Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vivo activities of ceftriaxone and vancomycin against Borrelia spp. in the mouse brain and other sites

Borrelia burgdorferi, the agent of Lyme disease, and B. turicatae, a neurotropic agent of relapsing fever, are susceptible to vancomycin in vitro, with an MIC of 0.5 microgram/ml. To determine the activity of vancomycin in vivo, particularly in the brain, we infected adult immunocompetent BALB/c and immunodeficient CB-17 scid mice with B. burgdorferi or B. turicatae. The mice were then treated with vancomycin, ceftriaxone as a positive control, or normal saline as a negative control. The effectiveness of treatment was assessed by cultures of blood and brain and other tissues. Ceftriaxone at a dose of 25 mg/kg of body weight administered every 12 h for 7 to 10 days eliminated cultivable B. burgdorferi or B. turicatae from all BALB/c or scid mice in the study. Vancomycin at 30 mg/kg administered every 12 h was effective in eliminating infection from immunodeficient mice if treatment was started within 3 days of the onset of infection. If treatment with vancomycin was delayed for 7 days or more, vancomycin failed to eradicate infection with B. burgdorferi or B. turicatae from immunodeficient mice. The failure of vancomycin in eradicating established infections in immunodeficient mice was associated with the persistence of viable spirochetes in the brain during antibiotic treatment.
HERV-K(OLD): Ancestor Sequences of the Human Endogenous Retrovirus Family HERV-K(HML-2)

ABSTRACT Sequences homologous to the human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) family HERV-K(HML-2) are present in all Old World primate species. A previous study showed that a central region of the HERV-K(HML-2)gag genes in Hominoidea species displays a 96-bp deletion compared to the gag genes in lower Old World primates. The more ancient HERV-K(HML-2) sequences present in lower Old World primates were apparently not conserved during hominoid evolution, as opposed to the deletion variants. To further clarify the evolutionary origin of the HERV-K(HML-2) family, we screened GenBank with the 96-bp gag-sequence characteristic of lower Old World primates and identified, to date, 10 human sequence entries harboring either full-length or partially deleted proviral structures, probably representing remnants of a more ancient HERV-K(HML-2) variant. The high degree of mutations demonstrates the long-time presence of these HERV-K(OLD) proviruses in the genome. Nevertheless, they still belong to the HML-2 family as deduced from dot matrix and phylogenetic analyses. We estimate, based on the family ages of integratedAlu elements and on long terminal repeat (LTR) divergence data, that the average age of HERV-K(OLD) proviruses is ca. 28 million years, supporting an integration time before the evolutionary split of Hominoidea from lower Old World primates. Analysis of HERV-K(OLD) LTR sequences led to the distinction of two subgroups, both of which cluster with LTRs belonging to an evolutionarily older cluster. Taken together, our data give further insight into the evolutionary history of the HERV-K(HML-2) family during primate evolution.
Jejunal disaccharidases in protein energy malnutrition and recovery.

The jejunal disaccharidases, sucrase, maltase and lactase, were determined in jejunal biopsies obtained from 43 malnourished children and 10 controls. In the study group, 63% were girls and 93% had severe malnutrition. Lactase activity was significantly reduced in third and fourth degree malnutrition (p < 0.05 and p < 0.005, respectively), but maltase activity was significantly reduced only in the fourth degree malnutrition (p < 0.01). After recovery, maltase and sucrase activities showed a marginally significant increase (p = 0.06), where lactase showed no significant increase (p > 0.05). We conclude that jejunal disaccharidase activity decreases significantly with increasing severity of malnutrition, lactase being the most severely affected and the last to recover.
Adopting multiview pixel mapping for enhancing quality of holoscopic 3D scene in parallax barriers based holoscopic 3D displays

The Autostereoscopic multiview 3D Display is robustly developed and widely available in commercial markets. Excellent improvements are made using pixel mapping techniques and achieved an acceptable 3D resolution with balanced pixel aspect ratio in lens array technology. This paper proposes adopting multiview pixel mapping for enhancing quality constructed holoscopic 3D scene in parallax barriers based holoscopic 3D displays achieving great results. The Holoscopic imaging technology mimics the imaging system of insects, such as the fly, utilizing a single camera, equipped with a large number of micro-lenses, to capture a scene, offering rich parallax information and enhanced 3D feeling without the need of wearing specific eyewear. In addition pixel mapping and holoscopic 3D rendering tools are developed including a custom built holoscopic 3D displays to test the proposed method and carry out a like-to-like comparison.
Modélisation pour l'évaluation de mesures de maîtrise du portage de salmonelles chez le porc charcutier

Nous avons elabore un modele de simulation stochastique representant la dynamique des populations de truies et de porcs dans un troupeau naisseur-engraisseur et la transmission indirecte des salmonelles au sein de ce troupeau. Nous avons teste l'effet des parametres associees aux modalites de conduite et au mecanisme d'infection sur la prevalence de l'infection dans les lots de porcs charcutiers livres a l'abattoir par analyses de sensibilite. Les interactions entre troupeaux au sein d’une structure de production ont ete representees par couplage de modeles. Le role des truies dans l'infection des porcelets et la conduite du troupeau sont des points critiques pour la maitrise de l'infection. Au sein d'un ensemble de troupeaux, il est necessaire d'adapter les protocoles d'estimation de la prevalence de l'infection afin d'ameliorer cette prevalence de maniere collective. La methodologie est originale et permettra d’etudier d’autres mesures au sein d’un troupeau et de la filiere.
EMG‐Based Estimation of Limb Movement Using Deep Learning With Recurrent Convolutional Neural Networks

A novel model based on deep learning is proposed to estimate kinematic information for myoelectric control from multi-channel electromyogram (EMG) signals. The neural information of limb movement is embedded in EMG signals that are influenced by all kinds of factors. In order to overcome the negative effects of variability in signals, the proposed model employs the deep architecture combining convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and recurrent neural networks (RNNs). The EMG signals are transformed to time-frequency frames as the input to the model. The limb movement is estimated by the model that is trained with the gradient descent and backpropagation procedure. We tested the model for simultaneous and proportional estimation of limb movement in eight healthy subjects and compared it with support vector regression (SVR) and CNNs on the same data set. The experimental studies show that the proposed model has higher estimation accuracy and better robustness with respect to time. The combination of CNNs and RNNs can improve the model performance compared with using CNNs alone. The model of deep architecture is promising in EMG decoding and optimization of network structures can increase the accuracy and robustness.
MicroRNA-370 inhibits the growth and metastasis of lung cancer by down-regulating epidermal growth factor receptor expression

Abnormal microRNA-370 (miR-370) expression has been frequently reported in several types of cancers, including lung cancer. However, the role and molecular mechanisms of miR-370 in regulating the growth and metastasis of lung cancer have not been clarified. Here, we show higher levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), but lower levels of miR-370 expression in most human lung cancer cells and non-tumor cells. Induction of miR-370 over-expression significantly reduced the levels of EGFR expression and the EGFR 3′untranslated region (UTR)-regulated luciferase activity in XWLC-05 and H157 cells, suggesting that miR-370 may bind to the 3′UTR of EGFR mRNA. Compared with the control cells, induction of miR370 overexpression significantly inhibited the proliferation, clone formation capacity, migration and invasion of XWLC-05 and H157 cells while miR-370 inhibitor over-expression enhanced their tumor behaviors in vitro. Furthermore, miR-370 over-expression down-regulated the EGFR and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α expression, and attenuated the extracellular single-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and AKT phosphorylation in XWLC-05 and H157 cells. In contrast, miR370 inhibitor over-expression increased the EGFR and HIF-1α expression as well as the ERK1/2 and AKT phosphorylation in XWLC-05 and H157 cells. Moreover, miR-370 over-expression significantly reduced the levels of EGFR and CD31 expression and inhibited the growth and lung metastasis of xenograft NSCLC tumors in mice. Our study indicates that miR-370 may bind to the 3′UTR of EGFR to inhibit EGFR expression and the growth, angiogenesis and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer by down-regulating the ERK1/2 and AKT signaling.
Shift from Apoptotic to Necrotic Cell Death during Human Papillomavirus-induced Transformation of Keratinocytes*

Oncogenic transformation is a complex, multistep process, which goes through several stages before complete malignant transformation occurs. To identify early processes in carcinogenesis, we used an in vitro model, based on the initiating event in cervical cancer, papillomavirus transformation of keratinocytes. We compared gene expression in primary keratinocytes (K) and papillomavirus-transformed keratinocytes from early (E) and late (L) passages and from benzo[a]pyrene-treated L cells (BP). The transformed cells exhibit similar transcriptional changes to clinical cervical carcinoma. The number of transcripts expressed progressively decreased during the evolution from K to BP cells. Bioinformatic analysis, validated by detailed biochemical analysis, revealed substantial contraction of both pro- and antiapoptotic networks during transformation. Nonetheless, L and BP cells were not resistant to apoptotic stimuli. At doses of cisplatin that led to 30-60% apoptosis of K and E cells, transformed L and BP cells underwent 80% necrotic cell death, which became the default response to genotoxic stress. Moreover, appreciable necrotic fractions were observed in the cervical carcinoma cell line, HeLa, in response to comparable doses of cisplatin. The shrinkage of biochemical networks, including the apoptotic network, may allow a cancer cell to economize on energy usage to facilitate enhanced proliferation but leaves it vulnerable to stress. This study supports the hypothesis that the process of cancer transformation may be accompanied by a shift from apoptosis to necrosis.
The “Riskification” of European Data Protection Law through a two-fold Shift

The importance of the concept of risk and risk management in the data protection field has grown explosively with the adoption of the General Data Protection Regulation (2016/679). The article explores the concept and the role of risk, as well as associated risk regulation mechanisms in EU data protection law. It shows that with the adoption of the General Data Protection Regulation there is evidence of a two-fold shift: first on a practical level, a shift towards risk-based data protection enforcement and compliance, and second a shift towards risk regulation on the broader regulatory level. The article analyses these shifts to enhance the understanding of the changing relationship between risk and EU data protection law. The article also discusses associated potential challenges when trying to manage multiple and heterogeneous risks to the rights and freedoms of individuals resulting from the processing of personal data.
Reduced recurrence of orofacial clefts after periconceptional supplementation with high-dose folic acid and multivitamins.

To assess effects of periconceptional multivitamin and folic-acid supplementation on recurrence of cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL +/- P), we prospectively evaluated 221 pregnancies in women at risk of a child with CL +/- P. The 10-step protocol included multivitamin supplementation with SPOFAVIT (A, B1, B2, B6, C, D3, E, nicotinamide, calcium pantothenicum) and folic acid (10 mg/day), beginning > or = 2 months before planned conception and continuing for > or = 3 months thereafter. A comparison group comprised 1,901 women at risk of a child with CL +/- P who received no supplementation and gave birth within the same period as the study group. In the supplemented group, 3 of 214 informative pregnancies ended with infants with CL +/- P, a 65.4% decrease (observed versus expected value -5.67; P = 0.031, Fisher's exact test); the expected value of 8.7 was calculated based on the incidence of cleft among first-degree relatives among the comparison group. Subset analysis by proband's sex, severity of CL +/- P, and both variables showed highest supplementation efficacy in probands with unilateral cleft (82.6% decrease, P = 0.024, Fisher's exact test). No efficacy was observed for female probands with bilateral CL +/- P. Generally, efficacy was greater for subgroups with unilateral than with bilateral cleft and for male than female probands. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Pinning adaptive and impulsive synchronization of stochastic uncertain complex dynamical networks

In this paper, the global exponential synchronization of stochastic complex dynamical networks with uncertain coupling is mainly discussed. Pinning adaptive and impulsive strategies are employed by adaptive control theory and impulsive control theory. Some sufficient criteria for the exponential synchronization of stochastic complex dynamical networks are derived by Laypunov function as well as the comparison principle of impulsive differential equation. An effective method is given to select the nodes which should be controlled at each impulsive instant and less conservativeness is permitted due to the use of the average impulsive time. At last, a numerical simulation is given to illustrate the correctness and effectiveness of the theoretical results.
High quality PZT thick films using silicon mold technique for MEMS applications

The present paper proposes a simple fabrication technique of high quality PZT thick films that call for silicon mold technique. The fabrication process adopts the silicon with back window obtained from silicon anisotropic etching as the silicon mold, and the improved PZT sol is dispensed in the silicon mold. The PZT films obtained using single spin coating with the thickness of l00 /spl mu/ m or higher, which is over the depth of back window of the silicon substrate, are crack-free and have good morphology. The PZT films with perfect perovskite structure have excellent piezoelectric property and the d/sub 33/ is about 170pC/N. Ferroelectric hysteresis loops are measured, and the remnant polarization (P/sub r/) of the PZT ceramics pellet is about 25 /spl mu/C/cm/sup 2/ and the coercive field (E/sub C/) is about 27kV/cm. In the radio-frequency (RF) region, the dielectric constant is about 350 and the dielectric loss is less than 0.01.
Opioid receptor trafficking and interaction in nociceptors

Opiate analgesics such as morphine are often used for pain therapy. However, antinociceptive tolerance and dependence may develop with long‐term use of these drugs. It was found that μ‐opioid receptors can interact with δ‐opioid receptors, and morphine antinociceptive tolerance can be reduced by blocking δ‐opioid receptors. Recent studies have shown that μ‐ and δ‐opioid receptors are co‐expressed in a considerable number of small neurons in the dorsal root ganglion. The interaction of μ‐opioid receptors with δ‐opioid receptors in the nociceptive afferents is facilitated by the stimulus‐induced cell‐surface expression of δ‐opioid receptors, and contributes to morphine tolerance. Further analysis of the molecular, cellular and neural circuit mechanisms that regulate the trafficking and interaction of opioid receptors and related signalling molecules in the pain pathway would help to elucidate the mechanism of opiate analgesia and improve pain therapy.
Formation of intermetallics in lead-free systems

Formation and growth of intermetallics are one of the most important problem in the search for reliable lead-free alloys. Since the majority of the commercially available lead-free alloys contain high tin concentration, there is a long-term reliability concern due to tendency of tin to form intermetallics. A prolonged exposure to higher temperatures of lead-free alloys results in the continuous growth of brittle intermetallic layer that is prone to facture thus leading to mechanical and electrical failure of joint. In this work, the formation and growth of intermetallics between lead-free alloys and contact materials such as copper, tin-plated and silver-plated copper materials were studied. For this purpose bimetallic couples formed between commercially available lead free alloys and selected contact materials were subjected to diffusion annealing using thermal gradients and heating by electrical current. Following diffusion annealing, the contact interfaces were subjected to a detailed metallographic, scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyses. In addition, electrical resistance was used for electrical characterization of the intermetallics formed at the contact interfaces. The results of the work enabled to make a comparative assessment of the susceptibility of the lead free alloys to the formation of intermetallics.
Comparison Between Preoperative and Postoperative Three‐dimensional Reconstructions of Idiopathic Scoliosis With the Cotrel‐dubousset Procedure

Study Design Pre-and postoperative three-dimensioned reconstructions of the spine and rib cage were done and compared in a group of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. Objectiv Changes in the shape of the thoracic spine and rib cage induced by the cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation and procedure were documented. Summary of Background Data Although many authors have reported significant curve improvament in the frontal plane, attempts to document derotation of the spine have shown only limited correction of apical vertabral rotation. Methods Three-dimensional reconstructions were obtained pre-and postoperatively using a stereoradio graphic technique in a group of 37 adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. Several geometrical indices of the spine and rib cage were compared using Student tests. Results The curve correction averaged 50% in the frontal plane and 24% in the plane of maximum curvature, while normal thoracic kyphosis was maintained in the saginal plane. the orientation of the plane of maximum curvature was shifted very significantly toward the sagaital plane, indicating en bloc movement of the thoracic spine and three-dimensional correction of the deformity. A small but significant change in vertebral axial rotation and rib hump was found and improvement in the overal orientation of the ribs was documented. Conclusions The cotre-Dubousset instrumentation and procedure are effective in producing thre-dimensional improvement of the thoracic spine by en location of the instrumented spine rather than by vertebral axial derotation.
Cryogenic quartz frequency sources: Problems and perspectives

This work presents the results of investigation of frequency sources based on cryogenic BAW quartz resonators. Two systems are considered: a passive feedback frequency stabilisation system and a fully cryogenic oscillator. The first approach improves the long-term frequency stability implementing a minimal number of electronic components at liquid helium temperatures. The second one is a BAW oscillator designed for 4K temperatures based on field-effect and bipolar transistors.
Transcription of mouse mammary tumor virus: identification of a candidate mRNA for the long terminal repeat gene product

We have examined an assortment of preneoplastic and neoplastic mouse mammary tissues for the presence of an mRNA which could encode the putative long terminal repeat gene product of mouse mammary tumor virus. We report here the detection of a novel mouse mammary tumor virus-specific, polyadenylic acid-containing transcript in certain preneoplastic and neoplastic mammary tissue of BALB/c mice. The molecule is 1.6 kilobases in length and contains sequences from the transcriptional leader and the U3 region of the proviral DNA. The upstream terminus of the 3' information lies 75 to 80 nucleotides from the beginning of the long terminal repeat open reading frame, in close proximity to a consensus splice acceptor in the DNA. The transcript was detected in hormonally or chemically induced neoplastic, preneoplastic, and lactating mammary tissue of BALB/c mice, but not in preneoplastic or tumor tissue induced by exogenous viruses in any strain of mice examined. This implies that the RNA we observed is transcribed from an endogenous provirus template.
Inhibition of adipose differentiation by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors.

Phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase plays an important role in various cellular signaling mechanisms in several cell systems. The role of PI 3-kinase in adipose differentiation was investigated. For this purpose, we examined the effect of specific inhibitors of PI 3-kinase on the differentiation of two adipogenic cell lines, 1246 and 3T3-L1. The results show that two structurally different inhibitors of PI 3-kinase, i.e., LY294002 and wortmannin, blocked adipose differentiation in a time and dose-dependent fashion. The results from time- course studies indicated that PI 3-kinase activity is most important in the early phase (day 4 to day 6) of the differentiation program. The effect of PI 3-kinase inhibitor on the expression of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma, a master regulator in adipogenesis induced during the differentiation process, was also examined. LY294002 significantly inhibited the induction of PPARgamma mRNA expression. During the initiation phase of adipogenesis (day 4 to day 6), the expression of PPARgamma was induced and LY294002 blocked the increase of expression of PPARgamma mRNA. The inhibition of expression of PPARgamma may provide a molecular mechanism for the action of PI 3-kinase inhibitors on adipose differentiation.