Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physiological responses of Matricaria chamomilla to cadmium and copper excess

Physiological responses of Matricaria chamomilla plants exposed to cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) excess (3, 60, and 120 μM for 7 days) with special emphasis on phenolic metabolism were studied. Cu at 120 μM reduced chamomile growth, especially in the roots where it was more abundant than Cd. Notwithstanding the low leaf Cu amount (37.5 μg g−1 DW) in comparison with Cd (237.8 μg g−1 DW) at 120 μM, it caused reduction of biomass accumulation, Fv/Fm ratio and soluble proteins. In combination with high accumulation of phenolics, strong reduction of proteins and high GPX activity in the roots, this supports severe redox Cu properties. In terms of leaf phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL) activity, it seems that Cd had a stimulatory effect during the course of the experiment, whereas Cu was found to stimulate it after 7‐day exposure. The opposite trend was visible in the roots, where Cd had a stimulatory effect at high doses but Cu mainly at the highest dose. This supports the assumption of different PAL time dynamics under Cd and Cu excess. A dose of 60 and 120 μM Cu led to 2‐ and 3‐times higher root lignin accumulation while the same Cd doses increased it by 33 and 68%, respectively. A Cu dose of 120 μM can be considered as limiting for chamomile growth under conditions of present research, while resistance to high Cd doses was confirmed. However, PAL and phenolics seemed to play an important role in detoxification of Cd‐ and Cu‐induced oxidative stress. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2008.
Gender and Ethnic Variations in Urban Park Preferences, Visitation, and Perceived Benefits

This paper examined how gender and ethnicity are related to preferences for various park characteristics, visitation to urban parks and open spaces, and perception of park benefits as reported by participants in a mail survey of residents in two metropolitan areas in the eastern United States. In total, 1570 questionnaires were completed, but 65 cases were deleted because they failed to identify their ethnicity or gender. The overall response rate for the survey was approximately 27%. Although women were more likely than men to evaluate some park characteristics as “important,” there were no significant gender differences/variation in the types of visits or the perceived benefits of parks. There was significant ethnic variation in preferred park attributes, frequency and type of visits, and perceptions of the positive and negative effects of parks. However, the effects of ethnicity were not found to differ for men and women.
Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease as a consequence of autonomic imbalance and circadian desynchronization

The circadian system, headed by the suprachiasmatic nucleus, synchronizes behaviour and metabolism according to the external light–dark cycle through neuroendocrine and autonomic signals. Metabolic diseases, such as steatosis, obesity and glucose intolerance, have been associated with conditions of circadian misalignment wherein the feeding schedule has been moved to the resting phase. Here we describe the physiological processes involved in liver lipid accumulation and show how they follow a circadian pattern importantly regulated by both the autonomic nervous system and the feeding–fasting cycle. We propose that an unbalanced activity of the sympathetic–parasympathetic branches between organs induced by circadian misalignment provides the conditions for the development and progression of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Improved de novo Genome Assembly: Linked-Read Sequencing Combined with Optical Mapping Produce a High Quality Mammalian Genome at Relatively Low Cost

Current short-read methods have come to dominate genome sequencing because they are cost-effective, rapid, and accurate. However, short reads are most applicable when data can be aligned to a known reference. Two new methods for de novo assembly are linked-reads and restriction-site labeled optical maps. We combined commercial applications of these technologies for genome assembly of an endangered mammal, the Hawaiian Monk seal. We show that the linked-reads produced with 10X Genomics Chromium chemistry and assembled with Supernova v1.1 software produced scaffolds with an N50 of 22.23 Mbp with the longest individual scaffold of 84.06 Mbp. When combined with Bionano Genomics optical maps using Bionano RefAligner, the scaffold N50 increased to 29.65 Mbp for a total of 170 hybrid scaffolds, the longest of which was 84.78 Mbp. These results were 161X and 215X, respectively, improved over DISCOVAR de novo assemblies. The quality of the scaffolds was assessed using conserved synteny analysis of both the DNA sequence and predicted seal proteins relative to the genomes of humans and other species. We found large blocks of conserved synteny suggesting that the hybrid scaffolds were high quality. An inversion in one scaffold complementary to human chromosome 6 was found and confirmed by optical maps. The complementarity of linked-reads and optical maps is likely to make the production of high quality genomes more routine and economical and, by doing so, significantly improve our understanding of comparative genome biology.
Bilateral microphthalmia, esophageal atresia, and cryptorchidism: the anophthalmia-esophageal-genital syndrome.

We report on a male infant with bilateral microphthalmia, esophageal atresia, and cryptorchidism. To our knowledge only 4 cases with a similar combination of congenital abnormalities have been previously reported, and it is likely that this represents a distinct entity. We suggest the name "anophthalmia-esophageal-genital-syndrome. "
Publishing H2O Pluglets in UDDI Registries

Interoperability and standards, such as Grid Services are a focus of current Grid research. The intent is to facilitate resource virtualization, and to accommodate the intrinsic heterogeneity of resources in distributed environments. It is important that new and emerging metacomputing frameworks conform to these standards, in order to ensure interoperability with other grid solutions. In particular, the H2O metacomputing system offers several benefits, including lightweight operation, user-configurability, and selectable security levels. Its applicability would be enhanced even further through support for grid services and OGSA compliance. Code deployed into the H2O execution containers is referred to as pluglets. These pluglets constitute the end points of services in H2O, services that are to be made known through publication in a registry. In this contribution, we discuss a system pluglet, referred to as OGSAPluglet, that scans H2O execution containers for available services and publishes them into one or more UDDI registries. We also discuss in detail the algorithms that manage the publication of the appropriate WSDL and GSDL documents for the registration process.
Osteoclast-targeted therapy for metastatic prostate cancer

Bone metastases and skeletal complications are major causes of morbidity in men with prostate cancer. Despite the osteoblastic appearance of bone metastases on imaging studies, patients with bone metastases have elevated markers of bone resorption, indicative of high osteoclast activity. Indeed, increased osteoclast activity is independently associated with higher risk of subsequent skeletal complications. Therapies aimed at reducing osteoclast activity would theoretically diminish disease-related skeletal complications, bone metastases and treatment-related fractures. Phase III clinical trials to address the role of osteoclast-targeted therapy in metastatic prostate cancer are reviewed here. Zoledronic acid, a potent bisphosphonate, significantly decreased the risk of skeletal complications in men with androgen-independent prostate cancer and bone metastases. Ongoing studies will evaluate the use of bisphosphonates or denosumab, a monoclonal antibody that inhibits the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand signaling in the prevention of bone metastases or skeletal complications. Additional studies are needed to determine the optimal timing, schedule and duration of bisphosphonate treatment in men with bone metastases. The results of these trials in the near future may herald further evolution in the targeting of osteoclasts and optimal supportive care in men with prostate cancer.
Assessment of Early Tibiofemoral Joint Space Width Changes After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury and Reconstruction

Background: Progression of primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) is often quantified by measuring structural alterations of the joint such as those in tibiofemoral joint space width (JSW) over time. Limited information is available regarding changes that occur during the onset and progression of posttraumatic OA (PTOA) that are often associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Furthermore, there is a paucity of information regarding JSW changes in healthy patients, making JSW interpretation challenging during early PTOA progression. Purpose: To evaluate tibiofemoral JSW after ACL injury, ACL reconstruction, and rehabilitation compared with healthy, matched controls. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A total of 39 ACL-injured patients and 32 matched controls were evaluated. Injured patients were assessed at presurgical baseline and after ACL reconstruction (mean follow-up, 46 months), as were controls. Bilateral, standing, fluoroscopy-assisted, and posterior-anterior metatarsal-phalangeal view knee radiographs were obtained at each visit and JSW was measured. Results: The JSW differences between knees in control patients were not significantly different and did not change over time. Baseline JSW differences in the ACL group were significantly different than in controls. Three patients (7.9% of total) had an increased JSW difference, and 1 patient (2.6%) had a decreased medial JSW difference. In the lateral compartment, 6 patients (15.8%) had a decreased JSW difference. At follow-up, 2 patients in the ACL group (5%) had a decreased medial JSW difference, and 3 (7.9%) had a significantly increased difference in relation to controls. Lateral compartment analyses revealed 7 (18.4%) patients with a significantly decreased JSW difference and no patients with an increased difference compared with controls. Conclusion: One third of ACL-injured knees underwent significant JSW change soon after injury; consequently, evaluation of within-knee JSW changes over time in ACL-injured patients may not be appropriate with a study based on case-control analysis. The JSWs in the healthy knee of ACL-injured patients do not change over time, allowing this knee to be used as a control for the injured knee. This is important when evaluating the earliest stages of PTOA after ACL injury, when patients are asymptomatic and intervention may be most beneficial.
Cardiorespiratory and efficiency responses during arm and leg exercises with spontaneously chosen crank and pedal rates

The aim of this study was to compare the cardiorespiratory and efficiency responses between upper (TUBE) and lower (TLBE) body exercises at the same relative power outputs and with spontaneously chosen crank (SCCR) or pedal (SCPR) rates. Twelve participants performed exercise bouts set at 20, 40, 60 and 80% of maximal power (MP) separated by passive recovery periods. Oxygen uptake, ventilation, gross and work efficiencies during TLBE were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than during TUBE. These results suggest that these responses were not directly related to the relative intensities. However, no significant difference was found for delta efficiency and heart rate values. During TUBE and TLBE, gross efficiency increased significantly (P < of MP for TUBE and TLBE and the same SCCR and SCPR could explain these results. The present results confirm that the cardiorespiratory and efficiency responses between arm and leg exercises are not always similar, although the power output are normalized in relation to MP and add to the understanding of differences between upper and lower body.
Development of bicalutamide-loaded PLGA nanoparticles: preparation, characterization and in-vitro evaluation for the treatment of prostate cancer

Abstract In this study we report the development and optimization of poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) polymer encapsulated poorly aqueous soluble nonsteroidal antiandrogen drug bicalutamide, to develop a sustained release formulation for the treatment of prostate cancer. The bicalutamide-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by single emulsion (O/W) solvent evaporation method, and different process parameters like polymer concentration in the organic phase, surfactant concentration in aqueous phase and centrifugation speed for separation of nanoparticles were evaluated to optimize the drug-loaded nanoparticles. The optimum formulation of bicalutamide-loaded PLGA nanoparticles characterized extensively by different analytical techniques like laser light scattering to determine average particle size and size distribution, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for surface morphology, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) for surface chemistry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for thermogram properties. Significant decrease of crystallinity of bicalutamide confirms entrapment of the drug within the PLGA polymer matrix. Further, the drug encapsulation efficiency (EE) and in vitro drug release profile were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and UV-spectrophotometry. In vitro drug release exhibited biphasic pattern with initial burst release followed by slow and continuous release up to 5 days. Optimum formulation of bicalutamide-loaded PLGA nanoparticles shows significant anti-tumor activity over prostate cancer cell lines (DU 145). The newly developed optimum formulation nanoparticles could be useful for sustained release delivery of bicalutamide.
A study on the use of SAR polarimetric data to observe oil spills

In this paper a new procedure to discriminate different surface films by means of SAR polarimetric data is proposed. SAR data were acquired on October 11, 1994 during SIR-C/X-SAR mission, named SRL-2. The dark features characterizing different surface films are analysed using eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the coherence matrix. Results of this study give rise to the conclusions that SAR polarimetric data are a key tool to discriminate oil spills from biogenic/anthropogenic surface films to reduce the number of false alarms.
SiC full-bridge grid-tied inverter with ZVS-switching

Although SiC MOSFET has significant improvements on switching performance compared with traditional Si power devices, the dynamic loss of the converter rises with the increase of the switching frequency of the converter. To further improve the efficiency of SiC inverter and power density, Zero-Voltage-Switching (ZVS) is investigated. A SiC full-bridge inverter with ZVS-switching is presented. The efficiency of SiC MOSFET ZVS full-bridge inverter is compared with that of hard switching SiC inverter at different switching frequency. Finally it is shown that the ZVS-Switching inverter is preferred in high switching frequency.
Adenosine A1 and A2A receptor regulation of protein phosphatase 2A in the murine heart

Adenosine plays a role in regulating the contractile function of the heart. This includes a positive ionotropic action via the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) and an inhibition of β1‐adrenergic receptor‐induced ionotropy (antiadrenergic action) via the adenosine A1 receptor (A1R). Phosphatase activity has also been shown to influence contractile function by affecting the level of protein phosphorylation. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) plays a significant role in mediating the A1R antiadrenergic effect. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of A2AR and A1R on the activities of PP2A in hearts obtained from wild‐type (WT) and A2AR knockout (A2AR‐KO) mice. PP2A activities were examined in myocardial particulate and cytoplasmic extract fractions. Treatment of wild‐type hearts with the A1R agonist CCPA increased the total PP2A activity and increased the particulate:cytoplasmic PP2A activity ratio. Treatment with the A2AR agonist CGS‐21680 (CGS) decreased the total PP2A activity and decreased the particulate:cytoplasmic PP2A activity ratio. This indicated a movement of PP2A activity between cell fractions. The effect of CCPA was inhibited by CGS. In A2AR‐KO hearts the response to A1R activation was markedly enhanced whereas the response to A2AR activation was absent. These data show that A2AR and A1R regulate PP2A activity, thus suggesting an important mechanism for modulating myocardial contractility. J. Cell. Physiol. 216: 83–90, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pseudoknot in domain II of 23 S rRNA is essential for ribosome function.

The structure of domain II in all 23 S (and 23 S-like) rRNAs is constrained by a pseudoknot formed between nucleotides 1005 and 1138, and between 1006 and 1137 (Escherichia coli numbering). These nucleotides are exclusively conserved as 1005C.1138G and 1006C.1137G pairs in all Bacteria, Archaea and chloroplasts, whereas 1005G.1138C and 1006U.1137A pairs occur in Eukarya. We have mutagenized nucleotides 1005C-->G, 1006C-->U, 1137G-->A and 1138G-->C, both individually and in combinations, in a 23 S rRNA gene from the bacterium E. coli. The ability of 23 S rRNA to support cell growth is reduced when either of these base-pairs is disrupted, and it is completely abolished upon disruption of both base-pairs. Each mutant 23 S rRNA is assembled into 50 S subunits, but the mutant subunits do not stably interact with 30 S to engage in protein synthesis. Enzymatic and chemical probing of ribosomal particles reveals increased accessibility in the rRNA structure close to the sites of the mutations. The degree to which the mutations increase rRNA accessibility correlates with the severity of their phenotypic effects. Nucleotide 1131G is extremely reactive to dimethyl sulphate modification in wild-type subunits and ribosomes, but is rendered unreactive when either the pseudoknot is broken or when the r-proteins are removed. The structure of the pseudoknot region is possibly influenced by interaction of an r-protein at or close to the pseudoknot. Re-establishing the pseudoknot Watson-Crick interactions with one "eukaryal" (1005G.1138C or 1006U.1137A) pair and one "bacterial" C.G pair largely restores the structure and function of the rRNA. Bacterial ribosomes containing both these eukaryal pairs also participate in protein synthesis, although at much reduced efficiency, and the structure of their pseudoknot region is partially open and accessible.
[Causes of stopping subcutaneous specific immunotherapy in asthmatic children].

OBJECTIVE To improve the compliance with subcutaneous specific immunotherapy (SCIT) by analyzing the causes of stopping SCIT in asthmatic children. METHODS A telephone follow-up was conducted in the asthmatic children who received SCIT but did not finished the 3-year course of treatment from June 2005 to October 2010, so as to analyze the causes of stopping SCIT. RESULTS A total of 616 asthmatic children received SCIT, and 322 (52.2%) of them stopped SCIT.A total of 127 cases (39.4%) of the 322 children received telephone follow-up. In the 127 children, 53 (41.8%) stopped the SCIT for the reason of bad effecacy, 29 (22.8%) for remission of asthma,12 (9.4%) for expensive fees, 10 (7.9%) for complex process of treatment, 10 (7.9%) for adverse reaction, 9 (7.1%) for long distance from the hospital, and 4 (3.1%) for having no time for treatment. And 69 (54.3%) of them stopped SCIT in the first year, 28 (22.1%) in the second year, and 30 (23.6%) in the third year. Currently, 85 cases (66.9%) of the 127 asthmatic children were up to the control level, and the other 42 cases were not. There was significant difference in the control level of asthma berween the group receiving treatment with regular inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and the group receiving treatment with irregular ICS (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Bad efficacy, remission of asthma, expensive fees, complex process of treatment, and adverse reaction are the main reasons contributing to the stop of SCIT in asthmatic children. To improve the compliance with SCIT, It is important to make the patients and their parents understand the long treatment course and slow effect of SCIT, encourage them to use objective indices for evaluating the state of asthma, and effectively prevent and treat the adverse reactions.
The Abbreviated Math Anxiety Scale (AMAS)

Psychometric properties of mathematics anxiety measures have not adequately been studied. Using a large sample size (N = 1,239), the authors developed an abbreviated math anxiety measure, examined its psychometric properties, and assessed the generalizability of the model across samples. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a nine-item measure and strong internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and good convergent/divergent validity was demonstrated with an independent sample. When administered to a replication sample, indexes suggested an excellent model fit. The Abbreviated Math Anxiety Scale (AMAS) may represent a more parsimonious and valid approach to assess mathematics anxiety.
Evaluation of deltamethrin‐impregnated bednets and curtains against phlebotomine sandflies in Valle del Cauca, Colombia

Abstract. The effectiveness of bednets and curtains (nylon mesh 64 per cm2) impregnated with deltamethrin at 26 mg a.i./m2 in reducing the biting nuisance caused by three phlebotomine sandfly species: Lutzomyia columbiana, Lu. lichyi and the predominant Lu. youngi (Diptera: Psychodidae), was evaluated at La Guaira, a rural settlement in Valle de Cauca near Cali, Colombia.
Mental health, educational, and social role outcomes of adolescents with depression.

BACKGROUND This study used longitudinal data to examine the extent to which young people with depression in mid adolescence (ages 14-16) were at increased risk of adverse psychosocial outcomes in later adolescence and young adulthood (ages 16-21). METHODS Data were gathered during a 21-year longitudinal study of a birth cohort of 1265 children. Measures included assessments of DSM-III-R major depression (at age 14-16); psychiatric disorders, educational achievement, and social functioning (at age 16-21); social, familial, and individual factors; and comorbid disorders. RESULTS Thirteen percent of the cohort developed depression between ages 14 and 16. Young people with depression in adolescence were at significantly (P<.05) increased risk of later major depression, anxiety disorders, nicotine dependence, alcohol abuse or dependence, suicide attempt, educational underachievement, unemployment, and early parenthood. These associations were similar for girls and boys. The results suggested the presence of 2 major pathways linking early depression to later outcomes. First, there was a direct linkage between early depression and increased risk of later major depression or anxiety disorders. Second, the associations between early depression and other outcomes were explained by the presence of confounding social, familial, and individual factors. CONCLUSIONS Young people having early depression were at increased risk of later adverse psychosocial outcomes. There was a direct linkage in which early depression was associated with increased risk of later major depression and anxiety disorders. Linkages between early depression and other outcomes appeared to reflect the effects of confounding factors.