Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vitro antifungal activity of fatty acid methyl esters of the seeds of Annona cornifolia A.St.-Hil. (Annonaceae) against pathogenic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.

INTRODUCTION Fatty acids are abundant in vegetable oils. They are known to have antibacterial and antifungal properties. METHODS Antifungal susceptibility was evaluated by broth microdilution assay following CLSI (formerly the NCCLS) guidelines against 16 fungal strains of clinical interest. RESULTS In this work, fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) was able to inhibit 12 clinical strains of the pathogenic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and were also active in the bioautographic assay against Cladosporium sphaerospermum. CONCLUSIONS FAME was a more potent antifungal than trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole against P. brasiliensis under the experimental conditions tested.
Vestibular-evoked myogenic potential thresholds normalize on plugging superior canal dehiscence

Background: Diagnosis of the superior canal dehiscence syndrome (SCDS) relies on symptoms such as sound- or pressure-induced vertigo or oscillopsia, demonstration of sound or pressure-evoked vertical/torsional eye movements, and the presence of a defect in the bony roof overlying the superior semicircular canal. Lowered thresholds for eliciting vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) provide additional conformation. Objective: To examine VEMP characteristics before and after canal plugging for SCDS. Methods: VEMPs evoked by air- and bone-conducted tones were measured from the sternocleidomastoid muscles (cVEMP) and periocular sites (oVEMP) of 20 normal volunteers, 10 newly diagnosed subjects with SCDS, and 12 subjects who underwent successful superior canal plugging. Results: In all SCDS ears, thresholds for evoking VEMP using air-conducted tones were pathologically lowered, with average values of 83.85 ± 1.40 dB sound pressure level (SPL) for cVEMP and 85.38 ± 1.32 dB SPL for oVEMP, 20 to 30 dB below those of controls. Successful canal plugging resulted in normal reflex thresholds. For bone vibration, average thresholds in SCDS ears were 114.62 ± 1.54 dB FL (force level) for cVEMP and 116.0 ± 1.52 dB FL for oVEMP, 10 to 20 dB below controls, yet three SCDS ears had normal thresholds. Conclusions: Ocular and cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials evoked by air-conducted sound are equally useful in the diagnosis and follow-up of superior canal dehiscence syndrome. Stimulus thresholds are consistently lowered upon presentation and normalize after corrective surgery. Thresholds for bone vibration, in contrast, have a lower diagnostic yield.
An Ultra Compact Millimeter-Wave VCO in 3-D IC Technology

In this letter, an ultra compact three-dimensional (3-D) voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) is presented. By utilizing the through silicon via (TSV) as inductors and variable bridge topology in the LC tank, the core area of VCO is reduced significantly with an improved tuning range. Implemented in a standard 90 nm CMOS process, the VCO consists of the top and bottom layers connected by TSVs using an in-house developed 3-D IC technology. The VCO is capable of operating at 43.3-43.9 GHz with a footprint of 0.0022 mm3, and a core area of only 0.007 mm2 which is about one to two orders of magnitude smaller than that in previous works. The measured phase noise is -90.8 dBc/Hz (1 MHz offset) at 43.3 GHz with an output power of -12.6 dBm. Under a supply voltage of 1.2 V, the VCO consumes a dc current of 15.4 mA.
Folding of Active Calcium Channel β1b -Subunit by Size-exclusion Chromatography and Its Role on Channel Function*

Voltage-gated calcium channels mediate the influx of Ca2+ ions into eukaryotic cells in response to membrane depolarization. They are hetero-multimer membrane proteins formed by at least three subunits, the poreforming α1-subunit and the auxiliary β- and α2δ-subunits. The β-subunit is essential for channel performance because it regulates two distinct features of voltage-gated calcium channels, the surface expression and the channel activity. Four β-subunit genes have been cloned, β1–4, with molecular masses ranging from 52 to 78 kDa, and several splice variants have been identified. The β1b-subunit, expressed at high levels in mammalian brain, has been used extensively to study the interaction between the pore forming α1- and the regulatory β-subunit. However, structural characterization has been impaired for its tendency to form aggregates when expressed in bacteria. We applied an on-column refolding procedure based on size exclusion chromatography to fold the β1b-subunit of the voltage gated-calcium channels from Escherichia coli inclusion bodies. The β1b-subunit refolds into monomers, as shown by sucrose gradient analysis, and binds to a glutathione S-transferase protein fused to the known target in the α1-subunit (the α-interaction domain). Using the cutopen oocyte voltage clamp technique, we measured gating and ionic currents in Xenopus oocytes expressing cardiac α1-subunit (α1C) co-injected with folded-β1b-protein or β1b-cRNA. We demonstrate that the co-expression of the α1C-subunit with either folded-β1b-protein or β1b-cRNA increases ionic currents to a similar extent and with no changes in charge movement, indicating that the β1b-subunit primarily modulates channel activity, rather than expression.
Targeted Disruption of the Methionine Synthase Gene in Mice

ABSTRACT Alterations in homocysteine, methionine, folate, and/or B12 homeostasis have been associated with neural tube defects, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Methionine synthase, one of only two mammalian enzymes known to require vitamin B12 as a cofactor, lies at the intersection of these metabolic pathways. This enzyme catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from 5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate to homocysteine, generating tetrahydrofolate and methionine. Human patients with methionine synthase deficiency exhibit homocysteinemia, homocysteinuria, and hypomethioninemia. They suffer from megaloblastic anemia with or without some degree of neural dysfunction and mental retardation. To better study the pathophysiology of methionine synthase deficiency, we utilized gene-targeting technology to inactivate the methionine synthase gene in mice. On average, heterozygous knockout mice from an outbred background have slightly elevated plasma homocysteine and methionine compared to wild-type mice but seem to be otherwise indistinguishable. Homozygous knockout embryos survive through implantation but die soon thereafter. Nutritional supplementation during pregnancy was unable to rescue embryos that were completely deficient in methionine synthase. Whether any human patients with methionine synthase deficiency have a complete absence of enzyme activity is unclear. These results demonstrate the importance of this enzyme for early development in mice and suggest either that methionine synthase-deficient patients have residual methionine synthase activity or that humans have a compensatory mechanism that is absent in mice.
Relative sparing of emotionally influenced memory in Alzheimer's disease

Studies suggest that emotionally influenced events enhance long-term memory. This study aimed to uncover whether this phenomenon exists in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) by comparing patients' performance with that of controls on a memory task. Overall, controls performed better than AD subjects on a delayed recognition task of a story containing emotional elements (95.8 ± 2.4% vs 66.6 ± 28.5%; mean ± s.d.), respectively. Among AD subjects, there was relative sparing of emotionally influenced memory, which was not seen in controls because of a ceiling effect. Retention of the emotional phase of the story differed significantly from that of the neutral phases. These findings suggest that the influence of emotion on memory is spared, at least to some degree, in AD.
Sexual Event-Level Characteristics of Condom Use During Anal Intercourse Among HIV-Negative Men Who Have Sex With Men

Background: Condom use remains central to sexually transmitted infections/HIV prevention among gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM). To support the development of accurate and appropriate interventions, a better understanding is needed as to how the characteristics of a given sexual event differentially influence condom use during anal intercourse. Methods: Daily diary data were collected from (n = 3877) HIV-negative MSM who were members of several online Web sites facilitating social or sexual interactions with other men. Sexual event-specific factors related to condom use during anal intercourse were evaluated using logistic regression, with generalized estimating equation adjustment for multiple within-participant sexual events (STATA, 10.0; all P < 0.05). Results: Participants contributed 25,149 behavioral diaries. Of these, men reported 730 (2.9%) acts of anal intercourse as insertive partner and 662 (2.6%) as receptive partner. Condoms were used during 25.5% (n = 184) of insertive events, and 18.8% (n = 125) of receptive events. For both insertive and receptive anal roles, condom use was more likely with casual partners (OR = 4.24–6.59). Positive ratings of sexual pleasure were associated with condom use among men who were the insertive partner during anal intercourse, whereas condom nonuse was significantly related to higher ratings of pleasure among men who were the receptive partner. Conclusions: Event-level relational and sexual-situational factors predict condom use differently, depending on whether men are the insertive or receptive partner in anal intercourse. Understanding these differences will help clinicians and health educators engage MSM in dialogue to increase condom use in situations where it is warranted.
Interstitial 10p deletion derived from a maternal ins(16;10)(q22;p13p15.2): Report of the first familial case of 10p monosomy affecting to two familial members of different generations

Monosomy 10p is a rare chromosomal disorder with a prevalence <1/1,000,000, in which a terminal or interstitial distal region of chromosome 10 is deleted resulting in a variable phenotype depending on the size of the deletion. Two main phenotypes have been defined depending on the location of the deletion: HDR syndrome (Hypoparathyroidism, sensorineural Deafness, and Renal disease), and DGS2 (DiGeorge syndrome type 2). The vast majority of cases reported so far have resulted from de novo events. Here, we present the first familial presentation of this contiguous gene deletion syndrome, affecting two family members in different generations: a child and his maternal uncle. In both cases, the deletion was due to a malsegregation of a maternal balanced rearrangement, ins(16;10)(q22;p13p15.2). The identification and characterization of this rearrangement was possible using a combination of different genetic analyses such as karyotype, MLPA, FISH, and array CGH. We underline the importance of the present results in terms of genetic and reproductive counseling for the carriers of the balanced rearrangement within the family, and demonstrate again the utility of expanding the genetic studies to the relatives of the affected patients. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Towards multifocal ultrasonic neural stimulation: pattern generation algorithms

Focused ultrasound (FUS) waves directed onto neural structures have been shown to dynamically modulate neural activity and excitability, opening up a range of possible systems and applications where the non-invasiveness, safety, mm-range resolution and other characteristics of FUS are advantageous. As in other neuro-stimulation and modulation modalities, the highly distributed and parallel nature of neural systems and neural information processing call for the development of appropriately patterned stimulation strategies which could simultaneously address multiple sites in flexible patterns. Here, we study the generation of sparse multi-focal ultrasonic distributions using phase-only modulation in ultrasonic phased arrays. We analyse the relative performance of an existing algorithm for generating multifocal ultrasonic distributions and new algorithms that we adapt from the field of optical digital holography, and find that generally the weighted Gerchberg–Saxton algorithm leads to overall superior efficiency and uniformity in the focal spots, without significantly increasing the computational burden. By combining phased-array FUS and magnetic-resonance thermometry we experimentally demonstrate the simultaneous generation of tightly focused multifocal distributions in a tissue phantom, a first step towards patterned FUS neuro-modulation systems and devices.
CDC staging based on absolute CD4 count and CD4 percentage in an HIV‐1‐infected Indian population: treatment implications

CD4+ T‐cell levels are an important criterion for categorizing HIV‐related clinical conditions according to the CDC classification system and are therefore important in the management of HIV by initiating antiretroviral therapy and prophylaxis for opportunistic infections due to HIV among HIV‐infected individuals. However, it has been observed that the CD4 counts are affected by the geographical location, race, ethnic origin, age, gender and changes in total and differential leucocyte counts. In the light of this knowledge, we classified 600 HIV seropositive antiretroviral treatment (ART)‐naïve Indian individuals belonging to different CDC groups A, B and C on the basis of CDC criteria of both CD4% and CD4 counts and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated. Importantly, CDC staging on the basis of CD4% indicated significant clinical implications, requiring an early implementation of effective antiretroviral treatment regimen in HIV‐infected individuals deprived of treatment when classified on the basis of CD4 counts.
Blood-gas changes during trichloroethylene and intravenous pethidine anaesthesia.

SUMMARY Measurement of capillary pH, Pco2 and standard bicarbonate values, respiratory rate, tidal volume and minute volume were undertaken in two comparable series of eleven patients undergoing hip surgery. One series received trichloroethylene and nitrous oxide anaesthesia, while the second received in addition, intermittent intravenous pethidine in such a dosage as to prevent tachypnoea. Blood-gas measurements and systolic blood pressure appeared unaffected by trichloroethylene, nitrous oxide anaesthesia alone. The pressure appeared unaffected by trichloroethylene, nitrous oxide anaesthesia alone. The addition of pethidine resulted in the development of serious hypercarbia (Pco2>60 mm Hg) in two patients, moderate arterial hypotension in seven and a prolonged recovery time in nine out of eleven patients.
The effects of serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonists on gastric tachyarrhythmia and the symptoms of motion sickness.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the serotonin (5-HT3) receptor-antagonist antiemetics ondansetron and granisetron on the development of gastric tachyarrhythmia, nausea, and other symptoms of motion sickness. METHODS In a double-blind, counterbalanced, repeated measures design, 12 motion sickness susceptible college students participated in 3 sessions with an intersession interval of 1 wk. Participants received either 8 mg of ondansetron, 2 mg of granisetron, or placebo 1 h before exposure to a rotating optokinetic drum. Electrogastrograms (EGGs) were recorded during a 6-min baseline period and a subsequent 16-min drum rotation period. Subjective symptoms of motion sickness (SSMS) were obtained every 3 min during drum rotation. RESULTS During drum rotation, gastric tachyarrhythmia increased significantly more during the placebo condition than during either of the serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonist conditions. However, maximum SSMS scores were not different among conditions. CONCLUSIONS The serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonists inhibited the development of tachyarrhythmia, but did not prevent the development of nausea and other symptoms of motion sickness. The antiemetics ondansetron and granisetron may act as gastric anti-dysrhythmics, but their ability to arrest the development of gastric tachyarrhythmia was not sufficient for the prevention of nausea.
Growth and development of wetland-grown taro under different plant populations and seedbed types in Uganda

Taro [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott] is a member of the Araceace family that is a staple food for many people in developing countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands. It is widely grown in Uganda but the extent of its production and consumption is not known, partly because it has been ignored as legitimate crop for research and development (R&D), and it is managed outside the conventional agricultural production, marketing and economic channels. Therefore, there is limited information on many aspects of taro, including agronomic practices. In order obtain data that can support improved and sustainable taro production, a field trial was conducted over two cropping seasons at Kabanyolo in central Uganda, to determine the effect of three taro plant populations (10,000, 17,760 and 40,000 pph) and two seedbed types (flat and ridged seedbed) on growth and yield of taro. The treatments were arranged in a split – split – plots design, with three replications. Seedbed type was in the main plot and plant populations in the sub-plots. These were further split to accommodate five sampling dates for plant growth. Each experimental subplot measured 6 m x 6 m and contained 36, 64 and 144 experimental plants, respectively. During a 5-month growth period, leaf area index (LAI) and corm yield were significantly (P 0.05) effect on taro growth and yield. However, using high plant population may not be recommended because of the enormous amount of planting material that would be needed. From this study, a moderately wide spacing of 0.75 m x 0.75 m which produced an acceptable yield of 5.5 – 6.8 t ha -1 would be recommended.
Increasing Prevalence of Male Infertility and Stress Factors : An Overview

Infertility is a social problem adding to the woes of marital life. Sex is the most powerful drive and instinct of all living beings including human. Infertility may be due decrease in number of sperms, absence of sperms or increase in abnormal form of sperms in male semen and the failure of the sperm to move with sufficient vigour towards ovum. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are responsible for infertility. These ROS have beneficial as well as detrimental effect on sperm functions, depending on the nature and the concentration of the ROS involved. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a main toxic ROS for human spermatozoa, in low concentration, causes sperm immobilization. High concentration of H2O2 induces lipid peroxidation, which causes cell death. On the other hand, the superoxide anion (O2-) appears to play an important role in the process of sperm hyperactivity and capacitation.
Prevalence of hypertension in renal disease.

BACKGROUND Hypertension (HTN) is very frequent in patients with renal disease and its prevalence increases as renal failure progresses. METHODS We studied the prevalence of HTN in 1921 patients with different nephropathies. Patients on dialysis and renal transplant patients were not included in the study. HTN was defined as SBP>140 and/or DBP>90 mmHg, or requiring antihypertensive therapy. RESULTS The prevalence of HTN in the total group of patients with renal diseases was 60.5%, but this prevalence varied widely depending upon the type of underlying nephropathy. The prevalence of HTN was practically universal in patients with renal vascular disease (93%) and in patients with established diabetic nephropathy (87%), and 74% of the patients with polycystic kidney disease, 63% of the patients with chronic pyelonephritis and 54% of the patients diagnosed with glomerulonephritis were hypertensive. The prevalence of HTN in patients with renal insufficiency (80%) is significantly higher than that in patients without renal insufficiency (43% P<0.001). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, the independent risk factors defining HTN in renal patients were: renal failure, age, the presence of diabetes, hypertriglyceridaemia and proteinuria. Antihypertensive treatment consisted of diet alone in 4% of the patients, one drug in 45%, two drugs in 36%, three medications in 13% and more than three drugs in 2.5%. The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors were the most frequently prescribed drug (39% of the patients treated in monotherapy) followed by calcium channel blockers (27%), diuretics (18%) and beta-blockers (9%). The most common combined therapy was a diuretic plus an ACE inhibitor. The percentage of patients with BP controlled according to current recommendations for renal patients (BP<130/85) was very low; SBP in only 49% and DBP in 24%. Control of both was only achieved in 10% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS There is a high prevalence of HTN in renal patients, which depends on the type of nephropathy and the degree of renal failure. Other independent risk factors for HTN in patients with renal disease are: advanced age, the presence of diabetes, hypertriglyceridaemia and the severity of proteinuria. BP control in renal patients is quite poor and should be improved to reduce progression of the renal disease.
Is ST Segment Depression of the Electrocardiogram During Cesarean Section Merely Due to Cardiac Sympathetic Block?

ST segment depression frequently is observed in women undergoing cesarean section with regional anesthesia, yet myocardial ischemia as a cause of such depression seems unlikely in this healthy population. To test whether ST segment depression in this setting is due to decreased sympathetic outflow to the heart, we monitored electrocardiograph (ECG) leads II and V5 in 15 healthy women undergoing cesarean section with spinal anesthesia. We estimated cardiac sympathetic tone by spectral analysis of heart rate variability, measuring the area under the power•frequency curve of the fast Fourier transform of heart beat intervals. The area under this curve in the low frequency range (0.02‐0.15 Hz) has been described recently and validated in humans and animals as a semiquantitative measure of cardiac sympathetic tone. Significant, > 1 mm horizontal or downsloping depression of the ST segment occurred in five women (33%), beginning 5‐30 min after spinal bupivacaine injection. Those with ST segment depression had increased heart rate (117 ± 7 beats/min) compared to those without (94 ± 6 beats/min; P < 0.05), and had received more ephedrine (25 ± 3 mg vs 7 ± 3 mg; P < 0.05). Before spinal bupivacaine injection and after block resolution the area in the low frequency range of the heart rate power spectrum was similar in all women. During spinal anesthesia, those with ST segment depression had less power in this low frequency range (0.0018 ± 0.0010 ms2/Hz) than those without ST depression (0.0028 ± 0.0006 ms2/Hz). Despite similar levels of sensory block to pin testing (median T3), these data suggest that the density of cardiac sympathetic block varies considerably during high spinal anesthesia. We propose that ST segment depression during cesarean section with regional anesthesia is most often due to diminished cardiac sympathetic tone, likely with differing densities of right and left cardiac sympathetic neural block. Inasmuch as myocardial ischemia causes an increase, not decrease in cardiac sympathetic tone as determined by spectral analysis of heart rate, these data provide confirming evidence that ST segment depression during cesarean section is not due to myocardial ischemia.