Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of sulfate respiration by 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone and other anthraquinone derivatives

Derivatives of 9,10-anthracenedione, or anthraquinone, were shown to inhibit respiratory sulfate reduction by pure cultures of sulfate-reducing bacteria, as well as by crude enrichment cultures. Structure-activity studies showed that an increasing degree of substitution of the anthraquinone nucleus resulted in increasing 50% inhibition (I(inf50)) values for sulfate respiration. Addition of charged ring substituents also resulted in an increase in the I(inf50) concentration. Experiments carried out with 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone demonstrated inhibition of hydrogen-dependent sulfate respiration but not hydrogen-dependent sulfite or thiosulfate respiration. Addition of pyruvate resulted in stimulation of sulfate-dependent hydrogen oxidation in the presence of the anthraquinone. These observations, together with a direct demonstration of uncoupling in French press vesicle preparations, suggest that the underlying mechanism of inhibition is uncoupling of ATP synthesis from electron transfer reactions. The low I(inf50) values for inhibition (0.5 to 10 (mu)M) and the relatively low general toxicity of anthraquinones suggest that these compounds may be useful for inhibition of sulfide generation in situations which are incompatible with the use of broadly toxic biocides.
HPV and cancer of the oral cavity

Increased awareness of human papillomavirus (HPV) as an etiological cause of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma has increased the interest in analysis of distinct oral sub-sites. It is currently under debate, whether HPV plays a role in the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (OSCC). The weakness in most published studies is the lack of performing different HPV detection tests combined with analysis for biological activity of the virus. In addition, different sub-sites of the oral cavity had been combined to a single entity, which retrospectively leads to a highly heterogeneous basis of data. In this review we mainly discuss the unclear role of HPV in OSCC development.
Short term influence of mechanical factors on regional musculoskeletal pain: a study of new workers from 12 occupational groups

OBJECTIVES To determine the influence of short term exposure to mechanical factors on regional musculoskeletal pain. METHODS Full time newly employed workers were recruited from 12 occupational groups and information collected by questionnaire. Subjects indicated on a blank body manikin any low back, shoulder, wrist or forearm or both, or knee pain which had occurred during the past month and had lasted more than 1 day. Data were also collected with a previously validated questionnaire on working postures, manual handling activities, and repetitive movements of the upper limb. The relations between mechanical factors and each area of pain were calculated as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Adjustment was made for age and sex. RESULTS 1081 subjects (median age 23; interquartile range 20–27) were recruited to the study (a participation rate of 91%). 261 (24%) reported low back pain, 221 (20%) shoulder pain, 93 (9%) wrist or forearm pain, and 222 (21%) knee pain. Several specific manual handling activities were found to be associated with low back, shoulder, and knee pain. Carrying weights of more than 50 lbs (23 kg) on one shoulder was the factor which was most strongly associated with low back pain (OR 2.4 (95% CI 1.5 to 3.8)), shoulder pain (OR 3.1 (95% CI 1.9 to 4.8)), and knee pain (OR 3.5 (95% CI 2.2 to 5.5)), whereas forearm pain was most strongly associated with repetitive movements of the wrists (OR 1.8 (95% CI 1.04 to 3.1)). By contrast very few postures were associated with regional pain, although bending forwards in an uncomfortable position for at least 15 minutes was associated with shoulder pain (OR 1.6 (95% CI 1.2 to 2.2)) and kneeling for at least 15 minutes was associated with knee pain (OR 1.8 (95% CI 1.2 to 2.6)). Exposure to mechanical factors was most strongly associated with pain at multiple sites rather than with pains in individual regions. CONCLUSIONS Even among workers with only short term exposure to mechanical factors, musculoskeletal pain is increased.
A reappraisal of body perception disturbance in anorexia nervosa

synopsis Previous research has suggested that patients suffering from anorexia nervosa tend to overestimate their body size, whereas normal females tend to be very accurate in this respect. This paper presents the results of further investigations of body perception amongst anorexic and normal females. The results, in contrast to earlier findings, indicate no such difference between groups. Detailed analysis of the data, however, points to the likelihood of certain differences between the present group of anorexic patients and previous groups. Moreover, it seems that body perception disturbance is not a consistent feature of anorexia nervosa and is only present amongst some patients at certain stages during their illness. On subdividing the anorexic group it was demonstrated that patients who vomit tend to overestimate their size more than do non-vomiters. It also seems likely that normal females are far from homogeneous in terms of body perception. In line with previous findings, a direct relationship was found between marked overestimation of body size and an early relapse. Evidence is also discussed which suggests that body perception disturbance is not specific to anorexia nervosa and may reflect an abnormal sensitivity about body size associated with such factors as the anticipation of an undesired change in weight, extreme concern about slimness and anxiety about putting on weight.
Active fault detection and isolation of discrete-time linear time-varying systems: a set-membership approach

Active fault detection and isolation (AFDI) is used for detection and isolation of faults that are hidden in the normal operation because of a low excitation signal or due to the regulatory actions of the controller. In this paper, a new AFDI method based on set-membership approaches is proposed. In set-membership approaches, instead of a point-wise estimation of the states, a set-valued estimation of them is computed. If this set becomes empty the given model of the system is not consistent with the measurements. Therefore, the model is falsified. When more than one model of the system remains un-falsified, the AFDI method is used to generate an auxiliary signal that is injected into the system for detection and isolation of faults that remain otherwise hidden or non-isolated using passive FDI (PFDI) methods. Having the set-valued estimation of the states for each model, the proposed AFDI method finds an optimal input signal that guarantees FDI in a finite time horizon. The input signal is updated at each iteration in a decreasing receding horizon manner based on the set-valued estimation of the current states and un-falsified models at the current sample time. The problem is solved by a number of linear and quadratic programming problems, which result in a computationally efficient algorithm. The method is tested on a numerical example as well as on the pitch actuator of a benchmark wind turbine.
Genetic and Biochemical Analyses of BvgA Interaction with the Secondary Binding Region of the fhaPromoter of Bordetella pertussis

ABSTRACT The BvgA-BvgS two-component signal transduction system regulates expression of virulence factors in Bordetella pertussis. The BvgA response regulator activates transcription by binding to target promoters, which include those for the genes encoding filamentous hemagglutinin (fha) and pertussis toxin (ptx). We have previously shown that at both promoters the phosphorylated form of BvgA binds multiple high- and low-affinity sites. Specifically, at the fha promoter, we proposed that there may be high- and a low-affinity binding sites for the BvgA dimer. In our present investigation, we used DNA binding analyses and in vitro and in vivo assays of promoters with substitutions and deletions to support and extend this hypothesis. Our observations indicate that (i) binding of BvgA∼P to a primary (high-affinity) site and a secondary binding region (lower affinity) is cooperative, (ii) although both the primary binding site and the secondary binding region are required for full activity of the wild-type (undeleted) promoter, deletion of two helical turns within the secondary binding region can produce a fully active or hyperactive promoter, and (iii) BvgA binding to the secondary binding region shows limited DNA sequence specificity.
Effect of Multisensory Stimulation on Analgesia in Term Neonates: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Many attempts have been made to obtain safe and effective analgesia in newborns. Oral glucose-water has been found to have analgesic properties in neonates. We investigated whether other sensory stimulation added to oral glucose provided more effective analgesia than oral glucose alone. In a randomized prospective double-blind trial, we studied 120 term newborns during heel prick. The babies were divided randomly into six groups of 20, and each group was treated with a different procedure during heel prick:A) control;B) 1 mL 33% oral glucose given 2 min before the heel prick;C) sucking;D) 1 mL 33% oral glucose plus sucking;E) multisensory stimulation including 1 mL 33% oral glucose (sensorial saturation);F) multisensory stimulation without oral glucose. Sensorial saturation consisted in massage, voice, eye contact, and perfume smelling during heel prick. Each heel prick was filmed and assigned a point score according to the Douleur Aiguë du Nouveau-né (DAN) neonatal acute pain scale. Camera recording began 30 s before the heel prick, so it was impossible for the scorers to distinguish procedure A (control) from B (glucose given 2 min before), C (sucking water) from D (sucking glucose), and E (multisensory stimulation and glucose) from F (multisensory stimulation and water) from the video. Procedure E (multisensory stimulation and glucose) was found to be the most effective procedure, and the analgesia was even more effective than that produced by procedure D (sucking glucose). We conclude that sensorial saturation is an effective analgesic technique that potentiates the analgesic effect of oral sugar. It can be used for minor painful procedures on newborns.
Collagen Fiber Diameter in the Rabbit Cornea After Collagen Crosslinking by Riboflavin/UVA

Objective: Collagen crosslinking of the cornea has been developed recently as a quasiconservative treatment of keratoconus. Biomechanical in vitro measurements have demonstrated a significant increase in biomechanical stiffness of the crosslinked cornea. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of this new procedure on the collagen fiber diameter of the rabbit cornea. Methods: The corneas of the right eyes of 10 New Zealand White albino rabbits were crosslinked by application of the photosensitizer riboflavin and exposure to UVA light (370 nm, 3 mW/cm2) for 30 minutes. The left fellow control eyes were either left untreated (rabbits 1–4), deepithelialized (rabbits 5–7), or deepithelialized and treated with riboflavin/dextran solution (rabbits 8–10) to exclude an influence of epithelial debridement or hydration changes on the fiber diameter. On ultrathin sections of samples from the anterior and posterior cornea, the collagen fiber diameter was measured semiautomatically with the help of morphometric computer software. Results: In the anterior stroma, the collagen fiber diameter in the treated corneas was significantly increased by 12.2% (3.96 nm), and in the posterior stroma by 4.6% (1.63 nm), compared with the control fellow eyes. In the crosslinked eyes, the collagen fiber diameter was also significantly increased by, on average, 9.3% (3.1 nm) in the anterior compared with the posterior stroma within the same eye. Conclusions: Collagen crosslinking using riboflavin and UVA leads to a significant increase in corneal collagen diameter. This alteration is the morphologic correlate of the crosslinking process leading to an increase in biomechanical stability. The crosslinking effect is strongest in the anterior half of the stroma because of the rapid decrease in UVA irradiance across the corneal stroma as a result of riboflavin-enhanced UVA absorption.
Dose accuracy and injection force dynamics of a novel disposable insulin pen

SoloStar® (sanofi-aventis) is a new, disposable insulin pen for the administration of insulin glargine (Lantus®, sanofi-aventis) or insulin glulisine (Apidra®, sanofi-aventis). SoloStar was developed to address a wide range of patient needs and demonstrates advancement over previous devices, owing to its appropriate combination of ergonomically-tested and mechanically improved features. The authors report the results of key investigations carried out by sanofi-aventis as part of the SoloStar development plan, including dose accuracy and injection force testing. Comparisons between SoloStar and two commonly used pens, FlexPen® (Novo Nordisk) and the Humulin®/Humalog® pen (Eli Lilly) establish SoloStar as a state of the art pen that is suitable for most patients with diabetes.
Carcinoïde primitif du rein métastasant après 12 ans

Les carcinoïdes primitifs du rein sont rares avec une centaine de cas rapportés dans la littérature. Sur le plan histologique, il s'agit d'une tumeur bien différenciée dont la morphologie rejoint souvent celle des carcinoïdes dans les autres localisations. Nous rapportons un cas de carcinoïde primitif du rein survenant chez un homme de 41 ans, découvert à la suite de métastases hépatiques. La tumeur était particulière par son architecture tubulo-papillaire, suggérant à tort le diagnostic de carcinome papillaire du rein. Ce diagnostic a été redressé 12 ans après, à la suite de l'apparition d'autres métastases hépatiques, osseuses et pulmonaires.
Obama as Modern Jeffersonian

President Obama’s first term in office was subject to intense criticism; not only did many feel that he had failed to live up to his leadership potential, but that he had actually continued the foreign policy framework of the George W. Bush era he was supposed to have abandoned. This edited volume examines whether these issues of continuity have been equally as prevalent during the president’s second term as his first.
Transport of Iron in the Blood‐Brain‐Cerebrospinal Fluid System

Abstract: Iron is an important constituent in brain and, in certain regions, e.g., the basal nuclei, reaches concentrations equivalent to those in liver. It has a role in electron transfer and is a cofactor for certain enzymes, including those involved in catecholamine and myelin synthesis. Iron in CSF is likely to be representative of that in interstitial fluid of brain. Transferrin in CSF is fully saturated, and the excess iron may be loosely bound as Fe(II). Brain iron is regulated in iron depletion, suggesting a role for the blood‐brain barrier (BBB). Iron crosses the luminal membrane of the capillary endothelium by receptor‐mediated endocytosis of ferric transferrin. This results in an initial linear uptake of radioactive iron into brain at an average rate relative to serum of about 3.3 × 10−3 ml·g of brain−1·h−1 in the adult rat. This corresponds to about 80 nmol·kg−1·h−1. Much higher rates occur in the postnatal rat. These increase during the first 15 days of life and decline thereafter. Within the endothelium, most of the iron is separated from transferrin, presumably by the general mechanism of acidification within the endosome. Iron appears to be absorbed from the vesicular system into cytoplasm and transported across the abluminal plasma membrane into interstitial fluid as one or more species of low molecular weight. There is some evidence that ionic Fe(II) is involved. Certainly Fe(II) ions presented on the luminal side rapidly cross the complete BBB, i.e., luminal and abluminal membranes. Within interstitial fluid, transported iron will bind with any unsaturated transferrin synthesized or transported into the brain‐CSF system. Oligodendrocytes are one site of synthesis. From interstitial fluid, ferric transferrin is taken up by neurones and glial cells by the usual receptor‐mediated endocytosis. Calculations of the amount of iron leaving the system with the bulk flow of CSF indicate that most iron entering brain across the capillary endothelium finally leaves the system with the bulk outflow of CSF through arachnoid villi and other channels. A system in which influx of iron into brain is by regulated receptor‐mediated transport and in which efflux is by bulk flow is ideal for homeostasis of brain iron.
Computerized Clinical Practice: Promises and Shortcomings

Technology is inundating every aspect of modern society, and clinical practice is no exception. Computer programs are currently available that conduct intake interviews, monitor treatment plans, administer, score, and interpret clinical instruments, and conduct actual therapy sessions. A survey of these applications is provided. Technologically generated knowledge may be objective but socially insensitive, because data must be conceptualized as “bits” of information. If practitioners are not careful, computers may reify the therapeutic setting. A critique of computer-generated knowledge is offered, along with suggestions pertaining to the proper use of this technology.
Human Toll‐like receptor 4 responses to P. gingivalis are regulated by lipid A 1‐ and 4′‐phosphatase activities

Signal transduction following binding of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) is an essential aspect of host innate immune responses to infection by Gram‐negative pathogens. Here, we describe a novel molecular mechanism used by a prevalent human bacterial pathogen to evade and subvert the human innate immune system. We show that the oral pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis, uses endogenous lipid A 1‐ and 4′‐phosphatase activities to modify its LPS, creating immunologically silent, non‐phosphorylated lipid A. This unique lipid A provides a highly effective mechanism employed by this bacterium to evade TLR4 sensing and to resist killing by cationic antimicrobial peptides. In addition, lipid A 1‐phosphatase activity is suppressed by haemin, an important nutrient in the oral cavity. Specifically, P. gingivalis grown in the presence of high haemin produces lipid A that acts as a potent TLR4 antagonist. These results suggest that haemin‐dependent regulation of lipid A 1‐dephosphorylation can shift P. gingivalis lipid A activity from TLR4 evasive to TLR4 suppressive, potentially altering critical interactions between this bacterium, the local microbial community and the host innate immune system.
FinFET SONOS flash memory for embedded applications

FD-SOI (fully depleted silicon-on-insulator) FinFET SONOS flash memory devices are investigated for the first time, and they are found to be scalable to a gate length of 40 nm. Although the FinFET SONOS device does not have a body contact, excellent program/erase characteristics are achieved, together with high endurance, long retention time and low reading disturbance. Devices fabricated on [100] and [110] silicon surfaces are compared.
Problematic pain – redefining how we view pain?

The term ‘problematic pain’ is relatively new and has been the recent source of much debate, especially among primary and community care pain clinicians. In this article, we review the concept of problematic pain, highlighting how it fits in the context of acute, sub-acute and chronic pain. We also examine how risk for the development of chronicity can be assessed using current data and screening tools. The use of ultra-short screening tools for other conditions has previously been evaluated in the literature, and we propose a new tool, to open discussion for the assessment of problematic pain. This is especially relevant in the short consultation where it can be difficult to capture meaningful information quickly. Finally, we focus upon new initiatives currently in progress in the arena of problematic pain in the United Kingdom.
Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, corneal clouding, normal intelligence and acid β‐galactosidase deficiency

A 14‐year‐old girl with a unique type of progressive spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, corneal clouding, and no evidence of neurological abnormality, was found to have a remarkable deficiency of acid β‐galactosidase activity in cultured skin fibroblasts and in leucocyte preparations. In fibroblasts, ganglioside GM1β‐galactosidase activity averaged 7 % of the normal mean while asialofetuin β‐galactosidase and 4‐methylumbelliferyl‐β‐galactosidase averaged 1.4 % and 3.5 %, respectively. Activities for all three substrates in leucocytes from both her parents were close to 50 % of the normal mean indicating that the patient is homozygous for a mutation (or mutations) affecting GM1β‐galactosidase.
The Role of “Instincts” in the Development of Corporate Cultures

Since their emergence during the second half of the nineteenth century, Darwininspired, instinct-based theories of human agency have delivered the psychological foundations of American Institutionalism (see e.g., Dorfman 1963; Rutherford 2000; Asso and Fiorito 2004). Consequently, at the beginning of the twentieth century, early institutionalists like Thorstein Veblen, Wesley Mitchell, John R. Commons and others employed instinct theory in their analysis of economic behavior and focused especially on the interaction between instinctive motivation and intentional economic action (Mitchell 1910; Veblen 1914; Tead 1918; Commons 1920; Edie 1922). By drawing on insights from contemporary research into the coevolutionary interaction of humans' cognitive dispositions and their cultural environment, this paper revives the debate on the role of instincts in economics in general and in the analysis of corporate cultures in particular. I As a result, some social instincts are identified and discussed that influence human behavior in an organizational context. A new perspective on the nature and development of corporate cultures is depicted that deviates from orthodox theories on the nature of the firm. Moreover, an instinct theory inspired by insights from cognitive science and other disciplines can contribute new aspects to debates on the nature of industrial relations and industrial reform, cooperation and creativity within corporations, and group-based learning processes which all have been prominent topics of early institutionalism. The paper is divided into four sections. In the first section, the work of some institutionalists that focuses on the role of instincts in industrial relations or corporate cultures is reviewed. The second section presents insights from evolutionary biology and anthropology that explain the emergence of human social instincts, while the third section combines both strands of thinking and depicts a new perspective on the nature and development of corporate cultures. The final section presents a conclusion.