Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cochlear nerve fiber responses to amplitude-modulated stimuli: variations with spontaneous rate and other response characteristics.

1. Single-fiber responses to sinusoidally amplitude-modulated (AM) tones were recorded from the cochlear nerves of anesthetized guinea pigs. Stimuli were presented at the fiber's characteristic frequency (CF) and covered the intensity range between the fiber's minimum rate threshold and 90-100 dB SPL in 5- or 6-dB steps. The amount of modulation in each fiber's response and the average rate of the responses were quantified. The observed response modulation was compared with the modulation to be expected on the assumption that the instantaneous discharge rates varied with intensity in the same way that the average rates did (i.e., as predicted from each fiber's average-rate vs. level function). 2. The difference between the observed and expected response modulation varied widely across fibers. In most fibers' the responses to a limited range of stimulus intensities (typically between 20 and 30 dB above the fiber's rate threshold) were modulated far more than expected on the basis of their average rates, with responses to stimuli either above or below this range differing progressively less from expectation. Little or no response modulation was observed above approximately 70 dB SPL in these fibers. Other fibers exhibited response modulation that exceeded the expected modulation by smaller amounts, but maintained this modulation to much higher sound pressure levels. 3. The discrepancy between the observed and expected responses to AM stimuli also varied with the frequency of modulation (fm) within individual fibers. The discrepancies were least pronounced at low fms (e.g., 10 Hz) but became progressively larger as fm was increased to between 50 and 320 Hz (subject to the inter-fiber variations described in 2, above). 4. The AM response characteristics varied systematically with the fiber's spontaneous rate and other response characteristics (e.g., rate threshold, CF rate vs. level function type, and rapid adaptation characteristics). In particular, the most sensitive, high spontaneous rate fibers had responses that adapted rapidly after the onset of a stimulus, and showed the greatest enhancement of AM-related information at low-to-moderate stimulus intensities. However, these fibers appeared incapable of encoding AM-related information at high intensities, since their response rates "saturated" and their AM response enhancements diminished around 30 dB above threshold. In contrast, the less sensitive (i.e., higher threshold), lower spontaneous rate fibers showed less evidence of rapid adaptation near the onsets of their response, and lesser enhancements of the modulated responses predicted from their average-rate versus level functions. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Er:YAG Laser Assisted Vestibuloplasty: A Case Report

The principle of a suction cup is used to retain an upper full denture. Alveolar resorption results in loss of the vestibular depth and in diminished functional surface to overcome lateral forces. Traditional surgery has the following characteristics in common-need for incisions with steel scalpels, mechanical excision of the muscle attachment from the periosteum, placement of sutures, significant postoperative discomfort, and delayed healing. When the benefits and risks of alternative treatment modalities are taken into account for this mechanical surgical procedure, minimally invasive laser-assisted soft-tissue excision and ablation seems to be very attractive technique. In the presented case report we used an Er:YAG laser (LiteTouch, Syneron, Israel) to deep the oral vestibulum of upper jaw in edentulous patient. Therefore, were indicated, we recommend the laser assisted operation technique for the partial vestibuloplasty to assure the patients a better postoperative outcome.
A Review of the Evidence for the Medical Home for Children With Special Health Care Needs

from stool and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in intubated infants, and every infant who developed IC was identified and IC-related mortality was eliminated.5 All neonates with IC had a BW of 1000 g, and 15 (94%) of 16 had a gestational age of 27 weeks. Therefore, from our data, neonates with a gestational age of 27 weeks and BW of 1000 g represent the “preterm subpopulation” that would benefit most from FP. A more-precise identification of the higher-risk neonates in the NICU would be a prelude to the elaboration of more-effective prophylactic measures and should delay or prevent the emergence of resistance. Indeed, the critical question will be to find the corrected age when the immune system can face up to Candida spp to develop effective preventive strategies. Our data provide evidence that the age is somewhere around 27 weeks.
White Matter Abnormalities in Major Depression: A Tract-Based Spatial Statistics and Rumination Study

Increasing evidence indicates that major depressive disorder (MDD) is usually accompanied by altered white matter in the prefrontal cortex, the parietal lobe and the limbic system. As a behavioral abnormity of MDD, rumination has been believed to be a substantial indicator of the mental state of the depressive state. So far, however, no report that we are aware of has evaluated the relationship between white matter alterations and the ruminative state. In this study, we first explored the altered white matter using a tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) method based on diffusion tensor imaging of 19 healthy and 16 depressive subjects. We then investigated correlations between the altered white matter microstructure in the identified altered regions and the severity of ruminations measured by the ruminative response scale. Our results demonstrated altered white matter microstructure in circuits connecting the prefrontal lobe, the parietal lobe and the limbic system (p<0.005, uncorrected), findings which support previous research. More importantly, the result also indicated that a greater alteration in the white matter is associated with a more ruminative state (p<0.05, Bonferroni corrected). The detected abnormalities in the white matter should be interpreted cautiously because of the small sample size in this study. This finding supports the psychometric significance of white matter deficits in MDD.
Tumor necrosis factor-independent IL-6 production during murine listeriosis.

We report that TNF, IL-6, and IFN-alpha/beta are produced by mice during either sublethal or lethal Listeria monocytogenes infections. The quantities of these cytokines in infected spleens increase and decrease in concordance with bacterial numbers in these organs. While all of these cytokines were present in Listeria-infected spleens, only IL-6 and IFN-alpha/beta were found in the peripheral circulation. Inasmuch as TNF has been reported to be responsible for the production of IL-6 in vivo following the inoculation of a lethal dose of the Gram-negative bacterium, Escherichia coli (Fong et al., 1989. J. Exp. Med. 170: 1627), experiments were undertaken to determine whether IL-6 production elicited by the Gram-positive bacterium, L. monocytogenes, was also TNF-dependent. It was found that the passive immunization of mice with neutralizing antibodies specific for TNF shortly before i.v. injection of a lethal or sublethal Listeria inoculum resulted in the complete neutralization of endogenously produced TNF, and in the progressive multiplication of bacteria in infected organs. It was also found that the anti-TNF IgG treatment resulted in a progressive increase in the amounts of Listeria-induced IL-6 present in spleen and blood, until the death of the host. These findings indicate that Listeria-induced IL-6 production in mice occurs primarily through a TNF-independent pathway, and correlates directly with the severity of the infection.
Photo-thermo-mechanically actuated bending and snapping kinetics of liquid crystal elastomer cantilever

A composite of liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) incorporated with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can convert absorbed photon energy into thermal energy to trigger the phase transition of the LCE, resulting in photo-thermo-mechanically actuated devices. We model the transient temperature distribution and the bending kinetics of a straight cantilever beam actuator under the radiation of a laser diode (LD) light. Three possible bending modes of the beam for various LD light powers are identified. The temperature distribution and the bending modes are found to be in good agreement with the reported experimental observations. The underlying deformation mechanisms and bending modes are manifested by probing the stress evolution and propagation of nonzero stress regions during the bending process. For a beam that is initially slightly curved, we also predict the possibility of snap-through instability, and three typical phases of snapping are captured. This procedure paves the way for the design of LCE-based soft actuators.
Crossover design and its application in late‐phase diabetes studies

Crossover design has been widely used in late‐phase clinical studies, as well as in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic, bioequivalence, and medical device studies; however, its interpretability and applicability continue to be debated. Herein we provide discussions around a crossover design's scientific benefit, applicability, and how it can be implemented in late‐phase diabetes studies by properly handling key issues: carryover effect, washout period, and baseline selection. Specifically, detailed considerations are provided about the validity and situations of having appropriate length of study duration to deal with carryover effects so that a washout period may not be needed. A simulation study and data mining results on 12 crossover late‐phase insulin clinical trials are presented to examine the discussion points and proposals.
Distinct RNA profiles in subpopulations of extracellular vesicles: apoptotic bodies, microvesicles and exosomes

Introduction In recent years, there has been an exponential increase in the number of studies aiming to understand the biology of exosomes, as well as other extracellular vesicles. However, classification of membrane vesicles and the appropriate protocols for their isolation are still under intense discussion and investigation. When isolating vesicles, it is crucial to use systems that are able to separate them, to avoid cross-contamination. Method EVs released from three different kinds of cell lines: HMC-1, TF-1 and BV-2 were isolated using two centrifugation-based protocols. In protocol 1, apoptotic bodies were collected at 2,000×g, followed by filtering the supernatant through 0.8 µm pores and pelleting of microvesicles at 12,200×g. In protocol 2, apoptotic bodies and microvesicles were collected together at 16,500×g, followed by filtering of the supernatant through 0.2 µm pores and pelleting of exosomes at 120,000×g. Extracellular vesicles were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy, flow cytometry and the RNA profiles were investigated using a Bioanalyzer®. Results RNA profiles showed that ribosomal RNA was primary detectable in apoptotic bodies and smaller RNAs without prominent ribosomal RNA peaks in exosomes. In contrast, microvesicles contained little or no RNA except for microvesicles collected from TF-1 cell cultures. The different vesicle pellets showed highly different distribution of size, shape and electron density with typical apoptotic body, microvesicle and exosome characteristics when analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Flow cytometry revealed the presence of CD63 and CD81 in all vesicles investigated, as well as CD9 except in the TF-1-derived vesicles, as these cells do not express CD9. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that centrifugation-based protocols are simple and fast systems to distinguish subpopulations of extracellular vesicles. Different vesicles show different RNA profiles and morphological characteristics, but they are indistinguishable using CD63-coated beads for flow cytometry analysis.
Echocardiographic Assessment of Cardiac Anatomy and Function in Hypertensive Subjects

Cardiovascular complications are a major source of morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients. To assess the prevalence of anatomic and functional abnormalities of the heart in such patients, we studied 234 asymptomatic subjects with mild-to-moderate systemic hypertension by echocardiography. After adjusting the echocardiographic values for age and body surface area, we found abnormally increased ventricular septal and/or posterobasal free-wall thickness in 61% of the hypertensive subjects. We found increased left atrial, aortic root, and left ventricular internal dimension (at end-diastole) in 5-7%, and decreased mitral valve closing velocity (E-F slope) and left ventricular ejection fraction were noted in six and 15% of the subjects, respectively. Four percent of the patients had disproportionate septal thickening (i.e., ventricular septal-to-left ventricular free-wall thickness ratio > 1.3). In contrast to the high prevalence of cardiac abnormalities detected by echocardiography, less than 10% of the hypertensive subjects had abnormal 12-lead ECGs or abnormal chest x-rays. These findings demonstrate a high prevalence of cardiac abnormalities in a population of asymptomatic hypertensive subjects. These abnormalities can be detected by echocardiography before they are otherwise apparent
The Wealthy Hand-to-Mouth

The “wealthy hand-to-mouth” are households that hold little or no liquid wealth, whether in cash or in checking or savings accounts, despite owning sizable amounts of illiquid assets (assets that carry a transaction cost, such as housing or retirement accounts). We use survey data on household portfolios for the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain to document the share of such households across countries, their demographic characteristics, the composition of their balance sheets, and the persistence of hand-to-mouth status over their life cycle. The portfolio configuration of the wealthy hand-to-mouth suggests that these households may have a high marginal propensity to consume out of transitory income changes, a prediction for which we find empirical support in PSID data. We explain the implications of this group of consumers for macroeconomic modeling and fiscal policy analysis.
EVENT-DRIVEN SIMULATION OF SPIKING NEURONS EMBEDDED IN VERY LARGE NETWORKS

We present a new technique for efficiently simulating large-scale networks of synaptically interacting integrate-and-fire (IF) model neurons, based on a proposed event-driven strategy [7]. By means of the analytical evaluation of the statistical properties of single model neurons under random current injection, we show how it is possible to effectively implement the global background activity provided by a large external population, which constitutes the input to the network to be simulated.
Depressive symptoms and work role satisfaction in mothers of toddlers.

OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence of depressive symptoms in mothers of toddlers in community pediatric practice. The interaction of employment and work role satisfaction with depressive symptoms was also investigated. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Depression screening measures were completed by 233 mothers of toddlers (aged 12 to 24 months) at health supervision visits in two community pediatric practices in New Hampshire. Depression was evaluated with a depressive symptom screening inventory modified by Barrett, Oxman, and Gerber from the Hopkins Symptom Checklist for use in primary care population. Data were obtained on parents' socioeconomic variables, hours worked, and whether the mother was satisfied with her current role of being employed or not employed. RESULTS Depressive symptoms were present in 42% of mothers. Rates of depressive symptoms were similar in employment groups but varied significantly with work role satisfaction. When both employment and satisfaction were considered, mothers who were dissatisfied were 3.7 times more likely to be depressed. After controlling for work role satisfaction, mothers working part time were half as likely to be depressed as mothers working full time and not employed. CONCLUSION Depressive symptoms are a major problem for mothers of toddlers in middle class pediatric practice. Work role satisfaction and employment status together are related to depressive symptoms.
How Does Type 1 Diabetes Develop?

Despite decades of acknowledging that a loss of insulin-producing pancreatic β-cells is central to the disorder now referred to as type 1 diabetes, the specific roles for genetic susceptibility, environmental factors, the immune system, and β-cells themselves in the pathogenic processes underlying the disorder remain unclear (1,2). Looking back over this period, one can identify a handful of conceptualizations that were seminal in their attempt to address this issue, including that posited by Dr. Gian Franco Bottazzo in his 1986 article, “Death of a Beta Cell: Homicide or Suicide? ” (3). Bottazzo questioned whether the disorder’s pathogenesis weighed more heavily (or exclusively) on processes related to immune responsiveness (i.e., homicide) or the fragility of β-cells leading to self-destruction (i.e., suicide). Many reasons exist with respect to why we are in this knowledge void, including the exceedingly complex nature of type 1 diabetes, the likelihood that this disorder may represent a disease with more than one etiology, as well as the complex interplay of genetics, the immune system, and the environment. One limitation in solving important pathogenic questions in type 1 diabetes has likely been suboptimal cross-talk among geneticists, epidemiologists, endocrinologists, and others. Our own approach to overcoming this limitation has been to try to increase collaboration between cell biologists and immunologists as a critical step in closing knowledge gaps regarding the disorder’s pathogenesis. The opinion put forward within this Perspectives article by this group of authors is one where multiple and clearly unique properties of the β-cell appear fundamental to the loss of immune tolerance, accompanied by immune-mediated destruction. The Bottazzo article (3) was unique in its form of presentation, in that the prose represented the equivalent workings of a legal stenographer recording the debate between two counsels: one for the prosecution (i.e., β-cell homicide) the other representing the …
HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AND BLOOD CHEMISTRY OF APPARENTLY HEALTHY WEST AFRICAN DWARF (WAD) GOATS

The blood chemistry and other haematological parameters of 130 West African Dwarf (WAD) goats consisting of 60 adults (30 bucks and 30 does) and 70 young ones (56 buck-kids and 14 doe-kids) were determined. The mean PCV (%), WBC (X 10/l), RBC (X 10/μl) and Hb (g/dl) were 28.4 ± 0.9, 17.3 ± 0.9 X 10 / L, 2.7 ± 0.1 X 10 / μl, and 9.5 ± 0.3g / dl respectively. Male WAD goats had significantly (p < 0.05) higher lymphocytes, neutrophil and WBC than the females, while other parameters were similar. The values obtained for serum sodium, total protein and urea levels were 126.1 ± 2.2mmol / l, 5.2 ± 0.1g / dl and 37.9 ± 1.7mg / dl respectively, while the values obtained for serum enzymes such as Aspartate Amino Transferase (AST), Alanine Amino Transferase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) were 6.7 ± 1.01 IU / l, 5.3 ± 0.7 IU / l and 63.2 ± 6.9 IU / l respectively. There was significantly (p < 0.05) higher percentage of PCV, Hb and RBC in female WAD goats than the males. The WBC, MCV and MCH were significantly higher in the male WAD goats. The percentage of lymphocytes was higher in male goats, while that for neutrophil was higher in the female goats. Age did not significantly influence the haematological parameters of the WAD, except for the significantly higher Neutrophils in the does than other groups. Eosinophil values were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the WAD doe – kids than other age groups examined. Serum sodium was higher (p < 0.05) in younger WAD goats, than the older ones. This study has reported haematological and serum biochemical values which could serve as baseline information for comparison in conditions of nutrient deficiency, physiological and health status of West African Dwarf goats in Southeastern Nigeria. [New York Science Journal 2010;3(8):68-72]. (ISSN: 1554-0200).
Lead exposure in Latin America and the Caribbean. Lead Research Group of the Pan-American Health Organization.

As a result of the rapid industrialization of Latin America and the Caribbean during the second half of this century, exposure to lead has become an increasingly important problem. To obtain an estimate of the magnitude of lead exposure in the region, we carried out a survey and a literature search on potential sources of lead exposure and on blood lead concentrations. Sixteen out of 18 Latin American and 2 out of 10 Caribbean countries responded to the survey. Lead in gasoline remains a major problem, although the lead content has decreased in many countries in the last few years. The impact of leaded fuel is more important in urban settings, given their high vehicular density. Seventy-five percent of the population of the region lives in urban areas, and children younger than 15 years of age, the most susceptible group, comprise 30% of the population. Other sources of lead exposure identified in the region included industrial emissions, battery recycling, paint and varnishes, and contaminated food and water. Lead is recognized as a priority problem by national authorities in 72% of the countries that responded to the survey, and in 50% of the countries some legislation exists to regulate the lead content in certain products. However, compliance is low. There is an urgent need for a broad-based coalition between policy makers, industry, workers, unions, health care providers, and the community to take actions to reduce environmental and occupational lead exposures in all the Latin American and Caribbean countries. ImagesFigure 1.Figure 2.
Expression Patterns of Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-Like Receptors (KIR) of NK-Cell and T-Cell Subsets in Old World Monkeys

The expression of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) on lymphocytes of rhesus macaques and other Old World monkeys was unknown so far. We used our recently established monoclonal anti-rhesus macaque KIR antibodies in multicolour flow cytometry for phenotypic characterization of KIR protein expression on natural killer (NK) cells and T cell subsets of rhesus macaques, cynomolgus macaques, hamadryas baboons, and African green monkeys. Similar to human KIR, we found clonal expression patterns of KIR on NK and T cell subsets in rhesus macaques and differences between individuals using pan-KIR3D antibody 1C7 and antibodies specific for single KIR. Similar results were obtained with lymphocytes from the other studied species. Notably, African green monkeys show only a low frequency of KIR3D expressed on CD8+ αβT cells. Contrasting human NK cells are KIR-positive CD56bright NK cells and frequencies of KIR-expressing NK cells that are independent of the presence of their cognate MHC class I ligands in rhesus macaques. Interestingly, the frequency of KIR-expressing cells and the expression strength of KIR3D are correlated in γδ T cells of rhesus macaques and CD8+ αβT cells of baboons.
Ten Simple Rules for a Good Poster Presentation

Posters are a key component of communicating your science and an important element in a successful scientific career. Posters, while delivering the same high-quality science, offer a different medium from either oral presentations [1] or published papers [2], and should be treated accordingly. Posters should be considered a snapshot of your work intended to engage colleagues in a dialog about the work, or, if you are not present, to be a summary that will encourage the reader to want to learn more. Many a lifelong collaboration [3] has begun in front of a poster board. Here are ten simple rules for maximizing the return on the time-consuming process of preparing and presenting an effective poster.