Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The evolution of non–reciprocal nuclear exchange in mushrooms as a consequence of genomic conflict

Heterothallic mushrooms accomplish sex by exchanging nuclei without cytoplasm. Hyphal fusions occur between haploid mycelia resulting from germinated spores and subsequent reciprocal nuclear exchange without cytoplasmic mixing. The resulting dikaryon is therefore a cytoplasmic mosaic with uniformly distributed nuclei (two in each cell). Cytoplasmic inheritance is doubly uniparental: both mated monokaryons can potentially transmit their cytoplasm to the sexual spores, but normally only a single type per spore is found. Intracellular competition between mitochondria is thus limited, but at the dikaryon level, the two types of mitochondria compete over transmission. This creates the conditions for genomic conflict: within the dikaryon, a selfish mitochondrial mutant with increased relative transmission can be favoured, but selection between dikaryons will act against such a mitochondrial mutant. Moreover, because nuclear fitness is directly dependent on dikaryon fitness, a reduction in dikaryon fitness directly conflicts with nuclear interests. We propose that genomic conflict explains the frequent occurrence of non–reciprocal nuclear exchange in mushrooms. With non–reciprocal exchange, one monokaryon donates a nucleus and the other accepts it, but not vice versa as in the typical life cycle. We propose a model where non–reciprocal nuclear exchange is primarily driven by mitochondria inducing male sterility and the evolution of nuclear suppressors.
Entanglement as a resource in adiabatic quantum optimization

We explore the role of entanglement in adiabatic quantum optimization by performing approximate simulations of the real-time evolution of a quantum system while limiting the amount of entanglement. To classically simulate the time evolution of the system with a limited amount of entanglement, we represent the quantum state using matrix-product states and projected entangled-pair states. We show that the probability of finding the ground state of an Ising spin glass on either a planar or non-planar two-dimensional graph increases rapidly as the amount of entanglement in the state is increased. Furthermore, we propose evolution in complex time as a way to improve simulated adiabatic evolution and mimic the effects of thermal cooling of the quantum annealer.
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolated from patients with severe cholera-like disease.

The "cholera syndrome," characterized by profuse "rice-water" diarrhea leading to collapse, is produced classically by Vibrio cholerae, although it also may be seen in infection by non-cholera vibrios [1], and in a significant proportion of patients from whom no etiologic agent can be identified [2], The latter category of patients has continued to be an enigma, in spite of sophisticated techniques of culturing stools. During the 1968 cholera season in Calcutta, 17 patients admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital with severe diarrheal disease, but from whom no enteric pathogens could be isolated, were studied extensively by intubation and perfusion of the small bowel [3, 4]. Most of these patients were found to be colonized in the small bowel with either a single serotype of Escherichia coli, or a mixture of coliform bacteria. As reported, these patients had secretory abnormalities of the small bowel, similar in kind to those seen
[The prevalence of dementia three months after stroke and its risk factors].

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of post-stroke dementia (PSD) and its possible clinical and sociodemographic risk factors 3 months after the index stroke episode. METHODS Among 147 patients who were hospitalized in the inpatient neurology clinic of Dicle University Faculty of Medicine with a diagnosis of stroke, 106 that met the inclusion criteria were included in the study 3 months after the index stroke. All patients underwent a detailed systemic and neurological examination, as well as a clinical interview in an effort to determine the sociodemographic features, and both vascular and non-vascular risk factors of stroke. Routine laboratory examinations and cranial imaging (computed tomography [CT] or magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) were also conducted. The functional, clinical, and cognitive status of the patients were evaluated at the time of hospitalization and 3 months later with the Barthel Index, NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), respectively. RESULTS Of the 106 patients included in the study, 32 (30.2%) were diagnosed with PSD. Multivariate analyses revealed that increased age, presence of atrial fibrillation, multiple brain lesions, and cognitive and functional status during hospitalization predicted the development of PSD in this group of patients. CONCLUSION The results corroborate previous findings that PSD is a common complication of stroke. Early recognition and treatment of PSD risk factors will definitely diminish the burden of stroke on society and help to improve patient quality of life.
Changes of the blood coagulation system of Holstein-Friesian heifers during the course of chlamydiosis

The objective of this study was to describe changes in the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems of HolsteinFriesian (h-F) heifers infected naturally with Chlamydia spp. in Kazakhstan. Blood coagulation and morphology tests were performed in 30 heifers, including 20 infected animals (experimental group I) and 10 clinically healthy and uninfected animals (control group II). In the laboratory tests, the following blood parameters were determined: prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), antithrombin III activity (ATIII), fibrinogen (FBG), D-dimer (D-D) concentrations, thrombocyte counts (PLT) and leukocyte counts (WBC). Decreased PT and APTT values in the blood plasma of heifers infected with Chlamydia spp. were indicative of intensified procoagulant activity in such an acute infection. Increased ATIII activity could point to the activation of the anticoagulant system to prevent excessive fibrin production in diseased animals. The results indicate that the hemostatic system was activated in heifers with symptoms of chlamydiosis, and regulatory mechanisms prevented the development of life-threatening conditions such as thrombosis or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
Refractory ceramic fiber (RCF) toxicity and epidemiology: A review

This paper provides a review of the relevant literature on refractory ceramic fibers (RCFs), summarizing relevant data and information on the manufacture, processing, applications, potential occupational exposure, toxicology, epidemiology, risk analysis, and risk management. RCFs are amorphous fibers used for high-temperature insulation applications. RCFs are less durable/biopersistent than amphibole asbestos, but more durable/biopersistent than many other synthetic vitreous fibers (SVFs). Moreover, as produced/used, some RCFs are respirable. Toxicology studies with rodents using various exposure methods have shown that RCFs can cause fibrosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Interpretation of these animal studies is difficult for various reasons (e.g., overload in chronic inhalation bioassays). Epidemiological studies of occupationally exposed cohorts in Europe and the United States have demonstrated measurable effects (e.g., mild respiratory symptoms and pleural plaques) but no disease (i.e., no interstitial fibrosis, no excess lung cancer, and no mesothelioma) to date. The RCF industry, working cooperatively with various government agencies in the United States, has developed a comprehensive product stewardship program (PSP) to identify and control risks associated with occupational exposure. One provision of the PSP is the adoption of a voluntary recommended exposure guideline (REG) of 0.5 fibers/milliliter (f/ml). Selected on the basis of prudence and demonstrated feasibility, compliance with the REG should reduce risks to levels between 0.073/1000 and 1.2/1000, based on extrapolations from chronic animal inhalation studies.
Sharing Personal Health Information: Personalization versus Privacy

Personal health information (PHI) is increasingly becoming a critical component of personalized healthcare. However, investment in PHI capabilities may be severely undermined if consumers are unwilling to share PHI. While consumers are concerned about potential compromise of PHI, they also value the personalization benefits of PHI use. In light of the limited understanding of this tension, this research develops a parsimonious model to predict consumer’s willingness to share PHI as a result of the tradeoff between concern for privacy and value for personalization. Grounded on theoretical positions of Information Boundary Theory , we examine the mechanism through which privacy concern and personalization influence willingness to share PHI. Results of the study suggests that the attitude towards sharing PHI is shaped by two competing forces of privacy concerns and value for personalization. Insights from the study can be used to craft future healthcare implementation policies.
Failure mechanisms of low-voltage trench power MOSFETs under repetitive avalanche conditions

In this paper we present a mechanism leading to early fails in a trench power MOSFET when operated at high drain currents under repetitive avalanche conditions (also referred to as “unclamped inductive switching”). While typical fails show burn marks at (or under) the bond stitches, early fails can occur close to the active area's edges or corners. With plausible assumptions both cases can be consistently explained by thermal runaway as demonstrated by electrothermal simulation.
Laparoscopic versus open hepatectomy for liver tumours: a case control study.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the benefits of laparoscopic versus open resection of liver tumours. DESIGN Case control study. SETTING Tertiary teaching hospital, Hong Kong. PATIENTS Data from 25 patients who underwent laparoscopic resections for liver tumours from 2003 to 2006 were compared to a retrospective series of 25 patients who underwent open hepatectomy in a pair-matched design. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Duration of operation, operative morbidity and mortality, blood loss, tumour resection margin, analgesics usage, days to return to an oral diet, duration of postoperative hospital stay, and survival of patients with malignancy. RESULTS The demographic data and the tumour characteristics were comparable in the two patient groups, as were mortality (0% in both groups) and morbidity rates (4% in both groups). Two (8%) of the patients having laparoscopic resections were converted to open surgery. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of operating time or resection margins. However, the laparoscopically treated patients experienced significantly less blood loss (median, 100 vs 250 mL), had shorter hospital stays (median, 4 vs 7 days), were prescribed less analgesia (median morphine dosage, 0.16 vs 0.83 mg per kg body weight), and resumed oral diet earlier (median, 1 vs 2 days). For patients with malignant tumours, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of actuarial and disease-free survival. CONCLUSION Compared to open hepatectomy, in selected patients laparoscopic liver resection delivers the benefits of decreased blood loss, shorter hospital stay, lesser requirement for analgesics, and an earlier return to an oral diet, without evidence of compromised oncological clearance.
50-Ma Initiation of Hawaiian-Emperor Bend Records Major Change in Pacific Plate Motion

The Hawaiian-Emperor bend has played a prominent yet controversial role in deciphering past Pacific plate motions and the tempo of plate motion change. New ages for volcanoes of the central and southern Emperor chain define large changes in volcanic migration rate with little associated change in the chain's trend, which suggests that the bend did not form by slowing of the Hawaiian hot spot. Initiation of the bend near Kimmei seamount about 50 million years ago (MA) was coincident with realignment of Pacific spreading centers and early magmatism in western Pacific arcs, consistent with formation of the bend by changed Pacific plate motion.
FlhA Influences Bacillus thuringiensis PlcR-Regulated Gene Transcription, Protein Production, and Virulence

ABSTRACT Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus cereus are closely related. B. thuringiensis is well known for its entomopathogenic properties, principally due to the synthesis of plasmid-encoded crystal toxins. B. cereus appears to be an emerging opportunistic human pathogen. B. thuringiensis and B. cereus produce many putative virulence factors which are positively controlled by the pleiotropic transcriptional regulator PlcR. The inactivation of plcR decreases but does not abolish virulence, indicating that additional factors like flagella may contribute to pathogenicity. Therefore, we further analyzed a mutant (B. thuringiensis 407 Cry− ΔflhA) previously described as being defective in flagellar apparatus assembly and in motility as well as in the production of hemolysin BL and phospholipases. A large picture of secreted proteins was obtained by two-dimensional electrophoresis analysis, which revealed that flagellar proteins are not secreted and that production of several virulence-associated factors is reduced in the flhA mutant. Moreover, we quantified the effect of FlhA on plcA and hblC gene transcription. The results show that the flhA mutation results in a significant reduction of plcA and hblC transcription. These results indicate that the transcription of several PlcR-regulated virulence factors is coordinated with the flagellar apparatus. Consistently, the flhA mutant also shows a strong decrease in cytotoxicity towards HeLa cells and in virulence against Galleria mellonella larvae following oral and intrahemocoelic inoculation. The decrease in virulence may be due to both a lack of flagella and a lower production of secreted factors. Hence, FlhA appears to be an essential virulence factor with a pleiotropic role.
Development of a hybrid custom / commercial multi-channel, high-frequency transmit pulser and beamformer system

The progressive development of a custom series of microultrasound transmit circuits is presented, with bipolar operation in both single-pulse and extended pulse operation. We have developed a series of low-cost, expandable channel-count circuits to drive microultrasound transducer arrays at frequencies up to 50 MHz and voltages up to 80 Vpp. This includes both bench-top supply and electrical mains powered system development with expandable channel count and also includes integration with the multi-channel FI Toolbox commercial product (Diagnostic Sonar, Livingston, UK). A series of discrete focusing delay chips with variable delay steps allows them to be programmed either serially or in parallel. In turn, this allows the system to be operated in isolation or in conjunction with commercial generic hardware platforms.
Assessment of Urinary N-Acetyl-β-Glucosaminidase as an Early Marker of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy

Early detection and timely intervention are important for improving contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) prognosis. Whether urinary N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAG) is a useful marker for early detection of CIN was investigated in 590 patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography (CA) and/or therapeutic percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndromes or stable angina, and who received low-osmolality nonionic contrast agent. Urinary NAG, osmolality and serum creatinine were measured before and 1, 2 and 6 days after contrast agent exposure. CIN occurred in 33 patients; its incidence in high-risk patients (pre-existing renal dysfunction with/without diabetes mellitus) was significantly higher than in others. In patients with CIN, urinary NAG and serum creatinine levels on days 1 and 2 were significantly higher than at baseline and compared with patients without CIN; mean levels were gradually returning to baseline by day 6. Compared with serum creatinine, urinary NAG levels peaked earlier in CIN patients and increased much more. The results suggest that, following CA and/or PCI, CIN occurs to a certain degree and that NAG may be a useful early CIN marker as it is noninvasive, simple, inexpensive and sensitive.
Review and updates of immunohistochemistry in selected salivary gland and head and neck tumors.

CONTEXT Immunohistochemistry is a useful tool for diagnosing salivary gland and head and neck tumors. OBJECTIVE To review immunohistochemical markers, which can aid in the diagnosis of selected salivary gland and head and neck tumors. DATA SOURCES Literature review and authors' personal practice experience. CONCLUSIONS Salivary gland and head and neck tumors include a large diverse group of tumors with complex and overlapping histologic features. Immunohistochemistry plays an important role in resolving the differential diagnosis of some salivary gland and head and neck tumors and can provide information for the prognosis of certain tumors.
Regulation by Spermine of Native Inward Rectifier K Channels in RBL-1 Cells (*)

Polyamines have been shown to participate in the rectification of cloned inwardly rectifying potassium channels, a class of potassium channel proteins that conducts inward current more readily than outward current. Here, basophil leukemia cells were used to determine the effects of polyamines on a native, inwardly rectifying potassium current. Rat basophil leukemia cells were cultured in the presence of two different polyamine biosynthesis inhibitors, and both the electrophysiological properties and the polyamine levels were monitored. Treatment with α-difluoromethylornithine, a specific ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor, resulted in no significant change of electrophysiological properties. In contrast, treatment with 5′-{[(Z)-4-amino-2-butenyl]methyl-amino}-5′-deoxyadenosine (MDL73811), an inhibitor of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, resulted in increased outward currents through inwardly rectifying potassium channels while intracellular putrescine was markedly increased and spermidine and spermine levels were decreased. Fluctuations of intracellular polyamine concentrations as imposed by MDL73811 were directly translated in an altered cell excitability. Based on these results we conclude that the rectification properties of native inwardly rectifying potassium channels are largely controlled by intracellular spermine.
MINING APPROACHES FOR INTRUSION DETECTION : ISSUES AND RESEARCH DIRECTIONS

The goal of an intrusion detection system (IDS) is to identify authorized and unauthorized intruders by differentiating anomalous network activity from normal network traffic. Data mining methods have been used to build automatic intrusion detection systems. The central idea is to utilize auditing programs to extract a set of features that describe each network connection or host session, and apply data mining programs to learn rules that capture intrusive and non-intrusive behavior. The goal of this paper is to provide a survey of some works that employ data mining techniques for intrusion detection and to address some technical issues. A new idea is proposed in the paper that will view intrusion detection from a data warehouse perspective and integrate data mining and on-line analytical processing (OLAP) for intrusion detection purposes.
The action of 5-hydroxytryptamine on pulmonary and cardiovascular vagal afferent fibres and its reflex respiratory effects.

The identification of 5-hydroxytryptamine with serotonin (Rapport, 1949) made it of interest to examine further its respiratory effects in cats. Reid and Rand (1951) have reported that 5-hydroxy-tryptamine may cause apnoea in cats, and Douglas and Toh (1952) found that, in dogs, this compound stimulated the chemoreceptors of the aortic arch and carotid body. Phenyl diguanide also has been to cause a reflex inhibition of the respiratory movements, abolished vagotomy, in cats.
The relation of virologic and immunologic markers to clinical outcomes after nucleoside therapy in HIV-infected adults with 200 to 500 CD4 cells per cubic millimeter. AIDS Clinical Trials Group Study 175 Virology Study Team.

BACKGROUND We studied measures of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication, the viral phenotype, and immune function (CD4 cell counts) and the relation of changes in these indicators to clinical outcomes in a subgroup of patients in a controlled trial of early antiretroviral treatment for HIV, the AIDS Clinical Trials Group Study 175. METHODS The 391 subjects, each of whom entered the study with a single screening CD4 cell count of 200 to 500 per cubic millimeter, were randomly assigned to receive zidovudine alone, didanosine alone, zidovudine plus didanosine, or zidovudine plus zalcitabine. Plasma concentrations of HIV RNA were assessed in 366 subjects, and viral isolates from 332 subjects were assayed for the presence of the syncytium-inducing phenotype. RESULTS After eight weeks, the mean (+/-SE) decrease from base line in the concentration of HIV RNA, expressed as the change in the base 10 log of the number of copies per milliliter, was 0.26+/-0.06 for patients treated with zidovudine alone, 0.65+/-0.07 for didanosine alone, 0.93+/-0.10 for zidovudine plus didanosine, and 0.89+/-0.06 for zidovudine plus zalcitabine (P<0.001 for each of the pairwise comparisons with zidovudine alone). Multivariate proportional-hazards models showed that higher base-line concentrations of plasma HIV RNA, less suppression of plasma HIV RNA by treatment, and the presence of the syncytium-inducing phenotype were significantly associated with an increased risk of progression to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and death. After adjustment for these measures of viral replication and for the viral phenotype, CD4 cell counts were not significant predictors of clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS Both the risk of the progression of HIV disease and the efficacy of antiretroviral therapy are strongly associated with the plasma level of HIV RNA and with the viral phenotype. The changes in the plasma concentration of HIV RNA predict the changes in CD4 cell counts and survival after treatment with reverse-transcriptase inhibitors.
The incidence and prevalence of neuropsychiatric syndromes in pediatric onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence and prevalence of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) and glomerulonephritis in ethnically diverse pediatric onset SLE inpatient and outpatient populations. METHODS Seventy-five pediatric onset patients with SLE including Native American, Asian, Black, Spanish-American, and Caucasian subjects were evaluated prospectively and cross sectionally. During the 6 year study, 55 patients became inpatients. Subjects underwent medical interview, physical examination, laboratory review, neuropsychiatric inventory, and chart review. Classification of NPSLE was accomplished with the 1999 ACR NPSLE case definitions. RESULTS Prospectively, NPSLE occurred in 95% of pediatric SLE patients and was more common than glomerulonephritis (55%; p < or = 0.0001). NPSLE prevalence (%) and incidence (event/person/yr) were as follows: headache 72%, 95; mood disorder 57%, 0.41; cognitive disorder 55%, 0.49; seizure disorder 51%, 0.94; acute confusional state 35%, 0.6; anxiety disorder 21%, 0.28; peripheral nervous system disorder 15%, 0.16; cerebrovascular disease 12%, 0.32; psychosis 12%, 0.16; chorea 7%, 0.01; demyelinating syndrome 4%, 0.01; and myelopathy 1%, 0.001. Cross sectionally, active NPSLE was present in 93% of inpatients and 69% of outpatients. When only serious forms of NPSLE were considered (stroke, seizures, major cognitive disorder, chorea, psychosis, major depression, acute confusional state), serious or life-threatening NPSLE occurred in 76% of all SLE subjects prospectively, and in 85% and 40% of inpatients and outpatients cross sectionally, which in each instance was more common than glomerulonephritis (p < or = 0.001). CONCLUSION NPSLE is one of the most common serious complications of pediatric SLE, and is particularly increased in pediatric inpatients.