Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proteolysis by Sourdough Lactic Acid Bacteria: Effects on Wheat Flour Protein Fractions and Gliadin Peptides Involved in Human Cereal Intolerance

ABSTRACT Sourdough lactic acid bacteria were preliminarily screened for proteolytic activity by using a digest of albumin and globulin polypeptides as a substrate. Based on their hydrolysis profile patterns, Lactobacillus alimentarius 15M, Lactobacillus brevis 14G, Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis 7A, and Lactobacillus hilgardii 51B were selected and used in sourdough fermentation. A fractionated method of protein extraction and subsequent two-dimensional electrophoresis were used to estimate proteolysis in sourdoughs. Compared to a chemically acidified (pH 4.4) dough, 37 to 42 polypeptides, distributed over a wide range of pIs and molecular masses, were hydrolyzed by L. alimentarius 15M, L. brevis 14G, and L. sanfranciscensis 7A. Albumin, globulin, and gliadin fractions were hydrolyzed, while glutenins were not degraded. The concentrations of free amino acids, especially proline and glutamic and aspartic acids, also increased in sourdoughs. Compared to the chemically acidified dough, proteolysis by lactobacilli positively influenced the softening of the dough during fermentation, as determined by rheological analyses. Enzyme preparations of the selected lactobacilli which contained proteinase or peptidase enzymes showed hydrolysis of the 31-43 fragment of A-gliadin, a toxic peptide for celiac patients. A toxic peptic-tryptic (PT) digest of gliadins was used for in vitro agglutination tests on K 562 (S) subclone cells of human myelagenous leukemia origin. The lowest concentration of PT digest that agglutinated 100% of the total cells was 0.218 g/liter. Hydrolysis of the PT digest by proteolytic enzymes of L. alimentarius 15M and L. brevis 14G completely prevented agglutination of the K 562 (S) cells by the PT digest at a concentration of 0.875 g/liter. Considerable inhibitory effects by other strains and at higher concentrations of the PT digest were also found. The mixture of peptides produced by enzyme preparations of selected lactobacilli showed a decreased agglutination of K 562 (S) cells with respect to the whole 31-43 fragment of A-gliadin.
De novo intrarenal formation of angiotensin II during control and enhanced renin secretion.

In previous studies it has not been possible to determine net intrarenal formation of angiotensin II (ANG II) from arteriovenous ANG II concentrations because of the high intrarenal ANG II degradation rates (DR). This study was designed to determine ANG II-DR and to estimate net intrarenal ANG II formation during normal and enhanced renin secretion rate (RSR). In anesthetized dogs, plasma renin activity and ANG II were measured in arterial and renal venous blood by radioimmunoassay during four periods: control, renal arterial constriction (RAC), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition (MK 422), and MK 422 plus systemic arterial ANG II infusion. ANG II-DR was determined in each dog from the arterial-renal venous ANG II concentration difference during the period of ANG II infusion in the presence of ACE inhibition; this value was used to estimate net ANG II formation by predicting the amount of arterially delivered ANG II that escaped degradation. The average percent ANG II-DR calculated during ANG II infusion (range of 0.05 to 0.20 microgram/min) was 89 +/- 2%. In response to RAC, RSR increased from 11 +/- 3 to 24 +/- 5 ng ANG I X h-1 X min-1 X g-1. Arterial ANG II (67 +/- 11 pg/ml) and renal venous ANG II (29 +/- 6 pg/ml) increased to 133 +/- 18 and 61 +/- 10 pg/ml, respectively. Net intrarenal ANG II formation increased from 44 +/- 11 to 83 +/- 13 pg X min-1 X g-1 after renal arterial constriction. There was a significant relationship between the change in RSR and the change in ANG II formation rate. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Contribution of individual sorbents to the control of heavy metal activity in sandy soil.

A multisurface model is used to evaluate the contribution of various sorption surfaces to the control of heavy metal activity in sandy soil samples at pH 3.7-6.1 with different sorbent contents. This multisurface model considers soil as a set of independent sorption surfaces, i.e. organic matter (NICA-Donnan), clay silicate (Donnan), and iron hydroxides (DDL, CD-MUSIC). The activities of Cu2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, Ni2+, and Pb2+ in equilibrium with the soil have been measured using a Donnan membrane technique. The metal activities predicted by the model agree with those measured reasonably well over a wide concentration range for all the metals of interest except for Pb. The modeling results suggest that soil organic matter is the most important sorbent that controls the activity of Cu2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, and Ni2+ in these sandy soils. When metal loading is high in comparison with soil organic matter content, the contribution of clay silicates to metal binding becomes more important. Adsorption to iron hydroxides is found not significant in these samples for Cu, Cd, Zn, and Ni. However, for Pb the model estimates strong adsorption on iron hydroxides. The model predicts that acidification will not only lead to increased solution concentrations but also to a shift toward more nonspecific cation-exchange type binding especially for the metals Cd, Zn, and Ni. Lowering the pH has led to a loss of 56% of Cd, 69% of Zn, and 66% of Ni during 16 years due to increased leaching.
Alterations in the tRNA's of Escherichia coli recovered from lethally infected animals

Escherichia coli grown in chemically defined iron-deficient media or in fluids containing the iron-binding proteins transferrin, lactoferrin, or ovotransferrin have well-characterized alterations in the chromatographic properties of tRNA's containing the modified nucleoside 2-methylthio-N6-(delta2-isopentenyl)-adenosine. The present work shows that similar tRNA alterations occur in E. coli O111 recovered from the peritoneal cavities of lethally infected guinea pigs and rabbits. Adding iron to these in vivo-grown bacteria resulted in the rapid conversion of chromatographically abnormal tRNA's to the normal species. The work strongly suggests that host iron-binding proteins, present in mucosal and other secretions, can affect the metabolism of invading organisms. The idea that the tRNA alterations are connected with the adaptation of E. coli to growth under the iron restricted conditions imposed by iron-binding proteins in tissue fluids, and thus with bacterial pathogenicity, is therefore made particularly attractive.
The signigicance of playing sport for those in poverty : A case study of the Nobushi Japan team in the Homeless World Cup

The ninth Homeless World Cup was held in Paris from 21 to 28 August 2011. Over 600 homeless players from a total of 64 countries (48 men’s teams and 16 women’s teams) participated in football matches. According to the regulations of the Homeless World Cup Organizing Committee, all players must be at least 16 years old and have not taken part in any of the previous Homeless World Cup matches. Additionally, players must meet at least one of the following criteria: (1) have been homeless at some point within the preceding 12 months, (2) earn their main income as a street paper vendor, (3) be asylum seekers currently without positive asylum status or be previous asylum seekers but have obtained residency status one year previously, or (4) be currently in drug or alcohol rehabilitation and also have been homeless at some point in the previous 24 months. The purpose of this study is to clarify the value of sport for poverty reduction using the case example of “Nobushi Japan,” Japanese team that participated in the Homeless World Cup 2011. Field studies were conducted from January to August 2011, on 34 related persons, including 18 homeless players, mainly by personal interviews. Additionally I was a volunteer staff member for the Japanese team at the 2011 World Cup in Paris. This study consists of three sections. The first section outlines the Homeless World Cup, the Paris Cup in 2011, and the activities of the Japanese team for the Cup. In the second section, I discuss the Competition, focusing on its characteristics as an “international”, “world-wide mega”, “semi-anonymous,” and “competitive” event from the viewpoint of its benefits to players. In the third section, I consider the significances of sport as a tool, referring to the case of the Homeless World Cup. In conclusion, the core significances of the Competition are to offer several opportunities for participating players to gain self-esteem and to establish trust with other people. Moreover, a series of activities for the Competition gave players hope and pleasure in sharing sporting experiences, and, of course, exposed the difficulties in This article is the English translation of the original one “Okada, C. (2012). Why sport makes sense to people who live in poverty: “Nobushi Japan” for the Homeless World Cup 2011A case example. Bulletin of Human Sciences Osaka University, 38, 59-78 (in Japanese)”. * Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University, 1-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PLAYING SPORT FOR THOSE IN POVERTY: A CASE STUDY OF THE “NOBUSHI JAPAN” TEAM IN THE HOMELESS WORLD CUP
Accelerating innovation through knowledge co-evolution: a case study in the Taiwan semiconductor industry

This paper attempts to propose a conceptual framework that explains the relationship between knowledge co-evolutionary mechanisms and innovation development. Combining strategic management, innovation management and organisational ecology theories, we try to review and explain the development of product innovation or process innovation through organisational knowledge interactions between two or more firms. We focus on the knowledge co-evolutionary cycle and suggest two sub-mechanisms that should be considered: the knowledge micro-evolutionary mechanism (intra-organisation) and the knowledge macro-evolutionary mechanism (inter-organisation). We illustrate this framework by discussing the case study of a leading semiconductor firm, United Microelectronics Corp., (UMC) in Taiwan. Combining its strategic partners' fundamental research knowledge systems, the vendor's IP knowledge systems, the customer's IC design knowledge systems, and UMC's process innovation knowledge system, UMC not only enhances the process innovation capability for itself but also accelerates its customers' product innovation performance to market. Through partnership in the co-evolutionary ecosystem, UMC generates and accumulates dynamic capabilities.
Identification and characterization of an iron-regulated hemopexin receptor in Haemophilus influenzae type b

Heme can serve Haemophilus influenzae as a source of both essential porphyrin and iron. In extracellular mammalian body fluids neither free heme nor free iron is available, since they are tightly bound to hemopexin and transferrin, respectively. Since H. influenzae grows in the presence of iron-transferrin and heme-hemopexin and is known to express a saturable receptor for transferrin, we investigated the process by which this pathogen acquired heme from hemopexin for use as an iron source. The ability of human and rabbit hemopexin to donate heme as a source of iron to H. influenzae type b strains was demonstrated by plate bioassays. With a dot enzyme assay with biotinylated hemopexin as ligand, H. influenzae bound heme-hemopexin and apo-hemopexin following growth in iron-restricted, but not in iron-sufficient, medium. Competitive binding studies with heme-hemopexin and apo-hemopexin demonstrated saturability of binding. Neither heme, protoporphyrin IX, hemoglobin, nor transferrin blocked the binding of hemopexin to whole cells, demonstrating the specificity of binding. Treatment of whole H. influenzae cells with trypsin abolished binding. Taken together, these observations suggest that H. influenzae type b expresses an outer membrane protein(s) which acts as a receptor for hemopexin and which is regulated by the availability of iron in the growth medium. In iron-restricted media, H. influenzae 706705 and DL42 did not express the 100-kDa hemopexin-binding protein previously reported (M.S. Hanson, S.E. Pelzel, J. Latimer, U. Muller-Eberhard, and E.J. Hansen, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:1973-1977, 1992). The putative iron-regulated hemopexin receptor was solubilized from cell envelopes of H. influenzae 706705, DL42, and Eagan with the detergent CHAPS (3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethyl-ammonio]-1-propanesulfonate) and isolated by affinity chromatography on heme-hemopexin-Sepharose 4B. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the proteins bound to the affinity resin revealed three proteins of 29, 38, and 57 kDa, of which the 57- and 29-kDa proteins bound hemopexin after Western blotting (immunoblotting). A monoclonal antibody to the 57-kDa hemopexin-binding protein of 706705 recognized a 57-kDa protein on Western blots of the cell envelope proteins of 706705, DL42, and Eagan; no reaction was observed with the 100-kDa hemopexin-binding protein of DL42. These data suggest that some H. influenzae strains possess at least two hemopexin receptors, the expression of which is determined by the prevailing growth environment.
Tissue distribution of lipid peroxidation product acrolein in human colon carcinogenesis

Lipid peroxidation product acrolein, well-known pollutant in tobacco and automotive smoke, accumulates in vivo bound to proteins. It suppresses p53 synthesis acting as potent carcinogenic factor for oral, respiratory and bladder carcinomas, while its possible association with colon carcinogenesis was not studied so far. We used genuine monoclonal antibody to evaluate immunohistochemical distribution of acrolein–protein adducts in 113 human colon tumours. The presence of acrolein–protein adducts was increasing with respect to colon carcinogenesis, from moderate appearance in tubular and villotubular low-grade adenomas to abundant and diffuse distribution in high-grade villotubular adenomas and Dukes A carcinomas. However, in advanced Dukes B and C carcinomas acrolein was hardly noticed, although, its protein adducts were found abundant in non-malignant colon epithelium of these patients. There was no relationship between p53 and acrolein distribution. According to these findings, acrolein seems to be lipid peroxidation product associated with transition from benign into malignant colon tumours.
Folate and vitamin B12 status of women in Newfoundland at their first prenatal visit.

BACKGROUND Newfoundland has one of the highest rates of neural tube defects in North America. Given the association between low maternal folic acid levels and neural tube defects, a cross-sectional study was conducted to obtain base-line data on the folate and vitamin B12 status of a sample of women in Newfoundland who were pregnant. METHODS Blood samples were collected between August 1996 and July 1997 from 1424 pregnant women in Newfoundland during the first prenatal visit (at approximately 16 weeks' gestation); this represented approximately 25% of the women in Newfoundland who were pregnant during this period. The samples were analysed for serum folate, vitamin B12, red blood cell folate and homocysteine. RESULTS Median values for serum folate, red blood cell folate and serum vitamin B12 were 25 nmol/L, 650 nmol/L and 180 pmol/L, respectively. On the basis of the interpretive criteria used for red blood cell folate status, 157 (11.0%) of the 1424 women were deficient (< 340 nmol/L) and a further 180 (12.6%) were classified as indeterminate (340-420 nmol/L). Serum homocysteine levels, measured in subsets of the red blood cell folate status groups, supported the inadequate folate status. Serum vitamin B12 levels of 621 (43.6%) women were classified as deficient or marginal; however, the validity of the interpretive criteria for pregnant women is questionable. INTERPRETATION A large proportion of pregnant women surveyed in Newfoundland in 1997 had low red blood cell folate levels.
Identification of antigenic epitopes in a surface protein antigen of Streptococcus mutans in humans

The reactivities of antibodies in human serum and saliva to a cell surface protein antigen (PAc) of Streptococcus mutans and synthetic peptides covering the PAc molecule were examined. Both an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting (immunoblotting) showed that all the serum samples from five adult subjects harboring serotype c S. mutans in their oral cavity reacted with recombinant PAc (rPAc). On the other hand, the serum from a 4-month-old infant did not react with rPAc in ELISA. The immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies in saliva samples from the five adult subjects reacted with rPAc. However, in saliva samples from these subjects, the titers of IgA antibody to rPAc did not correlate with the titers of serum antibody to the antigen. To map continuous antigenic epitopes in the PAc molecule, we synthesized 153 decapeptides covering the entire mature PAc molecule, 121 overlapping decapeptides covering the alanine-rich repeating region (A-region) of the PAc molecule, and 21 overlapping decapeptides covering the middle region (residues 824 to 853) according to multiple pin-coupled peptide synthesis technology. Of 153 decapeptides covering the mature PAc, 27 decapeptides showed a strong reaction with the antibodies in serum from the adult subjects. The epitope-scanning patterns in the serum samples from these subjects were also very similar to each other. The antigenic epitope patterns in the saliva resembled those in the serum. However, the ELISA titers of salivary IgA antibodies to these decapeptides differed from the titers of the serum antibody. Of the 121 overlapping decapeptides covering the A-region, 27 decapeptides showed a positive reaction with the antibodies in serum from the adult subjects. All of these 27 decapeptides had either one or two of the five common sequences YQAXL, NADAKA, VQKAN, NNAKNA, and IKKRNA. Six decapeptides of the 21 overlapping decapeptides covering the middle region reacted strongly with the serum antibodies from a high PAc responder, and each of the six decapeptides had one of the two common sequences KVTKEKP and VKPTAPTK. These epitopes might therefore be relevant to the humoral responses against the PAc protein during natural infection with S. mutans in humans.
Permeability properties of a three‐cell type in vitro model of blood‐brain barrier

We previously found that RBE4.B brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs) form a layer with blood‐brain barrier (BBB) properties if co‐cultured with neurons for at least one week. As astrocytes are known to modulate BBB functions, we further set a culture system that included RBE4.B BCECs, neurons and astrocytes. In order to test formation of BBB, we measured the amount of 3H‐sucrose able to cross the BCEC layer in this three‐cell type model of BBB. Herein we report that both neurons and astrocytes induce a decrease in the permeability of the BCEC layer to sucrose. These effects are synergic as if BCECs are cultured with both neurons and astrocytes for 5 days, permeability to sucrose decreases even more. By Western analysis, we also found that, in addition to the canonical 60 kDa occludin, anti‐occludin antibodies recognize a smaller protein of 48 kDa which accumulates during rat brain development. Interestingly this latter protein is present at higher amounts in endothelial cells cultured in the presence of both astrocytes and neurons, that is in those conditions in which sucrose permeation studies indicate formation of BBB.
Weaknesses and strengths analysis over network-based intrusion detection and prevention systems

Network-based intrusion detection and prevention systems -NIDS /NIPS- have been widely implemented in order to build layered information security infrastructures. Many intrusion detection and prevention algorithms have been developed and its operation modes imply benefits and drawbacks that are not taken into account when choosing a network IDS/IPS. This paper assesses the network security provided by five NIDS/NIPS software solutions, by analyzing the protection against malicious traffic. Security platforms against network intrusion such as Snort Inline, Stonegate IPS, Strataguard, Intrupro and Packetalarm are tested and analyzed.
[The Euro-orphans phenomenon and the courses in therapeutic work and psychiatric treatment--a case study].

UNLABELLED Today, the phenomenon of Euro-orphan is more and more frequently reported in the literature. This term refers to children with one or both parents emigrated from the country for work purposes. In connection with the social transformations of orphan-hood types described in the literature (nature, spiritual, social), the definition has been broadened by the definition ofeuro-orphan. The Ministry of Education describes the euro-orphan as the destruction of the family structure, the disorder of the socialisation process of children and reduction of the emotional exchanges among family members, as a result of migration of their parents. It provides further that not every child whose parents are not present in the country is covered as an euro-orphan. However, this group has become an increasingly larger populations. Lack of physical proximity and accessibility of important persons may have some psychological and pedagogical implications. These in turn can be shaped over time, into pathological symptoms, which are diagnostic entities in developmental psychiatry. It is not know precisely how many children in Poland are Euro-orphans. AIM The aim of this paper is an attempt to understand the social phenomenon of Euro-orphanhood in the light of the observed psychopathologies of children and adolescents. METHOD The case study of the psychotherapy of a patient suffering from the Euro-orphanhood syndrome. CONCLUSIONS Euro-orphanhood is a social phenomenon that generates Euro-orphans with a wide range of psychopathological symptoms classified in different diagnostic categories. The type and intensification of the psychopathological symptoms depend on the quality of relationships with meaningful persons prior to the Euro-orphanhood period. The course of the psychotherapeutic work with Euro-orphans should cover an individual aspect taking into consideration the maturity of defensive mechanisms as well as the work-through of negative feelings cumulated due to becoming a Euro-orphan.
Relationship between membrane Cl− conductance and contractile endurance in isolated rat muscles

• Excitable cells commonly regulate their ability to generate and propagate action potentials through modulating the properties of the membrane ion channels. Recently it was shown that muscle activity is associated with rapid, protein kinase C (PKC)‐dependent ClC‐1 Cl− channel inhibition. • Here the functional significance of this ClC‐1 inhibition for contractile endurance was determined in isolated slow‐ and fast‐twitch rat muscles. • Experiments showed that PKC inhibition led to reduced contractile endurance, an effect of PKC that disappeared when extracellular Cl− was removed or ClC‐1 channels were inhibited. • Experiments where resting Cl− conductance (GCl) was manipulated by reduction of solution Cl− or inhibition of ClC‐1 Cl− channels suggest a biphasic dependency of contractile endurance on GCl with an optimum close to the GCl observed in active muscles. • The biphasic relation between GCl and endurance seems to reflect that lowered GCl on one side increases muscle excitability but on the other side reduces the ability of the muscle fibres to maintain K+ homeostasis and membrane potential during contractions. • This study suggested that PKC‐dependent ClC‐1 Cl− channel regulation is important for the maintenance of contractile endurance in working muscle.