Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Kalaḅarị vowel harmony

Kalabari Ijo has a restricted vowel co-occurrence pattern which derives from the operation of two types of harmonies : tongue root harmony and back harmony. It also shows a combination of characteristics associated with these independent harmonies: disharmonic low vowel /a/ in the ATR harmony and disharmonic high vowels and height dependence in the back harmony. In this paper, I propose an Optimality Theoretic constraints based analysis of both harmonies (Prince and Smolensky 1993), exploring the original hypothesis that harmony is the result of feature alignment. The central assumption is that both harmonies are general processes affecting the entire vocalic system; that is, all classes of vowels are possible undergoers of both harmonies, subject to overriding constraints. I account for the harmonies with two families of constraints; feature alignment constraints and feature co-occurrence constraints
Lipopolysaccharide structure determines ionic and hydrophobic binding of a cationic antimicrobial neutrophil granule protein

Bactericidal activity and binding of a 57,000-dalton cationic antimicrobial neutrophil granule protein (CAP57) are determined by the presence on bacteria of O-antigen polysaccharide chains and the availability of negatively charged groups in the lipid A region, the inner core region, or both regions of lipopolysaccharide. Polymyxin B (PMB)-resistant mutants with well-defined alterations in lipid A structure and charge (pmrA) are also more resistant to CAP57. We used biologically active radioiodinated CAP57 to study the characteristics and kinetics of binding to a sensitive Rb lipopolysaccharide chemotype, Salmonella typhimurium SH9178, and the relatively resistant pmrA mutant strain SH7426. Binding occurred rapidly and was specific and saturable. Because CAP57 appears to be bound in a manner similar to that of PMB, competition binding studies were performed. Excess PMB did compete with CAP57 for binding to SH9178. Nonapeptide, a polycationic derivative of PMB that has lost its hydrophobic portions, demonstrated a marked decrease in ability to compete for binding with CAP57 compared with PMB. This demonstrated the importance of hydrophobic binding in the interaction of CAP57 with the microbial surface. Thus, we have shown that binding of CAP57 to SH9178 is specific, saturable, and similar to binding of PMB. Both hydrophobic and ionic properties of CAP57 appear to be necessary for binding.
β1 (KCNMB1) Subunits Mediate Lithocholate Activation of Large-Conductance Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels and Dilation in Small, Resistance-Size Arteries

Among the nongenomic effects of steroids, control of vasomotion has received increasing attention. Lithocholate (LC) and other physiologically relevant cholane-derived steroids cause vasodilation, yet the molecular targets and mechanisms underlying this action remain largely unknown. We demonstrate that LC (45 μM) reversibly increases the diameter of pressurized resistance cerebral arteries by ∼10%, which would result in ∼30% increase in cerebral blood flow. LC action is independent of endothelial integrity, prevented by 55 nM iberiotoxin, and unmodified by 0.8 mM 4-aminopyridine, indicating that LC causes vasodilation via myocyte BK channels. Indeed, LC activates BK channels in isolated myocytes through a destabilization of channel long-closed states without modifying unitary conductance. LC channel activation occurs within a wide voltage range and at Ca2+ concentrations reached in the myocyte at rest and during contraction. Channel accessory β1 subunits, which are predominant in smooth muscle, are necessary for LC to modify channel activity. In contrast, β4 subunits, which are predominant in neuronal tissues, fail to evoke LC sensitivity. LC activation of cbv1+β1 and native BK channels display identical characteristics, including EC50 (46 μM) and Emax (≈300 μM) values, strongly suggesting that the cbv1+β1 complex is necessary and sufficient to evoke LC action. Finally, intact arteries from β1 subunit knockout mice fail to relax in response to LC, although they are able to respond to other vasodilators. This study pinpoints the BK β1 subunit as the molecule that senses LC, which results in myocyte BK channel activation and, thus, endothelial-independent relaxation of small, resistance-size arteries.
Comparative evaluation of rumen‐protected fat, coconut oil and various oilseeds supplemented to fattening bulls

The effects of five different dietary fat supplements on fatty acid composition and oxidative stability of subcutaneous and kidney fat were evaluated in 36 Brown Swiss bulls and compared to a low fat diet in a monofactorial design. The following fat supplements were provided as additional fat at 30 g per kg feed dry matter: crystalline rumen‐protected fat, coconut oil, and three types of crushed whole oilseeds (rapeseed, sunflower seed and linseed). Adipose tissues reflected differences (P < 0.05) in dietary fatty acid composition although to a lower extent. Using protected fat, which contained elevated levels of trans fatty acids, and sunflower seed, containing a high proportion of linoleic acid, significantly increased C18:1 trans fatty acid proportion in the adipose tissues. The use of sunflower seed increased conjugated linoleic acid. The oilseeds resulted in lower amounts of C16:0 in favour of C18:0. Except for linseed, all fat supplemented groups improved oxidative stability of adipose tissues as compared with control. This was explained by lower proportions of unsaturated fatty acids in adipose tissue (protected fat), by elevated α‐tocopherol contents (rapeseed, sunflower seed) or by a combination of both (coconut oil). Fat colour remained unaffected by treatments. Compared to other fat supplements oilseeds, especially sunflower seed and rapeseed, can therefore be recommended to be fed to bulls in order to increase the proportions of C18 unsaturated fatty acids in adipose tissues and to maintain or improve oxidative stability.
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Helicobacter pylori to selected agents by agar dilution method in Shiraz-Iran.

PURPOSE To assess the pattern of antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Helicobacter pylori isolates from patients with gastritis, duodenal ulcer (DU) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) residing in Shiraz, Iran. METHODS One hundred and six H. pylori isolates from patients with gastritis, DU and GERD undergoing endoscopy at our university hospitals and clinics were analysed for their antimicrobial susceptibility to metronidazole, clarithromycin, amoxicillin, co-amoxiclav, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and furazolidone. The minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined by agar dilution method. RESULTS Overall H. pylori resistance rate was 72.6% to metronidazole, 9.4% to clarithromycin and furazolidone, 20.8% to amoxicillin and 4.7% to tetracycline and ciprofloxacin. No resistance to co-amoxiclav was detected among H. pylori isolates. No significant differences between antimicrobial resistance and clinical outcome were detected. CONCLUSIONS With regard to the increasing resistance of H. pylori isolates to various antibiotics, susceptibility testing of H. pylori isolates prior to the treatment of infection must be performed to achieve better eradication and to reduce the risk of selection of H. pylori resistant strains.
Clinical effects of ischemic preconditioning.

A variety of experimental studies have confirmed that preconditioning the myocardium by brief periods of ischemia represents a powerful cardioprotective effect resulting in a reduction of infarct size. After 15 years of research in the experimental laboratory, some evidence shows the existence of preconditioning in human patients with coronary artery disease: repeated balloon inflations before coronary angioplasty induce preconditioning-like effects; moreover, some studies demonstrate better clinical outcome in patients with angina before acute myocardial infarction, resembling a preconditioning effect. So far, a few drugs have been identified as potential mediators of preconditioning, e.g., adenosine, adenosine receptor agonists, and adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel openers. Before coronary angioplasty and heart surgery, these preconditioning mimetics might be used to protect myocardial tissue by means of preconditioning. Further research is required before preconditioning mimetics could be used for therapy in patients with chronic myocardial ischemia. Possible antipreconditioning effects of several drugs, e.g., sulfonylurea drugs have to be considered in the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease.
On the accuracy of integrated water vapor observations and the potential for mitigating electromagnetic path delay error in InSAR

A field campaign was carried out in the framework of the Mitigation of Electromagnetic Transmission errors in- duced by Atmospheric Water Vapour Effects (METAWAVE) project sponsored by the European Space Agency (ESA) to investigate the accuracy of currently available sources of at- mospheric columnar integrated water vapor measurements. The METAWAVE campaign took place in Rome, Italy, for the 2-week period from 19 September to 4 October 2008. The collected dataset includes observations from ground- based microwave radiometers and Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, from meteorological numerical model anal- ysis and predictions, from balloon-borne in-situ radiosound- ings, as well as from spaceborne infrared radiometers. These different sources of integrated water vapor (IWV) obser- vations have been analyzed and compared to quantify the accuracy and investigate the potential for mitigating IWV- related electromagnetic path delay errors in Interferomet- ric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) imaging. The results, which include a triple collocation analysis accounting for errors inherently present in every IWV measurements, are valid not only to InSAR but also to any other application involving water vapor sensing. The present analysis con- cludes that the requirements for mitigating the effects of tur- bulent water vapor component into InSAR are significantly higher than the accuracy of the instruments analyzed here. Nonetheless, information on the IWV vertical stratification from satellite observations, numerical models, and GPS re- ceivers may provide valuable aid to suppress the long spatial wavelength (>20 km) component of the atmospheric delay, and thus significantly improve the performances of InSAR phase unwrapping techniques.
Temperature effects on type I pepsin-solubilised collagen extraction from silver-line grunt skin and its in vitro fibril self-assembly.

BACKGROUND Fish skin is a potential source of collagen. Increasing the extraction temperature increases the yield of collagen. However, it may also result in degradation of the peptide chains, thus damaging the 3D structure of collagen that is vital for its application as a biomaterial. This work investigated the effects of extraction temperature on the yield and characteristics, including fibril self-assembly, of type I pepsin-solubilised fish skin collagen. RESULTS Pepsin-solubilised collagens were extracted from fresh skin of silver-line grunt at 4, 10, 20 and 28 °C for 6 h. Extraction at 10 °C gave the highest yield of collagens (439.32 ± 96.43 mg g(-1) fresh skin, dry basis), which were identified as type I and comprised β, α1 and α2 subunits. Extraction at higher temperatures (20 and 28 °C) resulted in the formation of low-molecular-weight peptide fragments, thus reducing the yield of the resultant type I collagen. The denaturation temperatures of collagens extracted at 4 and 10 °C, as determined by thermal analysis using differential scanning calorimetry, were 39.5 and 37.5 °C respectively. In vitro fibril self-assembly of 1 mg mL(-1) collagen solution (pH 6) incubated at 25 °C was only observed with collagens extracted at 4 and 10 °C. The 10 °C collagen not only showed a higher rate of self-assembly, but its matrix also had a larger fibril diameter of 0.50 ± 0.07 µm (compared with 0.41 ± 0.07 µm for the 4 °C collagen) after 4 h of incubation. CONCLUSION The results indicated strong effects of extraction temperature on the yield and characteristics of the collagen obtained. Extraction of pepsin-solubilised collagen from silver-line grunt skin at 4-10 °C gave a high yield of type I collagen with molecular integrity suitable for tissue-engineering applications.
GABA and glycine co‐release optimizes functional inhibition in rat brainstem motoneurons in vitro

Whole‐cell patch clamp recordings of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) were obtained in identified abducens motoneurons (aMns) from young rats (P5‐P13). Three types of mIPSC were distinguished according to their kinetics and their sensitivity to receptor antagonists: faster decaying events mediated by glycine receptors (glyRs), slower decaying events mediated by GABAA receptors (GABAARs), and mIPSCs displaying two components corresponding to GABA and glycine co‐release. Dual component events accounted for ≈30 % of mIPSCs, independently of the rat's age and were also identified during evoked transmitter release. In contrast, the kinetics of glyR‐ and GABAAR‐mediated mIPSCs became faster during development. Monosynaptic inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) were able to fully inhibit motoneuron discharge elicited by current pulses. When the GABAAR‐mediated component or the glyR‐mediated component of the IPSP was blocked, the inhibition of motoneuron firing was reduced. The 20‐80 % rise time and duration of GABAAR‐mediated IPSPs were significantly longer than those mediated by glyRs. The time window of inhibition for each component was determined using single postsynaptic action potentials elicited with various delays from the onset of the IPSP. GlyR‐mediated IPSPs induced fast transient inhibition whereas GABAAR‐mediated IPSPs induced slow sustained suppression of firing. Using a modelling approach, we found that the two components summated non‐linearly. We conclude that in developing aMns, co‐release of GABA and glycine determines the strength and timing of inhibition through non‐linear interactions between the two components, thus optimizing inhibition of motoneuron function.
Hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HOPE) for orthotopic liver transplantation of human liver allografts from extended criteria donors (ECD) in donation after brain death (DBD): a prospective multicentre randomised controlled trial (HOPE ECD-DBD)

Introduction Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has emerged as the mainstay of treatment for end-stage liver disease. In an attempt to improve the availability of donor allografts and reduce waiting list mortality, graft acceptance criteria were extended increasingly over the decades. The use of extended criteria donor (ECD) allografts is associated with a higher incidence of primary graft non-function and/or delayed graft function. As such, several strategies have been developed aiming at reconditioning poor quality ECD liver allografts. Hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HOPE) has been successfully tested in preclinical experiments and in few clinical series of donation after cardiac death OLT. Methods and analysis HOPE ECD-DBD is an investigator-initiated, open-label, phase-II, prospective multicentre randomised controlled trial on the effects of HOPE on ECD allografts in donation after brain death (DBD) OLT. Human whole organ liver grafts will be submitted to 1–2 hours of HOPE (n=23) via the portal vein before implantation and are going to be compared with a control group (n=23) of patients transplanted after conventional cold storage. Primary (peak and Δ peak alanine aminotransferase within 7 days) and secondary (aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin and international normalised ratio, postoperative complications, early allograft dysfunction, duration of hospital and intensive care unit stay, 1-year patient and graft survival) endpoints will be analysed within a 12-month follow-up. Extent of ischaemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury will be assessed using liver tissue, perfusate, bile and serum samples taken during the perioperative phase of OLT. Ethics and dissemination The study was approved by the institutional review board of the RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany (EK 049/17). The current paper represent the pre-results phase. First results are expected in 2018. Trial registration number NCT03124641.
Responsiveness of fibromyalgia clinical trial outcome measures.

OBJECTIVE To assess the responsiveness of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), patient ratings of pain intensity, number of tender points, and total tender point pain intensity score to perceived changes in clinical status in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). METHODS Using data from a randomized placebo controlled study evaluating efficacy of magnetic therapy in patients with FM, the ability of primary outcomes to detect clinically meaningful changes over a 6 month period was assessed by: (1) degree of association between outcome change scores and patient global ratings of symptom change (Spearman rank-order correlations); (2) ability of these scores to discriminate among groups of patients whose perceived health status had changed to varying degrees (ANOVA); (3) ability of these scores, individually and jointly, to discriminate between patients who had reported improvement and those who did not (logistic regression); (4) effect size, standardized response mean, and Guyatt's statistic were calculated to quantify responsiveness. RESULTS Correlations showed the outcome measures were moderately responsive to perceived symptomatic change. For FIQ, pain intensity ratings and number of tender points, differences in change scores between globally improved and unchanged groups and between globally improved and worsened groups were significant; for total tender point pain intensity, the globally improved differed from worsened group. FIQ outperformed the other measures in discriminating between patients who reported improvement from those who did not. Summary statistics were consistent with discriminatory analyses, indicating the measures were sensitive to improvement, but relatively unresponsive to decline. CONCLUSION The FIQ was the most responsive measure to perceived clinical improvement and we recommend its inclusion as a primary endpoint in FM clinical trials.
Pilocytic astrocytomas do not show most of the genetic changes commonly seen in diffuse astrocytomas

Aims: While it is well known that pilocytic astrocytomas are clinically distinct from diffuse astrocytomas, few comprehensive studies have focused on their genetic differences. The aim of this study was to examine pilocytic astrocytomas for genetic alterations that are commonly seen in diffuse astrocytomas.
Experimental sporotrichosis, ambient temperature and amphotericin B.

Intravenous injections of Sporotrichum schenckii to mice produced miliary lesions in several internal organs, especially in the liver, and in the muscles of the hind legs when the animals were kept at a low ambient temperature of 2–5°C. Mice kept at 13–17°C, developed lesions in the muscles of the hind legs but not in the liver and internal organs.Amphotericin-B, 0·04 mg. , daily, intraperitoneally for 10 days prevented the myositis in the animals kept at 13–17°C, but not in those kept at 2–5°C.
Kappa deleting element as an alternative molecular target for minimal residual disease assessment by real‐time quantitative PCR in patients with multiple myeloma

Minimal residual disease (MRD) assessment by PCR in multiple myeloma (MM) has several shortcomings, including the lack of a suitable target. Kappa deleting element (KDE) rearrangements occur in virtually all Ig‐lambda B‐cell malignancies and in 1/3 of Ig‐kappa are not affected by somatic hypermutation and, as in ALL, could be used as PCR targets.
Whole‐brain 3D perfusion MRI at 3.0 T using CASL with a separate labeling coil

A variety of continuous and pulsed arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion MRI techniques have been demonstrated in recent years. One of the reasons these methods are still not routinely used is the limited extent of the imaging region. Of the ASL methods proposed to date, continuous ASL (CASL) with a separate labeling coil is particularly attractive for whole‐brain studies at high fields. This approach can provide an increased signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) in perfusion images because there are no magnetization transfer (MT) effects, and lessen concerns regarding RF power deposition at high field because it uses a local labeling coil. In this work, we demonstrate CASL whole‐brain quantitative perfusion imaging at 3.0 T using a combination of strategies: 3D volume acquisition, background tissue signal suppression, and a separate labeling coil. The results show that this approach can be used to acquire perfusion images in all brain regions with good sensitivity. Further, it is shown that the method can be performed safely on humans without exceeding the current RF power deposition limits. The current method can be extended to higher fields, and further improved by the use of multiple receiver coils and parallel imaging techniques to reduce scan time or provide increased resolution. Magn Reson Med 52:131–140, 2004. Published 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sensory processing in children with and without autism: a comparative study using the short sensory profile.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to investigate differences in sensory processing among age-matched children between ages 3 and 6 years with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and those who are typically developing. METHOD Reported sensory processing abilities of 281 children with ASD were compared to age-matched peers who were typically developing, using the Short Sensory Profile (SSP). RESULTS Ninety-five percent of the sample of children with ASD demonstrated some degree of sensory processing dysfunction on the SSP Total Score, with the greatest differences reported on the Underresponsive/ Seeks Sensation, Auditory Filtering, and Tactile Sensitivity sections. The ASD group also performed significantly differently (p < .001) on 92% of the items, total score, and all sections of the SSP. CONCLUSION These findings, considered with similar published studies, begin to confirm the prevalence and types of sensory processing impairments in autism. Further research is needed to more clearly define patterns of sensory processing in people with ASD.
The visually evoked potential in Huntington disease

The visually evoked potential was abnormal in 17 of 18 patients with Huntington disease. Both early and late wave components were affected, and the averaged amplitude for the patients was reduced in comparison with 50 normal control subjects. Despite striking attenuation and disorganization of the complex, latency of initial wave components was normal. The abnormality was not present in patients with a variety of other nonfocal cerebral disorders nor in 13 children of patients with Huntington disease.
Kinetic Studies of Ca2' Binding and Ca2+ Clearance in the Cytosol of Adrenal Chromaffin Cells

The Ca2" binding kinetics of fura-2, DM-nitrophen, and the endogenous Ca2+ buffer, which determine the time course of Ca2+ changes after photolysis of DM-nitrophen, were studied in bovine chromaffin cells. The in vivo Ca2+ association rate constants of fura-2, DM-nitrophen, and the endogenous Ca2+ buffer were measured to be 5.17 x 108 M- 1 s-1, 3.5 x 1 07 M-1 s-1, and 1.07 x 1 08 M-1 s-1, respectively. The endogenous Ca2+ buffer appeared to have a low affinity for Ca2+ with a dissociation constant around 100 ,uM. A fast Ca2+ uptake mechanism was also found to play a dominant role in the clearance of Ca2+ after flashes at high intracellular free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i), causing a fast [Ca2+]i decay within seconds. This Ca2+ clearance was identified as mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. Its uptake kinetics were studied by analyzing the Ca2+ decay at high [Ca2+]i after flash photolysis of DM-nitrophen. The capacity of the mitochondrial uptake corresponds to a total cytosolic Ca2+ load of -1 mM.