Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Myocardial Cell and Sarcomere Lengths in the Normal Dog Heart

The purpose of this study was to measure myocardial cell and sarcomere lengths at the bases and apices of the right (RV) and left ventricle (LV) of 4 normal canine hearts. The RV and LV were simultaneously fixed with glutaraldehyde at zero transmural pressure. Sections of trabeculae carneae were taken from the 1 cm cut at the bases (free wall) of the RV and LV. They were further fixed with osmium tetroxide, embedded in Epon 812, sectioned at ½ to 1 μ and stained with azure II and methylene blue. Measured from photomicrographs (X 1,000) taken with the phase microscope, mean cell length was 70.9 μ±1.49 (SEM); no statistical difference existed between the cell lengths at the bases and apices of the RV and LV. From adjacent tissue, the measurements of sarcomere lengths made from photomicrographs (phase microscope, oil immersion lens, enlarged to X 4,000) were not statistically different from those made with the electron microscope (P>0.9). The sarcomere lengths at the LV base were the shortest−2.16 μ±0.002 (SEM), followed by the LV apex, 2.28 μ±0.005 (SEM); RV base, 2.41 μ±0.006 (SEM); and RV apex, 2.46 μ±0.003 (SEM). These variations in sarcomere length show the importance of specifying the site of sampling of myocardial tissue. The sarcomere lengths were related inversely to the thickness of the ventricular wall. This observation may be considered the structural reflection of the lesser distensibility of the left base as compared with the right apex, and may be simply the manifestation of the fact that the left base contains more muscle fibers.
Transient Treg depletion enhances therapeutic anti‐cancer vaccination

Regulatory T cells (Treg) play an important role in suppressing anti‐ immunity and their depletion has been linked to improved outcomes. To better understand the role of Treg in limiting the efficacy of anti‐cancer immunity, we used a Diphtheria toxin (DTX) transgenic mouse model to specifically target and deplete Treg.
Environmental Fate of Double-Stranded RNA in Agricultural Soils

A laboratory soil degradation study was conducted to determine the biodegradation potential of a DvSnf7 dsRNA transcript derived from a Monsanto genetically modified (GM) maize product that confers resistance to corn rootworm (CRW; Diabrotica spp.). This study provides new information to improve the environmental assessment of dsRNAs that become pesticidal through an RNAi process. Three agricultural soils differing in their physicochemical characteristics were obtained from the U.S., Illinois (IL; silt loam), Missouri (MO; loamy sand) and North Dakota (ND; clay loam), and exposed to the target dsRNA by incorporating insect-protected maize biomass and purified (in vitro-transcribed) DvSnf7 RNA into soil. The GM and control (non-GM maize) materials were added to each soil and incubated at ca. 22°C for 48 hours (h). Samples were collected at 12 time intervals during the incubation period, extracted, and analyzed using QuantiGene molecular analysis and insect bioassay methods. The DT50 (half-life) values for DvSnf7 RNA in IL, MO, and ND soils were 19, 28, and 15 h based on QuantiGene, and 18, 29, and 14 h based on insect bioassay, respectively. Furthermore, the DT90 (time to 90% degradation) values for DvSnf7 RNA in all three soils were <35 h. These results indicate that DvSnf7 RNA was degraded and biological activity was undetectable within approximately 2 days after application to soil, regardless of texture, pH, clay content and other soil differences. Furthermore, soil-incorporated DvSnf7 RNA was non-detectable in soil after 48 h, as measured by QuantiGene, at levels ranging more than two orders of magnitude (0.3, 1.5, 7.5 and 37.5 µg RNA/g soil). Results from this study indicate that the DvSnf7 dsRNA is unlikely to persist or accumulate in the environment. Furthermore, the rapid degradation of DvSnf7 dsRNA provides a basis to define relevant exposure scenarios for future RNA-based agricultural products.
Reliability based structural design

According to ISO 2394, structures shall be designed, constructed and maintained in such a way that they are suited for their use during the design working life in an economic way. To fulfil this requirement one needs insight into the risk and reliability under expected and non-expected actions. A key role in this respect is played by the structural reliability analysis (SRA). In this paper the present state of the art will be summarised, including the simplifications to semi-probabilistic calculations as being used in daily practice. Although in principle the adopted Bayesian reliability approach should be able to take care of all uncertainties involved, present practice still uses other safety concepts like Robustness Design and Quality Assurance as tools for achieving the safety objectives of design and assessment.
Impact of different water activities (aw) adjusted by solutes on high pressure high temperature inactivation of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens spores

Much research has been conducted to comprehend the mechanisms of high pressure (HP) inactivation of spores in aqueous systems but for food model systems these information are scarce. In these systems spores can interact with ingredients which then could possibly lead to retarded or reduced inactivation, which can cause a problem for the sterilization process. The protective mechanism of a reduced aw-value is still unclear. HP processing might prove valuable to overcome protective effects of solutes and achieve shorter process times for sterilization under HP. To gain insight into the underlying mechanisms five aw-values (0.9, 0.92, 0.94, 0.96, 1) were adjusted with two different solutes (NaCl, sucrose). Solutions were inoculated with spores of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and treated at 105, 110, and 115°C at 600 MPa. Further a thermal inactivation was conducted at the same temperatures for a comparison with the HP data. Afterward, the influence of HP high temperature treatment on the inactivation, the dipicolinic acid (DPA)-release and membrane constitution was assessed by plate count, HPLC and flow cytometry (FCM). The results show that during HP treatments sucrose and salt both have a protective effect, in which the influence of sucrose on the retarded inactivation is higher. The threshold water activities (aw), which is 0.94, here salt and sucrose have a significant influence on the inactivation. The comparison of thermal (105–115°C) and HP and high temperature (600 MPa, 105–115°C) treated samples showed that the time needed to achieve a 4–5 log10 inactivation is reduced from 45 (aw = 1) to 75 (aw = 0.9) min at 105°C to 3 (aw = 1) to 15 (aw = 0.9) minutes at 600 MPa and 105°C. The release of DPA is the rate limiting step of the inactivation and therefore monitoring the release is of great interest. The DPA-release is slowed down in high concentrated solutions (e.g., sucrose, salt) in comparison to aw 1. Since there is a difference in the way the solutes protect the spore it could be seen as an inner spore membrane effect. Maybe as shown for vegetative microorganism the solutes can interact with membranes, e.g., the inner spore membrane. Flow cytometry (FCM) measurement data show a similar trend.
Obesity and the risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation.

THE PREVALENCE OF ATRIAL FIbrillation (AF), the most common cardiac dysrhythmia, is expected to increase several-fold in the coming decades. Because the onset of AF is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality despite contemporary therapies, the identification of potentially modifiable risk factors for AF is an important goal. Prior studies have demonstrated that advanced age, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease increase the risk of developing AF. Obesity occurs in association with most of these conditions, but it is unclear whether obesity itself predisposes to AF. The rationale for hypothesizing such a link comes from experimental and clinical data suggesting that adiposity influences atrial and ventricular structure, autonomic tone, andventricular diastolic function. Prior epidemiologic studies have yielded conflicting results regarding whether obesity is a risk factor for AF, but these studies were potentially limited by short-term followup, failure to account for interim cardiovascular events, and lack of echocardiographic data. The availability of long-term follow-up in the Framingham Heart Study provided an opportunity to examine the
Processing of kinetically defined boundaries in the cortical motion area MT of the macaque monkey.

1. Electrophysiological recordings of 68 cells in the middle temporal area MT were made in paralyzed and anesthetized macaque monkeys. 2. Testing with our kinetic boundary stimuli always occurred under optimized conditions. To this end, the preferred direction, speed, stimulus position, and stimulus size of each cell were determined by quantitative tests. 3. The orientation selectivity to stationary luminance contrast edges served as a reference by which a response to kinetic boundaries could be compared. We found cells in area MT to be less selective to the orientation of luminance contrast stimuli than to the direction of motion. We confirmed the presence of neurons with preferred orientation aligned with their preferred direction. 4. The responses to kinetic edges defined by motion vectors moving in opposite directions, kinetic gratings with motion vectors in opposite directions, kinetic edges containing coherent motion and a stationary complementary field or coherent motion and a complementary field containing visual dynamic noise were compared. Kinetic boundaries were generated so that the motion vectors moved either parallel or orthogonal to the orientation of the discontinuity. For a cell to be considered as responding to the orientation of a kinetic boundary, it had to exhibit the same preferred orientation when the local motion vectors changed from parallel to orthogonal to the orientation of the kinetic boundary. 5. All cells in area MT changed their preferred orientation by 90 degrees when the coherent motion vectors changed from moving parallel to moving orthogonal to the boundary. This was the case independent of the types of kinetic boundary tested. We concluded that cells in area MT appear to respond to the motion vector over their classical receptive field (CRF) only and were unable to code the orientation of the kinetic boundary. 6. In those cells exhibiting an antagonistic surround, we examined the ability of the cell to code the position of a kinetic boundary. None of the cells tested signaled the position of a kinetic boundary. The side preference of the stimulus of the cells changed from left to right as the motion vectors in the stimulus reversed. This indicates that the cells were only selective for the motion vectors present over their CRF. 7. We found that the directional sensitivity of cells in area MT remained unaltered by the presence of additional motion vectors within the CRF. This suggests that cells in area MT extract a specific motion vector from a spatial configuration of vectors. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Acetaldehyde Reference Exposure Levels

A to differentially impact infants and children. Acetaldehyde was chosen for a focused literature review due to its effects as a respiratory irritant and possible exacerbation of asthma. In addition, acetaldehyde has high California Hot Spots and mobile source emissions, and secondary formation in the atmosphere (OEHHA 2001). Based on ac and chronic inhalation studies conducted mostly in experimental animals, the target tissue for acetaldehyde has consistently been at the portal of entry with effects occurring primarily in the upper respiratory tract at lowest concentrations.
Phylogenetic Analysis Supports a Link between DUF1220 Domain Number and Primate Brain Expansion

The expansion of DUF1220 domain copy number during human evolution is a dramatic example of rapid and repeated domain duplication. However, the phenotypic relevance of DUF1220 dosage is unknown. Although patterns of expression, homology and disease associations suggest a role in cortical development, this hypothesis has not been robustly tested using phylogenetic methods. Here, we estimate DUF1220 domain counts across 12 primate genomes using a nucleotide Hidden Markov Model. We then test a series of hypotheses designed to examine the potential evolutionary significance of DUF1220 copy number expansion. Our results suggest a robust association with brain size, and more specifically neocortex volume. In contradiction to previous hypotheses we find a strong association with postnatal brain development, but not with prenatal brain development. Our results provide further evidence of a conserved association between specific loci and brain size across primates, suggesting human brain evolution occurred through a continuation of existing processes.
Parity and Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis in Elderly Women: The Rotterdam Study

Background and Purpose— It has been postulated that physiological changes in the cardiovascular system, lipids, and glucose metabolism during pregnancy may increase subsequent risk of cardiovascular disease. Examination of the association between parity and risk factors for atherosclerosis may contribute information regarding possible mechanisms. Methods— The relationship of parity with cardiovascular risk factors and the presence of carotid atherosclerosis was examined in the Rotterdam Study, a population-based study comprising 4878 women aged 55 years and older. Carotid atherosclerosis was assessed by ultrasonographic detection of plaques in the common carotid artery and bifurcation. Logistic regression models were used to compute odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals, adjusted for confounding factors. Results— Parity was inversely associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and alcohol intake. Parity was positively associated with body mass index, total/HDL cholesterol ratio, insulin resistance, age at menopause, and socioeconomic status. Relative to nulliparous women, parous women had 36% (9% to 71%) greater risk of carotid atherosclerosis, rising to 64% in women with ≥4 children (19% to 127%). Adjustment for known cardiovascular risk factors, including insulin resistance and current lipid levels, did not diminish the magnitude of this association. Conclusions— Data demonstrated that there is a positive association between parity and risk of carotid artery plaques in elderly women and, further, that high parity is associated with lower HDL cholesterol levels and higher glucose/insulin ratios long after childbearing has ceased.
Maximal Heart Rate and Treadmill Performance of Healthy Women in Relation to Age

Maximal treadmill exercise heart rate, work capacity and electrocardiographic response were studied in 95 asymptomatic, predominantly sedentary women between the ages of 19 and 69 years. Average maximal heart rate (MHR) was found inversely related to age, such that MHR = 216 - 0.88 (years of age) ± 10 beats/min (Xi 1 SD). Treadmill exercise endurance was 7.64 min ± 1.99. The reduction of treadmill endurance with advancing age was not statistically significant. Asymptomatic ST-segment depression occurred in 6% of subjects. In 5% the ST segment sloped upward, and in 1% it was flat. Mean age of women with ST depression was 52 years, compared with 39 years mean age of all subjects. Premature beats during exercise were found in 20 of 95 subjects, and were not related to age. Graded exercise testing of women employing target heart rates should use heart rate tables developed especially for women. These tables do not require correction for athletically trained or sedentary life-style.
Retinoids suppress proliferation, induce cell spreading, and up-regulate connexin43 expression only in postconfluent 10T1/2 cells: implications for the role of gap junctional communication.

The antiproliferative actions of retinoids in the C3H/10T1/2 cell system are exhibited as a decrease in proliferation rate and a decreased cell saturation density at confluence. These actions correlate with up-regulated gap junctional communication (GJC) driven by the retinoid-induced increased expression of the gap junctional protein connexin43 (Cx43). Here we examine which actions of retinoids occur only in cells making extensive intercellular contacts, and thus may be mediated through GJC, and which are exhibited in the absence of extensive intercellular contacts and thus may be independent of GJC. In confluent cultures, the synthetic retinoid tetrahydrotetramethylnapthalenyl-propenylbenzoic acid (TTNPB) increased GJC, reduced the already low [3H]thymidine-labeling index of G1 growth-arrested confluent cells from 4.2 to < 0.1%, and increased the area occupied by each cell by 42%. In contrast, none of these parameters was altered in logarithmic growth phase cells with very limited intercellular contacts. In order to separate cell-cell contact from cell cycle-related phenomena, non-contacting cells were arrested in early G1 by lovastatin. In this situation, Cx43 expression was low and inducible by retinoids, as in G1/G0 growth-arrested confluent cells; however, no cell spreading was induced by TTNPB. In contrast, in non-contacting cycling cells or in cells arrested by aphidicolin, Cx43 expression was higher than in confluent cells. In this situation, TTNPB did not induce Cx43 and did not induce spreading. These data demonstrate the cell cycle phase dependence of connexin43 expression and of retinoid action. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Nitrite Reductase Activity and Inhibition of H2S Biogenesis by Human Cystathionine ß-Synthase

Nitrite was recognized as a potent vasodilator >130 years and has more recently emerged as an endogenous signaling molecule and modulator of gene expression. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate nitrite metabolism is essential for its use as a potential diagnostic marker as well as therapeutic agent for cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we have identified human cystathionine ß-synthase (CBS) as a new player in nitrite reduction with implications for the nitrite-dependent control of H2S production. This novel activity of CBS exploits the catalytic property of its unusual heme cofactor to reduce nitrite and generate NO. Evidence for the possible physiological relevance of this reaction is provided by the formation of ferrous-nitrosyl (FeII-NO) CBS in the presence of NADPH, the human diflavin methionine synthase reductase (MSR) and nitrite. Formation of FeII-NO CBS via its nitrite reductase activity inhibits CBS, providing an avenue for regulating biogenesis of H2S and cysteine, the limiting reagent for synthesis of glutathione, a major antioxidant. Our results also suggest a possible role for CBS in intracellular NO biogenesis particularly under hypoxic conditions. The participation of a regulatory heme cofactor in CBS in nitrite reduction is unexpected and expands the repertoire of proteins that can liberate NO from the intracellular nitrite pool. Our results reveal a potential molecular mechanism for cross-talk between nitrite, NO and H2S biology.
Fc Receptors for Immunoglobulins and Their Appearance during Vertebrate Evolution

Receptors interacting with the constant domain of immunoglobulins (Igs) have a number of important functions in vertebrates. They facilitate phagocytosis by opsonization, are key components in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity as well as activating cells to release granules. In mammals, four major types of classical Fc receptors (FcRs) for IgG have been identified, one high-affinity receptor for IgE, one for both IgM and IgA, one for IgM and one for IgA. All of these receptors are related in structure and all of them, except the IgA receptor, are found in primates on chromosome 1, indicating that they originate from a common ancestor by successive gene duplications. The number of Ig isotypes has increased gradually during vertebrate evolution and this increase has likely been accompanied by a similar increase in isotype-specific receptors. To test this hypothesis we have performed a detailed bioinformatics analysis of a panel of vertebrate genomes. The first components to appear are the poly-Ig receptors (PIGRs), receptors similar to the classic FcRs in mammals, so called FcRL receptors, and the FcR γ chain. These molecules are not found in cartilagous fish and may first appear within bony fishes, indicating a major step in Fc receptor evolution at the appearance of bony fish. In contrast, the receptor for IgA is only found in placental mammals, indicating a relatively late appearance. The IgM and IgA/M receptors are first observed in the monotremes, exemplified by the platypus, indicating an appearance during early mammalian evolution. Clearly identifiable classical receptors for IgG and IgE are found only in marsupials and placental mammals, but closely related receptors are found in the platypus, indicating a second major step in Fc receptor evolution during early mammalian evolution, involving the appearance of classical IgG and IgE receptors from FcRL molecules and IgM and IgA/M receptors from PIGR.
A peer-to-peer architecture for massive multiplayer online games

Massive Multiplayer Online Games with their virtual gaming worlds grow in user numbers as well as in the size of the virtual worlds. With this growth comes a significant increase of the requirements for server hardware. Today an MMOG provider usually faces the problem of serving thousands of users with entire server clusters. Peer-to-Peer networks with their high scalability and flexibility meet the requirements of connecting hundreds of thousands of people all over the world without a central server. In doing so the network bandwidth requirements remain at a reasonable level. In this work we propose to combine MMOGs with a Peer-to-Peer network. We introduce a game architecture capable of exploiting the flexibility and scalability of P2P networks. A P2P architecture based on an overlay network using distributed hash tables with support for persistent object storage and event distribution has been developed to meet MMOG requirements.
Serum iron concentration and plasma oxidant-antioxidant balance in patients with chronic venous insufficency

Summary Background The aim of this study was to evaluate serum iron concentration and influence of this element on biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients affected by chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Material/Methods Serum iron (SI) concentration and plasma parameters of oxidant–antioxidant balance (i.e., malonyldialdehyde [MDA], uric acid [UA] concentration, and total antioxidant capacity [TAC]) were compared between 35 patients divided into appropriate groups and 23 healthy individuals. Results The subgroups analysis showed that SI concentration was significantly higher only in patients with shorter duration of CVI in comparison with the control group (P=0.013). Significant, negative correlation was found between SI concentration and duration of the disease (r=−0.422, P=0.014), age of the patients (r=−0.542, P=0.001) and BMI (r=−0.408, P=0.018). Mean value of MDA concentration and TAC capacity were higher in patients with CVI in comparison with healthy individuals (P<0.05). UA concentration was decreased, especially in CVI patients with mild clinical stage of disease and shorter CVI duration (P=0.047; P=0.034). There was no significant correlation found between SI concentration and the parameters of oxidant–antioxidant balance. Conclusions High concentration of MDA and low UA level in blood of CVI patients suggests that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. The increase in SI concentration observed in the early stage of CVI can enhance free radicals formation; however, direct evidence has not been provided by the present study.