Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transporter protein expression and localization in murine mammary epithelial HC11 cells

Milk is the sole food for breast-fed infants and a significant source of nutrition for consumers of dairy products. It has a very complex composition containing both macronutrients and micronutrients needed for growth and development. Drugs, carcinogens and environmental toxins can be secreted in milk posing a potential health risk for breast-fed infants and milk consumers. Active transport by membrane proteins in secretory mammary epithelial cells can explain this process. Several membrane protein transporters from different protein families (Solute carrier (SLC) and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) super families) mediate transport of a wide range of different compounds. The major purpose of this project was to investigate transporter protein expression of mouse Bcrp, Mdr1, Octn1 and Oatp3 (Oatp1a5) by using a murine mammary epithelial HC11 cell line. Differentiated HC11 cells featuring a milk protein synthesizing and secreting phenotype were used in western blot experiments to detect the proteins of interest. In this cell model it was possible to detect upregulation of membrane transporters mouse Bcrp and Octn1 as a result of the differentiation. In addition, immunohistochemistry on lactating mouse mammary gland tissues was performed to detect the localization of mouse Octn1. Octn1 was localized at the apical membrane of mammary epithelial cells supporting the theory that it plays a role in the transport of carnitine into milk. The impact of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment, mimicking mammary inflammation, on protein expression of transporters in secreting HC11 cells were examined by western blotting. However, at the LPS concentration used no effects were detected. This study provides basic tools for understanding the nature of secretion of nutrients and nonnutrients to milk by membrane transporters. Further investigations are required to understand the correlation between protein expression and function of membrane transporters in secreting HC11 cells.
A preliminary study of the concentrations and mass size distributions of particulate matter in indoor sports facilities before and during athlete training

The mass size distribution of five fractions of particulate matter inside most popular types of closed sports facilities before and after athlete training were compared. In all the facilities, the concentrations of particles were higher during the training than before it. Their values depended on the type of flooring and cubic capacity of the rooms. Particle mass size distribution importantly affects the particle deposition rate in the respiratory tract. The results of the work indicate the necessity of further investigating the relations between the physical properties of particles and the effects of inhaling them during training in various sports facilities.
Effect of vitamin C supplementation on immune status and oxidative stress in pregnant Murrah buffaloes during thermal stress

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of vitamin C on oxidative stress and immune status in buffaloes during summer. Primiparous Murrah buffaloes (12) in late gestation were used for this study. The buffaloes were divided into 2 groups of 6 animals each. Group 1 was served as control and group 2 was supplemented with ascorbic acid @ 10g/animal/day from day –45 to day 0 (day of parturition). Blood samples were collected on days –45, –30, –7 and 0. Lymphocyte proliferation index (LPI) and neutrophil phagocytic activity (PA) were analyzed in the whole blood. Plasma was analyzed for, antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT and GPx). The PA decreased and the decline was significant on day –7 and day 0 in both groups compared to day –45. The PA was significantly (lower in group 2). LPI was significantly lower on day 0 compared to day –45 in both groups but the variations between groups were not significant. SOD, CAT and GPx activity increased significantly from day –45 to day 0 in both groups. However, the increase in their activity was significantly lower in group 2 compared to group 1. Plasma TAS decreased 12.3 and 6.8% in group 1 and group 2, respectively, from day –45 to day 0 and overall levels were significantly higher in group 2 than group 1. TBARS increased with advancement of pregnancy and the levels were significantly higher on day –7 and 0 in both groups. The levels of TBARS were significantly higher in group 1 compared to group 2. The results indicated that the deviations in immune status and oxidative stress caused due to thermal stress restored towards normalcy by supplementation of vitamin C.
Multiple infection by human herpesvirus-8 and cytomegalovirus.

To substantiate the hypothesis that multiple infection by human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and by cytomegalovirus (CMV) commonly occurs, intraperson nucleotide variation in DNA amplified from hypervariable subgenomic domains of HHV-8 and CMV was evaluated in a group of people living in Malawi, where both viruses circulate hyperendemically. Mouth rinses, throat gargles, palatal exfoliates and blood were sampled from 89 people (age range: 4 m to 45 y). In 24 people (27%), HHV-8 DNA could be amplified in >1 sample 9 (38%) were seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus-1 and 7 (29%) exhibited Kaposi's sarcoma. Sequence variation was sought in DNA segments derived from: the domain in open reading frame (ORF) 73 that encodes latent nuclear antigen the Bam330 segment of ORF 26 and the VI region of ORF Kl. Restriction fragment-length polymorphism analysis, nucleotide sequencing, PCR cloning and denaturing gel gradient electrophoresis were applied to study the sequence diversity of these segments. Significant intraperson/inter- and intra-sample sequence polymorphisms could be found in 15 people (62.5%). Variation in urine-derived VI sequences could, in addition, be evaluated: in 5 people, the sequences were monotypic, and in 2, urinary and oral sequences were genotypically different. Variation in hypervariable domains in the gO and gN regions of CMV was studied in urine and saliva samples of 77 people. In 41 individuals (53%), DNA could be amplified from at least one domain, and, in 14 (18%), from both domains. In 4 individuals (5%), urinary and oral sequences were genotypically different. The extent of inter- and intra-person variation in the 2 CMV domains studied was significantly less than inKWl of HHV-8. Multiple infection by HHV-8 and by CMV is common. It would be important to determine if such infection reflects coinfection occurring during initial transmission or superinfection, as the latter implies that vaccination might be ineffective to prevent and control the spread of the viruses.
Exploring the architecture of the human GABAA receptor ligand binding pocket via mutational, electrophysiological, and kinetic analysis

EXPLORING THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE HUMAN GABA RECEPTOR LIGAND BINDING POCKET VIA MUTATIONAL, ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL, AND KINETIC ANALYSIS Kurt Laha, B.S. Marquette University, 2011 The γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA) receptor is a member of the cys-loop family of ligand-gated ion channels, and plays a crucial role in normal brain f unction by providing inhibitory neurotransmission. The objective of my research is to establi sh the mechanisms that underlie the interaction between the GABA A receptor and GABA during binding, as well as to provide direct information about the architecture of the liga nd binding pocket. To achieve this, a multitude of amino acid residues surrounding the GABA binding pocket were individually mutated and structure-function relations h ps were explored. Changes in EC 50-GABA, macroscopic kinetics, GABA binding rates and GABA unbinding rates were assessed using patch-clamp recording, rapidlig n application, and kinetic modeling techniques. A state-dependent interaction bridging the β/α inter-subunit interface was identified between α1R120 and β2D163 by characterizing GABA binding and unbinding rates for alanine mutations at each residue. These results were subject ed to doublemutant cycle analysis. Intriguingly, the residues appear to be complet ely independent when considering the binding of GABA, but they are coupled when looking at the unbinding of GABA. These results suggest that β2D163 and α1R120 do not interact in the unbound state but form an interaction upon binding of GABA. A role for β2F200 at the GABA binding site was also revealed. Mutation of β2F200 to alanine caused a dramatic reduction in GABA affinity. This was the res ult of both an increase in the rate of GABA unbinding and a decrease in the GABA binding rate. β2F200 fits the profile of a residue that could directly interact with GABA. Finally, three mutations of the β2 subunit (Y97A, Y157A, and D163A) have interesting effects on the functional expression of receptors. Mutation of thes e residues allowed the assembly of functional receptors when expressed with α1 and γ2, but not when expressed with α1 only. The aligned residues on the γ2 subunit were also mutated and found to have unique expression patterns. Each of the residues appears to be required for the assembly of the β(+)/β(-) interface, which is only present in αβ receptors; however, only the residue homologous to β2Y97 (γ2F112) is critical for assembly at the γ/β interface.
Epidemiología molecular de Neisseria meningitidis serogrupo C (1993-2006)

En la década del 90, Neisseria meningitidis serogrupo C tuvo una actividad creciente en el país. A brotes epidémicos (Rivera 1993, Paysandú 1994) les siguió un aumento progresivo de casos, hasta llegar a una tasa de 6/100.000 habitantes, lo que motivó en 1996 la aplicación masiva de una vacuna polisacarídica A-C. El éxito de esa vacunación se reflejó en una disminución sustancial de los casos de meningitis causados por ese serogrupo. En 1990 también se había registrado un brote por meningococo C en el estado de San Pablo, Brasil, mientras que en 1995 en Argentina se observaba una sustitución del serogrupo B por el C. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la diversidad genética y describir la epidemiología molecular de una colección de 123 aislamientos de N. meningitidis serogrupo C (1993-2006), que incluía cepas de los brotes mencionados y de casos esporádicos. Además se analizaron dos cepas aisladas en Argentina (1995) y una cepa prototipo del brote de Brasil (1990). Se les estudió la susceptibilidad a la penicilina, se les tipificó por Dot Blot y se les caracterizó genéticamente por Box-PCR y PFGE. Las cepas pertenecientes al brote de Rivera 2b:P1.6 susceptibles a penicilina, tuvieron el mismo perfil electroforético, que el del brote de San Pablo, que no persistió en el tiempo. Otro perfil compartido por las cepas de Paysandú, de casos esporádicos y de Argentina, mayoritariamente 2b: P1.5 y con susceptibilidad disminuida a penicilina, se continuó aislando en los años sucesivos aunque en menor frecuencia. Palabras clave: NEISSERIA MENINGITIDIS SEROGRUPO C MENINGITIS MENINGOCÓCICA EPIDEMIOLOGÍA MOLECULAR
Social Media Networking And The Impact It Has On Enterprise Application Software

Social Media networking has become an integral part of daily life for both individuals and organizations. This paper will look at how Social Media plays a vital role in organizations. It will show how corporations use these Social Media networking websites, and how it correlates to their Enterprise Application Software including Customer Relationship Management and Enterprise Resource Planning systems. In addition, it will explain how corporations are growing their Social Media presence by acquiring other corporations and companies. A summary of results from a study conducted on the views of business professionals with regard to Social Media will also be presented
Cleavage of the 6A Subunit Is Essential for Activation of the 6A1 Integrin by Phorbol 12-Myristate 13-Acetate (*)

The α6 integrin subunit is proteolytically cleaved during biosynthesis in a covalently associated heavy and light chain. To examine the importance of cleavage for the function of the α6 subunit, we introduced mutations in the cDNA encoding the RKKR (876-879) sequence, the presumed cleavage site, in which either one or two basic residues were replaced by glycine. Wild-type and mutant α6A cDNAs (α6, α6 and α6) were transfected into K562 cells. The mutant α6A integrin subunits were expressed in association with endogenous β1, at levels comparable to that of the wild-type α6Aβ1. A single α6A polypeptide chain (150 kDa) was precipitated from surface-labeled α6, α6, and α6 transfectants, while the separate heavy (120 kDa) and light chains (31 or 30 kDa) were precipitated from the wild-type α6 transfectant. Thus, a change in the RKKR sequence prevents cleavage of α6. After activation by the anti-β1 stimulatory mAb TS2/16 both cleaved and uncleaved α6Aβ1 integrins bound and spread on laminin-1. Remarkably, the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, which activates wild-type α6Aβ1 to bind to laminin-1, did not activate uncleaved α6Aβ1. We conclude that uncleaved α6Aβ1 is capable of ligand binding and transducing outside/in signals, like wild-type α6Aβ1. However, inside/out signaling is affected. It appears that cleavage of α6 is required to generate the proper conformation in α6 that enables affinity modulation of the α6Aβ1 receptor by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate.
Fitness costs and diversity of CTL response determine the rate of CTL escape during the acute and chronic phases of HIV infection (105.23)

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1, or HIV) often evades cytotoxic T cell (CTL) responses by generating variants that are not recognized by CTLs. We used single genome amplification and sequencing of complete HIV genomes to identify longitudinal changes in the transmitted/founder virus from the establishment of infection to the viral set-point at 1 year after the infection. We found that the rate of viral escape from CTL responses in a given patient decreases dramatically from the acute infection to the viral set point. Using a novel mathematical model that tracks the dynamics of viral escape at multiple epitopes we show that a number of factors could potentially contribute to a slower escape in the chronic phase of infection, such as a decreased magnitude of epitope-specific CTL responses, an increased fitness cost of escape mutations, or an increased diversity of the CTL response. In the model, increasing the diversity of the CTL response over time can reduce the rate of viral escape from a given CTL response, particularly if CD8+ T cells compete for killing of infected cells or control virus replication non-lytically. Our mathematical framework of viral escape from multiple CTL responses can be used to predict the breadth and magnitude of HIV-specific CTL response that needs to be induced by vaccination to prevent (or reduce) viral escape following HIV infection.
An Investigation on Innovation Barriers in Manufacturing Firms

This study conducts to find out the key barriers of innovation in the manufacturing firms and evaluates the impact of the lack of environmental resources, organizational structure, government support and stability in firm innovation. Data was utilized through the enterprise survey data developed by World Bank (WBES’2013) of manufacturing companies in Bangladesh using the Marginal and Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models. Results indicated that institutional aspects, land and finance support, energy and political factors are the main barriers to the propensity of a firm to innovate. The implication is that firms are likely to improve their innovation performance as they increasingly reconfigure their obstacles with regard to strategy development and technological investments.
Inherited cardiomyopathies: A review and pooled analysis of pathophysiology, diagnosis and clinical management

Inherited cardiomyopathies (CMs) are a major cause of heart diseases in all age groups, which severely burdens patients as well as their family members. Data from the past two decades has identified defects in several genes especially those encoding sarcomeric proteins as an important cause of familial hypertrophic, dilated or restrictive CMs. A growing number of families with inherited CMs have also provided a unique resource for studies on the pathogenicity of genetic defects in CMs. Studies on imaging, genetics, and genomics have identified molecular triggers of CMs. However, the functional consequences of genetic mutations and the exact details of the signalling pathway leading to hypertrophy, dilation and/or contractile impairment remain to be elucidated. Despite marked improvement in prophylactic and therapeutic agents, morbidity and mortality rates of inherited CMs have not reduced significantly. However, increased focus on genetic studies have the potential to influence the shift from the current symptomatic to novel aetiologic-specific treatment for various forms of inherited CMs. This review summarizes published findings of inherited CMs with a focus on genetic aetiology, pathogenesis, genetic sequencing and treatment. *Correspondence to: Aref Albakri, St-Marien hospital Bonn Venusberg, Department of Internal Medicine, Bonn, Germany, E-mail: arefalbakri@yahoo.com
A Rare Incidental Encounter of a Foreign Body in the Nasopharynx During Adenotonsillectomy: A Case Report from Tanzania

Foreign bodies may become lodged in various parts of the upper aerodigestive tract and establishing the presence of such foreign bodies is expected from health care practitioners. Foreign bodies may be classically organic or inorganic and their insertion into various parts of the aerodigestive tract may be deliberate or accidental. Majority of inhaled foreignbodies are reported in children and may even go unnoticed. There are scarce reported studies of foreign bodies in the nasopharynx. We are reporting an unusual case in which a foreign body in a child's nasopharynx went unnoticed for 9 months and was found incidentally during adenotonsillectomy.
Hematology: A Pathophysiologic Approach

Brief Overview of the Hematolymphoid System Chapter 1. Hematopoiesis Chapter 2. Erythropoiesis and Oxygen Transport Chapter 3. Iron, Heme, and Hemoglobin Chapter 4. Hemoglobinopathy Chapter 5. Red Blood Cell Metabolism and Enzyme Defects Chapter 6. Hemolytic Anemia Chapter 7. Aplastic Anemia and Related Disorders Chapter 8. Megaloblastic Anemia Chapter 9. Myeloid Cells Chapter 10. Immune System and Related Disorders Chapter 11. Genetic Basis of Hematopoietic Neoplasia Chapter 12. Leukemia and Related Disorders Chapter 13. Lymphoma and Related Disorders Chapter 14. Blood Coagulation Chapter 15. Platelets Chapter 16. Benign Conditions of Lymphoid Organs Chapter 17. Blood Transfusion and Stem Cell Transplantation Chapter 18. Cancer Chemotherapy
Un análisis preliminar sobre reparación de modelos Alloy utilizando Sketching

Resumen El tamaño y complejidad de los sistemas de software modernos muestran de manera taxativa la necesidad e importancia de contemplar las etapas tempranas en el desarrollo de software. En particular, una de estas etapas que permite tener una comprensión más abstracta y general del sistema como un todo, es la etapa de modelado. Si bien existe una variada gama de lenguajes para tal fin, dos características que consideramos importantes para su elección son su output como entrada para las etapas siguientes y su versatilidad en el análisis. En este sentido, los lenguajes con algún grado de formalismo subyacente prevalecen al permitir construir herramientas automáticas o semi-automáticas para su procesamiento. Al igual que en las siguientes etapas del desarrollo, el modelado no se encuentra exento de errores como producto de una actividad humana. Para abordar este problema, diferentes técnicas y herramientas fueron propuestos. En este trabajo proponemos combinar dos técnicas conocidas con el objetivo de reparar posibles errores en modelos especificados en Alloy. Utilizando el testing como herramienta para localizar errores, nuestra técnica emplea el concepto de Sketching para descubrir y proponer una posible reparación de los mismos.
Apparent digestibility and nitrogen use of diets withdifferent levels of fresh orange pulp

O objetivo deste experimento foi avaliar os efeitos da inclusao de bagaco de laranja in natura em substituicao a silagem de sorgo sobre o consumo, a digestibilidade de nutrientes e sobre o balanco de nitrogenio. Dezesseis ovinos, machos, mesticos e com peso medio de 28,27 kg (±2,41) kg foram utilizados. Os tratamentos consistiram de quatro niveis de bagaco de laranja em substituicao a silagem de sorgo (0%, 25%, 50% e 75%). Observou-se efeito quadratico da substituicao da silagem de sorgo pelos diferentes niveis de bagaco de laranja (p 0,05) entre os tratamentos para o consumo de FDN e CHOT. Observou-se tambem efeitos quadraticos dos diferentes niveis de inclusao de bagaco de laranja na racao, sobre os valores de nitrogenio ingerido (NI), nitrogenio faecal (NF), nitrogenio retido (NR), e efeito linear positivo na relacao nitrogenio retido/nitrogenio ingerido (NR/NI) e nitrogenio retido em relacao ao nitrogenio absorvido (NA). O coeficiente de digestibilidade da MS, PB, EE e ENN apresentou efeito quadratico (p 0,10). Pode-se concluir que a inclusao de bagaco de laranja nas dietas proporcionou maior consumo de MS e de nutrientes, promoveu melhor aproveitamento do nitrogenio, assim como maior digestibilidade aparente quando comparada a dietas com silagem de sorgo
L-plastin Peptide Activation of αvβ3-mediated Adhesion Requires Integrin Conformational Change and Actin Filament Disassembly*

L-plastin (LPL) is a leukocyte actin binding protein previously implicated in the activation of the integrin αMβ2 on polymorphonuclear neutrophils. To determine the role for LPL in integrin activation, K562 cell adhesion to vitronectin via αvβ3, a well-studied model for activable integrins, was examined. Cell permeant versions of peptides based on the N-terminal sequence of LPL and the LPL headpiece domain both activated αvβ3-mediated adhesion. In contrast to adhesion induced by treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), LPL peptide-activated adhesion was independent of integrin β3 cytoplasmic domain tyrosines and was not inhibited by cytochalasin D. Also in contrast to PMA, LPL peptides synergized with RGD ligand or Mn2+ for generation of a conformational change in αvβ3 associated with the high affinity state of the integrin, as determined by binding of a ligand-induced binding site antibody. Although LPL and ligand showed synergy for ligand-induced binding site expression when actin depolymerization was inhibited by jasplakinolide, LPL peptide-induced adhesion was inhibited. Thus, both actin depolymerization and ligand-induced integrin conformational change are required for LPL peptide-induced adhesion. We hypothesize that the critical steps of increased integrin diffusion and affinity enhancement may be linked via modulation of the function of the actin binding protein l-plastin.
Purification and Characterization of S-adenosylmethionine Synthetase from Soybean (Glycine max) Axes

S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) synthetase was purified to homogeneity from soybean (Glycine max) axes. The enzyme was purified 216-fold with a 1.5% yield by ammonium sulfate fractionation, acetone fractionation, ion exchange chromatography with DEAE-sephacel, gel filtration with Sephacryl S-300, and afffinity chromatography with ATP-agarose. The enzyme activity reached a maximum 3 days after germination. SAM synthetase had a subunit molecular weight of 57,000 daltons from a silver stained single band on SDS-PAGE. The molecular weight of the enzyme was 110,000 daltons from Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration. The enzyme was composed of two identical subunits. The values of the enzyme for L-methionine and ATP were 1.81 and 1.53 mM, respectively. The enzymatic activity was not affected by polyamines, agmatine, or SAM analogues, but was inhibited by SAM. The inhibition pattern was showed non-competitive for L-methionine and uncompetitive for ATP. The activity of SAM synthetase was inhibited by thiol-blocking reagents. The enzyme was induced by treatment with M putrescine at germination. Experimental data revealed a possible novel regulation mechanism of polyamine biosynthesis through several endogenous intermediates.