Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential histochemical effects of muscle contractions on phosphorylase and glycogen in various types of fibres: relation to fatigue.

Recenthistochemical studies haveshownthat striated muscle fibres aremoreheterogeneous than merely white andred. Stein andPadykula (1962),who determined theintensities ofsuccinic dehydrogenase activity offibres inratfastandslowmuscle (gastrocnemius, soleus), foundinaddition tothe classical whitemuscle fibres (Afibres) twokinds ofredfibres (BandC). Romanul(1964) foundin thesamemuscles eight different typesoffibres fromthestandpoint oftherelative amountof several enzymes. Studies oftheproperties ofsingle motorunits in thelimbmuscles ofthecatandrathavedisclosed awiderangeofcontraction speed, tension output andfatiguability-fo r example, GordonandPhillips,
Analysis of urinary S-phenylmercapturic acid and trans, trans-muconic acid as exposure biomarkers of benzene in petrochemical and industrial areas of Korea.

OBJECTIVES Recently, S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA) and trans,trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA) in urine have been proposed as reliable biomarkers for monitoring occupational exposure to benzene. The aim of this study was to test the applicability of S-PMA and t,t-MA as exposure biomarkers and to monitor the occupational exposure level and the extent of environmental contamination from benzene in Korea. METHODS The urinary excretion of S-PMA and t,t-MA in rats after the intraperitoneal administration of benzene (0.88-800 mg/kg body weight, 7 days) was examined. These biomarkers were also validated in human urine samples collected from elementary schoolchildren in several industrial areas including chemical manufacturing plants, oil refineries, and natural gas-producing installations in Korea. Urine was collected from elementary schoolchildren in a mountain village with no known occupational exposure to benzene and air pollution as the reference group. RESULTS In rats, there was a significant relationship between the benzene concentration and the excretion of the urinary S-PMA and t,t-MA as a function of concentration, and the excretion of benzene metabolites peaked on the first day after intraperitoneal administration. In human urine, higher levels of S-PMA and t,t-MA were detected more frequently in petrochemical industrial areas than in areas with no known occupational exposure to benzene. CONCLUSIONS These results show that the quantitative determination of S-PMA and t,t-MA in urine can be used as a reliable exposure biomarker for benzene, and they also suggest that extensive attention to benzene exposure is needed for maintaining the health of the population in Korea.
Schistosomal egg antigen‐responsive CD8 T‐cell population in Schistosoma mansoni‐infected BALB/c mice

We demonstrated here that schistosomal egg antigen (SEA) is able to stimulate an antigen‐specific, cytotoxic CD8+ T‐cell response in mice. Indeed, a single i.p. immunization with SEA resulted in the in vivo induction of significant cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity in the spleen within 20 days. Effector cells were classic class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC)‐restricted CD8+ lymphocytes producing interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), suggesting a type 1 response to SEA. We therefore investigated the relevance of these observations in the context of the Schistosoma mansoni parasite infection. CTL activity against SEA‐pulsed target cells was evidenced throughout the infection after in vitro stimulation of recovered splenic cells with SEA demonstrating that SEA‐specific CD8+ T cells with cytotoxic potentialities are present during infection. This activity was strongly increased after immunization of mice with SEA like the production of IFN‐γ in the sera. A marked reduction in the number of granulomas and of fibrosis with the presence of cells producing IFN‐γ in the liver was also observed leading to the survival of SEA‐immunized mice.
RenderBots—Multi‐Agent Systems for Direct Image Generation

The term stroke‐based rendering collectively describes techniques where images are generated from elements that are usually larger than a pixel. These techniques lend themselves well for rendering artistic styles such as stippling and hatching. This paper presents a novel approach for stroke‐based rendering that exploits multi‐agent systems. RenderBots are individual agents each of which in general represents one stroke. They form a multi‐agent system and undergo a simulation to distribute themselves in the environment. The environment consists of a source image and possibly additional G‐buffers. The final image is created when the simulation is finished by having each RenderBot execute its painting function. RenderBot classes differ in their physical behavior as well as their way of painting so that different styles can be created in a very flexible way.
High molecular mass multimer complexes and vascular expression contribute to high adiponectin in the fetus.

CONTEXT High plasma adiponectin concentrations in human fetuses and neonates are unique features of early developmental stages. Yet, the origins of the high adiponectin concentrations in the perinatal period remain elusive. OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to identify the sources and functional properties of adiponectin in utero. DESIGN AND METHODS Tissue specimens were obtained at autopsy from 21- to 39-wk-old stillborn human fetuses. Adipose tissue and placenta were obtained at term elective cesarean section. Adiponectin complexes and expression were measured by immunodetection and real-time PCR. RESULTS Adiponectin mRNA transcripts were detected in fetal sc and omental adipose depots at lower concentrations than in maternal adipose tissue. Immunoreactive adiponectin was also observed in vascular endothelial cells of fetal organs, including skeletal muscle, kidney, and brain. The absence of adiponectin in all placental cell types and lack of correlation between maternal and umbilical adiponectin indicate that umbilical adiponectin reflects its exclusive production by fetal tissues. The most prominent forms of adiponectin in fetal plasma were high and low molecular mass (HMW and LMW) multimers of 340 and 160 kDa, respectively. The proportion of the HMW complexes was 5-fold (P < 0.001) higher in umbilical plasma than in adult. The high HMW and total adiponectin levels were associated with lower insulin concentration and lower homeostasis model of assessment of insulin resistance indices in umbilical plasma, reflecting higher insulin sensitivity of the fetus compared with adult. CONCLUSIONS The abundance of HMW adiponectin and its vascular expression are characteristics of human fetal adiponectin. Combined with high insulin sensitivity, fetal adiponectin may be a critical determinant of in utero growth.
Dynamic targeting of the replication machinery to sites of DNA damage

Components of the DNA replication machinery localize into discrete subnuclear foci after DNA damage, where they play requisite functions in repair processes. Here, we find that the replication factors proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and RPAp34 dynamically exchange at these repair foci with discrete kinetics, and this behavior is distinct from kinetics during DNA replication. Posttranslational modification is hypothesized to target specific proteins for repair, and we find that accumulation and stability of PCNA at sites of damage requires monoubiquitination. Contrary to the popular notion that phosphorylation on the NH2 terminus of RPAp34 directs the protein for repair, we demonstrate that phosphorylation by DNA-dependent protein kinase enhances RPAp34 turnover at repair foci. Together, these findings support a dynamic exchange model in which multiple repair factors regulated by specific modifications have access to and rapidly turn over at sites of DNA damage.
Trying to predict the unpredictable: Variations in device-based daily monitored diagnostic parameters can predict malignant arrhythmic events in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of device-based diagnostic parameters in predicting ventricular arrhythmias in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) recipients. METHODS Ninety-six CRT-D patients participating in TRUST CRT Trial were analyzed. The inclusion criteria were: heart failure in NYHA ≥ 3 class, QRS ≥ 120 ms, LVEF £ 35% and significant mechanical dyssynchrony. Patients were divided into those with (n = 31, 92 arrhythmias) and without (n = 65) appropriate ICD interventions within follow-up of 12.03 ± 6.7 months. Daily monitored device-based parameters: heart rate (HR), thoracic impedance (TI), HR variability and physical activity were analyzed in 4 time windows: within 10, 7, 3 days and 1 day before appropriate ICD interventions. RESULTS A consistent pattern of changes in three monitored factors was observed prior to arrhythmia: 1) a gradual increase of day HR (from 103.43% of reference within 10-day window to 105.55% one day before, all p < 0.05 vs. reference); 2) variations in night HR (104.75% in 3 days, 107.65% one day before, all p < 0.05) and 3) TI decrease (from 97.8% in 10 days to 96.81% one day before, all p < 0.05). The combination of three parameters had better predictive value, which improved further after exclusion of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The predictive model combining HR and TI together with LVEF and NT-proBNP was more prognostic than the model involving LVEF and NT-proBNP alone (difference in AUC 0.05, 95% CI 0.0005-0.09, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS Daily device-monitored parameters show significant variations prior to ventricular arrhythmia. Combination of multiple parameters improves arrhythmia predictive performance by its additive value to baseline risk factors, while presence of AF diminishes it.
Cultivation of the King Oyster Mushroom (Plerrotus eryngii) in Egypt

2 Abstract: Plerrotus eryngii is an edible mushroom that highly appreciated and has a commercial potential in many countries, was newly introduced to Egypt from China. This study investigated the possibility of using some local lignocellulosic wastes as growing media. Mycelium linear growth, wheat bran supplementation level, incubation period, yield, and chemical composition of fruit bodies were estimated. The suitable wheat bran supplementation level for sawdust, soybean straw and rice straw media was 25%, which gave the maximum mycelium linear growth being 8.9, 8.4 and 7.6 mm/day. W hile, the maximum mycelium linear growth on sugar cane bagasse 6.7 mm/day was achieved at 30%wheat bran level. Incubation period for the different tested media ranged from 30 - 41 days, sawdust recorded the shortest period, while sugar cane bagasse recorded the longest one. The maximum yield being 201 g/kg wet media and biological efficiency (BE) 65.22%was obtained when grown on sawdust. Sugar cane bagasse gave the lowest yield 139 g/ kg wet media with biological efficiency of 45.71%. Pleurotus eryngii grown on different tested media contained 87.63 - 90.26% moisture, 21.33 - 24.08% crude protein, 2.96 - 3.78% ether extract, and 6.54 - 8.02% ash. Cultivation of Pleurotus eryngii under local conditions and using the available cheap lignocellulosic wastes in Egypt is an important achievement, since this type of mushroom is highly prized for their nutritive and medicinal value.
Perinuclear Mitochondrial Clustering Creates an Oxidant-Rich Nuclear Domain Required for Hypoxia-Induced Transcription

Reactive oxygen species generated by mitochondria that redistribute near the nucleus promote transcriptional responses to hypoxia. Mitochondria for Transcription A key response to reduced oxygen tension, a condition referred to as hypoxia, involves the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) family of transcription factors. During hypoxia, HIF-1α translocates to the nucleus to activate genes involved in adapting to oxygen deprivation. Al-Mehdi et al. showed that the transcriptional response to hypoxia was accompanied by the subcellular redistribution of mitochondria around the nucleus. Reactive oxygen species produced by the redistributed mitochondria caused oxidative modification of the promoter regions of HIF-1 target genes, such as that encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The introduction of oxidative modifications in these promoters enhanced HIF-1α association and gene expression. Because the presence of hypoxia in solid tumors is an indicator of poor prognosis, understanding the details of the transcriptional response to hypoxia may provide new targets for the therapeutic treatment of solid tumors. Mitochondria can govern local concentrations of second messengers, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial translocation to discrete subcellular regions may contribute to this signaling function. Here, we report that exposure of pulmonary artery endothelial cells to hypoxia triggered a retrograde mitochondrial movement that required microtubules and the microtubule motor protein dynein and resulted in the perinuclear clustering of mitochondria. This subcellular redistribution of mitochondria was accompanied by the accumulation of ROS in the nucleus, which was attenuated by suppressing perinuclear clustering of mitochondria with nocodazole to destabilize microtubules or with small interfering RNA–mediated knockdown of dynein. Although suppression of perinuclear mitochondrial clustering did not affect the hypoxia-induced increase in the nuclear abundance of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) or the binding of HIF-1α to an oligonucleotide corresponding to a hypoxia response element (HRE), it eliminated oxidative modifications of the VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) promoter. Furthermore, suppression of perinuclear mitochondrial clustering reduced HIF-1α binding to the VEGF promoter and decreased VEGF mRNA accumulation. These findings support a model for hypoxia-induced transcriptional regulation in which perinuclear mitochondrial clustering results in ROS accumulation in the nucleus and causes oxidative base modifications in the VEGF HRE that are important for transcriptional complex assembly and VEGF mRNA expression.
Korotnevella hemistylolepis N. Sp. and Korotnevella monacantholepis N. Sp. (Paramoebidae), Two New Scale‐covered Mesohaline Amoebae

Abstract Two new species of Korotnevella Goodkov, 1988, Korotnevella hemistylolepis n. sp. and Korotnevella monacantholepis n. sp. , are described from mesohaline ecosystems. The amoebae are characterized on the basis of light and electron microscopy with special emphasis on the structure of the basket scales, which have species-specific architecture. The two new species are the second and third ones recovered from environments other than freshwater. In terms of scale morphology they most closely resemble a freshwater species, Korotnevella bulla (Schaeffer, 1926) Goodkov, 1988. Two genus names, Dactylamoeba Korotnev, 1880 and Korotnevella Goodkov, 1988, are in current use. The latter name is preferred, pending rediscovery and characterization of Dactylamoeba elongata Korotnev, 1880, the type species of the genus. Korotnevella species can be divided into three groups on the basis of scale morphology, suggesting that the genus may not be monophyletic. A key to species is provided.
Evaluation of detection methods for Legionella species using seeded water samples

South African laboratories are currently using various methods in a non-standardised approach to detect Legionella species in environmental samples. In an attempt to provide guidelines for the development of a standard method, a number of currently available detection methods were evaluated, using seeded samples of sterile and non-sterile tap water, cooling water and make-u p water. The samples were seeded with a type strain of L. pneumophila serogroup 1 (American Type Culture Collection 33152). The effect of sample concentration by centrifugation and membrane filtration followed by either vortex or sonication for resuspensi on of organisms was studied. Three currently available culture methods were evaluated: the International standard method (ISO/DIS 11731), the Australian standard method (AS 3896 - 1991) and a locally-developed adaptation of the most probable number method (MPN). In addition, the direct immunofluorescence test and a commercially available latex agglutination test kit were included in the evaluations. The usefulness of treatment with acid or heat prior to culture was also compared. Our results indicated that concentration by membrane filtration using nitro-cellulose filters with a pore size of 0.45 μm, followed by sonication for 10 min, would be the most appropriate concentration and resuspension method for the samples. In the absence of sample pretreatment with acid or heat, organism recovery from sterile seeded samples on BCYE ranged from 85.9 ‐ 98.7%. However, in the non-sterile samples, these figures dropped to 8.1 ‐ 38.5%. Sample pretreatment resulted in a further loss of at least 50% of organisms in all the samples, regardless of the pretreatment method or culture medium used. In general, the ISO and AS methods were more appropriate than the MPN method for organism recovery from sterile seeded samples. However, for the nonsterile samples, the MPN method yielded better recovery.
Designing frames for matching pursuit algorithms

A technique for designing frames to use with vector selection algorithms, for example matching pursuits (MP), is presented. The design algorithm is iterative and requires a training set of signal vectors. An MP algorithm chooses frame vectors to approximate each training vector. Each vector in the frame is then adjusted by using the residuals for the training vectors which used that particular frame vector in their expansion. The frame design algorithm is applied to speech and electrocardiogram (ECG) signals, and the designed frames are tested on signals outside the training sets. Experiments demonstrate that the approximation capabilities, in terms of mean square error (MSE), of the optimized frames are significantly better than those found using frames designed by ad hoc techniques. Experiments show typical reduction in MSE by 20-50%.
Hypereosinophilic obliterative bronchiolitis: a distinct, unrecognised syndrome

Biopsy-proven cases of eosinophilic bronchiolitis have only been reported in isolation, and all come from Japan. We present six patients with hypereosinophilic obliterative bronchiolitis (HOB), defined by the following criteria: 1) blood eosinophil cell count >1 G·L−1 and/or bronchoalveolar lavage eosinophil count >25%; 2) persistent airflow obstruction despite high-dose inhaled bronchodilators and corticosteroids; and 3) eosinophilic bronchiolitis at lung biopsy (n=1) and/or direct signs of bronchiolitis (centrilobular nodules and branching opacities) on computed tomography (n=6). Chronic dyspnoea and cough which was often severe, without the characteristic features of asthma, were the main clinical manifestations. Atopy and asthma were present in the history of three and two patients, respectively. One patient met biological criteria of the lymphoid variant of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome. Mean blood eosinophil cell count was 2.7 G·L−1 and mean eosinophil differential percentage at bronchoalveolar lavage was 63%. Mean initial forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity ratio was 50%, normalising with oral corticosteroid therapy in all patients. HOB manifestations recurred when oral prednisone was decreased to 10–20 mg·day−1, but higher doses controlled the disease. HOB is a characteristic entity deserving to be individualised among the eosinophilic respiratory disorders. Thorough analysis is needed to determine whether unrecognised and/or smouldering HOB may further be a cause of irreversible airflow obstruction in chronic eosinophilic respiratory diseases.
Textured agreements: re-envisioning electronic consent

Research indicates that less than 2% of the population reads license agreements during software installation [12]. To address this problem, we developed textured agreements, visually redesigned agreements that employ factoids, vignettes, and iconic symbols to accentuate information and highlight its personal relevance. Notably, textured agreements accomplish these goals without requiring modification of the underlying text. A between-subjects experimental study with 84 subjects indicates these agreements can significantly increase reading times. In our study, subjects spent approximately 37 seconds on agreement screens with textured agreements, compared to 7 seconds in the plain text control condition. A follow-up study examined retention of agreement content, finding that median scores on a comprehension quiz increased by 4 out of 16 points for textured agreements. These results provide convincing evidence of the potential for textured agreements to positively impact software agreement processes.
[Structural, ultrastructural and cytochemical study of interstitial cells of the chick ovary during embryo development].

It has been established that differentiation of the female gonad of the chicken is different in the right and left ovaries. Whereas the left ovary differentiates into the adult functional ovary, the right one suffers regressive changes and does not participate in the production of ova. Hence, we considered of importance to study the structural, ultrastructural and cytochemical characteristics of interstitial cells, which secrete estrogens in the left ovary and in the right one that undergoes atrophy, which has not been yet analyzed in this aspect. Chick embryos at 7, 11, 15 and 19 days of incubation were employed. The techniques used were H/E, Sudan IV, 3 -beta- hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and transmission electron microscopy. At the light microscope these cells were clearly identified in the medullary cords, grouped in nests circumscribed by connective tissue, since 11 days of incubation. With H/E they exhibited a cytoplasm of foamy aspect and clear vacuoles of variable size. The amount of cell nests increased with the ages of the embryos. Besides, we found accumulation of sudanophilic granules and an enzymatic activity that increased during the course of development. At the ultrastructural level these cells contained an abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum with tubules and vesicles, mitochondrias with tubular cristae and a considerable number of lipidic inclusions. The above mentioned elements confer to these cells and steroid-secreting activity. It is noteworthy that in the ovary that regresses interstitial cells do not disappear. In conclusion, we may point out that the right ovary would be rudimentary in ova formation, but would remain active with respect to hormonal secretion. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
OH Satellite-Line Masers in the Nucleus of NGC 253

We report the detection of 1720 and 1612 MHz OH ground-state satellite-line maser regions in the starburst galaxy NGC 253. We find 10 compact maser features, all of which are located along the narrow ridge of bright radio continuum emission within the central 10 arcsec2 of the nucleus. The compact OH features appear physically associated with regions of dense molecular gas, supernova remnants, and H II regions. The data for several of the features are consistent with collisional inversion from the interaction of supernova remnant shocks with molecular gas, similar to that found for Galactic supernova remnants by Frail et al. For many other features near the nucleus of NGC 253, we find conjugate behavior in the 1720 and 1612 MHz lines, with one line showing stimulated emission and the other showing stimulated absorption. These results suggest the importance of infrared pumping associated with the active star formation in NGC 253 and are consistent with large column densities of molecular gas [N(H2) ≳ 1022 cm-2] .