Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Consolidation of molecular testing in clinical virology

ABSTRACT Introduction: The development of quantitative methods for the detection of viral nucleic acids have significantly improved our ability to manage disease progression and to assess the efficacy of antiviral treatment. Moreover, major advances in molecular technologies during the last decade have allowed the identification of new host genetic markers associated with antiviral drug response but have also strongly revolutionized the way we see and perform virus diagnostics in the coming years. Areas covered: In this review, we describe the history and development of virology diagnostic methods, dedicating particular emphasis on the gradual evolution and recent advances toward the introduction of multiparametric platforms for the syndromic diagnosis. In parallel, we outline the consolidation of viral genome quantification practice in different clinical settings. Expert commentary: More rapid, accurate and affordable molecular technology can be predictable with particular emphasis on emerging techniques (next generation sequencing, digital PCR, point of care testing and syndromic diagnosis) to simplify viral diagnosis in the next future.
Efficient Immunocytochemical Labeling of Leukocyte Microtubules with FluoroNanogold: An Important Tool for Correlative Microscopy

We tested the immunoprobe FluoroNanogold (FNG) for its utility as an immunocytochemical labeling reagent. This immunoprobe consists of a 1.4-nm gold particle to which a specific Fab' fragment and a fluorochrome are conjugated. We employed the microtubules (MTs) of human phagocytic leukocytes as a model system for testing the usefulness of FNG as a secondary antibody for immunocytochemistry. We show that these fluorescently labeled ultrasmall immunogold particles are very efficient for labeling MTs in these cells. The signal from FNG can be detected directly by fluorescence microscopy or indirectly by other modes of optical microscopy and electron microscopy, after silver-enhancement of the gold. The spatial resolution of immunolabeled MTs obtained with FNG and silver enhancement was comparable to that of conventional immunofluorescence detection. Colloidal gold (5-nm and 10-nm in diameter), on the other hand, failed to label MTs in cells prepared in a similar manner. This difference in labeling was due in large part to greater penetration of 1.4-nm gold into aldehyde-fixed cells than either 5-nm or 10-nm gold particles. The fluorescent 1.4-nm immunoprobe was shown to be an important new tool for general use in correlative microscopy.
Spontaneous Clustering and Tyrosine Phosphorylation of NK Cell Inhibitory Receptor Induced by Ligand Binding

Inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity by killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIR) depends on phosphorylation of cytoplasmic tyrosines in KIR, which recruit tyrosine phosphatase Src homology protein tyrosine phosphatase 1. It is not clear how KIR, whose function lies downstream of a tyrosine kinase, succeeds in blocking proximal NK cell activation signals upon binding HLA class I on target cells. Here we show that mixing NK cells with insect cells expressing HLA-C was sufficient to induce clustering of KIR, and phosphorylation of KIR and SHP-1. Transient phosphorylation of KIR was detected in the presence of pervanadate, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatases, at suboptimal concentration. Phosphorylation of KIR was specifically induced by ligand binding because it was detected only when HLA-C was loaded with a peptide that permits KIR binding. KIR phosphorylation was not dependent on ICAM-1-mediated adhesion and was not blocked by inhibition of actin polymerization, but required Zn2+. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer between HLA-C molecules revealed close molecular interactions induced by KIR binding. These results demonstrate tight clustering of KIR and rapid KIR phosphorylation induced simply by binding to HLA-C. The unique property of KIR to become phosphorylated in the absence of adhesion and of actin cytoskeleton rearrangement explains how KIR can efficiently block early activation signals during NK-target cell contacts.
Backstepping Control of a Fuel Cell/Supercapacitor System for Electric Vehicle

The development of the control of a Fuel Cell/Supercapacitor system for Electric Vehicle must take into account the stability constraints related to the associations of its components. Numerous studies have achieved control and energy management of Fuel Cell/Supercapacitor Electric Vehicle but real-time applications are insufficient or the stability is not ensured. In this paper, the development of a stable control of the Fuel Cell/Supercapacitor system is proposed by the backstepping method. The backstepping control design procedure is depending on different power paths and a physical decomposition prepares its design. Energetic Macroscopic Representation is used for this purpose. The vehicle power distribution is performed in simulation by the developed stable control and a proposed thermostat strategy.
The Impact of the GFC on Sectoral Market Efficiency: Non‐Linear Testing for the Case of Australia

This paper investigates the efficiency of the Australian stock market during the period of volatility and disruption associated with the Global Financial Crises (GFC). Furthermore, the investigation seeks to observe any divergence in market efficiency between industry sectors that demonstrate differing economic performance across the period. Spanning a time period of 2000-2015, the data are split into three periods of distinct economic conditions: a pre-crisis period of relatively high growth, the GFC period of disruption and contraction, and a post- GFC period of relatively low growth. Five sector indices listed on the Australian Securities Exchange are analysed to search for evidence of market efficiency (Real Estate, Consumer Discretionary, Financials, Materials, and Metals and Mining). A range of non-linear tests are applied in order to systematically investigate the structure of the market in each sector. The results highlight the cointegrated nature of non-linearity across related sectors, and also demonstrate that different industries within the same economy can reveal highly diverse patterns of non-linearity and market efficiency in response to financial crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Effects of alcohol on attentional mechanisms involved in figure reversals

The impairing effects of alcohol on attention are well documented and are thought to involve inhibitory mechanisms. We used ambiguous figures (Face‐Vase and Necker cube) to test whether the intentional control mechanism is more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol than the automatic mechanism. Method: Participants were assigned to an alcohol (Study 1, N = 15; Study 2, N = 18), placebo (Study 1, N = 15; Study 2, N = 20) or control (Study 1 only, N = 10) group. The doses of alcohol were 0.8 g/kg for men and 0.75 g/kg for women. Participants were shown the Face‐Vase and Necker cube figures and two variants of each, which were biased in varying degrees towards one interpretation. Study 1 assessed the automatic control mechanism by asking participants to report spontaneous reversals. Study 2 assessed the intentional control mechanism by asking participants to increase reversal rate. Results: In Study 1, reversal rate was similar for all groups, whereas in Study 2, the alcohol group reported more reversals than the control group, although this was true only for the biased versions of the Face‐Vase illusion. Conclusions: The effect of alcohol on reversal rate is observed only during intentional reversals of semantically meaningful stimuli and only when the stimulus is biased. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recognition of a Basic AP-2 Binding Motif within the C2B Domain of Synaptotagmin Is Dependent on Multimerization*

Synaptotagmin is a multifunctional membrane protein that may regulate exo-endocytic cycling of synaptic vesicles at the presynaptic plasmalemma. Its C2B domain has been postulated to interact with a variety of effector molecules including acidic phospholipids, phosphoinositides, SNAREs (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors), calcium channels, and the clathrin adaptor complex AP-2. Here we report that a basic motif within the C2B domain is required and sufficient for binding to AP-2 via its μ2 subunit and that this interaction is dependent on multimerization of the AP-2 binding site. Moreover, we show that upon fusion to a plasma membrane reporter protein this sequence is sufficient to target the chimeric molecule for internalization. We hypothesize that basic motifs within multimeric membrane proteins may represent a novel type of clathrin/AP-2-dependent endocytosis signal.
Veronica officinalis Product Authentication Using DNA Metabarcoding and HPLC-MS Reveals Widespread Adulteration with Veronica chamaedrys

Studying herbal products derived from local and traditional knowledge and their value chains is one of the main challenges in ethnopharmacology. The majority of these products have a long history of use, but non-harmonized trade and differences in regulatory policies between countries impact their value chains and lead to concerns over product efficacy, safety and quality. Veronica officinalis L. (common speedwell), a member of Plantaginaceae family, has a long history of use in European traditional medicine, mainly in central eastern Europe and the Balkans. However, no specified control tests are available either to establish the quality of derived herbal products or for the discrimination of its most common substitute, V. chamaedrys L. (germander speedwell). In this study, we use DNA metabarcoding and high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) to authenticate sixteen V. officinalis herbal products and compare the potential of the two approaches to detect substitution, adulteration and the use of unreported constituents. HPLC-MS showed high resolution in detecting phytochemical target compounds, but did not enable detection of specific plant species in the products. DNA metabarcoding detected V. officinalis in only 15% of the products, whereas it detected V. chamaedrys in 62% of the products. The results confirm that DNA metabarcoding can be used to test for the presence of Veronica species, and detect substitution and/or admixture of other Veronica species, as well as simultaneously detect all other species present. Our results confirm that none of the herbal products contained exactly the species listed on the label, and all included substitutes, contaminants or fillers. This study highlights the need for authentication of raw herbals along the value chain of these products. An integrative methodology can assess both the quality of herbal products in terms of target compound concentrations and species composition, as well as admixture and substitution with other chemical compounds and plants.
Nonlinear response of soil respiration to increasing nitrogen additions in a Tibetan alpine steppe

Nitrogen (N) availability is a key regulator of carbon (C) cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Anthropogenic N input, such as N deposition and fertilization, increases N availability in soil, which has important implications for an ecosystem’s C storage and loss. Soil respiration (Rs), which is the second largest C flux from terrestrial ecosystems to the atmosphere, plays an important role in terrestrial C cycles. The direction and magnitude of the responses of Rs and its components to N addition have been widely evaluated, but it remains unclear how these processes change across multiple N addition levels. Here we conducted a two-year field experiment to examine the changes of Rs and its autotrophic respiration (Ra) and heterotrophic respiration (Rh) components along a gradient of eight N levels (0, 1 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 32 g m−2 yr−1) in a Tibetan alpine steppe, and used structural equation modeling (SEM) to explore the relative contributions of biotic and abiotic variables and their direct and indirect pathways regulating the Ra and Rh. Our results indicated that both Rs and Ra exhibited first increasing and then subsequent decreasing trends at the threshold of 8 g N m−2 yr−1. In contrast, the Rh declined linearly with the N addition rate continuously increasing. SEM analysis revealed that, among various environmental factors, soil temperature was the most important one modulating Rs, which not only had a direct effect on the two Rs components, but also indirectly regulated the Ra and Rh via root and microbial biomass. These findings suggest that the nonlinear response patterns of Rs should be considered for better predicting terrestrial C balance, given that anthropogenic N input to the terrestrial ecosystems is increasing continuously.
Esophageal Pressure Topography, Body Position, and Hiatal Hernia

Introduction: Whether body position affects lower esophageal sphincter (LES) function and detection of hiatal hernia is unknown. Moreover, the yield of high-resolution esophageal pressure topography (HREPT) when compared with endoscopy for detection of hiatal hernia is unclear. Aim: The aims of this study were to examine (a) the effects of body position (standing vs. supine) on LES function, and (b) to determine the diagnostic yield of HREPT and endoscopy for detection of hiatal hernia. Methods: A total of 50 subjects underwent both HREPT and endoscopy. The manometric/topographic changes of LES were examined in both supine and standing positions. Endoscopy assessed presence and length of hiatal hernia. Diagnostic agreement was compared between HREPT and endoscopy. Results: The resting LES pressure was higher (P=0.0001), its mean length was longer (P=0.0003), and length of high-pressure zone was longer (P=0.0001) in the standing position compared with the supine position. HREPT detected twice as many subjects with hiatal hernia in standing (P=0.0001) compared with supine position or endoscopy with significant new diagnostic information (79%). Endoscopy detection rate (34%) was similar to supine manometry with good diagnostic agreement (77%) between HREPT and endoscopy. Hiatal hernia length was longer (P=0.0001) with HREPT in standing position compared with endoscopy. Conclusions: Body position significantly affects in the LES function and its measurements. HREPT when performed on standing position offers the best yield for detection of hiatal hernia and is superior to endoscopy or supine manometry.
Randomized prospective study comparing vancomycin with teicoplanin in the treatment of infections associated with Hickman catheters

In 72 episodes of suspected or proven Hickman-catheter-associated infection occurring in 59 patients with various hematological disorders, patients were assigned to treatment with either vancomycin or teicoplanin in a randomized nonblinded prospective study. Of 60 episodes evaluable for response, 28 were treated with vancomycin and 32 were treated with teicoplanin. Sixteen infective episodes were microbiologically documented in the vancomycin group, and twenty-one were microbiologically documented in the teicoplanin group. Microbiologically and clinically documented infections treated with vancomycin had an 80% response rate, compared with a 69% response rate for those treated with teicoplanin (P = 0.316). Adverse events occurred in nine (25%) of the episodes in the vancomycin group, compared with three (8%) in the teicoplanin group (P = 0.044). Teicoplanin may provide an effective alternative to vancomycin in the treatment of Hickman-catheter-associated infection in patients with hematological malignancies.
Assessment of the presence of independent flexor digitorum superficialis function in the small fingers of professional string players: Is this an example of natural selection?

This study estimated the prevalence of independent flexor digitorum superficialis function in the small fingers of 90 violin and viola players. The hypothesis tested was that the independent digital movements required in this population would select out those with absent flexor digitorum superficialis function. Professional string players were tested clinically, using standard and modified tests, for flexor digitorum superficialis function. Two additional physical tests were applied: the gap and stretch tests. These tests assess ring finger movement once the small finger is placed and the instrument is held in the chin-hold position. A statistically significant reduction in the prevalence of absent flexor digitorum superficialis function was confirmed in the musicians compared with a control group and published meta-analysis. This suggests that independent flexor digitorum superficialis function is important for professional musicians playing at an elite level.
Alpha2‐adrenergic receptor activation regulates cortical interneuron migration

Monoamines such as serotonin and dopamine have been shown to regulate cortical interneuron migration but very little is known regarding noradrenaline. Similarly to other monoamines, noradrenaline is detected during embryonic cortical development and adrenergic receptors are expressed in transient embryonic zones of the pallium that contain migrating neurons. Evidence of a functional role for the adrenergic system in interneuron migration is lacking. In this study we first investigated the expression pattern of adrenergic receptors in mouse cortical interneuron subtypes preferentially derived from the caudal ganglionic eminences, and found that they expressed different subtypes of adrenergic receptors. To directly monitor the effects of adrenergic receptor stimulation on interneuron migration we used time‐lapse recordings in cortical slices and observed that alpha2 adrenergic receptors (adra2) receptor activation inhibits the migration of cortical interneurons in a concentration‐dependent and reversible manner. Furthermore, we observed that following adra2 activation the directionality of migrating interneurons was significantly modified, suggesting that adra2 stimulation could modulate their responsiveness to guidance cues. Finally the distribution of cortical interneurons was altered in vivo in adra2a/2c‐knockout mice. These results support the general hypothesis that adrenergic dysregulation occurring during embryonic development alters cellular processes involved in the formation of cortical circuits.
Incorporation of oxygen into abscisic Acid and phaseic Acid from molecular oxygen.

Abscisic acid accumulates in detached, wilted leaves of Xanthium strumarium. When these leaves are subsequently rehydrated, phaseic acid, a catabolite of abscisic acid, accumulates. Analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of phaseic acid isolated from stressed and subsequently rehydrated leaves placed in an atmosphere containing 20% (18)O(2) and 80% N(2) indicates that one atom of (18)O is incorporated in the 6'-hydroxymethyl group of phaseic acid. This suggests that the enzyme that converts abscisic acid to phaseic acid is an oxygenase.Analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of abscisic acid isolated from stressed leaves kept in an atmosphere containing (18)O(2) indicates that one atom of (18)O is present in the carboxyl group of abscisic acid. Thus, when abscisic acid accumulates in water-stressed leaves, only one of the four oxygens present in the abscisic acid molecule is derived from molecular oxygen. This suggests that either (a) the oxygen present in the 1'-, 4'-, and one of the two oxygens at the 1-position of abscisic acid arise from water, or (b) there exists a stored precursor with oxygen atoms already present in the 1'- and 4'-positions of abscisic acid which is converted to abscisic acid under conditions of water stress.
A Novel Weighted Cross Total Variation Method for Hyperspectral Image Mixed Denoising

Due to atmospheric effects and secondary illumination, hyperspectral images (HSIs) usually suffer from system noises, stripes, and dead pixels, which greatly degrade the imaging quality and limit the precision of the subsequent processing. In this paper, a novel HSI mixed denoising method based on 3-D spectral–spatial cross total variation (TV) is proposed to overcome such problem. First, the HSI is treated as a 3-D cube, and the TV with 2-D spatial directions on the spectral difference images, which could be treated as cross TV of HSI cube, is minimized to enhance the spatial smoothness and exploit the spectral redundancy and correlation. Second, an adaptive mechanism for calculating the spectral–spatial weights is adopted to balance the fidelity term and the cross TV regularization according to different spatial structures. Alternating direction method of multipliers is finally extended to solve the proposed model by separating it into several simpler subproblems. Experimental results on simulated and real-HSI data sets validated the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Antenna and user selection for a cloud base station with (Reverse) Compute and Forward

We consider a distributed antenna system where L antenna terminals (ATs) are connected to a Central Processor (CP) via digital error-free links of finite capacity R0, and serve K user terminals (UTs). The uplink is a special case of a multi-source, single destination relay network. The downlink is a special case of a broadcast relay network. Recently, novel uplink and downlink schemes called Compute-and-Forward and Reverse Compute-and-Forward were proposed, showing attractive performance-complexity tradeoff in certain regimes. In this work we focus on the ATs (uplink) or UTs (downlink) selection problem. For the uplink, for a given set of active UTs, we wish to select a subset of the ATs such that the resulting system matrix is full-rank and the sum rate is maximum. For the downlink, for a given set of transmitting ATs, we wish to select a subset of UTs such that the resulting system matrix is full-rank and the sum rate is maximum. We present antenna and user terminal selection algorithms suited for the proposed cloud base station architecture and demonstrate by simulation, in a realistic environment with fading and pathloss, that selection essentially eliminates the problem of rank deficiency of the system matrix, which represents the main performance impairment effect for a naive assignment of the active terminals.
H∞ output feedback stabilization for continuous-time switched linear systems

A novel method to H∞ output feedback control of continuous-time switched linear systems is investigated in this paper. Base on multiple Lyapunov function method combined with the Projection lemma and Finsler's lemma, the resulting closed-loop system is stable and has a desire H∞ performance level γ under static and dynamic H∞ output feedback, respectively. Both these controllers are solved from strict linear matrix inequalities, which does not decompose Lyapunov matrix and its inverse matrix while a state-coordinate transformation is not required. The validity and advantage of the proposed method are illustrated using an example.