Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of retinal angiogenesis by peptides derived from thrombospondin-1.

PURPOSE Thrombospondin (TSP)1 is a tumor suppressor with activity that is associated with its ability to inhibit neovascularization. Previous studies have mapped this antiangiogenic activity to the type 1 repeats and the amino-terminal portion of the molecule within the procollagen-like domain. The present study was performed to investigate the ability of TSP-1 and peptides derived from the type 1 repeats to inhibit retinal angiogenesis. METHODS TSP-1 and peptides with tryptophan-rich, heparin-binding sequences and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 activation sequences were evaluated in two models of retinal angiogenesis: a retinal explant assay and a rat model of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). RESULTS Platelet-derived TSP-1 inhibited angiogenesis in both experimental models. Peptides from the native TSP-1 sequence, which contained both the tryptophan-rich repeat and the TGF-beta1 activation sequence, were the most potent inhibitors of endothelial cell outgrowth in the retinal explant assay. In contrast, a peptide containing only the tryptophan-rich, heparin-binding sequence was most active in inhibiting neovascular disease in the rat ROP model. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that the type 1 repeats of TSP-1 contain two subdomains that may independently influence the process of neovascularization, and that peptides derived from these type 1 repeats may be promising pharmacologic agents for treatment of retinal angiogenesis.
Ca2+ Influx through L-type Ca2+ Channels Controls the Trailing Tail Contraction in Growth Factor-induced Fibroblast Cell Migration*

Growth factor-induced cell migration underlies various physiological and pathological processes. The mechanisms by which growth factors regulate cell migration are not completely understood. Although intracellular elevation of Ca2+ is known to be critical in cell migration, the source of this Ca2+ elevation and the mechanism by which Ca2+ modulates this process in fibroblast cells are not well defined. Here we show that increase of cellular Ca2+ through Ca2+ influx, rather than Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, is essential for growth factor-induced fibroblast cell migration. Voltage-gated L-type Ca2+ channels, previously known to exist in excitable cells such as neurons and muscle cells, are shown here to be present in fibroblasts as well. Furthermore, these channels are responsible for the Ca2+ influx. L-type Ca2+ channel inhibitors block growth factor-induced Ca2+ influx and fibroblast cell migration. One mechanism by which Ca2+ signals control cell migration is to regulate the contraction of the trailing edge of migrating fibroblasts; this process is controlled by the small GTPase Rho in fast migrating cells such as leukocytes. Downstream of Ca2+, both calmodulin and myosin light chain kinase, but not calcineurin, are involved leading to phosphorylation of the myosin light chain at the trailing end. Thus, trailing edge contraction is critically regulated by Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels in growth factor-induced fibroblast cell migration.
Asynchronous Temporal Fields for Action Recognition

Actions are more than just movements and trajectories: we cook to eat and we hold a cup to drink from it. A thorough understanding of videos requires going beyond appearance modeling and necessitates reasoning about the sequence of activities, as well as the higher-level constructs such as intentions. But how do we model and reason about these? We propose a fully-connected temporal CRF model for reasoning over various aspects of activities that includes objects, actions, and intentions, where the potentials are predicted by a deep network. End-to-end training of such structured models is a challenging endeavor: For inference and learning we need to construct mini-batches consisting of whole videos, leading to mini-batches with only a few videos. This causes high-correlation between data points leading to breakdown of the backprop algorithm. To address this challenge, we present an asynchronous variational inference method that allows efficient end-to-end training. Our method achieves a classification mAP of 22.4% on the Charades [42] benchmark, outperforming the state-of-the-art (17.2% mAP), and offers equal gains on the task of temporal localization.
Endolymphatic Sac Surgery for Ménière's Disease – Current Opinion and Literature Review

Abstract Introduction The endolymphatic sac is thought to maintain the hydrostatic pressure and endolymph homeostasis for the inner ear, and its dysfunction may contribute to the pathophysiology of Ménière's disease. Throughout the years, different surgical procedures for intractable vertigo secondary to Ménière's disease have been described, and though many authors consider these procedures as effective, there are some who question its long-term efficacy and even those who think that vertigo control is achieved more due to a placebo effect than because of the procedure itself. Objective To review the different surgical procedures performed in the endolymphatic sac for the treatment of Ménière's disease. Data Sources PubMed, MD consult and Ovid-SP databases. Data Synthesis We focus on describing the different surgical procedures performed in the endolymphatic sac, such as endolymphatic sac decompression, endolymphatic sac enhancement, endolymphatic sac shunting and endolymphatic duct blockage, their pitfalls and advantages, their results in vertigo control and the complication rates. The senior author also describes his experience after 30 years of performing endolymphatic sac surgery. Conclusions The endolymphatic sac surgery, with all its variants, is a good option for patients with incapacitating endolymphatic hydrops, providing a high percentage of vertigo control and hearing preservation.
Expanded Molecular Panel Testing of Cancers to Identify Targeted Therapies

The following protocol contains medical necessity criteria that apply for this service. The criteria are also applicable to services provided in the local Medicare Advantage operating area for those members, unless separate Medicare Advantage criteria are indicated. If the criteria are not met, reimbursement will be denied and the patient cannot be billed. Please note that payment for covered services is subject to eligibility and the limitations noted in the patient’s contract at the time the services are rendered.
Random Formulas, Monotone Circuits, and Interpolation

We prove new lower bounds on the sizes of proofs in the Cutting Plane proof system, using a concept that we call unsatisfiability certificate. This approach is, essentially, equivalent to the well-known feasible interpolation method, but is applicable to CNF formulas that do not seem suitable for interpolation. Specifically, we prove exponential lower bounds for random k-CNFs, where k is the logarithm of the number of variables, and for the Weak Bit Pigeon Hole Principle. Furthermore, we prove a monotone variant of a hypothesis of Feige [12]. We give a superpolynomial lower bound on monotone real circuits that approximately decide the satisfiability of k-CNFs, where k = &#x03C9;(1). For k &#x2248; logn, the lower bound is exponential.
OM theory and V-duality

We show that the (M5, M2, M2 0 , MW) bound state solution of eleven-dimensional supergravity recently constructed in hep-th/0009147is related to the (M5, M2) bound state one by a nite Lorentz boost along a M5-brane direc- tion perpendicular to the M2-brane. Given the (M5, M2) bound state as a dening system forOMtheoryandtheaboverelationbetween thissystem andthe(M5,M2, M2 0 , MW) bound state, we test the recently proposed V-duality conjecture in OM theory. Insisting to have a decoupled OM theory, we nd that the allowed Lorentz boost has to be innitesimally small, therefore resulting in a family of OM theories related by Galilean boosts. We argue that such related OM theories are equivalent to each other. In other words, V-duality holds for OM theory as well. Upon com- pactication on either an electric or a \magnetic" circle (plus T-dualities as well), the V-duality for OM theory gives the known one for either non-commutative open string theories or non-commutative Yang-Mills theories. This further implies that V-duality holds in general for the little m-theory without gravity.
Comparing Selection on S. aureus between Antimicrobial Peptides and Common Antibiotics

With a diminishing number of effective antibiotics, there has been interest in developing antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as drugs. However, any new drug faces potential bacterial resistance evolution. Here, we experimentally compare resistance evolution in Staphylococcus aureus selected by three AMPs (from mammals, amphibians and insects), a combination of two AMPs, and two antibiotics: the powerful last-resort vancomycin and the classic streptomycin. We find that resistance evolves readily against single AMPs and against streptomycin, with no detectable fitness cost. However the response to selection from our combination of AMPs led to extinction, in a fashion qualitatively similar to vancomycin. This is consistent with the hypothesis that simultaneous release of multiple AMPs during immune responses is a factor which constrains evolution of AMP resistant pathogens.
Motoneuron and Sensory Neuron Plasticity to Varying Neuromuscular Activity Levels

ISHIHARA, A. , R.R. ROY, Y. OHIRA, and V.R. EDGERTON. Motoneuron and sensory neuron plasticity to varying neuromuscular activity levels. Exerc. Sport Sci. Rev., Vol. 30, No. 4, pp. 152–158, 2002. The size and phenotypic properties of the neural and muscular elements of the neuromuscular unit are matched under normal conditions. When subjected to chronic decreases or increases in neuromuscular activity, however, the adaptations in these properties are much more limited in the neural compared with the muscular elements.
Using a technology-based intervention to promote weight loss in sedentary overweight or obese adults: a randomized controlled trial study design

Purpose: The SenseWear™ Armband is an activity monitor developed to improve lifestyle self-monitoring. Currently, few studies assess electronic self-monitoring and weight loss with a lifestyle intervention program. To our knowledge, only one study has used the SenseWear Armband in combination with a lifestyle intervention to improve weight loss, and no studies have evaluated whether a self-monitoring intervention based solely on the armband can promote weight loss. Consequently, the aims of the study were to assess weight loss from electronic self-monitoring, to compare these values to the lifestyle intervention and standard care groups, and to compare weight loss with lifestyle intervention with and without the armband. Patients and methods: We recruited 197 sedentary overweight or obese adults (age, 46.8 ± 10.8 years; BMI, 33.3 ± 5.2 kg/m2) to participate in the 9-month study. Participants were randomized into one of four weight loss groups: 1) the standard care group received a self-directed weight loss program, complete with an evidence-based weight loss manual (standard care, n = 50); 2) a 14-week group-based behavioral weight loss program followed by weekly, biweekly, and monthly telephone counseling calls (GWL, n = 49); 3) the use of the armband to help improve lifestyle self-monitoring (SWA alone, n = 49); or (4) the group-based behavioral weight loss program and follow-up telephone counseling calls plus the armband (GWL + SWA, n = 49). All participants received the evidence-based weight loss manual at baseline. All measures were performed at baseline and months 4 and 9. The primary outcomes were weight loss and waist circumference reduction. Results: This study is a well-designed randomized controlled study powered to detect a 0.5-kg weight loss and 0.6-cm waist circumference reduction in overweight and obese sedentary adults. Conclusion: Innovative technologies are providing lifestyle self-monitoring and weight loss tools. Utilizing these technologies may be an important step in improving the current obesity epidemic.
Accommodative Functions with Multifocal Contact Lenses: A Pilot Study

Purpose. To evaluate accommodative response and facility in presbyopic patients fitted with several types of simultaneous-image multifocal contact lenses (CLs). Methods. Six presbyopic patients, unadapted wearers of simultaneous-image bifocals, were fitted with the Focus Progressives and the low- and high-addition Pure Vision simultaneous vision multifocal CLs. Each individual wore each of the three types of lenses in successive random order. Accommodative response, accommodative facility, visual acuity, and contrast sensitivity at distance and near were evaluated in all cases. A control group of eight non-presbyopic patients was also studied. Results. The mean age was 28.6 ± 2.72 and 51.2 ± 5.81 years in the non-presbyopes and presbyopic patients, respectively. For the presbyopic group, statistically significant differences were not found for distance visual acuity between the baseline situations and with the three different CLs types. For the near visual acuity, there were no statistically significant differences between baseline situation (without add) compared with patients wearing the Focus Progressives and with PureVision Low Add. With the Purevision High Add, the near visual acuity was slightly better than baseline situation (p = 0.03). Non-presbyopic subjects showed relatively linear 1:1 stimulus response functions for all situations. Presbyopic subjects showed an increasing lag of accommodation with amplitude as they approach to the maximum amplitude for all situations. Distance and near accommodative facility rate for the presbyopic patients was zero for all conditions. Conclusions. The results of this study suggest that simultaneous-image multifocal CLs studied do not alter accommodative functions. The high add of the Purevision CL enhances near vision for advanced presbyopes compared with the other models studied.
Development of a generalized model for analyzing phase characteristics of SAW devices under mass and fluid loading

A generalized model that integrates the Navier- Stokes equation and coupling-of-modes (COM) model for biosensing SAW devices is developed in this paper. The SAW device is separated into three regions: interdigital transducer (IDT), substrate (delay line), and sensing regions. To evaluate the effects of metal thickness, mass loading caused by bioreaction, and different viscous fluid loading, the sensing region is further divided into three layers: piezoelectric substrate, metal layer, and fluid layer. In contrast to the conventional study, which is focused on the change of phase velocity, this model can evaluate the insertion loss and phase shifts under different sensing conditions. It can be shown that the integration of the COM model can provide guidelines for designing the bio-sensing device such as choosing the proper number of IDT, the width of the overlap, and the thickness of the metal layer. Furthermore, the generalized model can be utilized to evaluate the optimal thickness of the metal layer to achieve the maximum sensitivity.
Quantum lower bound for sorting

We prove that \Omega(n log(n)) comparisons are necessary for any quantum algorithm that sorts n numbers with high success probability and uses only comparisons. If no error is allowed, at least 0. 110nlog_2(n) - 0.067n + O(1) comparisons must be made. The previous known lower bound is \Omega(n).
Improving the Efficiency of Belief Propagation in Large, Highly Connected Graphs

We describe a part-based object-recognition framework, specialized to mining complex 3D objects from detailed 3D images. Objects are modeled as a collection of parts together with a pairwise potential function. The algorithm’s key component is an efficient inference algorithm, based on belief propagation, that finds the optimal layout of parts, given some input image. Belief Propagation (BP) ‐ a message passing method for approximate inference in graphical models ‐ is well suited to this task. However, for large objects with many parts, even BP may be intractable. We present AggBP, a message aggregation scheme for BP, in which groups of messages are approximated as a single message, producing a message update analogous to that of mean-field methods. For objects consisting of N parts, we reduce CPU time and memory requirements from O(N 2 ) to O(N). We apply AggBP to both real-world and synthetic tasks. First, we use our framework to recognize protein fragments in three-dimensional images. Scaling BP to this task for even average-sized proteins is infeasible without our enhancements. We then use a synthetic “object generator” to test our algorithm’s ability to locate a wide variety of part-based objects. These experiments show that our improvements result in minimal loss of accuracy, and in some cases produce a more accurate solution than standard BP.
In their own words: learning from families attending a multidisciplinary pediatric weight management program at the YMCA.

BACKGROUND A family-based multidisciplinary weight management program for obese children 7-11 years old was implemented by a pediatric weight management center and local YMCA. The purpose of this study was to explore parents' and children's perceptions of the program to gain insight about factors that may enhance engagement and retention of families in weight management treatment. METHODS Families were invited to participate in a telephone interview after their participation in the program. The interviews assessed satisfaction with program components, acceptability of the intervention, barriers to treatment participation, and suggestions for improvement. RESULTS A total of 34 semistructured telephone interviews were performed, including 19 parents and 15 children. The majority of children (mean age=9.2±1.5 years) interviewed were female (74%) and recipients of Medicaid (79%). The population was racially diverse (63% black, 26% white, 11% other). Results suggest families were generally very positive about the program and viewed the major components of the program as helpful (i.e., nutrition, exercise, behavior). Families particularly enjoyed exercise and cooking demonstrations, whereas self-monitoring activities and learning about behavior change strategies were less enjoyable. Parents noted that increasing the length of individual sessions would likely be beneficial. Families who did not complete the program cited factors such as transportation barriers (e.g., gas money, distance), scheduling conflicts, and unmet expectations as contributing to their decision to discontinue participation. CONCLUSIONS This study may have implications for how to enhance family-based pediatric weight management programs for children ages 7-11 years.
Fate of Calanus spp. reproduction and development under different environmental stressors

The large calanoid copepods Calanus glacialis and C.finmarchicus is a key link between primary producers and higher trophic levels in Arctic marine ecosystems being used as indicator species of respective Arctic and Atlantic water. In this study, the egg production success and population development of Calanus glacialis and C. finmarchicus were studied in Isfjorden, Svalbard, from February to August 2016. An experimental study, investigating potential effects of different oil spill clean-up methods on C. glacialis reproduction was also conducted to study the fate of Calanus spp. , under different environmental stressors. The two Calanus species had similarly large populations in Isfjorden in winter and entered the surface water simultaneously in late winter-spring. Their reproductive strategy differed although. C. glacialis started to produce eggs earlier than C. finmarchicus and had a clear egg production maximum at the peak of the spring bloom that dropped to a minimum soon after the bloom. C. finmarchicus had a a modest, stable egg production over a relatively long time span from early May to July. The late spawned eggs, however, did not make it, resulting in lower recruitment of C. finmarchicus than C. glacialis in Isfjorden in 2016. Transformed Atlantic water prevailed in Isfjorden in 2016 and there were no strong evidence of major advective events from February to August. The increase in population numbers in June was thus mainly due to local recruitment, which also the timing of the egg production and the surface temperatures supported. C. glacialis timed its reproduction and population development more successfully than C. finmarchicus to the prevailing abiotic and biotic environment in Isfjorden. By the end of August, C. glacialis had reached its main overwintering stage and was already concentrated at depth. In comparison, C. finmarchicus had a biomodal vertical distribution end of August with still high numbers of young developmental stages in the surface. In the oil exposure experiment dispersant, residue from burnt oil and crude oil were added to the mesocosms placed in seasonal sea ice in Van Mijenfjorden, Svalbard,in February 2015. In May 2015, C. glacialis females were incubated in water from these mesocosms. Because of large variation in the data partly due to overall low egg production rates, no significant effect of the different treatments on the reproduction success and development was found. , However several of the nauplii from the dispersant treatment showed sign of deformation and reduced survival.In a changing Arctic with less ice, warmer temperatures and more activity, multitude of stressors will together impact the marine ecosystem. In future studies it is therefore important to not study single stressors effect on important biological functional units, but rather a multitude of stressors which not have any impact on its own, but when acting together may have a strong impact.
Transcriptome Analysis of Thermal Parthenogenesis of the Domesticated Silkworm

Thermal induction of parthenogenesis (also known as thermal parthenogenesis) in silkworms is an important technique that has been used in artificial insemination, expansion of hybridization, transgenesis and sericultural production; however, the exact mechanisms of this induction remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the gene expression profile in silkworms undergoing thermal parthenogenesis using RNA-seq analysis. The transcriptome profiles indicated that in non-induced and induced eggs, the numbers of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for the parthenogenetic line (PL) and amphigenetic line (AL) were 538 and 545, respectively, as determined by fold-change ≥ 2. Gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that DEGs between two lines were mainly involved in reproduction, formation of chorion, female gamete generation and cell development pathways. Upregulation of many chorion genes in AL suggests that the maturation rate of AL eggs was slower than PL eggs. Some DEGs related to reactive oxygen species removal, DNA repair and heat shock response were differentially expressed between the two lines, such as MPV-17, REV1 and HSP68. These results supported the view that a large fraction of genes are differentially expressed between PL and AL, which offers a new approach to identifying the molecular mechanism of silkworm thermal parthenogenesis.