Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing rod, cone, and melanopsin contributions to human pupil flicker responses.

PURPOSE We determined the relative contributions of rods, cones, and melanopsin to pupil responses in humans using temporal sinusoidal stimulation for light levels spanning the low mesopic to photopic range. METHODS A four-primary Ganzfeld photostimulator controlled flicker stimulations at seven light levels (-2.7 to 2 log cd/m(2)) and five frequencies (0.5-8 Hz). Pupil diameter was measured using a high-resolution eye tracker. Three kinds of sinusoidal photoreceptor modulations were generated using silent substitution: rod modulation, cone modulation, and combined rod and cone modulation in phase (experiment 1) or cone phase shifted (experiment 2) from a fixed rod phase. The melanopsin excitation was computed for each condition. A vector sum model was used to estimate the relative contribution of rods, cones, and melanopsin to the pupil response. RESULTS From experiment 1, the pupil frequency response peaked at 1 Hz at two mesopic light levels for the three modulation conditions. Analyzing the rod-cone phase difference for the combined modulations (experiment 2) identified a V-shaped response amplitude with a minimum between 135° and 180°. The pupil response phases increased as cone modulation phase increased. The pupil amplitude increased with increasing light level for cone, and combined (in-phase rod and cone) modulation, but not for the rod modulation. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that cone- and rod-pathway contributions are more predominant than melanopsin contribution to the phasic pupil response. The combined rod, cone, and melanopsin inputs to the phasic state of the pupil light reflex follow linear summation.
Risk Factors Associated With Rotavirus Gastroenteritis During a Community Outbreak in Chiapas, Mexico During the Postvaccination Era.

BACKGROUND In January 2010, surveillance detected a rotavirus gastroenteritis outbreak in Chiapas, Mexico. We aimed to identify risk and protective factors for developing rotavirus gastroenteritis of any severity among children in the epidemic setting. METHODS A case-control study was conducted, comparing case patients (defined as children <36 months of age with acute gastroenteritis of any severity whose stool tested positive for rotavirus by enzyme immunoassay) with age- and municipality-matched controls. Information was obtained through face-to-face interviews on clinical outcome, demographics, breastfeeding history, rotavirus immunization status, and indicators of socioeconomic status. RESULTS Eighty-five case patients and 170 controls were enrolled. Factors associated with lower risk of rotavirus gastroenteritis included current breastfeeding, owning a refrigerator, and being immunized with 1 or 2 doses of a live-attenuated monovalent rotavirus vaccine. History of previous diarrheal episodes and living with 7 or more people in the same household were associated with higher risk of developing rotavirus gastroenteritis. CONCLUSION During this outbreak, dietary, socioeconomic, and environmental factors were independently associated with risk of developing rotavirus disease. Rotavirus vaccine also offered significant protection against rotavirus disease of any severity, emphasizing the value of vaccination as a simple and highly effective public health strategy for prevention of rotavirus illness.
Chromatin and DNA Modifications in the Opaque2-Mediated Regulation of Gene Transcription during Maize Endosperm Development[W]

The maize (Zea mays) Opaque2 (O2) gene encodes an endosperm-specific bZIP-type transcription activator. In this study, we analyzed O2 targets for chromatin and DNA modifications and transcription factors binding during endosperm development and in leaves. In leaves, O2 targets exhibit high cytosine methylation levels and transcriptionally silent chromatin, enriched with histones H3 dimethylated at Lys-9 (H3K9me2) and Lys-27 (H3K27me2). Transcriptional activation in the endosperm occurs through a two-step process, with an early potentiated state and a later activated state. The potentiated state has cytosine demethylation at symmetric sites, substitution of H3K9me2 and H3K27me2 with histones H3 acetylated at Lys-14 (H3K14ac) and dimethylated at Lys-4 (H3K4me2), and increased DNaseI sensitivity. During the activated state, the mRNA of O2 targets accumulates in correspondence to RNPII, O2, and Ada2/Gcn5 coactivator binding. The active state also exhibits further increases of H3K14ac/H3K4me2 and DNaseI accessibility levels and deposition of histone H3 acetylated at Lys-9 and trimethylated at Lys-4. Analysis of o2 mutants revealed that O2 targets differ in their dependence on O2 activity for coactivator recruitment and for formation of specific chromatin modification profiles. These results indicate gene-specific involvement of mechanisms that modify chromatin states in the O2-mediated regulation of transcription.
Investigation and Demonstration of a WR-4.3 Optically Controlled Waveguide Attenuator

We report the design and demonstration of a compact WR-4.3 (170-260 GHz, equivalent to WR-4 band in Electronics Industries Alliance band designation) optically controlled waveguide attenuator using an E-plane tapered high-resistivity micromachined silicon absorber. Variable attenuation is realized by illuminating the silicon absorber with different light intensities from a fiber-guided infrared laser diode. Finite element method simulation has shown that high attenuator performance can be potentially achieved. For a prototype demonstration, a WR-4.3 optically controlled attenuator has been designed and implemented using an E-plane split waveguide configuration. The attenuator has been characterized in the WR-4.3 waveguide band using a vector network analyzer and the results show that a 0.6-dB insertion loss, greater than 10-dB return loss, and an average of approximately 25-dB tuning range have been achieved over most of the WR-4.3 band (i.e., 170-230 GHz). This approach is promising for developing high-performance variable waveguide attenuators into the millimeter-wave and terahertz regime.
The role of religious context in children's differentiation between God's mind and human minds

The current study examined the cultural factors (i.e., religious background, religious participation, parents' views of prayer, and parents' concepts of God) that contribute to children's differentiation between the capabilities of human minds and God's mind. Protestant Christian, Roman Catholic, Muslim, and Religiously Non-Affiliated parents and their preschool-aged children were interviewed (N = 272). Children of Muslim parents differentiated the most between God's mind and human minds (i.e., human minds are fallible but God's is not), and children who had greater differentiation between God's and humans' minds had parents who had the least anthropomorphic conceptions of God. Additionally, there was a unique effect of being raised in a Religiously Non-Affiliated home on the degree of children's differentiation between God's and human minds after religious context factors had been accounted for; in other words, children of Religious Non-Affiliates differentiated between humans and God the least and their differentiation was unrelated to religious context factors. These findings delineate the ways in which religious context differences influence concepts of God from the earliest formation. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Children's concept of God develops during the preschool years. The degree of anthropomorphism in children's concept of God varies. What does this study add? Muslim children have a strong differentiation between what God's mind and human minds can do. Religiously Non-Affiliated children have almost no differentiation between God's and human minds. Parent anthropomorphism explains variance in children's God concepts, both within and across religious groups.
Mental Health Care Financing in Italy: Current Situation and Perspectives

Abstract Through a review of the studies conducted on the analysis of the costs of the Italian mental health provision of care, this study aimed at describing the current financing system for mental health care in Italy. From the deinstitutionalization to the present days, Italian mental health care financing has evolved in line with both national plans and the actual European directives. The description of the current situation of mental health care financing in Italy can be useful to inform service planning and resource allocation, and to offer a wider European perspective.
PERSPECTIVE: HIGHLY VARIABLE LOCI AND THEIR INTERPRETATION IN EVOLUTION AND CONSERVATION

Although highly variable loci, such as microsatellite loci, are revolutionizing both evolutionary and conservation biology, data from these loci need to be carefully evaluated. First, because these loci often have very high within‐population heterozygosity, the magnitude of differentiation measures may be quite small. For example, maximum GST values for populations with no common alleles at highly variable loci may be small and are at maximum less than the average within‐population homozygosity. As a result, measures that are variation independent are recommended for highly variable loci. Second, bottlenecks or a reduction in population size can generate large genetic distances in a short time for these loci. In this case, the genetic distance may be corrected for low variation in a population and tests to detect bottlenecks are advised. Third, statistically significant differences may not reflect biologically meaningful differences both because the patterns of adaptive loci may not be correlated with highly variable loci and statistical power with these markers is so high. As an example of this latter effect, the statistical power to detect a one‐generation bottleneck of different sizes for different numbers of highly variable loci is discussed. All of these concerns need to be incorporated in the utilization and interpretation of patterns of highly variable loci for both evolutionary and conservation biology.
Frequent genomic imbalances in chromosomes 17, 19, and 22q in peripheral nerve sheath tumours detected by comparative genomic hybridization analysis

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was used to detect changes in relative chromosome copy number in 50 cases of peripheral nerve sheath tumour (PNSTs), including nine malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNSTs), 27 neurofibromas (with three plexiform neurofibromas) and 14 schwannomas. Chromosome imbalances were frequently detected in benign as well as malignant PNSTs. In both NF1‐associated and sporadic MPNSTs, the number of gains was higher than the number of losses, suggesting proto‐oncogene activation during MPNST progression. NF1‐asociated MPNSTs exhibited gains of chromosomes 17q and X (2/4 cases each), where as sporadic MPNSTs showed gains of chromosome 4q (3/5 cases). On the other hand, in benign neurofibromas and schwannomas, the number of losses was higher than the number of gains, suggesting a predominant role of tumour suppressor genes in tumourigenesis. Both sporadic and NF1‐associated neurofibromas exhibited losses at chromosome 22q in more than 50% of cases. These chromosomal regions may contain common chromosomal abnormalities characteristic of both types of neurofibromas. In NF1‐associated neurofibromas, most frequent losses were found in chromosomes 17 [17p11.2–p13 in nine cases (60%); 17q24–25 in 6 cases (40%)] and 19 [19p13.2 in eight cases (53%); 19q13.2–qter in eight cases (53%)], whereas in sporadic neurofibromas and schwannomas losses of chromosomes 17 and 19 were detected in less than 50% of cases. Since this 17p11.2–p13 region is known to contain the tumour suppressor gene TP53, patients with NF1 may be at high risk of malignant neoplasms including MPNSTs. Gains were more frequently detected in plexiform neurofibromas (2/3 cases) than other benign tumours, suggesting proto‐oncogene activation in tumourigenesis of plexiform neurofibroma. The significance of the losses of chromosome 19 in these cases is not clear at present, but in NF1‐associated neurofibromas, the presence of some as yet unknown tumour suppressor genes on chromosome 19 cannot be ruled out. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A standardized clinical evaluation of patients affected by facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: The FSHD clinical score

To define numerically the clinical severity of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), we developed a protocol that quantifies muscle weakness by combining the functional evaluation of six muscle groups affected in this disease. To validate reproducibility of the protocol, 69 patients were recruited. Each patient was evaluated by at least five neurologists, and an FSHD severity score was given by each examiner. The degree of agreement among clinicians' evaluations was measured by kappa‐statistics. Nineteen subjects received a score between 0 and 1, 9 had a score between 2 and 4, 20 received a score between 5 and 10, and 8 had a score between 11 and 15. Of the 13 subjects with D4Z4 alleles within the normal range (ranging from 10 to 150 repeats), 12 obtained a score of 0 and only 1 had a score of 1. Kappa‐statistics showed a very high concordance for all muscle groups. We developed a simple, reliable, easily used tool to define the clinical expression of FSHD. Longitudinal studies will assess its sensitivity and utility in measuring changes for widespread use. Muscle Nerve, 2010
Comparative evaluation of multiple lymphoid and recombinant human interleukin-2 preparations.

Six lymphoid human interleukin-2s (nIL-2s) [four from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and two from JURKAT cells] and six recombinant IL-2s (rIL-2s) were obtained for comparative evaluation. The main issues addressed were possible differences among the preparations in potency in T cell growth assays and other functional assays, and the possible presence of other cytokine activities or contaminants. Each preparation was assigned a standardized IL-2 activity in reference units (RU) by comparing its T cell growth promoting activity against the Biological Response Modifiers Program IL-2 (JURKAT) reference reagent. Relative to the IL-2 unitage indicated by the suppliers, the RU varied from 110-fold less to 38.5-fold more for the various preparations. Two nIL-2s and two rIL-2s contained significant levels of endotoxin. One nIL-2 contained low levels of both alpha and gamma interferon (IFN), and one nIL-2 had a high level of gamma IFN. All other IL-2s were negative for IFN activity. All IL-2 preparations significantly augmented human natural killer (NK) activity, although the amount of RU required varied from 0.1 to 50 RU. Four nIL-2s and three rIL-2s induced human PBMC to produce gamma IFN, whereas two nIL-2s and one rIL2 did not. All nIL-2s had substantial amounts of B cell growth factor activity, whereas none of the rIL-2s consistently displayed this activity. All IL-2s stimulated the tritiated thymidine [3H]TdR incorporation of human PBMC in the absence of other stimuli, in addition to augmenting the response to mitogen or alloantigens. Some nILs and IL-2s had effects on human monocytes such as inhibiting migration, inducing cytotoxic or growth inhibitory activity against tumor cells, and causing changes in cell surface markers. The IL-2s were also tested for activity in vitro and in vivo in mice. Although there was a 12-fold variation in activity among the preparations, all but one of the IL-2s showed augmentation of the mixed lymphocyte reaction activity and all IL-2s tested stimulated macrophage cytotoxicity in vitro. All IL-2s tested enhanced the mixed lymphocyte-allogeneic tumor cell reaction resulting in greater production of cytotoxic T cells. However, significant quantitative differences in potency were evident among the various IL-2 preparations, especially the nIL-2s. Only very high doses of IL-2 (intraperitoneal injection of 100,000 RU/animal) induced in vivo augmentation of splenic or peritoneal NK cells, although all IL-2s tested increased NK activity against tumor target cells in vitro with substantially lower doses (10-100 RU/ml). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Recovery of amino acids at the distal ileum for determining apparent and true ileal amino acid digestibilities in growing pigs fed various heat-processed full-fat soybean products.

Ten crossbred gilts fitted with simple T-cannulas at the distal ileum were used to determine the apparent and true ileal amino acid digestibilities in five different soybean products: extruded, jetsploded, micronized, or roasted full-fat soybeans (FFSB) and soybean meal (SBM). The gilts with an average initial body weight of 36 kg were fed the different diets according to a replicated 5 x 5 Latin square design. Gilts were fed twice daily at 0800 and 1830 at 2.6 times maintenance energy requirement. All diets were cornstarch-based and formulated to contain 16% CP from one of the five soybean products. The recovery of endogenous lysine at the distal ileum was determined using the homoarginine technique. This technique involved the guanidination of dietary lysine to homoarginine, to allow for a differentiation between undigested dietary lysine, represented by homoarginine, and endogenous lysine in the digestive tract of pigs consuming diets that contain guanidinated proteins. Chromic oxide and dysprosium chloride were included as indigestible markers in the normal and homoarginine diets, respectively. True digestibilities were only determined with the five gilts of one Latin square. Ileal digesta were collected for 24 h on d 8 and 10 of each 10-d experimental period. The apparent ileal protein digestibility was higher in SBM than in other soybean products (P < .05). In the heat-treated FFSB, the apparent protein digestibility varied between 69.0 and 81.6%. Recovery of endogenous lysine was affected by the diet (P < .01) and varied between 1,329 and 2,448 mg/kg of DM intake. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Solution structure of the N‐terminal amphitropic domain of Escherichia coli glucose‐specific enzyme IIA in membrane‐mimetic micelles

The N‐terminal domain of enzyme IIAGlc of the Escherichia coli phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system confers amphitropism to the protein, allowing IIAGlc to shuttle between the cytoplasm and the membrane. To further understand this amphitropic protein, we have elucidated, by NMR spectroscopy, the solution structure of a synthetic peptide corresponding to the N‐terminal domain of IIAGlc. In water, this peptide is predominantly disordered, consistent with previous data obtained in the absence of membranes. In detergent micelles of dihexanoylphosphatidylglycerol (DHPG) or sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS), however, residues Phe 3–Val 10 of the peptide adopt a helical conformation in the ensemble of structures calculated on the basis of NOE‐derived distance restraints. The root mean square deviations for superimposing the backbone atoms of the helical region are 0.18 Å in DHPG and 0.22 Å in SDS. The structure, chemical shifts, and spin–spin coupling constants all indicate that, of the four lysines in the N‐terminal domain of IIAGlc, only Lys 5 and Lys 7 in the amphipathic helical region interact with DHPG. In addition, the peptide‐detergent interactions were investigated using intermolecular NOESY experiments. The aliphatic chains of anionic detergents DHPG, SDS, and 2,2‐dimethyl‐2‐silapentane‐5‐sulfonate sodium salt (DSS) all showed intermolecular NOE cross‐peaks to the peptide, providing direct evidence for the putative membrane anchor of IIAGlc in binding to the membrane‐mimicking micelles.
Chronic perfusion changes and reduction in preeclampsia incidence in pregnant smokers: an ophthalmic artery Doppler study

Abstract Objective: Our aim was to investigate the hemodynamic profile of the ophthalmic artery in preeclamptic women, pregnant smokers and pregnant controls with no known diseases. Study design: A prospective cross-sectional study using the performed ophthalmic artery Doppler ultrasonography in 20 mild preeclamptic women and 20 severe preeclamptic women, 37 pregnant smokers and 51 controls. Data evaluated by using Doppler ultrasonography were as follows: resistance index, pulsatility index, peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity, second peak systolic velocity and peak ratio. The Doppler results, gestational age, patient age and systolic and diastolic pressure of groups were subjected to analysis of variance (p < 0.05). Results: Both groups of preeclamptic women presented significant orbital hyperperfusion (resistance index: 0.64 ± 0.07 and 0.64 ± 0.13, pulsatility index:1.10 ± 0.26 and 1.02 ± 0.30, end diastolic velocity:14.13 ± 4.44 and 15.66 ± 4.17), whereas pregnant smokers showed vasospasm (0.84 ± 0.04, 2.27 ± 0.43, 4.78 ± 1.28, respectively) indicating divergent vascular pattern between these two groups (p < 0.01) and differences between each group and controls (0.78 ± 0.06, 1.89 ± 0.36, 7.43 ± 2.71), respectively, p < 0.01. Peak systolic velocity mean values for severe preeclamptic women was 40.36 ± 5.61 cm/s, significantly higher than in all groups (34.53 ± 6.82 cm/s, 31.03 ± 4.72 cm/s and 34.35 ± 6.43 cm/s). Conclusion: Preeclamptic women have presented hyperperfusion whereas chronic smokers have shown hypoperfusion in ophthalmic artery. Thus, chronic flow changes in pregnant smokers might reduce the number of sudden and catastrophic events in preeclampsia.
Catechol Formation and Melanization by Na+ -Dependent Azotobacter chroococcum: a Protective Mechanism for Aeroadaptation?

Aeroadaptive microaerophilic Azotobacter chroococcum 184 produced a cell-associated black pigment when grown at high aeration rates under nitrogen-fixing conditions. This pigment was shown to be a catechol melanin. Polyphenol oxidase activity was detected in cell extracts of cells grown for 72 h. Melanin formation was optimal in the later stages of growth, and there was no correlation between nitrogenase activity and melanization. Nitrogenase activity in strain 184 was optimal at 10% O2, and melanin formation was suppressed by O2 limitation. In the presence of charcoal, an adsorbent of toxic oxygen intermediates, and benzoic acid, a scavenger of hydroxyl radicals, melanization was inhibited. However, in the presence of copper, the intensity of pigment color increased and melanization was accelerated. Copper also eliminated catalase and peroxidase activities of the organism but still permitted aerobic growth. In the presence of low levels of iron, melanization was accelerated under high aeration rates, and under low rates of aeration, melanization was observed only at higher levels of iron. Hydroxamate-siderophore production was detectable in the presence of soluble iron under high rates of aeration but was repressed by the same levels of iron under low aeration rates. Unlike melanization and hydroxamate formation, catechol formation was observed under both low and high rates of aeration under nitrogen-fixing conditions. Catechol formation and melanization were repressed by 14 mM NH4+, at which level nitrogenase activity was also repressed. Copper reversed the repressive effect of NH4+. A role for catechol formation and melanization in aeroadaptation is proposed.