Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reductions in carotid chemoreceptor activity with low‐dose dopamine improves baroreflex control of heart rate during hypoxia in humans

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the contribution of the carotid body chemoreceptors to changes in baroreflex control of heart rate with exposure to hypoxia. We hypothesized spontaneous cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (scBRS) would be reduced with hypoxia and this effect would be blunted when carotid chemoreceptor activity was reduced with low‐dose dopamine. Fifteen healthy adults (11 M/4 F) completed two visits randomized to intravenous dopamine or placebo (saline). On each visit, subjects were exposed to 5‐min normoxia (~99% SpO2), followed by 5‐min hypoxia (~84% SpO2). Blood pressure (intra‐arterial catheter) and heart rate (ECG) were measured continuously and scBRS was assessed by spectrum and sequence methodologies. scBRS was reduced with hypoxia (P < 0.01). Using the spectrum analysis approach, the fall in scBRS with hypoxia was attenuated with infusion of low‐dose dopamine (P < 0.01). The decrease in baroreflex sensitivity to rising pressures (scBRS “up‐up”) was also attenuated with low‐dose dopamine (P < 0.05). However, dopamine did not attenuate the decrease in baroreflex sensitivity to falling pressures (scBRS “down‐down”; P > 0.05). Present findings are consistent with a reduction in scBRS with systemic hypoxia. Furthermore, we show this effect is partially mediated by the carotid body chemoreceptors, given the fall in scBRS is attenuated when activity of the chemoreceptors is reduced with low‐dose dopamine. However, the improvement in scBRS with dopamine appears to be specific to rising blood pressures. These results may have important implications for impairments in baroreflex function common in disease states of acute and/or chronic hypoxemia, as well as the experimental use of dopamine to assess such changes.
Low-frequency variability in North Sea and Baltic Sea identified through simulations with the 3-D coupled physical–biogeochemical model ECOSMO

Abstract. Here we present results from a long-term model simulation of the 3-D coupled ecosystem model ECOSMO II for a North Sea and Baltic Sea set-up. The model allows both multi-decadal hindcast simulation of the marine system and specific process studies under controlled environmental conditions. Model results have been analysed with respect to long-term multi-decadal variability in both physical and biological parameters with the help of empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis. The analysis of a 61-year (1948–2008) hindcast reveals a quasi-decadal variation in salinity, temperature and current fields in the North Sea in addition to singular events of major changes during restricted time frames. These changes in hydrodynamic variables were found to be associated with changes in ecosystem productivity that are temporally aligned with the timing of reported regime shifts in the areas. Our results clearly indicate that for analysing ecosystem productivity, spatially explicit methods are indispensable. Especially in the North Sea, a correlation analysis between atmospheric forcing and primary production (PP) reveals significant correlations between PP and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and wind forcing for the central part of the region, while the Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation (AMO) and air temperature are correlated to long-term changes in PP in the southern North Sea frontal areas. Since correlations cannot serve to identify causal relationship, we performed scenario model runs perturbing the temporal variability in forcing condition to emphasize specifically the role of solar radiation, wind and eutrophication. The results revealed that, although all parameters are relevant for the magnitude of PP in the North Sea and Baltic Sea, the dominant impact on long-term variability and major shifts in ecosystem productivity was introduced by modulations of the wind fields.
Inhibitory Effect of Vernonia amygdalina on Dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats

In this study, the protective effect of Vernonia amygdalina ethanolic leaf extract against hepatic fibrosis induced by repeated intermittent administration of Dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) was investigated in rats. A total of 48 rats divided into 4 groups were used. Group 1 served as control, Group 2 received 200mg/kg Vernonia amygdalina only for 14days, Group 3 received 200mg/kg Vernonia amygdalina for 14 days followed by intraperitoneal administration of 10mg/kg DMN on first three days of each week for 2 weeks, while Group 4 received intraperitoneal administration of 10mg/kg DMN on the first three days of each week for 2 weeks. Oral administration of Vernonia amygdalina led to recovery of body/liver weight losses and sig- nificantly reversed elevation of total collagen, AST, ALT and ALP in DMN-exposed rats. Severe oxidative stress induced in fibrotic rats was evidenced by elevation in MDA levels associated with a fall in the activities of GSH, SOD and CAT in the DMN-treated group. These were significantly reversed by simultaneous treatment with Vernonia amygdalina. Recovery of rat liver tissue from DMN-induced hepatocellular necrosis and hepatic fibrosis by Vernonia amygdalina treatment was confirmed by histopathological evaluation of liver tissue. In conclusion, Vernonia amygdalina exhibits hepatoprotective, antioxidant, free radical-scavenging, and anti-fibrotic activity against DMN-induced hepatic fibrosis.
Molecular identification of abomasal bacteria associated with resistance and susceptibility to Haemonchus contortus infection in sheep Identificação molecular de bactérias abomasais associadas à resistência e susceptibilidade a infecções por Haemonchus contortus em ovinos

The widespread occurrence of anthelmintic-resistant gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs), particularly Haemonchus contortus, in sheep production systems has magnified the need to identify and develop alternative control strategies. Strategies include the selection of genetically GIN-resistant sheep and the implementation of biological parasite control to reduce dependence on anthelmintic drugs. In this study, we aimed to establish the molecular identity of bacterial communities present in the abomasum of sheep classified as resistant or susceptible to H. contortus. Thirty-eight sheep were experimentally infected with L3 Haemonchus contortus and analyzed for fecal egg count (FEC), and hematocrit (Ht) to establish haemonchosis resistance or susceptibility. Four resistant sheep (RS) and four susceptible sheep (SS) were selected for microbial sampling and subsequent phylogenetic analysis. Molecular identification of the bacteria was based on amplification of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene, construction of a 16S rDNA clone library, and subsequent gene sequencing. Significant differences (p = 0.05) were observed in the occurrence of different phyla identified in RS and SS libraries: Firmicutes (61.4% and 37.2%, respectively), Proteobacteria (10.2% and 37.2%, respectively), Bacteroidetes (12.8% and 5.8%, respectively), and unclassified bacteria (12.8% and 17%, respectively). Differences between the proportions of bacterial communities present in the RS and SS pool samples were observed, contributing as a first step toward the assessment of the association between the gastrointestinal tract microbiota and nematode resistance in sheep.
Fetal iron deficiency and genotype influence emotionality in infant rhesus monkeys.

BACKGROUND Anemia during the third trimester of fetal development affects one-third of the pregnancies in the United States and has been associated with postnatal behavioral outcomes. This study examines how fetal iron deficiency (ID) interacts with the fetal monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) genotype. MAOA metabolizes monoamine neurotransmitters. MAOA polymorphisms in humans affect temperament and modify the influence of early adverse environments on later behavior. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to advance translation of developmental ID research in animal models by taking into account genetic factors that influence outcomes in human populations. METHODS Male infant rhesus monkeys 3-4 mo old born to mothers fed an ID (10 ppm iron) diet were compared with controls (100 ppm iron). Infant monkeys with high- or low-transcription rate MAOA polymorphisms were equally distributed between diet groups. Behavioral responses to a series of structured experiences were recorded during a 25-h separation of the infants from their mothers. RESULTS Infant monkeys with low-transcription MAOA polymorphisms more clearly demonstrated the following ID effects suggested in earlier studies: a 4% smaller head circumference, a 39% lower cortisol response to social separation, a 129% longer engagement with novel visual stimuli, and 33% lesser withdrawal in response to a human intruder. The high MAOA genotype ID monkeys demonstrated other ID effects: less withdrawal and emotionality after social separation and lower "fearful" ratings. CONCLUSION MAOA × ID interactions support the role of monoamine neurotransmitters in prenatal ID effects in rhesus monkeys and the potential involvement of common human polymorphisms in determining the pattern of neurobehavioral effects produced by inadequate prenatal nutrition.
Body weight correlates with mortality in early-stage breast cancer.

HYPOTHESIS Body weight correlates with risk of breast cancer death. DESIGN A retrospective cohort study using patient medical records, electronic cancer registry data, and archived tissue specimens. SETTING A 395-bed, comprehensive community hospital. PATIENTS One thousand three hundred seventy-six women, aged 24 to 81 years, who were diagnosed with breast cancer between January 1, 1988, and December 31, 1995, and for whom complete medical records and adequate tissue specimens existed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Body weight at the time of diagnosis and patient status (ie, alive and free of breast cancer, living with breast cancer, dead of breast cancer, or dead of other cause) at the time of longest follow-up. Additional data collected, including age at diagnosis, menopausal status, tumor size, tumor grade, lymph node status, stage at diagnosis, race, estrogen-receptor (ER) status, and treatment information, were used to create multivariate Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard rate (HR) ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for breast cancer death. We collected ER status from the patients' medical records, when available, and supplemented the information by using immunohistochemical techniques to determine ER status from archived paraffin-embedded tumor blocks. RESULTS Patients were followed up for a median of 6.8 years after diagnosis. Two hundred forty-six patients died from breast cancer. Among patients with early-stage disease (I and IIA), we observed a dose-response relationship of increasing weight with increasing likelihood of dying of breast cancer. Compared with women in the lowest category of weight (< 133 lb [60 kg] at diagnosis), women in the highest category (> or = 175 lb [79 kg]) experienced a 2.5-fold increased risk of dying from breast cancer (HR ratio, 2.54 [95% CI, 1.08-6.00]; trend P = .02). Women with ER-negative cancer experienced an approximately 2-fold higher risk of dying from breast cancer compared with women with ER-positive cancer, regardless of stage at diagnosis. Women in the upper 50th percentile of weight with early-stage disease and with ER-negative tumors had a nearly 5-fold increased risk of dying (HR ratio, 4.99 [95% CI, 2.17-11.48]; P for interaction = .10) compared with women in the lower 50th percentile of weight and ER-positive tumors. The results were similar for body mass index, a measure of obesity in which weight is adjusted for height. CONCLUSION Body weight at diagnosis and ER status are important predictors of breast cancer death in early-stage disease.
ON BONETT’S ROBUST CONFIDENCE INTERVAL FOR A RATIO OF STANDARD DEVIATIONS

We propose an alternative procedure to correct a subtle misstep in Bonett’s (2006) confidence interval (CI) for the ratio of two standard deviations. The pooled kurtosis estimator for Layard’s (1973) test statistic, on which Bonett's interval is based, is consistent only when the population variances are equal. We derive an alternative estimator that is consistent when the population variances are equal and when they are unequal and use the new estimator to calculate the correct CI. Simulation studies reveal that the new CI is, in general, more accurate and more precise than the CI based on the Levene/Browne-Forsythe test W50 and Pan’s (1999) test L50. Consistent with Pan, we observe that CIs based on test W50 display a loss of precision with small samples, often resulting in intervals that have infinite width. CIs that are based on test L50 perform well with symmetric and nearly symmetric distributions, but perform poorly when the populations are skewed.
A novel upwind stabilized discontinuous finite element angular framework for deterministic dose calculations in magnetic fields

Angular discretization impacts nearly every aspect of a deterministic solution to the linear Boltzmann transport equation, especially in the presence of magnetic fields, as modeled by a streaming operator in angle. In this work a novel stabilization treatment of the magnetic field term is developed for an angular finite element discretization on the unit sphere, specifically involving piecewise partitioning of path integrals along curved element edges into uninterrupted segments of incoming and outgoing flux, with outgoing components updated iteratively. Correct order-of-accuracy for this angular framework is verified using the method of manufactured solutions for linear, quadratic, and cubic basis functions in angle. Higher order basis functions were found to reduce the error especially in strong magnetic fields and low density media. We combine an angular finite element mesh respecting octant boundaries on the unit sphere to spatial Cartesian voxel elements to guarantee an unambiguous transport sweep ordering in space. Accuracy for a dosimetrically challenging scenario involving bone and air in the presence of a 1.5 T parallel magnetic field is validated against the Monte Carlo package GEANT4. Accuracy and relative computational efficiency were investigated for various angular discretization parameters. 32 angular elements with quadratic basis functions yielded a reasonable compromise, with gamma passing rates of 99.96% (96.22%) for a 2%/2 mm (1%/1 mm) criterion. A rotational transformation of the spatial calculation geometry is performed to orient an arbitrary magnetic field vector to be along the z-axis, a requirement for a constant azimuthal angular sweep ordering. Working on the unit sphere, we apply the same rotational transformation to the angular domain to align its octants with the rotated Cartesian mesh. Simulating an oblique 1.5 T magnetic field against GEANT4 yielded gamma passing rates of 99.42% (95.45%) for a 2%/2 mm (1%/1 mm) criterion.
A rating scale for wildness and ease of handling laboratory mice: results for 21 inbred strains tested in two laboratories

Rating scales for difficulty in capturing and holding mice were devised that proved to be easy to use and highly sensitive to differences among mouse strains on the A and B priority lists of the Mouse Phenome Project. The simplicity of the scales makes it feasible to rate wildness during behavioral test sessions without adding much to testing time or distracting the technician from the principal task at hand. Overall wildness and placidity ratings obtained by combining capture and hold ratings provide a good impression of the difficulties encountered while working with lab mice in the course of complex experiments. Ratings of 21 inbred strains during the course of 15 behavioral tests in two laboratories demonstrated that the SPRET/Ei, PERA/Ei, CAST/Ei and SWR/J strains were particularly difficult to handle. The NOD/LtJ strain posed no special challenge in the Edmonton laboratory but was very difficult to handle in the Portland lab. The rating scales should be useful for judging the difficulties in working with novel targeted or induced mutations in mice as well as effects of a variety of environmental treatments or drugs.
A Smart Monitoring of a Water Quality Detector System

The importance to monitor the water quality level is undeniable due to significant impact to human health and ecosystem. The project aims to develop a wireless water quality monitoring system that aids in continuous measurements of water conditions based on pH and turbidity measurements. These two sensors are connected to microprocessor and transmitted to the database by using a Wi-Fi module as a bridge. The developed system was successfully detect both the pH and turbidity values hence updating in IoT platform. Based on the results obtained, the test water sample can be classified to class IIB which is suitable for water recreational used body contact. Overall, the developed system offers fast and easy monitoring of pH and turbidity levels with IoT application for continuous maintenance of clean water. The work is just concern on the physical water parameters hence further extend to chemical parameter for verifying a better result in measuring the WQI value.
2 CHALLENGES OF SERENDIPITY IN RECOMMENDER SYSTEMS

Most recommender systems suggest items similar to a user profile, which results in boring recommendations limited by user preferences indicated in the system. To overcome this problem, recommender systems should suggest serendipitous items, which is a challenging task, as it is unclear what makes items serendipitous to a user and how to measure serendipity. The concept is difficult to investigate, as serendipity includes an emotional dimension and serendipitous encounters are very rare. In this paper, we discuss mentioned challenges, review definitions of serendipity and serendipity-oriented evaluation metrics. The goal of the paper is to guide and inspire future efforts on serendipity in recommender systems.
PMS1T, producing phased small-interfering RNAs, regulates photoperiod-sensitive male sterility in rice

Significance New discoveries have been continuously made in recent years on the roles of noncoding RNAs in regulating biological processes. Phased small-interfering RNAs (phasiRNAs) may be the newest member discovered in recent years. The photoperiod-sensitive male sterility (PSMS) rice is a very valuable germplasm that started the era of two-line hybrid rice. Here we show that phasiRNAs generated by a long-noncoding RNA PMS1T encoded by the Pms1 locus regulates PSMS in rice. This work provides a case associating the phasiRNAs with a biological trait, especially an agriculturally highly important trait, thus confirming that the phasiRNAs indeed have biological functions. Phased small-interfering RNAs (phasiRNAs) are a special class of small RNAs, which are generated in 21- or 24-nt intervals from transcripts of precursor RNAs. Although phasiRNAs have been found in a range of organisms, their biological functions in plants have yet to be uncovered. Here we show that phasiRNAs generated by the photopheriod-sensetive genic male sterility 1 (Pms1) locus were associated with photoperiod-sensitive male sterility (PSMS) in rice, a germplasm that started the two-line hybrid rice breeding. The Pms1 locus encodes a long-noncoding RNA PMS1T that was preferentially expressed in young panicles. PMS1T was targeted by miR2118 to produce 21-nt phasiRNAs that preferentially accumulated in the PSMS line under long-day conditions. A single nucleotide polymorphism in PMS1T nearby the miR2118 recognition site was critical for fertility change, likely leading to differential accumulation of the phasiRNAs. This result suggested possible roles of phasiRNAs in reproductive development of rice, demonstrating the potential importance of this RNA class as regulators in biological processes.
Enhanced cellular internalization and gene silencing with a series of cationic dendron‐multiwalled carbon nanotube:siRNA complexes

One of the major obstacles to the clinical development of gene silencing by small interfering RNA (siRNA) is its effective cytoplasmic delivery. Carbon nano‐tubes have been proposed as novel nanomaterials that can offer significant advantages for the intracellular delivery of nucleic acids, such as siRNA. We recently demonstrated in a proof‐of‐principle study that amino‐functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (f‐MWNT) can effectively deliver in vivo an siRNA sequence, triggering cell apoptosis that results in human lung xenograft eradication and prolonged survival. In the present study, we demonstrate how a newly synthesized series of polycationic dendron‐MWNT constructs with a precisely tailored number of amino functions (dendron generations) can complex and effectively deliver double‐stranded siRNA to achieve gene silencing in vitro. A systematic comparison between the f‐MWNT series in terms of cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and siRNA complexation is offered. Significant improvement in siRNA delivery with the dendron‐MWNT conjugates is shown, and gene silencing was obtained in 2 human cell lines using 2 different siRNA sequences. The study reveals that through f‐MWNT structure‐biological function analysis novel nanotube‐based siRNA transfer vectors can be designed with minimal cytotoxicity and effective delivery and gene‐silencing capabilities. —Al‐Jamal, K. T. , Toma, F. M. , Yilmazer, A. , Ali‐Boucetta, H. , Nunes, A. , Herrero, M. ‐A. , Tian, B. , Eddaoudi, A. , Al‐Jamal, W. T. , Bianco, A. , Prato, M. , Kostarelos, K. Enhanced cellular internalization and gene silencing with a series of cationic dendron‐multiwalled carbon nanotube:siRNA complexes. FASEB J. 24, 4354–4365 (2010). www.fasebj. org
Asymmetric nature of two subunits of RAD18, a RING-type ubiquitin ligase E3, in the human RAD6A–RAD18 ternary complex

RAD18, a RING-type ubiquitin ligase (E3) that plays an essential role in post-replication repair, possesses distinct domains named RING, UBZ, SAP and the RAD6-binding domain (R6BD) and forms a dimer. RAD6, an ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2), stably associates with R6BD in the C-terminal portion. In this study, we established a method to distinguish between the two subunits of RAD18 by introduction of different tags, and analyzed mutant complexes. Our results, surprisingly, demonstrate that RAD6A and RAD18 form a ternary complex, RAD6A–(RAD18)2 and the presence of only one R6BD in the two RAD18 subunits is sufficient for ternary complex formation and the ligase activity. Interestingly, ligase activity of a mutant dimer lacking both R6BDs is not restored even with large amounts of RAD6A added in solution, suggesting a requirement for precise juxtaposition via interaction with R6BD. We further show that mutations in both subunits of either RING or SAP, but not UBZ, strongly reduce ligase activity, although inactivation in only one of two subunits is without effect. These results suggest an asymmetric nature of the two RAD18 subunits in the complex.