Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
INSECTICIDE RESISTANCE AND RESISTANCE MANAGEMENT Monitoring of Resistance to New Chemistry Insecticides in Spodoptera litura ( Lepidoptera : Noctuidae ) in Pakistan

The armyworm Spodoptera litura (F.) is a very serious pest of many crops, vegetables, and ornamentals. Due to persistent application of insecticides, this pest has developed resistance to conventional as well as new chemistries. The present studies investigated the level of resistance to new chemistry insecticides, having novel modes of action, in the Pakistani field populations of S. litura during 1997–2010 by using a leaf-dip bioassay. Generally, a low to moderate resistance was recorded to indoxacarb, abamectin, fipronil, and methoxyfenozide; along with a very low resistance to spinosad. Resistance to emamectin benzoate, chlorfenapyr, and lufenuron was none or very low, in spite of their intensive use against S. litura. The insecticides, showing no or very low resistance, can be used in rotation in conjunction with other integrated pest management tactics to manage insecticide resistance in S. litura.
Adiponectin polymorphisms, adiposity and insulin metabolism: HERITAGE family study and Oulu diabetic study

Aims/hypothesis. Adiponectin is an adipocytokine with lowered blood levels in obesity and Type 2 diabetes mellitus. We sought to define the specific effects of different alleles of the gene encoding adiponectin. Methods. We studied the associations of adiponectin gene sequence variations with body fat distribution and insulin indices in 503 White and 276 Black subjects of the HERITAGE Family Study cohort and subjects from a Finnish population. Results. The His111 allele frequency of the Tyr111His polymorphism in Finnish Type 2 diabetic subjects (n = 254) was higher (5.1%) than in control subjects (n = 270) (2.6%; P = 0.033). In the HERITAGE cohort, the His111 allele was associated with a lower insulin sensitivity index (P = 0.018) and a higher acute insulin response to glucose (P = 0.0098) in Whites. Other variants showed associations with adiposity and plasma lipid values only in Blacks. Among Blacks, the IVS2+G62T variant was associated with body fat (P = 0.002) and total cholesterol values (P = 0.005), and the Gly15Gly variant with cholesterol (P = 0.009) and triglyceride (P = 0.05) levels. The haplotype derived from these two polymorphisms was associated with total body fat, while the IVS2+G62T and Tyr111His–haplotype was associated with body fat and disposition index. Conclusions. The carriers of the His111 allele may have a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Racial differences were found between Blacks and Whites in body composition and lipids according to ACDC genotypes. Sequence variants in the adiponectin gene appear to be associated with diabetes and diabetes‐related phenotypes.
Serum levels of vitamin B12 are not related to low bone mineral density in postmenopausal Brazilian women.

INTRODUCTION Osteoporosis and vitamin B12 deficiency are conditions with an increasing prevalence over time. It has been described an association between low serum vitamin B12, osteoporosis and increased risk of bone fractures, but the studies are heterogeneous and the results are controversial. OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between plasma levels of vitamin B12 and bone mineral density in a group of asymptomatic women after menopause. METHODS Asymptomatic postmenopausal women were consecutively invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Bone mineral density (lumbar spine and femur) was measured by DXA Lunar Prodigy Vision, and blood levels of vitamin B12, calcium, phosphorus, bone alkaline phosphatase (BAF), and parathyroid hormone were determined. For the diagnostic of osteoporosis the World Health Organization criteria were considered. RESULTS Seventy women were included, mean age 62.5 ± 7 years. Eighteen (25.7%) women had normal bone mineral density, 33 (47.1%) had osteopenia and 19 (27.1%) had osteoporosis. Six (8.6%) patients had wrist fracture; two (2.8%) reported a diagnosis of vertebral fracture and only one (1.4%) patient had suffered a hip fracture. The levels of vitamin B12 (mean ± SD, pg/mL) of women with normal bone mineral density, osteopenia and osteoporosis were 590.2 ± 364.3, 536.6 ± 452.3, and 590.2 ± 497.9, respectively (P = 0.881). Multiple regression analysis showed that body mass index and BAF were the main predictors of lumbar spine bone mineral density. CONCLUSION The results indicate that vitamin B12 serum levels are not related to bone mineral density in this group of Brazilian postmenopausal women.
Children with speech and language disability: caseload characteristics.

BACKGROUND There has been no previous incidence survey of children referred to a speech and language therapy service in the UK. Previous studies of prevalence of specific communication difficulties provide contradictory data from which it is difficult to plan speech and language therapy service provision. Reliable data are needed concerning the nature and severity of impairments as well as the age and source of referral and the effects of cultural and socio-economic profiles of the population served. AIMS To describe referrals received between January 1999 and April 2000 by the paediatric speech and language therapy service of Middlesborough Primary Care Trust, an area of social deprivation. METHODS & PROCEDURES All referrals were offered an initial assessment appointment within 8 weeks of referral. Standardized tests and quantitative measures of communication difficulties, determined by age, were undertaken. Population and case history information was also gathered. OUTCOMES & RESULTS The incidence rate of referrals who attended for assessment in a single year was calculated as 16.3% for primary communication disability and 14.6% for speech/language disability. Of the 1100 referrals, 14.9% failed to attend and 9.8% had normal functioning. The distribution of disorder type was dysfluency 5.3%, voice or nasality disruption 2.0%; receptive language difficulties 20.4%, expressive language difficulties 16.9% and speech difficulties 29.1%. A further 0.7% had special educational needs and 0.9% had speech and language impairment but refused consent. The majority of referrals were between 2 and 6 years old, more boys than girls were referred, and socio-economic status matched that of the local population. Both gender and socio-economic status affected diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Based on the Middlesborough data, the estimated national incidence rate of referrals who attend for assessment and who have speech and language disability is 85 000-90 000 children per year (14.6% of births). While findings from only one Primary Care Trust must be treated cautiously, they provide paediatric speech and language therapy services managers with information that might guide service planning.
Antioxidant Activity of Calendula officinalis Extract: Inhibitory Effects on Chemiluminescence of Human Neutrophil Bursts and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

There is growing interest in natural chemical compounds from aromatic, spicy, medicinal and other plants with antioxidant properties in order to find new sources of compounds inactivating free radicals generated by metabolic pathways within body tissue and cells, mainly polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) whose overregulated recruitment and activation generate a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), leading to an imbalance of redox homeostasis and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to examine whether a propylene glycol extract of Calendula officinalis interferes with ROS and RNS during the PMN respiratory bursts, and to establish the lowest concentration at which it still exerts antioxidant activity by means of luminol-amplified chemiluminescence. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was also used in order to confirm the activity of the C. officinalis extract. The C. officinalis extract exerted its anti-ROS and anti-RNS activity in a concentration-dependent manner, with significant effects being observed at even very low concentrations: 0.20 μg/ml without L-arginine, 0.10 μg/ml when L-arginine was added to the test with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and 0.05 μg/ml when it was added to the test with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. The EPR study confirmed these findings, 0.20 μg/ml being the lowest concentration of C. officinalis extract that significantly reduced 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. These findings are interesting for improving the antioxidant network and restoring the redox balance in human cells with plant-derived molecules as well as extending the possibility of antagonizing the oxidative stress generated in living organisms when the balance is in favor of free radicals as a result of the depletion of cell antioxidants.
Solving the Wolbachia Paradox: Modeling the Tripartite Interaction between Host, Wolbachia, and a Natural Enemy

Wolbachia is one of the most common symbionts of arthropods. Its establishment requires lateral transfer to and successful transmission within novel host species. However, Wolbachia performs poorly when introduced into new host species, and models predict that Wolbachia should seldom be able to establish from low initial frequencies. Recently, various symbionts, including Wolbachia, have been shown to protect their hosts from natural enemies. Hence, Wolbachia invasion may be facilitated by the dynamic interaction between it, its host, and a natural enemy. We model such an interaction whereby Wolbachia induces either complete resistance, partial resistance, or tolerance to a host-specific pathogen and also induces the common manipulation phenotype of cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). We show that the presence of the pathogen greatly facilitates Wolbachia invasion from rare and widens the parameter space in which “imperfect” Wolbachia strains can invade. Furthermore, positive frequency-dependent selection through CI can drive Wolbachia to very high frequencies, potentially excluding the pathogen. These results may explain a poorly understood aspect of Wolbachia biology: it is widespread, despite performing poorly after transfer to new host species. They also support the intriguing possibility that Wolbachia strains that encode both CI and natural-enemy resistance could potentially rid insects, including human disease vectors, of important pathogens.
Immune system activation boosts HIV replication in HIV-infected people.

Researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) report that the activation of the immune system by other stimuli results in an increase in HIV replication. Sharilyn Stanley, M.D., NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., and colleagues inoculated 13 asymptomatic HIV-infected people and 10 uninfected people with tetanus booster shots to stimulate their immune systems. Blood samples were drawn at intervals for up to 42 days later. The amount of HIV in the blood increased 2-fold to 36-fold in all 13 HIV-infected people following immunization, and the virus was more readily grown from the blood cells of 9 of these patients. Researchers also found that of the 10 uninfected volunteers, 7 were more easily infected with HIV in the test tube after immunization than prior to it. The data suggests that ongoing activation of the immune system may play a role in HIV pathogenesis and enhance the susceptibility of uninfected people to HIV. NIAID is planning a follow-up study to determine whether HIV-infected people can benefit from antiretroviral therapy to block the transient viremia associated with immunizations.
Childhood asthma: Exhaled markers of airway inflammation, asthma control score, and lung function tests

Exhaled markers of airway inflammation become increasingly important in the management of childhood asthma. The aims of the present study are: 1) to compare exhaled markers of inflammation (nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, and acidity of breath condensate) with conventional asthma measures (lung function tests and asthma control score) in childhood asthma; and 2) to investigate the detectability of albumin, CRP, IL‐6, IL‐8, TNF‐alpha, sICAM‐1, and sTNF‐R75 in the exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of asthmatic children. Thirty‐two children with mild to moderate persistent asthma and healthy controls aged 6–12 years were studied. We measured exhaled NO and CO, and subsequently EBC was collected. Inflammatory mediators in EBC were measured using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Respiratory symptoms and asthma control were assessed using the asthma control questionnaire (ACQ) of Juniper et al. (Eur Respir J 1999;14:902–907). Exhaled NO showed a significant correlation with exhaled CO (r = 0.59, P < 0.05) and FEV1 (r = −0.59, P < 0.05), but not with ACQ score (r = 0.48, P = 0.06). Exhaled CO was correlated with prebronchodilator FEV1 (r = −0.45, P < 0.05), but not with asthma control (r = 0.18, P = 0.35). Acidity of EBC was significantly lower in asthmatic children than in healthy controls (P < 0.05), but did not correlate with any of the conventional asthma measures. We were not able to demonstrate the presence of CRP, IL‐6, IL‐8, TNF‐alpha, sICAM‐1, and sTNF‐R75 in EBC. Albumin was found in two EBC samples of asthmatic children. We conclude that exhaled NO had a better correlation with lung function parameters and asthma control than exhaled CO and acidity of EBC, in mild to moderate persistent childhood asthma. However, exhaled NO, CO, and deaerated pH of EBC did not differ between asthmatic children and controls, possibly because of a too homogeneous and well‐controlled study population. To further evaluate the clinical utility of exhaled markers in monitoring childhood asthma, more studies are required on a wider range of asthma severity, and preferably with repeated measurements of markers and of asthma control. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 38:107–114. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Predictive Reactive Power Measuring Based on Time Series and DLSL Algorithm for Compensating Applications

Electric reactive power is one of the effective control parameters in the static Var compensators of power systems. These compensators have a time delay due to their natural performance such as thyristor ignition and reactive power measurements. Therefore, in this paper, a new predicted reactive meter based on time series and delta least squares lattice (DLSL) is proposed to avoid the mentioned time delay. At first, the electric arc furnace (EAF) based on the hidden Markov model and actual measured data are modeled. Then, reactive power model coefficients of time series are adequately calculated based on the actual voltage and current data collected from modeling ac EAFs as time-varying and unbalanced load that can generate voltage and current harmonics, voltage flicker, and reactive power destruction in the main busbar. Now, to determine the prediction relationship coefficients online, the DLSL algorithm that has a very good performance for fast sampling is applied. Finally, this method is implemented in the control system of thyristor-controlled reactor/fix capacitor connected on the same busbar. The experimental results based on actual measuring data show the accuracy and validity of the presented method.
G Protein Modulation of N-type Calcium Channels Is Facilitated by Physical Interactions between Syntaxin 1A and Gβγ*

The direct modulation of N-type calcium channels by G protein βγ subunits is considered a key factor in the regulation of neurotransmission. Some of the molecular determinants that govern the binding interaction of N-type channels and Gβγ have recently been identified (see, i.e., Zamponi, G. W., Bourinet, E., Nelson, D., Nargeot, J., and Snutch, T. P. (1997)Nature 385, 442–446); however, little is known about cellular mechanisms that modulate this interaction. Here we report that a protein of the presynaptic vesicle release complex, syntaxin 1A, mediates a crucial role in the tonic inhibition of N-type channels by Gβγ. When syntaxin 1A was coexpressed with (N-type) α1B + α2-δ + β1b channels in tsA-201 cells, the channels underwent a 18 mV negative shift in half-inactivation potential, as well as a pronounced tonic G protein inhibition as assessed by its reversal by strong membrane depolarizations. This tonic inhibition was dramatically attenuated following incubation with botulinum toxin C, indicating that syntaxin 1A expression was indeed responsible for the enhanced G protein modulation. However, when G protein βγ subunits were concomitantly coexpressed, the toxin became ineffective in removing G protein inhibition, suggesting that syntaxin 1A optimizes, rather than being required for G protein modulation of N-type channels. We also demonstrate that Gβγ physically binds to syntaxin 1A, and that syntaxin 1A can simultaneously interact with Gβγ and the synprint motif of the N-type channel II-III linker. Taken together, our experiments suggest a mechanism by which syntaxin 1A mediates a colocalization of G protein βγ subunits and N-type calcium channels, thus resulting in more effective G protein coupling to, and regulation of, the channel. Thus, the interactions between syntaxin, G proteins, and N-type calcium channels are part of the structural specialization of the presynaptic terminal.
Long‐term potentiation in the rat dentate gyrus is associated with enhanced Arc/Arg3.1 protein expression in spines, dendrites and glia

Electron microscopic immunocytochemical methods were used to determine the localization, subcellular distribution and expression of activity‐regulated cytoskeletal protein (Arc/Arg3.1) in dentate gyrus after unilateral induction of long‐term potentiation (LTP) in the perforant pathway of anaesthetized rats. At 2 h post‐induction, immunoreaction product was visible in the dentate gyrus in both the granule cell and molecular layers. Arc expression was higher in the potentiated than the unstimulated contralateral hemisphere. Single‐section electron microscopy analysis in unstimulated tissue and in tissue prepared 2 and 4 h after LTP induction showed Arc immunoreactivity (Arc‐IR) in dendrites, dendritic spines and glia. Arc‐IR was associated with synaptic and non‐synaptic plasma membrane apposed to axon terminals and with cytoplasmic organelles, including the cytoskeleton. Arc‐IR was also present in neuronal perikarya and there was occasional labelling of nuclei and axons. At 2 h post‐LTP induction, there were significant increases in Arc‐IR within the granule cell and molecular layers of the dentate gyrus and particularly within the middle molecular layer relative to the inner and outer molecular layers. This increase in Arc expression 2 h after LTP induction was blocked by the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor antagonist (RS)‐3‐2‐carboxypiperazin‐4‐yl‐propyl‐1‐phosphonic acid. In animals killed 4 h after LTP induction, Arc expression had declined and differences between the potentiated and unpotentiated hemispheres were no longer significant. Our data provide ultrastructural evidence for a transient LTP‐associated increase in the expression of Arc protein in the middle molecular layer of the dentate gyrus, with preferential targeting to dendrites, dendritic spines and glia.
Postoperative sore throat: a systematic review

Postoperative sore throat has a reported incidence of up to 62% following general anaesthesia. In adults undergoing tracheal intubation, female sex, younger age, pre‐existing lung disease, prolonged duration of anaesthesia and the presence of a blood‐stained tracheal tube on extubation are associated with the greatest risk. Tracheal intubation without neuromuscular blockade, use of double‐lumen tubes, as well as high tracheal tube cuff pressures may also increase the risk of postoperative sore throat. The expertise of the anaesthetist performing tracheal intubation appears to have no influence on the incidence in adults, although it may in children. In adults, the i‐gel™ supraglottic airway device results in a lower incidence of postoperative sore throat. Cuffed supraglottic airway devices should be inflated sufficiently to obtain an adequate seal and intracuff pressure should be monitored. Children with respiratory tract disease are at increased risk. The use of supraglottic airway devices, oral, rather than nasal, tracheal intubation and cuffed, rather than uncuffed, tracheal tubes have benefit in reducing the incidence of postoperative sore throat in children. Limiting both tracheal tube and supraglottic airway device cuff pressure may also reduce the incidence.
Citrate in the diagnosis of prostate cancer

One of the major current problems involved in prostate cancer (PCa) is the unavailability of sensitive, accurate, and preferably noninvasive procedures for the diagnosis of PCa. Moreover, procedures are needed which will permit the early detection, staging, location, and estimation of the volume of malignancy, and preferably a mapping of the prostate for follow‐up of progression and regression of the malignancy.
Regions of broad-host-range plasmid RK2 involved in replication and stable maintenance in nine species of gram-negative bacteria

The replication and maintenance properties of the broad-host-range plasmid RK2 and its derivatives were examined in nine gram-negative bacterial species. Two regions of RK2, the origin of replication (oriV) and a segment that encodes for a replication protein (trfA delta kilD, designated trfA*), are sufficient for replication in all nine species tested. However, stable maintenance of this minimal replicon (less than 0.3% loss per generation under nonselection conditions) is observed only in Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putida, and Azotobacter vinelandii. Maintenance of this minimal replicon is unstable in Rhizobium meliloti, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Caulobacter crescentus, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, and Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides. A maintenance function has been localized to a 3.1-kilobase (kb) region of RK2 encoding three previously described functions: korA (trfB korB1 korD), incP1-(II), and korB. The 3.1-kb maintenance region can increase or decrease the stability of maintenance of RK2 derivatives dependent on the host species and the presence or absence of the RK2 origin of conjugal transfer (oriT). In the case of A. calcoaceticus, stable maintenance requires an RK2 segment that includes the promoter and the kilD (kilB1) functions of the trfA operon in addition to the 3.1-kb maintenance region. The broad-host-range maintenance requirements of plasmid RK2, therefore, are encoded by multiple functions, and the requirement for one or more of these functions varies among gram-negative bacterial species.
A sense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide containing the transforming growth factor beta regulatory element acts as a novel local nonsteroidal antifibrotic drug

Fibrosis is a potential response to tissue injury. At present, glucocorticoids with their numerous toxic side effects are the only effective treatment for fibrotic diseases. Granulomas induced by sponge implantation were treated with single‐stranded phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides containing the wild type or mutated transforming growth factor‐β response element designed to inhibit the rat proα1(I) promoter activity. Single‐stranded phosphorothioate oligonucleotides resulted in antifibrotic activity based on their ability to reduce granuloma tissue formation and selectively inhibit collagen synthesis. The mutated single‐standed phosphorothioate oligonucleotides or dexamethasone given at an equivalent dose to single‐standed phosphorothioate oligonucleotides failed to do so. These data suggest that the phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide containing the transforming growth factor‐β regulatory element has an antifibrotic effect and may be used to inhibit the development of fibrosis.