Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reduction of circulating secretory phospholipase A2 levels by anti-tumor necrosis factor chimeric monoclonal antibody in patients with severe Crohn's disease. Relation between tumor necrosis factor and secretory phospholipase A2 in healthy humans and in active Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND Secretory phospholipase A2 group II (sPLA2-II) has pro-inflammatory effects. The importance of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) for induction of plasma sPLA2-II in humans was studied in two groups of subjects. SUBJECTS Six healthy volunteers received a single intravenous injection of recombinant human TNF or isotonic saline at random. Ten patients with active Crohn's disease received a single intravenous infusion of an anti-TNF chimeric monoclonal antibody, cA2. RESULTS TNF infusion in healthy volunteers resulted in an increase of sPLA2-II at 3 h, with a maximal plasma level at 6 h (20.8+/-8.9 ng/ml; P < 0.05). In Crohn's disease base-line sPLA2-II levels were 33.9+/-13.4 ng/ml 24 h after infusion of cA2, 11.0+/-2.9 ng/ml (P < 0.005). Further decrease occurred in all except two patients at 2 weeks. The decrease in plasma sPLA2-II preceded all clinical signs of remission. CONCLUSION TNF infusion in healthy humans can induce a rapid increase of circulating sPLA2-II, and selective blocking of TNF-alpha with cA2 results in a rapid decrease in sPLA2-II in peripheral blood. These data confirm that TNF has an important role in regulating the release of sPLA2-II in systemic and local inflammatory reactions.
A mutant EGF‐receptor defective in ubiquitylation and endocytosis unveils a role for Grb2 in negative signaling

Ligand‐induced desensitization of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is controlled by c‐Cbl, a ubiquitin ligase that binds multiple signaling proteins, including the Grb2 adaptor. Consistent with a negative role for c‐Cbl, here we report that defective Tyr1045 of EGFR, an inducible c‐Cbl docking site, enhances the mitogenic response to EGF. Signaling potentiation is due to accelerated recycling of the mutant receptor and a concomitant defect in ligand‐induced ubiquitylation and endocytosis of EGFR. Kinetic as well as morphological analyses of the internalization‐defective mutant receptor imply that c‐Cbl‐mediated ubiquitylation sorts EGFR to endocytosis and to subsequent degradation in lysosomes. Unexpectedly, however, the mutant receptor displayed significant residual ligand‐induced ubiquitylation, especially in the presence of an overexpressed c‐Cbl. The underlying mechanism seems to involve recruitment of a Grb2 c‐Cbl complex to Grb2‐specific docking sites of EGFR, and concurrent acceleration of receptor ubiquitylation and desensitization. Thus, in addition to its well‐characterized role in mediating positive signals, Grb2 can terminate signal transduction by accelerating c‐Cbl‐dependent sorting of active tyrosine kinases to destruction.
Knee Joint Dynamics Predict Patellar Tendinitis in Elite Volleyball Players

We quantified the lower extremity dynamics developed during the volleyball spike and block jumps to find out if predictive relations exist between jump dynamics and patellar tendinitis. Lower extremity movement biome chanics were analyzed for 10 members of the 1994 Canadian Men's National Volleyball Team (all right- handed hitters). Based on physical examination, 3 of the 10 players had patellar tendon pain associated with patellar tendinitis at the time of testing. In masked biomechanical and logistic regression analyses, we discovered that the vertical ground-reaction force dur ing the take-off phase of both spike and block jumps was a significant predictor of patellar tendinitis—cor rectly predicting the presence or absence of patellar tendinitis in 8 of 10 players. Deepest knee flexion angle (during landing from the spike jump) predicted 10 of 10 cases correctly for the left knee. The external tibial torsional moment (during the takeoff for the right knee with the spike jump and for the left knee with the block jump) was also a significant predictor of tendinitis. In these players, the likelihood of patellar tendon pain was significantly related to high forces and rates of loading in the knee extensor mechanism, combined with large external tibial torsional moments and deep knee flexion angles.
Positively Net Zero : Case Study of Performance Simulation and Hitting the Targets

The actual energy performance of three mixed-mode net zero energy (NZE) classrooms aligned closely to the predictive building simulation models used to estimate classroom performance in two different microclimates in Hawaii. Energy consumption by circuits, energy generation, temperature, relative humidity, CO2 concentration, and interior light levels were monitored for over two years to determine the relationships among physical building characteristics, environmental factors, and energy consumption. EnergyPlusTM and other computational tools were utilized to predict energy loads and photovoltaic (PV) generation. After completing data collection in 2015, the structures met the NZE design expectation, with two notably net positive on an annualized basis. During design, three simulated energy prediction scenarios were created to bracket a range of performance possibilities: “High Estimate”, “Anticipated Performance”, and “Optimal Performance”. Each of the energy efficient, grid-tied structures featured a 5 kW photovoltaic renewable energy system. The structure in the hotter microclimate on the island of Oahu used air conditioning throughout the year and performed slightly over the “High Estimate” yielding an actual site energy use intensity (EUI) of 7.7 kWh/sf/yr (26.3 kBTU/sf/yr). The two structures on the more temperate island of Kauai realized average site EUIs of about 3.8 and 5.6 kWh/sf/yr (13.0 and 19.1 kBTU/sf/yr) due to less mechanical cooling. The two Kauai structures exceeded net zero energy goals, while the Oahu fell slightly short. These differences in both energy consumption and PV generation are due to differences in microclimates, operational policies, and user awareness and response to the internal environment.
Role of the Rice Hexokinases OsHXK5 and OsHXK6 as Glucose Sensors1[C][W]

The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) hexokinase 1 (AtHXK1) is recognized as an important glucose (Glc) sensor. However, the function of hexokinases as Glc sensors has not been clearly demonstrated in other plant species, including rice (Oryza sativa). To investigate the functions of rice hexokinase isoforms, we characterized OsHXK5 and OsHXK6, which are evolutionarily related to AtHXK1. Transient expression analyses using GFP fusion constructs revealed that OsHXK5 and OsHXK6 are associated with mitochondria. Interestingly, the OsHXK5ΔmTP-GFP and OsHXK6ΔmTP-GFP fusion proteins, which lack N-terminal mitochondrial targeting peptides, were present mainly in the nucleus with a small amount of the proteins seen in the cytosol. In addition, the OsHXK5NLS-GFP and OsHXK6NLS-GFP fusion proteins harboring nuclear localization signals were targeted predominantly in the nucleus, suggesting that these OsHXKs retain a dual-targeting ability to mitochondria and nuclei. In transient expression assays using promoter∷luciferase fusion constructs, these two OsHXKs and their catalytically inactive alleles dramatically enhanced the Glc-dependent repression of the maize (Zea mays) Rubisco small subunit (RbcS) and rice α-amylase genes in mesophyll protoplasts of maize and rice. Notably, the expression of OsHXK5, OsHXK6, or their mutant alleles complemented the Arabidopsis glucose insensitive2-1 mutant, thereby resulting in wild-type characteristics in seedling development, Glc-dependent gene expression, and plant growth. Furthermore, transgenic rice plants overexpressing OsHXK5 or OsHXK6 exhibited hypersensitive plant growth retardation and enhanced repression of the photosynthetic gene RbcS in response to Glc treatment. These results provide evidence that rice OsHXK5 and OsHXK6 can function as Glc sensors.
DNA Replication Catalyzed by Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Proteins Reveals Trombone Loops at the Fork*♦

Background: DNA is replicated in vitro by proteins encoded by herpes simplex virus type 1. Results: Electron microscopic examination of the replication forks reveals looping of the lagging strand. Conclusion: The trombone model has been demonstrated. Significance: This provides the first evidence of the trombone mechanism in a eukaryotic viral system. Using purified replication factors encoded by herpes simplex virus type 1 and a 70-base minicircle template, we obtained robust DNA synthesis with leading strand products of >20,000 nucleotides and lagging strand fragments from 600 to 9,000 nucleotides as seen by alkaline gel electrophoresis. ICP8 was crucial for the synthesis on both strands. Visualization of the deproteinized products using electron microscopy revealed long, linear dsDNAs, and in 87%, one end, presumably the end with the 70-base circle, was single-stranded. The remaining 13% had multiple single-stranded segments separated by dsDNA segments 500 to 1,000 nucleotides in length located at one end. These features are diagnostic of the trombone mechanism of replication. Indeed, when the products were examined with the replication proteins bound, a dsDNA loop was frequently associated with the replication complex located at one end of the replicated DNA. Furthermore, the frequency of loops correlated with the fraction of DNA undergoing Okazaki fragment synthesis.
A dynamic adaptation of the propensity score adjustment for effectiveness analyses of ordinal doses of treatment

The propensity score adjustment is a method to reduce bias in observational studies. We propose a strategy that involves a novel combination of three data analytic techniques, which adapts the propensity adjustment for additional perturbations of longitudinal, observational studies. First, ordinal logistic regression examines propensity for ordinal doses of treatment. Second, a mixed‐model approach incorporates the multiple treatment trials and multiple episodes that are characteristic of chronically ill subjects. Finally, a mixed‐effects grouped‐time survival model incorporates the propensity score in treatment effectiveness analyses. The strategy that is applied here to an observational study of affective illness can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments for other chronic illnesses. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genetic immunization of mice with human tyrosinase‐related protein 2: Implications for the immunotherapy of melanoma

The melanosomal protein TRP2 expressed by melanocytes and most melanoma cells is an attractive, clinically relevant model antigen for the experimental development of melanoma immunotherapy in mice. A peptide shared by murine and human TRP2 can be recognized by melanoma‐reactive CTL in C57BL/6 mice, as well as in human melanoma patients. Previous experiments demonstrated that gene gun immunization of mice with plasmid DNA encoding autologous murine TRP2 was unable to induce protective immunity against B16 melanoma cells naturally expressing TRP2. In the present study, we investigated whether the use of cDNA encoding xenogeneic human TRP2, which is highly homologous to murine TRP2, would be more effective. Genetic immunization of mice with human TRP2 resulted in coat depigmentation as a sign of autoimmune‐mediated destruction of melanocytes and provided significant protection against metastatic growth of B16 melanoma. Induction of protective immunity was associated with TRP2‐reactive antibodies and CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, immunization with recombinant adenovirus was more effective than immunization with plasmid DNA using the gene gun. Our results provide new insights for the development of antigen‐specific immunotherapy of melanoma. Int. J. Cancer 86:89–94, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The architecture of ambient assisted living system

Ambient Assisted Living is an intelligent system of assistance that can help senior citizens to improve their quality of life, stay healthier, and extend their lifespan, thus enabling them to expand their active and creative participation in the community. The system provides an interactive environment for people with special needs, based on ubiquitous sensing, individual-environment interaction, context awareness, and learning information systems. It provides a full cycle of processes, including sensing the individual's activity and behavior, preprocessing of sensors data, information aggregation, reasoning, and interaction with the individual and with external factors such as relatives and care services. The system is based on ambient intelligence, i.e. its infrastructure is pervasive, with a large number of distributed devices that communicate between themselves as well as with centralized services.
Activation of alpha‐toxin translation in Staphylococcus aureus by the trans‐encoded antisense RNA, RNAIII.

The synthesis of virulence factors in Staphylococcus aureus is controlled by a regulatory RNA molecule, RNAIII, encoded by the agr locus. Transcription of genes coding for secreted toxins and enzymes is stimulated, while transcription of cell‐surface protein genes is repressed by RNAIII. In the case of staphylococcal alpha‐toxin, RNAIII also seems to stimulate translation by an independent mechanism. In this report we show that in a mutant lacking RNAIII the rate of alpha‐toxin (hla) production relative to the cellular concentration of hla mRNA was reduced 10‐fold as compared with the wild‐type strain. A 75% complementarity between the 5′ end of RNAIII and the 5′ untranslated region of the hla transcript suggests a direct interaction between the RNAs. A complex of RNAIII and hla mRNA was demonstrated in extracts of total RNA from the wild‐type strain, and also with in vitro synthesized RNAs. Ribonuclease T1 digestion experiments revealed that the ribosome binding site of the hla transcript is blocked by intramolecular base‐pairing. Hybridization with RNAIII prevents this intramolecular base‐pairing and makes the hla mRNA accessible for translation initiation. This is, to our knowledge, the first example of an ‘antisense RNA’ that stimulates translation of the target mRNA.
EFFECTS OF VITAMIN E ON T CELLS IN GUT-ASSOCIATED LYMPHOID TISSUE ( GALT ) OF BROILER CHICKENS UNDER HEAT STRESS

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of vitamin E on T cells number and distribution within GALT (Gut associated lymphoid tissue) in broiler chickens submitted to heat stress. For that, the CD3, CD4 or CD8 positive cells were investigated by immunohistochemistry in the oesophageal, pyloric, jejunum, ileum and caecal tonsils from 4, 5, 6 weeks old Ross 308 male broilers reared under standard temperature conditions (22 ± 2°C) (group C) or submitted to heat stress (35°C for 5 hours per day) (group HS) and eventually treated with vitamin E (DL-α-tocopherol acetate, 300 mg/kg, (group HSE), each group containing 21 birds. Heat stress markedly depleted T cell population in GALT but the cell distribution was not modified. By contrast, the vitamin E treatment has considerably increased the T cell population by acting on all T cell types in every lymphoid area (inter-follicular zones, germinal centers, epithelial crypts). These results show that vitamin E can remarkably counteract the adverse effect of heat stress on the immune function and dietary vitamin E supplementation can be recommended in broilers, especially in the summer months.
Impulsivity: a link between bipolar disorder and substance abuse.

BACKGROUND Substance abuse is present in most patients with bipolar disorder and associated with poor treatment outcome and increased risk of suicide. Increased impulsivity may be a link between bipolar disorder and substance abuse. METHODS First, we compared impulsivity as a stable trait (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, BIS) and as state-dependent behavioral laboratory performance (Immediate Memory-Delayed Memory task, derived from the Continuous Performance Task) in interepisode bipolar and non-bipolar subjects with and without substance abuse. Secondly, we compared impulsivity in interepisode and manic bipolar subjects with and without substance abuse. RESULTS The BIS scores were increased in interepisode bipolar disorder and in subjects with histories of substance abuse, and were increased further in interepisode bipolar subjects with substance abuse. Performance impulsivity was increased in subjects with substance abuse, regardless of whether they had bipolar disorder. Among subjects with bipolar disorder, after correction for age, BIS scores were increased in those with substance abuse. Performance impulsivity was increased in manic compared with interepisode subjects, regardless of substance abuse history, and was increased in interepisode subjects with substance abuse similarly to manic subjects without substance abuse. These differences could not be accounted for by age, gender, or course of illness. CONCLUSIONS Trait impulsivity is increased additively in bipolar disorder and substance abuse. Performance impulsivity is increased in interepisode bipolar disorder only if a history of substance abuse is present. This increased predisposition to impulsivity when not manic may contribute to the decrement in treatment outcome and compliance, and increased risk for suicide and aggression, in bipolar disorder with substance abuse.
onversion , shrinkage , water sorption , flexural trength and modulus of re-mineralizing dental

Objectives. Cure, volumetric changes and mechanical properties were assessed for new dental composites containing chlorhexidine (CHX) and reactive calcium phosphate-containing (CaP) to reduce recurrent caries. Methods. 20 wt. % of light curable urethane dimethacrylate based liquid was mixed with 80 wt. % glass filler containing 10 wt. % CHX and 0–40 wt. % CaP. Conversion versus depth with 20 or 40 s light exposure was assessed by FTIR. Solidification depth and polymerization shrinkage were determined using ISO 4049 and 17304, respectively. Subsequent volume expansion and biaxial flexural strength and modulus change upon water immersion were determined over 4 weeks. Hydroxyapatite precipitation in simulated body fluid was assessed
Morphogenesis of the secondary palate in camel (Camelus dromedarius )

Thirty camel embryos and fetuses of both sexes, ranging from 0.8 cm to 12.0 cm CVRL, were used in this study. These specimens were collected from Zagazig and Cairo abattoirs. They were fixed and prepared by normal histological technique for light microscopical study. The present study revealed that, the camel palatogenesis was a complicated developmental process, that required two main events; elevation and then fusion of the palatal shelves. The palatal development began at 0.8 cm CVRL camel embryo, and was completed at 5.5-0.6 cm CVRL camel fetus. The two secondary palatine shelves were hanged vertically on both sides of the primitive tongue at 1.5 cm CVRL camel embryo. It began to be elevated from a vertical to horizontal position, above the dorsum of the primitive tongue at 0.2 cm CVRL camel embryo, with the appearance of the primitive palatine rugae at the same age. The primitive rugae appeared as an epithelial thickening at the junction between the lateral surface of the palatine shelves (future oral surface) and the maxillary process, with an apparent condensation in the subjacent mesenchyme. The close contact of medial epithelial edge (MEE) could be detected at 3.5-0.4 cm CVRL camel embryo. For fusion of the palatal shelves to be occurred, there was a breakdown of the MEE, followed by the fusion of the mesenchyme of the two secondary palatine shelves. This fusion took place rostro-caudally in its direction.
Lysophospholipids transactivate HER 2 / neu ( erb B-2 ) in human gastric cancer cells

The ligand-less receptor HER2/neu (erbB-2) has been proposed as a prognostic marker of gastric cancer that correlates with poor clinical outcome, indicating that HER2 signals play an important role in gastric cancer progression. This study demonstrated that two major natural lysophospholipids, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), induce rapid and transient phosphorylation of HER2 in two human gastric cancer cell lines, MKN28 and MKN74 cells. We also revealed that tyrosine phosphorylation of HER2 induced by both lysophospholipids was significantly attenuated by two inhibitors, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, AG1478, and a broad-spectrum matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor, GM6001. This suggests that the pathway of HER2 transactivation induced by these lysophospholipids is dependent on the proteolytically released EGFR ligands. Our results indicate that LPA and S1P act upstream of HER2 in gastric cancer cells, and thus may act as potent stimulators of gastric cancer. 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
A New version of the IEEE Flash program

For many years, an IEEE program called Flash was maintained to estimate flashover rates on transmission lines. With recent consolidation of two Working Groups, a new version of Flash has been developed to consistently treat both transmission and distribution lines. The new software includes line arresters, shield wires, tower and pole grounding, and insulation added by wood or fiberglass. It generates input files for EMTP, and has been implemented in MatLab to facilitate further research.
Serious adverse events after HPA‐incompatible platelet transfusions in an alloimmunized patient with leukaemia

We describe an alloimmunized female patient who developed serious adverse reactions when receiving HPA‐incompatible platelet transfusions. She had received 13 transfusions with random platelets before the first allergic reactions. Antibodies against both the human leucocyte antigens (HLA) and several human platelet antigens (HPA) were detected at the time of transfusions. When the patient received HLA‐ and HPA‐compatible platelets, no reactions followed the transfusions and platelet count increments were good. When she was transfused with platelets from donors with one foreign HLA antigen, her reactions were fever, chills and headache and the response to platelet transfusions was poor. When the platelets were HLA compatible but HPA incompatible, the reactions were repeatedly rapid pulse, shortness of breath, tightness of chest and wheezing interpretable as anaphylactoid reactions. Platelet count increments were satisfactory. When rare side‐effects occur after transfusion, detailed immunohaematological studies are indicated.
Acute Hypermagnesaemia Retards Glucose Assimilation and Inhibits Insulin Secretion during Intravenous Glucose Tolerance Test (IVGTT)

A preceding investigation on the effect of acute hypermagnesaemia on the course of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in healthy subjects showed a retardation of glucose clearance from the blood stream, while no changes of immunoreactive insulin (IRI) were ob­ served (Žofková, Nedvídková, Zamrazil and Šimečková 1987). Now we investigated the effect of hypermagnesaemia on glucose assimila­ tion and IRI levels in the course of the intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT).