Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Signal attenuation of visible light communication in smoke environment

Abstract. We design a simple visible light communication (VLC) system to test the attenuation of the transmitted signal in a smoke environment. A closed glass box filled with smoke is used to simulate the smoke environment, and an air quality detector is used to measure the particle concentration in the air. The signal attenuation at different smoke concentrations is investigated. The experimental results show that, with the increase of the smoke concentration, the signal attenuates exponentially until it is completely submerged by noise signal. When a cigarette is burned in a 0.027-m3 closed glass box, the signal is almost completely attenuated. This experiment provides a reliable basis for studying the VLC technology in a smoke environment.
Optical response and sensitivity of an ion-implanted MESFET under electron velocity saturation

Abstract. A simple analytical model for the optical response and sensitivity of an ion-implanted MESFET has been developed with the presence of interface states and interfacial layer at the gate–channel contact. It is assumed that the applied drain field is very high and the device follows velocity saturation model. The mathematical expressions for drain current and threshold voltage of the device under optical irradiation have been derived. The dependence of drain current and threshold voltage as functions of drain bias and interface state density is studied for dark and illuminated conditions. The analytical expressions of optical sensitivities of drain current and threshold voltage are derived, and their dependence on different material and device parameters is discussed. It is observed that the device offers better optical sensitivity if excess carrier lifetime is high and for higher value of absorption coefficient optical sensitivity gradually degrades.
Haplotype Frequency of Drosophila suzukii Matsumura1 from Colima, Mexico

Abstract. The spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, affects berry (Fragaria L., Rubus L., and Vaccinium L.) production and is under official mitigation and surveillance in Mexico. To obtain biological information about the pest, a sample of six adult males and six adult females from CNRF breeding (Colima, Mexico) was studied. PCR was used to amplify regions of the X chromosome. Six markers (FBgn0001083, FBgn0017651, FBgn0026206, FBgn0029789, FBgn0029997, and FBgn0030437) were identified and their sequences were processed with different bioinformatic systems to build a network of haplotypes associated with their geographical distribution. The sequenced markers had similarities with those from populations in the United States (Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, and Massachusetts) and Japan.
Seasonal Variation in Abundance of Dengue Vector in the Southern Part of the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico

Abstract. Environmental factors that affect Aedes sp. mosquitoes should be considered to optimize control. The study assessed the association between the abundance of Aedes aegypti (L. 1762) (Diptera: Culicidae) and temperature, rainfall, and relative humidity of the State of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Total Mosquito eggs collected each week for 3 years from ovitraps at La Paz and Los Cabos was 3,129,203; mean number of eggs, ovitrap positivity index, and egg density index were calculated, showing the three entomological indices were greater at La Paz than at Los Cabos (P < 0.005). The means of eggs per month differed statistically only at La Paz (P < 0.0001), with less abundance in January and March but more in October. Although monthly differences were not detected from January to December at Los Cabos, increase occurred from September to November during the 3 years. Results showed statistical association between egg abundance and minimum temperature at both locations during the 3 years of study; more activity was observed during the summer and fall when more precipitation and thus greater relative humidity occurred, but they were statistically associated only with precipitation at La Paz (P < 0.01). The number of eggs was statistically significant with minimum temperatures at both locations (P < 0.01) and with rainfall only at La Paz (P < 0.01). Therefore, management should be more intense during winter-spring when insects were less abundant and hence management strategies used would be more effective.
Mechanistic insight of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 in modulating lung cancer growth

Lung harbors the growth of primary and secondary tumors. Even though numerous factors regulate the complex signal transduction and cytoskeletal remodeling toward the progression of lung cancer, cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5), a previously known kinase in the central nervous system, has raised much attention in the recent years. Patients with aberrant Cdk5 expression also lead to poor survival. Cdk5 has already been employed in various cellular processes which shape the fate of cancer. In lung cancer, Cdk5 mainly regulates tumor suppressor genes, carcinogenesis, cytoskeletal remodeling, and immune checkpoints. Inhibiting Cdk5 by using drugs, siRNA or CRISP-Cas9 system has rendered crucial therapeutic advantage in the combat against lung cancer. Thus, the relation of Cdk5 to lung cancer needs to be addressed in detail. In this review, we will discuss various cellular events modulated by Cdk5 and we will go further into their underlying mechanism in lung cancer.
Der irreversible MAO-Hemmer Tranylcypromin

Zusammenfassung Tranylcypromin ist der einzige in Deutschland für die Behandlung depressiver Syndrome zugelassene irreversible MAO-Hemmer. Er verfügt über eine gute antidepressive Wirksamkeit und ist insbesondere bei therapieresistenten und atypischen Depressionen eine wichtige Therapieoption. Der Artikel bietet eine Übersicht über Pharmakologie, Indikationen, praktisches Vorgehen, einzuhaltende Diätvorschriften, Nebenwirkungen, mögliche Wechselwirkungen und Kontraindikationen.
Determination of the potentials of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Buchholzia coriacea in preventing sodium metabisulphite-induced oxidation of some hemoglobin SS erythrocyte membrane proteins

BACKGROUND: The sustenance of the erythrocyte membrane integrity is crucial to ensuring a continuous lamina flow of erythrocytes through narrow blood vessels. So it is imperative to find a substance to attenuate the oxidation of erythrocytes that cause the membrane structure remodelling. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the hydrating strength and modulatory effect of Buchholzia coriacea seed extracts on erythrocyte membrane proteins degradation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of B. coriacea were obtained following standard procedures. Blood samples (5.00 mL) from five known hemoglobin SS individuals in steady state were subjected to electrophoresis to establish the genotype of the individuals. The osmotic fragility assay was performed with 2.50, 5.00, 10.00 and 20.00 mg/mL of the extracts in the presence of different concentrations of phosphate-buffered saline. The graph of percentage hemolysis was plotted against saline concentration, and the mean corpuscular fragility (MCF) determined. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was also done using the same concentrations of extracts. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.01) between the average MCF in all the extract concentration and the control. Protein 4.1 and Ankyrin did not appear on the electrophoretic lanes of all the test samples when compared with the control. However, spectrin and ankyrin bands were visible with regular size and intensity. CONCLUSION: B. coriacea seed extracts possess antihemolytic character. However, it does not have the ability to maintain the erythrocyte membrane model despite its acclaimed antioxidant character.
Clinicopathological characteristics of basal-like breast cancer: a comparative study between Egyptian and British patients

Background Clinicopathological features of basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) in African-American women have been extensively studied. Comparatively, less is known about these tumors in patients from countries in the North African region. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and clinicopathological characteristics of BLBC in Egyptian patients in comparison with British patients. Patients and methods Tissue microarray blocks were constructed from primary invasive breast cancers from 321 Egyptian and 527 British patients with BC. Sections were stained immunohistochemically with estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor 2, CK19, CK14, EGFR, CK5/6, P53, and Ki-67. BLBC phenotype was identified by the lack of staining of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and epidermal growth factor receptor 2, and positive staining for any of the CK14, CK5/6, and/or EGFR. Results The rate of BLBC phenotype was higher in Egyptian cohort (21%) than the British cohort (13%). BLBC tumors from both Egyptian and British patients were significantly associated with tumors of higher histopathological grade (P<0.001 and <0.001, respectively), higher proliferation rate (P<0.001 and 0.001, respectively), and higher rate of P53 expression (P<0.001 and <0.001, respectively). Compared with the British patients with tumors, BLBC in Egyptian women were significantly of larger tumor size (P<0.001) and were associated with more advanced lymph node stage (P<0.001). Conclusion BLBCs occurred more frequently in Egyptian patients compared with British women and are characterized by unfavorable biological features, akin to BLBC in African-American women. These findings warrant further studies to unravel the genetic background of BLBCs and whether their aggressive features are related to ethnic origin or other multifactorial and environmental variables.
Identification of the force–velocity curve on dynamic resistance exercise for rats

The aim of this study was to identify force–velocity and power–velocity curves in climbing activity protocols, used as dynamic resistance exercise in rats. Eighteen 45-day-old male Wistar rats (weight = 211.9 ± 5.2 g) were evaluated. After familiarization to the climbing procedure, the animals performed an incremental climbing test (load relative to 75% of the body mass at first stage, followed by 30 g increments with and 120 s recovery between climbs) to determine the maximum carrying capacity (MCC). After this, the animals climbed with different loads (without load, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 75%, 90%, and 100% of MCC) with 120 s recovery between climbs. Time for each climb was recorded to calculate the mechanical power. The peak power was reached at 30% of MCC. For the force–velocity curve, an inversely proportional relation was observed between force and velocity, as expected, greater forces were expressed in lower velocities. Therefore, our results suggest that training at 30% of MCC should be encouraged aiming the target for greater power output and 90%–100% of MCC should be the load aiming for strength training in climbing activities for rats.
A late presentation of Hailey–Hailey disease with clinical-dermoscopic-histological correlation

Sir, Hailey–Hailey disease (HHD) is a blistering disease caused by mutation in ATP2C1 gene with autosomal dominant inheritance. The usual age of presentation is late teenage or in adulthood (30s and 40s). [1] Delayed diagnosis is common, especially if the patient’s lesions respond to topical steroids and antifungals. [1] We present a clinically misdiagnosed case in an elderly female and attempt a clinic-dermoscopic-histological correlation.
Modulation of Social Cognition via Hallucinogens and “Entactogens”

Social cognition is a fundamental ability in human everyday lives. Deficits in social functioning also represent a core aspect of many psychiatric disorders. Yet, despite its significance, deficits in social cognition skills are insufficiently targeted by current treatments. Hallucinogens and entactogens have been shown to have the potential to modulate social processing. This article reviews the literature on the influence of hallucinogens and entactogens on social processing in controlled experimental studies in humans and elucidates the underlying neurobiological and neuropharmacological mechanisms. Furthermore, it identifies current knowledge gaps and derives implications for hallucinogen-assisted treatment approaches as well as the development of novel medication for trans-diagnostic impairments in social cognition.
Exhaled Volatile Organic Compounds Precedes Pulmonary Injury in a Swine Pulmonary Oxygen Toxicity Model

Purpose Inspiring high partial pressure of oxygen (FiO2 > 0.6) for a prolonged duration can lead to lung damage termed pulmonary oxygen toxicity (PO2T). While current practice is to limit oxygen exposure, there are clinical and military scenarios where higher FiO2 levels and partial pressures of oxygen are required. The purpose of this study is to develop a non-invasive breath-based biomarker to detect PO2T prior to the onset of clinical symptoms. Methods Male Yorkshire swine (20–30 kg) were placed into custom airtight runs and randomized to air (0.209 FiO2, n = 12) or oxygen (>0.95 FiO2, n = 10) for 72 h. Breath samples, arterial blood gases, and vital signs were assessed every 12 h. After 72 h of exposure, animals were euthanized and the lungs processed for histology and wet-dry ratios. Results Swine exposed to hyperoxia developed pulmonary injury consistent with PO2T. Histology of oxygen-exposed swine showed pulmonary lymphatic congestion, epithelial sloughing, and neutrophil transmigration. Pulmonary injury was also evidenced by increased interstitial edema and a decreased PaO2/FiO2 ratio in the oxygen group when compared to the air control group. Breath volatile organic compound (VOC) sample analysis identified six VOCs that were combined into an algorithm which generated a breath score predicting PO2T with a ROC/AUC curve of 0.72 defined as a of PaO2/FiO2 ratio less than 350 mmHg. Conclusion Exposing swine to 72 h of hyperoxia induced a pulmonary injury consistent with human clinical endpoints of PO2T. VOC analysis identified six VOCs in exhaled breath that preceded PO2T. Results show promise that a simple, non-invasive breath test could potentially predict the risk of pulmonary injury in humans exposed to high partial pressures of oxygen.
Plasmodium falciparum Blood Stage Antimalarial Vaccines: An Analysis of Ongoing Clinical Trials and New Perspectives Related to Synthetic Vaccines

Plasmodium falciparum malaria is a disease causing high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. Candidates have been identified for vaccines targeting the parasite’s blood stage; this stage is important in the development of symptoms and clinical complications. However, no vaccine that can directly affect morbidity and mortality rates is currently available. This review analyzes the formulation, methodological design, and results of active clinical trials for merozoite-stage vaccines, regarding their safety profile, immunological response (phase Ia/Ib), and protective efficacy levels (phase II). Most vaccine candidates are in phase I trials and have had an acceptable safety profile. GMZ2 has made the greatest progress in clinical trials; its efficacy has been 14% in children aged less than 5 years in a phase IIb trial. Most of the available candidates that have shown strong immunogenicity and that have been tested for their protective efficacy have provided good results when challenged with a homologous parasite strain; however, their efficacy has dropped when they have been exposed to a heterologous strain. In view of these vaccines’ unpromising results, an alternative approach for selecting new candidates is needed; such line of work should be focused on how to increase an immune response induced against the highly conserved (i.e., common to all strains), functionally relevant, protein regions that the parasite uses to invade target cells. Despite binding regions tending to be conserved, they are usually poorly antigenic and/or immunogenic, being frequently discarded as vaccine candidates when the conventional immunological approach is followed. The Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (FIDIC) has developed a logical and rational methodology based on including conserved high-activity binding peptides (cHABPs) from the main P. falciparum biologically functional proteins involved in red blood cell (RBC) invasion. Once appropriately modified (mHABPs), these minimal, subunit-based, chemically synthesized peptides can be used in a system covering the human immune system’s main genetic variables (the human leukocyte antigen HLA-DR isotype) inducing a suitable, immunogenic, and protective immune response in most of the world’s populations.
Polymeric Electrospun Fibrous Dressings for Topical Co-delivery of Acyclovir and Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Herpetic infections caused by Herpes simplex virus (HSV) are among the most common human infections, affecting more than two quarters of the world's population. The standard treatment for orofacial herpes is the administration of antiviral drugs, mainly acyclovir (ACV). However, current products are mostly based on semisolid formulations that have limited ability to promote drug skin penetration and tend to leak from the application site, thus showing reduced ability to sustain local drug residence. This work reports on the production of poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) fibrous matrices with ACV and omega-3 fatty acids (ω3) for application as dressings to the topical treatment of orofacial herpes. PCL fibrous matrices with the co-incorporated bioactive compounds were obtained by electrospinning and characterized regarding their morphology, chemical, physical, and mechanical properties. The potential use of the developed polymeric fibrous matrices for topical applications was evaluated by: (i) the release kinetics of the bioactive compounds; (ii) the occlusive factor of the fibrous mat; (iii) ACV skin permeation capacity; and (iv) the cytotoxicity in a keratinocyte cell line. PCL fibrous matrices loaded with the bioactive compounds presented a smooth morphology and a good balance between flexibility and hardness essential to be durable for handling, while having a desirable texture to be used comfortably. The fibrous mat also provided a sustained release of ACV during 96 h and improved the skin permeability of this drug (Kp = 0.00928 ± 0.000867 cm/h) presenting also high porosity (74%) and a water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of 881 ± 91 g/m2day, essential to maintain moist and oxygen for faster healing of herpes lesions. Furthermore, cytotoxicity studies suggest that the fibrous mat are safe for topical application. Overall, the PCL based electrospun fibrous matrices with ACV and ω3 hereby described have the potential to be used as therapeutic bandage systems for the treatment of orofacial herpes.
The Structural Biology of Galectin-Ligand Recognition: Current Advances in Modeling Tools, Protein Engineering, and Inhibitor Design

Galectins (formerly known as “S-type lectins”) are a subfamily of soluble proteins that typically bind β-galactoside carbohydrates with high specificity. They are present in many forms of life, from nematodes and fungi to animals, where they perform a wide range of functions. Particularly in humans, different types of galectins have been described differing not only in their tissue expression but also in their cellular location, oligomerization, fold architecture and carbohydrate-binding affinity. This distinct yet sometimes overlapping distributions and physicochemical attributes make them responsible for a wide variety of both intra- and extracellular functions, including tremendous importance in immunity and disease. In this review, we aim to provide a general description of galectins most important structural features, with a special focus on the molecular determinants of their carbohydrate-recognition ability. For that purpose, we structurally compare the human galectins, in light of recent mutagenesis studies and novel X-ray structures. We also offer a detailed description on how to use the solvent structure surrounding the protein as a tool to get better predictions of galectin-carbohydrate complexes, with a potential application to the rational design of glycomimetic inhibitory compounds. Finally, using Gal-1 and Gal-3 as paramount examples, we review a series of recent advances in the development of engineered galectins and galectin inhibitors, aiming to dissect the structure-activity relationship through the description of their interaction at the molecular level.
Enantiomeric Recognition of α-Aminoacids by a Uranyl Salen-Bis-Porphyrin Complex

A novel uranyl salen-bis-porphyrin complex, in which two porphyrin subunits and salen moiety were directly linked, was synthesized for the recognition of tetrabutylammonium (TBA) amino acids. This uranyl salen complex, due to the presence of porphyrins with their fluorescence properties, represents the first example of a luminescence of uranyl salen complexes. UV/Vis measurements indicate the formation of 1:1 host–guest complexes, whereas UV-vis and fluorescence studies revealed that this complex acts as a receptor for the enantiomeric recognition of α-aminoacids derivatives, with high association constants and an excellent enantiomeric discrimination between the two enantiomers of phenylalanine–TBA.
Role of Sortase A in Lactobacillus gasseri Kx110A1 Adhesion to Gastric Epithelial Cells and Competitive Exclusion of Helicobacter pylori

We have previously shown that Lactobacillus gasseri Kx110A1, a human stomach isolate, can colonize mouse stomach and reduce the initial colonization of Helicobacter pylori. Here, we investigated the role of sortase-dependent proteins (SDPs) involved in these functions by the construction of a mutant for srtA, the gene encoding the housekeeping sortase that covalently anchors SDPs to the cell surface. The srtA mutant showed a decrease in hydrophobicity and autoaggregation under acidic conditions, indicating the effect of SDPs on cell surface properties. Correspondingly, the srtA mutant lost the capacity to adhere to gastric epithelial cells, thus resulting in an inability to provide a physical barrier to prevent H. pylori adherence. These results indicate that sortase A is a key determinant of the cell surface properties of L. gasseri Kx110A1 and contributes to Lactobacillus-mediated exclusion of H. pylori. Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which lactobacilli antagonize H. pylori might contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies that take advantage of health-promoting bacteria and reduce the burden of antibiotic resistance.
Epigenetic Programming and Fetal Metabolic Programming

Fetal metabolic programming caused by the adverse intrauterine environment can induce metabolic syndrome in adult offspring. Adverse intrauterine environment introduces fetal long-term relatively irreversible changes in organs and metabolism, and thus causes fetal metabolic programming leading metabolic syndrome in adult offspring. Fetal metabolic programming of obesity and insulin resistance plays a key role in this process. The mechanism of fetal metabolic programming is still not very clear. It is suggested that epigenetic programming, also induced by the adverse intrauterine environment, is a critical underlying mechanism of fetal metabolic programming. Fetal epigenetic programming affects gene expression changes and cellular function through epigenetic modifications without DNA nucleotide sequence changes. Epigenetic modifications can be relatively stably retained and transmitted through mitosis and generations, and thereby induce the development of metabolic syndrome in adult offspring. This manuscript provides an overview of the critical role of epigenetic programming in fetal metabolic programming.