Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rhizobium phaseoli symbiotic mutants with transposon Tn5 insertions

Rhizobium phaseoli CFN42 DNA was mutated by random insertion of Tn5 from suicide plasmid pJB4JI to obtain independently arising strains that were defective in symbiosis with Phaseolus vulgaris but grew normally outside the plant. When these mutants were incubated with the plant, one did not initiate visible nodule tissue (Nod-), seven led to slow nodule development (Ndv), and two led to superficially normal early nodule development but lacked symbiotic nitrogenase activity (Sna-). The Nod- mutant lacked the large transmissible indigenous plasmid pCFN42d that has homology to Klebsiella pneumoniae nitrogenase (nif) genes. The other mutants had normal plasmid content. In the two Sna- mutants and one Ndv mutant, Tn5 had inserted into plasmid pCFN42d outside the region of nif homology. The insertions of the other Ndv mutants were apparently in the chromosome. They were not in plasmids detected on agarose gels, and, in contrast to insertions on indigenous plasmids, they were transmitted in crosses to wild-type strain CFN42 at the same frequency as auxotrophic markers and with the same enhancement of transmission by conjugation plasmid R68.45. In these Ndv mutants the Tn5 insertions were the same as or very closely linked to mutations causing the Ndv phenotype. However, in two mutants with Tn5 insertions on plasmid pCFN42d, an additional mutation on the same plasmid, rather than Tn5, was responsible for the Sna- or Ndv phenotype. When plasmid pJB4JI was transferred to two other R. phaseoli strains, analysis of symbiotic mutants was complicated by Tn5-containing deleted forms of pJB4JI that were stably maintained.
Single-Port Access Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy for Large Uterus

Background/Aims: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of single-port access total laparoscopic hysterectomy (SPA-TLH) for large uterus (>500 g). Methods: A prospective data collection was performed in 21 consecutive patients in March 2010 and August 2011. Surgical outcome including operative time (OT) and estimated blood loss (EBL) were analyzed. Results: SPA-TLH procedures were successfully performed in 16 cases (76.2%). Of the 5 failed cases, 4 were converted to multiport TLH because of distorted uterine contours and pelvic adhesions and 1 was converted to laparotomy for bleeding control. The median OT, uterine weight, and EBL were 110 (65–165) min, 600 (502–980) g, and 200 (100–800) ml, respectively. Spearman’s correlation analysis demonstrated that OT and blood loss increased with increasing uterine weight (p = 0.003 and p = 0.033, respectively). No operative complications were observed during the hospital stay and 3-month follow-up following discharge. Conclusion: SPA-TLH for large uterus is a feasible and safe technique.
Stimulation of T-Helper Cell Gamma Interferon and Immunoglobulin G Responses Specific for Babesia bovis Rhoptry-Associated Protein 1 (RAP-1) or a RAP-1 Protein Lacking the Carboxy-Terminal Repeat Region Is Insufficient To Provide Protective Immunity against Virulent B. bovis Challenge

ABSTRACT Rhoptry-associated protein 1 (RAP-1) is a targeted vaccine antigen for Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina infections of cattle. The 60-kDa B. bovis RAP-1 is recognized by antibodies and T lymphocytes from cattle that recovered from infection and were immune to subsequent challenge. Immunization with native or recombinant protein was reported to reduce parasitemias in challenged animals. We recently reported that the NT domain of B. bovis RAP-1 contained immunodominant T-cell epitopes, whereas the repeat-rich CT domain was less immunostimulatory for T lymphocytes from cattle immune to B. bovis. The present study was therefore designed to test the hypothesis that the NT region of RAP-1, used as a vaccine with interleukin-12 and RIBI (catalog no. R-730; RIBI Immunochem Research, Inc., Hamilton, Mont. [now Corixa, Seattle, Wash.]) adjuvant to induce a type 1 response, would prime calves for antibody and T-helper cell responses comparable to or greater than those induced by full-length RAP-1 containing the C-terminal repeats. Furthermore, a type 1 immune response to RAP-1 was hypothesized to induce protection against challenge. Following four inoculations of either recombinant full-length RAP-1 or RAP-1 NT protein, RAP-1-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers, T-lymphocyte proliferation, and gamma interferon production were similar. Similar numbers of NT region peptides were recognized. However, in spite of the presence of strong RAP-1-specific IgG and CD4+-T-lymphocyte responses that were recalled upon challenge, neither antigen stimulated a protective immune response. We conclude that successful priming of calves with recombinant RAP-1 and adjuvants that elicit strong Th1 cell and IgG responses is insufficient to protect calves against virulent B. bovis challenge.
Temporal context and the organisational impairment of memory search in schizophrenia

Introduction. An influential theory of schizophrenic deficits in executive function suggests that patients have difficulty maintaining and utilising an internal contextual representation, whose function is to ensure that stimuli are processed in a task-appropriate manner. In basic research on episodic memory, retrieved-context theories propose that an internal contextual representation is critically involved in memory search, facilitating the retrieval of task-appropriate memories. This contextual machinery is thought to give rise to temporal organisation during free recall: the tendency for successive recall responses to correspond to items from nearby positions on the study list. If patients with schizophrenia have a generalised contextual deficit, then this leads to the prediction that these patients will exhibit reduced temporal organisation in free recall. Methods. Using a combination of classic and recently developed organisational measures, we characterised recall organisation in 75 patients with schizophrenia and 72 nondisordered control participants performing a multi-trial free-recall task. Results. Patients with schizophrenia showed diminished temporal organisation, as well as diminished subjective organisation of their recall sequences relative to control participants. The two groups showed similar amounts of semantic organisation during recall. Conclusions. The observation of reduced temporal organisation in the patient group is consistent with the proposal that the memory deficit in schizophrenia can be characterised as a deficit in contextual processing.
Immunization with the Candida albicansMembrane Fraction and in Combination with Fluconazole Protects against Systemic Fungal Infections

ABSTRACT We studied the immunogenicity of a membrane fraction prepared fromCandida albicans cells called C. albicansmembrane antigen (CMA). The present study revealed that CMA immunization has antifungal activity in mouse models of systemic fungal infection. Immunization of mice by subcutaneous injections of CMA with incomplete Freund adjuvant induced resistance to infections caused not only by C. albicans but also by Aspergillus fumigatus. The level of resistance to candidiasis was as high as that induced by whole-cell immunization. The acquired resistance to candidiasis in the mice immunized with CMA was not diminished by immunosuppressive treatment with cyclophosphamide. The level of resistance to fungal infections was superior to that given by fluconazole (FLC) treatment alone and highly enhanced by the combination with FLC. When CD4+ cells in CMA-immunized mice were depleted by a monoclonal antibody, the antifungal activity induced by the combination of CMA and FLC was significantly reduced. These results indicate that immunization with CMA is useful for preventing systemic fungal infections and in combination with FLC for increasing resistance after infection.
Post‐treatment effects of exposure therapy and clomipramine in obsessive–compulsive disorder

We sought to determine whether adults with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) who respond to intensive exposure and response (ritual) prevention (EX/RP) with or without clomipramine (CMI) fare better 12 weeks after treatment discontinuation than responders receiving CMI alone. After receiving 12 weeks of treatment (EX/RP, CMI, EX/RP+CMI, or pill placebo [PBO] in a randomized clinical trial conducted at three outpatient research centers), 46 adults with OCD who responded to treatment (18 EX/RP, 11 CMI, 15 EX/RP+CMI, 2 PBO) were followed after treatment discontinuation for 12 weeks. Patients were assessed every 4 weeks with the Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale, the National Institutes of Health Global Obsessive–Compulsive Scale, and the Clinical Global Impressions scale by an evaluator who was blind to original treatment assignment. The primary hypothesis was that EX/RP and EX/RP+CMI responders would be less likely to relapse 12 weeks after treatment discontinuation than responders to CMI alone. Twelve weeks after treatment discontinuation, EX/RP and EX/RP+CMI responders, compared to CMI responders, had a significantly lower relapse rate (4/33=12% versus 5/11=45%) and a significantly longer time to relapse. The CMI relapse rate was lower than previously reported. Nonetheless, responders receiving intensive EX/RP with or without CMI fared significantly better 12 weeks after treatment discontinuation than responders receiving CMI alone. Depression and Anxiety 00:000–000, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Frequency-Domain Approach to Registration Estimation in 3-D Space

Autonomous robotic systems require automatic registration of data collected by on-board sensors. Techniques requiring user intervention are unsuitable for autonomous robotic applications, while iterative-based techniques do not scale well as the dataset size increases, and additionally tend towards locally minimal solutions. To avoid the latter problem, an accurate initial estimation of the transformation is required for iterative algorithms to perform properly. The method presented in this paper does not require an initial estimation of the transformation, and avoids problems of the classical iterative techniques by employing the multi-dimensional Fourier transform, which decouples the estimation of rotational parameters from the estimation of the translational parameters. Using the magnitude of the Fourier transform, an axis of rotation is estimated by determining the line that contains the minimal energy differential between two rotated 3D images. By using a coarse to fine approach, the angle of rotation is determined from the minimal sum squared difference between the two rotated image. As the Fourier transform introduces hermitical symmetry in the rotation, the proper solution is identified through the use of a phase-correlation technique, and the estimate of translation is simultaneously obtained. Experimental results illustrate the accuracy that can be achieved by the proposed registration technique and performance is compared with that of the classical iterative closest point method
Formulation and In Vitro Characterization of Bioactive Mesoporous Silica with Doxorubicin and Metronidazole Intended for Bone Treatment and Regeneration

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surface mineralization activity and in vitro drug behavior potential of two forms of mesoporous silica: powder and granulate. Ordered mesoporous SiO2 powder was synthesized by surfactant-assisted sol-gel process using tetraethoxysilane as a silica precursor and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide as the structure-directing agent. The granulate was prepared using silica powder and ethyl cellulose as a binding agent. Metronidazole (MT)—an anti-inflammatory substance and doxorubicin hydrochloride (ChD)—an anti-cancer drug were chosen as drug models for delivery studies. The results of structural characteristic studies, utilizing transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and nitrogen adsorption–desorption (BET) measurements, show that obtained materials have two-dimensional hexagonal p6mm symmetry, high specific surface area, narrow pore size, and a satisfactory mineralization behavior in the simulated body solution (SBF, pH = 7.4). The release rate of drugs depends upon the structural features of the drug molecules and the form of the carrier material. Of both the drugs analyzed, faster release was observed for small MT molecules characterized by weaker interactions with the carrier. In addition, the slower drug release was observed with granulate form due to increased diffusion barrier for drugs. Obtained results prove that the MT/ChD-loaded silica formulations could be attractive materials for filling bone defects and for local delivery systems.
The measurement and interpretation of Brillouin scattering in the lens of the eye

Brillouin scattering from hypersonic waves in the eye lenses of many animals has been observed with a multipass Fabry Perot interferometer. The measured values of speed and attenuation range widely among the different species and in different parts of any one lens. These variations correlate broadly with the observed stiffness and the densities that have been measured with a graded column. From the spectroscopic and density measurements high-frequency elastic moduli may be derived. The results are also evaluated at a macromolecular level in terms of scattering of hypersonic waves from spherical entities composed of the crystallins and their aggregates. Reasonable agreement is obtained for the hypersonic speed for lower protein concentration; the hypersonic attenuation and variation with scattering vector are consistent with the presence of large aggregates (of order 100 nm radius) in certain of the materials.
IRF‐1 SNPs influence the risk for childhood allergic asthma: A critical role for pro‐inflammatory immune regulation

Allergic and non‐allergic childhood asthma has been characterized by distinct immune mechanisms. While interferon regulating factor 1 (IRF‐1) polymorphisms (SNPs) influence atopy risk, the effect of SNPs on asthma phenotype‐specific immune mechanisms is unclear. We assessed whether IRF‐1 SNPs modify distinct immune‐regulatory pathways in allergic and non‐allergic childhood asthma (AA/NA).
Role of the α1 blocker doxazosin in alcoholism: a proof‐of‐concept randomized controlled trial

Evidence suggests that the norepinephrine system represents an important treatment target for alcohol dependence (AD) and the α1‐blocker prazosin may reduce alcohol drinking in rodents and alcoholic patients. The α1‐blocker doxazosin demonstrates a more favorable pharmacokinetic profile than prazosin, but has never been studied for AD. A double‐blind placebo‐controlled randomized clinical trial was conducted in AD individuals seeking outpatient treatment. Doxazosin or matched placebo was titrated to 16 mg/day (or maximum tolerable dose). Drinks per week (DPW) and heavy drinking days (HDD) per week were the primary outcomes. Family history density of alcoholism (FHDA), severity of AD and gender were a priori moderators. Forty‐one AD individuals were randomized, 30 (doxazosin = 15) completed the treatment phase and 28 (doxazosin = 14) also completed the follow‐up. There were no significant differences between groups on DPW and HDD per week. With FHDA as a moderator, there were significant FHDA × medication interactions for both DPW (pcorrected = 0.001, d = 1.18) and HDD (pcorrected = 0.00009, d = 1.30). Post hoc analyses revealed that doxazosin significantly reduced alcohol drinking in AD patients with high FHDA and by contrast increased drinking in those with low FHDA. Doxazosin may be effective selectively in AD patients with high FHDA. This study provides preliminary evidence for personalized medicine using α1‐blockade to treat AD. However, confirmatory studies are required.
A New System for Three-Dimensional Tracking of Motile Microorganisms

ABSTRACT A new three-dimensional (3D)-tracking system with optimized dark-field illumination is presented. It allows simultaneous 3D tracking of several free-swimming microorganisms with diameters of >10 μm. Resolution limits and illumination efficiencies for different size classes of microorganisms are treated analytically. First applications for 3D tracking of protists are demonstrated.
IMMOBILIZATION OF POLAR BEARS (URSUS MARITIMUS) WITH TELAZOL® IN THE CANADIAN ARCTIC

In 1986, 213 polar bears (Ursus maritimus) were immobilized with Telazol® on the sea ice of the eastern Beaufort Sea during April and May, and 106 along the western coast of Hudson Bay near Churchill, Manitoba (Canada) in September. No animals died from handling. The efficacy of this drug at different seasons and the physiological responses of the immobilized bears were compared. A single injection of 8 to 9 mg of Telazol per kg of body weight gave a rapid full immobilization with satisfactory analgesia, and faster recovery than other drugs for which there is no antagonist. The reactions of the bears could be reliably and easily interpreted from a safe distance before the animal was approached. There was a wide range of tolerance to high dosages and bears appeared able to thermoregulate while immobilized. The mortality rate due to handling was lower than with any other drug used to date.
Erratum. Functional Brain Networks Are Altered in Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes: Signs for Compensation of Cognitive Decrements? The Maastricht Study. Diabetes 2016;65:2404–2413

Type 2 diabetes is associated with cognitive decrements, accelerated cognitive decline, and increased risk for dementia. Patients with the metabolic syndrome, a major risk factor for diabetes, may display comparable cognitive decrements as seen in type 2 diabetes. Currently, the impact of diabetes and prediabetes on cognition and the underlying organization of functional brain networks still remain to be elucidated. This study investigated whether functional brain networks are affected in type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. Forty-seven participants with diabetes, 47 participants with prediabetes, and 45 control participants underwent detailed cognitive testing and 3-Tesla resting state functional MRI. Graph theoretical network analysis was performed to investigate alterations in functional cerebral networks. Participants with diabetes displayed altered network measures, characterized by a higher normalized cluster coefficient and higher local efficiency, compared with control participants. The network measures of the participants with prediabetes fell between those with diabetes and control participants. Lower processing speed was associated with shorter path length and higher global efficiency. Participants with type 2 diabetes have altered functional brain networks. This alteration is already apparent in the prediabetic stage to a somewhat lower level, hinting at functional reorganization of the cerebral networks as a compensatory mechanism for cognitive decrements.
Active and Passive Smoking and Risk of Narcolepsy in People with HLA DQB1*0602: A Population-Based Case-Control Study

Background: We examined the risk of narcolepsy associated with active and passive smoking among genetically susceptible individuals. Methods: We conducted a popula- tion-based case-control study in King County, Wash. , USA. Between 2001 and 2005, we enrolled 67 cases through physicians and public outreach, and 95 controls through random-digit dialing. Subjects were aged between 18 and 50 years and positive for HLA DQB1*0602. All subjects were administered in-person interviews about their history of active and passive smoking. Results: We observed an increased risk of narcolepsy associated with having lived with two or more household smokers (odds ratio, OR = 5.1; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.6, 12.1); with a grandparent or a sibling who smoked (OR = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.1, 8.3); with a non-family household member who smoked (OR = 3.7; 95% CI: 1.6, 8.6); and with an unrelated smoker for 1–2 years (OR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.0, 9.0). The risk of narcolepsy was not associated with exposure to smoke at work or with active smoking before age 21 or before age of narcolepsy onset. Conclusion: Passive smoking may be a risk factor for narcolepsy in subjects with HLA DQB1*0602. Future studies could help clarify whether passive smoking is an important etiologic component of narcolepsy among genetically susceptible individuals.
The Role of Crop Production in the Forest Landscape Restoration Approach—Assessing the Potential Benefits of Meeting the Bonn Challenge

Existing approaches and methodologies that investigate effects of land degradation on food security vary greatly. Although a relatively rich body of literature that investigates localized experiences, geophysical, and socioeconomic drivers of land degradation, and the costs and benefits of avoiding land degradation already exists, less rigorously explored are the global effects of restoring degraded landscapes for the health of the land, the climate, and world food security. The current scale of land degradation is such that the problem can be meaningfully addressed only if local successes are upscaled and a large number of landowners and land managers implement restoration activities. Significant global efforts to address degradation exist, but studies that evaluate the global benefits of these efforts generally do not account for global market forces and the complex web of relationships that determine the effects of wide-scale restoration on production and food security. This paper provides important insights into how a full integration of crop production in restoration efforts could impact food production levels, food availability, forest carbon stocks, and Greenhouse gas emissions.
Frequency-dependent viscoelastic parameters of mouse brain tissue estimated by MR elastography

Viscoelastic properties of mouse brain tissue were estimated non-invasively, in vivo, using magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) at 4.7 T to measure the dispersive properties of induced shear waves. Key features of this study include (i) the development and application of a novel MR-compatible actuation system which transmits vibratory motion into the brain through an incisor bar, and (ii) the investigation of the mechanical properties of brain tissue over a 1200 Hz bandwidth from 600–1800 Hz. Displacement fields due to propagating shear waves were measured during continuous, harmonic excitation of the skull. This protocol enabled characterization of the true steady-state patterns of shear wave propagation. Analysis of displacement fields obtained at different frequencies indicates that the viscoelastic properties of mouse brain tissue depend strongly on frequency. The average storage modulus (G′) increased from approximately 1.6 to 8 kPa over this range; average loss modulus (G″) increased from approximately 1 to 3 kPa. Both moduli were well approximated by a power-law relationship over this frequency range. MRE may be a valuable addition to studies of disease in murine models, and to pre-clinical evaluations of therapies. Quantitative measurements of the viscoelastic parameters of brain tissue at high frequencies are also valuable for modeling and simulation of traumatic brain injury.
A 3 V 10 MHz pseudo-differential SC bandpass filter using a gain-enhancement replica amplifier

Double-sampling has proven to be suitable for the design of SC filters. Filters are implemented with a simple pseudo-differential common-source amplifier structure. A pseudo-differential approach does not require common-mode feedback loading the opamp differential output, or a tail current source that can limit the positive or negative output swing. This allows reaching the theoretical maximum bandwidth and swing of the opamp. Finally, filters can be realized with a replica amplifier (RA) structure that preserves both the swing and the speed of the main amplifier (MA). A schematic of the complete pseudo-differential opamp circuit is given.