Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
2‐D DIGE reveals changes in wheat xylanase inhibitor protein families due to Fusarium graminearum ΔTri5 infection and grain development

Wheat contains three different classes of proteinaceous xylanase inhibitors (XIs), i.e. Triticum aestivum xylanase inhibitors (TAXIs) xylanase‐inhibiting proteins (XIPs), and thaumatin‐like xylanase inhibitors (TLXIs) which are believed to act as a defensive barrier against phytopathogenic attack. In the absence of relevant data in wheat kernels, we here examined the response of the different members of the XI protein population to infection with a ΔTri5 mutant of Fusarium graminearum, the wild type of which is one of the most important wheat ear pathogens, in early developing wheat grain. Wheat ears were inoculated at anthesis, analyzed using 2‐D DIGE and multivariate analysis at 5, 15, and 25 days post anthesis (DPA), and compared with control samples. Distinct abundance patterns could be distinguished for different XI forms in response to infection with F. graminearum ΔTri5. Some (iso)forms were up‐regulated, whereas others were down‐regulated. This pathogen‐specific regulation of proteins was mostly visible at five DPA and levelled off in the samples situated further from the inoculation point. Furthermore, it was shown that most identified TAXI‐ and XIP‐type XI (iso)forms significantly increased in abundance from the milky (15 DPA) to the soft dough stages (25 DPA) on a per kernel basis, although the extent of increase differed greatly. Non‐glycosylated XIP forms increased more strongly than their glycosylated counterparts.
Optimal distribution network planning with stochastic assessment of voltage dips

Voltage dips are one of the major power quality concerns that customers and distributors have to face. Furthermore, the foreseen evolution of distribution networks, the impact of liberalized energy market and the diffusion of sensitive loads will increase the importance of predictive assessment of voltage dips. Considering that voltage dips are strongly dependent on network topology, in the paper the stochastic assessment of voltage dips has been implemented into a software package for the optimal network planning so that the research of the optimal network evolution is guided by power quality constraints. Some examples of application to a real world case study complete the paper, showing the impact of voltage dips in network planning.
Overview of Telemedicine Applications in the Follow-Up of the Diabetic Patient

Diabetes Mellitus is a growing health problem worldwide and will reach epidemic proportions in the next years. Chronic complications of diabetes cause an important rate of morbidity, from ischemic heart attacks to lower extremity amputation. The total number of excess deaths attributable to diabetes worldwide for the year 2010 was estimates in 3.96 million for the age group 20-79 years-old. This represents 6.8% of the global mortality for all ages. (Gojka and Unwinb, 2010) A tight glycemic control and a close monitoring of all cardiovascular risk factors is essential to prevent serious complications of diabetes and to reduce mortality. Health care systems need to look for new approaches to afford the overload of diabetic patients and to provide them with an effective and cost-effective assistance. Telemedicine-based systems for sharing information between patient and health professional may facilitate the high level of assistance required by diabetes. Transmission of capillary blood glucose values by the patient and a regular feedback from the professional are the basis for patient education in the self-management of their disease. The exchanged information could be much more complex, including data on food intake, level of exercise, dose of insulin.Taking into account all these parameters, health professionals may adjust the therapy in a more accurate way. Certain groups of patients may benefit more due to their special care needs: type 1 diabetes, patient treated with a continuous insulin infusion system, pregnant woman with diabetes, among other situations. All of them require close monitoring. Telemedicine may help to reconcile the care process with patient's lifestyle. However, the real presence of Telemedicine in clinical practice is still very limited in most centres attending diabetic patients. Many studies have been performed in the last years in order to evaluate different Telemedicine approaches to diabetes care. Most of these studies involve a small number of patients and can be just regarded as pilot experiences. The heterogeneity among the evaluated systems makes difficult to provide strong conclusions about the effectiveness of Telemedicine in the control of the diabetic patients. Wider research in this area is required in order to create a more reliable perception about these systems among patients and health professionals.
Immunisation of premature infants

Premature infants are at increased risk of vaccine preventable infections, but audits have shown that their vaccinations are often delayed. Early protection is desirable. While the evidence base for immunisation of preterm infants is limited, the available data support early immunisation without correction for gestational age. For a number of antigens the antibody response to initial doses may be lower than that of term infants, but protective concentrations are often achieved and memory successfully induced. A 2-3-4 month schedule may be preferable for immunisation of preterm infants in order to achieve protection as early as possible, but an additional dose may be required to achieve persistence of protection. This update focuses on the use of routine childhood vaccines in premature infants.
Changes in Twelve Homoeologous Genomic Regions in Soybean following Three Rounds of Polyploidy[W]

This work examines the changes that have occurred in 12 homoeologous genomic regions from three rounds of polyploidy that contributed to the current soybean genome. It finds that genes in networks with a high level of connectivity are more strongly conserved than those with low connectivity. With the advent of high-throughput sequencing, the availability of genomic sequence for comparative genomics is increasing exponentially. Numerous completed plant genome sequences enable characterization of patterns of the retention and evolution of genes within gene families due to multiple polyploidy events, gene loss and fractionation, and differential evolutionary pressures over time and across different gene families. In this report, we trace the changes that have occurred in 12 surviving homoeologous genomic regions from three rounds of polyploidy that contributed to the current Glycine max genome: a genome triplication before the origin of the rosids (~130 to 240 million years ago), a genome duplication early in the legumes (~58 million years ago), and a duplication in the Glycine lineage (~13 million years ago). Patterns of gene retention following the genome triplication event generally support predictions of the Gene Balance Hypothesis. Finally, we find that genes in networks with a high level of connectivity are more strongly conserved than those with low connectivity and that the enrichment of these highly connected genes in the 12 highly conserved homoeologous segments may in part explain their retention over more than 100 million years and repeated polyploidy events.
Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression from Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Surgery and Adjuvant Therapies: A Retrospective Analysis of Outcomes and Prognostic Factors in 116 Patients.

BACKGROUND Metastatic spinal cord compression is a disastrous consequence of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). There have been few studies of the outcomes or prognostic factors in patients with metastatic spinal cord compression from NSCLC treated with surgery and adjuvant therapies. METHODS From 2002 to 2013, 116 patients with metastatic spinal cord compression from NSCLC treated with surgery and adjuvant therapies were enrolled in this retrospective analysis. Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox regression analysis were used to estimate overall survival and identify prognostic factors for survival. RESULTS Multivariate analysis suggested that the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG-PS), preoperative and postoperative Frankel scores, postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy, and target therapy were independent prognostic factors. Ninety patients died at a median of twelve months (range, three to forty-seven months) postoperatively, and twenty-six patients were still alive at the time of final follow-up (at a median of fifteen months [range, five to fifty-four months]). CONCLUSIONS The complete disappearance of deficits in spinal cord function after surgery was the most robust predictor of survival. Adjuvant radiation therapy and target therapy were also associated with a better prognosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Use of Multivariate Analysis to Assess the Nutritional Condition of Fish Larvae From Nucleic Acids and Protein Content

The nutritional condition of turbot larvae (Scophthalmus maximus) was assessed by a multivariate analysis with DNA, RNA, and protein content as input variables. Special attention was given to the time that feeding began and to the timing and duration of starvation. The combination of the principal components analysis and the stepwise discriminant analysis, both techniques of multivariate analysis, made it possible to allocate the larvae into groups that were defined and identified based on similarities in developmental stage and nutritional condition. The developmental stage was mostly determined by the input variables DNA and protein content, while nutritional condition was determined by the RNA content. In the period studied, the more developed larvae were less resistant to starvation. Furthermore, when initial feeding was delayed as little as 6 h, the variables analyzed were markedly changed, and the effect on the deprived larvae was found to be equivalent to a 3-day delay in development—when compared with the larvae fed immediately after mouth opening. Through this technique, new samples of larvae with unknown history might be classified into groups, using their DNA, RNA, and protein content as input values in the defined classification functions. Results were compared to those obtained using RNA/DNA and RNA/dry weight indices, and the multivariate method was considered to be more sensitive and to provide extra information about larval nutritional history and development.
Utah State University From the SelectedWorks of Mary Conner 2011 Effects of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Immunization on Reproductive Function and Behavior in Captive Female Rocky Mountain Elk ( Cervus elaphus nelsoni )

Fertility control is a potential method for managing overabundant wildlife populations; however, current technology is limited by duration of treatment efficacy and unacceptable side effects. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of a single immunization with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine to suppress reproductive function in pregnant female elk and to evaluate potential behavioral and pathological side effects of treatment. Eighteen captive adult female elk were randomly allocated to one of two experimental groups. Ten females were administered a conjugated and adjuvanted GnRH vaccine intramuscularly, and eight elk received an adjuvant sham vaccine without conjugated GnRH. We compared success of existing pregnancy, neonatal survival, subsequent fertility, reproductive behavior rates, and side effects of treatment between January 2006 and January 2010. The GnRH vaccination did not affect existing pregnancy or calf survival during the year that it was applied; however, it reduced the proportion of pregnant females for 3 yr. Male precopulatory behavior rates exhibited toward GnRH-vaccinated females tended to be greater than those directed at sham-vaccinated females during the second half of the breeding season, when GnRH vaccinates continued to be proceptive. Strong immune and inflammatory responses, including robust GnRH antibody concentrations in GnRH vaccinates, and sterile pyogranulomatous injection site abscesses in both groups, were consistent with vaccination. In conclusion, this GnRH vaccine resulted in prolonged, albeit reversible, impairment of fertility, and is associated with extended reproductive behaviors and partial suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis function in captive female elk. elk, fertility control, follicular development, GnRH/GnRH receptor, gonadotropin-releasing hormone, immunocontraception, immunology, ovary, pregnancy, reproductive behavior
Driving Performance After Self-Regulated Control Transitions in Highly Automated Vehicles

Objective: This study aims to explore whether driver-paced, noncritical transitions of control may counteract some of the aftereffects observed in the contemporary literature, resulting in higher levels of vehicle control. Background: Research into control transitions in highly automated driving has focused on urgent scenarios where drivers are given a relatively short time span to respond to a request to resume manual control, resulting in seemingly scrambled control when manual control is resumed. Method: Twenty-six drivers drove two scenarios with an automated driving feature activated. Drivers were asked to read a newspaper or monitor the system and relinquish or resume control from the automation when prompted by vehicle systems. Driving performance in terms of lane positioning and steering behavior was assessed for 20 seconds post resuming control to capture the resulting level of control. Results: It was found that lane positioning was virtually unaffected for the duration of the 20-second time span in both automated conditions compared to the manual baseline when drivers resumed manual control; however, significant increases in the standard deviation of steering input were found for both automated conditions compared to baseline. No significant differences were found between the two automated conditions. Conclusion: The results indicate that when drivers self-paced the transfer back to manual control they exhibit less of the detrimental effects observed in system-paced conditions. Application: It was shown that self-paced transitions could reduce the risk of accidents near the edge of the operational design domain. Vehicle manufacturers must consider these benefits when designing contemporary systems.
Development and Evaluation of Web‐Based Animated Pedagogical Agents for Facilitating Critical Thinking in Nursing

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Web‐based animated pedagogical agents on critical thinking among nursing students. A pedagogical agent or virtual character provides a possible innovative tool for critical thinking through active engagement of students by asking questions and providing feedback about a series of nursing case studies. This mixed methods experimental study used a pretest, posttest design with a control group. ANCOVA demonstrated no significant difference between the groups on the Critical Thinking Process Test. Preand post‐think‐alouds were analyzed using a rating tool and rubric for the presence of eight cognitive processes, level of critical thinking, and for accuracy of nursing diagnosis, conclusions, and evaluation. Chi‐square analyses for each group revealed a significant difference for improvement of the critical thinking level and correct conclusions from pre‐think‐aloud to post‐think‐aloud, but only the pedagogical agent group had a significant result for appropriate evaluations.
Total i.v. anaesthesia with propofol and alfentanil: dose requirements for propofol and the effect of premedication with clonidine.

We determined in 51 healthy patients undergoing body surface surgery the dose requirements for propofol, as part of a total i.v. anaesthesia technique with an alfentanil infusion. After premedication with temazepam, patients received alfentanil 50 micrograms kg-1 followed by an infusion of 50 micrograms kg-1 h-1. Patients were anaesthetized with a loading dose of propofol followed by a three-stage infusion designed to reach one of five preselected blood concentrations of propofol. The motor response to the initial surgical incision was noted and probit analysis was used to derive the ED50 (2.94 mg kg-1 h-1; 95% confidence limits: 2.35-3.37 mg kg-1 h-1) and ED95 (4.98 mg kg-1 h-1; 95% limits: 4.13-8.8 mg kg-1 h-1) for the final propotol infusion rate under these conditions. Whole blood concentration! of propofol at the time of the incision was related linearly to the inf! sion rate and the EC50 and EC95 (probit analysis) were derived as ! 44 (95% confidence limits 0.62-1.87) and 4.05 (95% confidence lim! ts 2.78-30.5) micrograms ml-1, respectively. Post-operative recovery was! rapid, uncomplicated and uneventful. In a subgroup of eight patients,! the addition of clonidine 0.6 mg to the premedication significantly decreased the requirement for propofol (P less than 0.05) during surgery, but resulted in prolonged recovery times.
The Oral, Once‐Daily Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitor Roflumilast Lacks Relevant Pharmacokinetic Interactions With Inhaled Budesonide

This open‐label, randomized, 3‐period crossover study evaluated the pharmacokinetic interaction potential of roflumilast and budesonide following repeated coadministration to healthy male subjects (N = 12). Treatments consisted of oral roflumilast 500 μg, once daily, orally inhaled budesonide 800 μg, twice daily, and concomitant administration of both treatments for 7 days each. Roflumilast and roflumilast N‐oxide in plasma and budesonide serum levels were measured by specific assays. Geometric mean test/reference ratios of steady‐state pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated by analysis of variance. Safety and tolerability were monitored. Pharmacokinetic parameters of roflumilast, roflumilast N‐oxide, and budesonide after coadministration of roflumilast and budesonide were similar to those after mono‐treatment. Compared with budesonide and roflumilast mono‐treatments, slightly lower maximum serum/plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve (AUC) values of roflumilast N‐oxide and budesonide (ranging from −8% to −16%) were observed with combined treatment. All test/reference ratios were within predefined equivalence acceptance ranges for roflumilast AUC (0.80, 1.25) and Cmax (0.70, 1.43) and for roflumilast N‐oxide and budesonide AUC and Cmax (all 0.67, 1.50). Coadministration of roflumilast and budesonide did not alter the steady‐state disposition of each other and did not affect safety and tolerability of either drug.
Immune Selection of Hot-Spot β2-Microglobulin Gene Mutations, HLA-A2 Allospecificity Loss, and Antigen-Processing Machinery Component Down-Regulation in Melanoma Cells Derived from Recurrent Metastases following Immunotherapy1

Scanty information is available about the mechanisms underlying HLA class I Ag abnormalities in malignant cells exposed to strong T cell-mediated selective pressure. In this study, we have characterized the molecular defects underlying HLA class I Ag loss in five melanoma cell lines derived from recurrent metastases following initial clinical responses to T cell-based immunotherapy. Point mutations in the translation initiation codon (ATG→ATA) and in codon 31 (TCA→TGA) of the β2-microglobulin (β2m) gene were identified in the melanoma cell lines 1074MEL and 1174MEL, respectively. A hot-spot CT dinucleotide deletion within codon 13–15 was found in the melanoma cell lines 1106MEL, 1180MEL, and 1259MEL. Reconstitution of β2m expression restored HLA class I Ag expression in the five melanoma cell lines; however, the HLA-A and HLA-B,-C gene products were differentially expressed by 1074MEL, 1106MEL, and 1259MEL cells. In addition, in 1259MEL cells, the Ag-processing machinery components calnexin, calreticulin, and low m.w. polypeptide 10 are down-regulated, and HLA-A2 Ags are selectively lost because of a single cytosine deletion in the HLA-A2 gene exon 4. Our results in conjunction with those in the literature suggest the emergence of a preferential β2m gene mutation in melanoma cells following strong T cell-mediated immune selection. Furthermore, the presence of multiple HLA class I Ag defects within a tumor cell population may reflect the accumulation of multiple escape mechanisms developed by melanoma cells to avoid distinct sequential T cell-mediated selective events.
IIVP Salvage Regimen Induces High Response Rates in Patients With Relapsed Lymphoma Before Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation

Patients with relapsed lymphoma can be cured with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). New therapeutic approaches with better cytoreductive capacity are needed for relapsed patients to keep their chance for cure with transplantation. We report 30 patients with relapsed lymphoma, median age 43 years, treated with IIVP salvage regimen consisting of ifosfamide, mesna, idarubicin, and etoposide for 2 or 3 cycles. Seventeen patients had non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and 13 patients had Hodgkin disease (HD). Fourteen (47%) patients were at their first relapse. Overall response rate was 86.6% (n = 26) with 19 patients (63.3%) achieving complete response. Overall response rate was 92% in patients with HD and 82% in NHL. The most frequent side effects observed were grade III–IV neutropenia (87%) and thrombocytopenia (73%). IIVP regimen is a highly effective salvage therapy for patients with relapsed HD or NHL who are candidates for autologous HSCT. Close follow up is necessary because of the high incidence of grade III–IV hematologic toxicity.
The effect of oxygenator mechanical characteristics on energy transfer during clinical cardiopulmonary bypass

The hollow-fibre oxygenator is a key component of any extracorporeal circuit used to provide cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) during open-heart surgery. Since the oxygenator is placed downstream of the pump, the energy losses over it have a direct impact on the quality of pulsatile pressure and flow waveforms. The objective of this study was to describe the effects of hydrodynamic characteristics of the oxygenator on energy transfer during pulsatile, normothermic CPB. Twenty-three adult patients scheduled for coronary bypass surgery were divided randomly into two groups, using either an oxygenator (Group 1) with a relatively high-resistance and low-compliance (2079 ± 148 dyn.s.cm-5 and 0.00348 ± 0.00071 ml.mmHg-1, respectively) or an oxygenator (Group 2) with a relatively low-resistance and high-compliance (884 ± 464 dyn.s.cm-5 and 0.01325 ± 0.00161 ml .mmHg-1, respectively). During perfusion, pre- and post-oxygenator pressures, radial artery pressure, and blood flow were recorded simultaneously. A 32% decline of mean pressure was observed in Group 1 and a 16% decline in Group 2 (p<0.0001). Another decrease by approximately 73% in mean pressure in the rest of the perfusion system was noted in both groups. The mean radial artery pressure did not differ between the groups (74 ± 6 mmHg in Group 1 and 73 ± 6 mmHg in Group 2, p=0.608). Although lower total energy transfer indices were noticed through the low-resistance oxygenator (Group 2), both oxygenators showed a decrease of the generated pump oscillatory energy of approximately 50%. Despite the differences in resistance and compliance of the hollow-fibre oxygenators used, both oxygenators cause a comparable loss of generated oscillatory energy. Exclusion of the oxygenator downstream of the pulsatile pump would improve energy transfer during CPB.