Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Hydroxy Fatty Acids and Prostaglandin E2 in Gingival Tissue

ABSTRACT Bacterial hydroxy fatty acids and alpha-hydroxy fatty acids have been demonstrated in complex lipid extracts of subgingival plaque and gingival tissue. However, little is known about the relationship between these hydroxy fatty acids in plaque and gingival tissues or the significance of these complex lipids in promoting inflammatory periodontal disease. The present study determined the percentages of ester-linked and amide-linked hydroxy fatty acids in complex lipids recovered from plaque and gingival tissue samples and the relationship between bacterial hydroxy fatty acids and alpha-hydroxy fatty acids in the lipid extracts. To evaluate a potential role for these hydroxy fatty acids in inflammatory periodontal disease, gingival tissue samples were examined for a relationship between prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and hydroxy fatty acids recovered in gingival lipid. This investigation demonstrated that alpha-hydroxy fatty acids are only ester linked in plaque lipids but are largely amide linked in gingival tissue lipids. Furthermore, the level of alpha-hydroxy fatty acid in gingival lipid is directly related to the level of the bacterial hydroxy fatty acid 3-OHiso-branched C17:0 (3-OH iC17:0) in the same lipid extract. However, the relationship between hydroxy fatty acids in gingival lipids does not parallel the fatty acid relationship observed in plaque lipids. Finally, alpha-hydroxy fatty acid levels in gingival tissue lipids correlate directly with the recovery of PGE2 in the same tissue samples. These results demonstrate that alpha-hydroxy fatty acid levels in gingival lipids are directly related to both 3-OH iC17:0 bacterial lipid levels and PGE2 levels. These results indicate that in periodontal tissues there are unusual host-parasite interactions involving penetration of bacterial lipid in association with an altered gingival lipid metabolism and prostaglandin synthesis.
Cardiovascular autonomic function correlates with the response to aerobic training in healthy sedentary subjects.

Individual responses to aerobic training vary from almost none to a 40% increase in aerobic fitness in sedentary subjects. The reasons for these differences in the training response are not well known. We hypothesized that baseline cardiovascular autonomic function may influence the training response. The study population included sedentary male subjects (n = 39, 35 +/- 9 yr). The training period was 8 wk, including 6 sessions/wk at an intensity of 70-80% of the maximum heart rate for 30-60 min/session. Cardiovascular autonomic function was assessed by measuring the power spectral indexes of heart rate variability from 24-h R-R interval recordings before the training period. Mean peak O2 uptake increased by 11 +/- 5% during the training period (range 2-19%). The training response correlated with age (r = -0.39, P = 0.007) and with the values of the high-frequency (HF) spectral component of R-R intervals (HF power) analyzed over the 24-h recording (r = 0.46, P = 0.002) or separately during the daytime hours (r = 0.35, P = 0.028) and most strongly during the nighttime hours (r = 0.52, P = 0.001). After adjustment for age, HF power was still associated with the training response (e.g., P = 0.001 analyzed during nighttime hours). These data show that cardiovascular autonomic function is an important determinant of the response to aerobic training among sedentary men. High vagal activity at baseline is associated with the improvement in aerobic power caused by aerobic exercise training in healthy sedentary subjects.
Laboratory and field evaluation of the repellents deet, CIC-4, and AI3-37220 against Anopheles farauti (Diptera: Culicidae) in Australia.

Laboratory and field tests of the repellents diethyl methylbenzamide (deet), 1-(3-cyclohexen-1-yl-carbonyl)-2-methylpiperidine (AI3-37220), and (2-hydroxymethylcyclohexyl) acetic acid lactone (CIC-4) were conducted against Anopheles farauti s.s. Laveran, an important malaria vector in the southwest Pacific region. In the laboratory, An. farauti was tolerant of all 3 repellents, but deet and CIC-4 provided significantly better protection than AI3-37220. The field study was conducted in rain forest located near Innisfail, northern Queensland, and tested 25% (vol:vol) ethanol solutions of each repellent against An. farauti. All 3 repellents provided > 95% protection against An. farauti for 5 h after application. In contrast to the laboratory tests, protection provided by AI3-37220 was significantly better than that by either deet or CIC-4, and there was no difference between protection by deet and CIC-4. The protection by deet and CIC-4 declined 8 h after application and provided < or = 50% protection at 9 h. In contrast, AI3-37220 provided > or = 94% protection for 9 h.
Evaluation of risk factors for luxation after total hip replacement in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To identify risk factors for luxation after canine total hip replacement (THR). STUDY DESIGN Retrospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION 256 client-owned dogs that underwent THR. METHODS Patient data surveyed included signalment, body weight, diagnosis, prior hip surgery, implant size, intraoperative complications, and angle of lateral opening of the acetabular component. RESULTS Postoperative complications were recorded in 20 cases (7.8%). The most common complication was dorsal luxation which occurred in 12 dogs (4.7%). The interval between joint replacement and luxation ranged from 1 to 116 days (mean, 44 days). In 1 case, luxation was attributable to failure of the repair of an intraoperative fracture of the greater trochanter. Excluding this case, the mean angle of lateral opening in those dogs that sustained luxation was 62 degrees (range, 46 degrees - 75 degrees). The mean angle of lateral opening overall was 48 degrees (range, 18 degrees - 76 degrees). The angle of lateral opening was the only factor that had a statistically significant effect on whether luxation occurred (P = .035). Acetabular revision, performed primarily to reduce the angle of lateral opening, was performed in 8 dogs and successfully prevented subsequent luxation. CONCLUSION Luxation of the prosthesis is substantially under the control of the surgeon. It is recommended that the acetabular cup be inserted at an angle of lateral opening of 35 degrees to 45 degrees. In those cases of THR luxation in which an inappropriate angle of lateral opening is identified, acetabular revision arthroplasty generally results in a good clinical outcome.
Redistribution of nuclear antigens linked to cell proliferation and RNA processing in mouse oocytes and early embryos

We have systematically analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence the subcellular distribution of nuclear antigens in relation to developmental stages of maturing mouse oocytes and developing embryos. Antigens were of two types: (1) a protein whose nuclear localization in interphase somatic cells depends on their proliferative state protein recognized by a monoclonal antibody 43B1N, and (2) snRNP polypeptides recognized by autoimmune sera of anti‐Sm and anti‐RNP type. The protein recognized by 43B1N was present in the germinal vesicle of oocytes from antral follicles, but absent from the nuclei during the first hours of embryonic life up to the middle to late 2‐cell stage. Starting from this stage, it was always found in nuclei of interphase blastomeres, where its “speckles”; co‐localized with the speckles containing high concentrations of snRNP polypeptides. SnRNP polypeptides recognized by anti‐Sm and anti‐RNP sera were in turn found in nuclei of all developmental stages. When embryos were treated with aphidicolin or cytochalasin D to arrest cell division, the 43B1N reacting protein was again localized in the pronuclei at 42 hr post‐hCG, i.e., slightly later than the onset of transcriptional activity. These results suggest a progressive building up of nuclei during embryonic development, which could influence gene expression. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diagnosis and treatment of low‐renin hypertension

Plasma renin levels can be used to classify hypertension. A significant proportion of hypertensive individuals display a low‐renin profile and thus low‐renin hypertension (LRH) requires appropriate diagnosis and treatment. LRH includes essential, secondary and genetic forms, the most common of which are low‐renin essential hypertension and primary aldosteronism. Several studies have investigated the relationship between PRA status and clinical response to different antihypertensive therapies. The present review will discuss the differential diagnosis of LRH subtypes and the most appropriate treatment options based on the pathophysiological background of this condition.
Association of HIV Infection With Incident Diabetes Mellitus: Impact of Using Hemoglobin A1C as a Criterion for Diabetes

Background:Data regarding the association between HIV and diabetes mellitus (DM) are conflicting, with little known regarding the impact of including hemoglobin A1C (A1C) as a criterion for DM. Methods:Pooled logistic regression was used to quantify the association between HIV and DM in 1501 HIV-infected and 550 HIV-uninfected participants from the Women's Interagency HIV Study. Incident DM was defined using the following 3 criteria, definition I: fasting glucose (FG) ≥126 mg/dL, anti-DM medication or reporting DM diagnosis (with confirmation by FG ≥126 mg/dL or anti-DM medication); definition II: confirmation with a second FG ≥126 mg/dL, and definition III: addition of A1C ≥6.5% confirmed by FG ≥126 mg/dL or anti-DM medication. Results:DM incidence per 100 person-years was 2.44, 1.55, and 1.70 for HIV-infected women; 1.89, 0.85, and 1.13 for HIV-uninfected women, using definition I, II, and III, respectively. After adjustment for traditional DM risk factors, HIV infection was associated with 1.23-, 1.90-, and 1.38-fold higher risk of incident DM, respectively; the association reached statistical significance only when confirmation with a second FG ≥126 mg/dL was required. Older age, obesity, and a family history of DM were each consistently and strongly associated with increased DM risk. Conclusions:HIV infection is consistently associated with greater risk of DM. Inclusion of an elevated A1C to define DM increases the accuracy of the diagnosis and only slightly attenuates the magnitude of the association otherwise observed between HIV and DM. By contrast, a DM diagnosis made without any confirmatory criteria for FG ≥126 mg/dL overestimates the incidence, while also underestimating the effects of HIV on DM risk, and should be avoided.
Proposal of a low cost high frequency isolation high power factor AC-DC-AC power supply

This paper proposes a low cost double conversion power line conditioner with high frequency isolation, high input power factor, full-range input voltage varying among 90Vac-264Vac and 115Vac output voltage. The rectifier with power factor correction is based on flyback converter using the critical current mode control. The inverter is based on full-bridge topology with digital control implemented in a DSPic30F2020 microcontroller. This system is suitable for application with loads which require a high quality sinusoidal voltage. System description, theoretical analysis and experimental results for a 500W implemented prototype are shown in this paper.
Incremental Classifiers for Data-Driven Fault Diagnosis Applied to Automotive Systems

One of the common ways to perform data-driven fault diagnosis is to employ statistical models, which can classify the data into nominal (healthy) and a fault class or distinguish among different fault classes. The former is termed fault (anomaly) detection, and the latter is termed fault isolation (classification, diagnosis). Traditionally, statistical classifiers are trained using data from faulty and nominal behaviors in a batch mode. However, it is difficult to anticipate, a priori, all the possible ways in which failures can occur, especially when a new vehicle model is introduced. Therefore, it is imperative that diagnostic algorithms adapt to new cases on an ongoing basis. In this paper, a unified methodology to incrementally learn new information from evolving databases is presented. The performance of adaptive (or incremental learning) classification techniques is discussed when: 1) the new data has the same fault classes and same features and 2) the new data has new fault classes, but with the same set of observed features. The proposed methodology is demonstrated on data sets derived from an automotive electronic throttle control subsystem.
Population spectrum of ACADM genotypes correlated to biochemical phenotypes in newborn screening for medium‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase deficiency

Medium‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD) is the most frequent inherited defect of fatty acid oxidation, with a significant morbidity and mortality in undiagnosed patients. Adverse outcomes can effectively be prevented by avoiding metabolic stress and following simple dietary measures. Therefore, prospective newborn screening (NBS) is being proposed for this condition. However, technical validation of MCADD population screening and assessment of its overall benefit require broadening of the as‐yet‐scarce knowledge of the MCADD genetic heterogeneity unraveled by NBS and its phenotypic consequences. Here, we describe the entire spectrum of sequence variations occurring in newborns with MCADD in the population of Bavaria, Germany, in relation to the biochemical phenotype. Among 524,287 newborns, we identified 62 cases of MCADD, indicating a birth incidence of 1 in 8,456. In all of the 57 newborns available for analysis, two alterations within the MCADD gene (ACADM) were identified. The most prevalent alteration c.985A>G (Lys329Glu) occurred in 27 (47%) newborns in the homozygous and in 18 (32%) in the heterozygous state (63% of defective alleles). The mild folding variant c.199T>C (Tyr67His) was identified in nine individuals, six of them being compound heterozygous with c.985A>G (Lys329Glu). Neither of the prevalent alterations were found in the remaining nine newborns. A total of 18 sequence variations were identified; 13 of them were novel: eight missense mutations, one nonsense mutation, two splice variants, and two small deletions. The remaining five were previously reported in MCADD patients. The ACADM heterogeneity uncovered was larger as anticipated from previous c.985A>G (Lys329Glu) carrier screening data. In addition, we show that MCADD appears to occur as frequently in Turkish newborns as in the native German population. Our data validate that biochemical NBS for MCADD is a highly specific procedure for disease detection, with the identification of a significant share of milder biochemical phenotypes, such as c.199T>C (Tyr67His). These show statistically lower acylcarnitine markers, allowing us to distinguish subgroups within the spectrum of ACADM sequence variations that correlate to biochemical MCADD disease expression. Our data might provide technical and medical guidance for decision making in the worldwide efforts to introduce MCADD population screening. Hum Mutat 25:443–452, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Serine-Threonine Kinase (StkP) Regulates Expression of the Pneumococcal Pilus and Modulates Bacterial Adherence to Human Epithelial and Endothelial Cells In Vitro

The pneumococcal serine threonine protein kinase (StkP) acts as a global regulator in the pneumococcus. Bacterial mutants deficient in StkP are less virulent in animal models of infection. The gene for this regulator is located adjacent to the gene for its cognate phosphatase in the pneumococcal genome. The phosphatase dephosphorylates proteins phosphorylated by StkP and has been shown to regulate a number of key pneumococcal virulence factors and to modulate adherence to eukaryotic cells. The role of StkP in adherence of pneumococci to human cells has not previously been reported. In this study we show StkP represses the pneumococcal pilus, a virulence factor known to be important for bacterial adhesion. In a serotype 4 strain regulation of the pilus by StkP modulates adherence to human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) and human lung epithelial cells. This suggests that the pneumococcal pilus may play a role in adherence during infections such as meningitis and pneumonia. We show that regulation of the pilus occurs at the population level as StkP alters the number of pili-positive cells within a single culture. As far as we are aware this is the first gene identified outside of the pilus islet that regulates the biphasic expression of the pilus. These findings suggest StkPs role in cell division may be linked to regulation of expression of a cell surface adhesin.
The Effects of Group Therapy on Bereaved Extended Family of Children With Cancer

The impact of the death of a child from cancer and subsequent grief on the extended family members has not been documented. Additionally, the effect of a support group for these individuals has not been explored. Therefore, this one group pretest/post-test study sought to determine the effects of participation in a support group for bereaved extended family members whose child died from cancer. Extended family members completed the Emotions Profile Index before and after the group sessions. Descriptive data were collected from the cotherapists' process log and the participants' evaluation. No significant differences were found between pretest and post-test scores for any emotional state. However, the group process log showed significant clinical data related to the intensity of the grief experienced and ways of coping with the loss. The Bereaved Extended Family Group Evaluation demonstrated the usefulness of the group experience. Tentative conclusions support the value of such a group in providing a forum for the bereaved extended family to ventilate feelings of anger and sadness and find ways to cope with the future.
Assessment of levofloxacin effect on human neutrophil functions in vitro Levofloksasin'in insan Nötrofil fonksiyonlari üzerine etkisinin in vitro deǧerlendirilmesi

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of levofloxacin on the phagocytic and intracellular killing functions of human neutrophils at different therapeutic concentrations and to investigate the possible differences between pure powder and pharmaceutical form of levofloxacin on the neutrophil functions. Neutrophils obtained from healthy volunteers were incubated with both pure powder and pharmaceutical form of levofloxacin at different concentrations (1.4 pLg/mL, 2.8 pLg/mL, 5.7 pLg/mL, 11.4 Hg/mL). At concentrations of 2.8 pLg/mL solutions, prepared from both pure powder and pharmaceutical form of levofloxacin, were observed to decrease phagocytosis and intracellular killing comparing to control samples, but only the decrease for the pharmaceutical form's effect on phagocytic function was statistically significant (p<0.05). At concentration of 2.8 pig/mL solution, prepared from pharmaceutical form of levofloxacin, was observed to statistically significant decrease phagocytosis comparing to 2.8 fig/mL solution prepared from pure powder of levofloxacin (p<0.05). At concentration of 5.7 pig/mL solution, prepared from pharmaceutical form of levofloxacin, was observed to statistically significant decrease phagocytosis and intracellular killing comparing to 5.7 pig/mL solution prepared from pure powder of levofloxacin (p<0.05). Phagocytic activity of neutrophils was significantly decreased by levofloxacin solution prepared from pure powder at concentrations of 11.4 pig/mL when compared with control (p<0.05). As conclusion, the solutions prepared with pharmaceutical form have significantly inhibition on the phagocytic and intracellular killing functions of human neutrophils in vitro when comparing with the solutions prepared with pure powder.
Load index based clustering algorithm using centroid model in different pricing environment

Demand side Management is attracting researchers willingly in 21st century because distribution sector is still weakest among all the three entities of Power System (Generation, Transmission and Distribution) in India. This paper proposes a load index based clustering (LIBC) algorithm to develop cluster based approach for splitting 24 hours' time horizon with respect to the load identification pattern of various zones having more than 700 domestic households. The peak and off peak clusters calculated by the proposed LIBC algorithm has been integrated and analyzed with the different pricing models to verify suitable tariff structure for the domestic consumer with respect to the geographical conditions. The objective is to reduce peak to average ration (PAR) of consumer. In addition the impacts of power factor have also been analyzed with existing tariff structure. The proposed LIBC algorithm is designed on the basis of centroid model and load index cluster coefficient, calculated through the load data set and validated by load profile of customers. Therefore, the deployment of the proposed algorithm is beneficial for both end users and utility companies in order to implement the automatic scheduling strategies of load under advance metering infrastructure (AMI).
Isolation and Characterization of Mutations in theEscherichia coli Regulatory Protein XapR

ABSTRACT In this work, the LysR-type protein XapR has been subjected to a mutational analysis. XapR regulates the expression of xanthosine phosphorylase (XapA), a purine nucleoside phosphorylase inEscherichia coli. In the wild type, full expression of XapA requires both a functional XapR protein and the inducer xanthosine. Here we show that deoxyinosine can also function as an inducer in the wild type, although not to the same extent as xanthosine. We have isolated and characterized in detail the mutants that can be induced by other nucleosides as well as xanthosine. Sequencing of the mutants has revealed that two regions in XapR are important for correct interactions between the inducer and XapR. One region is defined by amino acids 104 and 132, and the other region, containing most of the isolated mutations, is found between amino acids 203 and 210. These regions, when modelled into the three-dimensional structure of CysB from Klebsiella aerogenes, are placed close together and are most probably directly involved in binding the inducer xanthosine.