Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hypoxic enlarged mitochondria protect cancer cells from apoptotic stimuli

It is well established that cells exposed to the limiting oxygen microenvironment (hypoxia) of tumors acquire resistance to chemotherapy, through mechanisms not fully understood. We noted that a large number of cell lines showed protection from apoptotic stimuli, staurosporine, or etoposide, when exposed to long‐term hypoxia (72 h). In addition, these cells had unusual enlarged mitochondria that were induced in a HIF‐1‐dependent manner. Enlarged mitochondria were functional as they conserved their transmembrane potential and ATP production. Here we reveal that mitochondria of hypoxia‐induced chemotherapy‐resistant cells undergo a HIF‐1‐dependent and mitofusin‐1‐mediated change in morphology from a tubular network to an enlarged phenotype. An imbalance in mitochondrial fusion/fission occurs since silencing of not only the mitochondrial fusion protein mitofusin 1 but also BNIP3 and BNIP3L, two mitochondrial HIF‐targeted genes, reestablished a tubular morphology. Hypoxic cells were insensitive to staurosporine‐ and etoposide‐induced cell death, but the silencing of mitofusin, BNIP3, and BNIP3L restored sensitivity. Our results demonstrate that some cancer cells have developed yet another way to evade apoptosis in hypoxia, by inducing mitochondrial fusion and targeting BNIP3 and BNIP3L to mitochondrial membranes, thereby giving these cells a selective growth advantage. J. Cell. Physiol. 222: 648–657, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chest Compression–Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest With Public-Access Defibrillation: A Nationwide Cohort Study

Background—It remains unclear which is more effective to increase survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in those with public-access defibrillation, bystander-initiated chest compression–only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or conventional CPR with rescue breathing. Methods and Results—A nationwide, prospective, population-based observational study covering the whole population of Japan and involving consecutive out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients with resuscitation attempts has been conducted since 2005. We enrolled all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests of presumed cardiac origin that were witnessed and received shocks with public-access automated external defibrillation (AEDs) by bystanders from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2009. The main outcome measure was neurologically favorable 1-month survival. We compared outcomes by type of bystander-initiated CPR (chest compression–only CPR and conventional CPR with compressions and rescue breathing). Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between the type of CPR and a better neurological outcome. During the 5 years, 1376 bystander-witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrests of cardiac origin in individuals who received CPR and shocks with public-access AEDs by bystanders were registered. Among them, 506 (36.8%) received chest compression–only CPR and 870 (63.2%) received conventional CPR. The chest compression–only CPR group (40.7%, 206 of 506) had a significantly higher rate of 1-month survival with favorable neurological outcome than the conventional CPR group (32.9%, 286 of 870; adjusted odds ratio, 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.70). Conclusions—Compression-only CPR is more effective than conventional CPR for patients in whom out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is witnessed and shocked with public-access defibrillation. Compression-only CPR is the most likely scenario in which lay rescuers can witness a sudden collapse and use public-access AEDs.
Molecular Characterization of a Catalase-Negative Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus Strain Collected from a Patient with Mitral Valve Endocarditis and Pericarditis Revealed a Novel Nonsense Mutation in the katA Gene

ABSTRACT We report a case of endocarditis and pericarditis caused by catalase-negative Staphylococcus aureus. Molecular characterization revealed a novel nonsense mutation in the katA gene, leading to a loss of 238 amino acids (47% of the wild-type catalase protein), including the heme-binding site, NADPH-binding region, and Tyr-337, essential for catalysis.
A chaos-based pseudo-random bit generator implemented in FPGA device

This paper presents results of studies on the implementation of pseudo-random bit generators based on a nonlinear dynamic chaotic system. Several solutions have been investigated, using different computing precision and various implementation of arithmetic operations. The results of the second level NIST tests for randomness of the proposed pseudo-random bit generators (PRBGs) are presented, that proved good cryptographic properties of the presented PRBGs. The generators described in this paper can be used for key generation in stream ciphers in secure, real-time transmission of digital signals, including audio-video applications.
On the parallelization and optimization of the genetic-based ANN classifier for the diagnosis of students with learning disabilities

Diagnosis of students with learning disabilities has long been a difficult issue as it requires extensive man power and takes a long time. Through genetic algorithm based feature selection method and genetic based parameters optimization, artificial neural network (ANN) classifier has proven to be a good predictor to the diagnosis of students with learning disabilities. In this study, we keep focusing on the ANN model and compare three strategies of parallelizing the ANN parameter optimization procedure with OpenMP and MPI APIs. Not surprisingly, the outcomes show that all three parameter optimization procedures indeed converged or executed more quickly with the aid of parallel processing. In particular, the genetic-based method tends to derive the best accuracy and require less execution time. Most important of all, potentially due to a more diverse search space provided by the distributed parallel processing environment, the accuracy of the genetic-based ANN classifier may also be improved in general. In addition, with appropriate combinations of features and parameters setting, the accuracy in LD identification model has exceeded the 90% mark (using 5-fold cross validation), which is the best we have achieved so far. The result suggests that genetic-based (or perhaps similar) optimization methods may be benefited, both in reducing execution time and achieving better outcome, from current grid-based computing technologies.
Mycophenolate Mofetil Monotherapy in Liver Transplantation: 5-Year Follow-Up of a Prospective Randomized Trial

Background. Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) play the key role in immunosuppressive protocols yet are often associated with numerous side effects. Renal insufficiency, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and increased risk of secondary malignancy are major problems in short- and long-term follow-up of liver transplant patients. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has proved to be a potent immunosuppressive agent free of the CNI-associated side effects. Patients and Methods. One hundred fifty patients who received liver transplantation at our institution (1998–2003) were prospectively randomized: 75 patients continued CNI standard therapy, 75 patients were switched to MMF monotherapy, and follow-up was 5 years. Incidence of rejection, renal complication, cardiovascular, neurological and gastrointestinal adverse effects, and diabetes and malignancy development was recorded. Graft biopsies were performed every 2 to 3 years. Results. No significant difference regarding the incidence of acute rejection was detected. A trend to higher rejection frequency was apparent in the MMF monotherapy group. Chronic rejection was absent; organ and patient survival were identical in the two groups. No significant difference occurred concerning the incidence of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal or neurological adverse effects, or the development of malignancies. Renal function improved significantly in patients with renal insufficiency when patients treated with CNI were switched to MMF monotherapy. Conclusion. MMF monotherapy may serve as safe long-term immunosuppression after liver transplantation for a subgroup of patients. Especially for patients with renal insufficiency MMF offers immunosuppression without the risk of nephrotoxicity.
Evolutionary Roots and Diversification of the Genus Aeromonas

Despite the importance of diversification rates in the study of prokaryote evolution, they have not been quantitatively assessed for the majority of microorganism taxa. The investigation of evolutionary patterns in prokaryotes constitutes a challenge due to a very scarce fossil record, limited morphological differentiation and frequently complex taxonomic relationships, which make even species recognition difficult. Although the speciation models and speciation rates in eukaryotes have traditionally been established by analyzing the fossil record data, this is frequently incomplete, and not always available. More recently, several methods based on molecular sequence data have been developed to estimate speciation and extinction rates from phylogenies reconstructed from contemporary taxa. In this work, we determined the divergence time and temporal diversification of the genus Aeromonas by applying these methods widely used with eukaryotic taxa. Our analysis involved 150 Aeromonas strains using the concatenated sequences of two housekeeping genes (approximately 2,000 bp). Dating and diversification model analyses were performed using two different approaches: obtaining the consensus sequence from the concatenated sequences corresponding to all the strains belonging to the same species, or generating the species tree from multiple alignments of each gene. We used BEAST to perform a Bayesian analysis to estimate both the phylogeny and the divergence times. A global molecular clock cannot be assumed for any gene. From the chronograms obtained, we carried out a diversification analysis using several approaches. The results suggest that the genus Aeromonas began to diverge approximately 250 millions of years (Ma) ago. All methods used to determine Aeromonas diversification gave similar results, suggesting that the speciation process in this bacterial genus followed a rate-constant (Yule) diversification model, although there is a small probability that a slight deceleration occurred in recent times. We also determined the constant of diversification (λ) values, which in all cases were very similar, about 0.01 species/Ma, a value clearly lower than those described for different eukaryotes.
How competition leads to lumpy or uniform species distributions

A central model in theoretical ecology considers the competition of 6 a range of species for a broad spectrum of resources. Recent studies have shown that essentially two different outcomes are possible. Either 8 the species surviving competition are more or less uniformly distributed over the resource spectrum, or their distribution is ’lumped’, consisting 10 of clusters of species with similar resource use that are separated by gaps in resource space. Which of these outcomes will occur crucially 12 depends on the ’competition kernel’, which reflects the shape of the resource utilization pattern of the competing species. Most models 14 considered in the literature assume a Gaussian (bell-shaped) competition kernel. This is unfortunate, since predictions based on such a 16 Gaussian assumption are not robust. In fact, Gaussian kernels are a border case scenario of ecologically relevant kernels, and slight devi18 ations from the Gaussian assumption can lead to either uniform or lumped species distributions. Here we illustrate the non-robustness of 20 the Gaussian assumption by simulations of the standard competition model with constant carrying capacity and different competition ker22 nels. In this scenario, lumped species distributions can come about by details of the numerical implementation of the model or by secondary 24 ecological or evolutionary mechanisms.
Oral Crohn's disease

’Crohn's disease’ is an inflammatory granulomatous disease of the gastrointestinal tract with extra-intestinal manifestations. Oral lesions may precede the intestinal disease and serve as a source for histological diagnosis. We present a case of orofacial Crohn's disease where orofacial symptoms were present for about 13 years and occasional constipation was present, since 6 months. Oral examination plays an important role in early diagnosis of Crohn's disease.
Effects of ochratoxin and T-2 toxin combination on performance, biochemical and immune status of commercial broilers.

Aim: To study the effects of Ochratoxin A (OA), T-2 toxin (T-2) and their combinations on the performance, biochemical and immune status of broiler chickens. Materials and Methods: 168 day-old Cobb broiler chicks, obtained from a commercial hatchery were divided by Complete Randomized Design into four groups of three replicates and fourteen chicks per replicate, with dietary treatments of 0.0 (control), 1 ppm OA, 2 ppm T-2 and their combination (1 ppm OA + 2.0 ppm T-2). The chicks were housed in deep litter independent conventional system with feed and water ad libitum throughout the experimental study. Body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly. At the end of the trial, blood was collected and was analyzed for total protein, serum albumin, uric acid and the activities of gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and alanine amino transferase (ALT) and antibody titers against ND and IBD using ELISA technique. Results: The toxin treated birds exhibited a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the body weights and weight of lymphoid organs. A significant (P<0.05) reduction in serum total protein, albumin and increase in serum uric acid levels were observed in toxin treated birds. The serum alanine amino transferase (ALT) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels were decreased and antibody titers against Newcastle disease (ND) and Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) were decreased significantly (P≤0.05). Conclusion: The presence of OA and T-2 in the diet showed depressing effects on performance, biochemical and immunological parameters indicating their adverse effects on the general health of broilers.
Clinical profile of venomous snake bites in north Indian Military Hospital

Snakebite is an environmental hazard associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We report a case series of venomous snakebites in a military operational area of north India. Of 33 cases of snake bites presenting to the military hospital, 21 patients were envenomated. The median age of patients was 24 years; all were men. All of the envenomations were neurotoxic in nature. Abdominal pain (91%), headache (86%), dysphagia (86%), ptosis (77%), diplopia (72%), blurred vision (72%), dyspnea (67%), and vomiting (62%) were the predominant clinical presentation. Polyvalent AntiSnakeVenom (ASV) [mean 180 ml; range 90-320 ml] was given to all patients with systemic manifestations, and repeated as needed. Eleven (52%) patients received neostigmine with glycopyrrolate to counter cholinergic effects. Two patients were given ventilatory support. The average time of recovery from envenomation was 16 hours after administration of ASV. All patients recovered without sequelae. Soldiers during military exercise are vulnerable to snakebites. Neurotoxic snakebites predominate in our study and usually present with autonomic features along with headache, abdominal pain, ptosis, diplopia and dysphasia. Preventive measures to minimize snake bites and planned treatment regimens should be emphasized among medical and military personnel deployed in the field operations.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

insurance. Finally, the use of genetic tests exacerbates the dilemma of underwriting described above as the tests increase the amount of information available regarding a person's risk of becoming ill. Because of these distinctions between monogenic and non-genetic tests a strong case can be made for forbidding the use oftests for monogenic conditions. Given the rapid technical advances in medical genetics, testing for a predisposition to many common disorders-such as heart disease, diabetes, and various forms of cancer-may soon be possible. For these diseases both genetic and environmental factors are usually implicated in the pathogenesis. As these diseases, like most diseases, are neither exclusively genetic nor exclusively environmental, tests for them cannot be readily distinguished from other medical tests. The blurring of the distinction between genetic and nongenetic medical conditions does not mean that the use of tests that provide genetic information about multifactorial conditions will be no more problematic than non-genetic medical tests. Typically, genetic tests, especially those for multifactorial conditions, provide less predictive information about the course of a disease than is commonly believed. Moreover, stigmatisation and discrimination will not disappear so long as genes are believed to play a dominant part in determining our lives. The Insurance Task Force of the Human Genome Project proposed a moratorium on the use of genetic tests in health insurance until a national health care programme was in place.3 We would argue that, given the problems raised by genetic tests, a moratorium similar to that suggested by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics should be extended to all forms of insurance in which underwriting is based on medical risks.4
Finite element analysis of functionally graded bone plate at femur bone fracture site

This paper focuses on the analysis of fractured Femur bone with functionally graded bone plate. The Femur bone is modeled by using the data from the CT (Computerized Tomography) scan and the material properties are assigned using Mimics software. The fracture fixation plate used here is composed of Functionally Graded Material (FGM). The functionally graded bone plate is considered to be composed of different layers of homogeneous materials. Finite element method approach is adopted for analysis. The volume fraction of the material is calculated by considering its variation along the thickness direction (z) according to a power law and the effective properties of the homogeneous layers are estimated. The model developed is validated by comparing numerical results available in the literature. Static analysis has been performed for the bone plate system by considering both axial compressive load and torsional load. The investigation shows that by introducing FG bone plate instead of titanium, the stress at the fracture site increases by 63 percentage and the deformation decreases by 15 percentage, especially when torsional load is taken into consideration. The present model yields better results in comparison with the commercially available bone plates.
A family of = 1 SU(N)k theories from branes at singularities

We obtain = 1 SU(N)k gauge theories with bifundamental matter and a quartic superpotential as the low energy theory on D3-branes at singular points. These theories generalize that on D3-branes at a conifold point, studied recently by Klebanov and Witten. For k = 3 the defining equation of the singular point is that of an isolated D4 singularity. For k > 3 we obtain a family of multimodular singularities. The considered SU(N)k theories flow in the infrared to a non-trivial fixed point. We analyze the AdS/CFT correspondence for our examples.
Skin diseases in pet rabbits: a retrospective study of 334 cases seen at the University of California at Davis, USA (1984-2004).

BACKGROUND Rabbits are growing in popularity as companion animals, and dermatology problems are often the presenting complaint when seeing a veterinarian. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES To document skin diseases and their prevalence in pet domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in northern California, USA; to investigate predilections for breed, age or sex for the most common conditions over a 20 year period. ANIMALS Three hundred and thirty-four pet rabbits from the overall hospital population met inclusion criteria. METHODS A retrospective study was carried out by searching the computerized medical records of rabbits seen at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) from 1 January 1984 to 31 December 2004 using key words relevant to dermatology. RESULTS Twenty-nine per cent of pet rabbits seen at the VMTH had skin disease. Lop-eared rabbits were over-represented, whereas mixed-breed rabbits and castrated males were under-represented in the dermatology caseload compared with the hospital population. Pododermatitis was the most common skin disease; abscesses, alopecia, otitis externa and ectoparasites also were common. Several species of bacteria other than Pasteurella spp. were isolated from abscesses. Despite the frequent mention of myxomatosis and venereal spirochetosis in the rabbit literature, few cases (three and two, respectively) were diagnosed. Castrated males were 3.7 times more likely to present with alopecia than intact males; rabbits <1 year of age were 3.6 times more likely to present with Psoroptes infestation/otitis than adult rabbits. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Cutaneous conditions in pet rabbits in the USA are common. Bacterial culture should be performed and antibiotic susceptibility determined in all rabbits with abscesses, particularly those not responding to typical anti-Pasteurella antibiotics.
A comparison between heuristic and machine learning techniques in fall detection using Kinect v2

In this paper, two algorithms were tested on 11 healthy adults: one based on heuristic and another one on video tagging machine learning methods for automatic fall detection; both utilizing Microsoft Kinect v2. For our heuristic approach, we used skeletal data to detect falls based on a set of instructions and signal filtering methods. For the machine learning approach, we implemented a dataset utilizing the Adaptive Boosting Trigger (AdaBoostTrigger) algorithm via video tagging to enable fall detection. For each approach, each subject on average has performed six true positive and six false positive fall incidents in two different conditions: one with objects partially blocking the sensor's view and one with partial obstructed field of view. The accuracy of each approach has been compared against one another in different conditions. The result showed an average of 95.42 % accuracy in the heuristic approach and 88.33 % in machine learning technique. We conclude that heuristic approach performs more accurately for fall detection when there is a limited number of training dataset available. Nevertheless, as the gesture detection's complexity increases, the need for a machine learning technique is inevitable.
The relation of thyroxine to total iodine in the thyroid gland.

The work of many investigators has made it clear that 90 per cent or more of the iodine in the normal thyroid gland is present in organic combination. This organic iodine, according to Harington (1933), can be completely accounted for by thyroxine and diiodotyrosine. These two compounds do not normally exist free in the gland but can be isolated after suitable hydrolysis of the thyroid protein. Various values have heretofore been reported for the proportions of thyroxine and diiodotyrosine present in thyroid tissue. Thus, by an acid separation, Harington and Randall (1929) obtained values of 40–50 for the ratio of thyroxine to total iodine. Similar values were found by others who employed their method (Rotter and Soos, 1933; Dey, 1945). Subsequently, Leland and Foster (1932), who used butyl alcohol for the extraction of thyroxine from an alkaline hydrolysate of the thyroid, reported that only 25 per cent of the iodine of the gland is present as thyroxine.