Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Echolucency of carotid plaque is useful for assessment of residual cardiovascular risk in patients with chronic coronary artery disease who achieve LDL-C goals on statin therapy.

BACKGROUND Ultrasound assessment of either intima-media thickness (IMT) or plaque echolucency of the carotid artery provides prognostic information on coronary events. This study examined the hypothesis that IMT and plaque echolucency of the carotid artery may remain useful for prediction of coronary events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) after achievement of LDL-C goals on statin therapy. METHODS AND RESULTS Ultrasound assessment of carotid maximum IMT (maxIMT) and plaque echolucency with integrated backscatter (IBS) analysis was performed in 357 chronic CAD patients with LDL-C <100mg/dl on statin therapy. All patients were prospectively followed up until the occurrence of one of the following coronary events: cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or unstable angina pectoris requiring unplanned revascularization. During a mean follow-up of 32±18 months, 33 coronary events occurred. On multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, plaque echolucency (lower IBS value) was a significant predictor of coronary events (HR, 0.44; 95% CI: 0.29-0.73; P=0.009), whereas maxIMT was not. The addition of plaque echolucency to traditional risk factors improved net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI; NRI, 0.59; P=0.0013; and IDI, 0.075; P=0.0009). CONCLUSIONS Measurement of echolucency of the carotid artery was useful for assessment of residual coronary risk in CAD patients after LDL-C goal attainment on statin treatment.
A large deletion in the matrix domain of the human immunodeficiency virus gag gene redirects virus particle assembly from the plasma membrane to the endoplasmic reticulum

Morphogenesis of retroviruses involves assembly of the structural Gag and Gag-Pol polyproteins with subsequent budding of the virus particle from the plasma membrane and proteolytic cleavage by the viral proteinase. The matrix (MA) domain, representing the N-terminal segment of Gag, plays a critical role in this process. We constructed an in-frame deletion in the MA coding region (lacking codons 16 to 99) of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 gag gene. Following transient transfection of the complete proviral DNA carrying the deletion, the mutant polyprotein was synthesized and proteolytically processed like the wild-type polyprotein. However, release of virus particles was reduced approximately 10-fold. The extracellular particles that were released did not contain viral glycoproteins and were noninfectious. Electron micrographs revealed budding of virus particles into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of transfected cells and large numbers of particles within the ER. These particles were all immature and morphologically indistinguishable from intracisternal A-type particles, a class of murine endogenous retrovirus elements. Budding structures at the plasma membrane were rarely seen and only a few extracellular particles were observed, but in contrast to those in the ER, these particles had the morphology of mature particles, similar to that of wild-type HIV, except for the lack of surface projections.
A two-stage Monte Carlo approach to the expression of uncertainty with finite sample sizes

Proposed supplement I to the GUM outlines a "propagation of distributions" approach to deriving the distribution of a measurand for any non-linear function and for any set of random inputs. The supplement's proposed Monte Carlo approach assumes that the distributions of the random inputs are known exactly. This implies that the sample sizes are effectively infinite. In this case, the mean of the measurand can be determined precisely using a large number of Monte Carlo simulations. In practice, however, the distributions of the inputs will rarely be known exactly, but must be estimated using possibly small samples. If these approximated distributions are treated as exact, the uncertainty in estimating the mean is not properly taken into account. In this paper, we propose a two-stage Monte Carlo procedure that explicitly takes into account the finite sample sizes used to estimate parameters of the input distributions. We will illustrate the approach with a case study involving the efficiency of a thermistor mount power sensor. The performance of the proposed approach will be compared to the standard GUM approach for finite samples using simple non-linear measurement equations. We will investigate performance in terms of coverage probabilities of derived confidence intervals
Effect of subacute agomelatine treatment on painful diabetic neuropathy: involvement of catecholaminergic mechanisms

In this study, we investigated the effects of subacute agomelatine (40 and 80 mg/kg) administration on chronic hyperglycemia, metabolic parameters, and pain perception in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats. Fasting blood glucose measurements and oral glucose tolerance tests were performed to evaluate the effect of agomelatine on glycemia, while metabolic parameters were monitored using metabolic cages. Potential effect of agomelatine on diabetes‐induced mechanical and thermal allodynia was evaluated using dynamic plantar aesthesiometer and warm plate (38 °C) tests, respectively. Additionally, influence of agomelatine on hyperalgesia occurring in connection with diabetic neuropathy was examined using the Randall–Selitto (mechanical nociceptive stimulus), Hargreaves (thermal nociceptive stimulus), and cold plate (4 °C, thermal nociceptive stimulus) tests. Obtained data indicated that, in diabetic rats, agomelatine significantly improved hyperalgesia and allodynia responses, without no effect on hyperglycemia or the associated polydipsia, polyuria, and hyperphagia. Therapeutic potential of agomelatine on neuropathic pain was suppressed with α‐methyl‐para‐tyrosine methyl ester (an inhibitor of catecholamine synthesis), phentolamine (a nonselective α‐adrenoceptor antagonist), and propranolol (a nonselective β‐adrenoceptor antagonist) administrations. However, p‐chlorophenylalanine methyl ester (an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis) pretreatment could not be achieved to reverse these antihyperalgesic and antiallodynic effects. These results suggest that the curative effect of agomelatine on neuropathic pain is mediated through rising synaptic catecholamine levels as well as through interactions with both α‐ and β‐adrenoceptors. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show findings that indicate catecholaminergic system mediated antihyperalgesic and antiallodynic effects of agomelatine.
Funding Conservation Locally: Insights from Behavioral Experiments in Indonesia

Proximate stressors such as destructive fishing are key drivers of coral reef degradation. Conservation strategies that marshal local action and are tailored to the preferences of the target group are thus needed to sustain coral resources. We experimentally analyze the behavior of marine resource users in a coastal village in Indonesia to gain insight into whether people prefer to donate time or money to environmental or other charitable causes. Each person is subject to one of four treatments: monetary donation, monetary donation match, volunteer time donation, and volunteer time donation match. Contrasting with the existing literature, we find that participants give significantly more when donating money compared to time. We also find that matching donations increases the percent of people giving but does not increase the amount donated. This research furthers our understanding of what motivates resource users in a developing country to contribute to the provision of public goods.
A minimal TTL processor for architecture exploration

Computer architecture i. ~ presently ~ught "hands-on" only when adequa t e VLSI des ign tools are a v a i l a b l e . The P l S C ' i s a processor constructed from discrete TTL logic, which illustrates the opera t ion of both hardwired and mieroeoded CPUs. An efficient stack machine is easy to implement, and simple hardware modif icat ions demonstrate interrupts, memory segmentation, microsequeneers, parallelism, and pipelining. A standalone PISC board should be an economical and effective tool for teaching processor design.
Protein phosphatase type 2B (calcineurin)‐mediated, FK506‐sensitive regulation of intracellular ions in yeast is an important determinant for adaptation to high salt stress conditions.

To assess the physiological function of Ca(2+)‐dependent protein phosphatase (PP2B) in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the phenotypes of PP2B‐deficient mutants were investigated. Although PP2B was dispensable for growth under normal conditions, the mutations did, however, cause growth inhibition under certain stress circumstances. The growth of the mutants was inhibited by NaCl and LiCl, but not by KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2 or nonspecific osmotic stresses. Upon shift to high NaCl medium, intracellular Na+ levels of both wild type yeast and the mutants initially increased at a comparable rate. However, internal Na+ in wild type cells started to decline more rapidly than the mutant cells during cultivation in high NaCl medium, indicating that PP2B is important in maintaining a gradient across the membrane. The protection against salt stress was achieved, at least in part, by the stimulation of Na+ export. The maintenance of a high level of internal K+ in high NaCl medium was also PP2B‐dependent. In the presence of the immunosuppressant FK506, the growth behaviour and intracellular Na+ and K+ of wild type cells in high NaCl medium became very similar to those of the PP2B‐deficient mutant in a manner dependent on the presence of the FK506 binding protein.
Exogenous, basal, and flow‐induced nitric oxide production and endothelial cell proliferation

The role of nitric oxide (NO) from endogenous and exogenous sources in regulating large vessel and microvascular endothelial cell proliferation was investigated. Exogenous NO liberated from five different chemical donors inhibited bovine aortic, bovine retinal microvascular, and human umbilical vein endothelial cell proliferation in a dose‐dependent manner as determined by 3H‐thymidine incorporation. The potency of the donors varied as a function of the donors' half‐lives. Donors with half‐lives greater than 30 min were more effective than donors with significantly shorter half‐lives. Coincubation of endothelial cells with 0.4 mM deoxyadenosine and 0.4 mM deoxyguanosine reduced the percentage of inhibition due to an NO donor. These data are consistent with a ribonucleotide reductase‐dependent mechanism of inhibition. Inhibition of basal NO production with four different inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) did not modify proliferation. Laminar flow with a wall shear stress of 22 dyn/cm2inhibited the proliferation of subconfluent bovine aortic endothelial cells. The addition of a NOS inhibitor did not abrogate the flow‐induced inhibition of proliferation, suggesting that flow‐stimulated release of NO from endothelial cells did not account for flow‐induced inhibition of proliferation. Taken together, these data suggest that relatively large concentrations of exogenous NO inhibit endothelial cell proliferation, while endogenous levels of NO are inadequate to inhibit proliferation. J. Cell. Physiol. 171:252–258, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetics of the epilepsies: where are we and where are we going?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW We aim to review the most recent advances in the field of epilepsy genetics with particular focus on the progress in gene discovery in monogenic epilepsies, identification of risk genes in complex genetic epilepsies and recent findings in the field of epilepsy pharmacogenomics. RECENT FINDINGS During the last 12 months, the use of massive parallel sequencing technologies has allowed for the discovery of several genes for monogenic epilepsies. Most importantly, PRRT2 was identified as the long-sought gene for benign familial infantile seizures. Mutations in KCNT1 were found in two seemingly unrelated monogenic epilepsies including malignant migrating partial seizures of infancy and severe autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy. A genome-wide association study in idiopathic generalized epilepsy revealed the first common risk variants for human seizure disorders including variants in VRK2, PNPO and SCN1A. Furthermore, a landmark study provided evidence that screening for the HLA-B1502 variant may prevent carbamazepine CBZ-induced side effects in the Taiwanese population. Also, HLA-A3101 variants were identified as a risk factor for carbamazepine side effects in Europeans. SUMMARY Novel technologies and an unprecedented level of international collaboration have resulted in identification of novel genes for monogenic and complex genetic epilepsies as well as risk factors for side effects of antiepileptic drugs. This review provides an overview of the most relevant studies in the last year and highlights the future direction of the field.
Significance of group B streptococci in urine cultures from males and non-pregnant females.

Over a 2-year period, 1% of 24,000 urine cultures with possible relevant bacteria from males and non-pregnant females greater than or equal to 15 years of age were found to harbour group B streptococci (GBS) in quantities greater than or equal to 10(5) colony forming units (cfu)/ml; a further 0.9% harboured GBS in quantities greater than or equal to 10(4) but less than 10(5) cfu/ml. Patients with GBS in urine were evenly distributed by age. Those with greater than or equal to 10(5) cfu GBS/ml in voided urine more frequently had true bacteriuria (i.e. bacteria in the urine bladder) than did patients with less amounts (p = 0.01) as determined by suprapubic aspiration of 23 patients. One third (3/9) of the aspirated patients with greater than or equal to 10(5) cfu GBS/ml in simultaneously voided urine, had contaminated urine only and no true bacteriuria. The acute symptoms and clinical conditions of 128 patients with greater than or equal to 10(5) cfu GBS/ml urine were studied by matching 128 patients with negative urine cultures (less than 10(2) cfu/ml) and 128 patients with comparable quantity of Escherichia coli. The incidence of acute lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with GBS was greater than that in patients with negative urine cultures (p less than 0.01), and the same as that in patients with E. coli. The incidence of fever was lower in patients with GBS than in those with E. coli (p less than 0.01). The incidence of urinary tract abnormalities was greatest in patients with GBS in urine. No GBS serotype seems to have particular affinity to the urinary tract.
Trends in food locations and sources among adolescents and young adults.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine overall trends of total energy intake by food location and food type in diets of adolescents and young adults. METHODS This study used a nationally representative sample of 16,810 individuals, ages 12-29 from the 1977 to 1978 Nationwide Food Consumption Survey and the 1989-1991 and 1994-1996 Continuing Surveys of Food Intake by Individuals. For each survey year, the percentage of total energy intake from meals and snacks was calculated for adolescents ages 12-18 and young adults ages 19-29. The percentage of energy intake by location and for specific food group was computed for both age groups, separately. RESULTS Both adolescents and young adults are obtaining less of their energy intake at home and more at restaurants and fast food places. This is predominantly seen among calories from snacking occasions for adolescents and both meals and snacks among the older age group. Significant increases in consumption of pizza, cheeseburgers, and salty snacks and decreases in consumption of desserts and certain milk and meat products by both age groups are shown. CONCLUSIONS To improve the diets of adolescents and young adults, healthy food choices outside the home need to be as readily available as the foods which have increased in popularity over the past 20 years.
Synthesis of Facial Images Based on Relevance Feedback

We propose a dialogic system based on a relevance feedback strategy that allows for the semiautomatic synthesis of a facial image that only exists in a user's mind. The user is presented with several facial images and judges whether each one resembles the face that he or she is imagining. Based on the feedback from the user, a set of sample facial images are used to train an Optimum-Path Forest classifying the relevance of facial images. An interpolation method is then employed to synthesize new facial images that closely resemble the imagined face. A series of experiments are conducted to evaluate and verify the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed technique.
Human Vascular Endothelial Cells Catabolise Exogenous Glycosaminoglycans by a Novel Route

Summary Heparin and other anticoagulant glycosaminoglycans were radiolabelled with 125I and their catabolism by human vascular endothelial cells in culture was studied. Heparin, heparan sulphate and pentosan polysulphate were associated with the cellular fraction and incorporated into the subendothelial matrix, but dermatan sulphate was not found in either fraction. High molecular weight, fully desulphated carbohydrate chains were major catabolic products of all those glycosaminoglycans which were taken up by the cells. Pentosan polysulphate was not degraded further, but the catabolism of heparan sulphate, and to a lesser extent that of heparin, also yielded small oligosaccharides. Thus the first step in catabolism of exogenous glycosaminoglycans by human vascular endothelial cells appears to be complete desul-phation, which destroys their biological activity, followed by depolymerisation of the carbohydrate chain. This alternative to the sequential action of lysosomal exoenzymes is dependent upon binding to the cell; thus dermatan sulphate, which is not associated with the cellular fraction, is not catabolised.
Truncated forms of Escherichia coli lactose permease: models for study of biosynthesis and membrane insertion

Using in vitro DNA manipulations, we constructed different lacY alleles encoding mutant proteins of the Escherichia coli lactose carrier. With respect to structural models developed for lactose permease, the truncated polypeptides represent model systems containing approximately one, two, four, and five of the N-terminal membrane-spanning alpha-helices. In addition, a protein carrying a deletion of predicted helices 3 and 4 was obtained. The different proteins were radiolabeled in plasmid-bearing E. coli minicells and were found to be stably integrated into the lipid bilayer. The truncated polypeptides of 50, 71, 143, and 174 N-terminal amino acid residues resembled the wild-type protein in their solubilization characteristics, whereas the mutant protein carrying an internal deletion of amino acid residues 72 to 142 of the lactose carrier behaved differently. Minicell membrane vesicles containing truncated proteins comprising amino acid residues 1 to 143 or 1 to 174 were subjected to limited proteolysis. Upon digestion with proteases of different specificities, the same characteristic fragment that was also produced from the membrane-associated wild-type protein was found to accumulate under these conditions. It has previously been shown to contain the intact N terminus of lactose permease. This supports the idea of an independent folding and membrane insertion of this segment even in the absence of the C-terminal part of the molecule. The results suggest that the N-terminal region of the lactose permease represents a well-defined structural domain.
Internally Located Signal Peptides Direct Hepatitis C Virus Polyprotein Processing in the ER Membrane

An endoplasmic reticulum (ER) signal peptide is an amino acid sequence motif that directs the translocation of nascent polypeptides to the lumen of ER membrane. Most of known ER signal peptides are either N‐terminal cleavable or internally uncleavable. In the structural protein region of hepatitis C virus (HCV) polyprotein, however, four internally located cleavable signal peptides are arranged in a tandem array. The published experimental results indicated that the nascent HCV polyprotein is processed in the ER membrane by host signal peptidase(s) to the respective viral proteins. Here we propose that the four ER signal peptides lead the nascent HCV polyprotein to ER membrane, and the four internally located cleavable signal peptides are the sole determinant for the compartment localization of the matured viral proteins. After cleavage at the C‐terminus, the signal peptides retain at the C‐terminus of mature proteins, and serve as ER membrane anchors. The signal peptide directed polyprotein processing in the ER membrane preludes the virion assembly and budding from the ER membrane. This unique processing may be a general mechanism adopted by many types of virus for virion assembly and replication. The revelation of signal peptidase involved in HCV polyprotein processing presents a novel drug target to suppress HCV viral replication for the much needed HCV therapy.
Biofilms and Inflammation in Chronic Wounds.

SIGNIFICANCE The incidence, cost, morbidity, and mortality associated with non-healing of chronic skin wounds are dramatic. With the increasing numbers of people with obesity, chronic medical conditions, and an increasing life expectancy, the healthcare cost of non-healing ulcers has recently been estimated at $25 billion annually in the United States. The role played by bacterial biofilm in chronic wounds has been emphasized in recent years, particularly in the context of the prolongation of the inflammatory phase of repair. RECENT ADVANCES Rapid high-throughput genomic approaches have revolutionized the ability to identify and quantify microbial organisms from wounds. Defining bacterial genomes and using genetic approaches to knock out specific bacterial functions, then studying bacterial survival on cutaneous wounds is a promising strategy for understanding which genes are essential for pathogenicity. CRITICAL ISSUES When an animal sustains a cutaneous wound, understanding mechanisms involved in adaptations by bacteria and adaptations by the host in the struggle for survival is central to development of interventions that favor the host. FUTURE DIRECTIONS Characterization of microbiomes of clinically well characterized chronic human wounds is now under way. The use of in vivo models of biofilm-infected cutaneous wounds will permit the study of the mechanisms needed for biofilm formation, persistence, and potential synergistic interactions among bacteria. A more complete understanding of bacterial survival mechanisms and how microbes influence host repair mechanisms are likely to provide targets for chronic wound therapy.
Square root spherical simplex radial information filter

In order to further increase the precision of information filter, square root spherical simplex radial information filter (SRSSRIF) is put forward in the article. SRSSRIF is combined with square root filter and fused the spherical simplex radial rule (SSRR) into information filter. We utilize the rule of spherical simplex radial to choose the integral points and the computation of the corresponding weights. The efficiency of the new algorithm is demonstrated with a 3D Lorenz system and a two permanent magnet synchronous motor. Simulation results indicated that SRSSRIF can gain preferable precision compared with extended information filter (EIF) and square root unscented information filter (SRUIF) for single or multi-sensors system.