Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine C ytotoxic and antibacterial substances against multi-drug resistant pathogens from marine sponge symbiont: C itrinin, a secondary metabolite of P enicillium sp.

Objective: T o I solate, purify, characterize, and evaluate the bioactive compounds from the sponge-derived fungus Penicillium sp. FF 001 and to elucidate its structure. Methods: T he fungal strain FF 001 with an interesting bioactivity profile was isolated from a marine F ijian sponge Melophlus sp. B ased on conidiophores aggregation, conidia development and mycelia morphological characteristics, the isolate FF 001 was classically identified as a Penicillium sp. T he bioactive compound was identified using various spectral analysis of UV , high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectra, 1 H and 13 C NMR spectral data. F urther minimum inhibitory concentrations ( MIC s ) assay and brine shrimp cytotoxicity assay were also carried out to evaluate the biological properties of the purified compound. Results: B ioassay guided fractionation of the E t OA c extract of a static culture of this Penicillium sp. by different chromatographic methods led the isolation of an antibacterial, anticryptococcal and cytotoxic active compound, which was identified as citrinin ( 1 ) . F urther, citrinin ( 1 ) is reported for its potent antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ) , rifampicin-resistant S. aureus , wild type S. aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium showed MIC s of 3 . 90 , 0 . 97 , 1 . 95 and 7 . 81 µ g/m L , respectively. F urther citrinin ( 1 ) displayed significant activity against the pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans ( MIC 3 . 90 µ g/m L ) , and exhibited cytotoxicity against brine shrimp larvae LD 50 of 96 µ g/m L . Conclusions: C itrinin ( 1 ) is reported from sponge associated Penicillium sp. from this study and for its strong antibacterial activity against multi-drug resistant human pathogens including cytotoxicity against brine shrimp larvae, which indicated that sponge associated Penicillium spp. are promising sources of natural bioactive metabolites. T his article describes the isolation and identification of citrinin from symbiotic fungus Penicillium sp. associated with marine sponge. T he study has been conducted in a well organized manner and presented in a convincing way. T he cutting edge tools ( NMR , HR LCMS etc . ) employed in the study provides very credible data. T his finding can further accelerate the search for alternative drugs in treating certain dreadful diseases.
Study on ADBF for Difference Beam at Subarray Level with Low Sidelobe Level

Optimum difference beamforming at subarray level based on LCMV criterion has an excellent jammer cancellation performance, but compared with the quiescent pattern, sidelobe level of the difference pattern remarkably increases. ADBF for difference beam at subarray level based on subspace projection can yield exactly the desired quiescent pattern in the absence of jammer, but the limitation is that it experiences SINR loss with respect to optimum approach. Thus, we resort to a combination approach which combines the optimum approach and SSP approach. This approach can suppress sidelobe level effectively, while assuring limited SINR loss with respect to the optimum filter.
Pilot study of the incidence and prognosis of degenerative Parkinsonian disorders in Aberdeen, United Kingdom: Methods and preliminary results

The objective of this study was to test the methods for a large study of the incidence and prognosis of Parkinson's disease and other degenerative parkinsonian disorders and provide provisional incidence figures. This was a community‐based prospective study to identify patients with newly diagnosed non–drug‐induced Parkinsonism (≥2 of tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability) from a population of 148,600 people in Aberdeen, Scotland, over 18 months. Multiple search strategies were used to identify patients, including some population screening. Incident patients and age/sex–matched controls had assessments of impairment, disability, quality of life, mood, and cognition and are being followed up yearly. Two hundred and two people with possible parkinsonian symptoms were assessed, and 82 incident patients were identified, 50 with probable Parkinson's disease. The crude incidences of probable Parkinsonism and probable Parkinson's disease were 31.4/100,000/year (95% CI: 24.5–39.7) and 22.4/100,000/year (95% CI: 16.6–29.6), respectively. The mean age of diagnosis of Parkinson's disease was 76.1 ± 10.0 years and the incidence was greater in men. The methods were generally successful. Provisionally, we found a higher incidence of Parkinson's disease than other comparable studies, and our patients were considerably older. This may reflect better case ascertainment in the elderly. A larger study is planned. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Human activity recognition using a fuzzy inference system

This paper presents a fuzzy inference system (FIS) for recognizing human activities using a triaxial accelerometer. The accelerometer is used to collect human motion acceleration data for classifying four different activities: moving forward, jumping, going upstairs, and going downstairs. Three different features including peak to peak amplitude, standard deviation, and correlation between axes are extracted from each axis of the accelerometer as inputs to the fuzzy system. The fuzzy rules and the membership functions of this fuzzy system are defined based on the experimental values of these features. The experiments show that the proposed fuzzy inference system recognizes moving forward, jumping, going upstairs, and going downstairs with accuracy of 100%, 96.7%, 93.3%, and 93.3%, respectively.
A method of accurate co-simulation by considering lumped port setting in EM simulator

This paper introduces a method of accurate co-simulation by considering lumped port setting in EM simulator. In this method, various equivalent circuit parameters can be obtained with different lumped port settings in EM simulator, so that the parameters of the element used for co-simulation should correspond to the particular lumped port setting in EM simulator. For verification, a resistor and a p-i-n diode are used as examples. The measured results coincide well with co-simulated results under different lumped port settings.
Repeated split-belt treadmill walking improved gait ability in individuals with chronic stroke: A pilot study

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effects of repeated split-belt treadmill (SBT) walking on gait ability in individuals poststroke. Twelve individuals with a first unilateral cerebral stroke (10 males; mean age 53 (SD 8.74); mean time poststroke 25 months (SD 23.5); 9 left-sided stroke) and initial step length (SL) asymmetry (ratio = 1.10–2.05) volunteered for the study. They were trained by physiotherapists from an outpatient rehabilitation center six times over 2–3 weeks using a SBT protocol. After only six sessions of training, all participants reduced their SL asymmetry from an average ratio of 1.39 to 1.17 (p = 0.002) and increased walking speed (p = 0.043). Improvements in symmetry and speed were retained over 1 month (p ≤ 0.008). No effect was observed in participants’ endurance, assessed with the 6-min walk test. These findings suggest that the present SBT protocol has potential to be an efficient intervention to improve not only SL symmetry but also gait speed, in individuals poststroke.
Meat and components of meat and the risk of bladder cancer in the NIH‐AARP Diet and Health Study

Meat could be involved in bladder carcinogenesis via multiple potentially carcinogenic meat‐related compounds related to cooking and processing, including nitrate, nitrite, heterocyclic amines (HCAs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The authors comprehensively investigated the association between meat and meat components and bladder cancer.
Study on tobacco spatial agglomeration pattern based on remote sensing and GIS methods in Henan province, China

Industry spatial agglomeration is a world-wide phenomenon. As the raw material of tobacco industry, tobacco is the only economic crop which is intensive produced in China at present. The statistic data is used to analyze the regional specialization and agglomeration of tobacco planting industry, but the spatial pattern of tobacco sown area is always neglected. In this paper, Henan province is chosen as the study area, and the distribution pattern of tobacco sown area has been studied using RS and GIS methods. According to the analysis of phenology characters of crops, the tobacco sown area and its growing condition were monitored using two-temporal data, which was in Jan and June 2008 respectively. Then the tobacco sown area of each county was calculated and tobacco patch was derived using ARCGIS 9.0. According to the result, the regional Geordie coefficient which indicates industry agglomeration distribution status and the fragmentation index were studied. Results showed the higher regional Geordie coefficient means the higher planting scale at present, but does not totally equal the higher level of aggregation. The fragmentation index of tobacco sown area shows different trend. So both the economic coefficient and the fragmentation index should be considered during discussing the aggregation level. In order to increase the development potential of Henan tobacco industry, it should increase the planting scale of the central part of Henan province.
Density of Emerald Ash Borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) Adults and Larvae at Three Stages of the Invasion Wave

Abstract Emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), an invasive phloem-feeding buprestid, has killed hundreds of millions of ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees in the United States and two Canadian provinces. We evaluated EAB persistence in post-invasion sites and compared EAB adult captures and larval densities in 24 forested sites across an east–west gradient in southern Michigan representing the Core (postinvasion), Crest (high EAB populations), and Cusp (recently infested areas) of the EAB invasion wave. Condition of green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh) trees were recorded in fixed radius plots and linear transects in each site. Ash mortality was highest in Core sites in the southeast, moderate in Crest sites in central southern Michigan, and low in Cusp sites in the southwest. Traps and trap trees in Crest sites accounted for 75 and 60% of all EAB beetles captured in 2010 and 2011, respectively. Populations of EAB were present in all Core sites and traps in these sites captured 13% of all beetles each year. Beetle captures and larval densities at Cusp sites roughly doubled between 2010 and 2011, reflecting the increasing EAB populations. Sticky bands on girdled trees captured the highest density of EAB beetles per m2 of area, while baited double-decker traps had the highest detection rates and captured the most beetles. Larval densities were higher on girdled ash than on similar ungirdled trees and small planted trees. Woodpecker predation and a native larval parasitoid were present in all three invasion regions but had minor effects on ash survival and EAB densities.
Stage as major long term outcome predictor in minor salivary gland carcinoma

The myriad of histologic types and anatomic sites of occurrence make minor salivary gland carcinomas the most heterogeneous group of carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract. Many publications addressing this group consider different subsections, making it hard to get a clear picture of long term treatment results and of modifying prognostic factors.
Functional role of inositol‐1,4,5‐trisphosphate‐3‐kinase‐A for motility of malignant transformed cells

Cell migration is one of the hallmarks of metastatic disease and thus identification of migration promoting proteins is crucial for the understanding of metastasis formation. Here we show that the neuron‐specific, F‐actin bundling inositol‐1,4,5‐trisphosphate‐3‐kinase‐A (ITPKA) is ectopically expressed in tumor cells and critically involved in migration. Down‐regulation of ITPKA expression in transformed cell‐lines with ectopic expression of ITPKA significantly decreased migration and the number of linear and branched cell protrusion. Conversely, up‐regulation of ITPKA in tumor cell lines with low endogenous ITPKA expression increased migration and formation of cell processes. In vitro, ITPKA alone induced the formation of linear actin filaments, whereas ITPKA mediated formation of branched protrusions seems to result from interaction between ITPKA and the F‐actin cross‐linking protein filamin C. Based on these actin‐modulating and migration‐promoting effects of ITPKA we examined its expression in clinical samples of different tumor entities, starting with the analysis of multiple tumor tissue arrays. As in lung adenocarcinoma specimens, the highest ITPKA expression rate was found, this tumor entity was examined in more detail. ITPKA was expressed early in adenocarcinoma progression (pN0) and was largely maintained in invasive and metastatic tumor cell populations (pN1/2, lymph node metastases). Together with our result that high expression of ITPKA increases motility of tumor cells we conclude that the observed expression of ITPKA early in tumor development increases the metastatic potential of lung adenocarcinoma cells. Therefore, we suggest that ITPKA may be a promising therapeutic molecular target for anti metastatic therapy of lung cancer.
Multiple determinants of splicing repression activity in the polypyrimidine tract binding proteins, PTBP1 and PTBP2

Most human genes generate multiple protein isoforms through alternative pre-mRNA splicing, but the mechanisms controlling alternative splicing choices by RNA binding proteins are not well understood. These proteins can have multiple paralogs expressed in different cell types and exhibiting different splicing activities on target exons. We examined the paralogous polypyrimidine tract binding proteins PTBP1 and PTBP2 to understand how PTBP1 can exhibit greater splicing repression activity on certain exons. Using both an in vivo coexpression assay and an in vitro splicing assay, we show that PTBP1 is more repressive than PTBP2 per unit protein on a target exon. Constructing chimeras of PTBP1 and 2 to determine amino acid features that contribute to their differential activity, we find that multiple segments of PTBP1 increase the repressive activity of PTBP2. Notably, when either RRM1 of PTBP2 or the linker peptide separating RRM2 and RRM3 are replaced with the equivalent PTBP1 sequences, the resulting chimeras are highly active for splicing repression. These segments are distinct from the known region of interaction for the PTBP1 cofactors Raver1 and Matrin3 in RRM2. We find that RRM2 of PTBP1 also increases the repression activity of an otherwise PTBP2 sequence, and that this is potentially explained by stronger binding by Raver1. These results indicate that multiple features over the length of the two proteins affect their ability to repress an exon.
Rapid decline of viral RNA in hepatitis C patients treated with VX-950: a phase Ib, placebo-controlled, randomized study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS VX-950 specifically inhibits the NS3.4A protease of hepatitis C and has antiviral activity in vitro. This phase I, placebo-controlled, double-blind study evaluated the antiviral activity, pharmacokinetics, and safety of VX-950 in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). METHODS Thirty-four patients with genotype 1 CHC were randomized to receive placebo or VX-950 at doses of 450 mg or 750 mg every 8 hours or 1250 mg every 12 hours for 14 days. Of the 34 participants, 27 (79%) had failed prior treatment. Patients were monitored for safety and tolerability of VX-950. Plasma VX-950 concentrations and HCV RNA levels were measured. RESULTS VX-950 was well tolerated and had substantial antiviral effects: viral loads dropped > or =2 log(10) in all 28 patients treated with VX-950 and > or =3 log(10) in 26 (93%) of the 28 patients. In the 750-mg-dose group, which had the highest trough plasma drug concentrations, the median reduction of HCV RNA was 4.4 log(10) after 14 days. In the 450-mg and 1250-mg groups, the maximal effect was seen between days 3 and 7 of dosing, and median HCV RNA increased between days 7 and 14; median reductions at day 14 were 2.4 log(10) and 2.2 log(10), respectively. Median alanine aminotransferase levels decreased during dosing in all VX-950 groups. CONCLUSIONS VX-950 was well tolerated and demonstrated substantial antiviral activity. Some patients had viral breakthrough during dosing, related to selection of variants with decreased sensitivity to VX-950. The results support further studies of VX-950 in patients with CHC.
Subjective sleep‐related variables in those who have and have not experienced sleep paralysis

Research suggests that poor sleep quality is related to the occurrence of sleep paralysis, although the precise relationship between these two variables is unknown. This association has generated interest due to the related possibility that improving sleep quality could help to combat episodes of sleep paralysis. To date, studies examining the association between sleep quality and sleep paralysis have typically measured sleep quality using general measures such as the global score of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The aim of this study was to increase the precision of our understanding of the relationship between sleep paralysis and other aspects of sleep by investigating associations between different sleep‐related variables and sleep paralysis. Using data from the G1219 twin/sibling study, analyses were performed on 860 individuals aged 22–32 years (66% female). Results showed that two components of the PSQI, sleep latency and daytime dysfunction, were predictors of sleep paralysis. In addition, a number of other sleep‐related variables were related significantly to sleep paralysis. These were: insomnia symptoms, sleep problems commonly related to traumatic experiences, presleep arousal, cognitions about sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness. There was no relationship with sleep‐disordered breathing, diurnal preference or sleeping arrangements. Potential mechanisms underlying these results and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Molecular mechanism of the calcium‐induced conformational change in the spectrin EF‐hands.

Calcium is a universally employed cytosolic messenger in eukaryotic cells. Most of the proteins that bind signalling calcium are members of the calmodulin superfamily and share two or more helix‐loop‐helix motifs known as EF‐hands. A model, based on structure comparison of different domains and supported by preliminary NMR data, has suggested that EF‐hands involved in signal transduction undergo a major conformational change upon calcium binding from a ‘closed’ to an ‘open’ state allowing protein‐protein interaction. We have determined the solution structures of the EF‐hand pair from alpha‐spectrin in the absence and in the presence of calcium. The structures are in the closed and open conformation respectively, providing a definite experimental proof for the closed‐to‐open model. Our results allow formulation of the rules which govern the movement induced by calcium. These rules may be generalized to other EF‐hands since the key residues involved are conserved within the calmodulin family.
Prognostic parameter for high risk prostate cancer patients at initial presentation

High‐risk prostate cancer can be defined by a patient's Gleason score (GS), prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level, and clinical T (cT) stage, but a novel marker is needed due to heterogeneity of the disease. In this study, we evaluated whether intraductal carcinoma of the prostate (IDC‐P) confirmed by needle biopsy is an adverse prognostic parameter for progression‐free survival (PFS) and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) in patients with high‐risk prostate cancer.
Poverty and Inequality in the UK: 2008

In this Commentary, we assess the changes to average incomes, inequality and poverty that have occurred under the first 10 years of the Labour government, with a particular focus on the changes that have occurred in the latest year of data. This analysis is based upon the latest figures from the DWP's Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series, published on 10 June 2008 (Department for Work and Pensions, 2008c). The HBAI series takes household income as its measure of living standards and is derived from the Family Resources Survey, a survey of around 28,000 households in the United Kingdom that asks detailed questions about income from a range of sources.
Construction and characterization of a live attenuated vaccine candidate against Shigella dysenteriae type 1

Vaccine candidates against Shigella dysenteriae type 1, which is associated with the most severe cases of bacillary dysentery, were constructed. The rfp and rfb gene clusters, which code for S. dysenteriae 1 O antigen biosynthesis, were randomly integrated into either the chromosome or the virulence plasmid of the rough attenuated Shigella flexneri aroD strain SFL124-27 with a minitransposon carrying an arsenite resistance selection marker. The recombinant clones efficiently expressed the recombinant O antigen, exhibited a normal growth pattern, were able to invade and survive within eukaryotic cells to the same extent as the parental strain, and expressed the recombinant antigen within invaded cells. A clone was selected as the vaccine candidate, which was demonstrated to be immunogenic and safe in animal models, leading to 47% full protection and 53% partial protection against challenge with the wild-type strain.
Xylan degradation improved by a combination of monolithic columns bearing immobilized recombinant β‐xylosidase from Aspergillus awamori X‐100 and Grindamyl H121 β‐xylanase

Synergistic action of exo‐ and endohydrolazes is preferred for effective destruction of biopolymers. The main purpose of the present work was to develop an efficient tool for degradation of xylan. Macroporous lab‐made monolithic columns and commercial CIM‐Epoxy disk were used to immobilize the recombinant β‐xylosidase from Aspergillus awamori and Grindamyl β‐xylanase. The efficiency of xylan degradation using the low‐loaded β‐xylosidase column appeared to be four times higher than for the in‐solution process and about six times higher than for the high‐loaded bioreactor. Disk bioreactor with the Grindamil β‐xylanase operated in a recirculation mode has shown noticeable advantages over the column design. Additionally, a system comprised of two immobilized enzyme reactors (IMERs) was tested to accelerate the biopolymer hydrolysis, yielding total xylan conversion into xylose within 20 min. Fast online monitoring HPLC procedure was developed where an analytical DEAE CIM disk was added to the two‐enzyme system in a conjoint mode. A loss of activity of immobilized enzymes did not exceed 7% after 5 months of the bioreactor usage. We can therefore conclude that the bioreactors developed exhibit high efficiency and remarkable long‐term stability.
Molecular detection of a mixed infection of Goatpox virus, Orf virus, and Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae in goats

The current study investigated an outbreak of mixed infection with Goatpox virus (GTPV), Orf virus (ORFV), and Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (MCCP) that occurred on a Chinese goat farm, with a case fatality rate of 60.2%. The observed clinical signs were ecthyma and accelerated respiration with frequent coughing. Specific fragments of the p32 gene of GTPV, B2L gene of ORFV, and 16S ribosomal RNA gene of MCCP were synchronously amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from the tissues of 12 dead goats. The PCR products were cloned, sequenced, and aligned with related reference sequences in GenBank for further identification of the pathogens. The present study reports a mixed infection with GTPV, ORFV, and MCCP in goats.