Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Laminin-332 Is a Substrate for Hepsin, a Protease Associated with Prostate Cancer Progression*

Hepsin, a cell surface protease, is widely reported to be overexpressed in more than 90% of human prostate tumors. Hepsin expression correlates with tumor progression, making it a significant marker and target for prostate cancer. Recently, it was reported that in a prostate cancer mouse model, hepsin up-regulation in tumor tissue promotes progression and metastasis. The underlying mechanisms, however, remain largely uncharacterized. Hepsin transgenic mice displayed reduced laminin-332 (Ln-332) expression in prostate tumors. This is an intriguing cue, since proteolytic processing of extracellular matrix macromolecules, such as Ln-332, is believed to be involved in cancer progression, and Ln-332 expression is lost during human prostate cancer progression. In this study, we provide the first direct evidence that hepsin cleaves Ln-332. Cleavage is specific, since it is both inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by a hepsin inhibitor (Kunitz domain-1) and does not occur when catalytically inactive hepsin is used. By Western blotting and mass spectrometry, we determined that hepsin cleaves the β3 chain of Ln-332. N-terminal sequencing identified the cleavage site at β3 Arg245, in a sequence context (SQLR245↓LQGSCFC) conserved among species and in remarkable agreement with reported consensus target sequences for hepsin activity. In vitro cell migration assays showed that hepsin-cleaved Ln-332 enhanced motility of DU145 prostate cancer cells, which was inhibited by Kunitz domain-1. Further, hepsin-overexpressing LNCaP prostate cancer cells also exhibited increased migration on Ln-332. Direct cleavage of Ln-332 may be one mechanism by which hepsin promotes prostate tumor progression and metastasis, possibly by up-regulating prostate cancer cell motility.
Power and variability analysis of CMOS logic families @ 22-nm technology node

Technology scaling driven by the benefit of integration density, high-speed of operation and low-power dissipation, has overcome many barriers over the last four decades. Currently, it is facing even more hurdles, which are more critical than earlier. One of them is variability. Variability is becoming a metric of equal importance as power, delay, and area. This work attempts to perform power and variability analysis of the most popular CMOS logic families to identify the logic family that consumes minimum power dissipation and offers narrowest spread (i.e., minimum variability) in the design metrics of NAND/AND circuits. This paper explores the challenges of designing ultralow-power and robust circuits with unreliable devices in highly scaled technology node such as 22-nm. The logic families offering minimum power dissipation and variability are reported to aid the designer in selecting the best logic famility depending on specific requirements.
Defining the role of haptic feedback in minimally invasive surgery.

INTRODUCTION The applications of Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) and Laparoscopy are rapidly expanding. Despite this expansion, the technology related to our understanding of the importance of haptic feedback related to laparoscopic surgery remains in its infancy. While many surgeons feel that the use of minimally invasive techniques eliminates force feedback and tactile sensation, the importance of haptics in MIS has not been fully evaluated. Moreover, there is considerable interest in the development of haptic simulators for MIS even though the importance of force feedback remains poorly understood. This study was designed to determine the ability of novice surgeons to interpret haptic feedback with respect to texture, shape and consistency of an object. METHOD Subjects were presented objects in a random order and participants were blinded as to their identity. Inspection by direct palpation, palpation with conventional instruments, and palpation with laparoscopic instruments was performed on all objects. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using a Fischer exact probability test. RESULTS Direct palpation provided the greatest degree of haptic feedback and was associated with the highest accuracy for texture discrimination, shape discrimination, and consistency discrimination. A significant decrease in the ability to identify shapes was noted with both CI and LI. A significant decrease in the ability to differentiate consistency was noted for LI only. When comparing palpation with conventional instruments to palpation with laparoscopic instruments, there was no significant difference in shape or texture discrimination. There was, however, a significant decrease in consistency discrimination. CONCLUSION This data indicates that laparoscopic instruments do in fact provide the surgeon with haptic feedback. While the instruments change the information available to the surgeon, interpretation of the texture, shape and consistency of objects can be performed. Our ongoing work is directed at further defining force interactions. Through the use of force feedback impulse devices in VR simulators, one should be able to create a more realistic theatre in which the novice surgeon can learn operative skills that will readily translate into the operating room.
Predicting the Quality and Prices of Bordeaux Wine

Bordeaux wines have been made in much the same way for centuries. This article shows that the variability in the quality and prices of Bordeaux vintages is predicted by the weather that created the grapes. The price equation provides a measure of the real rate of return to holding wines (about 2-3% per annum) and implies far greater variability in the early or 'en primeur' wine prices than is observed. The analysis provides a useful basis for assessing market inefficiency, the effect of climate change on the wine industry and the role of expert opinion in determining wine prices. Copyright © The Author(s). Journal compilation © Royal Economic Society 2008.
Affinity Chromatography Demonstrates a Direct Binding between Cytoplasmic Dynein and the Dynactin Complex *

We used affinity chromatography to probe for a direct binding interaction between cytoplasmic dynein and dynactin. Purified cytoplasmic dynein was found to bind to an affinity column of p150, the largest polypeptide in the dynactin complex. To test the specificity of the interaction, we loaded rat brain cytosol onto the p150 affinity column and observed that cytoplasmic dynein from cytosol was specifically retained on the column. Preincubation of the p150 affinity matrix with excess exogenous dynein intermediate chain resulted in a significant reduction of dynein binding, suggesting that p150 may be interacting with dynein via this polypeptide. Therefore we constructed an affinity column of recombinant dynein intermediate chain and observed that dynactin was retained from rat brain cytosol. These results demonstrate that the native dynein and dynactin complexes are capable of direct in vitro interaction mediated by a direct binding of the dynein intermediate chain to the p150component of the dynactin complex. We have mapped the site of this interaction to the amino-terminal region of p150, which is predicted to form an α-helical coiled-coil. Regulation of the dynein-dynactin interaction may prove to be key in the control mechanism for cytoplasmic dynein-mediated vesicular transport.
Tracking the Origin and Deciphering the Phylogenetic Relationship of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus in Ecuador

In 2010, new Chinese strains of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), clinically more severe than the classical strains, emerged. These strains were spread to United States in 2013 through an intercontinental transmission from China with further spreading across the world, evidencing the emergent nature of these strains. In the present study, an analysis of PEDV field sequences from Ecuador was conducted by comparing all the PEDV S gene sequences available in the GenBank database. Phylogenetic comparisons and Bayesian phylogeographic inference based on complete S gene sequences were also conducted to track the origin and putative route of PEDV. The sequence from the PED-outbreak in Ecuador was grouped into the clade II of PEDV genogroup 2a together with other sequences of isolates from Mexico, Canada, and United States. The phylogeographic study revealed the emergence of the Chinese PEDV strains, followed by spreading to US in 2013, from US to Korea, and later the introduction of PEDV to Canada, Mexico, and Ecuador directly from the US. The sources of imports of live swine in Ecuador in 2014 were mainly from Chile and US. Thus, this movement of pigs is suggested as the main way for introducing PEDV to Ecuador.
Dendritic Cells: Origin and Differentiation

Dendritic cells (DC) are bone marrow‐derived cells that are specialized to take up, process and present antigen, and have the capacity to stimulate resting T cells in the primary immune response. DC are a unique population that is likely to derive from a myeloid precursor cell. DC differentiation from bone marrow precursors is enhanced by the cytokines GM‐CSF and tumor necrosis factor‐α. In contrast, it has been proposed that thymic DC and T cells arise from a common stem cell, and that these DC play a specific role in the negative selection of thymic T cells. A number of post‐bone marrow differentiation stages can be defined phenotypically and functionally. Undifferentiated DC have very active endocytic pathways, including receptor‐mediated endocytosis involving a mannose/β glucan receptor, and macropinocytosis of soluble antigen. In contrast, later stages of maturation are associated with a decreased ability to take up and process antigen, and increasing expression of major histocompatibility complex, adhesion and costimulatory molecules. Finally, activation of DC for full antigen‐presenting cell function can be identified by the expression of CD28 ligands. The inflammatory site in rheumatoid arthritis is a human model of DC differentiation in response to a chronic antigenic stimulus. The features of this DC model are discussed.
Cardiac Conduction Abnormalities in Mice Lacking the Gap Junction Protein Connexin40

Cardiac Conduction in C×40−/− Mice. Introduction: The gap junction protein connexin40 (C×40) normally is expressed in the murine atrial myocardium and ventricular conduction system. In mice lacking C×40, several changes in the surface ECG have been described. In this study, we analyzed cardiac conduction in more detail.
pH‐dependent secretion of SseB, a product of the SPI‐2 type III secretion system of Salmonella typhimurium

The type III secretion system of Salmonella pathogenicity island 2 (SPI‐2) is required for bacterial replication inside macrophages. SseB has been considered a putative target of the secretion system on the basis of its similarity with EspA, a protein secreted by the type III secretion system of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC). EspA forms a filamentous structure on the bacterial cell surface and is involved in translocation of proteins into the eukaryotic cytosol. In this paper, we show that SseB is a secreted protein that associates with the surface of the bacterial cell and might, therefore, also be required for delivery of SPI‐2 effector proteins to the eukaryotic cell cytosol. SseB begins to accumulate inside the bacterial cell when the culture enters early stationary phase. However, SseB is only secreted if the bacteria are grown at low pH or if the pH is shifted after growth from 7.0 to below pH 5.0. The secretion occurs within minutes of acidification and is totally dependent on a functional SPI‐2 type III secretion system. As the pH of the Salmonella‐containing vacuole inside host cells has been shown to acidify to between pH 4.0 and 5.0, and as SPI‐2 gene expression occurs inside host cells, low pH might be a physiological stimulus for SPI‐2‐mediated secretion in vivo.
Side‐stepping secondary symbionts: widespread horizontal transfer across and beyond the Aphidoidea

To elucidate the co‐evolutionary relationships between phloem‐feeding insects and their secondary, or facultative, bacterial symbionts, we explore the distributions of three such microbes — provisionally named the R‐type (or PASS, or S‐sym), T‐type (or PABS), and U‐type — across a number of aphid and psyllid hosts through the use of diagnostic molecular screening techniques and DNA sequencing. Although typically maternally transmitted, phylogenetic and pairwise divergence analyses reveal that these bacteria have been independently acquired by a variety of unrelated insect hosts, indicating that horizontal transfer has helped to shape their distributions. Based on the high genetic similarity between symbionts in different hosts, we argue that transfer events have occurred recently on an evolutionary timescale. In several instances, however, closely related symbionts associate with related hosts, suggesting that horizontal transfer between distant relatives may be rarer than transmission between close relatives. Our findings on the prevalence of these symbionts within many aphid taxa, along with published observations concerning their effects on host fitness, imply a significant role of facultative symbiosis in aphid ecology and evolution.
Relationship between course-taking behavior, gender, and mathematics achievement on the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP)

This study examined the relationship between student course taking, specifically the year of Algebra completion (grade 8, 9, 10, or not completed), and performance on the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) mathematics test in grades 8 and 10. Data collected were student scores on the MAP tests, TerraNova tests in Communication Arts and Mathematics, student math grades, and demographic factors of gender and race. The sample of 512 students was taken from one school district in east central Missouri. The MAP mathematics tests contain 3 item types. Item type was statistically significant with both males and females scoring highest on Multiple Choice followed by Constructed Response and Performance Event items. Males and females had similar profiles for item types at both grade levels with males performing better than females on each item type at grades 8 and 10. The only statistically significant gender difference was on Multiple Choice items in grade 10. Course taking was significantly related to performance on the six MAP mathematics content strands. Number Sense, Geometry and Spatial Sense, Data Analysis and Probability, Patterns and Relationships, Mathematical Systems, and Discrete Mathematics organize the MAP content. Number Sense and Mathematical Systems content strands both found males performing significantly better than females. Geometry and Spatial Sense was the only strand that yielded a significant interaction effect of gender by course taking with males gaining significantly in advantage over females as Algebra was completed earlier. Course taking was significantly related to overall MAP and TerraNova mathematics scores. ANCOVA analyses used TerraNova language scores as a covariate to isolate the Baumgart, Geraldine, 2005, UMSL, p. v effect of course taking on MAP performance. The ANCOVA employed course taking and gender as independent variables and explained 70% of the variance in MAP 8 scores and 53% of the variance in MAP 10 scores. Both course taking and gender were significant main effects. A logistic regression analysis revealed significant predictors of MAP 10 mathematics performance to be MAP 8 mathematics performance, Math GPA in grades 8 through 10, gender, and completion of an Algebra course in grade 8. Qualified students should be encouraged to take Algebra in grade 8. Baumgart, Geraldine, 2005, UMSL, p. vi Table of
Mouse fetal antigen 1 (mFA1), the circulating gene product of mdlk, pref-1 and SCP-1: isolation, characterization and biology.

The mouse homologue to human fetal antigen 1 (hFA1) was purified from mouse amniotic fluid by cation exchange chromatography and immunospecific affinity chromatography. Mouse FA1 (mFA1) is a single chain glycoprotein with an M(r) of 42-50 kDa (SDS-PAGE). The N-terminal amino acid sequence (39 residues) revealed 74% identity to hFA1 and 100% identity to the translated cDNAs referred to as mouse dlk, pref-1 and SCP-1. mFA1 is the secreted processed molecule encoded by the mRNA defined by these identical mouse cDNAs. Monospecific rabbit anti-mFA1 antibodies, purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and immunospecific affinity chromatography, were used for immunohistochemical and quantitative ELISA techniques. The indirect immunoperoxidase technique demonstrated mFA1 within the endocrine structures of adult mouse pancreas, whereas the exocrine tissue remained unstained. FA1-positive staining was also seen in the pituitary gland and the mouse adrenal gland. The concentration of mFA1 in a pool of amniotic fluid was assessed at 25 micrograms ml-1 and the serum concentration in normal nonpregnant adult mice (n = 28) was 11.3 +/- 5.0 ng ml-1 (2 SD). During pregnancy the concentration of mFA1 in maternal serum increased above the nonpregnant reference value at midpregnancy, reaching a maximum concentration (> 0.35 microgram ml-1) 2 days prepartum. The maternal serum concentration was positively correlated with the number of fetuses. After delivery the rate of disappearance of mFA1 in maternal serum was very fast with a t1/2 < 1 h. The concentration of mFA1 in newborn mice was about 15 micrograms ml-1 and did not reach normal adult values until the age of > 50 days.
Effects of induction current and other factors on large-scale electrofusion for pronuclear transplantation of mouse eggs.

In this paper, we describe the procedure of large-scale and efficient electrofusion for pronuclear transplantation in mouse eggs and the tolerance of the eggs for electric stimulus, assessed in vitro and in vivo development. The fusion chamber was arranged in parallel by dielectrodes (30-mm length, 1-mm width, and 2-mm height), and 0.3 M mannitol in distilled water was used as a fusion solution. The agglutination cleavage of enucleated eggs with karyoplast was easily orientated in parallel with electrodes by alternating current between 100 and 500 kHz at 2 and 10 V/mm. Immediately after the orientation, a direct current of 150 V/mm was given for 200 microseconds twice and repeated three times to induce fusion of the enucleated eggs with karyoplast. More than five eggs, at least, can be submitted to electrofusion at the same time. The eggs that were not fused were treated again in the same manner. The proportion of eggs fused with karyoplast was increased by preincubation in M16 medium prior to submitting them to the electrofusion. When the eggs were incubated for 60 min, 80% of them were fused with karyoplast by the first electric treatment; in contrast, only 19% of the eggs were fused if they were submitted to electrofusion directly. It was found that between the CD-1 and F1 strains there was a difference in tolerance of the eggs to electric stimulus and that this was depend on the nuclei but not on cytoplasm. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Which Donors, Which Funds? Bilateral Donors' Choice of Multilateral Funds at the World Bank

Abstract The rapid growth of trust funds at multilateral development organizations has been widely neglected in the academic literature. We examine sovereign donors' choices among various trust fund options and contend that the choice among the different trust funds involves a fundamental trade-off: larger funds provide donors with “burden-sharing” benefits, but each donor can better assert its individual preferences in a fund with fewer other donors. The theoretical considerations yield testable hypotheses on a range of factors affecting this fundamental trade-off, most notably the area of the trust fund's intervention and donor countries' competing domestic interests. A large-N analysis of participation decisions of OECD/DAC donors in trust funds over the past decade mostly corroborates these hypotheses. In particular, ex ante preference alignment among donors as well as indicators for global activities and fragile states aid are robust determinants of participation in (large) multi-donor funds. In contrast, a donor tends to prefer a single-donor fund in areas where its national interests dominate.
Treatment with oseltamivir in children hospitalized with community-acquired, laboratory-confirmed influenza: review of five seasons and evaluation of an electronic reminder.

BACKGROUND When initiated within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, oseltamivir has been shown to reduce severity and length of influenza illness. Few studies have evaluated the use of oseltamivir in patients hospitalized with influenza. OBJECTIVE To describe the prescribing practices for oseltamivir in children hospitalized with influenza and to evaluate a mechanism to improve the rate of appropriate prescription. DESIGN, SETTING, PATIENTS Retrospective cohort study of 929 patients aged 21 years or younger hospitalized with community-acquired laboratory-confirmed influenza (CA-LCI) during 5 consecutive seasons (2000-2005). We examined oseltamivir eligibility, which included patients 1 year of age or older with an influenza test result available within 48 hours of symptom onset. During the 2005-2006 season, an observational trial of an electronic reminder was conducted to improve the frequency of oseltamivir prescription. MEASUREMENTS Oseltamivir prescription. RESULTS Of 305 patients (32.8%) eligible for treatment with oseltamivir, 49 (16.1% of those eligible) were prescribed oseltamivir during hospitalization. Prescription rates for indications consistent with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval ("on label") increased from 0% to 37.2% over 5 seasons (P < 0.0001). Prescriptions outside this recommendation ("off label") also increased over 5 seasons (P < 0.0001). Twenty-nine (5%) of 624 patients were treated with oseltamivir off label; 11 were less than 1 year of age. Initiation of a reminder had no impact on prescription (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Oseltamivir was used infrequently for children hospitalized with influenza. In addition, use inconsistent with the FDA label of oseltamivir occurs. Mechanisms are needed to improve appropriate prescription of oseltamivir.
The interaction of the zone of calcified cartilage and subchondral bone in osteoarthritis

The zone of calcified cartilage (ZCC) forms an important interface between cartilage and bone for transmitting force, attaching cartilage to bone, and limiting diffusion from bone to the deeper layers of cartilage. The height of the ZCC is a relatively constant percent of articular cartilage and the height is maintained by a balance between progression of the tidemark into the unmineralized cartilage and changing into bone by vascular invasion and bony remodeling. During its formation, the cells that form the ZCC have properties similar to the cells of the growth plate. In the adult, the ZCC becomes quiescent but not inactive. The ZCC may be reactivated in osteoarthritis and may progressively calcify the unmineralized cartilage. This might contribute to cartilage thinning which would increase the concentration of forces across the uncalcified cartilage leading to more damage.
Research on Cascade Multilevel Inverter Based on FPGA Control

This paper introduces the single-phase H bridge inverter topology and working principle, and gives the way how to design the parameters of cascade multi-level inverter filter. Use FPGA to realize the cascade multi-level inverter by carrier phase-shift control. The circuit structure is simple and high reliability. At last, design a cascade 2H bridge inverter prototype to test it. The experimental result shows that the inverter can output stable voltage in the way that given control strategy. The inverter has a wide range of application value.