Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Type III Secretion-Dependent Modulation of Innate Immunity as One of Multiple Factors Regulated by Pseudomonas aeruginosa RetS

ABSTRACT Mutation of retS (rtsM) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA103 reduces its virulence in both ocular and respiratory murine models of infection. In vitro, retS mutants exhibit loss of the ExsA-regulated type III secretion system (TTSS), reduced twitching motility, and a decrease in association with, invasion of, and survival within corneal epithelial cells. In addition, transcription of multiple other virulence genes is positively and negatively affected by retS mutation. Since our published data show that ExoU and ExoT, the two TTSS effectors encoded by strain PA103, each confer virulence in this corneal model, we hypothesized that loss of virulence of retS mutants follows loss of type III secretion. Corneal pathology, bacterial colonization, and phagocyte infiltration were compared for wild-type PA103, retS mutants, and various TTSS mutants after infection with ∼106 CFU bacteria. Results showed that either a retS or an exsA (TTSS) mutation delayed disease progression, as illustrated by reduced severity scores and colonization levels during the first 48 h postinfection. Surprisingly, retS mutant infections then became more severe than those involving exsA mutants. By day 7, colonization levels of retS mutants even surpassed those of wild-type bacteria (more than twofold, P = 0.028). Although retS mutants caused more severe opacification of central corneas than both the wild type and the exsA mutants, neither mutant caused the peripheral ring opacity commonly associated with wild-type infection, suggesting that the TTSS was involved. Histological experiments with retS and various TTSS mutants showed that ring opacification required ExoU but not ExoT and that it consisted of dense polymorphonuclear phagocyte infiltration at the corneal periphery and the absence of any cell type in the central cornea. These data suggest that these P. aeruginosa TTSS effectors have different effects on innate immunity and that RetS influences virulence beyond its effects on the TTSS.
Effect of Different Osmolalities, CHO Types, and [CHO] on Gastric Emptying in Humans

Purpose This study investigated the effect of beverage osmolalities, carbohydrate (CHO) type, and CHO concentration on gastric emptying in euhydrated subjects at rest. Methods The gastric emptying of water (W), four glucose beverages (2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% glucose: 2G, 4G, 6G, and 8G), and four sucrose beverages (2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% sucrose: 2S, 4S, 6S, and 8S) were determined in eight healthy subjects using the modified George double-sampling technique. Subjects ingested a beverage (7 mL·kg−1 body weight) containing 25 ppm phenol red as quickly as possible (⩽1.0 min), and subsequent gastric and blood samples were collected every 10 min for 40 min. A linear regression and a repeated-measures ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. Results The gastric secretion volume was not significantly different among beverages across time. Gastric residual beverage volume (GRBV) at each sampling time point was not different among 2S, 4S, 6S, 8S, and water (P > 0.05). The 8G resulted in a significantly greater GRBV compared with other beverages at 20, 30, and 40 min (P < 0.05). GRBV from 6G was significantly higher than 2G at 30 min, but no other statistical differences were found among W, 2G, 4G, and 6G. The 8S had a greater GRBV compared with W at 40 min (P < 0.05). Mean gastric osmolality positively correlated to mean GRBV (r = 0.93). Gastric emptying rate was negatively correlated to the calories emptied (r = 0.84) with a greater effect from glucose beverages compared with sucrose beverages. Conclusions These data suggest that glucose exerts a stronger inhibitory stimulus compared with sucrose on gastric emptying and that a physiological threshold exists for the combined influence of glucose concentration and beverage osmolality to trigger the feedback inhibition of gastric emptying.
Evaluation of enzyme immunoassay for detection of salivary antibody to Helicobacter pylori

The Helisal test is a quantitative enzyme immunoassay for the measurement of Helicobacter pylori-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies in saliva. This test was evaluated in comparison with culture and histopathologic examination of gastric biopsy specimens obtained from 195 patients who underwent 200 endoscopic procedures for the investigation of gastrointestinal symptoms. Forty-one (21%) patients were found to have peptic ulcer disease, and one other patient had a gastric carcinoma. H. pylori was detected in gastric biopsy specimens obtained from 98 (49%) of the procedures. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the Helisal test were 81, 75, 76, and 80%, respectively. The test was negative for 16 (38%) of the 42 patients with peptic ulcer disease or a gastric malignancy diagnosed at endoscopy. These results suggest that the Helisal assay is only moderately accurate for the detection of H. pylori infection in symptomatic patients.
Bayesian and Dempster-Shafer target identification for radar surveillance

This paper considers the problem of target track identification in a radar surveillance system. To build a target identifier alongside a tracker, four features which are available for real-time processing in an air surveillance system are used here: target identity (TID) from a friend-and-foe identification (IFF) system, elevation measurement from the radar, target speed, and acceleration estimated by a tracker. These four features are combined to classify air targets into five different air target categories: friendly commercial, friendly military, hostile commercial (or unknown airline), hostile military, and false targets (clutter). Two popular statistic-based techniques, namely, the Bayesian and Dempster-Shafer methods, are applied to develop radar target identification algorithms for our application. Real-life as well as simulated air surveillance radar data are used to evaluate the practicality and effectiveness of this track identification approach in a radar surveillance system.
Loss comparison of Si- and SiC-based modular multilevel converter for medium/high-voltage applications

One of the main concerns in the operation of the modular multilevel converter (MMC), particularly for high-power applications, is its efficiency. SiC-based devices have the potential to provide significant efficiency improvement compared to Si devices. However, the possibility and benefits of using SiC-based devices instead of Si devices for high-power conversion have not been thoroughly explored. This paper reports on the results obtained from a detailed study to evaluate the performance of MMCs based on medium-voltage SiC MOSFETs and diodes with hybrid MMCs that employ Si IGBTs and SiC diodes. The results are based on detailed circuit simulations that use physics-based circuit models.
The role of disease and demographic factors in the employment of patients with multiple sclerosis.

The onset of multiple sclerosis (MS) in 90% of all cases occurs between the ages of 15 and 50 years. The disorder therefore strikes persons during the peak years of education, career development, and family life. How one reacts to this illness seems to depend not only on the characteristics of the disease, but also on the attributes of the person, such as premorbid personality, educational level, and the quality of the social/family network. When evaluating any person's level of functioning and quality of life, productive employment is an essential component. We have reported an 80% level of unemployment found in a survey of 257 patients at the MS centers. 1 Clinical work at the center has shown that physical disability is certainly not the only, or even the primary, cause of unemployment. The goal of the present study was to identify (1) the degree to which physical disability is
BIODOSIMETRY ON SMALL BLOOD VOLUME USING GENE EXPRESSION ASSAY

This paper reports the development of a biodosimetry device suitable for rapidly measuring expression levels of a low-density gene set that can define radiation exposure, dose and injury in a public health emergency. The platform comprises a set of 14 genes selected on the basis of their abundance and differential expression level in response to radiation from an expression profiling series measuring 41,000 transcripts. Gene expression is analyzed through direct signal amplification using a quantitative Nuclease Protection Assay (qNPA). This assay can be configured as either a high-throughput microplate assay or as a handheld detection device for individual point-of-care assays. Recently, we were able to successfully develop the qNPA platform to measure gene expression levels directly from human whole blood samples. The assay can be performed with volumes as small as 30 &mgr;L of whole blood, which is compatible with collection from a fingerstick. We analyzed in vitro irradiated blood samples with qNPA. The results revealed statistically significant discrimination between irradiated and non-irradiated samples. These results indicate that the qNPA platform combined with a gene profile based on a small number of genes is a valid test to measure biological radiation exposure. The scalability characteristics of the assay make it appropriate for population triage. This biodosimetry platform could also be used for personalized monitoring of radiotherapy treatments received by patients.
A large displacement piezodriven silicon XY-microstage

This paper present the fabrication and integration processes employed in order to realize the Si-PZT hybrid XY-microstage. A silicon XY-microstage with dimensions of 20×20×0.4 mm containing Moonie amplification mechanisms is fabricated and evaluated. The experimental results show that this microstage containing a commercial PZT actuator and Moonie angle of 2 degrees produced a displacement of 82 µm and 60 µm at 70 V for the X and Y directions, respectively. The fabricated microstage demonstrates that the designed amplification mechanism is able to magnify the stroke up to 18 times.
Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System Performance as Measure of Executive Dysfunction in Adult ADHD

Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System Performance as Measure of Executive Dysfunction in Adult ADHD Thad Q. Lloyd Department of Psychology Doctor of Philosophy The evidence suggesting Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has neurodevelopmental roots with specific impairment in executive functioning continues to grow. However, no known study to date has explored the relationship between adult males with a diagnosis of ADHD and performance on a measure of executive functioning, the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (DKEFS). The current investigation attempted to explore (1) whether adult males with ADHD show an overall pattern of executive dysfunction as measured by the DKEFS, (2) potential group differences on both level-of-performance and processoriented measure scores, and (3) the clinical utility of the DKEFS in diagnosing ADHD in adult males. A sample of 37 adults with ADHD was compared to a community sample of equal size. Multivariate statistical analysis yielded significant group differences despite intellectual advantage by the study group. In addition, analysis of individual measures revealed patterns which were not initially predicted based upon current theories of ADHD. Overall, however, no clinically significant impairments emerged, as defined by scores at least one standard deviation below the mean. These findings and potential clinical implications are discussed with recommendations for future research.
Predicting Heat Transfer for Low- and High-Frequency Central-Orifice Synthetic Jets

As electronic devices are becoming more compact each day, the more effective and efficient active cooling technologies are needed. Microfluidic devices, such as synthetic jets, serve as a potential candidate to fulfill the thermal management needs of the next generation electronics. An experimental and computational study has been performed for circular central-orifice synthetic jets. First, a series of experiments was performed to quantify the actuator deflection, air velocity, heat transfer augmentation, and power consumption for central-orifice synthetic jets. Later, a computational study was performed utilizing the same boundary conditions in order to predict the deflection of the diaphragm. The experiments were conducted on three different types of synthetic jets, namely, low-, medium-, and high-frequency synthetic jets. Although a number of correlations were proposed for the prediction of Nu number for slot synthetic jets, no correlation was found to predict the average Nu number for a synthetic jet with a round orifice. Therefore, two correlations were developed, one for low- and medium-frequency synthetic jets and the other for high-frequency synthetic jets to predict the heat transfer coefficient as a function of the geometry, position, and operating condition for impinging flows. The proposed correlations are able to predict the impingement heat transfer of a synthetic jet with an accuracy of ±25% for a wide range of operating conditions and geometrical variables. Normalized frequency had the minimum impact on the average Nu number of a high-frequency synthetic jet compared with dimensionless distance, both have moderate impact on low- and medium-frequency jets.
Defective plasma membrane assembly in yeast secretory mutants

Yeast mutants that are conditionally blocked at distinctive steps in secretion and export of cell surface proteins have been used to monitor assembly of integral plasma membrane proteins. Mutants blocked in transport from the endoplasmic reticulum (sec18), from the Golgi body (sec7 and sec14), and in transport of secretory vesicles (sec1) show dramatically reduced assembly of galactose and arginine permease activities. Simultaneous induction of galactose permease and alpha-galactosidase (a secreted glycoprotein) in sec mutant cells at the nonpermissive temperature (37 degrees C) shows that both activities accumulate and can be exported coordinately when cells are returned to the permissive temperature (24 degrees C) in the presence or absence of cycloheximide. Plasma membrane fractions isolated from sec mutant cells radiolabeled at 37 degrees C have been analyzed by two-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis. Although most of the major protein species seen in plasma membranes from wild-type cells are not efficiently localized in sec18 or sec7, several of these proteins appear in plasma membranes from sec1 cells. These results may be explained by contamination of plasma membrane fractions with precursor vesicles that accumulate in sec1 cells. Alternatively, some proteins may branch off during transport along the secretory pathway and be inserted into the plasma membrane by a different mechanism.
Effect of Y2 Receptor Deletion on Whole Bone Structural Behavior in Mice

Recent evidence has shown that mice deficient in the NPY Y2 receptor have an increase in trabecular bone volume as well as cortical bone mass due to increased osteoblast activity. However, the mechanical phenotype of Y2 −/− bone has not yet been assessed. Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine the effect of Y2 deletion on murine cortical bone structural behavior, as well as to assess the material and geometric contributions to that behavior. The results of this study indicate that Y2 −/− mice on a 129 SV × Balb/c background strain are smaller in body mass and have smaller bones than wild‐type controls. As expected based on smaller bone cross‐sectional properties, cortical bone structural strength was lower in −/− animals. Surprisingly, the structural stiffness of −/− bones was comparable to that of +/+ bones despite their smaller cross‐sectional geometry. Comparable structural stiffness appeared to be achieved by means of an elevated effective shear modulus, which was associated with a small, but statistically significant, higher ash content in Y2 −/− bones. These data represent the first comprehensive characterization of the effect of Y2 deletion on cortical bone structural and material behavior to date. Anat Rec, 291:14–18, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Roles of hypercapnia and acidosis in the vasodilator response to hypercapnic acidosis.

KONTOS, HERMES A. , DAVID W. RICHARDSON, AND JOHN L. PATTERSON, JR. Roles of hypercapniu and acidosis in the vasodilutor response to hyperc@c acidosis. Am. J. Physiol. 2 15 (6) : 1406-1408. 1968. -The importance of increased Pcoz and decreased pH in the mediation of the effects of hypercapnic acidosis on heart rate, blood pressure, and blood flow and vascular resistance of the human forearm were investigated in normal volunteers. The responses to hypercapnic acidosis produced by 7a/, CO2 breathing were compared to the effects of hypercapnia without acidosis produced by 7Y0 CO2 breathing while at the same time isotonic NaHCOa solution was infused intravenously to maintain arterial blood pH at the resting level, Hypercapnic acidosis (CO 2 breathing without NaHC03 infusion) was associated with increased heart rate, increased mean arterial blood pressure, no change in vascular resistance of the intact forearm, and decrease in vascular resistance of the forearm previously treated with phenoxybenzamine and propranolol. These responses were not significantly different from those seen during hypercapnia without acidosis (CO:! breathing plus NaHCOa infusion). The results indicate that the effects of hypercapnic acidosis on heart rate, blood pressure, and on forearm blood vessels are mediated by increased blood (and tissue) Pcoz rather than by the associated decrease in pH.
Treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women: efficacy of flibanserin in the VIOLET Study.

INTRODUCTION Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is the most common form of female sexual dysfunction and is characterized by low sexual desire that causes distress. AIM The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of flibanserin, a postsynaptic 5-HT(1A) agonist/5-HT(2A) antagonist, in premenopausal women with HSDD. METHODS North American premenopausal women with HSDD were randomized to 24 weeks' treatment with placebo (N = 295), flibanserin 50 mg (N = 295), or flibanserin 100 mg (N = 290), once daily at bedtime. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Coprimary endpoints were change from baseline to study end in number of satisfying sexual events (SSE) and sexual desire score measured daily using an electronic diary (eDiary). Secondary endpoints included change from baseline to study end in female sexual function index (FSFI) desire domain and total scores, female sexual distress scale-revised (FSDS-R) Item 13 and total scores, and patient's global impression of improvement. RESULTS Flibanserin 50 mg and 100 mg led to increases in SSE (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 vs. placebo, respectively). There was a numerical trend toward improvement in eDiary desire score on flibanserin 100 mg, but statistical significance was not reached (P = 0.07 vs. placebo). FSFI desire domain and total scores increased with both flibanserin regimens (P < 0.05). FSDS-R total and Item 13 scores decreased with flibanserin 100 mg (P < 0.001), indicating reduced sexual distress. More women receiving flibanserin 50 mg and 100 mg considered their HSDD to have improved than women receiving placebo (39.6% and 50.0% vs. 30.3%, respectively) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION In premenopausal women with HSDD, flibanserin 50 mg and 100 mg once daily at bedtime were well tolerated and associated with statistically significant improvements in SSE, sexual desire (FSFI desire domain score but not eDiary desire score) and overall sexual function, and reduction of sexual distress, vs. placebo.
Cholinergic mechanisms in the reticular control of transmission in the cat lateral geniculate nucleus.

1. We examined the hypothesis that the ascending reticular arousal system influences thalamic transmission through a cholinergic mechanism. Extra- and intracellular recordings were obtained from neurons of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGNd) and the perigeniculate nucleus (PGN) of cats anesthetized either with N2O and pentobarbital or with N2O and halothane. We compared the effects that electrical stimulation of the mesencephalic reticular formation (MRF) and ionophoretically applied acetylcholine (ACh) have on spontaneous and evoked activity of individual neurons and tested whether these effects could be antagonized by ionophoretic administration of the muscarinic receptor blocker scopolamine. The effects of ionophoretically applied glutamate (GLU), N-methyl-D-aspartate, and bicuculline were examined in addition. 2. The prominent effects in LGNd relay cells of both ACh application and of MRF stimulation were an enhancement of the resting discharge, a facilitation of the excitatory responses to light, a reduction of the amplitude and duration of evoked inhibitory episodes, and a blockade of postinhibitory rebound burst. These latter effects resembled those induced with bicuculline. Under barbiturate anesthesia neither ACh application nor MRF stimulation elicited discharges when the excitatory input from the retina was blocked. Ionophoretic application of hte muscarinic antagonist scopolamine abolished the effects of ACh ionophoresis in all relay cells tested (n = 20), and in 10 cells it also antagonized completely the effects of MRF stimulation. In the remaining cells scopolamine reduced the effects of MRF stimulation. 3. Increasing the depth of anesthesia reduced or abolished the effects of ACh application and MRF stimulation on the cells' resting activity but did not interfere with the facilitation of evoked responses. 4. The effects of the excitatory amino acids GLU and NMDA differed from those of MRF stimulation and ACh application, since the former always enhanced both spontaneous and evoked discharges but neither shortened phases of evoked inhibition nor abolished postinhibitory rebound bursts. 5. There was a high correlation between the effectiveness of MRF stimulation and ACh application in individual neurons. On the average, the facilitation of evoked responses was more pronounced in X- than in Y-cells, and the fraction of cells responding with an increase of resting activity to both procedures was considerably higher among X- than among Y-cells. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Resistance to fire blight among flowering pears and quince

Fire blight, caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora (Burrill) Winslow et al., is one of the most destructive diseases of plants in the Rosaceae subfamily Maloideae. Artifi cial inoculations, using E. amylovora strain E2002a, were conducted to determine levels of resistance to fi re blight among taxa of fl owering pears (Pyrus L. spp.) and quince (Chaenomeles Lindl. spp.). The level of resistance was measured as the length of the fi re blight lesion as a percentage of overall shoot length. Considerable variation in resistance was observed among both pears and quince. Pyrus ussuriensis Maxim. 'Prairie Gem' was highly resistant with a lesion length of 1% of the total shoot length. Pyrus calleryana Decne. 'Bradford' was intermediate with a 50% lesion length while P. calleryana 'Chan- ticleer' was signifi cantly more resistant with a lesion length of 31%. Nine pear taxa were highly susceptible and did not differ signifi cantly from 100% disease severity (total shoot death). Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nak. 'Contorta' was highly resistant with a lesion length of 15%. Six quince taxa, including C. x superba (Frahm) Rehd. 'Cameo', 'Texas Scarlet', and 'Jet Trail' were highly susceptible while nine other taxa showed intermedi- ate resistance.