Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phylogenetic Relationships of the Monotypic Genus Amphianthus (Plantaginaceae Tribe Gratioleae) Inferred from Chloroplast DNA Sequences

Abstract Within the past decade, Scrophulariaceae sensu lato has been shown to be polyphyletic and, as a result, is currently undergoing major systematic revision. The traditionally recognized family is now generally considered to comprise several smaller families including the newly expanded Plantaginaceae, a family of 12 tribes, 92 genera, and approximately 2000 species. Recent evidence from molecular phylogenetics supports the inclusion of the tribe Gratioleae within the Plantaginaceae. Gratioleae includes 16–40 genera, depending on generic circumscription, many of which have yet to be assessed phylogenetically. Amphianthus is a monotypic genus whose systematic affinities have long been poorly known. We included Amphianthus, 10 additional Gratioleae genera, and several outgroup genera from Plantaginaceae in a phylogenetic investigation to examine the relationships of Amphianthus. We present the most complete phylogeny of the Gratioleae to date and provide evidence from chloroplast DNA sequences of the ndhF gene and the trnS–trnG–trnG intergenic spacer and intron that unequivocally place Amphianthus within Gratiola, and discuss the morphological evidence supporting our findings. Based on this evidence, we transfer the sole species of Amphianthus (Amphianthus pusillus) to Gratiola, establishing the new name Gratiola amphiantha and placing Amphianthus in synonymy with Gratiola.
Experimental Results From a Two-Turn 40 mm Railgun

The Institute for Advanced Technology (IAT) has tested a high-inductance-gradient series-connected two-turn railgun. The primary goal of these experiments was to launch a dual-armature launch package in the two-turn configuration while maintaining electrical isolation between the rail and armature pairs. Two tests with the dual-armature launch package on a single-turn configuration independently examined the performance of the launch package. Results of those tests showed good thermal and structural performance of the armature assembly and no melt transfer between the armature contact regions. Five tests were then conducted on the two-turn rail configuration. During the second test, the crossover that connects the two rail pairs at the breech suffered arcing damage at the rail contacts. A new crossover was fabricated, and all subsequent tests were successful with no crossover arcing. The final system had a propulsive inductance gradient of 1.8 muH/m, with projectiles successfully launched in excess of 400 m/s at linear current densities up to 35 kA/mm.
Elevated hepatic chemerin mRNA expression in human non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

OBJECTIVE Adipose tissue-derived factors link non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with obesity, which has also been reported for circulating chemerin. On the other hand, hepatic chemerin and chemokine-like receptor 1 (CMKLR1) mRNA expression has not yet been studied in an extensively characterized patient collective. DESIGN This study was cross-sectional and experimental in design. METHODS Liver tissue samples were harvested from 47 subjects and histologically examined according to the NAFLD activity score (NAS). The concentrations of chemerin and CMKLR1 were measured using semi-quantitative real-time PCR, and the concentration of serum chemerin was measured using ELISA. To evaluate potential effects of chemerin and CMKLR1, cultured primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) were exposed to selected metabolites known to play a role in NAFLD (insulin, glucagon, palmitoic acid, and interleukin-6 (IL6)). RESULTS Chemerin and CMKLR1 mRNA levels were elevated in the human liver. Their expression was correlated with the NAS (R(2)=0.543; P<0.001 and R(2)=0.355; P=0.014 respectively) and was significantly elevated in patients with definite non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (P<0.05 respectively). Linear regression analysis confirmed an independent association of liver fibrosis, steatosis, inflammation, and hepatocyte ballooning with hepatic chemerin mRNA expression (P<0.05 respectively). The expression of hepatic chemerin and CMKLR1 was correlated with the measures of obesity (P<0.05). The incubation of PHHs with IL6 significantly increased the expression of CMKLR1 mRNA (P=0.027), while that of chemerin remained unaffected (P>0.05). None of the other metabolites showed an influence (P>0.05). CONCLUSION This is the first study to show that chemerin mRNA expression is significantly elevated in the liver of NASH patients and that CMKLR1 expression is upregulated in liver inflammation, whereby IL6 could play a causal role.
Estimation of Evolutionary Power Spectral Density of Typhoon Wind Speed

The accurate estimation of the evolutionary power spectral density (EPSD) of a nonstationary process is a very challenging task. Several methods based on the wavelet transform, empirical mode decomposition, proper orthogonal decomposition, or time-varying ARMA model have been proposed to conduct the EPSD estimation. The existing methods may be excessively complicated for the EPSD estimations of typhoon wind, which leads to a low efficiency. Increasing studies have demonstrated that typhoon wind speed is characterized by strongly nonstationary in time domain, and mildly nonstationary in frequency domain. In consideration of this feature, a simple and effective data-driven approach is discussed in this paper. A kernel regression method is used to estimate the time-dependent variance of fluctuating wind speeds. Then the nonstationary fluctuating wind speeds can be modeled by the product of the timedependent variance and a stationary process. Some field measurements of typhoon wind speed are taken as analytical examples to verify the efficacy of the present approach for estimating EPSDs of fluctuating components in typhoon.
A prospective study on the diagnosis of peripheral lung cancer using endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath and computed tomography-guided transthoracic needle aspiration

Background: It is difficult to collect peripheral lung cancer samples. This study analyzed the applicability of endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath (EBUS-GS) and computed tomography-guided transthoracic needle aspiration (CT-TTNA) for the diagnosis of peripheral lung cancer. Methods: A prospective analysis of peripheral lung cancer patients was performed. The study included 150 cases in the EBUS-GS group and 177 cases in the CT-TTNA group. The diagnostic rate, pathological type, genetic status and complications were analyzed. Results: The diagnosis rates were 64.0% and 97.7% in the EBUS-GS and CT-TTNA groups, respectively. The EBUS-GS group had undergone the most operations of the upper lobes of both lungs, while there was no significant difference in the operation distribution among the lobes in the CT-TTNA group. Adenocarcinoma (64 cases versus 51 cases) was most commonly observed in both groups, followed by squamous cell carcinoma. The detection rates of patients who were given a genetic test were 96.1% and 98.9% in the EBUS-GS and CT-TTNA groups, respectively. The incidence of complications in the EBUS-GS group was significantly less than that in the CT-TTNA group. Conclusions: EBUS-GS and CT-TTNA both had operational limitations. The diagnostic rate of EBUS-GS was lower than that of CT-TTNA, but there were fewer complications. CT-TTNA had better tolerance. According to the specific location of the lesion, we recommend EBUS-GS for lesions with a diameter ⩽30 mm and CT-TTNA for lesions with a diameter >30 mm. CT-TTNA specimens were advantageous for genetic testing.
The dimensionality of customer privacy concern on the internet

Purpose – This study attempts to carry out an approximation both to the conceptual delimitation and to the measuring of customer concern for privacy on the electronic market.Design/methodology/approach – To complete the objective of this research, an overview of the literature is made in an attempt to summarise the main proposals as regards dimensions of the construct analysed. Furthermore, two studies were carried out with the aim of evaluating the instruments to measure concern for privacy on the internet and which support the conclusion concerning the construct's dimensionality, reached following the aforementioned literature overview.Findings – From the main results reached, we can highlight that the concern for privacy on the internet construct has a structure consisting of two dimensions, which are confirmed through the scales evaluated for different contexts of use of the internet. These dimensions are: concern for control over the collecting of personal information, and its use on the electronic m.
Exposure to electromagnetic fields from smart utility meters in GB; part I) laboratory measurements

Laboratory measurements of electric fields have been carried out around examples of smart meter devices used in Great Britain. The aim was to quantify exposure of people to radiofrequency signals emitted from smart meter devices operating at 2.4 GHz, and then to compare this with international (ICNIRP) health‐related guidelines and with exposures from other telecommunication sources such as mobile phones and Wi‐Fi devices. The angular distribution of the electric fields from a sample of 39 smart meter devices was measured in a controlled laboratory environment. The angular direction where the power density was greatest was identified and the equivalent isotropically radiated power was determined in the same direction. Finally, measurements were carried out as a function of distance at the angles where maximum field strengths were recorded around each device. The maximum equivalent power density measured during transmission around smart meter devices at 0.5 m and beyond was 15 mWm−2, with an estimation of maximum duty factor of only 1%. One outlier device had a maximum power density of 91 mWm−2. All power density measurements reported in this study were well below the 10 W m−2 ICNIRP reference level for the general public. Bioelectromagnetics. 2017;38:280–294. © 2017 Crown copyright. Bioelectromagnetics Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Bioelectromagnetics Society. This article is published with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen's Printer for Scotland.
Diseases associated with chronic rhinosinusitis: what is the significance?

Purpose of reviewTo discuss the systemic conditions that may impact the incidence, severity, prognosis, or treatment approach in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Recent findingsPatients with allergic rhinitis do not necessarily have more severe chronic rhinosinusitis as assessed by symptom scores, nasal endoscopy, or computed tomography staging. However, at least in pediatric patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who undergo surgery, consideration of allergy and allergy treatment appears to improve surgical results. Patients with aspirin sensitivity have a more severe disease, but benefit from surgical treatment to the same degree as non-aspirin-sensitive patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Surgical treatment of polypoid rhinosinusitis in cystic fibrosis patients improves symptoms, and aggressive surgical opening of sinus cavities may provide long-lasting benefit, though polyps will regrow in most patients, and many will require repeat surgery. Rhinosinusitis is among the most common infectious complications of humoral immunodeficiency, and humoral immunodeficiency is not uncommon in patients with refractory chronic rhinosinusitis. Patients with granulomatous disease causing rhinosinusitis, such as Wegener's granulomatosis, appear to suffer from a symptom burden that is equivalent to the broader population of chronic rhinosinusitis patients. SummarySystemic disease conditions influence the incidence, treatment, and severity of chronic rhinosinusitis. Specific diagnosis of these contributing conditions will facilitate appropriate treatment.
Cloning of the SNG1 Gene of Arabidopsis Reveals a Role for a Serine Carboxypeptidase-like Protein as an Acyltransferase in Secondary Metabolism

Serine carboxypeptidases contain a conserved catalytic triad of serine, histidine, and aspartic acid active-site residues. These enzymes cleave the peptide bond between the penultimate and C-terminal amino acid residues of their protein or peptide substrates. The Arabidopsis Genome Initiative has revealed that the Arabidopsis genome encodes numerous proteins with homology to serine carboxypeptidases. Although many of these proteins may be involved in protein turnover or processing, the role of virtually all of these serine carboxypeptidase-like (SCPL) proteins in plant metabolism is unknown. We previously identified an Arabidopsis mutant, sng1 (sinapoylglucose accumulator 1), that is defective in synthesis of sinapoylmalate, one of the major phenylpropanoid secondary metabolites accumulated by Arabidopsis and some other members of the Brassicaceae. We have cloned the gene that is defective in sng1 and have found that it encodes a SCPL protein. Expression of SNG1 in Escherichia coli demonstrates that it encodes sinapoylglucose:malate sinapoyltransferase, an enzyme that catalyzes a transesterification instead of functioning like a hydrolase, as do the other carboxypeptidases. This finding suggests that SCPL proteins have acquired novel functions in plant metabolism and provides an insight into the evolution of secondary metabolic pathways in plants.
Thiothixene in the Treatment of Geriatric Patients with Chronic Organic Brain Syndrome *

ABSTRACT: Thiothixene was used in a four‐week double‐blind placebo‐controlled study of 42 geriatric patients with chronic organic brain syndrome (psychotic or nonpsychotic). The results, according to several rating measures, showed no significant difference between placebo and thiothixene. Side effects were mild and few. These data support the safety of thiothixene therapy for geriatric patients; however, there is no conclusive evidence of its efficacy in the treatment of chronic organic brain syndrome.
Interaction Among Heme Oxygenase, Nuclear Factor-&kgr;B, and Transcription Activating Factors in Cardiac Hypertrophy in Hypertension

Deoxycorticosterone acetate–induced hypertension is a volume overload and human primary aldosteronism model characterized by severe cardiac lesions attributed to elevated inflammation, oxidative stress, fibrosis, and hypertrophy. An important cytoprotective pathway that counteracts tissue insults is the heme oxygenase (HO) system. Although the HO-1 gene promoter contains consensus binding sites for proinflammatory/oxidative transcription factors like nuclear factor-&kgr;B, activating protein (AP)-1, and AP-2, the effects of HO inducers on these transcription factors in cardiac lesions of deoxycorticosterone acetate hypertension are not fully understood. Hemin therapy normalized systolic blood pressure and markedly reduced the left:right ventricular ratio, left ventricular wall thickness, and left ventricle:body weight ratio, whereas the HO blocker, chromium mesoporphyrin, exacerbated cardiac fibrosis/hypertrophy in deoxycorticosterone acetate–hypertensive rats. The cardioprotection by hemin was accompanied by increased HO-1, HO activity, cGMP, superoxide dismutase, catalase, the total antioxidant capacity alongside the reduction of 8-isoprostane, AP-1, AP-2, nuclear factor-&kgr;B, and c-Jun-NH2-terminal kinase, whereas chromium mesoporphyrin abolished the hemin effects. Furthermore, hemin therapy attenuated transforming growth factor-β1 and extracellular matrix proteins like fibronectin and collagen, with a corresponding reduction of histopathologic lesions, including longitudinal/cross-sectional muscle fiber thickness, scarring, muscular hypertrophy, coronary arteriolar thickening, and collagen deposition. The suppression of AP-1, AP-2, nuclear factor-&kgr;B, and c-Jun-NH2-terminal kinase proinflammatory/oxidative mediators in the left ventricle of hemin-treated animals is a novel observation that may account for cardioprotection in deoxycorticosterone acetate hypertension. By concomitantly upregulating HO activity and cGMP and potentiating the total antioxidant status, hemin therapy reduced hypertension, suppressed oxidative stress, and attenuated extracellular matrix and remodeling proteins, with a reduction of histopathologic lesions that characterize cardiac fibrosis, hypertrophy, and end-stage organ damage.
Insecticidal and Repellent Activity of Several Plant-Derived Essential Oils Against Aedes aegypti

Abstract We examined the pupicidal, adulticidal, repellent, and oviposition-deterrent activities of essential oils (EOs) from Lippia alba, L. origanoides, Eucalyptus citriodora, Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon flexuosus, Citrus sinensis, Cananga odorata, Swinglea glutinosa, and Tagetes lucida plants against Aedes aegypti under laboratory conditions. Pupicidal and adulticidal activities were assessed at exploratory concentrations of 250, 310, and 390 parts per million (ppm); and 30, 300, and 1,000 ppm, respectively. The greatest pupicidal activity was exhibited at 390 ppm with a 24-h exposure by L. origanoides, and 390 ppm with a 48-h exposure by Citrus sinensis. Lippia origanoides killed all adult mosquitoes at 300 ppm after 120 min of exposure. Only L. origanoides and E. citriodora EOs, applied at 1,000 ppm to human skin, produced the greatest repellency (100%) to host-seeking Ae. aegypti after 2 min of exposure; the repellency decreased between 12% and 10% after 15 min. Complete oviposition deterrence by gravid Ae. aegypti was observed for E. citriodora EOs at 200 ppm with an oviposition activity index of −1.00. These results confirm that the EOs assessed in this study have insecticidal, repellent, and oviposition-deterrent activities against the dengue vector, Ae. aegypti.
Gemifloxacin versus Amoxicillin/Clavulanate in the Treatment of Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis

Abstract Six hundred patients were evaluated in this randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, multicenter, parallel-group study comparing the efficacy and safety of gemifloxacin (320 mg once-daily for 5 days) and amoxicillin/clavulanate (500/125 mg three-times daily for 7 days) for the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB). Of note, more than 90% of study participants had stage 2 disease at study entry. The two drugs were found to be equally effective, with clinical success rates of 93.6% for gemifloxacin and 93.2% on amoxicillin/clavulanate (95% CI −3.9 to 4.6). Bacteriological success rates favored gemifloxacin (90.9% compared with 79.5% for amoxicillin/clavulanate; 95% CI −3.3 to 26.0); however, this difference was not statistically significant. Gemifloxacin and amoxicillin/clavulanate were both well tolerated. In summary, gemifloxacin was found to be well tolerated and effective for the treatment of AECB, suggesting it is well suited for empirical treatment of this common respiratory condition in the current clinical environment.
The role of the transcriptional activator protein DBP in circadian liver gene expression

Summary DBP, a liver-enriched transcriptional activator protein of the leucine zipper protein family, accumulates according to a very strong circadian rhythm (amplitude approx. 1000-fold). In rat parenchymal hepatocytes, the protein is barely detectable during the morning hours. At about 2 p.m. , DBP levels begin to rise, reach maximal levels at 8 p.m. and decline sharply during the night. This rhythm is free-running: it persists with regard to both its amplitude and phase in the absence of external time cues, such as daily dark/light switches. Also, fasting of rats for several days influences neither the amplitude nor the phase of circadian DBP expression. Since the levels of DBP mRNA and nascent transcripts also oscillate with a strong amplitude, circadian DBP expression is transcriptionally controlled. While DBP mRNA fluctuates with a similar phase and amplitude in most tissues examined, DBP protein accumulates to high concentrations only in liver nuclei. Hence, at least in nonhepatic tissues, cyclic DBP transcription is unlikely to be controlled by a positive and/or negative feedback mechanism involving DBP itself. More likely, the circadian DBP expression is governed by hormones whose peripheral concentrations also oscillate during the day. Several lines of evidence suggest a pivotal role of glucocorticoid hormones in establishing the DBP cycle. Two genes whose mRNAs and protein products accumulate according to a strong circadian rhythm with a phase compatible with regulation by DBP encode enzymes with key functions in cholesterol metabolism: HMG-coA reductase is the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis; cholesterol 7-α hydroxylase performs the rate-limiting step in the conversion of cholesterol to bile acid. DBP may thus be involved in regulating cholesterol homeostasis.
Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infection in children

Purpose of review Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is an important diarrheal pathogen of young children. As the diagnosis of EPEC is now based mainly on molecular criteria, there has been an important change in its prevalence. The purpose of this study is to review the current epidemiology of EPEC infection and the new insights into its physiopathology. Recent findings Recent epidemiological studies indicate that atypical EPEC (aEPEC) is more prevalent than typical EPEC (tEPEC) in both developed and developing countries, and that aEPEC is important in both pediatric endemic diarrhea and diarrhea outbreaks. Therefore, it is important to further characterize the pathogenicity of these emerging strains. The virulence mechanisms and physiopathology of the attaching and effacing lesion (A/E) and the type three secretion-system (T3SS) are complex but well studied. A/E strains use their pool of locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE)-encoded and non-LEE-encoded effector proteins to subvert and modulate cellular and barrier properties of the host. However, the exact mechanisms of diarrhea in EPEC infection are not completely understood. Summary Remarkable progress has been made to identify virulence determinants required to mediate the pathogenesis of EPEC. However, fast, easy, and inexpensive diagnostic methods are needed in order to define optimal treatment and prevention for children in endemic areas.
Neonatal Stroke and Progressive Leukoencephalopathy in a Child With an ACTA2 Mutation

Mutations in the smooth muscle–specific isoform of α-actin (ACTA2) cause vascular smooth muscle dysfunction leading to aortic aneurysm and moyamoya syndrome. A unique R179H mutation in ACTA2 has been reported to result in widespread smooth muscle dysfunction affecting vascular and extravascular smooth muscles. We report a 7-year-old girl with an ACTA2 R179H mutation manifesting with neonatal seizures due to multifocal infarcts, asymmetric motor deficits, global developmental delay, spasticity, congenital bilateral mydriasis, and a large patent ductus arteriosus. Serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain over 7 years showed diffuse supratentorial white matter abnormalities consistent with a progressive leukoencephalopathy. Magnetic resonance angiography of the cerebral vessels showed stenosis in the terminal portion of the bilateral internal carotid arteries with fusiform dilation of the proximal segment. Neonatal onset of neurologic symptoms in ACTA2 mutations has not been previously reported. R179H mutation in ACTA2 represents the severe end of the disease spectrum.