Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chikungunya Virus Disease: An Emerging Challenge for the Rheumatologist

AbstractChikungunya is caused by an alphavirus that is transmitted to humans via the Aedes species mosquito. Chikungunya is endemic to tropical Africa and South and Southeast Asia, but over the past decade, the geographic distribution of the virus has been expanding rapidly. The disease is characterized by fever and severe polyarthritis, and although symptoms typically resolve within 7 to 10 days, some patients experience persistent arthritis and arthralgias for months to years.In December 2013, the first local transmission of chikungunya virus in the Americas was identified in the Caribbean Island of Saint Martin. Since then, the number of afflicted individuals has spread throughout the Caribbean and Central America, as well as into South America. The United States reported 2788 chikungunya virus disease cases among travelers returning from affected areas in 2014. In addition, 11 locally acquired cases were reported in Florida. Further spread and establishment of the disease in the Americas are likely considering the high levels of viremia in infected individuals, widespread distribution of effective vectors, lack of immunity among people living in the Americas, and the popularity of international travel.Considering the prominent rheumatic manifestations of chikungunya, rheumatologists are likely to encounter patients with the disease in their practice. We recommend that rheumatologists consider chikungunya in their differential diagnosis when evaluating patients presenting with fever and joint pain following travel to a chikungunya endemic area. Early diagnosis would ensure timely management and reduction of polypharmacy and its associated complications. In this article, we briefly describe the epidemiology of chikungunya, the clinical features, laboratory testing, prevention, and treatment of disease.
Electroencephalography findings in healthy and Finnish Spitz dogs with epilepsy: visual and background quantitative analysis.

BACKGROUND Qualitative and quantitative electroencephalography (EEG) parameters of healthy and Finnish Spitz dogs with epilepsy have not been determined. OBJECTIVE To determine if EEG can provide specific characteristics to distinguish between healthy dogs and dogs with epilepsy. ANIMALS Sixteen healthy and 15 Finnish Spitz dogs with epilepsy. METHODS A prospective clinical EEG study performed under medetomidine sedation. Blinded visual and quantitative EEG analyses were performed and results were compared between study groups. RESULTS Benign epileptiform transients of sleep and sleep spindles were a frequent finding in a majority of animals from both groups. The EEG analysis detected epileptiform activity in 3 Finnish Spitz dogs with epilepsy and in 1 healthy Finnish Spitz dog. Epileptiform activity was characterized by spikes, polyspikes, and spike slow wave complexes in posterior-occipital derivation in dogs with epilepsy and with midline spikes in control dog. The healthy dogs showed significantly less theta and beta activity than did the dogs with epilepsy (P < .01), but the only significant difference between healthy dogs and dogs with untreated epilepsy was in the alpha band (P < .001). Phenobarbital treatment increased alpha, beta (P < .001), and theta (P < .01), and decreased delta (P < .001) frequency bands compared with dogs with untreated epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Benign epileptiform transients of sleep could be easily misinterpreted as epileptiform activity. Epileptiform activity in Finnish Spitz dogs with epilepsy seems to originate from a posterior-occipital location. The EEG of dogs with epilepsy exhibited a significant difference in background frequency bands compared with the control dogs. Phenobarbital treatment markedly influenced all background activity bands. Quantitative EEG analysis, in addition to visual analysis, seems to be a useful tool in the examination of patients with epilepsy.
Amino acid metabolism in muscle and in the whole body of man before and after ingestion of a single mixed meal.

Whole-body energy expenditure, protein oxidation, and exchange of amino acids, glutathione, and other metabolites across forearm muscle were assessed before and for 4 h after ingestion of a single meal containing 3274 kJ (783 kcal) and 25.5 g protein (4.08 g nitrogen). The study 1) demonstrates the dominance of glutamine over all other amino acids in carrying N out of skeletal muscle (1.33 mumol.L muscle-1.min-1 between 0 and 4 h--equivalent to 71% of the amino acid release or 82% of the amino acid N release); 2) suggests that glucose-alanine recycling between muscle and liver is not increased in the postprandial period despite the large uptake of glucose by muscle; 3) provides no support for the hypothesis that a substantial amount of N is exchanged between blood and muscle in the form of glutathione; and 4) considers the overall quantitative importance of amino acid oxidation in the whole body and the accompanying exchange of amino acids in skeletal muscle.
A simple phenylalanine method for detecting phenylketonuria in large populations of newborn infants, by Robert Guthrie and Ada Susi, Pediatrics, 1963;32:318-343.

The article describes a “microbial inhibition assay” for rapid and economical measurement of phenylalanine levels in whole blood. Capillary blood, from a heel prick, is collected from the newborn infant onto Schleicher and Schuell no. 903 filter paper; a disk of the sample is then transferred to an Agar plate containing a heavy inoculum of Bacillus subtilisATCC 6051; an inhibitor of bacterial growth (β-2-thienylalanine) is counteracted by any significant excess of phenylalanine in the blood sample; and semiquantitative positive tests (hyperphenylalaninemia) are recorded by size of the bacterial growth zone in the Agar around the filter paper disc. The method permits mass screening for hyperphenylalaninemia.
Numerical Study for Optimizing Parameters of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound-Induced Thermal Field during Liver Tumor Ablation: HIFU Simulator

Introduction High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is considered a noninvasive and effective technique for tumor ablation. Frequency and acoustic power are the most effective parameters for temperature distribution and the extent of tissue damage. The aim of this study was to optimize the operating transducer parameters such as frequency and input power in order to acquire suitable temperature and thermal dose distribution in the course of a numerical assessment. Materials and Methods To model the sound propagation, the Khokhlov-Zabolotskava-Kuznetsov (KZK) nonlinear wave equation was used and simulation was carried out using MATLAB HIFU toolbox. Bioheat equation was applied to calculate the transient temperature in the liver tissue. Frequency ranges of 2, 3, 4, and 5 MHz and power levels of 50 and 100 W were applied using an extracorporeal transducer. Results Using a frequency of 2 MHz, the maximum temperatures reached 53°C and 90°C in the focal point for power levels of 50 W and 100 W, respectively. With the same powers and using a frequency of 3 MHz, the temperature reached to 71°C and 170°C, respectively. In addition, for these power levels at the frequency of 4 MHz, the temperature reached to 72°C and 145°C, respectively. However, at the 5 MHz frequency, the temperature in the focal spot was either 57°C or 79°C. Conclusion Use of frequency of 2 MHz and power of 100 W led to higher thermal dose distribution, and subsequently, reduction of the treatment duration and complications at the same exposure time in ablation of large tumors.
Role of host factors in the regulation of the enterotoxin B gene

The levels of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) produced by various naturally occurring toxinogenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus are highly variable. The SEB gene (seb) from a high-producer strain, S6, has previously been cloned and characterized. Cloning and nucleotide sequence analysis of the upstream region of the seb gene from DU4916 and COL (medium- and low-level toxin-producer strains, respectively) showed that their sequence was identical to that of the seb gene from strain S6. Strains carrying the cloned seb gene from DU4916 and COL produced similar levels of SEB protein and mRNA to those produced by strains carrying the cloned seb gene from strain S6. An RNA encoded by the delta-lysin gene (hld) has been shown to regulate the genes for a number of extracellular proteins, including SEB. Northern (RNA) blot analysis showed that variable levels of hld RNA were present in various SEB-producer strains, with the order being S6 greater than DU4916 greater than COL. Our results suggest that differences in host factor(s), including the hld RNA, are responsible for the production of different amounts of SEB by many naturally occurring strains.
GESTÃO PRIVADA DE UNIDADES DE CONSERVAÇÃO: AS RESERVAS PARTICULARES DO PATRIMÔNIO NATURAL

O presente artigo trata da participacao da iniciativa privada na gestao ambiental, especialmente sobre a instituicao de unidades de conservacao por particulares, tomando como referencia as unidades de conservacao denominadas Reservas Particulares do Patrimonio Natural (RPPNs). Tem como objetivo verificar as novas possibilidades deste instrumento, as RPPNs, para a conservacao ambiental, qual e sua eficacia e quais sao os principais entraves a sua difusao. Para isso sera feita uma abordagem historica da criacao das Unidades de Conservacao e de como elas se ordenam juridicamente, como e possivel utiliza-las num contexto de gestao ambiental e finalmente como se da a gestao privada no caso das RPPN´s.
Efficient Ambient and Emissive Tissue Illumination using Local Occlusion in Multiresolution Volume Rendering

This paper introduces a novel technique to compute illumination for Direct Volume Rendering. By adding shadow effects to volume rendered images, the perception of shapes and tissue properties can be significantly improved and it has the potential to increase the diagnostic value of medical volume rendering. The integrated intensity of incident light for a voxel is computed using a local approximation of the ambient occlusion, thus avoiding the rendering of tissues with very low illumination. Luminous tissue effects are also introduced to enhance the illumination model, controlled through an emissive component in the transfer function. This effect allows the user to highlight specific structures and can give a better understanding of tissue density. Multiresolution volume management and GPU-based computation is used to significantly speed-up the calculations and to support large data sets. The scheme yields interactive frame rates for incrementally refined ambient and emissive illumination for arbitrary transfer function changes.
Finance, institutions and human development: Evidence from developing countries

The paper aims to examine the role of institutions and human development in financial development at early and developing stages of economic development, using data from 52 developing economies during 1985–2008. In order to provide a more comprehensive assessment, especially of the finance-institutions link, we decompose institutions into economic, political and social; and economic institutions into quality of government, intervention of government, and quality of the legal system. The results demonstrate that: (i) institutional quality can explain international differences in the level of banking sector development; (ii) economic institutions and human development are extremely significant for banking sector development; (iii) the legal system is the dominant dimension of economic institutions; and (iv) the combined reforms of economic institutions matter more than separate institutional reforms.
Interaction of tubulin with non‐denaturing amphiphiles.

Soluble purified calf brain tubulin contains extensive and easily accessible regions capable of hydrophobic interactions. The binding of non‐ionic and mild anionic detergents to this protein has been characterized by difference absorption spectroscopy and equilibrium gel chromatography with labelled ligands. Tubulin bound reversibly and co‐operatively 0.42 +/‐ 0.05 g deoxycholate per g protein and bound octyl glucoside at a minimal stoichiometry of 0.26 g per g protein. Binding of deoxycholate and octyl glucoside perturbed the protein absorption, quenched the fluorescence, and produced a moderate change in the far u.v. circular dichroism of tubulin. These changes have been interpreted as the result of detergent binding near aromatic amino acids and the production of a structural change different from detergent‐induced denaturation. Deoxycholate and octyl glucoside inhibited colchicine binding. Octyl glucoside and Triton X‐100 inhibited the in vitro self‐assembly of tubulin into microtubules, whereas small concentrations of deoxycholate were found to enhance microtubule formation.
Minocycline Slows Disease Progression in a Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

There is currently no effective pharmacological treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Because recent evidence suggests that secondary inflammation and caspase activation may contribute to neurodegeneration in ALS, we tested the effects of minocycline, a second-generation tetracycline with anti-inflammatory properties, in mice expressing a mutant superoxide dismutase (SOD1(G37R)) linked to human ALS. Administration of minocycline into the diet, beginning at late presymptomatic stage (7 or 9 months of age), delayed the onset of motor neuron degeneration, muscle strength decline, and it increased the longevity of SOD1(G37R) mice by approximately 5 weeks for approximately 70% of tested mice. Moreover, less activation of microglia was detected at early symptomatic stage (46 weeks) and at the end stage of disease in the spinal cord of SOD1(G37R) mice treated with minocycline. These results indicate that minocycline, which is clinically well tolerated, may represent a novel and effective drug for treatment of ALS.
Auxin-induced regulation of protein synthesis in tobacco mesophyll protoplasts cultivated in vitro: I. Characteristics of auxin-sensitive proteins.

The presence of auxin (2,4-D), in the culture medium of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum var Maryland) mesophyll protoplasts is necessary both for cell wall regeneration and for passage of the cells from phase G(0) to phase G(1) of the cell cycle. Among about 250 proteins synthesized by protoplasts and characterized by their migration in a two-dimensional electrophoresis gel, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid affects the synthesis of 11.Nine proteins are synthesized at a reduced level in the presence of the hormone, of which three are rapidly labeled and short-lived, while the others, which are long-lived, become detectable only after 2 hours of radioactive labeling, suggesting that they undergo slow posttranslational maturation. These nine proteins are proline-rich but the proline radicals are not strongly hydroxylated. The synthesis of these proteins is no longer inhibited by auxin if dichlorobenzonitril, a weed-killer which inhibits cell wall reformation of tobacco protoplasts, is added to the culture medium.Two proteins are only synthesized if protoplasts are cultivated in an auxin-containing medium. These polypeptides are rapidly labeled, and are long-lived. The inhibition of cell wall reformation by dichlorobenzonitril does not modify their synthesis.These results suggest that proteins whose synthesis is reduced by auxin are related to cell wall reformation and that they do not play a role in the induction of the cell cycle. In contrast, proteins whose synthesis is stimulated in the presence of auxin are good candidates for a role in the induction of the cell cycle.
Analyses of decimation filter stopband attenuation influence on subjective quality of audio signals

Decimation is a frequently used technique in audio signal processing. This paper investigates the influence of the values of stopband attenuation of decimation filters on subjective perception of resulting audio signals. In practice, the demands for stopband attenuation of these filters are quite rigorous. The paper examines how justified these demands are from the psychoacoustic point of view. Basic procedure within such a research is a subjective test. Aside from objective parameters, subjective evaluation is a method that can give insight into characteristics of audio signal processing under testing. Results of subjective testing of the influence of different values of stopband attenuation on the perceptibility of interfering signal are presented for various audio signals. To increase the validity of psychoacoustic test, the probability of false detection of differences is measured by presenting subjects with equivalent signals. The results of subjective testing can prove to be useful in the design process of decimation filters for audio system applications.
Generating Environment-Adaptive Poses of 3D Human Characters

본 논문에서 우리는 주어진 임의의 물체 또는 환경에 대한 3D 휴먼 캐릭터의 자세 생성 방법을 제안한다. 3D 그래픽 공간에 휴먼 캐릭터와 물체 간의 상호작용 생성을 위한 전통적 키-프레임 기반 방법으로 다양하고 많은 캐릭터와 물체가 접촉하는 장면을 생성하기 위해 서는 많은 시간과 전문가적 기술이 요구된다. 이러한 제 약점을 극복하기 위하여 본 연구에서 개발한 방법은 사 용자가 지정한 위치와 방향에 따라 적절한 캐릭터의 환 경/물체 접촉 자세들을 다수 생성하여, 사용자가 선택할 수 있도록 한다. 본 방법은 전처리과정과 실시간 과정으 로 나뉘는데, 전처리과정에서는 자세들을 생성하기 위한 특징 점들을 생성하고, 실시간 과정에서는 입력된 물체 에 적용 가능한 특징 점들을 선별하여 역기구학을 통해 서 최종자세들을 만들어낸다. 후처리과정은 고속으로 진 행되기 때문에 입력된 물체에 대해 즉각적인 상호작용 반응생성이 가능하다.
Increased risk of achilles tendon rupture with quinolone antibacterial use, especially in elderly patients taking oral corticosteroids.

BACKGROUND In several case reports, the occurrence of Achilles tendon rupture has been attributed to the use of quinolones, but the epidemiologic evidence for this association is scanty. METHODS We conducted a population-based case-control study in the General Practice Research Database in the United Kingdom during the period 1988 through 1998. Cases were defined as all persons who had a first-time recording of an Achilles tendon rupture, and who had at least 18 months of valid history before the index date. As a control group, we randomly sampled 50 000 patients with at least 18 months of valid history who were assigned a random date as index date. RESULTS We identified 1367 cases that met the inclusion criteria. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for Achilles tendon rupture was 4.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.4-7.8) for current exposure to quinolones, 2.4 (95% CI, 1.5-3.7) for recent exposure, and 1.4 (95% CI, 0.9-2.1) for past exposure. The OR of Achilles tendon rupture was 6.4 (95% CI, 3.0-13.7) in patients aged 60 to 79 years and 20.4 (95% CI, 4.6-90.1) in patients aged 80 years or older. In persons aged 60 years and older, the OR was 28.4 (95% CI, 7.0-115.3) for current exposure to ofloxacin, while the ORs were 3.6 (95% CI, 1.4-9.1) and 14.2 (95% CI, 1.6-128.6) for ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin, respectively. Approximately 2% to 6% of all Achilles tendon ruptures in people older than 60 years can be attributed to quinolones. CONCLUSIONS Current exposure to quinolones increased the risk of Achilles tendon rupture. The risk is highest among elderly patients who were concomitantly treated with corticosteroids.
Synthesis of Four Natural Prenylflavonoids and Their Estrogen‐like Activities

Four prenylflavonoids, bavachin 1, isobavachin 2, 7,4′‐dihydroxy‐8‐prenylflavone 3, and 8‐prenylapigenin 4 were synthesized and recognized for possessing estrogen‐like activity in MCF‐7/BOS cells, as evaluated by an estrogen‐screening assay. All compounds significantly stimulated the proliferation of MCF‐7/BOS cells in a dose‐dependent manner. Isobavachin 2 showed the most potent activity, while bavachin 1 was the weakest. The estrogenic potency of these compounds is ranked as follows: 2 > 4 > 3 > 1.
DNA twist, flexibility and transcription of the osmoregulated proU promoter of Salmonella typhimurium.

Transcription from many bacterial promoters is sensitive to the level of DNA supercoiling. We have investigated the mechanism by which environmentally induced changes in DNA supercoiling might regulate transcription. For the proU promoter of Salmonella typhimurium, osmotically induced changes in DNA topology appear to play a primary regulatory role. Changes in DNA supercoiling (linking number; delta Lk) are partitioned into changes in the winding of the strands of the double helix about themselves (twist; delta Tw) and/or elastic deformations or flexibility of the DNA helix (writhe; delta Wr). Mutations of the proU promoter were isolated in vivo, or generated in vitro, which altered the spacing between the −10 and −35 motifs. Studies on these mutant promoters, both in vivo and in vitro, exclude models in which changes in DNA twist play a regulatory role. Instead, our data suggest that increased DNA flexibility, reflecting the osmotically induced increase in negative supercoiling of DNA, is required for promoter activation.
DEVELOPMENT OF A FIELD-PORTABLE TIME-OF-FLIGHT MASS SPECTROMETER SYSTEM

PL has developed and demonstrated a miniature time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer that can identify biological warfare agents. Its small size and low power consumption make the miniature TOF mass spectrometer an ideal candidate for field applications, overcoming limitations of the current generation of biodetection systems. Portable applications require additional features such as ruggedized packaging, batterypowered electronics and data acquisition, automated sample collection, and automated signal processing and control software. In this article we describe the design of a TOF mass spectrometer system that incorporates these capabilities and integrates supporting technologies under development. Design goals include short analysis times (<5 min), high sensitivity, wide agent bandwidth, portability, low power consumption, minimal use of fluids, unattended operation, and automated detection and classification. (
Effects of Two Different Volume-Equated Weekly Distributed Short-Term Plyometric Training Programs on Futsal Players' Physical Performance

Abstract Yanci, J, Castillo, D, Iturricastillo, A, Ayarra, R, and Nakamura, FY. Effects of two different volume-equated weekly distributed short-term plyometric training programs on futsal players' physical performance. J Strength Cond Res 31(7): 1787–1794, 2017—The aim was to analyze the effect of 2 different plyometric training programs (i.e., 1 vs. 2 sessions per week, same total weekly volume) on physical performance in futsal players. Forty-four futsal players were divided into 3 training groups differing in weekly plyometric training load: the 2 days per week plyometric training group (PT2D, n = 15), the 1 day per week plyometric training group (PT1D, n = 12), and the control group (CG, n = 12) which did not perform plyometric training. The results of this study showed that in-season futsal training per se was capable of improving repeat sprint ability (RSA) (effect size [ES] = −0.59 to −1.53). However, while change of direction ability (CODA) was maintained during the training period (ES = 0.00), 15-m sprint (ES = 0.73), and vertical jump (VJ) performance (ES = −0.30 to −1.37) were significantly impaired. By contrast, PT2D and PT1D plyometric training were effective in improving futsal players' 15-m sprint (ES = −0.64 to −1.00), CODA (ES = −1.83 to −5.50), and horizontal jump (ES = 0.33–0.64) performance. Nonetheless, all groups (i.e., PT2D, PT1D, and CG) presented a reduction in VJ performance (ES = −0.04 to −1.37). Regarding RSA performance, PT1D showed a similar improvement compared with CG (ES = −0.65 to −1.53) after the training intervention, whereas PT2D did not show significant change (ES = −0.04 to −0.38). These results may have considerable practical relevance for the optimal design of plyometric training programs for futsal players, given that a 1-day-per-week plyometric training program is more efficient than a 2-day-per-week plyometric training program to improve the futsal players' physical performance.