Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clearance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the murine gastrointestinal tract is effectively mediated by O-antigen-specific circulating antibodies

The colonization of mucosal surfaces by Pseudomonas aeruginosa can lead to local or disseminated disease. Secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) has been assumed to be responsible for preventing mucosal colonization by interfering with the binding of bacterial ligands to epithelial surface receptors. However, the efficacy of this mechanism of immunity derives little actual support from in vivo experiments. In an investigation of the role of local and systemic immunization strategies in reducing colonization of the gastrointestinal tract of mice by P. aeruginosa, the bacterial antigens that were potential targets for immune effectors promoting mucosal clearance were identified. Levels of gastrointestinal colonization were reduced when immunity to homologous O antigens, but not that to pili or flagella, was elicited. Oral vaccination with attenuated Salmonella typhimurium expressing P. aeruginosa serogroup O11 antigen elicited mucosal and serum IgA antibodies and serum IgG antibodies specific for the recombinant antigen. Oral challenge of immunized mice with P. aeruginosa serogroup O11 demonstrated protection against gastrointestinal colonization. Intraperitoneal immunization with a serogroup O11 high-molecular-weight O-polysaccharide antigen elicited only serum IgG and IgM antibodies yet was as effective as oral vaccination in protecting mice against gastrointestinal colonization. This finding was confirmed by the demonstration that intraperitoneal immunization with purified lipopolysaccharide was also protective against mucosal surface colonization. These results call into question the need for local immune effectors, particularly secretory IgA, directed at bacterial ligands for epithelial surface components, in protecting a mucosal surface from bacterial challenge.
Clinical Experience With the Palmaz‐Schatz Coronary Stent: Initial Results of a Multicenter Study

Stenting of native coronary arteries with a balloon-expandable stent was attempted in 226 patients after elective angioplasty. Delivery of the device was successful in 213 (94%) of the patients. Of these, 39 received aspirin and dipyridamole only (group 1) and 174 received aspirin, dipyridamole, and warfarin for 1–3 months (group 2). There was no abrupt closure (c1 day) or perioperative death in either group. In-hospital or perioperative complications in group 1 compared with group 2 were as follows: subacute closure (1—14 days), seven (18%) patients versus one (0.6%) patient, respectively, p < 0.0001; myocardial infarction, five (13%) patients versus one (0.6%) patient, respectively; condition requiring urgent bypass surgery, one (2.5%) patient versus no patients, respectively. Thus, the incidence of major complications such as death, myocardial infarction, or a condition requiring urgent bypass surgery was 15% in group 1 and 0.6% in group 2. Clinical follow-up revealed that 92% of the patients were asymptomatic at 3 months after stenting compared with 6% before stenting (p < 0.0001). Of the 13 patients who were symptomatic, nine underwent cardiac catheterization and, ultimately, successful elective coronary angioplasty or bypass surgery. We conclude that a high delivery success rate can be expected with this device and that clinical thrombosis is less frequent in anticoagulated patients than in nonanticoagulated patients. Furthermore, in this selected patient population, coronary stenting results in a low incidence of in-hospital and perioperative complications. Clinical success, defined by absence of symptoms, appears to be sustained at 3 months.
Polynucleotide sequence relationships among flagellin genes of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli

DNA probes that encode a complete flagellin gene and various internal regions of the Campylobacter coli VC167 flagellin genes were hybridized to 30 strains of C. coli or C. jejuni from 20 different Lior serogroups. The results indicated a high overall degree of homology among all of the strains examined. Although the most variable regions occurred within the middle of the gene, significant DNA homology was observed among many serogroups in this region of the molecule.
Effects of Message Framing and Anchoring on Reaching Public Consensus on the Korea–U.S. FTA Issue

This study examines how individuals perceive gains and losses through message framing and reference anchoring, focusing on social problems from the prospect theory perspective. The results indicate that message framing has a significant effect on agreement. In terms of framing the outcome, loss-framing messages are more effective than gain-framing messages in influencing agreement on the Korea–U.S. FTA (Free Trade Agreement). Furthermore, with respect to experimenter-provided and self-generated anchor inducements, the participants with experimenter-provided anchor values are more likely to agree with suggestions in messages than those with self-generated anchor values. The results have several practical implications.
Human c-Myc Isoforms Differentially Regulate Cell Growth and Apoptosis in Drosophila melanogaster

ABSTRACT The human c-myc proto-oncogene, implicated in the control of many cellular processes including cell growth and apoptosis, encodes three isoforms which differ in their N-terminal region. The functions of these isoforms have never been addressed in vivo. Here, we used Drosophila melanogaster to examine their functions in a fully integrated system. First, we established that the human c-Myc protein can rescue lethal mutations of the Drosophila myc ortholog, dmyc, demonstrating the biological relevance of this model. Then, we characterized a new lethal dmyc insertion allele, which permits expression of human c-Myc in place of dMyc and used it to compare physiological activities of these isoforms in whole-organism rescue, transcription, cell growth, and apoptosis. These isoforms differ both quantitatively and qualitatively. Most remarkably, while the small c-MycS form truncated for much of its N-terminal trans-activation domain efficiently rescued viability and cell growth, it did not induce detectable programmed cell death. Our data indicate that the main functional difference between c-Myc isoforms resides in their apoptotic properties and that the N-terminal region, containing the conserved MbI motif, is decisive in governing the choice between growth and death.
Effect of Shock Timing on Defibrillation Success

The goal of this study was to determine whether delivering transvenous defibrillation shocks, coordinated with the up/down‐slope VF waveform patterns in the shocking lead, would improve the probability of successful defibrillation. Anesthetized swine (32–38 kg, n = 8) were implanted with an RV → SVC + SQArray transvenous system to measure VF waveform patterns and to deliver shocks. The shocks were generated by a Cardiac Pacemakers Inc. biphasic waveform generator. Energy required for 50% success probability (E50) was determined using the multishock up‐down protocol. VF was repeatedly induced and defibrillation shocks at E50 were given after 10 seconds. The defibrillation outcome, delivered energy (Ed), peak voltage (V), peak current (I), system impedance (Z) and VF waveform pattern at the time of shock were recorded and measured. Out of a total of 685 shocks, 324 (47%) succeeded and 361 (53%) failed. The Ed, V, I, and Z were similar for the two defibrillation outcome groups (success or failure). VF patterns were classified as high or low amplitude at the time of the shock based on the peak‐to‐peak amplitude of signals recorded between shocking electrodes. Shocks that coincided with high amplitude VF patterns were further divided into shocks that occurred on the up‐slope or on the down‐slope. The probability of success when the E50 shocks were coincident with high or low amplitude fibrillation did not differ significantly (Student's t‐test: 46% vs 48%, P = NS). However, during high amplitude fibrillation, shocks delivered on the up‐slope were significantly more successful than those delivered on the down‐slope (Chi‐square: 67% vs 39%; P < 0.001). These results suggest that delivering defibrillation shocks during the up‐slope of the high amplitude signal in the shocking lead may improve the probability of successful defibrillation of ICDs.
A Tracer Dilution Method for Fracture Characterization in Bedrock Wells

This investigation was undertaken to develop an integrated method of downhole fracture characterization using a tracer. The method presented can be used to locate water‐bearing fractures that intersect the well, to determine the ambient fracture flow rate and hydraulic head, and to calculate fracture transmissivity. The method was tested in two fractured crystalline bedrock wells located at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. The method entails injecting a tracer (uranine dye) into the well, while at the same time water is pumped out of the well. After steady‐state conditions are reached, a borehole tracer concentration profile is developed. The dilution of the tracer is used to locate the inflowing fractures and to determine their flow rate. The fracture flow rate, plus the drawdown in the well, is then used to determine the fracture hydraulic head, transmissivity, and ambient flow rate.
Antimicrobial Agents and Catheter-Related Interventions to Prevent Peritonitis in Peritoneal Dialysis: Using Evidence in the Context of Clinical Practice

Background Peritonitis still represents a common and major complication of peritoneal dialysis. The broader adoption of several strategies, including antimicrobial and catheter related interventions, has been advocated to prevent or reduce the risk of peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis. Methods In this article we start with the presentation of a clinical case where concern exists about the strategies for preventing peritoneal dialysis peritonitis. We then look at the available evidence in the form of systematic reviews of randomized trials and individual randomized trials of interventions to prevent peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis. A summary of the evidence is provided and then put in context with the clinical case scenario. Results Nineteen eligible trials (1949 patients) of antimicrobial agents and 37 (2822 patients) of catheter related interventions to prevent peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis were identified. Nasal mupirocin compared with placebo significantly reduced the exit-site and tunnel infection rate (1 trial, 2716 patient months, RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.85) but not peritonitis rate (1 trial, 2716 patient months, RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.44 to 1.60). As for antimicrobial strategies, perioperative intravenous antibiotics compared with no treatment significantly reduced the risk of early peritonitis (4 trials, 335 patients, RR 0.35, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.80) but not exit site and tunnel infection (3 trials, 114 patients, RR 0.32, 95% CI 0.02 to 4.81). As for catheter related strategies, Y-set and twin-bag systems were superior to conventional spike systems (7 trials, 485 patients, RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.77) and no other catheter-related intervention was demonstrated to prevent peritonitis in PD. Conclusions Evidence exists to support the use of perioperative intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis at the time of catheter placement, the twin-bag and Y-set system, as well as prophylaxis with mupirocin in Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriers. Despite lack of evidence, several other agents are used and recommended in major international guidelines, which is reasonable but requires further investigation.
The Role of the COP9 Signalosome and Neddylation in DNA Damage Signaling and Repair

The maintenance of genomic integrity is an important process in organisms as failure to sense and repair damaged DNA can result in a variety of diseases. Eukaryotic cells have developed complex DNA repair response (DDR) mechanisms to accurately sense and repair damaged DNA. Post-translational modifications by ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins, such as SUMO and NEDD8, have roles in coordinating the progression of DDR. Proteins in the neddylation pathway have also been linked to regulating DDR. Of interest is the COP9 signalosome (CSN), a multi-subunit metalloprotease present in eukaryotes that removes NEDD8 from cullins and regulates the activity of cullin-RING ubiquitin ligases (CRLs). This in turn regulates the stability and turnover of a host of CRL-targeted proteins, some of which have established roles in DDR. This review will summarize the current knowledge on the role of the CSN and neddylation in DNA repair.
Inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes by rhein in rat liver microsomes

Rhein, an active ingredient extensively found in plants such as Aloe, Cassitora L. , rhubarb and so on, has been used for a long time in China. Pharmacological tests revealed that rhein not only had a strong antibacterial action, but also may be useful in cancer chemotherapy as a biochemical modulator. Its therapeutic action and toxicity is still the subject of considerable research. With microsome incubation assays in vitro and HPLC methods, the inhibition of rat liver CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, CYP2E1 and CYP3A enzymes by rhein were studied kinetically. The results showed the most inhibition of CYP2E1 by rhein (Ki = 10 µm, mixed); CYP3A and CYP2C9 were also inhibited by rhein, Ki = 30 µm (mixed) and Ki = 38 µm (mixed), respectively; rhein revealed some inhibition of CYP1A2 (Ki = 62 µm, uncompetitive) and CYP2D6 (Ki = 74 µm, mixed). Drug–drug interactions, especially cytochrome P450 (CYP)‐mediated interactions, cause an enhancement or attenuation in the efficacy of co‐administered drugs. Inhibition of the five major CYP enzymes observed for rhein suggested that changes in pharmacokinetics of co‐administered drugs were likely to occur. Therefore, caution should be paid to the possible drug interaction of medicinal plants containing rhein and CYP substrates. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Origin of mammalian gonadotropin-releasing hormones.

I. Introduction GONADOTROPIN-releasing hormone (GnRH) plays a pivotal role in reproduction. The existence of this neuropeptide, also called LHRH, was predicted in the 1950s (1), but the structure of the 10 amino acid peptide for porcine and ovine brains was not reported until the 1970s (2, 3). In the 20 yr since then, only one form of GnRH has been identified in most placental mammals, and this is still considered to be the sole neuropeptide causing the release of LH and FSH. The structure and functions of the mammalian form of GnRH have been reviewed a number of times (4s–8). Meanwhile, both mammalian GnRH and related forms of GnRH are now known to be present in primitive placental mammals, nonplacental mammals, and other vertebrates. Novel functions, in addition to the release of gonadotropins, exist. Studies of GnRH peptides and their genes have altered our views on the origin, function, and regulation of this neuropeptide.
The Healthy Glow of Carrots

We have probably all heard that carrots are good for our health, particularly for our eye health. This is primarily due to the very high levels of vitamin A and its natural precursor, beta-carotene, in carrots. In fact, a single cup of carrots has been reported to provide over 650% of our daily needs for vitamin A, which is simply amazing. In addition to being rich in vitamin A, carrots are a very good source of vitamins K and C, dietary fiber, and potassium.
Amyloid-like Fibrils from an α-Helical Transmembrane Protein

The propensity to misfold and self-assemble into stable aggregates is increasingly being recognized as a common feature of protein molecules. Our understanding of this phenomenon and of its links with human disease has improved substantially over the past two decades. Studies thus far, however, have been almost exclusively focused on cytosolic proteins, resulting in a lack of detailed information about the misfolding and aggregation of membrane proteins. As a consequence, although such proteins make up approximately 30% of the human proteome and have high propensities to aggregate, relatively little is known about the biophysical nature of their assemblies. To shed light on this issue, we have studied as a model system an archetypical representative of the ubiquitous major facilitator superfamily, the Escherichia coli lactose permease (LacY). By using a combination of established indicators of cross-β structure and morphology, including the amyloid diagnostic dye thioflavin-T, circular dichroism spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray fiber diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy, we show that LacY can form amyloid-like fibrils under destabilizing conditions. These results indicate that transmembrane α-helical proteins, similarly to cytosolic proteins, have the ability to adopt this generic state.
Hyperpigmentation during interferon‐alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Summary Many types of skin disorders concomitantly occur with hepatitis C virus infection. These skin lesions may be induced or worsened during antiviral therapy with interferon‐alpha (IFN). To our knowledge, hyperpigmentation of the skin—and especially of the tongue—has not been reported so far. We describe two dark‐skinned patients who developed hyperpigmented skin and tongue lesions during combination therapy with IFN and ribavirin. Immunohistochemical analysis of tongue biopsies confirmed the suspicion of melanin deposits in these areas of hyperpigmentation. We hypothesize that during interferon therapy, melanocytes may produce more melanin pigment in the presence of α‐melanocyte stimulating hormone and sufficient amounts of tyrosine, leading to melanin deposits and clinical hyperpigmentation.
The lipid composition of isolated brain cells and axons

The current status of the published work on the lipid composition of isolated brain cells is reviewed and some new work on the sphingolipids of these cells is presented. In spite of considerable differences in isolation techniques between different groups, the lipid analyses of different cell preparations are similar enough to permit several generalizations. This fact is an encouraging sign that cell separation methods have considerable usefulness in defining the composition of normal brain cells. It is a general finding that astrocytes have more lipid than neuronal perikarya but that the gross lipid composition of these two cell types is surprisingly similar. Oligodendroglial lipids are quite different from those of the other two cell types and are characterized by a high galactolipid content. Although such a lipid pattern might be expected in oligodendroglia, which are myelin‐forming cells, axonal lipids have an even higher galactolipid content.
Energy storage systems and power system stability

Although renewable energy sources become an important point in terms of increasing energy source diversity and decreasing the carbon emissions, power system stability suffers from increasing renewable energy and distributed generation penetration to the power system. Therefore, grid-scale energy storage systems are introduced to improve the power system stability. In this paper, large scale energy storage technologies that connected to the power system to improve the power system stability and power quality are reviewed and explained. Energy storage technologies for grid scale energy storage systems, application of energy storage systems, and control methods are discussed and summarized. In addition, some comparison results are given about energy storage technologies for grid-scale applications.
Aspect Oriented Decision Making Model for Byzantine Agreement

Problem statement: The main aim of this research study is to develop an enhanced strategy for decision making whether to commit or rollback a request to a Web service in the presence of Byzantine faults using aspects. The proposed study extends the Lamport’s algorithm for Byzantine agreement to have an effective decision while handling the service request. When the service is initiated based on the request, its execution behaviour is being monitored before, after and at the time of execution and being handled with aspect concerns to provide the corresponding responses as input to the Lamport’s Byzantine agreement algorithm. The decision on the client requests is based on the outcome of the aspect advices before, after and around the execution of the services. Approach: This approach identifies the inception of the process which starts to exhibit abnormal behaviour before, after or during the execution of the service and instigates that helps in resolving the faulty service and identifies the root cause of the problem to rectify it. Aspect oriented advices do not require any external invocation as it executes with the service and hence no additional overhead involved in processing the service request. Results: In the existing methodology only the around advice decision is considered for reaching an agreement in the presence of Byzantine faults. An enhancement in the decision making process is proposed by including the state of the services: before, after and around advices of the aspects. Conclusion: The obtained experimental results based on the proposed methodology depict that the performance measure, Round Trip Time is slightly increased when compared with the existing Lamport’s algorithm for Byzantine Agreement and this performance overhead is not a major concern as the proposed approach produces an enhanced decision by considering aspect concerns and also determines the origin of the fault. The change in execution behaviour of Byzantine algorithm when aspects are introduced is compared with the implementation of the algorithm without aspects in various distributed environments.
Structural insight for the roles of fas death domain binding to fadd and oligomerization degree of the fas–fadd complex in the death‐inducing signaling complex formation: A computational study

Fas binding to Fas‐associated death domain (FADD) activates FADD–caspase‐8 binding to form death‐inducing signaling complex (DISC) that triggers apoptosis. The Fas–Fas association exists primarily as dimer in the Fas–FADD complex, and the Fas–FADD tetramer complexes have the tendency to form higher order oligomer. The importance of the oligomerized Fas–FADD complex in DISC formation has been confirmed. This study sought to provide structural insight for the roles of Fas death domain (Fas DD) binding to FADD and the oligomerization of Fas DD–FADD complex in activating FADD–procaspase‐8 binding. Results show Fas DD binding to FADD stabilized the FADD conformation, including the increased stability of the critical residues in FADD death effector domain (FADD DED) for FADD–procaspase‐8 binding. Fas DD binding to FADD resulted in the decreased degree of both correlated and anticorrelated motion of the residues in FADD and caused the reversed correlated motion between FADD DED and FADD death domain (FADD DD). The exposure of procaspase‐8 binding residues in FADD that allows FADD to interact with procaspase‐8 was observed with Fas DD binding to FADD. We also observed different degrees of conformational and motion changes of FADD in the Fas DD–FADD complex with different degrees of oligomerization. The increased conformational stability and the decreased degree of correlated motion of the residues in FADD in Fas DD–FADD tetramer complex were observed compared to those in Fas DD–FADD dimer complex. This study provides structural evidence for the roles of Fas DD binding to FADD and the oligomerization degree of Fas DD–FADD complex in DISC formation to signal apoptosis. Proteins 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.