Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anthelmintic discovery and development in the animal health industry

Most modern anthelmintics used against human pathogens have come from the animal health (AH) industry. Historically, new molecules were discovered empirically, but recent developments in genomic and screening technologies have significantly enhanced the opportunities for target-based identification of novel therapies. However, drug discovery and development is still a complicated and costly process with high attrition. Absence of a return in investment for tropical parasitic diseases makes it difficult for large pharmaceutical companies to justify seeking antiparasitics for less developed countries in isolation. A partnership in which there is a sharing of costs and leveraging of resources is one way forward and is reflected in the new paradigm of ‘integrated drug discovery’, where collaborations and networks of academic institutions and industry are working together towards the discovery of new treatments for tropical parasitic diseases.
A novel performance analysis model for an IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN

This letter presents a novel analytic model that accurately evaluates the performance of a single-hop IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN (WLAN). By using a closed queuing network, we model an IEEE 802.11 WLAN system that consists of a fixed number of stations and derive the saturated throughput of the IEEE 802.11 distributed coordination function (DCF). The ns-2 simulation results show that our new analysis model is very accurate in evaluating the performance of the IEEE 802.11 DCF.
Bilateral prophylactic mastectomy decision making: A vignette study.

BACKGROUND Little is known about the perception of bilateral prophylactic mastectomy (BPM), and whether perceptions are influenced by a family history of breast cancer. It is also unclear what factors may play a role in selecting BPM for follow-up care. METHODS Samples of predominantly Caucasian, well-educated women with (n = 129) and without (n = 104) family histories of breast cancer were provided a vignette of a woman at increased risk. They selected one of two follow-up options: (1) clinical breast examination, breast self exam, and annual mammography or (2) BPM. RESULTS The samples did not differ on the decision to select BPM (29.5% vs 22.1%). The family history sample reported worry about breast cancer as a problem (34.4%) more often than women with no history (15.7%). Multivariate analysis found worry and estimated 10-year risk of the woman in the vignette as significant predictors of selecting BPM. CONCLUSIONS Approximately 25% of our sample selected BPM as the preferred option. The majority supported the need to discuss BPM among women at increased risk. Finally, both factors associated with the selection of BPM (worry, risk assessment) are potentially amenable to psychosocial or educational approaches. There is a clear need for assessment of worry and risk perception prior to surgical decision making.
Phytoaccumulation and Phytotoxicity of Cadmium and Chromium in Duckweed Wolffia globosa

ABSTRACT The phytoaccumulation and phytotoxicity of heavy metals, cadmiun (Cd), and chromium (Cr) on a common duckweed, Wolffia globosa, were studied. W. globosa were cultured in 3% Hoagland's nutrient medium, which was supplemented with 1, 2, 4, and 8 mg/L of Cd and Cr and were separately harvested after 3, 6, 9, and 12 days. The accumulation of Cd and Cr in W. globosa showed significant increases when the exposure time and metal concentration were increased. The effects of Cd and Cr on the biomass productivity and total chlorophyll content in W. globosa indicated that there were significant decreases in the biomass productivity and total chlorophyll content when the exposure time and metal concentration were increased.
Molecular control of gut formation in the spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum

The development of a digestive system is an essential feature of bilaterians. Studies of the molecular control of gut formation in arthropods have been studied in detail in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. However, little is known in other arthropods, especially in noninsect arthropods. To better understand the evolution of arthropod alimentary system, we investigate the molecular control of gut development in the spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum (Pt), the primary chelicerate model species for developmental studies. Orthologs of the ectodermal genes Pt‐wingless (Pt‐wg) and Pt‐hedgehog (Pt‐hh), of the endodermal genes, Pt‐serpent (Pt‐srp) and Pt‐hepatocyte‐nuclear factor‐4 (Pt‐hnf4) and of the mesodermal gene Pt‐twist (Pt‐twi) are expressed in the same germ layers during spider gut development as in D. melanogaster. Thus, our expression data suggest that the downstream molecular components involved in gut development in arthropods are conserved. However, Pt‐forkhead (Pt‐fkh) expression and function in spiders is considerably different from its D. melanogaster ortholog. Pt‐fkh is expressed before gastrulation in a cell population that gives rise to endodermal and mesodermal precursors, suggesting a possible role for this factor in specification of both germ layers. To test this hypothesis, we knocked down Pt‐fkh via RNA interference. Pt‐fkh RNAi embryos not only fail to develop a proper gut, but also lack the mesodermal Pt‐twi expressing cells. Thus, in spiders Pt‐fkh specifies endodermal and mesodermal germ layers. We discuss the implications of these findings for the evolution and development of gut formation in Ecdysozoans.
[The role of cytokines in Th1/Th2 balance in pregnant women with transient hypertension].

OBJECTIVES There is growing evidence that Th1/Th2 imbalance in cytokine network may play role in immunopathology of preeclampsia (PE). Normal pregnancy is "Th2 phenomenon" while PE is believed to be caused by Th1-shift. There is few data concerning Th1/Th2 imbalance in transient hypertension of pregnancy (TH). DESIGN The aim of this study was to check the hypothesis that changes in IFN-gamma and IL-2 (Th1 cytokines) levels are accompanied with deficit in TGF-beta (anti-Th1 cytokine) production in TH. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study group consisted of 10 pregnant women with TH diagnosed between 30-37 week of gestation (mean age 27.0 +/- 3.0 years, mean gestational age 33.5 +/- 3.0 weeks) and 10 women with uncomplicated pregnancy (mean age 26.0 +/- 3.5 years, mean gestational age 35.5 +/- 1.5 weeks). All women were primigravidae matched according to gestational age and race. They had no diabetes mellitus and renal diseases prior to pregnancy neither had any features of them during the study. They had no hypertension before pregnancy. Exclusion criteria were: uterine contractions, infection and therapy with steroids before blood sampling. TH was defined according to USA National Health Institute criteria. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were cultured for 72 hours in standard 1640 RPMI medium enriched with 20% FCS, L-glutamine, antibiotics (Sigma) and mitogen phytohemaglutynine (PHA) (Sigma). Cytokine levels were estimated in culture supernatants by using standard ELISA kits according to the indications of the producer (R&D). Statistical analysis was performed with Student-T test. RESULTS In TH group the levels of IL-2 were higher compared with control group but the differences did not reach statistical significance (4.5 vs. 1.56 pg/ml, t = -1.00, p < 0.1). The same referred to IFN-gamma levels (754.0 vs. 771.0 pg/ml, t = -0.04, NS). However, TGF-beta levels were significantly lower in TH group compared with control group (2459.2 vs. 4156.4 pg/ml, t = -1.47, p < 0.05). Conclusion is that there is a significant deficit of TGF-beta production in peripheral blood lymphocytes of women with TH studied "in vitro". This may contribute to Th1-shift seen in TH similarly to PE.
A Very Low-TC Second-Order temperature-compensated CMOS Current Reference

This paper proposes a novel second-order temperature-compensated CMOS current reference which exploits a new self-biased current source for first-order temperature compensation and a resistor-free widlar current mirror for second-order temperature compensation. Moreover, by deriving the temperature coefficient (TC) of the reference current, the temperature compensation condition equations together with a design method of minimizing the thermal drift in a required temperature range are presented. Based on these, the circuit is designed in a standard 0.18 μm CMOS process and achieves a very low TC of only 16.9 ppm/°C in a temperature range between -40°C and 120°C, with 1 μA reference current at 27°C. Besides, the current reference can operate at supply voltage down to 1.3 V, with a good supply regulation of 0.5%/V. At 27°C, its power consumption is 8.93 μW.
Electrically stimulated colonic reservoir for total anorectal reconstruction

Total anorectal reconstruction after abdominoperineal excision of the rectum has failed to achieve perfect continence. Electrically stimulated reservoir evacuation in combination with an electrically stimulated gracilis neoanal sphincter might improve results. A J pouch was constructed in an isolated colonic loop of seven dogs. Bipolar square wave pulses were delivered via two intramural stainless steel electrode pairs at 10 Hz. Stimulation parameters were varied to achieve adequate contraction. Serosal strain gauges recorded spontaneous and stimulated pouch motility. Evacuation was quantified by a volume displacement technique and observed fluoroscopically. Recordings were performed for a median of 3 (range 1–11) months. At 10 Hz and 0·5 ms pulse width, stimulation was required for 2 min and at voltages of 15 V (n = 4), 18 V (n = 1) and 20 V (n = 2) to obtain a contraction of amplitude comparable to that of a spontaneous contraction. Suprathreshold stimulation invariably resulted in colonic pouch contraction. The mean(95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.)) stimulus‐response latency was 25·5(1‐9) s. The mean(95 per cent c.i.) intraluminal pressure generated during stimulation was 114±1(17±0) cmH2O and 64±6(12±0) cmH2O during spontaneous activity (P<0±001). In conclusion, electrical stimulation via intramural electrodes produced contraction generating sufficient intraluminal pressure to effect evacuation of a canine colonic pouch. This has potential for incorporation with an electrically stimulated neoanal sphincter in total anorectal reconstruction to improve evacuation and continence.
The application of the Monte Carlo technique for estimation of the detector depth sensitivity for the skin oxygenation measurements

The present paper is concerned with the description of the weight Monte Carlo algorithm, which simulates the transport of photons between source and detector optical fibers. By letting the photons to carry out a random walk, the Simulation makes it possible to estimate the spatial detector depth sensitivity and the degree of spatial localization ofFered by fiber-optics probes of various geometries for the model of complex multi-layered highly scattering media, imitating the human skin.
Energetic costs of incidental visual coupling during treadmill running.

PURPOSE To determine the role of visual-spatial information in stabilizing movement during treadmill locomotion. METHODS Physiological, biomechanical, and psychological indices of coordination stability were recorded while participants were visually coupled with a whole-body image of themselves during treadmill locomotion. Ten participants ran on a treadmill under three visual conditions: two dynamic images (symmetrical, mirror image; asymmetrical, reversed mirror image) and one static. Performance was examined at two speeds. RESULTS Participants ran more economically (mL x kg x min(-1)) when they were visually coupled with a symmetrical rather than with an asymmetrical or static image. An asymmetrical coupling resulted in increased variability in footfall position at the faster speed, in comparison to the symmetrical and static conditions. However, at slower speeds, footfall variability and frequency were higher under both dynamic visual conditions in comparison to the static control. Changes in metabolic economy (mL x kg x min(-1)) were only partially mediated by movement kinematics. CONCLUSION Visual information influences treadmill locomotion and associated measures of stability even when there is no intention to coordinate with external stimuli.
Genetic Associations of Autopsy-Confirmed Vascular Dementia Subtypes

Background/Aims: Genetic risk factors have not been clearly established for vascular dementias (VaD) related to stroke and cerebrovascular disease. Methods: Samples were genotyped for APOE, MTHFR and ICAM. Aβ levels and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activities were assayed in controls and individuals with VaD. Results: Associations were found between the APOE-Ε4 allele and mixed dementia, infarct/stroke dementia and subcortical ischemic vascular dementia (SIVD), and higher Aβ1-42 levels and decreased ChAT activity. MTHFR was more associated with SIVD, mixed dementia, and lower ChAT activity. Conclusions: The study demonstrates important differences in the genetic associations of VaD and begins to clarify the genetic basis of key pathological substrates.
Assessing Spirituality and Religiousness in Advanced Cancer Patients

The aim of this study was to translate the Spiritual Involvement and Beliefs Scale into the Greek language and validate its psychometric properties in a sample of advanced cancer patients treated in a palliative care unit. The scale was translated into Greek with the “forward-backward” procedure. It was administered twice, with a 3-day interval, to 82 patients with advanced cancer. Patients completed the Spiritual Involvement and Beliefs Scale and the Greek Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The scale had an overall Cronbach α of 0.89. Overall test-retest reliability was satisfactory at P < . 0005. Satisfactory construct validity was supported between the Spiritual Involvement and Beliefs Scale subscales and Hospital Anxiety and Depression subscales. Interscale and interitem correlations were found satisfactory at P < . 0005. These results support that the Spiritual Involvement and Beliefs Scale is an instrument with satisfactory psychometric properties and is a valid research tool for spirituality in advanced cancer patients.
A meta-analysis of the association between CTLA-4 +49 A/G, -318 C/T, and IL-1 polymorphisms and susceptibility to cervical cancer.

Our aim was to explore whether cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) polymorphisms are associated with cervical cancer. A meta-analysis was conducted on the associations between the CTLA-4 +49 A/G, -318 C/T, IL-1B -511 C/T, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RN) polymorphisms and cervical cancer.We included 15 studies on cervical cancer. The meta-analysis showed a significant association between cervical cancer and the CTLA-4 +49 G allele when all studies were considered (OR = 0.822, 95% CI 0.731-0.924, p = 0.001). Stratification by ethnicity indicated an association between the CTLA-4 +49 GG+GA genotype and cervical cancer in East Asians (OR = 0.708, 95% CI 0.532-0.943, p = 0.018). However, no association was found between cervical cancer and the CTLA-4 -318 C/T polymorphism. Meta-analysis showed an association between cervical cancer and the IL-1B -511 T allele (OR = 1.380, 95% CI 1.048-1.816, p= 0.022), and stratification by ethnicity indicated an association between the IL-1B -511 CC+CT genotype in East Asians (OR = 1.622, 95% CI 1.227-2.43, p = 0.001). An association was found between the IL-1RN*2 allele and cervical cancer in Indians, but not in Europeans (OR = 2.154, 95% CI 1.547-2.948, p = 1.6 × 10-7; OR = 1.269, 95% CI 0.969-1.661, p= 0.083). The meta-analysis suggests that the CTLA-4 +49 A/G and IL-1B -511 C/T polymorphisms are associated with cervical cancer in East Asians, and that the IL-1RN VNTR polymorphism is associated with cervical cancer in Indians.
Selection of an actinobacteria mixed culture for chlordane remediation. Pesticide effects on microbial morphology and bioemulsifier production

Chlordane bioremediation using actinobacteria mixed culture is an attractive clean‐up technique. Their ability to produce bioemulsifiers could increase the bioavailability of this pesticide. In order to select a defined actinobacteria mixed culture for chlordane remediation, compatibility assays were performed among six Streptomyces strains. The strains did not show growth inhibition, and they were assayed for chlordane removal, either as pure or as mixed cultures. In pure cultures, all of the strains showed specific dechlorination activity (1.42–24.20 EU mg−1) and chlordane removal abilities (91.3–95.5%). The specific dechlorination activity was mainly improved with cultures of three or four microorganisms. The mixed culture consisting of Streptomyces sp. A2‐A5‐A13 was selected. Their ability to produce bioemulsifiers in the presence of glucose or chlordane was tested, but no significant differences were observed (p > 0.05). However, the stability of the emulsions formed was linked to the carbon source used. Only in chlordane presence the emulsions retained 100% of their initial height. Finally, the selected consortium showed a high degree of sporulation in the pesticide presence. This is the first study on the effects that chlordane exerts on microbe morphology and emulsifier production for a defined mixed culture of Streptomyces with ability to remediate the pesticide.
IMPROVEMENT OF PARAMETERS OF STACKED MICROSTRIP PATCH ANTENNA USING EDGE COUPLED PARASITIC PATCHES AND METAMATERIAL SUPERSTRATE

High directive stacked multilayer and edge coupled planar microstrip patch antenna made from a single-layer helical resonating metamaterial superstrate has been investigated. Metamaterials are artificial materials whose properties not found in nature. These materials have negative permittivity and permeability and negative index of refraction over a frequency band. In this paper, an innovative design of stacked rectangular microstrip patch antenna using four edge coupled parasitic patches and helical resonating metamaterial superstrate is explored. The Rogers RO3003 material of dielectric constant 3 has been used as the substrate of the antenna. Investigation is carried out related to bandwidth, gain and directivity enhancement by using edge coupled patches and metamaterial superstrate also the study of highest reduction in the size of helical resonator is carried out and highest reduction in size of helical resonator is achieved at a metallic fill ratio of 0.2. The proposed antenna exhibits wide percentage bandwidth of approximately 72.62%.
Enterobactin: An archetype for microbial iron transport

Bacteria have aggressive acquisition processes for iron, an essential nutrient. Siderophores are small iron chelators that facilitate cellular iron transport. The siderophore enterobactin is a triscatechol derivative of a cyclic triserine lactone. Studies of the chemistry, regulation, synthesis, recognition, and transport of enterobactin make it perhaps the best understood of the siderophore-mediated iron uptake systems, displaying a lot of function packed into this small molecule. However, recent surprises include the isolation of corynebactin, a closely related trithreonine triscatechol derivative lactone first found in Gram-positive bacteria, and the crystal structure of a ferric enterobactin complex of a protein identified as an antibacterial component of the human innate immune system.
Fibromyalgia: gender differences and sleep-disordered breathing.

OBJECTIVES The prevalence of fibromyalgia (FM) is much lower in men than in women. Therefore, current knowledge about this chronic pain syndrome emerged mainly from research on women. The aim of the present study was to compare clinical symptoms and sleep parameters between male and female FM patients. METHODS Forty FM patients (18 men and 22 women) aged 48.00±8.45 years were evaluated with questionnaires on pain, sleep, fatigue, depression, anxiety and functional impact, and polysomnography (PSG). RESULTS 61% of male FM patients had an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) greater than 15, compared to 31.8% of women, and a desaturation index (DI) above five, which was twice more prevalent in men than in women. In addition, males had poorer sleep quality (16.05±2.92% vs. 13.08±3.88%; p=0.01) and slow wave sleep (SWS) (stage 3 duration: 9.02±7.84% vs. 14.44±7.32%; p=0.03) than women. No differences were found between the two groups in the level of pain, emotional distress, or daily functioning. However, pain in men, fatigue in women, and functional impact in both sexes seemed to be related to worse sleep quality. Also in women, alterations in total sleep time (TST) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep features appeared to be related to emotional status. CONCLUSIONS Alterations in sleep respiratory patterns were more highly prevalent in male than in female FM patients. More so in male FM patients, the alterations in sleep patterns, non-refreshing sleep, and other FM-related symptoms observed in this population might be part of a primary sleep-disordered breathing.
Rising incidence of type 1 diabetes in Scottish children, 1984–93

OBJECTIVES To calculate the incidence of type 1 diabetes in Scottish children aged less than 15 years between 1984 and 1993; to examine changes in incidence; and to calculate the prevalence of diabetes at the end of this period. DESIGN Three data sources were used to construct the Scottish Study Group for the Care of Young Diabetics register: active reporting of all new cases; reports from the Scottish Morbidity Register 1; and local registers. SUBJECTS All children resident in Scotland diagnosed with primary insulin dependent diabetes mellitus when less than 15 years of age between 1984 and 1993. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Annual incidence and prevalence rate for Scotland; time trend in incidence over the 10 years; differences in incidence between the three different age groups; and completeness of the register. RESULTS The average annual incidence for Scotland was 23.9/100 000 children. The prevalence rate was 1.5/1000 in 1993. A total of 2326 cases was identified from the three sources. Capture-recapture analysis suggests a case ascertainment of 98.6%. The annual incidence rates increased at a rate of 2% each year (rate ratio = 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01 to 1.03). The incidence was higher in boys than girls (rate ratio = 1.08, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.18), and the incidence rates increased with age: 15.3/100 000/year for age 0–4 years, 24.4/100 000/year for age 5–9 years, and 31.9/100 000/year for age 10–14 years. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of type 1 diabetes in Scotland is increasing and the prevalence is relatively high. These findings have important implications for health service resource allocation. The Scottish Study Group for the Care of Young Diabetics’ register provides a base for monitoring and research.
On the Energy-Efficient Power Allocation for Amplify-and-Forward Two-Way Relay Networks

This paper addresses power allocation issues for amplify-and-forward (AF) two-way relay systems. Based on theoretical derivation, we first propose an energy-efficient power allocation (PA) strategy for 2-phase and 3-phase two-way systems with single relay or multi-relay, under a certain transmission data rate of source nodes, aiming to minimize the system energy consumption. Numerical results show that this energy-efficient PA strategy can balance the system performance and achieve about 3dBw power gains compared to the uniform PA.
Physiological tremor increases when skeletal muscle is shortened: implications for fusimotor control

In tonic, isometric, plantarflexion contractions, physiological tremor increases as the ankle joint becomes plantarflexed. Modulation of physiological tremor as a function of muscle stretch differs from that of the stretch reflex amplitude. Amplitude of physiological tremor may be altered as a function of reflex pathway gains. Healthy humans likely increase their γ‐static fusimotor drive when muscles shorten. Quantification of physiological tremor by manipulation of joint angle may be a useful experimental probe of afferent gains and/or the integrity of automatic fusimotor control.