Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of an Increase in Inotropic State and End‐Diastolic Volume on the Pumping Ability of the Feline Left Heart

In isolated ejecting cat hearts, the pumping ability of the left heart was described quantitatively by the relationship between mean left ventricular pressure and mean left ventricular output. This relationship was determined by making the heart eject against a series of different loads on a beat-to-beat basis. Left ventricular mean pressure-mean output relationships of control and potentiated beats (at the same end-diastolic pressure) have a common intercept on the output axis but diverge toward the pressure axis. When the mean pressure values of the potentiated beats in a given experiment are multiplied by a single factor, superposition of the two relationships is obtained. A change in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure caused a more parallel shift of the left ventricular mean pressure-mean output relationship. Here, superposition could be obtained by using one multiplication factor for the mean pressure data and one for the mean output data of the relationship found after the change in end-diastolic pressure. We concluded that, using the left ventricular mean pressure-mean output relationship, changes in cardiac pumping ability caused by given changes in inotropic state and ventricular end-diastolic volume can be quantified by one or two multiplication factors, respectively.
Nonparametric Identification of Population Models: An MCMC Approach

The paper deals with the nonparametric identification of population models, that is models that explain jointly the behavior of different subjects drawn from a population, e.g., responses of different patients to a drug. The average response of the population and the individual responses are modeled as continuous-time Gaussian processes with unknown hyperparameters. Within a Bayesian paradigm, the posterior expectation and variance of both the average and individual curves are computed by means of a Markov Chain Monte Carlo scheme. The model and the estimation procedure are tested on both simulated and experimental pharmacokinetic data.
Influence of Deoxyribonucleic Acid Degradation Products and Orthophosphate on Deoxynucleotide Kinase Activity and Deoxyribonucleic Acid Synthesis in Pneumococcus Type III

Firshein, William (Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn.). Influence of deoxyribonucleic acid degradation products and orthophosphate on deoxynucleotide kinase activity and deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in pneumococcus type III. J. Bacteriol. 90:327–336. 1965. —An oligodeoxynucleotide fraction derived from a deoxyribonuclease-treated calf-thymus deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) can enhance the activity of deoxycytidylic acid (dCMP) and deoxyguanylic acid (dGMP) kinases in cell suspensions of type III pneumococci. High levels of orthophosphate can produce similar effects. For part of the incubation period, the activity of dCMP and dGMP kinases is very low or undetectable in unsupplemented-cell suspensions of pneumococci. In contrast, the remaining kinases, deoxyadenylic acid and thymidylic acid, which are present in ample amounts in control and supplemented cells throughout the incubation period, are unaffected by the addition of oligodeoxynucleotides and orthophosphate. The stimulation of kinase activity is amino acid-dependent and can be abolished by adding chloramphenicol. When the oligodeoxynucleotide fraction and orthophosphate are further supplemented with all eight of the naturally occurring deoxynucleosides and deoxynucleotides (which do not affect kinase activity), a preferential enhancement of DNA synthesis occurs in comparison with cell growth or protein synthesis. Addition of deoxynucleosides and deoxynucleotides to unsupplemented cells produces only a slight increase in DNA synthesis. The preferential enhancement of DNA synthesis can be prevented by adding chloramphenicol at a certain time during incubation.
Agrobacterium‐Mediated Genetic Transformation of Switchgrass

Although Agrobacterium tumefaciens has been successfully used to transfer genes to a wide range of plant species, it has received little attention for transformation of forage grasses. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to demonstrate Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). The A. tumefaciens strain AGL 1 carrying the binary vector pDM805, coding for the phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (bar) and β-glucuronidase (gus) genes, was utilized in these experiments. Somatic embryos, embryogenic calluses, mature caryopses, and plantlet segments served as target tissues for infection. Treated cultures were selected in the presence of 10 mg L -1 bialaphos and the resultant plantlets were treated with the herbicide Basta [monoammonium 2-amino-4(hydroxymethylphosphinyl)butanoate]. T-DNA delivery efficiency was affected by genotype, explant used and the presence or absence of acetosyringone (3',5'-dimethoxy-4'-hydroxyacetophenone) during inoculation and cocultivation. Approximately 600 transgenic plants were produced, and transformation efficiencies ranged from 0 to nearly 100%. Stable integration, expression, and inheritance of both transgenes were confirmed by molecular and genetic analyses. Approximately 90% of the tested plants appeared to have only one or two copies of the T-DNA inserts. Controlled crosses between To and nontransgenic 'Alamo' plants indicated the expected ratio of 1:1 (transgenic:nontransgenic) in T 1 plants for both transgenes according to a X 2 test at P = 0.05. These results indicate that the Agrobacterium method is effective for transferring foreign genes into switchgrass.
Coronary Artery Disease and Cardiac Events With Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Cerebrovascular Disease

Background and Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of coronary artery disease and coronary events during follow-up in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis, transient ischemic attacks, or small strokes. Methods We prospectively studied 60 consecutive patients with thallium-201 scintigraphy followed by coronary arteriography according to an established protocol. Results The 201TI testing was abnormal in seven of 15 patients (47%) with asymptomatic carotid stenosis and in 19 of 44 patients (43%) with transient ischemic attacks or small strokes (p>0.05). In 33 patients with no history of coronary artery disease, 11 (33%) had reversible 201TI defects. In 26 patients with a history of coronary artery disease, 15 (58%) had reversible and/or fixed defects (p=0.054 compared with patients with no history). A history of peripheral vascular disease was the only risk factor significantly associated with an abnormal 201TI test (p=0.032). Coronary artery stenosis of greater than 50% was identified in one or more vessels in 14 of 15 patients undergoing coronary arteriography. Over a mean follow-up period of 311 days, four patients (7%) developed new onset of angina. There were four coronary events among 14 patients (29%) with both a reversible area on the 201TI and abnormal coronary arteriography. In comparison, there were only four coronary events among 46 patients (9%) without reversible defects on the 201TI studies (p=0.055). Conclusions Our study demonstrates that one third of patients with no history of coronary artery disease had an abnormal 201TI test and that nearly one half of patients with either symptomatic or asymptomatic cerebrovascular disease had abnormal 201TI tests. Patients with a reversible 201TI defect and significant stenosis by coronary arteriography were at higher risk for subsequent cardiac events. These findings demonstrate the utility of screening patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic cerebrovascular disease for cardiac disease.
Synthesis, Structure and Cytotoxic Activity of New Acetylenic Derivatives of Betulin

A new series of betulin derivatives containing one or two pharmacophores bearing an acetylenic and carbonyl function at the C-3 and/or C-28 positions has been synthesized and characterized by 1H- and 13C-NMR, IR, MS and elemental analyses. The crystal structure of 28-O-propynoylbetulin was determined by X-ray structural analysis. All new compounds, as well as betulin, were tested in vitro for their antiproliferative activity against human SW707 colorectal, CCRF/CEM leukemia, T47D breast cancer, and against murine P388 leukemia and Balb3T3 normal fibroblasts cell lines. Most of the compounds showed better cytotoxicity than betulin and cisplatin used as reference agent. 28-O-Propynoylbetulin was the most potent derivative, being over 500 times more potent than betulin and about 100 times more cytotoxic than cisplatin against the human leukemia (CCRF/CEM) cell line, with an ID50 value of 0.02 μg/mL.
The distribution of genetic variance across phenotypic space and the response to selection

The role of adaptation in biological invasions will depend on the availability of genetic variation for traits under selection in the new environment. Although genetic variation is present for most traits in most populations, selection is expected to act on combinations of traits, not individual traits in isolation. The distribution of genetic variance across trait combinations can be characterized by the empirical spectral distribution of the genetic variance–covariance (G) matrix. Empirical spectral distributions of G from a range of trait types and taxa all exhibit a characteristic shape; some trait combinations have large levels of genetic variance, while others have very little genetic variance. In this study, we review what is known about the empirical spectral distribution of G and show how it predicts the response to selection across phenotypic space. In particular, trait combinations that form a nearly null genetic subspace with little genetic variance respond only inconsistently to selection. We go on to set out a framework for understanding how the empirical spectral distribution of G may differ from the random expectations that have been developed under random matrix theory (RMT). Using a data set containing a large number of gene expression traits, we illustrate how hypotheses concerning the distribution of multivariate genetic variance can be tested using RMT methods. We suggest that the relative alignment between novel selection pressures during invasion and the nearly null genetic subspace is likely to be an important component of the success or failure of invasion, and for the likelihood of rapid adaptation in small populations in general.
Inhibition of Cytokine-Induced Microvascular Arrest of Tumor Cells by Recombinant Endostatin Prevents Experimental Hepatic Melanoma Metastasis

We investigated effects of endostatin (ES) in the prometastatic microenvironment of inflammation occurring during the microvascular phase of cancer cell infiltration in the liver. We used a model of intrasplenic injection of B16 melanoma (B16M) cells leading to hepatic metastasis through vascular cell adhesion molecule-(VCAM-1)-mediated capillary arrest of cancer cells via interleukin-18 (IL-18)-dependent mechanism. We show that administration of 50 mg/kg recombinant human (rh) ES 30 min before B16M, plus repetition of same dose for 3 additional days decreased metastasis number by 60%. A single dose of rhES before B16M injection reduced hepatic microvascular retention of luciferase-transfected B16M by 40% and inhibited hepatic production of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and IL-18 and VCAM-1 expression by hepatic sinusoidal endothelia (HSE). Consistent with these data, rhES inhibited VCAM-1-dependent B16M cell adhesion to primary cultured HSE receiving B16M conditioned medium, and it abolished the HSE cell production of TNF-α and IL-18 induced by tumor-derived vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF). rhES abrogated recombinant murine VEGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of KDR/flk-1 receptor in HSE cells, preventing the proinflammatory action of tumor-derived VEGF on HSE. rhES also abolished hepatic production of TNF-α, microvascular retention of luciferase-transfected B16M, and adhesion of B16M cells to isolated HSE cells, all of them induced in mice given 5 μg/kg recombinant murine VEGF for 18 h. This capillary inflammation-deactivating capability constitutes a nonantiangiogenic antitumoral action of endostatin that decreases cancer cell arrest within liver microvasculature and prevents metastases promoted by proinflammatory cytokines induced by VEGF.
Simultaneous Extraction and Depolymerization of Fucoidan from Sargassum muticum in Aqueous Media

The biomass components of the invasive seaweed Sargassum muticum were fractionated to allow their separate valorization. S. muticum (Sm) and the solid residue remaining after alginate extraction of this seaweed (AESm) were processed with hot, compressed water (hydrothermal processing) to assess the effects of temperature on fucoidan solubilization. Fucose-containing oligosaccharides were identified as reaction products. Operating under optimal conditions (170 °C), up to 62 and 85 wt% of the dry mass of Sm and AESm were solubilized, respectively. The reaction media were subjected to precipitation, nanofiltration and freeze-drying. The dried products contained 50% and 85% of the fucoidan present in Sm and AESm, respectively; together with other components such as phenolics and inorganic components. The saccharidic fraction, accounting for up to 35% of the dried extracts, contained fucose as the main sugar, and also galactose, xylose, glucose and mannose. The concentrates were characterized for antioxidant activity using the TEAC assay.
A 32×32 50ps resolution 10 bit time to digital converter array in 130nm CMOS for time correlated imaging

We report the design and characterisation of a 32×32 time to digital (TDC) converter plus single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) pixel array implemented in a 130nm imaging process. Based on a gated ring oscillator approach, the 10 bit, 50µm pitch TDC array exhibits a minimum time resolution of 50ps, with accuracy of ±0.5 LSB DNL and 2.4 LSB INL. Process, voltage and temperature compensation (PVT) is achieved by locking the array to a stable external clock. The resulting time correlated pixel array is a viable candidate for single photon counting (TCSPC) applications such as fluorescent lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), nuclear or 3D imaging and permits scaling to larger array formats.
Long-run economic growth: An interdisciplinary approach

Economic growth and development is a complicated process that falls into the domain of many disciplines in social sciences and humanities. It is natural then to study fundamental aspects of economic growth synthesizing research in relevant fields. In this short paper, we argue that this has rarely been the case in the economic growth literature. We briefly discuss past growth theories and empirics, and present a broad framework to compare and evaluate work on economic growth from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Horizontal Gene Transfer of PIB-Type ATPases among Bacteria Isolated from Radionuclide- and Metal-Contaminated Subsurface Soils

ABSTRACT Aerobic heterotrophs were isolated from subsurface soil samples obtained from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Field Research Center (FRC) located at Oak Ridge, Tenn. The FRC represents a unique, extreme environment consisting of highly acidic soils with cooccurring heavy metals, radionuclides, and high nitrate concentrations. Four hundred isolates obtained from contaminated soil were assayed for heavy metal resistance, and a smaller subset was assayed for tolerance to uranium. The vast majority of the isolates were gram-positive bacteria and belonged to the high-G+C- and low-G+C-content genera Arthrobacter and Bacillus, respectively. Genomic DNA from a randomly chosen subset of 50 Pb-resistant (Pbr) isolates was amplified with PCR primers specific for PIB-type ATPases (i.e., pbrA/cadA/zntA). A total of 10 pbrA/cadA/zntA loci exhibited evidence of acquisition by horizontal gene transfer. A remarkable dissemination of the horizontally acquired PIB-type ATPases was supported by unusual DNA base compositions and phylogenetic incongruence. Numerous Pbr PIB-type ATPase-positive FRC isolates belonging to the genus Arthrobacter tolerated toxic concentrations of soluble U(VI) (UO22+) at pH 4. These unrelated, yet synergistic, physiological traits observed in Arthrobacter isolates residing in the contaminated FRC subsurface may contribute to the survival of the organisms in such an extreme environment. This study is, to the best of our knowledge, the first study to report broad horizontal transfer of PIB-type ATPases in contaminated subsurface soils and is among the first studies to report uranium tolerance of aerobic heterotrophs obtained from the acidic subsurface at the DOE FRC.
Potentiation by hydrocortisone of responses to catecholamines in vascular smooth muscle.

Potentiation by hydrocortisone (HC) of responses to catecholamines has been studied in the dog and in the aortic strip preparation. The site of the potentiating action of HC is at the adrenergic receptor level. This conclusion is supported by the observations that potentiation was obtained for both the alpha and beta adrenergic effects of catecholamines in vivo and in vitro . The failure to demonstrate potentiation by HC of the aortic strip responses produced by agents other than catecholamines (with one exception, synephrine) indicates that there is considerable specificity in the action of HC. The observation that potentiation was obtained in reserpine-treated tissues both with and without cocaine indicates that the action of HC is not dependent upon the integrity of the endogenous catecholamine stores. Evidence was not found for a direct relationship between the potentiating action of HC and membrane depolarization or the availability of extracellular calcium for the muscle response produced by a stimulating agent. It is suggested that HC increases the affinity of the catecholamine or possibly its p-hydroxy analog for the adrenergic receptor by modifying the interaction of the p -hydroxyl group in the molecule with the receptor.
A controlled Nordic multicentre study of zuclopenthixol acetate in oil solution, haloperidol and zuclopenthixol in the treatment of acute psychosis

Zuclopenthixol acetate—a new injectable formulation with a duration of action of 2–3 days—was compared with conventional intramuscular and oral formulations of haloperidol and zuclopenthixol in the initial treatment of acutely disturbed, psychotic patients. The patients were stratified into 3 diagnostic categories: acute psychoses (48 patients), mania (22 patients), and exacerbation of chronic psychoses (73 patients). The patients were rated on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Bech‐Rafaelsen Mania Rating Scale (brmas) (only manic patients) and globally on the Clinical Global Impression (CGI). The study was an open, randomized multicentre trial with a 6‐day treatment period. The zuclopenthixol acetate patients received 1–4 doses, the haloperidol patients 1–26 and the zuclopenthixol patients 1–22 doses. The assessments on the CGI showed that all 3 treatments caused a clear reduction of the severity of illness scores in all 3 diagnostic categories, with no differences between treatments. The ratings of the acute and chronic psychotic patients on the BPRS also showed significant reductions in scores with no differences between treatments. All 3 treatments caused a rapid remission of symptoms on the BRMAS. Haloperidol induced hypokinesia in significantly more patients than zuclopenthixol acetate after 24 h. Later there were no significant differences between treatments. Zuclopenthixol acetate fulfils many desires for an amended neuroleptic formulation for the initial treatment of acutely disturbed psychotic patients.
Metrics Based on Finite Directed Graphs and Coding Invariants

Given a finite directed graph with <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n$ </tex-math></inline-formula> vertices, we define a metric <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$d_{G}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> on <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathbb {F}_{q}^{n}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, where <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathbb {F}_{q}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> is the finite field with <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$q$ </tex-math></inline-formula> elements. The weight of a word is defined as the number of vertices that can be reached by a directed path from a vertex within the support of the vector. Two canonical forms, which do not affect the metric, are given to each graph. Based on these forms we characterize each such metric. We further use these forms to prove that two graphs with different canonical forms yield different metrics. Efficient algorithms to check if a set of metric weights define a metric based on a graph are given. We provide tight bounds on the number of metric weights required to reconstruct the metric. Furthermore, we give a complete description of the group of linear isometries of the graph metrics and a characterization of the graphs for which every linear code admits a <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$G$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-canonical decomposition. Considering those graphs, we are able to derive an expression of the packing radius of linear codes in such metric spaces. Finally, given a directed graph which determines a hierarchical poset, we present sufficient and necessary conditions to ensure the validity of the MacWilliams identity and the MacWilliams extension property.
Impacts of Dosing Frequency of the Combination Rifampin-Streptomycin on Its Bactericidal and Sterilizing Activities against Mycobacterium ulcerans in Mice

ABSTRACT Because of operational limitations, a significant proportion of the health centers at the peripheral level are able to provide treatment to Buruli ulcer patients with the combination rifampin (rifampicin)-streptomycin (RIF-STR) only five times weekly (5/7) instead of seven times weekly (7/7), as recommended. The objective of this experiment is to assess the impacts of various dosing frequencies of the combination on its bactericidal and sterilizing activities against Mycobacterium ulcerans in mice. The results demonstrate that the bactericidal activities did not differ significantly among five dosing frequencies of the combination, ranging from seven times to twice weekly, whereas the sterilizing activities differed widely. RIF-STR 7/7 was the only regimen that was able to sterilize the infection after 4 to 8 weeks of treatment; the sterilizing activities associated with reduced dosing frequencies were significantly diminished, and 8 weeks of 5/7 administration yielded a relapse rate greater than the generally accepted level of 5%. We recommend that the duration of treatment with 5/7 administration be prolonged beyond 8 weeks and that additional experiments with mice be carried out, with sufficient statistical power to compare the relapse rates of M. ulcerans infection between 8 weeks of 7/7 administration and 10 and 12 weeks of 5/7 administration of RIF-STR.