Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thiol-linked Peroxidase Activity of Human Sensitive to Apoptosis Gene (SAG) Protein

SAG (sensitive to apoptosis gene), a novel zinc RING finger protein, which is redox responsive and protects mammalian cells from apoptosis, is a metal chelator and a potential reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, but its antioxidant properties have not been completely defined. Here, we show that SAG possesses a potent peroxidase property to decompose hydrogen peroxide in the presence of dithiothreitol (DTT). However, without DTT as a reducing equivalent, SAG was not able to destroy hydrogen peroxide. The peroxidase activity was completely abolished by the reaction of SAG with N -ethylmaleimide (NEM), a chemical modification agent for the sulfhydryl of proteins. These observations suggested that the sulfhydryl of cysteines in SAG could function as strong nucleophiles to destroy hydrogen peroxide. In addition to the peroxidase activity used to remove hydrogen peroxide, SAG also showed t -butylhydroperoxide ( t -BOOH) and fatty acid hydroperoxide-selective peroxidase activity.
Location and routing optimization protocols supporting internet host mobility

With the popularity of portable computers and the proliferation of wireless networking interfaces, there is currently a great deal of interest in providing IP networking support for host mobility using the Internet as a foundation for wireless networking. Most proposed solutions depend on a default route through the mobile host's horne address, which makes for unnecessarily long routes. The major problem that this gives rise to is that of finding an efficient way of locating and routing that allows datagrams to be delivered efficiently to moving destinations whilst limiting costly Internet-wide location updates as much as possible. Two concepts "local region" and "patron service" are introduced based on the locality features of the host movement and packet traffic patterns. For each mobile host, the local region is a set of designated subnetworks within which a mobile host often moves, and the patrons are the hosts from which the majority of traffic for the mobile host originated. By making use of the hierarchical addressing and routing structure of Internet, the two concepts are used to confine the effects of a host moving, so location updates are sent only to a designated host moving area and to those hosts which are most likely to call again, thus providing nearly optimal routing for most communication. The proposed scheme was implemented as an IP extension using a network simulator and evaluated from a system performance point of view. The results show a significant reduction in the accumulated communication time along with improved datagram tunneling, as compared with its extra location overhead. In addition, a comparison with another scheme shows that our functionality is more effective both for location update and routing efficiency. The scheme offers improved network and host scalability by isolating local movement from the rest of the world, and provides a convenient point at which to perform administration functions.
The PilA protein of non‐typeable Haemophilus influenzae plays a role in biofilm formation, adherence to epithelial cells and colonization of the mammalian upper respiratory tract

We recently described the expression of type IV pili (Tfp) by non‐typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI), a common respiratory tract pathogen. Prior to that report, Tfp were not thought to be produced by NTHI as they are not observed on NTHI when grown on chocolate agar or other commonly used growth media. To further characterize growth conditions permissive for the expression of NTHI Tfp, as well as determine their role in colonization and virulence, we transformed an NTHI otitis media isolate with a reporter plasmid containing the lux gene cluster driven by the pilA promoter. Transcription from the pilA promoter was demonstrated under a variety of in vitro growth conditions and, importantly, by ex vivo imaging of luciferase‐producing NTHI in infected chinchillas. Luciferase‐producing NTHI were also identified within a biofilm formed by NTHI in vivo. We further demonstrated a role for NTHI PilA in adherence to human respiratory epithelial cells, in colonization of the chinchilla respiratory tract as well as a requirement for PilA in biofilm development, both in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, our data demonstrate that NTHI express PilA in vivo, and that PilA plays an important role in the pathogenesis of an upper respiratory tract infection induced by NTHI.
Effect of Heterogeneity in Capillary Pressure on Buoyancy Driven Flow of CO 2

Abstract Residual phase trapping of CO 2 injected into aquifers is a key mechanism for reducing risk of leakage. The “inject low and let rise” strategy of storing CO 2 in deep saline aquifers is one method to maximize residual trapping. In this strategy, the more uniform the front of the rising CO 2 , the greater the amount of CO 2 trapped in this form. Previous studies have indicated that capillary pressure promotes the uniformity of the front by dampening its inherent instability. Typically these studies were done with a few (often one, never more than ten) rock types, with each type having a different capillary pressure curve. In this work we show that if capillary entry pressure varies spatially at the same length scale as the permeability – a geologically and petrophysically realistic situation – the dynamics of the rising front can be qualitatively different. As a result, the plume velocity and residual phase trapping can be dramatically different. We study this effect through a series of numerical simulations with GEM-GHG, a commercial reservoir simulator adapted to CO
Generation CS

I the June issue of ACM Inroads [1], we explored the phenomenal growth of computer science (CS) in CS undergraduate degree programs and CS courses at both doctoral-granting and non-doctoral-granting units1. In the September issue of ACM Inroads [2], we investigated the impact of this enrollment surge on diversity. This article examines (1) the impact of increasing enrollments on computer science units, as reported by the units, and (2) the actions taken or not taken by the 134 doctoraland 93 non-doctoral-granting units that responded to the CRA Enrollment Survey.
Characterizing brain mineral deposition in patients with Wilson disease using susceptibility-weighted imaging.

AIMS The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of characterizing the brain-mineral deposition in patients with Wilson disease (WD) using susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI). MATERIALS AND METHODS The study enrolled 30 WD patients and 20 age-matched healthy controls. Neurological symptoms were scored using the modified Young Scale. The hepatic function indices, serum and urinary copper content, and serum iron content were determined. All study objects received the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and SWI test of the brain. The values of corrected phase (CP) were calculated on SWI. The relationship between CP values and the clinical status were evaluated. RESULTS The serum iron content of WD patients was higher than the normal. The CP values of substantia nigra, caudate nucleus, and globus pallidus of WD were lower than the normal values, while the CP value of substantia nigra was the lowest. No correlations were determined between the CP values and the iron and copper parameters. There was negative correlation between the scores of dysarthria and the CP values of the globus pallidus. There was negative correlation between the scores of tremor and the CP values of caudate nucleus. Some regions, which had high signals on T2-weighted image, had low signals on SWI. CONCLUSIONS There might be abnormal iron metabolism in patients with WD. The decreased CP values might reflect a deposition of both copper and iron. SWI may be more sensitive than the ordinary MRI. The mineral deposition may contribute to the neural symptoms.
Non-stationary noise estimation utilizing harmonic structure for spectral subtraction

The spectral subtraction method is well known as a speech enhancement technique. In this paper we study the noise spectrum estimation problem required for the SS method. It is set out to estimate directly the noise spectrum from the noise-corrupted speech frame. To accomplish this, a fundamental frequency is detected and harmonic structure of the speech signal is utilized. We assume that non-stationary noise consists of its stationary part and non-stationary part. The non-stationary part is estimated from the harmonics obtained, while the stationary part is estimated in the conventional way. Both parts are combined, resulting in an accurate estimate of the noise spectrum. It is shown by experiments that the proposed method provides an improvement of the performance of the SS method in non-stationary noise environments.
Haplorchis Popelkae N. SP. (Digenea: Heterophyidae) From Short-necked Turtles (Chelidae) in Northern Australia

Abstract Haplorchis popelkae n. sp. is described from the intestine of the short-necked turtles Elseya dentata and Emydura victoriae in Northern Territory, Australia. This slipper-shaped heterophyid digenean differs from the 9 previously known species of Haplorchis in its larger overall size, a forebody that is wider than the hindbody, comparatively short ceca, and a ventral sucker that is less heavily spined than in many other species in the genus. This is the first report of Haplorchis in turtles.
Ex Vivo IL-1 Receptor Type I Expression in Human CD4+ T Cells Identifies an Early Intermediate in the Differentiation of Th17 from FOXP3+ Naive Regulatory T Cells

IL-17–producing CD4+ Th (Th17) cells are a unique subset of proinflammatory cells expressing the retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γt and associated with different forms of inflammatory autoimmune pathologies. The development of Th17 cells, mediated by TGF-β and IL-1, is closely related to that of FOXP3+ suppressor/regulatory T cells (Treg). In this study, we report that ex vivo expression of IL-1RI in human circulating CD4+ T cells identifies a subpopulation of FOXP3+ Treg that coexpress retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γt, secrete IL-17, and are highly enriched among CCR7+ central memory cells. Consistent with the concept that IL-1RI expression in Treg identifies a subpopulation at an early stage of differentiation, we show that, in Th17 populations differentiated in vitro from natural naive FOXP3+ Treg, IL-1RI+ IL-17–secreting cells are central memory cells, whereas IL-1RI− cells secreting IL-17 are effector memory cells. Together with the absence of detectable IL-1RI and IL-17 expression in resting naive CD4+ T cells, these data identify circulating CCR7+ Treg expressing IL-1RI ex vivo as early intermediates along an IL-1–controlled differentiation pathway leading from naive FOXP3+ Treg to Th17 effectors. We further show that, whereas IL-1RI+ central memory Treg respond to stimulation in the presence of IL-1 by generating IL-17–secreting effectors, a significant fraction of them maintain FOXP3 expression, consistent with an important role of this population in maintaining the Treg/Th17 memory pool in vivo.
Evidence for prolonged and unique amenorrhea-related symptoms in women with premature ovarian failure/primary ovarian insufficiency

ObjectiveThis study aims to describe premature ovarian failure (POF)/primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) symptoms experienced by women from a non–clinic-based sample of members of a POF/POI-specific support group. MethodsTwo hundred ninety women were surveyed for 6 weeks. The survey included demographics, health history, and a validated menopause-related quality-of-life questionnaire. Symptom prevalence was described. ResultsOne hundred sixty (55%) women aged 18 to 63 years (mean [SD], 39.3 [7.3] y) responded. Age at diagnosis ranged from 10 to 39 years (median [interquartile range], 30 [24-35] y). Most respondents were white (87%), college educated (76%), and employed full time (61%). Among women reporting a history of depression (43%), 26% reported that depression occurred more than 5 years before POF/POI diagnosis. Of 29 commonly assessed menopausal symptoms, women reported a mean (SD) of 14.7 (7.4) symptoms; symptom scores did not substantially decrease with time since diagnosis, and relationship with age at diagnosis was negligible. Other common symptoms included mood swings and mental fog (>75%); hair loss, dry eyes, cold intolerance, and joint clicking (>50%); tingling in limbs and low blood pressure (∼33%); hypothyroidism (17%); hypoglycemia (16%); and gluten allergies (10%). Ninety unique symptoms were written in as free text. ConclusionsSymptom checklists created for age-appropriate postmenopausal women do not adequately capture the scope of symptoms observed in this sample. Menopausal symptoms do not seem to diminish across time in women with POF/POI, in contrast to women with age-appropriate menopause. Depression is very commonly reported in this sample, with some women clearly experiencing depression well before their diagnosis of POF/POI. Hypothyroidism in this sample is more than three times the population mean.
Point/Counterpoint: low-dose radiation is beneficial, not harmful.

Suggestions for topics suitable for these Point/Counterpoint debates should be addressed to Colin G. Orton, Professor Emeritus, Wayne State University, Detroit: ortonc@comcast.net. Persons participating in Point/Counterpoint discussions are selected for their knowledge and communicative skill. Their positions for or against a proposition may or may not reflect their personal opinions or the positions of their employers.
The first trimester cardiologist: one standard of care for all children.

The Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Greatest Show on Earth has begun each show by promising to dazzle and delight children of all ages since 1880. In the past, I always thought of “children of all ages” as “the child in everyone” when I heard this announcement. Today, in 2001, children of all ages also could refer to a group of patients who are demanding more of our attention: children before birth. In this issue of Current Opinion in Pediatrics, we see the advances in pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery that have come to pass in the past few years. Our task is to make this level of care available to all children in the future (Figure 1).
Study of the Phenolic Composition of Shiraz Red Grape Cultivar (Vitis vinifera L.) Cultivated in North-eastern Thailand and its Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity

The seed, skin and whole grape extract of the red grape cultivar Shiraz, which is widely cultivated in Northeastern Thailand, were investigated. Total phenolic, total flavonoid and total monomeric anthocyanin content ranged from 48.04 to 116.73 g GAE/100g db (dry weight base), 74.82 to 258.69 mg CE/g db, and 5.06 to 55.45 mg/100g db, respectively. Dimeric procyanidin (119.56–484.08 mg/100g db), (+)-catechin (52.30–231.92 mg/100g db), (–)-epicatechin (27.92–174.10 mg/100g db), and gallic acid (4.42–27.80 mg/100g db) were found to be the main flavanols that were present in the seed. Rutin and trans-resveratrol were present in amounts of between 21.13 and 40.05 and 2.85 and 3.60 mg/100g db respectively. All extracts showed remarkable DPPH radical-scavenging activity (EC50), ranging from 0.47 to 2.10 μg/mL. Methanolic extract from the seed and skin were also active against all Gram-positive bacteria, but these exerted less of an inhibiting effect on the growth of the tested Gram-negative bacteria. The activity of the methanolic extract of the seed was effective against B. cereus ATCC 11778, B. subtilis ATCC 6633 and S. faecalis TISTR 459.
3D across media: ceramics, print and VR

Unlike art courses that are designed around particular media or techniques without digital tools, the 3D immersion workshop at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo [Hughes 2016] was designed across three different media - ceramics, 3D printing and virtual reality (VR) - with the specific intention that students would explore the three dimensional form as tactile and malleable with their hands, digitized and then altered and printed, and finally arranged in space as a virtual environment to be navigated. Faculty in ceramics, printmaking and VR worked together designing the assignments and making adjustments as the class progressed. Students used a wide variety of techniques, software, methods and devices to respond to the assignments in a unique way.
Both excision and replication of cloned autonomous parvovirus DNA require the NS1 (rep) protein

When a bacterial plasmid containing the entire genome of LuIII virus except for the terminal 18 nucleotides from the right end is transfected into HeLa cells, the viral DNA is rescued and replicated, with production of infectious virus. This experimental system was used to examine the viral proteins and cis elements required for the excision and replication of viral DNA. The deletion of the entire NS1 gene provided a viral genome that was excised from the plasmid and replicated only when an NS1 gene was provided in trans. A frameshift mutation in the NS2 intron that truncates NS1 prevented excision and replication. Deletion of the left-end terminal inverted repeat or the right-end inverted repeat prevented excision of viral DNA from that end but not from the wild-type terminus. The viral terminus excised from the plasmid was protected from a processive degradation process, which began on the vector portion of the plasmid. The inhibitor of DNA polymerases alpha and delta, aphidicolin, blocked the excision reaction.
Diabetes Mellitus and Food Balance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The present explanatory study concerns with the relation between Diabetes Mellitus and Food Balance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during 2005-2010, using published data. Results illustrated that Saudi citizen daily protein consumption (DPC) during 2005-2007 (g/capita/day) is higher than the average global consumption level of protein with 15.27%, daily fat consumption (DFC) with 24.56% and daily energy consumption (DEC) with 16.93% and increases than recommended level by International Nutrition Organizations (INO) with 56% for protein, 60.49% for fat and 27.37% for energy. On the other hand, DPC per capita in Saudi Arabia decreased during the period 2008-2010 from 88.3 to 82.36 gram/ day. Moreover, DFC per capita in Saudi Arabia decreased during the period 2008-2010 from 3247.90 to 3176.43 Cal/capita/ day, and daily energy consumption (DEC) of Saudi citizen increases than world consumption with 16.93%, whereas increases with 27.37% than INO. Despite this, DPC, DFC and DEC per capita in Saudi Arabia still higher than world mean. On the other side, results illustrated that the number of diabetic patients in Saudi Arabia during the same period (2005-2010). The curve of diabetic patient’s number in Saudi Arabia during 2005-2010 is regular ascending with increasing level ranged between 7.10% in 2005 and 12.44% in 2010. It is essential to devise Saudi National programs to educate the public about the relation of food balances and diabetes so it could be avoided, and provide citizens with healthy dietary balances tables. Keywords—Diabetes Mellitus, Food Balance, Energy, Fat, Protein, Saudi Arabia.
Cost utility of hub-and-spoke telestroke networks from societal perspective.

BACKGROUND A hub-and-spoke telestroke network is an effective way to extend quality emergency stroke care to remote hospitals and improve patient outcomes. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the cost utility of a telestroke network in the management of acute ischemic stroke from the societal perspective. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS A lifetime Markov model was developed to compare the incremental costs and effectiveness of a telestroke network. One-year transition probabilities between the 3 health states based on the modified Rankin scale--minimal-to-no disability, moderate-to-severe disability, and death--were derived from literature. Costs included telemedicine setup and maintenance, initial and recurrent stroke treatment, rehabilitation, long-term care, and caregiver costs. Effectiveness was defined as quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Model inputs were obtained from the literature supplemented by data from Georgia Health Sciences University and Mayo Clinic. The base case network included 1 hub and 7 spokes, and assumed no survival benefits from acute treatment in a network. One-way sensitivity analyses were conducted. RESULTS Compared with no network, patients treated in a telestroke network incurred $1436 lower costs and gained 0.02 QALYs over a lifetime. Incremental costs decreased from $444 for the first year to -$1436 over a lifetime; incremental QALYs increased from 0.002 for the first year to 0.02 over a lifetime. Overall, results were robust in the 1-way sensitivity analyses. A telestroke network became less cost-effective with increasing spoke-to-hub transfer rates. CONCLUSIONS A telestroke network is cost savingand more effective compared with no network from the societal perspective in most modeled scenarios.
Differential Expression of Mycothiol Pathway Genes: Are they Affected by Antituberculosis Drugs?

Mycothiol (MSH) is the major cellular thiol in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb). We hypothesize that the mycothiol‐dependent detoxification pathway may serve an important role during oxygen stress management in M. tuberculosis, derived from normal aerobic metabolism, the macrophage environment and through the action of anti‐tubercular antibiotics, such as Isoniazid (INH). Total mRNA and DNA were isolated from M. bovis BCG at different stages of growth in 7H9 mycobacterial medium. Three genes involved in mycothiol metabolism and encoding the enzymes mycothiol S‐conjugate amidase (Mca, Rv1082), NADPH dependend mycothiol reductase (mtr, Rv2855), and N‐Acetyl‐1‐D‐myo‐Inosityl‐2‐Amino‐2‐Deoxy‐alpha‐D‐Glucopyranoside Deacetylase (GlcNAc‐Ins deacetylase, Rv1170 or mshB) were investigated for genomic rearrangements and expression. The results show that the genomic domains of the genes remain conserved in evolutionary diverse and unrelated M. tuberculosis isolates. The genes encoding enzymes implicated in mycothiol reduction, mtr (Rv2855) and the mycothiol‐dependant detoxification of electrophilic agents, Mca (Rv1082), are shown to be actively transcribed during logarithmic M. bovis BCG growth. The gene encoding GlcNAc‐Ins deacetylase (the rate limiting mycothiol biosynthesis step) shows induction in the presence of INH. Antisense oligonucleotides to both GlcNAc‐Ins deacetylase (Rv1170) and mtr (Rv2855) mRNA affect mycobacterial growth. In conclusion the results presented here suggest that these enzymes are sensitive to free radical generating antituberculosis drugs and may be useful targets for new drug development. IUBMB Life, 56: 131‐138, 2004
Electronic restoration of vision in those with photoreceptor degenerations

Complete loss of vision is one of the most feared sequelae of retinal disease. Currently, there are few if any treatment options available to patients that may slow or prevent blindness in diseases caused by photoreceptor loss, such as retinitis pigmentosa and age‐related macular degeneration. Electronic restoration of vision has emerged over recent years as a safe and viable option for those who have lost substantial numbers of photoreceptors and who are severely vision impaired. Indeed, there has been a dramatic increase in our understanding of what is required to restore vision using an electronic retinal prosthesis. Recent reports show that for some patients, restoration of vision to the point of reading large letters is possible. In this review, we examine the types of implants currently under investigation and the results these devices have achieved clinically. We then consider a range of engineering and biological factors that may need to be considered to improve the visual performance of newer‐generation devices. With added research, it is hoped that the level of vision achieved with newer generation devices will steadily improve, resulting in enhanced quality of life for those with severe vision impairment.