Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous Determination of Lipo-Alkaloids Extracted from Aconitum carmiechaeli Using Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry and Multiple Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) combined with multiple tandem mass spectrometry (MS (n)) has been applied for simultaneously determining lipo-alkaloids from the aconite tubers. ESI-MS can give a very good mass separation for lipo-alkaloid mixture and MS (n) can provide structural information. Accordingly, structures were assigned to 12 known lipo-alkaloids including lipoaconitines, lipomesaconitines, lipodeoxyaconitines, and lipohypaconitines on the base of the information obtained using MS ( n). Also, four new lipo-alkaloids were found and their structures were interpreted using the MS (n) data.
Mutation in the abcb7 gene causes abnormal iron and fatty acid metabolism in developing medaka fish

The medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) is an emerging model organism for which a variety of unique developmental mutants have now been generated. Our recent mutagenesis screening of the medaka isolated a unique mutant that develops a fatty liver at larval stages. Positional cloning identified the responsible gene as medaka abcb7. Abcb7, a mitochondrial ABC (ATP binding cassette) half‐transporter, has been implicated in iron metabolism. Recently, human Abcb7 was found to be mutated in X‐linked sideroblastic anemia with cerebellar ataxia (XLSA/A). The homozygous medaka mutant exhibits abnormal iron metabolism in erythrocytes and accumulation of lipid in the liver. Microarray and in situ hybridization analyses demonstrated that the expression of genes involved in iron and lipid metabolisms are both affected in the mutant liver, suggesting novel roles of Abcb7 in the development of physiologically functional liver. The medaka abcb7 mutant thus could provide insights into the pathogenesis of XLSA/A as well as the normal function of the gene.
Information Processes in the Primate Prefrontal Cortex in Relation to Working Memory Processes

Working memory is a mechanism for short-term active storage of information as well as for processing stored information. Although evidence for neuronal mechanisms of temporary storage of information has accumulated for the prefrontal cortex, little is known about neuronal mechanisms for processing information. To understand how information is processed by prefrontal neurons, we first need to know what information is represented by single-neuron activity, and then examine how information represented by single-neuron activity or a population of activities changes along the temporal sequence of the trial. By examining task-related single-neuron activities while monkeys performed various working memory tasks, delay-period activity observed in the prefrontal cortex is considered to be a neuronal correlate of the mechanism for temporary active storage of information. Delay-period activity represents a variety of information including the spatial position and the physical feature of the stimulus, the forthcoming behavioral response, the quality of reward that the subject would receive, the difference of the task, or the rule of the task. Although delay-period activity could represent this variety of information, the information represented by delay-period activity is only the information relevant for task performance. In addition, using complex conditional tasks, delay-period activity has been shown to represent several kinds of information simultaneously. Based on these results, we examined how information represented by a population of prefrontal activities changes along the temporal sequence of the trial. Using two kinds of oculomotor delayed-response tasks, we first identified what information each task-related activity represents. Then, using population vector analysis, we could not only visualize information represented by a population of prefrontal activities, but also demonstrate the temporal change of information represented by a population of prefrontal activities. These attempts are important to understand information processes for working memory.
Effect of collagenase on the release of dopamine and acetylcholine from slices of rat corpus striatum

SGARAGLI & COOPER (1974) recently reported that collagenase-treated slices of bovine superior cervical ganglion released significantly less acetylcholine (ACh) in response to potassium-induced depolarization than did normal tissue slices. This effect appeared to be due only to interference with transmitter release mechanisms since the total radioactivity of ACh in the slices was the same whether or not collagenase was present in the incubation medium. This same effect was noted in synaptosomes prepared from collagenase-treated slices as compared to synaptosomes isolated from control slices. In this paper we report the effect of collagenase on the release of two transmitters, dopamine (DA) and ACh, from striatal slices prepared from rat brain. The corpora striata of male rats (250-300 g) were dissected out rapidly after decapitation. Tissue slices of 0.175 mm thickness were prepared with a Sorvall tissue chopper. The tissue was incubated for 25 min a t 37°C in 2 ml of Krebs-Ringer phosphate buffer (KRP), pH 7.4, which contained NaCl, 1 2 8 m ~ ; KCl, 48mM; CaCl,, 075mM; MgSO,, 1.2 mM; glucose, 16 mM; Na,HPO,, 16 mM; and EDTA, 0.027 mM. The incubation was continuously oxygenated by a mixture of 95% 02-5% CO,. The incubation medium also contained a labelled neurotransmitter or its precursor: C3H]DA (specific activity 9.3 Ci/mmol, final concentration 5.3 x lo-'' M, New England Nuclear), ['Hltyrosine (specific activity 55.5 Ci/mmol, final concentration 1.8 x lo-' M, New England Nuclear), or ['H]methylcholine (specific activity 16.5 Ci/mmol, final concentration 5.3 x lo-* M. New England Nuclear), with or without purified collagenase (EC 3.4.24.3, 400 units, Worthington). In experiments involving ACh, lo-, M-diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate (DFP) was included in the incubation medium. At the end of 25 min the incubation mixture was centrifuged for 5 min at 3000 g and 4"C, and the supernatant was discarded. The slices were transferred to a superfusion apparatus which has been described previously (BLJSTOS & ROTH, 1972). The striatal slices were washed rapidly with about 20 ml of KRP, poured through the perfusion chamber. KRP, prewarmed to 37T, was superfused through the tissue slices at the rate of 4 ml/min for 9-10 min. This procedure washed away loosely associated radioactive material, producing a low steady background of spontaneously released labelled compounds. A system of 3-way taps allowed a change of perfusing solutions to be made without disturbing the flow. The slices were stimulated by superfusion of KRP containing high K + concentrations (53 mM) for 1 min or KRP containing lo-, amphetamine or 6.8 x lo-, M carbachol for 3 min. Samples of the superfusate were collected every minute in test tubes containing either 0.2 ml of 0.5 M-HCI and 0 2 mg cold carrier DA for studies on dopamine release
Comparative analysis of the effects of anti‐IL‐6 receptor mAb and anti‐TNF mAb treatment on CD4+ T‐cell responses in murine colitis

Background: The efficacy of anti‐tumor necrosis factor monoclonal antibody (anti‐TNF mAb) for Crohn's disease (CD) is well established, and anti‐interleukin‐6 receptor (anti‐IL‐6R) mAb has also been reported to be effective in CD. It is, however, unclear if the efficacy and mechanisms of both agents are different in CD therapy. Methods: Using an adoptive transfer colitis model, we compared the efficacy of anti‐IL‐6R mAb, anti‐TNF mAb, and TNF receptor‐Fc fusion protein (TNFR‐Fc), and their modes of action on CD4+ T cells. We also investigated the role of Th1 and Th17 cells in colitis using the same model. Results: The histological scores for the anti‐IL‐6R mAb and anti‐TNF mAb groups but not for TNFR‐Fc group were much lower than that for the control group, and the score was the lowest for the anti‐IL‐6R mAb group. The frequency of proliferating CD4+ T cells was reduced in anti‐IL‐6R mAb and anti‐TNF mAb groups, but not in the TNFR‐Fc group, whereas the frequency of apoptotic CD4+ T cells was similar in all groups. Anti‐IL‐6R mAb suppressed the induction of Th17 cells and increased the frequency of lamina propria regulatory T cells, whereas anti‐TNF mAb exerted no influence on CD4+ T‐cell differentiation. A deficiency in interferon‐γ and/or IL‐17 in CD4+ T cells reduced the severity of colitis. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that suppression of the proliferation of pathogenic CD4+ T cells is the major mode of action of biological agents for colitis therapy. Anti‐IL‐6R mAb might have benefits in CD patients with Th17 dominance and impaired Treg frequency. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2011)
Passive Wake-up Scheme for Wireless Sensor Networks

In resource limited mobile computing devices (wireless sensor networks), energy saving is a critical design task. However, existing wake-up mechanisms encounter a critical trade-off between energy consumption and response time. In this paper, we propose a passive RF wake up (PRFW) scheme instead of time-based scheme to wake up node that indeed needs to wake up. The PRFW scheme is enabled by a PRFW hardware module sensing radio signal from other nodes. Analysis of energy consumption and delay shows that the power saving capability and wake-up delay can be improved by using the PRFW scheme.
MIDDLE MIOCENE DEPOSITIONAL MODEL IN THE DRAVA DEPRESSION DESCRIBED BY GEOSTATISTICAL POROSITY AND THICKNESS MAPS (CASE STUDY: STARI GRADAC-BARCS NYUGAT FIELD)

Neogene depositional environments in the Drava depression can be classified in two groups. One group is of local alluvial fans, which were active during the period of Middle Miocene (Badenian) extension through the entire Pannonian Basin. The second group is represented by continuous Pannonian and Pontian sedimentation starting with lacustrine environment of partly deep water and partly prodelta (turbidity) fans and terminating at the delta plain sedimentation. The coarse-grained sediments of alluvial fans have the great hydrocarbon potential, because they often comprise reservoir rocks. Reservoir deposits are mostly overlain (as result of fan migration) by pelitic seal deposits and sometimes including organic rich source facies. That Badenian sequences are often characterised by complete petroleum systems, what is confirmed by large number of oil and gas discoveries in such sediments in the Drava and other Croatian depressions. Alluvial environments are characterised by frequent changes of petrophysical properties, due to local character of depositional mechanism and material sources. In the presented paper, Stari Gradac-Barcs Nyugat field is selected as a case study for demonstrating the above mentioned heterogenic features of the Badenian sequences. Structural solutions are compared by maps of parameters related to depositional environment, i.e. porosity and thickness maps. Geostatistics were used for spatial extension of input dataset. The spatial variability of porosity values, i.e. reservoir quality, is interpreted by transition among different sub-environments (facies) in the alluvial fan system.
Targeted Deletion of the Sclerostin Gene in Mice Results in Increased Bone Formation and Bone Strength

Introduction: Sclerosteosis is a rare high bone mass genetic disorder in humans caused by inactivating mutations in SOST, the gene encoding sclerostin. Based on these data, sclerostin has emerged as a key negative regulator of bone mass. We generated SOST knockout (KO) mice to gain a more detailed understanding of the effects of sclerostin deficiency on bone.
Socioeconomic status and cardiovascular risk in urban South Asia: The CARRS Study

Background Although South Asians experience cardiovascular disease (CVD) and risk factors at an early age, the distribution of CVD risks across the socioeconomic spectrum remains unclear. Methods We analysed the 2011 Centre for Cardiometabolic Risk Reduction in South Asia survey data including 16,288 non-pregnant adults (≥20 years) that are representative of Chennai and Delhi, India, and Karachi, Pakistan. Socioeconomic status (SES) was defined by highest education (primary schooling, high/secondary schooling, college graduate or greater); wealth tertiles (low, middle, high household assets) and occupation (not working outside home, semi/unskilled, skilled, white-collar work). We estimated age and sex-standardized prevalence of behavioural (daily fruit/vegetables; tobacco use), weight (body mass index; waist-to-height ratio) and metabolic risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia; hypo-HDL; and hypertriglyceridaemia) by each SES category. Results Across cities, 61.2% and 16.1% completed secondary and college educations, respectively; 52.8% reported not working, 22.9% were unskilled; 21.3% were skilled and 3.1% were white-collar workers. For behavioural risk factors, low fruit/vegetable intake, smoked and smokeless tobacco use were more prevalent in lowest education, wealthy and occupation (for men only) groups compared to higher SES counterparts, while weight-related risks (body mass index 25.0–29.9 and ≥30 kg/m2; waist-to-height ratio ≥0.5) were more common in higher educated and wealthy groups, and technical/professional men. For metabolic risks, a higher prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemias was observed in more educated and affluent groups, with unclear patterns across occupation groups. Conclusions SES-CVD patterns are heterogeneous, suggesting customized interventions for different SES groups may be warranted. Different behavioural, weight, and metabolic risk factor prevalence patterns across SES indicators may signal on-going epidemiological transition in South Asia.
Complexes of Ruthenium (III) with Some 2-Aminothiazole Derivatives

Summary Four new complexes of Ru(III) with a general formula [Ru(L)2Cl2]Cl, where L = 2-amino-4-phenylthiazole (CAS 2010-06-2), 2-amino-4-methylthiazole (CAS 1603-91-4), ethyl 2-amino-4-methyl-5-thiazole-carboxylate (CAS 7210-76-6) and ethyl 2-amino-4-phenyl-5-thiazolecarboxylate (CAS 64399-23-1), were prepared. The syntheses were carried out in polar medium and inert atmosphere at a molar ratio Ru:L = 1:2 or 1:3. The compounds obtained were characterised by IR-, ‘1H-NMR- 13C-NMR-, UV-VIS-, EPR spectroscopy, magnetochemical and conductivity measurements. The ligands behaved as bidental, bounding Ru(III) through the nitrogen atoms from the amino group and the heterocycle. The complex of ethyl 2-amino-4-phenyl-5-thiazolecarboxylate showed significant antileukaemic activity on various human cells (IC50 values ranging from 20 to 92 µmol/l). Toxicological studies on mice indicated that such concentrations could be reached without mortality. This compound exhibited a promising antineoplastic potential and needs further pharmacological and toxicological evaluation.
American Indian--Alaska Native youth health.

OBJECTIVE To assess risk behaviors, health problems, worries and concerns, and resiliency-promoting factors among American Indian-Alaska Native adolescents. DESIGN Survey. SETTING Nonurban schools from eight Indian Health Service areas. PARTICIPANTS A total of 13,454 seventh- through 12th-grade American Indian-Alaska Native youths. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES revised version of the Adolescent Health Survey, a comprehensive, anonymous, self-report questionnaire with 162 items addressing 10 dimensions of health. RESULTS Poor physical health was reported by 2% of the study sample and was significantly correlated with social risk factors of physical and/or sexual abuse, suicide attempts, substance abuse, poor school performance, and nutritional inadequacies. Injury risk behaviors included never wearing seatbelts (44%), drinking and driving (37.9% of driving 10th through 12th graders), and riding with a driver who had been drinking (21.8%). Physical and sexual abuse prevalence was 10% and 13%, respectively, with 23.9% of females reporting physical abuse and 21.6% of females reporting sexual abuse by the 12th grade. Almost 6% of the entire sample endorsed signs of severe emotional distress. Eleven percent of the teens surveyed knew someone who had killed himself or herself, and 17% had attempted suicide themselves. Sixty-five percent of males and 56.8% of females reported having had intercourse by the 12th grade. Weekly or more frequent alcohol use rose from 8.2% of seventh graders to 14.1% by the 12th grade; for males, the survey noted an increase in regular alcohol use of 3% to 5% a year to 27.3% by the 12th grade. For each variable measured, rates are much higher for American Indian adolescents than those for rural white Minnesota youth, except for age at first intercourse and alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS American Indian-Alaska Native adolescents reported high rates of health-compromising behaviors and risk factors related to unintentional injury, substance use, poor self-assessed health status, emotional distress, and suicide. Interventions must be culturally sensitive, acknowledge the heterogeneity of Indian populations, be grounded in cultural traditions that promote health, and be developed with full participation of the involved communities.
Comparison among patterns of macromolecular synthesis in Escherichia coli B/r at growth rates of less and more than one doubling per hour at 37 degrees C

In Escherichia coli B/r, the relationship between the patterns of chromosome replication and of synthesis of envelope components differs at various growth rates. At growth rates greater than 1.0 doubling per h at 37 degrees C, the average mass and age at initiation of rounds of chromosome replication are similar to those at increase in incorporation of precursors into a major outer membrane protein and phosphatidylethanolamine. At growth rates less than 1.0 doubling per h at 37 degrees C the average mass and age at increase in the synthesis of these envelope components differ from those at initiation of chromosome replication. The average cell mass per chromosomal origin at initiation of rounds of chromosome replication is not a constant and varies between growth rates greater and less than 1.0 doubling per h.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder following Myocardial Infarction: Personality, Coping, and Trauma Exposure Characteristics

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the interrelationship between trauma exposure characteristics of myocardial infarction (MI), MI patients' personality traits, coping strategies, post-MI PTSD, and general psychological distress. Method: One hundred and twenty MI patients were recruited from two general practices. The MI patients were interviewed using a MI experience questionnaire and completed the Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale (PDS), the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), the NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), and the COPE Scale. Results: Neuroticism was directly associated with post-MI PTSD and general psychological distress, while agreeableness did not link to the outcomes directly. Neuroticism influenced MI exposure characteristics which in turn influenced PTSD. Agreeableness affected PTSD and general psychological distress through MI exposure characteristics. Neuroticism influenced problem-focused coping which in turn affected general psychological distress. Agreeableness influenced problem-focused coping which in turn affected PTSD and general psychological distress. Conclusions: Patients developed PTSD and general psychological distress following MI. Neurotic and antagonistic personality traits combined with patients' subjective experiences of MI and usage of problem-focused coping influenced the severity of outcomes.
Posttransplant erythrocytosis.

Posttransplant erythrocytosis (PTE) is defined as a persistently elevated hematocrit to a level greater than 51% after renal transplantation. It occurs in 10% to 15% of graft recipients and usually develops 8 to 24 months after engraftment. Spontaneous remission of established PTE is observed in one fourth of the patients within 2 years from onset, whereas in the remaining three fourths it persists for several years, only to remit after loss of renal function from rejection. Predisposing factors include male gender, retention of native kidneys, smoking, transplant renal artery stenosis, adequate erythropoiesis prior to transplantation, and rejection-free course with well-functioning renal graft. Just as in other forms of erythrocytosis, a substantial number (approximately 60%) of patients with PTE experience malaise, headache, plethora, lethargy, and dizziness. Thromboembolic events occur in 10% to 30% of the cases; 1% to 2% eventually die of associated complications. Posttransplant erythrocytosis results from the combined trophic effect of multiple and interrelated erythropoietic factors. Among them, endogenous erythropoietin appears to play the central role. Persistent erythropoietin secretion from the diseased and chronically ischemic native kidneys does not conform to the normal feedback regulation, thereby establishing a form of "tertiary hypererythropoietinemia. " However, erythropoietin levels in most PTE patients still remain within the "normal range," indicating that erythrocytosis finally ensues by the contributory action of additional growth factors on erythroid progenitors, such as angiotensin II, androgens, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Inactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) by an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, or an angiotensin II type 1 AT1 receptor blocker represents the most effective, safe, and well-tolerated therapeutic modality.
Maternal undernutrition during the first week after conception results in decreased expression of glucocorticoid receptor mRNA in the absence of GR exon 17 hypermethylation in the fetal pituitary in late gestation

Exposure to maternal undernutrition during the periconceptional period results in an earlier prepartum activation of the fetal hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and altered stress responsiveness in the offspring. It is not known whether such changes are a consequence of exposure of the oocyte and/or the early embryo to maternal undernutrition in the periconceptional period. We have compared the effects of ‘periconceptional’ undernutrition (PCUN: maternal undernutrition imposed from at least 45 days before until 6 days after conception), and ‘early preimplantation’ undernutrition (PIUN: maternal undernutrition imposed for only 6 days after conception) on the expression of genes in the fetal anterior pituitary that regulate adrenal growth and steroidogenesis, proopiomelanorcortin (POMC), prohormone convertase 1 (PC1), 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 and 2 (11βHSD1 and 2) and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in fetal sheep at 136–138 days of gestation. Pituitary GR mRNA expression was significantly lower in the PCUN and PIUN groups in both singletons and twins compared with controls, although this suppression of GR expression was not associated with hypermethylation of the exon 17 region of the GR gene. In twin fetuses, the pituitary 11βHSD1 mRNA expression was significantly higher in the PIUN group compared with the PCUN but not the control group. Thus, exposure of the single or twin embryo to maternal undernutrition for only 1 week after conception is sufficient to cause a suppression of the pituitary GR expression in late gestation. These changes may contribute to the increased stress responsiveness of the HPA axis in the offspring after exposure to poor nutrition during the periconceptional period.
Non-isothermal micromechanical resonators

In this work, we study the effect of non-isothermal operation on beam-type micromechanical resonators. A double ended tuning fork (DETF) resonator was studied under a linearly varying temperature profile along the length of the beam. We present models which show that for a constant center temperature of the beams, increasing the linear temperature gradient along the DETF substantially increases the quality factor (Q), with marginal effect on frequency. We also find that it is possible to use non-isothermal operation to improve quality factor in MEMS resonator based ovenized reference oscillators.