Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in Oligoryzomys longicaudatus (Muridae, Sigmodontinae, Oryzomini), the natural reservoir of genotype Andes hantavirus

The rodent Oligoryzomys longicaudatus or long‐tailed pygmy rice rat is the reservoir of the aetiological agent of the hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in southern Argentina and Chile. We characterize 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci which would be useful for studies on microgeographical population structure in the species. Amplification of these loci in 42 individuals from four natural populations revealed four to 21 alleles per locus, and values of observed heterozygosities ranging from 0.371 to 0.896. Cross‐species amplifications showed that some of the primers designed may be useful for other species of the genus Oligoryzomys.
Origin of urinary fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products in glomerulonephritis.

To elucidate the origin of the fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (F.D.P.) occurring in the urine in glomerulonephritis 28 patients with glomerulonephritis were examined for renal fibrinolytic activity, F.D. P. in urine and serum, and blood fibrinolytic activators and blood fibrinolytic activators and inhibitors. Unlike the glomerful of healthy kidneys, which were fibrinolyticly inactive, those of kidneys with glomerulonephritis constantly showed fibrinolytic activity. The presence or absence of fibrin in the glomeruli was almost always accompanied by, respectively, the presence or absence of urinary F.D. P., which suggested a renal origin of urinary F.D. P. in glomerulonephritis. The low fibrinolytic activity of the blood and the absence of F.D. P. in the serum of these patients make it unlikely that the urinary F.D. P. in glomerulonephritis result from glomerular filtration.
Ozone Predictions in Atlanta, Georgia: Analysis of the 1999 Ozone Season

ABSTRACT Ozone prediction has become an important activity in many U.S. ozone nonattainment areas. In this study, we describe the ozone prediction program in the Atlanta metropolitan area and analyze the performance of this program during the 1999 ozone-forecasting season. From May to September, a team of 10 air quality regulators, meteorologists, and atmospheric scientists made a daily prediction of the next-day maximum 8-hr average ozone concentration. The daily forecast was made aided by two linear regression models, a 3-dimensional air quality model, and the no-skill ozone persistence model. The team's performance is compared with the numerical models using several numerical indicators. Our analysis indicated that (1) the team correctly predicted next-day peak ozone concentrations 84% of the time, (2) the two linear regression models had a better performance than a 3-dimensional air quality model, (3) persistence was a strong predictor of ozone concentrations with a performance of 78%, and (4) about half of the team's wrong predictions could be prevented with improved meteorological predictions.
Influence of Lung Parenchyma Surgical Manipulation on Circulating Free DNA

Objectives: Metastatic recurrence is the most frequent cause of death after surgical resection of lung cancer. Manipulation during surgery has been advocated as one of the causes contributing to promotion of spreading. Methods: We investigated if the detection of plasma circulating free DNA (cfDNA) is influenced by surgical manipulation in 25 lung cancer patients (17 males and eight females) undergoing complete resection; 20 health subjects formed the control group. Bloodstream levels of cfDNA were detected before surgery, one week and one month after surgery. Results: CfDNA levels measured preoperatively and in the control group were 23 07 ± 7 4 ng/mL and 7 5 ± 3 4 ng/mL respectively (p=0 0002); levels at one week and one month were 68 2 ± 36 2 ng/mL and 9 6 ± 3 1 ng/mL respectively. The difference between the three time points were statistically significant (preop vs. one week p=0 0006; one week vs. one month p=0 0003) with an increase in the first week and a strong decrease after one month. CfDNA levels at one month were not statistically different from those recorded in the control group. There was no correlation between preoperative cfDNA levels, tumour stage, grading and histology and patient demographics. No correlation was found between postoperative cfDNA, type of surgical procedure, histology and stage. After a median follow-up of 16 months no recurrence was detected. Conclusions: Surgical manipulation determines increased cfDNA levels in the early postoperative period; however, after one month they decrease within the normal range, at levels that are statistically comparable with healthy subjects.
Origin of the dopaminergic innervation of the central extended amygdala and accumbens shell: A combined retrograde tracing and immunohistochemical study in the rat

The origin of the dopaminergic innervation of the central extended amygdala (EAc; i.e., the lateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis [BSTl]‐central amygdaloid nucleus [Ce] continuum) and accumbens shell (AcSh) was studied in the rat by combining retrograde transport of Fluoro‐Gold (FG) with tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunofluorescence. Perikaryal profiles (PP) immunoreactive to FG and to both FG and TH were counted in A8–A14 dopaminergic districts. Our results suggest that dopaminergic inputs to the EAc and AcSh arise from the ventral tegmental area‐A10, substantia nigra, pars compacta‐A9, and retrorubral nucleus‐A8 groups as well as from the dorsal raphe nucleus and periaqueductal gray substance, housing the dorsocaudal part of A10 group (A10dc). Quantitative estimates reveal that the A10dc group contains approximately half of the total number of FG/TH double‐labeled PP projecting to Ce and BSTl. By using an anti‐dopamine serum, DR/PAG projections to Ce were confirmed to be in part dopaminergic. In contrast, modest numbers of FG/TH double‐labeled PP were seen in the A10dc group after injections in the sublenticular extended amygdala, interstitial nucleus of the posterior limb of the anterior commissure or AcSh. Ventral mesencephalic projections to the EAc display a crude mediolateral topographic organization, whereas those to the AcSh are topographically organized along a mediolateral and an inverted dorsoventral dimension. The diencephalic dopaminergic groups do not innervate the EAc or AcSh, except for the periventricular gray‐A11 which sends light dopaminergic projections to Ce and BSTl. Overall, the present results provide additional details on the organization of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system that critically controls behavioral responsiveness to salient environmental stimuli. J. Comp. Neurol. 454:15–33, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Effects of Freeze-drying and Ethylene Oxide Sterilization on the Mechanical Properties of Human Patellar Tendon

Human patellar tendon allografts are used to replace injured anterior cruciate ligaments. They are often stored by freeze-drying or freezing before use and have been sterilized by gamma irradiation or ethylene oxide gas. Studies comparing the mechanical properties of tendons preserved by freeze-drying and sterilized by ethylene oxide have yielded conflicting results. This study examined the effects of freeze-drying and ethyl ene oxide sterilization on the mechanical properties of human patellar tendons obtained from 11 human ca davers ; all were free of musculoskeletal disease. The 22 patellar tendons were halved longitudinally; 7 were fro zen at -70°C for 8 weeks and served as controls; 8 were freeze-dried; and 7 were freeze-dried and sterilized with ethylene oxide gas. Ultimate tensile stress and longi tudinal strain were greater for frozen than for freeze- dried, but not greater than freeze-dried, ethylene oxide- sterilized tendons (P < 0.05). The modulus of elasticity was similar in all tendon groups. The study suggests that some in vitro mechanical properties of frozen ten dons may be marginally superior to the properties of freeze-dried tendons, even after correction for size dif ference. Ethylene oxide gas sterilization had no adverse effect on tendon mechanical properties.
TDM and TWDM de Bruijn Networks and ShuffleNets for Optical Communications

We propose TDM/TWDM de Bruijn networks and ShuffleNets by utilizing small all-optical dilated slipped banyan networks, DSBs (Thompson, 1991). The proposed networks require fewer switches than DSBs, and smaller numbers of wavelengths than WDM de Bruijn networks and ShuffleNets. Furthermore, only one fixed-wavelength transmitter and one fixed-wavelength receiver are required for each node.
Two differential frequency‐dependent mechanisms regulating tonic firing of thalamic reticular neurons

Transmission through the thalamus activates circuits involving the GABAergic neurons of the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN). TRN cells receive excitatory inputs from thalamocortical and corticothalamic cells and send inhibitory projections to thalamocortical cells. The inhibitory output of TRN neurons largely depends on the level of excitatory drive to these cells but may also be partly under the control of mechanisms intrinsic to the TRN. We examined two such possible mechanisms, short‐term plasticity at glutamatergic synapses in the TRN and intra‐TRN inhibition. In rat brain slices, responses of TRN neurons to brief trains of stimuli applied to glutamatergic inputs were recorded in voltage‐ or current‐clamp mode. In voltage clamp, TRN cells showed no change in α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methylisoxazole‐4‐propionic acid (AMPA) receptor‐mediated excitatory postsynaptic current amplitudes to stimulation at non‐gamma frequencies (< 30 Hz), simulating background activity, but exhibited short‐term depression in these amplitudes to stimulation at gamma frequencies (> 30 Hz), simulating sensory transmission. In current clamp, TRN cells increased their spike outputs in burst and tonic firing modes to increasing stimulus‐train frequencies. These increases in spike output were most likely due to temporal summation of excitatory postsynaptic potentials. However, the frequency‐dependent increase in tonic firing was attenuated at gamma stimulus frequencies, indicating that the synaptic depression selectively observed in this frequency range acts to suppress TRN cell output. In contrast, intra‐TRN inhibition reduced spike output selectively at non‐gamma stimulus frequencies. Thus, our data indicate that two intrinsic mechanisms play a role in controlling the tonic spike output of TRN neurons and these mechanisms are differentially related to two physiologically meaningful stimulus frequency ranges.
Interactions between the Notch, EGFR, and decapentaplegic signaling pathways regulate vein differentiation during Drosophila pupal wing development

The formation of longitudinal veins in the Drosophila wing involves cell interactions mediated by the conserved signaling pathways Decapentaplegic (Dpp), Notch, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Interactions between Notch and EGFR taking place in the wing disc divide each vein into a central domain, where EGFR is active, and two boundary domains where Notch is active. The expression of decapentaplegic (dpp) is activated in the veins during pupal development, and we have generated Gal4 drivers using the regulatory region that drives dpp expression at this stage. By using these drivers, we studied the relationships between the Notch, EGFR, and Dpp signaling pathways that occur during pupal development. Our results indicate that the interactions between EGFR and Notch initiated in the imaginal disc are maintained throughout pupal development and contribute to determine the places where dpp is expressed. Once dpp expression is initiated, Dpp and EGFR activities in the provein maintain each other and, in cooperation, determine vein cell differentiation. Developmental Dynamics 232:738–752, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of breast density and compression on normal breast tissue hemodynamics through breast tomosynthesis guided near-infrared spectral tomography

Abstract. Optically derived tissue properties across a range of breast densities and the effects of breast compression on estimates of hemoglobin, oxygen metabolism, and water and lipid concentrations were obtained from a coregistered imaging system that integrates near-infrared spectral tomography (NIRST) with digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT). Image data were analyzed from 27 women who underwent four IRB approved NIRST/DBT exams that included fully and mildly compressed breast acquisitions in two projections—craniocaudal (CC) and mediolateral-oblique (MLO)—and generated four data sets per patient (full and moderate compression in CC and MLO views). Breast density was correlated with HbT (r=0.64, p=0.001), water (r=0.62, p=0.003), and lipid concentrations (r=−0.74, p<0.001), but not oxygen saturation. CC and MLO views were correlated for individual subjects and demonstrated no statistically significant differences in grouped analysis. Comparison of compressed and uncompressed imaging demonstrated a significant decrease in oxygen saturation under compression (58% versus 50%, p=0.04). Mammographic breast density categorization was correlated with measured optically derived properties.
HIV-1 Transactivator of Transcription Protein Induces Mitochondrial Hyperpolarization and Synaptic Stress Leading to Apoptosis1

Despite the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy in reducing viral burden, neurologic disease associated with HIV-1 infection of the CNS has not decreased in prevalence. HIV-1 does not induce disease by direct infection of neurons, although extensive data suggest that intra-CNS viral burden correlates with both the severity of virally induced neurologic disease, and with the generation of neurotoxic metabolites. Many of these molecules are capable of inducing neuronal apoptosis in vitro, but neuronal apoptosis in vivo does not correlate with CNS dysfunction, thus prompting us to investigate cellular and synaptic events occurring before cell death that may contribute to HIV-1-associated neurologic disease. We now report that the HIV-1 regulatory protein transactivator of transcription protein (Tat) increased oxidative stress, ATP levels, and mitochondrial membrane potential in primary rodent cortical neurons. Additionally, a proinflammatory cellular metabolite up-regulated by Tat, platelet-activating factor, also induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial hyperpolarization in neurons, suggesting that this type of metabolic dysfunction may occur on a chronic basis during HIV-1 infection of the CNS. Tat-induced mitochondrial hyperpolarization could be blocked with a low dose of the protonophore FCCP, or the mitochondrial KATP channel antagonist, tolbutamide. Importantly, blocking the mitochondrial hyperpolarization attenuated Tat-induced neuronal apoptosis, suggesting that increased mitochondrial membrane potential may be a causal event in precipitating neuronal apoptosis in cell culture. Finally, Tat and platelet-activating factor also increased neuronal vesicular release, which may be related to increased mitochondrial bioenergetics and serve as a biomarker for early damage to neurons.
Full Colorless WDM-Radio Over Fiber Access Network Supporting Simultaneous Transmission of Millimeter-Wave Band and Baseband Gigabit Signals by Sideband Routing

A new wavelength division multiplexed-radio over fiber (WDM-RoF) access network scheme supporting the simultaneous transmission of a 1.25-Gb/s wired data as well as a 1.25-Gb/s wireless data is proposed in this paper. An optical carrier suppression effect and sideband routing using the multiplexing of arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) with 50-GHz channel spacing are utilized to generate a millimeter wave band carrier. These techniques make the proposed architecture transmit both a wired data and a wireless one at the same time. A reflective semiconductor optical amplifier (RSOA) is employed at both central office and base station so that this architecture is operated colorlessly. Error free transmissions (BER of 10-9 ) of both downlink and uplink are achieved simultaneously. A rare impact of downlink transmission on the performance of uplink data is observed due to the usage of the unmodulated light.
The Relationship Between “Textisms” and Formal and Informal Writing Among Young Adults

The Net Generation has adopted textisms as shortcuts in electronic communication. Two studies investigated whether the reported use of textisms in daily electronic communication is related to the quality of writing. Seven hundred and eighteen young adults were queried about how often they used linguistic and contextual textisms, instant messaging, monthly cell minutes, and monthly text messaging. In Study 1 they wrote a formal letter to a company and in Study 2 they were asked to write both a formal letter and provide an informal writing sample on happiness. Textism use was quite low, a finding that was consistent with previous research on texting and instant messaging. The data reflected negative associations between reported textism use in daily communications and formal writing and positive associations between textisms use and informal writing. These relationships varied by gender and level of education, varying most strongly among those without a college education. The results are discussed in terms of Low-Road/ High-Road Transfer of Situated Learning Theory.
Skewed secondary sex ratio in the offspring of carriers of the 214G > A mutation of the RS1 gene

Carriers of X‐linked juvenile retinoschisis (RS) were previously suggested to give birth to an excess of boys. We determined the carrier status for the 214G > A mutation of the RS1 gene in 202 females belonging to a large RS founder pedigree. The secondary sex ratio (SSR) in the offspring of 149 carriers was 129.8 (z= 2.25), which differed significantly from that of the Finnish population (SSR 106) but not from that of 53 non‐carrier females belonging to the same pedigree (SSR 116.7; z= 0.51). Since possible causes for the skewed SSR include factors affecting fertilisation, implantation and embryonic death, we searched for expression of RS1 in various placental and uterine cells and found that, in addition to the retina, RS1 is expressed in the uterus. We hypothesize that the RS1 protein has a role in implantation or embryonic survival.
Bacterial endotoxin: a trigger factor for alcoholic pancreatitis? Evidence from a novel, physiologically relevant animal model.

BACKGROUND & AIMS This study examined the possible role of endotoxinemia (from increased gut permeability) as an additional trigger factor for overt pancreatic disease and as a promoter of chronic pancreatic injury in alcoholics by using a rat model of chronic alcohol feeding and in vitro experiments with cultured pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), the key mediators of pancreatic fibrosis. METHODS In the in vivo model, Sprague-Dawley rats fed isocaloric Lieber-DeCarli liquid diets +/- alcohol for 10 weeks were challenged with a single dose or 3 repeated doses of the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the pancreas was examined. In the in vitro studies, rat PSCs were assessed for activation on exposure to LPS +/- ethanol. The expression of LPS receptors TLR4 and CD14 also was assessed in rat and human PSCs. RESULTS In the in vivo model, single or repeated LPS challenge resulted in significantly greater pancreatic injury in alcohol-fed rats compared with rats fed the control diet without alcohol. Notably, repeated LPS injections caused pancreatic fibrosis in alcohol-fed rats, but not in rats fed the control diet. In the in vitro studies, PSCs were activated by LPS. Alcohol + LPS exerted a synergistic effect on PSC activation. Importantly, both rat and human PSCs expressed TLR4 and CD14. CONCLUSIONS This study describes, for the first time, a clinically relevant animal model of alcohol-related pancreatic injury and provides strong in vivo and in vitro evidence that suggests that LPS is a trigger factor in the initiation and progression of alcoholic pancreatitis.
Cell surface expression and orientation in membranes of the 44-amino-acid SH protein of simian virus 5

Antiserum was raised against a synthetic peptide containing the N-terminal hydrophilic domain of the small hydrophobic protein (SH) of simian virus 5 (SV5) and used to characterize properties of the SH protein. SH demonstrated properties of an integral membrane protein. Indirect immunofluorescence experiments showed that the protein is involved in the exocytotic pathway, and isolation of plasma membranes from SV5-infected cells showed an enrichment of SH, indicating that SH is transported to the infected-cell surface. Biochemical analysis of the orientation of SH in membranes by proteolysis of intact SV5-infected cell surfaces and intracellular microsomal vesicles indicated that SH is oriented in membranes with its N-terminal hydrophilic domain exposed on the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane and the C terminus of approximately five amino acid residues exposed at the cell surface. These data are discussed with respect to positive-acting signals being necessary in the ectodomain of SH for cell surface expression.
Efficient Recovery Technique for Low-Density Parity-Check Codes Using Reduced-Set Decoding

We introduce a recovery algorithm for low-density parity-check codes that provides substantial coding gain over the conventional method. Concisely, it consists of an inference procedure based on successive decoding rounds using different subsets of bit nodes from the bipartite graph representing the code. The technique also sheds light on certain characteristics of the sum–product algorithm and effectively copes with the problems of trapping sets, cycles, and other anomalies that adversely affect the performance LDPC codes.
Modelling Anti-Ov16 IgG4 Antibody Prevalence as an Indicator for Evaluation and Decision Making in Onchocerciasis Elimination Programmes

Background Onchocerciasis is targeted for elimination in Africa through annual or biannual ivermectin mass drug administration (MDA). An immunodiagnostic test, based on the detection of human IgG4 antibodies in the blood to the Onchocerca volvulus-specific antigen Ov16, is one of the recommended tools for determining whether transmission is interrupted and mass treatment can stop. For different transmission settings, the relationship between post-MDA Ov16 antibody prevalence in children (measured 1 year after the last round of MDA) and the duration and coverage of MDA, the mf prevalence in the population, and the probability that onchocerciasis is eventually eliminated is explored through mathematical modelling. Methodology The ONCHOSIM model was extended with new output on the Ov16 antibody serostatus of individuals. Seroconversion was assumed to be triggered by the first worm establishing in the host, with seroconversion occurring either before maturation, after maturation or only after the start of mf production. We are mainly interested in seroconversion rates in children, and for now ignore the possibility of seroreversion to simplify the model. Principal findings Yearly repeated MDA leads to a strong reduction in the parasite acquisition rate in humans. This reduces the seroconversion rate in newborns and young children, while those who seroconverted before the start of control remain antibody positive. Both the microfiladermia prevalence in the population aged 5 years and above and the Ov16 antibody prevalence in children under 10 declined with increasing duration of MDA. The association between either of these indicators and the model-predicted probability of elimination was not influenced much by the assumed treatment coverage levels, but was found to depend on baseline endemicity levels, assumptions regarding the trigger of seroconversion, and diagnostic test characteristics (sensitivity and specificity). Conclusions Better understanding of the dynamics of Ov16 antibody responses is required for accurate interpretation of seroprevalence data and more precise estimation of endpoint for MDA. Our study demonstrates that this endpoint will be dependent on baseline endemicity levels, which should be taken into account in guidelines for defining when to stop MDA.