Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular Cloning and Characterization of a Human Uronyl 2-Sulfotransferase That Sulfates Iduronyl and Glucuronyl Residues in Dermatan/Chondroitin Sulfate*

A partial-length human cDNA with a predicted amino acid sequence homologous to a previously described heparan sulfate iduronyl 2-sulfotransferase (Kobayashi, M., Habuchi, H., Yoneda, M., Habuchi, O., and Kimata, K. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 13980–13985) was obtained by searching the expressed sequence-tagged data bank. Northern blot analysis was performed using this homologous cDNA as a probe, which demonstrated ubiquitous expression of messages of 5.1 and 2.0 kilobases in a number of human tissues and in several human cancer cell lines. Since the human lymphoma Raji cell line had the highest level of expression, it was used to isolate a full-length cDNA clone. The full-length cDNA was found to contain an open reading frame that predicted a type II transmembrane protein composed of 406 amino acid residues. The cDNA in a baculovirus expression vector was expressed in Sf9 insect cells, and cell extracts were then incubated together with 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phospho[35S]sulfate and potential glycosaminoglycan acceptors. This demonstrated substantial sulfotransferase activity with dermatan sulfate, a small degree of activity with chondroitin sulfate, but no sulfotransferase activity with desulfated N-resulfated heparin. Analysis of [35S]sulfate-labeled disaccharide products of chondroitin ABC, chondroitin AC, and chondroitin B lyase treatment demonstrated that the enzyme only transferred sulfate to the 2-position of uronyl residues, which were preponderantly iduronyl residues in dermatan sulfate, but some lesser transfer to glucuronyl residues of chondroitin sulfate.
Polycystic ovarian morphology in normal women does not predict the development of polycystic ovary syndrome.

CONTEXT Polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM) is present in 25% of normal women in the absence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); however, the natural history of PCOM is unknown. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that the presence of PCOM predisposes the development of PCOS. DESIGN The study was a longitudinal follow-up study over 8.2 +/- 5.2 yr (mean +/- sd; range 1.7-17.5 yr). SETTING The study took place in an outpatient setting. SUBJECTS Women who took part in a previous study as a normal control and had an ultrasound examination (n = 40) participated. INTERVENTION Subjects underwent an interval menstrual history, physical exam, blood sampling, and repeat ultrasound in the follicular phase. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Development of PCOS was diagnosed by irregular menses and hyperandrogenism, in the absence of other disorders. Changes in ovarian morphology over time were evaluated. RESULTS At the baseline visit, 23 women (57.5%) had PCOM and 17 (42.5%) had normal ovarian morphology. One subject with PCOM developed irregular menses and presumptive PCOS. Eleven subjects with PCOM no longer met the criteria for PCOM at follow-up. There was no factor that predicted the change to normal ovarian morphology at the follow-up visit. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that PCOM in women with regular ovulatory cycles does not commonly predispose the development of PCOS. Although it is unusual to develop PCOM if the ovaries are normal on first assessment, ovaries in women with PCOM no longer meet the criteria for PCOM in approximately half of cases over time.
A Passive Circuit to Cancel Input Pulsating Current of Flyback Converter

This paper proposes a ripple canceling branch (RCB) to overcome the destructive effects of input pulsating current of flyback converter and reduce voltage spikes on the switch. This circuit consists of a coupled inductor and capacitor and third winding that added to the core of flyback coupled inductor. The low number of elements, simple structure, small size, cost-effective, and independent of operating conditions such as duty ratio are features of the proposed circuit. However, the excellent features of conventional flyback remained. The operation principle and conditions for input ripple cancellation are analyzed in detail. To the performance and theoretical analyses is evaluated by MATLAB/Simulation results.
FDTD based vegetation simulation - Application to multiple wavelengths and vegetation species

This paper presents a novel technique for full-wave numerical modelling of radar backscatter from vegetation canopies using the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) approach. Multitude of simulation techniques exist for estimating the backscatter from vegetation canopies including analytical techniques and numerical approaches such as FEM and MOM(via commercial products such as HFSS and FEKO). The approach presented here uses the MEEP[1] simulator in parallel mode to efficiently calculate the fields over a time interval using a set of stochastically generated vegetation structures of different species and ground surface with 2 different orders of roughness. The vegetation is modelled using a modification of Ulaby's water cloud model since water is the dominant material in the vegetation-microwave interaction. This approach shows promise in both numerical field strength estimation and intuitive understanding of microwave propagation in complex vegetation like medium.
Intraspecific ecomorphological variation: linear and geometric morphometrics reveal habitat‐related patterns within Podarcis bocagei wall lizards

Morphological variation in relation to habitat is known to occur in several lizard groups. Comparative studies have linked morphology and habitat use, showing that locomotion is the principal mediator of this evolutionary relationship. Here, we investigate intraspecific ecomorphological variation in Podarcis bocagei by examining three habitat types, representing a variety between saxicolous and ground‐dwelling habits. Our results indicate variation in absolute and relative limb length, but patterns are only partially concordant to biomechanical predictions. Whereas the femur and hind foot are longer in ground‐dwelling lizards, confirming previous observations, the tibia and hind limb are relatively shorter, contradicting expectations. Additionally, head shape varies substantially between habitats, in line with a hypothesis of mechanical restrictions related to microhabitat and refuge use. Finally, we detect male‐specific variation between habitats in total body size and head size, providing evidence for interactions between natural and sexual selection. Although performance and behaviour studies are necessary to definitely confirm the functional and evolutionary significance of the observed patterns, our study indicates that ecomorphological adaptations can arise in a very short evolutionary time in this group of lizards.
Nonlinear localization of chirped femtosecond pulse in layered photonic structure

Photonic crystals may be thought as important optical systems for which a nonlinear localization of laser energy is predicted theoretically. Such induced light structures are strongly localized in space (their sizes may be small), time-periodic, and rather stable (at least, long-lived). If a laser energy localization takes place due to spatial soliton appearance in certain elements of photonic crystal then its lifetime can be unbounded. Using this phenomenon, it is possible to design various types of all-optical switching devices in which light acts as a controlling factor and manipulating factor towards itself. Obviously, nonlinear localization of light energy depends on a local light intensity in photonic crystal elements with Kerr nonlinearity, therefore the standard averaging method cannot be applied for an investigation of its occurring. In this case, an analysis of nonlinear effects in photonic crystal is beyond the coupled mode theory approximation and needs more complicated approaches. Below we present computer simulation results for the laser energy nonlinear localization due to soliton appearance at interaction of an incident chirped femtosecond pulse with a layered photonic crystal. This interaction is described by the nonlinear Schrödinger equation. Because we consider the chirped pulse, therefore a nonlinear localization of laser energy can occur for both signs of a medium response. We investigate a soliton formation and its time evolution in dependence on the pulse carrier frequency position with respect to a photonic band gap. We claim essential influence of the incident pulse chirp on laser energy nonlinear localization.
Oral anticoagulation therapy after radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation and the risk of thromboembolism and serious bleeding: long-term follow-up in nationwide cohort of Denmark.

AIM To investigate the long-term risk of thromboembolism and serious bleeding associated with oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy beyond 3 months after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS AND RESULTS Linking Danish administrative registries, 4050 patients undergoing first-time RFA (2000-11) were identified. Risk of thromboembolism and serious bleeding according to OAC therapy were analysed by incidence rates (presented per 100 person-years) and Cox proportional-hazard models. The median age was 59.5 years (interquartile range, IQR: 52.8-65.2); 26.5% were females. During a median follow-up of 3.4 years (IQR: 2.0-5.6), 71 (1.8%) thromboembolism cases were identified, where incidence rates with and without OAC were 0.56 (0.40-0.78)95%CI and 0.64 (0.46-0.89)95%CI, respectively. Oral anticoagulation discontinuation remained insignificant [hazard ratio 1.42(0.86-2.35)95%CI] in multivariable analysis. Beyond 3 months after RFA 87 (2.1%) serious bleedings occurred; incidence rates with and without OAC were 0.99 (0.77-1.27)95%CI and 0.44 (0.29-0.65)95%CI, respectively. Oral anticoagulation therapy was significantly associated with serious bleeding risk [hazard ratio 2.05(1.25-3.35)95%CI]. In an age- and gender-matched cohort (1 : 4) of 15 848 non-ablated AF patients receiving rhythm-control therapy, thromboembolic rates with and without OAC were 1.34 (1.21-1.49)95%CI and 2.14 (1.98-2.30)95%CI, respectively. Adjusted incidence rate ratio was 0.53 (0.43-0.65)95%CI favouring RFA cohort. CONCLUSION Thromboembolic risk beyond 3 months after RFA was relatively low compared with a matched non-ablated AF cohort. With cautious interpretation due to low number of events, serious bleeding risk associated with OAC seems to outweigh the benefits of thromboembolic risk reduction. Randomized studies are warranted to test our results.
Modulated Model Predictive Current Control of a Four-Leg Inverter

A novel modulated model predictive current control for a two-level four-leg voltage source inverter is proposed in this paper. The proposed scheme is designed by combining the operating principles of traditional predictive control with the three-dimensional space vector modulation to enhance the output power quality, while producing fixed switching frequency operation and fast dynamic response for the four-leg inverter. In contrast to the classical predictive control which applies the switching state corresponding to optimal cost function, the proposed controller uses three active vectors and a zero vector to optimize the cost function. Finally, the switching states for four-leg inverter are produced by a modulation stage containing nine-segment switching pattern similar to the classical three-dimensional space vector modulation. The proposed control scheme is validated through simulations considering three-phase unbalanced reference currents and loads.
Immunopeptidometric assay for enzymatically active prostate-specific antigen.

BACKGROUND Determinations of certain forms of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) have been shown to increase the specificity for prostate cancer (PCa). One such variant, proteolytically active PSA, is a potentially useful tumor marker, but it is not specifically recognized by antibodies. Using phage display libraries, we previously identified a "family" of peptides that bind specifically to active PSA. We used these to develop an immunopeptidometric assay (IPMA) that specifically detects this form of PSA. METHODS Microtitration plates coated with a PSA antibody were used to capture PSA, and a PSA-binding glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion peptide was used as a tracer. Bound tracer was detected with an antibody to GST labeled with a europium chelate. PSA isoenzymes with high and low enzymatic activity were used to study binding specificity. RESULTS The IPMA detected enzymatically active PSA but not internally cleaved PSA and pro-PSA, which are enzymatically inactive. The assay detected 1-10% of free PSA in serum from PCa patients. CONCLUSIONS Peptides identified by phage display can be used to develop assays with unique specificities for enzymatically active PSA. IPMA represents a new assay principle with wide potential utility.
Likelihood Almost Free Inference Networks

Variational inference for latent variable models is prevalent in various machine learning problems, typically solved by maximizing the Evidence Lower Bound (ELBO) of the true data likelihood with respect to a variational distribution. However, freely enriching the family of variational distribution is challenging since the ELBO requires variational likelihood evaluations of the latent variables. In this paper, we propose a novel framework to enrich the variational family based on an alternative lower bound, by introducing auxiliary random variables to the variational distribution only. While offering a much richer family of complex variational distributions, the resulting inference network is likelihood almost free in the sense that only the latent variables require evaluations from simple likelihoods and samples from all the auxiliary variables are sufficient for maximum likelihood inference. We show that the proposed approach is essentially optimizing a probabilistic mixture of ELBOs, thus enriching modeling capacity and enhancing robustness. It outperforms state-of-the-art methods in our experiments on several density estimation tasks.
Transfer of a prion strain to different hosts leads to emergence of strain variants

Prions consist mainly of PrPSc, a pathogenic conformer of host-encoded PrPC. Prion populations with distinct phenotypes but associated with PrPSc, having the same amino acid sequence, constitute distinct strains. Strain identity is thought to be encoded by the conformation of PrPSc and to be maintained by seeded conversion. Prion strains can be distinguished by the cell panel assay, which measures their ability to infect distinct cell lines. Brain-derived 22L prions characteristically are able to infect R33 cells (i.e., are “R33 competent”), as well as PK1 cells in the presence of the inhibitor swainsonine (i.e. are “swa resistant”). Here we report that 22L prions retained their characteristic cell tropism and swa resistance when transferred from brain to R33 cells. However, when transferred from the R33 cells to PK1 cells, they gradually became R33 incompetent and swa sensitive, unless the transfer was in the presence of swa, in which case swa resistance and R33 competence were retained. PrPSc associated with swa-resistant/R33-competent and swa-sensitive/R33-incompetent prions had different conformational stabilities. When cloned R33-incompetent/swa-sensitive prions were again propagated in brain, their properties gradually reverted to those of the original brain-derived 22L prions. Our results support the view that 22L prion populations are heterogeneous and that distinct prion variants are selected in different cellular environments.
Lipoxin A4 attenuates adipose inflammation

Aging and adiposity are associated with chronic low‐grade inflammation, which underlies the development of obesity‐associated complications, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The mechanisms underlying adipose inflammation may include macrophage infiltration and activation, which, in turn, affect insulin sensitivity of adipocytes. There is a growing appreciation that specific lipid mediators (including lipoxins, resolvins, and protectins) can promote the resolution of inflammation. Here, we investigated the effect of lipoxin A4 (LXA4), the predominant endogenously generated lipoxin, on adipose tissue inflammation. Using adipose tissue explants from perigonadal depots of aging female C57BL/6J mice (Animalia, Chordata, Mus musculus) as a model of age‐associated adipose inflammation, we report that LXA4 (1 nM) attenuates adipose inflammation, decreasing IL‐6 and increasing IL‐10 expression (P<0.05). The altered cytokine milieu correlated with increased GLUT‐4 and IRS‐1 expression, suggesting improved insulin sensitivity. Further investigations revealed the ability of LXA4 to rescue macrophage‐induced desensitization to insulin‐stimulated signaling and glucose uptake in cultured adipocytes, using vehicle‐stimulated cells as controls. This was associated with preservation of Akt activation and reduced secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF‐α. We therefore propose that LXA4 may represent a potentially useful and novel therapeutic strategy to subvert adipose inflammation and insulin resistance, key components of T2DM. —Börgeson, E. , McGillicuddy, F. C. , Harford, K. A. , Corrigan, N. , Higgins, D. F. , Maderna, P., Roche, H. M. , Godson C. Lipoxin A4 attenuates adipose inflammation. FASEB J. 26, 4287–4294 (2012). www.fasebj. org
SNP rs16969968 as a Strong Predictor of Nicotine Dependence and Lung Cancer Risk in a North Indian Population

Background: The 15q24-25 loci contain genes (CHRNA5 and CHRNA3) encoding nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits. We here determined for the first time the association of genetic variants rs16969968 and rs3743074 in CHRNA5 and CHRNA3, respectively, on nicotine dependence and lung cancer risk in a North Indian population by a case-control approach. Methods: Venous blood samples were obtained from 324 participants (108 lung cancer patients and 216 healthy individuals). DNA was extracted and PCR amplified with primers flanking the SNPs rs16969968 and rs3743074. Amplicons were subjected to sequencing and logistic regression was used to analyze association between variables. Results: The risk variant SNP rs16969968 in both heterozygous and homozygous forms appeared to exert a significant effect on nicotine dependence [GA (OR=2.77) and AA (OR=2.53)]. As expected, smoking was strongly associated with lung cancer (OR= 2.62). Risk allele rs16969968 in CHRNA5 also showed a significant association with increased lung cancer risk in our cohort, alone (OR= 4.99) and with smoking as a co-variable (OR= 4.28). Comparison of our analysis with other populations suggested that individuals with rs16969968 risk allele in the Indian population are more susceptible to lung cancer. Conclusion: Overall, the results strongly indicated that, in our cohort North Indian population, the genetic variant rs16969968, but not rs3743074, is significantly associated with both nicotine dependence and increased risk of lung cancer. While the results are significant, there is further need to increase the sample size and improve precision of our risk prediction.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Working Memory and Response Inhibition in Children with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract The current pilot study examined functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activation in children with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) during tasks of working memory and inhibitory control, both of which are vulnerable to impairment following mTBI. Thirteen children with symptomatic mTBI and a group of controls completed a version of the Tasks of Executive Control (TEC) during fMRI scanning. Both groups showed greater prefrontal activation in response to increased working memory load. Activation patterns did not differ between groups on the working memory aspects of the task, but children with mTBI showed greater activation in the posterior cerebellum with the addition of a demand for inhibitory control. Children with mTBI showed greater impairment on symptom report and “real world” measures of executive functioning, but not on traditional “paper and pencil” tasks. Likewise, cognitive testing did not correlate significantly with imaging results, whereas increased report of post-concussive symptoms were correlated with increased cerebellar activation. Overall, results provide some evidence for the utility of symptom report as an indicator of recovery and the hypothesis that children with mTBI may experience disrupted neural circuitry during recovery. Limitations of the study included a small sample size, wide age range, and lack of in-scanner accuracy data. (JINS, 2011, 17, 1143–1152)
Adult Weight Change, Weight Cycling, and Prepregnancy Obesity in Relation to Risk of Preeclampsia

Background: Preeclampsia has been shown to be associated with obesity, with other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and with subsequent cardiovascular disease itself. However, the possible association with weight gain and weight cycling has not been evaluated. Methods: In this prospective study of a cohort of 1644 pregnant women, we assessed adult weight change, intentional weight cycling, and prepregnancy obesity in relation to preeclampsia risk. Net weight change from age 18 years to the period 3 months before conception was determined for each participant. Weight cycling was defined as intentional weight loss and unintentional regain of at least 15 pounds during periods not related to pregnancy or lactation. We used multivariate regression procedures to calculate risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Relative to women with stable weight (gained or lost <2.5 kg) women who gained 5.0–9.9 kg experienced a 2.6-fold increased risk of preeclampsia (95% CI = 1.0–6.7). The corresponding risk ratio (RR) for women who gained ≥10 kg was 5.1 (2.2–12.2). Intentional weight cycling, after controlling for weight at age 18 years, adult weight change, and other risk factors, was not associated with increased risk of preeclampsia (RR = 1.1; CI = 0.6–1.8). RRs increased monotonically with increasing prepregnancy body mass index greater than 19.8 kg/m2. After adjusting for confounders, the RR for prepregnancy overweight women and obese women were 1.7 (0.6–4.9) and 3.4 (1.5–7.6) respectively. Conclusions: These results suggest that adult weight gain and prepregnancy overweight and obesity status are associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia.
Effect of the water extract and ethanol extract from traditional Chinese medicines Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. and Rheum palmatum L. on rat liver cytochrome P450 activity

Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (DG), Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (CX) and Rheum palmatum L. (DH), three well known traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), have been used widely for the treatment of various types of disorders in China. Herb–drug interactions, especially cytochrome P450 (CYP)‐mediated interactions, cause an enhancement or attenuation in the efficacy of co‐administered drugs. In this study, to assess the possible interactions between TCM and drugs, the effect of water and ethanol extracts of DG, CX and DH on cytochrome P450 were studied in rats. The activities of various CYP enzymes were determined by HPLC method. Treatment of rats with water extracts or ethanol extracts of DG, CX and DH at daily dosages equivalent to 3 g (dry herbal material)/kg all increased the microsome protein contents and decreased the total CYP levels. The water extract of DG strongly increased the activities of CYP2D6 and 3A and the water extract of DH signiﬁcantly increased the activity of 2D6. The other water extracts all showed inhibition against CYP isoforms. Only the ethanol extract of DG and DH increased the CYP2D6 and 3A activities, respectively, and the other ethanol extracts all decreased the level of CYP isoforms. All extract treatments had signiﬁcant effects on CYP isoforms activities, whether induction or inhibition, compared with the blank control. Thus, caution should be paid to possible drug interactions of DG, CX, DH and CYP substrates. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.