Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fractal scale-invariant and nonlinear properties of cardiac dynamics remain stable with advanced age: a new mechanistic picture of cardiac control in healthy elderly.

Heart beat fluctuations exhibit temporal structure with robust long-range correlations, fractal and nonlinear features, which have been found to break down with pathologic conditions, reflecting changes in the mechanism of neuroautonomic control. It has been hypothesized that these features change and even break down also with advanced age, suggesting fundamental alterations in cardiac control with aging. Here we test this hypothesis. We analyze heart beat interval recordings from the following two independent databases: 1) 19 healthy young (average age 25.7 yr) and 16 healthy elderly subjects (average age 73.8 yr) during 2 h under resting conditions from the Fantasia database; and 2) 29 healthy elderly subjects (average age 75.9 yr) during approximately 8 h of sleep from the sleep heart health study (SHHS) database, and the same subjects recorded 5 yr later. We quantify: 1) the average heart rate (); 2) the SD sigma(R-R) and sigma(DeltaR-R) of the heart beat intervals R-R and their increments DeltaR-R; 3) the long-range correlations in R-R as measured by the scaling exponent alpha(R-R) using the Detrended Fluctuation Analysis; 4) fractal linear and nonlinear properties as represented by the scaling exponents alpha(sgn) and alpha(mag) for the time series of the sign and magnitude of DeltaR-R; and 5) the nonlinear fractal dimension D(k) of R-R using the fractal dimension analysis. We find: 1) No significant difference in (P > 0.05); 2) a significant difference in sigma(R-R) and sigma(DeltaR-R) for the Fantasia groups (P < 10(-4)) but no significant change with age between the elderly SHHS groups (P > 0.5); and 3) no significant change in the fractal measures alpha(R-R) (P > 0.15), alpha(sgn) (P > 0.2), alpha(mag) (P > 0.3), and D(k) with age. Our findings do not support the hypothesis that fractal linear and nonlinear characteristics of heart beat dynamics break down with advanced age in healthy subjects. Although our results indeed show a reduced SD of heart beat fluctuations with advanced age, the inherent temporal fractal and nonlinear organization of these fluctuations remains stable. This indicates that the coupled cascade of nonlinear feedback loops, which are believed to underlie cardiac neuroautonomic regulation, remains intact with advanced age.
Insight into the mechanism of biological methanol activation based on the crystal structure of the methanol-cobalamin methyltransferase complex

Some methanogenic and acetogenic microorganisms have the catalytic capability to cleave heterolytically the CO bond of methanol. To obtain insight into the elusive enzymatic mechanism of this challenging chemical reaction we have investigated the methanol-activating MtaBC complex from Methanosarcina barkeri composed of the zinc-containing MtaB and the 5-hydroxybenzimidazolylcobamide-carrying MtaC subunits. Here we report the 2.5-Å crystal structure of this complex organized as a (MtaBC)2 heterotetramer. MtaB folds as a TIM barrel and contains a novel zinc-binding motif. Zinc(II) lies at the bottom of a funnel formed at the C-terminal β-barrel end and ligates to two cysteinyl sulfurs (Cys-220 and Cys-269) and one carboxylate oxygen (Glu-164). MtaC is structurally related to the cobalamin-binding domain of methionine synthase. Its corrinoid cofactor at the top of the Rossmann domain reaches deeply into the funnel of MtaB, defining a region between zinc(II) and the corrinoid cobalt that must be the binding site for methanol. The active site geometry supports a SN2 reaction mechanism, in which the CO bond in methanol is activated by the strong electrophile zinc(II) and cleaved because of an attack of the supernucleophile cob(I)amide. The environment of zinc(II) is characterized by an acidic cluster that increases the charge density on the zinc(II), polarizes methanol, and disfavors deprotonation of the methanol hydroxyl group. Implications of the MtaBC structure for the second step of the reaction, in which the methyl group is transferred to coenzyme M, are discussed.
Correlation of thyroid stimulating hormone receptor mRNA expression levels in peripheral blood with undesirable clinicopathological features in papillary thyroid carcinoma patients

To determine the extent to which thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) mRNA in peripheral blood (PB) has diagnostic value for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). We obtained pre- and postoperative PB samples from 104 thyroid disease patients and collected 11 healthy volunteers’ PB samples twice apiece at different times. We used reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to quantify TSHR mRNA expression levels in the samples. T-test and chi-square test were used to compare quantitative data and rates. The mean preoperative PB TSHR mRNA expression level of the PTC patients was significantly higher than that of the healthy volunteers. However, on the postoperative day 1, PB TSHR mRNA level of PTC patients significantly decreased but not for healthy controls. Preoperative PB TSHR mRNA expression levels were significantly associated with patient age, capsular invasion status, lymph node metastasis status, and BRAFV600E mutation status (P < 0.05) but not gender, tumor size, number of cancer foci, or Hashimoto thyroiditis status. Preoperative assessment of the PB TSHR mRNA expression level combined with ultrasonography of the thyroid had better accuracy in the diagnosis of PTC than either method alone did. Moreover, TSHR mRNA expression significantly affected recurrence of PTC patients. Our findings suggest that PB TSHR mRNA expression level is a promising novel biomarker for the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of PTC. It may serve as a noninvasive means of PTC detection and a prognostic biomarker of residual tumor and help guide further treatment.
Resistance of Aedes aegypti to temephos and adaptive disadvantages

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the resistance of Aedes aegypti to temephos Fersol 1G (temephos 1% w/w) associated with the adaptive disadvantage of insect populations in the absence of selection pressure. METHODS A diagnostic dose of 0.28 mg a.i./L and doses between 0.28 mg a.i./L and 1.40 mg a.i./L were used. Vector populations collected between 2007 and 2008 in the city of Campina Grande, state of Paraíba, were evaluated. To evaluate competition in the absence of selection pressure, insect populations with initial frequencies of 20.0%, 40.0%, 60.0%, and 80.0% resistant individuals were produced and subjected to the diagnostic dose for two months. Evaluation of the development of aquatic and adult stages allowed comparison of the life cycles in susceptible and resistant populations and construction of fertility life tables. RESULTS No mortality was observed in Ae. aegypti populations subjected to the diagnostic dose of 0.28 mg a.i./L. The decreased mortality observed in populations containing 20.0%, 40.0%, 60.0%, and 80.0% resistant insects indicates that temephos resistance is unstable in the absence of selection pressure. A comparison of the life cycles indicated differences in the duration and viability of the larval phase, but no differences were observed in embryo development, sex ratio, adult longevity, and number of eggs per female. CONCLUSIONS The fertility life table results indicated that some populations had reproductive disadvantages compared with the susceptible population in the absence of selection pressure, indicating the presence of a fitness cost in populations resistant to temephos.
Peripheral kynurenine-3-monooxygenase deficiency as a potential risk factor for metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia patients

Increased predisposition of schizophrenia patients (SP) to development of obesity and insulin resistance suggested common signaling pathway between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and schizophrenia. Deficiency of kynurenine-3-monooxygenase (KMO), enzyme catalyzing formation of 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK) from kynurenine (Kyn), a tryptophan (Trp) metabolite, might contribute to development of MetS as suggested by non-expression of KMO genes in human fat tissue and elevated serum concentrations of Kyn and its metabolites, kynurenic (KYNA) and anthranilic (ANA) acids, in diabetic patients and Zucker fatty rats (ZFR). Markers of KMO deficiency: decreased 3-HK and elevated Kyn, KYNA and ANA, were observed in brains and spinal fluids of SP, and in brains and serum of experimental animals with genetically- or pharmacologically-induced KMO deficiency. However, elevated concentrations of ANA and decreased 3-HK were reported in serum of SP without concurrent increase of Kyn and KYNA. Present study aimed to re-assess serum Kyn metabolites (HPLC-MS) in a sub-group of SP with elevated KYNA. We found increased Kyn concentrations (by 30%) and Kyn:Trp ratio (by 20%) in serum of SP with elevated KYNA concentrations (by 40%). Obtained results and our previous data suggest that peripheral KMO deficiency might be manifested by, at least, two different patterns: elevated ANA with decreased 3-HK; and elevated KYNA and KYN. The latter pattern was previously described in type 2 diabetes patients and might underline increased predisposition of SP to development of MetS. Assessment of peripheral KMO deficiency might identify SP predisposed to MetS. Attenuation of the consequences of peripheral KMO deficiency might be a new target for prevention/treatment of obesity and diabetes in SP.
Microbial and Physicochemical Characterization of Maize and Wheat Flour from a Milling Company, Lesotho

Maize meal flour and wheat flour are the most widely consumed cereals in Lesotho. The present study was undertaken to investigate the physicochemical and microbiological quality of special, super and extra super brands of maize meal flour; cake, white wheat and whole brown wheat brands of wheat flour produced by a mill company in Maseru, Lesotho. Three samples of each flour were collected on each of five sampling trips during January to May 2012, making a total of 90 samples, and were analysed physico-chemically for ash, fat, protein, moisture content and pH. Microbiologically, total plate count, total coliforms, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella spp, E. coli, yeasts and moulds were also determined. A series of biochemical tests were done to characterize the isolated micro-flora. Moisture content (9.89±0.76% to 13.31±0.64%) and pH (5.83±0.06 to 6.40±0.12) of the flours were within recommended legal limits. However, fat content (33% (n=90)) in maize samples exceeded the maximum recommended limit. The fat content (2.00±0.08% to 5.29±0.10%) of all maize meal brands was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of wheat flour (0.90±0.03% to 1.87±0.02%). Protein content in maize meal was significantly lower than that of wheat flour, ranging from 7.01±0.91% to 9.64±0.09%. Ash content for the samples ranged from 0.29-1.21%. Statistically, bacterial counts in the different brands of flours showed significant differences (p < 0.05). In a more qualitative assessment, microbes of the genera Escherichia, Klebsiella, Aerobacter, Enterobacter, Salmonella, Bacillus, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Candida, Saccharomyces and Rhodotorula were identified in the flours. Pathogens (Bacillus cereus and Salmonella spp) and indicator organisms (coliforms and E. coli) were above World Food Programm (WFP) recommended limits. This study highlighted the need for stringent cleaning and sanitation regimes to be fully implemented in such companies for consumer safety and public health protection.
Photoacoustic Imaging Using Chirp Technique: Comparison with Pulsed Laser Photoacoustics

The application of photoacoustic (PA) phenomena to medical imaging has been investigated for more than a decade. To implement this modality, one may choose between two types of laser sources, pulsed or continuous wave (CW). This selection affects all features of the imaging technique. Nowadays pulsed lasers are the state-of-the-art technique in the PA research. In this work, various features of the alternative frequency-domain (FD) PA were investigated. An axially symmetric transfer function model of PA wave generation and a Krimholtz-LeedomMatthaei (KLM) transducer model were developed and used to analyze the experimental results. The controllable parameters of the FD-PA were optimized to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast, axial resolution and depth detectivity. For example, it was shown that employing the optimal chirp bandwidth can enhance the SNR by more than 10 dB. In addition to the image produced by the cross-correlation amplitude, the phase of the correlation signal was used as a separate channel. A statistical method was introduced to generate an image from this phase channel, and also to filter the PA amplitude channel. A study was also performed to compare FD PA and the prevalent pulsed method. Various features of both methods were examined experimentally using a dual-mode PA system and under the condition of maximum permissible exposure (MPE). The SNRs of both methods were evaluated theoretically and experimentally. It was shown that at low frequencies, both modalities generate comparable SNRs, and at high frequencies pulsed PA produces superior
A New Approach for Structural Monitoring of Large Dams with a Three-Dimensional Laser Scanner

Driven by progress in sensor technology, computer methods and data processing capabilities, 3D laser scanning has found a wide range of new application fields in recent years. Particularly, monitoring the static and dynamic behaviour of large dams has always been a topic of great importance, due to the impact these structures have on the whole landscape where they are built. The main goal of this paper is to show the relevance and novelty of the laserscanning methodology developed, which incorporates different statistical and modelling approaches not considered until now. As a result, the methods proposed in this paper have provided the measurement and monitoring of the large “Las Cogotas” dam (Avila, Spain).
Plasma catecholamine response in trained rats following hemorrhage.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of physical training on hemorrhage-induced catecholamine release in rats. The training program consisted of swimming 5 days a week from 15 min in the first week to 2.5 hours in the 14th week. The rats were divided into four groups. Two groups (one trained and the other untrained) were studied during hemorrhage. The third and fourth groups (one trained and the other untrained) were not subjected to hemorrhage. After 14 weeks, trained rats had a lower heart rate than untrained animals at rest (311.86 +/- 8.9 vs. 361.33 +/- 12.13 bpm, p < .002) for a similar body weight. The trained and untrained groups had the same blood pressure, hematocrit, and norepinephrine responses following hemorrhage. However, plasma epinephrine concentration was lower in the trained rats 15 and 25 min following hemorrhage. These results suggest a decrease of the hemorrhage-induced epinephrine secretion in trained rats. An alteration of the relationship of arterial baroreflexes and of their hormonal effectors is a potential mechanism for the reduced plasma epinephrine level in trained hemorrhaged rats.
Impact of introduction of rapid diagnostic tests for malaria on antibiotic prescribing: analysis of observational and randomised studies in public and private healthcare settings

Objectives To examine the impact of use of rapid diagnostic tests for malaria on prescribing of antimicrobials, specifically antibiotics, for acute febrile illness in Africa and Asia. Design Analysisof nine preselected linked and codesigned observational and randomised studies (eight cluster or individually randomised trials and one observational study). Setting
Leptin Induces Macrophage Lipid Body Formation by a Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase- and Mammalian Target of Rapamycin-dependent Mechanism*

Leptin is an adipocyte-derived hormone/cytokine that links nutritional status with neuroendocrine and immune functions. Lipid bodies (lipid droplets) are emerging as dynamic organelles with roles in lipid metabolism and inflammation. Here we investigated the roles of leptin in signaling pathways involved in cytoplasmic lipid body biogenesis and leukotriene B4 synthesis in macrophages. Our results demonstrated that leptin directly activated macrophages and induced the formation of adipose differentiation-related protein-enriched lipid bodies. Newly formed lipid bodies were sites of 5-lipoxygenase localization and correlated with an enhanced capacity of leukotriene B4 production. We demonstrated that leptin-induced macrophage activation was dependent on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activity, since the lipid body formation was inhibited by LY294002 and was absent in the PI3K knock-out mice. Leptin induces phosphorylation of p70S6K and 4EBP1 key downstream signaling intermediates of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in a rapamycin-sensitive mechanism. The mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin, inhibited leptin-induced lipid body formation, both in vivo and in vitro. In addition, rapamycin inhibited leptin-induced adipose differentiation-related protein accumulation in macrophages and lipid body-dependent leukotriene synthesis, demonstrating a key role for mTOR in lipid body biogenesis and function. Our results establish PI3K/mTOR as an important signaling pathway for leptin-induced cytoplasmic lipid body biogenesis and adipose differentiation-related protein accumulation. Furthermore, we demonstrate a previously unrecognized link between intracellular (mTOR) and systemic (leptin) nutrient sensors in macrophage lipid metabolism. Leptin-induced increased formation of cytoplasmic lipid bodies and enhanced inflammatory mediator production in macrophages may have implications for obesity-related cardiovascular diseases.
The Relationships Between Dissociation, Attention, and Memory Dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION Dissociation is a disruption in the integrated functions of consciousness, memory, identity, and perception. Dissociative symptoms include derealization/depersonalization, absorption, and amnesia. These experiences can cause a loss of control over mental processes, including memory and attention. In literature, there is a paucity of research concerning the relationships between dissociation and memory performance. In this study, our aim was to investigate the relationships between dissociative experiences, attention, and memory performance in a non-clinical community sample. METHODS In this study, we examined the relationship between dissociation and cognitive dysfunction among 60 healthy volunteers. We administered the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised, Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Stroop Color Word Interference Test, and Dissociative Experience Scale. Here we examined the relationships between the subtypes of dissociation and memory performance as assessed by neuropsychological tests. RESULTS We found that verbal memory was negatively associated with dissociative experiences. Pathological dissociation, particularly amnesia and depersonalization/derealization, was reversely linked to general memory performance and long-term memory. Moreover, low dissociators reported higher scores on verbal memory, general memory performance, and long-term memory but lower scores on recognition than high dissociators. CONCLUSION The results of our study suggested that there are significant linkages between dissociative experiences and memory performance.
Differences and Similarities between Culture-Confirmed Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis and Early Lyme Disease

ABSTRACT Lyme disease is transmitted by the bite of certain Ixodes ticks, which can also transmit Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the cause of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA). Although culture can be used to identify patients infected with A. phagocytophilum and is the microbiologic gold standard, few studies have evaluated culture-confirmed patients with HGA. We conducted a prospective study in which blood culture was used to detect HGA infection in patients with a compatible clinical illness. Early Lyme disease was defined by the presence of erythema migrans. The epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory features of 44 patients with culture-confirmed HGA were compared with those of a convenience sample of 62 patients with early Lyme disease. Coinfected patients were excluded. Patients with HGA had more symptoms (P = 0.003) and had a higher body temperature on presentation (P < 0.001) than patients with early Lyme disease. HGA patients were also more likely to have a headache, dizziness, myalgias, abdominal pain, anorexia, leukopenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, or elevated liver enzymes. A direct correlation between the number of symptoms and the duration of illness at time of presentation (rho = 0.389, P = 0.009) was observed for HGA patients but not for patients with Lyme disease. In conclusion, although there are overlapping features, culture-confirmed HGA is a more severe illness than early Lyme disease.
Susceptibilities of Propionibacterium acnesOphthalmic Isolates to Moxifloxacin

Propionibacterium acnes has become an important pathogen in nosocomial infection, including endophthalmitis. The treatment of endophthalmitis presents many diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Although P. acnes has demonstrated in vitro susceptibilities to many beta-lactam agents, clindamycin, and
Chalcogenide active photonics

Chalcogenides are materials that substantially consist of sulphur, selenium, and tellurium. Their dielectric properties can be tuned by thermally induced structural phase transitions, photostructural transitions, and dissolution of metal dopants. We have designed active photonic structures using a range of `tuneable' chalcogenides. The resonant frequency of plasmonic structures was tuned over a 100 nm band in the visible, metal-chalcogenidemetal structures provide tuning of over a band of 0.5 μm in the mid-infrared, and hyperbolic metamaterials incorporating chalcogenides provide a means to alter the radiative decay rate of uorescent photons.
Bacillus cereus DNA topoisomerase I and IIIα: purification, characterization and complementation of Escherichia coli TopoIII activity

The Bacillus cereus genome possesses three type IA topoisomerase genes. These genes, encoding DNA topoisomerase I and IIIα (bcTopo I, bcTopo IIIα), have been cloned into T7 RNA polymerase-regulated plasmid expression vectors and the enzymes have been overexpressed, purified and characterized. The proteins exhibit similar biochemical activity to their Escherichia coli counterparts, DNA topoisomerase I and III (ecTopo I, ecTopo III). bcTopo I is capable of efficiently relaxing negatively supercoiled DNA in the presence of Mg2+ but does not possess an efficient DNA decatenation activity. bcTopo IIIα is an active topoisomerase that is capable of relaxing supercoiled DNA at a broad range of Mg2+ concentrations; however, its DNA relaxation activity is not as efficient as that of bcTopo I. In addition, bcTopo III is a potent DNA decatenase that resolves oriC-based plasmid replication intermediates in vitro. Interestingly, bcTopo I and bcTopo IIIα are both able to compensate for the loss of ecTopo III in E.coli cells that lack ecTopo I. In contrast, ecTopo I cannot substitute for ecTopo III under these conditions.