Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Advanced Intercross Line Resolves Eae18 into Two Narrow Quantitative Trait Loci Syntenic to Multiple Sclerosis Candidate Loci1

Identification of polymorphic genes regulating inflammatory diseases may unravel crucial pathogenic mechanisms. Initial steps to map such genes using linkage analysis in F2 intercross or backcross populations, however, result in broad quantitative trait loci (QTLs) containing hundreds of genes. In this study, an advanced intercross line in combination with congenic strains, was used to fine-map Eae18 on rat chromosome 10 in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-induced EAE is a chronic relapsing disease that closely mimics key features of multiple sclerosis. Congenic DA.ACI rat strains localized Eae18 to an ∼30-Mb large region. Fine-mapping was then performed in an advanced intercross line consisting of a (DA × PVG.1AV1)F7 intercross, resulting in two adjacent EAE-regulating QTLs designated Eae18a and Eae18b. The two QTLs span 5.5 and 3 Mb, respectively, and the 3-Mb Eae18b contains as few as 10 genes, including a cluster of chemokine genes (CCL1, CCL2, CCL7, and CCL11). Eae18a and Eae18b are syntenic to human chromosome 17p13 and 17q11, respectively, which both display linkage to multiple sclerosis. Thus, Eae18 consists of at least two EAE-regulating genes, providing additional evidence that clustering of disease-regulating genes in QTLs is an important phenomenon. The overlap between Eae18a and Eae18b with previously identified QTLs in humans and mice further supports the notion that susceptibility alleles in inflammatory disease are evolutionary conserved between species.
Effect of outpatient exercise training programmes in patients with chronic heart failure: a systematic review

Background: Advantages of outpatient exercise training are reduced waiting lists, better compliance, reduced time investment by the patient with reduced travel expenses, and less dependence on other people to participate. Therefore, this systematic review studies the effects of outpatient exercise training programmes compared with usual care on exercise capacity, exercise performance, quality of life, and safety in patients with chronic heart failure. Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis. Methods: Randomized controlled trials concerning patients with chronic heart failure, with a left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%, were included. A meta-analysis was performed. Results: Twenty-two studies were included. VO2max, 6-min walking test, and quality of life showed significant differences in favour of the intervention group of 1.85 ml/kg/min, 47.9 m, and 6.9 points, respectively. In none of the studies, a significant relationship was found between exercise training and adverse events. Conclusion: This meta-analysis illustrates the efficacy and safety of outpatient training programmes for patients with chronic heart failure.
Cryptococcus bestiolae and Cryptococcus dejecticola, two new yeast species isolated from frass of the litchi fruit borer Conopomorpha sinensis Bradley.

Two new yeast species, Cryptococcus bestiolae and Cryptococcus dejecticola, were discovered in the frass of the litchi fruit borer Conopomorpha sinensis Bradley. The yeasts utilize inositol, hydrolyze urea, produce starch-like substance, and contain CoQ10. Phylogenetic analyses of D1/D2 26S rDNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences indicate that the yeasts are closely related to Bullera dendrophila and an undescribed species of Cryptococcus (strain CBS 8507). The two new species differed from each other by 17 nucleotides in the D1/D2 region and by 68 nucleotides in the ITS region. Cryptococcus bestiolae is a sister species to Cryptococcus sp. CBS 8507, from which it differs by eight nucleotides in the D1/D2 region and 59 nucleotides in the ITS region. Cryptococcus dejecticola and B. dendrophila differed by 13 nucleotides in the D1/D2 and 57 nucleotides in the ITS region. Cryptococcus bestiolae and Cr. dejecticola formed with B. dendrophila a well defined clade consisting of insect associated species. The type strain of Cr. bestiolae is TH3.2. 59 (=CBS 10118=NRRL Y-27894), and the type strain of Cr. dejecticola is Litch 17 (=CBS 10117=NRRL Y-27898).
Transcranial magnetic stimulation: role in the evaluation of disability in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND In patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has shown significant prolongation of central motor conduction time (CMCT). Abnormal CMCT may reflect sub-clinical involvement of motor pathways and correlate with clinical motor disability. OBJECTIVE To determine the diagnostic yield of TMS in MS and the possible correlation of TMS abnormalities with clinical disability. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty patients with clinically definite MS presenting in acute relapse or with progressive disease course and 30 healthy controls were evaluated. TMS parameters evaluated included threshold intensity, motor evoked potentials (MEP) amplitudes and latencies and CMCT. Reassessment studies were done after three months. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Student t-test, Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's rank correlation test were used to assess the relationships. RESULTS Patients with MS had significantly higher threshold intensities, prolonged CMCT and reduced MEP amplitudes as compared to controls. Abnormalities in at least one parameter were observed in 86.7% of patients. When inter-side asymmetries in MEP latency and/or in CMCT were considered, the diagnostic yield increased to 96.7%. The diagnostic yield was 74.7% for visual evoked potentials, 13.3% for brainstem auditory evoked response and 10% for cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal band. One MS patient without pyramidal or cerebellar dysfunction had prolonged CMCT. CMCT abnormalities correlated significantly with the degree of pyramidal signs, limb ataxia, intention tremor, dysdiadokokinesia and overall cerebellar score. In patients who had clinical improvement, follow-up studies showed improvement in CMCT parameters. CONCLUSION TMS is a highly sensitive technique to evaluate cortico-spinal conduction abnormalities in MS that may have no clinical correlate and in monitoring the course of the disease. The effects of cerebellar dysfunction on TMS results need further evaluation.
Inflicted skeletal injury: a postmortem radiologic-histopathologic study in 31 infants.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this postmortem study was to use high-detail skeletal surveys, specimen radiography, and histopathologic analysis to determine the number, distribution, and age of inflicted skeletal injuries in infants studied at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center from 1984 to 1994. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-one infants (average age, 3 months) who died with inflicted skeletal injuries were studied with high-detail skeletal surveys and specimen radiography and histopathologic analysis. The distribution and number of fractures was determined for each technique, and dating was performed on the basis of radiologic and histologic criteria. The skull fractures noted in 13 cases were excluded from the numerical analysis. RESULTS The radiologic-histopathologic correlation revealed 165 fractures involving the ribs in 84 (51%), long bones in 72 (44%), bones of the hands and feet in 6 (4%), clavicles in 2 (1%), and spine in 1 (< 1%). Of the 72 long bone fractures, the metaphyses were involved in 64 (89%, or 39% of the total), and the shaft was involved in 8 (11%, or 5% of the total). One hundred sixteen fractures were healing, 36 were acute, and 13 were of indeterminate age. In all but two infants, at least one healing fracture was present. Of fractures diagnosed histopathologically, specimen radiography increased the yield of fractures noted on skeletal survey from 58% to 92%. CONCLUSION Most infants who die with inflicted injury have fractures at multiple sites. Metaphyseal and rib fractures are much more common than long bone shaft injuries, the opposite of the pattern found in older children. Because most abused infants who die have evidence of healing fractures at the time of autopsy, aggressive radiologic efforts to identify these injuries in living as well as in decreased infants appear justified.
Evaluation of Power Transformer Differential Protection Using the ATP Software

This paper aims to present a methodology for performance evaluation of power transformers differential protection using the software ATP. In order to do so, the MODELS language is used to model a numerical relay that implements phase, negative sequence and restricted earth fault differential protective functions. The performance evaluation of the power transformer protection was done using a power system model whose parameters were obtained from real data. The results reveal the performance of the implemented protective functions facing to a wide variety of operating situations to which they may be subjected to. Accordingly, one can point out advantages of this kind of modeling, which leads to the appropriate choice and better understanding of power transformers differential protection settings.
Transitional Care Programs Improve Outcomes for Heart Failure Patients: An Integrative Review

Background:Individuals with heart failure are frequently rehospitalized owing to a lack of knowledge concerning how to perform their self-care and when to inform their healthcare provider of worsening symptoms. Because there are an overwhelming number of hospital readmissions for individuals with heart failure, efforts are underway to discover how they can be supported and educated during their hospitalization and subsequently followed by a nurse after discharge for continued education and support. Purpose:The purpose of this integrative review was to critically examine the interventions, quality of life, and readmission rates of individuals with heart failure who are enrolled in a transitional care program. The second aim was to examine the cost-effectiveness of nurse-led transitional care programs. Conclusions:The results of this integrative review (n = 20) showed that transitional care programs for individuals with heart failure can increase a patient’s quality of life and decrease the number of readmissions and the overall cost of care. The types of interventions that were most successful in decreasing readmissions used home visits alone or in combination with telephone calls. There is a need for nurse researchers to address gaps in transitional care for heart failure patients by performing studies with larger randomized clinical trials and measuring outcomes such as readmissions at regular intervals over the study period. Clinical Implications:The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will change reimbursement for heart failure readmissions and presents opportunities for healthcare teams to build transitional care programs for patients with conditions such as heart failure. This integrative review can be used to determine effective intervention strategies for transitional care programs and highlights the gaps in research. Healthcare teams that use these programs within their practice may increase continuity of care and quality of life and decrease readmissions and healthcare costs for individuals with heart failure.
Radiation induced currents in MRI RF coils: application to linac/MRI integration

The integration of medical linear accelerators (linac) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems is advancing the current state of image-guided radiotherapy. The MRI in these integrated units will provide real-time, accurate tumor locations for radiotherapy treatment, thus decreasing geometric margins around tumors and reducing normal tissue damage. In the real-time operation of these integrated systems, the radiofrequency (RF) coils of MRI will be irradiated with radiation pulses from the linac. The effect of pulsed radiation on MRI radio frequency (RF) coils is not known and must be studied. The instantaneous radiation induced current (RIC) in two different MRI RF coils were measured and presented. The frequency spectra of the induced currents were calculated. Some basic characterization of the RIC was also done: isolation of the RF coil component responsible for RIC, dependence of RIC on dose rate, and effect of wax buildup placed on coil on RIC. Both the time and frequency characteristics of the RIC were seen to vary with the MRI RF coil used. The copper windings of the RF coils were isolated as the main source of RIC. A linear dependence on dose rate was seen. The RIC was decreased with wax buildup, suggesting an electronic disequilibrium as the cause of RIC. This study shows a measurable RIC present in MRI RF coils. This unwanted current could be possibly detrimental to the signal to noise ratio in MRI and produce image artifacts.
Autonomous landing of small unmanned aerial rotorcraft based on monocular vision in GPS-denied area

Focusing on the low-precision attitude of a current small unmanned aerial rotorcraft at the landing stage, the present paper proposes a new attitude control method for the GPS-denied scenario based on the monocular vision. Primarily, a robust landmark detection technique is developed which leverages the well-documented merits of supporting vector machines (SVMs) to enable landmark detection. Then an algorithm of nonlinear optimization based on Newton iteration method for the attitude and position of camera is put forward to reduce the projection error and get an optimized solution. By introducing the wavelet analysis into the adaptive Kalman filter, the high frequency noise of vision is filtered out successfully. At last, automatic landing tests are performed to verify the method's feasibility and effectiveness.
Diversity of Chlamydia trachomatis major outer membrane protein genes

Genomic DNA libraries were constructed for Chlamydia trachomatis serovars B and C by using BamHI fragments, and recombinants that contained the major outer membrane protein (omp1) gene for each serovar were identified and sequenced. Comparisons between these gene sequences and the gene from serovar L2 demonstrated fewer base pair differences between serovars L2 and B than between L2 and C; this finding is consistent with the serologic and antigenic relationships among these serovars. The translated amino acid sequence for the major outer membrane proteins (MOMPs) contained the same number of amino acids for serovars L2 and B, whereas the serovar C MOMP contained three additional amino acids. The antigenic diversity of the chlamydial MOMP was reflected in four sequence-variable domains, and two of these domains were candidates for the putative type-specific antigenic determinant. The molecular basis of omp1 gene diversity among C. trachomatis serovars was observed to be clustered nucleotide substitutions for closely related serovars and insertions or deletions for distantly related serovars.
Interaction between PAK and Nck: a Template for Nck Targets and Role of PAK Autophosphorylation

ABSTRACT The kinase PAK binds tightly to the SH3 domain of its partner PIX via a central proline-rich sequence. A different N-terminal sequence allows αPAK to bind an SH3 domain of the adaptor Nck. The Nck SH3[2] domain interacts equally with an 18-mer PAK-derived peptide and full-length αPAK. Detailed analysis of this binding by saturation substitution allows related Nck targets to be accurately identified from sequence characteristics alone. All Nck SH3[2] binding proteins, including PAK, NIK, synaptojanin, PRK2, and WIP, possess the motif PXXPXRXXS; in the case of PAK, serine phosphorylation at this site negatively regulates binding. We show that kinase autophosphorylation blocks binding by both Nck and PIX to αPAK, thus providing a mechanism to regulate PAK interactions with its SH3-containing partners. One cellular consequence of the regulatable binding of PAK is facilitation of its cycling between cytosolic and focal complex sites.
Cross-Talk between CD14 and Complement Receptor 3 Promotes Phagocytosis of Mycobacteria: Regulation by Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase and Cytohesin-11

The glycosylphosphatidyl anchored molecule CD14 to the monocyte membrane plays a prominent role in innate immunity, and the paradigms for CD14 selective signaling are beginning to be elucidated. In this study, transfected human monocytic cell line THP-1 and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) fibroblastic cells were used to examine phagocytosis of Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Flow cytometry was combined with molecular and biochemical approaches to demonstrate a dual mechanism for BCG internalization involving either CD14 alone or a CD14-regulated complement receptor (CR)3-dependent pathway. Phagocytosis by CD14-positive THP-1 cells was attenuated by phosphatidylinositol-3 inhibitors LY294002 and wortmannin and experiments using transfected CHO cells showed substantial accumulation of phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate at the BCG attachment site in CHO cells expressing CD14 and TLR2 suggesting that bacteria bind to CD14 and use TLR2 to initiate a PI3K signaling pathway. Additional experiments using blocking Abs showed that anti-TLR2 Abs inhibit phagocytosis of BCG by THP-1 cells. Furthermore, knockdown of cytohesin-1, a PI3K-regulated adaptor molecule for β2 integrin activation, specifically abrogated CD14-regulated CR3 ingestion of BCG consistent with the observation of physical association between CR3 and cytohesin-1 in cells stimulated with mycobacterial surface components. These findings reveal that mycobacteria promote their uptake through a process of “inside-out” signaling involving CD14, TLR2, PI3K, and cytohesin-1. This converts low avidity CR3 into an active receptor leading to increased bacterial internalization.
Expression of E‐cadherin (E‐CD) as related to other prognostic factors and survival in breast cancer

A series of 208 breast cancer biopsies were analysed immunohistochemically for expression of E‐cadherin (E‐CD). Altogether, 72 per cent of the tumours showed E‐CD positivity in over 50 per cent of cells, the staining being heterogeneous in nearly all tumours. In only 16 per cent of ductal carcinomas was positive staining seen in less than 1 per cent of cells. Expression of E‐CD was not related to tumour diameter, nodal status, metastasis at diagnosis, histological grade, DNA ploidy, S‐phase fraction, nuclear area, mitotic frequency, or PR content. There was a significant relationship between expression of E‐CD, histological type (P=0.01), the proportion of intraductal growth (P=0.008), the density of tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes (P=0.0007), ER content (P=0.012), and morphometric nuclear factors (P=0.02). Expression of E‐CD showed a weak association with a high survival probability (P=0.02), while the relation to recurrence‐free survival was not significant (P=0.11). In axillary lymph node‐negative tumours, E‐CD expression was not related significantly to survival (P=0.11) or to recurrence‐free survival (P=0.06). In multivariate analysis, E‐CD expression had no independent prognostic value, while the axillary lymph node status, tumour diameter, patient age, and mitotic frequency were independent prognostic factors. The results indicate that E‐CD expression is related to several histological features in breast cancer, but has no independent prognostic value over standard prognostic factors.
An EF-hand-containing Protein in Trypanosoma brucei Regulates Cytokinesis Initiation by Maintaining the Stability of the Cytokinesis Initiation Factor CIF1*

Trypanosoma brucei undergoes cytokinesis uni-directionally from the anterior tip of the new flagellum attachment zone (FAZ) toward the posterior end of the cell. We recently delineated a novel signaling pathway composed of polo-like kinase, cytokinesis initiation factor 1 (CIF1), and aurora B kinase that acts in concert at the new FAZ tip to regulate cytokinesis initiation. To identify new cytokinesis regulators, we carried out proximity-dependent biotin identification and identified many CIF1 binding partners and near neighbors. Here we report a novel CIF1-binding protein, named CIF2, and its mechanistic role in cytokinesis initiation. CIF2 interacts with CIF1 in vivo and co-localizes with CIF1 at the new FAZ tip during early cell cycle stages. RNAi of CIF2 inhibited the normal, anterior-to-posterior cytokinesis but activated an alternative, posterior-to-anterior cytokinesis. CIF2 depletion destabilized CIF1 and disrupted the localization of polo-like kinase and aurora B kinase to the new FAZ tip, thus revealing the mechanistic role of CIF2 in cytokinesis initiation. Surprisingly, overexpression of CIF2 also inhibited the normal, anterior-to-posterior cytokinesis and triggered the alternative, posterior-to-anterior cytokinesis, suggesting a tight control of CIF2 protein abundance. These results identified a new regulator in the cytokinesis regulatory pathway and reiterated that a backup cytokinesis pathway is activated by inhibiting the normal cytokinesis pathway.
Real World COPD: Association of Morning Symptoms with Clinical and Patient Reported Outcomes

Abstract This research examined the prevalence of morning symptoms and their relationship with health status, exacerbations and daily activity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Data on 1489 patients were analysed from a European and USA sample. Results were tested for significance (p < 0.05) using Mann-Whitney and regression modelling accounting for age, gender, body mass index, comorbidities, symptom severity, smoking status and medication adherence. Morning symptoms were experienced by 39.8% of patients. Controlling for potential confounders, morning symptoms were significantly associated with higher COPD assessment test scores (p < 0.001) and exacerbation frequency (p < 0.001), more frequent worsening of symptoms without consulting a Health Care Professional (p = 0.008), and increased impact on normal daily activities (p = 0.007); and in the working population, a significantly greater impact on getting up and ready for the day (p < 0.001) and significantly more days off work per year (p < 0.001). Our research concluded that in patients with COPD, morning symptoms are associated with poorer health status, impaired daily activities and increased risk of exacerbation in affected patients compared with those patients without morning symptoms. Improved control of patients’ morning symptoms may lead to substantial reduction in COPD impact and frequency of exacerbations, and enable patients to increase daily activities, particularly early morning activities. This could, in turn, enable working patients with COPD to be more productive in the workplace.
Geiger photodiodes for diffuse optical correlation tomography

Based on CMOS Geiger photodiode (GPD) pixels developed at RMD Inc. and fabricated with MOSIS consortium, we present a detector design that is capable of providing highspeed and single optical photon sensitivity in the near infrared region. The integration of the electronic reset with these CMOS pixels enables their use in a cost-effective large imaging array to provide a substantial increase in the signal-to-noise ratio and facilitate the high-speed, pixel-level signal processing required for photon-counting Diffuse Correlation Tomography (DCT). DCT is an imaging technique in progress that promises to provide a method for routine, non-invasive cancer screening and treatment by imaging blood flow, tissue oxygenation, and the distinct vasculature associated with the angiogenesis of cancerous growth using non-ionizing radiation. In this work, we present results of the design, fabrication and characterization of the CMOS Geiger pixels and their associated integrated reset circuits for DCT measurements.