Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sour Taste Stimuli Evoke Ca2+ and pH Responses in Mouse Taste Cells

Sour taste is elicited by acids. How taste cells transduce sour taste is controversial because acids (specifically protons) have diverse effects on cell membranes. Consequently, it is difficult to differentiate between events related to sour taste transduction per se and unrelated effects of protons. We have studied acid taste transduction in mouse taste buds using a lingual slice preparation where it is possible to measure changes in pH and [Ca2+]i simultaneously in taste cells. Focal application of citric acid or HCl to the apical tips of taste buds produced widespread acidification of the entire taste bud. Citric acid was effective at a pH of ∼4, but HCl only at a pH of ∼1.5. Despite acidification of the whole taste bud, only a select few taste cells exhibited Ca2+ responses. Acid‐evoked Ca2+ responses were dose dependent in a range consistent with them being sour‐taste responses. Cells exhibiting acid‐evoked Ca2+ responses also responded to KCl depolarization. Acid‐evoked Ca2+ responses were blocked by Ba2+ (2 mm) and Cd2+ (500 μm), suggesting that acid responses are generated by Ca2+ influx through depolarization‐gated Ca2+ channels. Removing extracellular Ca2+ reduced acid‐evoked Ca2+ responses, but depleting intracellular Ca2+ stores with thapsigargin had no effect, suggesting that acid taste responses are generated by an influx of extracellular Ca2+. Neither Cs+ (500 μm) nor amiloride (100 μm) affected acid‐evoked Ca2+ responses, suggesting that neither hyperpolarization‐activated cyclic nucleotide‐gated cation (pacemaker) channels nor epithelial Na+ channels, respectively, transduce sour taste. Collectively, the results indicate that acids, especially weak acids, acidify the taste bud and evoke depolarization‐induced Ca2+ entry into a select subset of taste cells. The primary transducer protein(s) for sour taste remain undiscovered.
Screening of some Cameroonian Plants for their Potential Antibacterial Activity against Human Pathogenic Bacteria

Medicinal plants are geared towards the development of the news antibiotics and the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the antibacterial spectrum of ten Cameroonian medicinal plants traditionally used in treatment of typhoid fever and other infectious diseases. The antibacterial activities of the ten medicinal plants extracts against Salmonella typhi ATCC 6539, S. paratyphi A & S. paratyphi B, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25922, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 10541, Escherichia coli ATCC11775, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 13883 were initially evaluated by well diffusion technique followed by microdilution technique, to determine the zones of inhibition and Minimum inhibition concentration (MIC). The results from the present study have shown that, out of 10 plants investigated, nine plants were found to have antibacterial activity against at least one of the bacteria strains tested with inhibition zones ranging from 7.5 to 24 mm at concentration of 40 mg/ml, 80 mg/ml and 160 mg/ml; with good effect at 160 mg/ml. Enterococcus faecalis was the most susceptible bacteria with 8 plant extracts inhibiting its growth. In comparison, seven plant extracts inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli respectively, six plant extracts inhibited the growth of Salmonella typhi, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa was sensitive to five plant extracts, S. paratyphi B was sensitive to four plant extracts, whereas, three plant extracts inhibited the growth of S. paratyphi A and Klebsiella pneumoniae respectively. The highest zones of inhibition diameter were obtained from Senna alata with diameter of 24, 23.5, 22.5, 19, 18.5 and 16.5 mm against Salmonella paratyphi A, Enterococcus faecalis, S. paratyphi B, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli respectively at 160 mg/ml; and from Pseudarthria confertiflora with diameter of 23.5 and 17 mm against S. typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa respectively at the same concentration. The lowest MIC values 256 μg/ml was exhibited by the extract of Pseudarthria confertiflora against Klebsiella pneumoniae and the lowest MBC was 1024 μg/ml exhibited by the extracts from Carica papaya against Enterococcus faecalis. Senna alata was particularly effective antibacterial agent being capable of inhibiting the growth of all eight bacteria. Bidens pilosa, Carica papaya and Pseudarthia confertiflora were also good antibacterial agents, each being capable of inhibiting the growth of the majority of bacteria tested. These plants could serves as a cheap source of antibacterial constituent for the treatment of infectious diseases.
Technology of Flushing Vascular Access Devices

Maintenance of catheter lumen patency is an ongoing challenge. Catheter flushing is the primary nursing intervention used to prevent lumen occlusion from thrombotic and precipitate causes. The catheter and all devices attached to it must be regarded as a system in which each component directly affects the others. The technology of catheter flushing includes the flush solution itself, the source of these solutions, syringe design, mechanical pumps, needleless injection systems, and the design of the catheter. Effective catheter flushing is a combination of a technique and technology that requires an understanding of how both must work together.
Estimation of time trends of incidence of prostate cancer--an Indian scenario.

BACKGROUND With increase in life expectancy, adoption of newer lifestyles and screening using prostate specific antigen (PSA), the incidence of prostate cancer is on rise. Globally prostate cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer and sixth leading cause of cancer death in men. The present communication makes an attempt to analyze the time trends in incidence for different age groups of the Indian population reported in different Indian registries using relative difference and regression approaches. MATERIALS AND METHOD The data published in Cancer Incidence in Five Continents for various Indian registries for different periods and/or publications by the individual registries served as the source materials. Trends were estimated by computing the mean annual percentage change (MAPC) in the incidence rates using the relative difference between two time periods (latest and oldest) and also by estimation of annual percentage change (EAPC) by the Poisson regression model. RESULTS Age adjusted incidence rates (AAR) of prostate cancer for the period 2005-2008 ranged from 0.8 (Manipur state excluding Imphal west) to 10.9 (Delhi) per 105 person-years. Age specific incidence rates (ASIR) increased in all PBCRs especially after 55 years showing a peak incidence at +65 years clearly indicating that prostate cancer is a cancer of the elderly. MAPC in crude incidence rate(CR) ranged from 0.14 (Ahmedabad) to 8.6 (Chennai) . Chennai also recorded the highest MAPC of 5.66 in ASIR in the age group of 65+. Estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) in the AAR ranged from 0.8 to 5.8 among the three registries. Increase in trend was seen in the 5-64 year age group cohort in many registries and in the 35-44 age group in Metropolitan cities such as Delhi and Mumbai. CONCLUSIONS Several Indian registries have revealed an increasing trend in the incidence of prostate cancer and the mean annual percentage change has ranged from 0.14-8.6.
A mechanism antagonizing the luteotrophic action of exogenous prolactin in rats.

Summary. The luteotrophic action of injected prolactin appears to be antagonized by an endogenous luteolytic mechanism to such an extent that the functional life-span of the corpora lutea cannot be lengthened more than 3 days beyond that of the non-injected control. This type of antagonism was seen in both intact and hysterectomized pseudopregnant rats and in lactating rats deprived of their litters. The antagonism was not observed in hypophysectomized rats, in which prolactin injections maintained functional corpora lutea for at least 20 days after ovulation. These results suggest the existence of a hypophysial hormone capable of antagonizing endogenous as well as exogenous prolactin. Hysterectomy may affect the timing of the luteolytic mechanism, but the latter seems to operate effectively in the absence of uterine stimuli. Luteolysis is apparently inhibited during lactation, but removal of the suckling stimulus results in a prompt activation of the process. In control experiments with untreated lactating rats, litter removal 8 or 12 days post partum terminated luteal secretory function on Day 14 regardless of when the litters were removed. These results suggest that 7-day-old corpora lutea of lactation respond less quickly than 11-day\x=req-\ old corpora to the endogenous hormonal alterations resulting from litter removal.
Three gene expression vector sets for concurrently expressing multiple genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Yeast has the potential to be used in bulk-scale fermentative production of fuels and chemicals due to its tolerance for low pH and robustness for autolysis. However, expression of multiple external genes in one host yeast strain is considerably labor-intensive due to the lack of polycistronic transcription. To promote the metabolic engineering of yeast, we generated systematic and convenient genetic engineering tools to express multiple genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We constructed a series of multi-copy and integration vector sets for concurrently expressing two or three genes in S. cerevisiae by embedding three classical promoters. The comparative expression capabilities of the constructed vectors were monitored with green fluorescent protein, and the concurrent expression of genes was monitored with three different fluorescent proteins. Our multiple gene expression tool will be helpful to the advanced construction of genetically engineered yeast strains in a variety of research fields other than metabolic engineering.
Migratory double breeding in Neotropical migrant birds

Neotropical migratory songbirds typically breed in temperate regions and then travel long distances to spend the majority of the annual cycle in tropical wintering areas. Using stable-isotope methodology, we provide quantitative evidence of dual breeding ranges for 5 species of Neotropical migrants. Each is well known to have a Neotropical winter range and a breeding range in the United States and Canada. However, after their first bout of breeding in the north, many individuals migrate hundreds to thousands of kilometers south in midsummer to breed a second time during the same summer in coastal west Mexico or Baja California Sur. They then migrate further south to their final wintering areas in the Neotropics. Our discovery of dual breeding ranges in Neotropical migrants reveals a hitherto unrealized flexibility in life-history strategies for these species and underscores that demographic models and conservation plans must consider dual breeding for these migrants.
Ultrasonographic Assessment of Liquid Gastric Emptying and Antral Motility According to the Subtypes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children

Objectives: Gastric motor abnormalities have been reported in adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), commonly in constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C); however, such studies are uncommon in children. Furthermore, differences of gastric motility have not been studied in children with different IBS subtypes. Methods: Seventy-six children (33 [43%] boys, age 4–14 years, mean 7.9 years, SD 3.0 years) fulfilling Rome III criteria for IBS and 20 healthy controls (8 [40%] boys, age 4–14 years, mean 8.4 years, SD 3.0 years) were recruited (diarrhea-predominant IBS = 21, IBS-C = 31, mixed IBS = 19, and unsubtyped IBS = 5). Liquid gastric emptying rate (GER) and antral motility were assessed using an ultrasound method. Results: Average GER (43.8% vs 66.2% in controls), amplitude of antral contractions (56.4% vs 89%), and antral motility index (5.1 vs 8.3) were lower and fasting antral area (1.6 vs 0.6) was higher in patients with IBS (P < 0.0001). Frequency of antral contractions F (8.9 vs 9.3) did not show a significant difference. Patients exposed to stressful events had a significantly lower GER, compared to those not exposed to such events (P = 0.03). Gastric motility parameters had no correlation with severity of symptoms. GER (42.6%, 46.3%, 39.6%), fasting antral area (1.4 cm2, 1.8 cm2, 1.8 cm2), amplitude of antral contractions (53%, 58.9%, 51.8%), frequency of antral contractions (8.7, 8.9, 9.2), and antral motility index (4.7, 5.3, 4.8) were not different among diarrhea-predominant IBS, IBS-C, and mixed IBS (P > 0.05). Conclusions: GER and antral motility parameters were significantly impaired in children with IBS compared with controls. GER and antral motility parameters were not different between IBS subtypes.
ATP‐sensitive K+ channel openers prevent Ca2+ overload in rat cardiac mitochondria

1 Mitochondrial dysfunction, secondary to excessive accumulation of Ca2+, has been implicated in cardiac injury. We here examined the action of potassium channel openers on mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis, as these cardioprotective ion channel modulators have recently been shown to target a mitochondrial ATP‐sensitive K+ channel. 2 In isolated cardiac mitochondria, diazoxide and pinacidil decreased the rate and magnitude of Ca2+ uptake into the mitochondrial matrix with an IC50 of 65 and 128 μm, respectively. At all stages of Ca2+ uptake, the potassium channel openers depolarized the mitochondrial membrane thereby reducing Ca2+ influx through the potential‐dependent mitochondrial uniporter. 3 Diazoxide and pinacidil, in a concentration‐dependent manner, also activated release of Ca2+ from mitochondria. This was prevented by cyclosporin A, an inhibitor of Ca2+ release through the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. 4 Replacement of extramitochondrial K+ with mannitol abolished the effects of diazoxide and pinacidil on mitochondrial Ca2+, while the K+ ionophore valinomycin mimicked the effects of the potassium channel openers. 5 ATP and ADP, which block K+ flux through mitochondrial ATP‐sensitive K+ channels, inhibited the effects of potassium channel openers, without preventing the action of valinomycin. 6 In intact cardiomyocytes, diazoxide also induced mitochondrial depolarization and decreased mitochondrial Ca2+ content. These effects were inhibited by the mitochondrial ATP‐sensitive K+ channel blocker 5‐hydroxydecanoic acid. 7 Thus, potassium channel openers prevent mitochondrial Ca2+ overload by reducing the driving force for Ca2+ uptake and by activating cyclosporin‐sensitive Ca2+ release. In this regard, modulators of an ATP‐sensitive mitochondrial K+ conductance may contribute to the maintenance of mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis.
Fault-Tolerant Control of Five-Phase Permanent-Magnet Motors With Trapezoidal Back EMF

This paper presents fault-tolerant control techniques for five-phase permanent-magnet motors with trapezoidal back electromotive forces under various open-circuit conditions. The proposed fault-tolerant control methods use only the fundamental and third-harmonic current components for the excitation of the healthy stator phases. The control techniques are developed by applying a concept that correlates the currents in the healthy phases based on their symmetry in space with respect to the fault in a machine. Optimum solutions under the single-phase open-circuit fault condition and double-phase open-circuit fault conditions are presented. The presented solutions are derived to increase the average output torque while reducing the torque pulsations and satisfying the zero-neutral-current constraint. Detailed experimental results are presented for the verification of the proposed solutions.
IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, and IFN-gamma mark beta cells for Fas-dependent destruction by diabetogenic CD4(+) T lymphocytes.

Cytokines such as IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, and IFN-gamma have long been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diabetes, but the mechanisms through which they promote diabetogenesis remain unclear. Here we show that CD4(+) T lymphocytes propagated from transgenic nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice expressing the highly diabetogenic, beta cell-specific 4.1-T-cell receptor (4.1-TCR) can kill IL-1alpha-, IL-1beta-, and IFN-gamma-treated beta cells from NOD mice. Untreated NOD beta cells and cytokine-treated beta cells from Fas-deficient NOD.lpr mice are not targeted by these T cells. Killing of islet cells in vitro was associated with cytokine-induced upregulation of Fas on islet cells and was independent of MHC class II expression. Abrogation of Fas expression in 4.1-TCR-transgenic NOD mice afforded nearly complete protection from diabetes and did not interfere with the development of the transgenic CD4(+) T cells or with their ability to cause insulitis. In contrast, abrogation of perforin expression did not affect beta cell-specific cytotoxicity or the diabetogenic potential of these T cells. These data demonstrate a novel mechanism of action of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, and IFN-gamma in autoimmune diabetes, whereby these cytokines mark beta cells for Fas-dependent lysis by autoreactive CD4(+) T cells.
Relaxation therapy for rehabilitation and prevention in ischaemic heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Aims To establish the effects of relaxation therapy on the recovery from a cardiac ischaemic event and secondary prevention. Methods and results A search was conducted for controlled trials in which patients with myocardial ischaemia were taught relaxation therapy, and outcomes were measured with respect to physiological, psychological, cardiac effects, return to work and cardiac events. A total of 27 studies were located. Six studies used abbreviated relaxation therapy (3 h or less of instruction), 13 studies used full relaxation therapy (9h of supervised instruction and discussion), and in eight studies full relaxation therapy was expanded with cognitive therapy (11 h on average). Physiological outcomes: reduction in resting heart rate, increased heart rate variability, improved exercise tolerance and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were found. No effect was found on blood pressure or cholesterol. Psychological outcome: state anxiety was reduced, trait anxiety was not, depression was reduced. Cardiac effects: the frequency of occurrence of angina pectoris was reduced, the occurrence of arrhythmia and exercise induced ischaemia were reduced. Return to work was improved. Cardiac events occurred less frequently, as well as cardiac deaths. With the exception of resting heart rate, the effects were small, absent or not measured in studies in which abbreviated relaxation therapy was given. No difference was found between the effects of full or expanded relaxation therapy. Conclusion Intensive supervised relaxation practice enhances recovery from an ischaemic cardiac event and contributes to secondary prevention. It is an important ingredient of cardiac rehabilitation, in addition to exercise and psycho-education.
p53 oligomerization and DNA looping are linked with transcriptional activation.

We examined the role of p53 oligomerization in DNA binding and in transactivation. By conventional electron microscopy (EM) and scanning transmission EM, we find that wild‐type tetramers contact 18‐20 bp at single or tandem 19 bp consensus sequences and also stack in apparent register, tetramer on top of tetramer. Stacked tetramers link separated DNA binding sites with DNA loops. Interestingly, the p53(1‐320) segment, which lacks the C‐terminal tetramerization domain, binds DNA consensus sites as stacked oligomers. Although the truncated protein binds DNA with reduced efficiency, it nevertheless induces DNA looping by self‐association. p53, therefore, has a C‐terminal tetramerization domain that enhances DNA binding and a non‐tetrameric oligomerization domain that stacks p53 at consensus sites and loops separated consensus sites via protein‐protein interactions. Using model promoters, we demonstrate that wild‐type and tetramerization‐deficient p53s activate transcription well when tandem consensus sites are proximal to TATA sequences and poorly when tandem sites are distal. In the presence of proximal sites, however, stimulation by distal sites increases 25‐fold. Tetramerization and stacking of tetramers, therefore, provide dual mechanisms to augment the number of p53 molecules available for activation through p53 response elements. DNA looping between separated response elements further increases the concentration of local p53 by translocating distally bound protein to the promoter.
Softwares Educacionais e a Educação Especial: Refletindo sobre Aspectos Pedagógicos

A proposta para o uso de software educacional, numa perspectiva de aprendizagem, desenvolve-se a partir da utilizacao da informatica educativa considerando questoes como: adequacao dos conteudos a realidade do educando, aplicacao de novas metodologias que incentivem a participacao ativa do aluno no processo de aprendizagem e redefinicao dos objetivos a fim de ampliar o desenvolvimento do individuo para a sua insercao na sociedade moderna
Primary user authentication in cognitive radio network using authentication tag

Today's wireless network is characterized by fixed spectrum assignment policy, which is known as licensed spectrum. But this licensed spectrum is not utilized properly and on the other hand due to enormously increase in wireless devices there is a problem of spectrum shortage. So a new technology, cognitive radio network (CRN) has been proposed by Mitola(2000) for efficient utilization of available spectrum and to overcome the problem of spectrum shortage. The aim of cognitive radio network technology is to use the license spectrum opportunistically without causing any harmful interference to primary user. But an attacker can mimic primary user signals to get unfair share of radio channels. Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish primary user signal from an attacker signal or secondary user signal. In this paper, we propose a mechanism to authenticate primary user by using authentication tag at physical layer.
A biomechanical model for cell polarization and intercalation during Drosophila germband extension

Germband extension during Drosophila development features the merging of cells along the dorsal–ventral (DV) axis and their separation along the anterior–posterior (AP) axis. This intercalation process involves planar cell polarity, anisotropic contractile forces along cell edges, and concerted cell deformation and movement. Although prior experiments have probed each of these factors separately, the connection among them remains unclear. This paper presents a chemo-mechanical model that integrates the three factors into a coherent framework. The model predicts the polarization of Rho-kinase, myosin and Bazooka downstream of an anisotropic Shroom distribution. In particular, myosin accumulates on cell edges along the DV axis, causing them to contract into a vertex. Subsequently, medial myosin in the cells anterior and posterior to the vertex helps to elongate it into a new edge parallel to the body axis. Thus, the tissue extends along the AP axis and narrows in the transverse direction through neighbor exchange. Model predictions of the polarity of the proteins and cell and tissue deformation are in good agreement with experimental observations.
A feasibility study of antenna in a package technology for 40GHz front-end module

In this paper, a front-end module integrated with a planar dipole antenna based on LTCC technology is proposed and its feasibility is studied at 40 GHz band. Front-end module is a part of 40 GHz transceiver and consists of a single pole double throw (SPDT) switch, a laminated waveguide filter and a planar dipole antenna. The proposed structure shows good agreements between measured and simulated results. Size of the proposed structure is 27.5 × 5.85 mm2.