Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mycobacterium tuberculosis RecG binds and unwinds model DNA substrates with a preference for Holliday junctions

The RecG enzyme, a superfamily 2 helicase, is present in nearly all bacteria. Here we report for the first time that the recG gene is also present in the genomes of most vascular plants as well as in green algae, but is not found in other eukaryotes or archaea. The precise function of RecG is poorly understood, although ample evidence shows that it plays critical roles in DNA repair, recombination and replication. We further demonstrate that Mycobacterium tuberculosis RecG (RecGMtb) DNA binding activity had a broad substrate specificity, whereas it only unwound branched-DNA substrates such as Holliday junctions (HJs), replication forks, D-loops and R-loops, with a strong preference for the HJ as a helicase substrate. In addition, RecGMtb preferentially bound relatively long (≥40 nt) ssDNA, exhibiting a higher affinity for the homopolymeric nucleotides poly(dT), poly(dG) and poly(dC) than for poly(dA). RecGMtb helicase activity was supported by hydrolysis of ATP or dATP in the presence of Mg2+, Mn2+, Cu2+ or Fe2+. Like its Escherichia coli orthologue, RecGMtb is also a strictly DNA-dependent ATPase.
Correlation of white matter diffusivity and anisotropy with age during childhood and adolescence: a cross-sectional diffusion-tensor MR imaging study.

PURPOSE To evaluate differences in white matter diffusion properties as a function of age in healthy children and adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS Echo-planar diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed in 33 healthy subjects aged 5-18 years who were recruited from a functional imaging study of normal language development. Results of neurologic, psychologic, and structural MR imaging examinations were within the normal range for all subjects. The trace of the apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy in white matter were correlated as a function of age by using Spearman rank correlation. RESULTS Statistically significant negative correlation of the trace of the apparent diffusion coefficient with age was found throughout the white matter. Significant positive correlation of fractional anisotropy with age was found in the internal capsule, corticospinal tract, left arcuate fasciculus, and right inferior longitudinal fasciculus. CONCLUSION Diffusion-tensor MR imaging results indicate that white matter maturation assessed at different ages involves increases in both white matter density and organization during childhood and adolescence. The trace of the apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy may reflect different physiologic processes in healthy children and adolescents.
Venting of turbidity currents approaching a rectangular opening on a horizontal bed

ABSTRACT Reservoir sedimentation is a worldwide problem hampering the sustainable use of reservoirs and the sediment balance of impacted rivers. Various techniques are applied for sediment mitigation. However, as turbidity currents are a major source of sediments in reservoirs, venting them through outlets reduces sedimentation. The sediment release efficiency associated with venting turbidity currents on a horizontal bed is experimentally investigated in this paper. The outflow discharge and duration of venting are the main parameters assessed. Venting efficiency is studied based on two different concepts: (1) a global venting efficiency comparing inflow and outflow sediment fluxes during the total venting operation and (2) a local venting efficiency comparing masses starting at the arrival of the turbidity current to the outlet and taking into account deposited sediment masses. An efficiency indicator accounting for water losses is also introduced. Results can be used to improve the efficiency of venting by employing adequate outlet discharges.
Prevalence of enamel defects and associated risk factors in both dentitions in preterm and full term born children

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of enamel defects and their risk factors on primary and permanent dentitions of prematurely born children and full-term born children born at Regional Hospital of Asa Sul, Brasília, DF, Brazil. Material and Methods Eighty 5-10-year-old children of both genders were examined, being 40 born prematurely (G1) and 40 born full term (G2). The demographic variables, medical history and oral health behaviors were retrieved using a questionnaire and data obtained from clinical examination were recorded. The teeth were examined and the presence of enamel defects was diagnosed according to the DDE Index and registered in odontograms. Subsequently, the defects were categorized in four groups according to one of the criteria proposed in 1992 by the FDI Commission on Oral Health, Research and Epidemiology. Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-square, Kappa, Mann-Whitney tests and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Results 75% of total sample had enamel defects. There was a major prevalence of hypoplasia of the enamel in G1 (p<0.001). There was a significant relationship between low weight and presence of the imperfections on the enamel in G1 on the primary dentition. The logistic regression model showed that the other risk factors such as monthly per capita family income, educational level, dietary and hygiene habits, fluoride exposure, trauma, and diseases were not associated with enamel defects and caries. Conclusions Pre-term labor can be a predisposing factor for the presence of the enamel hypoplasia in the primary dentition.
Continued Slow Decay of the Residual Plasma Viremia Level in HIV-1-Infected Adults Receiving Long-term Antiretroviral Therapy.

UNLABELLED We measured plasma human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA levels by means of single-copy assay in 334 participants receiving virologically suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART). A residual viremia load of ≥1 copy/mL after 4 years of ART was predicted by a higher pre-ART HIV-1 RNA level, higher CD8(+) T-cell count during treatment, and a lower ratio of CD4+ T cells to CD8+ T cells during treatment but not by initial ART regimen. In a longitudinal subset of 64 individuals, continued decay of the plasma HIV-1 RNA level was observed, with an average annual decrease of 6% and an estimated half-life of 11.5 years. In contrast to prior reports, the persistent viremia level continues to slowly decline during years 4-12 of suppressive ART. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NCT00001137.
Intravenous Thrombolysis in the Treatment of Ischemic Stroke Due to Spontaneous Artery Dissection

Objectives:Data based on randomized clinical trials regarding intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) versus placebo or any other antithrombotic treatment in ischemic stroke (IS) due to artery dissection (AD) are not available. Methods:We used data from our observational study to examine the efficacy and safety of IVT in patients with IS due to spontaneous AD, as compared with stroke patients of the same cause who were not treated with IVT. Outcome measures were modified Rankin score (mRS) for functional outcome, death from all causes, occurrence of any intracranial hemorrhage, local signs of an intramural hematoma extension, recurrent IS, and recurrent AD. Results:In a 4-year period, 19 of 46 patients with IS due to spontaneous AD were treated with IVT. Favorable outcome (mRS 0-2) after the follow-up period reached 81.5% of non-IVT patients compared with 94.7% of IVT-treated patients (odds ratio, 4.09; 95% confidence interval, 0.44-38.26; P=0.377). However, the patients who received IVT had a significantly higher chance of being without any neurological deficit (mRS 0) after adjusting for age, sex, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, and site of dissection compared with non-IVT patients after the follow-up period (P=0.012). No symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, worsening of local signs, cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage, or death occurred in both groups of patients. Conclusions:The efficacy of IVT in patients with IS due to the spontaneous AD seemed to be similar or even better to those of patients of the same cause who were not treated with IVT. The complication rate of IVT in spontaneous AD is low.
The Modified Weighted Slab Technique: Models and Results

In an attempt to understand the source and propagation of Galactic cosmic rays, we have employed the modified weighted slab technique along with recent values of the relevant cross sections to compute primary to secondary ratios including B/C and sub-Fe/Fe for different Galactic propagation models. The models that we have considered are the disk-halo diffusion model, the dynamical halo wind model, the turbulent diffusion model, and a model with minimal reacceleration. The modified weighted slab technique will be briefly discussed and a more detailed description of the models will be given. We will also discuss the impact that the various models have on the problem of anisotropy at high energy and discuss what properties of a particular model bear on this issue.
Glucose Oxidase-Mediated Polymerization as a Platform for Dual-Mode Signal Amplification and Biodetection

We report the first use of a polymerization‐based ELISA substrate solution employing enzymatically mediated radical polymerization as a dual‐mode amplification strategy. Enzymes are selectively coupled to surfaces to generate radicals that subsequently lead to polymerization‐based amplification (PBA) and biodetection. Sensitivity and amplification of the polymerization‐based detection system were optimized in a microwell strip format using a biotinylated microwell surface with a glucose oxidase (GOx)–avidin conjugate. The immobilized GOx is used to initiate polymerization, enabling the detection of the biorecognition event visually or through the use of a plate reader. Assay response is compared to that of an enzymatic substrate utilizing nitroblue tetrazolium in a simplified assay using biotinylated wells. The polymerization substrate exhibits equivalent sensitivity (2 µg/mL of GOx‐avidin) and over three times greater signal amplification than this traditional enzymatic substrate since each radical that is enzymatically generated leads to a large number of polymerization events. Enzyme‐mediated polymerization proceeds in an ambient atmosphere without the need for external energy sources, which is an improvement upon previous PBA platforms. Substrate formulations are highly sensitive to both glucose and iron concentrations at the lowest enzyme concentrations. Increases in amplification time correspond to higher assay sensitivities with no increase in non‐specific signal. Finally, the polymerization substrate generated a signal to noise ratio of 14 at the detection limit (156 ng/mL) in an assay of transforming growth factor‐beta. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2011; 108:1521–1528. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Accessing newly learned names and meanings in the native language

Ten healthy adults encountered pictures of unfamiliar archaic tools and successfully learned either their name, verbal definition of their usage, or both. Neural representation of the newly acquired information was probed with magnetoencephalography in an overt picture‐naming task before and after learning, and in two categorization tasks after learning. Within 400 ms, activation proceeded from occipital through parietal to left temporal cortex, inferior frontal cortex (naming) and right temporal cortex (categorization). Comparison of naming of newly learned versus familiar pictures indicated that acquisition and maintenance of word forms are supported by the same neural network. Explicit access to newly learned phonology when such information was known strongly enhanced left temporal activation. By contrast, access to newly learned semantics had no comparable, direct neural effects. Both the behavioral learning pattern and neurophysiological results point to fundamentally different implementation of and access to phonological versus semantic features in processing pictured objects. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A prospective cohort study of the incidence and determinants of post-stroke depression among the mainland Chinese patients

Abstract Background: Post-stroke depression is a common consequence of stroke and can negatively affect the rehabilitation process in patients. This work was undertaken to examine the incidence, demographic factors and clinical determinants of post-stroke depression in 3 months after ischemic stroke in mainland Chinese patients. Methods: One hundred and sixty-five patients with acute ischemic stroke were included in the present work. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fourth edition) diagnosis of post-stroke depression was evaluated by the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview during the follow-up exam at 3 months after the stroke. The demographic factors and clinical variables at the time of stroke onset and 14 days after stroke were also examined. Results: The 3 month cumulative incidence of post-stroke depression was 27·3% in this patient population. The univariate analysis suggests that the female gender, past history of depression, marital status and level of handicap at 14 days after stroke were factors associated with the development of post-stroke depression. In the multivariate model, female gender [p=0·0040; odds ratio (OR)=3·550; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1·499–8·408], past history of depression (p=0·0010; OR=5·225; 95% CI: 1·959–13·940) and level of handicap at 14 days after stroke (p=0·0066; OR=1·607; 95% CI: 1·141–2·262) were further confirmed as demographic and clinical factors that correlate with the development of post-stroke depression. Conclusion: The present work suggests that female gender, history of depression and level of handicap at 14 days after stroke are three independent determinants of post-stroke depression occurrence during the first 3 months after ischemic stroke in mainland Chinese patients.
Low-Rank Positive Semidefinite Matrix Recovery From Corrupted Rank-One Measurements

We study the problem of estimating a low-rank positive semidefinite (PSD) matrix from a set of rank-one measurements using sensing vectors composed of i.i. d. standard Gaussian entries, which are possibly corrupted by arbitrary outliers. This problem arises from applications, such as phase retrieval, covariance sketching, quantum space tomography, and power spectrum estimation. We first propose a convex optimization algorithm that seeks the PSD matrix with the minimum l1-norm of the observation residual. The advantage of our algorithm is that it is free of parameters, therefore, eliminating the need for tuning parameters and allowing easy implementations. We establish that with high probability, a low-rank PSD matrix can be exactly recovered as soon as the number of measurements is large enough, even when a fraction of the measurements are corrupted by outliers with arbitrary magnitudes. Moreover, the recovery is also stable against bounded noise. With the additional information of an upper bound of the rank of the PSD matrix, we propose another nonconvex algorithm based on subgradient descent that demonstrates excellent empirical performance in terms of computational efficiency and accuracy.
Phase I clinical trial of oral 2-methoxyestradiol, an antiangiogenic and apoptotic agent, in patients with solid tumors

Purpose: To determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) and toxicity profile of the novel anticancer agent, 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2) administered orally, in patients with solid tumors. Patients and Methods: Twenty patients with refractory solid tumors were enrolled. 2ME2 was given orally starting at 400 mg bid with dose escalation until 3000 mg bid. Tumor biopsies were taken before and after starting the drug to assess for microvessel density by CD 31 and cell proliferation by Ki67 immunohistochemistry. Serial plasma samples collected up to 50 hours after first single oral dose for characterization of pharmacokinetics, were analyzed using liquid chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry. Results: Eleven men and nine women received 2ME2 at dose levels of 400 mg bid (n=3), 800 mg bid (n=3), 1600 mg bid (n=6), 2200 mg bid (n=5) and 3000 mg bid (n=3). There were no dose limiting toxicities, therefore the MTD was not defined. There was one episode of grade 4 angioedema in the 1600 mg bid dose level 38 days into 2ME2 treatment. Other toxicities were mild to moderate. A patient with clear cell carcinoma of the ovary had a partial response at 1600 mg bid dose level lasting over 3 years. Conclusion: MTD for 2ME2 was not reached at dose of 3000 mg bid. The trial was closed due to extremely low plasma concentrations of 2ME2 relative to the doses administered. 2ME2 treatment had no effect on microvessel density (CD31 immunostaining) and cell proliferation (Ki-67 immunostaining). A new formulation of 2ME2 with improved bioavailability is currently being developed.
Genetic Dominance Influences Blood Biomarker Levels in a Sample of 12,000 Swedish Elderly Twins

Abstract In twin studies of cardiovascular disease biomarkers the dizygotic correlations are often estimated to be less than half of monozygotic correlations indicating a potential influence of nonadditive genetic factors. Using a large and homogenous sample, we estimated the additive and dominance genetic influences on levels of high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, apolipoprotein A-I, apolipoprotein B, total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, hemoglobin Alc and c-reactive protein, all of which are biomarkers associated with cardiovascular disease. The blood biomarkers were measured on 12,000 Swedish twins born between 1911 and 1958. The large sample allowed us to obtain heritability estimates with considerable precision and provided adequate statistical power for estimation of dominance genetic components. Our study showed complete absence of the shared environment component for the investigated traits. Dominant genetic component was shown to be significant for low density lipoprotein (0.18), glucose (0.31), Hemoglobin Alc (0.55), and c-reactive protein (0.27). To our knowledge, this is the first statistically significant evidence for dominance genetic variance found for low density lipoprotein, glucose, hemoglobin Alc, and c-reactive protein in a population based twin sample. The study highlights the importance of acknowledging nonadditive genes underlying the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Prevalence of the complaint of ejaculating prematurely and the four premature ejaculation syndromes: results from the Turkish Society of Andrology Sexual Health Survey.

INTRODUCTION In addition to the previously known lifelong and acquired premature ejaculation (PE) syndromes, the existence of two more PE syndromes has been suggested: natural variable PE and premature-like ejaculatory dysfunction. However, epidemiological studies investigating the prevalence of these four PE syndromes have yet to be conducted. AIM To determine the prevalence of the complaint of ejaculating prematurely across the four PE syndromes. METHODS This study, conducted between June 2009 and December 2009, was designed as a non-interventional, observational cross-sectional field survey. Participating couples were randomly selected from 17 provinces of Turkey. All participants were asked to complete a questionnaire including data regarding demographics, socioeconomic status, social and cultural factors, medical and sexual history, current medications, and ejaculation time. Subjects with a complaint of ejaculating prematurely were classified as lifelong, acquired, and natural variable PE, or premature-like ejaculatory dysfunction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The main outcome measures were prevalence of complaint of ejaculating prematurely in the general population and across the four PE syndromes. RESULTS A total of 2,593 couples (mean age, 41.9±12.7 years for males and 38.2±12.1 years for females) were enrolled. Five-hundred twelve subjects (20.0%) complained of ejaculating prematurely. Fifty-eight (2.3%), 100 (3.9%), 215 (8.5%), and 131 (5.1%) subjects were classified as lifelong, acquired, and natural variable PE, and premature-like ejaculatory dysfunction, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of the complaint of ejaculating prematurely among Turkish men was 20.0%, with the highest PE syndrome being natural variable PE (8.5%) and premature-like ejaculatory dysfunction (5.1%).
Adaptive Sliding Mode Relative Motion Control for Autonomous Carrier Landing of Fixed-Wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

In this paper, relative motion model and control strategy for autonomous fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) carrier landing are addressed. First, a coupled six-degrees-of-freedom (6-DOF) non-linear relative motion model is established from 6-DOF UAV and carrier models. Second, because of the under-actuated characteristic of two vehicles, the 6-DOF relative motion model is simplified to a four-degree-of-freedom (4-DOF) model to facilitate the control design. Third, an adaptive sliding mode control law is proposed to track desired landing trajectory and maintain constant relative pitch and roll angles. Finally, simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control method.
Performance Assessment of the Lead User Idea-Generation Process for New Product Development

Traditional idea generation techniques based on customer input usually collect information on new product needs from a random or typical set of customers. The "lead user process" takes a different approach. It collects information about both needs and solutions from users at the leading edges of the target market, as well as from users in other markets that face similar problems in a more extreme form. This paper reports on a natural experiment conducted within the 3M Company on the effect of the lead user (LU) idea-generation process relative to more traditional methods. 3M is known for its innovation capabilities-- and we find that the LU process appears to improve upon those capabilities. Annual sales of LU product ideas generated by the average LU project at 3M are conservatively projected to be $146 million after five years--more than eight times higher than forecast sales for the average contemporaneously conducted "traditional" project. Each funded LU project is projected to create a new major product line for a 3M division. As a direct result, divisions funding LU project ideas are projecting their highest rate of major product line generation in the past 50 years.
Intrathecal Catheterization in the Rat: Improved Technique for Morphologic Analysis of Drug-induced Injury

Background The authors previously described an in vivo model suitable for investigation of functional impairment induced by intrathecally injected local anesthetic. However, meaningful histologic analysis could not be performed because catheterization, per se, induced morphologic changes in control animals. In the current experiments, the authors sought to identify an alternative, less reactive, catheterization technique for intrathecal drug administration. Methods Twenty-five rats received an intrathecal infusion of normal saline through a catheter composed of either 28-gauge polyurethane, 32-gauge polyimide, 32-gauge polyurethane, PE-10 polyethylene, or PE-10 polyethylene that had been stretched to twice its original length. Seven days after infusion, sensory function was assessed using the tail-flick test, and the spinal cord and nerve roots were prepared for neuropathologic evaluation. Results There was no significant difference in sensory function among groups. Animals in which 28-gauge polyurethane, 32-gauge polyimide, PE-10, and double-stretched PE-10 had been implanted had moderate to severe nerve injury in 11%, 14%, 23%, and 8% of fascicles, respectively, whereas none of the animals in which 32-gauge polyurethane was implanted had any evidence of moderate or severe damage. Conclusions Morphologic changes induced by intrathecal catheterization in the rat can be minimized by the use of 32-gauge polyurethane tubing.