Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of the cationic protein poly-L-arginine on airway epithelial cells in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Allergic asthma is associated with an increased number of eosinophils in the airway wall. Eosinophils secrete cationic proteins, particularly major basic protein (MBP). AIM: To investigate the effect of synthetic cationic polypeptides such as poly-L-arginine, which can mimic the effect of MBP, on airway epithelial cells. METHODS: Cultured airway epithelial cells were exposed to poly-L-arginine, and effects were determined by light and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Poly-L-arginine induced apoptosis and necrosis. Transmission electron microscopy showed mitochondrial damage and changes in the nucleus. The tight junctions were damaged, as evidenced by penetration of lanthanum. Scanning electron microscopy showed a damaged cell membrane with many pores. Microanalysis showed a significant decrease in the cellular content of magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and chlorine, and an increase in calcium. Plakoglobin immunoreactivity in the cell membrane was decreased, indicating a decrease in the number of desmosomes CONCLUSIONS: The results point to poly-L-arginine induced membrane damage, resulting in increased permeability, loss of cell-cell contacts and generalized cell damage.
Adaptation of sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas) (L.) Lam] genotypes in various agro-ecological zones of Malawi

Sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas) (L.) Lam] is grown by small holder farmers across a wide range of environments in Malawi. A multi-location trial of eight genotypes for three seasons at six research stations was undertaken using additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model analysis to determine the genotypes’ stability and influence of genotype × environment interactions (GEI) on storage root yield. ANOVA showed high significant differences in storage root yield of the genotypes among seasons and locations (p≤0.01). Genotype, environment and genotype × environmental interaction significantly influenced storage root yield variation of the cultivars (p≤0.01). The variance in yield was mainly attributable to environment variability (62.86%) than genotypes variation (14.25%) and G × E interactions (15.06%). Semusa was superior for storage root yield (27.77t/ha) and Lu96/334 was the most inferior (11.19 t/ha). AMMI stability analysis revealed that LU96/303 (24.72 t/ha) was the most stable genotype across sites. Biplot analysis showed that Chitedze and Baka were sites conducive for high yields hence can be used for preliminary yield evaluation to capture maximum genotypes’ yield potential, while Lunyangwa was the lowest yields site; therefore useful for assessing the potential of worst performance of genotypes under unfavourable environmental conditions. Key words: G × E interactions, multi-locational trial, stability, sweet potato, genotypes, root yield.
On the largest eigenvalue of a Hermitian random matrix model with spiked external source I. Rank one case

Consider a Hermitian matrix model under an external potential with spiked external source. When the external source is of rank one, we compute the limiting distribution of the largest eigenvalue for general, regular, analytic potential for all values of the external source. There is a transitional phenomenon, which is universal for convex potentials. However, for non-convex potentials, new types of transition may occur. The higher rank external source is analyzed in the subsequent paper.
How to get cool in the heat : comparing analytic models of hot, cold, and cooling gas in haloes and galaxies with EAGLE.

We use the hydrodynamic, cosmological EAGLE simulations to investigate how the hot gas in haloes condenses to form and grow galaxies. We select haloes from the simulations that are actively cooling and study the temperature, distribution and metallicity of their hot, cold and transitioning ‘cooling’ gas, placing these in the context of semi-analytic models. Our selection criteria lead us to focus on Milky Way-like haloes. We find that the hot-gas density profiles of the haloes form a progressively stronger core over time, the nature of which can be captured by a β profile that has a simple dependence on redshift. In contrast, the hot gas that will cool over a time-step is broadly consistent with a singular isothermal sphere. We find that cooling gas carries a few times the specific angular momentum of the halo and is offset in spin direction from the rest of the hot gas. The gas loses ∼60 per cent of its specific angular momentum during the cooling process, generally remaining greater than that of the halo, and it precesses to become aligned with the cold gas already in the disc. We find tentative evidence that angular-momentum losses are slightly larger when gas cools on to dispersion-supported galaxies. We show that an exponential surface density profile for gas arriving on a disc remains a reasonable approximation, but a cusp containing ∼20 per cent of the mass is always present, and disc scale radii are larger than predicted by a vanilla Fall & Efstathiou model. These scale radii are still closely correlated with the halo spin parameter, for which we suggest an updated prescription for galaxy formation models.
Hemodynamic response in laparoscopic cholecystectomy after magnesium sulphate versus clonidine administration

Background: Magnesium and clonidine both inhibit catecholamine and vasopressin release. They also attenuate hemodynamic response to pneumoperitoneum.Methods: This randomized double-blind study was designed to assess which agent attenuates hemodynamic stress response to pneumoperitoneum better in 70 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Results: After the administration of drug, heart rate in group M was mean 84.29 while in group C was mean 79.89. Thus, there was more fall in Heart rate in C group. After intubation, heart rate at 1min, 3 min, 5 min was 101.20, 96.69, 93.94 respectively in group M and in C group was 96.37, 85.83, 86.17 respectively with p values (0.12, 0.001, 0.008). After giving drug, there was fall in blood pressure in both groups but in C group, there was significant fall in systolic blood pressure. There was no significant difference in the mean diastolic BP in both the groups immediately at intubation (76.17±10.74 for group M and 78.86±10.48 for group C with p>0.05) as also at 3 min (63.29±8.76 for M group and 65.14±11.705 for clonidine with p>0.05) and 5 min (63.03±7.909 for magnesium sulphate and 67.69±13.588 for clonidine with p>0.05) following intubation. Thus, the rise in mean diastolic BP was statistically similar in both Group M and Group C. There was no significant difference in the mean for MAP in both the groups immediately at intubation (88.86±12.76 for magnesium sulphate and 91.74±11.59 for clonidine) as also at 3 min (73.17±10.019 for M and 75.80±12.849 for C group. But at 5 min (71.71±9.11 for magnesium sulphate and 77.66±13.715 for clonidine) following intubation with p<0.05 which is significant.Conclusions: Administration of magnesium sulfate or clonidine attenuates hemodynamic response to pneumoperitoneum. Although magnesium sulfate produces hemodynamic stability comparable to clonidine, clonidine blunts the hemodynamic response to pneumoperitoneum more effectively.
Deep Chlorophyll Maximum in Western Equatorial Atlantic - How does it Interact with Islands Slopes and Seamounts?

This paper investigates the dynamics of the deep chlorophyll maximu m layer (DCM L) along the Fernando de Noronha Ridge in the oligotrophic western equatorial Atlantic off northeast Brazil. M ixing processes between water masses above and below the thermocline may occur in a scale of tens of meters around the 24.5 to 25.5 isopycnals, where photoau- totrophs are concentrate at the bottom of the euphotic zone. The primary production at the DCM L can provide 210 (±170) metric tons of Carbon per day to the benthic community at the Rocas atoll. The behavior of isopycnals in deeper and strongly stratified waters suggest that internal waves may imp rove primary production, by lift ing the deeper and nutrient-rich South Atlantic Central Water upwards and carrying the autotrophs to brighter depths.
Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Is It Different?

The clinical manifestations of Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are highly variable, with significant diversity in phenotypes of the diseases. This diversity may manifest as a difference in age of onset. Pediatric-onset disease may present differently and have a different natural history, with ramifications for disease management. Clear evidence exists at present that pediatric-onset UC may be different than adult-onset UC. The primary difference in disease phenotype is extent of disease. Approximately 60–70% of patients with pediatric-onset UC present with pancolitis, as opposed to approximately 20–30% in adults. Patients are more likely to have severe disease and become steroid-dependent. CD may be affected by an age gradient. There is an inverse linear relationship between age and colonic CD, the younger the patient, the more likely is the patient to have colonic CD. This inverse relationship is true through age 10. In addition, pediatric patients are more likely to have upper gastrointestinal involvement than their adult peers. Comparing adult and pediatric phenotypes is fraught with methodological obstacles. Disease behavior, with the exception of growth failure, seems to parallel disease behavior in adults. Patients with growth retardation are a high risk group for complications and should be managed as such.
A model system for studying the DNMT3A hotspot mutation (DNMT3AR882) demonstrates a causal relationship between its dominant-negative effect and leukemogenesis.

Mutation of DNA methyltransferase 3A at arginine 882 (DNMT3AR882mut) is prevalent in hematological cancers and disorders. Recently, DNMT3AR882mut has been shown to have hypomorphic, dominant-negative, and/or gain-of-function effects on DNA methylation under different biological contexts. However, the causal role for such a multifaceted effect of DNMT3AR882mut in leukemogenesis remains undetermined. Here, we report TF-1 leukemia cells as a robust system useful for modeling the DNMT3AR882mut-dependent transformation and for dissecting the cause-effect relationship between multifaceted activities of DNMT3AR882mut and leukemic transformation. Ectopic expression of DNMT3AR882mut but not wildtype DNMT3A promoted TF-1 cell transformation characterized by cytokine-independent growth, and induced CpG hypomethylation predominantly at enhancers. This effect was dose-dependent, acted synergistically with the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutation, and resembled results seen in human leukemia patients carrying DNMT3AR882mut. The transformation- and hypomethylation-inducing capacities of DNMT3AR882mut relied on a motif involved in heterodimerization whereas its various chromatin-binding domains were dispensable. Mutation of the heterodimerization motif that interferes with DNMT3AR882mut binding to endogenous wildtype DNMT proteins partially reversed the CpG hypomethylation phenotype caused by DNMT3AR882mut, thus supporting a dominant-negative mechanism in cells. In mice, bromodomain inhibiton repressed gene-activation events downstream of DNMT3AR882mut-induced CpG hypomethylation, thereby suppressing leukemogenesis mediated by DNMT3AR882mut . Collectively, this study reports a model system useful for studying DNMT3AR882mut, shows a requirement of the dominant-negative effect by DNMT3AR882mut for leukemogenesis, and describes an attractive strategy for the treatment of leukemias carrying DNMT3AR882mut.
Opportunistic Infections among HIV/AIDS Patients taking Anti-RetroviralTherapy at Tertiary Care Hospital in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Introduction: Opportunistic infections, which mostly manifest at advanced stage of HIV/AIDS, are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality despite the existence of prevention and treatment modalities. People with advanced HIV infection are vulnerable to opportunistic infections and malignancies because of the opportunity offered by a weakened immune system. Since the types of opportunistic infections vary from region to region, for the strategies of morbidity and mortality to be reduced, identification of opportunistic infections, their frequency and distribution plays significant role. Methodology: A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from August - September, 2016 in Wolaita Sodo teaching and referral hospital, Southern Ethiopia, among HIV/AIDS patients who were taking ante-retroviral therapy with in the past five years preceding the survey. A total of 377 study participants were selected through systematic sampling technique and a pre-tested checklist was used to collect data from clinical records of study subjects. The data was entered and analyzed by SPSS version 20. Result: The overall magnitude of opportunistic infections was 45.3%. Only 6.9% of them had co-infections. The most prevalent opportunistic infection was oral candidiasis (17.7%), followed by herpes zoster (15.5%) and pulmonary tuberculosis (11.9%). The cumulative prevalence of all forms of tuberculosis, (19.4%), was identified as the leading opportunistic infection. Cryptoccocal meningitis (2.8%), cryptosporidiosis (2.5%) and recurrent mycosis (1.4%) were the least commonly observed opportunistic infections. AIDS defining illnesses such as CNS toxoplasmosis, Cryptoccocal meningitis, pneumocystis carini pneumonea and cryptosporidiosis with diarrhea, which commonly manifest during the end stage of HIV/AIDS, cumulatively account for 14.6% of opportunistic infections. Conclusion: A high prevalence of opportunistic infection was identified among HIV/AIDS patients taking antiretroviral therapy. This indicates that the threatening burden of opportunistic infections couldn’t be averted by sole provision of ante-retroviral therapy. Therefore, in order to reduce the magnitude of the diseases, strategies beyond providing ante-retroviral therapy are required. In addition, researchers and other stake holders have to conduct longitudinal studies in order to identify risk factors for respective opportunistic infections.
A demographic analysis of a southern snowshoe hare population in a fragmented habitat: evaluating the refugium model

The allegedly noncyclic dynamics of southern snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) populations may be ex- plained by a model invoking habitat fragmentation and facultative predation (the refugium model) under which animals dispersing from patches of preferred habitat fail to establish themselves because of predation by facultative carnivores. We compared the refugium model with a revised model invoking heavy on-site predation in preferred habitat as the proximal mechanism responsible for the stability of southern snowshoe hare populations. The survival and movements of hares in a fragmented habitat in central Idaho were monitored via radiotelemetry on 6 sites differing in habitat quality (indexed by understory cover) from 1998 to 2000. In support of the revised model, predation rates were high irrespective of cover availability or hare density, and predators did not kill dispersing animals disproportionately. Furthermore, predation was focused on small hares, suggesting that poor recruitment of juveniles may be the mecha- nism ultimately responsible for the damped dynamics of southern snowshoe hare populations. The low survival rates we measured suggest that the population under study was undergoing a marked decline. However, the observed decline, determined by comparing study-site population estimates, was less severe, implying that the persistence of local snow - shoe hare populations in some areas of the species' southern range may be influenced by metapopulation dynamics. Specifically, southern snowshoe hare populations in small patches of usable habitat may be prevented from going extinct by the arrival of immigrants from similar nearby patches.
Angiographic Pattern of Symptomatic Severe M1 Stenosis: Comparison with Presenting Symptoms, Infarct Patterns, Perfusion Status, and Outcome after Recanalization

Background: Several angiographic patterns distal to severe M1 stenosis have been identified. We have assessed the relationship between these angiographic patterns and patient presenting symptoms, infarct patterns, perfusion status and outcome after recanalization. Methods: Three angiographic patterns were retrospectively identified in 60 patients (M:F = 41:19; age range = 34–80 years, mean = 55) who underwent M1 stenting: (1) a normal pattern (n = 22); (2) a shift pattern of the borderzone of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) down to the MCA side with decreased size of MCA branches (n = 16), and (3) a dilatation pattern of the MCA branches with slow flow and minimal shift of borderzone (n = 22). In addition, to analyze interreader agreement, we assessed the correlation between angiographic patterns and gender, presenting symptoms (stroke vs. TIA), infarct patterns on MRI (borderzone vs. non-borderzone infarcts), perfusion results and outcome after stenting by χ2 or Fisher’s exact test. Results: Blind review revealed an excellent interreader agreement in the assessment of angiographic patterns (ĸ = 0.681). The shift pattern was more common in women than in men (p = 0.007). The likelihood of stroke (25/60, 42%, p = 0.001), borderzone infarct (21/32, 66%, p = 0.010) and decreased perfusion (p < 0.001) were greatest in the dilatation pattern, followed by shift and normal patterns. The outcomes did not differ by angiographic pattern probably due to the low event rate (4/60, 6.7%) within 6 months. Conclusions: Patients with severe M1 stenosis had 3 different angiographic patterns, which correlated with presenting symptoms, infarct patterns and perfusion status. Differences in patterns may be related to variation in collateral circulation at the ACA-MCA borderzone and hypoperfusion status.
Dysexecutive functioning in ALS patients and its clinical implications

Abstract Pronounced cognitive and behavioural impairments in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) concern executive functions and executive behaviour. The valid measurement is challenging as motor disabilities may mask everyday functioning. The aim of this study was to determine a detailed characteristic pattern of executive impairment in ALS in order to effectively interpret their clinical impact. We investigated 98 ALS patients without or with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and 70 healthy controls using a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery focusing on executive functions and executive behaviour. We analysed the impairment of executive functions and their clinical significance for patients' daily routines. Results demonstrated that around 70% of cognitively impaired ALS patients without FTD showed disturbances in executive functioning. Behavioural abnormalities primarily manifested in symptoms of apathy. Patients without FTD were most impaired in the executive domain regarding initiation and shifting; this contrasted their almost preserved processes relating to updating, inhibition, and complex problem solving. ALS-FTD patients showed deficits in all analysed processes. Our study suggests that executive dysfunctioning in cognitively impaired ALS patients without FTD does not preferentially affect the more complex regulatory processes. These findings indicate potential mechanisms for ALS patients to compensate for executive dysfunction in daily routine.
Long-Range Comparison between Genes and Languages Based on Syntactic Distances

Objective: To propose a new approach for comparing genetic and linguistic diversity in populations belonging to distantly related groups. Background: Comparisons of linguistic and genetic differences have proved powerful tools to reconstruct human demographic history. Current models assume on both sides that similarities reflect either descent from common ancestry or the balance between isolation and contact. Most linguistic phylogenies are ultimately based on lexical evidence (roughly, words and morphemes with their sounds and meanings). However, measures of lexical divergence are reliable only for closely related languages, thus large-scale comparisons of genetic and linguistic diversity have appeared problematic so far. Methods: Syntax (abstract rules to combine words into sentences) appears more measurable, universally comparable, and stable than the lexicon, and hence certain syntactic similarities might reflect deeper linguistic relationships, such as those between distant language families. In this study, we for the first time compared genetic data to a matrix of syntactic differences among selected populations of three continents. Results: Comparing two databases of microsatellite (Short Tandem Repeat) markers and Single Nucleotides Polymorphisms (SNPs), with a linguistic matrix based on the values of 62 grammatical parameters, we show that there is indeed a correlation of syntactic and genetic distances. We also identified a few outliers and suggest a possible interpretation of the overall pattern. Conclusions: These results strongly support the possibility of better investigating population history by combining genetic data with linguistic information of a new type, provided by a theoretically more sophisticated method to assess the relationships between distantly related languages and language families.
A scheme for a shot-to-shot, femtosecond-resolved pulse length and arrival time measurement of free electron laser x-ray pulses that overcomes the time jitter problem between the FEL and the laser

The recent entry of X-ray free electron lasers (FELs) to all fields of physics has created an enormous need, both from scientists and operators, for better characterization of the beam created by these facilities. Of particular interest is the measurement of the arrival time of the FEL pulse relative to a laser pump, for pump-probe experiments, and the measurement of the FEL pulse length. This article describes a scheme that corrects one of the major sources of uncertainty in these types of measurements, namely the jitter in the arrival time of the FEL relative to an experimental laser beam. The setup presented here uses a combination of THz streak cameras and a spectral encoding setup to reduce the effect of an FEL's jitter, leaving the pulse length as the only variable that can affect the accuracy of the pulse length and arrival time measurement. A discussion of underlying principles is also provided.
FLASH TEMPERATURES GENERATED BY FRICTION OF A VISCOELASTIC BODY

In this study, we elaborate on the friction between a one-dimensional elastomer and a one-dimensional rigid randomly rough surface. Special emphasis is laid on the energy dissipation in the elastomer. Its subsequent temperature change is under inspection. The elastomer is modeled as a spring and a damper in parallel (Kelvin model) in a one-dimensional substitute model according to the concept of the method of dimensionality reduction (MDR). The randomly rough surface is a self-affine one-dimensional fractal whose Hurst exponent H is varied in an extended range between -1 and 3. In full contact, the temperature shift is dominated by ratio between the typical power dissipated in the elastomer to the power that is led away. It is independent of the normal force and proportional to the sliding speed squared. The flash temperature behavior is discussed for different Hurst exponents.