Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Protein Fraction with Immunogenic Potential and Low Toxicity Isolated from the Cell Wall of Neisseria meningitidis Group B

Several fractions were extracted from the cell envelope (CE) of Neisseria meningitidis group B and characterized with regard to their morphology, antigenicity, protein composition, and toxicity. Whole bacterial cells were suspended in a medium of low ionic strength and disrupted in a French pressure cell. The crude CE thus obtained were separated into cell membrane (CM) enriched and cell wall (CW) enriched fractions on sucrose density gradients. In addition, CM and CW fractions were separated from CE on the basis of differential solubility in the nonionic detergent, Triton X-100. The Triton-insoluble fraction, containing primarily CW components, was further treated with a mixture of Triton and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, which was shown to remove additional protein and most of the lipopolysaccharide. Electron microscope examination of the various fractions revealed typical unit membrane structures in the case of CM, or large, open segments in the case of CW. The Triton-insoluble and especially the Triton-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-insoluble fractions consisted of small vesicular structures. All fractions, except the Triton-soluble fraction, when assayed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, were shown to contain one major protein component accounting for more than 50% of the total. Sera from rabbits immunized with the various fractions formed precipitin lines in immunodiffusion tests against the homologous and some of the heterologous fractions. High-titer bactericidal antibodies were also demonstrated in these sera when tested against the homologous strains. Toxicity studies in rats sensitized with lead acetate indicate that the level of contamination of Triton-insoluble/Triton-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-insoluble fractions with lipopolysaccharide was significantly smaller than that of the other fractions.
Stacked strained silicon transistors for low-power high-performance circuit applications

This paper explores the impact of strain on circuit performance when strained silicon (s-Si) devices are used for designing low-power high-speed circuits. An inverter circuit has been used for performance evaluation through simulation. The result shows a great promise for s-Si technology in future generation digital applications which require high throughput and low power. The well known property of high current- drive of s-Si makes it very attractive for circuit applications. However, it exhibits high leakage current compared to conventional Si devices with similar dimensions and under similar operating conditions. To improve the sub-threshold performance (low-leakage) keeping the high-speed advantage of s-Si devices, a stacking method (transistors connected in series) is applied to the n-MOS path of the inverter. For a supply voltage of IV the s-Si stacked inverter shows around 12% improvement in terms of speed than the non-stacked Si inverter hence giving a huge advantage when s-Si is used in larger fan-out circuits. Stack factor is calculated which is a measure of a gate's applicability to use in low-power circuits. An amount of strain equivalent to 0.59% in the channel of transistors is found to the optimum strain for future digital applications.
Fuzzy C-means with non-extensive entropy regularization

A new fuzzy c-means clustering with non-extensive entropy regularization is proposed in this paper. The purpose of entropy regularization is to form approximate solutions of singular problems in the maximum entropy framework. The non-extensive entropy with Gaussian gain is generally used for identifying non-uniform probability densities as in regular texture patterns. It is thus well suited for regularizing the FCM problem due to the presence of extremal points in real world datasets which translate to uneven probability graphs. The new objective function is formulated and the update equations are derived subject to the constraint which is same as that of fuzzy c-means clustering. The result is a highly improved clustering accuracy superior to state-of-the-art methods when tested on benchmark UCI datasets.
Use of Studded Polyflex™ Stents in Patients with Neoplastic Obstructions of the Central Airways

Background: The Polyflex™ is a commercially available silastic airway stent with proven efficacy. Due to a smooth outer surface its anchorage in the airway wall is superficial which may lead to stent migration. Objective: To study the performance of an newer version of the Polyflex stent with a studded outer surface, which should improve anchorage. Methods: In a 5-centre international study the new stent was prospectively tested in symptomatic patients with neoplastic central airway stenosis of more that 50% of normal diameter. Insertion technique, efficacy of stent placement and stent-related complications were recorded before, 1 month and 3 months post stent placement. Results: Under general anaesthesia and rigid bronchoscopy 27 stents were inserted in 26 patients, mean age: 62 years (range: 37–83), 16 men. Diagnoses were 18 bronchogenic carcinoma, 4 oesophageal carcinoma, 2 metastases, 1 tracheal carcinoma, and 1 schwannoma. The stents were inserted in the following locations: 10 right main bronchus, 8 left main bronchus, 7 trachea, and 2 tracheo-bronchial. There was significant improvement in all functional parameters assessed from before (A), to 1 month (B) and 3 months (C) after stent placement. The measured values (mean ± SD) were for the WHO scale: A: 2.7 (0.8), B: 1.5 (0.9), C: 1.6 (1.0); for the Karnofsky scale: A: 44 (19), B: 72 (18), C: 71 (21); for the Dyspnoea Index: A: 3.3 (0.7), B: 1.5 (0.8), C: 1.9 (1.2); for FEV1: A: 1.2 (0.5), B: 1.9 (0.6), C: 1.5 (0.5), and for FVC: A: 2.1 (0.7), B: 2.8 (0.7), C: 2.5 (1.0). Stent-related complications were 4 reversible stent obstructions by secretions, 1 migration. The observation period was mean 4.3 months (range 2 days to 23 months). Conclusion: The studded Polyflex showed excellent efficacy, was very well tolerated, and had a very low migration rate. It presents an improvement over the older smooth model and can be considered a true alternative to the most widely used silastic stent, the Dumon stent.
Cellular Immune Response to HBcAg in Mother‐to‐Infant Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus

Cellular immunity to HBcAg was studied in hepatitis B virus carrier children and neonates born to hepatitis B virus carrier mothers. A significant proliferative response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to HBcAg was found in 5 of 10 children with elevated ALT levels but in none of the nine HBeAg‐positive children with normal ALT levels. HBeAg but not HBsAg was detected in cord blood of 9 of 10 neonates born to HBeAg‐positive carrier mothers, suggesting exposure of these neonates to HBeAg in utero. However, cord mononuclear cells from neonates born to HBeAg‐positive carrier mothers did not show a significant change in the proportion of suppressor and helper T‐cell subsets or proliferative response to HBcAg. Nor did they produce interleukin‐2 receptor after being cocultured with HBcAg. The unresponsiveness of peripheral‐blood mononuclear cells or cord mononuclear cells to HBeAg was not reversed by CD8+ cell depletion. Although cord blood mononuclear cells from neonates born to carrier mothers positive for antibody to HBeAg also did not respond to HBcAg, we encountered an infant, born to a carrier mother positive for antibody to HBeAg, who contracted acute hepatitis B at 2.5 mo of age. The baby's peripheral‐blood mononuclear cells showed a significant proliferative response to HBcAg. These results support the view that transplacental maternal HBeAg probably induces a specific unresponsiveness of helper T cells to HBcAg and HBeAg in the neonates born to HBeAg‐positive carrier mothers. This specific helper T cell tolerance could be maintained throughout the early replicative phase of carrier state but might break someday with the appearance of raised ALT level. (HEPATOLOGY 1992;15:770–776).
Photoinactivation of Mycobacteria In Vitro and in a New Murine Model of Localized Mycobacterium bovis BCG-Induced Granulomatous Infection

ABSTRACT Treatment of tuberculosis is currently hindered by prolonged antibiotic regimens and the emergence of significant drug resistance. Alternatives and adjuncts to standard antimycobacterial agents are needed. We propose that a direct attack utilizing photosensitizers and light-based treatments may be effective in curtailing Mycobacterium tuberculosis in discrete anatomical sites in the most infectious phase of pulmonary tuberculosis. To demonstrate experimental proof of principle, we have applied established photodynamic therapy (PDT) technology to in vitro cultures and an in vivo mouse model using Mycobacterium bovis BCG. We report here in vitro and in vivo PDT efficacy studies and the use of a three-dimensional collagen gel as a delivery vehicle for BCG, subcutaneously inserted, to induce specifically localized granuloma-like lesions in mice. When a benzoporphyrin derivative was utilized as the photosensitive agent, exposure to light killed extracellular and intracellular BCG in significant numbers. Collagen scaffolds containing BCG inserted in situ in BALB/c mice for 3 months mimicked granulomatous lesions and demonstrated a marked cellular infiltration upon histological examination, with evidence of caseating necrosis and fibrous capsule formation. When 105 BCG were present in the in vivo-induced granulomas, a significant reduction in viable mycobacterial cells was demonstrated in PDT-treated granulomas compared to those of controls. We conclude that PDT has potential in the treatment of localized mycobacterial infections, such as pulmonary granulomas and cavities.
Treatment of pediatric febrile neutropenia in the era of vancomycin‐resistant microbes

The increasing frequency of Gm+ infections in febrile neutropenic (FN) patients has resulted in increased use of vancomycin (VN). Likely as a result, VN‐resistant Enterococcus (VRE) has become a significant concern in FN patients. We sought to understand how the emergence of VN resistant microbes has changed the antibiotic management of pediatric FN.
Material Weakness Disclosures and Restatement Announcements: The Joint and Order Effects

We examine differences in stock price, option volatility, and litigation reactions to restatement announcements that are associated with a material weakness (MW) disclosure. Contrasted with restatements that are not associated with any MW disclosure, our analyses reveal that firms that announce both a restatement and an associated MW experience significantly more negative market returns, greater implied volatility, and higher likelihood of class action lawsuits. Separating the restatements into timely reporters, where the MW precedes the restatement, and non‐timely reporters, where the MW is concurrent with or follows the restatement, we find that timely reporters experience more negative returns at the time of the restatement, relative to non‐timely reporters, suggesting that investors perceive the early MW disclosure to signal more pervasive control‐related problems. Interestingly, we find that timely and non‐timely reporters are equally likely to be sued, consistent with the argument that wrongdoing (through either a timely or non‐timely MW disclosure) provides stronger grounds for establishing scienter. However, timely reporters appear to secure more favorable litigation outcomes: they face higher likelihood of lawsuit dismissals and pay much lower settlements, compared to non‐timely reporters. Overall, our evidence provides new insights into how market participants incorporate information about internal control weaknesses into their perceptions regarding the economic implications of financial restatements, and financial reporting quality.
The bacteriophage T4 anti‐sigma factor AsiA is not necessary for the inhibition of early promoters in vivo

Bacteriophage T4 early promoters are utilized immediately after infection and are abruptly turned off 2–3 min later (at 30°C) when the middle promoters are activated. The viral early protein AsiA has been suspected to bring about this transcriptional switch: not only does it activate transcription at middle promoters in vivo and in vitro but it also shows potent anti‐σ70 activity in vitro, suggesting that it is responsible for the shut‐off of early transcription. We show here that after infection with a phage deleted for the asiA gene the inhibition of early transcription occurs to the same extent and with the same kinetics as in a wild‐type infection. Thus, another AsiA‐independent circuit efficiently turns off early transcription. The association of a mutation in asiA with a mutation in mod, rpbA, motA or motB has no effect on the inhibition of early promoters, showing that none of these phage‐encoded transcriptional regulators is necessary for AsiA‐independent shut‐off. It is not known whether AsiA is able to inhibit early promoters in vivo, but host transcription is strongly inhibited in vivo upon induction of AsiA from a multicopy plasmid.
Species identification of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato from tick and human isolates in Styria (Austria) by PCR-RFLP analysis.

Seventy-one isolates of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (B.b.s.l.) derived from Ixodes ricinus ticks (50 strains) and patients (21 strains) were characterised by PCR-RLFP analysis. In four cases the human isolates were obtained from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with clinical symptoms of neuroborreliosis and in 17 cases from skin biopsies of patients with dermatological manifestation of Lyme borreliosis. Ixodes ricinus isolates originated from 14 localities in three regions (Mur valley, eastern and western Styria) in Styria. Thirty six strains of B.b.s.l. were isolated from nymphal ticks, nine strains from female and five strains from male ticks. Species identification of human isolates revealed three B. garinii and one B. afzelii isolates in CSF. In the PCR-RFLP analysis of 17 skin specimens a pattern for B. afzelii was found in ten cases, while six could be identified as B. garinii and one as a mixed infection of B. afzelii and B. garinii. Genetic characterisation of tick isolates resulted in 24 strains of B. afzelii (48%), 11 strains of B. garinii (40%) and 5 strains of B. burgdorferi s.st. (10%); one isolate showed a mixed infection of B. afzelii and B. garinii. Our findings indicate that B. afzelii and B. garinii predominate over B. burgdorferi s.str. in Ixodes ricinus ticks from Styria, which is similar to findings in neighbouring countries. This also reflects the occurrence of different pathogenic Borrelia strains in human samples.
Flow based analysis of Advanced Persistent Threats detecting targeted attacks in cloud computing

Cloud computing provides industry, government, and academic users' convenient and cost-effective access to distributed services and shared data via the Internet. Due to its distribution of diverse users and aggregation of immense data, cloud computing has increasingly been the focus of targeted attacks. Meta-analysis of industry studies and retrospective research involving cloud service providers reveal that cloud computing is demonstrably vulnerable to a particular type of targeted attack, Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). APTs have proven to be difficult to detect and defend against in cloud based infocommunication systems. The prevalent use of polymorphic malware and encrypted covert communication channels make it difficult for existing packet inspecting and signature based security technologies such as; firewalls, intrusion detection sensors, and anti-virus systems to detect APTs. In this paper, we examine the application of an alternative security approach which applies an algorithm derived from flow based monitoring to successfully detect APTs. Results indicate that statistical modeling of APT communications can successfully develop deterministic characteristics for detection is a more effective and efficient way to protect against APTs.
Fruit and vegetable consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease: A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

ABSTRACT A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies was conducted to examine the relation between fruit and vegetables (FV) consumption and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We searched PubMed and EMBASE up to June 2014 for relevant studies. Pooled relative risks (RRs) were calculated and dose–response relationship was assessed. Thirty-eight studies, consisting of 47 independent cohorts, were eligible in this meta-analysis. There were 1,498,909 participants (44,013 CVD events) with a median follow-up of 10.5 years. The pooled RR (95% confidence interval) of CVD for the highest versus lowest category was 0.83 (0.79–0.86) for FV consumption, 0.84 (0.79–0.88) for fruit consumption, and 0.87 (0.83–0.91) for vegetable consumption, respectively. Dose–response analysis showed that those eating 800 g per day of FV consumption had the lowest risk of CVD. Our results indicate that increased FV intake is inversely associated with the risk of CVD. This meta-analysis provides strong support for the current recommendations to consume a high amount of FV to reduce CVD risk.
Polymorphisms in the CD14 and TLR4 genes independently predict CD4+ T-cell recovery in HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy

Background:Chronic HIV infection leads to marked depletion of CD4+ T cells in the gastrointestinal tract and increased microbial translocation measured by an increase in circulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels. Here, we hypothesized that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and CD14, the principal receptors for LPS, were associated with CD4+ T-cell recovery postantiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods:Prospective study of predominantly white HIV-infected participants receiving suppressive ART for at least 12 months. We analysed the CD14 SNPs C-260T and the TLR4 SNPs A+896G, C+1196T. We also determined the levels of LPS and soluble CD14 in plasma samples collected pre-ART and post-ART initiation. CD4+ T-cell recovery was assessed by linear mixed models. Results:Following ART, individuals with a TT genotype compared with a CT or CC genotype for CD14 C-260T SNP showed higher levels of soluble CD14 (P = 0.008 and 0.003, respectively). The CC genotype for the CD14 C-260T SNP, compared with CT or TT, and the TLR4 SNP (AC/GT), compared with the homozygous genotype (AA/CC), were both independently associated with enhanced long-term CD4+ T-cell recovery (>3 months; P < 0.001). Conclusion:Polymorphisms in CD14 and TLR4 are independently associated with long-term CD4+ T-cell recovery in HIV-infected individuals post-ART.
Characterization of peripheral blood human immunodeficiency virus isolates from Hispanic women with cognitive impairment

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) tropism plays an important role in HIV-associated dementia. In this study, aimed at determining if the tropism and coreceptor usage of circulating viruses correlates with cognitive function, the authors isolated and characterized HIV from the peripheral blood of 21 Hispanic women using antiretroviral therapy. Macrophage tropism was determined by inoculation of HIV isolates onto monocyte-derived macrophages and lymphocyte cultures. To define coreceptor usage, the HIV isolates were inoculated onto the U87.CD4 glioma cell lines with specific CCR5 and CXCR4 coreceptors. HIV isolates from cognitively impaired patients showed higher levels of replication in mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells than did isolates from patients with normal cognition (P < .05). The viral growth of HIV primary isolates in macrophages and lymphocytes did not differ between patients with and those without cognitive impairment. However, isolates from the cognitively impaired women preferentially used the X4 coreceptor (P < .05). These phenotypic studies suggest that cognitively impaired HIV-infected women receiving treatment may have a more highly replicating and more pathogenic X4 virus in the circulation that could contribute to their neuropathogenesis.
Hippocampal and midline thalamic fibers and terminals in relation to the choline acetyltransferase‐immunoreactive neurons in nucleus accumbens of the rat: A light and electron microscopic study

The synaptic interactions between terminals of allocorticostriatal and thalamostriatal fibers and the cholinergic neurons in the nucleus accumbens were investigated using degeneration and dual labelling immunocytochemistry in Wistar rats. The presumptive cholinergic neurons were labelled with antibodies directed against choline acetyltransferase and the afferent fibers were labelled anterogradely with Phaseolus vulgaris‐leucoagglutinin.
Chemically synthesized metal–oxide–metal segmented nanowires with high ferroelectric response

A chemical synthesis method is presented for the fabrication of high-definition segmented metal–oxide–metal (MOM) nanowires in two different ferroelectric oxide systems: Au–BaTiO3–Au and Au–PbTiO3–Au. This method entails electrodeposition of segmented nanowires of Au–TiO2–Au inside anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates, followed by topotactic hydrothermal conversion of the TiO2 segments into BaTiO3 or PbTiO3 segments. Two-terminal devices from individual MOM nanowires are fabricated, and their ferroelectric properties are measured directly, without the aid of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) methods. The MOM nanowire architecture provides high-quality end-on electrical contacts to the oxide segments, and allows direct measurement of properties of nanoscale volume, strain-free oxide segments. Unusually high ferroelectric responses, for chemically synthesized oxides, in these MOM nanowires are reported, and are attributed to the lack of residual strain in the oxides. The ability to measure directly the active properties of nanoscale volume, strain-free oxides afforded by the MOM nanowire architecture has important implications for fundamental studies of not only ferroelectric nanostructures but also nanostructures in the emerging field of multiferroics.
Prophylactic aspirin and risk of peptic ulcer bleeding

Abstract Objective: To determine the risks of hospitalisation for bleeding peptic ulcer with the current prophylactic aspirin regimens of 300 mg daily or less. Design: A case-control study with hospital and community controls. Setting: Hospitals in Glasgow, Newcastle, Nottingham, Oxford, and Portsmouth. Subjects: 1121 patients with gastric or duodenal ulcer bleeding matched with hospital and community controls. Results: 144 (12.8%) cases had been regular users of aspirin (taken at least five days a week for at least the previous month) compared with 101 (9.0%) hospital and 77 (7.8%) community controls. Odds ratios were raised for all doses of aspirin taken, whether compared with hospital or community controls (compared with combined controls: 75 mg, 2.3 (95% confidence interval 1.2 to 4.4); 150 mg, 3.2 (1.7 to 6.5); 300 mg, 3.9 (2.5 to 6.3)). Results were not explained by confounding influences of age, sex, prior ulcer history or dyspepsia, or concurrent non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use. Risks seemed particularly high in patients who took non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs concurrently. Conclusion: No conventionally used prophylactic aspirin regimen seems free of the risk of peptic ulcer complications. Key messages Key messages This finding applies to doses in common use of 75, 150, and 300 mg daily Despite these results, overall benefits of treatment are likely considerably to outweigh possible risks