Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Voltage-dependent ionic currents in solitary horizontal cells isolated from cat retina.

1. Horizontal cells of the cat retina were isolated by enzymatic dissociation. Two types of horizontal cells were identified: the axonless (A-type) horizontal cell having four to six thick, long (approximately 100 microns) dendrites, and the short-axon (B-type) horizontal cell having many (> 5) fine, short (approximately 30 microns) dendrites. 2. Membrane properties of isolated horizontal cells were analyzed under current-clamp and voltage-clamp conditions. In the A-type cell, the average resting potential was -55 mV and the mean membrane capacitance was 110 pF, whereas values in the B-type cell were -58 mV and 40 pF, respectively. The A-type cell showed long-lasting Ca spikes, but B-type cells had no Ca spikes. 3. Five types of voltage-dependent ionic currents were recorded: a sodium current (INa), a calcium current (ICa), and three types of potassium currents. Potassium currents consisted of potassium current through the inward rectifier (Ianomal), transient outward potassium current (IA), and potassium current through the delayed rectifier (IK(v)). INa was recorded only from A-type cells. Other currents were recorded from both types of cells. 4. INa activated when cells were depolarized from a holding potential (Vh) of -95 mV, and it was maximal at -25 mV. This current was blocked by tetrodotoxin. Approximately half of the A-type cells had INa, but no B-type cell had this current. 5. L-type ICa, an inward-going sustained current, was activated with depolarization more positive than -25 mV. Current amplitude reached a maximal value near 15 mV and became smaller with further depolarization. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Joint and skeletal deformities in Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and progressive supranuclear palsy

The objective of this study is to characterize clinical features of joint and skeletal deformities in Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Clinical information including age, gender, presence of deformity, initial symptom side, neuropsychological and motor features, family history, and treatment with levodopa/dopamine agonists was collected on consecutive patients with PD, MSA, and PSP evaluated at the Movement Disorders Clinic at Baylor College of Medicine. In this series of 202 patients, 36.1% had deformities of the limbs, neck, or trunk, including 33.5% of PD, 68.4% of MSA, and 26.3% of PSP patients. “Striatal” hand and foot deformities were present in 13.4%, involuntary trunk flexion in 12.9%, anterocollis in 9.4%, and scoliosis in 8.4% of all patients. Patients with these joint and skeletal deformities had higher mean Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale scores (57.4 vs. 46.6; P < 0.01) and were more often treated with levodopa (69.9% vs. 50.4%; P < 0.01) than patients without deformity, independent of disease duration. Patients with striatal deformity were younger than patients without deformity (mean 60.4 vs. 68.6 years; P < 0.01), and they tended to have an earlier age of onset of initial parkinsonian symptoms (mean 54.7 vs. 62.5 years; P < 0.01). Furthermore, the side of striatal deformity correlated with the side of initial parkinsonian symptoms in all patients (100%) with striatal hand and in 83.3% of patients with striatal foot. Joint and skeletal deformities are common and frequently under‐recognized features of PD, MSA, and PSP that often cause marked functional disability independent of other motor symptoms. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
High Magnetic Saturation Poles for Advanced Perpendicular Writers

Advanced perpendicular writers continue to demand maximum write fields, fast rise times at ever vanishing head-media spacing and strict reliability standards. This means that the asymptotic progression to a 2.4 T pole with nearly ideal magnetic response continues. At the same time we must control critical pole dimensions, fabricate at a reasonable cost while protecting against corrosion and erasure risks. We will review progress made to meet this challenge in a discussion of high moment materials utilizing electroplating and sputter deposition for single layer films and laminates. Concerns for corrosion will be assessed and minimized by controls on key contaminants. Micromagnetic modeling will be used to study the phenomenology and expected performance impacts of these various materials and structures. Results will be used to provide a better insight into the potential materials/design tradeoffs that must be made. In conclusion, performance and reliability will be assessed through electrical testing.
Probabilistic Analysis of the Multidimensional Knapsack Problem

We analyse the multi-constraint zero-one knapsack problem, under the assumption that all coefficients are drawn from a uniform [0, 1] distribution and there are m = 01 constraints as the number of variables grows. We show that results on the single-constraint problem can be extended to this situation. Chiefly, we generalise a result of Lueker on the duality gap, and a result of Goldberg/Marchetti-Spaccamela on exact solvability. In the latter case, our methods differ markedly from those for the single-constraint result.
Heterologous Expression of 3-O-Deacylase in Acinetobacter baumannii Modulates the Endotoxicity of Lipopolysaccharide

The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Acinetobacter baumannii is a potent stimulator of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6). The 3-O-deacylase (PagL)-modifying enzyme that removes the 3-O-linked acyl chain from the disaccharide backbone of lipid A provides the opportunity to develop a new therapeutic compound that could reduce detrimental inflammatory responses. The plasmid pMMB66EH-PagL obtained by recombinant DNA technology was electroporated into A. baumannii ATCC 19606. Compared with wild-type LPS, outer membrane vesicles and inactivated whole cells of engineered bacteria had a statistically significant decreased ability to produce IL-6. Structural analysis of lipid A by negative-ion matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry revealed that the profile of lipid A fractions under PagL expression was changed. Taken together, our data showed that recombinant penta-acylated lipid A had less immunoreactivity and that the tetra-acylated version of lipid A with TLR4 antagonist activity decreased the induction of IL-6 production in the murine macrophage cell line J774 A.1.
Detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae antigenin PBMNCs of healthy blood donors

BACKGROUND: Because it has been increasingly recognized that Chlamydia pneumoniae may be linked to some chronic inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis, detection of this pathogen in blood from patients may be valuable in the diagnosis of such diseases. However, the prevalence of chlamydia in the blood of healthy donors has not yet been extensively studied.
Spore formation in Myxococcus xanthus is tied to cytoskeleton functions and polysaccharide spore coat deposition

Myxococcus xanthus is a Gram‐negative bacterium that differentiates into environmentally resistant spores. Spore differentiation involves septation‐independent remodelling of the rod‐shaped vegetative cell into a spherical spore and deposition of a thick and compact spore coat outside of the outer membrane. Our analyses suggest that spore coat polysaccharides are exported to the cell surface by the Exo outer membrane polysaccharide export/polysaccharide co‐polymerase 2a (OPX/PCP‐2a) machinery. Conversion of the capsule‐like polysaccharide layer into a compact spore coat layer requires the Nfs proteins which likely form a complex in the cell envelope. Mutants in either nfs, exo or two other genetic loci encoding homologues of polysaccharide synthesis enzymes fail to complete morphogenesis from rods to spherical spores and instead produce a transient state of deformed cell morphology before reversion into typical rods. We additionally provide evidence that the cell cytoskeletal protein, MreB, plays an important role in rod to spore morphogenesis and for spore outgrowth. These studies provide evidence that this novel Gram‐negative differentiation process is tied to cytoskeleton functions and polysaccharide spore coat deposition.
Teachers' use of questioning and modelling comprehension skills in primary classrooms

Research suggests that children's understanding of text can be improved by the explicit teaching of those comprehension strategies that are used implicitly by skilled readers, particularly the use of self‐regulating strategies to generate questions about text. This study of the teaching of comprehension in 51 London Key Stage 2 classrooms explores the extent to which comprehension strategies are explicitly taught within the literacy hour and the amount of opportunity which is provided for children to generate there own questions. Evidence from teacher interviews and classroom observations shows that direct teacher questioning, mostly in the form of ‘teacher‐led recitation’, is both the most frequently advocated, and the dominant strategy used for teaching comprehension. When sharing books with children, teachers model the strategies which are used by skilled comprehenders, but they neither make these strategies explicit nor encourage children to generate their own questions about the text.
Test-retest reliability of the sensory profile caregiver questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE We examined the test-retest reliability and internal consistency of the Sensory Profile Caregiver Questionnaire (SP). METHOD Fifty-five primary caregivers of children 36-72 mo old participated in the study. Participants completed the SP on two separate occasions 7-14 days apart. Participant data were analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Cronbach's α coefficients. RESULTS Test-retest reliability was good across quadrant scores (ICC([2, 1]) = . 80-. 90) and moderate to good across factor (ICC([2, 1]) = . 69-. 88) and section scores (ICC([2, 1]) = . 50-. 87). Internal consistency was high across quadrant (αs = .89-.95) and factor scores (αs = .82-.93) and moderate to high across section scores (αs = .67-.93). CONCLUSION This study suggests the SP has acceptable test-retest reliability and internal consistency and supports the use of quadrant scores over factor and section scores to analyze children's sensory processing patterns.
Electronic Monitoring of Compliance to Lipid‐Lowering Therapy in Clinical Practice

Nonadherence to treatment is a common problem in the clinical management of hypercholesterolemic patients. This study was carried out with the aim of monitoring the daily compliance to a 6‐month course of lipid‐lowering therapy, using a microelectronic device, the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS™), versus pill count. Forty men with primary hypercholesterolemia were prescribed fluvastatin 1 × 40 mg daily, provided in a MEMS™ package to record the date and time of each opening of the pillbox. Thirty‐nine of 40 patients (98%) completed the study. Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels decreased significantly (18% and 25%, p < 0.001) during the 6‐month therapy period. A high mean rate of compliance was achieved by MEMS™ using the following three indexes—compliance to total prescribed dose (88.8% ± 13.5%), compliance to prescribed days (82.4% ± 19.5%), and compliance to prescribed time of day (81.86% ± 19.5%)—and by pill count (93.4% ± 9.5%). In addition, the MEMS™ provided some patterns of nonadherence to medication, undetectable by pill count alone, such as a drug holiday in 38% of cases, a drug omission for more than 7 consecutive days in 9% of cases, and, conversely, use of more than the one prescribed daily dose in 47% of cases. A significant correlation between the rate of compliance and the decrease in LDL cholesterol was observed only when the compliance was assessed by MEMS™. The results indicate that MEMS™ is a useful tool for monitoring compliance in clinical practice and may possibly increase adherence to long‐term lipid‐lowering therapy.
Functional domains of the IS1 transposase: analysis in vivo and in vitro

The IS1 bacterial insertion sequence family, considered to be restricted to Enterobacteria, has now been extended to other Eubacteria and to Archaebacteria, reviving interest in its study. To analyse the functional domains of the InsAB′ transposase of IS1A, a representative of this family, we used an in vivo system which measures IS1‐promoted rescue of a temperature‐sensitive pSC101 plasmid by fusion with a pBR322::IS1 derivative. We also describe the partial purification of the IS1 transposase and the development of several in vitro assays for transposase activity. These included a DNA band shift assay, a transposase‐mediated cleavage assay and an integration assay. Alignments of IS family members (http://www‐is.biotoul.fr) not only confirmed the presence of an N‐terminal helix–turn–helix and a C‐terminal DDE motif in InsAB′, but also revealed a putative N‐terminal zinc finger. We have combined the in vitro and in vivo tests to carry out a functional analysis of InsAB′ using a series of site‐directed InsAB′ mutants based on these alignments. The results demonstrate that appropriate mutations in the zinc finger and helix–turn–helix motifs result in loss of binding activity to the ends of IS1 whereas mutations in the DDE domain are affected in subsequent transposition steps but not in end binding.
Comparison of the Diagnostic Values of the 3 Different Stool Antigen Tests for the Noninvasive Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection

The aim of the study was to compare 3 stool antigen tests for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in adult patients with dyspeptic complaints before eradication therapy. We compared 2 enzyme immunoassays (EIAs: Premier Platinum Helicobacter pylori Stool Antigen [HpSA] Plus and Helicobacter pylori Antigen [Hp Ag]) and one immunochromatographic assay (H. pylori fecal antigen test-lateral-flow chromatography) in detecting H. pylori. All the investigated stool antigen tests were made of monoclonal antibodies. We evaluated 168 adult patients with H. pylori infection by using 2 criterion standard methods (histological and rapid urease tests) together. The sensitivity and specificity were 90% and 91%, respectively, for the Premier Platinum HpSA Plus, 77% and 91%, respectively, for the Hp Ag, and 81% and 92%, respectively, for the H. pylori fecal antigen test, respectively. The best agreement between the criterion standard tests and the stool antigen tests used in the study was with the Premier Platinum HpSA Plus. Immunochromatographic assay-based stool antigen test (H. pylori fecal antigen test) was found to be more sensitive than the EIA-based test (Hp Ag). One of the 2 important conclusions obtained from the study was that the Premier Platinum HpSA Plus was found to be the most accurate test for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection in adult dyspeptic patients before eradication therapy, and the other was that monoclonal and high-quality, reliable immunochromatographic assay tests are a good option especially for small hospital laboratories that do not have appropriate equipment for performing the EIA and working on few samples.
Elevated plasma osteopontin level is predictive of cirrhosis in patients with hepatitis B infection

Background: Osteopontin (OPN) was shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory and fibrotic processes and elevated in fibrotic liver of mouse model. However, the significance of OPN in hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐induced liver cirrhosis (LC) remains unclear and is therefore evaluated in this study.
Immunophenotypic and histological characterisation of 109 cases of feline lymphosarcoma.

OBJECTIVE To determine and analyse the immunophenotype and histological appearance of naturally occurring cases of lymphosarcoma in Australian cats. DESIGN A prospective multi-institutional study of naturally occurring feline lymphosarcoma. METHODS One hundred and eighteen cats were referred for diagnosis and/or management of suspected lymphosarcoma. Tissue samples for histopathological analysis and immunophenotyping were collected as biopsies or at necropsy from 109 cases. Histological classification of the neoplasms followed the Working Formulation Classification System. Four multi-species cross-reactive antibodies were used to classify tumours as having a B or T cell phenotype. RESULTS Seventy-six (70%) cases were B cell tumours and 28 (26%) were T cell tumours. The remaining 5 (4%) specimens failed to stain with the four antibodies. Histologically, 11 (10%) cases were classified as low-grade, 72 (66%) were medium-grade and 26 (24%) were high-grade tumours. There were no significant associations between age and either histological grade or immunophenotype. Mediastinal and leukaemic cases were significantly more likely to be T cell tumours (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS In contrast to previously documented studies in the cat, the majority of cases of lymphosarcoma were of B cell phenotype and intermediate histological grade. Based on our data, the histological phenotype of lymphosarcoma is unlikely to predict immunotype, nor are cases of certain immunotypes likely to be of specific histological subtype. Considered in relation to previous reports, the findings suggest that epidemiological factors operating in these cats to produce lymphosarcoma may be different to those operating in North American and UK cat populations.
Experimental Response of Buildings Designed with Metallic Structural Fuses. II

In a companion paper, an alternative design approach was proposed to concentrate damage on disposable and easy to repair structural elements i.e., "structural fuses", while the main structure is designed to remain elastic or with minor inelastic deformations. To verify and validate the developed design procedure, an experimental project was conducted on the shaking table at the University at Buffalo, which consists of a three-story frame designed with buckling-restrained braces BRBs working as metallic structural fuses. This experimental project also assesses the replaceability of BRBs designed as sacrificeable and easy-to-repair members. These BRBs are connected to the frame by removable and eccentric gusset plate, especially designed to prevent performance problems observed in other experimental research. Design and behavior of this type of connection is also investigated here. Another objective of this test is to examine the use of seismic isolation devices to protect nonstructural components from severe floor vibrations in buildings designed per the structural fuse concept. The seismic isolation device consists of a bearing with a spherical ball rolling in conical steel plates, also called a ball-in-cone system. This type of seismic isolator was installed on the top floor of the frame model, and its response in terms of acceleration and displacement is investigated as part of this investigation.
Genetically determined resistance to infection with group B arboviruses. I. Distribution of the resistance gene among various mouse populations and characteristics of gene expression in vivo.

Resistance to group B arbovirus infection is inherited in mice as a dominant, autosomal allele. The BRVR, PRI, and C3H/RV inbred strains of mice are homozygous for this resistance. In the present study numerous other inbred strains of laboratory mice and wild Mus musculus were tested. No other inbred strain was able to resist infection with group B arboviruses; however, wild mice obtained from widely separated geographical areas were resistant to the infection. Breeding studies with one population of wild mice showed that they possessed the gene for resistance to group B arboviruses. The occurrence of this gene in wild mouse populations may indicate that it can confer selective advantage and is not merely a laboratory artifact. Levels of complement in serum were the same in resistant and susceptible mice, cells from both resistant and susceptible mice were equally sensitive to immune cytolysis in vitro after group B arbovirus infection, and there was no evidence of a direct connection between control of body temperature and resistance to virus.
Regulation of Calcium , Magnesium , and Phosphate Metabolism

The mineral ion homeostatic system maintains Ca, Mg, and P (because P does not exist as free P in biological systems, it will be referred to as phosphate and abbreviated PO4) distribution and levels in the extracellular fluid and intracellular compartments while simultaneously providing sufficient absorption and retention to meet skeletal mineral requirements. Homeostasis is achieved by the coordinated interaction of the intestine, the site of net absorption; the kidney, the site of net excretion; and the skeleton, the largest repository of these ions in the body. Mineral fluxes across intestine, bone, and kidney and in and out of blood are regulated by PTH and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], the hormonal or active form of vitamin D (also called calcitriol). There is emerging evidence that fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-23 may also be an important physiologic regulator of PO4 homeostasis. External balance may vary with the stages of the life cycle, skeletal mineral requirements, supply of the minerals in the diet, and by a variety of disorders. For example, balance is neutral in adult, nonpregnant humans who have no daily net gain or loss of body Ca, Mg, or PO4. Mineral balance becomes positive (intake and retention exceed urinary and intestinal losses) during skeletal growth during childhood and adolescence and during pregnancy and lactation. Negative balance (gastrointestinal and/or urinary losses exceed intake and retention) may occur during high rates of bone remodeling during estrogen deficiency, with aging, and with diseases such as hyperthyroidism and primary hyperparathyroidism. The adjustment or adaptation of the homeostatic system to maintain balance is mediated by PTH and 1,25(OH)2D3 through changes in intestinal and renal tubule mineral transport. In the following sections, the distributions and fluxes of Ca, Mg, and PO4 and hormonal regulations of mineral ion transport and balance are discussed.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Tau Levels Increase with Age in Healthy Individuals

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tau is a promising biochemical ante-mortem marker for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Levels are increased in AD compared to other dementias, neurological diseases and healthy controls. An age-related decrease in both soluble tau and tau bound to paired helical filaments has been shown in brains from non-demented subjects. To study tau levels in normal ageing, we investigated CSF in 29 healthy individuals aged 45–80 years. A statistically significant increase in CSF tau with increasing age was found which might be caused by neuronal loss during normal ageing and redistribution of soluble tau from the brain into CSF. We could not demonstrate any influence by the APOE genotype, though larger populations have to be investigated to confirm this result. In conclusion, we found an age-dependent increase in CSF tau in healthy individuals. We emphasise the importance of establishing an age-dependent interval of CSF tau in non-demented subjects.
Managing and coping with names of pleomorphic fungi in a period of transition,

An explanation is provided of the recent changes in the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants relating to the ending of the separate naming of different states of fungi with a pleomorphic life-cycle. Issues relating to their implementation are discussed, including problems of defining “widely used”, author citations, proofs of holomorphy, typification, the preparation of “Lists of accepted and rejected names” (with a possible timetable), relationship to the existing processes of sanctioning and conservation or rejection, and steps to be considered for the future. This material is presented here to stimulate debate on the actions that should be taken by individuals, and responsible committees, in the current period of transition to a system of fungal nomenclature fit for the 21st century.