Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rubidium ions and the gating of delayed rectifier potassium channels of frog skeletal muscle.

1. Unitary currents were measured through delayed rectifier potassium channels of frog skeletal muscle, under conditions where either potassium or rubidium ions carried current. 2. Unitary currents were reduced in amplitude when Rb+ was the charge carrier, indicating that Rb+ permeated the channel less readily than did K+. On the other hand permeability ratios (PRb/PK) measured from the change in reversal potential upon ionic substitution were 0.92 for the external and 0.67 for the internal mouth of the channel. 3. Ensemble‐averaged currents activated under depolarization along a similarly S‐shaped time course whether K+ or Rb+ carried current, though slightly more slowly in Rb+. However, under repolarization to a negative level, tail currents were prolonged about tenfold in Rb+. 4. The duration of channel opening was substantially prolonged in Rb+. The distribution of open times was fitted by a single exponential whether K+ or Rb+ was the charge carrier, indicating a single open state. But the mean open time, averaged over all voltages investigated, was 2.65 times greater in Rb+. 5. The prolongation in Rb+ of tail currents under repolarization was associated with increases in the number of openings per burst and in the number of bursts during each tail. 6. The implications of these results for channel gating are discussed. It is argued that an early step in channel activation is more voltage dependent than later steps.
Strabismus is asymmetrically localised and binds to Prickle and Dishevelled during Drosophila planar polarity patterning

Planar polarity decisions in the wing of Drosophila involve the assembly of asymmetric protein complexes containing the conserved receptor Frizzled. In this study, we analyse the role of the Van Gogh/strabismus gene in the formation of these complexes and cell polarisation. We find that the Strabismus protein becomes asymmetrically localised to the proximal edge of cells. In the absence of strabismus activity, the planar polarity proteins Dishevelled and Prickle are mislocalised in the cell. We show that Strabismus binds directly to Dishevelled and Prickle and is able to recruit them to membranes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the putative PDZ-binding motif at the C terminus of Strabismus is not required for its function. We propose a two-step model for assembly of Frizzledcontaining asymmetric protein complexes at cell boundaries. First, Strabismus acts together with Frizzled and the atypical cadherin Flamingo to mediate apicolateral recruitment of planar polarity proteins including Dishevelled and Prickle. In the second phase, Dishevelled and Prickle are required for these proteins to become asymmetrically distributed on the proximodistal axis.
Accelerated evolution of resistance in multidrug environments

The emergence of resistance during multidrug chemotherapy impedes the treatment of many human diseases, including malaria, TB, HIV, and cancer. Although certain combination therapies have long been known to be more effective in curing patients than single drugs, the impact of such treatments on the evolution of drug resistance is unclear. In particular, very little is known about how the evolution of resistance is affected by the nature of the interactions—synergy or antagonism—between drugs. Here we directly measure the effect of various inhibitory and subinhibitory drug combinations on the rate of adaptation. We develop an automated assay for monitoring the parallel evolution of hundreds of Escherchia coli populations in a two-dimensional grid of drug gradients over many generations. We find a correlation between synergy and the rate of adaptation, whereby evolution in more synergistic drug combinations, typically preferred in clinical settings, is faster than evolution in antagonistic combinations. We also find that resistance to some synergistic combinations evolves faster than resistance to individual drugs. The accelerated evolution may be due to a larger selective advantage for resistance mutations in synergistic treatments. We describe a simple geometric model in which mutations conferring resistance to one drug of a synergistic pair prevent not only the inhibitory effect of that drug but also its enhancing effect on the other drug. Future study of the profound impact that synergy and other drug-pair properties can have on the rate of adaptation may suggest new treatment strategies for combating the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Marine Environmental Quality in the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area ( PNCIMA ) , British Columbia , Canada : A Summary of Contaminant Sources , Types , and Risks

Johannessen, D.I. , J.S. Macdonald, K.A. Harris, P.S. Ross. 2007. Marine environmental quality in the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA), British Columbia, Canada: A summary of contaminant sources, types, and risks. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2716: xi + 53 p. Under the terms of Canada’s Oceans Act (1997), Fisheries and Oceans Canada has embarked on an approach to Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) which aims to protect the structure, function, and quality of marine ecosystems from human impacts. This report aims to provide the reader with an overview of the contaminant sources, types, and risks in the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA) as these relate to marine environmental quality (MEQ), and builds on two previously published reports generated for sub-regions of the PNCIMA, namely the central coast (Haggarty et al. 2003) and the north coast and Queen Charlotte Islands (Johannessen et al. 2007). The PNCIMA includes 102,000 km of ocean, covering roughly two-thirds of the BC coast. While sparsely populated (3.3% of BC’s total population), the PNCIMA is faced with a growing list of threats to MEQ. The PNCIMA extends from the southern end of Johnstone Strait and the Brooks Peninsula on Vancouver Island northwards to the British Columbia (BC) Alaska border and includes the marine area out as far as the base of the continental slope, and the Queen Charlotte Islands (Figure 1.1). The region is rugged, with a steep, glaciated mainland covered in dense rainforest and bisected by numerous fjords and inlets, while the coast is dominantly rocky and strewn with islands. The influence of two semi-permanent atmospheric pressure cells (the Aleutian Low and the North Pacific High) over the Pacific Ocean provides this area with some of the highest rainfall amounts in Canada, along with mild winters and cool summers. The remote location and low population would suggest that there are few anthropogenic stresses in the area. However, a number of human activities take place in the area that can affect MEQ. Key among the past and present activities are aquaculture, vessel traffic, ports / harbours / marinas, forestry, pulp and paper, mining / smelting, ocean dumping, Coast Guard / military sites, oil and gas, and global pollutants. In many cases, source control and regulations have mitigated some of these activities, including a reduction in the by-production of dioxins and furans by pulp mills, the elimination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and many organochlorine (OC) pesticides, and restrictions on the use of tributyltin on ship hulls as an antifoulant. However, a number of emerging threats to MEQ in the PNCIMA reflect growing industrial sectors, and include the potential exploration and extraction of offshore oil and gas, a significant increase in cruise ship traffic, expanding port facilities, and the expanding aquaculture sector.
[Early posterior capsule fibrosis after combined cataract and vitreoretinal surgery with intraocular air/SF6 gas tamponade].

BACKGROUND The surgical approach in treating coexisting vitreoretinal disease and cataract is controversial. We report on patients who developed early posterior capsular fibrosis after combined cataract and vitreoretinal surgery with air/SF6-gas tamponade. PATIENTS AND METHODS The medical records of 15 consecutive eyes (13 patients) who underwent combined phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation and vitreoretinal surgery with intraocular air/SF6-gas tamponade were retrospectively analyzed. The indications for vitreous surgery included: subfoveal neovascular membrane in age-related macular degeneration (5 eyes), macular hole (4 eyes), macular pucker (2 eyes), rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (2 eyes), persistent vitreous haemorrhage after branch retinal vein occlusion (1 eye), persistent vitreous haemorrhage and/or tractional retinal detachment in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (1 eye). The mean follow-up period was 7 months (1-13 months). A control group consisted of 15 eyes (15 patients) who underwent the equal combined operation without intraocular tamponade. The indications for vitreous surgery were persistent vitreous haemorrhage in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (5 eyes), persistent vitreous haemorrhage after branch retinal vein occlusion (5 eyes), asteroid hyalosis (2 eyes), macular pucker (1 eye), posttraumatic vitreous haemorrhage (1 eye), acute retinal necrosis (1 eye). The mean follow-up was 8 months (2-13 months). The posterior capsule was examined at the slit lamp microscopy with maximal dilated pupils. We defined posterior capsular opacification (PCO) as severe if posterior capsule was fibrotic, diffusely thickened and opaque. Modest PCO was characterized by focal fibrotic opacifications at otherwise clear posterior capsule. RESULTS Severe posterior capsular fibrosis developed in 9 eyes (60%) after 2-14 weeks postoperatively (mean 8 weeks) including 3 of 6 eyes with air tamponade (50%) and 6 of 9 eyes with 20% SF6-gas tamponade (66.7%). In 6 eyes (40%) Nd:YAG-laser capsulotomy was performed 4-14 weeks postoperatively (mean 8.5 weeks). In the control group modest PCO developed in 8 eyes (53.3%) 1-13 months postoperatively (mean 6.5 months) none requiring Nd:YAG-laser capsulotomy during follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS Combined cataract and vitreoretinal surgery with intraocular air/SF6-gas tamponade induces severe posterior capsular fibrosis in the early postoperative period. The capsular fibrosis is presumably caused by accumulation of fibrin and proliferation stimulating factors in the narrow space between intraocular lens and air/SF6-gas bubble.
Time Series Retrieval: Indexing and Mining Large Datasets

As advances in science and technology have continually increased the existence of, and capability for users to monitor, record, and examine data, data mining has become a common and necessary toolset in order to gain additional insight on this influx of data. In this dissertation, we study methods which are used for overcoming the characteristic challenges of scale in order to perform similarity search on large time series datasets. We introduce a novel multi-resolution symbolic representation for time series called indexable Symbolic Aggregate approXimation (iSAX). The iSAX representation allows for the indexing of time series in order to facilitate similarity search. We further demonstrate its utility by performing experimental evaluation on a wide range of diverse datasets and show how exact and approximate search can be used in conjunction to expedite higher level data mining operators to solve real world problems. The size of the datasets we consider are larger than any other in the current literature and notably, our results confirm the notion that even simple measures perform exceedingly well when the training set becomes very large. Another aspect of our research considers using similarity search to perform classification under limited computation time and variable response rates. In such contexts, anytime algorithms, amenable to variable response times by exchanging quality of response as a function of time, have been found to be especially useful. We present a generalized framework which utilizes a scoring function that estimates the intermediate result quality of an object being classified. Our contribution extends existing anytime algorithms to concurrent queries by dynamically scheduling computational resources for each object. We show that the lack of such inter-object consideration would otherwise result in poor allocation of computation time and lead to reduced performance.
Cloning and molecular analysis of the galE gene of Neisseria meningitidls and its role in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis

The galE gene from Haemophilus influenzae was used as a hybridization probe for the galE gene of Neisseria meningitidis Group B, identifying two different homologous loci. Each of the loci was cloned and nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that both loci contained sequences similar to galE. One contained a functional galE gene and mapped to the capsule biosynthetic locus. The second contained only a partial galE‐coding sequence, which did not express a functional gene product. A galE mutant meningococcal strain was constructed by transformation with an inactivated galE gene. Analysis of the LPS from the galE mutant strain revealed an apparent reduction in molecular weight and a loss of reactivity with monoclonal antibodies specific for structures known to contain galactose. These results are consistent with an essential role for galE in the incorporation of galactose into meningococcal lipopolysaccharide.
Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) seed extract exhibits fibrino(geno)lytic activity

Objective: The current study assesses the fibrinogen and fibrin clot hydrolyzing activities of aqueous seed extract of Jackfruit (AqSEJ). Methods: The protein banding pattern of AqSEJ (100 μg) was analyzed on SDS-PAGE. The proteolytic activity of AqSEJ was confirmed by spectrophotometer and zymography experiments. Fibrinogen, fibrin and plasma protein hydrolyzing activities of AqSEJ were analyzed on SDS-PAGE under reduced conditions. Plasminogen activation and indirect hemolytic activities was analyzed using spectrophotometer. The non-toxic property of AqSEJ was tested by edema, hemorrhage in experimental mice. Results: AqSEJ exhibited proteolytic activity and the specific activity was found to be 1.04 units/mg/min. Furthermore, AqSEJ non-specifically hydrolyzed Aα, followed by Bβ and γ chains of human fibrinogen and specifically hydrolyzed α polymer and α chain of partially cross linked human fibrin clot without affecting β chain and γ-γ dimer even up to the tested dose of 30 μg for the incubation period of 8 hours. Importantly, AqSEJ did not hydrolyze other plasma proteins and devoid of plasminogen activation property. The proteolytic activity of AqSEJ was completely neutralized by PMSF and IAA, while EDTA, EGTA, 1,10-Phenanthroline did not, suggesting the presence of serine and cysteine family proteases. Moreover, AqSEJ did not cause edema and hemorrhage in experimental mice up to the tested dose of 200 μg and non-toxic to RBC cells. Conclusion: AqSEJ hydrolyzes fibrinogen and fibrin clot and non-toxic in nature. Hence, this work showcases the potential applications of Jack fruit seed proteases in the treatment of thrombotic disorders.
How it all starts: Initiation of the clotting cascade

Abstract The plasma coagulation system in mammalian blood consists of a cascade of enzyme activation events in which serine proteases activate the proteins (proenzymes and procofactors) in the next step of the cascade via limited proteolysis. The ultimate outcome is the polymerization of fibrin and the activation of platelets, leading to a blood clot. This process is protective, as it prevents excessive blood loss following injury (normal hemostasis). Unfortunately, the blood clotting system can also lead to unwanted blood clots inside blood vessels (pathologic thrombosis), which is a leading cause of disability and death in the developed world. There are two main mechanisms for triggering the blood clotting, termed the tissue factor pathway and the contact pathway. Only one of these pathways (the tissue factor pathway) functions in normal hemostasis. Both pathways, however, are thought to contribute to thrombosis. An emerging concept is that the contact pathway functions in host pathogen defenses. This review focuses on how the initiation phase of the blood clotting cascade is regulated in both pathways, with a discussion of the contributions of these pathways to hemostasis versus thrombosis.
"La cisgénèse n’est rien d’autre qu’une modification génétique avec tous les risques qui en découlent" par le Dr Eva Sirinathsinghji

La cisgenese n'est rien d'autre qu'une modification genetique avec tous les risques qui en decoulent Cisgenesis is still Genetic Modification with All the Attendant Risks Une nouvelle experimentation sur des pommes de terre OGM resistantes au mildiou, est annoncee comme une technologie cisgenique pour jeter la confusion aupres du public, mais il s'agit encore d'une modification genetique, avec tous les risques attenants, dont la plupart ne sont pas abordes. Dr Eva Sirinathsinghji Rapport de l'ISIS en (.)
Foot anthropometry for shoe design among preschool children in Malaysia

Foot anthropometry provides statistical data on the distribution of foot dimension in the population used to optimize products. Foot anthropometry plays an important role designing good fitting footwear. Changes in life styles, nutrition, and ethnic compositions of the populations have led to the changes in the distribution of foot dimension and thus it requires regular updating of foot anthropometry data collection. This study examined foot anthropometry data of preschool children in Malaysia. The purpose of this study was to develop fit size to shoe design. The data were collected from twelve pre-schools in Selangor, Malaysia. Three-hundred and three pre-school children (129 boys and 174 girls) were randomly selected for this study. Standard anthropometric technique and tools were used. The respondents’ foot lengths (left and right), foot widths (left and right), as well as ankle circumference and foot heights were measured and analyzed using SPSS program. The results showed that there were significant relationships among all the foot anthropometry measurements. The results also revealed there that was no difference between the foot anthropometry among the urban and rural pre-school children. The study found that there was a significant difference between the length of the right and left foot. The study also revealed that there was a significant difference between the width of the right and left foot. The data gathered in this study could be further used to develop footwear sizing system.
Theory of binaural interaction based on auditory-nerve data. II. Detection of tones in noise.

Coupling device for coupling releasably electrical fixture to electrical outlet adjacent building surface. Device has female assembly connected to electrical outlet box and power, the assembly having three female supporting lugs with engagement means. Respective electrical contacts are secured adjacent each lug and spaced from lug to provide gap between the lug and contact. Male assembly is connected to fixture and has three complementary male supporting lugs with engagement means complementary to the respective engagement means of female lug. Each male lug has contact extending along upper surface thereof to fit between female lug and respective contact. When male assembly is inserted into the female assembly and rotated relative thereto, engagement means of each lug engage complementary engagement means of opposite lug and respective contacts are forced into and maintain engagement so as to conduct electricity. Engagement means essentially prevent accidental rotation leading to disconnection, and female lugs shield live contact in disconnected fixture, thus reducing electrical shock hazard.
Ascertaining children’s wishes and feelings about hospital life

It is increasingly accepted that children have the right to have their views taken into consideration by healthcare providers. Children’s opinions and experiences of hospitalisation are essential for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of health services provision. In this paper we report on children’s views and wishes about hospital and healthcare professionals. The children held both positive and negative views of hospital and healthcare professionals. Dissatisfaction was caused by insufficient information, lack of involvement, and inadequate play facilities. Their wishes were mainly concerned with the need for more information and more involvement in communication interactions with doctors and nurses. They wished to express their opinions, ask questions and receive information about care and procedures. They recommended that healthcare professionals make a better effort to listen and to take account of their views.
Does the history of multiple sclerosis go back as far as the 14th century?

A number of documents written before or shortly after the death of St. Lidwina of Schiedam (1380‐1433) surprised us by their very accurate description of symptoms which for the most part correspond to the clinical criteria prevailing nowadays for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. These could be the oldest known documents, describing a case of multiple sclerosis.
Human Papillomavirus 16 E6 Oncoprotein Interferences with Insulin Signaling Pathway by Binding to Tuberin*

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in either TSC1 or TSC2 tumor suppressor gene. TSC1 and TSC2 products, Harmatin and Tuberin, form the functional complex to serve as the negative regulator for insulin-induced phosphorylation of S6 kinase and elF4E-binding protein 1. High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the necessary cause for cervical cancer. E6 oncoprotein encoded by HPV plays a pivotal role in carcinogenesis by interference with the host intracellular protein functions. In this study, we show that HPV16 E6 interacts with tumor suppressor gene TSC2 product, Tuberin, and results in the phosphorylation of S6 kinase and S6 even in the absence of insulin. The overexpression of Tuberin overcomes the effect of E6 on S6 kinase phosphorylation. Binding with HPV16 E6 causes the proteasome-mediated degradation of Tuberin. A DILG motif and an ELVG motif located in the carboxyl-terminal of Tuberin are required for E6 binding. In addition, the Tuberin interaction region in E6 has been mapped in the amino-terminal portion of HPV16 E6, which is different from the binding domain with p53. These results provide a possible link between E6-induced oncogenesis and the insulin-stimulated cell proliferation signaling pathway.
Shift length as a determinant of retrospective on-shift alertness.

OBJECTIVES This study examined the combined effects of shift length (8 versus 12 hours) and night-to-morning-shift changeover time (0600 versus 0700) on retrospective on-shift alertness ratings. METHODS An abridged version of the Standard Shiftwork Index, which included retrospective alertness ratings, was completed by 4 groups of industrial shift workers. Two groups worked 8-hour shift systems and started their morning shifts at either 0600 or 0700; the other 2 groups worked 12-hour systems, starting their day shifts at either 0600 or 0700. RESULTS The 8-hour workers reported considerably higher levels of alertness in the afternoon, while the 12-hour workers were more alert than the 8-hour workers in the morning and at 2200. Workers who started their shift around 0600 were less alert during the morning than those who started around 0700. The data suggested that the combined effects of working 8-hour shifts and starting the morning shift at around 0600 have particularly deleterious effects upon alertness. CONCLUSIONS Effects on alertness can be explained in terms of differences in elapsed time on duty, sleep duration, sleep disruption, and chronic fatigue. The findings of this study appear to contradict previous research demonstrating that the major deleterious effects of extended shifts and delayed changeovers upon alertness occur at night. However, it is acknowledged that the absence of a difference in alertness at night may have been due to floor effects. Nevertheless, the implications of the alertness ratings for performance and safety, particularly during the afternoon, should not be ignored.