased the amplitude of lh while reducing the extracellular concentration of Na+ from 153.2 to 27.2 mM caused a reduction in amplitude of lh. Bath application of caesium (1–5 mM) reversibly reduced or blocked the TDR/lh. Perfusion of tetrodotoxin (0.5–1 μM), tetraethylammonium (10–20 mM) or barium (0.3–2 mM) did not significantly affect lh. lh was also present in cells impaled with CsCI‐filled electrodes. When lh was substantially reduced by extracellular caesium (1 mM) the firing rate of the dopaminergic cells, which consisted of a spontaneous pacemaker discharge of action potentials, was not clearly changed. In addition, the holding current in voltage‐clamp experiments at ‐50 to ‐60 mV was not affected by 1 mM caesium. We conclude that although the lh current is a typical feature of the dopaminergic neurons, it is neither a significant factor underlying the spontaneous pacemaker activity nor does it contribute substantially to the setting of the normal resting potential level of the membrane. On the other hand, since lh starts at voltages lower than or equal to ‐69 mV (below firing threshold), it may play a modulatory role in the cell's excitability by limiting the amplitude and duration of any prolonged hyperpolarizing events in the dopaminergic cells.
Repeat-punctured turbo trellis-coded modulation

In this paper repeat-punctured turbo trellis-coded modulation (RPTTCM) is proposed. In RPTTCM, the effect of repeat-puncture is investigated on a TTCM system, repetition of the information bits increases the interleaver size, followed by an appropriate puncturing scheme to maintain the respective code rate. The RPTTCM systems are simulated in an Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) and the Rayleigh flat fading channel (with channel state information known at the receiver) will be used. The BER performance bound RPTTCM scheme is derived for both channels.
On the ergodic capacity of multi-hop wireless relaying systems

The ergodic capacity in Rayleigh fading of multi- hop wireless transmission systems employing either amplify- and-forward relaying or decode-and-forward relaying is studied, assuming channel state information is only known at the receiving terminals. Two upper bounds based on Jensen's inequality and the harmonic-geometric means inequality as well as an infinite series representation for the ergodic capacity of an amplify-and- forward multi-hop transmission system are derived. Numerical results are provided to examine the tightness of the upper bounds as well as to show the high accuracy of the infinite series approach. In addition, the ergodic capacity of a decode- and-forward multi-hop transmission system is obtained. It is shown that multi-hop transmission systems employing a decode- and-forward relaying scheme achieve higher ergodic capacities than multi-hop transmission systems with amplify-and-forward relaying schemes.
Feasibility and efficacy of stent redilatation in aortic coarctation

Objectives: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of stent redilation in patients with aortic coarctation (COA). Methods and Results: In our retrospective study of 28 stent redilation procedures on 22 patients, the interval between implantation and redilation ranged from 2.5 month to 11 years (median 18 months). Ten patients had native COAs, one had repaired interrupted aortic arch. The remaining patients had residual COAs after surgery. Stent redilation was successful in 26 procedures. Pressure gradients decreased from a mean of 26 ± 13.8 mm Hg to 7.9 ± 6.52 mm Hg (P < 0.001). The mean diameter of the stents increased from 9.19 ± 3.29 mm to 12.1 ± 3.68 mm (P < 0.001). In a patient with Williams‐Beuren syndrome, massive neointimal proliferation made stent redilation impossible. One other patient developed aortic aneurysm after redilation and was operated after 3 years. Conclusions: Stent redilation for aortic COA is a safe and successful procedure. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of biomarkers that distinguish human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive versus HPV-negative head and neck cancers in a mouse model

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Recent reports have associated a subset of HNSCC with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs), particularly HPV16, the same subset of HPVs responsible for the majority of cervical and anogenital cancers. In this study we describe a mouse model for HPV-associated HNSCC that employs mice transgenic for the HPV16 oncogenes E6 and E7. In these mice, E6 and E7 induce aberrant epithelial proliferation and, in the presence of a chemical carcinogen, they increase dramatically the animal's susceptibility to HNSCC. The cancers arising in the HPV16-transgenic mice mirror the molecular and histopathological characteristics of human HPV-positive HNSCC that distinguish the latter from human HPV-negative HNSCC, including overexpression of p16 protein and formation of more basaloid cancers. This validated model of HPV-associated HNSCC provides the means to define the contributions of individual HPV oncogenes to HNSCC and to understand the molecular basis for the differing clinical properties of HPV-positive and HPV-negative human HNSCC. From this study, we identify minichromosome maintenance protein 7 (MCM7) and p16 as potentially useful biomarkers for HPV-positive head and neck cancer.
Le cotylédon des monocotylédones

Monocotyledones et Dicotyledones derivent d'ancetres qui possedaient au moins deux cotyledons. Chez les Palmales, dont l'embryon presente des caracteres archaiques, le centre quiescent caulinaire se forme au sommet, dans l'axe du proembryon, mais un seul cotyledon se developpe repoussant sur le cote la zone quiescente a l'origine du meristeme caulinaire. Chez les autres Monocotyledones le developpement du cotyledon se confond avec celui de l'apex du proembryon et la zone quiescente a l'origine du meristeme caulinaire se trouve d'emblee differenciee en une position plus ou moins laterale selon les groupes (etage l ou l' des embryogenistes): il y a acceleration ontogenique. Dans tous les cas aucun avortement de l'axe primaire du proembryon n'est a envisager
Automatic Clock Gating for Power Reduction

As the transistor count and operating frequencies of graphics chips increase, power consumption has become a critical problem in the design of these components. Often the location of these components on a system chassis makes it is difficult to provide enough airflow to cool the parts or to mount a cooling device. So, the power consumption above certain limit is a critical problem for these components. Significant power savings can be achieved in a chip by turning off portions of logic whose output may not be needed all the time. Shutting off clocks to unneeded sections of a design can do this. Determining when a section of the design can be shut off requires detailed analysis of the design. The Power Compiler can automate this process for certain types of logic structures. This paper presents the use of an automated tool to implement clock gating for reducing power consumption in a design. The Power Compiler (v1998.02) from Synopsys was used to automatically insert clock-gating circuitry in the design. In this paper we discuss how we analyzed the risk factors and implemented the changes in design methodology to incorporate a clock gating methodology for power optimization.
Design and Manufacturing of the Electrode Biasing System for the Tokamak

An electrode biasing system was designed, constructed, and installed on the IR-T1 tokamak, and then, the positive voltage applied to an electrode inserted inside the tokamak limiter and the plasma current, poloidal and radial components of the magnetic fields, loop voltage, diamagnetic flux, and ion saturation currents in the absence and presence of the biased electrode were measured. Results of measurements of biasing effects on the plasma equilibrium behavior and edge plasma rotation are compared and discussed.
Effects of a Geriatrician‐Led Hip Fracture Program: Improvements in Clinical and Economic Outcomes

The hip fracture service (HFS) is an interdisciplinary, geriatrician‐led program instituted to improve the care of frail elderly people who present to the hospital with acute hip fracture. The HFS pilot project used existing hospital personnel and facilities and initiated new practices, including set protocols, preprinted orders, and standardized assessments, to achieve and evaluate patient triage and care and hospital cost savings. Outcome measures for 91 patients with acute hip fracture consecutively admitted to the HFS were compared with those of 72 historical controls managed under standard care in the prior year. Analysis demonstrated better outcomes in terms of length of stay (6.1±2.4 days for standard care, 4.6±1.1 days for the HFS; P<.001) and time to surgery (<24 hours after admission in 22.2% of standard care patients vs 50.5% of HFS patients; P<.001). Furthermore, the HFS model showed a reduction in total costs, resulting in a gain in net income, from a deficit of $908±4,977 (95% confidence interval (CI)=−$2,078–261) per patient in the standard group to a gain of $1,047±2,718 (95% CI=$481–1,613) per patient in the HFS group (P<.002). The findings suggest that care with set protocols overseen by a trained lead physician may improve the quality and cost effectiveness of managing elderly patients with hip fracture. Although the results must be interpreted with caution because of the pre‐post design, this pilot study provides a model of care for further hypothesis generation and more rigorous testing into the quality and financial benefits of a geriatrics‐led care process.
Adding Semantic Relations among Design Patterns

Design patterns have been used to support design decisions to solve recurring design problems adopting the successful solutions stated in design patterns. One of the main characteristics of design patterns is to allow the patterns' content understanding because they are written using a common language, i.e., not specialized, and they bring examples to support the comprehension of the solutions. On the other hand, to understand the correlation among these design patterns, usually organized through nodes and edges as in a graph, is not a simple task. In this context, this paper presents a semantic approach, based on how humans organize their knowledge, to connect design patterns and define those relationships according to our intellectual structure and function. A feasibility study, described here, shows evidences that semantic relations allow organizing patterns to support the comprehension of patterns connections, as well as, the name of these relations are able to express their meaning.
Microtubule organizing centers and the origin of centrioles during spermatogenesis in the Pteridophyte Phylloglossum

Spermatogenesis in the lycophyte Phylloglossum is characterized by profound ultrastructural changes that involve complex microtubule arrays and discrete microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs). The first visible MTOC is an electron‐opaque acentriolar centrosome that organizes the mitotic spindles in late spermatogenous cells. In the spermatid mother cell, centrioles arise de novo within the pericentriolar matrix of the MTOC. Approximately 20 centrioles, which ultimately function as basal bodies, originate in each of two branched “blepharoplasts. ” Constituent centrioles of each organelle radiate from a central region where they are interconnected by cartwheel cylinders, each with nine‐fold symmetry. The development and structure of this novel centriolar‐generating organelle suggests a direct evolutionary link with the bicentriole of other lycophytes, and are consistent with the concept that multiflagellated spermatozoids in Phylloglossum evolved independently of those in other pteridophytes. During spermiogenesis, two additional structurally defined MTOCs organize the cytoskeleton and locomotory apparatus, which comprises 20 staggered flagella over a multilayered structure. An MTOC that overlies the multilayered structure and consists of a cloud of electron‐opaque material is involved in repositioning basal bodies and generating flagella. The spline, a band of up to 200 microtubules, provides the architectural framework for development and maintenance of cell shape and is organized by the lamellar strip, a highly structured MTOC. Microtubule arrays during spermatogenesis in Phylloglossum are diverse and include mitotic, cytokinetic, cytoskeletal, and locomotory assemblages. MTOCs responsible for the nucleation and organization of these arrays are among the most elaborate and morphologically distinct of any described in land plants. Microsc. Res. Tech. 49:496–505, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Questioning the functional relevance of mitochondrial supercomplexes by time-resolved analysis of the respiratory chain

Mitochondria are the powerhouses of eukaryotic cells as they feed metabolism with its major substrate. Oxidative-phosphorylation relies on the generation, by an electron/proton transfer chain, of an electrochemical transmembrane potential utilized to synthesize ATP. Although these fundamental principles are not a matter of debate, the emerging picture of the respiratory chain diverges from the linear and fluid scheme. Indeed, a growing number of pieces of evidence point to membrane compartments that possibly restrict the diffusion of electron carriers, and to supramolecular assembly of various complexes within various kinds of supercomplexes that modulate the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the components of the chain. Here, we describe a method that allows the unprecedented time-resolved study of the respiratory chain in intact cells that is aimed at assessing these hypotheses. We show that, in yeast, cytochrome c is not trapped within supercomplexes and encounters no particular restriction to its diffusion which questions the functional relevance of these supramolecular edifices.
Adipocytokines and bone metabolism markers in relation to bone mineral values in early pubertal boys with different physical activity

Abstract Background: We aimed to examine the associations of adipocytokines and circulating bone metabolism markers with bone mineral parameters in early pubertal boys with different physical activity level. Methods: Eighty-six early pubertal boys were divided into active and non-active boys according to the accumulated moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) level. Body composition and bone mineral parameters were assessed and testosterone, leptin, adiponectin, osteocalcin (OC), and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) were measured. Results: Active subjects had significantly lower (p<0.05) body mass, body mass index (BMI), fat mass (FM), leptin, and sedentary time values, while non-active subjects had lower (p<0.05) vigorous physical activity level and femoral neck bone mineral density (FN-BMD). OC contributed to the models in physically active group and explained 6.6% and 9.7% of variance in whole body (WB) [F(5,44)=10.847; p<0.001] and lumbar spine bone mineral content (LS-BMC) [F(5,44)=4.158; p=0.004], respectively. No other biochemical parameters were found to be related to bone mineral parameters in either the active or non-active group. Conclusions: Bone metabolism markers were positively correlated with bone mineral values only in active pubertal boys. Leptin and adiponectin were not related to bone mineral parameters in active and non-active pubertal boys.
The kinetics of simian virus 40-induced progression of quiescent cells into S phase depend on four independent functions of large T antigen

Microinjection of purified simian virus 40 large-T-antigen protein or DNA encoding T antigen into serum-starved cells stimulates them to re-enter the cell cycle and progress through G1 into the S phase. Genetic analysis of T antigen indicated that neither its Rb/p107-binding activity nor its p53-binding activity is essential to induce DNA synthesis in CV1P cells. However, T antigens bearing missense mutations that inactivate either activity induced slower progression of the cells into the S phase than did wild-type T antigen. Inactivation of both activities resulted in a T antigen essentially unable to induce DNA synthesis. Missense mutations in either the DNA-binding region of the N terminus also impaired the ability of full-length T antigen to stimulate DNA synthesis in CV1P cells. The wild-type kinetics of cell cycle progression were restored by genetic complementation after coinjection of plasmid DNAs encoding different mutant T antigens or coinjection of purified mutant T-antigen proteins, suggesting that the four mitogenic functions of T antigen are independent. The maximal rate of induction of DNA synthesis in secondary primate cells and established rodent cell lines required the same four functions of T antigen. A model to explain how four independent activities could cooperate to stimulate cell cycle progression is presented.
High-Level and Ubiquitous Expression of the Rice Cytochromec Gene OsCc1 and Its Promoter Activity in Transgenic Plants Provides a Useful Promoter for Transgenesis of Monocots1

Expression patterns of a rice (Oryza sativa) cytochrome c gene OsCc1 and its promoter activity were characterized in transgenic rice plants.OsCc1 transcripts accumulate in most cell types, but to varying levels. Large amounts of OsCc1 transcripts are found in the roots, calli, and suspension cells, but relatively lower in mature leaves, demonstrating its higher levels of expression in non-photosynthetic tissues. Unlike the human cytochromec gene, which is responsive to cAMP,OsCc1 expression is not enhanced in various rice tissues after dibutyryl cAMP treatments. OsCc1 promoter was linked to the sgfp gene and its activities in different tissues and cell types of transgenic rice plants were analyzed in comparison with the Act1 and RbcSpromoters. OsCc1 promoter directs expression in virtually all organs of transgenic plants including roots, leaves, calli, embryos, and suspension cells, showing a particularly high activity in calli and roots. Activity of the OsCc1promoter was 3-fold higher than Act1 in calli and roots and comparable with RbcS in leaves, representing a useful alternative to the maize (Zea mays)Ubi1 and the rice Act1 promoters for transgene expression in monocots.
Asymptomatic atrial fibrillation after cryptogenetic stroke: incidence, clinical significance, and therapeutic implications.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, with a prevalence of 1% to 2% in the general population; this increases with age, reaching >8% in subjects over 80 years of age.1,2 The arrhythmia is independently associated with an increased risk of stroke, which is about 5-fold higher in AF-affected patients than in controls.3 AF is considered to be the cause of ischemic stroke in 15% to 17% of cases.3,4 Interestingly, AF-related strokes cause higher mortality and disability than strokes unrelated to AF4,5 and stroke risk is independent of the type of AF (paroxysmal, persistent, or permanent). 6,7 The rate of stroke caused by AF can be significantly reduced (by 60% to 70%) by the use of warfarin or novel oral anticoagulants.8,9 Article see p 263 AF is usually symptomatic, causing symptoms, such as palpitations, dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, and syncope.10 Not rarely, however, the arrhythmia is not perceived at all by the patient and, in this case, is defined as asymptomatic, silent, undetected, occult, or subclinical AF. According to the EURObservational Research Programme–AF (EORP-AF) Pilot General Registry, almost 40% of the AF patients who are seen in daily cardiology practice are completely asymptomatic, and another 30% have only mild symptoms.11 The prevalence of silent AF varies in different clinical settings, ranging from 0% to 31% in postablation patients12,13 to 16% to 25% as incidental finding at standard ECG,2,14 54% to 70% in patients treated with antiarrhythmic drugs, and 15,16 up to 51% to 74% in pacemaker/implantable cardioverter- defibrillator recipients.17,18 Stroke is the leading cause of long-term adult disability and mortality in the developed world. Approximately, 30% to 40% of …