Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exposure to dim artificial light at night increases REM sleep and awakenings in humans

ABSTRACT Exposure to artificial light at night (ALAN) has become increasing common, especially in developed countries. We investigated the effect of dALAN exposure during sleep in healthy young male subjects. A total of 30 healthy young male volunteers from 21 to 29 years old were recruited for the study. They were randomly divided into two groups depending on light intensity (Group A: 5 lux and Group B: 10 lux). After a quality control process, 23 healthy subjects were included in the study (Group A: 11 subjects, Group B: 12 subjects). Subjects underwent an NPSG session with no light (Night 1) followed by an NPSG session randomly assigned to two different dim light conditions (5 or 10 lux, dom λ: 501.4 nm) for a whole night (Night 2). We found significant sleep structural differences between Nights 1 and 2, but no difference between Groups A and B. Exposure to dALAN during sleep was significantly associated with increased wake time after sleep onset (WASO; F = 7.273, p = 0.014), increased Stage N1 (F = 4.524, p = 0.045), decreased Stage N2 (F = 9.49, p = 0.006), increased Stage R (F = 6.698, p = 0.017) and non-significantly decreased REM density (F = 4.102, p = 0.056). We found that dALAN during sleep affects sleep structure. Exposure to dALAN during sleep increases the frequency of arousals, amount of shallow sleep and amount of REM sleep. This suggests adverse effects of dALAN during sleep on sleep quality and suggests the need to avoid exposure to dALAN during sleep.
Speech recognition for command entry in multimodal interaction

Two experiments investigated the cognitive efficiency of using speech recognition in combination with the mouse and keyboard for a range of word processing tasks. The first experiment examined the potential of this multimodal combination to increase performance by engaging concurrent multiple resources. Speech and mouse responses were compared when using menu and direct (toolbar icon) commands, making for a fairer comparison than in previous research which has been biased against the mouse. Only a limited basis for concurrent resource use was found, with speech leading to poorer task performance with both command types. Task completion times were faster with direct commands for both speech and mouse responses, and direct commands were preferred. In the second experiment, participants were free to choose command type, and nearly always chose to use direct commands with both response modes. Speech performance was again worse than mouse, except for tasks which involved a large amount of hand and eye movement, or where direct speech wasused but mouse commands were made via menus. In both experiments recognition errors were low, and although they had some detrimental effect on speech use, problems in combining speech and manual modes were highlighted. Potential verbal interference effects when using speech are discussed.
A model to predict accommodations needed by disabled persons

In this paper, several approaches to assist employers in the accommodation process for disabled employees are discussed and a mathematical model is proposed to assist employers in predicting the accommodation level needed by an individual with a mobility-related disability. This study investigates the validity and reliability of this model in assessing the accommodation level needed by individuals utilizing data collected from twelve individuals with mobility-related disabilities. Based on the results of the statistical analyses, this proposed model produces a feasible preliminary measure for assessing the accommodation level needed for persons with mobility-related disabilities. Suggestions for practical application of this model in an industrial setting are addressed.
Effects of exercise training on maternal hormonal changes in pregnancy

Context & Objective A recent paper by our group reported that regular aerobic exercise during pregnancy led to lower foetal IGF‐I and IGF‐II concentrations and a modest reduction in offspring birth weight when compared with the offspring of nontraining control participants. Maternal hormonal alterations in response to exercise training may be associated with the regulation of nutrient availability for foetal growth through placental regulation of maternal metabolism.
Characterization of Myosin V Binding to Brain Vesicles*

Myosin II and V are important for the generation and segregation of subcellular compartments. We observed that vesicular myosin II and V were associated with the protein scaffolding of a common subset of vesicles by density sedimentation, electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence. Solubilization of either myosin II or V was caused by polyphosphates with the following efficacy at 10 mm: for myosin II ATP-Mg2+ = ATP = AMP-PNP (5′-adenylyl imidodiphosphate) > pyrophosphate = tripolyphosphate ≫ tetrapolyphosphate = ADP > cAMP = Mg2+; and for myosin V pyrophosphate = tripolyphosphate > ATP-Mg2+ = ATP = AMP-PNP ≫ ADP = tetrapolyphosphate > cAMP = Mg2+. Consequently, we suggest solubilization was not an effect of phosphorylation, hydrolysis, or disassociation of myosin from actin filaments. Scatchard analysis of myosin V binding to stripped dense vesicles showed saturable binding with a K m of 10 nm. Analysis of native vesicles indicates that these sites are fully occupied. Together, these data show there are over 100 myosin Vs/vesicle (100-nm radius). We propose that polyphosphate anions bind to myosin II and V and induce a conformational change that disrupts binding to a receptor.
Susceptibility of pneumococci to 14 beta-lactam agents: comparison of strains resistant, intermediate-resistant, and susceptible to penicillin

To measure the susceptibility of penicillin-resistant pneumococci to newer beta-lactam agents, we evaluated 54 selected strains recovered from patients with bacteremia or meningitis. Three groups of pneumococci were tested: penicillin-susceptible strains, strains with intermediate penicillin resistance, and penicillin-resistant strains. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of benzyl penicillin, oxacillin, cephalothin, cefamandole, cefoxitin, moxalactam (LY127935), cefotaxime (HR756), piperacillin, pirbenicillin, N-formimidoyl thienamycin (MK0787), cefoperazone (T1551), mezlocillin, azlocillin, and mecillinam were determined. For all groups of pneumococci tested, cefotaxime, and particularly thienamycin, had the greatest activity. Piperacillin, mezlocillin, and azlocillin had activity similar to that of benzyl penicillin. Cefoperazone had less activity than penicillin against strains with penicillin minimal inhibitory concentrations of less than 1 microgram/ml but greater activity than penicillin against strains with greater resistance. Oxacillin, cephalothin, cefamandole, and pirbenicillin all had less activity for each group of pneumococci tested; moxalactam, cefoxitin, and mecillinam had the least activity. The relative differences in susceptibility to penicillin of each group of pneumococci tested were similar for each of the beta-lactam agents tested. The clinical effectiveness of cefotaxime and thienamycin for therapy of disease due to penicillin-resistant pneumococci needs further evaluation, and of particular interest will be the levels of these drugs which can be achieved in cerebrospinal fluid.
Species-Specific Elements in the Large T-Antigen J Domain Are Required for Cellular Transformation and DNA Replication by Simian Virus 40

ABSTRACT The J domain of simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen is required for efficient DNA replication and transformation. Despite previous reports demonstrating the promiscuity of J domains in heterologous systems, results presented here show the requirement for specific J-domain sequences in SV40 large-T-antigen-mediated activities. In particular, chimeric-T-antigen constructs in which the SV40 T-antigen J domain was replaced with that from the yeast Ydj1p or Escherichia coli DnaJ proteins failed to replicate in BSC40 cells and did not transform REF52 cells. However, T antigen containing the JC virus J domain was functional in these assays, although it was less efficient than the wild type. The inability of some large-T-antigen chimeras to promote DNA replication and elicit cellular transformation was not due to a failure to interact with hsc70, since a nonfunctional chimera, containing the DnaJ J domain, bound hsc70. However, this nonfunctional chimeric T antigen was reduced in its ability to stimulate hsc70 ATPase activity and unable to liberate E2F from p130, indicating that transcriptional activation of factors required for cell growth and DNA replication may be compromised. Our data suggest that the T-antigen J domain harbors species-specific elements required for viral activities in vivo.
Oesophageal varices in a region of the Sudan endemic for Schistosoma mansoni

In a field study of two villages in the Gezira, an area of the Sudan endemic for Schistosoma mansoni, liver ultrasonography was used to detect subjects with Symmers' hepatic periportal fibrosis, some of whom underwent oesophagoscopy to detect oesophageal varices. The prevalence of oesophageal varices in subjects undergoing oesophagoscopy was 54 per cent and 67 per cent respectively, occurring mainly in males aged about 30 years. The varices were usually asymptomatic. Symptomatic varices (with a positive history of haematemesis) occurred in 4 per cent and 3 per cent respectively of subjects with sonographic evidence of liver periportal fibrosis. By detecting oesophageal varices in an asymptomatic phase, hepatic ultrasonography and fibreoptic oesophagoscopy may elucidate the natural history of the varices and their response to periodic anti‐schistosomal chemotherapy.
Subclinical hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity in women with infertility

Objective. To determine the prevalence of different subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) grades and thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) in infertile women. Design. Retrospective study. Setting. Endocrinology division of a public hospital in Argentina. Patients. Group I comprised 244 women consulting on infertility (>1 year without pregnancy); Group C (controls) comprised 155 healthy women with confirmed fertility. Intervention. Thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroid peroxidase antibodies were measured in all patients, and a thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation test was performed in 71 patients to diagnose SH grade 1. The pregnancy rate in hypothyroid women on levothyroxine treatment was also evaluated. Results. SH was diagnosed in 13.9% of the patients in Group I and in 3.9% of Group C (p < 0.002). The TRH stimulation test was useful to detect SH grade 1 in 12.7% of the infertile patients. Patients with precocious ovarian failure, tubal disturbances and ovulatory dysfunction presented higher SH rates (40.0, 18.2 and 15.4%, respectively) than control patients (p < 0.0001, p < 0.002 and p < 0.003). No significant difference in TAI prevalence was shown in Group I relative to Group C. Pregnancy rate of 44.1% was achieved under levothyroxine treatment. Conclusions. We observed a higher prevalence of SH, but not of TAI, in patients with infertility. Our results support thyroid screening in women with reproductive failure.
Surface activity, lipid profiles and their implications in cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND The profiles of lipids in normal and cancerous tissues may differ revealing information about cancer development and progression. Lipids being surface active, changes in lipid profiles can manifest as altered surface activity profiles. Langmuir monolayers offer a convenient model for evaluating surface activity of biological membranes. AIMS The aims of this study were to quantify phospholipids and their effects on surface activity of normal and cancerous human cervical tissues as well as to evaluate the role of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and sphingomyelin (SM) in cervical cancer using Langmuir monolayers. METHODS AND MATERIALS Lipid quantification was done using thin layer chromatography and phosphorus assay. Surface activity was evaluated using Langmuir monolayers. Monolayers were formed on the surface of deionized water by spreading tissue organic phase corresponding to 1 mg of tissue and studying their surface pressure-area isotherms at body temperature. The PC and SM contents of cancerous human cervical tissues were higher than those of the normal human cervical tissues. Role of PC and SM were evaluated by adding varying amounts of these lipids to normal cervical pooled organic phase. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Student's t-test (p < 0.05) and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used. RESULTS Our results reveals that the phosphatidylglycerol level in cancerous cervical tissue was nearly five folds higher than that in normal cervical tissue. Also PC and sphingomyelin SM were found to be the major phospholipid components in cancerous and normal cervical tissues respectively. The addition of either 1.5 microg DPPC or 0.5 microg SM /mg of tissue to the normal organic phase changed its surface activity profile to that of the cancerous tissues. Statistically significant surface activity parameters showed that PC and SM have remarkable roles in shifting the normal cervical lipophilic surface activity towards that of cancerous lipophilic component. CONCLUSION The Langmuir monolayer technique was sensitive to detect changes in tensiometric profiles of cervical cancers and these could be modulated by alterations in phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin levels. Therapeutic strategies may be designed to modulate these tensiometric profiles and lipid constituents of cancerous tissues.
Added value of semi-quantitative breast-specific gamma imaging in the work-up of suspicious breast lesions compared to mammography, ultrasound and 3-T MRI.

OBJECTIVE To prospectively analyse the diagnostic value of semi-quantitative breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI) in the work-up of suspicious breast lesions compared with that of mammography (MG), breast ultrasound and MRI of the breast. METHODS Within a 15-month period, 67 patients with 92 breast lesions rated as Category IV or V according to the breast imaging reporting and data system detected with MG and/or ultrasound were included into the study. After the injection of 740-1110 MBq of Technetium-99m ((99m)Tc) SestaMIBI intravenously, scintigrams were obtained in two projections comparable to MG. The BSGI was analysed visually and semi-quantitatively by calculating a relative uptake factor (X). With the exception of two patients with cardiac pacemakers, all patients underwent 3-T breast MRI. Biopsy results were obtained as the reference standard in all patients. Sensitivity, specificity, positive- and negative-predictive values, accuracy and area under the curve were calculated for each modality. RESULTS Among the 92 lesions, 67 (72.8%) were malignant. 60 of the 67 cancers of any size were detected by BSGI with an overall sensitivity of 90%, only exceeded by ultrasound with a sensitivity of 99%. The sensitivity of BSGI for lesions <1 cm declined significantly to 60%. Overall specificity of ultrasound was only 20%. Specificity, accuracy and positive-predictive value were the highest for BSGI (56%, 80% and 85%, respectively). X was significantly higher for malignant lesions (mean, 4.27) and differed significantly between ductal types (mean, 4.53) and the other histopathological entities (mean, 3.12). CONCLUSION Semi-quantitative BSGI with calculation of the relative uptake factor (X) can help to characterize breast lesions. BSGI negativity may obviate the need for biopsy of breast lesions >1 cm with low or intermediate prevalence for malignancy. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE Compared with morphological imaging modalities, specificity, positive-predictive value for malignancy and accuracy were the highest for BSGI in our study. BSGI negativity may support the decision not to biopsy in selected lesions with a low or low-to-moderate pre-test probability for malignancy.
Functional characterization of a mycothiol peroxidase in Corynebacterium glutamicum that uses both mycoredoxin and thioredoxin reducing systems in the response to oxidative stress.

Previous studies have identified a putative mycothiol peroxidase (MPx) in Corynebacterium glutamicum that shared high sequence similarity to sulfur-containing Gpx (glutathione peroxidase; CysGPx). In the present study, we investigated the MPx function by examining its potential peroxidase activity using different proton donors. The MPx degrades hydrogen peroxide and alkyl hydroperoxides in the presence of either the thioredoxin/Trx reductase (Trx/TrxR) or the mycoredoxin 1/mycothione reductase/mycothiol (Mrx1/Mtr/MSH) regeneration system. Mrx1 and Trx employ different mechanisms in reducing MPx. For the Mrx1 system, the catalytic cycle of MPx involves mycothiolation/demycothiolation on the Cys(36) sulfenic acid via the monothiol reaction mechanism. For the Trx system, the catalytic cycle of MPx involves formation of an intramolecular disulfide bond between Cys(36) and Cys(79) that is pivotal to the interaction with Trx. Both the Mrx1 pathway and the Trx pathway are operative in reducing MPx under stress conditions. Expression of mpx markedly enhanced the resistance to various peroxides and decreased protein carbonylation and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. The expression of mpx was directly activated by the stress-responsive extracytoplasmic function-σ (ECF-σ) factor [SigH]. Based on these findings, we propose that the C. glutamicum MPx represents a new type of GPx that uses both mycoredoxin and Trx systems for oxidative stress response.
The impact of cognitive function on medication management: three studies.

OBJECTIVE Medication nonadherence has been a persistent problem over the past three decades; forgetting and being distracted from regular routines are the barriers most frequently cited by patients. Prior research on cognitive function and medication adherence has yielded mixed results. DESIGN This report compares findings of three studies: All were longitudinal, two were randomized controlled intervention trials, and one was descriptive. Samples of adult patients taking once daily lipid-lowering medication, diabetic patients with comorbid conditions on complex regimens, and early stage breast cancer patients on hormonal therapy completed similar batteries of standardized, valid, neuropsychological tests at baseline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Adherence to medication regimens, over time, was tracked with electronic event monitors. RESULTS Medication nonadherence was prevalent in all studies. Deficits in attention/mental flexibility and/or working memory predicted nonadherence in all studies; impaired executive function was related to poor adherence in one study. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that better mental efficiency may be the key to better medication adherence with any regimen, and that targeted cognitive functions, which can be easily and quickly assessed, may identify patients at risk of poor adherence regardless of diagnosis or regimen.
A Four-Band Rectifier With Adaptive Power for Electromagnetic Energy Harvesting

This letter presents a novel adaptive power rectifier operating at four bands to harvest the electromagnetic energy in the low and wide-range power density conditions. The power range of the rectifier is extended by two operation modes controlled adaptively by a FET switch according to the input power level. A cross-shaped match stub connected by a stepped impedance microstrip line is designed to make the rectifier work at four bands. Two cascaded radial open stubs act as a dc-pass filter to block the fundamental frequency wave and the high order harmonics to further improve the RF-DC (radio frequency-direct current) efficiency, and to smooth the output dc power. When the input power level is -10dBm, the measured maximum RF-DC efficiencies are 47.8%, 33.5%, 49.7% and 36.2% at the frequencies of 0.89GHz, 1.27GHz, 2.02GHz and 2.38GHz, respectively. The efficiency is above 30% in every band when the input power is from -12dBm to 12dBm, which shows a wide input power range.
Acute Ischemic Preconditioning of Skeletal Muscle Prior to Flap Elevation Augments Muscle‐Flap Survival

&NA; Ischemic preconditioning of the myocardium with repeated brief periods of ischemia and reperfusion prior to prolonged ischemia significantly reduces subsequent myocardial infarction. Following ischemic preconditioning, two “windows of opportunity” (early and late) exist, during which time prolonged ischemia can occur with reduced infarction size. The early window occurs at approximately 4 hours and the late window at 24 hours following ischemic preconditioning of the myocardium. We investigated if ischemic preconditioning of skeletal muscle prior to flap creation improved subsequent flap survival and perfusion immediately or 24 hours following ischemic preconditioning. Currently, no data exist on the utilization of ischemic preconditioning in this fashion. The animal model used was the latissimus dorsi muscle of adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats. Animals were assigned to three groups, and the right or left latissimus dorsi muscle was chosen randomly in each animal. Group 1 (n = 12) was the control group, in which the entire latissimus dorsi muscle was elevated acutely without ischemic preconditioning. Group 2 (n = 8) investigated the effects of ischemic preconditioning in the early window. In this group, the latissimus dorsi muscle was elevated immediately following preconditioning. Group 3 (n = 8) investigated the effects of ischemic preconditioning in the late window, with elevation of the latissimus dorsi muscle 24 hours following ischemic preconditioning. The preconditioning regimen used in groups 2 and 3 was two 30‐minute episodes of normothermic global ischemia with intervening 10‐minute episodes of reperfusion. Latissimus dorsi muscle ischemia was created by occlusion of the thoracodorsal artery and vein and the intercostal perforators, after isolation of the muscle on these vessels. Muscle perfusion was assessed by a laser‐Doppler perfusion imager. One week after flap elevation, muscle necrosis was quantified in all groups by means of computer‐assisted digital planimetry. Our results show that ischemic preconditioning resulted in a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in muscle‐flap necrosis immediately and 24 hours following ischemic preconditioning. Perfusion changes after flap elevation were similar among the three groups. Ischemic preconditioning of skeletal muscle prior to flap creation significantly reduces subsequent muscle‐flap necrosis caused by the ischemia of flap creation immediately and 24 hours following ischemic preconditioning. Further elaboration of the mechanisms of ischemic preconditioning may allow pharmacologic preconditioning to be used in the augmentation of skeletal muscle‐flap survival in the clinical setting. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 100: 58, 1997.)
Globalization of Clinical Trials: Ethics and Conduct

The underlying motif of the article “Ethical and Scientific Implications of the Globalization of Clinical Research” is that the clinical trials conducted in developing countries are justified; and that the suggested changes for improvement in the ethical standards can safeguard the interests of people in those areas. However, through this response, I contend that the conduction of clinical trials by pharmaceutical companies from the developed world in underdeveloped nations is essentially unethical from a pragmatic ground-level view as well as in the realms of philosophical theory.