Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Solid-State Fermentation for the Production of Meroparamycin by Streptomyces sp . strain MAR 01

The antibiotic meroparamycin was produced in the free culture system of Streptomyces sp. strain MAR01. Five solid substrates (rice, wheat bran, Quaker, bread, and ground corn) were screened for their ability to support meroparamycin production in solid-state fermentation. In batch culture, wheat bran recorded the highest antibacterial activity with the lowest residual substrate values. The highest residual substrate values were recorded for both ground corn and Quaker. On the other hand, no antibacterial activity was detected for rice as a solid substrate. The use of the original strength of starch-nitrate medium in the solid-state fermentation gave a lower antibacterial activity compared with the free culture system. Doubling the strength of this medium resulted in the increase in the activity to be equivalent to the free culture. The initial pH (7.0) of the culture medium and 2 ml of spore suspension (1 ml contains 5×10 9 spores/ml) were the optima for antibiotic production. The water was the best eluent for the extraction of the antibiotic from the solid-state culture. Ten min was enough time to extract the antibiotic using a mixer, whereas, 60 min was required when shaking was applied. Semicontinuous production of meroparamycin using a percolation method demonstrated a more or less constant antibacterial activity over 4 runs (450-480 μg/ml). The semicontinuous production of the antibiotic was monitored in a fixed-bed bioreactor and the maximum activity was attained after the fourth run (510 μg/ml) and the overall process continued for 85 days.
Effusion cytology of renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND Effusions in patients with renal cell carcinoma are rare; the clinicopathologic features of these patients have not been described fully. METHODS All effusions from patients with renal cell carcinoma obtained between 1986 and 1997 at the study institution were reviewed. RESULTS Twelve effusions from 9 patients were benign, and 8 effusions from 7 patients were malignant. Patients with sarcomatoid tumors presented early with benign effusions, and patients with papillary tumors presented later with malignant effusions. Patients with clear cell tumors were intermediate. The majority of patients who developed malignant effusions had tumors that were classified as T3 or higher (according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer) at the time of resection. Tumor cells had abundant clear to vacuolated cytoplasm, large nuclei, and prominent nucleoli. Cells from clear cell and papillary tumors could not be distinguished in effusion specimens unless papillae were present. At last follow-up 13 of 15 patients were dead of disease within 2 years of the onset of effusion (median 24 weeks; range, 1-93 weeks), including 7 of 9 patients with benign effusions. CONCLUSIONS Malignant effusions due to renal cell carcinoma most commonly occur in patients with papillary and clear cell tumors. Malignant effusions from these two tumor types are difficult to distinguish unless papillae are present. Effusions associated with renal cell carcinoma confer a poor prognosis.
Title Contaminant extractability by electrokinetics

Electrokinetic extraction is an emerging technology that has shown considerable potential for efficient and effective removal of both inorganic and organic contaminants from fine-grained soils of low hydraulic conductivity and large specific area when conditions are favorable. The cleanup technology is basically the application of a direct-current electric field across contaminated soils through electrodes installed in the subsurface. The contaminant is removed by (1) electro-osmotic advection of pore fluid flushing the contaminants; (2) ionic migration or electromigration of contaminants carrying charges; and (3) electrophoresis of charged colloidal-sized particles carrying contaminants. However, many complicated electrochemical phenomena that can change the electrokinetic properties of soil particles and the chemistry of pore fluid occur simultaneously. The resulting soil–chemical interactions may enhance or inhibit the extractability of contaminants by electrokinetics, as various electrochemical processes are dynamic, reversible, and interdependent. The impacts of these phenomena on contaminant extractability by electrokinetics are discussed in this paper. A comprehensive list of useful references on electrokinetic extraction is also included for use by readers interested in the subject.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Nef-Induced CD4 Cell Surface Downregulation Is Inhibited by Ikarugamycin

ABSTRACT One well-characterized in vitro function of Nef is its ability to remove CD4, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) receptor, from the cell surface. Nef accomplishes this by accelerating the internalization and degradation of CD4. Current models propose that Nef promotes CD4 internalization via an increased association of CD4 with clathrin-coated pits (CCP). Here, we investigated the effect of a naturally occurring antiprotozoan antibiotic, ikarugamycin (IKA), on CD4 cell surface expression in human monocytic cells stably expressing HIV type 1 SF2 Nef. IKA was able to efficiently restore CD4 cell surface expression in Nef-expressing cells without affecting either CD4 synthesis or Nef expression. In addition, we demonstrate that IKA is also capable of efficiently blocking CD4 down-modulation in response to phorbol myristate acetate. Our data suggest that IKA may be an efficient and useful inhibitor of CCP-dependent endocytosis.
Sperm competition and small size advantage for males of the golden orb‐web spider Nephila edulis

Sexual selection, through female choice and/or male–male competition, has influenced the nature and direction of sexual size dimorphism in numerous species. However, few studies have examined the influence of sperm competition on size dimorphism. The orb‐web spider Nephila edulis has a polygamous mating system and extreme size dimorphism. Additionally, the frequency distribution of male body size is extremely skewed with most males being small and few large. The duration of copulation, male size and sexual cannibalism have been identified as the significant factors determining patterns of sperm precedence in spiders. In double mating trials, females were assigned to three treatments: either they mated once with both males or the first or the second male was allowed to mate twice. Paternity was strongly associated with the duration of copulation, independent of mating order. Males that were allowed to mate twice not only doubled the duration of copulation but also their paternity. Small males had a clear mating advantage, they copulated longer than large males and fertilized more eggs. Males of different sizes used different tactics to mate. Large males were more likely to mate through a hole they cut into the web, whereas small males approached the female directly. Furthermore, small males usually mated at their first attempt but large males required several attempts before mating took place. There was no obvious female reaction towards males of different sizes.
Solution Structure of the N-terminal Domain of the Human TFIIH MAT1 Subunit

The human MAT1 protein belongs to the cyclin-dependent kinase-activating kinase complex, which is functionally associated to the transcription/DNA repair factor TFIIH. The N-terminal region of MAT1 consists of a C3HC4 RING finger, which contributes to optimal TFIIH transcriptional activities. We report here the solution structure of the human MAT1 RING finger domain (Met1–Asp65) as determined by1H NMR spectroscopy. The MAT1 RING finger domain presents the expected βαββ topology with two interleaved zinc-binding sites conserved among the RING family. However, the presence of an additional helical segment in the N-terminal part of the domain and a conserved hydrophobic central β strand are the defining features of this new structure and more generally of the MAT1 RING finger subfamily. Comparison of electrostatic surfaces of RING finger structures shows that the RING finger domain of MAT1 presents a remarkable positively charged surface. The functional implications of these MAT1 RING finger features are discussed.
Chemical Constituents from the Leaves of Annona reticulata and Their Inhibitory Effects on NO Production

In the present study, the chemical investigation of the leaves of Annona reticulata has resulted in the identification of nine compounds, including annonaretin A, (1), a new triterpenoid. The purified compounds were subjected to the examination of their effects on NO inhibition in LPS-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages and most of them exhibited significant NO inhibition, with IC50 values in the range of 48.6 ± 1.2 and 99.8 ± 0.4 μM.
Current challenges in contraception in adolescents and young women

Purpose of review Although developing countries have made much progress in expanding the availability and use of family planning services, the need for effective contraception is large, and growing because the largest cohorts in human history are entering their reproductive years. Not only regarding developing countries but also in developed countries, where the usual contraceptive methods, such as the oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices (IUDs) and condoms, have been available for decades, there have been many new advances in contraceptive technology in the last several years. New formulations of oral contraceptives, extended and continuous use of oral contraceptives and long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) may have a wider role in contraception and their increased implementation could help to reduce unintended pregnancy. Recent findings Today‘s oral contraceptive regimens are safer and more tolerable, with equal or improved efficacy as compared to early formulations. Incremental decreases in the estrogen dosage have helped to alleviate some of the unwanted estrogenic side effects of combined hormonal contraceptives. Progestogens have also been controversial in connection with findings of increased venous thromboembolism risks but they have evolved over time, and, in general, newer generations of progestins have minimal side effects. Currently available ‘LARC’ methods, such as IUDs, the intrauterine system, injectable contraceptives and implants require administration less than once per cycle or month. They are more cost effective than the combined oral contraceptive pill even at 1 year of use. Increasing the access and availability of new formulations of oral contraceptives and LARC methods will reduce the number of unintended pregnancies. Summary Evidence-based guidelines about the safety of contraceptive methods among women with comorbid medical conditions can help guide providers in determining the best method of contraception for each woman, depending on whether they are in their adolescent, postpartum or perimenopause years. As most patients can safely use highly effective methods of contraception, health providers should promote their use in order to further efforts to reduce unintended pregnancy. This promotion should be done by enabling women to make an informed choice among all contraceptive options.
Deficits in axonal transport precede ALS symptoms in vivo

ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by selective motor neuron death resulting in muscle paralysis. Mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) are responsible for a subset of familial cases of ALS. Although evidence from transgenic mice expressing human mutant SOD1G93A suggests that axonal transport defects may contribute to ALS pathogenesis, our understanding of how these relate to disease progression remains unclear. Using an in vivo assay that allows the characterization of axonal transport in single axons in the intact sciatic nerve, we have identified clear axonal transport deficits in presymptomatic mutant mice. An impairment of axonal retrograde transport may therefore represent one of the earliest axonal pathologies in SOD1G93A mice, which worsens at an early symptomatic stage. A deficit in axonal transport may therefore be a key pathogenic event in ALS and an early disease indicator of motor neuron degeneration.
Crystallization and preliminary investigations on a telomeric repeat sequence C4A2C4A2.

Repeat units based on the telomeric sequence of the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena, d(C(4)A(2))(2), have been crystallized. Cytosine-rich DNA stretches are known to reside in telomeres and centromeres of eukaryotic chromosomes, playing crucial roles in the structural stability of the chromosome in addition to their connection with cancer and aging. Preliminary investigations on the telomeric repeat sequence C(4)A(2)C(4)A(2) from CD studies and X-ray crystal data suggest it to be a right-handed interdigitated tetraplex structure with hemiprotonated C.C(+) base pairs. The molecules appear to be packed one on top of another forming a discontinuous helix along c simulating a poly-C fibre, an arrangement which maximizes the number of cytosines stacked.
Self-heating enhanced HCI degradation in pLDMOSFETs

The interface trap generation under Vgmax HCI stresses in pLDMOSFETs has been studied using non-destructive multi-region direct-current current-voltage (MR-DCIV) technique. Several times larger MR-DCIV degradation per finger was observed for multi-finger devices. Folded-gate layout device suffered more self-heating induced degradation. Our study results reveal that those effects shared the similar trends and mechanism with NBTI degradation. The self-heating enhanced degradation in multi-finger devices was due to the higher temperature rise and less channel edge heat dissipation. The impact of device layout on the HCI degradation has also been investigated. Our results suggested that the unfolded device layout can reduce self-heating enhanced Vgmax HCI degradation.
Shell thickness, DDE levels in eggs, and reproductive success in common terns (Sterna hirundo), in Alberta.

A comprehensive study of reproductive success of an isolated colony of common terns (Sterna hirundo) reveals that DDE, the principal chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide found in the terns, cannot be correlated to eggshell thickness. The low reproductive success observed was attributed in large measure to disappearance of eggs and nest abandonment, responsible for 76% of the failures, while cracked or broken eggs accounted for only 16%. It is suggested that the direct correlation of DDE to eggshell thickness, implicated in the reproductive failure of other avian species, may be an oversimplification in the case of the common tern.
Impulse oscillometry: interpretation and practical applications.

Simple spirometry and body plethysmography have been routinely used in children aged > 5 years. New techniques based on physiologic concepts that were first described almost 50 years ago are emerging in research and in clinical practice for measuring pulmonary function in children. These techniques have led to an increased understanding of the pediatric lung and respiratory mechanics. Impulse oscillometry (IOS), a simple, noninvasive method using the forced oscillation technique, requires minimal patient cooperation and is suitable for use in both children and adults. This method can be used to assess obstruction in the large and small peripheral airways and has been used to measure bronchodilator response and bronchoprovocation testing. New data suggest that IOS may be useful in predicting loss of asthma control in the pediatric population. This article reviews the clinical applications of IOS, with an emphasis on the pediatric setting, and discusses appropriate coding practices for the clinician.
Acoustic tracking of bigeye thresher shark Alopias superciliosus in the eastern Pacific Ocean

Acoustic telemetry was used to identify the short-term horizontal and vertical movement patterns of the bigeye thresher shark Alopias superciliosus in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean dur- ing the summer of 1996. Two immature female sharks, 175 and 124 cm PCL (precaudal length), were tracked for 96 and 70 h, respectively, demonstrating very distinct crepuscular vertical migrations sim- ilar to those reported for the megamouth shark. The bigeye threshers stayed at 200 to 500 m depth during the day and at 80 to 130 m at night. The deepest dive extends the known depth distribution of the species to 723 m. No 'fly-glide' behavior (rapid ascents followed by slower acute-angled descents) was observed for the 2 sharks. However, the opposite behavioral pattern of slow ascents and rela- tively rapid descents during the night was observed. Since bigeye threshers have large eyes extend- ing upwards onto the dorsal surface of the cranium, it may be more efficient for them to hunt prey which are highlighted against the sea surface from below. Estimated mean swimming speed over the ground ranged from 1.32 to 2.02 km h -1 , similar to swordfish and megamouth sharks, and slower than that reported for tunas, billfishes, and other pelagic sharks.
The importance of measuring electrical impedance in the analysis of human physiological parameters

This paper presents a design of medical device for bioelectrical impedance estimation. The hardware required to implement the system is based on a signal generator to provide current, a microcontroller to coordinate the process and a data acquisition board to measure the voltage changes across the analyzed region. The algorithm for calculating the physiological variables was implemented in MATLAB. Sample impedance data for a test subject are also presented.
ICE CORE RECORDS OF RECENT CLIMATIC VARIABILITY : GRIGORIEV AND IT-TISH ICE CAPS IN CENTRAL TIEN SHAN , CENTRAL ASIA

Ice cores, 16.5 and 20-meters in length, were recovered under the auspices of a cooperative USSR US glaciological research program on the Grigoriev and It-Tish ice caps in the Tien Shan, Central Asia. These have been analyzed for microparticle concentrations and size distributions, stable isotopic ratios (o18Q and 80), selected chemical species, and Beta radioactivity. The 1)18Q records reveal an enrichment of -1%0 during the last 50 years, suggesting warmer temperatures. Concurrently, surface air temperatures at the meteorological station Tien Shan (elevation 3614 m) have increased -0.5°C. Temperatures at 20-m depth in the Grigoriev ice cap have increased 2.2'C from -4.2°C in 1962, to -2'C in 1990. This regional warming is consistent with current global climate model projections for Central Asia under doubled atmospheric C02 concentration simulations. Finally, initial measurements of dust concentrations, o 18Q, and oD from the nearby It-Tish ice cap margin strongly suggest the presence of glacial/interglacial stage ice near the bottom. Collectively, these data indicate that these high elevation, low latitude ice caps in Central Asia contain very long paleoenvironmental histories, which soon· might be lost if the current warming trend continues in this region.
Comparative study on reversal efficacy of SDZ PSC 833, cyclosporin A and verapamil on multidrug resistance in vitro and in vivo.

A non-immunosuppressive cyclosporin, SDZ PSC 833 (PSC833), shows a reversal effect on multidrug resistance (MDR) by functional modulation of MDR1 gene product, P-glycoprotein. The objective of the present study was to compare the reversal efficacy of three multidrug resistance modulators, PSC833, cyclosporin A (CsA) and verapamil (Vp). PSC833 has approximately 3-10-fold greater potency than CsA and Vp with respect to the restoring effect on reduced accumulation of doxorubicin (ADM) and vincristine (VCR) in ADM-resistant K562 myelogenous leukemia cells (K562/ADM) in vitro and also on the sensitivity of K562/ADM to ADM and VCR in in vitro growth inhibition. The in vivo efficacy of a combination of modifiers (PSC833 and CsA: 50 mg/kg, Vp 100 mg/kg administered p.o. 4 h before the administration of anticancer drugs) with anticancer drugs (ADM 2.5 mg/kg i.p., Q4D days 1, 5 and 9, VCR 0.05 mg/kg i.p., QD days 1-5) was tested in ADM-resistant P388-bearing mice. PSC833 significantly enhanced the increase in life span by more than 80%, whereas CsA and Vp enhanced by less than 50%. This reversal potency, which exceeded that of CsA and Vp, was confirmed by therapeutic experiments using colon adenocarcinoma 26-bearing mice. These results demonstrated that PSC833 has significant potency to reverse MDR in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that PSC833 is a good candidate for reversing multidrug resistance in clinical situations.
A dual CysLT1/2 antagonist attenuates allergen‐induced airway responses in subjects with mild allergic asthma

The cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLTs) play a key role in the pathophysiology of asthma. In addition to functioning as potent bronchoconstrictors, cysLTs contribute to airway inflammation through eosinophil and neutrophil chemotaxis, plasma exudation, and mucus secretion. We tested the activity of the dual cysLT1/2 antagonist, ONO‐6950, against allergen‐induced airway responses.
An enhanced recommendation scheme for online grocery shopping

Online grocery shopping becomes more and more popular in recent years. To facilitate the purchase process, many online stores provide a shopping recommendation system for their consumers. So far, the generic recommendation systems mainly consider preferences of a consumer based on his/her purchase histories. Nevertheless, it is noted that there is nothing to do with the right timing to purchase a product from the view point of product replenishment or economic purchasing. Hence, we develop a new recommendation scheme especially for online grocery shopping by incorporating two additional considerations, i.e., product replenishment and product promotion. We believe that such a new scheme should be able to provide a better recommendation list which fit consumer desires, needs, and budget considerations and finally boost transactions.