Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epithelial fusion during early semicircular canal formation in the embryonic zebrafish, Brachydanio rerio

The developing inner ear of the teleost, Brachydanio rerio, provides an opportunity for observing an epithelial fusion between the apical surfaces of apposed epithelia in a vertebrate embryo in vivo. The developing otocyst was filmed for periods up to 4 days in unanesthetized embryos, and specimens were fixed at intervals and processed for light microscopy, TEM and SEM. The semicircular canals are formed as a consequence of the union between the tips of three cylindrical projections from the wall of the otocyst, which grow toward corresponding bulges of a projection from the lateral wall. The epithelial cells covering the projections contain extensive rough endopasmic reticulum, exhibit apical junctional complexes, and are not underlain by a basal lamina. The core of each projection contains large amounts of flocculent and fibrillar extracellular material. After a period of growth and elongation, the tip of each projection contacts, and adheres to, the appropriate bulge to create a circular, flattened, bilayered, epithelial plate. Small, focal junctions form between the apposed apical cell surfaces within the plate during this period, but they are not numerous. Junctional complexes do develop, however, between apposed cells at the periphery of the plate. After 1–2 hours, the basal surfaces of the plate exhibit considerable alteration in contour. Adjacent cells within the plate then separate to allow continuity of the connective tissue components of the two structures. The observations of this study indicate that following an initial period of contact and adhesion, cellular reorientation and changes in junctional contacts between adjacent cells within the epithelial plate, rather than cell degeneration, are responsible for perforation of the plate.
Origins of variation in muscle cytochrome c oxidase activity within and between fish species

SUMMARY Mitochondrial content, central to aerobic metabolism, is thought to be controlled by a few transcriptional master regulators, including nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF-1), NRF-2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α). Though well studied in mammals, the mechanisms by which these factors control mitochondrial content have been less studied in lower vertebrates. We evaluated the role of these transcriptional regulators in seasonal changes in white muscle cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity in eight local fish species representing five families: Centrarchidae, Umbridae, Esocidae, Gasterosteidae and Cyprinidae. Amongst centrarchids, COX activity was significantly higher in winter for pumpkinseed (2-fold) and black crappie (1.3-fold) but not bluegill or largemouth bass. In esociforms, winter COX activity was significantly higher in central mudminnow (3.5-fold) but not northern pike. COX activity was significantly higher in winter-acclimatized brook stickleback (2-fold) and northern redbelly dace (3-fold). Though mudminnow COX activity increased in winter, lab acclimation to winter temperatures did not alter COX activity, suggesting a role for non-thermal cues. When mRNA was measured for putative master regulators of mitochondria, there was little evidence for a uniform relationship between COX activity and any of NRF-1, NRF-2α or PGC-1α mRNA levels Collectively, these studies argue against a simple temperature-dependent mitochondrial response ubiquitous in fish, and suggest that pathways which control mitochondrial content in fish may differ in important ways from those of the better studied mammals.
Planning deficits in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders: Component processes, cognitive correlates, and implications for everyday functioning

Executive dysfunction remains among the most prevalent cognitive domains impaired in persons with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). However, little is known specifically about the cognitive architecture or everyday functioning implications of planning, which is an aspect of executive functions involving the identification, organization, and completion of sequential behaviours toward the accomplishment of a goal. The current study examined these issues using the Tower of LondonDX in 53 individuals with HAND, 109 HIV-infected persons without HAND, and 82 seronegative participants. The HAND+ group performed significantly more poorly than HIV-infected individuals without HAND on number of correct moves, total moves, execution time, time violations, and rule violations. Within the HIV+ group as a whole, greater total move scores and rule violations were most strongly associated with executive dysfunction. Of clinical relevance, elevated total moves and rule violations were significant, independent predictors of self-reported declines in instrumental activities of daily living and unemployment status in HIV. These results suggest that planning accuracy, efficiency, and rule-bound control are impaired in HAND and may meaningfully affect more cognitively complex aspects of everyday living.
In-vitro interactions of itraconazole with flucytosine against clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans.

Treatment failures can occur in AIDS patients infected with Cryptococcus neoformans, despite aggressive antifungal therapy. Combination regimens with additive or synergic drugs could provide additional options for treating cryptococcosis. We studied the effects of itraconazole combined with flucytosine against 16 strains of C. neoformans var. neoformans. Combination therapy revealed different results for the various strains, including synergy (fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index 0.5, 63% of the interactions), addition (FIC >0.5 to 1.0, 31% of the interactions) and indifference (FIC >1.0 to <2.0, 6% of the interactions). Antagonism (FIC >2.0) was not observed. The efficacy of combination therapy was confirmed by quantitative cfu and killing curve assays. In particular, killing curves conducted in replicating cells showed that the addition of itraconazole prevented the development of flucytosine-resistant mutants of C. neoformans. These data show that the combination of itraconazole and flucytosine is significantly more active than either drug alone against C. neoformans in vitro.
4 /spl times/ 20 Gb/s L-band NRZ signal transmission through a metro-scaled NZD fiber link

We describe an L-band WDM error-free transmission over 50 km of nonzero dispersion-shifted fiber, at a per-channel rate of 20 Gb/s. By allocating an equally spaced 4-channel optical stream close to the fiber zero-dispersion wavelength, and transmitting them in a linear regime, no dispersion-compensating module is required and no four-wave mixing effect is observed. Except for the lithium niobate modulator and the O/E receiver bandwidths, all system elements have been previously specified for 10 Gb/s L-band WDM transmissions. The experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of upgrading a system capacity by combining the L-band amplification with a dispersion shifted fiber, and a linear-regime transmission at a bit-rate of 20 Gb/s, which is less technologically restringing and complex than 40 Gb/s. The strategy of reducing the need for new components and reusing the legacy equipment may represent a significant cost impact in a metro-scaled system upgrade.
Theoretical analysis on effects of room arrangement on inhabitant behaviors

Interior arrangements influence inhabitant behavior and the usage of the room. This paper proposes a framework that encourages designer-inhabitant communication in case of interior arrangement. From an ecological point of view, interior arrangement and basic actions such as standing, walking, or sitting effect each other. According to our perceptions at places and situations, we spontaneously take appropriate actions; we don't bump into shelves or walls. The actions we take changes our subjective view of the environment, which means a view of the room arrangements interacts with our behavior. We analyse interactive effects between environmental changes and our behaviors based on novel fuzzy sets: the constraint-interval fuzzy set (CoIFS), which provides us with symbolic representation of space usages. The CoIFS enable us to analyse a use for an indoor space, because it shows a sort of "pattern" with appropriate metrics which measures relationships between the indoor space and our behaviors. In this paper we adopt metrics based on the inhabitant behavioral criterion, which measure how s/he tends to use a place as pathway like and be stuck with there. They are vary from individual to individual, so that a personality of the inhabitant can be reflected to evaluation. This paper reports the computational simulation of this analysis that verifies that our framework could be applied to accumulate stylised room arrangements as "patterns" of room use. The "pattern" will support a process in a collaborative design, particularly its interaction in a conceptional phase such as brainstorming sessions.
Value of Debridement and Irrigation for the Treatment of Peri-Prosthetic Infections. A Systematic Review

Debridement and irrigation has been proposed as a salvage procedure for early post-operative and late acute haematogenous periprosthetic hip and knee infections, however the effective ability of this procedure to avoid recurrent infection is still debated. In this systematic review of the literature we reviewed full-text papers published from 1970 through 2011, that reported the success rate of infection eradication after debridement and irrigation with prosthesis retention for the treatment of early septic complications (within six weeks from surgery) or late acute haematogenous infections after hip or knee prosthesis. In all, 14 original articles, reporting the results of 710 patients were retrieved. The average success rate has been, respectively, 45.9% and 52% after a single or repeated debridement and irrigation procedures, at a mean follow-up of 53.3 months. The methodological limitations of this study and the heterogeneous material in the reviewed papers notwithstanding, this systematic review shows that debridement and irrigation procedure is associated with a rather poor outcome, even in a population of patients selected on the basis of symptoms’ duration and patients should be adequately informed prior to undergo this salvage procedure.
SPDT RF MEMS switch using a single bias voltage and based on dual series and shunt capacitive MEMS switches

A coplanar waveguide (CPW) single-pole double-throw (SPDT) X-band RF MEMS switch that can be actuated between states by applying a single voltage is introduced. Since a signal can be transmitted to one of the output ports without biasing, this has the potential to reduce the complexity of the required biasing network. The switch consists of a series and a shunt capacitive MEMS switch separated by a quarter wavelength transmission line. The shunt switch section was fabricated and measured separately and shown to have an insertion loss of 0.25 dB and isolation of 33 dB at 10 GHz. A SPDT 3-port switch was fabricated and port isolations of about 15 dB and an insertion loss of 1 dB were obtained in the up-state. In the down-state, 40 dB of isolation with a 1 dB insertion loss were measured. The actuation voltage was 35 V.
Minihepcidins are rationally designed small peptides that mimic hepcidin activity in mice and may be useful for the treatment of iron overload.

Iron overload is the hallmark of hereditary hemochromatosis and a complication of iron-loading anemias such as β-thalassemia. Treatment can be burdensome and have significant side effects, and new therapeutic options are needed. Iron overload in hereditary hemochromatosis and β-thalassemia intermedia is caused by hepcidin deficiency. Although transgenic hepcidin replacement in mouse models of these diseases prevents iron overload or decreases its potential toxicity, natural hepcidin is prohibitively expensive for human application and has unfavorable pharmacologic properties. Here, we report the rational design of hepcidin agonists based on the mutagenesis of hepcidin and the hepcidin-binding region of ferroportin and computer modeling of their docking. We identified specific hydrophobic/aromatic residues required for hepcidin-ferroportin binding and obtained evidence in vitro that a thiol-disulfide interaction between ferroportin C326 and the hepcidin disulfide cage may stabilize binding. Guided by this model, we showed that 7–9 N-terminal amino acids of hepcidin, including a single thiol cysteine, comprised the minimal structure that retained hepcidin activity, as shown by the induction of ferroportin degradation in reporter cells. Further modifications to increase resistance to proteolysis and oral bioavailability yielded minihepcidins that, after parenteral or oral administration to mice, lowered serum iron levels comparably to those after parenteral native hepcidin. Moreover, liver iron concentrations were lower in mice chronically treated with minihepcidins than those in mice treated with solvent alone. Minihepcidins may be useful for the treatment of iron overload disorders.
Effects of Melatonin and 5‐Methoxytryptamine on Sleep‐Wake Patterns in the Male Rat

Melatonin and 5‐methoxytryptamine were administered continuously over a period of 1–3 months to adult male rats by means of subcutaneously implanted silastic capsules containing one or the other of these pineal hormones. Polygraphic recordings during several weeks following hormonal application showed an increase in the amount of time spent in both quier and rapid eye movement sleep, during the light as well as the dark period; however, diurnal sleep‐wake rhythmicity was not affected by either treatment. We conclude that pineal hormones have sleep‐promoting effects, but that their correlation with the lightdark cycle does not imply that they are causal factors in generating diurnal rhythms of sleep and wakefulness.
Bikram Yoga Training and Physical Fitness in Healthy Young Adults

Abstract Tracy, BL and Hart, CEF. Bikram yoga training and physical fitness in healthy young adults. J Strength Cond Res 27(3): 822–830, 2013—There has been relatively little longitudinal controlled investigation of the effects of yoga on general physical fitness, despite the widespread participation in this form of exercise. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the effect of short-term Bikram yoga training on general physical fitness. Young healthy adults were randomized to yoga training (N = 10, 29 ± 6 years, 24 sessions in 8 weeks) or a control group (N = 11, 26 ± 7 years). Each yoga training session consisted of 90-minute standardized supervised postures performed in a heated and humidified studio. Isometric deadlift strength, handgrip strength, lower back/hamstring and shoulder flexibility, resting heart rate and blood pressure, maximal oxygen consumption (treadmill), and lean and fat mass (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) were measured before and after training. Yoga subjects exhibited increased deadlift strength, substantially increased lower back/hamstring flexibility, increased shoulder flexibility, and modestly decreased body fat compared with control group. There were no changes in handgrip strength, cardiovascular measures, or maximal aerobic fitness. In summary, this short-term yoga training protocol produced beneficial changes in musculoskeletal fitness that were specific to the training stimulus.
Giardia cysts in sewage influent in Bergen, Norway 15–23 months after an extensive waterborne outbreak of giardiasis

Aims: In autumn/winter 2004, a large outbreak of waterborne giardiasis occurred in Bergen, Norway. Over 1 year later, the concentrations and genotypes of Giardia cysts occurring in sewage influent were studied to investigate the impact of the outbreak event on Giardia infections in the community.
The crystal structure of EcoRV endonuclease and of its complexes with cognate and non‐cognate DNA fragments.

The crystal structure of EcoRV endonuclease has been determined at 2.5 A resolution and that of its complexes with the cognate DNA decamer GGGATATCCC (recognition sequence underlined) and the non‐cognate DNA octamer CGAGCTCG at 3.0 A resolution. Two octamer duplexes of the non‐cognate DNA, stacked end‐to‐end, are bound to the dimeric enzyme in B‐DNA‐like conformations. The protein‐‐DNA interactions of this complex are prototypic for non‐specific DNA binding. In contrast, only one cognate decamer duplex is bound and deviates considerably from canonical B‐form DNA. Most notably, a kink of approximately 50 degrees is observed at the central TA step with a concomitant compression of the major groove. Base‐specific hydrogen bonds between the enzyme and the recognition base pairs occur exclusively in the major groove. These interactions appear highly co‐operative as they are all made through one short surface loop comprising residues 182–186. Numerous contacts with the sugar phosphate backbone extending beyond the recognition sequence are observed in both types of complex. However, the total surface area buried on complex formation is > 1800 A2 larger in the case of cognate DNA binding. Two acidic side chains, Asp74 and Asp90, are close to the reactive phosphodiester group in the cognate complex and most probably provide oxygen ligands for binding the essential cofactor Mg2+. An important role is also indicated for Lys92, which together with the two acidic functions appears to be conserved in the otherwise unrelated structure of EcoRI endonuclease. The structural results give new insight into the physical basis of the remarkable sequence specificity of this enzyme.
Pedestrian motion state classification using pressure sensors

This paper demonstrates a novel approach for motion classification and analysis using pressure sensors worn by a person. The pressure signal is analysed to search for features corresponding to the motion states, and matched against typical human walking pattern. A prototype system is developed which provides motion classification results in real-time. The motion classification results consists of the number of steps taken by the participant together with the corresponding motion state. The system distinguishes the states associated with a person travelling on a lift, walking on stairs, walking on a flat ground and rest. Data from several participants are collected in a measurement campaign using pressure sensors only, which shows a precision rate of over 90% and a recall rate between 89% and 96%, for the states associated with the movement of participant.
SSRI safety in overdose.

BACKGROUND The morbidity and mortality caused by tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) overdose are well recognized. Among newer antidepressants, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are thought to be safer in overdose. This study was designed to describe the signs, symptoms, and mortality associated with SSRI overdose. METHOD English-language articles identified through MEDLINE (1985 through 1997), and case reports from the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) (1987 through 1996) and United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) adverse event database (through 1997) that describe findings of fatal and nonfatal overdoses involving SSRIs alone or in combination with other ingestants were reviewed. RESULTS SSRI antidepressants are rarely fatal in overdose when taken alone. During the 10 years that SSRI antidepressants have been marketed, there have been remarkably few fatal overdoses reported in the literature or to the AAPCC or FDA involving ingestion only of an SSRI. Moderate overdoses (up to 30 times the common daily dose) are associated with minor or no symptoms, while ingestions of greater amounts typically result in drowsiness, tremor, nausea, and vomiting. At very high doses (> 75 times the common daily dose), more serious adverse events, including seizures, electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, and decreased consciousness may occur. SSRI overdoses in combination with alcohol or other drugs are associated with increased toxicity, and almost all fatalities involving SSRIs have involved coingestion of other substances. CONCLUSION The SSRI antidepressants are far safer than the TCAs in overdose. There is no apparent difference among SSRIs with respect to overdose safety.
Rac-WAVE-mediated actin reorganization is required for organization and maintenance of cell-cell adhesion

During cadherin-dependent cell-cell adhesion, the actin cytoskeleton undergoes dynamic reorganization in epithelial cells. Rho-family small GTPases, which regulate actin dynamics, play pivotal roles in cadherin-dependent cell-cell adhesion; however, the precise molecular mechanisms that underlie cell-cell adhesion formation remain unclear. Here we show that Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein family verprolin-homologous protein (WAVE)-mediated reorganization of actin, downstream of Rac plays an important role in normal development of cadherin-dependent cell-cell adhesions in MDCK cells. Rac-induced development of cadherin-dependent adhesions required WAVE2-dependent actin reorganization. The process of cell-cell adhesion is divided into three steps: formation of new cell-cell contacts, stabilization of these new contacts and junction maturation. WAVE1 and WAVE2 were expressed in MDCK cells. The functions of WAVE1 and WAVE2 were redundant in this system but WAVE2 appeared to play a more significant role. During the first step, WAVE2-dependent lamellipodial protrusions facilitated formation of cell-cell contacts. During the second step, WAVE2 recruited actin filaments to new cell-cell contacts and stabilized newly formed cadherin clusters. During the third step, WAVE2-dependent actin reorganization was required for organization and maintenance of mature cell-cell adhesions. Thus, Rac-WAVE-dependent actin reorganization is not only involved in formation of cell-cell adhesions but is also required for their maintenance.
Morphology and morphogenesis of a soil ciliate, Rigidohymena candens (Kahl, 1932) Berger, 2011 (Ciliophora, Hypotricha, Oxytrichidae), with notes on its molecular phylogeny based on small-subunit rDNA sequence data.

The morphology and morphogenesis of the stylonychine hypotrich Rigidohymena candens (Kahl, 1932) Berger, 2011, isolated from garden soil in Qingdao, China, were investigated using live observation and protargol impregnation methods. The Qingdao isolate possesses all diagnostic morphological characters of R. candens. The main events during binary fission are as follows: (i) the proter retains the parental adoral zone of membranelles entirely, whereas the old undulating membranes dedifferentiate into an anlage that gives rise to the leftmost frontal cirrus and the new undulating membranes of the proter; (ii) five streaks of fronto-ventral-transverse cirral anlagen are segmented in the pattern 3 : 3 : 3 : 4 : 4 from left to right, which form two frontal, four frontoventral, one buccal, five ventral and five transverse cirri, respectively; (iii) dorsal morphogenesis is in the typical Oxytricha pattern; (iv) three caudal cirri are formed, one at the posterior end of each of dorsal kineties 1, 2 and 4; and (v) the postoral ventral cirrus V/3 is not involved in primordia formation. The morphological and morphogenetic observations and phylogenetic analyses based on the small-subunit rDNA sequence data support the validity of Rigidohymena Berger, 2011 and its systematic position in the subfamily Stylonychinae.