Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sequencing and Phylogenetic Analysis of Human Genotype P[6] Rotavirus Strains Detected in Hungary Provides Evidence for Genetic Heterogeneity within the P[6] VP4 Gene

ABSTRACT Although rotavirus genotype P[6] is one of the three most common VP4 specificities associated with human infection, the relatively few sequence data available in public databases suggest that the genetic variability within P[6] might be presently unexplored. Thus far, two human P[6] lineages (M37-like and AU19-like) and a single porcine P[6] lineage (Gottfried-like) have been identified by phylogenetic analysis. Serologic studies demonstrated that these three lineages are antigenically distinct from each other, a finding based on which they were classified into three subtypes, P2A[6] (M37-like), P2B[6] (Gottfried-like), and P2C[6] (AU19-like). To study heterogeneity within this genotype, we selected for molecular characterization a total of six P[6] strains detected during an ongoing surveillance in Hungary. The variable region of the VP4 gene was subjected to sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Our data indicated that these six strains fell into two phylogenetic lineages distinguishable from the human lineages M37-like and AU19-like and from the porcine lineage Gottfried-like. Further studies are needed to understand whether these two novel lineages are genuine human strains or might have originated from animal strains and to evaluate the antigenic relationship of the novel Hungarian P[6] strains to the three established subtypes.
The 2.1 A structure of a cysteine protease with proline specificity from ginger rhizome, Zingiber officinale.

A cysteine protease from ginger rhizome (GP-II) cleaves peptides and proteins with proline at the P(2) position. The unusual specificity for proline makes GP-II an attractive tool for protein sequencing and identification of stably folded domains in proteins. The enzyme is a 221 amino acid glycoprotein possessing two N-linked oligosaccharide chains (8% glycosylated by weight) at Asn99 and Asn156. The availability of the sequence of these glycosyl chains afforded the opportunity to observe their structure and impact on protein conformation. The three-dimensional structure of GP-II has been determined by X-ray crystallography to a resolution of 2.1 A (overall R-factor = 0.214, free R = 0.248). The overall structure of GP-II is similar to that of the homologous cysteine proteases papain, actinidin, and glycyl endopeptidase, folding into two distinct domains of roughly equal size which are divided by a cleft. The observed N-linked glycosyl chains (half the total carbohydrate sequence) participate in both crystallographic and noncrystallographic contacts, tethering the proteins together via hydrogen bonds to the carbohydrate residues without intervening ordered water molecules. The putative S(2) binding pocket (the proline recognition site) was identified by superposition of the GP-II structure with structures of four previously determined papain-inhibitor complexes. The particular enzymic amino acids forming the S(2) pocket of GP-II (Trp, Met, and Ala) are similar to those found in the proline binding pockets of the unrelated enzymes alpha-lytic protease and cyclophilin. However, there is no conserved three-dimensional arrangement of these residues between the three enzymes (i.e., no proline binding motif). Thus, the particular amino acids found at S(2) are consistent with a binding pocket for a moiety with the steric characteristics and charge distribution of proline. Size exclusion is also a mechanism for selectivity compared to the S(2) binding pocket of papain. The S(2) binding pocket of GP-II greatly restricts the size of the side chain which could be bound because of the occurrence of a tryptophan in place of the corresponding tyrosine in papain. In light of the nature of the binding pocket, the specificity of GP-II for proline over other small nonpolar amino acids may be attributed to a direct effect of proline on the substrate peptide backbone conformation.
The Production of Hemicellulases by Aerobic Fungi on Medium Containing Residues of Banana Plant as Substrate

Trichoderma harzianum strains T4 and T6, Acrophialophora nainiana, and Humicola grisea var. thermoidea were screened for their ability to produce carbohydrate‐degrading enzyme activities in a medium containing banana plant residue as the carbon source. The best balance of enzyme activities was obtained from cultures of H. grisea var. thermoidea. Xylanase activity from crude extract of A. nainiana had a maximum activity at pH 5.5−7.0 and a temperature range of 50−55 °C. It was stable up to 55 °C at pH 7.0 for at least 2 h. The fungi were also able to produce xylanase and pectinase activities when grown on extractives as substrate.
Electrical properties associated with wide intercellular clefts in rabbit Purkinje fibres.

1. Rabbit Purkinje fibres were studied using micro‐electrode recordings of electrical activity or a two‐micro‐electrode voltage clamp. Previous morphological work had suggested that these preparations offer structural advantages for the analysis of ionic permeability mechanisms. 2. Viable preparations could be obtained consistently by exposure to a K glutamate Tyrode solution during excision and recovery. In NaCl Tyrode solution, the action potential showed a large overshoot and fully developed plateau, but no pacemaker depolarization at negative potentials. 3. The passive electrical properties were consistent with morphological evidence for the accessibility of cleft membranes within the cell bundle. Electrotonic responses to intracellular current steps showed the behaviour expected for a simple leaky capacitative cable. Capacitative current transients under voltage clamp were changed very little by an eightfold reduction in the external solution conductivity. 4. Slow current changes attributable to K depletion were small compared to those found in other cardiac preparations. The amount of depletion was close to that predicted by a cleft model which assumed free K diffusion in 1 micron clefts. 5. Step depolarizations over the plateau range of potentials evoked a slow inward current which was resistant to tetrodotoxin but blocked by D600. 6. Strong depolarizations to potentials near 0 mV elicited a transient outward current and a slowly activating late outward current. Both components resembled currents found in sheep or calf Purkinje fibres. 7. These experiments support previous interpretations of slow plateau currents in terms of genuine permeability changes. The rabbit Purkinje fibre may allow various ionic channels to be studied with relatively little interference from radial non‐uniformities in membrane potential or ion concentration.
The Stock Price Performance of Spin-Off Subsidiaries, Their Parents, and the Spin-Off ETF, 2001–2013

This article documents the stock price performance of subsidiaries spun off by their corporate parents and of the parents that spun them off from 2001 to 2013. In doing so, it updates earlier studies that report excess returns for both parents and subsidiaries. The authors find that subsidiaries substantially outperformed reasonable benchmarks; parents did so as well, but by a much smaller margin. Further, a portfolio that buys all subsidiaries outperformed the Spin-Off Exchange-traded Fund, which itself outperformed the value-weighted market index. Spun-off subsidiaries and their parents have achieved superior returns over the most recent 13 years, as well as with superior returns over the previous 35 years, as documented by prior studies.
CCR3-Blocking Antibody Inhibits Allergen-Induced Eosinophil Recruitment in Human Skin Xenografts from Allergic Patients

Eosinophil, basophil, and T helper 2 (TH2) cell recruitment into tissues is a characteristic feature of allergic diseases. These cells have in common the expression of the chemokine receptor CCR3, which may represent a specific pathway for their accumulation in vivo. Although animal models of allergic reactions are available, findings cannot always be extrapolated to man. To overcome these limitations, we have developed a humanized mouse model of allergic cutaneous reaction using severe combined immunodeficiency mice engrafted with skin and autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells from allergic donors. Intradermal injection of the relevant allergen into human skin xenografts from allergic individuals induced a significant recruitment of human CD4+ T cells, basophils, and TH2-type cytokine mRNA-expressing cells, as well as murine eosinophils. Human skin xenografts, atopic status, and autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cell reconstitution were all mandatory to induce the allergic reaction. Next, we addressed the role of CCR3 in the endogenous mechanisms involved in the inflammatory cell recruitment in this experimental model of allergic cutaneous reaction. In vivo administration of an anti-human CCR3-blocking antibody selectively reduced accumulation of eosinophils but not that of CD4+ cells, basophils, or cells expressing mRNA for TH2-type cytokines. These findings establish a new in vivo model of humanized allergic reaction and suggest that eosinophil migration is mediated mainly through CCR3. Finally, these results suggest that this model might be useful to test human-specific antiallergic modulators.
The use of Haemostatic Agents in Urology

Intra- and post-operative bleedings are frequent complications of all surgical procedures and can represent a severe risk for patients. Beginning from the second half of the 20th century, with an important spur from the development of laparoscopy, great efforts were made in the field of surgical research, aiming at improving hemostatic techniques. The development of mechanical and thermic hemostatic devices, in addition to the improvement of new suturing materials, already improved the possibility of bleeding control; yet a very important contribution in this field has been represented by the introduction in the surgical setting of chemical/biological agents capable of empowering locally blood hemostatic capacity. Currently, there are more chemical hemostatic agents surgeons can make use of in order to minimize bleedings: we reviewed the most important classes, considered their advantages, disadvantages and risks, and tried to look forward to those that will offer, in our view, the best options - for surgeons and patients - for an efficient and safe prevention and control of surgical bleedings, either in open or minimally invasive surgery.
Characteristics of proliferative glomerulo-nephritis with monoclonal IgG deposits associated with membranoproliferative features.

BACKGROUND Proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal IgG deposits (PGNMID) associated with membranoproliferative features is an extremely rare entity. Information on clinicopathological features and prognosis in this entity is limited. METHODS We reviewed 5,443 renal biopsies processed at our department, and identified 4 patients with PGNMID associated with membranoproliferative features. We evaluated clinicopathological features and outcomes in these patients, and characterized paraprotein deposits by immunofluorescence studies. RESULTS Three out of 4 patients had nephrotic syndrome with renal insufficiency at presentation. Cryoglobulin or monoclonal protein in serum and urine was not detected. Renal biopsy showed membranoproliferative features with or without nodular formation. Tubulointerstitial and vascular alterations were mild in three patients. All patients had glomerular IgG-kappa deposits. Heavy chain subclass analysis performed in 3 patients showed IgG3 deposits. Immunofluorescence studies using antibodies specific for gamma-heavy chain C(H)1, C(H)2, and C(H)3 domains and gamma3 hinge did not show any apparent deletion. Confocal microscopy revealed glomerular colocalization of light and heavy chains. On electron microscopy, granular deposits were predominantly mesangial and subendothelial. All patients were treated with steroids and cytotoxic agents, but no effect on proteinuria was observed. The renal outcome was progressive in all patients. Early death was observed in two elder patients. No patient had overt myeloma or lymphoma at presentation or over the course of follow-up (mean 43 months). CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests a predominance of IgG3-kappa glomerular deposits of nondeleted whole immunoglobulin molecules in PGNMID associated with membranoproliferative features. The clinical outcome in patients with this entity appears to be poor.
Wireless Capsule Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: Direction-of-Arrival Estimation Based Localization Survey

One of the significant challenges in capsule endoscopy (CE) is to precisely determine the pathologies location. The localization process is primarily estimated using the received signal strength (RSS) from sensors in the capsule system through its movement in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Consequently, the wireless CE (WCE) system requires improvement to handle the lack of the capsule instantaneous localization information and to solve the relatively low transmission data rate challenges. Furthermore, the association among the capsule's transmitter position, capsule location, signal reduction, and the capsule direction should be assessed. These measurements deliver significant information for the instantaneous capsule localization systems based on time-of-arrival approach, phase difference of arrival, RSS, electromagnetic, direction of arrival (DOA), and video tracking approaches are developed to locate the WCE precisely. This review introduces the acquisition concept of the GI medical images using the endoscopy with a comprehensive description of the endoscopy system components. Capsule localization and tracking are considered to be the most important features of the WCE system, thus this paper emphasizes the most common localization systems generally, highlighting the DOA-based localization systems and discusses the required significant research challenges to be addressed.
[The pattern of nuclear factor-kappaB activation in rats with endotoxin shock and its role in biopterin-mediated nitric oxide induction].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the pattern of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation in rats with lipopolysaccharide( LPS) shock, and to explore the mechanism of NF-kappaB signal pathway in the biopterin-mediated nitric oxide(NO) induction, as well as its role in the development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome ( MODS) secondary to endotoxin challenge. METHODS Fourty-seven male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group ( C, n = 8) , LPS group ( n = 24, with 8 rats at each time-points, and shock model was made by injection of same dosage of LPS) , and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) treatment group ( PDTC, n = 15, with 5 rats at each time-points, and the rats were injected with LPS and PDTC). The rats were sacrificed at 2,6,12 post-injection hour( PIH) , and the blood and tissue samples from liver, lungs and kidneys were harvested for the determination of NF-KB activity, GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTP-CH I ) , and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression in the liver, lungs and kidneys, plasma and tissue content of biopterin and NO, as well as hepatic and renal function, and pulmonary myeloperoxidase activity. RESULTS NF-kappaB DNA binding activity in LPS group was rapidly enhanced in liver, lungs and kidneys after endotoxin challenge when compared with that in controls (e. g. in pulmonary tissue it was 26+/-6) , and it reached the peak at 2 PIH, which was 291 +/-44 in pulmonary tissue( P <0. 01). GTP-CH I mRNA expression and biopterin levels in the liver, lung and kidney of each group were obviously higher than those in control group( P <0.05 or 0.01) , and it maintained at high levels at 12 PIH. Additionally, different degrees of dysfunction of the above mentioned organs was observed. Treatment with PDTC, an inhibitor of NF-KB signal transduction pathway, could reduce NF-kappaB DNA binding activity, inhibit GTP-CH I and iNOS/NO mRNA expression, as well as BH4, and NO levels in various tissues. Meanwhile the multiple organ damage was significantly ameliorated by PDTC pretreatment. CONCLUSION Endotoxin challenge can rapidly lead to activation of NF-kappaB in various tissues, and NF-KB pathway might markedly up-regulate the production of biopterin/NO following endotoxic shock. Inhibition of NF-kappaB pathway attenuates inflammatory response and ameliorates multiple organ dysfunction, which might be associated with its down-regulation of the excessive activation of iNOS mediated by biopterin.
The Political Economy of Agricultural Commercialisation in Ethiopia: Discourses, Actors and Structural Impediments

This brief is based on a longer study1, which examines the political economy of agricultural commercialisation in Ethiopia, by analysing the changing political landscape and electoral trends spanning the past three decades. It gives an overview of the emphasis placed on agriculture, and the promotion of agricultural commercialisation, across Ethiopia’s past three regimes: imperial, military, and the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).
Variance swaps valuation under non-affine GARCH models and their diffusion limits

In this article, we investigate the pricing and convergence of general non-affine non-Gaussian GARCH-based discretely sampled variance swaps. Explicit solutions for fair strike prices under two different sampling schemes are derived using the extended Girsanov principle as the pricing kernel candidate. Following standard assumptions on time-varying GARCH parameters, we show that these quantities converge respectively to fair strikes of discretely and continuously sampled variance swaps that are constructed based on the weak diffusion limit of the underlying GARCH model. An empirical study which relies on a joint estimation using both historical returns and VIX data indicates that an asymmetric heavier tailed distribution is more appropriate for modelling the GARCH innovations. Finally, we provide several numerical exercises to support our theoretical convergence results in which we further investigate the effect of the quadratic variation approximation for the realized variance, as well as the impact of discrete versus continuous-time modelling of asset returns.
BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS SEROVARIETY ISRAELENSIS AND BACILLUS SPHAERICUS FOR MOSQUITO CONTROL

ABSTRACT Since the discovery of Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) serovariety israelensis de Barjac (Bti) and efficacious isolates of Bacillus sphaericus Neide, formulations of these bacteria have become the predominant non-chemical means employed for control of mosquito larvae at several locations in the United States and other countries. An overview of developments in the past 20 years is presented in this chapter regarding the toxins of Bti and B. sphaericus, their modes of action, efficacy and factors that affect larvicidal activity, development of resistance, safety, and their roles in integrated mosquito control. The efficacy of Bti formulations has been demonstrated in a variety of habitats against a multitude of species of mosquitoes. B. sphaericus formulations have been utilized predominantly in organically enriched habitats against Culex species, but they are also active in a variety of habitats having low organic enrichment, against numerous species, and across several genera. Stegomyia spp. are not susceptible to practical doses of B. sphaericus formulations. B. sphaericus has been shown to persist longer than Bti in polluted habitats and, under certain circumstances, can recycle in larval cadavers. A disadvantage of B. sphaericus has been the development of resistance in certain populations of Cx. quinquefasciatus Say and Cx. pipiens Linnaeus. Biotic and abiotic factors that influence the larvicidal activity of Bti and B. sphaericus include species of mosquito and their respective feeding strategies, rate of ingestion, age and density of larvae, habitat factors (temperature, solar radiation, depth of water, turbidity, tannin and organic content, presence of vegetation, etc.), formulation factors (type of formulation, toxin content, how effectively the material reaches the target, and settling rate), storage conditions, production factors, means of application and frequency of treatments. Due to their efficacy and relative specificity, both Bti and B. sphaericus can be ideal control agents in integrated programs especially where other biological control agents, environmental management, personal protection and the judicious use of insecticides are combined.
A Novel Approach towards Medical Entity Recognition in Chinese Clinical Text

Medical entity recognition, a basic task in the language processing of clinical data, has been extensively studied in analyzing admission notes in alphabetic languages such as English. However, much less work has been done on nonstructural texts that are written in Chinese, or in the setting of differentiation of Chinese drug names between traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine. Here, we propose a novel cascade-type Chinese medication entity recognition approach that aims at integrating the sentence category classifier from a support vector machine and the conditional random field-based medication entity recognition. We hypothesized that this approach could avoid the side effects of abundant negative samples and improve the performance of the named entity recognition from admission notes written in Chinese. Therefore, we applied this approach to a test set of 324 Chinese-written admission notes with manual annotation by medical experts. Our data demonstrated that this approach had a score of 94.2% in precision, 92.8% in recall, and 93.5% in F-measure for the recognition of traditional Chinese medicine drug names and 91.2% in precision, 92.6% in recall, and 91.7% F-measure for the recognition of Western medicine drug names. The differences in F-measure were significant compared with those in the baseline systems.
Influence of Molecular Gases on the Lasing on the Self-Terminating $He~\left(2^{1}P_{1}^{0}-2^{1}S_{0}\right)$ Transition

Excitation with single and dual electron-beam pulses was used to investigate into the lasing on the self-terminating <i>He</i> (2<sup>1</sup><i>P</i><sub>1</sub><sup>0</sup>-2<sup>1</sup><i>S</i><sub>0</sub>) transition in mixtures of helium with various molecules. In pure helium the maximum lasing duration was found to be equal to 50 ns, this time being fairly well coincident with the calculated lasing duration. Restoration of lasing in the second pulse was observed following a time Δ<i>t</i><sub>min</sub> >; 1.25 μs. Foreign molecular species admixed to helium enhance the relaxation rate of the metastable He(2<sup>1</sup><i>S</i><sub>0</sub>) state, thus making the time Δ<i>tmin</i> shorter until the pulses finally merge together. In the mixtures of helium with <i>NH</i><sub>3</sub> and <i>H</i><sub>2</sub><i>O</i> excited with 650-ns electron-beam pulses, the lasing duration of 600 ns was observed. Such duration indicates realization of a collisional quasi-continuous lasing mode.