Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EGF‐Induced Activation of the EGF Receptor Does Not Trigger Mobilization of Caveolae

Caveolae‐dependent endocytosis has recently been proposed in the uptake of EGF receptor (EGFR) at high concentrations of ligand. Consistently, upon incubation of HEp2 and HeLa cells with methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin, we observed a small inhibitory effect on endocytosis of ligated EGFR in HEp2 cells. However, immunoelectron microscopy showed the same relative amount of bound EGF localizing to caveolae on incubation with high and low concentrations of EGF, not supporting rapid recruitment of EGFR to caveolae. Live‐cell microscopy furthermore demonstrated that incubating HEp2 cells with high concentrations of EGF did not increase the mobility of caveolae. By RNA‐interference‐mediated knockdown of clathrin heavy chain in HEp2 and HeLa cells, we found that endocytosis of EGFR was efficiently inhibited both at high and low concentrations of EGF. Our results show that caveolae are not involved in endocytosis of EGF‐bound EGFR to any significant degree and that high concentrations of EGF do not further mobilize caveolae.
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF COAGULATION FACTORS, INHIBITORS AND ACTIVATION MARKERS: THE THIRD GLASGOW MONICA SURVEY I. ILLUSTRATIVE REFERENCE RANGES BY AGE, SEX AND HORMONE USE

Coagulation factor activity (fibrinogen, VII, VIII and IX), coagulation inhibitor activity (antithrombin, protein C, protein S), and coagulation activation markers (prothrombin fragment F1, 2; thrombin–antithrombin complexes) were measured in 747 men and 817 women aged 25–74 years, randomly sampled from the north Glasgow population in the Third MONICA Survey. Significant effects of age, sex, menopause and hormone use were observed and specific reference ranges are presented to illustrate these effects. Significant correlations were observed between several coagulation factors and inhibitors. Increased levels of factors VII, VIII and IX and decreased levels of protein C were associated with increased coagulation activation. In general, increases in coagulation factors with age were greater than increases in coagulation inhibitors, especially in men; this imbalance may favour increased coagulation activation and hence increased thrombotic risk with age.
Experimental Production of Aneurysms By Microvascular Surgery in Rabbits

very small blood vessels. The application of such surgical microtechniques to small experimental animals is now possible and this report describes the methods by which three different types of small arterial aneurysm, useful as experimental models, have been successfully produced in rabbits by microvascular surgery. Techniques for the surgical production of arterial aneurysms in small laboratory animals have not previously been reported.
Conserved cysteine residues in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 transmembrane envelope protein are essential for precursor envelope cleavage

The transmembrane (TM) protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 has been demonstrated to be involved in viral infectivity and syncytium formation. Two highly conserved cysteine residues in the extracellular region of the TM protein are shown to be essential for processing the 160-kDa envelope precursor into the active 120- and 41-kDa mature forms.
Bumblebee inquilinism in Bombus (Fernaldaepsithyrus) sylvestris (Hymenoptera, Apidae): behavioural and chemical analyses of host-parasite interactions

The bumblebee Bombus sylvestris is an obligate social inquiline of B. pratorum and nest- invading females are known to integrate themselves into host colonies, usually without any aggression. We investigated whether cuticular compounds could be involved in discrimination processes in common bumblebees, and whether they play a role in the social integration of inquilines in host nests. We tested nestmate recognition in B. terrestris workers, and analysed cuticular chemical profiles of hairs taken from allocolonial individuals. Bumblebees belonging to the same colony shared a common odour. Then, we investigated how B. sylvestris females integrated into colonies of natural and non-natural hosts, B. pratorum and B. terrestris, respectively. Inquiline females apparently succeeded in entering a host colony by expressing non-aggressive behaviours and had no chemical signature; subsequently, acquisition of a chemical signature similar to the host colony might facilitate their integration into the host nest. Bombus sylvestris / inquilinism / discrimination process / chemical signature / non-aggressive strategy
Approximation Algorithms for Path TSP, ATSP, and TAP via Relaxations

Linear programming (LP) relaxations provide a powerful technique to design approximation algorithms for combinatorial optimization problems. In the first part of the thesis, we study the metric s-t path Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) via LP relaxations. We first consider the s-t path graph-TSP, a critical special case of the metric s-t path TSP. We design a new simple LP-based algorithm for the s-t path graph-TSP that achieves the best known approximation factor of 1.5. Then, we turn our attention to the general metric s-t path TSP. [An, Kleinberg, and Shmoys, STOC 2012] improved on the long standing 5 3 -approximation factor and presented an algorithm that achieves an approximation factor of 1+ √ 5 2 ≈ 1.61803. Later, [Sebő, IPCO 2013] further improved the approximation factor to 8 5 . We present a simple, self-contained analysis that unifies both results. Additionally, we compare two different LP relaxations of the s-t path TSP, namely the path version of the Held-Karp LP relaxation for TSP and a weaker LP relaxation, and we show that both LPs have the same (fractional) optimal value. Also, we show that the minimum cost of integral solutions of the two LPs are within a factor of 3 2 of each other. Furthermore, we prove that a half-integral solution of the stronger LP relaxation of cost c can be rounded to an integral solution of cost at most 3 2 c. Finally, we give an instance that presents obstructions to two natural methods that aim for an approximation factor of 3 2 . The Sherali-Adams (SA) system and the Lasserre (Las) system are two popular Lift-andProject systems that tighten a given LP relaxation in a systematic way. In the second part of the thesis, we study the Asymmetric Traveling Salesman Problem (ATSP) and unweighted Tree Augmentation Problem, respectively, in the framework of the SA system and the Las system. For ATSP, our focus is on negative results. For any fixed integer t ≥ 0 and small , 0 < 1, we prove that the integrality ratio for level t of the SA system starting with the standard LP relaxation of ATSP is at least 1 + 1− 2t+3 . For a further relaxation of ATSP called the balanced LP relaxation, we obtain an integrality ratio lower bound of 1 + 1− t+1 for level t of the SA system. Also, our results for the standard LP relaxation extend to the path version of ATSP. For the unweighted Tree Augmentation Problem, our focus is on positive results. We study this problem via the Las system. We prove an upper bound of (1.5 + ) on the integrality ratio of a semidefinite programming (SDP) relaxation, where > 0 can be any small constant, by analyzing a combinatorial algorithm. This SDP relaxation is derived by applying the Las system to an initial LP relaxation. We generalize the combinatorial analysis of integral solutions from the previous literature to fractional solutions by identifying some properties of fractional solutions of the Las system via the decomposition result of [Karlin, Mathieu, and Nguyen, IPCO 2011].
The E3L and K3L vaccinia virus gene products stimulate translation through inhibition of the double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase by different mechanisms

Vaccinia virus has evolved multiple mechanisms to counteract the interferon-induced antiviral host cell response. Recently, two vaccinia virus gene products were shown to interfere with the activity of the double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR): the K3L gene product and the E3L gene product. We have evaluated the efficiency by which these gene products inhibit PKR and whether they act in a synergistic manner. The effects of the two vaccinia virus gene products were compared in an in vivo system in which translation of a reporter gene (dihydrofolate reductase or eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha [eIF-2 alpha]) was inhibited because of the localized activation of PKR. In this system, the E3L gene product, and to a lesser extent the K3L gene product, potentiated translation of the reporter gene and inhibited eIF-2 alpha phosphorylation. Analysis in vitro demonstrated that the E3L gene product inhibited PKR approximately 50- to 100-fold more efficiently than the K3L gene product. However, further studies demonstrated that the mechanism of action of these two inhibitors was different. Whereas the E3L inhibitor interfered with the binding of the kinase to double-stranded RNA, the K3L inhibitor did not. We propose that the K3L inhibitor acts through its homology to eIF-2 alpha to interfere with the interaction of eIF-2 alpha with PKR. The two inhibitors did not display a synergistic effect on translation or eIF-2 alpha phosphorylation. In addition, neither K3L nor E3L expression detectably altered cellular protein synthesis.
Nitrosative Stress and Corneal Transplant Endothelial Cell Death During Acute Graft Rejection

Background. Nitrosative stress takes place in endothelial cells (EC) during corneal acute graft rejection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential role of peroxynitrite on corneal EC death. Methods. The effect of peroxynitrite was evaluated in vivo. Fifty, 250, and 500 &mgr;M in 1.5 &mgr;L of the natural or denatured peroxynitrite in 50 &mgr;M NaOH, 50 &mgr;M NaOH alone, or balanced salt solution were injected into the anterior chamber of rat eyes (n=3/group). Corneal toxic signs after injection were assessed by slit-lamp, in vivo confocal imaging, pachymetry, and EC count. The effect of peroxynitrite was also evaluated on nitrotyrosine and leucocyte elastase inhibitor/LDNase II immunohistochemistry. Human corneas were incubated with peroxynitrite and the effect on EC viability was evaluated. A specific inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (iNOS) was administered systemically in rats undergoing allogeneic corneal graft rejection and the effect on EC was evaluated by EC count. Results. Rat eyes receiving as little as 50 &mgr;M peroxynitrite showed a specific dose-dependent toxicity on EC. We observed an intense nitrotyrosine staining of human and rat EC exposed to peroxynitrite associated with leucocyte elastase inhibitor nuclear translocation, a noncaspase dependent apoptosis reaction. Specific inhibition of iNOS generation prevented EC death and enhanced EC survival of the grafted corneas. However, inhibition of iNOS did not have a significant influence on the incidence of graft rejection. Conclusion. Nitrosative stress during acute corneal graft rejection in rat eyes induces a noncaspase dependent apoptotic death in EC. Inhibition of nitric oxide production during the corneal graft rejection has protective effects on the corneal EC survival.
Water Partitioning and Intake Prediction in Dry and Lactating Holstein Cows

Data from four energy and N balance trials with lactating Holstein cows (n = 329) and one trial with dry cows (n = 60) were used to predict free water intake and water-related traits. Lactating cows were between 36 and 159 DIM and. individually, were allowed ad libitum water and forage (com silage without or with wilted haycrop silage) plus concentrates; dry cows accessed ad libitwn water and single forages (grass, clover, or alfalfa, as hays or as wilted silages, or com silage) varying in maturity. Intake of DM per day and dietary DM percentage were significant and positively related predictors of free water intake in dry and lactating cows. Daily milk yield (range 16 to 52 kg/d) was related linearly to water consumption (.60 L/kg of milk), and season effect in lactating cows was curvilinear; peak water intake was in late June and nadir in late December. Ration CP percentage (OM basis) affected free water intake only in dry cows; 1 unit of increase resulted in an increase of about 1 kg/d in water intake between 12 and 13% CPo As ration moisture dropped from 70 to 40%, free water intake increased about 7 LId in dry cows, but this was accompanied by a drop of 15 LId in total water intake (free plus feed water). Free water intakes were predicted with R2 of . 64 and . 69 in dry and lactating Holstein cows, respectively. Fecal water Received October 4, 1991. Accepted Ianuary 10. 1992. IScientific Contribution Number 1730 from the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station. and urine outputs also were predicted. We found no significant relationship between DM content of the diet and the resulting ad libitum intake in either dry or lactating cows. (
De FHC a Lula: uma década de política externa (1995-2005)

O objetivo deste artigo e analisar as principais tendencias e transformacoes da politica externa brasileira a partir do exame das acoes e abordagens paradigmaticas dos governos de Fernando Henrique Cardoso (1994-2002) e de Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (2003-2005). Em um contexto internacional de crise dos modelos de globalizacao neoliberal sao apresentadas as respostas externas e internas do pais e suas possibilidades, avaliando seu perfil global e regional, especialmente suas iniciativas para a America do Sul e a Alca. Palavras-chave: Diplomacia brasileira; Politica externa de FHC e Lula; Relacoes Internacionais do Brasil; Alca; Globalizacao; Mercosul
Effect of Vibration on Visual Display Terminal Work Performance

Today electronic visual displays have dramatic use in daily life. Reading these visual displays is subject to their vibration. Using a software-simulation of a vibrated environment, the study investigated the effect of vibration on visual performance and fatigue for several numerical display design characteristics including the font size and the number of digits displayed. Both the frequency and magnitude of vibration had significant effects on the reaction time, accuracy, and visual fatigue. 10 graduate students (23–30 years old; M = 25.6), randomly tested in this experiment, were offered about 25 U.S. dollars for their participation. Numbers in vertical presentation were affected more in vertical vibration than those in horizontal presentation. Analysis showed whenever the display is used in vibration environment, an increased font size may be an effective way to compensate the adverse effect of vibration. The software design of displayed materials must be designed to take the motion effect into consideration to increase the quality of the screen display.
Effects of prolonged exposure to alkaline pH on Enterococcus faecalis survival and specific gene transcripts.

INTRODUCTION The persistence of Enterococcus faecalis in treated root canals has been attributed to its resistance to the high pH of antimicrobial agents used during treatment, but the specific mechanisms are not clear. We investigated the survival and gene expression of E. faecalis maintained in alkaline media. METHODS E. faecalis JH2-2 was maintained in media at pH 7, 10, 11 and 12 at either 25 degrees C or 37 degrees C for 1 week (168 h). At 24, 48, 72, 120 and 168 h, cell viability was determined in parallel with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses of stress response genes (dnaK, fba, ftsZ, GroEL, napA, pbp5, tsf and tuf). RESULTS After 1 week the E. faecalis showed survival levels of 100% in pH 7, 1% in pH 10, 0.001% in pH 11 and 0.00001% in pH 12 media. At 37 degrees C increased levels of gene transcripts occurred between 72 and 120 h in pH 7 media for ftsZ and dnaK, and in pH 10 media for ftsZ, pbp5, dnaK, napA, tsf, fba and GroEL. No increase in transcripts was observed at 37 degrees C in media at pH 11 or pH 12, nor at 25 degrees C in any media. CONCLUSION Transcripts of ftsZ, a gene involved in cell division, increased by 37-fold after 120 h at pH 10 at 37 degrees C. Overall, the greatest increase in levels of gene transcripts occurred in cultures maintained in pH 10 media at 37 degrees C. These data may assist in understanding the survival strategies of E. faecalis following prolonged exposure to alkaline pH levels.
Thyroglobulin immunostaining in follicular thyroid carcinoma: relationship to the degree of differentiation and cell type

A series of 47 primary and seven metastatic thyroid follicular carcinomas, including well, moderately and poorly differentiated, were tested for thyroglobulin (Tg) using immunohistology. In addition, three combined follicular undifferentiated carcinomas, 17 undifferentiated carcinomas and five renal cell carcinomas metastatic to the thyroid were examined. Only two follicular carcinomas did not stain for thyroglobulin. Some inter‐tumour differences in Tg staining were found but there was no absolute correlation between this and the degree of tumour differentiation. The two tumours that failed to stain for Tg were poorly differentiated; thyroglobulin positive poorly differentiated tumours demonstrated a clearly weaker staining pattern for Tg. All but one of 15 oxyphilic follicular carcinomas stained positively for Tg but the staining intensity was often weak. Five of six clear cell follicular carcinomas were positive for Tg but the staining reaction was generally faint and there were often large areas devoid of positive cells. Positive staining was demonstrated in the differentiated areas of combined follicular undifferentiated carcinomas. Undifferentiated carcinomas and metastatic renal cell carcinomas gave negative results. Thyroglobulin is a reliable marker for thyroid follicular carcinoma but the patchy staining pattern, particularly in the less well‐differentiated tumours, may produce less reliable results in small biopsies.
Hand-Foot Syndrome (Hand-Foot Skin Reaction, Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia): Focus on Sorafenib and Sunitinib

Hand-foot syndrome (HFS), also called hand-foot skin reaction, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, acral erythema, and Burgdorf reaction, is a dose-limiting cutaneous toxicity of many chemotherapeutic agents. Recently, the multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitor class of novel targeted therapies, including sorafenib and sunitinib, has emerged as an important cause of HFS, with 10–28% of patients treated with sunitinib and 10–62% of patients treated with sorafenib reporting HFS. This review examines the epidemiology, clinical features, histopathology, pathogenesis models, prognostic implications, and management of HFS, with particular attention to HFS induced by sorafenib and sunitinib. The high prevalence of HFS reported by patients treated with these medications underscores the need for greater understanding of the pathogenesis and management of this syndrome.
Vergleich datenbasierter Lernverfahren für den Einsatz in der ZylinderdruckmodellierungComparative Analysis of Data Based Modeling Techniques for Cylinder Pressure Modeling

Zusammenfassung Dieser Beitrag beinhaltet eine vergleichende Analyse datenbasierter Lernverfahren im Hinblick auf die Anwendung in einem empirischen Verbrennungsdruckmodell für Dieselmotoren. Neben den im Schwerpunkt betrachteten Neuro-Fuzzy-Modellen werden ein Polynommodell, ein Multilayer-Perceptron-Netz sowie ein nichtparametrischer Ansatz in die Analyse einbezogen. Als Ausgangspunkt dient eine Einführung in die Struktur des Zylinderdruckmodells mit Definition der konkreten Modellierungsprobleme sowie die kompakte Darstellung der Berechnungsvorschriften. Anschließend werden die Ergebnisse gegenübergestellt und die Verfahren anhand ausgewählter Bewertungskriterien verglichen.
Comparison of effects of angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibition and beta-blockade for 2 years on function of small arteries from hypertensive patients.

The effect of treatment with two different antihypertensive agents on the function of small arteries from 17 patients with essential hypertension randomly assigned to receive either the angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitor cilazapril or the beta-blocker atenolol was investigated. Subcutaneous small arteries obtained from gluteal fat biopsies were studied on a wire myograph before treatment and at 1 and 2 years of treatment. Blood pressure was mildly elevated in both groups of patients (mean, 150/100 mm Hg) and was well controlled throughout the 2 years of treatment (mean, 130/85 mm Hg). We previously reported, in arteries from patients treated with cilazapril, an improvement at 1 year of treatment of the vasoconstrictor effect of endothelin-1, which had been significantly attenuated in the untreated hypertensive patients compared with normotensive subjects. After 2 years of treatment, this normalization of endothelin-1 response was still present in small arteries of patients treated with the angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitor, whereas in patients treated with atenolol, responses were still unchanged after 2 years of treatment. Endothelial function was tested by examining the response of norepinephrine-precontracted arteries to acetylcholine. Untreated hypertensive patients exhibited a slightly but significantly blunted vasorelaxation in response to 10 mumol/L acetylcholine compared with normotensive subjects. After 1 and 2 years of effective antihypertensive treatment, cilazapril-treated patients exhibited responses to acetylcholine that were not different from those of normotensive subjects, whereas atenolol-treated patients still had impaired responses. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Combination of Carbon Dioxide Laser Therapy and Artificial Dermis Application in Plantar Warts: Human Papillomavirus DNA Analysis after Treatment

BACKGROUND Various laser therapies have been used to treat viral warts, and numerous successful results have been reported, but plantar warts are notoriously difficult to treat and eradicate. MATERIALS & METHODS This study included 35 lesions in 31 patients (17 female, 14 male) with plantar warts. We used a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser for incisions, and the defect was covered with artificial dermis. Follow‐up periods ranged from 3 to 12 months. Overall, we examined the presence or absence of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) DNA in the lesional skin of all cases and at the excisional site after treatment in 20 cases. RESULTS Thirty‐one of 35 lesions (88.6%) achieved complete clearance after one treatment session. We observed local recurrence in four lesions (11.4%). The application of salicylic acid was effective in treating minor recurrent cases. After complete remission, HPV DNA was not detected in the upper epidermis of the postoperative site. No significant scars or severe pain were seen in any patients. CONCLUSION A combination of CO2 laser therapy and artificial dermis application effectively treated the majority of plantar warts after one treatment, with complete and rapid clearance and no persistent pain. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.
Toll‐like Receptor 2‐Mediated Gene Expression in Epithelial Cells During Helicobacter pylori Infection

Background. Helicobacter pylori is the major pathogen causing chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease and is closely linked to gastric malignancy. We have previously shown that H. pylori‐induced NF‐κB activation and interleukin (IL)‐8 secretion are mediated by Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 2 in epithelial cells. However, the TLR2‐mediated global gene expression profile of the epithelial cell during H. pylori infection is still unknown. The goal of this study was to identify TLR2‐regulated genes in epithelial cells induced by H. pylori.