Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Herschel : the first science highlights Special feature L etter to the E ditor HerMES : The SPIRE confusion limit

We report on the sensitivity of SPIRE photometers on the Herschel Space Observatory. Specifically, we measure the confusion noise from observations taken during the science demonstration phase of the Herschel Multi-tiered Extragalactic Survey. Confusion noise is defined to be the spatial variation of the sky intensity in the limit of infinite integration time, and is found to be consistent among the different fields in our survey at the level of 5.8, 6.3 and 6.8 mJy/beam at 250, 350 and 500 μm, respectively. These results, together with the measured instrument noise, may be used to estimate the integration time required for confusion limited maps, and provide a noise estimate for maps obtained by SPIRE.
Subsonic Solutions for Steady Euler-Poisson System in Two-Dimensional Nozzles

In this paper, we prove the existence and stability of subsonic flows for a steady full Euler--Poisson system in a two-dimensional nozzle of finite length when imposing the electric potential difference on a noninsulated boundary from a fixed point at the entrance, and prescribing pressure at the exit of the nozzle. The Euler--Poisson system for subsonic flow is a hyperbolic-elliptic coupled nonlinear system. One of the crucial ingredients of this work is the combination of Helmholtz decomposition for the velocity field and stream function formulation. In terms of the Helmholtz decomposition, the Euler--Poisson system is rewritten as a second order nonlinear elliptic system of three equations and transport equations for entropy and pseudo-Bernoulli's invariant. The associated elliptic system in a Lipschitz domain with nonlinear boundary conditions is solved with the help of the estimates developed in [M. Bae, B. Duan, and C. J. Xie, Existence and Stability of Multidimensional Steady Potential Flows for Eu.
The Perspective Matters! Multisensory Integration in Ego-Centric Reference Frames Determines Full-Body Ownership

Recent advances in experimental science have made it possible to investigate the perceptual processes involved in generating a sense of owning an entire body. This is achieved by full-body ownership illusions which make use of specific patterns of visual and somatic stimuli integration. Here we investigate the fundamental question of the reference frames used in the process of attributing an entire body to the self. We quantified the strength of the body-swap illusion in conditions where the participants were observing this artificial body from the perspective of the first or third person. Consistent results from subjective reports and physiological recordings show that the first person visual perspective is critical for the induction of this full-body ownership illusion. This demonstrates that the multisensory integration processes producing the sense of corporeal self operates in an ego-centric reference frame.
Expression of floral MADS-box genes in Sinofranchetia chinensis (Lardizabalaceae): implications for the nature of the nectar leaves.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The perianths of the Lardizabalaceae are diverse. The second-whorl floral organs of Sinofranchetia chinensis (Lardizabalaceae) are nectar leaves. The aim of this study was to explore the nature of this type of floral organ, and to determine its relationship to nectar leaves in other Ranunculales species, and to other floral organs in Sinofranchetia chinensis. METHODS Approaches of evolutionary developmental biology were used, including 3' RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) for isolating floral MADS-box genes, phylogenetic analysis for reconstructing gene evolutionary history, in situ hybridization and tissue-specific RT-PCR for identifying gene expression patterns and SEM (scanning electron microscopy) for observing the epidermal cell morphology of floral organs. KEY RESULTS Fourteen new floral MADS-box genes were isolated from Sinofranchetia chinensis and from two other species of Lardizabalaceae, Holboellia grandiflora and Decaisnea insignis. The phylogenetic analysis of AP3-like genes in Ranunculales showed that three AP3 paralogues from Sinofranchetia chinensis belong to the AP3-I, -II and -III lineages. In situ hybridization results showed that SIchAP3-3 is significantly expressed only in nectar leaves at the late stages of floral development, and SIchAG, a C-class MADS-box gene, is expressed not only in stamens and carpels, but also in nectar leaves. SEM observation revealed that the adaxial surface of nectar leaves is covered with conical epidermal cells, a hallmark of petaloidy. CONCLUSIONS The gene expression data imply that the nectar leaves in S. chinensis might share a similar genetic regulatory code with other nectar leaves in Ranunculales species. Based on gene expression and morphological evidence, it is considered that the nectar leaves in S. chinensis could be referred to as petals. Furthermore, the study supports the hypothesis that the nectar leaves in some Ranunculales species might be derived from stamens.
Genotypic and Phenotypic Characterization of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Peruvian Children

ABSTRACT Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a major cause of childhood diarrhea. The present study sought to determine the prevalence and distribution of toxin types, colonization factors (CFs), and antimicrobial susceptibility of ETEC strains isolated from Peruvian children. We analyzed ETEC strains isolated from Peruvian children between 2 and 24 months of age in a passive surveillance study. Five E. coli colonies per patient were studied by multiplex real-time PCR to identify ETEC virulence factors. ETEC-associated toxins were confirmed using a GM1-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Confirmed strains were tested for CFs by dot blot assay using 21 monoclonal antibodies. We analyzed 1,129 samples from children with diarrhea and 744 control children and found ETEC in 5.3% and 4.3%, respectively. ETEC was more frequently isolated from children >12 months of age than from children <12 months of age (P < 0.001). Fifty-two percent of ETEC isolates from children with diarrhea and 72% of isolates from controls were heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) positive and heat-stable enterotoxin (ST) negative; 25% and 19%, respectively, were LT negative and ST positive; and 23% and 9%, respectively, were LT positive and ST positive. CFs were identified in 64% of diarrheal samples and 37% of control samples (P < 0.05). The most common CFs were CS6 (14% and 7%, respectively), CS12 (12% and 4%, respectively), and CS1 (9% and 4%, respectively). ST-producing ETEC strains caused more severe diarrhea than non-ST-producing ETEC strains. The strains were most frequently resistant to ampicillin (71%) and co-trimoxazole (61%). ETEC was thus found to be more prevalent in older infants. LT was the most common toxin type; 64% of strains had an identified CF. These data are relevant in estimating the burden of disease due to ETEC and the potential coverage of children in Peru by investigational vaccines.
Assessment of Spinal Cord Compression by Magnetic Resonance Imaging—Can It Predict Surgical Outcomes in Degenerative Compressive Myelopathy? A Systematic Review

Study Design. Systematic review. Objective. We sought to conduct a systematic review to examine the role of magnetic resonance imaging in predicting outcomes after surgery and to evaluate the evidence currently available critically. Summary of Background Data. Degenerative compressive myelopathy is a common clinical problem associated with adverse health outcomes. Although a number of studies have investigated the association between preoperative magnetic resonance imaging characteristics and outcomes after surgery for degenerative compressive myelopathy, the conclusions of these studies have often yielded differing results. Methods. Articles examining the predictive value of magnetic resonance imaging were obtained from MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed databases (1980–2011). Thirty publications that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. Two reviewers independently assessed each study regarding the level of evidence (using the criteria proposed by Sackett) and methodological quality based on revised Cochrane quality assessment checklist. Results. Three excellent, 1 good, and 10 poor quality studies assessed cord compression—transverse area (4), compression ratio (5), and anteroposterior diameter (1). Relationship between signal intensity (SI) changes and surgical outcomes were reviewed by 28 studies—8 excellent, 9 good, and 13 poor quality studies. SI changes within the spinal cord included the presence of SI on T2-weighted image (WI) (17), area of SI on T2WI (8), degree of SI on T2WI (5), presence of SI on both T1-/T2WI (2), SI ratio on T2WI (2), and the position of SI on T2WI (1). Conclusion. Based on a combination of excellent and good quality studies, transverse area correlates with recovery ratio but not with postoperative functional score assessed by Japanese Orthopaedic Association/modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores. SI changes defined by (1) its presence on T2WI, (2) its extent (focal or multisegmental), (3) its brightness, and (4) its presence on both T1-/T2WI can predict surgical outcomes in degenerative compressive myelopathy. Level of Evidence: 2
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene polymorphisms and plasma levels in children with obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular and metabolic dysfunction in both adults and children. In adults with OSA, serum levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) are elevated. Therefore, we assessed plasma MIF levels and MIF allelic variant frequencies in children with and without OSA (NOSA).
Prostaglandin H synthase-catalyzed metabolism and DNA binding of 2-naphthylamine.

The oxidation of the bladder carcinogen 2-naphthylamine (2-NA) by prostaglandin H synthase (PHS) in vitro was examined. Oxygen uptake studies of 2-NA oxidation in the presence of glutathione, as well as extensive product analysis data, are consistent with a one-electron mechanism of 2-NA oxidation by PHS. The formation of 2-nitrosonaphthalene is not observed under any condition. Metabolism studies with a purified PHS preparation confirm that 2-NA oxidation is dependent upon the peroxidase activity of the enzyme complex, and that a variety of organic hydroperoxides may support the reaction. Horseradish peroxidase oxidizes 2-NA to the same products but, depending on pH, in very different proportions from those obtained with PHS. Oxidation of 2-NA by a one-electron chemical oxidant results in a product profile similar to that obtained in the enzymatic systems. The above data are consistent with a one-electron mechanism of 2-NA oxidation by PHS. The metabolism data provide evidence for the formation of two types of potentially reactive electrophiles: 2-imino-1-naphthoquinone and a free radical species. We further examine the time course of covalent binding of [3H]2-NA products to DNA in vitro, and compare this with the reaction of authentic [3H]2-amino-1-naphthol (2-A-1-N) product(s) with DNA and protein. A significant amount of the PHS-catalyzed binding of 2-NA to DNA is derived from a short-lived intermediate; furthermore, the time course of binding is very rapid. Conversely, the binding to DNA of 2-A-1-N (presumably in the form of 2-imino-1-naphthoquinone) occurs to a lower extent and is not time dependent under the conditions studied. 2-A-1-N binds to protein, however, at a rapid rate and to three orders of magnitude greater extent than to DNA. The PHS-catalyzed binding of 2-NA to DNA was studied under several conditions; binding was shown conclusively to result from the peroxidase activity of the PHS complex. In addition, greater levels of binding were observed at pH 5.0 than at pH 7.6, and when catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase/H2O2 rather than PHS. These are conditions under which 2-A-1-N formation is negligible or nonexistent. These results demonstrate that in the PHS system, a reactive product(s) in addition to 2-A-1-N is generated which binds to DNA, and that this product is probably a free radical. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Dynamic Transcript Profiling of Candida albicans Infection in Zebrafish: A Pathogen-Host Interaction Study

Candida albicans is responsible for a number of life-threatening infections and causes considerable morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Previous studies of C. albicans pathogenesis have suggested several steps must occur before virulent infection, including early adhesion, invasion, and late tissue damage. However, the mechanism that triggers C. albicans transformation from yeast to hyphae form during infection has yet to be fully elucidated. This study used a systems biology approach to investigate C. albicans infection in zebrafish. The surviving fish were sampled at different post-infection time points to obtain time-lapsed, genome-wide transcriptomic data from both organisms, which were accompanied with in sync histological analyses. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to analyze the dynamic gene expression profiles of significant variations in both C. albicans and zebrafish. The results categorized C. albicans infection into three progressing phases: adhesion, invasion, and damage. Such findings were highly supported by the corresponding histological analysis. Furthermore, the dynamic interspecies transcript profiling revealed that C. albicans activated its filamentous formation during invasion and the iron scavenging functions during the damage phases, whereas zebrafish ceased its iron homeostasis function following massive hemorrhage during the later stages of infection. Most of the immune related genes were expressed as the infection progressed from invasion to the damage phase. Such global, inter-species evidence of virulence-immune and iron competition dynamics during C. albicans infection could be crucial in understanding control fungal pathogenesis.
The Dynamic Response of the Hurricane Wind Field to Spiral Rainband Heating

Abstract The response of the hurricane wind field to spiral rainband heating is examined by using a three-dimensional, nonhydrostatic, linear model of the vortex–anelastic equations. Diabatic heat sources, which are designed in accordance with previous observations of spiral rainbands, are made to rotate with the flow around the hurricane-like wind field of a balanced, axisymmetric vortex. Common kinematic features are recovered, such as the overturning secondary circulation, descending midlevel radial inflow, and cyclonically accelerated tangential flow on the radially outward side of spiral rainbands. Comparison of the responses to the purely convective and stratiform rainbands indicates that the overturning secondary circulation is mostly due to the convective part of the rainband and is stronger in the upwind region, while midlevel radial inflow descending to the surface is due to the stratiform characteristics of the rainband and is stronger in the downwind region. The secondary horizontal wind maxim.
Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE): the relationship with activity measured by a portable accelerometer.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) by comparing PASE scores with physical activity assessed by a portable accelerometer. METHODS EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Correlational-mean activity level over a 3-day period was correlated with PASE scores. SETTING Physical activity of participants was monitored over 3 days during normal daily activity. PARTICIPANTS Twenty healthy adult volunteers, 67-80 years of age, participated in this study. MEASURES Physical activity from 09:00 to 21:00 hours was assessed over 3 consecutive weekdays (Wednesday-Friday) using a Computer Science and Applications, Inc. (CSA) portable accelerometer. Following completion of the 3-day monitoring period physical activity was assessed with the PASE. RESULTS PASE scores were significantly correlated with average 3-day CSA readings (r = 0.49, p < 0.05) in the total sample and in those over age 70 years (r = 0.64, p < 0.5). CONCLUSIONS These results add to the literature supporting the validity of the PASE as a measure of physical activity in older individuals.
Estimating stream chemistry during the snowmelt pulse using a spatially distributed, coupled snowmelt and hydrochemical modeling approach

We used remotely sensed snow cover data and a physically based snowmelt model to estimate the spatial distribution of energy fluxes, snowmelt, snow water equivalent, and snow cover extent over the different land cover types within the Green Lakes Valley, Front Range, Colorado. The spatially explicit snowpack model was coupled to the Alpine Hydrochemical Model (AHM), and estimates of hydrochemistry at the basin outlflow were compared with the baseline AHM approach, which implicitly prescribes snowmelt. The proportions of total meltwater production from soil, talus, and rock subunits were 46, 25, and 29%, respectively, for the baseline simulation without our advanced snowmelt representation. Conversely, simulations in which the AHM was coupled to our distributed snowmelt model ascribed the largest meltwater production to talus (47%) subunits, with 37% ascribed to soil and 16% ascribed to rock. Accounting for these differences in AHM reduced model overestimates of cation concentration during snowmelt; modeled Ca2+ estimates explained 82 and 70% (P values < 0.01) of observations with and without the coupled model, respectively. Similarly, the coupled model explained more variability in nitrate concentrations, with 83 versus 70% (P values < 0.01) explained by the coupled and baseline models, respectively. Early snowmelt over talus subunits was not detected at the basin outflow, confirming earlier reports that deeper flow paths are needed in biogeochemical models of alpine systems. Realistic treatment of snowmelt within these models will allow efforts to improve understanding of flow paths and predict catchment response to increases in atmospheric deposition and climate change.
Distribution of Human Papillomavirus Genotypes in Iranian Women According to the Severity of the Cervical Lesion

Background Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) has been recognized as a major cause of cervical cancer. Distribution of HPV genotypes may differ according to the geographic region and the severity of the cervical lesion. Determining HPV genotypes’ specific distribution is useful for HPV surveillance and control programs. However, little is known about the distribution of HPV genotypes in Iranian women. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of HPV genotypes in Iranian women with different grades of cervical lesions. Patients and Methods From 2011 to 2013, a total of 436 Iranian women with convenience sampling strategy were included in this cross-sectional study. In detail, 287 women negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy, 32 with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), 50 with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), 44 with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), and 23 with cervical cancer were evaluated in this investigation. HPV genotypes were determined by INNO-LiPA HPV Genotyping Extra assay. Results In total, HPV infection was detected in 45.4% of the cases. The most common high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) genotype was HPV-16 (32.8%), followed by HPV-53 (9.1%). Within low-risk (LR-HPV) genotypes HPV-6 (22.2%) and HPV-44 (6.1%) were the most prevalent. HPV-16 was the predominant genotype in cases with cervical cancer (56.5%), ASCUS (34.4%), and HSIL (34.1%). HPV-6 was the most common genotype in normal cases (9.1%) and LSIL patients (18%). The prevalence of HPV positivity was significantly higher in cases with high-grade lesions (≥ HSIL) (64.2%) than in normal/LSIL (37.3%) (P = 0.033). The rate of HR-HPV infection was significantly higher in ≥ HSIL cases (61.2%) than normal/LSIL (27.9%) (P = 0.003). Conclusions This study describes robust information on the distribution of HPV genotypes among Iranian women with and without cervical lesions. The present data may be of importance for designing future public health strategies, including HPV vaccination programs.
Effect of Local Anesthesia on Trigeminal Somatosensory-evoked Magnetic Fields

For objective neurophysiological evaluation of the function of the trigeminal system, magnetoencephalography- based TSEF (trigeminal somatosensory-evoked field) assessment would be valuable in providing spatial and temporal profiles of cortical responses. However, this necessitates knowledge of how TSEF varies with trigeminal nerve dysfunctions. We introduced a conduction block of the trigeminal nerve using local anesthesia (lidocaine) to temporally mimic nerve dysfunctions, and monitored TSEF changes. Following an electrical stimulation of the lower lip, a magnetic response with peak latency of approximately 20 ms was identified in all participants. Dipole for the peak was estimated on the post-central gyrus in the participant’s own magnetic resonance image. After normalization to Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) space and inter-participant data integration, the summary equivalent current dipole localization among participants remained in the post-central gyrus, suggesting validity of the use of MNI space. Partial anesthesia of the lower lip led to a loss of the waveform characteristics of TSEF for electrical stimulation to the trigeminal nerve. We verified that the 20-ms latency cortical response of TSEF components localized at the primary sensory cortex can serve as a robust neurofunctional marker of experimental trigeminal nerve dysfunction.
Knockdown of MTDH Sensitizes Endometrial Cancer Cells to Cell Death Induction by Death Receptor Ligand TRAIL and HDAC Inhibitor LBH589 Co-Treatment

Understanding the molecular underpinnings of chemoresistance is vital to design therapies to restore chemosensitivity. In particular, metadherin (MTDH) has been demonstrated to have a critical role in chemoresistance. Over-expression of MTDH correlates with poor clinical outcome in breast cancer, neuroblastoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and prostate cancer. MTDH is also highly expressed in advanced endometrial cancers, a disease for which new therapies are urgently needed. In this present study, we focused on the therapeutic benefit of MTDH depletion in endometrial cancer cells to restore sensitivity to cell death. Cells were treated with a combination of tumor necrosis factor-α-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), which promotes death of malignant cells of the human reproductive tract, and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, which have been shown to increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Our data indicate that depletion of MTDH in endometrial cancer cells resulted in sensitization of cells that were previously resistant in response to combinatorial treatment with TRAIL and the HDAC inhibitor LBH589. MTDH knockdown reduced the proportion of cells in S and increased cell arrest in G2/M in cells treated with LBH589 alone or LBH589 in combination with TRAIL, suggesting that MTDH functions at the cell cycle checkpoint to accomplish resistance. Using microarray technology, we identified 57 downstream target genes of MTDH, including calbindin 1 and galectin-1, which may contribute to MTDH-mediated therapeutic resistance. On the other hand, in MTDH depleted cells, inhibition of PDK1 and AKT phosphorylation along with increased Bim expression and XIAP degradation correlated with enhanced sensitivity to cell death in response to TRAIL and LBH589. These findings indicate that targeting or depleting MTDH is a potentially novel avenue for reversing therapeutic resistance in patients with endometrial cancer.