Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Confirmed identification and toxin profiling of Campylobacter jejuni using a thermostabilized multiplex PCR formulation

Cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) producing Campylobacter jejuni species are one of the leading causes of human gastroenteritis worldwide. The main intent of the study was to develop a multiplex PCR assay for the confirmed identification and toxin profiling of C. jejuni. The genes targeted were rpo B as genus specific, hip O for species; cdt A, cdt B, cdt C encoding respective subunit proteins of CDT with Internal Amplification Control (IAC). To enhance its application as a pre‐mixed ready‐to‐use format, the master mix of developed mPCR was dried by lyophilization and stability was assessed. Thermostabilized reagents showed stability of 1.5 months at room‐temperature and upto six months at 4 °C without any loss of functionality. The assay was evaluated on a number of presumptive Campylobacter isolates along with biochemical tests. Results obtained indicated the accurate identification of C. jejuni by developed mPCR format in contrast to misconception associated with biochemical assays. The assay was also tested on spiked samples for its real‐time utility. Altogether, the room‐temperature storable and ready‐to‐ use mPCR format developed in this study could be preferred for rapid detection and confirmed identification of toxigenic strains of C. jejuni in place of conventional biochemical assays.
Catheter localization for vascular interventional robot with conventional single C-arm

Usually image correction and system calibration are basic tasks for using conventional XRII C-arm to navigate medical robot in surgery. In traditional way, they are separated as two steps. In this paper, we look upon C-arm as a non-linear camera, thus it is calibrated with non-linear camera model. After calibration, the C-arm image can be corrected with the camera distortion model. The special calibration phantom design and the technique for automatic calibration are addressed. For vessel reconstruction and catheter localization, epipolar geometry constraint plays an important role in searching for corresponding point. We present a technique to find the epipolar constraint automatically. With epipolar, the vessel and catheter are reconstructed. At last, these techniques are applied to a VIR. The experiment results show that it is valid to locate catheter.
The fimbriae of human enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain 334 are related to CS5 fimbriae.

Escherichia coli strain 334 is a human enterotoxigenic strain of serotype O15:H11 which had previously been shown to produce 'attachment pili'. These fimbriae were compared with other colonization factors. From strain 334 a mannose-resistant haemagglutination positive colony 334A and a mannose-resistant haemagglutination negative variant 334C were isolated. By electron microscopy the fimbriae of strain 334A were shown to have a helical structure resembling coli-surface-associated antigen (CS5) fimbriae. An antiserum was raised to strain 334A and absorbed with a fimbriae-negative variant of that strain, 334C. By immuno-electron microscopy this antiserum was shown to coat fimbriae of strain 334A but not CS5 fimbriae produced by strain E17018A. Conversely, CS5 antiserum did not coat the fimbriae produced by strain 334A. No antigenic cross-reaction was detected between these intact fimbriae when anti-strain 334A serum and CS5 antiserum were used in immunodiffusion tests. By enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) the fimbriae of strain 334A were shown to be antigenically unrelated to most other human ETEC adhesins, namely colonization factor antigens (CFA/I, CFA/III and CFA/IV), coli-surface-associated antigens (CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS6 and CS17) and putative colonization factors (PCFO159:H4 and PCFO166). However, a heated suspension of strain 334A reacted weakly with CS5 antiserum in an ELISA. By SDS-PAGE the fimbriae of strain 334A were shown to consist of subunits of similar size to CS5 subunits, that is about 21.5 kDa. Western immunoblotting revealed that the subunits of 334A and CS5 fimbriae shared common epitopes. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Comparative modelling of human β tubulin isotypes and implications for drug binding

The protein tubulin is a target for several anti-mitotic drugs, which affect microtubule dynamics, ultimately leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Many of these drugs, including the taxanes and Vinca alkaloids, are currently used clinically in the treatment of several types of cancer. Another tubulin binding drug, colchicine, although too toxic to be used as a chemotherapeutic agent, is commonly used for the treatment of gout. The main disadvantage that all of these drugs share is that they bind tubulin indiscriminately, leading to the death of both cancerous and healthy cells. However, the broad cellular distribution of several tubulin isotypes provides a platform upon which to construct novel chemotherapeutic drugs that could differentiate between different cell types, reducing the undesirable side effects associated with current chemotherapeutic treatments. Here, we report an analysis of ten human β tubulin isotypes and discuss differences within each of the previously characterized paclitaxel, colchicine and vinblastine binding sites.
COMMENT he 5 Ts of Bifurcation ntervention : Type , Technique , wo Stents , T-Stenting , Trials

ifurcation, the division of an artery into 2 branches, is a ommon anatomy feature of the human coronary tree and is ecognized as a common site for atherosclerotic plaque buildup ue to the differences in coronary flow, turbulence, and shear tress at the site of the bifurcation. The prevalence of bifurcaion stenosis in the human coronary tree is reported to be etween 15% to 20% of all interventions and is considered omplex and challenging for percutaneous intervention.
LANGERHANS ' , VEILED , AND INTERD 1 GITAT 1 NG CELLS 27

Langerhans' cells (LC) l, veiled cells (VC), interdigitating cells (IDC), and dendritic cells (DC) form a group of non]ymphoid dendritic cells (NLDC) postulated to act primarily as antigen-presenting or accessory cells, in particular as inducers of T-dependent responses (1-5). The cells originate from bone marrow (3, 6, 7), but although it has been suggested that they belong to the mononuclear phagocyte system (8, 9), a direct relationship with monocyte] macrophage populations has not yet been proven. In contrast to typical macrophages, these DC show little phagocytic activity (10-12), whereas high levels of Ia antigens are constitutively expressed (13-16). LC are described as the primary immunocompetent cell in the skin, playing a role in the presentation of antigen to T cells and the induction of contact sensitivity (2, 4, 17). They can migrate from the skin into the afferent lymph (18, 19) as VC, characterized by their long, actively moving processes (19, 20). During their travel via the afferent lymph, VC can carry antigen, which may be presented to lymphocytes in the draining lymph node (21). Based on morphological criteria and localization patterns after cell transfer, it has been hypothesized that the IDC of the T cell-dependent area in lymph nodes are derived from immigrating VC (22, 23). An accessory role of the IDC in the immune response is assumed in studies with in vitro isolated DC. The in vitro isolated DC was first described by Steinman (3, 24) and although it has been suggested that IDC represent the DC (25, 26), it cannot be excluded that the in vitro DC belong to a functionally different subpopulation. The development of specific markers will give us more insight into the functions and relationships of these populations of nonlymphoid dendritic cells. In this study we describe an mAb that reacts with mouse LC, VC, and IDC.
A MELAS/MERRF phenotype associated with the mitochondrial DNA 5521G>A mutation

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) and myoclonic epilepsy with ragged red fibres (MERRF) are phenotypes that have mainly been associated with mitochondrial tRNA gene point mutations. Clinical and genetic heterogeneity is also recognised and sometimes features of MERRF and MELAS can be found during the clinical course of some patients.1 These overlapped phenotypes have been related to other mtDNA point mutations (www.mitomap.org). Here we report a patient with an overlapped MELAS/MERRF phenotype presenting the m.5521G>A mutation, located in the tRNATrp gene. Biochemical and molecular genetic analysis characterise this transition as a definitively pathological mutation. A woman developed sensorineural hearing loss at the age of 24 years. At the age of 36 years, she was studied for morning seizures with myoclonic movements in all four limbs. She also suffered from daily headaches and memory loss. Electroencephalography showed irregular point wave complex with a diffuse distribution. A brain CT demonstrated moderate cerebellar atrophy. Evoked auditive potentials had normal latency times and amplitudes below the normal range bilaterally. Psychiatric evaluation showed depressive syndrome. Histomorphological studies in a muscle biopsy revealed the presence of ragged red fibres and a diagnosis of MERRF syndrome was made. In the following years the patient suffered different types of seizures without drug control, persistent headache and weakness in the limbs, as well as cerebellar ataxia and cognitive deterioration. …
Current Trends of Emergence and Spread of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci

Enterococci are intestinal colonizers in many mammals including man, birds, reptiles and even invertebrates and are also found in diverse environments such as sewage, soil and water. They have been used for decades for food fermentation and preservation due to their metabolic properties and their capability to produce bacteriocins active against food contaminants like Listeria. Within the last two decades enterocococci became prominent as important hospital-acquired pathogens. Isolates of Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium are the thirdto fourth-most prevalent nosocomial pathogen worldwide. Among ICU-acquired bloodstream infections enterococci ranked second most prevalent according to data from an European project on Healthcare-Associated Infections.1 Infections with enterococci hit the very young, the elderly and immuno-compromised patients and are thus mostly restricted to specific hospital wards like haemato-oncological, paediatric, and intensive care units. The growing number of patients at risk of acquiring an enterococcal infection is linked to an aging population, especially in industrialised countries, and an increasing application of invasive medical treatment options.
Exploiting Channel Reciprocity in Massive MIMO

• Massive MIMO prototype  64 Antenna array supported by 16 ExpressMIMO2 cards  Centralized high end computing engine • Massive MIMO key challenges  Acquisition of channel information at transmitter (CSIT);  Pilot contamination;  Fast and distributed coherent signal processing;  Hardware impairment, etc. • Time Division Duplexing (TDD)  Use TDD channel reciprocity for massive MIMO to ease the acquisition of CSIT : no feedback needed;  However, hardware non-symmetry destroys the TDD reciprocity. • Relative Calibration  Compensate the impairment by a multiplicative matrix;  Cost efficient: no additional hardware needed. Exploiting Channel Reciprocity in Massive MIMO Xiwen JIANG, Florian Kaltenberger, Raymond Knopp, Luc Deneire * Email: xiwen.jiang@eurecom.fr
Smart antennas for UTRA TDD

Due to the increasing number of users in mobile communications and the demand for mobile multimedia services with high data rates, third generation mobile radio systems are currently one of the key communication technologies in research, development, and international standardization bodies. Smart antennas can be used to increase the capacity of wireless communication systems even further. TDD systems are particularly attractive for the employment of smart antennas, since the channel information (e. g., in terms of spatial covariance matrices) estimated on the uplink can be used directly for downlink beamforming. In this paper, we discuss efficient uplink and downlink processing techniques with smart antennas for UTRA TDD, the TDD mode of third generation mobile radio systems that is based on TD—CDMA. On the uplink, joint space—time processing is used to eliminate co—channel interference created by other users that transmit on the same frequency and in the same time slot. These joint detection techniques are efficiently implemented in the frequency domain. On the downlink, the data is only transmitted in the direction of the desired mobile user while interference in the direction of co—channel users is avoided. Moreover, short—term spatial channel estimates can be improved by projecting them into the dominant subspace of the long—term spatial covariance matrix. System level simulations have been performed to evaluate the gain in spectral efficiency (available bit rate per bandwidth per cell) if simple downlink beamforming techniques are used at the base stations. There is a two— to three—fold spectral efficiency gain if antenna arrays of M = 8 elements are deployed in a sectorized macro—cellular environment.
A United Approach to Optimal Real and Reactive Power Dispatch

This paper presents a unified method for optimal real and reactive power dispatch for the economic operation of power systems. As in other methods, the problem is decomposed into a P-optimization module and a Q-optimization module, but in this method both modules use the same generation cost objective function. The control variables are generator real power outputs for the real power module; and generator reactive power outputs, shunt capacitors/reactors, and transformer tap settings for the reactive power module. The constraints are the operating limits of the control variables, power line flows, and bus voltages.
Risk behavior in opioid-dependent individuals after the administration of a therapeutic dose of methadone.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Evidence suggests that methadone may play a protective role in the faulty decision-making in heroin-addicted individuals. This may reduce craving for opioids and the risky decisions associated with active opioid use. METHODS We tested the effect of a daily therapeutic dose of methadone on faulty decision-making in eighty (n = 80) individuals with a history of opioid addiction. We used the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and compared the score and response time before and after the daily methadone dosing. RESULTS The mean net IGT score before methadone dose was 10 (±22) and 22 (±23) after methadone dose (t = 4.23, p = .00006). These results reflect statistically significant improvement in faulty decisions after the administration of the daily methadone dose. The mean response time for the reward cards before methadone dose were 1,856 ms (±871) and 1,465 ms (±851) after methadone dose (t = 2.55, p = .012). The mean response time for the punishment cards before methadone dose were 1,688 ms (±911) and 1,399 ms (±827) after methadone dose (t = 1.86, p = .065). These results reflect statistically significant improvement in response time to a rewarding healthy decisions after the administration of the daily methadone dose. CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE This is the first study to report the effect of a therapeutic dose of methadone on improving faulty decisions for individuals with a long history of opioids addiction. This study demonstrated that the time to making a healthy decision was significantly shorter as a result of administration of methadone.
Solvent dielectric effects on protein dynamics.

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to investigate the dynamics of alpha-chymotrypsin in solvents ranging in dielectric constant from 72 to 1.9. EPR measurements showed that motions in the vicinity of two spin-labeled amino acids (Met-192 and Ser-195) decreased dramatically with decreasing solvent dielectric constant, a trend consistent with changes in the electrostatic force between charged residues of the protein. EPR results and MD simulations revealed a very similar functional dependence between rates of motion in the protein and the dielectric constant of the bulk solvent; however, predicted motions of protein atoms were markedly faster than measured motions of the spin labels. MD calculations for dielectric constants of 5 and 72 showed the greatest differences near the outer surface of the protein. In general, at the lower dielectric constant many atoms of the protein move more slowly, and many of the slowest residues are near the exterior. These results suggest that altered dynamics may contribute to the unusual properties--e.g., modified stereoselectivities--of enzymes in nearly dry organic solvents.
The Sustainability of Subsistence Hunting by Matsigenka Native Communities in Manu National Park, Peru

Abstract: The presence of indigenous people in tropical parks has fueled a debate over whether people in parks are conservation allies or direct threats to biodiversity. A well‐known example is the Matsigenka (or Machiguenga) population residing in Manu National Park in Peruvian Amazonia. Because the exploitation of wild meat (or bushmeat), especially large vertebrates, represents the most significant internal threat to biodiversity in Manu, we analyzed 1 year of participatory monitoring of game offtake in two Matsigenka native communities within Manu Park (102,397 consumer days and 2,089 prey items). We used the Robinson and Redford (1991) index to identify five prey species hunted at or above maximum sustainable yield within the ∼150‐km2 core hunting zones of the two communities: woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagotricha), spider monkey (Ateles chamek), white‐lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari), Razor‐billed Currasow (Mitu tuberosa), and Spix's Guan (Penelope jacquacu). There was little or no evidence that any of these five species has become depleted, other than locally, despite a near doubling of the human population since 1988. Hunter–prey profiles have not changed since 1988, and there has been little change in per capita consumption rates or mean prey weights. The current offtake by the Matsigenka appears to be sustainable, apparently due to source–sink dynamics. Source–sink dynamics imply that even with continued human population growth within a settlement, offtake for each hunted species will eventually reach an asymptote. Thus, stabilizing the Matsigenka population around existing settlements should be a primary policy goal for Manu Park.
Young Adult Outcomes of Juvenile Court–Involved Girls

ABSTRACT The recent increase in the number of girls involved in the juvenile justice system has resulted in increased academic and public attention. Thus far, this attention has focused on entry into the juvenile justice system rather than longer-term consequences. This research helps fill this gap by examining a sample of 700 maltreated and/or impoverished juvenile court–involved females. Competing risks models were used to control for time from juvenile-court entry to adult outcomes: criminal justice system involvement, use of public mental health or substance use services, and income maintenance use. Results indicate that there are distinct predictors associated with the different outcomes, although learning disability and adolescent parenthood were associated with higher risk of both mental health/substance use services and income maintenance. Individualized services for juvenile court–involved girls are suggested. Prospective, longitudinal research is needed to investigate intrapsychic and behavioral dynamics associated with females' young adult outcomes.
Usefulness of soluble transferrin receptor and ferritin in iron deficiency and chronic disease

Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) is a biochemical parameter used for the detection of iron deficiency in situations where ferritin has limited diagnostic value owing to the present chronic disease. The sTfR concentration was determined in 118 patients divided according to their inflammatory status and underlying disease into groups of patients with iron‐deficiency anemia (IDA), anemia of chronic disease (ACD) and patients with a coexisting state of iron deficiency and anemia of chronic disease (ID+ACD). All patients with iron deficiency had elevated sTfR levels, but ferritin concentrations were normal or increased in patients with inflammatory characteristics. Diagnostic efficiencies of sTfR, sTfR/log ferritin index (sTfR/F) and ferritin were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. According to the results obtained, the best diagnostic efficiency for differential diagnosis of anemic patients with iron deficiency compared to the control group had a sTfR concentration (0.884) that was significantly higher than ferritin (0.638), but not higher than the calculated ratio sTfR/F (0.820). The cut‐off value of the sTfR/F index differentiating the best control group from the IDA and ID+ACD groups was 1.30, and for differentiation of ACD from IDA and ID+ACD, the value was 0.90. Soluble transferrin receptor is an additional parameter to ferritin for the diagnosis of IDA and differential diagnosis of ID+ACD, but calculation of the sTfR/F index did not improve the diagnostic value of determining sTfR alone.
Electric field modeling and spatial control in Deep Brain Stimulation

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is an established treatment, in e.g. Parkinson's Disease, whose underlying biological mechanisms are unknown. In DBS, electrical stimulation is delivered through electrodes surgically implanted into certain regions of the brain of the patient. Mathematical models aiming at a better understanding of DBS and optimization of its therapeutical effect through the simulation of the electrical field propagating in the brain tissue have been developed in the past decade. The contribution of the present study is twofold: First, an analytical approximation of the electric field produced by an emitting contact is suggested and compared to the numerical solution given by a Finite Element Method (FEM) solver. Second, the optimal stimulation settings are evaluated by fitting the field distribution to a target one to control the spread of the stimulation. Optimization results are compared to those of a geometric approach, maximizing the intersection between the target and the activated volume in the brain tissue and reducing the stimulated area beyond said target. Both methods exhibit similar performance with respect to the optimal stimuli, with the electric field control approach being faster and more versatile.
Ecstasy: Are animal data consistent between species and can they translate to humans?

The number of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy or MDMA) animal research articles is rapidly increasing and yet studies which place emphasis on the clinical signi.cance are limited due to a lack of reliable human data. MDMA produces an acute, rapid release of brain serotonin and dopamine in experimental animals and in the rat this is associated with increased locomotor activity and the serotonin behavioural syndrome in rats. MDMA causes dose-dependent hyperthermia, which is potentially fatal, in humans, primates and rodents. Subsequent serotonergic neurotoxicity has been demonstrated by biochemical and histological studies and is reported to last for months in rats and years in non-human primates. Relating human data to . ndings in animals is complicated by reports that MDMA exposure in mice produces selective long-term dopaminergic impairment with no effect on serotonin. This review compares data obtained from animal and human studies and examines the acute physiological, behavioural and biochemical effects of MDMA as well as the long-term behavioural effects together with serotonergic and dopaminergic impairments. Consideration is also given to the role of neurotoxic metabolites and the in.uence of age, sex and user groups on the long-term actions of MDMA.