Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fungal endophytes of South China blueberry (Vaccinium dunalianum var. urophyllum)

A total of 374 fungal endophyte strains were isolated from of Vaccinium dunalianum var. urophyllum (Ericaceae), a well‐known cultivated blueberry in southern China. These fungal endophytes could be categorized into 25 morphotypes according to culture characteristics and molecular identification based on the internal transcribed spacer region. All of these isolates belonged to Ascomycota. Jaccard's (Jc) and Sorenson's similarity indices indicated that the species communities from the fruits and branches were closer to each other than to those from leaves. The leaves appeared to host the highest fungal biodiversity, and the fruits displayed the lowest diversity.
Non-coding RNAs as direct and indirect modulators of epigenetic regulation

Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is an increasingly well-understood concept that explains much of the contribution of an organism’s environment and experience to its biology. However, discussion persists as to which mechanisms can be classified as epigenetic. Ongoing research continues to uncover novel pathways, including the important role of non-protein coding RNA transcripts in epigenetic gene regulation. We know that the majority of human and other mammalian transcripts are not translated but that many of these are nonetheless functional. These non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) can be short (< 200 nt) or long (< 200 nt) and are further classified by genomic origin and mechanism of action. We discuss examples of ncRNAs that interact with histone modifying complexes or DNA methyltransferases to regulate gene expression, others that are targets of these epigenetic mechanisms, and propose a model in which such transcripts feed back into an epigenetic regulatory network.
The Prevalence of Chronic Cervical Zygapophysial Joint Pain After Whiplash

Study Design. A survey of the prevalence of cervical zygapophysial jooint pain was conducted. Objectives. To determine the prevalence of cervical zygapophysial joint pain in patients with chronic neck pain after whiplash. Summary of Backgound Data. In a significant porportion of patients with whiplash, chronic, refractory neck pain develops. Provisional data suggests many of these patients have zygapophysial joint pain, but the diagnosis has been established by single, uncontrolled diagnostic blocks. Methods. Fifty consecutive, referred patients with chronic neck pain after whiplash injury were studid using double-blind, controlled, diagnotic blocks of the cervical zygapophysial joints. On separate occasions, the joint was blocked with either lignocaine or bupivacaine in random order. Results. A positive diagnosis was made only if both blocks relieved the patient's pain and bupivacaine provided longer relief, Painful joints were identified in 54% of the patients (95% confidence interval, 40% to 68%). Conclusion. In this population, cervical zygapophysial joint pain was the most common source of chronic neck pain after whiplash.
Large-Scale Many-Class Prediction via Flat Techniques

Prediction problems with huge numbers of classes are becomi ng ore common. While class taxonomies are available in certain cases, we ha v observed that simple flat learning and classification, via ndexlearning and related techniques, offers significant efficiency and accuracy advantages. In the PASCAL challenge on l arge-scale hierarchical text classification, the accuracies we obtained ranked in the top three in all evaluations. We also found that using committees of a few learned models boosted a ccur cy, and observed a tradeoff between accuracy versus memory and time efficiency . This paper is an extension of our short report paper on the competition, and includes a p roof of convergence, with a mistake bound, for a variant of indexing in the two-class set ting for the separable case.
A novel multi-level bi-directional DC/DC converter for inductive power transfer applications

In this study, a novel multi-level type bidirectional half-bridge inverter for wireless power transfer applications is presented. The proposed converter provides high power application by splitting the voltage in each switch. The converter topology is explored to reveal the maximum efficiency points with a variable phase-shift function between the dual active level (DAL) switches. The analysis of the converter is provided in terms of variable load and coupling co-efficient factor at a constant switching frequency. A 1 kW contactless system is designed with an output of 100 V by testing the different load conditions at an 8 inch gap between coils. Experimental results are clearly indicate that the demonstrated system, which has an average efficiency improvement of 3% with an optimized phase shift between switches, offers higher efficiency in comparison to conventional multi-level topologies.
Untethered flight of a tiny balloon via self-sustained electrostatic actuators

We present electrostatic flapping actuators with self-sustained oscillations powered by on-board capacitors for the untethered flight control of a palm-sized tiny balloon. With a length of 13 mm and weight of only 3 mg, the actuator can generate lift force of 1mg with a stroke frequency of 50Hz under applied DC voltages. The actuator produces a wing rotation angles up to ±45° for the lateral propelling force, and successfully realizes untethered flapping on the plastic balloon for 23 seconds for lateral movements of 295 mm in the sky. As such, this work provides a new propelling mechanism for artificial flying insects, potentially leading to a new class of research in the area of "micro-airship".
Multiple influences on menstrual synchrony: Kibbutz roommates, their best friends, and their mothers

Menstrual onset dates of women living in kibbutzim were compared with those of their roomates, their best friends in the kibbutz, and their mothers. Since these three groups of women constitute the overwhelming number of the subjects' female interactions, this enabled the examination of multiple influences on menstrual synchrony. Synchrony was found between roommates and between best friends, but not between mothers and daughters. The relationships of friendship and joint activities to synchrony were also analyzed. The findings support a pheromonal, and not an environmental, explanation of menstrual synchrony. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intravascular ultrasound‐guided balloon angioplasty for treatment of in‐stent restenosis

We investigated the usefulness of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)‐guided balloon angioplasty for in‐stent restenosis in 37 lesions of 34 consecutive patients. We divided these patients into two groups: a group in which the balloon size was determined by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA group; 17 patients, 19 lesions) and a group in which the balloon size was determined by IVUS (IVUS group; 17 patients, 18 lesions). We compared short‐term and 6‐month outcomes for these groups. In the IVUS group, we used a balloon of a size equal to 95% of the media‐to‐media diameter at the distal to the stent, as determined by IVUS. No significant differences were observed in patient or lesion characteristics between the two groups. The clinical success rate was 100% in both groups, and no clinical events were observed in either of the groups. The balloon/artery ratio was larger in the IVUS group than in the QCA group (1.33 ± 0.35 vs. 1.16 ± 0.13, P < 0.05), and the recurrent restenosis rate was lower (17% vs. 53%, P < 0.05). These results suggest that repeat balloon angioplasty using a balloon size determined by IVUS is useful for in‐stent restenosis. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 47:298–303, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A STRAND OF CARDIAC MUSCLE

The structure of a small strand of rabbit heart muscle fibers (trabecula carnea), 30–80 µ in diameter, has been examined with light and electron microscopy. By establishing a correlation between the appearance of regions of close fiber contact in light and electron microscopy, the extent and distribution of regions of close apposition of fibers has been evaluated in approximately 200 µ length of a strand. The distribution of possible regions of resistive coupling between fibers has been approximated by a model system of cables. The theoretical linear electrical properties of such a system have been analyzed and the implications of the results of this analysis are discussed. Since this preparation is to be used for correlated studies of the electrical, mechanical, and cytochemical properties of cardiac muscle, a comprehensive study of the morphology of this preparation has been made. The muscle fibers in it are distinguished from those of the rabbit papillary muscle, in that they have no triads and have a kind of mitochondrion not found in papillary muscle. No evidence of a transverse tubular system was found, but junctions of cisternae of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and the sarcolemma, peripheral couplings, were present. The electrophysiological implications of the absence of transverse tubules are discussed. The cisternae of the couplings showed periodic tubular extensions toward the sarcolemma. A regularly spaced array of Z line-like material was observed, suggesting a possible mechanism for sarcomere growth.
Management of Hypertensive Crisis in Acute Neurovascular Emergencies

Umesh Jayarajah1*, Shania N Gunasekera2#, and Suranjith L Seneviratne3 1Professorial Medical Unit, National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka 2Department of Neurology, National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, Sri Lanka 3Department of Surgery, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka #Both the authors contributed equally
Isolation, identification, and biological activity of isopersin, a new compound from avocado idioblast oil cells

A new compound, (12Z,15Z)-1-hydroxy-4-oxo-heneicosa-12,15-dien-2-yl acetate, isopersin (2), has been isolated from avocado idioblast oil cells. In artificial diet bioassays, 2 showed no effects on either larval survivorship or growth of early-instar beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua. In contrast, the isomeric persin (1), (12Z, 15Z)-1-acetoxy-2-hydroxy-4-oxo-heneicosa-12,15-diene, reduces larval growth at equivalent concentrations (500 &mgr;g g-1). Compound 2 is not very stable and isomerizes readily to 1. Both compounds are acid-labile, rearranging rapidly to alkylfuran 3 in the presence of traces of acid.
Printed monopole slot antenna for multiband operation in the mobile phone

In this paper, we present a promising design of the monopole slot antenna for multiband operation in the mobile phone. The antenna is formed by two monopole slots of different lengths and is capable of multiband operation covering the AMPS/GSM/DCS/PCS/UMTS/WLAN bands. With multiband operation achieved in this study, however, the proposed printed monopole slot antenna requires a small area of 15 x 40 mm2 on the system circuit board of the mobile phone. Design considerations of the antenna are described in detail in the paper, and results for the constructed prototype are presented and discussed.
Effects of insufficient sleep on blood pressure monitored by a new multibiomedical recorder.

Blood pressure varies in relation to factors such as physical activity, body position, ambient temperature, and autonomic nervous system activity. Therefore, we have developed a portable multibiomedical (PMB) recorder that monitors five parameters: indirect blood pressure, physical activity, body position, ambient temperature, and RR interval of the electrocardiogram. In the present study, we applied the PMB recorder over a 24-hour period to study the effect of insufficient sleep on blood pressure in subjects doing extensive overtime work. The parameters listed above were measured by the PMB recorder throughout a normal workday (mean period of sleep, 8 hours) and throughout a day with insufficient sleep (mean period of sleep, 3.6 hours) in 18 male technical workers aged 23 to 48 years old. Blood pressure (mean systolic/diastolic pressure +/- SD) significantly increased the day after a sleep-insufficient night (129 +/- 8/79 +/- 6 mm Hg) compared with the day after a normal night (123 +/- 8/76 +/- 7 mm Hg, P<.05). However, ambient temperature, mean number of steps per minute, and percentage of time spent in a standing position showed no significant difference between these days. Spectral analysis of RR intervals showed that the ratio of the low-frequency component on the RR power spectrum (0.05 to 0.15 Hz) to the high-frequency component (0.15 to 0.40 Hz) was higher on the sleep-insufficient day (2.17 +/- 0.37 versus 1.81 +/- 0.37), as was the urinary excretion of norepinephrine (P<.05). Heart rate was significantly higher on the sleep-insufficient day (81 +/- ll versus 76 +/- 8 beats per minute), after the data of two subjects with abnormal levels of physical activity were excluded (P<.Ol). These data suggest that lack of sleep may increase sympathetic nervous system activity on the following day, leading to increased blood pressure. The PMB recorder was useful for precisely evaluating the relationship between blood pressure and environmental factors.
Bone Gla Protein Increases HIF-1&agr;–Dependent Glucose Metabolism and Induces Cartilage and Vascular Calcification

Objective— Bone Gla Protein (BGP, osteocalcin) is commonly present in the calcified vasculature and was recently shown as energy metabolism-regulating hormone. This study investigates the role of BGP in cartilage and vasculature mineralization. Methods and Results— We established an in vitro BGP-overexpression model in chondrocytes (ATDC5) and vascular smooth muscle cells (MOVAS). BGP overexpression upregulated markers of chondrogenic differentiation and intensified staining for minerals. BGP overexpression enhanced glucose uptake and increased expression of glucose transporters and glycolysis enzymes while decreasing gluconeogenesis enzymes. Treatment with purified BGP activated insulin signaling pathway and upregulated genes of glucose transport and utilization. Both BGP overexpression and treatment with purified BGP resulted in stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor 1&agr; (HIF-1&agr;) in chondrocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells, shown essential in mediating the direct metabolic effect of BGP. The in vivo model of 1,25(OH)2D3-induced vascular calcification in rats revealed a correlation between calcification, elevated BGP levels, and increased HIF-1&agr; expression in aortas and bone growth plates. The in vivo introduction of BGP siRNA, coadministered with 1,25(OH)2D3, prevented 1,25(OH)2D3-induced HIF-1&agr; stabilization, and diminished osteochondrogenic differentiation and mineralization of aortas. Conclusion— This study demonstrates novel mechanism by which BGP locally shifts cells toward glycolytic breakdown of glucose, in a HIF-1&agr;–dependent manner, and stimulates calcification of cartilage and vasculature.
A Simple PCR Method for Rapid Genotype Analysis ofMycobacterium ulcerans

ABSTRACT Two high-copy-number insertion sequences, IS2404 and IS2606, were recently identified in Mycobacterium ulcerans and were shown by Southern hybridization to possess restriction fragment length polymorphism between strains from different geographic origins. We have designed a simple genotyping method that captures these differences by PCR amplification of the region between adjacent copies of IS2404 and IS2606. We have called this system 2426 PCR. The method is rapid, reproducible, sensitive, and specific for M. ulcerans, and it has confirmed previous studies suggesting a clonal population structure ofM. ulcerans within a geographic region. M. ulcerans isolates from Australia, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Surinam, Mexico, Japan, China, and several countries in Africa were easily differentiated based on an array of 4 to 14 PCR products ranging in size from 200 to 900 bp. Numerical analysis of the banding patterns suggested a close evolutionary link between M. ulceransisolates from Africa and southeast Asia. The application of 2426 PCR to total DNA, extracted directly from M. ulcerans-infected tissue specimens without culture, demonstrated the sensitivity and specificity of this method and confirmed for the first time that both animal and human isolates from areas of endemicity in southeast Australia have the same genotype.
Acid‐Base and Electrolyte Disturbances in Patients With Hypercalcemia

Background. In the present study, we analyzed acid‐base and electrolyte disturbances in hypercalcemic patients to determine the principal causes of hypercalcemia. Methods. We studied a total of 76 hypercalcemic patients and 91 healthy individuals. Acidbase and electrolyte parameters were determined before any therapeutic intervention. Results. Hyperparathyroidism and neoplasias were the most common causes of hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemic patients had increased serum urea and creatinine levels, a higher urea/creatinine ratio, and a higher rate of acid‐base disorders, but lower serum albumin, potassium, chloride, phosphorus, and magnesium concentrations than those found in the control subjects. Notably, significant differences in acid‐base balance and electrolyte concentrations were evident between patients with hyperparathyroidism and patients with cancer. Conclusions. Primary hyperparathyroidism and neoplasia are the most common causes of hypercalcemia. A wide array of concurrent acid‐base and electrolyte disorders may be evident in hypercalcemic patients. Differences in these laboratory parameters are helpful in diagnostic workup.
Curcumin promotes the apoptosis of human endometrial carcinoma cells by downregulating the expression of androgen receptor through Wnt signal pathway.

OBJECTIVE The current study aimed to explore the effect ofcurcumin on androgen receptor (AR) expression in endometrial carcinoma cells, as well as the underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Endometrial carcinoma cells were treated with curcumin (10, 50, and 100 micromol/l) for 12, 24, and 48 hours. Their growth curves were drawn using MTT assays and their apoptotic rates were determined using flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein expression of AR was detected using PCR and that of the Wnt signal related nucleopro- tein beta-cantenin was observed using western blot analysis. The influence of beta-cantenin on the action of curcumin was observed. RESULTS Curcumin downregulated the proliferation and apoptosis of human endometrial carcinoma cells in concentration and time-dependent manners. It downregulated the expression of AR and beta-cantenin in the cells. rWnt3a partially cancelled the effects of curcumin on the proliferation and apoptosis of human endometrial carcinoma cells as well as the AR expression-downregulating effect of curcumin. CONCLUSION Curcumin inhibits the proliferation and apoptosis of human endometrial carcinoma cells by downregulating their AR expression through the Wnt signal pathway.
Predictors and effect of physical symptom status on health-related quality of life in patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND Physical symptoms are common and distressing problems for patients with heart failure and may be the strongest predictor of health-related quality of life. Identification of variables predictive of physical symptom status is needed to develop effective interventions to improve health-related quality of life. METHODS A total of 84 patients discharged after being hospitalized for exacerbation of heart failure were followed up for 3 months. The Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire and the Dyspnea-Fatigue Index were used to assess health-related quality of life and physical symptom status, respectively. Relationships of health-related quality of life and physical symptom status to baseline demographic, behavioral, biophysiological, and psychological variables were examined with bivariate correlations and stepwise multiple regression analyses. RESULTS Patients with better physical symptom status and those who worked, were older, and were less anxious at baseline reported better health-related quality of life (F=12.4, P<.001); physical symptom status was the strongest predictor. Patients who had less depression, worked, had higher perceived control, and were younger at baseline reported better physical symptom status (F=14.4, P<.001); depression was the strongest predictor. CONCLUSIONS Physical symptom status is the most important predictor of health-related quality of life, and baseline depression and perceived control are the best predictors of physical symptom status. Interventions targeted to improve psychological status may improve physical symptom status and thereby improve health-related quality of life.
The Utility of Phosphohistone H3 in Breast Cancer Grading

The commonly used Nottingham Grading System in breast cancer takes into consideration the presence of tubular formation, nuclear pleomorphism, and the mitotic index (MI), among which the latter has been shown to be the most powerful prognostic factor. In practice, histologic grading is highly subjective, with only moderate interobserver reproducibility. Phosphorylation of histone H3 has been demonstrated to be a specific event in the mitotic phase, and is negligible during interphase. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of Phosphohistone H3 (PHH3) in the breast cancer grading of 97 consecutive biopsy specimens. PHH3 antibodies clearly revealed discrete, strong nuclear immunoreactivity in mitotically active cells even under low magnification. The PHH3 MI showed a significant correlation with that derived by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining as well as the Ki-67 proliferation index. Further, the pairwise &kgr;-value of the MI was significantly increased, and the pairwise agreement was also markedly improved by PHH3 immunostaining, although a significant proportion of breast cancer cases were upgraded by use of the PHH3 MI. Our data showed that PHH3 provided a more sensitive and accurate MI with less interobserver variability when compared with conventional H&E staining, thus emphasizing its potentially increased value in practice. Reconsideration of breast cancer grading with integration of PHH3 should be considered if it continues to demonstrate superiorly to traditional H&E staining.
Combination of MRI-detected bone marrow oedema with 2010 rheumatoid arthritis classification criteria improves the diagnostic probability of early rheumatoid arthritis

Efficient methods for distinguishing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at an earlier phase from other diseases are strongly desired since early therapeutic intervention improves clinical and radiographic outcomes of RA.1–4 The clinical 2010 RA classification criteria was established based upon the consensus that RA is an inflammatory disease that develops persistent and/or erosive arthritis.2 ,3 Our series of studies as well as the article describing European League Against Rheumatism recommendations for the use of imaging for the clinical management of RA mention that MRI can be used to improve the certainty of a diagnosis of RA above clinical criteria.5 ,6 The present study was undertaken to investigate whether MRI findings of wrist and finger joints improve the diagnostic performance of 2010 RA classification criteria. One hundred sixty-six patients with early arthritis, who do not fulfil the 1987 RA criteria or other international criteria for rheumatic disease at entry …