Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of biliary stenting on difficult common bile duct stones

Introduction If common bile duct (CBD) stones (choledocholithiasis) are left untreated, they may cause increases in morbidity and mortality due to several conditions. Aim In this study, using transient biliary stenting following the failure of an initial endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) session, we aimed to show the effects of making the CBD stones smaller and easier to remove in the following session. Material and methods In 156 of 1300 (12%) patients with CBD stones, who underwent balloon screening and/or basket lithotripsy following ERCP and CBD cannulation, it was not possible to remove the stones in the first session. Of these 156 patients, 64 (4.9%) were further followed and tested following transient biliary stenting. Results In the last ERCP following biliary stenting, the maximum stone sizes and stone indices were decreased in 54 (83%) patients and stone fragmentation was observed in 46 (72%) patients. Complete and incomplete removal was obtained in 40 (62.5%) and 24 (37.5%) patients, respectively. Conclusions Biliary stenting, fragmentation and the reduction in the size of difficult common bile duct stones caused by the first session of ERCP may increase the chance of success in the next session of ERCP.
Systemic miRNA-7 delivery inhibits tumor angiogenesis and growth in murine xenograft glioblastoma

Tumor-angiogenesis is the multi-factorial process of sprouting of endothelial cells (EC) into micro-vessels to provide tumor cells with nutrients and oxygen. To explore miRNAs as therapeutic angiogenesis-inhibitors, we performed a functional screen to identify miRNAs that are able to decrease EC viability. We identified miRNA-7 (miR-7) as a potent negative regulator of angiogenesis. Introduction of miR-7 in EC resulted in strongly reduced cell viability, tube formation, sprouting and migration. Application of miR-7 in the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay led to a profound reduction of vascularization, similar to anti-angiogenic drug sunitinib. Local administration of miR-7 in an in vivo murine neuroblastoma tumor model significantly inhibited angiogenesis and tumor growth. Finally, systemic administration of miR-7 using a novel integrin-targeted biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles that targets both EC and tumor cells, strongly reduced angiogenesis and tumor proliferation in mice with human glioblastoma xenografts. Transcriptome analysis of miR-7 transfected EC in combination with in silico target prediction resulted in the identification of OGT as novel target gene of miR-7. Our study provides a comprehensive validation of miR-7 as novel anti-angiogenic therapeutic miRNA that can be systemically delivered to both EC and tumor cells and offers promise for miR-7 as novel anti-tumor therapeutic.
Achieving narrow linewidth low-phase noise external cavity semiconductor lasers through the reduction of 1/f noise

The presence of laser phase noise (or frequency jitter) limits the resolution of a variety of interferometric sensors ranging from fiber optic acoustic sensors to gravitational wave detectors. At low frequencies, 0 to 100 kHz, the laser phase noise in semiconductor and diode pumped solid-state lasers is dominated by 1/f noise, the source of which is not well understood. We report on phase noise measurements for external cavity semiconductor lasers (ECSLs) utilizing a fiber Bragg grating in a compact butterfly package design produced by K2 Optronics. The results show that the phase noise is dominated by 1/f noise for low frequencies (10 to 100 kHz) transitioning to a white noise due to spontaneous emission for f > 100 kHz. We observed a factor of 40 improvement in the magnitude of the 1/f phase noise as compared to previously published results for a Hitachi HLP 1400 830 nm diode laser. The magnitude of the low frequency phase noise ranges from 100 to 10 microradians per meter per root Hz for frequencies ranging from 10 Hz to 2 kHz. These results are within a factor of 10 for phase noise measurements of the more expensive Lightwave Electronics Nd:YAG laser and a variety of Er-doped fiber lasers in this frequency range. For nominally similar ECSLs, experimental results indicate that the phase noise increases for lasers with larger leakage currents. Linewidth measurement results showed a Schawlow-Townes inverse power dependence for output powers up to 33 mWatts with the observed onset of a linewidth floor of 30 kHz. The RIN of the ECSLs varied from -120 to -155 dB Vrms per root Hz for frequencies ranging from 10 to 500 kHz. These RIN results are roughly equal to those observed for the Nd:YAG laser for frequencies less that 100 kHz. In summary, such low phase noise and RIN results make such ECSLs suitable for all but the most sensitive fiber optic sensing applications where the frequency range of interest is below 1 MHz.
Preparation of polymer/graphite conducting nanocomposite by intercalation polymerization

An in situ polymerization was conducted in the presence of expanded graphite obtained by rapid heating of the graphite intercalation compound (GIC) to form a polymer/expanded graphite conducting composite. Study showed that the graphite was dispersed in the form of nanosheets in the polymer matrix. The transition from an electrical insulator to an electrical semiconductor for the composite occurred when the expanded graphite content was 1.8 wt %, which was much lower than that of conventional conducting polymer composite. The composite exhibited high electrical conductivity of 10−2 S/cm when the graphite content was 3.0 wt %. This great improvement of conductivity could be attributed to the high aspect ratio (width-to-thickness) of the graphite nanosheets. Study suggested that extensive rolling of the blend greatly affected the conductivity of the composite. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 2506–2513, 2001
DNA adducts, mutations and cancer.

Anyone having lectured on DNA adducts is likely to be familiar with the first question after the presentation: 'What is the relationship of DNA adducts and cancer? '. Although there are a number of reviews on the topic (1-5), my personal response, instead of going into lengthy circumstantial argumentation and hand-waving, has been a quotation from Mortimer Mendelson: 'I wouldn't like to have my DNA messed up'. In this commentary I will indulge in this still circumstantial argumentation. The reason being that never before has it appeared to be so easy, or less difficult, to entertain the question. Hopefully this effort will spare colleagues confronting the same question some time. At the same time I will take the opportunity to describe developments in the identification of DNA adducts. A vivid history of the development of ideas on chemical causes of cancer has been published by Lawley.
Oscillations in cerebral haemodynamics. Implications for functional activation studies.

The blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) contrast signal in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) provides highly spatially resolved deoxygenation maps of the activated cortex (Turner 1995). In common with many other activation measurement techniques, (including optical measurements) fMRI relies upon multiple repetition of the stimulus followed by signal averaging, baseline subtraction and extensive thresholding techniques to provide difference images of activation. One of the roles of this type of data manipulation is to account for non activation related changes in the measured cerebral parameters. It is well known that the "resting" brain is in a constant state of haemodynamic redistribution (Halsey & McFarland 1974, Dora & Kovach 1980) and hence may not be considered to provide a static baseline for activation studies. An important aspect of the status of the resting brain is the phenomena of vasomotion-the name given to rhythmical oscillatory behavior of capillary blood flow of different frequencies caused by the contraction and relaxation of the precapillary vessels (Berne & Levy 1997). The phenomenon of vasomotion has been known for some time and was in fact first described in 1854 (Schniff 1854). Several studies have been designed to elucidate its origin however many of the techniques employed have the disadvantage of requiring exposed cortex preparations and anaesthesia. An example of one such study on the exposed cortex of the rat has revealed slow (typically 0.1 Hz) oscillations in optical attenuation signal, which have been ascribed to the phenomenon of vasomotion (Mayhew et a! ., 1996). Laser doppler studies have also demonstrated the presence of "spontaneous" oscillations in flow (Hudetz et aI., 1992). The advent of non
A current-mode CMOS loser-take-all with minimum function for neural computations

A novel architecture for loser-take-all functions is proposed. Inputs and outputs of the circuit are currents, which make the circuit appropriated for low-voltage neural hardware computation. In contrast to most existing realisations the circuit does not require subtraction from a fixed reference which decreases accuracy and input dynamic. Moreover, in addition to the loser, it also outputs the minimum input current. The circuit was synthesized using a SOI (silicon on insulator) technology and optimised to work with 1.5 V voltage supply showing improved speed and accuracy for a very low power consumption (typically 5 /spl mu/W per cell when the input current is 1 /spl mu/A).
An accurate two-dimensional theory of vibrations of isotropic, elastic plates

An infinite system of two-dimensional equations of motion of isotropic elastic plates with edge and corner conditions are deduced from the three-dimensional equations of elasticity by expansion of displacements in a series of trigonometrical functions and a linear function of the thickness coordinate of the plate. The linear term in the expansion is to accommodate the in-plane displacements induced by the rotation of the plate normal in low-frequency flexural motions. A system of first-order equations of flexural motions and accompanying boundary conditions are extracted from the infinite system. It is shown that the present system of equations is equivalent to the Mindlin’s first-order equations, and the dispersion relation of straight-crested waves of the present theory is identical to that of the Mindlin’s without introducing any corrections. Reduction of present equations and boundary conditions to those of classical plate theories of flexural motions is also presented.
Logjam: a tangible multi-person interface for video logging

This paper describes the evolution, implementation, and use oflogjam, a system for video logging. The system features agame-board that senses the location and identities of pieces placedupon it. The board is the interface that enables a group of peopleto log video footage together. We report on some of the surprisingphysical and social dynamics that we have observed in multi-personlogging sessions using the system.
Symptom Patterns Associated With Chronic PTSD in Male Veterans: New Findings From the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study

A subsample of 255 male Vietnam veterans from the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study received in-depth psychiatric diagnostic interviews. This paper focuses on the 88 veterans with a war-related onset of PTSD. Among these veterans, the avoidance cluster, especially its symptoms of numbing, was most strongly associated with chronic PTSD; less strongly but also significantly associated was the hyperarousal cluster. Further analyses show that these associations are not artifacts of the relationship of symptom patterns to prewar demographic factors (race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age at entry into Vietnam), comorbidity, treatment and compensation seeking, or probable severity of war-related trauma. We conclude that certain symptom profiles may predict enduring pathological responses to trauma and therefore provide targets for intervention efforts.
Federal Reserve Bank of New York Economic Policy Review

=1102366 or http://dx.doi. org/10.2139/ssrn.1102366. Bliss, R. , and G. Kaufman. 2006. “Derivatives and Systemic Risk: Netting, Collateral, and Closeout. ” Journal of Financial Stability 2, no. 1 (April): 55-70. Braun, M. 2013. “Lehman Reaches beyond Grave Seeking Millions from Nonprofi ts. ” Bloomberg, May 14. Available at http:// www.bloomberg. com/news/2013-05-14/lehman-reachesbeyond-grave-to-grab-millions-from-nonprofi ts.html. Bruche, M. , and C. Gonzalez-Aguado. 2007. “Recovery Rates, Default Probabilities, and the Credit Cycle. ” CEMFI working paper
iPSC-Based Models to Unravel Key Pathogenetic Processes Underlying Motor Neuron Disease Development

Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are neuromuscular disorders affecting rather exclusively upper motor neurons (UMNs) and/or lower motor neurons (LMNs). The clinical phenotype is characterized by muscular weakness and atrophy leading to paralysis and almost invariably death due to respiratory failure. Adult MNDs include sporadic and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS-fALS), while the most common infantile MND is represented by spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). No effective treatment is ccurrently available for MNDs, as for the vast majority of neurodegenerative disorders, and cures are limited to supportive care and symptom relief. The lack of a deep understanding of MND pathogenesis accounts for the difficulties in finding a cure, together with the scarcity of reliable in vitro models. Recent progresses in stem cell field, in particular in the generation of induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) has made possible for the first time obtaining substantial amounts of human cells to recapitulate in vitro some of the key pathogenetic processes underlying MNDs. In the present review, recently published studies involving the use of iPSCs to unravel aspects of ALS and SMA pathogenesis are discussed with an overview of their implications in the process of finding a cure for these still orphan disorders.
The Role of OsBRI 1 and Its Homologous Genes , OsBRL 1 and OsBRL 3 , in Rice 1

Bioscience and Biotechnology Center, Nagoya University Chikusa, Nagoya 464–8601, Japan (A.N., H.S., Z.H., Y.I., K.M., M.U.-T., Y.H., H.K., M.M.); Plant Functions Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351–0198, Japan (S.F., S.Y.); Plant Genetics Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka 411–8504, Japan (N.K.); and Department of Chemistry, Joetsu University of Education, Joetsu-shi, Niigata 943–8512, Japan (S.T.)
Fetal umbilical vein transplantation for the repair of middle cerebral artery injury

It is necessary to investigate the longitudinal tensile mechanical characteristics of the middle cerebral artery and the fetal umbilical vein prior to applying fetal umbilical vein transplantation for repair of injured middle cerebral artery. Fifteen fresh fetal umbilical vein specimens and 15 normal human fresh cadaver middle cerebral artery specimens were collected for longitudinal tensile testing at the speed of 0.5 mm/min and at normal human temperature. The results showed that under 16.0 kPa physiological stress, the strain value of fetal umbilical vein specimens was larger, while the maximal stress and elastic modulus values were less than those of middle cerebral artery specimens. Our findings indicate that fetal umbilical vein has good elastic properties and the stress-strain curve of the fetal umbilical vein is similar to that of the middle cerebral artery. Fetal umbilical vein transplantation can, therefore, potentially repair the injured middle cerebral artery.
Environmental Factors Associated with the Distribution of Anopheles gambiae s.s in Ghana; an Important Vector of Lymphatic Filariasis and Malaria

Anopheles gambiae s.s mosquitoes are important vectors of lymphatic filariasis (LF) and malaria in Ghana. To better understand their ecological aspects and influence on disease transmission, we examined the spatial distribution of the An. gambiae (M and S) molecular forms and associated environmental factors, and determined their relationship with disease prevalence. Published and current data available on the An. gambiae species in Ghana were collected in a database for analysis, and the study sites were georeferenced and mapped. Using the An. gambiae s.s sites, environmental data were derived from climate, vegetation and remote-sensed satellite sources, and disease prevalence data from existing LF and malaria maps in the literature. The data showed that An. gambiae M and S forms were sympatric in most locations. However, the S form predominated in the central region, while the M form predominated in the northern and coastal savanna regions. Bivariate and multiple regression analyses identified temperature as a key factor distinguishing their distributions. An. gambiae M was significantly correlated with LF, and 2.5 to 3 times more prevalent in the high LF zone than low to medium zones. There were no significant associations between high prevalence An. gambiae s.s locations and malaria. The distribution of the An. gambiae M and S forms and the diseases they transmit in Ghana appear to be distinct, driven by different environmental factors. This study provides useful baseline information for disease control, and future work on the An. gambiae s.s in Ghana.
Differences between Trypanosoma brucei gambiense Groups 1 and 2 in Their Resistance to Killing by Trypanolytic Factor 1

Background The three sub-species of Trypanosoma brucei are important pathogens of sub-Saharan Africa. T. b. brucei is unable to infect humans due to sensitivity to trypanosome lytic factors (TLF) 1 and 2 found in human serum. T. b. rhodesiense and T. b. gambiense are able to resist lysis by TLF. There are two distinct sub-groups of T. b. gambiense that differ genetically and by human serum resistance phenotypes. Group 1 T. b. gambiense have an invariant phenotype whereas group 2 show variable resistance. Previous data indicated that group 1 T. b. gambiense are resistant to TLF-1 due in-part to reduced uptake of TLF-1 mediated by reduced expression of the TLF-1 receptor (the haptoglobin-hemoglobin receptor (HpHbR)) gene. Here we investigate if this is also true in group 2 parasites. Methodology Isogenic resistant and sensitive group 2 T. b. gambiense were derived and compared to other T. brucei parasites. Both resistant and sensitive lines express the HpHbR gene at similar levels and internalized fluorescently labeled TLF-1 similar fashion to T. b. brucei. Both resistant and sensitive group 2, as well as group 1 T. b. gambiense, internalize recombinant APOL1, but only sensitive group 2 parasites are lysed. Conclusions Our data indicate that, despite group 1 T. b. gambiense avoiding TLF-1, it is resistant to the main lytic component, APOL1. Similarly group 2 T. b. gambiense is innately resistant to APOL1, which could be based on the same mechanism. However, group 2 T. b. gambiense variably displays this phenotype and expression does not appear to correlate with a change in expression site or expression of HpHbR. Thus there are differences in the mechanism of human serum resistance between T. b. gambiense groups 1 and 2.
Regulation of Nitrate Reductase in Chlorella vulgaris.

Studies of Syrett and Morris on the utilization of nitrate and ammonium by Chlorella have shown that ammonium is assimilated preferentially (14). These investigators also demonstrate that the level of nitrate reductase is increased by adding nitrate and decreased by adding ammonium to Chlorella cultures (7). However, since these studies suggested that a product of ammonium assimilation rather than ammonium per se was responsible for decreasing the nitrate reductase increase, a number of amino acids (as products of ammonium metabolism) were tested as possible inhibitors.
Implantation of Adipose-Derived Regenerative Cells Enhances Ischemia-Induced Angiogenesis

Objective—Therapeutic angiogenesis using autologous stem/progenitor cells represents a novel strategy for severe ischemic diseases. Recent reports indicated that adipose tissues could supply adipose-derived regenerative cells (ADRCs). Accordingly, we examined whether implantation of ADRCs would augment ischemia-induced angiogenesis. Method and Results—Adipose tissue was obtained from C57BL/6J mice, and ADRCs were isolated using standard methods. ADRCs expressed stromal cell–derived factor 1 (SDF-1) mRNA and proteins. Hind limb ischemia was induced and culture-expanded ADRCs, PBS, or mature adipocytes (MAs) as control cells were injected into the ischemic muscles. At 3 weeks, the ADRC group had a greater laser Doppler blood perfusion index and a higher capillary density compared to the controls. Implantation of ADRCs increased circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). SDF-1 mRNA abundance at ischemic tissues and serum SDF-1 levels were greater in the ADRC group than in the control group. Finally, intraperitoneal injection of an anti–SDF-1 neutralizing antibody reduced the number of circulating EPCs and therapeutic efficacies of ADRCs. Conclusions—Adipose tissue would be a valuable source for cell-based therapeutic angiogenesis. Moreover, chemokine SDF-1 may play a pivotal role in the ADRCs-mediated angiogenesis at least in part by facilitating mobilization of EPCs.
Azathioprine is effective in corticosteroid‐dependent Asian inflammatory bowel disease patients

Background: Azathioprine (AZA) is widely used to treat corticosteroid (CS)‐dependent IBD patients but evidence supporting its use in Asian IBD patients is limited. We evaluated the efficacy of AZA in a single‐center cohort of CS‐dependent Asian IBD patients. Methods: Patients treated with AZA were identified from our registry and the medical records were reviewed. Inclusion criterion was: first course of AZA and treatment duration ≥6 months. Clinical response was assessed at 6 months and classified as complete response, partial response, and nonresponse. Factors associated with response (age, gender, ulcerative colitis [UC] extent, Crohn's disease [CD] behavior, ethnicity, concomitant 5‐aminosalicylates/sulfasalazine, baseline activity, disease duration, leukocyte count, mean corpuscular volume, and AZA dose) were analyzed using the chi‐square or Mann–Whitney U‐test. Probability of sustained remission was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Differences in survival curves between factors were tested with log‐rank tests. Results: Sixty‐four patients were included. At baseline the median age was 37.5 (range, 15–76) years, 50% male, 59.4% Chinese, 50% CD, 50% UC, and mean CS dose 20.2 (SD 10.9) mg. At month 6, complete response was 48.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 36.7–61.3), partial response 45.1% (95% CI, 32.8–58.3), and nonresponse 7.8% (95% CI, 2.6–17.3). Partial responders had mean CS dose reductions of 11.7 mg (95% CI, 7.2–16.4, P < 0.001). The proportion of patients with sustained remission was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.73–1.0) at 2 years, 0.76 (95% CI, 0.57–0.95) at 3 years, and 0.61 (95% CI, 0.30–0.91) at 5 years of AZA treatment. Female gender was positively associated with sustained remission. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the short‐ and long‐term effectiveness of AZA therapy among CS‐dependent Asian IBD patients. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2011)
Oxidation of injection molding 316L stainless steel at high temperature

AISI 316L stainless steel has been injection molded for the fabrication of small parts of complex geometry. This work consists in pioneer effort to evaluate the high temperature corrosion rate of such material. To that end, corrosion tests have been carried out for 200 h at different temperatures (700 °C and 900 °C). The nature of the corrosion products was analyzed by optical and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and EDS microprobe analysis. The results indicated that porosity not only increased the kinetics of the corrosion process, but also determined the nature of the resulting oxide layer.