Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reaction Time for Object Categorization Is Predicted by Representational Distance

How does the brain translate an internal representation of an object into a decision about the object's category? Recent studies have uncovered the structure of object representations in inferior temporal cortex (IT) using multivariate pattern analysis methods. These studies have shown that representations of individual object exemplars in IT occupy distinct locations in a high-dimensional activation space, with object exemplar representations clustering into distinguishable regions based on category (e.g., animate vs. inanimate objects). In this study, we hypothesized that a representational boundary between category representations in this activation space also constitutes a decision boundary for categorization. We show that behavioral RTs for categorizing objects are well described by our activation space hypothesis. Interpreted in terms of classical and contemporary models of decision-making, our results suggest that the process of settling on an internal representation of a stimulus is itself partially constitutive of decision-making for object categorization.
HTLV-I and HTLV-II virus expression increase with HIV-1 coinfection.

Coinfections with HIV-1 and HTLV-I or HTLV-II have been associated with unique immunophenotypes and an increased risk for development of neurodegenerative conditions. These findings may result from an increased HTLV-I or II viral burden in dually infected individuals. To investigate this possibility, HTLV-I/II tax/rex messenger RNA and viral antigen expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were measured in 37 HTLV-I- or HTLV-II-infected subjects with or without HIV-1 coinfection. Tax/rex messenger RNA was detected in 14 of 24 PBMC samples from dually infected subjects, compared with only 1 of 13 PBMC samples from singly infected subjects (58% versus 7%; p < .003). The reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay correlated with HTLV-I/II viral antigen detection in PBMC cultures but not with HIV-1 viral load levels in plasma. These findings may provide clues regarding the pathophysiologic consequences of HIV/HTLV-I and HIV/HTLV-II coinfections.
Infant-directed speech facilitates lexical learning in adults hearing Chinese: implications for language acquisition

ABSTRACT Experiments 1 and 2 examined the effects of infant-directed (ID) speech on adults' ability to learn an individual target word in sentences in an unfamiliar, non-Western language (Chinese). English-speaking adults heard pairs of sentences read by a female, native Chinese speaker in either ID or adult-directed (AD) speech. The pairs of sentences described slides of 10 common objects. The Chinese name for the object (the target word) was placed in an utterance-final position in experiment? (n= 61) and in a medial position in experiment 2 (n= 79). At test, each Chinese target word was presented in isolation in AD speech in a recognition task. Only subjects who heard ID speech with the target word in utterance-final position demonstrated learning of the target words. The results support assertions that ID speech, which tends to put target words in sentence-final position, may assist infants in segmenting and remembering portions of the linguistic stream. In experiment 3 (n= 23), subjects judged whether each of the ID and AD speech samples prepared for experiments ? and 2 were directed to an adult or to an infant. Judgements were above chance for two types of sentence: ID speech with the target word in the final position and AD speech with the target word in a medial position. In addition to indirectly confirming the results of experiments 1 and 2, these findings suggest that at least some of the prosodic features which comprise ID speech in Chinese and English must overlap.
Calcium-binding parameter of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens alpha-amylase determined by inactivation kinetics.

The irreversible thermal inactivation and the thermodynamics of calcium ion binding of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens alpha-amylase in the absence of substrates were studied. The enzyme inactivation on heating was apparently followed by first-order kinetics. The enzyme was stabilized with an increased concentration of calcium ion and thus the inactivation was highly dependent on the state of calcium binding. The activation parameter for the inactivation suggests an unfolding of the enzyme protein upon heating. Values of both the activation enthalpy and entropy were increased with a higher calcium ion concentration. An inactivation kinetic model is based on the assumption of a two-stage unfolding transition in which the bivalent ion dissociation occurs in the first step followed by the secondary structural unfolding. This simple kinetic model provides both a qualitative and quantitative interpretation of calcium ion binding to the enzyme and its effect on the inactivation properties. The specific approximations of the kinetic model were strictly followed in the analysis to calculate the apparent inactivation rate at each calcium ion concentration in terms of the calcium-binding parameters. The enthalpy and entropy changes for the calcium ion binding were calculated to be -149 kJ/mol and -360 J.mol(-1). K(-1) respectively and these values suggest a strong enthalpic affinity for the bivalent ion binding to the enzyme protein. The thermodynamical interpretation attempts to provide clear relations between the terms of an apparent inactivation rate and the calcium binding.
Association between parafunctional habits and signs and symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction among adolescents.

PURPOSE To determine associations between signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and harmful oral habits. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two hundred forty-four adolescents from a public school in the city of São Roque, Brazil, were evaluated. A screening questionnaire for orofacial pain and TMD recommended by the American Academy of Orofacial Pain was used to determine signs and symptoms of TMD. Patient histories and clinical exams were used to determine harmful oral habits. RESULTS Eighty-three participants (34%) displayed no signs or symptoms of TMD, 161 (66%) responded affirmatively to at least one item on the questionnaire and 49 (20.1%) gave at least three affirmative responses. Headache was the most frequently reported sign or symptom of TMD (40.6%; n = 99). There was no statistically significant association between gender and signs or symptoms of TMD (P = 0.281). Twenty-five percent (n = 61) of the patients had no harmful oral habits, while 16.4% (n = 40) had only one habit, the most common of which was nail biting. A total of 20.1% (n = 49) reported two harmful oral habits and 38.5% (n = 94) reported three or more such habits. There was a statistically significant association between signs and symptoms of TMD and three or more habits. CONCLUSION A statistically significant association was found between signs and/or symptoms of TMD and harmful oral habits in adolescents.
The Endothelin Receptor Antagonist CPU0213 is More Effective Than Aminoguanidine to Attenuate Isoproterenol-induced Vascular Abnormality by Suppressing Overexpression of NADPH Oxidas, ETA, ETB, and MMP9 in the Vasculature

An increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) through NADPH oxidase activation frequently follows stress that activates β-adrenoreceptors, leading to deterioration of cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized that upregulation of NADPH oxidase in the vasculature causes mild vascular spasm subsequent to chronic isoproterenol (ISO) administration, correlating significantly with activation of both ETA and ETB receptors. We tested whether the dual endothelin receptor antagonist CPU0213 is effective in reversing ISO-induced vascular abnormality by suppressing activated NADPH oxidase in the vasculature. Rats were injected with ISO (1 mg/kg, SC) for 10 days to induce vascular dysfunction and treated with CPU0213 (30 mg/kg, SC) or aminoguanidine (AMG, an inhibitor of iNOS, 100 mg/kg, PO) from day 7 to day 10. On day 11, we found an increase in vascular response to phenylephrine (Phe) and reductions in NO availability and acetylcholine (ACh)-induced relaxation in ISO-treated rats along with upregulated mRNA of ETA, ETB, iNOS, NADPH oxidase-Phox22 and Phox47, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9). These abnormalities were attenuated by 3 days of intervention with CPU0213 but less with AMG. CPU0213 was more effective in relieving enhanced vascular constriction and reversal of ET receptor and MMP9 expression in the vasculature than was AMG. In conclusion, an upregulation of NADPH oxidase phox 22 and phox 47, ETA and ETB, and MMP9 correlates with vascular abnormality and the endothelin receptor antagonist CPU0213 was more effective than AMG in reversing ISO-induced enhanced vascular constriction by normalizing the above abnormal expression.
Voltage Ripple Cancellation in Buck Converter based on Hybrid Structured Connection

In applications where size and efficiency are critical switched mode power supply converters are used. A switched mode DC-DC buck converter or step-down converter use output filter capacitor to reduce output voltage ripple. To reduce size of buck converter, the elimination of the capacitor must be done. Instead of the capacitor the structure with additional linear amplifier is introduced for output voltage ripple reduction. The amplifier reduces ripple in output current and consequently ripple in output voltage. The structure operation is theoretically investigated and verified by simulations and experimental results
Alignment of the Genome of Monkey B-Lymphotropic Papovavirus to the Genomes of Simian Virus 40 and BK Virus

We located the origin of DNA replication of African green monkey B-lymphotropic papovavirus DNA by analyzing pulse-labeled form I DNA. With the replication origin used as a reference point, the B-lymphotropic papovavirus genome was aligned with the genomes of simian virus 40 and BK virus from DNA homology between specific fragments hybridized under low-stringency conditions. From the results of these experiments, it was possible to deduce the correlation between the physical and functional maps of the B-lymphotropic papovavirus genome.
Stress and social support as predictors of anxiety and depression during pregnancy

Four groups, 153 high-risk women, 75 high-risk mates, 218 low-risk women, and 147 low-risk mates, were studied during the 24th to 34th weeks of pregnancy. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to study the effect of stress, social support (perceived, received, and network size), self-esteem, and mastery on anxiety and depression. These variables predicted 26.25% of anxiety among low-risk women, 44.70% among low-risk mates, 10.04% among high-risk women, and 16.00% among high-risk mates. Prediction of depression was better for all groups except high-risk mates (15.50%); 31.93% of the variance in low-risk women's depression was predicted, with 51.91% for low-risk mates and 29.63% for high-risk women. Neither received support nor network size entered the regression models for any of the groups.
The occurrence of mite‐containing wheat flour

Anaphylaxis after eating mite‐infested wheat flour has been recently reported. This paper is to describe two cases and examine the occurrence of mite contamination in wheat flour in Japan. Packages of wheat flour from retail outlets and homes were examined microscopically for the presence of mites. Three of 176 packages from retail outlets and seven of 127 from homes were infested with mites, and it seems likely that the mite contamination takes place in most cases at homes after the packages have been opened. No mites were found in packages stored in a refrigerator, therefore, mite‐sensitive patients must be advised to store wheat flour products in a refrigerator.
Clinical experience with pramipexole in the treatment of restless legs syndrome

Pramipexole is a non-ergoline dopamine agonist with a high selectivity for D2 and D3 receptors. Initially approved for Parkinson's disease, it was approved by the FDA and EMEA in 2006 for the treatment of idiopathic restless legs syndrome in adults. A single oral dose of pramipexole of between 0.125 and 0.750 mg, taken 2 – 3 h before bedtime, is usually able to control sensory symptoms and motor signs of restless legs syndrome. In clinical practice, tailoring pramipexole treatment based on demographic and clinical characteristics of patients is recommended. In addition, pramipexole seems to be safe and well tolerated. Augmentation, the most common side effect of levodopa, is less prevalent after treatment with pramipexole. In addition, the recurrence of unpleasant symptoms due to pramipexole is uncommon.
Association of relative backpack weight with reported pain, pain sites, medical utilization, and lost school time in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND There is debate about a 10% versus 15% of body weight cutoff point for safe weight of school backpacks. Estimation of the cutoff may be affected by use of survey methods and failure to assess pain experienced while wearing a backpack. Previous research also suggests that younger students and females are more at risk for developing backpack pain. METHODS Five hundred and thirty-one 5th- to 12th-grade Northern California students and their backpacks were weighed. Students were individually interviewed about how often they experienced pain while carrying a backpack, the site of their pain, and if the pain had interfered with school activities or led to medical care. RESULTS Data support the use of a 10% of body weight cutoff for safe use of backpacks for all grade levels. Younger students and females are more at risk due to relatively lower body weight while females also carry heavier backpacks than males. Greater relative backpack weight is associated with upper- and mid-back pain reports but not neck or lower back pain; it is also associated with lost school time, lost school sports time, and greater chiropractic utilization. CONCLUSIONS The 10% cutoff is recommended along with a variety of practical methods to help schools achieve that goal for middle and high school students.
DIFFERENT CHROMOSOMAL BREAKPOINTS IMPACT LEVEL OF LMO2 EXPRESSION IN T-ALL

The t(11;14)(p14;q11) is presumed to arise from erroneous TCRD V(D)J recombination, and to result in LMO2 activation. However, the mechanisms underlying this translocation and the resulting LMO2 activation are poorly defined. We performed combined in vivo , ex vivo , and in silico analyses on nine new t(11;14)(p13;q11) positive T-ALL as well as normal thymocytes. Our data support the involvement of two distinct t(11;14)(p13;q11) V(D)J-related translocation mechanisms. We provide compelling evidence that removal of a negative regulatory element from the LMO2 locus, rather than juxtaposition to the TCRD -enhancer, is the main determinant for LMO2 activation in the majority of t(11;14)(p13;q11). Furthermore, the position of the LMO2 breakpoints in T-ALL in the light of the occurrence of TCRD - LMO2 translocations in normal thymocytes points to a critical role for the exact breakpoint location in determining LMO2 activation levels and the consequent pressure for T-ALL development. different thymi. Nested PCR was performed on thymocyte DNA with D δ 2/ LMO2 translocus-primers followed by Southern blot analysis using a γ -ATP labeled upstream-D δ 2 probe. Primers and probes are available upon request.
THE PROTEASE‐ACTIVATED RECEPTORS AND THEIR CELLULAR EXPRESSION AND FUNCTION IN BLOOD‐RELATED CELLS

A new family of cell surface protease-activated receptors has recently been discovered. These receptors, which have a number of structural features in common with the classic G-protein-coupled receptors, share an unusual activation mechanism: proteolytic cleavage of the receptor produces a ‘tethered ligand’ and the new amino terminus binds back to the receptor to activate the receptor. The prototype receptor of this family, the human thrombin receptor (now designated PAR-1), was cloned by Vu et al (1991a). Recently a second protease-activated receptor (PAR-2) was cloned (Nystedt et al, 1994) from a mouse genomic library using a reduced stringency, with oligonucleotide probes based on the bovine substance K receptor. Trypsin, rather than thrombin, cleaves the N-terminus of PAR-2 to form a tethered ligand. Nystedt et al (1995b) cloned the full-length PAR-2 cDNA sequence from mouse stomach and human PAR-2 was subsequently cloned (Nystedt et al, 1995a; Bohm et al, 1996). Disruption of the gene encoding PAR-1 in knockout mice provided clear evidence for the existence of a second thrombin receptor on mouse platelets (Connolly et al, 1996), since platelets from PAR-1-deficient mice responded normally to thrombin, and in 1997 a second human thrombin receptor, designated protease-activated receptor-3 (PAR-3), was cloned and characterized (Ishihara et al, 1997). Therefore it appears that a family of cellular receptors exist (Coughlin, 1994). However, the cellular distribution of the protease-activated receptors and their functions have yet to be well documented.
Antihyperglycemic activity of Mangifera indica Linn . in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Present investigation was undertaken to evaluate an ihyperglycemic, activity of ethanolic extract of Mangifera indica leaves in alloxan induced diabe tic rats. Alloxan produced a significant increase in serum glucose, creatinine, urea, uric a cid, ALT, AST levels. Treatment with Mangifera indica extract produced decrease in allox an induced glucose, urea, uric acid, and creatinine levels. There was a significant decrease in total protein, haemoglobin, body weight, albumin and globulin. Administration of Mangifera i ndica to diabetic rats reduced the effect of alloxan and increased the levels of above paramete rs. The results suggest Mangifera indica to be beneficial for the treatment of diabetes mellitu s.
Intracellular GSH level is a factor in As4.1 juxtaglomerular cell death by arsenic trioxide

Arsenic trioxide has been known to regulate many biological functions such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and angiogenesis in various cell lines. We investigated the involvement of GSH and ROS such as H2O2 and O 2. − in the death of As4.1 cells by arsenic trioxide. The intracellular ROS levels were changed depending on the concentration and length of incubation with arsenic trioxide. The intracellular O 2. − level was significantly increased at all the concentrations tested. Arsenic trioxide reduced the intracellular GSH content. Treatment of Tiron, ROS scavenger decreased the levels of ROS in 10 µM arsenic trioxide‐treated cells. Another ROS scavenger, Tempol did not decrease ROS levels in arsenic trioxide‐treated cells, but slightly recovered the depleted GSH content and reduced the level of apoptosis in these cells. Exogenous SOD and catalase did not reduce the level of ROS, but did decrease the level of O 2. − . Both of them inhibited GSH depletion and apoptosis in arsenic trioxide‐treated cells. In addition, ROS scavengers, SOD and catalase did not alter the accumulation of cells in the S phase induced by arsenic trioxide. Furthermore, JNK inhibitor rescued some cells from arsenic trioxide‐induced apoptosis, and this inhibitor decreased the levels of O 2. − and reduced the GSH depletion in these cells. In summary, we have demonstrated that arsenic trioxide potently generates ROS, especially O 2. − , in As4.1 juxtaglomerular cells, and Tempol, SOD, catalase, and JNK inhibitor partially rescued cells from arsenic trioxide‐induced apoptosis through the up‐regulation of intracellular GSH levels. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 995–1009, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Brugada Syndrome: An Intriguing Phenomenon

Brugada Syndrome has a unique electrocardiographic pattern of downsloping ST-segment elevation in the right praecordial leads (V1 to V3), right bundle branch block pattern and a normal QT-interval. Intermittent and concealed forms do exist. It is important for emergency physicians to recognise this ECG marker of sudden cardiac death. We report the case of a young man who presented to the Emergency Department with chest pain, and whose ECG was diagnostic of Brugada Syndrome. This is followed by a discussion on its recognition, postulated mechanisms and current mode of management.
Adams–Oliver syndrome: clinical description of a four‐generation family and exclusion of five candidate genes

We present a Belgian Adams–Oliver syndrome (AOS) family with 10 affected individuals over four generations, of which six were available for this study. Clinical symptoms observed in these patients were very variable as previously reported in other families and included large areas of alopecia on the vertex of the skull and serious limb reduction defects with agenesis of all toes of one foot. To identify the disease‐causing gene, we sequenced the MSX1, CART1, P63 (P73L), RUNX2, and HOXD13 genes in this family and nine previously reported families, but no disease‐causing mutations were found. Further investigation is ongoing in these families in order to identify the genetic cause of AOS.
Efficient immobilization of lipases by entrapment in hydrophobic sol‐gel materials

The commercial application of lipases as biocatalysts for organic synthesis requires simple but efficient methods to immobilize the enzyme, yielding highly stable and active biocatalysts which are easy to recover. In this study, we present a novel method to achieve lipase immobilization by entrapment in chemically inert hydrophobic silica gels which are prepared by hydrolysis of alkyl‐substituted silanes in the presence of the enzyme. A typical immobilization procedure uses: an aqueous solution of lipase; sodium fluoride as a catalyst; and additives like polyvinyl alcohol or proteins and alkoxysilane derivatives like RSi‐(OMe)3 with R = alkyl, aryl, or alkoxy as gel precursors. The effect of various immobilization parameters like stoichiometric ratio of water, silane, type and amount of additive, type and amount of catalyst, and type of silane has been carefully studied. The new method is applicable for a wide variety of lipases, yielding immobilized lipases with esterification activities enhanced by a factor of up to 88, compared to the commercial enzyme powders under identical conditions. Studies on the stability of sol‐gel immobilized lipases under reaction conditions or storage (dry, in aqueous or organic medium) revealed an excellent retention of enzymatic activity. The possible reasons for the increased enzyme activities are discussed. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Antiviral Activity of Amantadine Hydrochloride in Tissue Culture and in ovo.

Summary Reproducible antiviral activity in tissue culture and in ovo has been demonstrated with well-tolerated concentrations of amantadine HCl. All strains tested of the A, A1 and A2 groups of influenza were susceptible although antiviral activity was not limited to these since influenza C, parainfluenza 1/Sendai and pseudorabies were also inhibited. Greatest activity occurs with compound present at time of infection, although a reduction in the size of plaques produced by a sensitive virus was demonstrable with delayed treatment.