Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence That Sucrose Loaded into the Phloem of a Poplar Leaf Is Used Directly by Sucrose Synthase Associated with Various β-Glucan Synthases in the Stem

Sucrose (Suc) synthase (SuSy) is believed to function in channeling UDP-Glc from Suc to various β-glucan synthases. We produced transgenic poplars (Populus alba) overexpressing a mutant form (S11E) of mung bean (Vigna radiata) SuSy, which appeared in part in the microsomal membranes of the stems. Expression of SuSy in these membranes enhanced the incorporation of radioactive Suc into cellulose, together with the metabolic recycling of fructose (Fru), when dual-labeled Suc was fed directly into the phloem of the leaf. This overexpression also enhanced the direct incorporation of the glucosyl moiety of Suc into the glucan backbone of xyloglucan and increased recycling of Fru, although the Fru recycling system for cellulose synthesis at the plasma membrane might differ from that for xyloglucan synthesis in the Golgi network. These findings suggest that some of the Suc loaded into the phloem of a poplar leaf is used directly by SuSys associated with xyloglucan and cellulose synthases in the stem. This may be a key function of SuSy because the high-energy bond between the Glc and Fru moieties of Suc is conserved and used for polysaccharide syntheses in this sink tissue.
Synthetic multimeric peptides derived from the principal neutralization domain (V3 loop) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp120 bind to galactosylceramide and block HIV-1 infection in a human CD4-negative mucosal epithelial cell line

The glycosphingolipid galactosylceramide (GalCer), which binds gp120 with high affinity and specificity, is a potential alternative receptor for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in some CD4-negative neural and epithelial human cells, including the human colonic epithelial cell line HT-29. In the present study, we demonstrate that synthetic multibranched peptides derived from the consensus sequence of the HIV-1 V3 loop block HIV-1 infection in HT-29 cells. The most active peptide was an eight-branched multimer of the motif Gly-Pro-Gly-Arg-Ala-Phe which at a concentration of 1.8 microM induced a 50% inhibition of HIV-1 infection in competition experiments. This peptide was not toxic to HT-29 cells, and preincubation with HIV-1 did not affect viral infectivity, indicating that the antiviral activity was not due to a nonspecific virucidal effect. Using a high-performance thin-layer chromatography binding assay, we found that multibranched V3 peptides recognized GalCer and inhibited binding of recombinant gp120 to the glycosphingolipid. In addition, these peptides abolished the binding of an anti-GalCer monoclonal antibody to GalCer on the surface of live HT-29 cells. These data provide additional evidence that the V3 loop is involved in the binding of gp120 to the GalCer receptor and show that multibranched V3 peptides are potent inhibitors of the GalCer-dependent pathway of HIV-1 infection in CD4-negative mucosal epithelial cells.
A novel high-temperature combustion interface for compound-specific stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen via high-performance liquid chromatography/isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

RATIONALE In aqueous samples compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) plays an important role. No direct method (without sample preparation) for stable nitrogen isotope analysis (δ(15) N SIA) of non-volatile compounds is known yet. The development of a novel HPLC/IRMS interface based on high-temperature combustion (HTC) for both δ(13) C and δ(15) N CSIA and its proof of principle are described in this study. METHODS To hyphenate high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) a modified high-temperature combustion total organic carbon analyzer (HTC TOC) was used. A system to handle a continuously large amount of water (three-step drying system), favorable carrier and reaction gas mix and flow, an efficient high-temperature-based oxidation and subsequent reduction system and a collimated beam transfer system were the main requirements to achieve the necessary performance. RESULTS The proof of principle with caffeine solutions of the system succeeded. In this initial testing, both δ(13) C and δ(15) N values of tested compounds were determined with precision and trueness of ≤0.5 ‰. Further tests resulted in lower working limit values of 3.5 μgC for δ(13) C SIA and 20 μgN for δ(15) N SIA, considering an accuracy of ±0.5 ‰ as acceptable. CONCLUSIONS The development of a novel HPLC/IRMS interface resulted in the first system reported to be suitable for both δ(13) C and δ(15) N direct CSIA of non-volatile compounds. This highly efficient system will probably open up new possibilities in SIA-based research fields. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Uniformity of evidence-based treatments in practice? Therapist effects in the delivery of cognitive processing therapy for PTSD.

OBJECTIVE Various factors contribute to the effective implementation of evidence-based treatments (EBTs). In this study, cognitive processing therapy (CPT) was administered in a Veterans Affairs (VA) posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) specialty clinic in which training and supervision were provided following VA implementation guidelines. The aim was to (a) estimate the proportion of variability in outcome attributable to therapists and (b) identify characteristics of those therapists who produced better outcomes. METHOD We used an archival database of veterans (n = 192) who completed 12 sessions of CPT by therapists (n = 25) who were trained by 2 nationally recognized trainers, 1 of whom also provided weekly group supervision. Multilevel modeling was used to estimate therapist effects, with therapists treated as a random factor. The supervisor was asked to retrospectively rate each therapist in terms of perceived effectiveness based on supervision interactions. Using single case study design, the supervisor was interviewed to determine what criteria she used to rate the therapists and emerging themes were coded. RESULTS When initial level of severity on the PTSD Checklist (PCL; McDonald & Calhoun, 2010; Weathers, Litz, Herman, Huska, & Keane, 1993) was taken into account, approximately 12% of the variability in the PCL at the end of treatment was due to therapists. The trainer, blind to the results, identified the following characteristics and actions of effective therapists: effectively addressing patient avoidance, language used in supervision, flexible interpersonal style, and ability to develop a strong therapeutic alliance. CONCLUSIONS This study adds to the growing body of literature documenting the importance of the individual therapist as an important factor in the change process.
Ultrasonic six-axis deformation sensing

In this paper, we describe a newly developed deformation sensing scheme in a soft medium, which is based on precise encoding and decoding of deformation components into ultrasound wavefronts. It can detect three translational components and three rotational components of displacement around a transmitter position nearly simultaneously. We assume a cell structure that consists of a 2/spl times/2 ultrasonic transmitter matrix and a 2/spl times/2 ultrasonic receiver matrix, which are placed face to face at a distance of a few tens of wavelengths. All of the transmitter elements are driven sinusoidally and simultaneously, but they are switched into the same, reversed, or quadrature phases to generate a particular shape of wavefront on the receiver matrix. The receiver elements are connected in such a way to obtain amplitude and spatial gradients of the wavefront at a center of the receiver matrix. First, we describe the transduction theory for the six dimensions and show the orthogonality, locality, and simultaneity of this sensing scheme. Then, we describe the fabrication and experimental evaluation of the cell. We also describe a prototype tactile sensor in which a single cell is embedded in a flexible hemispherical fingertip-like body.
Measuring Episodic Memory Across the Lifespan: NIH Toolbox Picture Sequence Memory Test

Abstract Episodic memory is one of the most important cognitive domains that involves acquiring, storing and recalling new information. In this article, we describe a new measure developed for the NIH Toolbox, called the Picture Sequence Memory Test (PSMT) that is the first to examine episodic memory across the age range from 3 to 85. We describe the development of the measure and present validation data for ages 20 to 85. The PSMT involves presentation of sequences of pictured objects and activities in a fixed order on a computer screen and simultaneously verbally described, that the participant must remember and then reproduce over three learning trials. The results indicate good test–retest reliability and construct validity. Performance is strongly related to well-established “gold standard” measures of episodic memory and, as expected, much less well correlated with those of a measure of vocabulary. It shows clear decline with aging in parallel with a gold standard summary measure and relates to several other demographic factors and to self-reported general health status. The PSMT appears to be a reliable and valid test of episodic memory for adults, a finding similar to those found for the same measure with children. (JINS, 2014, 20, 1–9)
Music information retrieval using novel features and a weighted voting method

This paper proposes a novel music information retrieval system (music genre and music mood classification system) based on two novel features and a weighted voting method. The proposed features, modulation spectral flatness measure (MSFM) and modulation spectral crest measure (MSCM), represent the time-varying behavior of a music and indicate the beat strength. The weighted voting method determines the music genre or the music mood by summarizing the classification results of consecutive time segments. Experimental results show that the proposed features give more accurate classification results when combined with traditional features than the octave-based modulation spectral contrast (OMSC) does in spite of short feature vector and that the weighted voting is more effective than statistical method and majority voting.
Investigation of Magnetic Couplers in Bicycle Kickstands for Wireless Charging of Electric Bicycles

This paper investigates closely coupled lumped magnetic coupler configurations, which could potentially be installed within or around a kickstand of an electric bicycle to provide wireless charging capability to the on-board battery pack. Options considered for the bicycle kickstands were the side stand and the bracket stand. Both a cylindrical solenoidal vertical pickup (PU) and a horizontal solenoidal bar PU are investigated for the side and bracket stand, respectively. Two primary pads are proposed for each of those PUs. Each configuration designed in simulation was able to provide at least 40 VA at the expected worst case pad misalignment of 20 mm in the x- and y-axis, and were compared in terms of their power transfer capability, variation in inductance due to misalignment, magnetic leakage, and material usage. It is shown that a solenoidal bar PU with a double-D primary provides an excellent coupling and low magnetic field emissions. A solenoidal bar PU and primary appears to be the cheapest option, using the least amount of ferrite and copper. A double-D primary pad with a solenoidal bar PU was built. Practical measurements showed a good agreement with simulation. The PU was series tuned and connected to a regulator, providing an output of 200 W with an efficiency of ~90% even with misalignment.
THE RATE OF EXCRETION OF URINE IN SUBJECTS WITH DIFFERENT AMOUNTS OF RENAL TISSUE.

ing kidney tissue, namely, the Addis Ratio (1) kUrea in n00 hurcfblrinod' under certain special conditions of diuresis and high blood urea concentration). That this method is an accurate index of functioning renal tissue has been shown by several considerations, summarized by MacKay (2). In each of three species (rat, rabbit, and dog) the value of the Ratio bears a direct linear relationship to the actual weight of the kidneys. In man, a similar relationship has been demonstrated between the Ratio and body surface, while body surface and kidney weight are in turn in straight-line association. The purpose of this paper is to study in man the relation between the amount of functioning renal tissue (as measured by the Ratio) and the volume of urine per unit of time under conditions designed to induce "minimums" and "maximums" rates of excretion.2 MacKay and MacKay (3) have already demonstrated the relation between the blood urea concentration and the amount of functioning renal tissue (similarly measured). LITERATURE
Regulation of PUFA metabolism: pharmacological and toxicological aspects.

Levels of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP) of the n-6 and n-3 series in animal plasma and cells are directly or indirectly dependent upon the intakes of either their precursors, the short-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (SCP), linoleic (LA, 18:2 n-6) and alpha linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3 n-3), respectively, and/or of the preformed products (arachidonic, 20:4 n-6) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3). We report here that pharmacological agents and cytotoxic compounds significantly affect the production of LCP from SCP in cultured cells. Using labelled substrates and radio HPLC separations, we observed that the potent hypocholesterolemic agent, simvastatin, activates the formation of AA from LA, mainly acting at the delta5 desaturation step, and increases also the mRNA levels, in cultured monocytic cells (THP-1). Elevation of AA occurs also in plasma lipids of hyperlipemic patients treated with statins (but not with fibrates). Conversely, oxysterols (mainly 7-beta-oxysterol), which are detected in circulating lipoproteins of rabbits on a hypercholesterolemic diet, potently inhibit the synthesis of AA from LA in hepatocytic cell lines (Hep-G2). At the same time plasma levels o AA are reduced vs controls, in spite of an identical intake of LA. Finally, on the basis of previous work showing reduced levels of LCP, mainly DHA, in the milk of cigarette-smoking mothers, we have observed that the incubation of human mammary gland cells with sera exposed to cigarette smoke results in marked inhibition of the production of DHA from ALA. The products in smoke responsible for this effect, are being identified through mass spectrometric techniques. In conclusion, pharmacological agents and toxic compounds, such as oxysterols and smoke products affect key steps in the synthesis of the LCP, major bioregulators in mammalian cells.
Emerging arboviruses in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: Chikungunya and Zika outbreaks, 2014‐2016

The recent emergence of arboviruses such as Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) in Brazil has posed a threat to human health and to the country's economy. Outbreaks occur mainly in tropical areas; however, increasing number of cases have been observed in Rio Grande do Sul (RS), the Southernmost state; therefore, surveillance of these arboviruses is essential for public health measures.
Dose-dependent antifungal activity and nephrotoxicity of amphotericin B colloidal dispersion in experimental pulmonary aspergillosis

We investigated the safety and efficacy of amphotericin B colloidal dispersion (ABCD) for the treatment of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in persistently granulocytopenic rabbits. Treatment groups included ABCD in dosages of 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg/day intravenously or conventional desoxycholate amphotericin B (DAmB) at 1 mg/kg/day intravenously. Antifungal activity was directly related to increasing dosage of ABCD as determined by the concentration of Aspergillus fumigatus organisms in lungs and the frequency of hemorrhagic pulmonary lesions. At 5 and 10 mg/kg/day, there was a significant reduction in the tissue burden of A. fumigatus as measured by percent culture-positive lobes and CFU per gram of tissue (P < or = 0.001), whereas at 1 mg/kg/day measured by percent culture-positive lobes and CFU per gram of tissue (P < or = 0.001), whereas at 1 mg/kg/day the tissue burden of A. fumigatus was not significantly different from that in untreated controls. Microbiological clearance was significantly greater at 1 mg of DAmB per kg per day than at 1 mg of ABCD per kg per day (P < or = 0.001). There was no difference in microbiological clearance of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid among the treatment groups as measured by CFU per milliliter. As determined by survival, ABCD at 5.0 mg/kg/day was more effective than DAmB at 1.0 mg/kg/day and ABCD at 10 mg/kg/day. ABCD at 10 mg/kg/day was more nephrotoxic than the lower dosages of ABCD and resulted in higher mortality. Impairment of glomerular filtration developed as a direct function increasing the ABCD dosage (r = 0.77; P < 0.001). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A Synthetic Mechano Growth Factor E Peptide Enhances Myogenic Precursor Cell Transplantation Success

Myogenic precursor cell (MPC) transplantation is a good strategy to introduce dystrophin expression in muscles of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. Insulin‐like growth factor (IGF‐1) promotes MPC activities, such as survival, proliferation, migration and differentiation, which could enhance the success of their transplantation. Alternative splicing of the IGF‐1 mRNA produces different muscle isoforms. The mechano growth factor (MGF) is an isoform, especially expressed after a mechanical stress. A 24 amino acids peptide corresponding to the C‐terminal part of the MGF E domain (MGF‐Ct24E peptide) was synthesized. This peptide had been shown to enhance the proliferation and delay the terminal differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts. The present study showed that the MGF‐Ct24E peptide improved human MPC transplantation by modulating their proliferation and differentiation. Indeed, intramuscular or systemic delivery of this synthetic peptide significantly promoted engraftment of human MPCs in mice. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the MGF‐Ct24E peptide enhanced MPC proliferation by a different mechanism than the binding to the IGF‐1 receptor. Moreover, MGF‐Ct24E peptide delayed human MPC differentiation while having no outcome on survival. Those combined effects are probably responsible for the enhanced transplantation success. Thus, the MGF‐Ct24E peptide is an interesting agent to increase MPC transplantation success in DMD patients.
lck-Driven Cre Expression Alters T Cell Development in the Thymus and the Frequencies and Functions of Peripheral T Cell Subsets

Conditional gene targeting using the bacteriophage-derived Cre recombinase is widely applied for functional gene studies in mice. Mice transgenic for Cre under the control of the lck gene promoter are used to study the role of loxP-targeted genes in T cell development and function. In this article, we show a striking 65% reduction in cellularity, preferential development of γδ versus αβ T cells, and increased expression of IL-7R in the thymus of mice expressing Cre under the proximal lck promoter (lck-cre+ mice). The transition from CD4/CD8 double-negative to double-positive cells was blocked, and lck-cre+ double-positive cells were more prone to apoptosis and showed higher levels of Cre expression. Importantly, numbers of naive T cells were reduced in spleens and lymph nodes of lck-cre+ mice. In contrast, frequencies of γδ T cells, CD44+CD62L− effector T cells, and Foxp3+ regulatory T cells were elevated, as was the frequency of IFN-γ–secreting CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. A literature survey of 332 articles that used lck-cre+ mice for deletion of floxed genes indicated that results are statistically influenced by the control used (lck-cre+ or lck-cre−), more frequently resembling the lck-cre+ phenotype described in this article if lck-cre− controls were used. Altogether, care should be taken when interpreting published results and to properly control targeted gene deletions using the lck-cre+ strain.
Distinct Patterns of NCAM Expression Are Associated with Defined Stages of Murine Hair Follicle Morphogenesis and Regression

Hair follicle development, growth (anagen), and regression (catagen) largely result from bidirectional epithelial-mesenchymal interactions whose molecular basis is still unclear. Because adhesion molecules are critically involved in pattern formation and because the fundamental importance of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) for feather development has been demonstrated, we studied the protein expression patterns of NCAM during hair follicle development and regression in the C57BL/6 mouse model. During murine hair follicle development, NCAM immunoreactivity (IR) was first detected on epithelial hair placodes and later on selected keratinocytes in the distal outer root sheath. Mesenchymal NCAM immunoreactivity (IR) was noted on fibroblasts of the future dermal papilla (DP) and the perifollicular connective tissue sheath. Fetal hair follicle elongation coincided with strong, ubiquitous dermal NCAM IR, which remained strong until the follicles entered into their first neonatal catagen. At this time, the strong interfollicular dermal NCAM IR decreased substantially. During consecutive hair cycles, mesenchymal NCAM IR was seen exclusively on DP and perifollicular connective tissue sheath fibroblasts and on the trailing cells of regressing catagen hair follicles. These highly restricted and developmentally controlled expression patterns suggest an important role for NCAM in hair follicle topobiology during morphogenesis and cyclic remodeling of this miniorgan.
First- and third-order models for determining arterial compliance.

BACKGROUND Engineering models of the arterial vasculature have been used to describe vascular properties of resistance and compliance. These approaches have used either Fourier frequency analysis, based on transmission line equations, or time domain analysis of the circuit equations describing modified Windkessel models of the vasculature. DESIGN A third-order, four-element modified Windkessel model can reproduce arterial pressure waveforms, including both exponential and oscillatory pressure decays observed during the diastolic portion of the cardiac cycle. METHOD A method to determine both capacitive and oscillatory compliance of the arterial vasculature was developed, and the effect of these compliance properties on the blood pressure waveform was examined.
The effects of aging on the hepatic microsomal mixed‐function oxidase system of male and female monkeys

Studies were conducted to determine the effects of aging on certain biochemical andbiophysical properties of the hepatic microsomes and on the kinetic properties of a constituent drug‐metabolizing enzyme and a heme protein in a nonhuman primate. Outbred male and female rhesus monkeys (Macaque mulatta) ranging in age from 1 to 25 years were employed as animal models. There was considerable individual variability, but no significant age or sex‐related changes in (1) the concentration of microsomal protein or (2) the content of the cytochromes P‐450. Although the oldest animals examined for NADPH cytochrome c (P‐450) reductase activity were only 19 years of age, the specific activity of this important enzyme increased rather than decreased during aging. There were only minor changes in the total phospholipid content of the microsomes and none in the distribution profile of the major phospholipid classes. However, the microsomal cholesterol content increased sufficiently to cause a rise in the cholesterol/phospholipid ratio between 16 and 25 years of age. The fluidity of the membrane lipid domain exhibited a concomitant decline as measured by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. There was no apparent correlation between age‐related changes in these physicochemical properties of the microsomes and the in vitro activities of the constituent drug‐metabolizing enzymes or heme proteins. Furthermore, the marked disparities between the data obtained in inbred male rodents and those from outbred primates suggest that the extrapolation of the former to humans is of questionable value with respect to liver drug metabolism.