Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimization of the in vitro feeding of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus nymphae for the transmission of Theileria parva

SUMMARY An apparatus for artificial feeding of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus nymphae was modified to improve feeding performance. Heparinized blood was supplied above a treated artificial membrane while the ticks attached below on its undersurface. The feeding apparatus was incubated at 37 °C in an atmosphere of 3% CO2 concentration and a relative humidity of 75–80%. Under these conditions, 91% of the engorged nymphae attained a mean weight of 6–11 mg, and an average of 93% of those nymphae moulted into adults. When this system was used to feed nymphal ticks on blood infected with Theileria parva piroplasms, the mean prevalence of infection in the resultant female and male ticks was 86% and 54%, respectively. The feeding performance and T. parva infection levels were comparable to those of nymphal ticks fed on the blood donor cattle. The apparatus used in this study has potential for modification to suit the artificial feeding needs of other species of ixodid ticks and for use in investigations to examine other tick/pathogen relationships.
On Decoding Schemes for the MDPC-McEliece Cryptosystem

In this paper, classical (iterative) decoding schemes for moderate-density parity-check (MDPC) codes are considered. The algorithms are analyzed with respect to their errorcorrection capability as well as their resilience against a recently proposed reaction-based key-recovery attack on a variant of the MDPC-McEliece cryptosystem by Guo, Johansson and Stankovski (GJS). New message-passing decoding algorithms are presented and analyzed. The proposed decoding algorithms have an improved error-correction performance compared to existing hard-decision decoding schemes and can reduce the effectiveness of the GJS reaction-based attack for an appropriate choice of the algorithm’s parameters.
Novel Actin-Like Proteins T-ACTIN 1 and T-ACTIN 2 Are Differentially Expressed in the Cytoplasm and Nucleus of Mouse Haploid Germ Cells

Abstract We isolated cDNA clones for the novel actin-like proteins T-ACTIN 1 and T-ACTIN 2, which are expressed specifically in the mouse testis. These clones were from a subtracted cDNA library that was enriched for haploid germ cell-specific cDNAs. The mRNA sizes and deduced molecular masses of t-actin 1/mACTl7b and t-actin 2/mACTl7a were 2.2 kilobases (kb) and 1.8 kb, and Mr 43.1 × 103 and Mr 47.2 × 103, respectively. The two deduced amino acid sequences had 60% homology, and they had approximately 40% homology with other actins. The T-ACTINs contained some of the conserved regions seen in other actins. Although the cellular locations of these two proteins are quite different (T-ACTIN-1 was found in the cytoplasm and T-ACTIN-2 was located in the nucleus), the expression of their proteins and mRNAs is controlled during development and limited during spermiogenesis. In contrast, only T-ACTIN-2 was present in sperm heads and tails. These results suggest that T-ACTINs play important roles in sperm function and in the specific morphogenesis of spermatozoa during spermiogenesis.
Functional impairment in social phobia.

BACKGROUND This study examined the nature of impairment of functioning in persons with social phobia and assessed the validity of two new rating scales for describing impairment in social phobia. METHOD In 32 patients with social phobia and 14 normal control subjects, impairment was assessed using the Disability Profile and the Liebowitz Self-Rated Disability Scale, new instruments designed to provide clinician- and patient-rated descriptive measures of current and lifetime functional impairment related to emotional problems. Validity of the new scales was assessed by measuring internal consistency, comparing scores for patients and controls, and comparing scores with those on standard measures of disability, social phobia symptoms, and social support. RESULTS More than half of all social phobic patients reported at least moderate impairment at some time in their lives, due to social anxiety and avoidance, in areas of education, employment, family relationships, marriage/romantic relationships, friendships/social network, and other interests. Social phobic patients were rated more impaired than normal controls on nearly all items on both measures. Both scales were internally consistent, with Cronbach's alpha coefficients for lifetime and current disability subscales in the range of . 87 to . 92. Significant positive correlations of scores on the new scales with scores on coadministered standard scales of social phobia symptoms and disability demonstrated concurrent validity. Disability was not significantly correlated with measures of social support. CONCLUSION Social phobia is associated with impairment in most areas of functioning, and the new scales appear useful in assessing functional impairment related to social phobia.
Shigella flexneri DegP Facilitates IcsA Surface Expression and Is Required for Efficient Intercellular Spread

ABSTRACT A degP mutant of Shigella flexneri was identified in a screen for insertion mutants that invaded cultured cells but did not form wild-type plaques in monolayers. The degP mutant SM1100 invaded Henle cells at wild-type levels and induced apoptosis in macrophages but formed smaller plaques than those formed by wild-type S. flexneri in confluent monolayers of Henle and Caco-2 cells. The proportion of SM1100 bacteria with IcsA localized to the bacterial pole, a process required for actin polymerization into actin “tails,” was reduced compared to results with wild-type bacteria. The reduction in proper IcsA localization may account for the reduced plaque size of the degP mutant. Although DegP is a protease, the protease activity of S. flexneri DegP was not required for IcsA localization or the formation of plaques in Henle cell monolayers. DegP was also required for efficient polar IcsA localization in E. coli expressing icsA. In addition, the growth or survival of SM1100 was compromised compared to that of the wild type at elevated temperatures and in acidic conditions.
Solving the Trust-Region Subproblem using the Lanczos Method

The approximate minimization of a quadratic function within an ellipsoidal trust region is an important subproblem for many nonlinear programming methods. When the number of variables is large, the most widely used strategy is to trace the path of conjugate gradient iterates either to convergence or until it reaches the trust-region boundary. In this paper, we investigate ways of continuing the process once the boundary has been encountered. The key is to observe that the trust-region problem within the currently generated Krylov subspace has a very special structure which enables it to be solved very efficiently. We compare the new strategy with existing methods. The resulting software package is available as HSL_VF05 within the Harwell Subroutine Library.
MECHANISMS UNDERLYING THE SPERM QUALITY ADVANTAGE IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

Abstract Contrary to early predictions of sperm competition theory, postcopulatory sexual selection favoring increased investment per sperm (e.g., sperm size, sperm quality) has been demonstrated in numerous organisms. We empirically demonstrate for Drosophila melanogaster that both sperm quality and sperm quantity independently contribute to competitive male fertilization success. In addition to these independent effects, there was a significant interaction between sperm quality and quantity that suggests an internal positive reinforcement on selection for sperm quality, with selection predicted to intensify as investment per sperm increases and the number of sperm competing declines. The mechanism underlying the sperm quality advantage is elucidated through examination of the relationship between female sperm-storage organ morphology and the differential organization of different length sperm within the organ. Our results exemplify that primary sex cells can bear secondary sexual straits.
Brain tumors in children: a review.

Brain tumors are the second most common malignancy of children. In contrast to adults, childhood brain tumors are usually of glial origin; metastases and meningiomas are rare. Some tumors, i.e., medulloblastomas, are found almost exclusively in children. The posterior fossa is the most frequent site of occurrence. The prognosis for childhood neoplasms tends to be more favorable than in adults, and some lesions are curable. New techniques, including immunostaining, tumor markers, and cytogenetics, have improved diagnostic accuracy. A review of some of the most important brain tumors of children is presented along with an upgrade on recent developments in diagnoses and treatment.
Factor Structure and Predictive Validity of a Homework Motivation Measure for Use With Middle School Students With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Many students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) exhibit deficits in motivation to pursue long-term goals. Students with ADHD have particular difficulty with motivation to complete homework-related tasks and often fail to complete assignments. Although these problems are common and may impact academic performance, no homework-motivation measures have been validated for use with students with ADHD. The primary goal of the present study was to evaluate the factor structure and predictive validity of a homework-motivation measure based upon the expectancy–value theory of achievement motivation. A sample of 285 middle school students with ADHD completed the measure, and confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate the proposed factor structure and associations with parent and teacher ratings of homework performance. A 2-factor structure emerged, and model fit was excellent. Further, student-rated ability–expectancy beliefs demonstrated significant associations with parent-rated homework problems and performance and with teacher-rated homework performance and percentage of assignments turned in above and beyond ADHD symptoms. Future directions for studying the importance of motivation in students with ADHD are provided, with particular attention to the role that reward sensitivity may play in motivation.
A novel 111‐nucleotide duplication in the G gene of human metapneumovirus

In 2017, novel human metapneumovirus (HMPV) A2b subgroup strains with a 111‐nucleotide duplication in the G gene was detected by the present team. These strains were related to previously identified HMPV A2b strains with a 180‐nucleotide duplication; however, they appeared to be different strains, produced by an independent duplication event. The recent evolution of HMPV suggests that careful monitoring of this virus is required.
The effects of organic solvents on the efficiency and regioselectivity of N‐acetyl‐lactosamine synthesis, using the β‐galactosidase from Bacillus circulans in hydro‐organic media

The enzymatic synthesis of N‐acetyl‐lactosamine (LacNAc) by the transgalactosylation of N‐acetyl‐D‐glucosamine (GlcNAc), catalyzed by the β‐galactosidase from Bacillus circulans (BcβGal), was studied in hydro‐organic media, starting from o‐nitrophenyl‐β‐D‐galactopyranoside (oNPG) as a galactosyl donor. Thermal stability and synthesis activity of BcβGal were shown to depend on the organic solvent polarity, characterized by its Log P value. BcβGal was thus most stable in 10% (v/v) t‐BuOH, an organic solvent found to have a stabilizing and/or weakly denaturing property, which was confirmed for high t‐BuOH concentrations. In the same manner, the optimal synthesis yield increased as the Log P value of the organic solvent increased. The best results were obtained for reactions carried out in 10% (v/v) pyridine or 2‐methyl‐2‐butanol, which gave 47% GlcNAc transgalactosylation yield based on starting oNPG, of which 23% (11 mM; 4.3 g/L) consisted in LacNAc synthesis. Furthermore, it was also established that both the GlcNAc transgalactosylation yield and the enzyme regioselectivity depended on the percentage of organic solvent used, the optimal percentage varying from 10 to 40% (v/v), depending on the solvent. This phenomenon was found to correlate mainly with the thermodynamic activity of water (aw) in the aqueous organic solvent mixture, which was found to be optimal when close to 0.96, whatever the organic solvent used. Finally, this study highlighted the fact that the regioselectivity of BcβGal for 1‐4 linkage formation could be advantageously managed by controlling the aw parameter. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 2010
Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Anesthesia – What an Anesthesiologist Should Know ?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) syndrome is a disease characterized by recurrent episodic cessation of breathing lasting ≥ 10s during sleep. In this condition, there is exaggerated depression of pharyngeal muscle tone during sleep and anesthesia, resulting in a cyclical pattern of partial or complete upper airway obstruction with impaired respiration. 1 Clinically, this manifests as repeated nocturnal arousals and increased sympathetic output, daytime hypersomnolence, memory loss, and executive and psychomotor dysfunction. 2 . Its estimated prevalence are 1 in 4 males and 1 in 10 females for mild OSA 3,4 , and 1 in 9 males and 1 in 20 females for moderate OSA. 5,6 The economic cost of OSA is considerable. 7 A significant number of patients with OSA are undiagnosed when they present for elective surgery. 8 Approximately 24% of surgical patients were found to be at high risk based on screening, of whom 81% had not been previously diagnosed with OSA. 9,10
Getting the Brain's Attention

Researchers dissecting the role of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain are finding that rather than signaling pleasure as previously thought, it may act to highlight significant stimuli. New data indicate that dopamine is released within the brain not only in response to events the organism finds rewarding, but also in response to those that predict rewards, and to stimuli that are simply startling. By underscoring such events, say these researchers, the dopamine signal helps the animal learn to recognize them--and in some cases, to repeat them.
Unarmed, tumor-specific monoclonal antibody effectively treats brain tumors.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is often amplified and rearranged structurally in tumors of the brain, breast, lung, and ovary. The most common mutation, EGFRvIII, is characterized by an in-frame deletion of 801 base pairs, resulting in the generation of a novel tumor-specific epitope at the fusion junction. A murine homologue of the human EGFRvIII mutation was created, and an IgG2a murine mAb, Y10, was generated that recognizes the human and murine equivalents of this tumor-specific antigen. In vitro, Y10 was found to inhibit DNA synthesis and cellular proliferation and to induce autonomous, complement-mediated, and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Systemic treatment with i.p. Y10 of s.c. B16 melanomas transfected to express stably the murine EGFRvIII led to long-term survival in all mice treated (n = 20; P < 0.001). Similar therapy with i.p. Y10 failed to increase median survival of mice with EGFRvIII-expressing B16 melanomas in the brain; however, treatment with a single intratumoral injection of Y10 increased median survival by an average 286%, with 26% long-term survivors (n = 117; P < 0.001). The mechanism of action of Y10 in vivo was shown to be independent of complement, granulocytes, natural killer cells, and T lymphocytes through in vivo complement and cell subset depletions. Treatment with Y10 in Fc receptor knockout mice demonstrated the mechanism of Y10 to be Fc receptor-dependent. These data indicate that an unarmed, tumor-specific mAb may be an effective immunotherapy against human tumors and potentially other pathologic processes in the "immunologically privileged" central nervous system.
SPONTANEOUS AND ETHYL METHANESULFONATE-INDUCED MUTATIONS CONTROLLING VIABILITY IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER . I . RECESSIVE LETHAL MUTATIONS

The efficiency of the adult feeding method for EMS treatment in Drosophila melanogaster was studied by measuring the frequency of induced recessive lethals on the second chromosome. The treatment was most effective when mature spermatozoa or spermatids were treated and was much less effective on earlier stages. The number of mutations induced was proportional to the concentration except a t the highest doses. The recessive lethal rate was estimated to be about 0.012 per second chromosome per I O 4 ~ . In addition, about 0.004-0.005 recessive lethals per 10-4 M were found in a later generation in chromosomes that had not shown the lethal effect in the previous generation. When the experiments are done in a consistent manner and gametes treated as mature sperm or spermatids are sampled, the results are highly reproducible. However, modifications of the procedure, such as starvation before EMS treatment, can considerably alter the effectiveness of the mutagen. A central problem in population genetics is the relative importance of various factors determining genetic variability in natural populations. Interest in recurrent mutation as a major source of variation has been stimulated by the work of MUKAI and his associates (MUKAI 1964; MUKAI et al. 1972), who reported a very high spontaneous rate for viability-aff ecting polygenic mutations in Drosophila melanogaster. From the standpoint of human welfare, the importance of mutations is enhanced by the possibility that a number of chemicals in our environment may be mutagenic. Ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) is known to produce base-pair substitutions and chromosome changes. It also induces polygenic mutations affecting viability (MUKAI 1970). Mutation and chromosome breaking effects have been reported by ALDERSON (1965) , EPLER (1966), LIM and SNYDER (1968), JENKINS (1967) , LEE, SEGA and BISHOP (1970), BRINK (1970), YOST, IVES and HALL (1967), ABRAHAMSON, KIRIAZIS and SOBOL (1969), and BISHOP and LEE (1969). For a review of molecular mechanisms, see DRAKE (1969,1970). Supported in part by grants from the Public Health Service t o the University of Wisconsin (GM-08217 and GM-22038). Genetics 87 : 519-527 November, 1977.
Canadian Guidelines for Exercise in Pregnancy

The need for guidelines for exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period was stimulated during the early 1980s when active women of the “baby boom” generation became interested in whether it was safe to continue their active lifestyles during pregnancy. As a result of the strong demand for information, important questions were raised concerning the risk/benefit ratio of such exercise. Postulated risks included the possibility that the fetus may be forced to compete with contracting maternal skeletal muscle for oxygenated blood flow (leading to fetal hypoxia and distress), essential substrates (leading to fetal growth restriction), and heat dissipation (leading to fetal hyperthermia and potential teratogenic effects). Concern was also expressed that exercise may increase the chance of early miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, and premature labor, as well as chronic fatigue and musculoskeletal injury. Putative benefits included maintenance of prenatal aerobic and musculoskeletal fitness levels, prevention of excessive maternal weight gain, facilitation of labor and recovery from labor, promotion of good posture, prevention of gestational glucose intolerance and low back pain, and improved psychological adjustment to the changes of pregnancy. As a result of the conflict between these postulated benefits and risks, the idea that a dose-response relationship existed between the quantity and quality of exercise and maternal/fetal well-being quickly emerged (Fig. 1). The concept that exercise is safe for some pregnant women but not others also led to the need for absolute and relative medical contraindications to exercise and the need for medical screening by a qualified health care provider before engaging in fitness training after becoming pregnant. As a result of a lack of scientific information, early guidelines for exercise during pregnancy were necessarily conservative and based primarily on common sense and Note: A copy of the Physical Activity Readiness Medical Examination for Pregnancy can be obtained from the Internet at: www.csep. ca/forms.asp Correspondence: Larry A. Wolfe, PhD, School of Physical and Health Education, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada. E-mail: wolfel@post. queensu.ca CLINICAL OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY Volume 46, Number 2, 488–495 © 2003, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.
Organizational models for thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke

Background Treatment with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is the most effective treatment in acute brain infarction. However, estimated worldwide treatment rates are below 10%, with many barriers hampering broad implementation. Organization and resource intense Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) cannot address all potential barriers simultaneously. Simulation, however, may provide an efficient research means for testing interventions aimed at resolving barriers along the care pathway.
Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Cycle Block by Methionine Restriction in Human Prostate Cancer Cells

Previous studies have shown that dietary or pharmacological methionine restriction inhibits growth of human prostate cancer cells in vitro or as xenografts in mice. We undertook the present studies to clarify the molecular mechanisms by which methionine restriction inhibits prostate cancer cell growth. We found that PC-3 and DU 145 cells stopped proliferating within six days in growth medium containing homocysteine in place of methionine. In contrast, proliferation of LNCaP cells was only partially inhibited by the absence of methionine. Using flow cytometry, we found that methionine restriction caused PC-3 cells to arrest in all phases of the cell cycle, but predominantly in the G2/M phase, whereas LNCaP cells accumulated exclusively in the G1 phase. Methionine restriction led to accumulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21 and p27, as determined by Western blot analysis, and inhibited the enzymatic activities of the cyclin-dependent kinases CDK2 and cdc2, as determined by an in vitro kinase assay. However, methionine restriction had little or no effect on CDK2 or cdc2 protein levels. Methionine restriction also induced PC-3 cells to undergo apoptosis, as indicated by the appearance of a typical nucleosomal ladder on gel electrophoresis of genomic DNA. We conclude that methionine restriction has potential as a novel treatment strategy for prostate cancer.