Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A MEMS based electrometer with a low-noise switched reset amplifier for charge measurement

Electrostatic charge measurements are at the base of chemical, physical and biological experiments. In this work the authors present an electrometer based on the vibrating capacitance of a microelectromechanical (MEMS) micromachined resonator. We present improvements on the low-noise readout amplifier by reducing input-referred voltage noise and parasitic capacitances. An amplifier has been designed to have a noise corner frequency well below the device's operating frequency fn. The electrometer geometry allows for charge output signal measurements at 2fn minimizing feedthrough of driving signals. The sensor consists of a set of comb-finger capacitors placed on each side of a moving mass for push-pull driving. Operating at resonance, charge collected on the moving electrode is modulated and the induced voltage is read with a low-leakage very high-input impedance feedback amplifier. Due to the specific readout technique, a switched-reset is used to prevent charge saturation. Reduction of parasitic capacitance and increase in resolution is achieved through the careful selection and placement of discrete electronic components alongside the silicon MEMS chip.
Novel nanofiberous membrane fabricated via electrospinning of wastage fuzzes of mechanized carpet used for dye removal of the carpet dyeing wastewater

Novel nanofibrous membrane was fabricated by using electrospinning of wastage fuzzes of mechanized carpet which was used to remove the dye of the textile wastewater. SEM images showed that nanofibers with average diameters of 200 nm were successfully fabricated by electrospinning technique. The physicochemical properties of electrospun nanofiberous membranes were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. FTIR confirmed the presence of C≡N, C˭N, and C‒N groups in the electrospun nanofibers which are the main functional groups of polyacrilonitrile (PAN). The resulting membrane showed dye retention of 96% of carpet dyeing wastewater, demonstrating the high separation potential of such membrane for wastewater treatment. We believe that simple approaches such as the present one would open up enormous possibilities in effective uses of wastage fuzzes of textile industry, considering the fact that electrospinning is a cost-effective method for the mass scale production of nanofibers.
Mnemonic Responses of Single Units Recorded from Monkey Inferotemporal Cortex, Accessed via Transcommissural Versus Direct Pathways: A Dissociation between Unit Activity and Behavior

Three macaques were trained on a task in which a sequence of single visual images was presented serially, and the monkeys signaled whether the image was a new or a repeated one. The optic chiasm and splenium of the corpus callosum were transected, leaving the anterior commissure as the only path for cortical interhemispheric transfer. Images were presented to only one eye at a time. Re-presentations of images to the same eye were recognized correctly in >95% of trials. A robust stimulus-specific adaptation (i.e., a reduced response to a repeated image) was seen in the population of single units recorded from inferotemporal cortex during these same trials. When an interhemispheric transfer was demanded of the animals (i.e., the re-presentation was made to the other eye), recognition performance was somewhat reduced, to 86% correct. Interestingly, in this situation the stimulus-specific adaptation disappeared completely. The disappearance occurred regardless of whether the transfer direction was from the hemisphere ipsilateral to the recording site to the hemisphere contralateral to the recording site, or vice versa. Thus, stimulus-specific adaptation in inferotemporal cortex units is not required for recognition.
Time to response for duloxetine 60 mg once daily versus placebo in elderly patients with major depressive disorder

ABSTRACT Background: Rapid response to antidepressant therapy is desirable and may be particularly critical in elderly patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: Findings are based on post-hoc analyses from a double-blind trial of elderly patients with MDD ≥ 65 years, randomly assigned 2:1 to duloxetine 60 mg QD (N = 207) or placebo (N = 104) for 8 weeks. Depression and pain measures included the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD17), CGI-Severity, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for overall pain. The time to response and remission for duloxetine compared with placebo was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards (PH) modeling, Kaplan-Meier estimation, and categorical repeated measures analysis. Results: Significant improvements of estimated HAMD17 response and remission rates for duloxetine started at week 2 (P = 0.022 and P = 0.033, respectively). Time to HAMD17 response and remission were significantly shorter for duloxetine versus placebo (P < 0.001 and P = 0.004, respectively). Placebo-referenced duloxetine hazard ratios (HR) for HAMD17 response and remission were 2.03 (P = 0.002) and 2.01 (P = 0.006), respectively. Results for GDS-based response (HR = 1.54, P = 0.023) and remission (HR = 1.54, P = 0.104) rates were consistent with the HAMD17 findings. Patients ≥75 years (n = 93) responded with similar rapidity to duloxetine compared with those <75 years (n = 199, P > 0.10 for all PH treatment-by-age interactions). The placebo-referenced duloxetine HR for time to 50% reduction in overall pain was 1.75 (P = 0.024) for patients with moderate to severe pain. Conclusion: Duloxetine demonstrated a faster time to antidepressant response and improvement in self-reported pain as compared with placebo. Clinical trial registry number for this study: NCT00062673, at www.clinicaltrials. gov.
Dominant zoobenthic species in the northwestern coastal sea of Estonia — potential role of abiotic stresses

Most of the Estonian coastal sea in the western part of the Gulf of Finland is characterized by numerous small bays. Some of them are open to the waves and water exchange with the open sea area, while others are exposed to waves from only one direction and have therefore limited water exchange. The coastal sea in the northeastern Baltic Proper is more open to wave and current activity. The bottom material of the coastal sea varies widely from mud and sand to gravel and rocks. Besides, salinity decreases if to move from the northeastern region towards the central Gulf of Finland. These abiotic factors could affect the large-scale spatial distribution of zoobenthic species. The zoobenthos samples were collected during August-November 2007–2009 in 13 locations in the Estonian coastal sea in the area extending from Muuga Bay (the central Gulf of Finland) to Sõrve Peninsula (the northeastern Baltic Proper). Up to 18 triplicate samples were taken within one area. All samples were taken using Van Veen grab with the opening area of 0.025 m2 then sieved through 1.00 mm mesh sieve and preserved in a freezer. Bottom macrofauna was identified to the species level where practicable; such groups as crustaceans and oligochaets were identified to an appropriate higher taxonomic layer. Biomass was determined as wet weight (gww/m2). The average density and biomass of species was determined in each area separately to ascertain dominants. Species abundance and biomass varied considerably within one sampling area. Still we were able to determine dominant species in these areas. Both biomass and abundance showed that two major species Macoma balthica and Mytilus trossulus prevailed. Mytilus trossulus dominated in the open bays at the northeastern Baltic Proper and western Gulf of Finland. Macoma balthica was abundant and showed high biomass in the large bays of the central Gulf of Finland. The analyses confirmed that Mytilus trossulus preferred hard bottoms. Considering natural and anthropogenic stresses to dominant species, this study shows that the presence of harbors and frequent harbor development favors the dominance of Macoma balthica. Mytilus trossulus prevails in the areas that are more exposed to waves as shown by numerical experiments with the wave model SWAN.
Assembly of the Sarcoglycan Complex

Four unique transmembrane glycoproteins comprise the sarcoglycan complex in striated muscle. The sarcoglycan complex contributes to maintenance of sarcolemma integrity. A shared feature of four types of autosomal recessive limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) is that mutations in a single sarcoglycan gene result in the loss of all sarcoglycans at the sarcolemma. The mechanism of destabilization is unknown. We report here our findings of sarcoglycan complex biosynthesis in a heterologous cell system. We demonstrate that the sarcoglycans are glycosylated and assemble into a complex that resides in the plasma membrane. Complex assembly was dependent on the simultaneous synthesis of all four sarcoglycans. Mutant sarcoglycans block complex formation and insertion of the sarcoglycans into the plasma membrane. This constitutes the first biochemical evidence to support the idea that the molecular defect in sarcoglycan-deficient LGMD is because of aberrant sarcoglycan complex assembly and trafficking, which leads to the absence of the complex from the sarcolemma.
A substructure combination strategy to create potent and selective transthyretin kinetic stabilizers that prevent amyloidogenesis and cytotoxicity.

Transthyretin aggregation-associated proteotoxicity appears to cause several human amyloid diseases. Rate-limiting tetramer dissociation and monomer misfolding of transthyretin (TTR) occur before its aggregation into cross-beta-sheet amyloid fibrils. Small molecule binding to and preferential stabilization of the tetrameric state of TTR over the dissociative transition state raises the kinetic barrier for dissociation, imposing kinetic stabilization on TTR and preventing aggregation. This is an effective strategy to halt neurodegeneration associated with polyneuropathy, according to recent placebo-controlled clinical trial results. In three recent papers, we systematically ranked possibilities for the three substructures composing a typical TTR kinetic stabilizer, using fibril inhibition potency and plasma TTR binding selectivity data. Herein, we have successfully employed a substructure combination strategy to use these data to develop potent and selective TTR kinetic stabilizers that rescue cells from the cytotoxic effects of TTR amyloidogenesis. Of the 92 stilbene and dihydrostilbene analogues synthesized, nearly all potently inhibit TTR fibril formation. Seventeen of these exhibit a binding stoichiometry of >1.5 of a maximum of 2 to plasma TTR, while displaying minimal binding to the thyroid hormone receptor (<20%). Six analogues were definitively categorized as kinetic stabilizers by evaluating dissociation time-courses. High-resolution TTR. (kinetic stabilizer)(2) crystal structures (1.31-1.70 A) confirmed the anticipated binding orientation of the 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl substructure and revealed a strong preference of the isosteric 3,5-dibromo-4-aminophenyl substructure to bind to the inner thyroxine binding pocket of TTR.
Dramatic Changes in the Genotypic Frequencies of Target Insecticide Resistance in French Populations of Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Over the Last Decade

ABSTRACT In 2001, although target site resistance against pyrethroids was wide-spread in clonal populations of Myzus persicae on oilseed rape in France (kdr), target site resistance against carbamates was rare. Starting in 2005, control failure by carbamates appeared. The current study was designed to document changes in insecticide-resistant genotype frequencies in France during the last decade. Two resistant genotypes (RGs) were dominant in populations in 2009–2010: RG1 with the kdr 1014F allele (16%), RG2 with the MACE 431F allele and the atypical s-kdr 918L allele (83%). The widespread prevalence of RG2 suggests that a substantial shift has occurred (allele 431F in <2% individuals in 2001) presumably in response to agrichemicals. Analysis of neutral markers revealed that 2009–2010 populations were composed of two differentiated genetic pools (instead of one in 2001) and that RG2 was found in two divergent superclones of M. persicae. Possible explanations for these observed shifts in population structure and especially for the dramatic increase of the double mutant RG2 are discussed.
Diabetes and tooth loss: an analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2003-2004.

BACKGROUND The authors conducted an analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to understand the association between diabetes and tooth loss in the United States. METHODS The authors analyzed the oral examination and self-reported diabetes data obtained from the NHANES 2003-2004 cycle and included 2,508 participants representing a civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. population 50 years and older. The authors calculated the prevalence of edentulism and the number of missing teeth among dentate people, and they used multiple regression analyses to assess the association between diabetes and tooth loss. RESULTS The prevalence of edentulism was 28 percent and 14 percent among people with and without diabetes, respectively. The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that people with diabetes were more likely to be edentulous than were those without diabetes (adjusted odds ratio = 2.25; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.19-4.21). Among dentate adults, those with diabetes had a higher number of missing teeth than did adults without diabetes (mean [standard error {SE}] = 9.8 [0.67]), mean [SE] = 6.7 [0.29]); P < . 01). CONCLUSIONS These study results revealed that adults with diabetes are at higher risk of experiencing tooth loss and edentulism than are adults without diabetes. One of every five cases of edentulism in the United States is linked to diabetes. Practical Implications. Although the association between diabetes and periodontal disease is well established, health care professionals also need to recognize the risk of tooth loss and its effect on quality of life among people with diabetes.
Alpha‐ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex‐dependent succinylation of proteins in neurons and neuronal cell lines

Reversible post‐translation modifications of proteins are common in all cells and appear to regulate many processes. Nevertheless, the enzyme(s) responsible for the alterations and the significance of the modification are largely unknown. Succinylation of proteins occurs and causes large changes in the structure of proteins; however, the source of the succinyl groups, the targets, and the consequences of these modifications on other proteins remain unknown. These studies focused on succinylation of mitochondrial proteins. The results demonstrate that the α‐ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (KGDHC) can serve as a trans‐succinylase that mediates succinylation in an α‐ketoglutarate‐dependent manner. Inhibition of KGDHC reduced succinylation of both cytosolic and mitochondrial proteins in cultured neurons and in a neuronal cell line. Purified KGDHC can succinylate multiple proteins including other enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle leading to modification of their activity. Inhibition of KGDHC also modifies acetylation by modifying the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. The much greater effectiveness of KGDHC than succinyl‐CoA suggests that the catalysis owing to the E2k succinyltransferase is important. Succinylation appears to be a major signaling system and it can be mediated by KGDHC. Reversible post‐translation modifications of proteins are common and may regulate many processes. Succinylation of proteins occurs and causes large changes in the structure of proteins. However, the source of the succinyl groups, the targets, and the consequences of these modifications on other proteins remains unknown. The results demonstrate that the mitochondrial α‐ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (KGDHC) can succinylate multiple mitochondrial proteins and alter their function. Succinylation appears to be a major signaling system and it can be mediated by KGDHC.
Protective Effect of Resveratrol in Severe Acute Pancreatitis-Induced Brain Injury

Objectives: The aim of this study was to study the effects of resveratrol on severe acute pancreatitis (SAP)-induced brain injury. Methods: Ninety-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups: sham operation, SAP, resveratrol-treated (RES), and dexamethasone-treated. Each group was evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 hours. Levels of serum myelin basic protein and zonula occludens 1 (Zo-1) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The brain and pancreatic tissues were examined using electron microscopy. Expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 were observed using immunohistochemistry, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting. Cytochrome c was detected using Western blotting alone. Results: Myelin basic protein and Zo-1 levels of the RES group were lower than the SAP group at all time points (P < 0.05). The RES group had significantly improved pathologic brain, increase in Bcl-2 expression, and decrease in Bax and caspases-3 expressions compared with the SAP group. Conclusions: The degradation of Zo-1 is involved in the pathophysiology of brain injury in SAP; MBP can be used as a marker of brain injury in SAP. The protective effect of resveratrol might be associated with the up-regulation of Bcl-2 and down-regulation of Bax and caspase-3.
Information Processing Flow and Neural Activations in the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex in the Stroop Task in Schizophrenic Patients

Using a spatially filtered magnetoencephalography analysis (synthetic aperture magnetometry), we estimated neural activations in the Stroop task in nearly real time for schizophrenic patients with/without auditory hallucinations and for normal control subjects. In addition, auditory hallucinations were examined through the information processing flow of the brain neural network, including the frontal regions. One hundred unaveraged magnetoencephalography signals during the incongruent stimulus responses were analyzed with a time window of 200 ms in steps of 50 ms. In the 25–60-Hz band, cortical regions that showed significant current source density changes were examined for each time window. The three groups showed significantly decreased current source density, corresponding to neural activation, with temporal overlap along the fundamental cognitive information processing flow: sensory input system, executive control system, motor output system. Transient neural activations in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortexwere bilateral with left-side dominancy for normal controls, left-lateralized for nonhallucinators and right-lateralized for hallucinators. Our results suggest that the dysfunction in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was related to auditory hallucinations, while the information processing flow was unaffected in the schizophrenic subjects in the Stroop task.
The Hydrophilic N-terminal Domain Complements the Membrane-anchored C-terminal Domain of the Sensor Kinase KdpD ofEscherichia coli *

The putative turgor sensor KdpD is characterized by a large, N-terminal domain of about 400 amino acids, which is not found in any other known sensor kinase. Comparison of 12 KdpD sequences from various microorganisms reveals that this part of the kinase is highly conserved and includes two motifs (Walker A and Walker B) that are very similar to the classical ATP-binding sites of ATP-requiring enzymes. By means of photoaffinity labeling with 8-azido-[α-32P]ATP, direct evidence was obtained for the existence of an ATP-binding site located in the N-terminal domain of KdpD. The N-terminal domain, KdpD/1–395, was overproduced and purified. Although predicted to be hydrophilic, it was found to be membrane-associated and could be solubilized either by treatment with buffer of low ionic strength or detergent. The membrane-associated form, but not the solubilized one, retained the ability to bind 8-azido-[α-32P]ATP. Previously, it was shown that the phosphatase activity of a truncated KdpD, KdpD/Δ12–395, is deregulated in vitro (Jung, K., and Altendorf, K. (1998)J. Biol. Chem. 273, 17406–17410). Here, we demonstrated that this effect was reversed in vesicles containing both the truncated KdpD and the N-terminal domain. Furthermore, coexpression of kdpD/Δ12–395 and kdpD/1–395 restored signal transduction in vivo. These results highlight the importance of the N-terminal domain for the function of KdpD and provide evidence for an interaction of this domain and the transmitter domain of the sensor kinase.
Modulatory Effects of Quercetin and Rutin on the Activity, Expression and Inducibility of CYP1A1 in Intestinal HCT‐8 Cells

Flavonoids, plant secondary metabolites present in fruits and vegetables, show antioxidant and anti‐tumorigenic effects in vitro, but their poor absorption from gastrointestinal tract limits their systemic efficacy in humans. On the other hand, flavonoids could protect intestinal cells against carcinogens by their potential to inhibit the enzymes metabolizing pre‐carcinogenic compounds (e.g. CYP1A) to reactive ones. This work was designed to test the effect of quercetin (the most abundant flavonoid) and rutin (the most abundant glycosidic form) on the activity, expression and inducibility of CYP1A in intestinal HCT–8 cells. CYP1A enzymatic activity was measured by ethoxyresorufin‐O‐deethylase (EROD) activity, CYP1A protein expression was detected by western blotting. The effect of flavonoids on viability of cells was examined by neutral red uptake test. No cytotoxic effect of flavonoids up to 50 μM concentration was observed. Quercetin significantly inhibited EROD activity in the cells, where CYP1A had been preinduced by β‐naphthoflavone and methylcholanthrene, and it also significantly reduced the CYP1A induction mediated by these model inducers. The effect of rutin was substantially weaker and mostly insignificant in all conducted experiments. The results suggest that quercetin may have a potential to limit the CYP1A‐mediated activation of pre‐carcinogens in intestinal cells. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.