Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nrf2 responses and the therapeutic selectivity of electrophilic compounds in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Recent studies show that redox-active small molecules are selectively cytotoxic to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Although elevated levels of reactive oxygen species in CLL cells have been implicated, the molecular mechanism underlying this selectivity is unclear. In other cell types, the nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway regulates the oxidative stress response. We found elevated Nrf2 signaling in untreated CLL cells compared with normal lymphocytes. Therefore, we tested 27 known electrophilic and antioxidant compounds with drug-like properties and determined their CLL-selective cytotoxicity and effect on Nrf2 signaling. The selected compounds were from five distinct structural classes; α-β unsaturated carbonyls, isothiocyanates, sulfhydryl reactive metals, flavones, and polyphenols. Our results show that compounds containing α-β unsaturated carbonyls, sulfhydryl reactive metals, and isothiocyanates are strong activators of Nrf2 in a reporter assay system and in primary human CLL based on increased expression of the Nrf2 target heme oxygenase–1. α-β Unsaturated carbonyl–containing compounds were selectively cytotoxic to CLL, and loss of the α-β unsaturation abrogated Nrf2 activity and CLL toxicity. The α-β unsaturated carbonyl containing compounds ethacrynic acid and parthenolide activated Nrf2 in normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells, but had a less potent effect in CLL cells. Furthermore, ethacrynic acid bound directly to the Nrf2-negative regulator Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) in CLL cells. These experiments document the presence of Nrf2 signaling in human CLL and suggest that altered Nrf2 responses may contribute to the observed selective cytotoxicity of electrophilic compounds in this disease.
Regional analysis of hippocampal activation during memory encoding and retrieval: fMRI study

Investigators have recently begun to examine the differential role of subregions of the hippocampus in episodic memory. Two distinct models have gained prominence in the field. One model, outlined by Moser and Moser (Hippocampus 1998;8:608–619), based mainly on animal studies, has proposed that episodic memory is subserved by the posterior two‐thirds of the hippocampus alone. A second model, derived by Lepage et al. (Hippocampus 1998;8:313–322) from their review of 52 PET studies, has suggested that the anterior hippocampus is activated by memory encoding while the posterior hippocampus is activated by memory retrieval. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have tended to show limited activation in the anteriormost regions of the hippocampus, providing support for the Moser and Moser model. A potential confounding factor in these fMRI studies, however, is that susceptibility artifact may differentially reduce signal in the anterior versus the posterior hippocampus. In the present study, we examined activation differences between hippocampal subregions during encoding and retrieval of words and interpreted our findings within the context of these two models. We also examined the extent to which susceptibility artifact affects the analysis and interpretation of hippocampal activation by demonstrating its differential effect on the anterior versus the posterior hippocampus. Both voxel‐by‐voxel and region‐of‐interest analyses were conducted, allowing us to quantify differences between the anterior and posterior aspects of the hippocampus. We detected significant hippocampal activation in both the encoding and retrieval conditions. Our data do not provide evidence for regional anatomic differences in activation between encoding and retrieval. The data do suggest that, even after accounting for susceptibility artifact, both encoding and retrieval of verbal stimuli activate the middle and posterior hippocampus more strongly than the anterior hippocampus. Finally, this study is the first to quantify the effects of susceptibility‐induced signal loss on hippocampal activation and suggests that this artifact has significantly biased the interpretation of earlier fMRI studies. Hippocampus 2003;13:164–174. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Relative versus absolute risk of dying reduction after using insecticide‐treated nets for malaria control in Africa

Four recently completed large‐scale randomized controlled trials have assessed the impact of insecticide‐treated bednets and curtains on overall child mortality in Africa. These results have sparked numerous discussions among implementing agency representatives and researchers about the public health significance of the results. For the interpretation of impact, most of the arguments have been based on the observed decrease in protective efficacy (a relative measure of impact) with increasing malaria transmission (range: 14–29%, regression for trend: F = 245 on 1,2 DF, P < 0.003). However, an analysis of the absolute measure of impact (the risk difference) showed a different pattern. The impact ranges from 3.8 to 6.9 lives saved per 1000 children protected per year, without a significant trend (F = 2.8 on 1,2 DF, P = 0.2) and with equally high values in both low and high transmission sites. When assessing the public health importance of an intervention, both relative and absolute decrease in risk should be considered.
Atypical frontal-posterior synchronization of Theory of Mind regions in autism during mental state attribution

Abstract This study used fMRI to investigate the functioning of the Theory of Mind (ToM) cortical network in autism during the viewing of animations that in some conditions entailed the attribution of a mental state to animated geometric figures. At the cortical level, mentalizing (attribution of metal states) is underpinned by the coordination and integration of the components of the ToM network, which include the medial frontal gyrus, the anterior paracingulate, and the right temporoparietal junction. The pivotal new finding was a functional underconnectivity (a lower degree of synchronization) in autism, especially in the connections between frontal and posterior areas during the attribution of mental states. In addition, the frontal ToM regions activated less in participants with autism relative to control participants. In the autism group, an independent psychometric assessment of ToM ability and the activation in the right temporoparietal junction were reliably correlated. The results together provide new evidence for the biological basis of atypical processing of ToM in autism, implicating the underconnectivity between frontal regions and more posterior areas.
Spermine Block of the Strong Inward Rectifier Potassium Channel Kir2.1

Inward rectification in strong inward rectifiers such as Kir2.1 is attributed to voltage-dependent block by intracellular polyamines and Mg2+. Block by the polyamine spermine has a complex voltage dependence with shallow and steep components and complex concentration dependence. To understand the mechanism, we measured macroscopic Kir2.1 currents in excised inside-out giant patches from Xenopus oocytes expressing Kir2.1, and single channel currents in the inside-out patches from COS7 cells transfected with Kir2.1. We found that as spermine concentration or voltage increased, the shallow voltage-dependent component of spermine block at more negative voltages was caused by progressive reduction in the single channel current amplitude, without a decrease in open probability. We attributed this effect to spermine screening negative surface charges involving E224 and E299 near the inner vestibule of the channel, thereby reducing K ion permeation rate. This idea was further supported by experiments in which increasing ionic strength also decreased Kir2.1 single channel amplitude, and by mutagenesis experiments showing that this component of spermine block decreased when E224 and E299, but not D172, were neutralized. The steep voltage-dependent component of block at more depolarized voltages was attributed to spermine migrating deeper into the pore and causing fast open channel block. A quantitative model incorporating both features showed excellent agreement with the steady-state and kinetic data. In addition, this model accounts for previously described substate behavior induced by a variety of Kir2.1 channel blockers.
Major Caribbean and Central American frog faunas originated by ancient oceanic dispersal

Approximately one-half of all species of amphibians occur in the New World tropics, which includes South America, Middle America, and the West Indies. Of those, 27% (801 species) belong to a large assemblage, the eleutherodactyline frogs, which breed out of water and lay eggs that undergo direct development on land. Their wide distribution and mode of reproduction offer potential for resolving questions in evolution, ecology, and conservation. However, progress in all of these fields has been hindered by a poor understanding of their evolutionary relationships. As a result, most of the species have been placed in a single genus, Eleutherodactylus, which is the largest among vertebrates. Our DNA sequence analysis of a major fraction of eleutherodactyline diversity revealed three large radiations of species with unexpected geographic isolation: a South American Clade (393 sp.), a Caribbean Clade (171 sp.), and a Middle American Clade (111 sp.). Molecular clock analyses reject the prevailing hypothesis that these frogs arose from land connections with North and South America and their subsequent fragmentation in the Late Cretaceous (80–70 Mya). Origin by dispersal, probably over water from South America in the early Cenozoic (47–29 million years ago, Mya), is more likely.
Liquidity when it matters: QE and Tobin’s q

The model of credit-constrained investors developed by Kiyotaki and Moore is used to analyse 'unconventional monetary policy' actions taken in the US and UK. We make two contributions. The first is expositional--to show that their model of a liquidity crisis can be represented as a two-equation dynamic system in K (the aggregate capital stock) and q (Tobin's q, the price of capital goods) with saddle-point dynamics. This allows for an intuitive, graphical exposition of the issues and results. The second is to show how a liquidity crisis leads to a deep recession when the assumption of perfect wage and price flexibility is replaced by downwardly rigid wages and prices. As in Del Negro et al., we show how central bank policies to increase liquidity can ameliorate the recession: but we use our simplified model for the purpose. Further, we analyse how fiscal intervention can help combat recession. Copyright 2013 Oxford University Press 2013 All rights reserved, Oxford University Press.
A Review of Aflatoxin: Occurrence, Prevention, and Gaps in Both Food and Feed Safety

This review was conducted to investigate on Aflatoxin: occurrence, prevention, and gaps in both food and feed safety. Risk of aflatoxin contamination of commodities in the world, especially in Africa is increasing. Maize and grounds are the two crops mainly play an important role in the diets. The infection of these crops by aflatoxicogenic fungi and hence contamination with aflatoxin is generally higher. Consequently, the exposure of human and animals to this toxin is higher and cause huge health and economic problems. AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG1, AFM1 and AFM2 are the most common type of aflatoxin. Aflatoxin contamination of agricultural commodities poses considerable risk to human and livestock health and economic losses. Exposure of human to aflatoxin leads to several health-related conditions including acute and chronic aflatoxicosis, immune suppression, liver cancer, liver cirrhosis, stunted growth in children and many others. Aflatoxins are detected from several crops especially from maize and groundnut. Several researches show that AFB1 is the most common aflatoxin in the world from most commodities at a very much higher level. AFM1 was also detected greater than the standard from milk and milk products. This indicates that a lot of developing countries people are at danger of aflatoxin contamination. Lack of awareness on aflatoxin contamination increases the risk of damage to human and animals. High economic losses due to aflatoxin occur in the country crops and animals.
A remote-powered RFID tag with 10Mb/s UWB uplink and −18.5dBm sensitivity UHF downlink in 0.18µm CMOS

Wireless sensing and positioning are new added functions, highly demanded, in future and emerging RFID technology [1]. The data rate of existing passive RFID tags is limited to a few hundreds of kb/s causing large latency. On the other hand, the position accuracy is not better than 70cm [2]. In an advanced design, a 3.4Mb/s data rate has been achieved in proximity operation [3]. Active tags with a narrowband radio link overcome these weaknesses, but, they are battery powered and more expensive.
Convergence of a Multi-Agent Projected Stochastic Gradient Algorithm for Non-Convex Optimization

We introduce a new framework for the convergence analysis of a class of distributed constrained non-convex optimization algorithms in multi-agent systems. The aim is to search for local minimizers of a non-convex objective function which is supposed to be a sum of local utility functions of the agents. The algorithm under study consists of two steps: a local stochastic gradient descent at each agent and a gossip step that drives the network of agents to a consensus. Under the assumption of decreasing stepsize, it is proved that consensus is asymptotically achieved in the network and that the algorithm converges to the set of Karush-Kuhn-Tucker points. As an important feature, the algorithm does not require the double-stochasticity of the gossip matrices. It is in particular suitable for use in a natural broadcast scenario for which no feedback messages between agents are required. It is proved that our results also holds if the number of communications in the network per unit of time vanishes at moderate speed as time increases, allowing potential savings of the network's energy. Applications to power allocation in wireless ad-hoc networks are discussed. Finally, we provide numerical results which sustain our claims.
Risk factors for conjunctival and retinal vessel alterations in sickle cell disease.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to clarify whether the clinical, laboratory and genetic aspects of sickle cell disease (SCD) influence the occurrence of vessel alterations in the conjunctiva and retina. METHODS A total of 102 SCD patients underwent biomicroscopical and retinal examination, in addition to evaluations of haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (Ht) levels, fetal haemoglobin (HbF) estimations, serum creatinine and albuminuria levels, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) values, phenotypes, beta-globin gene haplotypes and alpha-thalassaemia. The relationship between ocular vessel alterations and clinical, laboratory and genetic features were evaluated using chi-squared or Fisher tests and logistic regression analysis. In 13 patients on enalapril treatment, a second ophthalmological evaluation was performed after a 12-month period to evaluate the longitudinal effect of the drug on ocular vessels. RESULTS Conjunctival vessel alteration (CVA) was not influenced by age, gender, HbF estimation, serum creatinine and albuminuria levels, GFR values, beta-globin gene haplotypes or alpha-thalassaemia. However, increased frequencies of CVA were found in patients with Hb </= 9.0 g/dl, Ht </= 26.7% and sickle cell anaemia (SS) phenotype. Retinal vessel alteration (RVA) was identified only in patients aged 17 years or older. Enalapril did not demonstrate ocular vessel amelioration after 12-months of daily use. CONCLUSION The results indicate that lower Hb and Ht levels and SS phenotype are risk factors for CVA, and age over 17 years may be risk factors for RVA in SCD patients.
Management of child and adolescent obesity: summary and recommendations based on reports from pediatricians, pediatric nurse practitioners, and registered dietitians.

Intensive, behavior-based weight loss programs for children have proved successful in clinical studies,1 but these approaches have not yet been translated to effective office care. In 1996, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health (NCEMCH) convened a committee of experts in childhood obesity to recommend the medical, emotional, and behavioral evaluations that should precede efforts to control weight, and appropriate intervention approaches shown to be successful in comprehensive behavior programs.2 Although the effectiveness of the recommendations has not yet been tested, they represent the best available guide for practice. Physicians, registered dietitians (RDs), and pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) care for more overweight patients now than they did several decades ago. Not all address the problem or evaluate and treat overweight children and adolescents in ways that are consistent with the expert recommendations. A review of current practices to identify those that commonly differ from recommendations will guide development of strategies to assist providers in following recommended practices. Potential interventions include education, removal of barriers in the health care system, and practical office aids such as body mass index (BMI) calculators or medical evaluation checklists. The assessment of needs to identify problem areas is the first step to improve provider practices. Research about the attitudes and practices of pediatric health care providers when they address obesity is sparse. Price et al3 found a high level of concern about obesity among members of the American Academy of Pediatrics. However, they focused primarily on treatment recommendations and did not seek information about medical, psychological, or emotional evaluation, or barriers to care. Other studies have assessed attitudes and practices of physicians of adult patients.4–6 …
Bio Efficacy Evaluation of Bentazone against Major Weeds of Rice Grown in Direct Seeded Condition of South Eastern Rajasthan, India

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is staple food of more than 60 % of world’s population and grown as a kharif cereal crop in South-Eastern Rajasthan. It is also grown in different agroecosystems and physical condition of soil. Cultivation of transplanted rice in different parts of India is most popular, but it is highly labour intensive and expansive method, requiring huge quantities of water for puddling, transplanting and establishment of rice seedling. Most of the farmers in southeastern Rajasthan are marginal and face many problems in carrying out these operations. Besides these unpredictable and insufficient monsoon rains greatly affect the rice productivity. Direct seeding in non-puddled condition eliminates the need of raising, maintaining and subsequent transplanting of seedlings. Direct-seeded rice crop is subjected to more weed competition for light, nutrient, water and space than transplanted rice. Hence, direct seeded rice, control of weeds is utmost important to reduce the weed competition and to enhance crop productivity. Yield reduction International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 8 Number 04 (2019) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
Time After Time: The Psychological Reality of the Ego- and Time-Reference-Point Distinction in Metaphorical Construals of Time

Research in cognitive linguistics and in processing of temporal metaphors has traditionally distinguished between Moving-Ego and Moving-Time mappings: Either the Ego is construed as moving regarding fixed temporal landmarks or Time is construed as moving regarding the Ego. Both of these metaphors involve time events in reference to an Ego, which specifies the present time Now.We build on recent theoretical suggestions for a more fundamental classification of temporal metaphors: Ego- and Time-Reference-Point metaphors (Ego-RP and Time-RP). The distinction focuses on the role of reference points in ascribing orientation, rather than on the identity of a moving entity (Ego or Time). Using visual priming experiments we provide evidence of the psychological reality of the Time-RP metaphor, a temporal metaphor with no reference to an Ego.
Shortening of human cell life span by induction of p16ink4a through the platelet‐derived growth factor receptor β

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are attracting a great deal of attention because they represent a valuable source of cells for use in regenerative medicine. In human cell culture it is important to obtain large numbers of cells for use in therapy. In this study, we attempted to prolong life span of a marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cell using a combination of growth factors and hormones. Furthermore we tested whether chemically defined culture conditions are sufficient for maintenance of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells. Epidermal growth factor, platelet‐derived growth factor‐BB (PDGF‐BB), acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF), basic FGF, and leukemia inhibitory factor were found to be key factors for the mesenchymal stem cell proliferation. The combination of these growth factors showed extremely strong mitogenic activity, and simultaneously induced the expression of cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor p16ink4a protein and premature senescence more rapidly than serum‐supported culture conditions. The induction of p16ink4a by growth factors was mediated through the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. Excess growth stimulation by growth factors was thus one of the culture stress signals and a trigger of premature senescence at least in human cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 221: 335–342, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of three specific spectra of LED light on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of Sida tomato

The LED artificial light has been widely applied for greenhouse and indoor plantation. The artificial light generates sole red per blue (R:B) light ratio during plant cultivation from seedling through the fruiting period. The aim of this study is to investigate the fruit quality and the yield of Sida tomatoes under three specific spectra of LED light at different R:B ratios in comparison with the tomato yield and fruit quality under sole R:B light ratio. The experiments were divided into two groups. The 1 st experimental group involved applying the LED light at R25:B75R for the seedling stage, R50:B50 for the vegetative growth, and R75:B25R for the fruit stage. The second experimental group involved applying the LED light at R63:B37 for the seedling, vegetative growth, and fruiting stages. Independent t-test was applied to determine the mean difference of the plant height, stem diameter, fruit yield, fruit weight, fruit size, and TSS. The experimental period was for 115 days. The results confirmed that the three specific spectra of LED light for each growth stage could promote the highest fruit weight, fruit yield, marketable fruit weight, and marketable fruit yield when compared to Sida tomatoes treated with one constant spectrum. Moreover, the level of total soluble sugar is also the highest. Sida tomatoes treated with three specific spectra of LED light has contributed to early and increased fruit yield. This method could be applied to produce high quality tomatoes and yield for the indoor plantation system.