Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF PLUMBAGIN AND ROOT EXTRACTS OF PLUMBAGO ZEYLANICA L.

This work assesses the antibacterial activity of plumbagin (5-hydroxy-2-methylnaphthalene-1,4-dione) and of methanol, chloroform and aqueous extracts of Plumbago zeylanica L. root against various pathogenic bacteria, and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Plumbagin and chloroform extracts of Plumbago zeylanica L. root showed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus. Inhibition against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens and Bacillus subtilis was moderate, and lower against Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The methanolic extract exhibited moderate activity and the aqueous extract weak activity against the bacterial strains as assessed by disc diffusion assays. The bioactive compound plumbagin and extract of Plumbago zeylanica root show a wide spectrum of antibacterial activity. The compound shows promise as a new drug for various bacterial infectious diseases.
Effects of kit ligand and anti‐kit antibody on growth of cultured mouse preantral follicles

Paracrine regulations between the oocyte and granulosa cells are likely to be key regulators of early folliculogenesis. Evidence obtained from genetic mutants as well as in vivo experiments suggest that Kit and Kit Ligand (KL) may regulate early follicular morphogenesis and function. In this study, we used in vitro culture of intact mouse follicles to confirm and extend these findings. Two concentrations of Kit Ligand (20 and 50 ng/ml) or an antibody blocking the Kit–Kit Ligand interactions (SC1494) were added to preantral follicles grown individually for 12 days and which were finally triggered to ovulate. Effects on follicle and oocyte survival, granulosa cell function (antrum formation, cell numbers, steroidogenesis), and oocyte function (growth, survival, nuclear and/or cytoplasmic maturation) were then analyzed. In optimal culture conditions (presence of 5% fetal calf serum), 50 ng/ml of KL significantly improved cytoplasmic maturation of the oocyte and increased follicular testosterone output, but other parameters were not altered. In serum‐free culture conditions, KL was mitogenic for granulosa cells at 50 ng/ml, but could not induce antrum formation and no differences were observed between control and treated groups for steroidogenesis or oocyte growth. Blockade of Kit–Kit Ligand interactions by addition of a blocking antibody decreased oocyte survival 6–9 days after addition of the antibody, but did not upset granulosa cell proliferation. Antrum formation was, however, strongly inhibited. In addition, the blocking antibody markedly reduced aromatase activity of granulosa cells. We conclude that Kit/KL interactions are important for antrum formation and follicular steroidogenesis and regulate survival and cytoplasmic maturation of the oocyte. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 56:483–494, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
[The interrelationships between serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and HDL subpopulations].

OBJECTIVE To assess the influence of serum triglyceride (TG) level and total cholesterol (TC) level on the change of the contents of serum HDL subpopulations. METHODS The apolipoprotein (apo) A-I contents of serum HDL subpopulations in 289 subjects were determined by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis associated with immunodetection method. RESULTS Analysis of the data on the serum TG levels in subjects revealed that the apoA-I contents of pre beta 1-HDL, pre beta 2-HDL, HDL3b and HDL3a increased with the increase of TG level, whereas the apoA-I contents of HDL2a and HDL2b decreased. By comparison with the data of normal TG group, the apoA-I contents of pre beta 1-HDL and HDL3b in the high TG and very high TG groups were significantly higher, whereas those of HDL2b were significantly lower in the high TG and very high TG groups. Analysis of the data on the serum TC levels in subjects revealed that the apoA-I contents of pre beta 1-HDL, pre beta 2-HDL, HDL2c and HDL3b increased with the increase of TC level, while the apoA-I contents of HDL2b decreased. As compared with the data of TC desirable group, the apoA-I contents of pre beta 1-HDL, HDL3c and HDL3b were significantly higher in the high TC group. CONCLUSION With the increase of serum TG or TC, there is a general shift toward small-sized HDL in subjects. Besides, the change of serum TG level is a more important factor influencing the components of HDL subpopulations, compared with the change of serum TC level.
Streptococcus mutans Displays Altered Stress Responses While Enhancing Biofilm Formation by Lactobacillus casei in Mixed-Species Consortium

Like Streptococcus mutans, lactobacilli are commonly isolated from carious sites, although their exact role in caries development remains unclear. This study used mixed-species models to analyze biofilm formation by major groups of oral lactobacilli, including L. casei, L. fermentum, L. rhamnosus, L. salivarius ssp. salivarius, and L. gasseri. The results showed that lactobacilli did not form good biofilms when grown alone, although differences existed between different species. When grown together with S. mutans, biofilm formation by L. gasseri and L. rhamnosus was increased by 2-log (P < 0.001), while biofilms by L. fermentum reduced by >1-log (P < 0.001). L. casei enhanced biofilm formation by ~2-log when grown with S. mutans wild-type, but no such effects were observed with S. mutans deficient of glucosyltransferase GtfB and adhesin P1. Both S. mutans and L. casei in dual-species enhanced resistance to acid killing with increases of survival rate by >1-log (P < 0.001), but drastically reduced the survival rates following exposure to hydrogen peroxide (P < 0.001), as compared to the respective mono-species cultures. When analyzed by RNA-seq, more than 134 genes were identified in S. mutans in dual-species with L. casei as either up- or down-regulated when compared to those grown alone. The up-regulated genes include those for superoxide dismutase, NADH oxidase, and members of the mutanobactin biosynthesis cluster. Among the down-regulated genes were those for GtfB and alternative sigma factor SigX. These results further suggest that interactions between S. mutans and oral lactobacilli are species-specific and may have significant impact on cariogenic potential of the community.
An Empirical Evaluation of the System Usability Scale

This article presents nearly 10 year's worth of System Usability Scale (SUS) data collected on numerous products in all phases of the development lifecycle. The SUS, developed by Brooke (1996), reflected a strong need in the usability community for a tool that could quickly and easily collect a user's subjective rating of a product's usability. The data in this study indicate that the SUS fulfills that need. Results from the analysis of this large number of SUS scores show that the SUS is a highly robust and versatile tool for usability professionals. The article presents these results and discusses their implications, describes nontraditional uses of the SUS, explains a proposed modification to the SUS to provide an adjective rating that correlates with a given score, and provides details of what constitutes an acceptable SUS score.
AXIS: A Trial of Intravenous Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose— Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a promising stroke drug candidate. The present phase IIa study assessed safety and tolerability over a broad dose range of G-CSF doses in acute ischemic stroke patients and explored outcome data. Methods— Four intravenous dose regimens (total cumulative doses of 30–180 &mgr;g/kg over the course of 3 days) of G-CSF were tested in 44 patients in a national, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled dose escalation study (NCT00132470; www.clinicaltrial.gov). Main inclusion criteria were a 12-hour time window after stroke onset, infarct localization to the middle cerebral artery territory, a baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale range of 4 to 22, and presence of diffusion-weighted imaging/perfusion-weighted imaging mismatch. Results— Concerning the primary safety end points, we observed no increase of thromboembolic events in the active treatment groups, and no increase in related serious adverse events. G-CSF led to expected increases in neutrophils and monocytes that resolved rapidly after end of treatment. We observed a clinically insignificant drug-related decrease of platelets. As expected from the low number of patients, we did not observe significant differences in clinical outcome in treatment vs. placebo. In exploratory analyses, we observed an interesting dose-dependent beneficial effect of treatment in patients with DWI lesions >14–17 cm3. Conclusions— We conclude that G-CSF was well-tolerated even at high dosages in patients with acute ischemic stroke, and that a substantial increase in leukocytes appears not problematic in stroke patients. In addition, exploratory analyses suggest treatment effects in patients with larger baseline diffusion-weighted imaging lesions. The obtained data provide the basis for a second trial aimed to demonstrate safety and efficacy of G-CSF on clinical end points.
Does Postoperative Epidural Analgesia Increase the Risk of Peroneal Nerve Palsy after Total Knee Arthroplasty?

Peroneal nerve palsy is a rare complication of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Previous studies have investigated surgical variables contributing to the development of peroneal nerve palsy after TKA, but have ignored potential medical and anesthetic risk factors. The charts of all patients undergoing TKA over a 1-yr period were retrospectively studied to identify medical, surgical, and anesthetic risk factors contributing to the development of peroneal nerve palsy after TKA; 361 TKAs were performed on 292 patients. There were eight peroneal nerve palsies in seven patients representing an overall incidence of 2.2%. A preoperative valgus deformity > or = 10 degrees, total tourniquet time > 120 min, the diagnosis of a preexisting neuropathy, and postoperative bleeding complications were identified as significant risk factors. Postoperative epidural analgesia was used in 108 cases and was not a significant risk factor for the development of peroneal palsy. However, all cases of peroneal nerve palsy with motor deficits and partial neurologic recovery occurred in patients receiving postoperative epidural analgesia and were diagnosed after discontinuation of the epidural infusion. Since diagnosis of peroneal nerve palsy may be delayed in patients with postoperative epidural analgesia, these patients must be monitored closely. A dilute local anesthetic or an opioid infusion is recommended for patients at increased risk, such as those with preexisting neuropathies.
Surface functionalized carbogenic quantum dots.

Quantum dots are semiconductor nanocrystals that inherently fluoresce at specific wavelengths in the visible, enabling a number of potential applications to be realized. However, conventional quantum dots are based on metallic elements, which has raised concerns over toxicity, stability and high cost. As a result, the search for more benign substitutes is a worthwhile yet challenging undertaking. Recently a new type of visible emitters has been reported exclusively based on functionalized carbon nanoparticles. The carbon dots were 5 nm in diameter and were produced via laser ablation of graphite. Surface oxidation with nitric acid and subsequent covalent grafting of organic moieties afforded light-emitting derivatives. Notably, the light emitted by these dots depends on the wavelength of light used for excitation. It was suggested that the tethered modifier stabilizes the surface of the carbon nanoparticles helping to generate energy traps that emit light when stimulated, an effect described as emission from passivated surfaces. Because of its origin the emission is size-dependent, i.e., the smaller the size of the dots the better their photoluminescence efficiency. In another intriguing approach, photoluminescent carbon dots 3 nm in size were directly fabricated by electrochemical shocking of multi-wall carbon nanotubes. The demonstrated photoluminescence adds another dimension to the versatility of carbon-based
Semi-Deterministic Radio Channel Modeling Based on Graph Theory and Ray-Tracing

Graph theory channel modeling is an efficient approach to simulate multipath radio propagation including the reverberation effect of electromagnetic waves. In this contribution, without modifying the modeling framework, we proposed a semi-deterministic channel modeling approach by associating the scatterers with realistic environment objects, and by calculating the coefficients of the propagation paths on the base of a physically sound and proven diffuse scattering theory. The diffuse multipath components are then combined with the specular components (SCs) simulated by ray-tracing (RT) to obtain a complete channel representation. The proposed method is evaluated in two reference scenarios at 3.8 and 60 GHz, respectively, by comparing the simulated channel characteristics with channel measurement data. Results show that the proposed method can accurately predict the channel characteristics in both the delay domain and the angular domain. The proposed approach is appropriate to model multipath propagation in confined indoor or dense-urban environment at millimeter (mm)-wave frequencies and above, where reverberation and rough-surface scattering can be important phenomena.
Persistence in Peripheral Refugia Promotes Phenotypic Divergence and Speciation in a Rainforest Frog

It is well established from the fossil record and phylogeographic analyses that late Quaternary climate fluctuations led to substantial changes in species’ distribution, but whether and how these fluctuations resulted in phenotypic divergence and speciation is less clear. This question can be addressed through detailed analysis of traits relevant to ecology and mating within and among intraspecific lineages that persisted in separate refugia. In a biogeographic system (the Australian Wet Tropics [AWT]) with a well-established history of refugial isolation during Pleistocene glacial periods, we tested whether climate-mediated changes in distribution drove genetic and phenotypic divergence in the rainforest frog Cophixalus ornatus. We combined paleomodeling and multilocus genetics to demonstrate long-term persistence within, and isolation among, one central and two peripheral refugia. In contrast to other AWT vertebrates, the three major lineages differ in ecologically relevant morphology and in mating call, reflecting divergent selection and/or genetic drift in the peripheral isolates. Divergence in mating call and contact zone analyses suggest that the lineages now represent distinct species. The results show that climate shifts can promote genetic and phenotypic divergence and, potentially, speciation and direct attention toward incorporating adaptive traits into phylogeographic studies to better resolve the mechanisms of speciation.
Modulation of presynaptic Ca2+ currents in frog motor nerve terminals by high pressure

Presynaptic Ca2+‐dependent mechanisms have already been implicated in depression of evoked synaptic transmission by high pressure (HP). Therefore, pressure effects on terminal Ca2+ currents were studied in Rana pipiens peripheral motor nerves. The terminal currents, evoked by nerve or direct stimulation, were recorded under the nerve perineurial sheath with a loose macropatch clamp technique. The combined use of Na+ and K+ channel blockers, [Ca2+]o changes, voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channel (VDCC) blocker treatments and HP perturbations revealed two components of presynaptic Ca2+ currents: an early fast Ca2+ current (ICaF), possibly carried by N‐type (CaV2.2) Ca2+ channels, and a late slow Ca2+ current (ICaS), possibly mediated by L‐type (CaV1) Ca2+ channels. HP reduced the amplitude and decreased the maximum (saturation level) of the Ca2+ currents, ICaF being more sensitive to pressure, and may have slightly shifted the voltage dependence. HP also moderately diminished the Na+ action current, which contributed to the depression of VDCC currents. Computer‐based modeling was used to verify the interpretation of the currents and investigate the influence of HP on the presynaptic currents. The direct HP reduction of the VDCC currents and the indirect effect of the action potential decrease are probably the major cause of pressure depression of synaptic release.
Clinical evaluation of the oral health status in vascular-type dementia patients. A case-control study.

AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral health status in patients with vascular dementia (VaD). Moreover, the association of the disease severity and the patients' cognitive and functional impairment with the oral findings have been recorded. METHODS The study was directed on the study group (86 VaD patients) and the control group (82 healthy volunteers of the same age) from the IRCSS Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo in Messina, Italy. Cognitive status was evaluated with the MMSE scoring system. Oral parameters, such as decaying, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) index, plaque index (PI), periodontal probing depth (PPD) and bleeding on probing (BOP) were evaluated in all patients. Denture condition and denture-induced stomatitis were also analysed. The frequency of untreated caries, periodontal diseases and missing teeth of the Study Group was significantly higher than in Control Group. RESULTS Particularly, VaD patients presented higher number of decayed teeth and deeper periodontal pockets. Decreased cognitive functions in VaD patients have been demonstrated to result in a decline of denture care and increased denture-related mucosal lesions. CONCLUSION These results underlined that clinicians should direct high attention to oral hygiene of patients with VaD in order to prevent the evolution of those pathologic dental and periodontal conditions, especially in patients with decreased cognitive functions.
Thermal-assisted capsular shrinkage of the glenohumeral joint in overhead athletes: a 15- to 47-month follow-up.

STUDY DESIGN Descriptive postoperative follow-up research. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this investigation was to describe the return-to-competition rate and functional outcome of overhead athletes following arthroscopic thermal-assisted capsular shrinkage (TACS). BACKGROUND Traditional open procedures to correct instability in overhead athletes, such as capsulolabral repairs and capsular shifts, have produced less-than-favorable results, which have led to the development of TACS. Currently there are no long-term follow-up studies documenting the efficacy of this procedure in groups greater than 31 subjects or for a time period greater than 27 months. METHODS AND MEASURES Two hundred thirty-one consecutive overhead athletes who due to symptoms of hyperlaxity had previously undergone a TACS procedure from 1997 to 1999 were selected for inclusion in the study. During a 1-month period, 130 of these athletes (mean age +/- SD, 24 +/- 6 years; 113 male, 17 female) were contacted by phone for follow-up at a mean of 29.3 months postoperatively (range, 15.4-46.6 months). Of the 130, 105 participated in baseball (80 pitchers), 14 in softball, 4 in football (quarterbacks), 4 in tennis, and 3 in swimming. Fifty-four (42%) subjects were professional, 49 (38%) collegiate, 16 (12%) high school, and 11 (8%) recreational athletes. One hundred twenty-three of the 130 (95%) underwent 1 or more concomitant procedure(s) at the time of TACS. Most commonly performed were labral debridements (69%), rotator cuff debridements (65%), and superior labral repairs (35%). Subjects who returned to competition were retrospectively evaluated using a modified Athletic Shoulder Outcome Rating Scale to subjectively assess pain, strength and endurance, stability, intensity, and performance. Overall results were based on a 90-point scale with scores of 80 to 90 representing excellent, 60 to 79 good, 40 to 59 fair, and less than 40 poor results. RESULTS One hundred thirteen out of 130 subjects (87%) returned to competition. Mean (+/-SD) time from surgery to return to competition was 8.4 +/- 4.6 months. Mean outcome score for all subjects was 79/90; 75 (66%) subjects had excellent, 24 (21%) good, 11 (10%) fair, and 3 (3%) poor result. The mean outcome score for males was 80/90 and for females was 70/90. CONCLUSIONS The majority of overhead athletes (87%) successfully returned to competition following a TACS procedure with good-to-excellent long-term outcomes (88%). Based on the results of this study, TACS of the glenohumeral joint is a viable option for overhead athletes with pathological instability.
Middle Paleolithic Skill Level and the Individual Knapper: An Experiment

It has been proposed that Paleolithic studies should abandon their focus on groups and turn instead to the individual. If individuals are to emerge from the lithics-dominated Middle Paleolithic record, the best chance of success is to identify the products of learner knappers from those of their mentors. To do so we need a framework of knapping standards by which to measure Middle Paleolithic skill level. Selected measurements on a sequence of 100 subcircular Levallois tortoise core reductions by a knapper of intermediate skill were compared with 25 reductions by his highly experienced instructor. Four measures emerge as potential markers of skill level: total stone consumption during initial core preparation, consumption from the upper and lower core surface, symmetry of the first detached Levallois flake, and failure rate of that detachment by overshooting the core's rim. These markers allow us to discriminate between the work of a modern learner and his mentor, but > 30 percent were misclassified. The learning trajectory is more complex than the mere honing of skills through practice and is punctuated by increasing numbers of mentor-like reductions. It follows that skill-level measures on their own are imperfect discriminators. Personal markers other than those of skill level must be found by which to seek individuals in the Middle Paleolithic record.
Influence of cryptic population structure on observed mating patterns in the wild progenitor of maize (Zea mays ssp. parviglumis)

Indirect two‐generation analysis of pollen flow has proven to be an effective alternative to exhaustive paternity analysis in numerous plant populations. In this investigation, the method is extended to an annual wild maize species, Zea mays ssp. parviglumis (Poaceae). Our analysis of mating system in parviglumis revealed high levels of outcrossing and higher biparental inbreeding than typically observed in grasses. Pollen dispersal analysis suggested low levels of long‐distance dispersal. Given previous evidence for intrapopulation genetic structure in parviglumis populations, we explored the impact of cryptic population structure on estimates of mating system and pollen flow. Subpopulations inferred through spatially explicit Bayesian assignment showed markedly different values for both mating system parameters and pollen flow than the entire population. Finally, a novel method of pollen haplotype assignment revealed nonrandom mating consistent with intrapopulation structure. These results indicate parviglumis could be particularly susceptible to habitat fragmentation currently occurring throughout Mexico due to recent changes in land use.