Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CHIMERISM ANALYSIS BY LINEAGE-SPECIFIC FLUORESCENT POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION IN SECONDARY GRAFT FAILURE AFTER ALLOGENEIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION

Background. Chimerism analysis is essential in understanding the etiology of graft failure occurring after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. The detection of marrow and/or blood host cells suggests graft rejection, relapse of the underlying disease, or a state of stable mixed chimerism. However, complete donor chimerism may be observed in some cases. Our objective was to characterize, by a sensitive process of chimerism analysis, six cases of graft failure occurring after transplant. Methods. Six cases of secondary graft failure, in which previous analysis had shown complete donor chimerism by standard polymerase chain reaction amplification of variable number of tandem repeats, were studied. In order to detect a minority population of recipient cells, we increased the sensitivity of the process by using fluorescent polymerase chain reaction and analyzing the origin of T, B, and natural killer lymphocytes at the time of graft failure. Results. The complete donor origin of mononuclear cells and lymphocytic populations was confirmed with this method in five of six patients. In the remaining patient, diagnosis of graft failure was clarified by the detection of a previously undetected mixed chimerism, compatible with graft rejection. In the other five patients, graft rejection was thereby excluded and graft failure could be related to viral infection or to graft-versus-host disease. Conclusion. Our sensitive process of fluorescent lineage-specific chimerism analysis may help in distinguishing between graft rejection and other mechanisms of graft failure, which is essential for deciding appropriate therapy.
0 51 20 16 v 1 2 D ec 2 00 5 Deterministic models of quantum fields

Deterministic dynamical models are discussed which can be described in quantum mechanical terms. – In particular, a local quantum field theory is presented which is a supersymmetric classical model [1]. The Hilbert space approach of Koopman and vonNeumann is used to study the classical evolution of an ensemble of such systems. Its Liouville operator is decomposed into two contributions, with positive and negative spectrum, respectively. The unstable negative part is eliminated by a constraint on physical states, which is invariant under the Hamiltonian flow. Thus, choosing suitable variables, the classical Liouville equation becomes a functional Schrödinger equation of a genuine quantum field theory. – We briefly mention an U(1) gauge theory with “varying alpha” or dilaton coupling where a corresponding quantized theory emerges in the phase space approach [2]. It is energy-parity symmetric and, therefore, a prototype of a model in which the cosmological constant is protected by a symmetry.
Osteopontin: It's Role in Regulation of Cell Motility and Nuclear Factor κB‐mediated Urokinase Type Plasminogen Activator Expression

Cancer progression depends on an accumulation of metastasis supporting cell signaling molecules that target signal transduction pathways and ultimately gene expression. Osteopontin (OPN) is one such chemokine like metastasis gene which plays a key signaling event in regulating the oncogenic potential of various cancers by controlling cell motility, invasiveness and tumor growth. We have reported that OPN stimulates tumor growth and nuclear factor κB (NFκB)‐mediated promatrix metalloproteinase‐2 (pro‐MMP‐2) activation through IκBα/IKK (IκBα kinase) signaling pathway in melanoma cells. Urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA), a widely acting serine protease degrades the ECM components and plays a pivotal role in cancer progression. However, the molecular mechanism by which upstream kinases regulate the OPN‐induced NFκB activation and uPA secretion in human breast cancer cells is not well defined. Here we report that OPN induces the phosphatidylinositol 3'‐kinase (PI 3'‐kinase) activity and phosphorylation of Akt/PKB (protein kinase B) in highly invasive (MDA‐MB‐231) and low invasive (MCF‐7) breast cancer cells. The OPN‐induced Akt phosphorylation was inhibited when cells were transfected with dominant negative mutant of p85 domain of PI 3'‐kinase (Δp85) indicating that PI 3'‐kinase is involved in Akt phosphorylation. OPN enhances the interaction between IκBα kinase (IKK) and phosphorylated Akt. OPN also induces NFκB activation through phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα by inducing the IKK activity. OPN also enhances uPA secretion, cell motility and ECM‐invasion. Furthermore, cells transfected with Δp85 or super‐repressor form of IκBα suppressed the OPN‐induced uPA secretion and cell motility. Pretreatment of cells with PI 3'‐kinase inhibitors or NFκB inhibitory peptide (SN50) reduced the OPN‐induced uPA secretion, cell motility and ECM‐invasion. Taken together, OPN induces NFκB activity and uPA secretion by activating PI 3'‐kinase/Akt/IKK‐mediated signaling pathways and further demonstrates a functional molecular link between OPN induced PI 3'‐kinase dependent Akt phosphorylation and NFκB‐mediated uPA secretion, and all of these ultimately control the motility and invasiveness of breast cancer cells. IUBMB Life, 57: 441‐447, 2005
More electric aircraft starter-generator system with utilization of hybrid modulated model predictive control

The current trend for future aircraft is the adoption of the More Electric Aircraft (MEA) concept. The electrical based starter-generator (S/G) system is one of the core ideas from the MEA concept. The PI based control scheme has been investigated in various papers for the permanent magnet based S/G system. Different control schemes are to be considered to improve the control performance of the S/G system. A type of non-linear control called Model Predictive Control (MPC) is considered for its capability to accomplish fast dynamic control performance. The Modulated Model Predictive Control (variant of MPC with an intrinsic modulator) was presented that showed considerably better control performance than the standard MPC. A control scheme is presented in this paper that utilises PI controllers for the outer loop and Modulated Model Predictive Control for the inner loop that covers operation for both starter and generator modes. Simulation analyses are carried out to compare between the proposed control and a full cascaded PI control scheme. The proposed control is also subjected to parameter variation tests for performance evaluation.
Crystals of Bacillus stearothermophilus tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase containing enzymatically formed acyl transfer product tryptophanyl-ATP, an active site maker for the 3' CCA terminus of tryptophanyl-tRNATrp.

It has previously been shown that tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase from Bacillus stearothermophilus crystallizes in different forms, depending on the substrates present during crystallization [Carter, C. W. , Jr., & Carter, C. W. (1979) J. Biol. Chem. 254, 12219-12223]. Radiolabeling experiments show that the tetragonal crystals (type IV), grown in the presence of tryptophan and ATP, contain enzymatically formed 3'(2')-tryptophanyladenosine 5'-triphosphate (Trp-ATP). Trp-ATP is formed by acyl transfer of the tryptophanyl moiety of an acyladenylate intermediate, Trp-5'-AMP, to a second molecule of ATP bound in the site normally occupied by the 3' CCA terminus of tRNATrp. This compound is therefore a chemical marker in type IV crystals for that part of the tRNA binding site on the synthetase. Solution of this crystal structure, now in progress, may therefore provide useful information concerning the mechanism of aminoacylation of tRNATrp by this enzyme and may help locate its tRNA binding site.
Generation and Characterization of LANP/pp32 Null Mice

ABSTRACT The leucine-rich acidic nuclear protein (LANP) belongs to a family of evolutionarily conserved proteins that are characterized by an amino-terminal domain rich in leucine residues followed by a carboxy-terminal acidic tail. LANP has been implicated in the regulation of a variety of cellular processes including RNA transport, transcription, apoptosis, vesicular trafficking, and intracellular signaling. Abundantly expressed in the developing cerebellum, this protein has also been hypothesized to play a role in cerebellar morphogenesis. LANP has been implicated in disease biology as well, both as a mediator of toxicity in spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 and as a tumor suppressor in cancers of the breast and prostate. To better understand the function of this multifaceted protein, we have generated mice lacking LANP. Surprisingly, these mice are viable and fertile. In addition we could not discern any derangements in any of the major organ systems, including the nervous system, which we have studied in detail. Overall our results point to a functional redundancy of LANP's function, most likely provided by its closely related family members.
Gerencia CAD, Gestión de Proyectos y Gestión de RRHH. ¿integración imposible? [CAD Management, Project Management and HR Management. "Impossible Integration"]

En la actualidad son conocidos diversos modelos que permiten realizar por una parte una gestion efectiva de los proyectos cualquiera sea su genero y por otra parte gestionar, mas o menos efectivamente, los recursos humanos (RRHH) que de una manera u otra participan en los procesos que se ejecutan como parte de los proyectos que se desarrollan en empresas e instituciones. La Direccion de Proyectos (DP) o Project Management (PM) aparece en programas de formacion academica del futuro arquitecto (Cuba, Mexico) y en programas de formacion continua a nivel de postgrado en diferentes formatos como cursos, especializaciones, diplomados, maestrias y doctorados (Espana, Brasil, Cuba, USA). De igual manera resulta comun encontrar los temas del Diseno Asistido por Computadoras (CAD) focalizados hacia las propias herramientas y no siempre hacia los procesos en que participan ni hacia los procesos que el propio uso del CAD genera, lo que se reconoce como Gerencia CAD o CAD Management (CAD-M). Estos tres campos de la direccion (CAD-M, DP/PM y RRHH) con el importante componente comun de liderazgo que contienen, no siempre son tratados en su necesaria interaccion e integracion y de igual manera que el factor tiempo se trata como un recurso mas “cuantificable” que “cualificable”. Tambien ocurre que al aplicar los principios de la Gerencia CAD, que enfatiza el uso efectivo de las herramientas informaticas en el diseno asistido por ordenador (CAD), no siempre se logra una participacion totalmente consciente, proactiva, del factor humano, aspecto determinante para el exito de cualquier empeno. Cabe entonces preguntarse • ? Existen factores que pueden gestionarse para lograr una mayor implicacion de los RRHH en los procesos en que participa? • ? Como influye la subjetividad y el liderazgo en la propia gestion de los recursos humanos que conlleve a una gestion efectiva y exitosa de los proyectos con el uso de las herramientas CAD? Se presentan y discuten los principios basicos de la Gerencia CAD, la GP/PM y algunos modelos para la Gestion de RRHH (People CMM, Appreciative Inquiry), sus puntos de contacto y se llega a conclusiones y recomendaciones para los usuarios/gerentes CAD. Tambien se ofrece una primera aproximacion para un programa tematico que es factible desarrollar tanto a nivel de pregrado como de postgrado, con las debidas adecuaciones segun el contexto. Las consideraciones y reflexiones presentadas, afirman y confirman, que las herramientas informaticas per se por un lado y los modelos para la direccion y la gestion por otra parte, no siempre conducen a los resultados deseados. Los procesos hay que conducirlos y conducirlos bien y la integracion entre el uso de las herramientas CAD y los diferentes modelos de gestion no es imposible.
Drosophila sex combs as a model of evolutionary innovations

The diversity of animal and plant forms is shaped by nested evolutionary innovations. Understanding the genetic and molecular changes responsible for these innovations is therefore one of the key goals of evolutionary biology. From the genetic point of view, the origin of novel traits implies the origin of new regulatory pathways to control their development. To understand how these new pathways are assembled in the course of evolution, we need model systems that combine relatively recent innovations with a powerful set of genetic and molecular tools. One such model is provided by the Drosophila sex comb—a male‐specific morphological structure that evolved in a relatively small lineage related to the model species D. melanogaster. Our extensive knowledge of sex comb development in D. melanogaster provides the basis for investigating the genetic changes responsible for sex comb origin and diversification. At the same time, sex combs can change on microevolutionary timescales and differ spectacularly among closely related species, providing opportunities for direct genetic analysis and for integrating developmental and population‐genetic approaches. Sex comb evolution is associated with the origin of novel interactions between Hox and sex determination genes. Activity of the sex determination pathway was brought under the control of the Hox code to become segment‐specific, while Hox gene expression became sexually dimorphic. At the same time, both Hox and sex determination genes were integrated into the intrasegmental spatial patterning network, and acquired new joint downstream targets. Phylogenetic analysis shows that similar sex comb morphologies evolved independently in different lineages. Convergent evolution at the phenotypic level reflects convergent changes in the expression of Hox and sex determination genes, involving both independent gains and losses of regulatory interactions. However, the downstream cell‐differentiation programs have diverged between species, and in some lineages, similar adult morphologies are produced by different morphogenetic mechanisms. These features make the sex comb an excellent model for examining not only the genetic changes responsible for its evolution, but also the cellular processes that translate DNA sequence changes into morphological diversity. The origin and diversification of sex combs provides insights into the roles of modularity, cooption, and regulatory changes in evolutionary innovations, and can serve as a model for understanding the origin of the more drastic novelties that define higher order taxa.
Kinetic evaluation, using 13N, reveals two assimilatory nitrate transport systems in Klebsiella pneumoniae

A kinetic evaluation of initial rates of nitrate transport at concentrations between 1 microM and 1 mM indicated the presence of two transport processes. Analysis of the contribution of each process to the total activity permitted the determination of kinetic constants (Km) of 4.9 microM and 4.2 mM for the high-and low-affinity systems, respectively. The ratio of the maximal velocity of the high-affinity system to that of an apparent low-affinity system was about 0.3. Both systems were inhibited by the presence of NH4+ in the transport assay. Growth in the presence of equimolar NO3- and NH4+ repressed the synthesis of both systems when compared with growth in NO3- alone.
Multi-Population Selective Genotyping to Identify Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] Seed Protein and Oil QTLs

Plant breeders continually generate ever-higher yielding cultivars, but also want to improve seed constituent value, which is mainly protein and oil, in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ]. Identification of genetic loci governing those two traits would facilitate that effort. Though genome-wide association offers one such approach, selective genotyping of multiple biparental populations offers a complementary alternative, and was evaluated here, using 48 F2:3 populations (n = ∼224 plants) created by mating 48 high protein germplasm accessions to cultivars of similar maturity, but with normal seed protein content. All F2:3 progeny were phenotyped for seed protein and oil, but only 22 high and 22 low extreme progeny in each F2:3 phenotypic distribution were genotyped with a 1536-SNP chip (ca. 450 bimorphic SNPs detected per mating). A significant quantitative trait locus (QTL) on one or more chromosomes was detected for protein in 35 (73%), and for oil in 25 (52%), of the 48 matings, and these QTL exhibited additive effects of ≥ 4 g kg–1 and R2 values of 0.07 or more. These results demonstrated that a multiple-population selective genotyping strategy, when focused on matings between parental phenotype extremes, can be used successfully to identify germplasm accessions possessing large-effect QTL alleles. Such accessions would be of interest to breeders to serve as parental donors of those alleles in cultivar development programs, though 17 of the 48 accessions were not unique in terms of SNP genotype, indicating that diversity among high protein accessions in the germplasm collection is less than what might ordinarily be assumed.
Lactobacillus casei Zhang modulate cytokine and Toll‐like receptor expression and beneficially regulate poly I:C‐induced immune responses in RAW264.7 macrophages

Lactobacilli are frequently used as probiotics due to their beneficial effects on health. Lactobacillus casei Zhang (LcZ), which has favorable probiotic properties, was first isolated from koumiss. In this study, the immunomodulating effects of LcZ on cytokine and toll‐like receptor expression in RAW264.7 macrophages was assessed and it was found that live LcZ promotes production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐6 and interferon (IFN)‐β. Transcription of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was also enhanced by viable LcZ. The immunostimulating effects of live LcZ are significantly attenuated in heat‐killed LcZ. Live LcZ promotes TLR2 mRNA transcription, whereas heat‐killed LcZ enhances transcription of TLR2, TLR3, TLR4 and TLR9. Furthermore, live LcZ significantly suppresses polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C)‐stimulated NO, iNOS and TNF‐α expression while enhancing expression of IFN‐β. It was also found that poly I:C‐induced interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF‐3) reporter gene activity was significantly up‐regulated by live LcZ. These results suggest that LcZ keeps the innate immune system alert by increasing transcription of Toll‐like receptors and enhancing production of pro‐inflammatory mediators and type I IFN in macrophages. The synergistic effect of live LcZ with poly I:C on IFN‐β expression is associated with increased activity of IRF‐3. LcZ has the potential to be used as an adjuvant against viral infections.
La independencia del Banco Central y el caso de El Salvador

espanolEste informe se divide en tres partes. En la primera se analizan aspectos relacionados con la funcion de la politica monetaria. La segunda se relaciona con la funcion institucional del Banco Central y su independencia, y en la tercera se analiza el caso de El Salvador. Realidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 66, 1998: 577-586 EnglishNo abstract available.Realidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 66, 1998: 577-586
Cell cycle arrest in endometrial carcinoma cells exposed to gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) has been shown to have an inhibitory effect on the growth of several hormone-dependent human tumors. We have treated a human endometrial cancer cell line which expresses GnRH receptor with GnRH analog, D-Trp6-LHRH, in order to study whether there are differences in cell cycle kinetic response. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that cultured carcinoma cells showed a cell cycle arrest at the G1-S transition after treatment with 10 microM D-Trp6-LHRH for 36 h. Western blot analysis showed that the level of p16 protein was obvious following 24 h of D-Trp6-LHRH treatment. These results suggest that the mechanism by which GnRH inhibits the growth of endometrial carcinoma cells may include effects on cell cycle arrest.
Survival without common toxicity criteria grade 3/4 toxicity following second‐line treatment with pemetrexed for nonsquamous non‐small cell lung cancer in Chinese patients

Background The efficacy of pemetrexed in the second‐line treatment of Chinese patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been shown to be similar to that of docetaxel in a recent study; additionally, pemetrexed was associated with much better safety and toxicity profiles. Here, the survival without common toxicity criteria grade 3/4 toxicity (SWT) data from a post hoc analysis of this recent prospective NSCLC study in Chinese patients is reported. This post hoc analysis differs from the main study; it focuses on the nonsquamous population to align with the current approval for pemetrexed in China. Methods A total of 154 patients with nonsquamous NSCLC received either pemetrexed (500 mg/m2 intravenously (IV)) or docetaxel (75 mg/m2 IV) on day 1 of 21‐day cycles. SWT was analyzed using Kaplan‐Meier and univariate Cox methods. Results Patients treated with pemetrexed had a longer median SWT than patients treated with docetaxel (7.4 months versus 1.2 months; unadjusted hazard ratio =0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.41‐0.84; P=0.003). At 12 and 18 months, the SWT event‐free probability for pemetrexed patients (18 months: 24.5%, 95%CI 13.9%‐36.6%, vs. 12.3%, 95% CI 4.8%‐23.6%) was greater than that for docexatel patients (12 months: 37.3%, 95% CI 26.5%‐48.0%, vs. 23.3%, 95% CI 14.4‐33.4). The progressionfree survival without common toxicity criteria grade 3/4 toxicity (PFS‐WT) was also statistically significantly longer for patients treated with pemetrexed than patients treated with docetaxel (1.9 months vs. 1.1 months, P=0.002). Conclusions Chinese patients with nonsquamous NSCLC disease treated with pemetrexed had improved SWT beyond 6 months than those receiving docetaxel. This analysis supports a benefit‐to‐risk profile that favors pemetrexed over docetaxel in the second‐line treatment of Chinese nonsquamous NSCLC patients.
A Multimodal Biometric Authentication System Using Ear and Face

The user confirmation systems witch using a biometric method are mostly encounter noisy data and infinite orders of error. To improve special matching in such situations, hybrid biometric systems are utilized. In this study we combined two biometric systems of ears and face to propose a multimodal biometric authentication system which is secure and reliable. To perform desired experiments three face databases including Cohen-Canad, Indian Institute of Technology and FEI new database are considered. We combined these databases separately with ear images database from PNU. Then, we tried to recognize people and evaluate the proposed system. Experimental results revealed that proposed hybrid biometric system is more reliable and more precise comparing to systems using a single biometric method. Owing to its fast recognition it is absolutely suitable for real-time systems.
Satellite cells as the source of nuclei in muscles of growing rats

The source of the new nuclei appearing during the growth of muscle fibers was examined in the tibialis anterior muscle of young Sherman rats (14–17 days of age) using radioautography at various intervals after a single injection of a small, non‐toxic dose of 3H‐thymidine (2 μCi/g body weight). Two techniques were employed: (1) labeled nuclei were detected in 1 μ thick radioautographs examined in the light microscope, and identified by simultaneous electron microscope examination of an adjacent section. The nuclei were then classified either as “true” muscle nuclei (within the plasmalemma of the fibers) or as belonging to “satellite cells” (which are mononucleated cells with scanty cytoplasm wedged between plasmalemma and basement membrane). (2) Muscle fibers freed by collagenase digestion were radioautographed one hour after 3H‐thymidine injection in order to determine the total number of labeled nuclei (true muscle nuclei plus those of satellite cells) per unit length of fiber.