Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
N‐Benzyl‐p‐toluene sulphonamide allows the recording of trains of intracellular action potentials from nervestimulated intact fast‐twitch skeletal muscle of the rat

In skeletal muscle, the intracellular recording of trains of action potentials is difficult owing to the movement of the muscle upon stimulation. A potential tool for the removal of muscle movement is the cross‐bridge cycle blocker, N‐benzyl‐p‐toluene sulphonamide (BTS), although the effects of BTS on the passive and active membrane properties of intact muscle fibres are not known. Rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle was used to show that 50 μm BTS reduced tetanic force to ∼10% of control force, without markedly altering muscle excitability. Incubation with BTS did not alter intracellular K+ content or Na+–K+ pump activity, but produced minor decreases in intracellular Na+ content (7%), resting 22Na+ influx (14%) and excitation‐induced 22Na+ influx (29%). Despite these alterations to Na+ fluxes, BTS did not impair muscle excitability, since membrane conductance, resting membrane potential (RMP), rheobase current and the amplitude, overshoot and maximum rate of depolarization of the action potential were all unaltered. However, BTS did induce a small (8%) decrease in the maximum rate of repolarization of the action potential and an increase in the refractory period. The minor effects of BTS on muscle membrane properties did not compromise the ability of the muscle to propagate action potentials, even during tetanic stimulation. In conclusion, BTS can be used successfully to reduce contractility, allowing the intracellular recording of action potentials during both twitch and tetanic contraction of nerve‐stimulated muscle, thus making it an excellent tool for the study of electrophysiology in fast‐twitch skeletal muscle.
Natural History of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Mexican Schoolchildren: Incidence and Spontaneous Clearance

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to estimate the incidence and spontaneous clearance rate of Helicobacter pylori infection and the effect of some variables on these outcomes in schoolchildren. Methods: From May 2005 to December 2010, 718 schoolchildren enrolled in 3 public boarding schools in Mexico City participated in the follow-up. At the beginning of the study and every 6 months thereafter, breath samples were taken to detect H pylori infection; blood samples and anthropometric measurements were taken to evaluate nutritional status. Data on sociodemographic characteristics were collected. Results: The prevalence of H pylori infection was 38%. The incidence rate was 6.36%/year. Schoolchildren with anemia or iron deficiency at the beginning of the study (who received iron supplements) showed a higher infection acquisition rate than those with normal iron nutritional status, hazard ratio (HR) 12.52 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.01%–39.12%), P < 0.001 and HR 2.05 (95% CI 1.09%–3.87%), P = 0.027, respectively. The spontaneous clearance rate of the infection was 4.74%/year. The spontaneous clearance rate was higher in children who had iron deficiency (who received iron supplements), HR 5.02 (95% CI 1.33%–18.99%), P = 0.017, compared with those with normal nutritional iron status. It was lower in schoolchildren with ≥2 siblings compared with schoolchildren with 1 or no siblings, HR 0.23 (95% CI 0.08%–0.63%), P = 0.004. Conclusions: H pylori infection status is dynamic in schoolchildren. Variables related to health status and infection transmission, such as iron status and number of siblings, are important for the incidence and spontaneous clearance of H pylori infection.
Monoclonal and Single Domain Antibodies Targeting &bgr;-Integrin Subunits Block Sexual Transmission of HIV-1 in In Vitro and In Vivo Model Systems

Background:Poor adherence to prevention regimens for gel-based anti–HIV-1 microbicides has been a major obstacle to more effective pre-exposure prophylaxis. Concern persists that the antiretroviral drug containing microbicides might promote development of antiretroviral resistance. Methods:Using in vitro transwell systems and a humanized mouse model of HIV-1 sexual transmission, we examined, as candidate microbicides, antibodies targeting the heterodimeric leukocyte function–associated antigen 1 (LFA-1), a non–virally encoded protein acquired by the virus that also plays a critical role cell movement across endothelial and epithelial barriers. LFA-1–specific single domain variable regions from alpaca heavy-chain only antibodies (VHH) were identified and evaluated for their ability to inhibit HIV-1 transmission in the in vitro transwell system. Results:Monoclonal antibodies targeting the CD11a and CD18 components of LFA-1 significantly reduced cell-free and cell-associated HIV-1 transmission in the in vitro transwell culture system and prevented virus transmission in the humanized mouse model of vaginal transmission. The broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibody b12 was unable to block transmission of cell-free virus. CD11a-specific VHH were isolated and expressed and the purified variable region protein domains reduced in vitro transepithelial transmission with an efficacy comparable with that of the CD11a monoclonal antibody. Conclusions:Targeting integrins acquired by HIV-1 during budding and which are critical to interactions between epithelial cells and lymphocytes can reduce viral movement across epithelial barriers and prevent transmission in a humanized mouse model of sexual transmission. VHH capable of being produced by transformed bacteria can significantly reduce transepithelial virus transmission in in vitro model systems.
The inflation process and expectations in Singapore

This country note discusses measures of inflation used in monetary policy formulation in Singapore, and assesses the relative influence of global and regional factors in determining domestic inflation dynamics. It is found that the regional factor has grow n in importance as a source of external inflationary pressures, although domestic cost pressures and inflation expectations have continue d to play significant roles. Indeed, the central bank’s gauge of inflation expectations extracted from survey data prov ides the best forecasts of near -term inflation outcomes.Full publication: Inflation Mechanisms, Expectations and Monetary Policy
Measurement Model or Asset Type: Evidence from an Evaluation of the Relevance of Financial Assets

This study focuses on the operation of the Level 1, 2, and 3 measurement uncertainty hierarchy embedded in the SFAS 157 accounting for financial assets. Prior studies conclude the SFAS 157 fair value measurement model and prevailing financial market conditions are causal factors for the lower value relevance of the Level 3 financial assets. The contribution of our paper is to provide evidence on an additional, hitherto undocumented source of measurement uncertainty impacting the relevance of SFAS 157 financial assets to investors: the type of asset appearing in Level 3 financial assets as a result of asset securitizations and SFAS 140 securitization accounting. The paper also presents evidence that suggests the SFAS 166 amendments were unable to fully address informational transparency for financial assets arising from securitizations. The key contribution is evidentiary insights suggesting the prescribed measurement model has a relatively lower impact on measurement uncertainty and relevance of financial assets compared to the effects of the asset type.
Suicidal Ideation in Parkinson's Disease

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the frequency of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods: The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) were administered to 90 consecutive, non-demented Parkinson's disease patients. They were also submitted to a complete neurologic examination which included brief cognitive batteries, the Mini Mental Status Exam, and Frontal Assessment Battery. We analyzed the scores of the section of the MINI related to the risk of suicide as well as the specific questions of BDI and HAM-D concerning suicidal ideation. Results: No patient had ever attempted suicide. According to MINI, suicidal ideation was present in 13 patients (14.4%) with Parkinson's disease. All instruments assessed the risk of suicide in a similar way. Suicidal ideation was associated only with lower age (P=.022), lower age of Parkinson's disease onset (P=.021), panic disorder (P=.004), social anxiety disorder (P=.007), and major depression (P<.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that major depression was the main predictor of suicidal ideation. Conclusion: Suicide attempts seem to be uncommon in Parkinson's disease, despite the fact that the rates of suicidal ideation are possibly elevated. Depression seems to be the most important predictor of suicidal ideation in Parkinson's disease.
Nod Factor-Induced Root Hair Curling: Continuous Polar Growth towards the Point of Nod Factor Application1

A critical step in establishing a successful nitrogen-fixing symbiosis between rhizobia and legume plants is the entrapment of the bacteria between root hair cell walls, usually in characteristic 180° to 360° curls, shepherd's crooks, which are formed by the host's root hairs. Purified bacterial signal molecules, the nodulation factors (NFs), which are lipochitooligosaccharides, induce root hair deformation in the appropriate host legume and have been proposed to be a key player in eliciting root hair curling. However, for curling to occur, the presence of intact bacteria is thought to be essential. Here, we show that, when spot applied to one side of the growing Medicago truncatula root hair tip, purified NF alone is sufficient to induce reorientation of the root hair growth direction, or a full curl. Using wild-type M. truncatula containing the pMtENOD11::GUS construct, we demonstrate that MtENOD11::GUS is expressed after spot application. The data have been incorporated into a cell biological model, which explains the formation of shepherd's crook curls around NF-secreting rhizobia by continuous tip growth reorientation.
A Polyphosphate-Lon Protease Complex in the Adaptation of Escherichia coli to Amino Acid Starvation

Cells must balance energy-efficient growth with the ability to adapt rapidly to sudden changes in their environment. For example, in an environment rich in amino acids, cells do not expend energy for making amino acid biosynthetic enzymes. However, if the environment becomes depleted of amino acids (nutritional downshift), cells will be exposed to a lack of both the amino acid biosynthetic enzymes and the amino acids required to make these enzymes. To solve this dilemma, cells must use their own proteins as sources of amino acids in response to the nutritional downshift. Once amino acid biosynthetic enzymes start to accumulate, the cell is able to produce its own amino acids, and a new growth phase begins. In Escherichia coli, amino acid starvation leads to the accumulation of an unusual molecule, polyphosphate (polyP), a linear polymer of many hundreds of orthophosphate residues. Protein degradation in this bacterium appears to be triggered by the accumulation of polyP. PolyP forms a complex with the ATP-dependent Lon protease. The formation of a complex then enables Lon to degrade free ribosomal proteins. Certain very abundant ribosomal proteins can be the sacrificial substrates targeted for degradation at the onset of the downshift. Here I propose to call the polyP-Lon complex the “stringent protease,” and I discuss new insights of protein degradation control in bacteria.
Comparison of fluorescent BACTEC 9000 MB system, Septi-Chek AFB system, and Lowenstein-Jensen medium for detection of mycobacteria

The newly developed fluorescent BACTEC 9000 MB system for automated culture of mycobacteria was compared with the Septi-Chek AFB system and Lowenstein-Jensen medium (LJ). A total of 2,005 clinical specimens were included in the study. Mycobacteria were isolated from 202 (10.1%) specimens, including 155 Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates and 47 Mycobacteria other than M. tuberculosis isolates. Of 131 isolates detected by the BACTEC system, the Septi-Chek AFB system, or both, 120 (91.6%) were detected by the BACTEC system and 105 (80.2%) were detected by the Septi-Chek AFB system (P < 0.02). The recovery rate in the BACTEC system compared with that in the Septi-Chek AFB system was significantly higher for M. tuberculosis complex isolates (P < 0.005) and for isolates from acid-fast smear-negative specimens (P < 0.01). Of 148 isolates detected by the BACTEC system, LJ, or both, 142 (95.9%) were detected by the BACTEC system and 118 (79.9%) were detected by LJ (P < 0.001). The recovery rate in the BACTEC system compared with that on LJ was significantly higher for M. tuberculosis complex isolates (P < 0.001). The BACTEC system detected more mycobacteria from both smear-positive and smear-negative specimens than LJ. The mean times to detection of mycobacteria were 17.6 days for the BACTEC system, 26.0 days for the Septi-Chek AFB system, and 29.4 days for LJ. The BACTEC fluorescent 9000 MB system is a rapid, sensitive, and efficient method for the isolation of mycobacteria.
Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in outpatients with bipolar disorder

Background: Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality from metabolic diseases. There is a paucity of data regarding insulin resistance (IR) and its relationship with the metabolic syndrome (MS) in bipolar patients. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of both IR and MS in BD outpatients and to assess clinical criteria associated with IR. Method: Cross-sectional study in 65 DSM-IV-TR BD patients consecutively assessed at the Bipolar Disorder Program at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil. IR was diagnosed by the homeostatic model assessment – insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and MS was diagnosed using three different definitions: National Cholesterol Educational Program – Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III); NCEP-ATP III modified criteria and International Diabetes Federation. Results: IR was present in 43.1% of the sample (women 40%, men 44.4%). The prevalence of MS defined by the NCEP-ATP III criteria was 32.3%, NCEP-ATP III modified was 40% and IDF was 41.5%. NCEP-ATP III modified criteria showed the best tradeoff between sensitivity (78.6%) and specificity (89.2%) to detect insulin resistance. Waist circumference was the clinical parameter most associated with IR. Discussion: Current MS criteria may provide reasonable sensitivity and specificity for the detection of IR in BD patients. Abdominal obesity is closely related to IR in this patient population. Gomes FA, et al. / Rev Psiq Clín. 2010;37(2):81-4
[Relationship between neuro-psychological factors and effect of acupuncture in treating Bell's palsy].

OBJECTIVE To study the influence of neuro-psychological factors on the effect of acupuncture in the treatment of Bell's palsy and the overall prognosis in patients. METHODS Fifty patients with Bell's palsy were randomized into the treatment group and the control group, and they were treated with manipulated and non-manipulated acupuncture, respectively. Scorings by subjective perceptive scale of acupuncture, Cartel personality test, and Hamilton Anxiety Scale were performed and the curative effect was assessed according House-Brackmann grading standards. RESULTS The total effective rate of acupuncture was 78.0% (39/50), and that of manipulated acupuncture was better than that of non-manipulated acupuncture [89.2% (25/28) vs. 63.6% (14/22), P < 0.01]. Visual analogue scoring for perception of "Deqi", evaluated either by patients or by doctors, showed that the scores was higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.01). Cartel personality test (16PF) found that patients with personality factors of sociability, intellectuality, excitability, braveness, and independence were capable of getting "Deqi" more easily, there existed a significant correlation between personality factors and curative effect. By Hamilton Anxiety Scale scoring, 92.0% (46/50) of the patients were found being in an anxiety state, and the efficacy of treatment was negatively correlated with the degree of anxiety (r = -0.9491, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Neuro-psychological factors put great influence on the efficacy of treatment for Bell's palsy, multiple measures, such as drug-therapy, acupuncture, psychological intervention, rehabilitation therapy, etc., should be taken in combination for improving patients' prognosis.
Wireless water flow monitoring based on Android smartphone

In this study, a wireless data acquisition system was developed for wireless water flow monitoring (WWFM) in a closed channel pipeline system using android Smartphone. ATMEGA 328 single chip microcontroller (Arduino Uno Prototyping Platform) with a Bluetooth module, Near Field Communication — NFC tag, Smartphone with NFC reader, and G1-½ water flow sensor are applied in this design. The frequency input to the microcontroller was the pulse train which transferred from the G1-½ hall-effect water flow sensor. Then, the data from the microcontroller was transferred to an Android Smartphone using Bluetooth wireless serial communication. In addition, the NFC-tag is used as water flow sensor identification and location. Android Application was designed based on App Inventor for Android (AIA) which MIT platform. As the result, sensor ID based on NFC tag and flow rate of water using Android application on Smartphone was showed by the system. According to the experimental test, the flow monitoring ran well and displayed real-time of flow water in the closed channel pipeline system. The accuracy of wireless water flow measurement is 99.98%.
Examining the comorbidity of bipolar disorder and autism spectrum disorders: a large controlled analysis of phenotypic and familial correlates in a referred population of youth with bipolar I disorder with and without autism spectrum disorders.

OBJECTIVE Although mood dysregulation is frequently associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and autistic traits are common in youth with bipolar disorder, uncertainties remain regarding the comorbid occurrence of bipolar disorder and ASD. This study examines the clinical and familial correlates of bipolar disorder when it occurs with and without ASD comorbidity in a well-characterized, research-referred population of youth with bipolar disorder. We hypothesized that in youth with bipolar disorder, the clinical and familial correlates of bipolar disorder will be comparable irrespective of the comorbidity with ASD. METHOD Clinical correlates and familial risk were assessed by secondary analysis of the data from a large family study of youth with bipolar I disorder (diagnosis based on DSM-IV criteria; probands n = 157, relatives n = 487; study period: November 1997-September 2002). Findings in bipolar I youth were compared with those in youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (diagnosis based on DSM-III-R criteria) without bipolar I disorder (probands n = 162, relatives n = 511) and age- and sex-matched controls without bipolar I disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (probands n = 136, relatives n = 411). All subjects were comprehensively assessed using structured diagnostic interviews and a wide range of nonoverlapping measures assessing multiple dimensions of functioning. RESULTS Thirty percent (47/155) of the bipolar I probands met criteria for ASD (diagnosis based on DSM-III-R criteria). The mean ± SD age at onset of bipolar I disorder was significantly earlier in the presence of ASD comorbidity (4.7 ± 2.9 vs 6.3 ± 3.7 years; P = .01). The phenotypic and familial correlates of bipolar disorder were similar in youth with and without ASD comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS A clinically significant minority of youth with bipolar I disorder suffers from comorbid ASD. Phenotypic and familial correlates of bipolar disorder were typical of the disorder in the presence of ASD comorbidity. Bipolar I disorder comorbidity with ASD represents a very severe psychopathologic state in youth.
Soil‐transmitted helminthic infection and nutritional status among urban slum children in Kenya

To evaluate the impact of soil‐transmitted helminth (STH) infection on nutritional status, we conducted a survey of 206 preschool (PSC) and 499 school‐aged children (SAC) randomly selected from CDC's population surveillance platform in the Kibera slum, Nairobi, Kenya. Hemoglobin, ferritin, inflammatory markers, retinol binding protein and malaria were measured from capillary blood; anthropometry and analysis of 3 stools for STH ova were performed. Approximately 40% of children had STH infection (39.9% PSC, 39.7% SAC), primarily Ascaris and Trichuris spp. Only 2.9% PSC and 1.0% SAC had heavy infection. Indicators of malnutrition among PSC and SAC were as follows: anemia 37.4% and 14.4%, iron deficiency (ID) 19.3% and 4.4%, vitamin A deficiency (VAD) 15.1% and 5.9%, and stunting 28.8% and 16.5%. Among PSC, STH was associated with VAD but not anemia, ID, stunting or inflammation. PSC with Trichuris infection were more likely to have ID than those without Trichuris (p=.04). The association between any STH and VAD remained significant in multivariate analysis, adjusting for age, sex, inflammation, maternal education and income (aOR=2.3, p=0.04). Our results suggest that STH infection is associated primarily with VAD, which may inform deworming and micronutrient supplementation programs.
Method for isolation of auxotrophs in the methanogenic archaebacteria: role of the acetyl-CoA pathway of autotrophic CO2 fixation in Methanococcus maripaludis.

A procedure was developed for the enrichment of auxotrophs in the antibiotic-insensitive archaebacterium Methanococcus. After mutagenesis with ethyl methanesulfonate, growing cells were selectively killed upon exposure to the base analogs 6-azauracil and 8-azahypoxanthine for 48 hr. Using this method, eight independent acetate autotrophs of Methanococcus maripaludis were isolated. Six of the auxotrophs had an absolute growth requirement for acetate and contained 1-16% of the wild-type levels of CO dehydrogenase. Three of these six also contained 14-29% of the wild-type levels of pyruvate oxidoreductase and 12-30% of the wild-type levels of pyruvate synthase. Two spontaneous revertants of these latter auxotrophs regained the ability to grow normally in the absence of acetate and wild-type levels of CO dehydrogenase, acetyl-CoA synthase, pyruvate oxidoreductase, and pyruvate synthase. Likewise, a spontaneous revertant of an auxotroph with reduced levels of CO dehydrogenase and wild-type levels of pyruvate oxidoreductase regained the ability to grow normally in the absence of acetate and wild-type levels of CO dehydrogenase and acetyl-CoA synthase. Two additional auxotrophs grew poorly in the absence of acetate but contained wild-type levels of CO dehydrogenase and pyruvate oxidoreductase. These results provide direct genetic evidence for the Ljungdahl-Wood pathway [Ljungdahl, L. G. (1986) Annu. Rev. Microbiol. 40, 415-450; Wood, H. G. , Ragsdale, S. W. & Pezacka, E. (1986) Trends Biochem. Sci. 11, 14-18] of autotrophic acetyl-CoA biosynthesis in the methanogenic archaebacteria. Moreover, it suggests that the acetyl-CoA and pyruvate synthases may share a common protein or coenzyme component, be linked genetically, or be regulated by a common system.