Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of a computational simulation tool to design a protocol for treating prostate tumours using transurethral laser photothermal therapy

Abstract Objectives: The objective of this study was to design laser treatment protocols to induce sufficient thermal damage to a tumour embedded in a prostate model, while protecting the surrounding healthy tissue. Methods: A computational Monte Carlo simulation algorithm of light transport in a spherical prostatic tumour containing gold nanorods was developed to determine laser energy deposition. The laser energy absorption was then used to simulate temperature elevations in the tumour embedded in an elliptical human prostate model. The Arrhenius integral was coupled with the heat transfer model to identify heating protocols to induce 100% damage to the tumour, while resulting in less than 5% damage to the surrounding sensitive prostatic tissue. Results: Heating time to achieve 100% damage to the tumour was identified to be approximately 630 s when using a laser irradiance of 7 W/cm2 incident on the prostatic urethral surface. Parametric studies were conducted to show how the local blood perfusion rate and urethral surface cooling affect the heating time to achieve the same thermal dosage. The heating time was shorter when cooling at the urethra was not applied and/or with heat-induced vasculature damage. The identified treatment protocols were acceptable since the calculated percentages of the damaged healthy tissue volume to the healthy prostatic volume were approximately 2%, less than the threshold of 5%. The approach and results from this study can be used to design individualised treatment protocols for patients suffering from prostatic cancer.
Parental mosaicism in trisomy 18.

Five cases of trisomy 18 were diagnosed in our laboratory during the period of February to July 1970. The parents of these patients were investigated for their chromosomal constitution, thyroid autoantibody (TA) titer, and the presence of hepatitis-associated antigen (HAA). Definite trisomy 18 mosaicism was detected in one of the fathers, while in the leukocyte cultures of one of the mothers two out of 100 metaphases examined were found to have an extra No. 18 chromosome. No case with increased TA titer was found and all of the parents were HAA-negative. Elevated IgM levels were observed in two of the three patients studied. In one of them the IgA was also elevated. The findings of this study suggest that the parents of children with trisomy 18 should be investigated for their chromosomal constitution. This is particularly indicated if the mothers are young.
Layer‐Stacking Growth and Electrical Transport of Hierarchical Graphene Architectures

Hierarchical graphene architectures (HGAs) that grow by stacking of layers are produced on a liquid copper surface using chemical vapor deposition. The stacking mode--for example hexagonal-hexagonal-hexagonal or hexagonal-snowflake-dendritic--can be simply controlled. Measurements of the electrical properties of HGAs indicate that hierarchical stacking of graphene may be a simple and effective way of tailoring their properties without degrading them.
Stability analysis of delayed cellular neural networks described using cloning templates

We show that any N/spl times/M-dimensional delayed cellular neural network described using cloning templates can have no more than 3/sup N/spl times/M/ isolated equilibrium points and 2/sup N/spl times/M/ of these equilibrium points located in saturation regions are locally exponentially stable. In addition, we give the conditions for the equilibrium points to be locally exponentially stable when the equilibrium points locate the designated saturation region. These conditions improve and extend the existing stability results in the literature. The conditions are also very easy to be verified and can be checked by direct examination of the templates, regardless of the number of cells. Finally, the validity and performance of the results are illustrated by use of two numerical examples.
Pluripotent stem cells are highly susceptible targets for syngeneic, allogeneic, and xenogeneic natural killer cells

Multipotent adult germ‐line stem cells (maGSCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) could be used to generate autologous cells for therapeutic purposes, which are expected to be tolerated by the recipient. However, effects of the immune system on these cells have not been investigated. We have compared the susceptibility of maGSC lines to IL‐2‐activated natural killer (NK) cells with embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines, iPSCs, and F9 teratocarcinoma cells. The killing of pluripotent cell lines by syngeneic, allogeneic, and xenogeneic killer cells ranged between 48 and 265% in chromium release assays when compared to YAC‐1 cells, which served as highly susceptible reference cells. With the exception of 2 maGSC lines, they expressed ligands for the activating NK receptor NKG2D that belong to the RAE‐1 family, and killing could be inhibited by soluble NKG2D, demonstrating a functional role of these molecules. Furthermore, ligands of the activating receptor DNAM‐1 were frequently expressed. The susceptibility to NK cells might constitute a common feature of pluripotent cells. It could result in rejection after transplantation, as suggested by a reduced teratoma growth after NK cell activation in vivo, but it might also offer a strategy to deplete contaminating pluripotent cells before grafting of differentiated cells. —Dressel, R. , Nolte, J., Elsner, L. , Novota, P., Guan, K, Streckfuss‐Bömeke, K, Hasenfuss, G. , Jaenisch, R. , Engel, W. Pluripotent stem cells are highly susceptible targets for syngeneic, allogeneic, and xenogeneic natural killer cells. FASEBJ. 24, 2164–2177 (2010). www.fasebj. org
How I Became IS: Understanding the Major Decision

For over a decade, the IS discipline has been struggling to increase student enrollment. The enrollment problem is exacerbated by the fact that females/minorities are graduating college in increasing numbers and the IS discipline has historically attracted white males. This study assesses the effectiveness of the many enrollment interventions recommended in the IS literature by reporting on how and why students, who have been exposed to a plethora of enrollment interventions during their college career, become IS majors. Addressing the differences between white males and females/minorities, this study provides rich and contextual insight to the IS enrollment literature and finds that IS programs need to emphasize that students do not need a technical background to become IS majors and to promote IS as a second choice for students struggling in degree programs like computer science that do require a technical background. IS programs seeking to implement enrollment interventions into their curriculum will benefit from this study.
Cumulative Exposure to High‐Sensitivity C‐Reactive Protein Predicts the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Background One measurement of hs‐CRP (high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The objective of this study was to characterize the association of cumulative exposure to increased hs‐CRP with incident cardiovascular events. Methods and Results We included 53 065 participants with hs‐CRP measured at 3 examinations in 2006, 2008, and 2010. Cumulative exposure to hs‐CRP was calculated as the weighted sum of the average hs‐CRP level for each time interval (level×time). Participants were classified into nonexposed group (hs‐CRP<3.0 mg/L in all 3 examinations), 1‐exposed group (hs‐CRP≥3.0 mg/L in 1 of the 3 examinations), 2‐exposed group (hs‐CRP≥3.0 mg/L in 2 of the 3 examinations), and 3‐exposed group (hs‐CRP≥3.0 mg/L in 3 examinations). Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the association of cumulative hs‐CRP with incident CVD. The study showed a dose‐response pattern with risk of CVD and myocardial infarction as the number of years of exposure to hs‐CRP increases. Participants in the 3‐exposed group had significantly increased CVD risk with hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of 1.38 (1.11–1.72), in comparison with 1.28 (1.07–1.52) for participants in the 2‐exposed group and 1.13 (0.97–1.31) for those in the 1‐exposed group (P<0.05); meanwhile, the similar and significant associations were also observed for myocardial infarction with respective hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of 2.13 (1.42–3.18), 1.60 (1.12–2.27), and 1.57 (1.17–2.10). The associations between stroke and cumulative hs‐CRP were not statistically significant (P=0.360). Conclusions Cumulative exposure to hs‐CRP was dose dependently associated with a subsequent increased risk of CVD and myocardial infarction. Clinical Trial Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials. gov/. Unique identifier: ChiCTR‐TNC‐11001489.
Evaluation of release time and efficiency of a botanical insecticide pellet under laboratory conditions

Application of controlled release formulations in agricultural pest control has sharpened recently. Evaluation of controlled release time and its permeation is one of the most important factors of pellet formulation efficiency against stored products pests. The aim of present study was evaluation of controlled release time and efficiency of 1 g insecticide pellets, made based on Eucalyptol, botanic constituent, and Poly(vinyl alcohol), the biodegradable polymer, in laboratory condition. Pellets containing active ingredient (250 μl of 1,8-Cineole) was located in n-hexane medium (120 ml) for slow release, and sampling was carried out in 12 h intervals for 72 h with three replications. Spectrometry of samples was performed by UV-visible spectrometer. Obtained data were used for concentrationmaximum absorption counting, and for drawing of concentration-time graphs. Obtained results were indicated that release rate was highest in first 12 h (33% of total release) and reduced by time gradually, and release in 60-72 h interval was inappreciable (0.65% of total release). Overall, pellets release efficiency (released amount of total 1,8-Cineole from pellets) was estimated about 83%.
Effects of starvation on aggregate colonization and motility of marine bacteria

Fluxes of particulate matter to depth and dynamics of dissolved organic matter in the water column are influenced by microbial processes associated with organic aggregates like marine snow. These microscale processes include the encounter between bacteria and aggregates, which has been previously modeled and tested with well-fed and actively growing bacteria. In the present study, we investigated the effects of starvation on initial bacterial colonization of aggregates by mea- suring colonization and detachment of 6 isolates in different physiological states (fed vs. starved) using model aggregates. Because aggregate encounter depends on motility, the motility behaviors of fed and starved bacteria of 3 selected strains were also compared using image analysis. All 6 fed iso- lates colonized faster and achieved significantly higher steady-state abundances on model aggre- gates than those that were starved. However, there was no difference in detachment rates between fed and starved bacteria. The 3 selected strains had significantly lower average swimming speeds when starved. Diffusivities calculated from motilities of 2 starved isolates were more than 6 times lower than those of their fed counterparts. Our results show that starvation significantly affects bac- terial behavior and bacteria-aggregate interactions, which may lead to differences in particulate and dissolved organic matter fluxes and cycling under different productivity regimes.
High prevalence of HBV and HCV infection among intravenous drug users in Korea

Although intravenous drug users are a well‐known route of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission, there is no data on the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection among intravenous drug users in Korea. In order to describe the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection, and to determine HCV genotypes in the population, serum samples were collected from 107 intravenous drug users during 2005–2006. Fifty‐seven percent (n = 61) were HCV RNA positive and 51% (n = 55) were HBV DNA positive. Co‐infection of HBV and HCV were found in 23% (n = 25). HCV genotypes 1b, 2a/2c, 2, 2b, and 3a were found in 38% (n = 23), 44% (n = 27), 8% (n = 5), 2% (n = 1), and 3% (n = 2), respectively. Moreover, mixed infections of genotypes 1b and 2a/2c were found in 5% (n = 3). When the number of patients with HCV genotype 1b compared with that of patients with genotype 2a/2c, HBV DNA titer was not significantly different by independent t‐test (t = −0.881, P = 0.392 > 0.05) between the two patient groups. These results suggest that the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection among intravenous drug users is high showing over 50% in Korea and a strategic prevention program should be performed in this group to prevent further infection into local community. J. Med. Virol. 80:1570–1575, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Physically Crosslinked and Chemically Photocrosslinked Silk Hydrogel Manipulated via Molecular Weight Control

In this study, alkaline hydrolysis was utilized using heat-alkaline treatment (HAT) method to manipulate the silk hydrogel properties. By regulating the hydrolysis time (10-180 min), a broad molecular weight range of silk fibroin (SF) could be obtained (77.2-258.6 kDa). The change of molecular weight of SF also greatly affected the physical properties (i.e., swelling ratio, shear modulus, transparency) of SF hydrogel. As a result of structural analysis, the molecular weight of SF played a crucial role in the construction of microstructure of SF hydrogel. These findings indicate that physically crosslinked SF hydrogels of variable physical properties can be fabricated based on molecular weight control. However, this manipulation could not improve the mechanical property (i.e., brittleness) of typical SF hydrogel in addition to a long gelation time. Chemical crosslinking of SF can overcome these problems by making strong covalent bond in a network within predictable gelation time. Therefore, new strategy was developed for making chemically photo-crosslinked SF hydrogel without using of fresh SF aqueous solution. By lowering the molecular weight of SF, the stability of SF aqueous solution could be enhanced and consequently, this allowed direct chemical modification of SF. Subsequently, photo-crosslinkable silk fibroin methacrylate (SFMA) was synthesized using the hydrolyzed SF and chemically photo-crosslinked SF hydrogel (SFMA hydrogel) could be fabricated with a rapid gel formation. The structural characteristics, physical properties, and performance of chemically crosslinked SF hydrogel were intensively examined on the effect of immobilized MA amount on SF and molecular weight of SF. It is expected that SFMA hydrogel has a high ii potential use in biomedical applications due to its excellent gel properties and performance (e.g., transparency, resiliency, and injectability).
Meiosis in plants: ten years of gene discovery

Plants have always been at the forefront of genetic and cytogenetic studies, but it was only following the explosion of genomic tools linked to the development of Arabidopsis thaliana as a model, that the first genes involved in plant meiosis were cloned in the late 1990s. Since then, in less than 10 years, close to fifty plant meiotic genes have been functionally characterized, mainly in Arabidopsis but also in rice and maize. In this review, we give an overview of this decade of discovery, with emphasis on the strategies that have been used for meiotic gene identification. We also highlight particularly interesting breakthroughs that these mutant and gene screens made possible.
Tools for Characterizing Bacterial Protein Synthesis Inhibitors

ABSTRACT Many antibiotics inhibit the growth of sensitive bacteria by interfering with ribosome function. However, discovery of new protein synthesis inhibitors is curbed by the lack of facile techniques capable of readily identifying antibiotic target sites and modes of action. Furthermore, the frequent rediscovery of known antibiotic scaffolds, especially in natural product extracts, is time-consuming and expensive and diverts resources that could be used toward the isolation of novel lead molecules. In order to avoid these pitfalls and improve the process of dereplication of chemically complex extracts, we designed a two-pronged approach for the characterization of inhibitors of protein synthesis (ChIPS) that is suitable for the rapid identification of the site and mode of action on the bacterial ribosome. First, we engineered antibiotic-hypersensitive Escherichia coli strains that contain only one rRNA operon. These strains are used for the rapid isolation of resistance mutants in which rRNA mutations identify the site of the antibiotic action. Second, we show that patterns of drug-induced ribosome stalling on mRNA, monitored by primer extension, can be used to elucidate the mode of antibiotic action. These analyses can be performed within a few days and provide a rapid and efficient approach for identifying the site and mode of action of translation inhibitors targeting the bacterial ribosome. Both techniques were validated using a bacterial strain whose culture extract, composed of unknown metabolites, exhibited protein synthesis inhibitory activity; we were able to rapidly detect the presence of the antibiotic chloramphenicol.
Cubital tunnel syndrome

To the Editor: I read with much interest the recent review of White et al.' However, I would like to make some comments regarding the postischemic neuroprotective effects of insulin suggested by the authors. Some years ago, our group' reported that the genetically obese mouse, displaying marked insulin resistance, had a significantly reduced amount of brain myelin and a perturbed myelin maturation. This work has led us to search for specific effects of insulin on brain growth and metabolism. In short, we have found that insulin could be a physiologic factor regulating brain glial maturation, myelination, and amino acid neurotransmission. Very low concentrations of insulin (2 and 20 Irg/ml) modulated the glutamate metabolizing enzymes, glutamate dehydrogenase and glutamine synthetase, of glial cells in cult~re.33~ Moreover, insulin had a specific role in oligodendrocyte metabolism, increasing sulfatide synthesis and deposition by cerebroside sulfotransferase induction at a post-translational leveL5 These findings could be of relevance in evaluating the mechanisms of insulin's neuroprotective effects after brain ischemia. Therefore, I suggest that the hypothetical mechanisms discussed by White et all underlying these effects should include (1) a modulatory role on astrocyte maturation and glutamate neurotransmitter metabolism, and (2) a promotion of myelin repair by a specific stimulatory effect on lipid synthesis by oligodendrocytes a t a post-translational level.
A PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF DATE PALM POLLEN

investigation of Date Palm pollen revealed the presence of sterols, triterpenes, saponins, proteins, carbohydrates andlor glycosides and absence of volatile sub-stances. From the U.S.M. , B-amyrin, 8-sitosterol and a third crystalline substance were isolated. Four flavonoids were detected by TLC; two.of them were identified as rutin and quercetin. A steroidal saponin glycoside was isolated, having glucose and rhamnose as sugar moiety. A glucoprotein was isolated and proved biologically to have a gonadotrophic activity.
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Induces Mammalian Target of Rapamycin-Dependent Local Activation of Translation Machinery and Protein Synthesis in Neuronal Dendrites

In neurons, perisynaptic or dendritic translation is implicated in synapse-wide alterations of function and morphology triggered by neural activity. The molecular mechanisms controlling local translation activation, however, have yet to be elucidated. Here, we show that local protein synthesis and translational activation in neuronal dendrites are upregulated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in a rapamycin and small interfering RNA specific for mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-sensitive manner. In parallel, BDNF induced the phosphorylation of tuberin and the activation of mTOR in dendrites and the synaptoneurosome fraction. mTOR activation stimulated translation initiation processes involving both eIF4E/4E-binding protein (4EBP) and p70S6 kinase/ribosomal S6 protein. BDNF induced phosphorylation of 4EBP in isolated dendrites. Moreover, local puff application of BDNF to dendrites triggered S6 phosphorylation in a restricted area. Taken together, these data indicate that mTOR-dependent translation activation is essential for the upregulation of local protein synthesis in neuronal dendrites.
Directed Evolution of a Formate Dehydrogenase for Increased Tolerance to Ionic Liquids Reveals a New Site for Increasing the Stability

The formate dehydrogenase (FDH) from Candida boidinii is a well‐known enzyme in biocatalysis for NADH regeneration. Nevertheless, it has low activity in a water‐miscible ionic liquid (1,3‐dimethylimidazolium dimethyl phosphate, [MMIm][Me2PO4]). In this work, this enzyme was subjected to directed evolution by using error‐prone PCR, and a mutant (N187S/T321S) displaying higher activity was obtained following selection based on the formazan‐based colorimetric assay. The mutation N187S is responsible for improved activity both in aqueous solution and in [MMIm][Me2PO4], through an enhancement of the kcat value by a factor of 5.8. Fluorescence experiments performed in the presence of a quenching agent revealed that the mutant does not unfold in the presence of 50 % (v/v) [MMIm][Me2PO4] whereas the wild‐type enzyme does. Molecular modelling revealed that the mutation is located at the monomer–monomer interface and causes an increase in the pKa of residue E163 from 4.8 to 5.5. Calculation of the pKa of this residue in other microbial FDHs showed that thermostable FDHs have a highly basic glutamate at this position (pKa up to 6.2). We have identified a new site for improving FDH thermostability and tolerance to ionic liquids, and it is linked to the local charge of the enzymes in this class.
Reasoning About Typicality in Preferential Description Logics: Preferential vs Rational Entailment

Extensions of Description Logics (DLs) to reason about typicality and defeasible inheritance have been largely investigated. In this paper, we consider two such extensions, namely (i) the extension of DLs with a typicality operator T, having the properties of Preferential nonmonotonic entailment P, and (ii) its variant with a typicality operator having the properties of the stronger Rational entailment R. The first one has been proposed in [1, 2]. Here, we investigate the second one and we show, by a representation theorem, that it is equivalent to the approach to preferential subsumption proposed in [3]. We compare the two extensions, preferential and rational, and argue that the first one is more suitable than the second one to reason about typicality, as the latter leads to unintuitive inferences.