Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Echinacea spp . : A Monograph & What ’ s New

Depending on how this Asteraceae family member is classified, there are up to 12 different species of Echinacea. The most commonly used species for medicinal purposes is Echinacea purpurea, which is easy to cultivate and therefore, product demand does not put a stress on native populations of Echinacea species that are difficult to cultivate. Most preparations found in the market are derived from the above ground, or aerial, parts of E. purpurea and/or underground parts of E. purpurea; these preparations account for 80% of commercial production. In addition, E. angustifolia and E. pallida are also utilized in commerce but much less than E. purpurea.
Identification of Small Signalling Molecules Promoting Cardiac-Specific Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

Identification of signalling cascades involved in cardiomyogenesis is crucial for optimising the generation of cardiomyocytes from embryonic stem cells (ES cells) in vitro. We used a transgenic ES cell lineage expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the control of the α-myosin heavy chain (α-MHC) promoter (pαMHC-EGFP) to investigate the effects of 33 small molecules interfering with several signalling cascades on cardiomyogenesis. Interestingly, the L-Type Ca2+ channel blocker Verapamil as well as Cyclosporin, an inhibitor of the protein phosphatase 2B, exerted the most striking pro-cardiomyogenic effect. Forskolin (adenylate cyclase stimulator) exerted the most striking anti-cardiomyogenic effect. The cardiomyogenic effect of Cyclosporin and Verapamil correlated with an expression of early cardiac markers Nkx2.5 and GATA4.Compared to the effects on late developmental stage embryoid bodies (EBs) stimulation of early developmental stage EBs (1-day old) with Verapamil or Cyclosporin for 48 h resulted in a potent cardiomyogenic effect. Accordingly, enhanced expression of α-MHC mRNA and EGFP mRNA was observed after stimulation of the early developmental stage EBs for 48 h. No expression of ? -smooth muscle actin or platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECM-1) as well as of neuronal genes (Nestin, Neurofilament H) has been observed demonstrating a preferentially pro-cardiomyogenic effect by both molecules.
An in vitro Comparison of the Ability of Fibre–Optic Transillumination, Visual Inspection and Radiographs to Detect Occlusal Caries and Evaluate Lesion Depth

The aim of this study was to compare the performance of fibre–optic transillumination (FOTI), visual inspection and bite–wing radiographs to detect occlusal caries and estimate the lesion depth. Fifty–nine extracted molars were assessed using FOTI and visual examination by 4 trained examiners and 1 examiner evaluated the bite–wing radiographs. Histological validation was performed using 250–μm sections examined with a stereomicroscope. For the three methods, the correlation between the lesion depth and the histological scores varied from 0.65 to 0.73. For dentinal caries detection, the areas under ROC curves ranged from 0.83 to 0.87. The radiographic method was poor at detecting lesions confined to enamel. FOTI, visual inspection and radiographs showed a good correlation with the histology but had difficulty in distinguishing lesions located deep in enamel or in the outer third of dentine. FOTI was shown to be as accurate as a detailed visual inspection in detecting occlusal caries.
Material Phase Transformations Due To ShockWave Loading In Contact Geometry

When an explosive is detonated, it generates a transient shock wave in the medium. The shock wave energy turns out to be invigorating with insuperable power when used in a more convenable, advantageous and efficacious manner. This shock wave, when it propagates through the material, produces new phases/transformations. The monolithic materials thus formed have important technological applications. This paper describes the experimental technique used to synthesize the newer materials under shock wave loading and the characterization of post shock compacts by means of spectroscopic and other methods. Hexagonal boron nitride powder has been transformed into its cubic structure by loading the material by shock waves. X-ray analysis of the recovered samples with I/I0 = 8 at d = 1.808 (angle 2Ǿ = 50.4) has indicated complete conversion of h-BN to c-BN. Super alloy powders of IN 718 and EP 741 NP of various chemical compositions and unique physical properties have been shock compressed. In EP 741 NP, the dendritic structure has been clearly observed in the centre with dendrites oriented in the radial direction, which happens to be the direction of heat flow. The structure needed for best results has been obtained. In IN 718, the dendritic structure within the particle is intact. The structure in the outer portion is better with satisfactory microstructure since the grain boundary has undergone solidification. Explosive compaction of a mechanical mixture of 80Ni-15Fe-5Co of grain size of about 30 nanometres has also been carried out for magnetic applications to study the effect of particle morphology. SEM analysis has indicated that the crystalline structure is intact in the shock-compressed specimens.
Modeling of surface acoustic wave strain sensors using coupling-of-modes analysis

SAW devices may be configured as strain sensors, providing passive, wireless strain measurement in demanding conditions. A key consideration is the modeling of the sensors, enabling different device designs to be considered. This paper presents a simulation scheme using coupling-of-modes (COM) analysis which allows both the frequency response of a SAW strain sensor and its bias sensitivity to be evaluated. Example applications are presented to demonstrate the use of the model.
Energy-price-driven query processing in multi-center web search engines

Concurrently processing thousands of web queries, each with a response time under a fraction of a second, necessitates maintaining and operating massive data centers. For large-scale web search engines, this translates into high energy consumption and a huge electric bill. This work takes the challenge to reduce the electric bill of commercial web search engines operating on data centers that are geographically far apart. Based on the observation that energy prices and query workloads show high spatio-temporal variation, we propose a technique that dynamically shifts the query workload of a search engine between its data centers to reduce the electric bill. Experiments on real-life query workloads obtained from a commercial search engine show that significant financial savings can be achieved by this technique.
Exploring Segment Representations for Neural Segmentation Models

Many natural language processing (NLP) tasks can be generalized into segmentation problem. In this paper, we combine semi-CRF with neural network to solve NLP segmentation tasks. Our model represents a segment both by composing the input units and embedding the entire segment. We thoroughly study different composition functions and different segment embeddings. We conduct extensive experiments on two typical segmentation tasks: named entity recognition (NER) and Chinese word segmentation (CWS). Experimental results show that our neural semi-CRF model benefits from representing the entire segment and achieves the state-of-the-art performance on CWS benchmark dataset and competitive results on the CoNLL03 dataset.
Ganglion cells of a short-wavelength-sensitive cone pathway in New World monkeys: Morphology and physiology

We have studied the morphology and physiology of retinal ganglion cells of a short-wavelength-sensitive cone (SWS-cone) pathway in dichromatic and trichromatic New World anthropoids, the capuchin monkey (Cebus apella) and tufted-ear marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). In Old World anthropoids, in which males and females are both trichromats, blue-ON/yellow-OFF retinal ganglion cells have excitatory SWS-cone and inhibitory middle- and long-wavelength-sensitive (MWS- and LWS-) cone inputs, and have been anatomically identified as small-field bistratified ganglion cells (SB-cells) (Dacey & Lee, 1994). Among retinal ganglion cells of New World monkeys, we find SB-cells which have very similar morphology to such cells in macaque and human; for example, the inner dendritic tree is larger and denser than the outer dendritic tree. We also find blue-on retinal ganglion cells of the capuchin to have physiological responses strongly resembling such cells of the macaque monkey retina; for example, responses were more sustained, with a gentler low frequency roll-off than MC-cells, and no evidence of contrast gain control. There was no difference between dichromatic and trichromatic individuals. The results support the view that SWS-cone pathways are similarly organized in New and Old World primates, consistent with the hypothesis that these pathways form a phylogenetically ancient color system.
Unique distribution of the extracellular matrix component thrombospondin in the developing mouse embryo

Immunocytochemical localization of thrombospondin (TSP), a trimeric glycoprotein constituent of extracellular matrices, produced striking regional and temporal patterns of distribution in the developing mouse embryo. TSP was present in many basement membranes, surrounded epithelial cells, and was associated with peripheral nerve outgrowth. During organogenesis, TSP was also found on the surface of myoblasts and chondroblasts, and TSP was differentially deposited in cortical layers. With differentiation of chondrocytes and myotubes immunoreactivity was decreased, and differential cortical staining was lost. Presence of TSP was associated with morphogenetic processes of proliferation, migration, and intercellular adhesion.
Age-dependent reference ranges for automated assessment of immature granulocytes and clinical significance in an outpatient setting.

CONTEXT New generations of hematology analyzers have made the routine automated quantification of immature granulocytes (IGs) in peripheral blood samples accessible as a powerful clinical parameter. OBJECTIVE The use of IGs has previously been studied mostly in hospitalized patients with sepsis. We investigated the use of IGs in the outpatient setting. Establishment of precise normal outpatient IG reference ranges is a prerequisite for clinically meaningful interpretation of the parameter. DESIGN We analyzed a large outpatient population comprising more than 2400 samples to determine age-stratified normal reference ranges for IGs. RESULTS Using nonparametric statistical approaches, we show that 1-tailed 95th percentile estimates for relative and absolute IG concentrations up to the age of 10 years are 0.30% and 30.0 µL(-1), respectively. For individuals above the age of 10 years, the respective 95th percentile estimates are approximately twice as large at 0.74% and 60.0 µL(-1). No differences were seen between male and female reference ranges. Taking nonparametric 90% confidence intervals for each estimate into account, we recommend the following IG upper reference range limits for routine outpatient use: 0.30%/40.0 µL(-1) (≤10 years) and 0.90%/70.0 µL(-1) (>10 years). Up to the age of 10 years, the most common pathologies associated with elevated IG counts in outpatients were infections, in particular, otitis media, upper and lower respiratory infections, and gastroenteritis. By contrast, above the age of 10 years, the most common causes were hematologic malignancies, drug therapy (glucocorticoids, chemotherapy), severe infections, and pregnancy (young females). CONCLUSIONS The use of appropriate reference ranges makes IGs a powerful hematologic parameter for outpatient care that is associated with differential diagnoses that are distinctly characteristic of that setting.
Assessment of allele-specific gene silencing by RNA interference with mutant and wild-type reporter alleles

Allele-specific gene silencing by RNA interference (RNAi) is therapeutically useful for specifically suppressing the expression of alleles associated with disease. To realize such allele-specific RNAi (ASPRNAi), the design and assessment of small interfering RNA (siRNA) duplexes conferring ASP-RNAi is vital, but is also difficult. Here, we show ASP-RNAi against the Swedish- and London-type amyloid precursor protein (APP) variants related to familial Alzheimer′s disease using two reporter alleles encoding the Photinus and Renilla luciferase genes and carrying mutant and wild-type allelic sequences in their 3′-untranslated regions. We examined the effects of siRNA duplexes against the mutant alleles in allele-specific gene silencing and off-target silencing against the wild-type allele under heterozygous conditions, which were generated by cotransfecting the reporter alleles and siRNA duplexes into cultured human cells. Consistently, the siRNA duplexes determined to confer ASP-RNAi also inhibited the expression of the bona fide mutant APP and the production of either amyloid β 40- or 42-peptide in Cos-7 cells expressing both the full-length Swedish- and wild-type APP alleles. The present data suggest that the system with reporter alleles may permit the preclinical assessment of siRNA duplexes conferring ASP-RNAi, and thus contribute to the design and selection of the most suitable of such siRNA duplexes.
Bound fumonisin B1: analysis of fumonisin-B1 glyco and amino acid conjugates by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry.

To study the formation of fumonisin artifacts and the binding of fumonisins to matrix components (e.g., saccharides and proteins) in thermal-treated food, model experiments were performed. Fumonisin B(1) and hydrolyzed fumonisin B(1) were incubated with alpha-d-glucose and sucrose (mono- and disaccharide models), with methyl alpha-d-glucopyranoside (starch model), and with the amino acid derivatives N-alpha-acetyl-l-lysine methyl ester and BOC-l-cysteine methyl ester (protein models). The reaction products formed were analyzed by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. The incubation of d-glucose with fumonisin B(1) or hydrolyzed fumonisin B(1) resulted in the formation of Amadori rearrangement products. Whereas conjugates were found following the reaction of sucrose, methyl alpha-d-glucopyranoside, and the amino acid derivatives with fumonisin B(1), the heating with hydrolyzed fumonisin B(1) yielded no artifacts. For structural determination, the stable reaction product formed by heating of methyl alpha-d-glucopyranoside (as starch model) with fumonisin B(1) was purified and identified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as the diester of the fumonisin tricarballylic acid side chains with methyl alpha-d-glucopyranoside. These model experiments demonstrate that fumonisins are able to bind to polysaccharides and proteins via their two tricarballylic acid side chains.
PREDICTION OF THE SENSORY TEXTURE OF A YAM THICK PASTE (AMALA) USING INSTRUMENTAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS

Amala is a traditional thick paste consumed in West Africa (Nigeria, Benin, Togo). It is prepared from blanched dried yam flour and has a particular texture. The texture attributes of amala pastes obtained from market and prepared in laboratory were sensorily evaluated. Both compression and extrusion tests were done from which maxima force and slope were calculated. The physical (particle size), starch characteristics and functional properties (solubility, swelling power [Sp], viscosity) of yam flours were also determined to establish a predictive model for amala sensory texture attributes. The main amala sensory attributes were stickiness, . firmness and smoothness. Stickiness and firmness could be assessed by uniaxial extrusion test: These attributes were highly correlated with the maximum extrusion slope (r = -0.60 and r = 0.53, respectively). Stickiness was associated with yam flour Sp, which in turn was related to gelatinization temperature and enthalpy changes. In addition, soluble matter and soluble amylose were found to be indicators of amala sensory stickiness. No clear relationships were observed between sensory firmness and yam flour physicochemical characteristics or functional properties. (Resume d'auteur)
Treatment of chronic hepatitis D with interferon alfa-2a.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS Chronic hepatitis D is a severe and rapidly progressive liver disease for which no therapy has been proved effective. To evaluate the efficacy of treatment with interferon, we studied 42 patients with chronic hepatitis D who were randomly assigned to receive either 9 million or 3 million units of recombinant interferon alfa-2a (three times a week for 48 weeks) or no treatment. RESULTS By the end of the treatment period, serum alanine aminotransferase values had become normal in 10 of 14 patients receiving 9 million units (71 percent), as compared with 4 of 14 treated with 3 million units (29 percent, P = 0.029) and 1 of 13 untreated controls (8 percent, P = 0.001). Seven patients treated with the higher dose of interferon (50 percent) had a complete response (normal levels of alanine aminotransferase and no detectable serum hepatitis delta virus [HDV] RNA), as compared with three of those who received the lower dose (21 percent, P = 0.118), and none of the controls (P = 0.004). Treatment with 9 million units of interferon was associated with a marked improvement in the histologic findings (reduced periportal necrosis and portal and lobular inflammation), whereas in the untreated controls there was considerable histologic deterioration. In 5 of the 10 patients treated with 9 million units of interferon whose alanine aminotransferase values became normal, the biochemical responses persisted for up to 4 years (mean, 39 months), but the effects of treatment on viral replication were not sustained. In contrast, none of those who received 3 million units and none of the untreated controls had a sustained biochemical or virologic response. CONCLUSIONS In about half the patients with chronic hepatitis D treated with high doses of interferon alfa-2a (9 million units three times a week for 48 weeks), the serum alanine aminotransferase level becomes normal, HDV RNA becomes undetectable in serum, and there is histologic improvement. However, a relapse is common after treatment has been stopped.
Blinding Trachoma: Systematic Review of Rates and Risk Factors for Progressive Disease

Background Sight loss from trachoma is the end result of a scarring disease process starting in early childhood and characterised by repeated episodes of conjunctival inflammation (active trachoma). Subsequently, the conjunctiva becomes scarred, causing the eyelashes to turn inwards and scratch the cornea (trichiasis), damaging the corneal surface and leading to corneal opacification and visual impairment. It is thought that this process is initiated and driven by repeated infection with Chlamydia trachomatis. We review published longitudinal studies to re-examine the disease process, its progression rates and risk factors. Methodology/Principal Findings We searched PubMed for studies presenting incidence and progression data for the different stages of trachoma natural history. We only included studies reporting longitudinal data and identified 11 publications meeting this criterion. The studies were very heterogeneous in design, disease stage, duration, size and location, precluding meta-analysis. Severe conjunctival inflammation was consistently associated with incident and progressive scarring in five studies in which this was examined. One study reported an association between C. trachomatis infection and incident scarring. No studies have yet demonstrated an association between C. trachomatis infection and progressive scarring. Several studies conducted in regions with low prevalence active disease and C. trachomatis infection found evidence of on-going scarring progression. Conclusions/Significance Overall, there are few longitudinal studies that provide estimates of progression rates and risk factors, reflecting the challenges of conducting such studies. Our understanding of this disease process and the long-term impact of control measures is partial. Intense conjunctival inflammation was consistently associated with scarring, however, direct evidence demonstrating an association between C. trachomatis and progression is limited. This suggests that on-going chlamydial reinfection may not be mandatory for progression of established scarring, indicating that sight threatening trichiasis may continue to evolve in older people in formerly endemic populations, that will require service provision for years after active disease is controlled.
Induction of homotypic lymphocyte aggregation: evidence for a novel activation state of the β1 integrin

Intercellular adhesion of Jurkat lymphocytic cells was investigated by use of monoclonal antibodies 33B6 and 18D3, which bind to the β1 integrin receptor. 33B6 induced homotypic aggregation of Jurkat cells, whereas 18D3 inhibited this aggregation. Jurkat cells could be induced to aggregate at low 33B6 concentrations corresponding to 5% β1 integrin site occupancy, and the rate of aggregation was maximum at 30% occupancy. Simultaneous addition of mAb 18D3 and 33B6 demonstrated that the two antibodies mediate changes in the β1 integrin activation state that are competitive in nature. Aggregation through β1 integrin induced by 33B6 was reversed by subsequent addition of 18D3. To further examine the mechanism by which 33B6 and 18D3 affect cell adhesion function, we explored the binding of monoclonal antibody (mAb) 15/7. This mAb recognizes an activation epitope of the β1 integrin and has been shown to sustain cell adhesion to vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM‐1) and fibronectin. Activation of Jurkat cells with Mn2+ caused a 2.5‐fold increase in 15/7 binding but did not increase binding of 33B6. 33B6 partially blocked 15/7 binding to β1 integrin on unstimulated and Mn2+‐activated Jurkat cells. 18D3 did not affect mAb 15/7 binding. These results indicate that 33B6 and 18D3 modulated homotypic aggregation by inducing a novel activation state of the very late activation integrin distinct from the state recognized by 15/7, which supports cell binding to VCAM‐1 and fibronectin.