Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A2E and Blue Light in the Retina: The Paradigm of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Abstract The photoreceptors in the retina, designed to initiate the cascade of events which link the incoming light to the sensation of vision, are susceptible to damage by light, particularly blue light. The damage can lead to cell death and diseases. The turnover of retinal, an essential element of the visual process, is the basis of the events that lead to damage. Free retinal, absorbing in the blue region of the visible spectrum, is phototoxic, and is a precursor of the (photo)toxic compound A2E, which specifically targets cytochrome oxidase and thereby induces cell death by apoptosis. Cell death induced by A2E in the dark is prevented by negatively charged phospholipids. The blue lightfiltering molecules lutein and zeaxanthin are tailormade substances protecting the retina. In vitro, they protect cytochrome oxidase against the permanent damage caused by A2E in combination with light. These novel findings should enable us to prevent or cure the dry form of agerelated macular degeneration, the leading cause of severe visual impairment in humans living in developed countries.
Comparative genomics allows the discovery of cis-regulatory elements in mosquitoes

The discovery and mapping of cis-regulatory elements is important for understanding regulation of gene transcription in mosquito vectors of human diseases. Genome sequence data are available for 3 species, Aedes aegypti, Anopheles gambiae, and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae), representing 2 subfamilies (Culicinae and Anophelinae) that are estimated to have diverged 145 to 200 million years ago. Comparative genomics tools were used to screen genomic DNA fragments located in the 5′-end flanking regions of orthologous genes. These analyses resulted in the identification of 137 sequences, designated “mosquito motifs,” 7 to 9 nucleotides in length, representing 18 families of putative cis-regulatory elements conserved significantly among the 3 species when compared to the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Forty-one of the motifs were implicated previously in experiments as sites for binding transcription factors or functioning in the regulation of mosquito gene expression. Further analyses revealed associations between specific motifs and expression profiles, particularly in those genes that show increased or decreased mRNA abundance in females following a blood meal, and those accumulating transcription products exclusively or preferentially in the midgut, fat bodies, or ovaries. These results validate the methodology and support a relationship between the discovered motifs and the conservation of hematophagy in mosquitoes.
Oxidative Stress Mediates a Reduced Expression of the Activating Receptor NKG2D in NK Cells from End-Stage Renal Disease Patients1

To characterize the immune defect of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), we performed NK cell subset analysis in 66 patients with ESRD treated by hemodialysis (n = 59) or peritoneal dialysis (n = 7). Compared with healthy blood donors, patients undergoing chronic dialysis showed a profound decrease in NKG2D+ cells within both the CD8+ T cell (58% vs 67%, p = 0.03) and NK cell (39% vs 56%, p = 0.002) populations. CD56dim cells, which comprise the majority of NK cells in the periphery, were more affected in this regard than were CD56bright cells. Uremic serum could decrease NKG2D expression on NK cells from healthy donors. Among factors that could contribute to the decrease in NKG2D expression in ESRD patients, reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a major role. We found that catalase could reverse the effects of uremic serum on NKG2D expression (p < 0.001) and that ROS down-regulated NKG2D at the mRNA level and at the NK cell surface. Additionally, ESRD patients had both increased membrane-bound MHC class I-related chain A (MICA) on monocytes (p = 0.04) and increased soluble MICA (203 pg/ml vs 110 pg/ml; p < 0.001). Both ROS and uremic serum could significantly increase in vitro the expression of the NKG2D ligand MICA on the renal epithelial cell line HK-2. Taken together, these studies suggest for the first time that both low NKG2D expression and up-regulation of its ligand MICA are related to ROS production and may be involved in the immune deficiency of ESRD patients.
Spectral Method of Moments for Planar Structures With Azimuthal Symmetry

An efficient method-of-moments formulation is proposed for the analysis of planar structures in the presence of azimuthally symmetric fields. Boundary integral equations are derived for TM and TE polarizations, assuming as a reference structure a metal plate with a finite number of concentric annular slots placed above a stratified medium. The equations are discretized with a Galerkin testing scheme in the Fourier-Bessel domain, adopting suitable sub-domain basis functions that ensure a very rapid convergence of the involved spectral integrals. Numerical validation is provided by comparison with state-of-art simulation software, considering planar antennas with omnidirectional radiation patterns, in order to show the accuracy of the proposed formulation.
Forecasting severe rainfall in the equatorial Southeast Asia

Accurate prediction of monsoon heavy rainfall events in the equatorial region has always been a challenge to weather forecasters. In this paper, forecast of a severe precipitation event that occurred over the eastern central coast of Peninsular Malaysia was attempted using the state-of-the-art Florida State University (FSU) Global and Regional Spectral Models. The sensitivity of parameterized convection in these models on precipitation forecast skill is studied using two different parameterization schemes for cumulus convection (the Relaxed Arakawa-Schubert scheme and the modified Kuo scheme). Low precipitation threshold of rainfall less than 2 mm day–1 was successfully predicted by both versions of the FSU model. However, the convection schemes lacked skill in predicting the correct placement of the area and amount for the high precipitation threshold greater than 40 mm day–1. Further evaluation of the predictive skills showed that the Relaxed Arakawa-Schubert scheme was a consistently better predictor of rainfall due to its low bias and lower root mean square errors (RMSEs) compared to the modified Kuo parameterization scheme.
The Acceptance of VLEs (Virtual Learning Environments) by Primary School Teachers

This article presents a study on the conditions of use of a VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) by primary school teachers. To this end, we used research related to activity theory and implemented qualitative methods (individual and collective interviews). Our study describes how teachers (8 participants) perceived the role of the VLE in the evolution of their working practices (maintaining, transforming or restricting existent practices), in their relationship with parents and in the follow-up of their students.
Calculation of percentage changes in volumes of blood, plasma, and red cells in dehydration.

Calculation of pcrccntage changes in volumes of blood, plasma, and red cells in dehydration. (Hct) and hemoglobin (Hb) were Inade in six men before and after running long enough to cause a 4y0 decrease in body weight. Subscripts B and A were used to denote before dehydration and after dehydration , respectively. Relations were derived between BVn, and HctA with which one can calculate the percentage decreases in BV, CV, and PV, as well as the concentration of hemoglobin in red cells, g. 100 ml-l (MCHC). When subjects reach the same level of dehydration the water loss from the various body compartments may vary reflecting difference in salt losses in sweat. Changes in PV calculated from the increase in plasma protein concentration averaged-7.5(z compared with-12.2 y0 calculated from changes in Hb and Hct. The difference could be accounted for by a loss of 6v10 plasma protein from the circulation. hematocrit; hemoglobin; exercise; sweat; body temperature WHEN MAN is acutely dehydrated plasma volulne (PV) decreases: Adolph has postulated that only protein-free filtrate leaves the bloodstream and that the increase in concentration of protein in plasma can be used to calculate the percentage decrease in PV (1). However, Dill et al. (3) have shown that this postulate is not valid for all subjects, at least in desert walks of 1 h or more. On the other hand, the protein of red cells, hemoglobin, cannot leave the red cells let alone the blood. This suggests using measurement of concentration of hemoglobin in blood and percentage of red cells in blood before and after dehydration to estimate percentage changes in volumes of plasma and of red cells. METHODS Six trained men ran on a motor-driven treadmill for 2 h at from 60 to 75% Of VOz max. The ambient temperature was 22.2 =i= 0.4OC and the relative humidity 40-45 $& Venous blood was drawn from the antecubital vein of the reclining subject before exercise and 30 min after the run. The hematocrit (Hct) was measured in triplicate with a microhematocrit centrifuge and corrected for 4? & plasma trapped with the packed red cells. Hemoglobin (Hb) was measured by the cyanmethemoglobin method. Standard Hb curves were established with a standard supplied by Hycel, Inc. Percentage changes in blood volume (BV), red cell volume (CV), and plasma volume (PV) were calculated from values for Hb and Hct in each of the six men before and after losing …
Effects of Membrane Charge and Order on Membrane Binding of the Retroviral Structural Protein Gag

ABSTRACT The retroviral structural protein Gag binds to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane (PM), and many cellular proteins do so as well. We used Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) Gag together with membrane sensors to study the principles governing peripheral protein membrane binding, including electrostatics, specific recognition of phospholipid headgroups, sensitivity to phospholipid acyl chain compositions, preference for membrane order, and protein multimerization. We used an in vitro liposome-pelleting assay to test protein membrane binding properties of Gag, the well-characterized MARCKS peptide, a series of fluorescent electrostatic sensor proteins (mNG-KRn), and the specific phosphatidylserine (PS) binding protein Evectin2. RSV Gag and mNG-KRn bound well to membranes with saturated and unsaturated acyl chains, whereas the MARCKS peptide and Evectin2 preferentially bound to membranes with unsaturated acyl chains. To further discriminate whether the primary driving force for Gag membrane binding is electrostatic interactions or preference for membrane order, we measured protein binding to giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) containing the same PS concentration in both disordered (Ld) and ordered (Lo) phases. RSV Gag and mNG-KRn membrane association followed membrane charge, independent of membrane order. Consistent with pelleting data, the MARCKS peptide showed preference for the Ld domain. Surprisingly, the PS sensor Evectin2 bound to the PS-rich Ld domain with 10-fold greater affinity than to the PS-rich Lo domain. In summary, we found that RSV Gag shows no preference for membrane order, while proteins with reported membrane-penetrating domains show preference for disordered membranes. IMPORTANCE Retroviral particles assemble on the PM and bud from infected cells. Our understanding of how Gag interacts with the PM and how different membrane properties contribute to overall Gag assembly is incomplete. This study examined how membrane charge and membrane order influence Gag membrane association. Consistent with previous work on RSV Gag, we report here that electrostatic interactions provide the primary driving force for RSV Gag membrane association. Using phase-separated GUVs with known lipid composition of the Ld and Lo phases, we demonstrate for the first time that RSV Gag is sensitive to membrane charge but not membrane order. In contrast, the cellular protein domain MARCKS and the PS sensor Evectin2 show preference for disordered membranes. We also demonstrate how to define GUV phase composition, which could serve as a tool in future studies of protein membrane interactions.
Correlates of Walking for Transportation and Use of Public Transportation Among Adults in St Louis, Missouri, 2012

Introduction Attributes of the built environment can influence active transportation, including use of public transportation. However, the relationship between perceptions of the built environment and use of public transportation deserves further attention. The objectives of this study were 1) to assess the relationship between personal characteristics and public transportation use with meeting national recommendations for moderate physical activity through walking for transportation and 2) to examine associations between personal and perceived environmental factors and frequency of public transportation use. Methods In 2012, we administered a mail-based survey to 772 adults in St Louis, Missouri, to assess perceptions of the built environment, physical activity, and transportation behaviors. The abbreviated International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess walking for transportation and use of public transportation. The Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale was used to examine perceptions of the built environment. Associations were assessed by using multinomial logistic regression. Results People who used public transportation at least once in the previous week were more likely to meet moderate physical activity recommendations by walking for transportation. Age and employment were significantly associated with public transportation use. Perceptions of high traffic speed and high crime were negatively associated with public transportation use. Conclusion Our results were consistent with previous research suggesting that public transportation use is related to walking for transportation. More importantly, our study suggests that perceptions of traffic speed and crime are related to frequency of public transportation use. Future interventions to encourage public transportation use should consider policy and planning decisions that reduce traffic speed and improve safety.
Comparison of Two Different Vascular Delay Methods in a Rat Cranial Epigastric Perforator Flap Model

The effectiveness of vascular delay in transverse rectus abdominis muscle flaps has been demonstrated in many studies. In deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps, however, the effectiveness of ligation of deep versus superficial epigastric vessels in producing delay is unclear. Using a rat model, we compared ligation of deep and superficial vessels with each other and with a (nondelayed) control group (n = 10). One vascular delay group (n = 10) had ligation of the contralateral cranial epigastric vessels (homolog to the human deep inferior epigastric vessels); the other (n = 10) had ligation of contralateral superficial inferior epigastric vessels. One week later, cranial epigastric perforator flap elevation was performed. Both vascular techniques were effective in producing delay, and there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups. Ligation of superficial inferior epigastric vessels, deep inferior epigastric vessels, or both, at least 1 week prior to the deep inferior epigastric perforator flap elevation may increase the usable skin paddle area in humans.
A cluster randomised controlled trial of patient-held medical records for people with schizophrenia receiving shared care.

BACKGROUND Patient-held records can improve communication across the primary-secondary interface. There has been no previous rigorous assessment of the utility of patient-held records for people with schizophrenia from a primary care perspective and their value for this population is unclear. AIM To evaluate the effectiveness of a patient-held record for patients with schizophrenia receiving shared care. DESIGN OF STUDY Cluster randomised controlled trial. SETTING Seventy-four general practices and six community mental health localities in Birmingham, England between June 1998 and June 1999. METHOD A sample of 201 patients with schizophrenia (ICD-10 classification F20) was recruited; of these, 100 were intervention and 101 were control. Patient-held records were given to the intervention patients. At 12-month follow-up, all patients were accounted for and 191 (95%) were revisited. Primary outcomes were the Verona Service Satisfaction Scale-54 (VSSS-54) and the Krawiecka and Goldberg (K & G) rating scale of psychopathology at 12-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes were use of primary and secondary care services. RESULTS A total of 63/92 (68.5%) patients still had the patient-held record, 64/92 (69.6%) had used it, and 39 (60.9%) of the 64 who had used it said the patient-held record was regularly used by their keyworker. However the patient-held record had no significant effect on primary outcomes (VSSS-54: F1,116 = 0.06, P = 0.801, K & G: F1,116 = 0.6, P = 0.439) or on use of services. A higher symptom score was associated with not using the patient-held record. CONCLUSIONS The trial provides no good evidence to suggest that patient-held records should be introduced as part of routine shared care for all patients with schizophrenia. However, the patient-held record was acceptable to patients with schizophrenia and acted as a communication tool, particularly between patients and keyworkers.
Social marketing

There is a longstanding debate on the contribution of social marketing to public health in general, and to health education and health promotion in particular. This paper presents further discussion from a public health point of view and concludes that priority should be given to health-oriented approaches rather than market-oriented strategies. It is argued that, at best, social marketing is a tool not a solution for health education's and health promotion's problems. To communicate health education messages effectively and efficiently, health needs assessment is recommended as a way forward. It is a public health approach and contains a range of flexible methods in the implementation of health education/promotion programmes.
BER of BFSK with Postdetection Switched Combining in Correlated Rayleigh Fading

The performance of binary frequency-shift keying (BFSK) with dual-branch postdetection switch and stay combining (SSC) in correlated Rayleigh fading is considered. A closedform expression for the average bit error rate (BER) of BFSK with dual-branch postdetection SSC is derived. Optimum switching thresholds that minimize the average BER are obtained. It is shown that, for a fixed value of average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the optimum switching threshold is a decreasing function of branch correlation. Our analytical results are validated using Monte Carlo simulation results. The performance of dual-branch postdetection SSC is compared to the performance of dual-branch predetection SSC in correlated Rayleigh fading and it is shown that postdetection SSC has superior performance over predetection SSC for all values of SNR.
Diagnosis, management and outcome of heart disease in Sudanese patients.

OBJECTIVES To describe the diagnosis, management and outcome of patients with congenital heart disease seen at Sudan Heart Centre. DESIGN A prospective follow up of all patients diagnosed as congenital heart disease. SETTING Sudan Heart Centre. SUBJECTS All children and adults with congenital heart disease seen at Sudan Heart Centre by one paediatric cardiologist from July 2004 to June 2005. RESULTS Five hundred and twenty two patients were evaluated, 435 had abnormal hearts. The median age was 48 months (one day to sixty five years). Congenital heart disease constituted 87% and acquired heart disease and rhythm disorders 13%. The frequency of the different cardiac heart disease was described and in general did not differ from that reported in the literature except for Ebstein anomaly which was noted to be four times more frequent than reported. Cardiac catheterisation was done for 81 patients, for diagnosis in 61 (75%) and for intervention in 20 (25%) patients. Balloon dilatation, atrial septostomy septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus closure with the help of a visiting team, the success rate for interventions was 95%. Surgery was done for 125 patients. Seventy three operations were done by the local team and 52 by the visiting team. The 30 day operative mortality was 8.3%. CONCLUSION Paediatric cardiac service in Sudan in echocardiography and cardiac catheterisation is growing. Cardiac surgical results are comparable to the literature.
Association of TNF-alpha -308 G/A and IL-4 -589 C/T gene promoter polymorphisms with asthma susceptibility in the south of Iran.

BACKGROUND Both tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin (IL) 4 have been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma. Furthermore, a G/A substitution at position -308 of the TNF-alpha gene promoter and a C/T substitution at position -589 of the IL-4 gene promoter have been associated with increased production of TNF-alpha and IL-4, respectively. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to analyze the association between TNF-alpha-308 G/A and IL-4-589 C/T polymorphisms and susceptibility to asthma in a group of patients from southern Iran. METHODS We analyzed the frequency of TNF-alpha -308 G/A and IL-4-589 C/T polymorphisms in a total of 203 asthmatic patients compared to 113 nonasthmatic control subjects. RESULTS An association was observed between the TNF-alpha -308 G/A polymorphism and susceptibility to asthma in patients with a ratio between forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity of less than 75% compared with normal subjects; however, the association did not achieve statistical significance (P = .054). The IL-4-589 C/T polymorphism was associated with asthma susceptibility (P = .02). In addition, the association between this polymorphism and asthma severity approached statistical significance (P = .07). CONCLUSION These results provide further evidence for a role of TNF-alpha-308 G/A and IL-4-589 C/T polymorphisms in susceptibility to and severity of asthma. Further studies involving a larger number of patients may help to confirm our observations.
Steroid sulphatase deficiency is the major cause of extremely low oestriol production at mid‐pregnancy: a urinary steroid assay for the discrimination of steroid sulphatase deficiency from other causes

A method for determining whether a pregnant woman with an extremely low serum oestriol (ELSE) measurement of mid‐trimester is carrying a fetus with steroid sulphatase deficiency or another more serious disorder is described. We undertook GC/MS analysis of steroids in random maternal urine samples and quantified oestriol, oestriol precursors (dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), 5‐androstene‐3β,17β‐diol, 16α‐hydroxy‐dehydroepiandrosterone and 5‐androstene‐3β,16α,17β‐triol), pregnanediol, and five other steroids largely unaffected by pregnancy (androsterone, etiocholanolone, tetrahydrocortisol, 5α‐tetrahydrocortisol and tetrahydrocortisone). Thirty‐two samples collected from seven normal pregnant women between the 7th and 27th week of pregnancy and 22 from individuals with ELSE were analysed. Diagnostic ratios of excreted products were developed. These included ratios of oestriol and oestriol precursors to the cumulative value for the five non‐pregnancy‐related steroids and ratios of oestriol and oestriol precursors to pregnanediol and to each other. Our data demonstrated high 3β‐hydroxy‐5‐ene steroid excretion in all ELSE patients together with low urinary oestriol excretion, a situation only consistent with deficiency of steroid sulphatase. The normal individuals had high oestriol and low excretion of oestriol precursors. No patient in our series showed the low oestriol levels and low oestriol precursor values that would indicate a fetal adrenal abnormality as the underlying defect. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.