Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sexual conflict does not drive reproductive isolation in experimental populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura

Sexual conflict has been predicted to drive reproductive isolation by generating arbitrary but rapid coevolutionary changes in reproductive traits among allopatric populations. A testable prediction of this proposal is that allopatric populations experiencing different levels of sexual conflict should exhibit different levels of reproductive isolation. We tested this prediction using experimentally evolved populations of the promiscuous Drosophila pseudoobscura. We manipulated sexual conflict by enforcing either monogamy, maintaining natural levels of promiscuity, or elevating promiscuity. Within each treatment, we carried out sympatric and allopatric crosses using replicated populations and examined pre‐zygotic (number of mating pairs, mating speed and copulation duration) and post‐zygotic (hybrid inviability and sterility) indicators of reproductive isolation. After 50 generations of selection, none of the measures conformed to predictions of sexual conflict driving reproductive isolation. Our results cannot be explained by lack of genetic variation or weak selection and suggest that sexual conflict may not be a widespread engine of speciation.
Deflazacort in comparison to other steroids for nephrotic syndrome

Patients with nephrotic syndrome require steroids for long time and sometimes repeatedly resulting in various adverse effects. Deflazacort (DFZ) had been described as equally effective and with fewer side effects as compared with other steroids. This review evaluates the literature on efficacy and toxicity of DFZ as compared with other therapies for nephrotic syndrome. A systematic review of Pubmed database and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials with last search date of 20th April 2011. Search terms included “nephrotic AND deflazacort” without any limitations. Randomized control trials comparing DFZ vs placebo or other therapies in subjects with nephrotic syndrome were included. Two authors extracted data independently. Three studies meet inclusion criteria and data were synthesized qualitatively. The limited evidence suggested that DFZ appeared to be equally effective in inducing remission or decreasing proteinuria in patients with nephrotic syndrome. It caused significantly less decrease in bone mineral content (BMC) in spine as compared with prednisolone. The results related to weight change, blood pressure change, Cushingoid symptoms, and urinary calcium excretion were inconsistent between included studies. By reviewing the available limited evidence, DFZ appears to be of similar efficacy for nephrotic patients, but there were inconsistent results regarding side effect profile of DFZ as compared with other steroids except for decrease in BMC where DFZ was better. There is need for larger randomized controlled trials to evaluate effectiveness and adverse effect profile of DFZ as compared with other steroids in nephrotic syndrome.
Feasibility of using capillary zone electrophoresis with photometric detection for the trace level detection of bromate in drinking water

The feasibility of applying a capillary zone electrophoretic (CZE) method for the trace analysis of bromate, a suspect human carcinogen, in drinking water was studied. Using a bare fused-silica capillary (75 µm inner diameter) coupled with indirect ultraviolet detection (200 nm), 0.25 mM cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, 5% methanol and 5.0 mM phthalate at pH 5.0–5.2, an electrokinetic injection of 15 kV and 10 s, a separation voltage of 18 kV (negative polarity) and a capillary temperature of 15°C, bromate was detected in high purity water at ≤10 µg l−1. The method was applied to three bottled water sources and to local municipal water. If needed, additional sample-handling steps, consisting of an off-line pre-concentration step and pH adjustment to 5.5, was used to improve detection limits (from a high of 400 µg l−1 to ≤10 µg l−1) and baseline noise. Signal-to-noise ratios also increased by adding sodium phosphate (1.1 µg ml−1) to all sources prior to analysis. Although the CZE method was capable of detecting bromate at levels ≤10 µg l−1 with an analysis time of 8–9 min, high variability (>10% relative standard deviation) precluded its application to some of sources without further method development. Nonetheless, this method could serve as the basis for the detection of bromate to specific water sources with minimal or no optimization
Triple‐modality treatment in patients with advanced stage tonsil cancer

Concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) and upfront surgery followed by adjuvant therapy both are recommended treatment options for patients with advanced stage squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tonsil. To the authors' knowledge, the question of whether surgical‐based treatments can achieve better survival compared with CCRT has never been compared in a clinical trial. The authors analyzed the National Cancer Data Base to measure the impact of different treatment modalities on overall survival (OS).
Grundlagen für die Düngung der Obstkulturen - Kernobst, Steinobst, Kiwi, Strauchbeeren

Die Anbausysteme im modernen Erwerbsobstbau haben sich verandert in den letzten Jahren. Das ist der Hauptgrund fur eine komplett uberarbeitete Neuausgabe der bisherigen Richtlinien (Heller et al. 1993; Commission romande de fumure, sous-commission arboricole 1993; Ryser et al. 1995). Der Wandel von Sorten, Veredlungsunterlagen, Anbauformen und Pflanzsystemen beeinflusst die Gesamtmenge an Nahrstoffen, welche eine moderne Obstanlage braucht, die Aufteilung der Nahrstoffe auf die verschiedenen Organe der Pflanze und auch die Nahrstoffmenge, welche mit dem Ernteprodukt die Obstanlage verlasst. Damit stellt sich die Frage, wie moderne Anlagen bedarfsgerecht ernahrt werden konnen. Die Anbausysteme sind dynamischer geworden, d.h. sie wandeln sich rascher als fruher durch die dauernde Anpassung der Erwerbsanbaupraxis an aktuelle Marktbedurfnisse, technischen Fortschritt und Standortverhaltnisse. Ziel moderner Obstproduzentinnen und -produzenten ist die Erzeugung eines Optimums an Fruchtqualitat auf hohem Ertragsniveau unter Vermeidung der Alternanz. Die Baumernahrung moderner Obstanlagen muss flexibel an die gegebenen Standortverhaltnisse und Anbauziele angepasst sein. Die Gesellschaft verlangt zudem, dass mit den Ressourcen im Anbausystem schonend umgegangen wird.
Preload does not influence nonmechanical O2 consumption in isolated rabbit heart.

Myocardial energy consumption for nonmechanical activity (excitation-contraction coupling) has been shown to be length dependent in isolated muscle studies but no more than minimally affected by preload in the whole heart. However, unloaded O2 consumption (VO2, which is used to estimate nonmechanical VO2 in whole heart) may not be accurate for quantifying nonmechanical energy consumption, because it contains VO2 for residual cross-bridge cycling. To more accurately determine the influence of left ventricular (LV) diastolic volume on nonmechanical VO2 in whole heart, we employed a new method for quantifying nonmechanical VO2, using the drug 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM). We measured VO2 and force-time integral during infusion of BDM (< or = 5 mM) at high (VH) and low LV volumes (VL) in 16 excised isovolumically contracting red blood cell-perfused rabbit ventricles. LV end-diastolic pressure was 9.7 +/- 4.6 and 3.8 +/- 2.8 (SD) mmHg at VH and VL, respectively. Nonmechanical VO2, estimated as the VO2-axis intercept of the linear VO2-force-time integral relation obtained during BDM infusion, did not differ significantly between VH and VL (0.0137 +/- 0.0083 and 0.0132 +/- 0.0090 ml O2.beat-1 x 100 gLV-1, P = 0.702). A multiple linear regression analysis for the pooled data confirmed this finding (P = 0.361). We conclude that, in the rabbit heart, LV diastolic volume does not importantly affect nonmechanical energy consumption over a physiological range of LV end-diastolic pressure. This indicates that length-dependent activation does not have an energetic cost in whole rabbit heart and suggests that its predominant mechanism is increased Ca2+ affinity for the contractile proteins.
Mutagenesis of the Aquaporin 4 Extracellular Domains Defines Restricted Binding Patterns of Pathogenic Neuromyelitis Optica IgG

Background: Patient-derived aquaporin 4 (AQP4)-specific recombinant monoclonal antibodies (rAbs) cause neuromyelitis optica (NMO)-specific nervous system injury in animal models. Results: AQP4-specific rAbs bind human AQP4 based on differential sensitivity to loop A and C mutations. Conclusion: AQP4-specific rAbs derived from NMO patients recognize multiple conformational epitopes within the extracellular domains of human AQP4. Significance: High resolution mapping of AQP4 autoantibody epitopes identifies target regions for potential blocking therapies. Neuromyelitis optica-immunoglobulin G (NMO-IgG) binds to aquaporin-4 (AQP4) water channels in the central nervous system leading to immune-mediated injury. We have previously demonstrated that a high proportion of CSF plasma cells of NMO patients produce antibody to the extracellular domains of the AQP4 protein and that recombinant IgG (rAb) derived from these cells recapitulate pathogenic features of disease. We performed a comprehensive mutational analysis of the three extracellular loops of the M23 isoform of human AQP4 using both serial and single point mutations, and we evaluated the effects on binding of NMO AQP4-reactive rAbs by quantitative immunofluorescence. Whereas all NMO rAbs required conserved loop C (137TP138 and Val150) and loop E (230HW231) amino acids for binding, two broad patterns of NMO-IgG recognition could be distinguished based on differential sensitivity to loop A amino acid changes. Pattern 1 NMO rAbs were insensitive to loop A mutations and could be further discriminated by differential sensitivity to amino acid changes in loop C (148TM149 and His151) and loop E (Asn226 and Glu228). Alternatively, pattern 2 NMO rAbs showed significantly reduced binding following amino acid changes in loop A (63EKP65 and Asp69) and loop C (Val141, His151, and Leu154). Amino acid substitutions at 137TP138 altered loop C conformation and abolished the binding of all NMO rAbs and NMO-IgG, indicating the global importance of loop C conformation to the recognition of AQP4 by pathogenic NMO Abs. The generation of human NMO rAbs has allowed the first high resolution mapping of extracellular loop amino acids critical for NMO-IgG binding and identified regions of AQP4 extracellular structure that may represent prime targets for drug therapy.
Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of acute and persistent diarrhoea in rural Bangladeshi children

A community‐based longitudinal study of acute and persistent diarrhoea in 705 children less than five years old was carried out for a year in a rural area of Bangladesh. Diarrhoea morbidity data were collected from each study child every fourth day by home visit. Clinical features of diarrhoeal episodes and diarrhoeal management information were documented. The overall diarrhoeal incidence rate in the study children was 4.6 episodes per child per year. The incidence of persistent diarrhoea was 34/100 child‐years. Persistent diarrhoea was positively associated with young age and more severe illness, characterized by the presence of clinical dehydration or blood in the stool in the first week. Use of ORT in the first week was positively associated and use of an antibiotic was negatively associated with the occurrence of persistent diarrhoea. Reduced breast‐feeding and consumption of cow's milk at some time during the episode were also positively associated with persistence. This would suggest that appropriate fluid and dietary management for all episodes should be the goal. Children with more severe initial illness characterized by the presence of blood in the stool or clinical dehydration should have more careful follow‐up to identify persistent episodes and adverse nutritional effects. Breastfeeding should be continued during acute diarrhoea, but the role of ORT, antibiotics and cow's milk deserves further investigation.
A look into the cockpit of the developing locust: Looming detectors and predator avoidance

For many animals, the visual detection of looming stimuli is crucial at any stage of their lives. For example, human babies of only 6 days old display evasive responses to looming stimuli (Bower et al. [1971]: Percept Psychophys 9: 193–196). This means the neuronal pathways involved in looming detection should mature early in life. Locusts have been used extensively to examine the neural circuits and mechanisms involved in sensing looming stimuli and triggering visually evoked evasive actions, making them ideal subjects in which to investigate the development of looming sensitivity. Two lobula giant movement detectors (LGMD) neurons have been identified in the lobula region of the locust visual system: the LGMD1 neuron responds selectively to looming stimuli and provides information that contributes to evasive responses such as jumping and emergency glides. The LGMD2 responds to looming stimuli and shares many response properties with the LGMD1. Both neurons have only been described in the adult. In this study, we describe a practical method combining classical staining techniques and 3D neuronal reconstructions that can be used, even in small insects, to reveal detailed anatomy of individual neurons. We have used it to analyze the anatomy of the fan‐shaped dendritic tree of the LGMD1 and the LGMD2 neurons in all stages of the post‐embryonic development of Locusta migratoria. We also analyze changes seen during the ontogeny of escape behaviors triggered by looming stimuli, specially the hiding response. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 74: 1078–1095, 2014
Systematic and Endothelial Inflammation and Endothelial Progenitor Cell Levels in Emphysematous Rats Exposed to Intermittent Hypoxia

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to develop an overlap syndrome rat model with intermittent hypoxia (IH) exposure as seen in obstructive sleep apnea, on a base of preexisting emphysema caused by 16 wk of smoke exposure to determine whether IH and emphysema existing simultaneously play overlapped roles on systematic/endothelial inflammation and endothelial damage. METHODS: Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 15 each, labeled according to exposure conditions as control, IH, emphysema, and overlap groups. In these animals, electroencephalogram monitoring and preliminary experiments to obtain arterial blood gas values were performed. Serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6, TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations in the culture medium, Ras homology A mRNA expression levels of endothelial cells from right common carotid artery, and ratio of carotid intima-media thickness of whole thickness of vascular wall expressed in percent (C-IMT) (%) values were evaluated. Subsequently, circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) within rat peripheral blood and bone marrow were measured with flow cytometry. RESULTS: The serum and endothelial concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 and the levels of endothelial Ras homology A mRNA have statistically significant results described as overlap > emphysema > IH > control. The levels of EPCs in rat peripheral blood and bone marrow have statistically significant results described as overlap > IH > emphysema > control. C-IMT (%) values from right common carotid artery are the highest in the overlap group and the lowest in the control group. There is no statistical difference when comparing the IH and the emphysema groups. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of whether IH and emphysema exposure are mechanistically synergistic, this overlap elicits a more severe systematic/endothelial inflammation and endothelial damage; meanwhile, a robust mobilization of EPCs is demonstrated, which is not to mean a robust adherent and repairing capability.
A new quantitative (two‐photon extracellular polar‐tracer imaging‐based quantification (TEPIQ)) analysis for diameters of exocytic vesicles and its application to mouse pancreatic islets

We have developed an imaging approach to estimate the diameter of exocytic vesicles that are smaller than the resolution of an optical microscope and present within intact tissue. This approach is based on two‐photon excitation imaging of polar tracers in the extracellular medium, is designated TEPIQ (two‐photon extracellular polar‐tracer imaging‐based quantification), and has three variants. TEPIQ analysis of ΔV measures vesicle volume with a fluid‐phase tracer, sulforhodamine B (SRB). TEPIQ analysis of ΔS determines vesicle surface area with a polar membrane tracer, FM1‐43. TEPIQ analysis of ΔV/ΔS estimates vesicle diameter from the SRB/FM1‐43 fluorescence ratio. TEPIQ analysis is insensitive to microscope settings because the same setup is used for calibration and actual experiments. We tested the validity of TEPIQ with glucose‐induced exocytosis from beta‐cells within pancreatic islets. The three TEPIQ variants yielded estimates for the mean diameter of exocytic vesicles of between 340 and 390 nm, consistent with the size of insulin granules. TEPIQ analysis relies on the combination of two‐photon excitation imaging, the narrow intercellular spaces of intact tissue, and the presence of diffusible polar tracers in the extracellular medium. It allows quantitative imaging of exocytosis within secretory organs, yielding estimates of vesicle diameter with nanometer resolution.
Immediate Mandibular Reconstruction: Human Experience with Autogenous Frozen Mandibular Grafts

Autogenous mandibular grafts that have been cryosurgically devitalized and reimplanted have been studied in the canine. Initial investigations have lent impetus to further application in human cancer surgery. Six patients underwent immediate autogenous mandibular graft reconstruction. All failed because of intraoral complications and decreased vascularization in the midportion of the bone graft. None evidenced recurrence of tumor in bone, although two patient's grafts failed on the basis of tumor recurrence in the adjacent soft tissue.
Growth of Human Prostate Carcinomas with and without Hormone Alpha- Dehydrotestosterone in Nude Mice

Objectives: The dependence of human prostate carcinoma growth on hormone was studied in xenotransplants in nude mice. The objective was to determine differences in cell kinetic parameters and volume growth of tumors growing with α-dehydrotestosterone (αDHT) and without αDHT. These differences could be used as arguments pro and contra the adaptation versus the clonal selection hypothesis. Methods: Human prostate carcinomas were xenotransplanted into nude mice. Growth of tumors was observed in castrated male mice without and with implanted osmotic pumps secreting αDHT. In a further series of experiments the αDHT tubes were removed when the tumors had reached a volume of 0.3 cm3. Tumor volume was measured to determine tumor doubling time with and without αDHT. Detailed cell kinetics were analyzed using the bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) method with flow cytometry. Applying the relative movement (RM) and a simulation analysis to parallel single and multiple BrdUrd labelling experimental data we determined transit times through the phases of cell cycle, potential doubling time Tpot, growth fraction (GF) and cell loss. Results: Five human prostate carcinomas were xenotransplanted into nude mice. Tumor take was only achieved when androgen hormone was present. However, when αDHT was removed when the tumors had grown to a volume of 0.3 cm3, they continued to grow at nearly the same Td as those tumors with continued αDHT application. The BrdUrd experiments, on the other hand, showed considerable increase of Tc and Tpot upon withdrawal of αDHT in 4 out of 5 tumors. The GF and labelling index (LI) were maintained at about the same level as αDHT consuming tumors. Conclusion: While small transplanted tumor pieces do not grow without αDHT, larger tumors grow with the same Td after removal of αDHT. The slower proliferation shown by the increased Tc and Tpot is balanced by less cell loss. Since GF and LI were maintained at about the same level, we conclude that in our tumors the majority of cells adapted to hormone independence. There was no evidence for the selection model since the tumors continued to grow at about the same speed after hormone depletion. All cell kinetic parameters showed a considerable inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity. A clinical implication may be that hormone ablation therapy should always be supplemented by some other therapy.
Fluctuation of extracellular hypocretin‐1 (orexin A) levels in the rat in relation to the light–dark cycle and sleep–wake activities

Hypocretins/orexins are neuropeptides implicated in sleep regulation and the sleep disorder narcolepsy. In order to examine how hypocretin activity fluctuates across 24 h with respect to the sleep–wake cycle, we measured changes in extracellular hypocretin‐1 levels in the lateral hypothalamus and medial thalamus of freely moving rats with simultaneous sleep recordings. Hypocretin levels exhibited a robust diurnal fluctuation; levels slowly increased during the dark period (active phase), and decreased during the light period (rest phase). Levels were not correlated with the amount of wake or sleep in each period. Although an acute 4‐h light‐shift did not alter hypocretin levels, 6‐h sleep deprivation significantly increased hypocretin release during the forced‐wake period. Hypocretin activity is, thus, likely to build up during wakefulness and decline with the occurrence of sleep. These findings, together with the fact that a difficulty in maintaining wakefulness during the daytime is one of the primary symptoms of hypocretin‐deficient narcolepsy, suggest that hypocretin activity may be critical in opposing sleep propensity during periods of prolonged wakefulness.
Experimental West Nile Virus Infection in Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata) and Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

Ten crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and three blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata), species indigenous to North America, were intravenously inoculated with 103 PFU of West Nile virus (WNV) strain NY99 for production of positive tissues for Canadian surveillance. Both species developed clinical signs 4 days postinoculation (dpi). Virus was detected in blood, cloacal and tracheal swabs, and in a number of organs by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and virus isolation (titers reaching over 107 PFU/0.1 g). Virus appeared as early as 1 dpi in blood (102-103 PFU/ml) and spleen (103-104 PFU/0.1 g of tissue), whereas kidney, liver, intestine, gonads, heart, skeletal muscle, and lung tested positive for WNV in a later stage of the infection. Immunostaining (IHC) using heterologous rabbit anti-WNV polyclonal antiserum detected viral antigen in a wide range of organs, starting at 2 dpi. Detection of WNV antigen in the brain of blue jays and crows by IHC was laborious as only few cells, not present in all sections, would stain positive. Mononuclear cells appeared to be an important target for virus replication, contributing to virus spread throughout tissues during the infection. This conclusion was based on the positive IHC staining of these cells in organs before virus antigen detection in parenchymal cells and supported by virus isolation and RT-PCR-positive results in white blood cells. The inability of blue jays and crows to perch and fly may reflect weakness due to generalized infection and marked skeletal muscle involvement, although involvement of the central nervous system cannot be excluded.
A QRS Complex Detection Algorithm Based on Mathematical Morphology and Envelope

The QRS complex detection is very important to ECG analysis. This paper aims to present an algorithm of QRS complex detection based on mathematical morphology and envelope. Baseline wandering is removed from ECG signal by morphological method. Then the signal gets the envelope through a low-pass filter, improving signal-to-noise . The performance of the algorithm is evaluated with MIT-BIH database. The algorithm gets the high detection rate (99.79%) and high speed