Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Model proteolysis of β-casein by immobilized trypsin

SUMMARY The enzymic degradation of β-casein by immobilized trypsin is described and its use as a model system to study proteolytic reactions which occur in milk during processing is examined. Quantitative determination of proteolysis can be obtained by densitometric transmission measurement of patterns obtained by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Staining properties of some of the individual components in the electrophoretic patterns were determined by calibration with pure protein and peptide preparations. The isolation of pure β- and γ-caseins and the preparation of several forms of immobilized trypsin are outlined.
Control schemes based on the wave equation for consensus in multi-agent systems with double-integrator dynamics

In this paper, we consider the problem of driving a group of agents communicating through an undirected and weighted network towards a consensus point. We assume that agents obey to double-integrator dynamics and study decentralized control schemes for consensus of the position variables. In particular we revisit control policies proposed in [1] and [2] in the unified framework of Partial difference Equations over graphs and highlight the link between the closed-loop system dynamics and the damped wave equation describing the motion of a free elastic beam.
Bispectral index monitoring in patients undergoing cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass

Background and objective: Monitoring the depth of anaesthesia by the bispectral index facilitates the titration of anaesthetic drugs during operation as well as assisting in early recovery. We planned to use this index to control the administration of anaesthetic agents in order to stabilize haemodynamics and promote recovery from anaesthesia in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods: Thirty adult patients undergoing valve replacement or coronary artery grafting under cardiopulmonary bypass were studied in a prospective, randomized, controlled study. Bispectral index monitoring was used in all patients. Patients received isoflurane anaesthesia and boluses of morphine: in the study group, anaesthetic depth was controlled using the bispectral index and clinical variables. In the control group, the bispectral index monitor could not be viewed by the anaesthesiologist. Bispectral index, mean arterial pressure and heart rate were noted every 5 min, and the incidence of hypotension, hypertension, tachycardia and bradycardia also noted. The time to recovery, when patients started obeying commands, was also recorded. Results: Patients in the study group had significantly less hypertension and tachycardia (P < 0.05) than those in the control group. The time to recovery of consciousness was less in the study group than in the control group (n.s., P > 0.05). The bispectral index rose significantly in the control group at the time of institution and termination of cardiopulmonary bypass (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Anaesthesia controlled by bispectral index monitoring decreases the incidence of haemodynamic disturbances and facilitates titration of anaesthetic agents during cardiopulmonary bypass and thus may assist recovery from anaesthesia.
The Level of Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Is Associated With the Therapeutic Efficacy of Modified Electroconvulsive Therapy in Chinese Patients With Depression

Objective: To investigate the association between the level of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (sBDNF) and the therapeutic efficacy of modified electroconvulsive therapy (MECT) in Chinese patients with depressive disorder. Methods: Twenty-eight patients with depressive episode and 28 healthy subjects were recruited in the current study. The sBDNF level was examined in all subjects before treatment and after a 2-week treatment with MECT in patients with depression. The severity of depression was measured according to the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression in patients with depression. Results: The severity of depression reduced significantly in patients with depression after a 2-week treatment with MECT (31.39 [SD, 4.65] vs 8.14 [5.52], P < 0.001). Serum BDNF level in patients with depression was significantly lower than that of the control group before treatment (5.66 [SD, 2.07] vs 9.17 [SD, 1.26] ng/mL, P < 0.001), then increased remarkably to the level of control subjects 2 weeks after MECT (7.90 [SD, 3.42] ng/mL). The increasing rate of sBDNF in patients with depression was significantly correlated with the decreasing rate of the total 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score (r = 0.532, P = 0.004) and cluster scores of cognitive dysfunction (P = 0.018) and retardation (P = 0.048). Conclusion: The change in sBDNF is associated with the therapeutic efficacy of MECT in Chinese patients with depression.
Sequences regulating tropism of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 for brain capillary endothelial cells map to a unique region on the viral genome

Two infectious molecular clones of human immunodeficiency virus type 1, NL4-3 and JR-CSF, differ in their abilities to productively infect human brain capillary endothelial (HBCE) cells. The phenotypes of recombinants between these two molecular strains were examined to identify viral sequences responsible for the difference in HBCE cell tropism between the two parental strains. Our results indicate that HBCE cell tropism maps to a region that encompasses the C1 region of env and includes overlapping reading frames for the accessory genes vpr, vpu, tat, and rev. This region was unique for HBCE cell tropism and did not cosegregate with either macrophage or T-cell line tropism. However, several recombinant clones displayed dual tropism for both HBCE cells and macrophages. These endothelial cell- and macrophage-tropic strains may have a unique pathogenic advantage by entering the brain via HBCE cells and subsequently infecting microglial cells with high efficiency, leading to the induction of human immunodeficiency virus dementia.
Accuracy of Postoperative Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Image Fusion for Assessing Deep Brain Stimulation Electrodes

BACKGROUND:Knowledge of the anatomic location of the deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrode in the brain is essential in quality control and judicious selection of stimulation parameters. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) imaging coregistered with preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is commonly used to document the electrode location safely. The accuracy of this method, however, depends on many factors, including the quality of the source images, the area of signal artifact created by the DBS lead, and the fusion algorithm. OBJECTIVE:To calculate the accuracy of determining the location of active contacts of the DBS electrode by coregistering postoperative CT image to intraoperative MRI. METHODS:Intraoperative MRI with a surrogate marker (carbothane stylette) was digitally coregistered with postoperative CT with DBS electrodes in 8 consecutive patients. The location of the active contact of the DBS electrode was calculated in the stereotactic frame space, and the discrepancy between the 2 images was assessed. RESULTS:The carbothane stylette significantly reduces the signal void on the MRI to a mean diameter of 1.4 ± 0.1 mm. The discrepancy between the CT and MRI coregistration in assessing the active contact location of the DBS lead is 1.6 ± 0.2 mm, P < . 001 with iPlan (BrainLab AG, Erlangen, Germany) and 1.5 ± 0.2 mm, P < . 001 with Framelink (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota) software. CONCLUSION:CT/MRI coregistration is an acceptable method of identifying the anatomic location of DBS electrode and active contacts.
An investigation of the role played by frequency and uncertainty in hotel outsourcing decisions

This paper draws on Transaction Cost Economics (TCE) theory (Coase; Williamson) to examine hotel outsourcing. The study focuses on the uncertainty and frequency attributes, two of three activities attributes that TCE theorists see as affecting the propensity to outsource. Qualitative data was collected by interviewing 15 senior managers in large hotels. While several observations made supported the frequency tenet of TCE, which holds that frequently and extensively conducted activities will be outsourced to a low extent, two specific departures were noted. These departures resulted in the proposition of an extension to the TCE frequency tenet. The TCE doctrine also holds that uncertain activities will be outsourced to a low extent. Again, although observations made supported this view, one specific observation that contradicted the theory was noted.
Functional gene testing of the Glu298Asp polymorphism of the endothelial NO synthase

Objectives To test whether the Glu298Asp polymorphism of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene is of functional relevance in humans by altering endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Background The Asp298 variant of the eNOS gene product has been associated with arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction. The pathogenetic mechanism has not yet been elucidated. Since endothelium-dependent vasodilation has been shown to be impaired in these disorders, we hypothesized that the Glu298Asp polymorphism of the eNOS gene influences endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Methods In 80 patients with normal or elevated cholesterol, endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilation was assessed. Forearm blood flow was measured by plethysmography in response to intra-arterial (i.a.) infusion of 12 and 48 μg/min acetylcholine and 3.2 and 12.8 μg/min nitroprusside, respectively. NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) in doses of 4, 8 and 16 μmol/min was infused to test basal nitric oxide (NO) production and release. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples to determine the Glu298Asp polymorphism of the eNOS gene at position 1917 G/T after BanII restriction. Results Baseline parameters (age, gender, blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol level) were similar across the genotypes. Genotype frequencies did not deviate from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No differences in forearm blood flow to i.a. acetylcholine (average increase: + 554 ± 371±), nitroprusside or L-NMMA infusion were found across the eNOS genotypes, neither for endothelium-dependent or endothelium-independent vasodilation, nor for basal NO production and release. Our sample size of n = 80 had a power of > 80 > (α = 0.20) with a P value < 0.05 (β = 0.05) to detect a 200% difference in forearm blood flow response to 48 μg/min acetylcholine. Conclusions At a power of 80%, we can exclude a relevant effect on endothelium-dependent vasodilation due to the eNOS Glu298Asp polymorphism. Thus, our functional genetic study does not suggest any biological effect of the eNOS Glu298Asp genotype on the cardiovascular system via an influence on endothelium-dependent vasodilation.
Breathers in Hamiltonian PT -Symmetric Chains of Coupled Pendula under a Resonant Periodic Force

We derive a Hamiltonian version of the ${\cal PT}$-symmetric discrete nonlinear Schr\"{o}dinger equation that describes synchronized dynamics of coupled pendula driven by a periodic movement of their common strings. In the limit of weak coupling between the pendula, we classify the existence and spectral stability of breathers (time-periodic solutions localized in the lattice) supported near one pair of coupled pendula. Orbital stability or instability of breathers is proved in a subset of the existence region.
Menstrual Factors and Stroke Incidence in Japanese Postmenopausal Women: The Ohasama Study

Background: The association between stroke and menstrual factors, for example, age at the time of menarche and age at the time of menopause, has not been well studied so far and the findings are inconsistent. We sought to examine this association in Japanese postmenopausal women. Methods: We followed 1,412 postmenopausal women aged ≥35 without a history of stroke in Ohasama, Japan. Baseline data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs of each menstrual factor for stroke incidence were calculated using the Cox proportional hazard model. Results: During a median follow-up of 12.8 years, 143 participants developed a stroke for the first time. Women aged ≤13 at the time of menarche had a significantly higher probability of encountering a stroke incidence in their lives compared with women aged 15 at the time of menarche (HR 1.83; 95% CI 1.04-3.22). The same was also true for cerebral infarction (HR 2.34; 95% CI 1.18-4.66). While early menopause was not significantly associated with stroke incidence, women aged ≤45 at the time of menopause faced a higher risk for cerebral infarction compared with women aged 50 years at the time of menopause (HR 3.25; 95% CI 1.54-6.86). Conclusions: Early menarche and its associated features might be a useful tool for future intervention strategies targeting modifiable factors that trigger menstrual onset.
Carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms. A study of 19 patients.

✓ The symptoms, signs, and treatment of 19 patients with carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms are reviewed and the related surgical anatomy discussed. The importance of good oblique angiograms and the hazards of craniotomy are emphasized. Common carotid ligation is recommended as the treatment of choice.
IMUNOTERAPIA CONTRA PITIOSE: CARACTERIZAÇÃO MOLECULAR DE ISOLADOS BRASILEIROS DE Pythium insidiosum

O Pythium insidiosum e um oomiceto aquatico causador da pitiose, uma importante enfermidade em humanos e animais, sendo prevalente em areas tropicais e subtropicais. No Brasil foi relatada pela primeira vez em 1974. Desde entao varios casos desta enfermidade tem sido descritos por todo o pais. Os insucessos de terapias antifungicas aliados aos casos nao responsivos a imunoterapia existente impulsionam estudos moleculares a fim de investigar possiveis variacoes geneticas entre os isolados brasileiros de forma a contribuir nas pesquisas para a melhoria do imunoterapico disponivel. Assim, o presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a diversidade genetica de 30 isolados de P. insidiosum provenientes de diferentes regioes do Brasil, bem como compara-los com isolados tailandeses, um isolado da America Central e outro isolado da America do Norte atraves do sequenciamento e das analises das regioes do DNA genomico correspondentes a citocromo c oxidase (COX II) e ITS1, 5.8S rRNA e ITS2 do rDNA (ITS). As analises das sequencias de nucleotideos de ambas as regioes foram realizadas, individualmente e em combinacao, utilizando as seguintes metodologias: maxima parcimonia (Maximum parsimony, MP); Neighbor-joining (NJ); maxima verossimilhanca (Maximum likelihood, ML); e analise Bayesiana (Bayesian analysis, BA). Os dados demonstraram que todos os isolados de P. insidiosum sao monofileticos em relacao as outras especies de Pythium. A analise das sequencias do gene COX II subdividiu os isolados de P. insidiosum em tres grupos, cuja disposicao demonstra os isolados tailandeses como parafiletico em relacao aos isolados brasileiros. As analises moleculares realizadas neste estudo sugerem uma proximidade evolutiva entre todos os isolados americanos, incluindo os brasileiros, da Costa Rica e dos Estados Unidos, os quais foram agrupados juntos em um unico grupo. Na analise de network do gene COX II os resultados apresentaram sinais de uma recente expansao dos isolados de P. insidosum para a America, provavelmente oriundos do continente asiatico. Pela analise do gene COX II foi possivel evidenciar os maiores niveis de variabilidade genetica entre os isolados de P. insidiosum avaliados, alem disso, foram demonstrados os maiores niveis de informacao filogenetica, quando comparada a analise da regiao ITS. Contudo, os dois marcadores geneticos selecionados para este estudo revelaram-se inteiramente congruentes nas relacoes filogeneticas entre os isolados brasileiros de P. insidiosum, reunindo-os em um unico grupo monofiletico o qual nao demonstrou haver variabilidade genetica. Os resultados obtidos indicam que a cepa utilizada na producao do imunoterapico Pitium-Vac e representativa dos isolados brasileiros de P. insidiosum. %%%%The Pythium insidiosum is an aquatic oomycete that is the causative agent of pythiosis, an important disease in humans and animals that is prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas. In Brazil it was first reported in 1974, then several cases this disease has been reported throughout the country. The failure in the…
Synergy between Conserved ABC Signature Ser Residues in P-glycoprotein Catalysis*

Functional roles of the two ABC signature sequences (“LSGGQ”) in the N- and C-terminal nucleotide binding domains of P-glycoprotein were studied by mutating the conserved Ser residues to Ala. The two single mutants (S528A; S1173A) each impaired ATPase activity mildly, and showed generally symmetrical effects on function, consistent with equivalent mechanistic roles of the two nucleotide sites. Synergy between the two mutations when combined was remarkable and resulted in strong catalytic impairment. The Ser residues are not involved significantly in MgATP- or MgADP-binding or in interdomain communication between catalytic sites and drug binding sites. Retention of product MgADP is not the cause of reduced turnover. Mutation of Ser to Ala reduced the strength of interaction with the chemical transition state specifically, as shown by vanadate-ADP and beryllium fluoride-ADP trapping experiments. Therefore, the two conserved ABC signature motif Ser residues of P-glycoprotein cooperatively accelerate ATP hydrolysis via chemical transition state interaction. Because the transition state complex is currently believed to form in the dimerized state of the nucleotide binding domains, one may also conclude that both Ser-OH are necessary for correct formation of the dimer state.
A vortex model for forces and moments on low-aspect-ratio wings in side-slip with experimental validation

This paper studies low-aspect-ratio () rectangular wings at high incidence and in side-slip. The main objective is to incorporate the effects of high angle of attack and side-slip into a simplified vortex model for the forces and moments. Experiments are also performed and are used to validate assumptions made in the model. The model asymptotes to the potential flow result of classical aerodynamics for an infinite aspect ratio. The → 0 limit of a rectangular wing is considered with slender body theory, where the side-edge vortices merge into a vortex doublet. Hence, the velocity fields transition from being dominated by a spanwise vorticity monopole ( ≫ 1) to a streamwise vorticity dipole ( ∼ 1). We theoretically derive a spanwise loading distribution that is parabolic instead of elliptic, and this physically represents the additional circulation around the wing that is associated with reattached flow. This is a fundamental feature of wings with a broad-facing leading edge. The experimental measurements of the spanwise circulation closely approximate a parabolic distribution. The vortex model yields very agreeable comparison with direct measurement of the lift and drag, and the roll moment prediction is acceptable for ≤ 1 prior to the roll stall angle and up to side-slip angles of 20°.
Interaction of COMT rs4680 and BDNF rs6265 polymorphisms on functional connectivity density of the left frontal eye field in healthy young adults

As modulators of dopamine availability and release in the brain, COMT and BDNF polymorphisms have demonstrated interactions on human cognition; however, the underlying neural mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the interactions of COMT rs4680 and BDNF rs6265 on global functional connectivity density (gFCD) of the brain in 265 healthy young subjects. We found a significant COMT × BDNF interaction on the gFCD in the left frontal eye field (FEF), showing an inverted U‐shape modulation by the presumed dopamine signaling. This finding was consistently repeated in the gFCD analyses using other four connection thresholds. Our findings reveal a COMT × BDNF interaction on the FCD in the left FEF, which may be helpful for understanding the neural mechanisms of the COMT × BDNF interactions on the FEF‐related cognitive functions. Hum Brain Mapp 37:2468–2478, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dexamethasone suppression test and TRH test in endogenous depression

ABSTRACT – Dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation test were performed in 34 patients with endogenous depression. Compared with 33 psychiatric controls (limit of discrimination for serum cortisol of 275 nmol/l = 10 μg/ 100 ml) the specificity of the DST was 91 % and the sensitivity was 65 %. Compared with 24 healthy subjects the sensitivity of the TRH test was 24 %, and the combined sensitivity for the DST and the TRH test was 76 %. In contrast to the TRH test the DST showed a significant relationship (r= 0.54, P < 0.01) to the Hamilton Rating Score. Repeating the tests after clinical recovery parallel changes of the two tests were found in 14 of 19 patients with abnormal DST in the depressed phase. In the remaining five patients the DST normalized, while the TRH test remained unchanged. It is suggested that both the apparent higher diagnostic sensitivity and the higher rate of normalization after clinical recovery of the DST is due to the dependency of the severity of depression.
Prevalence and determinants of isolated systolic hypertension among young adults: the 1999–2004 US National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey

Background Little is known about isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) in younger adults. We examined the prevalence and determinants of ISH in this age group using the 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) and made comparisons using data from NHANES III (1988–1994). Methods A total of 5685 adults aged 18–39 years and not on antihypertensive medications were analyzed. Prevalence estimates of ISH and potential risk factors were estimated by age and sex. For comparison of prevalence estimates with published reports of NHANES III data, age cutoffs (18–24, 25–34, and 35–44 year) by sex were also employed. A multivariate logistic regression model tested independent determinants of ISH. Results ISH in young adults had a higher prevalence than systolic/diastolic hypertension (1.57 ± 0.23% vs. 0.93 ± 0.18%). ISH prevalence increased within the last decade particularly for men for each respective age category [men (0.8 vs. 2.2%, 1.3 vs. 2.4%, 1.3 vs. 2.4%), women (0.0 vs. 0.3%, 0.1 vs. 0.7%, 1.7 vs. 1.8%)]. On multivariate analysis, obesity [odds ratio (OR): 2.68, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06, 6.77], male sex (OR: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.10, 4.37), education level less than high school (OR: 2.98, 95% CI: 1.10, 8.06), and current smoking (OR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.03, 4.11) were characteristics independently associated with higher odds of ISH among young adults. Relative increases in prevalence between the surveys were noted for current smoking (24.3 vs. 51.5%), obesity (33.9 vs. 42.7%) and low educational level (18.4 vs. 38.6%). Conclusion ISH among young adults is increasing in prevalence, and is more common than systolic/diastolic hypertension. Obesity, smoking, and low socioeconomic status appear to be important determinants of ISH among young adults and have all increased over the last decade.