Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physico‐chemical factors influencing the shikonin derivatives production in cell suspension cultures of Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnston, a medicinally important plant species

Cell suspension cultures of Arnebia euchroma were raised from in vitro leaf‐derived friable callus on liquid MS [Murashige and Skoog] medium supplemented with BAP (6‐benzylaminopurine) (10.0 μM) and IBA (indole‐3‐butyric acid) (5.0 μM). A two‐stage culture system was employed using growth and production medium for cell biomass and shikonin derivatives, respectively. Factors such as light, temperature, sucrose and pH (hydrogen ion concentration) were studied to observe their effect on the shikonin derivative production. Light conditions completely inhibited shikonin derivative production. Out of different temperature regimes tested, the highest yield (586.17 μg/g FW) was found at 25°C. Maximum production (656.14 μg/g FW) was observed in 6% sucrose. An alkaline pH (7.25–9.50) favoured shikonin derivative production. The results showed that physical and chemical factors greatly influence the production of shikonin derivatives in cell suspension cultures of A. euchroma. Therefore, by employing optimum culture conditions, it is possible to enhance the production of secondary compounds from the cells. The factors optimized for in vitro production of shikonin derivatives during the present study can successfully be employed for their large‐scale production in bioreactors.
Three‐dimensional microtissues essentially contribute to preclinical validations of therapeutic targets in breast cancer

A 3D microtissues using T47D and JIMT‐1 cells were generated to analyze tissue‐like response of breast cancer cells after combined human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)‐targeted treatment and radiation. Following lentiviral knockdown of HER2, we compared growth rate alterations using 2D monolayers, 3D microtissues, and mouse xenografts. Additionally, to model combined therapeutic strategies, we treated HER2‐depleted T47D cells and 3D microtissues using trastuzumab (anti‐HER2 antibody) in combination with irradiation. Comparison of HER2 knockdown with corresponding controls revealed growth impairment due to HER2 knockdown in T47D 2D monolayers, 3D microtissues, and xenografts (after 2, 12, and ≥40 days, respectively). In contrast, HER2 knockdown was less effective in inhibiting growth of trastuzumab‐resistant JIMT‐1 cells in vitro and in vivo. Combined administration of trastuzumab and radiation treatment was also analyzed using T47D 3D microtissues. Administration of both, radiation (5 Gy) and trastuzumab, significantly enhanced the growth inhibiting effect in 3D microtissues. To improve the predictive power of potential drugs—as single agents or in combination—here, we show that regarding tumor growth analyses, 3D microtissues are highly comparable to outcomes derived from xenografts. Considering increased limitations for animal experiments on the one hand and strong need of novel drugs on the other hand, it is indispensable to include highly reproducible 3D microtissue platform in preclinical analyses to validate more accurately the capacity of future drug‐combined radiotherapy.
Acquisition of Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria: Incidence and Risk Factors within a Long-Term Care Population

Background and Objective. An improved understanding of the transmission dynamics of multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria and the mechanism of acquisition in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) could aid in the development of prevention strategies specific to LTCFs. We thus investigated the incidence of acquisition of these pathogens among an LTCF population. Design. Prospective cohort study. Setting. Three separate wards at a 600-bed LTCF in metropolitan Boston, Massachusetts, during the period October 31, 2006, through October 22, 2007. Participants. One hundred seventy-two LTCF residents. Methods. A series of rectal samples were cultured to determine acquisition of MDR gram-negative bacteria, defined as absence of MDR gram-negative bacterial colonization at baseline and de novo recovery of MDR gram-negative bacteria from a follow-up culture. Molecular typing was performed to identify genetically linked strains. A nested matched case-control study was performed to identify risk factors associated with acquisition. Results. Among 135 residents for whom at least 1 follow-up culture was performed, 52 (39%) acquired at least 1 MDR gram-negative organism during the study period. Thirty-two residents (62%) had not been colonized at baseline and had acquired at least 1 MDR gram-negative species at follow-up culture, and 20 residents (38%) were colonized at baseline and had acquired at least I MDR gram-negative species at follow-up culture. The most common coresistance pattern was resistance to extended-spectrum penicillins, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin (57 isolates [42.5%]). Genetically related strains of MDR gram-negative bacteria were identified among multiple residents and between roommates. On conditional logistic regression analysis, antibiotic exposure during the study period was significantly associated with acquisition of MDR gram-negative bacteria (odds ratio, 5.6 [95% confidence interval, 1.1-28.7]; P = .04). Conclusions. Acquisition of MDR gram-negative bacteria occurred frequently through resident-to-resident transmission. Existing infection control interventions need to be reevaluated.
A robust fetal ECG detection method for abdominal recordings

In this paper, we propose a new method for FECG detection in abdominal recordings. The method consists of a sequential analysis approach, in which the a priori information about the interference signals is used for the detection of the FECG. Our method is evaluated on a set of 20 abdominal recordings from pregnant women with different gestational ages. Its performance in terms of fetal heart rate (FHR) detection success is compared with that of independent component analysis (ICA). The results show that our sequential estimation method outperforms ICA with a FHR detection rate of 85% versus 60% of ICA. The superior performance of our method is especially evident in recordings with a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This indicates that our method is more robust than ICA for FECG detection.
Anik-F2 Ka-band transmit multibeam antenna

The design and RF performance of the Anik-F2 Ka-band Tx multibeam antenna is described. The antenna forms the transmit portion of the large multiple-beam antenna (MBA) farm installed on the Canadian Anik-F2 communication satellite. The antenna is required to generate 45 downlink spot beams to cover the North American continent. Stringent requirements of high EOC gain and high aggregate C/I pose challenges in the design. In order to meet these requirements, the design comprises four 55 inch offset parabola reflectors each illuminated by a separate feed cluster having high efficiency horns.
Discovery of Meeting-particle Links and Their Application to Meeting Recollection Support

To facilitate more efficient regularly-held meetings, it is important to consider the past discussions and recall them in the current discussion. We previously developed a meeting recording system that creates discussion content from casual meetings on the basis of digital whiteboards. In this paper, we describe a discussion tool that enables the content of past discussions to be structured, retrieved, and reused in future meetings. We developed an application system to visualize the context relating different meetings by discovering links between meeting particles that are fragments of meeting content (e.g., text, image, and sketch. This visualization enables participants to recollect past discussions in the current discussion.
DEVELOPMENT OF PARASITOID INOCULATED SEEDLING TRANSPLANTS FOR AUGMENTATIVE BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF SILVERLEAF WHITEFLY ( HOMOPTERA : ALEYRODIDAE )

Methods are presented for producing banker plants, transplants that are used for augmentation of Eretmocerus parasitoids for biological control of Bemisia argentifolii in cucurbit crops. Preference tests were conducted with B. argentifolii and its parasitoid Eretmocerus hayati for ten cantaloupe varieties to determine their suitability for use as banker plants. Bemisia argentifolii showed a significant preference for the varieties Copa de Oro and Mission, whereas, E. hayati showed the greatest preference for Copa de Oro, Mission and Primo. The impact of imidacloprid on the development of parasitoid immatures on banker plants was evaluated. Thirteen days after release of E. hayati , banker plants treated with imidacloprid produced equivalent numbers of parasitoids as did control plants. Field trials, incorporating the use of banker plants and imidacloprid, were conducted for two seasons in spring cantaloupes and one season in fall watermelons. Numbers of parasitoid progeny produced per cantaloupe banker plant were approximately 94.6 and 102.1 in two trials during the Spring of 1997 and 1998. Field release rates per acre in cantaloupe were estimated to be 68,946 and 29,970 for the 1997 and 1998 trials, with banker plants incorporated with regular transplants at a ratio of 1:10 and 1:30 respectively. In the watermelon trial, the mean number of parasitoid progeny produced per banker plant was determined to be 94.6, with an estimated 4156 released per acre with a ratio of 1:30 banker to regular transplants. Banker plants were shown to be a reliable method for field delivery of Eretmocerus parasitoids in transplanted and direct seeded cantaloupe or watermelon crops. The methods used to produce parasitoid inoculated banker plants are discussed.
Growth kinetics of Salmonella enterica in Hajna tetrathionate broth, Rappaport broth and modified semisolid Rappaport agar

To determine the appropriate method for isolating Salmonella enterica, we compared the growth of S. enterica serovars using three selective enrichment media. S. enterica was more successfully isolated from artificially contaminated fecal samples after enrichment in Hajna tetrathionate broth or modified semisolid Rappaport agar than in Rappaport broth. Since most bacteria (other than motile S. enterica) do not migrate on modified semisolid Rappaport agar, the growth characteristics of S. enterica can be interpreted easily and quickly. Two S. enterica isolates did not migrate on modified semisolid Rappaport agar, but did grow in Hajna tetrathionate broth, which suggests that the combined use of these selective enrichment media is appropriate for isolating S. enterica.
Treating anomia in semantic dementia: Improvement, maintenance, or both?

A treatment programme for AK, an anomic patient with semantic dementia is described. The programme was based on home practice and resulted in re-learning the names of some objects AK could not name and/or comprehend prior to the treatment. The effects of treatment were still present one month post-treatment for items that AK could not name but could comprehend prior to treatment. In addition to items that AK could not name, items that she could both understand and name were also included in the programme. This allowed us to evaluate the influence of practice on the retention of words that appeared to be intact at the outset of the investigation. Results indicated that practice delayed the progression of loss. In addition, the programme was designed jointly with AK who made many important decisions related to treatment.
Coordination and Flexibility in Supply Contracts with Options

We investigate the role of options (contingent claims) in a buyer-supplier system. Specifically using a two-period model with correlated demand, we illustrate how options provide flexibility to a buyer to respond to market changes in the second period. We also study the implications of such arrangements between a buyer and a supplier for coordination of the channel. We show that, in general, channel coordination can be achieved only if we allow the exercise price to be piecewise linear. We develop sufficient conditions on the cost parameters such that linear prices coordinate the channel. We derive the appropriate prices for channel coordination which, however, violate the individual rationality constraint for the supplier. Contrary to popular belief (based on simpler models) we show that credit for returns offered by the supplier does not always coordinate the channel and alleviate the individual rationality constraint. Credit for returns are useful only on a subset of the feasibility region under which channel coordination is achievable with linear prices. Finally, we demonstrate (numerically) the benefits of options in improving channel performance and evaluate the magnitude of loss due to lack of coordination.
Comprehensive multimedia encryption system generalization and comparison

Unauthorized interception in transmission of multimedia data is very substantial, whether it is intentional or unintentional. With the help of Encryption system, a safe and secured multimedia link can be obtained. In this paper, the popular symmetric encryption algorithms such as DES, 3DES and AES have been applied on the multimedia to avoid any information breach while these data is placed on an open communication network. Concurrently, to counter the time limitation for extensive input data with complete content cipher-ability, a novel symmetric encryption algorithm is developed which is subsequently implemented to cipher the multimedia content. In this paper, implementation and experimental analysis of all the above mentioned algorithms has been realized for different multimedia data. A comparative analysis among them has been performed and represented in a tabular form. Further, the systematic conclusion has been stated based on the results.
Multimodality Imaging of Myocardial Injury and Remodeling

Advances in cardiovascular molecular imaging have come at a rapid pace over the last several years. Multiple approaches have been taken to better understand the structural, molecular, and cellular events that underlie the progression from myocardial injury to myocardial infarction (MI) and, ultimately, to congestive heart failure. Multimodality molecular imaging including SPECT, PET, cardiac MRI, and optical approaches is offering new insights into the pathophysiology of MI and left ventricular remodeling in small-animal models. Targets that are being probed include, among others, angiotensin receptors, matrix metalloproteinases, integrins, apoptosis, macrophages, and sympathetic innervation. It is only a matter of time before these advances are applied in the clinical setting to improve post-MI prognostication and identify appropriate therapies in patients to prevent the onset of congestive heart failure.
Cunning Simplicity of a Stoichiometry Driven Protein Folding Thesis

present two statements, which, as they say, ‘reveal a surprisingly sim-ple unifying principle of backbone organization in protein folding’ (1). Namely, they assert (i) ‘that protein folding is a direct consequence of a narrow band of stoichiometric occurrences of amino-acids in primary sequences’, and (ii) ‘that “preferential interactions” between amino-acids do not drive protein folding, contrary to all prevalent views’. However, the first of these statements, presented quite ambiguously by Mittal
Effect of variety on content of bioactive phenolic compounds in common elder (Sambucus nigra L.)

Abstract The inflorescence of common elder (Sambucus nigra L., Adoxaceae) is known to be rich in phenolic compounds. The content of five selected phenolic compounds (rutin, chlorogenic acid, isoquercitrin, isorhamnetin-3-O- rutinoside and dicaffeoylquinic acid) was determined in methanolic extracts from flowers and floral stems by HPLC in samples obtained from 20 varieties of S. nigra cultivated in Czech Republic. In all samples, there were determined rutin (11–54 mg/g), chlorogenic acid (23–46 mg/g), isoquercitrin (0.6–18 mg/g), isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside (3–10 mg/g), calculated on air-dried material. The content of dicaffeoylquinic acid was 0–13 mg/g of air-dried material. The amount of the analysed compounds in floral stems was lower than the flowers. The results are a unique set of information on the content of main phenolics in the inflorescence of cultured elderberry varieties.
Laboratory PC and Mobile Pocket PC Brain-Computer Interface Architectures

EEG-based brain-computer interface (BCI) systems convert brain activity into control signals and have been developed for people with severe disabilities to improve their quality of life. A BCI system has to satisfy different demands depending on the application area. A laboratory PC based system allows the flexible design of multiple/single channel feature extraction, classification methods and experimental paradigms. The key advantage of a pocket PC based BCI approach is its small dimension and battery supply. Hence a mobile BCI system e.g. mounted on a wheelchair can be realized. This study compares and discusses thoroughly the two mentioned approaches
EVENTOS ADVERSOS EN PACIENTES QUE INICIAN TRATAMIENTO COM ETEXILATO DE DABIGATRAN EN UNA

www.pharmacypractice. org (ISSN: 1886-3655) 90 ABSTRACT Background: Vitamin K antagonists have been the treatment of choice in preventing thromboembolic events, but problems such as frequent dose adjustment and monitoring of coagulation status, including multiple drug and food interactions, make their use difficult. Dabigatran etexilate is a new oral direct thrombin inhibitor not requiring routine monitoring and since its approval in the United States, many clinicians have been interested in utilizing this new therapy. Objective: This study documented adverse drug events (ADEs) recorded in patients started on dabigatran therapy, including those who were previously controlled on warfarin and those who were anticoagulant naïve. Methods: In an outpatient pharmacist-managed anticoagulation clinic, a total of 221 patients were initiated on dabigatran therapy over an 18-month period. 43.0% of these patients were previously controlled on warfarin. Results: 54 of the 221 patients (24.4%) developed an ADE while on dabigatran. The average time to event was 48.4 days. Nine of the fifty-four patients experienced a major bleeding ADE; six patients developed a serious non-bleeding ADE. Five of these fifteen patients died; one death was directly related to dabigatran therapy. The remaining thirtynine of the fifty-four patients experienced a clinically relevant non-major ADE. Of the fifty-four patients who experienced an ADE, thirty were male. The average age was 73.8 years and the average weight was 92.8kg. Fifty-four percent of those who experienced an ADE were previously anticoagulant naïve. Conclusions: While many clinicians have been interested in utilizing the new direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran etexilate, this new therapy is not without risks. This study documented adverse drug events in 24.4% of patients who were initiated on dabigatran etexilate therapy over an eighteen month period. ADEs were more common in patients who were anticoagulant naïve prior to dabigatran etexilate therapy and not those who were previously controlled on warfarin therapy.
Comparative sensitivities of solid-phase immune electron microscopy and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for serotyping of human rotavirus strains with neutralizing monoclonal antibodies

Suspensions of 24 rotavirus strains, 6 for each known human rotavirus serotype, were serially diluted and titrated by (i) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for rotavirus detection, using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for group-specific sites of the VP6 inner capsid protein; (ii) ELISA for subgrouping, using MAbs reactive with subgroup-specific determinants of rotavirus VP6; (iii) ELISA for serotyping, using MAbs directed to serotype-specific sites of the VP7 outer capsid glycoprotein; and (iv) solid-phase immune electron microscopy (SPIEM) for serotyping, using VP7-specific MAbs. In addition, in each preparation the proportion of double-shelled rotavirus particles were determined by direct electron microscopy. Results showed that SPIEM was 2- to 16-fold more sensitive than ELISA for serotyping of rotavirus. The titers in VP7-specific tests correlated well with the proportion of double-shelled virus particles in each of the samples. Titers obtained by ELISA for serotyping of suspensions containing 20% or fewer complete particles were up to 4,096-fold lower than those obtained by ELISA for detection. ELISA serotyping titers of samples containing 20 to 80% double-shelled rotavirus particles were up to 128-fold lower than ELISA detection titers, whereas preparations with nearly 100% complete particles had ELISA titers that were less different from each other. ELISA subgrouping titers were four- to eightfold lower than corresponding rotavirus detection titers. It was concluded that, although SPIEM appears to be more sensitive than ELISA, the amount of complete virus particles in the specimens is of critical importance for successful serotyping of human rotavirus strains. Samples rich in single-shelled particles but containing low amounts of VP7 outer capsid glycoprotein might even be strongly reactive in assays for rotavirus detection and subgrouping but virtually unreactive in tests for serotyping.
Harnessing receive diversity in distributed multi-user MIMO networks

In existing multiuser MIMO (MU-MIMO) MAC protocols, a multi-antenna node sends as many concurrent streams as possible once it wins the contention. Though such a scheme allows nodes to utilize the multiplex gain of a MIMO system, it however fails to leverage receive diversity gains provided by multiple receive antennas across nodes. We introduce Multiplex-Diversity Medium Access (MDMA), a MU-MIMO MAC protocol that achieves both the multiplex gain and the receive diversity gain at the same time. Instead of letting a node pair use all the available degrees of freedom, MDMA allows as many contending node pairs to communicate concurrently as possible and share all the degrees of freedom. It hence can exploit the antennas equipped on different receivers to further provide some of concurrent streams more receive diversity, without losing the achievable multiplex gain. We implement a prototype on software radios to demonstrate the throughput gain of MDMA.
Treatment of Collagen-Induced Arthritis Using Immune Modulatory Properties of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have immune modulatory properties. We investigated the potential therapeutic effects of human bone marrow (BM)-, adipose tissue (AD)-, and cord blood (CB)-derived MSCs in an experimental animal model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and explored the mechanism underlying immune modulation by MSCs. We evaluated the therapeutic effect of clinically available human BM-, AD-, and CB-derived MSCs in DBA/1 mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). CIA mice were injected intraperitoneally with three types of MSCs. Treatment control animals were injected with 35 mg/kg methotrexate (MTX) twice weekly. Clinical activity in CIA mice, degree of inflammation, cytokine expression in the joint, serum cytokine levels, and regulatory T cells (Tregs) were evaluated. Mice treated with human BM-, AD-, and CB-MSCs showed significant improvement in clinical joint score, comparable to MTX-treated mice. Histologic examination showed greatly reduced joint inflammation and damage in MSC-treated mice compared with untreated mice. Microcomputed tomography also showed little joint damage in the MSC-treated group. MSCs significantly decreased serum interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-6, and interferon-γ and increased IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β levels. Tregs were increased in mice treated with MSCs compared to untreated or MTX-treated mice. Human BM-, AD-, and CB-MSCs significantly suppressed joint inflammation in CIA mice. The cells decreased proinflammatory cytokines and upregulated anti-inflammatory cytokines and induced Tregs. Therefore, our study suggests that the use of human BM-, AD-, and CB-MSCs could be an effective therapeutic approach for RA.