Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hosts and vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi discrete typing units in the Chagas disease endemic region of the Paraguayan Chaco

SUMMARY Active Trypanosoma cruzi transmission persists in the Gran Chaco region, which is considered hyperendemic for Chagas disease. Understanding domestic and sylvatic transmission cycles and therefore the relationship between vectors and mammalian hosts is crucial to designing and implementing improved effective control strategies. Here we describe the species of triatomine vectors and the sylvatic mammal reservoirs of T. cruzi, in different localities of the Paraguayan and Bolivian Chaco. We identify the T. cruzi genotypes discrete typing units (DTUs) and provide a map of their geographical distribution. A total of 1044 triatomines and 138 sylvatic mammals were captured. Five per cent of the triatomines were microscopically positive for T. cruzi (55 Triatoma infestans from Paraguay and one sylvatic Triatoma guasayana from Bolivia) and 17 animals (12·3%) comprising eight of 28 (28·5%) Dasypus novemcinctus, four of 27 (14·8%) Euphractus sexcinctus, three of 64 (4·7%) Chaetophractus spp. and two of 14 (14·3%) Didelphis albiventris. The most common DTU infecting domestic triatomine bugs was TcV (64%), followed by TcVI (28%), TcII (6·5%) and TcIII (1·5%). TcIII was overwhelmingly associated with armadillo species. We confirm the primary role of T. infestans in domestic transmission, armadillo species as the principal sylvatic hosts of TcIII, and consider the potential risk of TcIII as an agent of Chagas disease in the Chaco.
Online Dynamic Parameter Estimation of Transformer Equivalent Circuit

The dynamic parameters of a transformer, including its inductances and resistances, are estimated by the application of recursive least squares routine on the measured terminal voltages and currents. The harmonic content of the measured input parameters can be included in the proposed method. The estimation is carried out while the transformer is under load. Therefore, the estimated parameters are obtained in real time conditions taking the saturation effects into account. The procedure needs no additional data and/or initial assumption. As a stable RLS routine, the U.D. Bierman's method is used to ensure long period convergence of the parameter estimation procedure. Forgetting factors are proposed and used to accelerate the convergence of the estimation and improve the accuracy of the parameters
Enhancing Cytotoxic Therapies for Breast and Prostate Cancers With Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

The role of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids has been extensively studied in most of the human malignancies including breast, colon, prostate, pancreas, and stomach cancers. In particular, the role of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in carcinogenesis has been extensively investigated in epidemiological, laboratory cell culture studies and studies in vivo in animal. Findings from these studies suggest that omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are cytotoxic in different cancers and act synergistically with cytotoxic drugs. Although experimental evidence for the potential beneficial role of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in enhancing the effectiveness of various chemotherapeutic agents in animal models and in cell culture studies is increasing, there are only a few reports that have shown supportive evidence for linking these natural compounds with augmentation of anticancer chemotherapeutics in human trials. This review presents evidence for a commonality in the proposed molecular mechanisms of action elicited by various PUFAs believed to be responsible for their enhancement of the effectiveness of anticancer chemotherapy, specifically in breast and prostate cancers, and reviews laboratory and animal studies and few reported human clinical trials. It concludes that sufficient evidence is available to suggest that major clinical trials with these natural compounds as adjuncts to standard therapies should be undertaken as a priority.
Lack of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Induces Impaired Proliferation of Hepatitis B Virus-Specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes

ABSTRACT Recent studies have shown that tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) plays critical roles in not only viral clearance but also lymphoid tissue development and stem cell differentiation. In this study, we attempted to induce hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) by immunization of TNF-α knockout (TNF-α−/−) mice with HBsAg-encoding plasmid DNA. An immunization with the HBV plasmid failed to induce CTL responses in TNF-α−/− mice, although CTLs were readily induced in wild-type mice by the same protocol. Weak CTL responses were produced in TNF-α−/− mice after two sessions of immunization with the HBV plasmid; however, TNF-α was required to maintain the responses of these CTL lines to in vitro stimulation and, even then, the responses were lost after 3 weeks. Interestingly, a limiting dilution of a CTL line showed that HBV-specific CTL clones with high specific cytotoxicity were present in TNF-α−/− mice, but these clones again failed to proliferate for more than 3 weeks. Furthermore, since exogenously added TNF-α enhanced the proliferation of a TNF-α−/− clone but suppressed that of a TNF-α+/+ clone in vitro, TNF-α also has a direct effect on the proliferation of CTLs. In conclusion, TNF-α is essential rather than important for the proliferation of HBV-specific CTLs both in vivo and in vitro and this effect is not only due to the activation of dendritic cells but is also induced by the direct effect on CTLs.
Beam steering reflectarrays using liquid crystal substrate

Radar acquisition and tracking systems often require the generation of single or multiple dynamically reconfigurable beams, which must be steered rapidly within the scan volume. Microstrip phased arrays are often used for these applications because this type of antenna can normally be designed to satisfy the pattern shape and coverage requirements and the beam can be scanned simply by varying the phase of the individual elements in the periodic structure. In this paper we present the preliminary results of a study to exploit the electrical properties of anisotropic nematic liquid crystal (LC) substrate in order to create a phase shifter which is suitable for beam scanning reflectarray antennas. A finite element computer model is used to establish the relationship between the LC thickness and the obtainable reflection phase range for a patch element, where the change in material permittivity can be obtained by applying a DC voltage between the patch and the ground plane. Waveguide simulator measurements are used to demonstrate the validity of the predictions.
VEGF145, a Secreted Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Isoform That Binds to Extracellular Matrix*

A vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA species containing exons 1-6 and 8 of the VEGF gene was found to be expressed as a major VEGF mRNA form in several cell lines derived from carcinomas of the female reproductive system. This mRNA is predicted to encode a VEGF form of 145 amino acids (VEGF145). Recombinant VEGF145 induced the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells and promoted angiogenesis in vivo VEGF145 was compared with previously characterized VEGF species with respect to interaction with heparin-like molecules, cellular distribution, VEGF receptor recognition, and extracellular matrix (ECM) binding ability. VEGF145 shares with VEGF165 the ability to bind to the KDR/flk-1 receptor of endothelial cells. It also binds to heparin with an affinity similar to that of VEGF165. However, VEGF145 does not bind to two additional endothelial cell surface receptors that are recognized by VEGF165 but not by VEGF121. VEGF145 is secreted from producing cells as are VEGF121 and VEGF165. However, VEGF121 and VEGF165 do not bind to the ECM produced by corneal endothelial cells, whereas VEGF145 binds efficiently to this ECM. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-depleted ECM containing bound VEGF145 induces proliferation of endothelial cells, indicating that the bound VEGF145 is active. The mechanism by which VEGF145 binds to the ECM differs from that of bFGF. Digestion of the ECM by heparinase inhibited the binding of bFGF to the ECM and released prebound bFGF, whereas the binding of VEGF145 was not affected by heparinase digestion. It therefore seems that VEGF145 possesses a unique combination of biological properties distinct from those of previously characterized VEGF species.
The depressor function of biceps on the head of the humerus in shoulders with tears of the rotator cuff

We investigated the function of biceps in 18 patients (19 shoulders) with lesions of the rotator cuff. Their mean age was 59 years. Another series of 18 patients (19 shoulders) with normal rotator cuffs as seen on MRI acted as a control group. Their mean age was 55 years. A brace was used to maintain contraction of biceps during elevation. Anteroposterior radiographs were obtained with the arm elevated at 0°, 45° and 90° with and without contraction of biceps. The distance between the centre of the head of the humerus and the glenoid was compared in the two groups. We found that in the group with tears there was significantly greater proximal migration of the head of the humerus at 0° and 45° of elevation without contraction of biceps but depression of the head of the humerus at 0°, 45° and 90° when biceps was functioning. We conclude that biceps is an active depressor of the head of the humerus in shoulders with lesions of the rotator cuff.
Collagen surfaces to measure thrombus formation under flow: possibilities for standardization

Arterial thrombus formation is initiated by flow-dependent interactions of blood platelets and plasma components with the damaged vessel wall. In the last three decades, flow chamberbased methods have become increasingly popular for studying the process of thrombus formation in isolated whole blood, flowing at a predefined shear rate. Such devices containing immobilized collagens or other thrombogenic substances have yielded invaluable information on the mechanisms that regulate platelet adhesion and activation under flow, as well as on the role of the coagulation system in this setting. New developments are the use of small parallel-plate flow chambers, miniaturized variants of flow devices and small glass microcapillaries for measuring thrombus buildup in small volumes of blood within short intervals of time (< 10 min). The research is now at a stage that flow chamber assays can be developed for (pre)clinical screening of blood samples from patients. However, a still problematic factor is the precise control of the properties of the surface that mediates the formation of platelet thrombi. Earlier reports of the Biorheology Subcommittee of the SSC of the ISTH have provided overviews of the biorheological principles and the applications of flow-based assays [1,2]. These also describe the various methodologies and the various types of devices employed to measure thrombus formation. The present report focuses on the preparation and characterization of thrombogenic surfaces for flowbased assays. An inventory is made of the types of coating materials, of the procedures to coat flow chambers and of the factors influencing the activity of coated surfaces. Possibilities are discussed for optimized preparation of collagen-based coated surfaces. Finally, recommendations are given for standardization of the coating procedures for future use of flow devices in inter-laboratory comparisons and (pre)clinical trials. The full report is available on-line (see Data S1).
Clinical Relevance of Multiple Respiratory Virus Detection in Adult Patients with Acute Respiratory Illness

ABSTRACT Because increasing numbers of nasopharyngeal swab specimens from adult patients with acute respiratory illness (ARI) are being tested by respiratory virus (RV) multiplex reverse transcriptase PCR (RVM-RT-PCR), multiple RV detection (MRVD) is being encountered more frequently. However, the clinical relevance of MRVD in adult patients has rarely been evaluated. The clinical characteristics of hospitalized adult patients with ARI and MRVD by RVM-RT-PCR tests were compared to those of patients with single RV detection (SRVD) during a single year at a tertiary care center. MRVD was observed in 26 of the 190 adult patients (13.7%). The patients with MRVD had a higher incidence of chronic lung disease than the patients with SRVD (34.6% versus 15.9%, crude odds ratio [OR] = 2.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.13 to 6.98, P = 0.03). Although the former were more likely than the latter to receive mechanical ventilation (19.2% versus 6.7%, crude OR = 3.31, 95% CI = 1.05 to 10.47, P = 0.049), the length of hospital stay (median, 7 versus 6.5 days; P = 0.66), and the in-hospital mortality rate (7.7% versus 4.3%, crude OR = 1.87, 95% CI = 0.37 to 9.53, P = 0.35) were not different between the two groups. In multivariate analysis, chronic lung disease was associated with MRVD (adjusted OR = 3.08, 95% CI = 1.12 to 8.46, P = 0.03). In summary, it was not uncommon to encounter adult patients with ARI and MRVD by RVM-RT-PCR tests of nasopharyngeal swab specimens. MRVD was associated with chronic lung disease rather than the severity of the ARI.
Enhancing Flower Color through Simultaneous Expression of the B-peru and mPAP1 Transcription Factors under Control of a Flower-Specific Promoter

Flower color is a main target for flower breeding. A transgenic approach for flower color modification requires a transgene and a flower-specific promoter. Here, we expressed the B-peru gene encoding a basic helix loop helix (bHLH) transcription factor (TF) together with the mPAP1 gene encoding an R2R3 MYB TF to enhance flower color in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), using the tobacco anthocyanidin synthase (ANS) promoter (PANS) to drive flower-specific expression. The transgenic tobacco plants grew normally and produced either dark pink (PANSBP_DP) or dark red (PANSBP_DR) flowers. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) revealed that the expression of five structural genes in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway increased significantly in both PANSBP_DP and PANSBP_DR lines, compared with the non-transformed (NT) control. Interestingly, the expression of two regulatory genes constituting the active MYB-bHLH-WD40 repeat (WDR) (MBW) complex decreased significantly in the PANSBP_DR plants but not in the PANSBP_DP plants. Total flavonol and anthocyanin abundance correlated with flower color, with an increase of 1.6–43.2 fold in the PANSBP_DP plants and 2.0–124.2 fold in the PANSBP_DR plants. Our results indicate that combinatorial expression of B-peru and mPAP1 genes under control of the ANS promoter can be a useful strategy for intensifying flower color without growth retardation.
Sedative load among community-dwelling older individuals: change over time and association with mortality

The aim of this study was to investigate the change in sedative load over time and the corresponding risk of death among community-dwelling older individuals. A random sample of 1000 individuals aged at least 75 years was invited to participate in 2004, of whom 700 were community dwelling. Demographic, diagnostic, and drug use data were obtained during annual nurse interviews. Sedative load was calculated according to a previously published model. The prevalence of sedative use increased from 29.3 to 36.1% from 2004 to 2007. In unadjusted analyses, sedative load was associated with an increased risk of death. After adjusting for clinically important covariates, sedative load was not associated with an increased risk of death [sedative load 1–2; hazard ratio 1.12 (95% confidence interval 0.76–1.64), sedative load of at least 3; hazard ratio 0.92 (95% confidence interval 0.55–1.56)]. In conclusion, sedative use increased during the follow-up but was not associated with an increased risk of death.
Regulation of Ribosomal Gene Expression in Cancer

The ability of a cell to undergo malignant transformation is both associated with and dependent on a concomitant increase in protein synthesis due to increased cell division rates and biosynthetic activities. Protein synthesis, in turn, depends upon the synthesis of ribosomes and thus ultimately on the transcription of ribosomal RNA by RNA polymerase I that occurs in the nucleolus. Enlargement of nucleoli has long been considered a hallmark of the malignant cell, but it is only recently that the rate of synthesis of rRNA in the nucleolus has been recognized as both a critical regulator of cellular proliferation and a potential target for therapeutic intervention. As might be expected, the factors regulating rRNA synthesis are both numerous and complex. It is the objective of this review to highlight recent advances in understanding how rRNA synthesis is perturbed in transformed mammalian cells and to consider the impact of these findings on the development of new approaches to the treatment of malignancies. In‐depth analysis of the process of rRNA transcription itself may be found in several recently published reviews (Drygin et al., 2010, Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 50:131–156; Bywater et al., 2013,Cancer Cell 22: 51–65; Hein et al., 2013,Trends Mol Med 19:643–654). J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 1181–1188, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company
A new multilevel carrier based pulse width modulation method for modular multilevel inverter

The multilevel inverters (MLIs) utilization have been increased in recent years due to its advantages such as: staircase waveform quality, better harmonic spectrum, reduced EMI, eliminated common mode voltage and etc. Different methods have been proposed for multilevel inverter modulation that one of them is level-shifted PWM method (LS-PWM). In this paper a new LS-PWM method is introduced that uses rotating carrier waveforms for generation of gate signals of switches to balance switching pattern in all cells for a modular MLI, at all modulation indices. A three phase seven level modular inverter is used to explain the method. This method can be easily extended to an n-level inverter. Simulation has been carried out and results show that the proposed method can balance switching pattern for all cells compare to the conventional LS-PWM while the quality of waveforms has not been changed.
Cerebral and cerebellar activation in correlation to the action‐induced dystonia in Writer's cramp

The pattern of brain perfusion of four patients with writer's cramp and four control subjects were examined using positron emission tomography scans after [15O] butanol injections. Each subject was scanned 12 times to cover three repetitions of four different motor tasks with the right hand. Drawing of horizontal lines and variable durations of the writing of a prelearned text were performed in a pseudorandom order, the latter task commencing either simultaneously with or 30 sec or 120 sec before the tracer injection. The perceived difficulty and signs of dystonia progressed in correlation to the duration of writing. Statistical parametric maps were calculated to test hypotheses of regional specific effects dependent on the performed motor tasks. The patients with writer's cramp had progressively increased activity in the left primary sensorimotor and premotor cortices, the left thalamus, and the cerebellum with a right‐side predominance in correlation to the duration of writing. The regions with activity increases thus corresponded to a cerebrocerebellar motor circuit. The duration of writing correlated to a progressive reduction of activity in the patients'left supramarginal and angular gyri (Brodmann areas 40 and 39) and an inferior part of the left temporal lobe (area 20). The control subjects had neither a significant increase or decrease of activity in correlation to the duration of writing. Group‐specific differences were confirmed statistically in split‐plot interaction analyses.
Prospective Randomized Comparison of Progressive Dilational vs Forceps Dilational Percutaneous Tracheostomy

This trial prospectively compares two methods of percutaneous tracheostomy, both routinely used in ICU: the Ciaglia progressive dilational tracheostomy and the Griggs forceps dilational tracheostomy. One hundred patients were randomized using a single-blinded envelope method to receive progressive or forceps percutaneous tracheostomy performed at the bedside. Operative time, the occurrence of hypoxaemia or hypercapnia and complications were recorded. The progressive technique took longer than the forceps technique (median 7 (range 2-26) vs 4 (1–16) minutes, P=0.0005). Hypercapnia occurred in both groups but was more marked with the progressive technique (56 (16) vs 49 (13) mmHg, P=0.0082). Minor complications (minor bleeding, transient hypoxaemia, damage to posterior tracheal wall without emphysema) were also more frequent with the progressive technique (31 vs 9 complications, P<0.0001). Six major complications occurred with the progressive technique, none with the forceps technique (P=0.0085): tension pneumothorax, posterior tracheal wall injury with subcutaneous emphysema, loss of airway with hypoxaemia, loss of stoma with impossible re-catheterization, and two conversions to another technique. In conclusion, progressive dilational tracheostomy took longer, caused more hypercapnia and more minor and major difficulties than forceps dilational tracheostomy.
Sexually dimorphic interaction between the DRD1 and COMT genes in schizophrenia

Dopaminergic dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. In the PFC, dopamine signalling largely depends on the D1 receptors, which are coded by the DRD1 gene, and on the regulation of dopamine levels by the enzyme catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT). Here, we investigate the role of DRD1 and its interaction with the COMT gene in schizophrenic patients. In two gender‐limited independent patient and control samples, we genotype five Tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (tagSNPs) of DRD1. The DRD1 SNP and haplotype associations, as well as interaction effects with the Val158Met COMT SNP were analyzed. In the male sample, we found the rs11746641 and rs11749676 DRD1 SNPs were associated with schizophrenia. Haplotype analyses identified the T‐A‐T‐C‐T variant related to a protective effect (P = 0.008) and the G‐G‐T‐C‐C variant that showed a tendency to be a risk factor for the disorder (P = 0.012). A logistic regression analysis revealed a significant pattern of interaction between DRD1 and COMT for both the rs11746641 (P = 0.002) and rs11749676 (P = 4.5 × 10−5) SNPs. DRD1‐associated haplotypes were exclusively related to schizophrenia in the Val homozygous subgroup of patients (T‐A‐T‐C‐T: P = 0.003; G‐G‐T‐C‐C: P = 0.006). In females, none of the DRD1 SNPs were linked to the disorder. Our genetic data suggest that DRD1 and COMT are epistatically associated with protection against and the risk of developing schizophrenia in a gender‐dependent fashion, and support the role of dopamine dysfunction at the PFC in the pathophysiology of this disorder. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.