Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An N-terminal deletion mutant of estrogen receptor exhibits increased synergism with upstream activators and enhanced binding to the estrogen response element.

To study the role of the N-terminal region of the estrogen receptor (ER) in transcription activation and in DNA binding, we constructed a mutant of the Xenopus laevis ER which lacks amino acids 1-159 (XER160/586). In transient transfections, XER160/586 exhibited < 10% of the activity of wild-type XER on a synthetic promoter containing two estrogen response elements (EREs). To examine transcriptional synergism by XER and by XER160/586, we determined the activity of promoters containing EREs and binding sites for either the vitellogenin activator, NF1, or AP1 upstream activator protein. For the three promoters transcription by XER was 2.8-fold greater than expected for additive activities, and transcription by XER160/586 was 6.2-fold greater. These data demonstrate that an upstream activator protein bound near the promoter can partially compensate for the loss of the internal N-terminal (AF1) transactivation domain in XER160/586. Using a promoter interference assay to study the intracellular interaction between ER and the estrogen response element, we found that XER160/586 exhibited a significant increase in affinity for the ERE. Its low basal activity and enhanced affinity for the ERE make XER160/586 an effective dominant negative mutant. When co-expressed with wild-type XER at 1:1 and 5:1 ratios, XER160/586 suppressed the activity of wild-type XER by 57% and > 80%, respectively.
Chest wall metastasis after percutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy

Abstract Presented is a case of a chest wall metastasis due to tumor seeding along the needle tract from a percutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of a lung carcinoma. At thoracostomy, the patient was found to have a chest wall lesion at the site of the FNAB that had been performed 4 months earlier. This relatively uncommon complication has been reported elsewhere, but its significance with respect to the management of lung lesions suspected to be malignant has not been defined. The authors maintain that FNAB may not be indicated in select patients. The application of this diagnostic modality should be considered individually on the basis of the patient's operative risk as well as the risk for having a primary lung carcinoma develop.
The Need for Caution With Topical Anesthesia During Endoscopic Procedures, as Liberal Use May Result in Methemoglobinemia

During upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, topical oropharyngeal anesthesia with lidocaine and/or benzocaine is used routinely by many endodscopists. Although such a practice is usually safe, there have been a number of reports of methemoglobinemia induced by topical anesthesia. Early treatment is extremely important as the development of methemoglobinemia is potentially fatal. Methemoglobinemia should be considered when oxygen desaturation occurs without another explanation. In this case series, we report 4 cases of methemoglobinemia that followed the liberal application of Cetacaine for ERCP. All patients recovered after appropriate treatment but these cases serve to highlight the potential problem, the importance of early recognition and treatment, and the most appropriate treatment options.
Effects of General Receptor for Phosphoinositides 1 on Insulin and Insulin-Like Growth Factor I-Induced Cytoskeletal Rearrangement, Glucose Transporter-4 Translocation, and Deoxyribonucleic Acid Synthesis* * This work was supported by Grants J 01287-Med and J 1584-Med from the Erwin Schrödinger Sti

We investigated the effects of general receptor for phosphoinositides-1 (GRP1), a recently cloned protein that binds 3,4,5-phosphatidylinositol [PtdIns(3,4,5)P3] with high affinity, but not PtdIns(3,4)P2 nor PtdIns(3)P, on insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I)-induced cytoskeletal rearrangement, glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4) translocation, and DNA synthesis. GRP1 consists of an NH2-terminally located coiled coil domain followed by a Sec7 domain and a COOH-terminal pleckstrin homology (PH) domain that is required for PtdIns binding. We used microinjection of glutathione-S-transferase fusion proteins containing residues 239-399 (PH domain), residues 52-260 (Sec7 domain), residues 5-71 (N-terminal domain), full-length GRP1, and an antibody (AB) raised against full-length GRP1 coupled with immunofluorescent detection of actin filament rearrangement, GLUT4 translocation, and 3'-bromo-5'-deoxyuridine incorporation. Microinjection of these constructs and the AB had no effect on insulin-induced GLUT4 translocation or DNA synthesis. However, microinjection of the GRP1-PH and the GRP1-Sec7 domain as well as the alpha-GRP1-AB significantly inhibited insulin- and IGF-I-stimulated actin rearrangement in an insulin receptor-overexpressing cell line (HIRcB) compared with that in control experiments. Coinjection of GRP1-Sec7 along with constitutively active Rac (Q67L) did not inhibit Rac-induced actin rearrangement. Furthermore, GRP1 is not able to bind and act as a nucleotide exchange factor for the small GTP-binding proteins of the Rho family. As GRP1 acts as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for ARF6 proteins, we propose a signaling pathway distinct from the small GTP-binding protein Rac, connecting PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 via GRP1 to ARF6, leading to insulin- and IGF-I-induced actin rearrangement.
An INVITE-Initiated Dialog Event Package for the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)

This document defines a dialog event package for the SIP Events architecture, along with a data format used in notifications for this package. The dialog package allows users to subscribe to another user and to receive notification of the changes in state of INVITE- initiated dialog usages in which the subscribed-to user is involved. [STANDARDS-TRACK]
Biochemistry of Mental Depression *

Introduction What biochemical processes are involved in mental depression? Is there a biochemical trigger that sets in motion a process developing into mental depression? Is there a deficiency or excess of some chemical substance that is responsible? We know that chemical and physical factors are involved in some manner in depression because of the efficacy of drug therapy and of electroconvulsive therapy. But how do these treatments work? Do the chemical changes that they generate help us to understand the underlying chemical processes in mental depression? Three major areas of biochemistry have been explored with the production of some significant facts for the understanding of the biochemistry of mental depression (17,99). The first deals with the role of ions and their exchanges during nerve transmission. This has focused some attention on cationic balance in mental depression. The use of radioactive sodium has facilitated some complex measurements indicating that a certain portion of body sodium stored intracellularly together with a portion of that in bone is increased in depression and mania, but returns to normal after recovery (89). The conclusion is based on derived data and is not readily interpretable in terms of the changes seen during the development and treatment of mental depression. However, alterations in the sodium balance may represent an underlying process of the disorder.
THE SPECIFICITY OF OESTROGEN RECEPTOR IN BRAIN, PITUITARY AND UTERUS

1 The specificity of oestrogen receptor in rat brain regions (hypothalamus, amygdala and cortex), pituitary and uterus was studied by measurement of the inhibition of 17β‐oestradiol high affinity binding in cytosol, in the presence of unlabelled putative inhibitors of binding. 2 Binding was inhibited only by those of the compounds tested that possessed oestrogen agonist or antagonist activity. The affinities were estimated and the ranking order of the compounds was the same in all tissue sources of cytosol and corresponded to the ranking order of agonist or antagonist potency. 3 There were some significant differences between some of the estimated affinities in different tissues, these being seen most commonly between pituitary and hypothalamus on one hand and uterus on the other. 4 The possibility of heterogeneity of oestrogen receptor is discussed.
Le choix de traitement en triade incluant un patient âgé apte en soins palliatifs : à la recherche d’un modèle théorique

ABSTRACT The elderly in palliative care are confronted with difficult decisions relating to treatments. The philosophy of palliative care, namely, including the patient and his/her family right away, leads the doctor to consult with the two parties involved when choosing a treatment. As no theoretical model allows us to understand how the decision-making process hinges on the trio (a capable elderly person, a family caregiver, and the doctor) in a context of palliative care, we propose one which was developed from three strategies of document analysis: theoretical synthesis, theoretical analysis, and theoretical derivation. According to our model, the decision-making process depends on individual factors influencing the decision of the participant, expectations and attitudes as to the role, the level of confidence amongst the parties involved, the manner in which they communicate with each other, their mutual understanding of the clinical and ethical issues, and, finally, their ability to cooperate. RÉSUMÉ Les aînés en soins palliatifs sont confrontés à des décisions difficiles liées aux traitements. La philosophie des soins palliatifs, incluant d’emblée le patient et sa famille, amène le médecin à travailler en concertation avec ces deux acteurs lors du choix thérapeutique. Puisqu’aucun modèle théorique ne permet de comprendre comment s’articule le processus décisionnel en triade (patient apte à consentir aux soins, proche aidant et médecin) dans un contexte de soins palliatifs, nous en proposons un, développé à partir de trois stratégies d’analyse des écrits : la synthèse théorique, l’analyse théorique et la dérivation théorique. Selon notre modèle, le processus décisionnel dépend des facteurs individuels influençant la décision du participant, des attentes et attitudes face au rôle, du niveau de confiance entre les acteurs, de la façon dont ils communiquent entre eux, de leur compréhension mutuelle des enjeux cliniques et éthiques et finalement de leur capacité de collaboration.
Investigation of systemic inflammatory response in first trimester pregnancy failure.

BACKGROUND The contribution of local and systemic inflammation to the pathophysiology of sporadic first trimester miscarriages remains unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the inflammatory response in the circulation of women presenting with first trimester miscarriage. METHODS Levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), TNF receptors 1 and 2, interferon gamma (IFNγ), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 were assayed using cytometric bead arrays in plasma samples from 29 euploid and 21 aneuploid missed miscarriages, 35 normal pregnant controls and 31 non-pregnant women (NPW). Whole blood flow cytometry was carried out with samples from 17 euploid and 16 aneuploid miscarriages, 18 pregnant controls and 13 NPW. RESULTS The plasma of women with euploid miscarriage contained significantly higher circulating levels of TNFα (P < 0.005), IFNγ (P < 0.005), IL-6 (P < 0.005) and IL-10 (P < 0.01) than that of pregnant controls, irrespective of gestational age. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher TNF-R1 levels at 6-9 weeks, and significantly higher TNFα/IL-6 (P < 0.001) and significantly lower TNFα/IL-10 (P < 0.001) and IFNγ/IL-10 (P < 0.001) ratios at 10-14 weeks, were also found in euploid miscarriage cases compared with pregnant controls. TNFα/IL-10 ratio in plasma was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in miscarriages with an abnormal karyotype than those with normal karyotype. Normal pregnant women had a significantly higher plasma level of IFNγ (P < 0.01) and IFNγ/IL-10 ratio (P < 0.005), a significantly (P < 0.005) lower TNF-R1 level, and a significant (P < 0.05) increase in stimulated TNFα in monocytes, compared with NPW. CONCLUSIONS Our data confirm that there is an inflammatory reaction in normal pregnancy compared with the non-pregnant state, which may be disrupted during miscarriage.
Activation of the JNK signaling pathway: Breaking the brake on apoptosis

The JNK signaling pathway is involved in regulation of many cellular events, including growth control, transformation and programmed cell death (apoptosis). The role of JNK activation in apoptosis is highly controversial, being suggested to have a pro‐apoptotic, anti‐apoptotic or no role in this process. It appears that the JNK pathway functions in a cell‐type and stimulus‐dependent manner and its different components can sometimes play opposing roles in apoptosis. Recent studies reveal that the effect of JNK activation on apoptosis depends on the activity of other signaling pathways like the NF‐κB pathway. Here we propose a model that can explain how activation of the JNK pathway “breaks the brake” on apoptosis, thereby regulating, but not initiating the apoptotic process. BioEssays 25:17–24, 2003. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Application research on data segment by Robust H∞ filter estimation

In order to solve robots localization based on 2D map match, Robust H∞ filtering estimation is presented for segmenting ultrasonic readings set. Kalman filter estimation is classical data segmentation approach. In general, there are some uncertain parameters at a sensor observe system, traditional algorithm cause some data can't be segment, so robots will be lost. Robust H∞ filter estimations enhances data segmentation accuracy and it lay a solid foundation for robot localization.
Thalidomide Prevents Formation of Multinucleated Giant Cells (Langhans-Type Cells) from Cultured Monocytes: Possible Pharmaceutical Applications for Granulomatous Disorders

Thalidomide is an effective drug for chronic inflammatory diseases, but the mechanism underlying its immunomodulatory action remains uncertain. Thalidomide has been reported to clinically improve chronic inflammatory granulomatous disorders. In such disorders, the granulomas consist of epithelioid cells, scattered lymphocytes and multinucleated giant cells (MNGC; Langhans-type cells). The present experimental approach permitted the reproduction of MNGC formation from peripheral blood monocytes and examination of thalidomide's effect on it. MNGC can be effectively generated from monocytes cultured in the presence of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) for 14 days. Thalidomide can inhibit the formation of MNGC in a dose-dependent manner. MNGC formation was partly inhibited by the presence of neutralizing TNF-α antibody in the responses induced by IL-4 and M-CSF. Autocrinal TNF-α production and modulation of cadhelin expression to regulate cell adhesion might be involved in this inhibitory action of thalidomide. Our results support thalidomide's clinical efficacy in the treatment of chronic granulomatous disorders (granulomatosis).
Local components and reuse of legacy code in the CORBA component model

The CORBA component model (CCM) seemed to be a new powerful multi-language and multi-platform component development framework. First applications based on CCM have shown that there are some drawbacks in practical use. We present a new approach for the CCM component implementation which improves communication performance of components living in the same address space. At the same time we simplify the component development process and the reuse of legacy code within components. These extensions to CCM are possible without changing its specification.
Contribution of Ebola Virus Glycoprotein, Nucleoprotein, and VP24 to Budding of VP40 Virus-Like Particles

ABSTRACT The VP40 matrix protein of Ebola virus buds from cells in the form of virus-like particles (VLPs) and plays a central role in virus assembly and budding. In this study, we utilized a functional budding assay and cotransfection experiments to examine the contributions of the glycoprotein (GP), nucleoprotein (NP), and VP24 of Ebola virus in facilitating release of VP40 VLPs. We demonstrate that VP24 alone does not affect VP40 VLP release, whereas NP and GP enhance release of VP40 VLPs, individually and to a greater degree in concert. We demonstrate further the following: (i) VP40 L domains are not required for GP-mediated enhancement of budding; (ii) the membrane-bound form of GP is necessary for enhancement of VP40 VLP release; (iii) NP appears to physically interact with VP40 as judged by detection of NP in VP40-containing VLPs; and (iv) the C-terminal 50 amino acids of NP may be important for interacting with and enhancing release of VP40 VLPs. These findings provide a more complete understanding of the role of VP40 and additional Ebola virus proteins during budding.
Fiber projections from trigeminal nucleus caudalis in primate (squirrel monkey and baboon)

Small radiofrequency lesions were produced in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis and adjacent lateral reticular formation (LRF) in seven squirrel monkeys and four baboons. Frozen brain sections were stained for cellular morphology and for axonal and terminal degeneration. The lesions in pars marginalis and gelatinosa produced terminal degeneration in pars magnocellularis and LRF. Pars magnocellularis lesions produced degeneration into the ascending trigeminal intranuclear tract and the adjacent lateral reticular formation. Ascending thalamic and reticular projections emanated from LRF lesions. These observations suggest that elements of the LRF adjacent to the nucleus caudalis are an integral part of the trigeminal somesthetic fiber projection system and may subserve the perception of noxious stimuli.
A 0.9 mm Heterodyne Receiver for Astronomical Observations

A complete receiver for astronomical observations in the 0.9 mm region is described. The mixer uses a 2mu Schottky diode in fundamental mode waveguide. The local oscillator from a BWO is injected into the mixer with a low-loss quasi-optical diplexer. Overall system sensitivity is about 4000-5000 K SSB,over the range of 318-348 GHz.
The Impact of Immersive Virtual Reality on Effectiveness of Educational Games

Games may come in a huge variety of different flavors. Virtual reality and educational games are two gaming areas that undergo active development at the moment, and there is a possibility that the use of VR in edutainment may be beneficial for education quality. In this thesis, we studied an impact that virtual reality might have on the effectiveness of some types of a game-based education. There were several studies on this topic before, and most of them emphasize the need for further research. The current thesis contributes to this area and differs from previous work in several aspects, one of which is the fact that in this thesis we evaluate the educational effectiveness of the game from different points of view: as the combination of participants objective learning, perceived learning, engagement, and motivation. We developed the educational game and performed an experiment with 30 participants, who were playing this game in either desktop or immersive VR setups. During the results analysis, we compared subjective experiences (gathered with the questionnaire) and measured gameplay statistics for these groups. Though some of the measured metrics had higher scores for the VR group, these differences were not statistically significant. Yet we managed to find a correlation between participants’ engagement and at least perceived learning effectiveness. In the end, we state that there is a chance to verify the significance of our findings and find aspects of virtual reality that are beneficial for educational games in the future research, and outline its possible directions.
Dysregulated Fear, Social Inhibition, and Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia: A Replication and Extension.

Behavioral inhibition indicates increased risk for development of social anxiety. Recent work has identified a pattern of dysregulated fear (DF), characterized by high fear in low-threat situations, that provides a more precise marker of developmental risk through early childhood. This study tested a new longitudinal sample of children (n = 124) from ages 24 to 48 months. Replicating prior findings, at 24 months, we identified a pattern of fearful behavior across contexts marked by higher fear to putatively low-threat situations. DF was associated with higher parental report of social inhibition at 24, 36, and 48 months. Extending prior findings, we observed differences in cardiac physiology during fear-eliciting situations, suggesting that the neurobiological underpinnings of DF relate to difficulty with regulation.
Benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo

The original description of benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo (BPPV) has been variously attributed to Bárány, Adler, and others. In addition, the proper eponymic designation for the provocative positioning test used to diagnose BPPV has been unclear, because authors use a variety of different terms, including Bárány, Nylén-Bárány, Nylén, Hallpike, Hallpike-Dix, and Dix-Hallpike to refer to the procedure in current use. Based on a review of the extant medical literature, Bárány was the first to describe the condition in detail, and Dix and Hallpike were the first to clearly describe both the currently used provocative positioning technique and the essential clinical manifestations of benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo elicited by that technique. Nevertheless, despite their important contributions, neither Bárány nor Dix and Hallpike understood the pathophysiology of BPPV nor did they appreciate that the positioning techniques they used actually demonstrated pathology in the semicircular canals rather than the utricle. The modern understanding of the pathophysiology of BPPV began with Schuknecht's proposal that the dysfunction resulted from the gravity-dependent movement of loose or fixed dense material within the posterior semicircular canal (“cupulolithiasis”). Although Schuknecht's formulations were not consistent with all clinical features of the disease, they led to the modern “canalolithiasis theory” and highly effective canalith repositioning or “liberatory” maneuvers for BPPV.
DNA Joint Dependence of Pol X Family Polymerase Action in Nonhomologous End Joining*

DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) can be rejoined directly by the nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) pathway of repair. Nucleases and polymerases are required to promote accurate NHEJ when the terminal bases of the DSB are damaged. The same enzymes also participate in imprecise rejoining and joining of incompatible ends, important mutagenic events. Previous work has shown that the Pol X family polymerase Pol4 is required for some but not all NHEJ events that require gap filling in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here, we systematically analyzed DSB end configurations and found that gaps on both strands and overhang polarity are the principal factors that determine whether a joint requires Pol4. DSBs with 3′-overhangs and a gap on each strand strongly depended on Pol4 for repair, DSBs with 5′-overhangs of the same sequence did not. Pol4 was not required when 3′-overhangs contained a gap on only one strand, however. Pol4 was equally required at 3′-overhangs of all lengths within the NHEJ-dependent range but was dispensable outside of this range, indicating that Pol4 is specific to NHEJ. Loss of Pol4 did not affect the rejoining of DSBs that utilized a recessed microhomology or DSBs bearing 5′-hydroxyls but no gap. Finally, mammalian Pol X polymerases were able to differentially complement a pol4 mutation depending on the joint structure, demonstrating that these polymerases can participate in yeast NHEJ but with distinct properties.