Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevention and treatment of colitis with Lactococcus lactis secreting the immunomodulatory Yersinia LcrV protein.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The low calcium response V (LcrV) protein synthesized by gram-negative, pathogenic yersiniae participates in bacterial evasion of the host's innate immune response by stimulating synthesis of the anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-10 and preventing the activation of proinflammatory cytokines. METHODS We genetically engineered the food-grade bacterium Lactococcus lactis to secrete the LcrV protein from the enteropathogenic species Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. The protective and therapeutic potential of orally administered LcrV-secreting L lactis was evaluated in 2 models of acute experimental colitis (induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid [TNBS] and dextran sodium sulfate [DSS], respectively) in wild-type and knockout mice. RESULTS Oral administration of LcrV-secreting L lactis led to active delivery of LcrV and induction of IL-10 (via a Toll-like receptor 2-dependent pathway) in the colon and prevented TNBS-induced colitis, in contrast to the L lactis control not producing LcrV. Down-regulation of tissue inflammatory markers correlated well with the reduction in damage to the colonic mucosa. In contrast, TNBS-induced colitis was not prevented in IL-10(-/-) mice pretreated with LcrV-secreting L lactis, thus showing that IL-10 is required for LcrV protection. Administration of LcrV-secreting L lactis also proved to be very effective in preventing and treating acute DSS-induced colitis. CONCLUSIONS LcrV-secreting L lactis decreased experimentally induced intestinal inflammation in 2 murine models of colitis. This novel approach highlights the potential of using pathogen-derived immunomodulating molecules in vivo as novel therapeutics for inflammatory bowel diseases.
The temperature dependence of the movement of potassium and chloride ions associated with nerve impulses.

1. The influx and efflux of radioactive potassium and chloride across the membrane of the squid giant axon were measured in resting and in stimulated nerves. The measurements were made at room temperature and at 6‐8 degrees C. 2. At room temperature all eight flux measurements were comparable to previously reported values. 3. When the axons were cooled the resting potassium influx decreased with a Q10 of 1‐9 and the resting potassium efflux decreased with a Q10 of 1‐2. 4. With cooling the resting chloride efflux decreased with a Q10 of 1‐3 and the resting chloride influx decreased with a Q10 of 2‐8. This latter value, together with anomalous flux ratios for resting chloride fluxes may indicate an active uptake of chloride ions into the axon. 5. Cooling increased the extra efflux of potassium associated with nerve impulses with a Q10 of 1/1‐5 and increased the extra influx of potassium with a Q10 of 1/3‐3. 6. No extra efflux of chloride was detected at either temperature. Cooling produced no statistically significant change in the extra chloride influx but there was considerable scatter in the data. 7. Fluxes were computed as a function of temperature for standard action potentials with a variety of temperature coefficients for the conductances and rate constants. No single curve could match either the influx or the efflux data.
Effect of relative cumulative dose-intensity on survival of patients with urothelial cancer treated with M-VAC.

PURPOSE To evaluate the received dose-intensity in a mature data set of patients with advanced urothelial cancer who received at least one cycle of the methotrexate (M), vinblastine (V), Adriamycin ([A], doxorubicin; Adria Laboratories, Columbus, OH), and cisplatin (C) regimen (M-VAC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Received dose-intensity was evaluated over time by summing doses over cycles for each patient, cumulating treatment times, and assuming four cycles of chemotherapy were planned. Relative cumulative dose-intensity was then calculated for individual patients at the end of each cycle. To assess a relationship with survival, relative cumulative dose-intensity was then used as a time-dependent covariate in Cox regression. RESULTS The median follow-up was 6 years and median survival 13.3 months, with 20 patients alive at the time of analysis. Out of a maximum of 1.0, the median relative dose-intensity for the M-VAC combination decreased from . 69 to . 59 from cycle 1 to cycle 4. Similarly, a decrease from . 68 to . 62 and from . 80 to . 72 was observed for A and C, respectively. The median received dose-intensity for A was 6.0 mg/m2/wk, and for C 14 mg/m2/wk. Neither the four-cycle relative cumulative dose-intensity for the M-VAC combination, nor the relative cumulative dose-intensities for A or C were found to be significant prognostic factors. CONCLUSION The absence of an effect for received dose-intensity on survival may reflect the low dose-intensities of the components of the regimen actually delivered in this study. The results question whether the individual agents can be escalated sufficiently, with growth factor support, to improve significantly complete response proportions, a prerequisite for increasing the proportion of long-term survivors.
Factor XI and Protection of the Fibrin Clot against Lysis – a Role for the Intrinsic Pathway of Coagulation in Fibrinolysis

Introducation Blood coagulation is an important mechanism that maintains the integrity of the vascular system to prevent blood loss after injury. The conceptions on the working mechanism of coagulation are based on the waterfall or cascade model, which was already proposed more than 30 years ago, independently by Davie and Ratnoff (1) and MacFarlane (2). Blood coagulation was viewed as a series of linked proteolytic reactions in which zymogens are converted into serine proteases, ultimately leading to the formation of thrombin, which converts soluble fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin. Coagulation was thought to proceed via two pathways, an extrinsic and an intrinsic pathway. Activation of the extrinsic pathway of coagulation occurs by the exposition of tissue factor at the site of injury (3) whereas the intrinsic system is activated after exposure of plasma to an activating surface. Although the in vivo activating surface is unknown, the contact system was believed to play a role in the initiation of the intrinsic pathway. This system consists of factor XII, prekallikrein, high molecular weight kininogen and factor XI. The physiological relevance of the contact system is unclear, since a deficiency of factor XII, prekallikrein or high molecular weight kininogen does not result in a bleeding disorder. In contrast, patients deficient in factor XI, most common among Ashkenazi Jews, do suffer from variable bleeding abnormalities especially from tissues with high local fibrinolytic activity (urinary tract, nose, oral cavity, tonsils) (4, 5). This suggested there was an alternative route for the activation of factor XI, and recently such a route was described (6, 7). Thrombin was found to activate factor XI, even in the absence of a negatively charged surface (6-11), and factor XI was shown to play a role in the protection of the fibrin clot against lysis (9). In plasma the possibility cannot be excluded that the activation of factor XI by thrombin takes place via an intermediary component. Recently, it was shown that meizothrombin was capable of activating factor XI (12).
Designing for Social Interaction in Collaborative Games on Large Multi- Touch Displays

Although computer games enable people from all around the world to play games together and can provide very immersive virtual environments, most computer games are still played in a separate fashion quite contrary to the social events that physical games are. Large interactive surfaces can bridge this gap, bringing together the best of both worlds: highly social activity and colorful, dynamic game worlds. With this paper we contribute to research on gaming on large multi-touch displays. Based on game mechanics successfully brought to small multi-touch devices, we developed our own game introducing features and gestures specifically designed for large surface and multi-player gameplay with special regard for the social interaction among players. We provide insights on the social protocol of collaborative multi-player gaming on large interactive displays by studying people playing our game. Our results suggest that communication and social interaction does not just happen by itself but must be designed into the game, taking into account the specifics of multi-touch interaction, such as non-verbal communication possibilities between players.
Molecular interactions of isoxazolcurcumin with human serum albumin: Spectroscopic and molecular modeling studies

Curcumin is a nontoxic natural product with diverse pharmacological potencies. We report the interaction of a potent synthetic derivative of curcumin, isoxazolcurcumin (IOC) with human serum albumin (HSA) using various biophysical methods. The observed fluorescence quenching of HSA by IOC is due to a complex formation by a static quenching process with a quenching constant of the order of 105 M−1. The binding affinity and the number of binding sites were obtained from a Scatchard analysis. Thermodynamics reveals that the interaction is entropy driven with predominantly hydrophobic forces. From the observed Förster‐type fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), the donor (Trp 214 in HSA) to acceptor (IOC) distance is calculated to be 3.2 nm. The conformational changes of HSA due to the interaction were investigated qualitatively from synchronous fluorescence spectra along with a quantitative estimation of the secondary structure from Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies. Molecular docking studies were performed to obtain information on the possible residues involved in the interaction process, and changes in accessible surface area of the interacting residues were calculated. The preferred binding site of IOC was analyzed by ligand displacement experiments with 1‐anilino‐8‐naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) and warfarin‐bound HSA. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 91: 108–119, 2009.
The effect of cotinine on telomerase activity in human vascular smooth muscle cells.

AIM Cotinine, the main stable metabolite of nicotine, has been shown to have a biological half-life approximately 10 times longer than nicotine. It has also been demonstrated to have a powerful effect on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. Telomerase activation is known to play an important role in cell viability and proliferation. The purpose of our experiment was to evaluate the effect of cotinine on proliferative potential of vascular smooth muscle cells via its effects on telomerase activity. METHODS Primary cultures of human VSMC obtained from greater saphenous veins were used in this experiment from 3(rd) to 5(th) passage. Cotinine was added in doses equivalent to plasma levels of cotinine in an active smoker by dissolving, 0.0, 2.88x10(-6), 5.76x10(-6), and 1.44x10(-5) mol/L of cotinine in the media. The number of viable cells was assessed by trypan blue exclusion. The Telomeric Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP) was used to detect telomerase activity. TRAP products were detected by ELISA. RESULTS The mitogenic effect of cotinine in VSMC was observed at 48 hours after treatment. The viable cell numbers were significantly increased (4.0x10(7)) at lower doses of cotinine exposure as compared to untreated cultures (2.5x10(5)). At the concentration of 1.44x10(-5) mol/L, cotinine was cytotoxic to VSMCs. Telomerase activity was detected in all sets of VSMC cultures treated with cotinine (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Cotinine causes abnormal cell proliferation as demonstrated by increased cell numbers and reactivation of telomerase in a dose dependent manner. This study demonstrated cotinine's stimulatory effect on human SMC proliferation in vitro at low doses while high doses of cotinine had a toxic effect. These data correlate with the results of other studies concerning the mitogenic effect of cotinine and telomerase activation during cellular proliferative response.
Characterization of the optical properties of silver nanoparticle films

To understand the collective properties of nanoparticles, it is necessary to control the particle size, spacing and ordering. Here we describe the chemical synthesis of well-controlled silver nanoparticles, the wet coat preparation and the optical properties of its film. The light incidence angle and polarization dependency of the resonant spectra show distinctive surface plasmon resonance extinction peaks for isolated particles and the coupled modes of neighbouring particles. Furthermore, we discuss the thermal treatment and dielectric surrounding effects on the optical properties of silver nanoparticle film.
Effect of Humic Acid Application on Qualitative Characteristic and Micronutrient Status in Petunia hybrid L.

Humic acid (HA) is a relatively stable product of organic matter decomposition and thus accumulates in environmental systems. The aim of this study was to monitor the effect of foliar application of humic acid on growth characteristics of Petunia hybrid L; such as fresh and dry weight of root and shoot, height, tillers and flowers, Leaf area index(LAI),chlorophyll content, relative water content(RWC) and absorption of micronutrient(Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn). A pot experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with five treatments of HA (0, 100, 300, 600 and 900 ppm) and three replications. Data were analyzed by SPSS software and Duncan test. Results showed that increase in humic acid concentration, increased all evaluated growth traits and micronutrient absorption compare than control at statistical level of 1% and 5%, significantly. Key word: humic acid, foliar application, growth characteristics, micronutrient
Recent Wireless Power Transmission technologies in Japan for space solar power station/satellite

Wireless Power Transmission technology via microwave (Microwave Power Transmission ; MPT) was advanced from 1960's and many researchers which had a dream to realize the Space Solar Power Satellite/Station (SPS). In Japan, many kinds of the SPS were proposed and designed in recent ten years. We will show the newest Japanese SPS and its characteristics. We also show some results of the recent Japanese MPT experiments, Ubiquitous Power Source, MPT for moving rover, Wireless charging system of electrical vehicle.
Autosomal translocation associated with premature ovarian failure

Editor—Although the average age of menarche has decreased over the last century, the mean age of menopause appears to be invariant with time and race and occurs at approximately 50 years. The loss of functional follicles occurring in women under the age of 40 is defined as premature ovarian failure. It occurs in about 1-2% of women,1 in some as early as their teens. Before the onset of premature ovarian failure, most women appear to have a normal menstrual history, age of menarche, and fertility.2 Unexplained premature ovarian failure is clinically recognised as amenorrhoea with low levels of oestrogen and raised levels of luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) occurring before the age of 40. Premature ovarian failure may have a chromosomal, genetic, enzymatic, iatrogenic, autoimmune, or infectious aetiology. In approximately 5% of women with premature ovarian failure there is a significant family history of early menopause.3 However, in most cases, no known cause has been identified.2 Genetic causes have been suggested, and a range of candidate loci have been identified. These regions are currently under investigation to determine the underlying basis of ovarian failure. The proband (III.10), a 33 year old woman, presented for fertility care. She is the only woman in a sibship of three and her pedigree is shown in fig 1. Her …
Phytosanitary Treatments Against Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae): Current Situation and Future Prospects

Abstract Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is arguably the most important tephritid attacking fruits after Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae). In 2003 it was found in Africa and quickly spread to most of the sub-Saharan part of the continent, destroying fruits and creating regulatory barriers to their export. The insect is causing new nutritional and economic losses across Africa, as well as the losses it has caused for decades in infested areas of Asia, New Guinea, and Hawaii. This new panorama represents a challenge for fruit exportation from Africa. Phytosanitary treatments are required to export quarantined commodities out of infested areas to areas where the pest does not exist and could become established. This paper describes current phytosanitary treatments against B. dorsalis and their use throughout the world, the development of new treatments based on existing research, and recommendations for further research to provide phytosanitary solutions to the problem.
[Autism, epilepsy and mitochondrial disease: points of contact].

INTRODUCTION Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with unknown etiology, although several different specific organic conditions have been found to be associated with autism in about 10 to 37% of cases. Autism with regression has been reported in one third of autistic children with previously normal development. Epilepsy is quite common in autism spectrum disorders. The rate of comorbidity varies between 20-30% of cases, depending upon the age and type of disorder. Major risk factors for epilepsy in autistic children are mental retardation and additional neurological disorders, as well as some specific associated medical conditions like chromosomal abnormalities, phakomatosis and inherited metabolic disorders. AIM To review the possible linkage between autism, epilepsy and mitochondrial dysfunction. DEVELOPMENT The hypothesis of a disturbed bioenergetic metabolism underlying autism has been suggested by the detection of high lactate levels in some patients. Although the mechanism of hyperlactacidemia remains unknown, a likely possibility involves mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation dysfunction in neuronal cells. Reduced levels of respiratory mitochondrial enzymes, ultraestructural mitochondrial abnormalities and a broad range of mitochondrial DNA mutations suggest a linkage between autism, epilepsy and mitochondrial disorders. CONCLUSIONS Though mitochondrial disorders are a rare cause of autism in children, we must keep in mind this etiology in autistic patients with epilepsy and associated signs of neurologic and/or systemic dysfunction. Finding biochemical or structural mitochondrial abnormalities in an autistic child does not necessarily imply a primary mitochondrial disorder but can also be secondary to technical inaccuracies or another genetic disorder.
A bootstrap-based approach for parameter and polyspectral density estimation of a non-minimum phase ARMA process

A bootstrap-based methodology is developed for parameter estimation and polyspectral density estimation in the case of the approximating model of the underlying stochastic process being non-minimum phase autoregressive-moving-average (ARMA) type, given a finite realisation of a single time series data. The method is based on a minimum phase/maximum phase decomposition of the system function together with a time reversal step for the parameter and polyspectral confidence interval estimation. Simulation examples are provided to illustrate the proposed method.
Early degeneration of photoreceptor synapse in Ccl2/Cx3cr1‐deficient mice on Crb1rd8 background

Photoreceptor ribbon synapse releases glutamate to postsynaptic targets. The synaptic ribbon may play multiple roles in ribbon synapse development, synaptic vesicle recycling, and synaptic transmission. Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) patients appear to have fewer or no detectable synaptic ribbons as well as abnormal swelling in the photoreceptor terminals in the macula. However, reports on changes of photoreceptor synapses in AMD are scarce and photoreceptor type and quantity affected in early AMD is still unclear. Here, we employed multiple anatomical techniques to investigate these questions in Ccl2−/−/Cx3cr1−/− mouse on Crb1rd8 background (DKO rd8) at one month of age. We found that approximately 17% of photoreceptors over the focal lesion were lost. Immunostaining for synapse‐associated proteins (CtBP2, synaptophysin, and vesicular glutamate transporter 1) showed significantly reduced expression and ectopic localization. Cone opsins demonstrated dramatic reduction in expression (S‐opsins) and extensive mislocalization (M‐opsins). Quantitative ultrastructural analysis confirmed a significant decrease in the number of cone terminals and nuclei, numerous vacuoles in remaining cone terminals, reduction in the number of synaptic ribbons in photoreceptor terminals, and ectopic rod ribbon synapses. In addition, glutamate receptor immunoreactivity on aberrant sprouting of rod bipolar cells and horizontal cells were identified at the ectopic synapses. These results indicate that synaptic alterations occur at the early stages of disease and cones are likely more susceptible to damage caused by DKO rd8 mutation. They provide a new insight into potential mechanism of vision function lost due to synaptic degeneration before cell death in the early stages of AMD. Synapse 67:515–531, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Motivating Parents to Promote Cardiovascular Health in Children

Background:Identifying risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) early in life gives advanced practice nurses an opportunity to educate parents about choices that promote long-term heart health. The addition of universal lipid screening to 9- to 11-year-old well-child examinations opens a time interval that is adequate for conversations related to cardiovascular health. Objective:The objective of this study was to determine if the use of a 10-minute health promotion plan that includes identification of child modifiable CVD risk factors would have an effect on parental intent to engage in lifestyle changes that promote heart health in 9- to 11-year-old children. Methods:The quasi-experimental pilot study involved 26 English-speaking parents of 9- to 11-year-old children during routine well-child examinations. Participants completed questionnaires before and after receiving a health promotion plan and the child’s modifiable CVD risk screening results. The advanced practice nurse-researcher analyzed the questionnaires to evaluate parental intent to promote lifestyle changes. Results:Increases were seen in concern for the child’s future heart health and in awareness of diet and exercise recommendations. Participants were likely to encourage more fruits and vegetables (100%), limit “screen time” (96%), encourage physical activity (92%), and limit sugar-sweetened beverage intake (96%). Factors identified as most influential on participant decision to encourage change were the child’s body mass index (38.46%), lipid screening results (23.08%), and “other”–tobacco smoke exposure (15.38%), which closely approximate national prevalence for each risk category. Conclusions:The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends lipid screening once for all children between 9 and 11 years of age. In this study, outlining recommendations for good health and identifying modifiable CVD risk factors showed a positive effect on parental intent to encourage lifestyle changes. Further research is needed to advance the science of CVD prevention and risk reduction in children.
60 GHz substrate integrated waveguide fed steerable LTCC antenna array

This paper presents the design and fabrication of a 60 GHz substrate integrated waveguide fed steerable LTCC (Low Temperature Cofired Ceramics) antenna array. This antenna is suited for transmit and receive in the 60 GHz WPAN frequency band [1]. This wireless system can be used for several applications such as HDTV, high data-rate networking (up to 4.5 GB/s), security & surveillance and other similar applications.