Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preparation and Characterization of Silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) Extract and Identification of Allergenic Components

Background: Airborne insect antigens represent important aeroallergens which have been widely investigated. Although it has been demonstrated that house dust contains significant silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) levels, none of the extracts obtained so far has been extensively characterized. Thus, we have prepared and characterized a silverfish extract and investigated its IgE-reactive components by testing the reactivity of sera from patients allergic to inhalant insect allergens. Methods: The extract from silverfish insect bodies was prepared by homogenizing frozen silverfish in Tris-HCl buffer. The soluble material (Sup) was filtered and the insoluble material (Ppt) was resuspended in 100 mM Tris pH 10.6. The two fractions were characterized by biochemical and immunochemical methods. IgE reactivity was investigated on both fractions before and after periodate treatment. Results: Protein content and total carbohydrates was 2 and 3% w/w for Sup and 1 and 0.3% w/w for Ppt. The SDS-PAGE profile of the two fractions showed a different pattern in the MW range of 5–175 kD. Sup and Ppt, probed with allergic sera, showed a complex pattern of IgE reactivity. When periodate-treated fractions were tested, IgE reactivity was either completely abrogated, reduced or not affected, depending on the allergic serum employed. Conclusions: The results obtained indicate that the classic aqueous-extraction procedures that have been used up to now for other insects might not be completely satisfactory, since several allergenic components are not soluble at the normally used pH. We developed a dedicated extraction procedure allowing the detection of a certain degree of reactivity in sera negative to allergens extracted following classic procedures.
Changes in plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and tissue-type plasminogen activator during exercise in patients with coronary artery disease.

As depressed fibrinolysis is implicated in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease, we have studied the activation of fibrinolysis during maximal, symptom-limited exercise in a group of 68 men. After exercise they were divided, according to their coronary angiography and exercise 201Tl emission computed tomography results, into three groups. Group 1: persons with normal exercise 201Tl emission computed tomography results and no underlying diseases who served as controls; group 2: patients with coronary artery disease without exercise-induced myocardial ischemia, and group 3: patients with coronary artery disease with transient, exercise-induced myocardial ischemia. Before and at peak exercise we measured the plasminogen activator activity (PAA) in the euglobulin fraction of plasma by an amidolytic method and the concentrations of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), activator-inhibitor complex - plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) complexed with t-PA - and total PAI-1 by enzyme immunoassay. The concentration of free PAI-1 in plasma was calculated by subtraction of the concentration of activator-inhibitor complex from that of total PAI-1. Under basal conditions, group 3 had significantly higher free and total PAI-1 levels than group 1. There were no statistically significant differences between the three groups in PAA, t-PA, and activator-inhibitor complex levels. At peak exercise, group 1 showed the highest release of t-PA accompanied with highest increases in PAA as well as in activator-inhibitor complex, the proportion of released t-PA antigen not bound to PAI-1 being highest in group 1. Free PAI-1 decreased significantly, but there were no differences between individual groups. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Possible contribution of pannexin-1 to capsaicin-induced ATP release in rat nasal columnar epithelial cells

ABSTRACT Current evidence indicates that transient receptor potential (TRP) channel activity involves a relationship between opening of pannexin-1 and release of ATP into the extracellular space. We examined the effects of agonists of thermosensitive TRP channels (TRPM8, TRPA1, TRPV1, and TRPV2) on ATP release from rat nasal mucosa, and measured ciliary beat frequency (CBF) using digital high-speed video imaging. Single-cell patch clamping from dissociated rat nasal columnar epithelial cells was performed to confirm the relationship between pannexin-1 and TRP. We demonstrated that ATP release and CBF were significantly potentiated by the heat-sensitive TRPV1 agonist capsaicin (10 μM), but not by other TRP agonists. Capsaicin-induced ATP release and CBF increase were significantly inhibited by the pannexin-1 blockers carbenoxolone (10 μM) and probenecid (300 μM). In addition, the voltage step-evoked currents in the presence of capsaicin were inhibited by the pannexin-1 blockers in single-cell patch clamping. Our results suggest the participation of TRPV1 and pannexin-1 in the physiologic functions of rat nasal mucosa.
A Switch is Not a Switch: Syntactically-Driven Bilingual Language Control

The current study investigated the possibility that language switches could be relatively automatically triggered by context. Single-word switches, in which bilinguals switched languages on a single word in midsentence and then immediately switched back, were contrasted with more complete whole-language switches, in which bilinguals completed a full phrase (or more) in the switched to language before switching back. Speech production was elicited by asking Spanish–English bilinguals to read aloud mixed-language paragraphs that manipulated switch type (single word, whole language), part of speech (switches on function or content words), and default language (dominant language English or nondominant Spanish). Switching difficulty was measured by production of translation-equivalent language intrusion errors (e.g., mistakenly saying pero instead of but). Controlling for word length (more errors on short vs. long words), intrusions were produced most often with function word targets in the single-word switch condition, and whole-language switches reduced production of intrusion errors for function but not content word targets. Speakers were also more likely to produce intrusions when intending to produce words in the dominant language—a reversed dominance effect. Finally, switches out of the default language elicited many errors, but switches back into the default language rarely elicited errors. The context-sensitivity of switching difficulty, particularly for function words, implies that some language switches are triggered automatically by control processes involving selection of a default language at a syntactic level. At a later processing stage, an independent form-level monitoring process prevents production of some planned intrusion errors before they are produced overtly.
Combination Adenovirus and Protein Vaccines Prevent Infection or Reduce Viral Burden after Heterologous Clade C Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Mucosal Challenge

ABSTRACT HIV vaccine development is focused on designing immunogens and delivery methods that elicit protective immunity. We evaluated a combination of adenovirus (Ad) vectors expressing HIV 1086.C (clade C) envelope glycoprotein (Env), SIV Gag p55, and human pegivirus GBV-C E2 glycoprotein. We compared replicating simian (SAd7) with nonreplicating human (Ad4) adenovirus-vectored vaccines paired with recombinant proteins in a novel prime-boost regimen in rhesus macaques, with the goal of eliciting protective immunity against SHIV challenge. In both vaccine groups, plasma and buccal Env-specific IgG, tier 1 heterologous neutralizing antibodies, and antibody-dependent cell-mediated viral inhibition were readily generated. High Env-specific T cell responses elicited in all vaccinees were significantly greater than responses targeting Gag. After three intrarectal exposures to heterologous tier 1 clade C SHIV, all 10 sham-vaccinated controls were infected, whereas 4/10 SAd7- and 3/10 Ad4-vaccinated macaques remained uninfected or maintained tightly controlled plasma viremia. Time to infection was significantly delayed in SAd7-vaccinated macaques compared to the controls. Cell-associated and plasma virus levels were significantly lower in each group of vaccinated macaques compared to controls; the lowest plasma viral burden was found in animals vaccinated with the SAd7 vectors, suggesting superior immunity conferred by the replicating simian vectors. Furthermore, higher V1V2-specific binding antibody titers correlated with viral control in the SAd7 vaccine group. Thus, recombinant Ad plus protein vaccines generated humoral and cellular immunity that was effective in either protecting from SHIV acquisition or significantly reducing viremia in animals that became infected, consequently supporting additional development of replicating Ad vectors as HIV vaccines. IMPORTANCE There is a well-acknowledged need for an effective AIDS vaccine that protects against HIV infection and limits in vivo viral replication and associated pathogenesis. Although replicating virus vectors have been advanced as HIV vaccine platforms, there have not been any direct comparisons of the replicating to the nonreplicating format. The present study directly compared the replicating SAd7 to nonreplicating Ad4 vectors in macaques and demonstrated that in the SAd7 vaccine group, the time to infection was significantly delayed compared to the control group, and V1V2 Env-specific binding antibodies correlated with viral outcomes. Viral control was significantly enhanced in vaccinated macaques compared to controls, and in infected SAd7-vaccinated macaques compared to Ad4-vaccinated macaques, suggesting that this vector may have conferred more effective immunity. Because blocking infection is so difficult with current vaccines, development of a vaccine that can limit viremia if infection occurs would be valuable. These data support further development of replicating adenovirus vectors.
Graphene based high gain and small size grounded coplanar waveguide feed patch antenna for millimeter wave applications

Graphene based array antennas are becoming more popular for wireless applications due to their ultra slim structure, versatile nature, flexibility, robustness and other advantages as compared to conventional patch antennas. Small size and high gain coplanar waveguide (CPW) feed single element microstrip patch antenna (MPA), 16 elements array antenna and 32 elements array antenna for millimeter wave applications are presented in this paper. The proposed antenna configurations have been designed and simulated using computer simulation technology (CST). Kapton is used as the dielectric substrate having dielectric constant of 3.5 and thickness of 0.075 mm. Graphene is used in the radiating patch as well as ground plane of the antennas whose electrical conductivity is of 1.4286 × 106 S/m2. The thickness of patch and ground plane are of 0.025 mm and 0.05 mm respectively. Each single element antenna has dimension of 1.75×1.5×0.075 mm3 and each array configuration consist of corresponding number of same dimensional single elements. The results of all the proposed antenna configurations have been analyzed in terms of return loss, bandwidth, gain, VSWR and radiation efficiency. Among all the proposed antennas and analyzed feeding methods, the grounded coplanar waveguide (GCPW) feed 32 elements array antenna shows the best performance.
Credentialing of radiotherapy centres in Australasia for TROG 09.02 (Chisel), a Phase III clinical trial on stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy of early stage lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE A randomised clinical trial comparing stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) with conventional radiotherapy for early stage lung cancer has been conducted in Australia and New Zealand under the auspices of the TransTasman Radiation Oncology Group (NCT01014130). We report on the technical credentialing program as prerequisite for centres joining the trial. METHODS Participating centres were asked to develop treatment plans for two test cases to assess their ability to create plans according to protocol. Dose delivery in the presence of inhomogeneity and motion was assessed during a site visit using a phantom with moving inserts. RESULTS Site visits for the trial were conducted in 16 Australian and 3 New Zealand radiotherapy facilities. The tests with low density inhomogeneities confirmed shortcomings of the AAA algorithm for dose calculation. Dose was assessed for a typical treatment delivery including at least one non-coplanar beam in a stationary and moving phantom. This end-to-end test confirmed that all participating centres were able to deliver stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy with the required accuracy while the planning study demonstrated that they were able to produce acceptable plans for both test cases. CONCLUSION The credentialing process documented that participating centres were able to deliver dose as required in the trial protocol. It also gave an opportunity to provide education about the trial and discuss technical issues such as four-dimensional CT, small field dosimetry and patient immobilisation with staff in participating centres. Advances in knowledge: Credentialing is an important quality assurance tool for radiotherapy trials using advanced technology. In addition to confirming technical competence, it provides an opportunity for education and discussion about the trial.
Giant self-induced transparency of intense few-cycle terahertz pulses in n-doped silicon.

The results of high-field terahertz transmission experiments on n-doped silicon (carrier concentration of 8.7×1016 cm-3) are presented. We use terahertz pulses with electric field strengths up to 3.1 MV cm-1 and a pulse duration of 700 fs. A huge transmittance enhancement of ∼90 times is observed with increasing of the terahertz electric field strengths within the range of 1.5-3.1 MV cm-1.
Why One Cannot Estimate the Entropy of English by Sampling

Abstract There have been attempts to approximate the entropy of English by frequency analysis of large corpora. Our original goal was to deduce more precise estimates by extensive calculations. This did not work well, thus confirming a widely held belief in linguistics. In order to put this belief on a firm basis, we used a simplified language model, closely related to others in the literature. This model exhibits an unexpected trichotomy: for very small n, say up to in our case, n-gram counting is reasonably reliable; for medium n, up to 14, increasing statistical noise is added, and beyond that we see statistical noise only. The model is precise enough to yield explicit values for the thresholds given above dependent on the corpus size. Even though a mathematically rigorous proof for English itself is out of reach, our model gives a strong indication that frequency counting in (large) corpora is a dead end for approximating the entropy of English, and different linguistic tools and insights are required. As far as we know, this is the first rigorous quantifiable argument concerning the linguistic intuition that frequency counting of samples is insufficient for entropy determination.
Serum lipids predict cardiac death in diabetic patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Results of a prospective study. The German Study Group Diabetes and Uremia.

The objective of this study was to measure cholesterol concentrations in diabetic patients at the beginning of maintenance hemodialysis treatment and to define their role as predictors of subsequent cardiac death on maintenance hemodialysis. The design of this study consisted of a prospective study of all consecutive diabetic patients newly admitted to 28 German dialysis centers between January 1985 and October 1987. The patients were examined on admission and subsequently followed for 45 months on dialysis. This study included 196 patients, 67 type I (43 male, 24 female, median age 49 years, range 22-73) and 129 type II (54 male, 75 female, aged 64 years, range 37-82). Lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol apolipoprotein B and A and anthropometric indices (body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness) were measured. The outcome was death, i.e., cardiovascular (myocardial infarction, sudden death, other cardiac causes, stroke) and noncardiovascular death during a 45-month follow-up. At the start of treatment, total cholesterol, triglycerides LDL cholesterol, LDL/HDL ratio and apolipoprotein B were significantly higher in diabetics than in healthy controls or patients with standard primary renal disease starting dialysis. Only minor differences were found between males and females and type I and type II diabetics. Fourty-three percent of type I and 50% of type II diabetics died, 61% from cardiovascular causes, mostly myocardial infarction (in 40% reinfarction) and sudden death. On admission, diabetics subsequently dying from myocardial infarction had significantly higher median cholesterol than survivors, i.e., 259 versus 222 mg/dl, and higher LDL cholesterol, LDL/HDL ratio and apolipoprotein B. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Bradycardia Is a Specific Phenotype of Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia Induced by RYR2 Mutations

Objective Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a lethal inherited disease characterized by ventricular arrhythmias induced by physical exercise or emotional stress. The major cause of CPVT is mutations in RYR2, which encodes the cardiac ryanodine receptor channel. Recent advances in sequencing technology have yielded incidental findings of RYR2 variants in other cardiac diseases. Analyzing the characteristics of RYR2 variants related to CPVT will be useful for differentiation from those related to other cardiac diseases. We examined the phenotypic characteristics of patients with RYR2 variants. Methods Seventy-nine probands carrying RYR2 variantswhose diagnoses were either CPVT (n=68) or long QT syndrome (LQTS; n=11) were enrolled. We compared the characteristics of the electrocardiogram (ECG) and the location of the RYR2 mutations-N-terminal (NT), central region (CR) or C-terminal (CT)-between the two patient groups. Results Using the ECGs available from 53 probands before β-blocker therapies, we analyzed the heart rates (HRs). CPVT probands showed bradycardia more frequently (25/44; 57%) than LQTS probands (1/9; 11%; p=0.024). In CPVT patients, 20 mutations were located in NT, 25 in CR and 23 in CT. In LQTS patients, 5 mutations were located in NT, 2 in CR and 4 in CT. There were no significant differences in the locations of the RYR2 mutations between the phenotypes. Conclusion Bradycardia was highly correlated with the phenotype of CPVT. When a clinically-diagnosed LQTS patient with bradycardia carries an RYR2 mutation, we should be careful to avoid making a misdiagnosis, as the patient may actually have CPVT.
Cognitive Effects of Bilingualism: How Linguistic Experience Leads to Cognitive Change

Bilinguals must have a mechanism for controlling attention to their two language systems in order to achieve fluent performance in each language without intrusions from the other. This paper examines the evidence that the experience of controlling attention to two languages boosts the development of executive control processes in childhood for bilinguals, sustains cognitive control advantages for bilinguals through adulthood and protects bilingual older adults from the decline of these processes with ageing. Future research with bilingualism should explore these effects in a broader and more multidisciplinary context in order to provide a more detailed understanding of the functioning of the bilingual mind.
Genetic identification and molecular modeling characterization reveal a novel PROM1 mutation in Stargardt4-like macular dystrophy

Stargardt disease-4 (STGD4) is an autosomal dominant complex, genetically heterogeneous macular degeneration/dystrophy (MD) disorder. In this paper, we used targeted next generation sequencing and multiple molecular dynamics analyses to identify and characterize a disease-causing genetic variant in four generations of a Chinese family with STGD4-like MD. We found a novel heterozygous missense mutation, c.734T>C (p.L245P) in the PROM1 gene. Structurally, this mutation most likely impairs PROM1 protein stability, flexibility, and amino acid interaction network after changing the amino acid residue Leucine into Proline in the basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper domain. Molecular dynamic simulation and principal component analysis provide compelling evidence that this PROM1 mutation contributes to disease causativeness or susceptibility variants in patients with STGD4-like MD. Thus, this finding defines new approaches in genetic characterization, accurate diagnosis, and prevention of STGD4-like MD.
Functional reorganization of language networks for semantics and syntax in chronic stroke: Evidence from MEG

Using magnetoencephalography, we investigated the potential of perilesional and contralesional activity to support language recovery in patients with poststroke aphasia. In healthy young controls, left‐lateralized ventral frontotemporal regions responded to semantic anomalies during sentence comprehension and bilateral dorsal frontoparietal regions responded to syntactic anomalies. Older adults showed more extensive bilateral responses to the syntactic anomalies and less lateralized responses to the semantic anomalies, with decreased activation in the left occipital and parietal regions for both semantic and syntactic anomalies. In aphasic participants, we observed compensatory recruitment in the right hemisphere (RH), which varied depending on the type of linguistic information that was processed. For semantic anomalies, aphasic patients activated some preserved left hemisphere regions adjacent to the lesion, as well as homologous parietal and temporal RH areas. Patients also recruited right inferior and dorsolateral frontal cortex that was not activated in the healthy participants. Responses for syntactic anomalies did not reach significance in patients. Correlation analyses indicated that recruitment of homologous temporoparietal RH areas is associated with better semantic performance, whereas higher accuracy on the syntactic task was related to bilateral superior temporoparietal and right frontal activity. The results suggest that better recovery of semantic processing is associated with a shift to ventral brain regions in the RH. In contrast, preservation of syntactic processing is mediated by dorsal areas, bilaterally, although recovery of syntactic processing tends to be poorer than semantic. Hum Brain Mapp 37:2869–2893, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enteroendocrine cells: a review of their role in brain–gut communication

Specialized endoderm‐derived epithelial cells, that is, enteroendocrine cells (EECs), are widely distributed throughout the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Enteroendocrine cells form the largest endocrine organ in the body and play a key role in the control of GI secretion and motility, the regulation of food intake, postprandial glucose levels and metabolism. EECs sense luminal content and release signaling molecules that can enter the circulation to act as classic hormones on distant targets, act locally on neighboring cells and on distinct neuronal pathways including enteric and extrinsic neurons. Recent studies have shed light on EEC sensory transmission by showing direct connections between EECs and the nervous system via axon‐like processes that form a well‐defined neuroepithelial circuits through which EECs can directly communicate with the neurons innervating the GI tract to initiate appropriate functional responses.