Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantification of the Effects of Salt Stress and Physiological State on Thermotolerance of Bacillus cereus ATCC 10987 and ATCC 14579

ABSTRACT The food-borne pathogen Bacillus cereus can acquire enhanced thermal resistance through multiple mechanisms. Two Bacillus cereus strains, ATCC 10987 and ATCC 14579, were used to quantify the effects of salt stress and physiological state on thermotolerance. Cultures were exposed to increasing concentrations of sodium chloride for 30 min, after which their thermotolerance was assessed at 50°C. Linear and nonlinear microbial survival models, which cover a wide range of known inactivation curvatures for vegetative cells, were fitted to the inactivation data and evaluated. Based on statistical indices and model characteristics, biphasic models with a shoulder were selected and used for quantification. Each model parameter reflected a survival characteristic, and both models were flexible, allowing a reduction of parameters when certain phenomena were not present. Both strains showed enhanced thermotolerance after preexposure to (non)lethal salt stress conditions in the exponential phase. The maximum adaptive stress response due to salt preexposure demonstrated for exponential-phase cells was comparable to the effect of physiological state on thermotolerance in both strains. However, the adaptive salt stress response was less pronounced for transition- and stationary-phase cells. The distinct tailing of strain ATCC 10987 was attributed to the presence of a subpopulation of spores. The existence of a stable heat-resistant subpopulation of vegetative cells could not be demonstrated for either of the strains. Quantification of the adaptive stress response might be instrumental in understanding adaptation mechanisms and will allow the food industry to develop more accurate and reliable stress-integrated predictive modeling to optimize minimal processing conditions.
Time course of acetylcholinesterase inhibition in the medulla oblongata of the rat by O‐ethyl S‐(2‐dimethylaminoethyl) methylphosphonothioate in vivo

1 The time course of acetylcholinesterase inhibition in three parts of the medulla oblongata of the rat following intramuscular injection of O‐ethyl S‐(2‐dimethylaminoethyl) methylphosphonothioate was studied. 2 The inhibition in the three parts of the medulla oblongata proceeded at different rates and this indicates that penetration of the inhibitor through various parts of the blood‐brain barrier is not uniform.
The Effect of Psychological Intervention on Thirst and Interdialytic Weight Gain in Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE Patients on hemodialysis (HD) are unable to eliminate excess fluid and must adhere to a regimen of dietary fluid restriction to prevent volume overload. Thirst represents a major obstacle to the achievement of such a goal. The aim of our study was (1) to assess the association of thirst and xerostomia, measured by validated questionnaires, Dialysis Thirst Inventory and Xerostomia Inventory with interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) and (2) to evaluate in a randomized controlled trial (RCT), the effect of psychological intervention on IDWG and thirst. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional evaluation of association of thirst and IDWG and single-blind RCT of psychological intervention on IDWG management. SETTING Outpatient dialysis unit. SUBJECTS The cross-sectional evaluation included 117 patients on HD (age, 71 ± 13 years); among these, 54 were selected for the RCT. INTERVENTION The questionnaires were administered to all the participating patients; IDWG (4-week average), Kt/V, predialysis blood pressure, dialyzate sodium, hematocrit, serum electrolytes, parathyroid hormone, and patients' medications were recorded. Fifty-four patients were randomized on a 1:1 basis to usual treatment (including dietary advice) or psychological intervention, consisting of group sessions, held once a week for 5 weeks; IDWG and all the other parameters were rechecked after 6 weeks and 6 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE IDWG change from baseline. RESULTS Dialysis Thirst Inventory score was correlated with IDWG (ρ = 0.575; P < .001), body mass index (ρ = 0.257; P = .005), and inversely with age (ρ = -0.344; P < .001). A small but significant decrease of IDWG compared to baseline was observed in the intervention group (baseline 1332 ± 338 g/day; at 6 weeks, 1183 ± 258 g/day; at 6 months, 1203 ± 284 g/day; P < .001). No IDWG changes with respect to baseline occurred in controls (baseline 1310 ± 333 g/day; at 6 weeks, 1336 ± 340 g/day; at 6 months, 1323 ± 328 g/day; P = .57). The secondary outcomes were not affected by the intervention. CONCLUSIONS The findings of our study show that a psychological support may help managing IDWG in HD patients.
Correlations in the actions of periodic orbits derived from quantum chaos.

We discuss two-point correlations of the actions of classical periodic orbits in chaotic systems. For systems where the semiclassical trace formula is exact and the spectral statistics follow random matrix theory, there exist nontrivial correlations between actions, which we express in a universal form. We illustrate this result with the analogous problem of the pair correlations between prime numbers. We also report on numerical studies of three chaotic systems where the semiclassical trace formula is only approximate, but nevertheless these unexpected action correlations are observed
Staining of macromolecules: possible mechanisms and examples

This review is based on a presentation given at the Biological Stain Commission meeting in June 2008. I discuss staining as an interaction between dye, solvent, and biological macromolecules. Most staining takes place in water, where the physico-chemical properties of the macromolecules are particularly important. Staining from aqueous solution is summarized. The first step is diffusion–ion exchange, which builds up the dye ion concentration close to the appropriately charged tissue constituents. While charge interactions are important for selectivity and build-up of dye ions around specific tissue and cell constituents, they have in most cases little to do with actual dye binding. The next step, actual binding, is predominantly between aromatic and other non-polar parts of the dye and corresponding groups in the tissue constituent. This results in a reduction of the total hydrophobic area exposed to water, hence the term hydrophobic interaction. Because dye binding is predominantly by dispersive forces, the larger the aromatic dye system and the fewer the number of charges on the dye, the greater the substantivity or affinity. Some relatively straightforward anionic or cationic one-step staining systems are discussed also. These include amyloid staining with Congo red, elastin staining with orceins, collagen staining with picrofuchsin, DNA–RNA staining with methyl green-pyronin Y, acid heteroglycan staining with Alcian blue, and metachromatic staining.
Population variability in Chironomus (Camptochironomus) species (Diptera, Nematocera) with a Holarctic distribution: evidence of mitochondrial gene flow

Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences from mitochondrial (mt) genes (Cytochrome b and Cytochrome oxidase I) and one nuclear gene (globin 2b) was used for the investigation of Nearctic and Palearctic populations representing four Chironomus species of the subgenus Camptochironomus, namely C. biwaprimus, C. pallidivittatus, C. tentans sensu stricto and C. dilutus (the last two species constitute Holarctic C. tentans sensu lato). Phenograms constructed on the basis of mt sequences were not congruent with trees based on nuclear genes, or with morphological and cytological data. The mt tree divided the populations by continental region, rather than by the species groupings recognized by the other data sets. The incongruence is explained by mt gene flow resulting from hybridization between the sympatric species on each continent. Calculation of divergence times, based on the sequence data, suggest that C. tentans (s.l.) and C. pallidivittatus have both been in North America for about 2.5 My.
The Relation of Plasma Androgen Levels to Sexual Behaviors and Attitudes of Women1

&NA; Four androgens: dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione (A), testosterone (T), and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a variety of sexual behaviors and attitudes, and several moods were determined regularly in two groups of healthy, married women who differed by three decades in age. The younger women exhibited significantly higher levels of each androgen, the differences being almost entirely attributable to ovarian failure in the older group. Although the older women reported the same levels of sexual desire and sexual arousal as the younger women, their intercourse frequencies and self‐rated sexual gratification scores were significantly lower than the values obtained for the younger wives. One or more of the androgen levels related significantly and in the expected direction to each stage of the four‐stage sexual response process. Global measures of so‐called “sexual adjustment” and estimates of anxiety, depression, and hostility feelings experienced by these women did not relate significantly to any of the four androgen levels.
Adenosquamous carcinoma of the skin: a case series.

BACKGROUND Adenosquamous carcinoma is an uncommon cutaneous malignant neoplasm with mixed glandular and squamous differentiation and a propensity for aggressive clinical behavior. OBSERVATIONS Of 27 patients diagnosed as having adenosquamous carcinoma, 19 were men and 5 were immunosuppressed. The mean age was 74 years. The majority of tumors were located on the face and scalp (19 of 27 [70%]) or upper extremity (4 of 27 [15%]). Squamous and glandular differentiation was characteristic. Thickness of the primary lesion ranged from 1.2 to 9.2 mm, with all tumors extensively invading the reticular dermis. Perineural invasion was seen in 4 of 27 primary cases (15%). Although 3 of 6 patients treated with Mohs micrographic surgery had subsequent locoregional recurrences, there was no evidence of distant metastasis after a mean of 2.3 years of patient follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Adenosquamous carcinoma is best considered as a locally aggressive high-risk subtype of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Tumor thickness and perineural invasion are high-risk histopathological attributes, and immunosuppression is an important clinical risk factor. Although Mohs micrographic surgery may be the best initial treatment, locoregional recurrence is common.
Renal and Systemic Effects of Endothelin-1 in Diabetic-Hypertensive Rats

Abstract The Cohen-Rosenthal Diabetic Hypertensive rat (CRDH) is a unique animal model in which genetic hypertension and diabetes developed after crossbreeding of Cohen diabetic rats sensitive substrain (CDR) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The present study examined: 1) The acute effects of ET-1 on the systemic and renal hemodynamics in CRDH rats, CDR, and SHR; 2) The expression of ET-1 and its receptors in the renal tissue of CRDH rats. Intravenous injection of ET-1 (1.0 nmol/kg) into anesthetized SHR rats resulted in a significant immediate depressor response (mean arterial pressure (MAP) decreased from 165 ± 3 to 124 ± 12 mmHg, p < 0.0001) followed by a minor hypertensive phase (MAP increased to 170 ± 2 mmHg). Simultaneously, the administration of ET-1 caused a significant decrease in renal blood flow (RBF) from 5.8 ± 0.9 ml/min to 3.2 ± 0.5 ml/min (p = 0.026). These responses were blunted in CRDH rats and CDR. Analysis of intra-renal blood flow by laser-Doppler in CRDH rats revealed that ET-1 injection caused a decrease in cortical blood flow (Δ = −12 ± 2.9%). However, in contrast to its well-known renal medullary vasodilatory effect, ET-1 produced a significant decline in the medulla blood flow (Δ = −17.5 ± 3.4%) (p = 0.0125). These findings suggest that CDR and CRDH rats have reduced sensitivity to vascular and renal action of ET-1. Furthermore, in the CRDH rats, the expected ET-1-induced medullary vasodilatation was abolished and even reversed into prolonged vasoconstriction.
Cooperative MIMO system for WiMAX technology

In this paper, we propose a cooperative Multiple-Input Multiple Output (MIMO) system where the cooperation uses amplify-and-forward (AF) relaying strategy and the MIMO is based on Vertical Bell-Labs Layered Space Time (V-BLAST) architecture. The idea is to simultaneously exploit the advantages offered by cooperative diversity and MIMO and the proposed system is intended for use in Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) technology. Complexity of the cooperative MIMO (Co-MIMO) is also analyzed considering Maximum Ratio Combining (MRC) and Equal Gain Combining (EGC) schemes; Zero Forcing (ZF), Minimum Mean Square error (MMSE) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) detections; and V-BLAST transmission technique at transmitting node. Simulation results show that, at comparable complexity, Co-MIMO achieves significantly better symbol error rate (SER) performance than the conventional cooperative diversity or MIMO system only. As an example, at SER of 10-3, Co-MIMO system using MMSE detection has 10 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) gain over systems that employ cooperative diversity or MIMO only.
ALGEBRA: ALgorithm for the heterogeneous dosimetry based on GEANT4 for BRAchytherapy

Task group 43 (TG43)-based dosimetry algorithms are efficient for brachytherapy dose calculation in water. However, human tissues have chemical compositions and densities different than water. Moreover, the mutual shielding effect of seeds on each other (interseed attenuation) is neglected in the TG43-based dosimetry platforms. The scientific community has expressed the need for an accurate dosimetry platform in brachytherapy. The purpose of this paper is to present ALGEBRA, a Monte Carlo platform for dosimetry in brachytherapy which is sufficiently fast and accurate for clinical and research purposes. ALGEBRA is based on the GEANT4 Monte Carlo code and is capable of handling the DICOM RT standard to recreate a virtual model of the treated site. Here, the performance of ALGEBRA is presented for the special case of LDR brachytherapy in permanent prostate and breast seed implants. However, the algorithm is also capable of handling other treatments such as HDR brachytherapy.
Duplication and partitioning in evolution and function of homoeologous Q loci governing domestication characters in polyploid wheat

The Q gene encodes an AP2-like transcription factor that played an important role in domestication of polyploid wheat. The chromosome 5A Q alleles (5AQ and 5Aq) have been well studied, but much less is known about the q alleles on wheat homoeologous chromosomes 5B (5Bq) and 5D (5Dq). We investigated the organization, evolution, and function of the Q/q homoeoalleles in hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Q/q gene sequences are highly conserved within and among the A, B, and D genomes of hexaploid wheat, the A and B genomes of tetraploid wheat, and the A, S, and D genomes of the diploid progenitors, but the intergenic regions of the Q/q locus are highly divergent among homoeologous genomes. Duplication of the q gene 5.8 Mya was likely followed by selective loss of one of the copies from the A genome progenitor and the other copy from the B, D, and S genomes. A recent V329-to-I mutation in the A lineage is correlated with the Q phenotype. The 5Bq homoeoalleles became a pseudogene after allotetraploidization. Expression analysis indicated that the homoeoalleles are coregulated in a complex manner. Combined phenotypic and expression analysis indicated that, whereas 5AQ plays a major role in conferring domestication-related traits, 5Dq contributes directly and 5Bq indirectly to suppression of the speltoid phenotype. The evolution of the Q/q loci in polyploid wheat resulted in the hyperfunctionalization of 5AQ, pseudogenization of 5Bq, and subfunctionalization of 5Dq, all contributing to the domestication traits.
IBAL : An Expressive , Functional Probabilistic Modeling Language

There has been much interest in recent years in expressive languages for probabilistic modeling. This paper presents a new approach to developing a powerful, expressive and general probabilistic modeling language. It presents a language, named IBAL, that looks like a stochastic functional programming language. A program in the language is a model of a system; the meaning of the program is the probability distribution over outputs of the program. After presenting the syntax of IBAL, the paper presents examples that demonstrate the expressiveness, compositionality, modularity and ability of the language to represent structure. A declarative semantics is presented that defines the meaning of a program in terms of distributions. A powerful and general inference algorithm is presented that translates a program into factors that can be used in variable elimination. When applied to standard frameworks such as Bayesian networks, hidden Markov models and stochastic context free grammars, IBAL’s algorithm reduces to standard algorithms for those frameworks. Thus, when a new framework is modeled in IBAL, an effective inference algorithm is obtained for free.
Schistosomiasis mansoni of the prostate.

A 56-year-old man came to hospital for a routine checkup. His medical history and physical examination wereunremarkable. Laboratory evaluation was normal, except for aserum prostate specific antigen (PSA) of 6.5ng/mL (referencevalues: 0-3.5ng/mL). Digital rectal examination revealed anenlarged well-delimitated prostate. Transrectal ultrasonographywas normal. A biopsy retrieved 9 fragments of prostate tissueand histology showed no alterations. He was followed at theoutpatient clinic for another 3 months and a second PSA showedincreasing levels (7.2ng/mL). A second transrectal biopsy showedno malignant infiltration of the prostate, but eggs of S. mansonisurrounded by characteristic granulomata were described(Figure A shows a granuloma surrounding an egg shell with aremnant miracidium and Figure B shows normal prostate tissue). The patient was treated with praziquantel (60mg/kg, body weight,divided in two equal doses given at 4 hour intervals) and is beingfollowed at the outpatient clinic. A diagnosis of adenocarcinomaof the prostate has not been discarded.O paciente, de 56 anos, veio ao hospital para exame de rotina.A sua historia medica e o exame fisico nao revelaram alteracoesde importância. Os exames de laboratorio mostraram-se normais,exceto pela elevacao do nivel do antigeno prostatico especifico nosoro (PSA = 6,5ng/mL – valores de referencia = 0-3,5 ng/mL). O toque retal revelou aumento da prostata e contornos bemdelimitados. A ultra-sonografia transretal mostrou uma prostatade aspecto normal. Nao houve alteracoes histologicas em novefragmentos de tecido prostatico obtido por biopsia. O pacientefoi acompanhado em ambulatorio por tres meses e o segundoPSA aumentou para 7,2ng/mL. A segunda biopsia da prostatanao revelou sinais de malignidade, mas evidenciou ovos de S.mansoni dentro de granulomas bem formados (Figura A:granuloma ao redor de casca de ovo contendo restos de ummiracidio; Figura B: tecido prostatico normal). O paciente foitratado com praziquantel na dose de 60mg/kg de peso, divididoem duas tomadas com intervalo de quatro horas. Ele continuasendo acompanhado em ambulatorio. O diagnostico deadenocarcinoma da prostata nao foi descartado.
Production of fumonisins by Fusarium moniliforme and Fusarium proliferatum isolates associated with equine leukoencephalomalacia and a pulmonary edema syndrome in swine

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) and FB2 were isolated from corn cultures of both Fusarium moniliforme and Fusarium proliferatum. Respective concentrations in culture materials of FB1 and FB2 ranged from 960 to 2,350 and 120 to 320 micrograms/g for F. moniliforme and from 1,670 to 2,790 and 150 to 320 micrograms/g for F. proliferatum. Thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, and liquid secondary ion mass spectroscopy were used for detection. Fumonisins from F. proliferatum have not previously been reported.
Oncology rehabilitation outcomes over time: a mixed-methods approach.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To evaluate an oncology rehabilitation program over time. DESIGN A cross-sectional, retrospective program evaluation using a mixed-methods approach. SETTING An outpatient oncology rehabilitation program housed in an urban, hospital-based comprehensive cancer center in Alaska. SAMPLE 102 cancer survivors who had completed a 10-week oncology rehabilitation program (mean time since completion was 2.5 years). METHODS Participants completed a mailed, 28-item retrospective survey to collect perceived activity level recalled at various points in time as well as program perceptions. Open-ended questions elicited narrative comments about motivators and barriers. The Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) SF-36® was completed before and after the program. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Health-related quality of life, perceived health status, activity level, motivators, barriers, and program perceptions. FINDINGS A small increase in level of activity from precancer to the current time (postrehabilitation) (z = -3.1, p < 0.01) was reported. Most and least helpful motivators emerged from the narrative data, resulting in the shared interpretation of "I have my life back. " CONCLUSIONS Program motivators were effective in helping cancer survivors maintain some increased activity and retain positive perceptions well after the completion of the program. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Survivors who complete a rehabilitation program retain a sense of restoration and caring, and some engage in physical activity over time. Adapting the program based on insights into the survivor perspective may assist oncology rehabilitation clinicians to promote optimum physical activity and sustain healthful change.
Simultaneous Monitoring of Ionophore- and Inhibitor-mediated Plasma and Mitochondrial Membrane Potential Changes in Cultured Neurons*

Although natural and synthetic ionophores are widely exploited in cell studies, for example, to influence cytoplasmic free calcium concentrations and to depolarize in situ mitochondria, their inherent lack of membrane selectivity means that they affect the ion permeability of both plasma and mitochondrial membranes. A similar ambiguity affects the interpretation of signals from fluorescent membrane-permeant cations (usually termed “mitochondrial membrane potential indicators”), because the accumulation of these probes is influenced by both plasma and mitochondrial membrane potentials. To resolve some of these problems a technique is developed to allow simultaneous monitoring of plasma and mitochondrial membrane potentials at single-cell resolution using a cationic and anionic fluorescent probe. A computer program is described that transforms the fluorescence changes into dynamic estimates of changes in plasma and mitochondrial potentials. Exploiting this technique, primary cultures of rat cerebellar granule neurons display a concentration-dependent response to ionomycin: low concentrations mimic nigericin by hyperpolarizing the mitochondria while slowly depolarizing the plasma membrane and maintaining a stable elevated cytoplasmic calcium. Higher ionomycin concentrations induce a stochastic failure of calcium homeostasis that precedes both mitochondrial depolarization and an enhanced rate of plasma membrane depolarization. In addition, the protonophore carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone only selectively depolarizes mitochondria at submicromolar concentrations. ATP synthase reversal following respiratory chain inhibition depolarizes the mitochondria by 26 mV.