Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Photoreceptor calcium channels: Insight from night blindness

The genetic locus for incomplete congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB2) has been identified as the CACNA1f gene, encoding the α1F calcium channel subunit, a member of the L-type family of calcium channels. The electroretinogram associated with CSNB2 implicates α1F in synaptic transmission between retinal photoreceptors and bipolar cells. Using a recently developed monoclonal antibody to α1F, we localize the channel to ribbon active zones in rod photoreceptor terminals of the mouse retina, supporting a role for α1F in mediating glutamate release from rods. Detergent extraction experiments indicate that α1F is part of a detergent-resistant active zone complex, which also includes the synaptic ribbons. Comparison of native mouse rod calcium currents with recombinant α1F currents reveals that the current–voltage relationship for the native current is shifted approximately 30 mV to more hyperpolarized potentials than for the recombinant α1F current, suggesting modulation of the native channel by intracellular factors. Lastly, we present evidence for L-type α1D calcium channel subunits in cone terminals of the mouse retina. The presence of α1D channels in cones may explain the residual visual abilities of individuals with CSNB2.
The Number of Stratum corneum Cell Layers Correlates with the Pseudo-Absorption of the Corneocytes

The removal of the stratum corneum (SC) using adhesive tapes is a common technique in cutaneous studies. The determination of the varying amounts of the SC removed would be a helpful tool in such investigations. In the present study, the cell layers of porcine SC were counted before and after removal of several tape strips using histological techniques. In addition, the pseudo-absorption of the corneocytes reflecting the amount of these cells was determined using spectroscopy. Different amounts of SC were removed using 20 tape strips. The spectroscopically determined data correlate linearly with the number of removed cell layers. Based on these results, the pseudo-absorption of the corneocytes can be used to calculate the absolute number of cell layers removed with a standard deviation of less than 11%. In this way, the SC can be quantified using the procedure of tape stripping in combination with the spectroscopic determination of the corneocytes.
INVESTIGATION ON CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, ANTIMICROBIAL, ANTIOXIDANT, AND CYTOTOXIC PROPERTIES OF ESSENTIAL OIL FROM DRACOCEPHALUM KOTSCHYI BOISS

Background: Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss is a herb with wide-spread applications. Lorestan traditional healers have applied it for the treatment of rheumatoid diseases and stomach disorders. Materials and methods: Hydrodistillation process was used for essential oil extraction, the extracted essential oil was then analyzed through combination of capillary GC-FID, GC-MS and RI. The in vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of this essential oil were examined. Results indicate that the essential oil has a broad range of anti-microbial activity against all of the tested microorganisms. Results: The 50% of cytotoxic concentrations was 26.4 μg/ml and 4266.7 μg/ml for Hela cells and human lymphocytes, respectively. The oil cytotoxicity against the human tumor cell line was far higher than the amount required for human healthy cells. Conversely, the essential oil’s IC50 value of 49.2 μg/ml in the DPPH assay, could be regarded as its strong antioxidant potential. Conclusion: According to the data obtained, it can be concluded that D. kotschyi essential oil could be applied as a safe antibacterial and antioxidant agent for food and pharmaceutical purposes.
Foreword: Quality Research for Learning, Education, and Training

1 ISSN 1436-4522 (online) and 1176-3647 (print). © International Forum of Educational Technology & Society (IFETS). The authors and the forum jointly retain the copyright of the articles. Permission to make digital or hard copies of part or all of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for components of this work owned by others than IFETS must be honoured. Abstracting with credit is permitted. To copy otherwise, to republish, to post on servers, or to redistribute to lists, requires prior specific permission and/or a fee. Request permissions from the editors at kinshuk@ieee.org. Foreword: Quality Research for Learning, Education, and Training
Effective version of the Shannon theorem : Polar codes 1 A

A sequence of codes Cn = fn(Mn), n ≥ 1 is said to attain the transmission rate I(W ) on the channel W if for any ε > 0 there exists a sufficiently large n0 such that for all n ≥ n0 both R > I(W )−ε and Pe(Cn) ≤ ε. Below we construct a sequence of linear binary codes Cn, n ≥ 1 of length N = 2 that attains the rate I(W ) of the channel W . For symmetric binary-input channels these codes are capacity-achieving.
Neutrophil granule contents in the pathogenesis of lung injury

Purpose of reviewThis review summarizes recent literature on the role of neutrophil granule contents in acute lung injury and the mechanisms by which these contribute to inflammatory tissue injury. Recent findingsNeutrophil products such as elastase, reactive oxygen species, and antimicrobial peptides can alter pulmonary cell function in a nondegradative fashion through activation of cell surface receptors or modulation of signal transduction pathways. These effects can be either beneficial or detrimental to the host. SummaryThe primary function of neutrophils in the innate immune response – to contain and kill invading microbial pathogens – is achieved through a series of rapid and coordinated responses culminating in phagocytosis and intracellular killing of the pathogens. Neutrophils have a potent antimicrobial arsenal that includes oxidants, proteinases, and cationic peptides. Reactive oxygen species such as oxygen are produced by the phagocyte NADPH oxidase and are microbicidal. Granules within the neutrophil cytoplasm contain potent proteolytic enzymes and cationic proteins that can digest a variety of microbial substrates. These compounds are released directly into the phagosome, compartmentalizing both the pathogen and the cytotoxic products. Under pathological circumstances, however, unregulated release of microbicidal compounds into the extracellular space can paradoxically damage host tissues. Nonspecific inhibition of neutrophils is not clinically realistic, as it would leave the host vulnerable to infection. As the mechanisms of action of neutrophil granule contents are elucidated, therapeutic targets will be identified that will allow for suppression of neutrophils’ detrimental effects while avoiding inhibition of their beneficial effects.
The interplay between the master transcription factor PU.1 and miR-424 regulates human monocyte/macrophage differentiation

We describe a pathway by which the master transcription factor PU.1 regulates human monocyte/macrophage differentiation. This includes miR-424 and the transcriptional factor NFI-A. We show that PU.1 and these two components are interlinked in a finely tuned temporal and regulatory circuitry: PU.1 activates the transcription of miR-424, and this up-regulation is involved in stimulating monocyte differentiation through miR-424-dependent translational repression of NFI-A. In turn, the decrease in NFI-A levels is important for the activation of differentiation-specific genes such as M-CSFr. In line with these data, both RNAi against NFI-A and ectopic expression of miR-424 in precursor cells enhance monocytic differentiation, whereas the ectopic expression of NFI-A has an opposite effect. The interplay among these three components was demonstrated in myeloid cell lines as well as in human CD34+ differentiation. These data point to the important role of miR-424 and NFI-A in controlling the monocyte/macrophage differentiation program.
Molecular evaluation of extracellular activity of medicinal herb Clinacanthus nutans against herpes simplex virus type-2

Clinacanthus nutans (Burm. f.) Lindau (C. nutans), a medicinal herb belonging to the family Acanthaceae, has traditionally been used in herpes simplex virus (HSV) treatment in Thailand. Clinical trials have indicated that topical preparations produced from its extracts were effective in HSV-2 treatment. However, there is no clear evidence of the mechanism of action or a molecular target of C. nutans. In this study, the extracellular activity of C. nutans extracts against HSV-2 infected on HEp-2 cells was investigated in terms of its molecular aspects. HSV-2 was treated with the extracts and adsorped into the HEp-2 cells. After infection, HSV-2 DNA quantities in the infected cells were assessed and compared by the quantitative dot blot hybridisation technique. The results showed that treating the viruses with either less or more highly purified extracts before infection resulted in great reductions of viral infectivity. Further investigation was performed by Western blot analysis to determine the activities of the extracts on the viral proteins. At least eight viral proteins of the infected cell proteins (ICP) and some structural proteins, including 146, 125, 78, 69, 55, 44, 40 and 20 KDa proteins, were depleted and reduced gradually with higher and lower concentrated herb extracts, respectively. These suggest that the C. nutans extracts highly inactivated or inhibited HSV-2 before infection.
Editorial: hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease progression – HCV cure and the elimination of the “ethnic slope”. Authors’ reply

1. Le AK, Zhao C, Hoang JK, et al. Ethnic disparities in progression to advanced liver disease and overall survival in patients with chronic hepatitis C: impact of a sustained virological response. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2017;46:605-616. 2. Suissa S. Immortal time bias in pharmacoepidemiology. Am J Epidemiol. 2008;167:492-499. 3. Hepatitis C. Guidance: AASLD-IDSA recommendations for testing, managing, and treating adults infected with hepatitis C virus. Hepatology. 2015;62:932-954. 4. Smith-Palmer J, Cerri K, Valentine W, et al. Achieving sustained virologic response in hepatitis C: a systematic review of the clinical, economic and quality of life benefits. BMC Infect Dis. 2015;15:19.
Dibutyryl cAMP, interleukin‐1β, and macrophage conditioned medium enhance the ability of astrocytes to promote neurite growth

Astrocytes purified from the neonatal rat brain were cultured for up to 3 weeks prior to being treated with agents that can induce reactive changes in astrocytes. These agents included dibutyryl cAMP, interleukin‐1β, and macrophage conditioned media. After treating astrocytes for 3 days, the agents were removed and the ability of the astrocytes to support neurite growth was assessed by plating neonatal rat cerebellar cortical neurons. All the agents increased the ability of astrocytes to support the growth of long neurites. This was particularly evident with astrocytes treated with dibutyryl cAMP and LPS macrophageconditioned medium. These results provide direct evidence that the reactive changes induced in astrocytes in this in vitro model might aid the growth of neurites. Similar changes may underlie the injury‐induced axonal sprouting that occurs in vivo. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Introductory tail-flick of the Jacky dragon visual display: signal efficacy depends upon duration

SUMMARY Many animal signals have introductory components that alert receivers. Examples from the acoustic and visual domains show that this effect is often achieved with high intensity, a simple structure and a short duration. Quantitative analyses of the Jacky dragon Amphibolurus muricatus visual display reveal a different design: the introductory tail-flick has a lower velocity than subsequent components of the signal, but a longer duration. Here, using a series of video playback experiments with a digitally animated tail, we identify the properties responsible for signal efficacy. We began by validating the use of the computer-generated tail, comparing the responses to digital video footage of a lizard tail-flick with those to a precisely matched 3-D animation (Experiment 1). We then examined the effects of variation in stimulus speed, acceleration, duration and period by expanding and compressing the time scale of the sequence (Experiment 2). The results identified several variables that might mediate recognition. Two follow-up studies assessed the importance of tail-flick amplitude (Experiment 3), movement speed and signal duration (Experiment 4). Lizard responses to this array of stimuli reveal that duration is the most important characteristic of the tail-flick, and that intermittent signalling has the same effect as continuous movement. We suggest that signal design may reflect a trade-off between efficacy and cost.
Haptic Interface for Domestic Service Robot

Domestic service robots are designed for human environment. Therefore, the robot should be controlled by means of natural interactions rather than the common controllers used in laboratory setting (e.g. keyboard or joypad). In this paper, a feature for controlling a domestic service robot through physical interaction is presented. The feature showcases the utilization of the robot's manipulator as its haptic interface. The feature uses low pass filter and proportional-integral- derivative (PID) controller which remove the rapid fluctuation in the force input and stabilize the velocity output. The robot's omnidirectional capability is accommodated through different interaction modes which can be selected based on the user preference. Through the proposed approach, the physical interaction will be translated into base motion commands which adjust itself autonomously. The result is a more natural way of controlling the robot. The feature has been proven to be intuitive and safe through the user trial which was performed in a domestic environment. 
Neuroinformatics: A tool for assessment of complex neurological disease.

Editorial The advanced bioinformatics technologies are accepted for usefulness in medicine and public health. It can be useful for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. The neuroinformatics is a specific subject of bioinformatics dealing with omics technology for neurology. Several new software and computation tools are developed for serving as databases as well as simulation tools in neuroinformatics [1]. The good example of network in neuroinformatics is CATI, “a platform dedicated to multicenter neuroimaging” which was initiated by the French Alzheimer's plan [2]. Applications of those tools in neurological disorders aiming at clarification of pathophysiology as well as predict for new biomarkers and therapeutic alternatives are the exact usefulness of neuroinformatics.
Cell-Free Escherichia coli-Based System To Screen for Quorum-Sensing Molecules Interacting with Quorum Receptor Proteins of Streptomyces coelicolor

ABSTRACT Quorum sensing (QS) is mediated by small molecules and involved in diverse cellular functions, such as virulence, biofilm formation, secondary metabolism, and cell differentiation. In this study, we developed a rapid and effective screening tool based on a cell-free Escherichia coli-based expression system to identify QS molecules of Streptomyces. The binding of QS molecules to γ-butyrolactone receptor ScbR was monitored by changes in the expression levels of the green fluorescent protein reporter in E. coli cell extract. Using this assay system, we could successfully confirm SCB1, a γ-butyrolactone molecule in Streptomyces coelicolor, binding to its known receptor, ScbR. In addition, we have shown that N-hexanoyl-dl-homoserine lactone, one of the QS molecules in many gram-negative bacteria, can regulate ScbR and trigger precocious antibiotic production in S. coelicolor. Our new method can be applied to other strains for which a screening tool for QS molecules has not yet been developed.
NURSERY SCHOOLS: CHARACTERIZATION OF HEAVY METAL CONTENT IN INDOOR DUST

Interior floor dust is found to be one of the major pathways of childhood exposure to indoor air pollutants. This study aims to carry out a general survey of heavy metals (Al, Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni and Pb) contamination at selected nursery school buildings in Shah Alam, Selangor and to study their relationship with the surrounding environment. The samples were collected using a brush and a plastic dust pan, after which the samples were digested using the wet digestion method. The heavy metal concentration was determined by inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). The results show that the heavy metal concentrations at nursery school building were in the range 901.2 - 1510.0, 13.3 - 76.7, 12.0 - 22.6, 22.2 - 42.7, 1489.0 - 7919.0, 5.5 -14.4, 13.2 - 64.6, 93.3 - 220.4 mg kg -1 for Al, Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni and Pb respectively. The heavy metal concentration in the investigated areas followed the order Fe > Al > Zn > Pb > Ba > Cu > Cr > Ni. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was carried out to ascertain the possible contributing factors towards the metal concentrations and thereby determine which metals have a common origin. PCA analysis indicated that three factors indicated source of mixed origin including mobile vehicle, street dust and natural sources. © 2011 cE-Bs, FAPS, UiTM. All rights reserved.
The Prolactin Receptor and Severely Truncated Erythropoietin Receptors Support Differentiation of Erythroid Progenitors*

Activation of the erythropoietin receptor is essential for the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of erythroid progenitors. To understand the role of erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) activation in erythroid differentiation, we infected primary erythroid progenitors with high-titer retrovirus encoding the non-hematopoietic prolactin receptor. The infected progenitors responded to prolactin in the absence of Epo by generating fully differentiated erythroid colonies. Therefore, differentiation of erythroid progenitors does not require an intracellular signal generated uniquely by the EpoR; the EpoR does not have an instructive role in erythroid differentiation. We also infected primary erythroid progenitors with retrovirus encoding chimeric receptors containing the extracellular domain of PrlR and the intracellular domain of either the wild-type or truncated EpoRs. A chimeric receptor containing only the membrane-proximal 136 amino acids of the EpoR cytoplasmic domain efficiently supported prolactin-dependent differentiation of erythroid progenitors. Substitution of the single cytoplasmic domain tyrosine in this receptor with phenylalanine (Y343F) eliminated its ability to support differentiation. The minimal EpoR cytoplasmic domain required for erythroid differentiation is therefore the same as that previously reported to be sufficient to support cell proliferation (D’Andrea, A. D., Yoshimura, A., Youssoufian, H., Zon, L. I., Koo, J. W., and Lodish, H. F. (1991) Mol. Cell. Biol. 11, 1980–1987; Miura, O. , D’Andrea, A. D. , Kabat, D. , and Ihle, J. N. (1991) Mol. Cell. Biol. 11, 4895–4902; He, T. -C. , Jiang, N. , Zhuang, H. , Quelle, D. E. , and Wojchowski, D. M. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 18291–18294).
Metal-organic frameworks of cobalt and nickel centers with carboxylate and pyridine functionality linkers: Thermal and physical properties; precursors for metal oxide nanoparticle preparation

This article provides an overview on preparation, design, crystal structure and properties of some metal-organic frameworks of carboxylate coordination polymers mixed with pyridine-functionality linkers prepared in our laboratory. The article covers coordination polymers in two- and three-dimensional supramolecular architectures. The reported coordination polymers exhibit interesting structural features for cobalt and nickel centers. They also show various physical properties together with high thermal stabilities, which candidate them for a wide range of applications. Moreover, one of the frameworks was used as a precursor for preparation of metal oxide nanoparticles with sizes of about 35-45 nm.
Resuscitate early with plasma and platelets or balance blood products gradually: Findings from the PROMMTT study

BACKGROUND The trauma transfusion literature has yet to resolve which is more important for hemorrhaging patients, transfusing plasma and platelets along with red blood cells (RBCs) early in resuscitation or gradually balancing blood product ratios. In a previous report of PROMMTT results, we found (1) plasma and platelet:RBC ratios increased gradually during the 6 hours following admission, and (2) patients achieving ratios more than 1:2 (relative to ratios <1:2) had significantly decreased 6-hour to 24-hour mortality adjusting for baseline and time-varying covariates. To differentiate the association of in-hospital mortality with early plasma or platelet transfusion from that with delayed but gradually balanced ratios, we developed a separate analytic approach. METHODS Using PROMMTT data and multilevel logistic regression to adjust for center effects, we related in-hospital mortality to the early receipt of plasma or platelets within the first three to six transfusion units (including RBCs) and 2.5 hours of admission. We adjusted for the same covariates as in our previous report: Injury Severity Score (ISS), age, time and total number of blood product transfusions upon entry to the analysis cohort, and bleeding from the head, chest, or limb. RESULTS Of 1,245 PROMMTT patients, 619 were eligible for this analysis. Early plasma was associated with decreased 24-hour and 30-day mortality (adjusted odds ratios of 0.47 [p = 0.009] and 0.44 [p = 0.002], respectively). Too few patients (24) received platelets early for meaningful assessment. In the subgroup of 222 patients receiving no early plasma but continuing transfusions beyond Hour 2.5, achieving gradually balanced plasma and platelet:RBC ratios of 1:2 or greater by Hour 4 was not associated with 30-day mortality (adjusted odds ratios of 0.9 and 1.1, respectively). There were no significant center effects. CONCLUSION Plasma transfusion early in resuscitation had a protective association with mortality, whereas delayed but gradually balanced transfusion ratios did not. Further research will require considerably larger numbers of patients receiving platelets early. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic study, level IV.
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in Acute Renal Failure

The management of acute renal failure in the critically ill patient is extremely variable and there are no published standards for the provision of renal replacement therapy in this population. Continuous renal replacement therapy seems to be the treatment of choice because of its superior metabolic and hemodynamic control. There is better organ protection by continuous treatment but no evidence for better survival or renal recovery due to continuous treatment. The debate about optimal membrane as well as about optimal dialysis dose is ongoing. An effluent flow rate of at least 35 ml/kg/h as well as lower BUN level at treatment initiation seem to be necessary to provide better survival rate. Peritoneal dialysis is a less suitable option in continuous renal replacement of the adult intensive care patient but hybrid methods such as extended daily dialysis and sustained low efficient daily dialysis need consideration with respect to continuous hemofiltration/dialysis.