Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alexithymia in depressive, anxiety, somatoform and psychotic disorders: A comparative study

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the prevalence of alexithymia and determine the differences in structure in patients with depressive, anxiety, somatoform, and psychotic disorders. Methods: The study was performed between April and May 2013 with outpatients who were diagnosed with depressive (n=99), anxiety (n=76), somatoform (n=37), and psychotic (n=45) disorders under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (American Psychiatric Association 2000) and who were being monitored and treated at the outpatient psychiatry clinic of Erzincan State Hospital. The data were collected by two psychiatrists using the face-to-face interview method, which employed a questionnaire and the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), in the outpatient clinic environment. Results: Alexithymic construct was found in 55.6% of the psychotic patients, 45.9% of those with somatoform disorders, 43.4% of those with anxiety, and 51.5% of the depressive patients. The TAS-20 average scores were significantly higher in psychotic patients. The Difficulty Identifying Feelings subscale average scores were found to be significantly lower in patients with somatoform disorders (p<0.01). Additionally, the TAS-20 average scores in men, young, those with low education were significantly higher (p<0.001). Conclusion: The study demonstrated that all patient groups had alexithymic construct; however, the prevalence of alexithymia was higher in depressive and psychotic patients. Psychiatric nurses can help in improving patients’ quality of life through psychosocial interventions aiming at improved recognition, identification and description of feelings, communication skills and insight.
Does Medieval Trade Still Matter? Historical Trade Centers, Agglomeration and Contemporary Economic Development

This study empirically establishes a link between medieval trade, agglomeration and contemporary regional development in ten European countries. It documents a statistically and economically significant positive relationship between prominent involvement in medieval trade and commercial activities and regional economic development today. Further empirical analyses show that medieval trade positively influenced city development both during the medieval period and in the long run; they also reveal a robust connection between medieval city growth and contemporary regional agglomeration and industry concentration. A mediation analysis indicates that a long-lasting effect of medieval trade on contemporary regional development is indeed transmitted via its effect on agglomeration and industry concentration. This research thus highlights the long-run importance of medieval trade in shaping the development of cities as well as the contemporary spatial distribution of economic activity throughout Europe. The path-dependent regional development processes caused by medieval commercial activities help explain the observed persistent regional development differences across the European countries considered.
Genetic Diversity of Rice Grain Quality

Rice (Oryza spp.) is one of the most important food crops in the world, being planted on almost 11% of the Earth’s cultivated land area over a wide number of ecosystems (Khush, 2005; Maclean et al., 2002). Two species, Oryza sativa and O. glaberrima, are cultivated while other species are wild. Human selection and environmental factors have contributed to the genetic diversity in rice, particularly in O. sativa cultivars (Maclean et al., 2002). A significant amount of this genetic diversity is housed in rice gene banks around the world, with a copy also conserved in the snowy depths of Svalbard, Norway. The diversity of rice offers a valuable resource to understand grain quality and how different agronomic backgrounds alter those traits. Rice is consumed mainly as milled, white grains or as brown grains (unpolished), and also as ingredients in food products. The cooking and sensory properties of a variety are key components that affect its acceptability to consumers (Cramer et al., 1993). Consumer preferences shift from low-quality to high-quality rice with increased income and market liberalisation (Cramer et al., 1993; Dawe & Slayton, 2004). Improvements in post-harvest technologies have also contributed to this shift in consumer preference by decreasing the price difference between lowand high-quality rice (Dawe & Slayton, 2004).
Differences between the prion protein and its homolog Doppel: a partially structured state with implications for scrapie formation.

The key event in the pathogenesis of prion diseases is a conformational change in the prion protein (PrP). Models for conversion of PrP(C) into PrP(Sc) typically implicate an, as yet, unidentified intermediate. In an attempt to identify such an intermediate, we used native-state hydrogen exchange monitored with NMR. Although we were unable to detect an intermediate directly, we observed substantial protection above that expected based upon measurements of the global stability of PrP (>2 kcal mol(-1) super protection). This super protection implicates either structure in the denatured state or the presence of an intermediate. Similar experiments with Doppel, a homolog of PrP that does not form infectious prions, failed to demonstrate such super protection. This suggests that the partially structured state of PrP encompassing portions of the B and C helices, may be a significant factor in the ability of PrP to convert from PrP(C) to PrP(Sc).
Agonist-dependent Regulation of Renal Na+,K+-ATPase Activity Is Modulated by Intracellular Sodium Concentration*

We tested the hypothesis that the level of intracellular sodium modulates the hormonal regulation of the Na+,K+-ATPase activity in proximal tubule cells. By using digital imaging fluorescence microscopy of a sodium-sensitive dye, we determined that the sodium ionophore monensin induced a dose-specific increase of intracellular sodium. A correspondence between the elevation of intracellular sodium and the level of dopamine-induced inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase activity was determined. At basal intracellular sodium concentration, stimulation of cellular protein kinase C by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) promoted a significant increase in Na+,K+-ATPase activity; however, this activation was gradually reduced as the concentration of intracellular sodium was increased to become a significant inhibition at concentrations of intracellular sodium higher than 16 mm. Under these conditions, PMA and dopamine share the same signaling pathway to inhibit the Na+,K+-ATPase. The effects of PMA and dopamine on the Na+,K+-ATPase activity and the modulation of these effects by different intracellular sodium concentrations were not modified when extracellular and intracellular calcium were almost eliminated. These results suggest that the level of intracellular sodium modulates whether hormones stimulate, inhibit, or have no effect on the Na+,K+-ATPase activity leading to a tight control of sodium reabsorption.
O Antigen Modulates Insect Vector Acquisition of the Bacterial Plant Pathogen Xylella fastidiosa

ABSTRACT Hemipteran insect vectors transmit the majority of plant pathogens. Acquisition of pathogenic bacteria by these piercing/sucking insects requires intimate associations between the bacterial cells and insect surfaces. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the predominant macromolecule displayed on the cell surface of Gram-negative bacteria and thus mediates bacterial interactions with the environment and potential hosts. We hypothesized that bacterial cell surface properties mediated by LPS would be important in modulating vector-pathogen interactions required for acquisition of the bacterial plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa, the causative agent of Pierce's disease of grapevines. Utilizing a mutant that produces truncated O antigen (the terminal portion of the LPS molecule), we present results that link this LPS structural alteration to a significant decrease in the attachment of X. fastidiosa to blue-green sharpshooter foreguts. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that this defect in initial attachment compromised subsequent biofilm formation within vector foreguts, thus impairing pathogen acquisition. We also establish a relationship between O antigen truncation and significant changes in the physiochemical properties of the cell, which in turn affect the dynamics of X. fastidiosa adhesion to the vector foregut. Lastly, we couple measurements of the physiochemical properties of the cell with hydrodynamic fluid shear rates to produce a Comsol model that predicts primary areas of bacterial colonization within blue-green sharpshooter foreguts, and we present experimental data that support the model. These results demonstrate that, in addition to reported protein adhesin-ligand interactions, O antigen is crucial for vector-pathogen interactions, specifically in the acquisition of this destructive agricultural pathogen.
A Wideband Dual-Cavity-Backed Circularly Polarized Crossed Dipole Antenna

A novel wideband dual-cavity-backed circularly polarized (CP) crossed dipole antenna is presented in this letter. The exciter of the antenna comprises two classical orthogonal straight dipoles for a simple design. Dual-cavity structure is employed to achieve unidirectional radiation and improve the broadside gain. In particular, the rim edges of the cavity act as secondary radiators, which contribute to significantly enhance the overall CP performance of the antenna. The final design with an overall size of 0. 57λ<sub>o</sub> × 0. 57λ<sub>o</sub> × 0. 24λ<sub>o</sub> where λ<sub>o</sub> is the free-space wavelength at the lowest CP operating frequency of 2.0 GHzb yields a measured –10 dB impedance bandwidth (BW) of 79.4% and 3 dB axial-ratio BW of 66.7%. The proposed antenna exhibits right-handed circular polarization with a maximum broadside gain of about 9.7 dBic.
A pilot survey of sexual functioning and preferences in a sample of English-speaking adults from a small South Indian town.

INTRODUCTION There is a dearth of recent information on sexual functioning and preferences from an Indian population. AIM To study sexual functioning and preferences in a sample of English-speaking adults in a small town in South India. METHOD Responses were obtained through a postal questionnaire method and were analyzed. Study document included an explanation of the study, sociodemographic details, a sexual functioning questionnaire, a semistructured sexual preference questionnaire, and meanings of terms used in the questionnaires. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Frequency of various sexual functions, difficulties, and preferences over a period of 1 month. RESULTS Sixty-one subjects out of 200 English-speaking persons from a south Indian town returned the questionnaire. Common sexual difficulties included decreased interest in sex (16.4%), arousal difficulties (21.3%), orgasmic difficulties in females (28.6%), and premature ejaculation in males (15.2%). Masturbation was considered wrong by 18% of respondents; with almost 40% of females and 6% of males reported to have never masturbated. There were many differences in the sexual functioning of married compared to unmarried persons and other sociodemographic groups. Practice of various sexual preferences was reported: voyeurism (41.0%), fetishism (18.0%), frotteurism (11.5%), homosexuality (11.5%), telephone scatology (9.8%), and incest (8.2%) being more common. In a small minority, telephone scatology (3.3%), voyeurism (1.6%), and fetishism (1.6%) were reported to be the only method of sexual gratification. CONCLUSIONS Sexual difficulties were similar to other reports in different cultures. Varieties of preferences were practiced, and there were variations among different sociodemographic groups.
Cellular uptake on N- and C-termini conjugated FITC of Rath cell penetrating peptides and its consequences for gene-expression profiling in U-937 human macrophages and HeLa cervical cancer cells

Abstract Rath peptide has been introduced as a delivery vector that transports various membrane-impermeable cargoes in a non-covalent fashion. In this paper, we present a study on Rath peptide conjugated with fluorescein-5-isothiocynate (FITC) differing in its N- and C-termini. We conducted cellular toxicity and uptake experiments in U-937 and HeLa cells to analyze biocompatibility profiles and translocation efficiencies of Rath peptide with FITC serving as both a cargo and a fluorescent marker. We found that the conjugation of FITC on Rath peptide at N-terminus (FITC-Rath) led to more rapid cellular uptake in U-937 cells and significantly higher cellular uptake in HeLa cells than that which occurred at C-terminus. From DNA microarray analysis, FITC-Rath induced gene expression changes in both U-937 and HeLa cells. Five overlapping regulated genes were identified, and this overlap indicated that FITC-Rath displayed some degree of generality regarding gene responses in the two cell lines used. A real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was used to confirm which regulated genes were affected by FITC-Rath. Cell communication, signal transduction, cell surface receptor signaling pathway, signal transducer activity and cellular process, were identified as overlapping biological themes. These data provide useful information on molecular mechanisms for using Rath-based delivery systems.
Hyperoxygenation Enhances the Tumor Cell Killing of Photofrin-mediated Photodynamic Therapy¶

Abstract Tumor hypoxia, either preexisting or as a result of oxygen depletion during photodynamic therapy (PDT) light irradiation, can significantly reduce the effectiveness of PDT-induced cell killing. To overcome tumor hypoxia and improve tumor cell killing, we propose using supplemental hyperoxygenation during Photofrin-PDT. The mechanism for the tumor cure enhancement of the hyperoxygenation–PDT combination is investigated using an in vivo–in vitro technique. A hypoxic tumor model was established by implanting mammary adenocarcinoma in the hind legs of mice. Light irradiation (200 J/cm2 at either 75 or 150 mW/cm2), under various oxygen supplemental conditions (room air, carbogen, 100% normobaric or hyperbaric oxygen), was delivered to animals that received 12.5 mg/kg Photofrin 24 h before light irradiation. Tumors were harvested at various time points after PDT and grown in vitro for colony formation analysis. Treated tumors were also analyzed histologically. The results show that when PDT is combined with hyperoxygenation, the hypoxic condition could be improved and the cell killing rate at various time points after PDT could be significantly enhanced over that without hyperoxygenation, suggesting an enhanced direct and indirect cell killing associated with high-concentration oxygen breathing. This study further confirms our earlier observation that when a PDT treatment is combined with hyperoxygenation it can be more effective in controlling hypoxic tumors.
Evidence for a role of CD28RE as a response element for distinct mitogenic T cell activation signals

T lymphocytes can be induced to produce interleukin (IL)‐2 and proliferate upon T cell receptor (TcR) occupancy together with a CD28‐induced co‐stimulatory signal. The T cell surface molecule CD28 is believed to function as a regulator in T cell activation at both the level of lymphokine mRNA stabilization and gene transcription. Activation of IL‐2 gene transcription via CD28 has been shown to be mediated through a xB‐like sequence, called CD28RE. DNA binding analysis revealed that the CD28‐induced signal is involved in the induction of CD28RE binding activity. Here, we demonstrate that the induction of CD28RE binding activity is not specific for the CD28‐induced signal. Our data indicate that distinct mitogenic T cell activation signals converge on the induction of CD28RE binding activity, and suggest a crucial role for this activity in the IL‐2 enhancer responsiveness to different modes of T cell activation.
CD16 Regulates TRIF-Dependent TLR4 Response in Human Monocytes and Their Subsets

Blood monocytes recognize Gram-negative bacteria through the TLR4, which signal via MyD88- and TRIF-dependent pathway to trigger an immune-inflammatory response. However, a dysregulated inflammatory response by these cells often leads to severe pathologies such as sepsis. We investigated the role of CD16 in the regulation of human monocyte response to Gram-negative endotoxin and sepsis. Blood monocytes from sepsis patients demonstrated an upregulation of several TRIF-dependent genes as well as a selective expansion of CD16-expressing (CD16+) monocytes. Gene expression and biochemical studies revealed CD16 to regulate the TRIF-dependent TLR4 pathway in monocytes by activating Syk, IFN regulatory factor 3, and STAT1, which resulted in enhanced expression of IFNB, CCL5, and CXCL10. CD16 also upregulated the expression of IL-1R–associated kinase M and IL-1 receptor antagonist, which are negative regulators of the MyD88-dependent pathway. CD16 overexpression or small interfering RNA knockdown in monocytes confirmed the above findings. Interestingly, these results were mirrored in the CD16+ monocyte subset isolated from sepsis patients, providing an in vivo confirmation to our findings. Collectively, the results from the current study demonstrate CD16 as a key regulator of the TRIF-dependent TLR4 pathway in human monocytes and their CD16-expressing subset, with implications in sepsis.
Use of Predicted Amino Acid Sequence of Envelope- Nonstructural Protein 1 Region to Study Molecular Evolution of Epidemic-Causing Dengue-2 Strains

In the present study a quantitative comparison of amino acid sequence from envelope-nonstructural protein 1 gene junction region of 10 dengue virus type 2 (DEN-2) isolates from Delhi with 12 DEN-2 isolates from diverse geographical areas and hosts provided sufficient information for estimating genetic relationships. The data indicated that the 1996 epidemic of DHF in Delhi was caused by genotype IV strains of DEN-2. This genotype displaced genotype V strains of DEN-2, which was the circulating genotype in 1967. The period during which this displacement had occurred is not clear from the present study. Nonetheless, similar experience in four countries in Latin America and in Sri Lanka suggests that the introduction of new genotypes of DEN-2 displacing the circulating genotype may be associated with the appearance of DHF/DSS. More work is required to elucidate this hypothesis. However, no segregation of virus strains was observed in terms of the severity of the clinical presentation of dengue virus infections (DF/DHF/DSS). The data presented in this study suggest the utility of phylogenetic analysis of the amino acid sequence of E-NS1 junction region for molecular epidemiology of dengue viruses.
Hypoxia Potentiates Endotoxin-Induced Allopregnanolone Concentrations in the Newborn Brain

Background: Allopregnanolone is a neurosteroid produced in the brain that can alter the excitability of the CNS. Neurosteroids have neuroprotective properties, and their elevation in response to stress may protect the newborn brain following infection or hypoxia. Infection, particularly of the respiratory tract, may lead to episodes of hypoxia. Infection and hypoxia have been identified as factors contributing to neonatal morbidity and mortality. Objectives: To determine the effect of acute episodes of hypoxia alone or in combination with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure on plasma and brain allopregnanolone concentrations in lambs 10–21 days old. Also, to examine plasma levels of cortisol and the cytokines, tumour necrosis factor-α and interleutkin-6 after these challenges. Results: Allopregnanolone concentrations in the brain were markedly increased after hypoxia. Hypoxia following prior LPS treatment resulted in greater increases in brain allopregnanolone concentrations compared to either the LPS or hypoxia treatment alone. Importantly, brain regions unaffected by LPS or hypoxia alone (thalamus/hypothalamus, cerebellum) showed significant increases of allopregnanolone content following the combined LPS and hypoxia treatments. Plasma tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 concentrations were increased after LPS treatment with and without hypoxia, but not by hypoxia alone. In contrast, plasma cortisol concentrations were increased after both stressors. Conclusions: These results show that the brain of young lambs readily responds to physiological stress by increased production of allopregnanolone. This response may protect the developing brain from the cytotoxicity following hypoxic and infectious episodes.
Perceived Friend and Peer Smoking and Direct and Indirect Refusal Skills as Predictors of Cigarette Smoking in U.S. and Japanese Middle School Students

Adolescents (aged 12–14 years) from the United States (n = 539) and Japan (n = 644) completed surveys regarding tobacco use, perceptions of friend and peer smoking, and their own likelihood of using smoking refusal skills. U.S. youth were more likely to report lifetime or monthly tobacco use, whereas Japanese youth were more likely to smoke ≥20 cigarettes per week. High perceived friend and peer smoking prevalence predicted lifetime smoking, whereas direct refusal skill use (e.g., “saying no”) predicted less lifetime tobacco use. Results are discussed in terms of cultural influences that may mediate the effect of risk factors on U.S. and Japanese youth.
A 56nm CMOS 99mm2 8Gb Multi-level NAND Flash Memory with 10MB/s Program Throughput

Fabricated in 56nm CMOS technology, an 8Gb multi-level NAND Flash memory occupies 98.8mm2, with a memory cell size of 0.0075mum/b. The 10MB/s programming and 93ms block copy are also realized by introducing 8kB page, noise-cancellation circuits, external page copy and the dual VDD scheme enabling efficient use of 1MB blocks
Comparison of the sternal wires and sternal cable in closure of the sternum during cardiac surgery

Corresponding author: Yucel Ozen, M.D. Kartal Kosuyolu Yuksek Ihtisas Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi Kalp ve Damar Cerrahisi Klinigi, 34844 Cevizli, Kartal, Istanbul, Turkey. Tel: +90 505 872 76 56 e-mail: yucelozen74@yahoo.com Objectives: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of the sternal cable system (Cable group) with the standard monofilament system (Wire group) in the sternal closure of cardiac surgery patients. Patients and methods: Between January 2014 and September 2014, a total of 56 patients were included. The patients were divided into two groups according to the closure modality. The Cable group in whom the sternal cables were used consisted 24 patients, whereas the Wire group included 32 patients. Risk factors such as obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, reoperation and closure with figure-of-8 were considered in the selection of these patients. The length of intensive care unit and hospital stay, blood drainage, infection and sternal complications were compared between the groups. Results: Preoperative and perioperative variables between two groups were similar. There was no postoperative sternal complications for the Cable group, however, sternal dehiscence and superficial wound infections were observed in two patients in the Wire group. An inf lammatory reaction to the wire developed within one month in a patient. Conclusion: We recommend using sternal cable system instead of wires in the patients having risk factors for sternal instability.