Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heterogeneous endothelial cell structure along the porcine retinal microvasculature.

The pivotal role of the endothelial cell in the regulation of vascular tone has been well demonstrated in many vascular beds, including the retina. However, in the retina, little is known about how the structural elements of the endothelial cells are arranged along the arborisation pathway from artery to vein, the nature of which has been linked to functional heterogeneity in other vascular beds. The relative vulnerability of the retina to vascular based diseases, and the heavy reliance on local regulation of the retinal vasculature makes an improved understanding of such local regulatory mechanisms of significant clinical importance. The present study focuses on identifying differences in endothelial cells along the arborisation pathway in the porcine retinal vasculature. Enucleated pig eyes were arterially cannulated and perfused with fixative followed by double staining for F-actin microfilaments (rhodamine phalloidin) and nucleic acid (YO-PRO-1). The intact retina was then viewed by confocal microscopy. The distribution of F-actin, vessel diameter, endothelial cell size and shape, nucleus size and shape, and position within the cell were determined as a function of location along the vascular tree. The main retinal arterioles (A1) contained full length F-actin internal stress fibers which lay parallel to the long axis of the endothelial cell. Subsequent branches from the A1 arteriole (A2 and A3) showed fewer, shorter fibers, with none visible in the A4 and A5 branches, the capillaries, or in the venous side of the vasculature. All endothelial cells showed peripheral border staining of F-actin microfilaments which allowed the shape of the cell to be determined. All endothelial cells were elongated with the long axis parallel to the vessel, but the mean aspect ratio decreased from 10.9+/-0.5, s.e. m. in the A1 arterioles to 3.2+/-0.2 in the major veins (V1). The position of the endothelial cell nucleus relative to the cell was eccentric in the downstream direction in the A2-A5 arterioles, whilst centrally placed in the A1 arterioles and veins. The structural heterogeneity of endothelial cells along the pig retinal circulation suggests that functional heterogeneity of the endothelium may be involved in regulation of retinal blood flow.
A Validated Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Coupled with Liquid-Liquid Extraction for Indacaterol Quantitation in Human Plasma

Indacaterol is a recent ultra-long-acting inhaled β2-agonist bronchodilator. The current work validated an in-house developed high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) bioassay for indacaterol in human plasma. Ethyl acetate was used in a liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) method to extract indacaterol from plasma samples. A 200 μL of the mobile phase (water-methanol (30:70, v/v)) was used to reconstitute the indacaterol dry extract. A 5 μL was then eluted on a C18 column at a mobile phase flow of 1 mL/min. Formoterol was the internal standard (IS). The MS/MS was the detector. Method validation followed the International Guidelines. Indacaterol and IS were detected at a mass to charge ratio of 393.3 and 345.2, respectively. Validated calibration curves were linear over 0.075 - 100 ng/mL. Method specificity was established in 8 different plasma batches. No matrix effect was observed. The intra-batch accuracy (precision) percentages for the lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ), Low, Mid and High quality control levels were 113.6 (10.8), 104.7 (9.1), 99.8 (7.6) and 102.2 (8.5), respectively. The inter-batch accuracy, recovery, short-term and long-term stability results were accepted. Validation has confirmed a specific, accurate and precise HPLC-MS/MS coupled with a simple and fast LLE for indacaterol in human plasma.
Perception of lexical tone across languages: evidence for a linguistic mode of processing

Pairs of Thai tones were presented for perceptual discrimination in three linguistic contexts [normal speech, low-pass filtered speech, and as musical (violin) sounds] to tonal language speakers, Thai and Cantonese, and non-tonal (English) language speakers. English speakers discriminated the tonal contrasts significantly better in the musical context than in filtered speech, and in filtered speech better than in full speech. On the other hand, both Thai and Cantonese speakers perceived the tonal contrasts equally well in all three contexts. Thus, developmental absence of exposure to lexical tone results in a linguistic mode of processing which involves the attenuation of a basic psychoacoustic ability, pitch discrimination.
P300 speller BCI with a mobile EEG system: comparison to a traditional amplifier

Objective. In a previous study, we presented a low-cost, small and wireless EEG system enabling the recording of single-trial P300 amplitudes in a truly mobile, outdoor walking condition (Debener et al (2012 Psychophysiology 49 1449–53)). Small and wireless mobile EEG systems have substantial practical advantages as they allow for brain activity recordings in natural environments, but these systems may compromise the EEG signal quality. In this study, we aim to evaluate the EEG signal quality that can be obtained with the mobile system. Approach. We compared our mobile 14-channel EEG system with a state-of-the-art wired laboratory EEG system in a popular brain–computer interface (BCI) application. N = 13 individuals repeatedly performed a 6 × 6 matrix P300 spelling task. Between conditions, only the amplifier was changed, while electrode placement and electrode preparation, recording conditions, experimental stimulation and signal processing were identical. Main results. Analysis of training and testing accuracies and information transfer rate (ITR) revealed that the wireless mobile EEG amplifier performed as good as the wired laboratory EEG system. A very high correlation for testing ITR between both amplifiers was evident (r = 0.92). Moreover the P300 topographies and amplitudes were very similar for both devices, as reflected by high degrees of association (r > = 0.77). Significance. We conclude that efficient P300 spelling with a small, lightweight and quick to set up mobile EEG amplifier is possible. This technology facilitates the transfer of BCI applications from the laboratory to natural daily life environments, one of the key challenges in current BCI research.
Fatty acids found in dairy, protein and unsaturated fatty acids are associated with risk of pancreatic cancer in a case–control study

Although many studies have investigated meat and total fat in relation to pancreatic cancer risk, few have investigated dairy, fish and specific fatty acids (FAs). We evaluated the association between intake of meat, fish, dairy, specific FAs and related nutrients and pancreatic cancer. In our American‐based Mayo Clinic case–control study 384 cases and 983 controls frequency matched on recruitment age, race, sex and residence area (Minnesota, Wisconsin or Iowa, USA) between 2004 and 2009. All subjects provided demographic information and completed 144‐item food frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression‐calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were adjusted for age, sex, cigarette smoking, body mass index and diabetes mellitus. Significant inverse association (trend p‐value < 0.05) between pancreatic cancer and the groupings (highest vs. lowest consumption quintile OR [95% CI]) was as follows: meat replacement (0.67 [0.43–1.02]), total protein (0.58 [0.39–0.86]), vitamin B12 (0.67 [0.44, 1.01]), zinc (0.48 [0.32, 0.71]), phosphorus (0.62 [0.41, 0.93]), vitamin E (0.51 [0.33, 0.78]), polyunsaturated FAs (0.64 [0.42, 0.98]) and linoleic acid (FA 18:2) (0.62 [0.40–0.95]). Increased risk associations were observed for saturated FAs (1.48 [0.97–2.23]), butyric acid (FA 4:0) (1.77 [1.19–2.64]), caproic acid (FA 6:0) (2.15 [1.42–3.27]), caprylic acid (FA 8:0) (1.87 [1.27–2.76]) and capric acid (FA 10:0) (1.83 [1.23–2.74]). Our study suggests that eating a diet high in total protein and certain unsaturated FAs is associated with decreased risk of developing pancreatic cancer in a dose‐dependent manner, whereas fats found in dairy increase risk.
Assessment of single nucleotide polymorphism at IL-1A+4845 and IL-1B+3954 as genetic susceptibility test for chronic periodontitis in Maharashtrian ethnicity.

BACKGROUND The inflammatory response that is directed in large part by proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1 is genetically determined, with some people having a more vigorous response than others to the same stimulus. The reason for this is speculated that the dysregulated production of IL-1 in some individuals overrides the feedback mechanisms that normally master the dose of inflammation to a level sufficient to fight microbial invasion without long-lasting damage to the tissues involved. The aims of the present study were to determine the distribution of IL-1 gene polymorphism (IL-1A+4845 and IL-1B+3954) and their association with periodontal disease severity and to determine the significance of detecting the composite genotype (IL-1A allele2+IL-1B allele2) versus detecting either of them alone. METHODS A total of 120 subjects were included and divided into four groups of 30 subjects each, namely, healthy, mild, moderate, and severe periodontitis groups. After a complete clinical examination, DNA was isolated from 0.5 ml blood. Specific primers were used to detect the presence of IL-1 gene polymorphism with the help of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequent allele detection with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and separation by gel electrophoresis. RESULTS The distribution of the allele1 homozygous genotype was 3% in the severe periodontitis group, and the distribution for the allele2 genotype was 30%. A higly significant difference (Wilcoxon signed-rank test; P<0.001) was seen between subjects positive and negative for the composite genotype. CONCLUSIONS Results of the present study reinforced the association of the IL-1 genotype as a risk factor for severe chronic periodontitis. Positivity for the composite genotype was found to be significantly associated with severe chronic periodontitis (odds ratio [OR]=12.42).
Lipid profile parameters in normal and preeclampsia complicating pregnancies - A prospective observational study

This was an open labeled clinical study to compare the lipid profile in normotensive and hypertensive pregnant women. The study included two groups-50 normotensive and 50 preeclamptic pregnant women in whom fasting blood samples were sent for estimation of serum lipid profile during their third trimester. There was a significant increase (p<0.5) in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides in preeclamptic group compared to normotensive group. There was a significant decrease in HDL cholesterol in preeclamptic group compared to normotensive group. This study in correlation with various other studies concluded that dyslipidemia plays an important role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
Identification of the most common problems by patients with ankylosing spondylitis using the international classification of functioning, disability and health.

OBJECTIVE The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) aims to classify functioning and health by a number of categories divided over 3 components: body functions and body structures, participation and activities, and environmental factors. We identified the common health problems of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) based on the ICF from the perspective of the patient. METHODS During structured interviews with the extended ICF checklist, trained assessors collected data from 111 patients with AS. ICF categories identified by more than 5% of the patients as at least mildly impaired or restricted were selected. Categories identified by less than 5% were removed. Additional impairments/restrictions reported by more than 5% of the patients, after the structured interviews and not yet included in the checklist, were added. RESULTS One hundred nineteen (72%) out of 165 categories of the extended ICF checklist were identified to be at least mildly impaired or restricted. Within each of the 4 components of the ICF, at least one-third of the categories were impaired or restricted for more than 50% of the patients. Thirty-nine (33%) categories were related to movement and mobility. Within the component "environmental factors" the categories "support of immediate family" and "health professionals" were the most important facilitators, "climate" was the most important barrier. Eight impairments were additionally mentioned as relevant. These were hierarchically lower levels of ICF categories previously included and they were added. CONCLUSION One hundred twenty-seven ICF categories represent the comprehensive classification of functioning in AS from the patients' perspective. The results underscore the need to address the 4 ICF components when classifying functioning and to emphasize that functioning implies more than physical functioning.
An ultracentrifuge study on the self-association of glucose dehydrogenase from Bacillus megaterium.

The self-association of glucose dehydrogenase (beta-D-glucose:NAD(P) 1-oxidoreductase, EC 1.1. 1.47) from Bacillus megaterium was studied by analytical ultracentrifugation. The pH and composition of the buffer used were such that, owing to a reversible partial dissociation of the tetrameric enzyme, enzyme activity was reduced. It was found that under these conditions the protein exists in a monomer/dimer/tetramer association equilibrium.
[Genotypic survey of Plasmodium falciparum based on the msp1, msp2 and glurp genes by multiplex PCR].

INTRODUCTION The genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum has been one of the major obstacles for the success of anti-malaria drug therapy. It provides the parasite an ability to evade the host's immune response by generating changes in its antigenic composition and resistance to antimalarial drugs. OBJECTIVE The genetic diversity of P.falciparum was characterized in 4 Colombian localities through the analysis of polymorphic genes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighty-one samples were obtained from patients with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria and screened for polymorphic variants of msp1, msp2 (merozoite surface proteins) and glurp (glutamate-rich protein) with a multiplex PCR assay. The geographic regions sampled were Tierralta (Córdoba), in northwestern Colombia and in the Orinoco river watershed of eastern Colombia--Inírida (Guainía), La Carpa (Guaviare), and Casuarito (Vichada). RESULTS The MAD20 variant was detected in all samples analyzed for the msp1 gene. For the msp2 gene, the IC allelic family was found in 96.3% of the samples as compared to 4.9% of the samples with the FC family. Both families showed size polymorphism with bands between 467 and 513 basepairs (bp) for IC and 286 and 300 bp for FC. PCR products of differing sizes were detected for the glurp gene and grouped into 5 size classes: I (600-699 bp) 2.5%, II (700-799 bp) 19.8%, III (800-899 bp) 72.8%, IV (900-999 bp) 1.2% and V (1000-1099 bp) 3.7%. CONCLUSIONS The msp1 molecular marker did not provide information for differentiating P. falciparum parasite populations. The msp2 gene was more suitable for studying the genetic diversity, however, further studies are required to identify polymorphisms within the two allelic families. The glurp gene showed a great genetic diversity of circulating P. falciparum populations, and suggested that this gene may be useful for distinguishing between recrudescence and reinfection.
A multiresolution method of moments for triangular meshes

This paper presents the construction, use, and properties of a multiresolution (wavelet) basis for the method of moments (MoM) analysis of metal antennas, scatterers, and microwave circuits discretized by triangular meshes. Several application examples show fast convergence of iterative solvers and accurate solutions with highly sparse MoM matrices. The proposed basis is organized in hierarchical levels, and keeps the different scales of the problem directly into the basis functions representation; the current is divided into a solenoidal and a quasi-irrotational part, which allows mapping these two vector parts onto fully scalar quantities, where the wavelets are defined. As a byproduct, this paper also presents a way to construct hierarchical sets of Rao-Wilton-Glisson (RWG) functions on a family of meshes obtained by subsequent refinement, i.e., with the RWG of coarser meshes expressed as linear combinations of those of finer meshes.
Ocular Pulse Amplitude in Patients with Thyroid-associated Ophthalmopathy

Purpose TO determine ocular pulse volume values in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy with normal intraocular pressure, and to test the hypothesis that changes in orbital tissue that accompany thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy can in turn give changes in choroidal perfusion. Methods In a prospective study, we evaluated 30 eyes of 30 consecutive patients with TAO, and 30 eyes of 30 healthy subjects. Complete ophthalmologic examination including dynamic contour tonometry was done. Possible differences in ocular parameters between the tested groups were assessed. Results NO significant difference was found in ocular pulse volume values between the tested subjects (paired test p=0.23). Conclusions The orbit tissue changes that are involved in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy do not have much implication on choroidal perfusion, at least when intraocular pressure values remain within the normal range.
The Big Five of Personality and structural imaging revisited: a VBM – DARTEL study

The present study focuses on the neurostructural foundations of the human personality. In a large sample of 227 healthy human individuals (168 women and 59 men), we used MRI to examine the relationship between personality traits and both regional gray and white matter volume, while controlling for age and sex. Personality was assessed using the German version of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory that measures individual differences in the ‘Big Five of Personality’: extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience. In contrast to most previous studies on neural correlates of the Big Five, we used improved processing strategies: white and gray matter were independently assessed by segmentation steps before data analysis. In addition, customized sex-specific diffeomorphic anatomical registration using exponentiated lie algebra templates were used. Our results did not show significant correlations between any dimension of the Big Five and regional gray matter volume. However, among others, higher conscientiousness scores correlated significantly with reductions in regional white matter volume in different brain areas, including the right insula, putamen, caudate, and left fusiformis. These correlations were driven by the female subsample. The present study suggests that many results from the literature on the neurostructural basis of personality should be reviewed carefully, considering the results when the sample size is larger, imaging methods are rigorously applied, and sex-related and age-related effects are controlled.
Alignment of Magnetized Accretion Disks and Relativistic Jets with Spinning Black Holes

Black Hole Alignment In interpreting observations of black holes, it is important to assess the extent to which the accretion disks around black holes and the jets that they produce align with the spin of the black hole. Based on numerical simulations of magnetohydrodynamic fluid flows around rotating black holes, McKinney et al. (p. 49, published online 15 November) describe a previously unknown mechanism that acts to align the accretion disk and jet with the spin axis of black holes. Unlike previous mechanisms, this effect applies to thick disks, like the one thought to exist around the massive black hole at the center of our galaxy. Numerical simulations reveal a previously unknown mechanism to align accretion disks and jets with rotating black holes. Accreting black holes (BHs) produce intense radiation and powerful relativistic jets, which are affected by the BH’s spin magnitude and direction. Although thin disks might align with the BH spin axis via the Bardeen-Petterson effect, this does not apply to jet systems with thick disks. We used fully three-dimensional general relativistic magnetohydrodynamical simulations to study accreting BHs with various spin vectors and disk thicknesses and with magnetic flux reaching saturation. Our simulations reveal a “magneto-spin alignment” mechanism that causes magnetized disks and jets to align with the BH spin near BHs and to reorient with the outer disk farther away. This mechanism has implications for the evolution of BH mass and spin, BH feedback on host galaxies, and resolved BH images for the accreting BHs in SgrA* and M87.
Reciprocal Rewards Stabilize Cooperation in the Mycorrhizal Symbiosis

Plants and their associated fungi reward partners that offer the best resources to sustain mutualism in complex systems. Plants and their arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal symbionts interact in complex underground networks involving multiple partners. This increases the potential for exploitation and defection by individuals, raising the question of how partners maintain a fair, two-way transfer of resources. We manipulated cooperation in plants and fungal partners to show that plants can detect, discriminate, and reward the best fungal partners with more carbohydrates. In turn, their fungal partners enforce cooperation by increasing nutrient transfer only to those roots providing more carbohydrates. On the basis of these observations we conclude that, unlike many other mutualisms, the symbiont cannot be “enslaved. ” Rather, the mutualism is evolutionarily stable because control is bidirectional, and partners offering the best rate of exchange are rewarded.
Expression of a CD200 Transgene Is Necessary for Induction but Not Maintenance of Tolerance to Cardiac and Skin Allografts1

CD200, a type 2 transmembrane molecule of the Ig supergene family, can induce immunosuppression in a number of biological systems, as well as promote increased graft acceptance, following binding to its receptors (CD200Rs). Skin and cardiac allograft acceptance are readily induced in transgenic mice overexpressing CD200 under control of a doxycycline-inducible promoter, both of which are associated with increased intragraft expression of mRNAs for a number of genes associated with altered T cell subset differentiation, including GATA-3, type 2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-13), GITR, and Foxp3. Interestingly, some 12–15 days after grafting, induction of transgenic CD200 expression can be stopped (by doxycycline withdrawal), without obvious significant effect on graft survival. However, neutralization of all CD200 expression (including endogenous CD200 expression) by anti-CD200 mAb caused graft loss, as did introduction of an acute inflammatory stimulus (LPS, 10 μg/mouse, delivered by i.p. injection). We conclude that even with apparently stably accepted tissue allografts, disruption of the immunoregulatory balance by an intense inflammatory stimulus can cause graft loss.
South African guideline for the management of community-acquired pneumonia in adults.

Improving the care of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in South Africa is particularly important because of the high burden of disease and the need to improve standards of antibiotic prescribing in the face of rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The purpose of this document is to provide clinicians guidance as to the recommended management of patients with CAP. This is an update for clinicians, which takes into account important advances and controversies in the management of patients with CAP.