Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microarray Analysis of the Nitrate Response in Arabidopsis Roots and Shoots Reveals over 1,000 Rapidly Responding Genes and New Linkages to Glucose, Trehalose-6-Phosphate, Iron, and Sulfate Metabolism1[w]

The genomic response to low levels of nitrate was studied in Arabidopsis using the Affymetrix ATH1 chip containing more than 22,500 probe sets. Arabidopsis plants were grown hydroponically in sterile liquid culture on ammonium as the sole source of nitrogen for 10 d, then treated with 250 μm nitrate for 20 min. The response to nitrate was much stronger in roots (1,176 genes showing increased or decreased mRNA levels) than in shoots (183 responding genes). In addition to known nitrate-responsive genes (e.g. those encoding nitrate transporters, nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, ferredoxin reductase, and enzymes in the pentose phosphate pathway), genes encoding novel metabolic and potential regulatory proteins were found. These genes encode enzymes in glycolysis (glucose-6-phosphate isomerase and phosphoglycerate mutase), in trehalose-6-P metabolism (trehalose-6-P synthase and trehalose-6-P phosphatase), in iron transport/metabolism (nicotianamine synthase), and in sulfate uptake/reduction. In many cases, only a few select genes out of several in small gene families were induced by nitrate. These results show that the effect of nitrate on gene expression is substantial (affecting almost 10% of the genes with detectable mRNA levels) yet selective and affects many genes involved in carbon and nutrient metabolism.
Effectiveness of self‐management programmes in diabetes management: A systematic review

BACKGROUND Diabetes is a major noncommunicable disease, which is increasing, and approximately 415 million people are affected around the globe. Since diabetes is a lifelong disease, patients require better understanding and knowledge of the condition to become self-reliant in making diabetes-related decisions. AIMS This systematic review was performed to assess the effectiveness of diabetes self-management programs in people with type 2 diabetes. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was undertaken to identify all published English language articles through EBSCO discovery services in the following electronic database: Science Direct, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, MEDLINE, and Access Medicine. Studies were published from January 2000 to October 2015. The initial search retrieved 37 566 studies and based on the inclusion criteria, 14 studies were selected for review. RESULTS Of 14 studies, most findings favoured diabetes self-management. But the overall effectiveness of individual interventions was not conclusive. A wide variety of interventions was used including diabetes education as a major component in self-management programs. CONCLUSION Interventions used varied strategies in differing composition, and further work is needed to find out the effectiveness of individual interventions.
Analyse et visualisation de l'intrication d'arêtes dans les réseaux multiplex. (Analysis and Visualisation of Edge Entanglement in Multiplex Networks)

Cette these presente une nouvelle methodologie pour analyser des reseaux. Nous developpons l'intrication d'un reseau multiplex, qui se materialise sous forme d'une mesure d'intensite et d'homogeneite, et d'une abstraction, le reseau d'interaction des catalyseurs, auxquels sont associes des indices d'intrication. Nous presentons ensuite la mise en place d'outils specifiques pour l'analyse visuelle des reseaux complexes qui tirent profit de cette methodologie. Ces outils presente une vue double de deux reseaux,qui inclue une un algorithme de dessin, une interaction associant brossage d'une selection et de multiples liens pre-attentifs. Nous terminons ce document par la presentation detaillee d'applications dans de multiples domaines.
Human Action Recognition Based on a Two-stream Convolutional Network Classifier

Currently, video generation devices are simpler to manipulate, more portable and with lower prices. This allowed easy storage and transmission of large amounts of media, such as videos, which has facilitated the analysis of information, independent of human assistance for evaluation and exhaustive search of videos. Virtual reality, robotics, tele-medicine, humanmachine interface and tele-surveillance are applications for these techniques. This paper describes a method for human action recognition in videos using two convolutional neural networks (CNNs). The first one Spatial Stream (trained with frames of the video) and the second one Temporal Stream, trained with stacks of Dense Optical Flow (DOF). Both streams were trained separately and from both of them we generated a classification histogram based on the most frequent class assignment. For final classification, those histograms were combined to produce a single output. The technique was tested in two public action video datasets: Weizmann and UCF Sports. We achieve 84.44% of accuracy on Weizmann dataset for Spatial stream and 78.46% on UCF Sports dataset. For the Weizmann dataset we obtained 91.11% with networks combination.
The snowshoe hare filter to spruce establishment in boreal Alaska

95 Introduction. 96 Methods. 97 Results.101 Discussion. 102 Acknowledgements.105 Figures.106 Tables.109 Literature cited. 112 Chapter 5. Herbivory by snowshoe hares on regenerating black spruce foreshadows future capacity to influence postfire succession.115 Abstract.115 Introduction. 116 Methods.118 Results.124 Discussion. 129 Figures.134 Literature cited. 140 Appendix. 144 Conclusion.147 Literature cited. 150
The Role of Oxygen‐derived Free Radicals in the Pathogenesis of Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis may be initiated in the ex vivo, perfused canine pancreas preparation by a variety of stimuli. These include 1) oleic acid infusion (FFA), 2) partial duct obstruction with secretin stimulation (POSS), and 3) a 2-hour period of ischemia (ISCH). In each model, pancreatitis is characterized by weight gain, edema, and hyperamylasemia. Oxygen-derived free radicals such as superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and the hydroxyl radical are highly reactive toxic substances that are normally produced in small amounts during oxidative metabolism. Ordinarily, these substances are detoxified by endogenous intracellular enzymes called free radical scavengers (FRS), such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). These studies were undertaken to evaluate the possible role of oxygen-derived free radicals in the initiation of acute pancreatitis in the isolated canine model. All preparations were perfused for 4 hours with autologous blood. Controls (N = 6): these glands remained normal in appearance, gained minimal weight (6 ± 1 g), and serum amylase remained normal (<1000 u/dl). FFA pancreatitis, FFA alone (N = 6): these glands became edematous, gained weight (113.5 ± 27.0 g), and developed hyperamylasemia (2087 ± 387 u/dl). FFA + FRS (N = 6), SOD (50 mg) and CAT (50 mg) were added to the perfusate at time zero: these glands became only minimally edematous, gained less weight (31.8 ± 10.1 g, p < 0.05), and amylase remained normal (p < 0.05). POSS pancreatitis, POSS alone (N = 8): these glands became edematous, gained weight (38.6 ± 4.6 g), and developed marked hyperamylasemia (9522 ± 3226 u/dl). POSS + FRS (N- 6): these glands did not develop edema, gained less weight (15.1 ± 2.6 g, p < 0.05), and serum amylase only increased to 1815 ±343 u/dl, (p < 0.05). ISCH pancreatitis, ISCH alone (N = 6): these glands became edematous, gained weight (75.8 ± 25 g), and developed hyperamylasemia (1679 ± 439 u/dl). ISCH + FRS (N = 6): these glands did not develop edema, gained only 18.3 ± 9.0 g (p < 0.005), and serum amylase remained normal (p < 0.05). These studies demonstrate that, in this canine preparation, acute pancreatitis is significantly ameliorated by oxygen-free radical scavengers. Since this was true whether the pancreatitis was produced by FFA infusion, POSS, or ischemia, it suggests that oxygen-derived free radicals may mediate a common essential step in the pathogenesis of all forms of pancreatitis.
Competitive release and facilitation of drug-resistant parasites after therapeutic chemotherapy in a rodent malaria model

Malaria infections frequently consist of mixtures of drug-resistant and drug-sensitive parasites. If crowding occurs, where clonal population densities are suppressed by the presence of coinfecting clones, removal of susceptible clones by drug treatment could allow resistant clones to expand into the newly vacated niche space within a host. Theoretical models show that, if such competitive release occurs, it can be a potent contributor to the strength of selection, greatly accelerating the rate at which resistance spreads in a population. A variety of correlational field data suggest that competitive release could occur in human malaria populations, but direct evidence cannot be ethically obtained from human infections. Here we show competitive release after pyrimethamine curative chemotherapy of acute infections of the rodent malaria Plasmodium chabaudi in laboratory mice. The expansion of resistant parasite numbers after treatment resulted in enhanced transmission-stage densities. After the elimination or near-elimination of sensitive parasites, the number of resistant parasites increased beyond that achieved when a competitor had never been present. Thus, a substantial competitive release occurred, markedly elevating the fitness advantages of drug resistance above those arising from survival alone. This finding may explain the rapid spread of drug resistance and the subsequently brief useful lifespans of some antimalarial drugs. In a second experiment, where subcurative chemotherapy was administered, the resistant clone was only partly released from competitive suppression and experienced a restriction in the size of its expansion after treatment. This finding raises the prospect of harnessing in-host ecology to slow the spread of drug resistance.
A NOVEL TWO-LEAD ARRHYTHMIA CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM BASED ON CNN AND LSTM

Arrhythmia classification is useful during heart disease diagnosis. Although well-established for intra-patient diagnoses, inter-patient arrhythmia classification remains difficult. Most previous work has focused on the intra-patient condition and has not followed the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) standards. Here, we propose a novel system for arrhythmia classification based on multi-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. The core of the design is that we fuse two types of deep learning features with some common traditional features and select discriminating features using a binary particle swarm optimization algorithm (BPSO). Then, the feature vector is classified using a weighted support vector machine (SVM) classifier. For a better generalization of the model and to draw fair comparisons, we carried out inter-patient experiments and followed the AAMI standards. We found that, when using common metrics aimed at multi-classification either macro- or micro-averaging, our system outperforms most other state-of-the-art methods.
Diethylstilbestrol Effects on Host Resistance

In addition to the concern of the potential adverse effects of environmental chemicals on the immune response, we, as Morahan et al [7], have endeavored to awaken equal concern of the deleterious effects of their therapeutic administration. In light of our studies of the effects of estrogens on the immune response (1-3 ,8), it was thought that brief comment on the observations of Morahan et al [7] would be instructive. Paradoxically, Morahan et al [7] observed that, while diethylstilbestrol (DES) generally decreased host resistance, depending upon the microbial model system, DES significantly decreased the incidence and number of lung metastases of B16F1O melanoma-bearing animals. As an alternate explanation to that offered by Morahan et al [7] for the decreased incidence of number of lung metastases due to entrapment and rapid destruction of I.V. inoculated cells in the liver, thus not being able to develop metastasis in the lungs, it is suggested that locally synthesized prostaglandins (PGs) may play a role. Enhanced production of PGs by experimentally induced and naturally occurring tumors and host macrophages and their effect on tumor growth and immunosurveillance have been noted [4]. PGs have a biphasic effect on natural killer (NK) cells, wherein low concentrations stimulate and high concentrations inhibit NK cell activity [6]. As estrogens, eg, DES, are potent stimulators of macrophages, they may be involved in modulating NK cell activity, eg, through the release of PGs [5] and thus host resistance. Thus, with stimulation of the dominant preponderance of “wandering” macrophages in the circulation and a high systemic concentration of PGs and inhibition of NK cell activity vs those present to a far lesser degree within and around tumor, contributing to a lower concentration of PGs and stimulation of NK cell activity, the results of Morahan et al [7] become, perhaps, more understandable.
The study of IMS functionality in femtocell environment

In this paper, the deployment of IMS functionality in femtocell environment is investigated and overviewed. Femtocell is a small cellular base station designed for use in residential or small business environments. It allows service providers to extend service coverage inside of our home, especially where the existing access is limited or unavailable. In the mean time, the IMS, as emerging framework of fixed and mobile convergence, provides the functionalities that accommodate current and future services in wired and wireless networks (e.g. voice, video and data transfers). Configuring the IMS framework in new approach of network architecture such as femtocell and designing the femtocell network to support IMS services is quite demanding. Some possible network design will be discussed. In this paper we concern on the investigation of IMS SIP signalling when it works on femtocell environment. Another critical issue such as the delay properties of session establishment signalling is also interesting to be discussed. The IMS-based and Cellularbased approaches for the integration of femtocells system and IMS core network are discussed.
Transient increases in p53-responsible gene expression at early stages of Epstein-Barr virus productive replication

Expression of Epstein-Barr Virus BZLF1, a key protein initiating the switch from latent to lytic infection, is known to cause cell growth arrest by accumulating p53 and p21WAF1/CIP1 in epithelial cells, but its molecular mechanism remains elusive. We found here that the BZLF1 protein stimulates p53 binding to its recognition sequence. The BZLF1 accelerated the rate of p53-DNA complex formation through the interaction with p53 protein and also enhanced p53-specific transcription in vitro. Furthermore, p53 protein was found to bind to its target promoter regions specifically in the early stages of lytic replication. Overexpression of p53 at the early stages of lytic replication enhanced viral genome replication, supporting the idea that p53 plays an important role in the initiation steps of EBV replication. Taking the independent role of BZLF1 on p53 degradation into consideration, we propose that the BZLF1 protein regulates p53 and its target gene products in two distinctive manners; transient induction of p53 at the early stages for the initiation of viral productive replication and p53 degradation at the later stages for S-phase like environment preferable for viral replication.
REPLY TO: Serum Uric Acid Still Carries Controversies About Its Role in Endothelial Dysfunction

To the Editor: Cak ar and colleagues suggest that the role of uric acid in endothelial dysfunction and hypertension remains controversial. We agree that the causal role of uric acid remains to be shown in large clinical studies, but shortterm pilot studies do suggest that lowering uric acid can reduce blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Likewise, an elevated uric acid strongly predicts the development of hypertension. Our study also shows a strong relationship between uric acid and type of blood pressure, in this case, the nondipper type. These studies do not suggest that a patient with an elevated serum uric acid level must have hypertension, or that a patient with a low uric acid level will not have hypertension, as the mechanism by which uric acid is proposed to work involves the induction of oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction, and there are many variables that can influence these conditions. While there are small pilot studies that have reported that gout and/or hyperuricemia are not associated with endothelial dysfunction or cardiovascular risk, these are at odds with 100-year-old literature. Numerous studies have shown that an elevated serum uric acid level is associated with endothelial dysfunction and that lowering uric acid, especially with allopurinol, can improve endothelial function (reviewed in our paper). One study did report improvement in endothelial function with xanthine oxidase inhibitors and not with uricosuric agents, suggesting that it was not the uric acid that was responsible for causing the endothelial dysfunction. While this explanation is possible, it may also relate to the superior ability of xanthine oxidase inhibitors to block uric acid synthesis and thus lower intracellular uric acid, which is responsible for reducing nitric oxide bioavailablity. In the clinical trial, probenecid and allopurinol both lowered blood pressure in prehypertensive adolescents, but allopurinol was slightly superior. We agree with Cak ar and his colleagues that more studies are needed to elucidate the role of uric acid in hypertension; however, our current study provides new information that strengthens the relationship of uric acid with hypertension, and, in this case, with the nondipping form.
Prediction of the actual awake and asleep blood pressures by various methods of 24 h pressure analysis

Objective To assess the relationships of daytime and night-time blood pressures and the day-night pressure differences, obtained by various analytical methods, with the actual awake and asleep pressures and the awakeasleep pressure difference. Methods Ambulatory blood pressure was successfully monitored by use of the SpaceLabs 90202 device in 91 healthy young men during a weekend, when they went to bed and awoke at variable and often unusual times. The actual 'awake' and 'asleep' blood pressures were calculated on the basis of these times, noted by the subjects. The 24 h recordings were further analysed by use of two clock time-independent methods (square-wave fitting; cumulative sum analysis) and by one 'wide' (A) and one 'narrow' (B) fixed-time method (daytime: 0700-2200 h or 1000-2000h; night-time: 2200-0700h or 0000-0600 h, for methods A and B, respectively). Results In the total study population, square-wave fitting (+1.1±1.5 mmHg, mean±SD) and cumulative sum analysis (2.4 ±1.9 mmHg) overestimated the actual awake systolic blood pressure and underestimated the asleep pressure (-0.7±1.7 and -1.8±1.8mmHg, respectively). The fixed-time techniques underestimated the awake pressure (-2.6±3.1 and -0.2±3.2mmHg for methods A and B, respectively) and overestimated the asleep pressure by +4.9 ±5.5 and +2.7 ±6.1 mmHg, respectively. The actual awake-asleep pressure difference was overestimated by square-wave fitting (+1.8 ±1.9 mmHg) and more so by cumulative sum analysis (+4.2±2.5mmHg); the underestimation by the fixed time approach averaged -3.0 ±8.4 mmHg with method B and amounted to -7.5 ±8.3 mmHg with method A. Overall, the SD of the various differences between the estimated and the actual awake and asleep pressures, and consequently the limits of agreement, were larger for the fixed-time methods than for the clock time-independent techniques. In the 47 subjects who went to bed before 2400 h and awoke between 0600 and 1000h, the results of the clock time-independent methods were similar to the results in the total study population, whereas the deviations of the fixed time pressures from the actual awake and asleep blood pressures were considerably reduced. The results were similar for diastolic blood pressure. Conclusions Clock time-independent methods, particularly square-wave fitting, can predict the actual awake and asleep blood pressures and the awake-asleep pressure differences with reasonable accuracy and the results are independent of the awake-asleep pattern of the subjects. However, fixed-time methods are only reliable when the subjects go to bed and arise within well-defined periods, and yield more accurate results when the morning and evening phases are excluded from the daytime and nighttime periods
Postictal Central Apnea as a Cause of SUDEP: Evidence From Near‐SUDEP Incident

Summary: While undergoing video‐EEG monitoring, a 20‐year‐old woman had a 56‐second convulsive seizure, after which she developed persistent apnea. The rhythm of the electrocardiogram complexes was unimpaired for approximately 10 seconds, after which it gradually and progressively slowed until it stopped 57 seconds later. Evaluation after successful cardiorespiratory resuscitation showed no evidence of airway obstruction or pulmonary edema. The patient had a previous cardio‐respiratory arrest after a complex partial seizure without secondary generalization. Although epileptic seizures are known to be potentially arrhythmogenic to the heart, our observations strongly suggest that one probable mechanism of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy is the marked central suppression of respiratory activity after seizures.
Effets de la température sur le taux de gonadotropine plasmatique et la spermatogenèse du poisson rouge Carassius auratus

Concentrations of immunoreactive plasma gonadotropin (c-GtH) were measured for goldfish kept at conditions of temperature held constant or increasing between 10 and 30 °C, between February and July. At temperatures of 17 °C or above the levels of plasma c-GtH were significantly (P <0.005) higher during April and May than at 10 °C. In April the pituitary concentration of c-GtH was maximum for fish held at 17 °C or above and the minimum for fish held below 17 °C, but in June the situation was reversed. A study of the gonads showed that spermatogenesis is faster at 17–24 °C than at 10 °C, but at 30 °C spermatogenic activity was inhibited.