Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GidA Posttranscriptionally Regulates rhl Quorum Sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

ABSTRACT The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa utilizes two interconnected acyl-homoserine lactone quorum-sensing (acyl-HSL QS) systems, LasRI and RhlRI, to regulate the expression of hundreds of genes. The QS circuitry itself is integrated into a complex network of regulation by other factors. However, our understanding of this network is still unlikely to be complete, as a comprehensive, saturating approach to identifying regulatory components has never been attempted. Here, we utilized a nonredundant P. aeruginosa PA14 transposon library to identify additional genes that regulate QS at the level of LasRI/RhlRI. We initially screened all 5,459 mutants for loss of function in one QS-controlled trait (skim milk proteolysis) and then rescreened attenuated candidates for defects in other QS phenotypes (LasA protease, rhamnolipid, and pyocyanin production) to exclude mutants defective in functions other than QS. We identified several known and novel genes, but only two novel genes, gidA and pcnB, affected all of the traits assayed. We characterized gidA, which exhibited the most striking QS phenotypes, further. This gene is predicted to encode a conserved flavin adenine dinucleotide-binding protein involved in tRNA modification. Inactivation of the gene primarily affected rhlR-dependent QS phenotypes such as LasA, pyocyanin, and rhamnolipid production. GidA affected RhlR protein but not transcript levels and also had no impact on LasR and acyl-HSL production. Overexpression of rhlR in a gidA mutant partially restored QS-dependent phenotypes. Taken together, these results indicate that GidA selectively controls QS gene expression posttranscriptionally via RhlR-dependent and -independent pathways.
Mycophenolate mofetil for the treatment of refractory auto‐immune haemolytic anaemia and auto‐immune thrombocytopenia purpura

Summary. The treatment of both auto‐immune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) and auto‐immune thromobocytopenic purpura (AITP) remains unsatisfactory in those refractory to first‐line management. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an immunosuppressive agent originally used to prevent acute rejection of solid organ transplants and used more recently in the management of auto‐immune conditions. We report its use in four patients with AIHA and six patients with AITP. All four patients with AIHA and five of the six patients with AITP showed a complete or good partial response to treatment with MMF, confirming a possible role in the treatment of these conditions.
Experimental Evaluation of Open Source Business Intelligence Suites using OpenBRR

In recent time, technology applications in different fields, especially Business Intelligence (BI) have been developed rapidly and considered to be one of the most significant uses of information technology. BI is a broad category of applications and technologies for gathering, storing, analyzing, and providing access data to help enterprise users make better business decisions. Whereas in the past the Business Intelligence market was strictly dominated by closed source and commercial tools, the last few years were characterized by the birth of open source BI solutions. This represents a tremendous competitive advantage, however the choice of a suitable open source BI suite is a challenge. The present study evaluated and compared the last versions of the five main Open Source Business Intelligence suites: JasperSoft, Palo, Pentaho, SpagoBI and Vanilla using OpenBRR methodology.
Robust H ∞ control for a class of uncertain mechanical systems

In this article, the problem of H ∞ control is investigated for a class of mechanical systems with input delay and parameter uncertainties which appear in all the mass, damping and stiffness matrices. Two approaches, norm-bounded and linear fractional transformation (LFT) uncertainty formulations, are considered. By using a new Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional approach, combined with the advanced techniques for achieving delay dependence, improved robust H ∞ state-feedback controller design methods are developed. The existence condition for admissible controllers is formulated in the form of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), and the controller design is cast into a convex optimisation problem subject to LMI constraints. If the optimisation problem is solvable, a desired controller can be readily constructed. The result for the norm-bounded uncertainty case improves the existing ones in terms of design conservatism, and that for the LFT uncertainty case represents the first attempt in this direction. An illustrative example is provided to show the effectiveness and advantage of the proposed controller design methodologies.
The prevalence and treatment of depression among patients starting dialysis.

BACKGROUND Depression is common in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and is associated with increased mortality, but little is known about depression in patients just after they start dialysis therapy. We sought to assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients with ESRD starting dialysis therapy, identify patient characteristics associated with depression, and determine whether patients with serious depressive symptoms were receiving treatment. METHODS We implemented a multicenter prospective cohort study at 14 dialysis centers in Connecticut. Patients with ESRD who were 18 years and older were interviewed within 10 days of initiating dialysis therapy between November 2000 and July 2001. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to assess depressive symptoms. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate associations between several patient characteristics and depression, and multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine odds ratios (ORs) for depression, with adjustment for baseline variables. RESULTS Among 123 patients, 44% (54 of 123 patients) had scores above the validated cutoff value in the BDI for depression. In logistic regression analysis, depression was statistically significantly associated with Caucasian race (OR, 3.4; P = 0.02), lower self-rated quality of life (OR, 2.2; P = 0.003), and no previous acquaintances on dialysis therapy (OR, 10.2; P = 0.03). Only 16% (9 of 54 patients) of depressed patients were being treated at enrollment; 13% (5 of 38 patients) of those with mild symptoms and 25% (4 of 16 patients) with more severe symptoms were being treated. CONCLUSION Our results show that depressive symptoms are very common at the start of dialysis therapy, and specific characteristics are associated with a greater burden of depressive symptoms. Despite a high prevalence, treatment rates are low, even among patients with moderate to severe symptoms of depression.
Pharmacokinetics of a new subcutaneous diclofenac formulation administered to three body sites: quadriceps, gluteus, and abdomen.

OBJECTIVE To assess the relative bioavailability of a new subcutaneous (SC) diclofenac hydroxypropyl b-cyclodextrin (HPbCD) formulation administered to three body sites: quadriceps, gluteus, and abdomen. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a pilot, single-dose, randomized, three-way crossover relative bioavailability study. A total of 12 healthy subjects received a single SC injection of diclofenac HPbCD 50 mg/1 mL in the quadriceps, gluteus, or abdomen. RESULTS The AUC was comparable after SC diclofenac HPbCD in the quadriceps, gluteus, and abdomen. The Cmax was comparable after SC administration in the quadriceps or abdomen, and ~ 17% higher in the gluteus. The absorption was rapid (30 minutes) after administration of the treatment at any site. The treatment was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS The relative bioavailability of SC diclofenac HPbCD was comparable when administered to the quadriceps, gluteus, and abdomen. The new diclofenac formulation can therefore be administered subcutaneously to any of these sites without clinically significant differences. A further adequately powered study would be necessary to reveal any differences among injection sites in terms of peak plasma concentration.
Calcitonin and calcitonin receptor‐like receptors: common themes with family B GPCRs?

The calcitonin receptor (CTR) and calcitonin receptor‐like receptor (CLR) are two of the 15 human family B (or Secretin‐like) GPCRs. CTR and CLR are of considerable biological interest as their pharmacology is moulded by interactions with receptor activity‐modifying proteins. They also have therapeutic relevance for many conditions, such as osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity, lymphatic insufficiency, migraine and cardiovascular disease. In light of recent advances in understanding ligand docking and receptor activation in both the family as a whole and in CLR and CTR specifically, this review reflects how applicable general family B GPCR themes are to these two idiosyncratic receptors. We review the main functional domains of the receptors; the N‐terminal extracellular domain, the juxtamembrane domain and ligand interface, the transmembrane domain and the intracellular C‐terminal domain. Structural and functional findings from the CLR and CTR along with other family B GPCRs are critically appraised to gain insight into how these domains may function. The ability for CTR and CLR to interact with receptor activity‐modifying proteins adds another level of sophistication to these receptor systems but means careful consideration is needed when trying to apply generic GPCR principles. This review encapsulates current thinking in the realm of family B GPCR research by highlighting both conflicting and recurring themes and how such findings relate to two unusual but important receptors, CTR and CLR.
Mapping the Orientation of White Matter Fiber Bundles: A Comparative Study of Diffusion Tensor Imaging, Diffusional Kurtosis Imaging, and Diffusion Spectrum Imaging

The authors evaluated fiber bundle orientations from DTI and diffusional kurtosis compared with diffusion spectrum imaging as a criterion standard to assess the performance of each technique. DTI, diffusional kurtosis imaging, and diffusion spectrum imaging datasets were acquired during 2 independent sessions in 3 volunteers. While orientation estimates from all 3 techniques had comparable angular reproducibility, diffusional kurtosis imaging decreased angular error throughout the white matter compared with DTI. Diffusion spectrum imaging and diffusional kurtosis imaging enabled the detection of crossing-fiber bundles. They conclude that fiber bundle orientation estimates from diffusional kurtosis imaging have less systematic error than those from DTI. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: White matter fiber tractography relies on fiber bundle orientation estimates from diffusion MR imaging. However, clinically feasible techniques such as DTI and diffusional kurtosis imaging use assumptions, which may introduce error into in vivo orientation estimates. In this study, fiber bundle orientations from DTI and diffusional kurtosis imaging are compared with diffusion spectrum imaging as a criterion standard to assess the performance of each technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For each subject, full DTI, diffusional kurtosis imaging, and diffusion spectrum imaging datasets were acquired during 2 independent sessions, and fiber bundle orientations were estimated by using the specific theoretic assumptions of each technique. Angular variability and angular error measures were assessed by comparing the orientation estimates. Tractography generated with each of the 3 reconstructions was also examined and contrasted. RESULTS: Orientation estimates from all 3 techniques had comparable angular reproducibility, but diffusional kurtosis imaging decreased angular error throughout the white matter compared with DTI. Diffusion spectrum imaging and diffusional kurtosis imaging enabled the detection of crossing-fiber bundles, which had pronounced effects on tractography relative to DTI. Diffusion spectrum imaging had the highest sensitivity for detecting crossing fibers; however, the diffusion spectrum imaging and diffusional kurtosis imaging tracts were qualitatively similar. CONCLUSIONS: Fiber bundle orientation estimates from diffusional kurtosis imaging have less systematic error than those from DTI, which can noticeably affect tractography. Moreover, tractography obtained with diffusional kurtosis imaging is qualitatively comparable with that of diffusion spectrum imaging. Because diffusional kurtosis imaging has a shorter typical scan time than diffusion spectrum imaging, diffusional kurtosis imaging is potentially more suitable for a variety of clinical and research applications.
Using observing systems to enhance ocean science education

Coastal ocean observing systems can provide exciting, real-time data and information and link ocean science to classroom instruction. The Center for Ocean Science Education Excellence Mid-Atlantic (COSEE MA) has developed a course "Taking the Pulse of the Ocean" for secondary school teachers, which emphasizes the science associated with coastal ocean observing systems for educators. The main objective of this 7 day course is to bring together scientists and educators to study ocean science. The mechanism for this interaction is centered on coastal observing systems and the information they can provide on physical and biological processes. We emphasize the importance of observing systems, parameters measured and how the information can be used both in education and in the real world. More specifically, we study ocean movement and its influence on the ocean biota and on the dispersion of pollutants from human activities. We provide activities and lessons based on the content of the course for participants to use in the classroom. Additionally, we require teachers to develop specific uses of the content with their students. Follow-up activities for participants include two workshops and presentations of their experiences to their peers.
Pharmaceutical occurrence in groundwater and surface waters in forests land‐applied with municipal wastewater

The occurrence and fate of pharmaceutical and personal care products in the environment are of increasing public importance because of their ubiquitous nature and documented effects on wildlife, ecosystems, and potentially humans. One potential, yet undefined, source of entry of pharmaceuticals into the environment is via the land application of municipal wastewater onto permitted lands. The objective of the present study is to determine the extent to which pharmaceuticals are mitigated by or exported from managed tree plantations irrigated with municipal wastewater. A specific focus of the present study is the presence of pharmaceutical compounds in groundwater and surface water discharge. The study site is a municipality that land‐applies secondary treated wastewater onto 930 hectares of a 2000‐hectare managed hardwood and pine plantation. A suite of 33 pharmaceuticals and steroid hormones was targeted in the analysis, which consisted of monthly grab sampling of groundwater, surface water, and wastewater, followed by concentration and cleanup via solid phase extraction and separation, detection, and quantification via liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. More than one‐half of all compounds detected in irrigated wastewater were not present in groundwater and subsequent surface water. However, antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, caffeine, and other prescription and over‐the‐counter drugs remained in groundwater and were transported into surface water at concentrations up to 10 ng/L. These results provide important documentation for pharmaceutical fate and transport in forest systems irrigated with municipal wastewater, a previously undocumented source of environmental entry. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:898–905. © 2015 SETAC
Biological half-life of cadmium in the urine of inhabitants after cessation of cadmium exposure

We investigated the biological half-life of the urinary cadmium concentration (U-Cd) based on a 24-year follow-up study after cessation of cadmium exposure in a cadmium-polluted area. Spot urine samples were obtained from all inhabitants in this area in 1979, 1986, 1991, 1999 and 2003. Biological half-life was calculated in the inhabitants whose U-Cd was more than 5 μg l−1 (9 men and 12 women) or 5 μg g−1 creatinine (9 men and 19 women) using a one-compartment model. The estimated half-life and 95% confidence intervals were 13.6 years (9.0–28.2 years) and 13.9 years (9.6–25.6 years) for unadjusted U-Cd in men and women, respectively. For creatinine-adjusted U-Cd, they were 14.2 years (11.2–19.4 years) and 23.5 years (17.7–35.0 years) in men and women, respectively. The biological half-lives of U-Cd obtained in this study were identical with the values of total body burden determined by a different method.
Granos secos de destilería con solubles y enzimas en dietas para pollos de engorda

El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar variables productivas en pollos en crecimiento y nalizacion alimentados con diferentes concentraciones de granos secos de destileria con solubles (GSDS) y enzimas en dietas con contenido adecuado o baja energia metabolizable (EM), calcio y fosforo para pollos de engorda. En los tres experimentos realiza- dos, los pollos se alojaron en jaulas individuales; en el experimento 1 y 2, 96 y 80 pollos en crecimiento y nalizacion se asignaron a dietas de sorgo o maiz-pasta de soya en concentraciones de 0, 5, 10 y 15 % de GSDS; en el experimento 3, 150 pollos se asignaron a dietas con contenido adecuado o bajo en EM, calcio y fosforo y 10 % de GSDS adicionadas con tasa, glucanasa y xilanasa. Los datos se analizaron por ANOVA, regresion lineal y contrastes ortogonales. En los experimentos 1 y 2, con analisis de primera derivada, se encontro que para una adecuada productividad en pollos en crecimiento (p < 0.05) y nalizacion (p < 0.01) el nivel optimo de GSDS fue de 8.5 y 13 %; y para optimizar el peso de la pechuga el nivel maximo fue 4.44 %. En el experimento 3, la adicion de enzimas compenso la reduccion de EM, calcio y fosforo en dietas con 10 % de GSDS. Se puede incluir entre 8.5 y 13 % de GSDS en dietas para pollos en crecimiento y nalizacion, la adicion de enzimas mejora el uso de la EM en dietas con GSDS.
Identification of Anti-prion Compounds using a Novel Cellular Assay*

Prion diseases are devastating neurodegenerative disorders with no known cure. One strategy for developing therapies for these diseases is to identify compounds that block conversion of the cellular form of the prion protein (PrPC) into the infectious isoform (PrPSc). Most previous efforts to discover such molecules by high-throughput screening methods have utilized, as a read-out, a single kind of cellular assay system: neuroblastoma cells that are persistently infected with scrapie prions. Here, we describe the use of an alternative cellular assay based on suppressing the spontaneous cytotoxicity of a mutant form of PrP (Δ105–125). Using this assay, we screened 75,000 compounds, and identified a group of phenethyl piperidines (exemplified by LD7), which reduces the accumulation of PrPSc in infected neuroblastoma cells by >90% at low micromolar doses, and inhibits PrPSc-induced synaptotoxicity in hippocampal neurons. By analyzing the structure-activity relationships of 35 chemical derivatives, we defined the pharmacophore of LD7, and identified a more potent derivative. Active compounds do not alter total or cell-surface levels of PrPC, and do not bind to recombinant PrP in surface plasmon resonance experiments, although at high concentrations they inhibit PrPSc-seeded conversion of recombinant PrP to a misfolded state in an in vitro reaction (RT-QuIC). This class of small molecules may provide valuable therapeutic leads, as well as chemical biological tools to identify cellular pathways underlying PrPSc metabolism and PrPC function.
A UWB magneto-electric dipole antenna

A UWB magneto-electric dipole antenna is presented. The antenna is composed of a horizontal bowtie electric dipole, a vertically-oriented folded shorted patch antenna, a microstrip-to-stripline transition, and a rectangular cavity. Simulated results reveal that the antenna can achieve an impedance bandwidth of 110% (SWR≤2), stable unidirectional radiation pattern with low cross polarization, low back radiation, nearly identical E- and H-plane patterns and stable gain over the operating frequencies.
La combinación de - acabar de + infinitivo - con otras perífrasis aspectuales y modales en español e italiano

espanolEn este trabajo analizamos las posibilidades combinatorias que presenta la perifrasis verbal - acabar de + infinitivo - en sus dos valores: el de eventualidad reciente y el terminativo. Estudiaremos la combinacion de estos dos significados con perifrasis aspectuales y modales. Como comprobaremos, con el significado de eventualidad reciente, se combina con perifrasis aspectuales terminativas e ingresivas (Cinque 1999: 106 y Olbertz 1988: 358-64), mientras que con el terminativo la combinacion con estas perifrasis resulta agramatical, y lo mismo en el orden inverso (Laca 2002: 74). En cuanto a las perifrasis aspectuales continuativas, la combinacion es agramatical, puesto que indican la continuacion de un evento, lo cual resulta incompatible con la indicacion del final de un evento o de un resultado, respectivamente para ambos valores (Olbertz 2001). Respecto a las perifrasis modales, las de significado deontico se combinan con el valor terminativo, mientras que las de significado epistemico se combinan con el de eventualidad reciente. Tanto en el primer tipo de combinacion como en el segundo, el orden inverso no es gramatical. Este analisis lo desarrollaremos atendiendo al contraste con el italiano, donde cada uno de los valores se corresponde con una forma distinta: tiempo verbal compuesto + appena - y - finire di + infinitivo -, respectivamente para el valor de eventualidad reciente y el terminativo. Como observaremos, el comportamiento de ambas construcciones al combinarse con perifrasis aspectuales y modales es similar al del espanol. EnglishIn this paper we analyze the combinatorial possibilities presented by the verbal periphrasis - acabar de + infinitive - in its two values: that of recent eventuality and the terminative. We will study the combination of these two meanings with aspectual and modal periphrasis. As we will see, with the meaning of a recent eventuality, it is combined with aspectual terminative and ingressive periphrasis (Cinque 1999: 106 and Olbertz 1988: 358-64), whereas with the terminative the combination with these periphrasis is ungrammatical, and the same in the reverse order (Laca 2002: 74). As for continuous aspectual periphrasis, the combination is ungrammatical, since they indicate the continuation of an event, which is incompatible with the indication of the end of an event or result, respectively, for both values (Olbertz 2001). With regard to modal periphrasis, those of deontic meaning are combined with the terminative value, while those of epistemic value are combined with that of recent eventuality. In both the first type of combination and in the second, the reverse order is not grammatical. This analysis will be developed according to the contrast with Italian, where each of the values corresponds to a different form: - compound verbal form + appena - and - finire di + infinitive -, respectively for the recent event value and the terminative. As we will observe, the behaviour of both constructions when combined with aspectual and modal periphrasis is similar to that of Spanis