Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interleukin 8, neutrophil-activating peptide-2 and GRO-alpha bind to and elicit cell activation via specific and different amino acid residues of CXCR2.

The objective of this investigation was to determine the amino acid residues of the human neutrophil CXC chemokine receptor-2 (CXCR2) that are critical for binding the ligands interleukin 8 (IL-8), neutrophil-activating peptide-2 (NAP-2), and growth-related protein alpha (GROalpha) and critical for receptor-mediated signal transduction. Charged residues of the amino terminus and the first extracellular loop of CXCR2 were targeted for point mutagenesis studies. Seven separate CXCR2 mutants (Glu7, Asp9, Glu12, Asp13, Lys108, Asn110, and Lys120, all to Ala) were generated. Based on the Scatchard analysis of radioligand binding studies, the following amino acids were deemed critical for ligand binding: (i) Asp9, Glu12, Lys108, and Lys120 for IL-8 and (ii) Glu7, Asp9, and Glu12 for GROalpha. Point mutations in the amino terminus domain (Asp9 and Glu12) and the first extracellular loop (Lys108, Asn110, and Lys120) of CXCR2 reduced cell activation to all three ligands as measured by changes in intracellular calcium concentration. In conclusion, high-affinity binding of IL-8, NAP-2, and GROalpha to CXCR2 involves interaction with specific and different amino acid residues of CXCR2. Furthermore, we propose that the CXCR2 amino acid residues required for cell activation are not necessarily the same residues required for ligand binding.
Reversible suppression of menstruation with progesterone antagonists in rhesus macaques.

BACKGROUND A reliable means of menstrual suppression would greatly improve the quality of life for women. Information is lacking on the direct endometrial effects and appropriate dosages of new antiprogestins that may be useful for this purpose. METHODS The current work evaluated three different systems in macaque monkeys. First, the range of doses of two relatively new antiprogestins, ZK 137 316 and ZK 230 211, that would block progesterone action directly on the endometrium in artificially cycled, spayed rhesus macaques; second, the direct endometrial effects of ZK 230 211, a type III antiprogestin; and third, investigation of whether endometrial-suppressive doses administered chronically to intact, cycling monkeys could be used for reversible, menstrual suppression. RESULTS The results in naturally cycling animals showed that ZK 137 316 blocked menstruation in all animals, but doses of 0.05 mg/kg blocked ovulation in 55.5% of animals and doses of 0.1 mg/kg blocked ovulation in 66.6% of the animals. However, all doses of ZK 230 211 that blocked menstruation also blocked ovulation. All progesterone antagonist (PA)-treated animals, regardless of dose, maintained normal follicular phase concentrations of oestradiol and returned to normal menstrual cyclicity within 15--41 days post-treatment. Therefore ZK 137 316, depending on dose, can allow ovulation but block menstruation, while ZK 230 211, a much more potent PA, blocks both ovulation and menstruation at all effective doses. Both PAs block unopposed oestrogenic action on the endometrium through their antiproliferative effects. CONCLUSIONS Reversible amenorrhoea can be achieved with these two PAs, and they can protect the endometrium from the effects of unopposed oestrogen whether or not ovulation is blocked. Chronic, low dose PA treatment may provide a new option for women who wish to suppress their menstrual periods.
Performance Analysis : Co-existence of IEEE 802 . 11 g with Bluetooth

The steep growth in demand and deployment of WLAN/WPAN for short range connections has been driven by the need to create ubiquities networks, where one can be connected anywhere at any time making many services and application a click away. These short range access networks currently exist almost everywhere, at home, at the work place, hotels, hospitals, . etc. Wireless Local Area Networking standard (Wi-Fi) and the WPAN standard (Bluetooth and Zigbee) products utilize the unlicensed 2.4 GHz ISM band. Due to their dependence on the same band, the potential for interference exists. In this paper, we investigate the coexistence of WLAN (IEEE 802.11b/g) with Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15.1) standard. The paper focuses on quantifying potential interferences between Bluetooth and WLAN 802.11b/g by examining the throughput performance of a WLAN when coexisting within a particular environment with Bluetooth.
A bedside scoring system (“Candida score”) for early antifungal treatment in nonneutropenic critically ill patients with Candida colonization*

Objective:To obtain a score for deciding early antifungal treatment when candidal infection is suspected in nonneutropenic critically ill patients. Design:Analysis of data collected from the database of the EPCAN project, an ongoing prospective, cohort, observational, multicenter surveillance study of fungal infection and colonization in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Setting:Seventy-three medical-surgical ICUs of 70 teaching hospitals in Spain. Patients:A total of 1,699 ICU patients aged 18 yrs and older admitted for at least 7 days between May 1998 and January 1999 were studied. Interventions:Surveillance cultures of urine, tracheal, and gastric samples were obtained weekly. Patients were grouped as follows: neither colonized nor infected (n = 719), unifocal or multifocal Candida colonization (n = 883), and proven candidal infection (n = 97). The odds ratio (OR) for each risk factor associated with colonization vs. proven candidal infection was estimated. A logistic regression model was performed to adjust for possible confounders. The “Candida score” was obtained according to the logit method. The discriminatory power was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve. Measurements and main results:In the logit model, surgery (OR = 2.71, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.45–5.06); multifocal colonization (OR = 3.04, 95% CI, 1.45–6.39); total parenteral nutrition (OR = 2.48, 95% CI, 1.16–5.31); and severe sepsis (OR = 7.68, 95% CI, 4.14–14.22) were predictors of proven candidal infection. The “Candida score” for a cut-off value of 2.5 (sensitivity 81%, specificity 74%) was as follows: parenteral nutrition, +0.908; surgery, +0.997; multifocal colonization, +1.112; and severe sepsis, +2.038. Central venous catheters were not a significant risk factor for proven candidal infection (p = .292). Conclusions:In a large cohort of nonneutropenic critically ill patients in whom Candida colonization was prospectively assessed, a “Candida score” >2.5 accurately selected patients who would benefit from early antifungal treatment.
Adaptive Online Monitoring of Voltage Stability Margin via Local Regression

An online voltage stability margin (VSM) monitoring approach based on local regression and adaptive database is proposed. Considering the increasing variability and uncertainty of power system operation, this approach utilizes the locality of underlying pattern between VSM and reactive power reserve (RPR), and can adapt to the changing condition of system. LASSO is tailored to solve the local regression problem so as to mitigate the curse of dimensionality for large scale system. Along with the VSM prediction, its confidence interval is also estimated simultaneously in a simple but effective way, and utilized as an evidence to trigger the database updating. IEEE 30-bus system and a 60,000-bus large system are used to test and demonstrate the proposed approach. The results show that the proposed approach can be successfully employed in online voltage stability monitoring for real size systems, and the adaptivity of model and data endows the proposed approach with the advantage in the circumstances where large and unforeseen changes of system condition are inevitable.
Muscle‐specific expression of SRF‐related genes in the early embryo of Xenopus laevis.

We have isolated two members of the RSRF protein family, SL‐1 and SL‐2, in Xenopus laevis. Both proteins contain SRF‐type DNA binding domains and are related to the human protein, RSRFC4. SL‐1 constitutes a novel member of the RSRF family whilst SL‐2 is similar to human RSRFC4 throughout its length. SL‐1 protein recognizes the consensus DNA sequence CTA(A/T)4TAR in vitro and can bind to the same regulatory sites as other A/T‐rich sequence‐specific binding activities, such as the muscle‐specific regulatory factor, MEF‐2. Transcription of both Xenopus genes is restricted to the somitic mesoderm of early embryos and subsequently to the body muscle (myotomes) of the tadpole. In contrast, both genes are expressed ubiquitously in the adult frog. A binding activity, antigenically related to both human RSRFC4 and the SL‐2 gene product, is detected in Xenopus embryos and after gastrulation is localized to embryonic muscle. An indistinguishable binding activity is detected in many adult frog tissues. We conclude that the RSRF genes undergo a dramatic switch in their patterns of expression during development. We suggest that RSRF proteins may regulate muscle‐specific transcription in embryos, but acquire other roles during the course of development.
The Assistive Technology Assessment Model and Basic Definitions

As a part of the human condition, “Disability is complex, dynamic, multidimensional, and contested” (WHO and World Bank 2011, p. 3). The concept of disability conveys a very wide set of different and correlated issues: from disability models to individual functioning and its measurement, from social barriers to the digital divide, from the objective quality of life to subjective experience, to concepts of functioning, activity and participation, human rights and poverty, health and well-being, morbidity, and quality of life (WHO and World Bank 2011). Because of the multidimensionality of disability, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) would like to make clear that disability (and its correlated term “functioning”) must be understood as an umbrella term, “encompassing all body functions, activities and participation” (WHO 2001, p. 3). Disability’s multidimensionality and complexity entails a kind of “definitional paradox” (Madans and Altman 2006): On the one hand, any theoretical definition of disability implies aporia, and on the other hand, operational meaning is determined by the purpose of research. In fact, Mont explains:
Tracking the origins of the cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) by mitochondrial DNA sequencing.

The different European populations of Ursus arctos, the brown bear, were recently studied for mitochondrial DNA polymorphism. Two clearly distinct lineages (eastern and western) were found, which may have diverged approximately 850,000 years ago. In this context, it was interesting to study the cave bear, Ursus spelaeus, a species which became extinct 20,000 years ago. In this study, we have amplified and sequenced a fragment of 139-bp in the mitochondrial DNA control region of a 40,000-year-old specimen of U. spelaeus. Phylogenetic reconstructions using this sequence and the European brown bear sequences already published suggest that U. spelaeus diverged from an early offshoot of U. arctos--i.e., approximately at the same time as the divergence of the two main lineages of U. arctos. This divergence probably took place at the earliest glaciation, likely due to geographic separation during the earlier Quaternary cold periods. This result is in agreement with the paleontological data available and suggests a good correspondence between molecular and morphological data.
Single treatment with cisplatin or UFT, but not their combination treatment enhances the metastatic capacity of mouse fibrosarcoma cells.

To elucidate the roles of chemotherapeutic agents in tumor progression, we examined whether cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (cisplatin) and UFT would promote malignant progression of a weakly tumorigenic and poorly metastatic fibrosarcoma cell line OR-32SK in vivo. C57BL/6 mice, transplanted with QR32SK, were treated with either cisplatin or UFT alone and in combination. After treatment with or without cisplatin and/or UFT, we established in vitro culture cell lines from the tumors arising in the mice on day 21 and then i.v. injected the established cell lines into syngeneic mice. As a result, the cell lines established from cisplatin-treated mice and UFT-treated mice had significantly higher metastatic capacity in lung compared to the ones from control untreated mice (64 and 65%, respectively, versus 26.7%). The cell lines established from the mice with the combination therapy showed lower lung metastasis (11%) than the ones from control untreated mice. Furthermore, we found the incidences of these experimental metastases were closely related with in vitro chemotactic activities and the production of MMP-9 of the cultured cell lines. These results indicate that cisplatin and UFT as a single agent promote the chemotactic activities and the production of MMP-9 in non-metastatic fibrosarcoma cells, resulting in the conversion to highly metastatic ones, and that cisplatin and UFT in combination failed to promote the chemotactic activities and the conversion. These results suggest that the combination therapy with cisplatin and UFT is useful in preventing the emergence of more malignant tumor cells after chemotherapy.
Inorganic and Methylmercury Levels in Plasma are Differentially Associated with Age, Gender, and Oxidative Stress Markers in a Population Exposed to Mercury Through Fish Consumption

This study aimed to determine the concentrations of plasma methylmercury (Me-Hg) and inorganic mercury (I-Hg) in a population exposed to Me-Hg. In addition, associations between each form of mercury (Hg) and gender, age, plasma selenium (Se), and oxidative stress markers were also investigated. The mean plasma I-Hg level was 5.7 μg/L while the mean for plasma Me-Hg was 3.6 μg/L, representing approximately 59 and 41% of the total Hg in blood, respectively. However, several plasma samples contained higher percentages of Me-Hg. Age displayed a direct linkage with plasma I-Hg levels, whereas gender did not correlate with any of the Hg species. In addition, fish intake was only correlated with and a predictor of plasma Me-Hg, suggesting that plasma I-Hg levels originated endogenously through a demethylation reaction that needs to be verified. Further, plasma Me-Hg was markedly correlated with adverse effects to a greater extent than plasma I-Hg and may be considered a valuable, reliable internal dose biomarker for Hg in chronically Me-Hg- exposed individuals.
Synthesis and Design of a New Printed Filtering Antenna

Synthesis and design of a new printed filtering antenna is presented in this communication. For the requirements of efficient integration and simple fabrication, the co-design approach for the integration of filter and antenna is introduced. The printed inverted-L antenna and the parallel coupled microstrip line sections are used for example to illustrate the synthesis of a bandpass filtering antenna. The equivalent circuit model for the inverted-L antenna, which is mainly a series RLC circuit, is first established. The values of the corresponding circuit components are then extracted by comparing with the full-wave simulation results. The inverted-L antenna here performs not only a radiator but also the last resonator of the bandpass filter. A design procedure is given, which clearly indicates the steps from the filter specifications to the implementation. As an example, a 2.45 GHz third-order Chebyshev bandpass filter with 0.1 dB equal-ripple response is tackled. Without suffering more circuit area, the proposed structure provides good design accuracy and filter skirt selectivity as compared to the filter simple cascade with antenna and a bandpass filter of the same order. The measured results, including the return loss, total radiated power, and radiation gain versus frequency, agree well with the designed ones.
Identification of novel candidate genes involved in mineralization of dental enamel by genome‐wide transcript profiling

The gene repertoire regulating vertebrate biomineralization is poorly understood. Dental enamel, the most highly mineralized tissue in mammals, differs from other calcifying systems in that the formative cells (ameloblasts) lack remodeling activity and largely degrade and resorb the initial extracellular matrix. Enamel mineralization requires that ameloblasts undergo a profound functional switch from matrix‐secreting to maturational (calcium transport, protein resorption) roles as mineralization progresses. During the maturation stage, extracellular pH decreases markedly, placing high demands on ameloblasts to regulate acidic environments present around the growing hydroxyapatite crystals. To identify the genetic events driving enamel mineralization, we conducted genome‐wide transcript profiling of the developing enamel organ from rat incisors and highlight over 300 genes differentially expressed during maturation. Using multiple bioinformatics analyses, we identified groups of maturation‐associated genes whose functions are linked to key mineralization processes including pH regulation, calcium handling, and matrix turnover. Subsequent qPCR and Western blot analyses revealed that a number of solute carrier (SLC) gene family members were up‐regulated during maturation, including the novel protein Slc24a4 involved in calcium handling as well as other proteins of similar function (Stim1). By providing the first global overview of the cellular machinery required for enamel maturation, this study provide a strong foundation for improving basic understanding of biomineralization and its practical applications in healthcare. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 2264–2275, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electromagnetic fields and health: DNA-based dosimetry

We propose a biologically based measure of EMF radiation to replace the energy-based “specific absorption rate” (SAR). A wide range of EMF frequencies has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. The SAR value used to measure the EMF dose and set the safety standard in the radiofrequency (RF) range fails as a standard for predicting cancer risk in the ELF power frequency range. Because cancers are believed to arise from mutations in DNA, changes in DNA induced by interaction with EMF could be a better measure of the biologically effective dose in both frequency ranges. The changes can be measured by transcriptional alterations and/or translational changes in specific proteins. Because ionizing radiation also causes DNA damage, a biologically based standard related to stimulation of DNA could apply over a much wider range of the electromagnetic spectrum. A safety standard for exposure to a wide range of non ionizing frequencies can be based on the documented changes in DNA biochemistry that arise from interactions with EMF.
Mini-D3112 bacteriophage transposable elements for genetic analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Small bacteriophage D3112 transposable elements deleted for most of the phage-lytic functions while retaining the sites required for transposition and packaging were constructed to facilitate genetic studies in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These mini-D derivatives were constructed with the terminal 1.85 kilobases (kb) of the phage left end and 1.4 kb of the phage right end and either the Tn5 kanamycin resistance or the pSC101 (pBR322) tetracycline resistance determinant. Thermally induced lysates of strains lysogenic for both a mini-D element and D3112 cts (temperature-sensitive repressor) transduced P. aeruginosa PAO recipients to drug resistance at frequencies of between 10(-4) and 10(-5)/PFU of the helper phage. As for the parent plaque-forming D3112 phage, the mini-D171 element could insert itself into many different sites in the chromosome but the frequency of insertion into particular genes varied widely. Among 1,000 insertions, none resulted in auxotrophy but 10 resulted in pigment production. Insertions were also selected in a cloning plasmid with a transduction scheme. At least eight different insertion sites were found to have been used among 10 individual insertions. Transductants harboring these mini-D elements were immune to infection by D3112, since they contained the D3112 repressor gene in the left 1.85-kb terminal fragment. Chromosomal genes were transduced in a generalized fashion 100 to 1,000 times more frequently by the mini-D-D3112 cts lysates than by the D3112 cts phage alone. Mini-D171-D3112 cts lysates also yielded some transductants that retained the drug resistance marker of the mini-D element and which were unstable for the chromosomal transduced marker. This is consistent with the miniduction properties of Mu whereby transduced genes are flanked by two mini-D elements in the same orientation.
Trans-inactivation of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases by Novel Angiotensin II AT2 Receptor-interacting Protein, ATIP*

Negative regulation of mitogenic pathways is a fundamental process that remains poorly characterized. The angiotensin II AT2 receptor is a rare example of a 7-transmembrane domain receptor that negatively cross-talks with receptor tyrosine kinases to inhibit cell growth. In the present study, we report the molecular cloning of a novel protein, ATIP1 (AT2-interacting protein), which interacts with the C-terminal tail of the AT2 receptor, but not with those of other receptors such as angiotensin AT1, bradykinin BK2, and adrenergic β2 receptor. ATIP1 defines a family of at least four members that possess the same domain of interaction with the AT2 receptor, contain a large coiled-coil region, and are able to dimerize. Ectopic expression of ATIP1 in eukaryotic cells leads to inhibition of insulin, basic fibroblast growth factor, and epidermal growth factor-induced ERK2 activation and DNA synthesis, and attenuates insulin receptor autophosphorylation, in the same way as the AT2 receptor. The inhibitory effect of ATIP1 requires expression, but not ligand activation, of the AT2 receptor and is further increased in the presence of Ang II, indicating that ATIP1 cooperates with AT2 to transinactivate receptor tyrosine kinases. Our findings therefore identify ATIP1 as a novel early component of growth inhibitory signaling cascade.
Carotid artery intima–media thickness and HIV infection: traditional risk factors overshadow impact of protease inhibitor exposure

Context:The impact of HIV infection and exposure to antiretroviral therapy on the development of subclinical atherosclerosis is incompletely understood. Objective:To compare intima–media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery between HIV-infected subjects receiving protease inhibitor-containing regimens and subjects not receiving these regimens and to compare differences in the IMT of the carotid artery between HIV-infected subjects and HIV-uninfected subjects. Methods:A prospective matched cohort study in university-based outpatient clinics. Groups of three individuals (triads) matched on the following characteristics were enrolled: age, sex, race/ethnicity, smoking status, blood pressure and menopausal status. Group 1, HIV-infected subjects with continuous use of protease inhibitor (PI) therapy for ≥ 2 years; group 2, HIV-infected subjects without prior PI use; and group 3: HIV-uninfected. Ultrasonographers at six sites sent standardized ultrasound images to a central reading site for carotid IMT measurements. Carotid IMT was compared within the HIV-infected groups (1 and 2) and between the HIV-infected and uninfected groups in a matched analysis. Results:One hundred and thirty-four individuals were enrolled in 45 triads. The median IMT in groups 1, 2 and 3 was 0.690, 0.712 and 0.698 mm, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in IMT between groups 1 and 2, or in the combined HIV groups compared with the HIV uninfected group. Significant predictors of carotid IMT in a multivariate model included high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the interaction of HDL cholesterol and triglycerides, age and body mass index. Conclusions:We found no association between PI inhibitor exposure or HIV infection and carotid IMT.