Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Isolation and structure determination of new siderophore tsukubachelin B from Streptomyces sp. TM-74

The new siderophore tsukubachelin B (1) was isolated from the iron-deficient culture medium of the newly isolated strain Streptomyces sp. TM-74. The chemical structure of tsukubachelin B (1) was established via interpretation of 2D nuclear magnetic resonance and electrospray ionization-mass spectroscopic data. The structure of tsukubachelin B (1) comprises 6 mol of amino acids, including 2 mol of serine and 1 mol each of ornithine, N-α-methyl-N-δ-hydroxy-N-δ-formylornithine, N-α-methyl-N-δ-hydroxyornithine, and cyclic N-hydroxyornithine.
The Circuitry of the Human Spinal Cord: Spinal and Corticospinal Mechanisms of Movement

The Circuitry of the Human Spinal Cord serves as an in-depth analysis of the neurophysiology behind various movements. This textbook begins with general methodology, which lays the groundwork for future chapters. From there, the authors quickly delve into the synaptic responses and muscle fiber movements for a wide range of activities and elaborate on how this is relevant for motor disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Throughout the book, each chapter highlights key findings from relevant animal experiments in the field to provide adequate background before moving on to thoroughly explore several different motor pathways. Each section ends by comparing the circuitry in normal movement with that of humans afflicted by various diseases, followed by an extensive summary and list of references to wrap up each chapter. Overall, this book is text heavy, and the 127 figures provided throughout the text solely analyze physical circuitry of reflexes and the motor movements described. Although this is a necessary complement to the text, the reader is likely to find the material dense. Additional illustrations to incorporate the overarching themes and ensure that the reader keeps the big picture in mind would be beneficial for future editions. Ideal for those highly specialized in neurophysiology, this textbook is not intended for novice readers but is likely beneficial for researchers and clinicians involved in the study and treatment of movement disorders.
Quality assurance for the clinical implementation of kilovoltage intrafraction monitoring for prostate cancer VMAT.

PURPOSE Kilovoltage intrafraction monitoring (KIM) is a real-time 3D tumor monitoring system for cancer radiotherapy. KIM uses the commonly available gantry-mounted x-ray imager as input, making this method potentially more widely available than dedicated real-time 3D tumor monitoring systems. KIM is being piloted in a clinical trial for prostate cancer patients treated with VMAT (NCT01742403). The purpose of this work was to develop clinical process and quality assurance (QA) practices for the clinical implementation of KIM. METHODS Informed by and adapting existing guideline documents from other real-time monitoring systems, KIM-specific QA practices were developed. The following five KIM-specific QA tests were included: (1) static localization accuracy, (2) dynamic localization accuracy, (3) treatment interruption accuracy, (4) latency measurement, and (5) clinical conditions accuracy. Tests (1)-(4) were performed using KIM to measure static and representative patient-derived prostate motion trajectories using a 3D programmable motion stage supporting an anthropomorphic phantom with implanted gold markers to represent the clinical treatment scenario. The threshold for system tolerable latency is <1 s. The tolerances for all other tests are that both the mean and standard deviation of the difference between the programmed trajectory and the measured data are <1 mm. The (5) clinical conditions accuracy test compared the KIM measured positions with those measured by kV/megavoltage (MV) triangulation from five treatment fractions acquired in a previous pilot study. RESULTS For the (1) static localization, (2) dynamic localization, and (3) treatment interruption accuracy tests, the mean and standard deviation of the difference are <1.0 mm. (4) The measured latency is 350 ms. (5) For the tests with previously acquired patient data, the mean and standard deviation of the difference between KIM and kV/MV triangulation are <1.0 mm. CONCLUSIONS Clinical process and QA practices for the safe clinical implementation of KIM, a novel real-time monitoring system using commonly available equipment, have been developed and implemented for prostate cancer VMAT.
A Residue in the S2 Subsite Controls Substrate Selectivity of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9*

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 are closely related metalloproteinases that are implicated in angiogenesis. The two proteins have a similar domain structure and highly homologous catalytic domains, making them an excellent comparative model for understanding the structural basis of substrate recognition by the MMP family. Although the two MMPs exhibit some overlap in substrate recognition, our recent work showed that MMP-2 can cleave a set of peptide substrates that are only poorly recognized by MMP-9 (Chen, E. I., Kridel, S. J., Howard, E. W., Li, W., Godzik, A., and Smith, J. W. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 4485–4491). Mutations at the P2 position of these peptide substrates dramatically reduced their selectivity for MMP-2. Inspection of the corresponding S2 pocket of the substrate-binding cleft of the protease reveals that MMP-9 contains an Asp, whereas MMP-2 contains Glu. Here, we test the hypothesis that this conservative substitution has a role in substrate selectivity. Mutation of Glu412 in MMP-2 to Asp significantly reduced the hydrolysis of selective substrates, with only a minor effect on hydrolysis of non-selective substrates. The predominant effect of the mutation is at the level of k cat, or turnover rate, with reductions reaching as high as 37-fold. The residues that occupy this position in other MMPs are highly variable, providing a potential structural basis for substrate recognition across the MMP family.
Explicit Drain-Current Model of Graphene Field-Effect Transistors Targeting Analog and Radio-Frequency Applications

We present a compact physics-based model of the current-voltage characteristics of graphene field-effect transistors, of especial interest for analog and RF applications where band-gap engineering of graphene could be not needed. The physical framework is a field-effect model and drift-diffusion carrier transport. Explicit closed-form expressions have been derived for the drain current continuously covering all operation regions. The model has been benchmarked with measured prototype devices, demonstrating accuracy and predictive behavior. Finally, we show an example of projection of the intrinsic gain as a figure of merit commonly used in RF/analog applications.
Restaurant Menu Labeling: Impact of Nutrition Information on Entree Sales and Patron Attitudes

This study examined changes in sales of low fat/low cholesterol foods targeted in a restaurant menu labeling program. Sales of labeled items were tracked before and after the program was introduced, and a subsample of patrons were surveyed for information on visibility and comprehension of the menu labels. Two of the four restaurants had significant increases in the sales of targeted foods following labeling. Comparisons between patrons dining in restaurants which had an increase in sales (I—increase restaurants) to those dining in restaurants which had no overall shift in sales (NI—no increase restaurants) revealed no differences in patron awareness or compre hension of the menu labels. There were age and gender differences between I and NI restaurants, with I restaurants having proportionally more males, and a younger clientele. Taste was the primary reason given by patrons for their entree choice, regardless of whether or not it was labeled. In all four restaurants women and older patrons were more aware of the program and more responsive to its recommendations. These findings suggest that environmental strategies may be an effective method of encouraging dietary changes in the general population, but patron characteristics such as age and gender may influence receptivity to this type of intervention. Future studies aimed at developing effective point of purchase education programs should evaluate these patron characteristics and include more powerful behavior change strategies.
A pooled analysis of the durability and predictors of treatment response of cilostazol in patients with intermittent claudication

Pharmacologic therapy for intermittent claudication in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) is limited. We aimed to determine the durability of cilostazol treatment response over time, treatment effects in various subpopulations, and long-term safety. This analysis pooled original data from nine randomized, controlled trials evaluating cilostazol in intermittent claudication, including 1258 subjects treated with cilostazol 100 mg bid. Analysis of covariance was used to compare differences in walking distance, and a pooled random-effects weighted mean difference in maximal walking distance (MWD) was determined. Temporal effects were analyzed by compiling data at 4-week intervals in studies of 24 weeks in duration. Cilostazol was associated with a 50.7% improvement from baseline in MWD compared with placebo (24.3%), with an absolute improvement of 42.1 meters greater than the improvement with placebo (p < 0.001) over a mean follow-up period of 20.4 weeks. Continued increases were demonstrated over the 24-week treatment period. These benefits were seen in all subgroups, after stratifying by age, sex, smoking status, duration of PAD, diabetes, hypertension, prior myocardial infarction, or beta-blocker use. Cilostazol did not increase the risk of all-cause mortality (RR 0.95 [0.68—1.35]). In conclusion, treatment with cilostazol achieves benefits in walking distance that are sustained at 24 weeks and observed irrespective of baseline clinical characteristics. Cilostazol demonstrated no increased risk of all-cause mortality.
Performance Evaluation of NP and ML Based Spectrum Sensing in FDCRNs under Small Scale Fading Scenario

Full duplex (FD) cognitive radio (CR) is one of the key enabling technologies for future wireless communication systems. Improvement in the spectrum efficiency, as promised by the CR technology can be further extended to FD-CR networks (FDCRNs) by performing a highly efficient and methodical spectrum sensing. In this paper, energy detection based effective spectrum sensing in FDCRNs considering residual SI under small scale Rayleigh slow fading scenario asserting a more realistic scenario for various wireless applications is proposed. First, Neyman Pearson (NP) based energy detection of the primary user (PU) signal considering residual SI is performed and closed form analytical expressions of performance metrics (detection probability (Pd), and false alarm probability (Pfa)) are obtained as well. Further, the detection performance using NP approach is compared to the maximum likelihood (ML) based energy detection technique performed under the same aforementioned scenario. The performance evaluation through simulations shows that, the NP based energy detection technique outperforms the ML based spectrum sensing technique and also the simulated results obtained using NP approach are found in good agreement with the analytical results assuring that the analysis is carried out with more realistic assumptions.
Equilibria and catalytic properties of a chloro-bridged Diimine copper(II) complex in the N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD) oxidation

Some new copper(II) complexes with a tridentate imine ligand, bimpy (or 2-(benzimidazolyl)methylene-2-amino-1-ethylpyridine), were prepared, and had their catalytic activity in the N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl- p-phenylenediamine (TMPD) oxidation compared. Mononuclear species, [Cu(bimpy)(H2O)2](NO3 )2, (1) and [Cu(bimpy)Cl2]·H2O, (2), as well as the dinuclear species containing chloro-bridges, [Cu2(bimpy)2Cl2]X2·nH 2O as perchlorate 3, nitrate 4 and chloride 5 salts, respectively, were obtained and characterized by different techniques (UV/Vis, IR, EPR and X-ray crystallography). In non-aqueous solvents, the dinuclear species predominates; however, in aqueous solution or solvents containing water, equilibrium between dinuclear and correlated mononuclear species 1 was verified. Kinetic studies, in methanol solution, on the catalyzed TMPD oxidation indicated a first-order dependence of the initial rate with the catalyst concentration, and a saturation effect with increasing concentrations of the substrate. The dinuclear species was observed to be more reactive than the mononuclear one, and further experiments showed that the counter-ion chloride can significantly affect the kinetic parameters, mostly by shifting the mono-/dinuclear equilibrium, and stabilizing an ion-pair with the substrate.
Effects of CYP 3 A 5 Genetic Polymorphism on the Pharmacokinetics of Tacrolimus in Renal Transplant Recipients

Background. The aim of this study was to compare the within-patient variability trough levels (Co), dose-adjusted Co, and dose requirements of Prograf and Advograf with CYP3A5 polymorphisms in Malaysia renal transplant recipients. Methods. Stable posterenal transplantation patients switched from Prograf to Advograf were retrospectively identified from University Malaya Medical Centre (n 1⁄4 28). Co and concomitant tacrolimus dose 6 months preconversion and postconversion were examined. CYP3A5 was genotyped using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Wilcoxon signed rank test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare Co and dose between formulations and according to genotypes. Results. There was a significant difference in the whole-blood tacrolimus Co between the 2 groups (6.16 1.74 ng/mL vs 4.90 1.06 ng/mL; P 1⁄4 .0001). The mean daily maintenance dose of Prograf was 3.9 2.0 mg/kg (0.06 mg/kg/d), which was reduced to 3.3 1.7 mg/d (0.04 mg/kg/d) with Advograf (P 1⁄4 .01). The mean maintenance dose of tacrolimus required for those with CYP3A5*1/*1 (high-expressive) was significantly higher than those with CYP3A5*1/*3 (intermediate-expressive) and CYP3A5*3/*3 (lowexpressive) (P < .01) for both formulations. Comparing those with CYP3A5*1/*1, the average dose-adjusted Co was significantly higher in patients with CYP3A5*3/*3 with Advograf (P < .05). Conclusions. The requirement for daily maintenance dose was higher in those with CYP3A5*1/*1 variants in both tacrolimus formulations in the Malaysian patients. Furthermore, those with CYP3A5*3/*3 demonstrated significantly higher dose-adjusted Co with Advograf.
Magnetic coupling between water and creatine protons in human brain and skeletal muscle, as measured using inversion transfer 1H‐MRS

Using the inversion transfer technique, the possible magnetic coupling between water protons and the protons of low‐molecular weight metabolites was investigated in human brain and skeletal muscle at 1.5 T. The localized 1H‐MR spectra were recorded at different times after selective inversion of the water resonance. Water inversion led to a significant transient reduction in the signal intensity of the methyl protons of creatine/phosphocreatine, in both tissues. This is indicative of magnetic coupling between the protons of water and those of creatine/phosphocreatine. Neither the choline and N‐acetylaspartate protons in brain nor the protons of the trimethylammonium pool in skeletal muscle showed a significant magnetic coupling to mobile water. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Abbreviations used: tCr total creatine NAA N‐acetylaspartate Cho choline‐containing compounds TMA trimethylammonium‐containing compounds.
Initial and late prognostic factors to predict survival in adult acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Factors able to predict overall survival in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia were assessed according to the period since initiation of the treatment using a Cox proportional hazards model. This period covers successively an initial period during the induction treatment and a consolidation period during the postinduction treatment. From 1994 to 2002, 922 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (excluding French‐American‐British L3 subtype) were enrolled in a multicentre protocol and followed, with a mean follow up of 58 months. A multivariate time‐segmented analysis was performed on 658 patients. Analyses of the initial (before 100 d) and the late phases were realised after stratification on the type of induction treatment and on the different treatment strategies respectively. Age was the sole factor that influenced survival during the initial phase (hazard ratio 1.48 per 10‐yr increase; P < 0.01). Factors that predicted survival during the late phase were age (hazard ratio 1.12, P = 0.02), white blood cells count (hazard ratio 1.01 per 1010 cells/L increase; P < 0.05), lactic dehydrogenase level (hazard ratio 1.001 for 10 IU/L increase; P < 0.01) and t(9;22) karyotype or miscellaneous others vs. normal karyotype (hazard ratios 1.40; P < 0.01 and 1.06; P = 0.04 respectively). This analysis suggests that predictive factors may be split into tolerance factors and haematological factors. Determination of such factors is crucial to adapt postremission therapeutic strategies in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Structural bases for function in cytochromes c. An interpretation of comparative x-ray and biochemical data.

Abstract The tertiary structures of the photosynthetic cytochrome c2 of Rhodospirillum rubrum and eucaryotic mitochondrial cytochrome c are compared, together with data on their physiochemical properties and activities in physiological oxidoreduction systems. The comparison gives rise to the following observations and proposals. 1. R. rubrum cytochrome c2 does not undergo the extensive oxidoreduction-linked conformation change characteristic of eucaryotic cytochromes c, but rather is structurally constrained in a conformation in both oxidation states which is over-all most similar to that of ferrocytochrome c. 2. Upon examination and comparison of the surface structural and charge topography of cytochromes c and c2, it is apparent that they bear by far the closest similarity at their front sides (i.e. facing the heme crevice). This feature manifests itself clearly owing to the absolute invariance of many of the amino acid residues surrounding the perimeter of the heme crevice in both cytochrome c2 and 41 species of eucaryotic cytochrome c. 3. A physiological mechanism for the oxidoreduction of eucaryotic cytochrome c is proposed which is in principle similar to that previously suggested for cytochrome c2 (Sa-lemme, F.R., Freer, S.T., Xuong, Ng.H., Alden, R.A., and Kraut, J. (1973) J. Biol. Chem. 248, 3910–3921). This mechanism involves front side interaction of the cytochrome c molecule with its oxidase and reductase, and direct electron addition to and withdrawal from the heme concomitant with destabilization of the existing heme oxidation state.
[Influence of flexible bronchoscopy on the concentration of exhaled nitric oxide].

INTRODUCTION Exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) is noninvasive parameter useful on estimation of airways inflammation, especially useful in monitoring of asthma inflammation. The aim of the study was estimation of bronchial tree inflammation after flexible bronchoscopy (FB) using eNO concentration. MATERIAL AND METHODS In 41 patients (aged 29 to 74 yrs) eNO measurements using Sievers 280 Nitric Oxide Analyzer were performed before and 24 hours after FB. In control group (12 healthy persons aged 22 to 65 yrs) eNO measurements were also performed twice at 24 hours interval. RESULTS In examined patients the mean eNO concentration before FB (15.0 +/- 8.0 ppb) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in controls (6.9 +/- 5.6 ppb). In examined patients we did not observe the significant changes in eNO after FB (15.0 +/- 8.0 vs. 17.0 +/- 7.9 ppb). The procedure of bronchial washing, bronchial brush or bronchial biopsy did not influence the results in examined patients. In control group the mean eNO results before and after 24 hours were similar (6.9 +/- 5.6 ppb vs. 7.1 +/- 5.9). The relative eNO changes after 24 hours of observation (decreases and increases), expressed as a per cent of parts per billion (% of ppb), were similar both in examined patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS BF and associated procedures does not influence on eNO concentration.
Perceptions of computer literacy among occupational therapy students.

OBJECTIVE Educational programs for the occupational therapist and the occupational therapy assistant are mandated to include content on technologies in their curricula. Given the increasing use of technology skills among occupational therapists, especially computer technology skills, it seemed judicious to ascertain the current and desired levels of skill of occupational therapy students as well as their opinions about computer technology. METHOD Program directors from five baccalaureate-level curricula distributed the Computer Opinion Survey and the Computer Knowledge Survey to 109 junior and senior occupational therapy students. The students were instructed to complete and return questionnaires to their program directors who, in turn, forwarded the questionnaires to the principal investigators. RESULTS Respondents were generally positive about computer technology, and the level of knowledge they desired about computer technology applications in occupational therapy was much greater than their current level of knowledge. Although respondents' positive attitudes were significantly correlated with their current levels of computer knowledge, no significant relationship was established among positive attitudes, current levels of computer knowledge, and number of computer courses completed before entering an occupational therapy curriculum. CONCLUSIONS Even though the respondents were computer literate (i.e., they had a general working knowledge of the uses, limitations, and impact of computers), no relationship was established between their previous computer course work and their current knowledge of the use of computer technology in occupational therapy. The linkage between generic computer literacy and knowledge of its relationship to the use of computer technology in occupational therapy was not evident to this sample of junior and senior students.
Using Agile Practices to Influence Motivation within IT Project Teams

This exploratory study of IT project teams in Sweden and Ireland investigates how three agile practices, namely daily stand-ups, iteration planning, and iteration retrospec - tives, contribute to motivation or de-motivation in an agile team. Several studies recognise that motivating staff is critically important for a project manager and have identified factors that motivate IT project staff in particular. Yet relatively little is known about motivation in an agile context and in particular how an IT project manager may use agile practices to improve team motivation. Seventeen individuals across two teams were interviewed, including both project managers and their staff. The results from both cases indicate that agile practices can contribute to team motivation and de-motivation. This study makes an important contribution in the area of motivation and agile project management by identify - ing factors that contribute to and inhibit motivation in agile IT project teams. It also makes a contribution to the existing literature by identifying additional factors that motivate and de-motivate IT developers, namely increased visibility and transparency on the progression of tasks, an increase in the number of meetings, lengthy meetings, use of agile practices on long-term projects and use of agile practices for complex or fragmented tasks.