Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dominant inhibitory Ras delays Sindbis virus-induced apoptosis in neuronal cells

Mature neurons are more resistant than dividing cells or differentiating neurons to Sindbis virus-induced apoptotic death. Therefore, we hypothesized that mitogenic signal transduction pathways may influence susceptibility to Sindbis virus-induced apoptosis. Since Ras, a 21-kDa GTP-binding protein, plays an important role in cellular proliferation and neuronal differentiation, we investigated the effect of an inducible dominant inhibitory Ras on Sindbis virus-induced death of a rat pheochromocytoma cell line, PC12 cells. Dexamethasone induction of dominant inhibitory Ras (Ha Ras(Asn17)) expression in transfected PC12 cell lines (MMTV-M17-21 and GSrasDN6 cells) resulted in a marked delay in Sindbis virus-induced apoptosis, compared with infected, uninduced cells. The delay in death after Sindbis virus infection in induced versus uninduced PC12 cells was not associated with differences in viral titers or viral infectivity. No delay in Sindbis virus-induced apoptosis was observed in Ha Ras(Asn17)-transfected PC12 cells if dexamethasone induction was initiated less than 12 h before Sindbis virus infection or in wild-type PC12 cells infected with a chimeric Sindbis virus construct that expresses Ha Ras(Asn17). The delay in Sindbis virus-induced apoptosis in induced Ha Ras(Asn17)-transfected PC12 cells was associated with a decrease in cellular DNA synthesis as measured by 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation. Thus, in PC12 cells, inducible dominant inhibitory Ras inhibits cellular proliferation and delays Sindbis virus-induced apoptosis. These findings suggest that a Ras-dependent signaling pathway is a determinant of neuronal susceptibility to Sindbis virus-induced apoptosis.
Azadirachtin blocks the calcium channel and modulates the cholinergic miniature synaptic current in the central nervous system of Drosophila.

BACKGROUND Azadirachtin is a botanical pesticide, which possesses conspicuous biological actions such as insecticidal, anthelmintic, antifeedancy, antimalarial effects as well as insect growth regulation. Deterrent for chemoreceptor functions appears to be the main mechanism involved in the potent biological actions of Azadirachtin, although the cytotoxicity and subtle changes to skeletal muscle physiology may also contribute to its insecticide responses. In order to discover the effects of Azadirachtin on the central nervous system (CNS), patch-clamp recording was applied to Drosophila melanogaster, which has been widely used in neurological research. RESULTS Here, we describe the electrophysiological properties of a local neuron located in the suboesophageal ganglion region of D. melanogaster using the whole brain. The patch-clamp recordings suggested that Azadirachtin modulates the properties of cholinergic miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC) and calcium currents, which play important roles in neural activity of the CNS. The frequency of mEPSC and the peak amplitude of the calcium currents significantly decreased after application of Azadirachtin. CONCLUSION Our study indicates that Azadirachtin can interfere with the insect's CNS via inhibition of excitatory cholinergic transmission and partly blocking the calcium channel.
Analysis of oral mucosa of users of crack through micronucleus technique.

BACKGROUND The high consumption of crack has become a serious public health problem. The properties of this drug as well as the effects caused in the body have been approached in different research studies. However, there is no knowledge about the carcinogen level this substance can cause to the user. The presence of micronuclei as biomarkers of genotoxic action reflects the degree of cellular exposure to carcinogens. Considering this fact, the following research aimed to assess the frequency of micronuclei in the oral mucosa of those chemically dependent on crack. METHODS The sample consisted of buccal mucosa cells from 10 controls, non-smokers, and non-users of drugs and 10 individuals chemically dependent on crack admitted to a hospital. For cell staining, Feulgen technique was applied. RESULTS Of the 1000 cells analyzed for each sample, the exposed group had an average of 4.3 micronuclei, presenting significant difference (p < 0.01) when compared with the control group, which averaged 0.1 micronuclei. Regarding pictotic cells, the exposed group is also significantly different from the control group (p < 0.01). The karyorrhexis is the nuclear change with the greatest difference between the two groups. It has an average of 347.9 cells undergoing apoptosis for the exposed group, while the control group presented 34.4 cells, obtaining a significant difference, p < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS The results assessed by micronucleus technique suggested that crack together with other factors associated with the drug might be linked to an increased incidence of micronuclei.
Insertion-Duplication Mutagenesis ofNeisseria: Use in Characterization of DNA Transfer Genes in the Gonococcal Genetic Island

ABSTRACT We created plasmids for use in insertion-duplication mutagenesis (IDM) of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This mutagenesis method has the advantage that it requires only a single cloning step prior to transformation into gonococci. Chromosomal DNA cloned into the plasmid directs insertion into the chromosome at the site of homology by a single-crossover (Campbell-type) recombination event. Two of the vectors contain an erythromycin resistance gene, ermC, with a strong promoter and in an orientation such that transcription will proceed into the cloned insert. Thus, these plasmids can be used to create insertions that are effectively nonpolar on the transcription of downstream genes. In addition to the improved ermC, the vector contains two copies of the neisserial DNA uptake sequence to facilitate high-frequency DNA uptake during transformation. Using various chromosomal DNA insert sizes, we have determined that even small inserts can target insertion mutation by this method and that the insertions are stably maintained in the gonococcal chromosome. We have used IDM to create knockouts in two genes in the gonococcal genetic island (GGI) and to clone additional regions of the GGI by a chromosome-walking procedure. Phenotypic characterization oftraG and traH mutants suggests a role for the encoded proteins in DNA secretion by a novel type IV secretion system.
Modified approach for the selective treatment of temporal lobe epilepsy: transsylvian-transcisternal mesial en bloc resection.

OBJECT The authors propose a novel surgical approach for amygdalohippocampectomy (AH) in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Via a transsylvian-transcisternal route, the parahippocampal gyrus is directly exposed from its medial aspect, thus allowing a standardized en bloc resection of the temporomesial epileptogenic structures--the amygdala, anterior hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, and subiculum. Additional anatomical studies have been performed for standardization of this approach. METHODS From 1990 to 1996, 32 patients presenting with medically intractable mesial temporal lobe epilepsy underwent AH via the transsylvian-transcisternal approach. Preoperative computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed temporomesial lesions in 16 patients. Histopathological examination revealed cavernous malformations in seven patients, low-grade astrocytomas in four, hamartomas in three, and gangliogliomas in two patients. Specimens obtained in patients with no lesions were diagnosed as hippocampal sclerosis in all cases. No patient experienced permanent morbidity. Nine percent of the patients developed a temporary partial oculomotor nerve palsy. Only one patient developed a postoperative visual field deficit with a contralateral quadrantanopsia. With respect to seizure outcome, all patients benefited from surgery. At follow-up evaluation (mean 26.4 months), 80% of the patients were free from seizures (Engel Class I). Eight patients in this group were no longer receiving medication. Seventeen percent had experienced only one to several seizures since surgery (Engel Class II) and 3% reported a worthwhile improvement (Engel Class III). CONCLUSIONS In contrast to previously described standard techniques for AH, the transsylvian-transcisternal approach presented in this study offers improved anatomical orientation and intraoperative control over the mesial temporal lobe and preserves the lateral as well as the laterobasal temporal lobe.
Production of a global forest/non-forest map utilizing TanDEM-X interferometric SAR data

In this paper we describe the method that has been implemented to derive the forest/non-forest maps from TanDEM-X interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data, globally acquired in stripmap single polarization (HH) mode. Among the several observables systematically provided by the TanDEM-X system, the volume decorrelation contribution, derived from the interferometric coherence, shows to be consistently sensitive to the particular land cover type, and is therefore used as an input data set for applying a classification method based on a fuzzy clustering algorithm. Since the considered InSAR quantity strongly depends on the geometric acquisition configuration, namely the incidence angle and the interferometric baseline, a multi-clustering classification approach is used. Once the Forest/NonForest classification for individual acquisitions is generated, overlapping acquisitions are mosaicked together to improve the resulting accuracy. The final step in the Forest/NonForest map production is to apply a binary Forest/Non-Forest decision and the decision threshold is found through comparison with similar data and statistical analysis. Verification and validation of the final product will be accomplished through comparison to other forest maps. In summary, this paper covers the processing and production status of the global TanDEM-X Forest/Non-Forest map which is foreseen to be made available to the scientific community in 2017.
Capacity design of supercapacitor battery hybrid energy storage system with repetitive charging via Wireless Power Transfer

The widely used energy storage system for electric vehicle and electric operating machine based on battery has critical disadvantages. A solution for this problem is the use of battery/Supercapacitor (SC) hybrid energy storage system (HESS) due to advantages of SC in high power density, high cycle capability, and long life time. However, energy density of electric energy storage is much lower than the one of combustion engine. A solution for these problem is the repetitive charge for HESS via Wireless Power Transfer (WPT). In order to improve the transmission efficiency, the method of using a DC-DC converter to control secondary input impedance has been proposed in previous research. In this paper, a framework of HESS with WPT charging system is proposed for vehicle and electric operating machine application. Furthermore, capacity of HESS with WPT repetitive charging is designed, based on the requirements of the application.
Improved Reliability of Planar Power Interconnect With Ceramic-Based Structure

This paper proposes an advanced Si3N4 ceramic-based structure with through vias designed and filled with brazing alloy as a reliable interconnect solution in planar power modules. Finite-element (FE) modeling and simulation were first used to predict the potential of using the proposed Si3N4 ceramic-based structure to improve the heat dissipation and reliability of planar interconnects. Power cycling tests and nondestructive microstructural characterization were then performed on Si3N4 ceramic-based structures, flexible printed circuit boards (PCBs), and conventional Al wire interconnect samples to evaluate the FE predictions. Both the FE simulations and experimental tests were carried out on single Si diode samples where both the ceramic-based structures and flexible PCBs were bonded on the top sides of Si diodes with eutectic Sn-3.5Ag solder joints. The results obtained demonstrate that Si3N4 ceramic-based structures can significantly improve the reliability of planar interconnects. The experimental average lifetimes and FE simulated maximum creep strain accumulations for the ceramic-based structure and flexible PCB interconnect samples can reasonably be fitted to existing lifetime models for Sn-3.5Ag solder joints. Discrepancies between the models and experimental results can be attributed to defects and poor filling of the brazing alloy in the vias through the Si3N4 ceramic.
The effects of cryopreservation on red blood cell microvesiculation, phosphatidylserine externalization, and CD47 expression

BACKGROUND: Since the 1950s, cryopreservation has been used in transfusion medicine for long‐term storage of phenotypically rare red blood cells (RBCs). Recent reports have identified phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure, loss of CD47 expression, and membrane microvesiculation as important indicators of RBC storage lesion and in vivo survival. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of RBC cryopreservation and prefreeze storage length on these novel markers of membrane injury and to correlate them to traditional RBC quality indicators.
A sequence‐based computational model for the prediction of the solvent accessible surface area for α‐helix and β‐barrel transmembrane residues

Predicting the solvent accessible surface area (ASA) of transmembrane (TM) residues is of great importance for experimental researchers to elucidate diverse physiological processes. TM residues fall into two major structural classes (α‐helix membrane protein and β‐barrel membrane protein). The reported solvent ASA prediction models were developed for these two types of TM residues respectively. However, this prevents the general use of these methods because one cannot determine which model is suitable for a given TM residue without information of its type. To conquer this limitation, we developed a new computational model that can be used for predicting the ASA of both TM α‐helix and β‐barrel residues. The model was developed from 78 α‐helix membrane protein chains and 24 β‐barrel membrane protein. Its prediction ability was evaluated by cross validation method and its prediction result on an independent test set of 20 membrane protein chains. The results show that our model performs well for both types of TM residues and outperforms other prediction model which was developed for the specific type of TM residues. The prediction results also proved that the random forest model incorporating conservation score is an effective sequence‐based computational approach for predicting the solvent ASA of TM residues. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
A Clinical Evaluation of a Remote Mobility Monitoring System based on SMS Messaging

The objective of this work was to evaluate the accuracy and viability of a mobility telemonitoring system, based on the short message service (SMS), to monitor the functional mobility of elderly subjects in an unsupervised environment A clinical trial was conducted consisting of 6 elderly subjects; 3 male, 3 female (mean: 81.7, SD: 5.09). Mobility was monitored using an accelerometer based portable unit worn by each monitored subject for eleven hours. Every 15 minutes the mobility of the subject was summarized and transmitted as an SMS message from the portable unit to a remote server for long term analysis. The activPALtrade Trio Professional physical activity logger was simultaneously used for comparison with the portable unit. On conclusion of the trial each subject completed a questionnaire detailing their satisfaction with the portable unit and any recommendations for improvements. Overall a percentage difference of 2.31% was found between the activPALtrade Trio and the portable unit for the detection of sitting. For the combined postures of standing and walking the percentage difference was calculated as 2.9%. A bivariate correlation and regression analysis was performed on the entire data set of one subject. Strong positive correlation's were found for the detection of sitting (r = 0.996) and for the combined postures of standing and walking (r = 0.994). Subjects suggested that a lighter, smaller and wireless unit would be more effective.
Subarray adaptive array beamforming algorithm based on LCMV

A subarray adaptive beamforming algorithm that is subarray linearly constrained minimum variance (SLCMV) based on linearly constrained minimum variance (LCMV) is proposed in this paper. The computational load of the proposed SLCMV beamforming method is quite less than that of LCMV while keep the same degrees of freedom for beamforming. Comparative study between SLCMV and SARLS (subarray asynchronous recursive least square) is accomplished. Simulation results prove that the proposed SLCMV method is correct and requires less computational load than that of SARLS method.
Speechreading Skill and Visual Movement Sensitivity are Related in Deaf Speechreaders

Individual speechreading abilities have been linked with a range of cognitive and language-processing factors. The role of specifically visual abilities in relation to the processing of visible speech is less studied. Here we report that the detection of coherent visible motion in random-dot kinematogram displays is related to speechreading skill in deaf, but not in hearing, speechreaders. A control task requiring the detection of visual form showed no such relationship. Additionally, people born deaf were better speechreaders than hearing people on a new test of silent speechreading.
Comparison of T1‐weighted in‐ and out‐of‐phase single shot magnetization‐prepared gradient‐recalled‐echo with three‐dimensional gradient‐recalled‐echo at 3.0 tesla: Preliminary observations in abdominal studies

To describe in‐phase (IP)/out‐of‐phase (OP) imaging with single shot magnetization‐prepared gradient‐recalled‐echo (MP‐GRE) and to compare intra‐individually IP/OP MP‐GRE with IP/OP three‐dimensional gradient‐recalled‐echo (3D‐GRE) at 3.0 Tesla (T).
32-Channel low-noise lock-in ASIC for non-invasive light detection in silicon photonics

In order to address the challenges posed by the growing complexity of silicon photonic chips integrating more and more photonics devices, which require tuning and reconfiguration, a 32-channel 0.35 μm CMOS ASIC for a recently developed in-line non-invasive light power monitor has been designed. By combining a low-noise front-end with a carefully optimized low-parasitic multiplexer and with two square-wave multipliers (real and imaginary components) the waveguide admittance (affected by the local light power) can be measured on chip over a 100 MHz bandwidth with 10 pS resolution in four simultaneous channels, suitable for closed-loop stabilization of photonic devices such as microring resonators. The results of the chip experimental characterization here reported demonstrate dramatic miniaturization, a 20-fold improvement in resolution and a 10-fold bandwidth extension with respect to a state-of-the-art bench-top instrumentation.
Stride length in distance running: velocity, body dimensions, and added mass effects.

The preferred stride frequency (SF) and stride length (SL) of male recreational distance runners were measured on a level treadmill under a variety of conditions over the typical distance running speed range of 3.15-4.12 m.s-1. At a given speed, the correlation coefficients between the subjects' anthropometric variables (APV) (such as stature, leg length, and limb segment mass) and their preferred stride variables were consistently low (less than or equal to 0.36) and not significantly different from zero. As speed increased through the experimental range, SF remained nearly constant (only a 4% increase) while SL increased by 28%. The use of dimensionless velocity was shown to be no more effective than conventional methods in the prediction of a SL vs velocity relationship, but the dimensionless form of the relationship was remarkably similar to those observed for other animal species and other forms of gait. The addition of masses up to 1.1 kg at each ankle produced no significant change in SF or SL. The results indicate that factors other than APV are the primary determinants of preferred SF and SL. Since it has been shown previously that the preferred SL is usually the most economical, APV cannot be used to accurately predict or prescribe SF or SL on an individual basis.
Plasma catecholamines at rest and exercise in subjects with high‐ and low‐trait anxiety.

&NA; The purpose of this study was to compare the plasma catecholamine concentration at rest and in response to exercise in subjects with low and high trait anxiety (TA). Six subjects with low TA and six subjects with high TA were selected among 149 males college students on the basis of their results on three TA tests (STAI, IPAT, 16 PF). Plasma norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) concentrations (pg/ml) were measured at rest in supine position and during mild and moderate exercises of 5 min duration (about 40% and 60% of the individual VO2max) on bicycle ergometer. Plasma E concentrations at rest and exercise were not significantly different in subjects with low (33 +/‐ 6, 82 +/‐ 11, and 197 +/‐ 49) or high TA (41 +/‐ 7, 62 +/‐ 13, and 229 +/‐ 52). Plasma NE concentration was not significantly different at rest and in response to mild exercise in low (235 +/‐ 52; 666 +/‐ 64) and high‐TA subjects (223 +/‐ 36; 610 +/‐ 88) but was significantly higher in high‐TA than in low‐TA subjects in response to moderate exercise (2510 +/‐ 618 vs. 1243 +/‐ 234). These results show 1) that plasma NE and E concentrations at rest and in response to light exercise are similar in low‐ and high‐TA subjects, and 2) that subjects with high TA have a greater plasma NE response to the psychologic stress and/or to the homeostatic challenge of moderate exercise.
The association of nonsense mutation with exon-skipping in hprt mRNA of Chinese hamster ovary cells results from an artifact of RT-PCR.

RT-PCR of RNA from CHO cells with nonsense mutations in the hprt gene frequently detects minor hprt mRNA species lacking one or more exons. Many nonsense mutants also contain greatly reduced concentrations of the major, normally spliced hprt mRNA. In this study, we examined the hypothesis that exon-deleted mRNAs are normal constituents of CHO cells, but are not detected in wild-type parental cells and most missense mutants because their amplification is suppressed by relatively high concentrations of normally spliced hprt mRNA. A protocol designed to specifically detect exon-deleted mRNAs was conducted using RNA from parental cells and identified all the exon-deleted species typical of nonsense mutants. Quantitative analysis of parental cell RNA measured these exon-deleted mRNAs at < or = 0.7% of the abundance of the full-sized species. Nonsense and missense mutants had comparable amounts of exon-deleted mRNAs, which varied both above and below parental concentrations. The relative concentrations of particular exon-deleted species could be explained by the location of nonsense mutations remaining in the mRNA or by structural effects of mutations on splicing. Exon-deleted mRNAs were detected by RT-PCR when the concentration of the most abundant exon-deleted species was > or = 2% of the full-length mRNA. This occurred for mutants with nonsense mutations in internal exons. RT-PCR conditions were shown to suppress the amplification of exon-deleted species 40-fold when full-length mRNA was abundant, which occurred for parental lines and missense mutants. Our results verify that RT-PCR conditions can produce an artifactual association between nonsense mutation and exon-skipping when minor, exon-deleted mRNA is relatively enriched.