Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Minimally invasive transplantation of iPSC-derived ALDHhiSSCloVLA4+ neural stem cells effectively improves the phenotype of an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis model

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurological disease characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons. Currently, there is no effective therapy for ALS. Stem cell transplantation is a potential therapeutic strategy for ALS, and the reprogramming of adult somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) represents a novel cell source. In this study, we isolated a specific neural stem cell (NSC) population from human iPSCs based on high aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, low side scatter and integrin VLA4 positivity. We assessed the therapeutic effects of these NSCs on the phenotype of ALS mice after intrathecal or intravenous injections. Transplanted NSCs migrated and engrafted into the central nervous system via both routes of injection. Compared with control ALS, treated ALS mice exhibited improved neuromuscular function and motor unit pathology and significantly increased life span, in particular with the systemic administration of NSCs (15%). These positive effects are linked to multiple mechanisms, including production of neurotrophic factors and reduction of micro- and macrogliosis. NSCs induced a decrease in astrocyte number through the activation of the vanilloid receptor TRPV1. We conclude that minimally invasive injections of iPSC-derived NSCs can exert a therapeutic effect in ALS. This study contributes to advancements in iPSC-mediated approaches for treating ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Joint TCP Congestion Control and CSMA Scheduling without Message Passing

In this paper, we consider joint congestion control and wireless-link scheduling design for TCP applications over the Internet with ad-hoc wireless links. Differing from the existing methods, the main idea of our approach is to develop non-standard window-based implicit primal-dual solver for the intended optimization problem. Then queueing delays are employed to decompose this solver into local algorithms that can be deployed and operated asynchronously at different layers of network nodes. Capitalizing on this approach, we put forth the QUIC-TCP congestion control algorithm, and a new queueing-delay based carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) scheduling scheme. The proposed schemes can be implemented asynchronously without message passing among network nodes. Confined to the design space of TCP and CSMA, they are readily deployed for practical Internet applications. Moreover, global convergence of the proposed joint design to optimal network equilibrium can be established using the Lyapunov method in an idealized network fluid model. Simulation results are provided to evaluate the proposed schemes in practical networks.
Selection of the Optimal Distal Fusion Level in Posterior Instrumentation and Fusion for Thoracic Hyperkyphosis: The Sagittal Stable Vertebra Concept

Study Design. Retrospective study. Objective. To determine the appropriate distal fusion level in posterior instrumentation and fusion for thoracic hyperkyphosis by investigating the relationship between the sagittal stable vertebra ([SSV]-the most proximal lumbar vertebral body touched by the vertical line from the posterior-superior corner of the sacrum), first lordotic vertebra (just caudal to the first lordotic disc), and selected lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV). Summary of Background Data. It has been recommended that the distal end vertebra and the first lordotic disc beyond the transitional zone distally be included in distal fusion for thoracic hyperkyphosis; however, we have seen distal junctional breakdown even when these rules have been followed. Methods. Thirty-one patients (mean age: 18 years, range: 13-38) who underwent long posterior instrumentation and fusion for thoracic hyperkyphosis with a minimum 2-year follow-up were reviewed. Preoperative diagnoses included Scheuermann kyphosis (n = 29), post-traumatic kyphosis (n = 1), and postlaminectomy kyphosis (n = 1). According to the distal fusion level, patients were divided into 2 groups. Group I (n = 24): LIV included the SSV; group II (n = 7): the LIV was proximal to the SSV. Patients were evaluated using standing radiographs and chart review. Results. Preoperative mean thoracic kyphosis was 86.6 ± 8.5° and 53.0 ± 10.4° at final follow-up with a correction rate of 39%. Preoperative average sagittal balance was slightly negative (−0.24 ± 3.8 cm), and became slightly more negative (−1.33 ± 2.8 cm) by final follow-up. There were no statistical differences in thoracic kyphosis between the 2 groups. However, there was a statistically significant difference with group II having a more posterior translation of the center of the LIV from the posterior sacral vertical line before surgery and at final follow-up (P = 0.003). In group I, distal junctional problems developed in 2 of 24 (8%) patients and in group II, problems occurred in 5 of 7 (71%) patients (P < 0.05). Despite extending the fusion to the first lordotic vertebra, distal junctional problems developed in 3 of 8 (38%) patients. Conclusion. The distal end of a fusion for thoracic hyperkyphosis should include the SSV. Levels that include the first lordotic vertebra but not the SSV are not always appropriate to prevent postoperative distal junctional kyphosis.
The importance of pyruvate availability to PDC activation and anaplerosis in human skeletal muscle.

No studies have singularly investigated the relationship between pyruvate availability, pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) activation, and anaplerosis in skeletal muscle. This is surprising given the functional importance attributed to these processes in normal and disease states. We investigated the effects of changing pyruvate availability with dichloroacetate (DCA), epinephrine, and pyruvate infusions on PDC activation and accumulation of acetyl groups and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates (TCAI) in human muscle. DCA increased resting PDC activity sixfold ( P < 0.05) but decreased the muscle TCAI pool (mmol/kg dry muscle) from 1.174 ± 0.042 to 0.747 ± 0.055 ( P < 0.05). This was probably a result of pyruvate being diverted to acetyl-CoA and acetylcarnitine after near-maximal activation of PDC by DCA. Conversely, neither epinephrine nor pyruvate activated PDC. However, both increased the TCAI pool (1.128 ± 0.076 to 1.614 ± 0.188, P < 0.05 and 1.098 ± 0.059 to 1.385 ± 0.114, P < 0.05, respectively) by providing a readily available pool of pyruvate for anaplerosis. These data support the hypothesis that TCAI pool expansion is principally a reflection of increased muscle pyruvate availability and, together with our previous work (J. A. Timmons, S. M. Poucher, D. Constantin-Teodosiu, V. Worrall, I. A. Macdonald, and P. L. Greenhaff. J. Clin. Invest. 97: 879-883, 1996), indicate that TCA cycle expansion may be of little functional significance to TCA cycle flux. It would appear therefore that the primary effect of DCA on oxidative ATP provision is to provide a readily available pool of acetyl groups to the TCA cycle at the onset of exercise rather than increasing TCA cycle flux by expanding the TCAI pool.
Molecular Events in Skeletal Muscle During Disuse Atrophy

KANDARIAN, S.C. , and E.J. STEVENSON. Molecular events in skeletal muscle during disuse atrophy. Exerc. Sport Sci. Rev., Vol. 30, No. 3, pp. 111–116, 2002. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the molecular processes underlying skeletal muscle atrophy due to disuse. Because the processes involved with muscle wasting due to illness are similar to disuse, this literature is used for comparison. Areas that are ripe for further study and that will advance our understanding of muscle atrophy are suggested.
Gastrointestinal Hyperplasia with Altered Expression of DNA Polymerase β

Background Altered expression of DNA polymerase β (Pol β) has been documented in a large percentage of human tumors. However, tumor prevalence or predisposition resulting from Pol β over-expression has not yet been evaluated in a mouse model. Methodology/Principal Findings We have recently developed a novel transgenic mouse model that over-expresses Pol β. These mice present with an elevated incidence of spontaneous histologic lesions, including cataracts, hyperplasia of Brunner's gland and mucosal hyperplasia in the duodenum. In addition, osteogenic tumors in mice tails, such as osteoma and osteosarcoma were detected. This is the first report of elevated tumor incidence in a mouse model of Pol β over-expression. These findings prompted an evaluation of human gastrointestinal tumors with regard to Pol β expression. We observed elevated expression of Pol β in stomach adenomas and thyroid follicular carcinomas, but reduced Pol β expression in esophageal adenocarcinomas and squamous carcinomas. Conclusions/Significance These data support the hypothesis that balanced and proficient base excision repair protein expression and base excision repair capacity is required for genome stability and protection from hyperplasia and tumor formation.
Medium-resolution near-infrared spectroscopy of massive young stellar objects

We present medium-resolution (R ∼ 7000) near-infrared echelle spectroscopic data for 36 massive young stellar objects (MYSOs) drawn from the Red MSX Source survey. This is the largest sample observed at this resolution at these wavelengths of MYSOs to date. The spectra are characterized mostly by emission from hydrogen recombination lines and accretion diagnostic lines. One MYSO shows photospheric H i absorption, a comparison with spectral standards indicates that the star is an A-type star with a low surface gravity, implying that the MYSOs are probably swollen, as also suggested by evolutionary calculations. An investigation of the Brγ line profiles shows that most are in pure emission, while 13 ± 5 per cent display P Cygni profiles, indicative of outflow, while less than 8 ± 4 per cent have inverse P Cygni profiles, indicative of infall. These values are comparable with investigations into the optically bright Herbig Be stars, but not with those of Herbig Ae and T Tauri stars, consistent with the notion that the more massive stars undergo accretion in a different fashion than lower mass objects that are undergoing magnetospheric accretion. Accretion luminosities and rates as derived from the Br γ line luminosities agree with results for lower mass sources, providing tentative evidence for massive star formation theories based on scaling of low-mass scenarios. We present Br γ/Br12 line profile ratios exploiting the fact that optical depth effects can be traced as a function of Doppler shift across the lines. These show that the winds of MYSOs in this sample are nearly equally split between constant, accelerating and decelerating velocity structures. There are no trends between the types of features we see and bolometric luminosities or near-infrared colours.
Secondary Use of EHR: Data Quality Issues and Informatics Opportunities

Given the large-scale deployment of Electronic Health Records (EHR), secondary use of EHR data will be increasingly needed in all kinds of health services or clinical research. This paper reports some data quality issues we encountered in a survival analysis of pancreatic cancer patients. Using the clinical data warehouse at Columbia University Medical Center in the City of New York, we mined EHR data elements collected between 1999 and 2009 for a cohort of pancreatic cancer patients. Of the 3068 patients who had ICD-9-CM diagnoses for pancreatic cancer, only 1589 had corresponding disease documentation in pathology reports. Incompleteness was the leading data quality issue; many study variables had missing values to various degrees. Inaccuracy and inconsistency were the next common problems. In this paper, we present the manifestations of these data quality issues and discuss some strategies for using emerging informatics technologies to solve these problems.
Gastrointestinal lymphoma in Chinese: A retrospective analysis

Eighty‐four Chinese patients with gastrointestinal lymphoma were reviewed. There were 45 gastric and 39 intestinal lymphomas. The median age was 45 years and the male to female ratio 1.14:1. Diffuse histiocytic (60 per cent) or diffuse large cell (53.5 per cent) lymphoma comprised a majority of the cases. A high incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding at presentation was observed in our patients. According to a modified staging classification, a larger proportion of patients with intestinal lymphoma had advanced disease (Stage III and IV) than those with gastric lymphoma (82 per cent versus 55 per cent, p < 0.02) and gastric lymphoma carried a better prognosis. The modified staging classification used in this study appeared to stratify better the patients into 2 sub‐groups of localized (Stage I and II) and advanced (Stage III and IV) disease, which correlated very well with the prognosis. Good treatment results were obtained following intensive therapy in our patients with localized disease (Stage I and II). The poorer treatment results of patients with advanced disease (Stage III and IV) call for better chemotherapy regimens and earlier diagnosis. Surgical resection of the primary gastrointestinal lesion is recommended to prevent haemorrhage and perforation following chemotherapy, which occurred in 38 per cent of our patients whose gastrointestinal lesions were not resected.
Sample classification from protein mass spectrometry, by 'peak probability contrasts'

MOTIVATION Early cancer detection has always been a major research focus in solid tumor oncology. Early tumor detection can theoretically result in lower stage tumors, more treatable diseases and ultimately higher cure rates with less treatment-related morbidities. Protein mass spectrometry is a potentially powerful tool for early cancer detection. We propose a novel method for sample classification from protein mass spectrometry data. When applied to spectra from both diseased and healthy patients, the 'peak probability contrast' technique provides a list of all common peaks among the spectra, their statistical significance and their relative importance in discriminating between the two groups. We illustrate the method on matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization mass spectrometry data from a study of ovarian cancers. RESULTS Compared to other statistical approaches for class prediction, the peak probability contrast method performs as well or better than several methods that require the full spectra, rather than just labelled peaks. It is also much more interpretable biologically. The peak probability contrast method is a potentially useful tool for sample classification from protein mass spectrometry data.
Development of Porous Hydroxyapatite Scaffolds

ABSTRACT Porous objects of hydroxyapatite (HA) were prepared by mixing sodium chloride as channeling agent with ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) as a binder and hydroxyapatite powder. After hot isostatic pressing (HIP) and dissolving the channeling agent, the bioceramic showed an interconnecting porosity with pore diameters in the range of 160–220 µm. The method can be used for any material that is insoluble in water. Such objects are promising for bone regeneration because the interconnecting porosity in implants provides a good environment for bone attachment and in-growth.
A design-by-treatment interaction model for network meta-analysis with random inconsistency effects

Network meta‐analysis is becoming more popular as a way to analyse multiple treatments simultaneously and, in the right circumstances, rank treatments. A difficulty in practice is the possibility of ‘inconsistency’ or ‘incoherence’, where direct evidence and indirect evidence are not in agreement. Here, we develop a random‐effects implementation of the recently proposed design‐by‐treatment interaction model, using these random effects to model inconsistency and estimate the parameters of primary interest. Our proposal is a generalisation of the model proposed by Lumley and allows trials with three or more arms to be included in the analysis. Our methods also facilitate the ranking of treatments under inconsistency. We derive R and I2 statistics to quantify the impact of the between‐study heterogeneity and the inconsistency. We apply our model to two examples. © 2014 The Authors. Statistics in Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differential Effect of Allorecognition Loci on Phenotype in Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa)

The allorecognition complex of Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus is a chromosomal interval containing two loci, alr1 and alr2, that controls fusion between genetically distinct colonies. Recombination between these two loci has been associated with a heterogeneous class of phenotypes called transitory fusion. A large-scale backcross was performed to generate a population of colonies (N = 106) with recombination breakpoints within the allorecognition complex. Two distinct forms of transitory fusion were correlated with reciprocal recombination products, suggesting that alr1 and alr2 contributed differentially to the allorecognition response. Specifically, type I transitory fusion is associated with rapid and persistent separation of allogeneic tissues, whereas type II transitory fusion generates a patchwork of continuously fusing and separating tissues.
A thermoelastic analysis of the laser scabbling of concrete

The process of scabbling is used in the decommissioning of nuclear power stations and consists of the removal of the radioactive surface layer of the shielding concrete. It is proposed that the process can be analyzed in terms of a thermoelastic model. Point solutions can be used in the study of such problems. We describe the method and present the relevant solutions for semi-infinite homogeneous media with a plane boundary. The method is applied with particular reference to the problem of laser scabbling of concrete but can be applied much more generally, for example to the stresses induced during surface heat treatment of metals or, at a certain level of approximation, in welding. In the case of the scabbling of concrete there is only a very thin thermal layer at the surface, resulting in a simplification of the analysis. Three special solutions are obtained in the two-dimensional approximation and they show that the strength of the tendency to fragmentation depends on the maximum rate of decrease of in.
Energy cooperation among BS with hybrid power supply for DPS CoMP based cellular networks

Green cellular networking has drawn intensive attention recently for cellular operators in order to reduce the network operation cost and carbon footprints. In this paper, we consider base stations (BSs) powered by hybrid power supplies including both the conventional grid and the renewable solar energy. We propose a model for energy cooperation among BSs having individual energy storages which are connected through resistive power lines for energy sharing. Furthermore, dynamic point selection (DPS) CoMP technique is applied for selecting the best serving BS for users equipment (UE). Our goal is to maximize the green energy utilization leading to higher energy efficiency. Tempo-spatial variations of both the renewable energy generation and the traffic demand are exploited for the proposed BS cooperation. Extensive simulations are carried out for evaluating energy efficiency (EE) performance of the proposed cellular network in conjunction with DPS CoMP technique and energy sharing scheme. From simulation results we investigate the benefits of energy cooperation and effectiveness of CoMP technique in this regime.
MICROTUBULES IN THE SPERMATIDS OF THE DOMESTIC FOWL

Spermiogenesis in chicken has been examined in order to see whether the radical changes observed in cell shape can be related to the presence of cytoplasmic microtubules. A highly ordered array of tubules has been found which surrounds the nucleus as it elongates from a sphere to a slender cylinder. The structure of the array has been determined by following the tubules through 12–14 adjacent serial sections, and it is a left-handed double helix. Faint cross-bridges connect consecutive turns of the two helices. After the change in nuclear shape is complete, the helical system of microtubules disappears and is replaced by a set of almost straight tubules which run parallel to the long axis of the nucleus. These tubules remain while the spermatid nucleus condenses isotropically to its final size. We suggest that the helix is the agent which effects nuclear elongation and that the subsequent system of paraxial tubules determines the curvature of the final sperm head. Evidence for these suggestions is found in the form of spermatids which have failed to develop properly. In an appendix we consider the kinematics of single and multiple helix systems and discuss the revelance of these models to the morphogenesis of chicken spermatids.
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor induces barrier function of endothelial cells forming the blood-brain barrier.

Since a deep involvement of astrocytes, a kind of glial cells, in differentiation of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) has been suggested, we examined the relation of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) to the BBB. First, immunohistochemical examination of the cerebral cortex of rats revealed that glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor receptor (GFRalpha1) was preferentially expressed on the cell membranes of capillary endothelial cells. Second, to elucidate the effects of GDNF on the BBB, capillary endothelial cells isolated from the porcine cerebral cortex were cultured and then changes in tight junction function of the endothelial cells were examined after addition of GDNF, in terms of transendothelial electrical resistance (TER) and permeability. GDNF at concentrations of 0.1 and 1 ng/ml significantly activated the barrier function of the endothelial cells in the presence of cAMP. Since GDNF is secreted from astrocytes sheathing capillary endothelial cells in the brain cortex, our results strongly suggest that GDNF enhances the barrier function of tight junctions of the BBB on the one hand, and also supports the survival of neurons on the other hand.
A Role for Excitatory Amino Acids in Diabetic Eye Disease

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of vision loss. The primary clinical hallmarks are vascular changes that appear to contribute to the loss of sight. In a number of neurodegenerative disorders there is an appreciation that increased levels of excitatory amino acids are excitotoxic. The primary amino acid responsible appears to be the neurotransmitter glutamate. This review examines the nature of glutamatergic signaling at the retina and the growing evidence from clinical and animal model studies that glutamate may be playing similar excitotoxic roles at the diabetic retina.