Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A female-biased expressed elongase involved in long-chain hydrocarbon biosynthesis and courtship behavior in Drosophila melanogaster

Drosophila melanogaster produces sexually dimorphic cuticular pheromones that are a key component of the courtship behavior leading to copulation. These molecules are hydrocarbons, with lengths of 23 and 25 carbons in males (mainly with one double bond) and 27 and 29 carbons in females (mainly with two double bonds). Here, we describe an elongase gene, eloF, with female-biased expression. The 771-bp ORF encodes a 257-aa protein that shows the highest sequence identity with mouse SSC1 elongase (33%). The activity of the cDNA expressed in yeast was elongation of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids up to C30. RNAi knockdown in Drosophila led to a dramatic modification of female hydrocarbons, with decreased C29 dienes and increased C25 dienes accompanied by a modification of several courtship parameters: an increase in copulation latency and a decrease in both copulation attempts and copulation. Feminization of the hydrocarbon profile in males by using targeted expression of the transformer gene resulted in high expression levels of eloF, suggesting that the gene is under the control of the sex-determination hierarchy. There is no expression of eloF in Drosophila simulans, which synthesize only C23 and C25 hydrocarbons. These results strongly support the hypothesis that eloF is a crucial enzyme for female pheromone biosynthesis and courtship behavior in D. melanogaster.
Control characteristics of an automatic matching control system for in vivo EPR spectroscopy

A method for estimating the characteristics of an automatic matching control (AMC) system for in vivo electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is described. AMC is also known as automatic coupling control (ACC) and is used to compensate for perturbation due to movement of the subject animal. The open‐loop function of the AMC system is derived and the characteristics (gain, phase margin, steady‐state error, system bandwidth, and disturbance rejection) of the system are examined. The proposed method is supported by experimental findings. The frequency response of perturbation due to the movement of an anesthetized rat was measured with a 1.1‐GHz continuous‐wave EPR spectrometer. Disturbance rejection with the AMC system was also considered for respiratory motion and the heartbeat of the anesthetized rat, and these perturbations were reduced by about 40 dB in the power spectrum of the output of the diode detector in the spectrometer. Magn Reson Med 50:223–227, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Left atrial function: pathophysiology, echocardiographic assessment, and clinical applications

This article describes the pathophysiology of left atrial mechanical function and discusses both conventional and new echocardiographic parameters used to evaluate left atrial function. The evidence regarding the clinical usefulness of left atrial function assessment is also presented. Atrial function, in a close interdependence with left ventricular (LV) function, plays a key role in maintaining an optimal cardiac performance. The left atrium (LA) modulates LV filling through its reservoir, conduit, and booster pump function, whereas LV function influences LA function throughout the cardiac cycle. The LA can act to increase LA pressure (in significant atrial disease) and can react to increased LV filling pressure (in significant ventricular disease). LA remodelling is related to LV remodellingw1 and LA function has a central role in maintaining optimal cardiac output despite impaired LV relaxation and reduced LV compliance.1 Understanding how each component of LA function is influenced by LV performance, and how each LA phasic function contributes to maintain an optimal stroke volume in normal and diseased hearts, is important for interpreting data derived from quantification of LA function. During LV systole and isovolumic relaxation, the LA functions as a reservoir, receiving blood from the pulmonary veins and storing energy in the form of pressure. This atrial function is modulated by LV contraction, through the descent of the LV base during systole, by right ventricular systolic pressure transmitted through the pulmonary circulation, and by LA properties (ie, relaxation and chamber stiffness). w2 During early …
Immunophenotypical Characterization of Lymphocyte Subpopulations of the Uterus of Non‐pregnant and Pregnant Goats

The increased susceptibility during pregnancy to certain pathogens that cause abortions may be related to changes in the distribution and phenotype of lymphocyte subpopulations in the uterus. Histological, electron microscopic and immunocytochemical techniques were used in this study to examine whether such variations occur in different stages of the reproductive cycle of goats. The study of non‐pregnant goats showed that most uterine lymphocytes were T cells and displayed both an intraepithelial and stromal distribution. CD8+ T lymphocytes were more numerous than CD4+ T lymphocytes. In the endometrial epithelium two lymphocyte subpopulations were observed: non‐granulated CD2+CD8+ T lymphocytes and granulated CD2+CD8− T lymphocytes. During gestation, no lymphocytes were observed in the placentomal area, while a decreased number of T lymphocyte subpopulations were found in the inter‐placentomal area. In the inter‐caruncular epithelium, non‐granulated CD2+CD8+ T lymphocytes disappeared, whereas the granulated CD2+CD8− T lymphocyte subpopulations increased their number and changed their morphology.
tPA treatment for acute ischaemic stroke in patients with leukoaraiosis

Background and Purpose: Whether leukoaraiosis on baseline CT is associated with an increased risk of symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage (sICH) or poor outcome following tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) treatment for acute ischaemic stroke is still a matter of debate.
NATURAL FACTORS INVOLVED IN THE INDUCTION OF CYST FORMATION IN AZOTOBACTER

Layne, Joseph S. (University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson), and Emmett J. Johnson. Natural factors involved in the induction of cyst formation in Azotobacter. J. Bacteriol. 87:684–689. 1964. —Recent reports have stimulated an interest in the natural factors responsible for the induction of a resistant form in the genus Azotobacter; therefore, an investigation of these factors was undertaken. A. agilis (vinelandii) was grown in Burk's nitrogen-free medium from which one mineral, or a combination of two minerals, was omitted. These media were made with triple-distilled, deionized water and were sterilized by filtration. After 18 hr of growth, up to 75% of the cells present were resistant forms if a single mineral was omitted, and up to 95% if two minerals were omitted. Formation of resistant forms was also induced by reduction of the sucrose content of the medium. When the sucrose content was reduced from the normal 0.5% to 0.1%, up to 60% resistant forms were obtained. Further reduction of the sucrose content to 0.05% brought about the formation of up to 80% resistant forms. Electron micrographs show that cysts grown in liquid media in response to mineral deficiencies lack the characteristic exine and intine of the cysts grown on the more commonly used solid medium containing butanol as the carbon source.
Self-Controlled Practice Enhances Motor Learning in Introverts and Extroverts

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of self-controlled feedback on the learning of a sequential-timing motor task in introverts and extroverts. Method: Fifty-six university students were selected by the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. They practiced a motor task consisting of pressing computer keyboard keys in a specific spatial and temporal pattern. The experiment consisted of practice, retention, and transfer phases. The participants were distributed into 4 groups, formed by the combination of personality trait (extraversion/introversion) and type of feedback frequency (self-controlled/yoked). Results: The results showed superior learning for the groups that practiced in a self-controlled schedule, in relation to groups who practiced in an externally controlled schedule, F(1, 52) = 4.13, p < . 05, η2 = . 07, regardless of personality trait. Conclusion: We conclude that self-controlled practice enhances motor learning in introverts and extroverts.
Successful Perioperative Management of a Patient with C1 Esterase Inhibitor Deficiency with a Novel Bradykinin Receptor B2 Antagonist

We present the case of a 28-year-old female with a previous diagnosis of C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency presenting for dental extractions under general anaesthesia. Following prophylaxis with a new bradykinin receptor 2 antagonist (icatibant), surgery was carried out uneventfully with an unremarkable postoperative course.
Microbiological assessment of well waters in Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna, State, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Majority of the human population in semi-urban and urban areas in Nigeria are heavily reliant on well water as the main source of water supply for drinking and domestic use due to inadequate provision of potable pipe borne water. These groundwater sources can easily be fecally contaminated and thus, increase the incidence and outbreaks of preventable waterborne diseases. This study was carried out to determine the bacteriological quality of some well waters in Samaru, Z. MATERIALS AND METHODS Samaru, Zaria located in Northern Nigeria, is a semi-urban university satellite town blessed with abundant ground and surface water. Five sampling sites were randomly selected for this study. A total of 10 samples: Two from each of the sites were collected fortnightly for 1 month (May-June, 2013). Samples were analyzed using presumptive multiple tube fermentation and confirmatory tests for total and fecal coliforms. The well water samples were also cultured for Salmonella, Shigella, and Vibrio chole. RESULTS The total coliform count for all the samples analyzed was >180+/100 ml. All the well water samples from the study locations were contaminated with one or more bacterial pathogens, Escherichia coli 20%, Klebsiella pneumoniae 100% and Proteus mirabilis 40%. Salmonella, Shigella, or V. cholerae were not isolated from any of the well water samples. CONCLUSIONS The results from this study showed contamination of all the wells studied with fecal coliforms thus, indicating the possible presence of other enteric pathogens and a potential source for waterborne disease outbreaks. Well water in Samaru is not safe for drinking without additional treatment like disinfection or boiling. Periodic testing and constant monitoring of well waters should also be done to meet up with the World Health Organization Standards in the provision of safe, clean drinking water .
Did Purchasing Power Parity Hold in Medieval Europe?

This paper employs a unique, hand-collected dataset of exchange rates for five major currencies (the lira of Barcelona, the pound sterling of England, the pond groot of Flanders, the florin of Florence and the livre tournois of France) to consider whether the law of one price and purchasing power parity held in Europe during the late fourteenth and early fifteenth centuries. Using single series and panel unit root and stationarity tests on ten real exchange rates between 1383 and 1411, we show that the parity relationship held for the pound sterling and some of the Florentine florin series individually and for almost all of the groups that we investigate. Our findings add to the weight of evidence that trading and arbitrage activities stopped currencies deviating permanently from fair values and that the medieval financial markets were well functioning. This supports the results reported in other recent studies which indicate that many elements of modern economic theories can be traced back over 700 years in Europe.
Photovoltaic (PV) Impact Assessment for Very High Penetration Levels

This paper describes a granular approach for investigating the impacts of very high photovoltaic (PV) generation penetration. Studies on two real-world distribution feeders connected to PV plants are presented. The studies include both steady-state and time-series power flow analyses, which include the effects of solar variability. The goal of the study is to predict the effects of increasing levels of PV generation as it reaches very high penetration levels. The loss and return of generation with and without regulation is simulated to capture short-term problems such as voltage fluctuations. Impact results from the analyses are described along with potential mitigations.
CHIP Mediates Degradation of Smad Proteins and Potentially Regulates Smad-Induced Transcription

ABSTRACT Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family ligands interact with specific membrane receptor complexes that have serine/threonine kinase activities. The receptor phosphorylation and activation induced by the ligands leads to phosphorylation of the Smad proteins, which translocate to the nucleus, controlling gene expression. Thus, regulation of Smad proteins is a key step in TGF-β/BMP-induced signal transduction. Here we report a novel mechanism of the regulation of SMAD-mediated signaling, by which the Smad1 protein level is controlled through expression of the CHIP protein. CHIP is a U-box-dependent E3 ubiquitin ligase, previously identified as a cochaperon protein. However, we have isolated CHIP as a Smad-interacting protein in a yeast two-hybrid screen using Smad1 as bait. Furthermore we have shown CHIP-Smad interaction using the 35S-labeled CHIP protein, which can interact with glutathione S-transferase (GST)-Smad1 and GST-Smad4 in an in vitro protein-binding assay. The CHIP-Smad interaction has been confirmed in vivo in mammalian cells through coimmunoprecipitation. Interestingly, we demonstrate that the coexpression of Smad1 and Smad4 with the CHIP protein results in the degradation of the Smad proteins through a ubiquitin-mediated process. Consistent with the observation that CHIP induces Smad1 degradation, we further show that the expression of CHIP can inhibit the transcriptional activities of the Smad1/Smad4 complex induced by BMP signals. Intriguingly, pBS/U6/CHIPi, which diminishes CHIP expression, significantly enhanced Smad1/Smad4- or BMPRIB(QD)-induced gene transcription. These results suggest that CHIP can interact with the Smad1/Smad4 proteins and block BMP signal transduction through the ubiquitin-mediated degradation of Smad proteins.
Evaluation of tumor angiogenesis of breast carcinoma using contrast-enhanced digital mammography.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this article is to assess the accuracy of contrast-enhanced digital mammography in the detection of breast carcinoma and to correlate the findings on the images with those of histologic analysis using microvessel quantification. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Twenty patients with a suspicious breast abnormality underwent contrast-enhanced digital mammography using a full-field digital mammography unit that was modified to detect iodinated enhancement. For each patient, a total of six contrast-enhanced craniocaudal views were acquired from 30 seconds to 7 minutes after the injection of a bolus of 100 mL of an iodinated contrast agent. Image processing included a logarithmic subtraction and the analysis of enhancement kinetic curves. Contrast-enhanced digital mammography findings were compared with histologic analysis of surgical specimens, including intratumoral microvessel density quantification evaluated on CD34-immunostained histologic sections obtained from all patients. RESULTS An area of enhancement was depicted on contrast-enhanced digital mammograms in 16 of the 20 histologically proven breast carcinomas. Excellent correlation was seen between the size of enhancement and the histologic size of tumors, which ranged from 9 to 22 mm. Early enhancement with washout was observed in four cases, early enhancement followed by a plateau in four cases, gradual enhancement in seven cases, and unexpected decrease of enhancement in one case. Intratumoral microvessel density ranged from 11.7 to 216.6 microvessels per square millimeter. A poor correlation was found between data measured on contrast-enhanced digital mammography and intratumoral microvessel density measured on CD34-immunostained histologic sections. CONCLUSION Contrast-enhanced digital mammography is able to depict angiogenesis in breast carcinoma. Breast compression and projective images acquisition alter the quantitative assessment of enhancement parameters.
Interferon‐alpha 2b (IFNα) for Early‐Phase Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia with High Risk for Disease Progression: Results of a Randomized Multicentre Study

The efficacy of interferon‐alpha 2b (IFNα) to prolong progression‐free (PFS) and/or overall survival (OS) in early B‐CLL (Binet stage A) was examined in a risk‐adapted phase III study. 99 previously untreated B‐CLL patients were recruited. 44 patients with expected high risk for disease progression, defined by non‐nodular bone marrow infiltration and lymphocyte doubling time ≤12 months or serum thymidine kinase levels ≥5 U/l, were randomized to either receive IFNα (group 1, n = 21) or not (group 2, n = 23). 55 low‐risk patients were observed to evaluate this risk stratification (group 3). During a median observation time of 36 months, four patients in the IFNα group achieved a partial remission (PR), no patient had stable disease (SD), and 17 patients experienced progressive disease (PD). The four responders had less extensive disease at study entry and tended to exhibit a rise in serum IgG levels. In group 2, no PR, seven SD and 16 PD, whereas in group 3, no PR, 37 SD and 18 PD occurred. PFS in group 1 (6.7 months) was not different from group 2 (13.3 months, P = 0.22), but PFS of groups 1 and 2 differed from group 3 (37 months, P ≤ 0.001). OS was 44.9 months (group 1), 43.1 months (group 2) and 57.9 months (group 3). OS was not significantly different for group 1 v 2, but was significant between groups 1 and 3 (P = 0.023). The higher percentage of PD in group 2 compared to group 3 (70% v 29%) shows that the selected risk factors allow the definition of CLL stage A patients at risk for disease progression within about a year. In conclusion, our data indicate that IFNα does not prolong PFS or OS in stage A CLL patients with high risk for disease progression.
Fully convolutional neural networks for remote sensing image classification

We propose a convolutional neural network (CNN) model for remote sensing image classification. Using CNNs provides us with a means of learning contextual features for large-scale image labeling. Our network consists of four stacked convolutional layers that downsample the image and extract relevant features. On top of these, a deconvolutional layer upsamples the data back to the initial resolution, producing a final dense image labeling. Contrary to previous frameworks, our network contains only convolution and deconvolution operations. Experiments on aerial images show that our network produces more accurate classifications in lower computational time.
INHIBITION OF HIGH TGF-b 1 CONCENTRATIONS ON MYOFIBROBLAST INDUCTION AND CONTRACTION BY DUPUYTREN ’ S FIBROBLASTS

Myofibroblasts and TGF-b1 are implicated in Dupuytren’s contracture. Transforming growth factor b1(TGF-b1) (1–10 ng/ml) increases myofibroblast induction in Dupuytren’s fibroblasts and contraction in a collagen model. However, higher doses (20–30 ng/ml) inhibit contraction in dermal fibroblasts. We hypothesized higher doses of TGF-b1 would inhibit induction of myofibroblasts and contraction by Dupuytren’s fibroblasts. Increasing doses of TGF-b1 (0–30 ng/ml) were tested on Dupuytren’s fibroblasts using immunofluorescence to determine myofibroblast upregulation and a 3D collagen model used to determine contractile forces. Flexor retinaculum fibroblasts were used as controls. TGF-b1 induced myofibroblasts in Dupuytren’s fibroblasts (n 1⁄4 3) from 12% (0 ng/ml) to 23% (12.5 ng/ml) at 24 hours but dropped to 13% at 30 ng/ml (Po0.05). This response was mirrored in the contraction profiles. These trends were similar for flexor retinaculum fibroblasts (n 1⁄4 3), but contractile forces and myofibroblast induction were significantly less (Po0.001). This is the first report of negative feedback inhibition of TGF-b1 at higher concentrations in Dupuytren’s fibroblasts. Journal of Hand Surgery (British and European Volume, 2006) 31B: 5: 473–483
Comparison of depressive symptoms between homebound older adults and ambulatory older adults

Due to the social isolation imposed by chronic illness and functional limitations, homebound older adults are more vulnerable to depression than their mobility-unimpaired peers. In this study, we compared 81 low-income homebound older adults, aged 60 and older, with their 130 ambulatory peers who attended senior centers, with respect to their depressive symptoms, depression risk and protective factors, and self-reported coping strategies. Even controlling for sociodemographics, health problems, and other life stressors, being homebound, as opposed to participating in senior centers, was significantly associated with higher depressive symptoms. However, when the coping resources–social support and engagement in frequent physical exercise, in particular–were added to the regression model, the homebound state was no longer a significant factor, showing that the coping resources buffered the effect of the homebound state on depressive symptoms. In terms of self-reported coping strategies, even among the depressed respondents, only a small proportion sought professional help, and that was largely limited to consulting their regular physician and social workers, who may not have had professional training in mental health interventions.
Inflammatory oedema induced by synergism between calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) and mediators of increased vascular permeability

1 The potent vasodilator calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP, human synthetic), when mixed with histamine and injected intradermally in the rabbit, induced a marked potentiation of local oedema. 2 CGRP also potentiated oedema induced by other mediators of increased microvascular permeability in the rabbit; bradykinin, platelet‐activating factor (Paf), C5a des Arg, N‐formylmethionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine (FMLP) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4). 3 Substance P alone, or mixtures of substance P and CGRP, failed to induce oedema in rabbit skin. In rat skin, however, substance P induced oedema and this was potentiated by CGRP. 4 CGRP had a protracted potentiating action following intradermal injection in the rabbit. The time for half loss of activity for CGRP was 40.1 ± 7.5 min compared to 18 ± 1 min for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). 5 No loss of potentiating activity was detected after incubation of CGRP in rabbit plasma or blood for 60 min. 6 We postulate that endogenous CGRP, if released locally from nerve endings, could have a marked enhancing effect on oedema induced by other mediators in an inflammatory reaction.