Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adenoviral Delivery of Human and Viral IL-10 in Murine Sepsis1

Adenovirus (Ad) gene therapy has been proposed as a drug-delivery system for the targeted administration of protein-based therapies, including growth factors and biological response modifiers. However, inflammation associated with Ad transduction has raised concern about its safety and efficacy in acute inflammatory diseases. In the present report, intratracheal and i.v. administration of a first-generation adenoviral recombinant (E1,E3 deleted) either containing an empty cassette or expressing the anti-inflammatory cytokines viral or human IL-10 (IL-10) was administered to mice subjected to zymosan-induced multisystem organ failure or to acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Pretreatment of mice with the intratracheal instillation of Ad expressing human IL-10 or viral IL-10 reduced weight loss, attenuated the proinflammatory cytokine response, and reduced mortality in the zymosan-induced model, whereas pretreatment with a control adenoviral recombinant did not significantly exacerbate the response. Pretreatment of mice with pancreatitis using adenoviral vectors expressing IL-10 significantly reduced the degree of pancreatic and liver injury and liver inflammation when administered systemically, but not intratracheally. We conclude that adenoviral vectors can be administered prophylactically in acute inflammatory syndromes, and expression of the anti-inflammatory protein IL-10 can be used to suppress the underlying inflammatory process.
A fully-electronic charge-based DNA sequencing CMOS biochip

A 90×90 fully-electronic biosensor array for charge-based DNA sequence-by-synthesis is implemented in a 0. 18μm standard CMOS process. Each 16 μm × 16 μm pixel consists of an integrated charge-sensing electrode connected to an embedded circuitry capable of detecting DNA polymerization and simultaneously measuring the electrode-electrolyte interface capacitance. The detection dynamic range of this sensor is +90dB while consuming 4 mW from a 3.3V supply when operating at 8.1s/frame.
Low level genotypic chloroquine resistance near Malawi’s northern border with Tanzania

We conducted a prevalence study of mutations in Plasmodium falciparum that are associated with antimalarial drug resistance at a rural site in Karonga near Malawi’s northern border with Tanzania. We found a higher prevalence of the key chloroquine resistance‐conferring mutation in the pfcrt gene (K76T) at this site in comparison with the prevalence in Blantyre, a city in the south of Malawi, far from an international border (9%vs. 0%; P < 0.0005). In contrast we found a lower prevalence of the quintuple dhfr/dhps mutation, which is highly predictive of SP treatment failure, at the Karonga site compared to Blantyre (76%vs. 88%; P < 0.005). The prevalence of the K76T pfcrt mutation at two Tanzanian sites close to the border with Malawi was recently reported to be over 50%. Our findings suggest a considerable ‘leakage’ of parasite antimalarial drug resistance across the border between two countries with different national malaria control policies and with different levels of resistance. Neighbouring countries should consider implementing common regional rather than national malaria treatment policies to prevent the spread of antimalarial drug resistance alleles across their borders.
Thermal model for the local microwave hyperthermia treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

A system for the noninvasive localized, hyperthermia treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia was investigated. The system uses a microwave transrectal antenna with a water cooled jacket to achieve localized hyperthermia. The purpose of this study is to model the temperature rise in the prostate and in the surrounding tissue during treatment. The specific absorption rate distribution for the transrectal probe is measured in a muscle tissue equivalent phantom. The specific absorption rate information is used with a finite-element solution of the bioheat transfer equation to give the temperature rise during the treatment. The finite-element solution is further used to determine the effect of the microwave power, the cooling fluid temperature, and the blood perfusion on the tissue temperature rise. The results of the solution are compared to temperature measurements in a canine protocol. It was found that the maximum temperature rise in the tissue during treatment is 44 degrees C at a depth of 2 cm from the rectal mucosa. <<ETX>>
Lignin peroxidase gene family of Phanerochaete chrysosporium: complex regulation by carbon and nitrogen limitation and identification of a second dimorphic chromosome

Lignin peroxidases (LiP) of Phanerochaete chrysosporium are encoded by a family of six closely related genes. Five LiP genes have been localized to the same dimorphic chromosome. In this investigation, relative transcript levels of the LiP genes were determined. Transcripts of the LiPA, LiPB, and O282 genes were at similar levels in both carbon- and nitrogen-limited cultures. In contrast, transcription of the GLG5, V4, and GLG4 genes was dramatically altered by culture conditions. Under carbon-limited conditions, GLG4 transcripts were, by far, the most abundant. Southern blot analyses of clamped homogeneous field gels were used to map the GLG4 gene to a dimorphic chromosome separate from the other LiP genes.
The geology of the Camerano area through the reconstruction of sedimentary sequences of the urban caves

Around the Mt. Conero promontory of the Marches region (central Italy, Fig. 1), several hill towns, including Sirolo, Loreto, Castelfidardo, Osimo and Camerano, have manmade cave systems, originally intended for various uses e.g., water supply, housing, defence, granaries, escape routes, gatherings and rituals (RECANATINI, 1997, 2000). The extensive Camerano “underground town” is composed of more than twenty complexes, formerly all connected. A local popular saying attests that “. there is more of Camerano underground than above ground”. The entire cave system is localized under the historical centre, in the area of the first Piceno settlement of VII-VI century B.C. (as testified by the necropolis at the western side of the hill), subsequently occupied by the nucleus of the medieval fortress (Castelvecchio, 800 A.D.). Starting in pre-Roman times, the caverns were excavated in weakly cemented marine sands and clays. The original purpose of such wide and pervasive excavation is still unknown. The interpretation of sandstone quarries seems AB STRA CT
Application of the rough set theory to the steady - state contingency classification

Due to economic and environmental constraints electric utilities are forced to operate their power networks close to the capacity limits or in overload conditions. So, security analysis plays a very important role during the design, planning and operation stages. In this paper it is proposed an efficient steady-state contingency classification methodology that uses the rough set theory. The developed technique produces a classification of the system operating in four different states. The powerful methodology was applied to the 118 IEEE test power system. Finally, the numerical results were compared and analysed in order to obtain conclusions that provide a valuable contribution to the understanding of the power system security problem.
Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Triple-Vessel Angioplasty for Symptomatic Coronary Artery Disease

Current treatment strategies for multi-vessel coronary artery disease include either coronary artery bypass surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention with stenting. The present study evaluates the morbidity and mortality among coronary artery disease patients undergoing triple-vessel angioplasty. This prospective record based descriptive study was carried out in Medical College, Pariyaram, Kannur, Kerala; a tertiary care cardiac centre in South India. Fifty consecutive patients who underwent angioplasty of one or more lesions in each of the three major coronary arteries from May 2010 to July 2012 were included in the study. The study describes the clinical profile of the patients and a moderate term clinical follow-up to reassess the symptoms, functional status and left ventricular function by history, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and treadmill test. Mortality and morbidity were considered as end-points of the study. Event-free survival rate was 94% at a mean follow-up of 20 months. Overall 98% continued success was obtained with triple-vessel angioplasty. Triple-vessel angioplasty is a safe and effective therapy as an alternative to surgical revascularization in selected patients with triple-vessel coronary artery disease.
Influence of trellis termination methods on turbo code performances

Increasing the performances of turbo codes used in communication systems is an important issue at the moment. The method used for trellis termination influences the code performances. This paper describes and compares (in terms of bit error rate - BER and frame error rate - FER) four types of these methods: without trellis termination, termination only of the first trellis, post-interleaver flushing and dual termination. Turbo code performances are evaluated for two lengths of S-random interleaver, using binary phase-shift keying (BPSK) modulation, over Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) channel. The simulations were performed for two generating matrices of the component encoders and the decoding algorithm we have used is a version of Max-Log-MAP.
‘Would the real James Bruce please stand up?’ Bruce's Travels to discover the sources of the Nile (1790) in Alexander Murray's edition of 1813

This article explores the special status of the concept of ‘Ethiopia’ in the history of the European discourse of Africa, and pays particular attention to the production and transmission of James Bruce's Travels to discover the sources of the Nile (1790), notably as re-edited and augmented by Alexander Murray in 1813. The examination of the dialogic nature of Murray's encounter with Bruce's text leads into a consideration of the problems of textual authority and editorial diplomacy, and of the authenticity and value of subsequent scholarship that relies on such redactions and fails to return to original texts. The more specific concern with Bruce and Murray broadens into a consideration of more recent examples in Africanist discourse of questionable inferences drawn from non-authoritative ‘primary’ texts. Two examples are the use J. M. Coetzee makes of R. Raven-Hart's fragmentary anthologies Before van Riebeeck (19 7) and Cape of Good Hope 1652–1702 (1971) in White writing (1988) to support oft-quoted observations about wholly pejorative depictions of the Khoisan in the discourse of the Cape, and Mary Louise Pratt's similar reliance, with similar results, in Imperial eyes (1992) on an inadequate and adumbrated English rendering of Peter Kolben's seminal study of the Khoisan, Caput bonae spei hodiernum (1719).
The efficacy of single-component brief motivational interventions among at-risk college drinkers.

OBJECTIVE College students are an at-risk population for heavy drinking and negative alcohol-related outcomes. Research has established that brief, multicomponent motivational interviewing-based interventions can be effective at reducing alcohol use or related problems, but less is known about the efficacy of individual components within these interventions. The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of 2 single-component, in-person, brief (15-20 min) alcohol interventions: personalized normative feedback (PNF) and protective behavioral strategies feedback (PBSF). METHOD Data were collected on 365 undergraduate students from a large Midwestern university (65% women; 89% White) who were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 conditions: PNF, PBSF, or alcohol education (AE). Participants completed measures of alcohol use, alcohol-related problems, social norms, and protective behavioral strategies. RESULTS Results indicated that the PNF intervention was efficacious relative to the other conditions at reducing alcohol use and that its effects at 6-month follow-up were mediated by changes in perceived norms at the 1-month follow-up. The PBSF intervention was not efficacious at reducing alcohol use or alcohol-related problems. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide support for the efficacy of an in-person PNF intervention and theoretical support for the hypothesized mechanisms of change in the intervention. Implications for researchers and clinicians are discussed.
An RNA Polymerase III-defective Mutation in TATA-binding Protein Disrupts Its Interaction with a Transcription Factor IIIB Subunit inDrosophila Cells*

A subunit of the Drosophila RNA polymerase III transcription factor IIIB (TFIIIB) complex has been identified using antibodies directed against the analogous human protein, hIIIB90. This protein has an apparent molecular mass of 105 kDa and has been designated dTAFIII105.Drosophila S-2 cell extracts that were immunodepleted of dTAFIII105 were substantially reduced in their capacity to support tRNA gene transcription. A protein (far Western) blot analysis revealed that dTAFIII105, present in a TFIIIB fraction, directly interacts with TATA-binding protein (TBP). Coimmunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that this protein associates with TBP in S-2 cell extracts. Our previous studies have identified a mutation at position 332 within Drosophila TBP that changes a highly conserved arginine residue to a histidine residue, which renders it specifically defective in its ability to support RNA polymerase III transcription in S-2 cells (Trivedi, A., Vilalta, A., Gopalan, S., and Johnson, D. L. (1996) Mol. Cell. Biol. 16, 6909–6916). We further demonstrate that extracts prepared from a stable cell line expressing epitope-tagged wild-type TBP exhibit an increase in tRNA gene transcription, whereas extracts derived from cells expressing the mutant TBP protein do not. Coimmunoprecipitation assays and far Western blot analysis demonstrate that this mutation in TBP abolishes its ability to stably interact with dTAFIII105. Thus, we have identified both aDrosophila protein that is directly associated with TBP in the TFIIIB complex, dTAFIII105, and an amino acid residue within the highly conserved carboxyl-terminal region of TBP that is critical for dTAFIII105-TBP interactions.
A process for developing sustainable evidence-based occupational therapy practice

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to describe how long-term improvement work based on the Occupational Therapy Intervention Process Model (OTIPM) evolved in an occupational therapy unit. Method: Data included written documents related to the improvement work (435 pages in total) from 2001 to 2013 that were analysed using pattern matching. Results: The findings from the analysis of the documents formed three main patterns describing reorientation towards the OTIPM, establishment of the implementation of the OTIPM, and ensuring the sustainability of the implementation. Each pattern contained a number of phases of the improvement work emanating from different reasons and resulting in different long-term achievements. The transformation between the phases was smooth, and several of the phases became starting points for improvement work that continued throughout the years. Conclusion: The findings showed how an occupational therapy model of practice, such as the OTIPM, can guide an improvement process and keep it going over a long period of time, thereby supporting sustainable improvements in practice.
The Canadian obesity epidemic, 1985-1998.

Obesity is now pandemic, affecting millions of people worldwide. [1][1] In rich countries, between 10% and 20% of people are obese, and the problem is not unknown even in poor countries. [1][1] In the United States, the National Institutes of Health and the surgeon general have acknowledged the
The Relationship Between Adult Neuropsychological Profiles and Diabetic Patients' Glycemic Control

The purpose of this study was to assess, in relation to metabolic control, the cognitive, depressive, and anxiety symptoms among 40 adult patients (age: 18–60 years) with either type 1 (n = 28) or type 2 (n = 12) diabetes mellitus (DM1, DM2). Nineteen healthy subjects matched for age, gender, and education served as the control group. For most cognitive domains, no significant performance differences were found between subjects from the diabetic groups and control subjects. However, diabetes patients demonstrated reduced information processing accuracy along with impaired visual and verbal working memory performance. In addition, psychopathology scores were significantly elevated but did not reach the clinical criteria for depression or anxiety. Overall, there were no significant differences between diabetic subgroups, and no significant correlation was found between cognitive performance, psychopathology scores, and HbA1c values for either subgroup. Thus, patients with DM1 or DM2 may show mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment as well as subtle psychopathological symptoms. While cognitive impairments may be understood in terms of diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction, psychopathological symptoms may also result from unsuccessful coping with high task demands in everyday life activities. The outcome of the current study underscores the importance of early clinical neuropsychological standardized assessment as well as the diagnosis of cognitive and psychopathological symptoms in adult patients with diabetes.
Chain length and oligonucleotide stability at high pressure.

The effect of hydrostatic pressure on the helix-coil transition temperature (Tm) was measured for the DNA oligomers (dA)n(dT)n, where n = 11, 15, and 19, in 50 mM NaCl. The data were analyzed in light of previously published data for the polymer, poly(dA) center dot poly(dT) under the same conditions. As has been observed for DNA polymers, increasing the hydrostatic pressure led to an increase in the Tm of the oligomers; however, the effect of pressure diminished with decreasing chain length. The value of dTm/dP decreased linearly with the inverse of the chain length varying from 3.15 x 10(-2) degrees C MPa-1 for the polymer to 0.7 x 10(-2) degrees C MPa-1 for the 11-mer. The two-state or van't Hoff enthalpy (DeltaHvH) of the helix-coil transition was obtained by analysis of the half-width of the thermal transition. As expected, DeltaHvH decreases with decreasing chain length. In contrast to the behavior of the polymer, poly(dA) center dot poly(dT), and (dA)19(dT)19, the DeltaHvH of the two shorter duplex oligonucleotides displayed a small pressure dependence dDeltaHvH/dP approximately equal -0.4 kJ MPa-1 in both cases. The changes observed in the Tm and DeltaHvH were not sufficient to explain the magnitude of the chain-length dependence of the pressure effect. To interpret the large chain-length dependence of dTm/dP, we propose that the terminal base pairs contribute a negative volume change to the helix-coil transition. Base pairs distant from the ends exhibit behavior characterized by the polymer where end effects are assumed to be negligible, i.e., a positive volume change for the helix-coil transition. The negative volume change of separating terminal bases may originate from the imperfect interactions these base pairs form with water due to the existence of several energetically equivalent conformations. This is reminiscent of one of the mechanisms proposed to be important in the pressure-induced dissociation of multimeric proteins into their constituent subunits.
Cardiac syndrome X

Cardiac syndrome X, the triad of angina pectoris, a positive exercise electrocardiogram for myocardial ischaemia and angiographically smooth coronary arteries, is frequently associated with debilitating symptomology, increased psychological morbidity and a poor quality of life. While various avenues of research have been undertaken, there are as yet no definitive conclusions regarding the exact pathogenesis of the condition. A number of physiological mechanisms have been explored, including the existence of underlying myocardial ischaemia, suggested endothelial dysfunction, abnormal pain perception, hormonal irregularities and insulin resistance, while the psychological impact of the condition has also been explored. Various treatment regimens have also been the subject of research with varying degrees of success. The heterogeneous nature of the patient population suggests that the mechanistic pathway may be multifactorial, while a comprehensive treatment regimen including both psychosocial and pharmacological interventions may offer the best outcome for patients with cardiac syndrome X.
Health benefits for veteran (senior) tennis players

To explore the health benefits of tennis participation in veteran players and to identify future research needs, an electronic literature search using the Ovid (Cinhal, Medline, Sport Discus) library databases from 1966–2005 was undertaken. Specific search words were employed related to tennis, aging, exercise, health, and the psychophysiological systems. Public access internet search engines were also used (Google, PubMed), along with non-electronic searches of library holdings. There is ample research documenting the health benefits of regular participation in moderately intense aerobic activity. There have been research studies targeting veteran tennis players but most were cross sectional. No tennis related study successfully eliminated all confounding cross training effects. The health of veteran tennis players is improved by enhanced aerobic capacity, greater bone densities in specific regions, lower body fat, greater strength, and maintained reaction time performance in comparison with age matched but less active controls. However, it is not certain whether tennis alone can be a sole contributor to these physiological variables. Well controlled longitudinal research among elite veteran and novice older adult players is needed.
Phase competition in trisected superconducting dome

A detailed phenomenology of low energy excitations is a crucial starting point for microscopic understanding of complex materials, such as the cuprate high-temperature superconductors. Because of its unique momentum-space discrimination, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) is ideally suited for this task in the cuprates, where emergent phases, particularly superconductivity and the pseudogap, have anisotropic gap structure in momentum space. We present a comprehensive doping- and temperature-dependence ARPES study of spectral gaps in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ, covering much of the superconducting portion of the phase diagram. In the ground state, abrupt changes in near-nodal gap phenomenology give spectroscopic evidence for two potential quantum critical points, p = 0.19 for the pseudogap phase and p = 0.076 for another competing phase. Temperature dependence reveals that the pseudogap is not static below Tc and exists p > 0.19 at higher temperatures. Our data imply a revised phase diagram that reconciles conflicting reports about the endpoint of the pseudogap in the literature, incorporates phase competition between the superconducting gap and pseudogap, and highlights distinct physics at the edge of the superconducting dome.
Abnormal Vascular Function and Hypertension in Mice Deficient in Estrogen Receptor β

Blood vessels express estrogen receptors, but their role in cardiovascular physiology is not well understood. We show that vascular smooth muscle cells and blood vessels from estrogen receptor β (ERβ)–deficient mice exhibit multiple functional abnormalities. In wild-type mouse blood vessels, estrogen attenuates vasoconstriction by an ERβ-mediated increase in inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. In contrast, estrogen augments vasoconstriction in blood vessels from ERβ-deficient mice. Vascular smooth muscle cells isolated from ERβ-deficient mice show multiple abnormalities of ion channel function. Furthermore, ERβ-deficient mice develop sustained systolic and diastolic hypertension as they age. These data support an essential role for ERβ in the regulation of vascular function and blood pressure.