Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rheological properties of rosettes formed by red blood cells parasitized by Plasmodium falciparum

A proportion of red blood cells parasitized by Plasmodium falciparum form rosettes with non‐parasitized red cells. Although these rosettes are thought to impair microcirculatory flow, their rheological characteristics have not been fully described. Using dual‐micropipette manipulation to pull apart individual rosettes, we found that the forces binding rosettes together were strong (average force for removal of a cell was 4.4 10‐10 N, approximately 5 times that required to detach a parasitized cell adhered to cultured endothelium). If disrupted rosettes were re‐formed, cells resetted immediately on contact, but the strength of attachment increased over minutes, and did not apparently reach its maximal level for hours. All non‐parasitized cells tested could adhere to rosette‐forming parasitized cells. Rosettes could withstand arterial flow stresses (1.4–1.6 Pa) for minutes without disintegration. To test the effects of resetting on flow resistance, the time required for entry into a 4.3 μm pipette was measured. Entry times depended strongly on the number of cells in the rosette, and averaged 35 times longer than for non‐parasitized cells. Our studies show that the cell‐cell attachments within rosettes are strong, and suggest that rosettes might survive both the arterial circulation and passage through microvessels and could contribute to the ischaemic complications of falciparum malaria.
A eficiência das redes sociais em processos de recrutamento organizacional

Technological advances have affected the Human Resource Management, including the organizational recruitment process. The theoretical framework that justified the development of the purpose of the study addressed the following topics: Strategic Human Resources Management and recruitment; e-HR and virtual recruitment practices. This research is a case study applying exploratory and descriptive methodology and with quantitative approach. 45 recruiters from four different areas of the company ManpowerGroup.answered the questionnaire. The findings indicate the efficiency of social networks in the search and identification of candidates in the recruitment process compared to the use of other strategies. Considering the results, we suggest investigations that broaden the sample and the adoption of the mixed approach in the futures studies.
Analysis of plasmids in nosocomial strains of multiple-antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Nosocomial infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus strains resistant to methicillin and multiple antibiotics have reached epidemic proportions in Melbourne, Australia, over the past 5 years. Plasmid analysis of representative clinical isolates demonstrated the presence of three classes of plasmid DNA in most strains. Resistance to gentamicin, kanamycin, and tobramycin was usually mediated by an 18-megadalton plasmid but could also be encoded by a related 22-megadalton plasmid. Two distinguishable plasmids of 3 megadaltons each endowed resistance to chloramphenicol, and the third class consisted of small plasmids, each approximately 1 megadalton in size, with no attributable function. An extensive array of resistance determinants, including some which have usually been associated with a plasmid locus, were found to exist on the chromosome. Evidence that resistance to gentamicin, kanamycin, and tobramycin is chromosomally encoded in some clinical isolates suggests that this determinant may have undergone genetic translocation onto the staphylococcal chromosome.
Evaluation of sleep architecture in practitioners of Sudarshan Kriya yoga and Vipassana meditation

Yoga is an ancient Indian science and way of life that has been described in the traditional texts as a systematic method of achieving the highest possible functional harmony between body and mind. Yogic practices are claimed to enhance the quality of sleep. Electrophysiological correlates associated with the higher states of consciousness have been reported in long-term practitioners of transcendental meditation during deep sleep states. The present study was carried out to assess sleep architecture in Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) and Vipassana meditators. This was to ascertain the differences, if any, in sleep architecture following yogic practices. Whole night polysomnographic recordings were carried out in 78 healthy male subjects belonging to control and yoga groups. The groups studied were aged between 20 and 30-years-old (younger) and 31 to 55-years-old (middle-aged). The sleep architecture was comparable among the younger control and yoga groups. While slow wave sleep (non-REM (rapid eye movement) S3 and S4) had reduced to 3.7 percent in the middle-aged control group, participants of the middle-aged yoga groups (both SKY and Vipassana) showed no such decline in slow wave sleep states, which was experienced by 11.76 and 12.76 percent, respectively, of the SKY and Vipassana groups. However, Vipassana practitioners showed a significant enhancement (P < 0.001) in their REM sleep state from that of the age-matched control subjects and also from their SKY counterparts. Yoga practices help to retain slow wave sleep and enhance the REM sleep state in the middle age; they appear to retain a younger biological age as far as sleep is concerned. Overall, the study demonstrates the possible beneficial role of yoga in sleep-wakefulness behavior.
Analysis of the Peritoneal Equilibration Test in Mexico and Factors Influencing the Peritoneal Transport Rate

Objective To validate the peritoneal equilibration test (PET), establish reference values in the Mexican population, compare our results with those reported by Twardowski et al., and analyze the influence of some factors on the peritoneal transport rate (PTR). Design Retrospective, cross-sectional study. Patients Eighty-six PETs were performed in 45 female and 41 male patients; 35 of the patients were diabetics. Creatinine D/P and glucose D/D0 ratios were calculated and compared with those from Twardowski et al. In a multi-variate analysis, age, gender, diabetes mellitus (DM), time on dialysis, and peritonitis rate were considered as independent factors influencing the PTR. Results Creatinine D/P and glucose D/D0 ratios at 4 hours were not significantly different from those reported by Twardowski et al. Creatinine D/P at 4 hours was not different between DM and non-DM patients when the rate of peritonitis and time on dialysis were not taken into account. Multivariate analysis did not result in any significant model predicting the creatinine D/P at 4 hours. Conclusions PET validation is reported for the first time in a Latin American population. The PET results of this study are similar to those in the literature. We found that DM, peritonitis rate, time on dialysis, age, and gender did not clearly influence the PTR.
Site-directed mutagenesis of the mecA gene from a methicillin-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus

The mecA-27r gene from Staphylococcus aureus 27r encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a-27r), which causes this strain to be methicillin resistant. Removal or replacement of the N-terminal transmembrane domain had no effect on binding of penicillin, but removal of portions of the putative transglycosylase domain (144, 245, or 341 amino acids after the transmembrane region) destroyed penicillin-binding activity. The SXXK, SXN, and KSG motifs, present in all penicillin-interacting enzymes, were found in the expected linear spatial arrangement within the putative transpeptidase region of PBP2a-27r. Alterations of amino acids in all three of these motifs resulted in elimination of penicillin-binding activity, confirming their roles in the interaction with penicillin.
Coupling of sympathetic and somatic motor outflows from the spinal cord in a perfused preparation of adult mouse in vitro

1 The relationship between sympathetic and somatic motor outflows from thoraco‐lumbar spinal cord was investigated in a novel arterially perfused trunk‐hindquarters preparation of adult mouse. 2 Ongoing activity was present in both somatic motor (obturator, sciatic or femoral nerves) and sympathetic outflows (either renal nerve or abdominal sympathetic chain). Sympathetic activity was rhythmic with bursts frequencies of 0.6‐2.2 Hz. No obvious rhythmic activity was found in the somatic motor outflow. There were periods during which sympathetic and somatic motor activity were correlated. 3 Addition of NMDA (20‐80 μM) to the perfusate elicited repetitive burst discharges in the somatic motor outflow which were sometimes rhythmic. The frequency of these burst discharges/rhythmic activity varied between preparations but in all cases increased with increasing NMDA concentration. 4 NMDA induced burst discharges in the sympathetic outflow. This bursting activity was of the same frequency as the somatic motor outflow and the two were coupled as revealed by correlation analysis. Periods of coupling persisted for up to 3 min. 5 Administration of hexamethonium (300 μM), to block sympathetic ganglionic transmission, had no effect on the somatic motor activity but severely attenuated sympathetic nerve discharge. 6 The thoraco‐sacral cord therefore has the neuronal machinery necessary for generating and coupling activity in somatic motor and sympathetic outflows. Our findings indicate a dynamic control over the degree of coupling. We discuss that the synchronization of these neural outflows reflects either coupling between two independent mechanisms or the presence of a common synaptic driver impinging on both somatic motor and sympathetic neurones.
Serum CYFRA 21-1 in advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer: an early measure of response.

OBJECTIVES Our objective was to test the prognostic importance of both the pretreatment level and change in serum CYFRA 21-1 after one cycle of chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to compare these two CYFRA variables to routine clinical stage and response as measured by imaging. PATIENTS AND METHODS Our patients consisted of 58 with advanced NSCLC who were treated with chemotherapy. Fourteen were stage IIIa, 8 stage IIIb, and 36 stage IV, and none had received previous treatment. The choice of chemotherapy was left to the discretion of the treating physicians. We collected two serum samples, one before the first cycle of chemotherapy and the second before the second cycle, and analyzed these for serum CYFRA 21-1 using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and the ElecSys 2010 system (Roche Diagnostics Corp., Indianapolis, IN). We expressed changes in CYFRA in terms of the natural ratio logarithm of post-treatment to pretreatment CYFRA, and we used the Cox proportional hazards model to analyze survival time. RESULTS Patients experienced an average drop of 27% in serum CYFRA after the first cycle of chemotherapy. Furthermore, the Cox model demonstrated that both the initial natural logarithm of serum CYFRA and presence of >27% drop in CYFRA were significantly related to subsequent survival (model P < 0.0006), but neither clinical stage nor clinical response related to survival (P > 0.1). CONCLUSION In advanced stage NSCLC, the initial level of serum CYFRA appears to provide more prognostic information than clinical stage. Furthermore, a drop of >27% in CYFRA after one cycle of therapy adds prognostic information, so that this threshold appears to be an early measure of response to chemotherapy.
Injection Locking and Switching Operations of a Novel Retro-Reflector-Cavity-Based Semiconductor Micro-Ring Laser

Injection locking and switching characteristics are investigated in the novel retro-reflector-cavitiy-based semiconductor ring laser with equivalent circular radius of 26 mum. The allowed detuning range is up to ~3 GHz wide and the highest side mode suppression ratio of ~43.7 dB can be achieved. A fast response speed of ~70 ps to the cavity is achieved, which indicates that this device can be utilized as an all optical switch at a data rate of 10 Gb/s or higher.
Activin A induction of erythroid differentiation through MKK6‐p38α/p38β pathway is inhibited by follistatin

Activin A is a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β superfamily that regulates cell proliferation and differentiation. Using the p38 inhibitor SB203580, our previous studies demonstrated that p38 was involved in activin A‐mediated hemoglobin (Hb) synthesis in K562 cells. SB203580 is an inhibitor of p38α and p38β isoforms. In this study, we show that p38α and p38β mRNA were expressed in K562 cells and that activin A activated the kinase activities of these isoforms. To investigate the roles of p38α and p38β isoforms in activin A‐mediated erythroid differentiation, we generated stable clones that over‐expressed the dominant negative p38 isoforms p38α(AF) and p38β(AF) in K562 cells. The expressions of either p38α(AF) or p38β(AF) reduced activin A‐induced p38 activation, Hb synthesis, and ζ‐globin promoter activity. Similarly, down‐regulation of either p38α or p38β by isoform‐specific siRNAs also reduced activin A‐induced ζ‐globin promoter activity. Co‐expressions of p38α(AF) and p38β(AF), together, greatly inhibited the transcription activity of the ζ‐globin promoter. Conversely, expression of mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase (MKK) 6b(E), a constitutive activator of p38, significantly activated ζ‐globin promoter. Co‐expressions of either p38α or p38β with MKK6b had a similar activation of ζ‐globin promoter. Activin A induction of erythroid differentiation was inhibited by follistatin. Activin A‐induced phosphorylation of MKK6 and p38 was also inhibited by follistatin. Moreover, over‐expression of MKK6b(E) reverted follistatin inhibition of activin A‐induced ζ‐globin promoter activity. These results demonstrate that activin A induces erythroid differentiation of K562 cells through activation of MKK6‐p38α/p38β pathway and follistatin inhibits those effects. J. Cell. Physiol. 223:687–694, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Availability of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 to APCs Controls the Balance between Regulatory and Inflammatory T Cell Responses

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], the active form of vitamin D, exerts potent effects on several tissues including cells of the immune system, where it affects T cell activation, differentiation and migration. The circulating, inactive form of vitamin D, 25(OH)D3, is generally used as an indication of vitamin D status. However, use of this precursor depends on its uptake by cells and subsequent conversion by the enzyme 25(OH)D3-1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1) into active 1,25(OH)2D3. Using human T cells, we show in this study that addition of inactive 25(OH)D3 is sufficient to alter T cell responses only when dendritic cells (DCs) are present. Mechanistically, CYP27B1 is induced in DCs upon maturation with LPS or upon T cell contact, resulting in the generation and release of 1,25(OH)2D3, which subsequently affects T cell responses. In most tissues, vitamin D binding protein acts as a carrier to enhance the use of vitamin D. However, we show that vitamin D binding protein modulates T cell responses by restricting the availability of inactive 25(OH)D3 to DC. These data indicate that the level of free 25(OH)D3 available to DCs determines the inflammatory/regulatory balance of ensuing T cell responses.
Discounts and Investment Performance of Chinese PIPEs

The Chinese private investment in public equity (PIPE) market offers a unique window into China’s capital markets and their regulatory environment and culture. Chinese PIPEs share many common features with their counterparts in other countries, such as price discounts relative to their publicly traded sister share prices, lock-ups creating illiquidity and incentive distortions, concentrated positions with a few buyers, and a preferred financing tool for companies without other options. But some characteristics of this market are specific to China. Since the regulatory guidelines were introduced in 2006, PIPEs have become the main and, most of the time, the only available equity financing option for listed companies. PIPE applications with the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) are often approved within a few months, whereas IPOs and seasoned equity offerings can take a couple of years to approve (if they’re ever approved at all) and are subject to much tougher requirements. In recent years, the IPO option was simply closed most of the time by the CSRC. As a result, PIPE offerings are, on average, more than 35% of the total shares outstanding and can be as high as 90% or more. PIPE deals are distributed across industries, much like the structure of the Chinese economy: PIPE financing is dominated by firms in industries that have experienced the worst capacity overexpansion, with relatively few deals done in industries that have minimal overcapacity issues. The authors analyze determinants of PIPE discounts, post-PIPE financial performance changes, and post-PIPE excess stock returns. They discuss and design optimal investment strategies to take advantage of PIPE offerings in China and backtest the strategies. The authors conclude that on a risk-adjusted basis, Chinese PIPEs present attractive opportunities.
Asymmetry of Customer Loss and Recovery Under Endogenous Partnerships: Theory and Evidence

This article is inspired by real‐world phenomena that firms lose customers based on imprecise information and take a long time to recover. If consumers are playing an ordinary repeated game with fixed partners, there is no clear reason why recovery happens slowly. However, if consumers are playing an endogenously repeated game, a class of simple efficient equilibria exhibits the asymmetry of fast loss and slow recovery of customers after a bad signal. Exit is systematic, but formation of a new partnership is random. We also give empirical evidence of our equilibria at an individual‐firm level.
Amelioration of melatonin on oxidative stress and genotoxic effects induced by cisplatin in vitro

In this study, we made an effort to evaluate the possible protective actions of melatonin on cisplatin-induced oxidative damage in mice brain homogenate and genotoxic effects in human lymphocytes under in vitro conditions. The tissue homogenate was divided into three parts. The first portion was kept as control treated with dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) (group 1) while the second and third portion were treated with 24 µg/g tissue cisplatin alone (group 2) and 24 µg/g tissue cisplatin in combination with 3 mM melatonin (group 3), respectively. We measured the oxidative stress biomarkers such as lipid peroxidation, 8-hydroxy 2′ deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and antioxidant parameters such as reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase in brain homogenate. Likewise peripheral venous blood was collected from healthy donors and human lymphocyte culture was done using karyotyping medium. Cultures were divided into three groups. Group 1 was the control i.e. lymphocytes treated with DMSO 5 µg/mL. In group 2, lymphocytes were treated with 2 µg/mL cisplatin and group 3 with a combination of 2 µg/mL cisplatin and 0.3 mM melatonin. Incubation of tissue homogenates with cisplatin elevated the malondialdehyde and 8-OHdG levels which were then reversed by melatonin. Reduction in antioxidant parameters with respect to corresponding controls were also restored by melatonin treatment. Furthermore, supplementation of melatonin was found to modulate the chromosome damage elicited by cisplatin which was determined using Giemsa (GTG) banding and karyotyping. These findings suggest that melatonin improves the cellular function and helps them to survive in the belligerent environment created by free radicals.
Tri-Trophic Interactions Between Bt Cotton, the Herbivore Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae), and the Predator Chrysopa pallens (Rambur) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Abstract Tri-trophic impacts of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton GK12 and NuCOTN 99B were studied using a predator, the great lacewing Chrysopa pallens (Rambur), and its prey, the cotton aphid Aphis gossypii Glover, in laboratory feeding experiments. The parental nontransgenic cotton cultivar of GK12 was used as control. The predator was fed with uniform (aphids from a single cultivar) or mixed prey (aphids from the three cotton cultivars provided on alternate days). Mortality and development of the immature stages, pupal body mass, adult sex ratio, fecundity, and egg viability of C. pallens were measured. When fed GK12-originated aphid prey, pupal body mass of C. pallens was significantly higher than that of the control, more females emerged, and these females laid significantly more eggs. Other parameters were not impacted. Females emerging from larvae maintained on NuCOTN 99B-originated prey laid fewer eggs than those maintained on GK12. Other measurements did not differ significantly between the two Bt cotton cultivars. Compared with the control, mixed feeding significantly prolonged pupal development time and increased pupal body mass and percentage of females but did not affect other parameters. These results indicate that C. pallens is sensitive to aphid prey from different cotton cultivars. Transgenic Bt cotton GK12-originated aphid prey has no adverse impact on survival, development, and fecundity of C. pallens. Between the two Bt cotton cultivars, NuCOTN 99B-originated aphid prey provided to C. pallens in the larval stage may lower female fecundity. Mixed feeding of C. pallens with the two Bt cotton–originated prey and non-Bt prey may have some adverse impacts on pupal development.
Neuropeptides trigger oocyte maturation and subsequent spawning in the hydrozoan jellyfish Cytaeis uchidae

Oocyte maturation and subsequent spawning in hydrozoan jellyfish are generally triggered by light‐dark cycles. To examine if the initiation of the maturation process after light stimulus is mediated by neurotransmitters, neuropeptides isolated originally from Hydra magnipapillata were applied to sexually mature female medusae of the hydrozoan jellyfish Cytaeis uchidae. Among the Hydra neuropeptides tested, Hym‐53 (NPYPGLW‐NH2), as well as a nonphysiological peptide, CGLWamide (CGLW‐NH2), were most effective in inducing oocyte maturation and spawning. Hym‐355 (FPQSFLPRG‐NH2) also triggered these events, but the stimulatory effect was weaker. Since Hym‐53‐OH (NPYPGLW) and Hym‐355‐OH (FPQSFLPRG) had no effect, amidation at the C‐terminus may be critical for the stimulatory activities of the peptides. Exposure to Hym‐53 for 2 min was sufficient to trigger of oocyte maturation, and the spawned eggs were able to be fertilized and to develop normally. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed that bundles of axon‐like structures that contain dense‐core synaptic vesicles and microtubules are present in the ovarian ectodermal epithelium overlying the oocytes. In addition, immunohistological analyses revealed that some of the neurons in the ectodermal epithelium are GLWamide‐ and PRGamide‐positive. These results suggest that a neuropeptide signal transduction pathway is involved in mediating the induction of oocyte maturation and spawning in this jellyfish. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 80: 223–232, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.