Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular cloning and functional expression of contortrostatin, a homodimeric disintegrin from southern copperhead snake venom.

Contortrostatin is a unique dimeric disintegrin isolated from southern copperhead snake venom. Through antagonism of integrins alphaIIbbeta3, alpha5beta1, alphavbeta3, and alphavbeta5, contortrostatin inhibits platelet aggregation and disrupts cancer cell adhesion and invasion. We cloned cDNA from a library made from the venom gland cells of Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix using polymerase chain reaction. We found that the contortrostatin gene is part of a precursor composed of proprotein, metalloproteinase, and disintegrin domains. The precursor cDNA is 2027 bp with a 1449-bp open reading frame. The disintegrin domain is 195 bp encoding 65 amino acids. Like other members of the disintegrin family, each subunit of contortrostatin has an RGD site, and the cysteine alignment is conserved. The disintegrin domain of the cDNA has been expressed in a eukaryotic expression system as a homodimeric fusion protein with an immunoglobulin. The recombinant protein is recognized by an antiserum against native contortrostatin in Western blot. Both the native and recombinant proteins bind to integrins alphavbeta3 and alphavbeta5. Like native contortrostatin, the recombinant fusion protein inhibits platelet aggregation, blocks cancer cell adhesion to fibronectin and vitronectin, and prevents invasion of cancer cells through a Matrigel barrier. The success of functional expression not only validates the cDNA cloning of this disintegrin, but also provides adequate material for functional studies of contortrostatin.
Guaranteed cost control of uncertain discrete-time switched linear systems with actuator saturation

The problem of guaranteed cost control is investigated for a class of uncertain discrete-time switched linear systems subject to actuator saturation. The purpose is to design a state feedback control law such that the closed-loop system is asymptotically stable and the upper-bound of the cost function is minimized. Based on the switched Lyapunov function approach, some sufficient conditions for the existence of guaranteed cost controllers are obtained. Furthermore, a convex optimization problem with linear matrix inequalities (LMI) constraints is formulated to determine the minimum upper-bound of the cost function. Finally, a numerical example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed design method.
Activation of STAT3 by IL-6 and IL-10 in Primary Human Macrophages Is Differentially Modulated by Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 1

On human macrophages IL-10 acts as a more potent anti-inflammatory cytokine than IL-6, although both cytokines signal mainly via activation of the transcription factor STAT3. In this study we compare IL-10 and IL-6 signaling in primary human macrophages derived from blood monocytes. Pretreatment of macrophages with PMA or the proinflammatory mediators LPS and TNF-α blocks IL-6-induced STAT3 activation, whereas IL-10-induced activation of STAT3 remains largely unaffected. Although LPS induces the feedback inhibitor suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) in macrophages, inhibition of IL-6 signal transduction by LPS occurs rapidly and does not depend on gene transcription. We also found that pretreatment of macrophages with IL-10 inhibits subsequent STAT3 activation by IL-6, whereas IL-10-induced STAT3 activation is not affected by preincubation with IL-6. This cross-inhibition is dependent on active transcription and might therefore be explained by different sensitivities of IL-10 and IL-6 signaling toward the feedback inhibitor SOCS3, which is induced by both cytokines. In contrast to the IL-6 signal transducer gp130, which has been previously shown to recruit SOCS3 to one of its phosphotyrosine residues (Y759), peptide precipitation experiments suggest that SOCS3 does not interact with phosphorylated tyrosine motifs of the IL-10R. Taken together, different sensitivities of IL-10 and IL-6 signaling toward mechanisms that inhibit the Janus kinase/STAT pathway define an important mechanism that contributes to the different anti-inflammatory potencies of these two cytokines.
Algorithmic motion planning in robotics along with time based performance analysis

A∗ algorithm is well known for finding the shortest path from a starting point to a goal on a given map. This paper presents a method which makes use of it for robotic traversal when there are multiple starts (up to 2) and goals (up to 2), which is based on python. It shows how a customized heuristic matrix for every goal be obtained, which helps cutting down the runtime, for shortest path finding and is the supporting pillar of A∗. For the demonstration of the algorithm, a MATLAB based GUI is used to create a 2D map using which the python based script returns the shortest path. This path is then shown on the GUI.
Functional Analysis of Glucan Binding Protein B from Streptococcus mutans

ABSTRACT Mutans streptococci are major etiological agents of dental caries, and several of their secreted products contribute to bacterial accumulation on teeth. Of these, Streptococcus mutans glucan binding protein B (GbpB) is a novel, immunologically dominant protein. Its biological function is unclear, although GbpB shares homology with a putative peptidoglycan hydrolase from S. agalactiae and S. pneumoniae, indicative of a role in murein biosynthesis. To determine the cellular function of GbpB, we used several approaches to inactivate the gene, analyze its expression, and identify interacting proteins. None of the transformants analyzed were true gbpB mutants, since they all contained both disrupted and wild-type gene copies, and expression of functional GbpB was always conserved. Thus, the inability to obtain viable gbpB null mutants supports the notion that gbpB is an essential gene. Northern blot and real-time PCR analyses suggested that induction of gbpB expression in response to stress was a strain-dependent phenomenon. Proteins that interacted with GbpB were identified in pull-down and coimmunoprecipitation assays, and these data suggest that GbpB interacts with ribosomal protein L7/L12, possibly as part of a protein complex involved in peptidoglycan synthesis and cell division.
Activated sludge versus aerated lagoon treatment of kraft mill effluents containing β-sitosterol and stigmasterol

In the present study the performance of an activated sludge system (AS) and an aerated lagoon (AL) are compared for the treatment of kraft cellulose effluents. Both reactors were operated at organic loading rates (OLR) up to 9 g COD/L· d. The activated sludge system presented better performance at high OLR than the aerated lagoon with removal percentages of 57–67% and 95% of COD and BOD5, respectively. The removal percentages of specific compounds were always slightly higher in the case of the AS than in the AL with exception of the total phenolic compounds which concentration increased in the former. Furthermore the analyzed fractions from the effluents indicated that in the AS the compounds were fully removed while in the case of the aerated lagoon were transformed into compound with low molecular weight P2 (5 kD < MW < 10 kD). In the case of the AS system the increase of the total phenolic compounds concentrations was corroborated with the increase of the fractions P2, P3 and P4. The studied phytosterol were removed from the effluent at concentrations up to 2 mg/L in percentages close to 100% mainly by adsorption in the case of the AL and by a combining adsorption and mainly degradation in the AS. The BOD5 concentration in the effluent of both systems fulfilled the requirements of the Chilean regulations for effluent discharge indicating the feasibility of aerobic treatment of this kind of effluents.
Derivatives and Interest Rate Risk Management by Commercial Banks

We introduce interest rate derivatives in a model of bank capital structure. Distinct motives to engage in risk management imply that both increases and decreases in the short rate can be hedged. Moreover, derivatives are a partial substitute to financial flexibility for risk management. Substitutability implies that derivatives users are more leveraged and have a more procyclical lending policy. These predictions are consistent with the data and have novel testable content.
Nonconsecutive- versus consecutive-day high-intensity interval training in cyclists.

PURPOSE We compared the effects of a high-intensity interval training (HIT) program completed on three consecutive or nonconsecutive days per week for 3 wk on VO2peak, peak aerobic power output (PPOa), and 5-km time trial (TT5k) performance in trained cyclists. METHODS Fifteen trained cyclists completed a TT5k and an incremental test to exhaustion for VO2peak and PPOa determination before and after training. Pretraining TT5k times were used to form groups, one of which (N=9) performed three HIT sessions per week on consecutive days (CD), while the other (N=6) did so on nonconsecutive days (NCD). Each interval session consisted of up to eight 2.5-min intervals at 100% of PPOa, separated by 4 min of active recovery. Pre- and posttraining TT5k performance, VO2peak, and PPOa were compared using 2x2 (groupxtime) ANOVA with repeated measures on time. RESULTS HIT significantly improved VO2peak, PPOa, and TT5k performance in both groups across time (P<0.05); there were no differences between groups. In both groups combined, VO2peak and PPOa increased by 0.2+/-0.2 L.min(-1) (5.7%) and 23+/-15 W (7.2%), respectively, and TT5k velocity and power output increased by 0.9+/-0.8 km.h(-1) (2.6%) and 17+/-19 W (6.9%), respectively. Despite comparable group changes, the individual response varied widely. CONCLUSION CD and NCD similarly improved TT5k performance, VO2peak, and PPOa, but the individual response varied widely in each group. Thus, athletes should experiment with both designs to discern which one optimizes their training.
Genetics of juvenile idiopathic arthritis: an update

Purpose of review Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) refers to a collection of chronic arthritides in children, and the major subtypes of JIA are similar to the subtypes of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Several genetic variants influencing susceptibility to JIA have been identified, including genes encoding the HLA molecules, cytokines, and other modulators of immune responses. This review outlines the principles behind genetic studies and summarizes recent studies on the genetics of JIA. Recent findings Recent studies confirm the association/linkage between JIA and the HLA region and provide evidence for additional loci involved in susceptibility to JIA. Several studies suggest that polymorphisms in other candidate genes also influence susceptibility to JIA. In addition, some genetic variants seem to influence the phenotype of JIA. A genome-wide scan for JRA in 121 affected sibling pair families confirms that gene(s) in the HLA region influence susceptibility to JRA and identifies other chromosomal regions that possibly influence susceptibility to JRA or subtypes of JRA. Functional studies suggest that biologic markers could be useful in defining the phenotype of individuals with JIA. Familial studies and gene expression profiling are useful tools in the dissection of the genetic basis of JIA. Summary Although there are challenges to the identification of genetic factors underlying complex diseases such as JIA, considerable progress has been made in JIA genetics. Candidate gene studies remain important to identify genetic variants with small to moderate effects on the JIA phenotype.
Some case studies on application of “rm2” metrics for judging quality of quantitative structure–activity relationship predictions: Emphasis on scaling of response data

Quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) techniques have found wide application in the fields of drug design, property modeling, and toxicity prediction of untested chemicals. A rigorous validation of the developed models plays the key role for their successful application in prediction for new compounds. The rm2 metrics introduced by Roy et al. have been extensively used by different research groups for validation of regression‐based QSAR models. This concept has been further advanced here with introduction of scaling of response data prior to computation of rm2. Further, a web application (accessible from http://aptsoftware.co.in/rmsquare/ and http://203.200.173.43:8080/rmsquare/) for calculation of the rm2 metrics has been introduced here. The present study reports that the web application can be easily used for computation of rm2 metrics provided observed and QSAR‐predicted data for a set of compounds are available. Further, scaling of response data is recommended prior to rm2 calculation. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Photodynamic therapy with topical methyl aminolaevulinate for ‘difficult‐to‐treat’ basal cell carcinoma

Background Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) may be difficult to treat by conventional means, particularly if the lesions are large or located in the mid‐face (H‐zone). Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using topical methyl aminolaevulinate (MAL) may be a good noninvasive option for these patients.
Comparison of the proteome of Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 grown under methylotrophic and nonmethylotrophic conditions

Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 is a facultative methylotrophic bacterium that is capable of growing in the presence of methanol as the sole carbon and energy source, but is also able to grow on a limited number of C2, C3, and C4 compounds, for example succinate. This study provides a proteomic view of the cellular adaptation of M. extorquens AM1 to growth on methanol and succinate, respectively. Cytosolic proteins were separated by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis employing overlapping pH ranges and visualized by silver nitrate or fluorescence staining. A proteomic reference map containing 229 different proteins identified by peptide mass fingerprinting of tryptic fragments was established. Comparative proteome profiling of methanol‐ and succinate‐grown cells led to the identification of 68 proteins that are induced under methylotrophic growth conditions in comparison to growth on succinate. This group includes most proteins known to be directly involved in methanol oxidation to CO2 and in assimilation of one carbon units by the serine cycle as well as 18 proteins without any assigned function and two proteins with a predicted regulatory function. Furthermore, the proteome analysis revealed putative isoenzymes for formaldehyde‐activating enzyme Fae, malyl‐CoA lyase, malate‐dehydrogenase, and fumarase, that need to be characterized functionally in future studies.
Influenza A Virus Polymerase Inhibits Type I Interferon Induction by Binding to Interferon β Promoter Stimulator 1*

Type I interferons (IFNs) are known to be critical factors in the activation of host antiviral responses and are also important in protection from influenza A virus infection. Especially, the RIG-I- and IPS-1-mediated intracellular type I IFN-inducing pathway is essential in the activation of antiviral responses in cells infected by influenza A virus. Previously, it has been reported that influenza A virus NS1 is involved in the inhibition of this pathway. We show in this report that the influenza A virus utilizes another critical inhibitory mechanism in this pathway. In fact, the viral polymerase complex exhibited an inhibitory activity on IFNβ promoter activation mediated by RIG-I and IPS-1, and this activity was not competitive with the function of NS1. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that each polymerase subunit bound to IPS-1 in mammalian cells, and each subunit inhibited the activation of IFNβ promoter by IPS-1 independently. In addition, by a combinational expression of each polymerase subunit, IPS-1-induced activation of IFNβ promoter was more efficiently inhibited by the expression of PB2 or PB2-containing complex. Moreover, the expression of PB2 inhibited the transcription of the endogenous IFNβ gene induced after influenza A virus infection. These findings demonstrate that the viral polymerase plays an important role for regulating host anti-viral response through the binding to IPS-1 and inhibition of IFNβ production.
ANALISIS FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI TABUNGAN MASYARAKAT PADA BANK UMUM DI PAPUA BARAT(PERIODE TAHUN 2008-2017)

Tabungan masyarakat merupakan jumlah yang disisihkan seorang individu dari pendapatannya untuk investasi atau menurut teori ekonomi pendapatan yang tidak dikonsumsikan. Biasanya semakin tinggi pertumbuhan ekonomi dan semakin makmur suatu negara semakin tinggi pula tingkat tabungan masyarakat. tingkat tabungan menyebabkan pertumbuhan bertambah secara semester. Hal ini dikarenakan ketika seorang menabung secara terus-menerus, sehingga memiliki modal yang banyak untuk memproduksi barang dan jasa, memberi mereka tambahan unit modal tidak akan meningkatkan produktivitas mereka, karena keuntungan mereka otomatis akan menurun. Judul penelitian yang diambil adalah untuk analisis faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi tabungan masyarakat pada bank umum di papua barat periode 2008-2017. Metode analisis yang digunakan adalah analisis regresi berganda. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukan bahwa tingkat suku bunga berpengaruh negatif dan signifikan terhadap tabungan masyarakat di papua barat, PDRB berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap tabungan masyarakat di papua barat, sedangkan tingkat inflasi berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap tabungan masyarakat di papua barat.
Design and development of a self-contained and non-invasive integrated system for electricity monitoring applications

This paper reports the design and integration of a self-contained system intended for real-time monitoring of electricity usage within residential and commercial buildings. Consisting of an Energy Harvester (EH), an electric current sensor, a Micro-controller Unit (MCU), and a wireless communication device, the proposed system is self-powered and non-invasive, which provides a promising solution as a node in a wireless sensor network. In this work, a customized interface circuitry is designed to collect and regulate the energy from the EH. A Wireless MCU is programmed to acquire, process, and transmit the data from the sensor to the central hub via Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity. The real-time data obtained can be used to measure the amount of power consumed by individual appliances within the building. In this paper, the system design and testing results are reported. Attached to an electric wire carrying currents in the range of 7.6A to 30A, the state-of-the-art system can achieve a read-transmit duty cycle from <1min to 2.5min. The unit is capable of reading a 60 HZ AC sensor signal with a peak voltage in the range of 100 mV to 900 mV with an accuracy of 91.4%.
Scaphoid nonunion treated with vascular bone grafts pedicled on the dorsal supra-retinacular artery of the distal radius.

BACKGROUND Nonunion and avascular necrosis (AVN) are frequent complications of scaphoid fractures. We describe the operative technique and long-term results of treatment with pedicle vascularized bone grafts (VBGs) of the distal radius in patients with scaphoid fractures in whom nonunion and AVN developed. METHODS During a 4-year period (1997-2000), VBGs pedicled on either the first and second or second and third compartments of the supraretinacular artery of the distal radius were in our hospital used to treat 11 patients with symptomatic scaphoid nonunion involving AVN of the proximal fragment (one with perilunate transscaphoid fracture dislocation and 10 with displaced scaphoid fractures with nonunion). Nine of these 11 patients received fixation with divergent K-wires fixation and two received Herbert screws fixation. RESULTS Osseous union was achieved in all 11 patients treated with VBGs within an average period of 13 weeks. Functional results of treatment, which were measured using the modified Mayo Wrist Score, were encouraging in all patients in this series (four excellent, six good, and one fair). The deformity of ununited scaphoid was well corrected. CONCLUSIONS The index study suggests that this treatment can be used not only to revascularize necrotic scaphoid, but also to correct humpback deformity and the resulting carpal instability.
Identification and Functional Characterization of Kir2.6 Mutations Associated with Non-familial Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis*

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis (hypoKPP) is characterized by episodic flaccid paralysis of muscle and acute hypokalemia during attacks. Familial forms of hypoKPP are predominantly caused by mutations of either voltage-gated Ca2+ or Na+ channels. The pathogenic gene mutation in non-familial hypoKPP, consisting mainly of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) and sporadic periodic paralysis (SPP), is largely unknown. Recently, mutations in KCNJ18, which encodes a skeletal muscle-specific inwardly rectifying K+ channel Kir2.6, were reported in some TPP patients. Whether mutations of Kir2.6 occur in other patients with non-familial hypoKPP and how mutations of the channel predispose patients to paralysis are unknown. Here, we report one conserved heterozygous mutation in KCNJ18 in two TPP patients and two separate heterozygous mutations in two SPP patients. These mutations result in V168M, R43C, and A200P amino acid substitution of Kir2.6, respectively. Compared with the wild type channel, whole-cell currents of R43C and V168M mutants were reduced by ∼78 and 43%, respectively. No current was detected for the A200P mutant. Single channel conductance and open probability were reduced for R43C and V168M, respectively. Biotinylation assays showed reduced cell surface abundance for R43C and A200P. All three mutants exerted dominant negative inhibition on wild type Kir2.6 as well as wild type Kir2.1, another Kir channel expressed in the skeletal muscle. Thus, mutations of Kir2.6 are associated with SPP as well as TPP. We suggest that decreased outward K+ current from hypofunction of Kir2.6 predisposes the sarcolemma to hypokalemia-induced paradoxical depolarization during attacks, which in turn leads to Na+ channel inactivation and inexcitability of muscles.
Functional level during sub-acute rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury: Course and predictors of outcome

Objectives: To describe the functional level during sub-acute rehabilitation after moderate and severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to evaluate the impact of pre-injury and injury-related factors as predictors of early recovery. Material and methods: A prospective study of 55 patients with moderate (n = 21) and severe (n = 34) TBI who received specialized, inpatient rehabilitation. Functional level was assessed by the FIM. Possible predictors were analysed in a regression model using FIM total score at discharge as outcome. Results: At discharge from sub-acute rehabilitation, on average 53 (±24) days post-injury, 57% of moderate TBI patients and 91% of severe TBI patients were still disabled with a FIM score < 126. The disability was mild (FIM 109–126) in 95% with moderate TBI and in 62% with severe TBI. The disability was severe (FIM < 72) in 24% with severe TBI. Only one patient did not improve. Predictors of functional level at discharge from rehabilitation were Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at rehabilitation admission (B = 5.991), FIM total score at rehabilitation admission (B = 0.393), length of stay (LOS) in the rehabilitation unit (B = 0.264) and length of Post-Traumatic Amnesia (PTA) (B = −0.120). Together, these predictors explained 86% of variance of FIM total scores at discharge. Conclusion: Less than half of moderate TBI patients reached a normal functional level at discharge from sub-acute rehabilitation. A short PTA period, a high GCS score and FIM score at admission to rehabilitation and a longer stay in the rehabilitation unit were positive predictors of functional level at discharge.