Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variations in Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Children with Asthma During a 1-Week Stay in a Mountain Village Sanatorium

Knowing about spontaneous variations in the fractional concentration of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) could improve monitoring of airway inflammation in asthmatic children. We aimed to assess FENO variations (expiratory flow 50 mL/sec) in subjects maintained in similar environmental conditions. We tested spirometry and FENO in symptom-free asthmatic children (9 corticosteroid-naive, 8 corticosteroid-treated) during a 1-week stay in a countryside sanatorium and in their healthy relatives (n = 12) staying in the immediate neighborhood on summer holiday (total 29 children, M/F:14/15, 5.8-16.8 yrs). Testing sessions were repeated every 12 hours (8:00 am, 8:00 pm) for 2 days and again on day 7. Measurements were defined as reproducible when they agreed with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) above 0.60; deviation from mean differences was assessed by the coefficient of repeatability (CR = 2 SD). Lung function remained constant throughout the week in all groups. Baseline FENO levels in corticosteroid-naive asthmatic children tended to decrease at the end of the week (from 13.9 ppb, 95% CI 12.2-19.1 to 9.2 ppb, 95% CI 5.8–15.9, p = 0.057). No differences were found between nocturnal and diurnal FENO. Within-session reproducibility for two FENO measurements was high (ICC 0.99 in all groups and CR, 0.9 to 1.3 ppb). Between-session FENO reproducibility at 12 hours and 24 hours was still high for each group but decreased markedly after 6 days in corticosteroid-naive asthmatic children (ICC 0.79 and CR 9.6 ppb at 24 hours vs. ICC 0.13 and CR 20.8 ppb after 6 days), whereas it decreased slightly in corticosteroid-treated asthmatics (from ICC 0.89 and CR 3.1 ppb to ICC 0.88 and CR 3.0 ppb) and healthy children (from ICC 0.79 and CR 4.8 ppb to ICC 0.65 and CR 5.7 ppb). In conclusion, in healthy subjects and in asthmatic children receiving therapy with inhaled corticosteroids (but not in corticosteroid-naïve subjects), FENO measurements are reproducible across a week.
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Potential Roles of Zinc in the Pathophysiology and Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

Keywords: Zinc Depression Major depressive disorder Neuroprogression Antidepressants Glutamate NMDA Inflammation Neuroplasticity Antioxidant Forced swim test GPR39 a b s t r a c t Incomplete response to monoaminergic antidepressants in major depressive disorder (MDD), and the phenomenon of neuroprogression, suggests a need for additional pathophysiological markers and pharmacological targets. Neuronal zinc is concentrated exclusively within glutamatergic neurons, acting as an allosteric modulator of the N-methyl d-aspartate and other receptors that regulate excitatory neurotrans-mission and neuroplasticity. Zinc-containing neurons form extensive associational circuitry throughout the cortex, amygdala and hippocampus, which subserve mood regulation and cognitive functions. In animal models of depression, zinc is reduced in these circuits, zinc treatment has antidepressant-like effects and dietary zinc insufficiency induces depressive behaviors. Clinically, serum zinc is lower in MDD, which may constitute a state-marker of illness and a risk factor for treatment-resistance. Marginal zinc deficiency in MDD may relate to multiple putative mechanisms underlying core symptomatology and neuroprogression (e.g. immune dysfunction, monoamine metabolism, stress response dysregula-tion, oxidative/nitrosative stress, neurotrophic deficits, transcriptional/epigenetic regulation of neural networks). Initial randomized trials suggest a benefit of zinc supplementation. In summary, molecular and animal behavioral data support the clinical significance of zinc in the setting of MDD.
Locally Consistent Bayesian Network Scores for Multi-Relational Data

An important task for relational learning is Bayesian network (BN) structure learning. A fundamental component of structure learning is a model selection score that measures how well a model fits a dataset. We describe a new method that upgrades for multi-relational databases, a loglinear BN score designed for single-table i.i. d. data. Chickering and Meek showed that for i.i. d. data, standard BN scores are locally consistent, meaning that their maxima converge to an optimal model, that represents the data generating distribution and contains no redundant edges. Our main theorem establishes that if a model selection score is locally consistent for i.i. d. data, then our upgraded gain function is locally consistent for relational data as well. To our knowledge this is the first consistency result for relational structure learning. A novel aspect of our approach is employing a gain function that compares two models: a current vs. an alternative BN structure. In contrast, previous approaches employed a score that is a function of a single model only. Empirical evaluation on six benchmark relational databases shows that our gain function is also practically useful: On realistic size data sets, it selects informative BN structures with a better data fit than those selected by baseline singlemodel scores.
Magnetic cycles of the planet-hosting star τ Bootis – II. A second magnetic polarity reversal

In this paper, we present new spectropolarimetric observations of the planet- hosting starBootis, using ESPaDOnS and Narval spectropolarimeters at Canada- France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) and Telescope Bernard Lyot (TBL), respectively. We detected the magnetic field of the star at three epochs in 2008. It is a weak magnetic field of only a few Gauss, oscillating between a predominant toroidal com- ponent in January and a dominant poloidal component in June and July. A magnetic polarity reversal was observed relative to the magnetic topology in June 2007. This is the second such reversal observed in two years on this star, suggesting thatBoo has a magnetic cycle of about 2 years. This is the first detection of a magnetic cycle for a star other than the Sun. The role of the close-in massive planet in the short activity cycle of the star is questioned. � Boo has strong differential rotation, a common trend for stars with shallow convective envelope. At latitude 40 ◦ , the surface layer of the star rotates in 3.31 d, equal to the orbital period. Synchronization suggests that the tidal effects induced by the planet may be strong enough to force at least the thin convective envelope into corotation. � Boo shows variability in the Ca II H & K and Hthroughout the night and on a night to night time scale. We do not detect enhancement in the activity of the star that may be related to the conjunction of the planet. Further data is needed to conclude about the activity enhancement due to the planet.
Mechanisms of regulation of SNF1/AMPK/SnRK1 protein kinases

The SNF1 (sucrose non-fermenting 1)-related protein kinases 1 (SnRKs1) are the plant orthologs of the budding yeast SNF1 and mammalian AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase). These evolutionarily conserved kinases are metabolic sensors that undergo activation in response to declining energy levels. Upon activation, SNF1/AMPK/SnRK1 kinases trigger a vast transcriptional and metabolic reprograming that restores energy homeostasis and promotes tolerance to adverse conditions, partly through an induction of catabolic processes and a general repression of anabolism. These kinases typically function as a heterotrimeric complex composed of two regulatory subunits, β and γ, and an α-catalytic subunit, which requires phosphorylation of a conserved activation loop residue for activity. Additionally, SNF1/AMPK/SnRK1 kinases are controlled by multiple mechanisms that have an impact on kinase activity, stability, and/or subcellular localization. Here we will review current knowledge on the regulation of SNF1/AMPK/SnRK1 by upstream components, post-translational modifications, various metabolites, hormones, and others, in an attempt to highlight both the commonalities of these essential eukaryotic kinases and the divergences that have evolved to cope with the particularities of each one of these systems.
Dexmedetomidine for Awake Carotid Endarterectomy: Efficacy, Hemodynamic Profile, and Side Effects

Abstract: A randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study was designed to compare dexmedetomidine as a primary sedative agent with a commonly used drug combination in patients undergoing awake carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Sixty-six patients undergoing CEA (ASA II–IV) were randomly assigned to receive either dexmedetomidine (total dose of 97.5 ± 54.7 mcg) or normal saline (control). Supplemental doses of midazolam, fentanyl, and/or propofol were administered as deemed necessary by the anesthesiologist. An observer blinded to the study drug assessed sedation level (Observer’s Assessment of Alertness-Sedation [OAA/S] scale). The primary outcomes were defined as the number of patients with an OAA/S score of 4 intraoperatively and an OAA/S score of 5 postoperatively. The authors also compared cardiorespiratory parameters, intra- and postoperative side effects, and complications. Chi-square tests were used to analyze the primary endpoints. All secondary parameters were analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Three patients in the dexmedetomidine group (10%) had an OAA/S score of 4 at all four time points assessed intraoperatively, while no patient in the control group had a score of 4 at all the time points considered. Thirteen patients in the dexmedetomidine group had a score of 4 at three or more time points (42%) compared with six patients (19%) in the control group. Four patients in the control group (13%) and one patient in the dexmedetomidine group (3%) did not achieve a score of 4 at any of the four critical intraoperative time points (χ2 for association = 9.9, P < 0.05; χ2 for a trend = 8.6, P < 0.004, with the trend favoring dexmedetomidine). More patients in the control group required treatment with metoprolol (26% vs. 6%, P = 0.04) and labetalol (48% vs/ 6%, P < 0.01). Plasma levels of norepinephrine were significantly lower in the dexmedetomidine group during and after surgery compared with the control group. Six patients (19%) in the dexmedetomidine group required intra-arterial shunts, while only two patients (6%) required shunts in the control group (P = 0.16). These data show that the use of dexmedetomidine in patients undergoing awake CEA resulted in fewer fluctuations from the desired sedation level. Patients receiving dexmedetomidine required less antihypertensive therapy compared with the midazolam/fentanyl/propofol combination. The effect of dexmedetomidine on cerebrovascular circulation in the study population needs further investigation.
Spatial Distribution of, and Risk Factors for, Opisthorchis viverrini Infection in Southern Lao PDR

Background Opisthorchis viverrini is a food-borne trematode species that might give rise to biliary diseases and the fatal cholangiocarcinoma. In Lao PDR, an estimated 2.5 million individuals are infected with O. viverrini, but epidemiological studies are scarce and the spatial distribution of infection remains to be determined. Our aim was to map the distribution of O. viverrini in southern Lao PDR, identify underlying risk factors, and predict the prevalence of O. viverrini at non-surveyed locations. Methodology A cross-sectional parasitological and questionnaire survey was carried out in 51 villages in Champasack province in the first half of 2007. Data on demography, socioeconomic status, water supply, sanitation, and behavior were combined with remotely sensed environmental data and fed into a geographical information system. Bayesian geostatistical models were employed to identify risk factors and to investigate the spatial pattern of O. viverrini infection. Bayesian kriging was utilized to predict infection risk at non-surveyed locations. Principal Findings The prevalence of O. viverrini among 3,371 study participants with complete data records was 61.1%. Geostatistical models identified age, Lao Loum ethnic group, educational attainment, occupation (i.e., rice farmer, fisherman, and animal breeder), and unsafe drinking water source as risk factors for infection. History of praziquantel treatment, access to sanitation, and distance to freshwater bodies were found to be protective factors. Spatial patterns of O. viverrini were mainly governed by environmental factors with predictive modeling identifying two different risk profiles: low risk of O. viverrini in the mountains and high risk in the Mekong corridor. Conclusions/Significance We present the first risk map of O. viverrini infection in Champasack province, which is important for spatial targeting of control efforts. Infection with O. viverrini appears to be strongly associated with exposure to the second intermediate host fish, human behavior and culture, whereas high transmission is sustained by the lack of sanitation.
Mapping and Ablation of Epicardial Idiopathic Ventricular Arrhythmias From Within the Coronary Venous System

Background—The prevalence of epicardial idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias that can be ablated from within the coronary venous system (CVS) has not been described. Methods and Results—In a consecutive group of 189 patients with idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias referred for ablation, the site of origin (SOO) of ventricular tachycardia and/or premature ventricular contractions was determined by activation mapping and pace mapping. Mapping was performed within the CVS if endocardial mapping did not reveal an SOO. Venography of the CVS and coronary angiography were performed before ablation in the CVS. In 27 of 189 patients (14%±5%; 95% confidence interval), the SOO of the ventricular arrhythmia was identified from within the coronary venous system, either in the great cardiac vein (n=26) or the middle cardiac vein (n=1). The mean activation time at the SOO was −29±8 ms. Twenty of 27 patients (74%) underwent successful ablation within the CVS. Epicardial ventricular arrhythmias displayed a broader R wave in V1 compared with arrhythmias in the control group (85 ms [interquartile range, 40] versus 65 ms [interquartile range, 95]; P<0.01). Two patients had recurrent premature ventricular contractions within 2 weeks after ablation, and no recurrences occurred in the remaining patients during a median follow-up of 13 months (range, 25). In the 7 patients with unsuccessful ablation, failure was because the ablation catheter could not be advanced to the SOO within the great cardiac vein (n=4), inadequate power delivery at the SOO (n=1), proximity to the phrenic nerve (n=1), or proximity of the SOO to a major coronary artery (n=1). Transcutaneous epicardial ablation was effective in 1 of 2 patients in whom it was attempted. Conclusions—Almost 15% of idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias have an epicardial origin. ECG characteristics help to differentiate epicardial arrhythmias from endocardial ventricular arrhythmias. The SOO of epicardial arrhythmias can be ablated from within the CVS in approximately 70% of patients.
An Analytical Model for Line-Edge Roughness Limited Mobility of Graphene Nanoribbons

The electronic properties of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) in the presence of line-edge roughness scattering are studied. The mobility, conductivity, mean free path, and localization length of carriers are analytically derived using an effective mass model for the band structure. This model provides a deep insight into the operation of armchair GNR devices in the presence of line-edge roughness. The effects of geometrical and roughness parameters on the electronic properties of GNRs are estimated assuming a diffusive transport regime. However, in the presence of disorder, localization of carriers can occur, which can significantly reduce the conductance of the device. The effect of localization on the conductance of rough nanoribbons and its dependences on the geometrical and roughness parameters are analytically studied. Since this regime is not suitable for the operation of electronic devices, one can employ these models to obtain critical geometrical parameters to suppress the localization of carriers in GNR devices.
Transversus abdominis plane block for postoperative analgesia after laparoscopic surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND The increasing use of the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block, as a form of pain relief after laparoscopic surgery, warrants evaluation of its effectiveness, when compared with other analgesic techniques. METHODS We searched online databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google scholar and The Cochrane Database of Systematic Review. Mean differences (MD) were formulated for continuous data; odds ratios (OR) were calculated for dichotomous data. Results were produced with a random effects model with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS 14 trials with a total of 905 patients were included for the analysis, TAP block resulted in significantly less postoperative analgesic consumption at 24 h (MD = -25.46, 95% CI [-32.22, -18.69], P < 0.00001), and less number of patients requiring analgesic postoperatively (OR = 0.16, 95% CI 0.03-0.87, P = 0.03). Meanwhile, pain sores were significantly different at 2 h (MD = -1.55, 95% CI [-2.50, -0.59], P < 0.00001), a borderline difference between the groups seen at 6 hours ( MD = -1.13, 95% CI [-1.69, -0.56], P = 0.05), and there was not affect pain at 24 h (MD = -0.33, 95% CI [-0.08, 0.15], P = 0.14) with TAP block groups compared with the groups without TAP block. There was a significant difference in postoperative nausea and vomiting (random effects model: OR = 2.04, 95% CI [1.19-3.48], P = 0.34). CONCLUSION TAP block would result in less analgesic consumption, less requirement of analgesic, and less pain at 2 h and slightly at 6 h but at 24 h after laparoscopic surgery in comparison with usual care alone or placebo block. In addition TAP block can increase the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting.
Sortase-mediated backbone cyclization of proteins and peptides

Abstract Backbone cyclization has a profound impact on the biological activity and thermal and proteolytic stability of proteins and peptides. Chemical methods for cyclization are not always feasible, especially for large peptides or proteins. Recombinant Staphylococcus aureus sortase A shows potential as a new tool for the cyclization of both proteins and peptides. In this review, the scope and background of the sortase-mediated cyclization are discussed. High efficiency, versatility, and easy access make sortase A a promising cyclization tool, both for recombinant and chemo-enzymatic production methods.
US trends in disability and institutionalization among older Blacks and Whites.

OBJECTIVES This study estimated and compared the prevalence of disability and institutionalization in 1982, 1984, and 1989 among the older Black and White populations of the United States. METHODS Data on over 1100 Blacks and 14,000 Whites in each of a series of three National Long Term Care Surveys were used. RESULTS Diverging trends for Blacks and Whites led to statistically significant increases in the age- and sex-adjusted odds of disability (19%) and institutionalization (31%) for Blacks relative to Whites. CONCLUSIONS Black and White disparities in disability appear to have widened, while disparities in institutionalization appear to have narrowed during the decade of the 1980s.
Anticipatory coarticulation and stability of speech in typically fluent speakers and people who stutter

ABSTRACT This project replicates and extends previous work on coarticulation in velar-vowel sequences in English. Coarticulatory data for 46 young adult speakers, 23 who stutter and 23 who do not stutter show coarticulatory patterns in young adults who stutter that are no different from typical young adults. Additionally, the stability of velar-vowel production is analysed in token-to-token variability found in multiple repetitions of the same velar-vowel sequence. Across participants, identical patterns of coarticulation were found between people who do and do not stutter, but decreased stability was found in velar closure production in a significant subset of people who stutter. Other people who stutter appeared no different than typical speakers. Outcomes of this study suggest that articulatory maturation in young adults who stutter is, on average, no different from typical young adults, but that some young adults who stutter could be viewed as having less stably activated articulatory sub-systems.
Ebola Virus Glycoprotein Needs an Additional Trigger, beyond Proteolytic Priming for Membrane Fusion

Background Ebolavirus belongs to the family filoviridae and causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans with 50–90% lethality. Detailed understanding of how the viruses attach to and enter new host cells is critical to development of medical interventions. The virus displays a trimeric glycoprotein (GP1,2) on its surface that is solely responsible for membrane attachment, virus internalization and fusion. GP1,2 is expressed as a single peptide and is cleaved by furin in the host cells to yield two disulphide-linked fragments termed GP1 and GP2 that remain associated in a GP1,2 trimeric, viral surface spike. After entry into host endosomes, GP1,2 is enzymatically cleaved by endosomal cathepsins B and L, a necessary step in infection. However, the functional effects of the cleavage on the glycoprotein are unknown. Principal Findings We demonstrate by antibody binding and Hydrogen-Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry (DXMS) of glycoproteins from two different ebolaviruses that although enzymatic priming of GP1,2 is required for fusion, the priming itself does not initiate the required conformational changes in the ectodomain of GP1,2. Further, ELISA binding data of primed GP1,2 to conformational antibody KZ52 suggests that the low pH inside the endosomes also does not trigger dissociation of GP1 from GP2 to effect membrane fusion. Significance The results reveal that the ebolavirus GP1,2 ectodomain remains in the prefusion conformation upon enzymatic cleavage in low pH and removal of the glycan cap. The results also suggest that an additional endosomal trigger is necessary to induce the conformational changes in GP1,2 and effect fusion. Identification of this trigger will provide further mechanistic insights into ebolavirus infection.
Variability of pacemaker rhythm in a detailed model of cardiac sinoatrial node cells

The sinoatrial node (cardiac pacemaker) cell spontaneously generates periodic electrical signals (action potentials), and the action potential generation is deeply related to various ion channels in its cell membrane. The abnormalities of ion channels cause serious sinus arrhythmia, and such diseases are usually treated by applying drugs which have effects on ion channels. This paper uses the Zhang model of sinoatrial node cells to investigate the relation between pacemaker rhythm (frequency of action potential generation) and ion channels. The Zhang model is described by the Hodgkin-Huxley-type nonlinear ordinary differential equations, and its parameter values depend on the region (periphery or center) of the sinoatrial node. We analyze the bifurcation structure of the Zhang model, and examine the variabilities of pacemaker rhythm and its sensitivities on conductance changes of ion channels for both periphery and center cells. Moreover, these results are compared to the previous results of another sinoatrial node cell model (Yanagihara-Noma-Irisawa model). The above results are expected to be useful in the treatment of sinus arrhythmia.