Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ability of the Vector Tick Boophilus microplus To Acquire and Transmit Babesia equi following Feeding on Chronically Infected Horses with Low-Level Parasitemia

ABSTRACT The protozoan parasite Babesia equi replicates within erythrocytes. During the acute phase of infection, B. equi can reach high levels of parasitemia, resulting in a hemolytic crisis. Horses that recover from the acute phase of the disease remain chronically infected. Subsequent transmission is dependent upon the ability of vector ticks to acquire B. equi and, following development and replication, establishment of B. equi in the salivary glands. Although restriction of the movement of chronically infected horses with B. equi is based on the presumption that ticks can acquire and transmit the parasite at low levels of long-term infection, parasitemia levels during the chronic phase of infection have never been quantified, nor has transmission been demonstrated. To address these epidemiologically significant questions, we established long-term B. equi infections (>1 year), measured parasitemia levels over time, and tested whether nymphal Boophilus microplus ticks could acquire and, after molting to the adult stage, transmit B. equi to naive horses. B. equi levels during the chronic phase of infection ranged from 103.3 to 106.0/ml of blood, with fluctuation over time within individual horses. B. microplus ticks fed on chronically infected horses with mean parasite levels of 105.5 ± 100.48/ml of blood acquired B. equi, with detection of B. equi in the salivary glands of 7 to 50% of fed ticks, a range encompassing the percentage of positive ticks that had been identically fed on a horse in the acute phase of infection with high parasitemia levels. Ticks that acquired B. equi from chronically infected horses, as well as those fed during the acute phase of infection, successfully transmitted the parasite to naive horses. The results unequivocally demonstrated that chronically infected horses with low-level parasitemia are competent mammalian reservoirs for tick transmission of B. equi.
Jaw clenching following Gamma Knife treatment for trigeminal neuralgia

To the Editor: I read with interest the report by Young et al.1 on Gamma Knife treatment (GKT) of trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Of 60 patients treated with radiosurgery, only one of the nine tumor cases reported had a complication resulting from GKT, which was an increase in pre-existing facial sensory loss. I encountered a 56-year-old woman with a 2-year history of right-sided V2 and V3 TN who began experiencing jaw clenching (JC) 1 month after the second of two GKTs. Although the development of JC in this patient following GKT may be coincidental, the report by Marti-Fabregas et al.2 of involuntary contractions of lower facial and masticatory muscles 14 months after the onset of radiotherapy for glosso-pharyngeal sulcus carcinoma suggests otherwise. Similar to their 50-year-old man with 10 …
G‐CSF administration attenuates brain injury in rats following carbon monoxide poisoning via different mechanisms

Acute severe carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning induces hypoxia that leads to cardiovascular and nervous systems disturbances. Different complex mechanisms lead to CO neurotoxicity including lipid peroxidation, inflammatory and immune‐mediated reactions, myelin degeneration and finally neuronal apoptosis and necrosis. Granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) is considered to be a novel neuroprotective agent. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of G‐CSF therapy on CO neurotoxicity in rats with acute CO poisoning. Rats were exposed to 3000 ppm CO in air (0.3%) for 1 h, and then different doses (50,100, and 150 µg/kg) of G‐CSF or normal saline were administrated intraperitoneally. Water content of brain as an indicator for total edema and blood brain barrier integrity (Evans blue extravasation) were evaluated. Malondialydehyde was determined in order to evaluate the effect of G‐CSF on CO‐induced lipid peroxidation in brain tissues. Also, the effect of G‐CSF on myeloperoxidase activity in the brain tissue was evaluated. The effect of G‐CSF administration on induced apoptosis in the brain was measured using TUNEL method. To evaluate the level of MBP, STAT3 and pSTAT3 and HO‐1 proteins and the effect of G‐CSF on these proteins Western blotting was carried out. G‐CSF reduced water content of the edematous poisoned brains (100 µg/kg) and BBB permeability (100 and 150 µg/kg) (P < 0.05). G‐CSF (150 µg/kg) reduced the MDA level in the brain tissues (P < 0.05 as compared to CO poisoned animals). G‐CSF did not decrease the MPO activity after CO poisoning in any doses. G‐CSF significantly reduced the number of apoptotic neurons and Caspase 3 protein levels in the brain. Western blotting results showed that G‐CSF treatment enhanced expression of HO‐1 and MBP, STAT3 and pSTAT3 proteins in the brain tissues. Based on our results, a single dose of G‐CSF immediately after CO poisoning significantly attenuates CO neurotoxicity via different mechanisms. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 37–47, 2017.
The roles of Tenascin C and Fibronectin 1 in adhesive capsulitis: a pilot gene expression study

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated mRNA expression levels of genes that encode TGF-β1; the TGF-β1 receptor; the collagen-modifying enzymes LOX, PLOD1, and PLOD2; and the extracellular matrix proteins COMP, FN1, TNC and TNXB in synovial/capsule specimens from patients with idiopathic adhesive capsulitis. Possible associations between the measured mRNA levels and clinical parameters were also investigated. METHODS: We obtained glenohumeral joint synovium/capsule specimens from 9 patients with idiopathic adhesive capsulitis who had not shown improvement in symptoms after 5 months of physiotherapy. Adhesive capsulitis was confirmed in all patients by magnetic resonance imaging. We also obtained specimens from 8 control patients who had underwent surgery for acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation and who had radiological indication of glenohumeral capsule alteration based on arthroscopic evaluation. mRNA expression in the synovium/capsule specimens was analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. The B2M and HPRT1 genes were used as references to normalize target gene expression in the shoulder tissue samples. RESULTS: The synovium/capsule samples from the patients with adhesive capsulitis had significantly higher TNC and FN1 expression than those from the controls. Additionally, symptom duration directly correlated with expression of TGFβ1 receptor I. CONCLUSION: Elevated levels of TNC and FN1 expression may be a marker of capsule injury. Upregulation of TGFβ1 receptor I seems to be dependent on symptom duration; therefore, TGFβ signaling may be involved in adhesive capsulitis. As such, TNC, FN1 and TGFβ1 receptor I may also play roles in adhesive capsulitis by contributing to capsule inflammation and fibrosis.
Group sparsity for mimo speech dereverberation

Reverberation can severely affect the speech signals recorded in a room, possibly leading to a significantly reduced speech quality and intelligibility. In this paper we present a batch algorithm employing a signal model based on multi-channel linear prediction in the short-time Fourier transform domain. Aiming to achieve multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) speech dereverberation in a blind manner, we propose a cost function based on the concept of group sparsity. To minimize the obtained nonconvex function, an iteratively reweighted least-squares procedure is used. Moreover, it can be shown that the derived algorithm generalizes several existing speech dereverberation algorithms. Experimental results for several acoustic systems demonstrate the effectiveness of nonconvex sparsity-promoting cost functions in the context of dereverberation.
Thigh Laxity After Massive Weight Loss: A Utilities Outcomes Assessment

BackgroundThe presence of excess skin after massive weight loss, particularly in the thighs, not only contributes to a negative body image but can also lead to functional deficits in mobility. In the present study, we quantified the health state utility of living with excess skin in the thighs in an attempt to objectively establish the burden on the quality of life in patients living with excess thigh skin laxity. MethodUsing visual analog scale (VAS), time trade-off (TTO), and standard gamble (SG), we compared the utility outcome scores for thigh skin excess with monocular and binocular blindness from a prospective sample of medical students and the general population. Utility scores were compared using paired t test. Linear regression was performed using age, race, and education as independent predictors of each of the utility scores. ResultsOne hundred thirty-four prospective participants were enrolled during a 6-month period, and 112 participants met our inclusion criteria. The utility outcome scores for thigh lift (VAS, TTO, and SG, 0.77 ± 0.15, 0.90 ± 0.11, and 0.89 ± 0.14, respectively) were statistically different from binocular blindness (VAS, TTO, and SG, 0.37 ± 0.18, 0.70 ± 0.23, and 0.70 ± 0.26; P < 0.001), but other than VAS (0.67 ± 0.15, P < 0.001), similar to monocular blindness (TTO and SG, 0.89 ± 0.13 and 0.81 ± 0.14, respectively; P > 0.05). SG (0.89 ± 0.14 vs 0.97 ± 0.02, P = 0.003) and TTO (0.89 ± 0.11 vs 0.95 ± 0.03, P = 0.038) were different between general population and medical students, respectively, corresponding to 3.96 versus 1.80 potential years willing to be traded (P < 0.05). Additionally, SG was higher in whites versus nonwhites who were willing to take a potential 8% chance of mortality compared to 15%, respectively (P = 0.001), to achieve “perfect” health. ConclusionsWe have objectified the utility of living with thigh deformity after massive weight loss. Our sample population if faced with the condition was willing to sacrifice a potential 3.6 years of life and potentially undergo a procedure with 11% chance of mortality to address excess thigh laxity.
Analysis of class-switched memory B cells in patients with common variable immunodeficiency and its clinical implications.

BACKGROUND Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) comprises a heterogeneous group of primary immunodeficiency disorders characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia leading to recurrent infections. Some patients with CVID are more susceptible to earlier onset of respiratory disease and bronchiectasis. It has been suggested that memory B cells, characterized by CD27 expression, can be used as a means to classify subsets of CVID patients. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to classify a sample of Iranian patients with CVID by quantification of peripheral blood memory B cells and immature B cells and to assess the relationship between this classification and the clinical characteristics of the patients. METHODS The study included 29 patients with CVID and 20 healthy controls. Patients were grouped as follows, according to the quantification of peripheral memory B cells: group I had less than 0.4% switched memory B cells (CD27+, immunoglobulin [Ig] M-, IgD-) in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), while in group II switched memory B cells represented more than 0.4% of PBL. Group I patients were further subdivided into groups Ia and Ib according to the proportion of CD21- peripheral B cells. The clinical and laboratory findings for the patients were then compared among the 3 groups. RESULTS The percentage of switched memory B cells (CD27+IgM-IgD- cells in peripheral B lymphocytes) was markedly reduced in CVID patients compared with controls (P < .001). This percentage was less than 0.4% (group I) in 20 patients (69%) (P < .05). In the remaining 9 patients (group II) and all healthy controls, the percentage was greater than 0.4%. Bronchiectasis was more frequent in group I than group II (P < .05). Following subdivision of group I patients into groups Ia and Ib based on CD21 peripheral B cells, the rate of autoimmunity was found to be much higher in group Ia than group Ib. CONCLUSIONS CVID patients with reduced numbers of switched memory B cells are more prone to recurrent respiratory infections and development of bronchiectasis, and as such, need more special care than other CVID patients. Thus, classification of CVID patients by assessment of switched memory B cells could help physicians to predict clinical prognosis of these patients.
Bandwidth and the lower bound on Q for small wideband antennas

The lower bound on quality factor (Q) is a well known performance limit of electrically small, single TM or TE mode antennas that exhibit a single impedance resonance within their operating bandwidth. Since Q and matched VSWR bandwidth are inversely related, the lower bound on Q implies that there exists a corresponding upper bound on achievable matched VSWR bandwidth. Here, we examine the relationship between Q, the lower bound on Q and matched VSWR bandwidth for a reasonably small antenna that is designed to exhibit multiple resonances within a wide operating bandwidth. We show that the Q of the wideband antenna does not violate the lower bound, even though the matched VSWR bandwidth encompasses a range of frequencies containing multiple resonances and antiresonances
Control strategy for microgrid inverter under unbalanced grid voltage conditions

This paper presents the theoretical analysis of the inherent reason of current harmonic and power oscillation phenomena in case of operating the microgrid inverter under unbalanced grid voltage conditions. In order to flexibly control the current harmonic and power oscillation, a new stationary frame control strategy is proposed. It has a simple control structure due to no need of a phase-locked loop and voltage/current positive/negative sequence extraction calculation. The coordinate control of power and current quality is achieved, which enhances the operation performance of microgrid inverter. Finally, the performance evaluation tests are carried out under unbalanced grid voltage conditions. Results verify the effectiveness of the propose method.
Discovery of a Dual-Function Peptide That Combines Aminopeptidase N Inhibition and Kinin B1 Receptor Antagonism

Previous analyses support that aminopeptidase N is a major inactivation pathway for high-affinity peptide ligands of the human and rabbit forms of the kinin B1 receptor (agonists or antagonists). In this study, we found that the high-affinity antagonist B-9958 (Lys-Lys-[Hyp3, CpG5, d-Tic7, CpG8]des-Arg9-BK; des-Arg9-BK, des-arginine9-bradykinin) is an aminopeptidase N substrate based on its capacity to compete for the hydrolysis of the chromogenic substrate l-Ala-p-nitroanilide by membranes isolated from human or rabbit arterial smooth muscle cells, its inactivation in the presence of these membranes (radioreceptor assay) and on its intense potentiation by the aminopeptidase N inhibitor amastatin in the rabbit aorta contractility assay (gain of 0.84 units in the pA2 scale). Analogs of B-9958 in which the N-terminal Lys residue was substituted by d-Lys or d-Arg (B-10352 and B-10356, respectively) showed reduced affinity at the human or rabbit B1 receptors (1.2–2.8-fold), as estimated by the displacement of [3H]Lys-des-Arg9-BK binding, but were more potent antagonists of des-Arg9-BK-induced contraction of the rabbit aorta than B-9958 in the absence of amastatin; they were not potentiated by the latter inhibitor. Unexpectedly, B-10356 inhibited l-Ala- p-nitroanilide hydrolysis without being inactivated, suggesting that it is an aminopeptidase N inhibitor. This was verified because B-10356 (but not B-10352) potentiated peptides unrelated to kinins but susceptible to aminopeptidase N inactivation (angiotensin III, thrombin receptor hexapeptide agonist). B-10356 inhibits dual molecular targets (aminopeptidase N enzyme Ki, 0.9–2.2 μM; kinin B1 receptor binding Ki, 0.5–1.5 nM), and this may be an advantage for specific therapeutic applications (e.g., inhibition of angiogenesis).
Examine the Effects of Students' Social Capital Components on Entrepreneurship Intention (Evidences from: University

The main aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of students' social capital components and entrepreneurship intention. The statistical population of this study consisted of all students of University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran (N= 2600) among which 155 students where accessed based on Cochran formula and through convenient sampling. Data were collected through a questionnaire face and content validity of which was approved by faculty members of Agricultural Management and Development Department of University of Tehran. Social capital was measured by four components (i.e. social participation, social coherence, social confidence and social communication). Reliability of the research instrument was measured by computing Cronbach’s alpha coefficient which ranged from 0.72 to 0.88. Path analysis technique employed to investigate the relationship of social capital components and entrepreneurial intention. Results revealed that social participation and social coherence had a direct effect on entrepreneurial intention while social confidence and social communication had an indirect effect on it.
Jesse Snedeker ? : Children ' s Generalization of Newly Acquired Number Words Three Far More Than Four When Is

What is the relationship between children’s first number words and number concepts? We used training tasks to explore children’s interpretation of number words as they acquired the words’ meanings. Children who had mastered the meanings of only the first two or three number words were systematically provided with varied input on the next word-to-quantity mapping, and their extension of the newly trained word was assessed across a variety of test items. Children who had already mastered number words to three generalized training on four to new objects and nouns, such that their representation of the newly learned number was approximate. In contrast, children who had mastered only one and two learned to apply three reliably within a single count-noun context (e.g., three dogs), but did not generalize training to new objects labeled with different nouns (e.g., three cows). Both findings suggest that children fail to map newly learned words in their counting routine to the fully abstract concepts of natural numbers.
Libraries, Languages of Description, and Linked Data: a Dublin Core perspective

Purpose – Library‐world “languages of description” are increasingly being expressed using the resource description framework (RDF) for compatibility with linked data approaches. This article aims to look at how issues around the Dublin Core, a small “metadata element set,” exemplify issues that must be resolved in order to ensure that library data meet traditional standards for quality and consistency while remaining broadly interoperable with other data sources in the linked data environment.Design/methodology/approach – The article focuses on how the Dublin Core – originally seen, in traditional terms, as a simple record format – came increasingly to be seen as an RDF vocabulary for use in metadata based on a “statement” model, and how new approaches to metadata evolved to bridge the gap between these models.Findings – The translation of library standards into RDF involves the separation of languages of description, per se, from the specific data formats into which they have for so long been embedded. W.
Spatial and temporal emergence of high proliferative potential hematopoietic precursors during murine embryogenesis

During mouse embryogenesis, two waves of hematopoietic progenitors originate in the yolk sac. The first wave consists of primitive erythroid progenitors that arise at embryonic day 7.0 (E7.0), whereas the second wave consists of definitive erythroid progenitors that arise at E8.25. To determine whether these unilineage hematopoietic progenitors arise from multipotential precursors, we investigated the kinetics of high proliferative potential colony-forming cells (HPP-CFC), multipotent precursors that give rise to macroscopic colonies when cultured in vitro. No HPP-CFC were found at presomite stages (E6.5–E7.5). Rather, HPP-CFC were detected first at early somite stages (E8.25), exclusively in the yolk sac. HPP-CFC were found subsequently in the bloodstream at higher levels than the remainder of the embryo proper. However, the yolk sac remains the predominant site of HPP-CFC expansion (>100-fold) until the liver begins to serve as the major hematopoietic organ at E11.5. On secondary replating, embryonic HPP-CFC give rise to definitive erythroid and macrophage (but not primitive erythroid) progenitors. Our findings support the hypothesis that definitive but not primitive hematopoietic progenitors originate from yolk sac-derived HPP-CFC during late gastrulation.
Design of interactive board system for collaborative learning

Recently, technology of interactive whiteboard has been used in schools instead of ordinary whiteboard. It has potential to improve educational environment and teacher-student interaction. Therefore, this paper introduces a new design of interactive board system. The system aims to enhance a low cost interactive whiteboard system for extensive usages as well as to support collaborative learning activities. A new system is designed using infrared (IR) glove/IR finger tip for interaction technique. Additionally, the system will be able to produce single/multi interactive boards to support multi users.
The Correlation Between Bispectral Index and Observational Sedation Scale in Volunteers Sedated with Dexmedetomidine and Propofol

BACKGROUND: Bispectral index (BIS) is a widely used quantitative parameter for evaluating anesthesia and sedation levels. Dexmedetomidine is a novel sedative, providing sedation while patients remain cooperative and can be easily aroused; as a consequence, BIS used with dexmedetomidine may poorly characterize sedation. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that BIS values are lower with dexmedetomidine than with propofol at comparable Observer’s Assessment of Alertness and Sedation (OAA/S) scores. METHODS: This was a randomized, 2-day, crossover study. On the first study day, healthy volunteers were randomly allocated to either propofol or dexmedetomidine sedation. Drugs were administered using computer-controlled infusions targeting an effect-site concentration of 1, 2, and 4 &mgr;g/mL for propofol or a plasma concentration of 0.6, 1.2, and 2.4 ng/mL for dexmedetomidine. The relationship between BIS and OAA/S score was obtained 20 and 40 min after changing each drug concentration. BIS values at each OAA/S score were compared between drugs. The cutoff values of BIS for OAA/S score of ≤2 were obtained by analysis of receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Nine volunteers were included in our analysis. Heart rates decreased significantly with dexmedetomidine sedation. ETco2 was significantly increased with high doses of propofol but did not increase with high doses of dexmedetomidine. BIS values at OAA/S scores of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 during propofol sedation were 95.5 (90-97), 78 (71-84.5), 67 (64-70), 57 (51.5-60), and 34 (30-37), respectively. BIS values at OAA/S scores of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 during dexmedetomidine sedation were 95 (79-98), 62 (53.5-68.5), 45.5 (45.3-52), 39.5 (34.3-41.8), and 24.5 (22.5-30.5), respectively. BIS values were significantly less with dexmedetomidine than propofol at OAA/S responsiveness scores of 2, 3, and 4. The calculated cutoff BIS values for OAA/S scores of ≤2 were 67 (sensitivity of 86%, specificity of 97%, and area under the curve of 0.98) for propofol and 46 (sensitivity of 84%, specificity of 91%, and area under the curve of 0.96) for dexmedetomidine. CONCLUSION: The combination of both BIS and sedative scales could provide different and complementary data to the clinician evaluating the patient’s response to sedation than would either tool alone, especially when dexmedetomidine is used.