Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Active Caspase-1-Mediated Secretion of Retinoic Acid Inducible Gene-I1

Caspase-1 is an inflammatory caspase that controls the activation and secretion of the inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β and IL-18. We observed that cellular levels of retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I) were enhanced when the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk or caspase-1-specific inhibitor Z-WEHD-fmk blocked caspase activity. Overexpression of caspase-1 reduced cellular levels of RIG-I and inhibited RIG-I-mediated signaling activity. Enzymatic activity of caspase-1 was necessary to control RIG-I, although it was not a substrate of proteolytic cleavage by caspase-1. Caspase-1 physically interacted with full length RIG-I, but not with mutant forms lacking either the amino- or carboxyl-terminal domains. RIG-I was present in the supernatant of cells transfected with active caspase-1 but not with caspase-4. Stimulating cells with LPS and ATP also induced secretion of endogenous RIG-I in macrophages. Our data suggest a novel mechanism that negatively regulates RIG-I-mediated signaling activity via caspase-1-dependent secretion of RIG-I protein.
SAR in the presence of conductive medical implant at 0.9, 1.8 and 2.4 GHz due to close proximity antenna

This paper evaluates the interaction between the human body and dipole antenna in the presence of conductive medical implant. A Voxel body model is exposed to the radiation source at three different frequencies; 0.9 GHz, 1.8 GHz and 2.4 GHz. A conductive bone plate is implanted inside the Voxel body in order to investigate the effect of medical implant on the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR). Results show that the inclusion of bone plate inside the body enhances the 10g SAR in the leg by more than 3 times. Besides, SAR and current density are remarkably enhanced in the adjacent tissue near the sharp edge of the bone plate. The simulated results are validated through measurement at 2.4 GHz.
Melatonin in the multi‐oscillatory mammalian circadian world

In mammals, the complex interaction of neural, hormonal, and behavioral outputs from the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) drives circadian expression of events, either directly or through coordination of the timing of peripheral oscillators. Melatonin, one of the endocrine output signals of the clock, provides the organism with circadian information and can be considered as an endogenous synchronizer, able to stabilize and reinforce circadian rhythms and to maintain their mutual phase‐relationship at the different levels of the circadian network. Moreover, exogenous melatonin, through an action on the circadian clock, affects all levels of the circadian network. The molecular mechanisms underlying this chronobiotic effect have also been investigated in rats. REV‐ERB α seems to be the initial molecular target.
The Three Periorbital Hollows: A Paradigm for Periorbital Rejuvenation

Traditionally, thinking on facial aging has focused on gravitational descent. Textbooks describe the effect of gravity on the soft tissues of the face: the presumption is that laxity of the supporting ligaments allows the cutaneous and subcutaneous soft tissues to shift inferiorly. In the periorbital area, the upper orbital region is thought to change by descent of the eyebrow. In the lower orbital area, descent of the midface tissues has been invoked to account for the hollow appearance of the orbital rim, and, to a certain extent, the orbital fat is thought to descend inferiorly and forward. The resulting prolapse of the orbital fat, limited by the septal attachment, is thought to form the lower eyelid fatty bags.
Eosinophilic inflammation of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is related to OX40 ligand expression

The aims of this study were to investigate OX40 ligand expression in sinus tissue from patients with nasal polyposis compared with patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (NPs), and to determine if OX40 ligand expression is related to eosinophilic sinus infiltration. Twenty patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (11 with and nine without NPs) and seven controls were enrolled in the study. The mRNA expression of OX40 ligand and thymic stromal lymphopoietin and its receptor were analyzed. The immunoreactivity score for OX40 ligand and the eosinophil count were obtained. The mRNA expression and immunoreactivity score of OX40 ligand were higher in patients with nasal polyposis than in patients without NPs, as well as healthy controls. The mRNA expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin and its receptor was significantly higher in nasal polyposis than in the control, but not significantly higher than in chronic rhinosinusitis without NPs. A correlation between the number of OX40 ligand-positive cells and the number of eosinophils in sinus biopsies was found only in patients with nasal polyposis. In conclusion, the thymic stromal lymphopoietin/OX40 ligand axis is up-regulated in nasal polyposis and is related to the intensity of eosinophilic inflammation.
Dental Caries and Oral Health-related Quality of Life in Cleft Lip and Palate Patients: A Pilot Study

Background: Dental caries is a chronic disease caused by a set of biological and social factors. The aim of this study was to conduct a study of dental caries and oral health related quality of life (QoL) in Brazilian patients with cleft lip and palate. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with cleft lip and palate patients with 12 years of age. Participants were examined for dental caries decayed, missing and filled teeth-World Health Organization (DMFT-WHO criteria). The dental impact on daily living (DIDL) instrument was used to collect data of oral health-related QoL. The MannWhitney test was used to present the differences between gender and the Spearman correlation was used with DIDL and DMFT. Results: The 30 (30%) of the 50 children with cleft lip and palate were caries-free, and the DMFT was 1.70 (1.62), with 53.91% for the care index. The dimensions ‘Speak’ (34%) and ‘Hygiene’ (46%) represented the largest negative impact on QoL. The DIDL instrument correlated only among the missing component and dimensions ‘Stress’ (r = 0.35, p < 0.01) and ‘Study’ (r = 0.52, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The presence of cleft lip and palate in subjects 12 years of age had a negative impact on QoL and this impact was also significant for tooth loss caused by dental caries.
Regulatory role of tyrosine phosphorylation in the swelling‐activated chloride current in isolated rabbit articular chondrocytes

Articular chondrocytes are exposed in vivo to the continually changing osmotic environment and thus require volume regulatory mechanisms. The present study was designed to investigate (i) the functional role of the swelling‐activated Cl− current (ICl,swell) in the regulatory volume decrease (RVD) and (ii) the regulatory role of tyrosine phosphorylation in ICl,swell, in isolated rabbit articular chondrocytes. Whole‐cell membrane currents were recorded from chondrocytes in isosmotic, hyposmotic and hyperosmotic external solutions under conditions where Na+, K+ and Ca2+ currents were minimized. The cell surface area was also measured using microscope images from a separate set of chondrocytes and was used as an index of cell volume. The isolated chondrocytes exhibited a RVD during sustained exposure to hyposmotic solution, which was mostly inhibited by the ICl,swell blocker 4‐(2‐butyl‐6,7‐dichloro‐2‐cyclopentyl‐indan‐1‐on‐5‐yl)oxobutyric acid (DCPIB) at 20 μm. Exposure to a hyposmotic solution activated ICl,swell, which was also largely inhibited by 20 μm DCPIB. ICl,swell in rabbit articular chondrocytes had a relative taurine permeability (Ptau/PCl) of 0.21. Activation of ICl,swell was significantly reduced by the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor genistein (30 μm) but was only weakly affected by its inactive analogue daidzein (30 μm). Intracellular application of protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) inhibitor sodium orthovanadate (250 and 500 μm) resulted in a gradual activation of a Cl− current even in isosmotic solutions. This Cl− current was almost completely inhibited by 4,4′‐diisothiocyanatostilbene‐2,2′‐disulfonate (DIDS, 500 μm) and was also largely suppressed by exposure to hyperosmotic solution, thus indicating a close similarity to ICl,swell. Pretreatment of chondrocytes with genistein significantly prevented the activation of the Cl− current by sodium orthovanadate, suggesting that the basal activity of endogenous PTK is required for the activation of this Cl− current. Our results provide evidence to indicate that activation of ICl,swell is involved in RVD in isolated rabbit articular chondrocytes and is facilitated by tyrosine phosphorylation.
CD11c: Not merely a murine DC marker, but also a useful vaccination target

The induction of robust CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses is a central aim in antiviral and anticancer vaccination. To this end, dendritic cells (DC) need to capture the vaccine, process and present it on MHC class I and II molecules. The mechanisms by which DC acquire antigen predetermine the quantity and quality of the ensuing T cell activation. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, it is demonstrated that targeting antigen towards CD11c, an integrin expressed preferentially by murine DC, facilitates efficient CD4+ and CD8+ T cell activation. The underlying mechanisms involve efficient antigen delivery into the marginal zone and T/DC zone of the spleen. This commentary discusses these findings in the context of current knowledge on antigen presentation.
Differences in parasite susceptibility and costs of resistance between naturally exposed and unexposed host populations

It is generally assumed that resistance to parasitism entails costs. Consequently, hosts evolving in the absence of parasites are predicted to invest less in costly resistance mechanisms than hosts consistently exposed to parasites. This prediction has, however, rarely been tested in natural populations. We studied the susceptibility of three naïve, three parasitized and one recently isolated Asellus aquaticus isopod populations to an acanthocephalan parasite. We found that parasitized populations, with the exception of the isopod population sympatric with the parasite strain used, were less susceptible to the parasite than the naïve populations. Exposed but uninfected (resistant) isopods from naïve populations, but not from parasitized populations, exhibited greater mortality than controls, implying that resistance entails survival costs primarily for naïve isopods. These results suggest that parasites can drive the evolution of host resistance in the wild, and that co‐existence with parasites may increase the cost‐effectiveness of defence mechanisms.
Mitigation methods to improve the lightning performance of hybrid transmission line

EMTP simulations and lightning attachment models are performed to estimate backflashover performance of multi-circuit transmission tower. Multi-circuit transmission tower has several systems on the tower and combines DC transmission over long distances with more flexible AC transmission. The outcome of simulations and calculations should give the range of backflashover withstand current and backflashover outage level. Maximum lightning current amplitude that does not cause backflashover across insulator string is estimated in response to first and subsequent strokes several flashover models. The paper presents a new unbalanced design of insulation. Latter should decrease backflashover rate for lines serving critical loads like HVDC lines.
Slow moving charges in the oil impregnated insulation paper with different aging condition oil

The level of oil contamination determines the dielectric safety margin of both new and service aged oil/paper insulation system. It is important to understand the factors that may affect space charge formation in oil/paper insulation system. In order to indicate the influence of the decay products of the aged oil on the slow moving charges in the oil/paper sample, the PEA measurements were carried out on new insulation paper immersed in oil with different ageing conditions. The insulation oil used in this experiment was mineral oil. The total absolute amount of charges in the oil/paper sample with different ageing condition oil under volt-off (positive power supply) was investigated. It can be clearly seen that for each applied voltage, the more deterioration the oil, the larger amount the slow moving charges trapped in the bulk of the sample. The amount of the slow moving charges trapped in the sample with oil aged for 14 and 22 days are more than two times larger than that the sample with new oil under 4, 6 and 8kV when tested after 30min, especially under 6kV and 8kV. In addition, the higher the applied voltage, the larger the amount of slow moving charges in the bulk of the sample. The amount of the slow moving charges trapped in the sample under 6kV volt-off condition is about two times larger than that under 4kV, and the amount of the slow moving charge trapped in the sample under 8kV volt-off condition is about 3 times larger than that under 4kV. All these results are believed to be controlled by the trap density.
Injury Risk in Professional Basketball Players

Background Gender-based differences in injury rates have been reported in scholastic and collegiate basketball. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively compare injury rates in women's and men's professional basketball. Hypothesis Female professional basketball players are injured at a higher rate than are men. Study Design Cohort study (prevalence); Level of evidence, 2. Methods Women's National Basketball Association and National Basketball Association injury data were retrospectively reviewed for 6 full seasons. The frequency of all injuries and the rate of game-related injuries were calculated. Results Complete player profiles were obtained on 702 National Basketball Association athletes and 443 Women's National Basketball Association athletes who competed in their respective leagues during the data collection period. Total game exposures totaled 70 420 (National Basketball Association) and 22 980 (Women's National Basketball Association). Women's National Basketball Association athletes had a higher overall game-related injury rate (24.9 per 1000 athlete exposures; 95% confidence interval, 22.9-26.9; P < .05) when compared with National Basketball Association athletes (19.3 per 1000 athlete exposures; 95% confidence interval, 18.3-20.4) and sustained a higher rate of lower extremity injuries (14.6 per 1000 athlete exposures; 95% confidence interval, 13.1-16.2; P < .05) than seen in the National Basketball Association (11.6 per 1000 athlete exposures; 95% confidence interval, 10.8-12.4). The lower extremity was the most commonly injured body area (65%), and lateral ankle sprain (13.7%) was the most common diagnosis in both leagues. The incidence of game-related knee injury was higher in Women's National Basketball Association players. The incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injury in the National Basketball Association (n = 22, 0.8%) and Women's National Basketball Association (n = 14, 0.9%) accounted for 0.8% of the 4446 injuries reported. Conclusion The lower extremity is the most frequently injured body area in both leagues, and Women's National Basketball Association athletes are more susceptible than are National Basketball Association athletes. There were, however, few statistical differences in the actual injuries occurring between the 2 leagues.
Adsorption of Bovine Serum Albumin on CeO2

Abstract—Preparation of nanoparticles of cerium oxide and adsorption of bovine serum albumin on them were studied. Particle size distribution and influence of pH on zeta potential of prepared CeO2 were determined. Average size of prepared cerium oxide nanoparticles was 9 nm. The simultaneous measurements of the bovine serum albumin adsorption and zeta potential determination of the (adsorption) suspensions were carried out. The adsorption isotherms were found to be of typical Langmuir type; values of the bovine serum albumin adsorption capacities were calculated. Increasing of pH led to decrease of zeta potential and decrease of adsorption capacity of cerium oxide nanoparticles. The maximum adsorption capacity was found for strongly acid suspension (am = 118 mg/g). The samples of nanoceria with positive zeta potential adsorbed more bovine serum albumin on the other hand, the samples with negative zeta potential showed little or no protein adsorption. Surface charge or better say zeta potential of CeO2 nanoparticles plays the key role in adsorption of proteins on such type of materials.
Efficient interpretation of tabular documents

We present efficient techniques for the interpretation and representation of tabular documents. Our goal is to achieve processing times that are fast enough for an interactive table conversion system. The techniques are based on the run-length encoded representation of scanned documents. We use DSX assignment tables, a predominant type of engineering drawing in telephone company central offices, as sample images in this paper. However, the techniques presented can be applied directly to tabular documents in any application.
SYNFORM ISSUE 2018/04

Bacterial meroterpenoids constitute an important class of natural products with diverse biological properties and therapeutic potential. The biosynthetic logic for their production is unknown and defies explanation via classical biochemical paradigms. A large subgroup of naphthoquinone-based meroterpenoids exhibits a substitution pattern of the polyketide-derived aromatic core that seemingly contradicts the established reactivity pattern of polyketide phenol nucleophiles and terpene diphosphate electrophiles. We report the discovery of a hitherto unprecedented enzyme-promoted α-hydroxyketone rearrangement catalysed by vanadium-dependent haloperoxidases to account for these discrepancies in the merochlorin and napyradiomycin class of meroterpenoid antibiotics, and we demonstrate that the α-hydroxyketone rearrangement is potentially a conserved biosynthetic reaction in this molecular class. The biosynthetic α-hydroxyketone rearrangement was applied in a concise total synthesis of naphthomevalin, a prominent member of the napyradiomycin meroterpenes, and sheds further light on the mechanism of this unifying enzymatic transformation.
Reduced susceptibility to Fusarium head blight in Brachypodium distachyon through priming with the Fusarium mycotoxin deoxynivalenol.

The fungal cereal pathogen Fusarium graminearum produces deoxynivalenol (DON) during infection. The mycotoxin DON is associated with Fusarium head blight (FHB), a disease that can cause vast grain losses. Whilst investigating the suitability of Brachypodium distachyon as a model for spreading resistance to F. graminearum, we unexpectedly discovered that DON pretreatment of spikelets could reduce susceptibility to FHB in this model grass. We started to analyse the cell wall changes in spikelets after infection with F. graminearum wild-type and defined mutants: the DON-deficient Δtri5 mutant and the DON-producing lipase disruption mutant Δfgl1, both infecting only directly inoculated florets, and the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase disruption mutant Δgpmk1, with strongly decreased virulence but intact DON production. At 14 days post-inoculation, the glucose amounts in the non-cellulosic cell wall fraction were only increased in spikelets infected with the DON-producing strains wild-type, Δfgl1 and Δgpmk1. Hence, we tested for DON-induced cell wall changes in B. distachyon, which were most prominent at DON concentrations ranging from 1 to 100 ppb. To test the involvement of DON in defence priming, we pretreated spikelets with DON at a concentration of 1 ppm prior to F. graminearum wild-type infection, which significantly reduced FHB disease symptoms. The analysis of cell wall composition and plant defence-related gene expression after DON pretreatment and fungal infection suggested that DON-induced priming of the spikelet tissue contributed to the reduced susceptibility to FHB.
Endothelium‐derived relaxing factor inhibits in vitro platelet aggregation

1 We studied the effects of endothelium‐derived relaxing factor (EDRF), bovine retractor penis muscle inhibitory factor and sodium nitroprusside, three stimulants of guanylate cyclase, on the in vitro aggregation of washed human platelets. 2 Platelet aggregation induced either by collagen or by the thromboxane A2 analogue U46619 was inhibited by all three agents. 3 The anti‐aggregatory effect of each agent was inhibited by haemoglobin. 4 The anti‐aggregatory effect of EDRF was potentiated by superoxide dismutase. 5 These findings are discussed in relation to a potential role for EDRF in haemostasis.
The 5-year course of obsessive-compulsive symptoms and obsessive-compulsive disorder in first-episode schizophrenia and related disorders.

OBJECTIVE To determine the course of obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in first-episode schizophrenia and related disorders and their relationship with clinical characteristics. METHODS Consecutively, admitted patients with a first-episode of schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, or schizoaffective disorder were screened for OCS, and these were measured with the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale were used to assess severity of other symptoms. The course of 3- and 5-year symptoms, psychotic relapse, substance use, remission, full recovery, suicide, and social functioning were assessed. RESULTS One hundred and eighty-six consecutively admitted and consenting patients were included. Five years after admission, OCS could be assessed in 172 patients. Ninety-one patients (48.9%) reported no OCS symptoms on any of the assessments. OCS restricted to the first assessments occured in 15.1%, 13.4% had persistent OCS, 7.0% had no OCS at first assessment but developed OCS subsequently, and 15.6% had intermittent OCS. The proportion of patients with comorbid OCD varied between 7.3% and 11.8% during follow-up. OCD was associated with more severe depressive symptoms and poorer premorbid functioning and social functioning at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The 5-year course of OCS/OCD in patients with first-episode schizophrenia or related disorders is variable. OCS/OCD comorbidity was not associated with a more severe course of psychotic symptoms and relapse. Comorbid OCD was associated with more severe depressive symptoms, social dysfunction and worse premorbid functioning. Specific treatment options for schizophrenia patients with comorbid OCD are needed.