Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alphafetoprotein in the Dutch External Quality Assurance programme: a need for improvement

Background Elevated alphafetoprotein (AFP) concentrations may result from a variety of clinical conditions, but their role as an important tumour marker has been well established. There may be differences in AFP values due to laboratories using different methods, even though most methods have been calibrated with the same international standard (WHO IS 72/225). Therefore it is important to know the analytical performance of the various methods in relation to the analytical requirements for AFP measurement. Methods Annually, from January 2005 to July 2010, the results were analysed from the 65–75 laboratories that took part in the AFP survey of the External Quality Assurance programme of the Foundation Quality Control Medical Laboratories (the SKML/Binding Analysis) in the Netherlands. Results The Elecsys/Modular (36%) and the Immulite 2000/2500 (29%) are the methods used most. The methods show, on average, up to 15% positive and 12% negative bias, compared with the all-laboratory trimmed mean. Of the laboratories using the Immulite or the Elecsys/Modular analyser, over 70% show sufficient analytical performance to meet the Fraser criterion for method imprecision. Of the laboratories using a different method, over 50% do not meet this criterion. Conclusions AFP immunoassays suffer from method bias, even though all methods have been calibrated with the same international standard. Some of the methods used show insufficient performance.
EFFECT OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC HEAT EXPOSURE ON FREQUENCY OF EEG COMPONENTS IN DIFFERENT SLEEP-WAKE STATE IN YOUNG RATS

The recent literatures indicate that central nervous system (CNS) is highly vulnerable to systemic hyperthermia induced by whole body heating on conscious animals. In the present study, cerebral electrical activity or EEG (electroencephalogram) following exposure to high environmental heat has been studied in moving rats. Rats were divided into three group (i) acute heat stress-subjected to a single exposure for four hours in the BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand) incubator at 38C; (ii) chronic heat stress-exposed for 21 days daily for one hour in the incubator at 38C, and (iii) handling control groups. EEG signals were recorded on paper along with in digital form on computer hard disk just after the heat exposure from acute stressed rats and on 22 nd day from chronic stressed rats. EOG (electrooculogram) and EMG (electromyogram) were also recorded along with EEG to differentiate the different sleep-wake states. Following up, for each group of rats, power spectrum of the EEG for each sleep-wake states, and for all four hours of recording in two-second epochs were calculated and analyzed. The higher frequency components of the EEG power spectrum (2) was found very sensitive to hot environment and changed significantly in all three sleep-wake states in comparison to the control rats following acute as well as chronic exposure to heat stress. This report demonstrates that the cortical EEG are sensitive to environmental heat and alterations in EEG frequencies in different state of mental consciousness due to high heat can be differentiated efficiently by EEG power
Information Systems and Health Care-I: Trust, Uncertainty, and Online Prescription Filling

Online prescription filling possesses great market potential; however, consumers’ perception of uncertainty tends to impede their adoption of online prescription filling. Trust is recognized as a critical factor affecting online shopping in general. We contend that trust can help consumers overcome perceived uncertainty, thereby enhancing their intention to adopt online prescription filling. Drawing on prior research on trust and theory of transaction cost economics, this paper proposes a research model that encompasses three trust antecedents, two sources of uncertainty, and the relationships among trust, uncertainty, and the consumer’s intention to adopt online prescription filling. The model was tested empirically using a large sample. It is found that (1) calculus-based, knowledge-based, and institution-based trust antecedents significantly affect trust,
Mechanism of Chloramphenicol Resistance in Staphylococcus epidermidis

The mechanism of chloramphenicol resistance in several multiple-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis strains has been studied and shown to be due to the presence of the enzyme, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase. As with S. aureus, the inactivating enzyme in S. epidermidis appears to be the product of a structural gene on the chloramphenicol plasmid because resistance and enzyme activity are concurcurrently lost after growth in acridine orange or at elevated temperatures. The synthesis of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase in S. epidermidis has been compared with the function of a similar enzyme in chloramphenicol-resistant S. aureus with the conclusion that the kinetics of induction, products of the reaction, and general properties of the enzymes are identical. The chloramphenicol acetylating enzyme from S. epidermidis has been purified to a state of homogeneity and compared with the analogous purified S. aureus enzyme. Both purified preparations consist of native enzymes with molecular weights of 80,000, and evidence is presented that is consistent with their being made up of four identical subunits of 20,000 each. The two staphylococcal enzymes are identical with respect to pH optimum, apparent affinity (Km) for chloramphenicol, heat denaturation, and immunological reactivity, but they differ in electrophoretic mobility, chromatographic behavior, substrate specificity, and sensitivity to inhibition by mercuric ion.
Centralized pap test diagnosis with artificial neural network and internet of things

In this work, we propose a utilization of a serverclient system model that using the Internet of Things (IoT) technology to process Pap smear imaging data derived from high-resolution microscopes and to classify the those images by employing the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) learning algorithm on the server. The IoT can enable those microscopes to communicate with one another while the ANN enables a new method of imaging classification with high accuracy. We utilize 917 high-resolution images as an input for our proposed method. The method achieves a root mean square error of 0.8834 and correlation coefficient of 0.6643.
Karnataka State Telemedicine Project: Utilization Pattern, Current, and Future Challenges

Background: The Telemedicine Network Project in the state of Karnataka was introduced in the year 2001. This is a value added service from the health department of the government of Karnataka. There is no data on its utilization pattern or its future challenges. This study was conducted from a nodal center in order to understand the above two issues. Materials and Methods: We used a 51-item survey questionnaire that captured data on infrastructure, technical aspects, and connectivity parameters, tele-consultations including emergency services, human resources, and coordination aspects both at the client as well as the nodal centers. Results: Services are operational in 25 district hospitals across the state for the past 3.3 (2.1) years. Space was ear-marked across all the client centers. Back-up power supply was present only in 10 (40%) of the client centers. Quality of satellite connection was acceptable in 18 (72%) centers. Approximately, 3.0 (1.8) phone calls had to be made to the nodal centers to obtain one appointment. Monthly maximum and minimum cases done over the past 2 year period were reported as 58.2 (66.2) and 13.5 (16.2) respectively. Each consultation lasted for 26.1 (13.9) min. Tele-consultation advices from nodal centers were carried out completely in only 9 (36%) centers. Only in 13 (52%) client centers, did doctors keep up with appointment regularly. All technicians reported that the training they received was inadequate. 16 (64%) technicians were asked to do works that were not pertaining to telemedicine. 19 (76%) technicians had frequently felt insecurities about their jobs. Conclusions: The telemedicine service has been largely under-utilized and has failed to deliver the promise in Karnataka state. At present, the obstacles reflect both inherent limitations in the technology and also improper use of human resources. Successful implementation of the given recommendations may in the long run help optimal utilization and reach all end-users.
Competitive Inhibition of Amino Acid Uptake Suppresses Chlamydial Growth: Involvement of the Chlamydial Amino Acid Transporter BrnQ

ABSTRACT Chlamydiaceae are obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens that strictly depend on host metabolites, such as nucleotides, lipids, and amino acids. Depletion of amino acids in cell culture media results in abnormal chlamydial development in vitro. Surprisingly, enrichment of certain amino acids also retards chlamydial growth. Our experiments revealed that the antichlamydial effects are largely independent of changes in the host cell transcriptome or proteome and in the major signal transduction pathway modulated by amino acids, the mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway. Furthermore, the chlamydial growth inhibition induced by leucine, isoleucine, methionine, or phenylalanine was completely reversed by concomitant addition of valine. In contrast, the growth inhibition induced by serine, glycine, or threonine was not reversed by valine addition. Functional characterization of the only predicted chlamydial transporter for branched-chain amino acids, BrnQ, revealed that it can be blocked by leucine, isoleucine, methionine, or phenylalanine but not by serine, glycine, or threonine. This chlamydial transporter is the only known BrnQ homolog possessing specificity for methionine, suggesting a unique strategy for methionine uptake among gram-negative bacteria. The antichlamydial effects of leucine, isoleucine, methionine, and phenylalanine could be explained as competitive inhibition of the BrnQ transporter and subsequent valine starvation.
Active caspase 3 and DNA fragmentation as markers for apoptotic cell death in primary and metastatic liver tumours

Aims: The induction of tumour cell death by apoptosis is a major goal of cancer therapy and the in situ detection of apoptosis in tumour tissue has become an important diagnostic parameter. Different apoptosis detection methods assess distinct biochemical processes in the dying cell. Thus, their direct comparison is mandatory to evaluate their diagnostic value. The aim of this study was to compare the immunohistochemical detection of active caspase 3 and single‐stranded DNA in primary and metastatic liver tumours as markers of apoptotic cell death. Methods: We studied detection of active caspase 3 and single‐stranded DNA in 20 primary hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) and 20 liver metastases from colorectal carcinomas (CRC) using immunohistochemistry on paraffin sections. Results: Our results reveal that both methods are suitable and sensitive techniques for the in situ detection of apoptosis, however, they also demonstrate that immunohistochemistry for active caspase 3 and single‐stranded DNA have differential sensitivities in HCC and CRC. Conclusion: The sensitivity of apoptosis detection using immunohistochemistry for active caspase 3 and single‐stranded DNA may be tumour cell type dependent.
Pulmonary , gastrointestinal and urogenital pharmacology Rac 1 modulates G-protein-coupled receptor-induced bronchial smooth muscle contraction

Increasing evidence suggests a functional role of RhoA/Rho-kinase signalling as a mechanism for smooth muscle contraction; however, little is known regarding the roles of Rac1 and other members of the Rho protein family. This study aimed to examine whether Rac1 modulates bronchial smooth muscle contraction. Ring preparations of bronchi isolated from rats were suspended in an organ bath, and isometric contraction of circular smooth muscle was measured. Immunoblotting was used to examine myosin light chain phosphorylation in bronchial smooth muscle. Our results demonstrated that muscle contractions induced by carbachol (CCh) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were inhibited by EHT1864, a selective Rac1 inhibitor, and NSC23766, a selective inhibitor of Rac1specific guanine nucleotide exchange factors. Similarly, myosin light chain and myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 (MYPT1) at Thr853 phosphorylation induced by contractile agonist were inhibited with Rac1 inhibition. However, contractions induced by high K, calyculin A (a potent protein phosphatase inhibitor) and K/PDBu were not inhibited by these Rac1 inhibitors. Interestingly, NaF (a G-protein activator)-induced contractions were inhibited by EHT1864 but not by NSC23766. We next examined the effects of a trans-acting activator of transcription protein transduction domain (PTD) fusion protein with Rac1 (PTD-Rac1) on muscle contraction. The constitutively active form of PTD-Rac1 directly induced force development and contractions were abolished by EHT1864. These results suggest that Rac1, activated by G protein-coupled receptor agonists, such as CCh and ET-1, may induce myosin light chain and MYPT phosphorylation and modulate the contraction of bronchial smooth muscle.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I and Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein-2 and -5 in Equine Seminal Plasma: Association with Sperm Characteristics and Fertility1

Abstract The objectives of this study were 1) to determine whether insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) were present in seminal plasma of stallions; 2) to compare semen parameters (IGF proteins, sperm numbers, morphology, and motility) from stallions at sexual rest (SR) and when sexually active (SA); 3) to compare semen parameters between stallions with high and low seminal plasma IGF-I concentrations; and 4) to examine the relationship between seminal plasma IGF-I concentrations and fertility parameters of stallions. Ejaculates were collected from stallions at SR (n = 51) and SA (n = 46). Concentrations of IGF-I and IGFBP-2 in seminal plasma samples were determined by radioimmunoassay. Presence of IGFBPs in equine seminal plasma was verified using immunoprecipitation and Western ligand blot procedures. IGF-I, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-5 were present in equine seminal plasma. Concentrations of IGF-I, IGF-I/protein, total IGF-I, IGFBP-2, IGFBP-2/protein, and total IGFBP-2 were not significantly different (P ≥ 0.13) in seminal plasma between stallions at either SR or SA. At SR, stallions with higher seminal plasma IGF-I had more total IGFBP-2 per ejaculate (P < 0.01), more morphologically normal sperm (P = 0.05), and higher first-cycle pregnancy rates (P = 0.02). At SA, stallions with higher seminal plasma IGF-I had fewer cycles per pregnancy (P = 0.02). An association of seminal plasma IGF-I concentration with sperm motility, sperm morphology, and pregnancy rates in bred mares suggests that IGF-I may play a role in sperm function.
eNOS T-786C genotype, physical activity, and peak forearm blood flow in females.

BACKGROUND The purpose of the present study was to determine interactive and main effects of the eNOS T-786C gene polymorphism and habitual physical activity level on forearm vascular resistance (FVR) and forearm blood flow (FBF) at rest and during 3 min of reactive hyperemia. METHODS We studied healthy, Caucasian (age 25 +/- 1 yr), sedentary (maximal oxygen consumption, [OV0312]O2max: 33.8 +/- 1 mL x kg(-1)x min(-1)), and endurance-trained ([OV0312]O2max: 45.3 +/- 1 mL x kg(-1)x min(-1)) women. FBF was measured using venous occlusion plethysmography before (resting) and after 5 min of arm arterial occlusion at 1 (peak vasodilation), 2, and 3 min of reactive hyperemia. [OV0312]O2max was measured using a standard treadmill protocol, and skinfolds were measured to estimate body composition. RESULTS There was a significant interaction between eNOS genotype and physical activity level on resting FVR (P = 0.0003). Sedentary subjects with the TT genotype had the lowest resting FVR, but among the endurance-trained group, the TC+CC genotype group had the lowest resting FVR. This interaction was reflected in the resting FBF values (P = 0.03). After accounting for important covariates, there was a main effect of eNOS genotype on peak FBF (TT, 7.0 +/- 0.3 vs TC+CC, 5.9 +/- 0.4 mL x 100 mL(-1) FAV x min(-1), P = 0.03) and the percent decrease in FVR (TT, -62 +/- 2 vs TC+CC, -51 +/- 4%, P = 0.04) at minute 1. CONCLUSIONS These results of the interactive effects suggest that young females possessing a C allele may reduce their resting FVR by improving their cardiovascular fitness level, but TT homozygotes, who may have normal eNOS gene function, may not improve their resting FVR with improvements in cardiovascular fitness. Furthermore, regardless of physical activity level, the TT genotype showed a favorable hemodynamic response during reactive hyperemia compared with the C allele carriers.
RAPID MOVEMENT OF A HELICONIUS HYBRID ZONE: EVIDENCE FOR PHASE III OF WRIGHT'S SHIFTING BALANCE THEORY?

Abstract It has been proposed that a moving hybrid zone can be a mechanism for the spread of adaptive traits in phase III of Wright's shifting balance model of evolution. Here I present an example of a moving hybrid zone in warningly colored Heliconius butterflies, a system which is considered to be a possible case of shifting balance evolution. Having moved approximately 47 km in 17 years, the hybrid zone shift has led to the H. erato hydara color pattern rapidly displacing the adjacent H. erato petiverana pattern. The movement is potentially due to dominance drive augmenting a slight selective advantage of H. erato hydara over H. erato petiverana, which is largely consistent with theoretical conditions favoring the success of phase III.
Ketone potentiation of haloalkane-induced hepatotoxicity: CCl4 and ketone treatment on hepatic membrane integrity.

Previous results in male Sprague-Dawley rats indicate that acetone (A), methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and methyl isobutyl ketone (MiBK) pretreatments (3 d, p.o.) at a dosage of 6.8 mmol/kg potentiate CCl4 hepatotoxicity. The potentiation potency profile observed was MiBK > A > MEK. In the present study, male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated for 3 d with 6.8 mmol/kg (p.o.) of A, MEK, or MiBK using Emulphor as vehicle (10 ml/kg). Rats were either killed 18 h after the last pretreatment or treated with CCl4 (prepared in corn oil) and then killed 48 h later. Livers were perfused; purified plasma membrane (PM), sinusoidal (SM) and basal canalicular membrane (BCM) fractions were prepared. Membrane fluidity was monitored by fluorescence polarization using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) or 1-(4-trimethylammoniumphenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (TMA-DPH). The following membrane enzymes were measured to monitor membrane purity and treatment effects: 5'-nucleotidase (5N), leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), and alkaline phosphatase (AP). Our results suggest that CCl4 modifies membrane integrity as indicated by a decrease in liver membrane 5N, LAP, and AP activity. CCl4 also increased the fluidity of the lipid and protein portions of the liver membranes as measured by the DPH and TMA-DPH fluorescence probes, respectively. Of the three ketones, only A altered CCl4 effects on plasma membrane enzymes and decreased BCM fluidity. The data only partially support increased susceptibility of liver membranes by ketone pretreatment as a factor implicated in the mechanism of potentiation of CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity.
S100B Serves as a Ca2+ Sensor for ROS-GC1 Guanylate Cyclase in Cones but not in Rods of the Murine Retina

Rod outer segment membrane guanylate cyclase (ROS-GC1) is a bimodal Ca<sup>2+</sup> signal transduction switch. Lowering [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i</sub> from 200 to 20 nM progressively turns it “ON” as does raising [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i</sub> from 500 to 5000 nM. The mode operating at lower [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i</sub> plays a vital role in phototransduction in both rods and cones. The physiological function of the mode operating at elevated [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i</sub> is not known. Through comprehensive studies on mice involving gene deletions, biochemistry, immunohistochemistry, electroretinograms and single cell recordings, the present study demonstrates that the Ca<sup>2+</sup>-sensor S100B coexists with and is physiologically linked to ROS-GC1 in cones but not in rods. It up-regulates ROS-GC1 activity with a K<sub>1/2</sub> for Ca<sup>2+</sup> greater than 500 nM and modulates the transmission of neural signals to cone ON-bipolar cells. Furthermore, a possibility is raised that under pathological conditions where [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i</sub> levels rise to and perhaps even enter the micromolar range, the S100B signaling switch will be turned “ON” causing an explosive production of CNG channel opening and further rise in [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i</sub> in cone outer segments. The findings define a new cone-specific Ca<sup>2+</sup>-dependent feature of photoreceptors and expand our understanding of the operational principles of phototransduction machinery.
A game theoretic approach for antagonistic-task coordination of underwater autonomous robots in asymmetric threats scenarios

This work proposes a game theoretic approach to tackle the problem of multi-robot coordination in critical scenarios where communication is limited and the robots must accomplish different tasks simultaneously. An important application falls in underwater robotic framework where robots are used to protect a ship against asymmetric threats guaranteeing simultaneously the coverage of the area around the ship and the tracking of a possible intruder. The problem is modelled as a potential game for which novel learning protocols are introduced. Indeed, a general extension of pay-off based algorithms is herein proposed where the main difference with state-of-the-art protocols is that the trajectory optimization is considered instead of single action optimization. Moreover, the proposed T-algorithms, steer the robots toward Nash equilibria that will be shown to correspond to the accomplishment of different, possibly antagonistic, goals. Finally, performances of the algorithms, under different scenarios, have been evaluated in simulations.
Classification of HCV NS5B Polymerase Inhibitors Using Support Vector Machine

Using a support vector machine (SVM), three classification models were built to predict whether a compound is an active or weakly active inhibitor based on a dataset of 386 hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B polymerase NNIs (non-nucleoside analogue inhibitors) fitting into the pocket of the NNI III binding site. For each molecule, global descriptors, 2D and 3D property autocorrelation descriptors were calculated from the program ADRIANA.Code. Three models were developed with the combination of different types of descriptors. Model 2 based on 16 global and 2D autocorrelation descriptors gave the highest prediction accuracy of 88.24% and MCC (Matthews correlation coefficient) of 0.789 on test set. Model 1 based on 13 global descriptors showed the highest prediction accuracy of 86.25% and MCC of 0.732 on external test set (including 80 compounds). Some molecular properties such as molecular shape descriptors (InertiaZ, InertiaX and Span), number of rotatable bonds (NRotBond), water solubility (LogS), and hydrogen bonding related descriptors performed important roles in the interactions between the ligand and NS5B polymerase.