Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transcription factor CHF 1 / Hey 2 regulates EC coupling and heart failure in mice through regulation of FKBP 12 . 6

Liu Y, Korte FS, Moussavi-Harami F, Yu M, Razumova M, Regnier M, Chin MT. Transcription factor CHF1/Hey2 regulates EC coupling and heart failure in mice through regulation of FKBP12.6. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 302: H1860–H1870, 2012. First published March 9, 2012; doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00702. 2011. —Heart failure is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Western society. The cardiovascular transcription factor CHF1/Hey2 has been linked to experimental heart failure in mice, but the mechanisms by which it regulates myocardial function remain incompletely understood. The objective of this study was to determine how CHF1/Hey2 affects development of heart failure through examination of contractility in a myocardial knockout mouse model. We generated myocardial-specific knockout mice. At baseline, cardiac function was normal, but, after aortic banding, the conditional knockout mice demonstrated a greater increase in ventricular weight-to-body weight ratio compared with control mice (5.526 vs. 4.664 mg/g) and a significantly decreased ejection fraction (47.8 vs. 72.0% control). Isolated cardiac myocytes from these mice showed decreased calcium transients and fractional shortening after electrical stimulation. To determine the molecular basis for these alterations in excitation-contraction coupling, we first measured total sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium stores and calcium-dependent force generation in isolated muscle fibers, which were normal, suggesting a defect in calcium cycling. Analysis of gene expression demonstrated normal expression of most genes known to be involved in myocardial calcium cycling, with the exception of the ryanodine receptor binding protein FKBP12.6, which was expressed at increased levels in the conditional knockout hearts. Treatment of the isolated knockout myocytes with FK506, which inhibits the association of FKBP12.6 with the ryanodine receptor, restored contractile function. These findings demonstrate that conditional deletion of CHF1/Hey2 in the myocardium leads to abnormalities in calcium handling mediated by FKBP12.6 that predispose to pressure overloadinduced heart failure.
Information Transmission Using the Nonlinear Fourier Transform, Part III: Spectrum Modulation

Motivated by the looming capacity crunch in fiber-optic networks, information transmission over such systems is revisited. Among numerous distortions, interchannel interference in multiuser wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) is identified as the seemingly intractable factor limiting the achievable rate at high launch power. However, this distortion and similar ones arising from nonlinearity are primarily due to the use of methods suited for linear systems, namely WDM and linear pulse-train transmission, for the nonlinear optical channel. Exploiting the integrability of the nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation, a nonlinear frequency-division multiplexing (NFDM) scheme is presented, which directly modulates noninteracting signal degrees-of-freedom under NLS propagation. The main distinction between this and previous methods is that NFDM is able to cope with the nonlinearity, and thus, as the signal power or transmission distance is increased, the new method does not suffer from the deterministic crosstalk between signal components, which has degraded the performance of previous approaches. In this paper, emphasis is placed on modulation of the discrete component of the nonlinear Fourier transform of the signal and some simple examples of achievable spectral efficiencies are provided.
Age-Related Increase in the Number of Oligodendrocytes Is Dysregulated in Schizophrenia and Mood Disorders

The postnatal maturation of the human prefrontal cortex is associated with substantial increase of number of oligodendrocytes. Previously, we reported decreased numerical density of oligodendrocytes in the prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia and mood disorders. To gain further understanding of the role oligodendrocytes in pathogenesis of schizophrenia and mood disorders, we examined the effect of the age on the number of oligodendrocytes in the prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. We revealed the age-related increase in numerical density of oligodendrocytes in layer VI and adjacent white matter of BA10 and BA 9 in normal controls but not in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. The absence of normal increase in the number of oligodendrocytes in gray and white matter with age in schizophrenia and mood disorders suggests that age-related process of oligodendrocyte increase is dysregulated in schizophrenia and mood disorders.
Retention and Risk Factors for Attrition in a Large Public Health ART Program in Myanmar: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis

Background The outcomes from an antiretroviral treatment (ART) program within the public sector in Myanmar have not been reported. This study documents retention and the risk factors for attrition in a large ART public health program in Myanmar. Methods A retrospective analysis of a cohort of adult patients enrolled in the Integrated HIV Care (IHC) Program between June 2005 and October 2011 and followed up until April 2012 is presented. The primary outcome was attrition (death or loss-follow up); a total of 10,223 patients were included in the 5-year cumulative survival analysis. Overall 5,718 patients were analyzed for the risk factors for attrition using both logistic regression and flexible parametric survival models. Result The mean age was 36 years, 61% of patients were male, and the median follow up was 13.7 months. Overall 8,564 (84%) patients were retained in ART program: 750 (7%) were lost to follow-up and 909 (9%) died. During the 3 years follow-up, 1,542 attritions occurred over 17,524 person years at risk, giving an incidence density of 8.8% per year. The retention rates of participants at 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months were 86, 82, 80, 77 and 74% respectively. In multivariate analysis, being male, having high WHO staging, a low CD4 count, being anaemic or having low BMI at baseline were independent risk factors for attrition; tuberculosis (TB) treatment at ART initiation, a prior ART course before program enrollment and literacy were predictors for retention in the program. Conclusion High retention rate of IHC program was documented within the public sector in Myanmar. Early diagnosis of HIV, nutritional support, proper investigation and treatment for patients with low CD4 counts and for those presenting with anaemia are crucial issues towards improvement of HIV program outcomes in resource-limited settings.
Myelin Formation during Development of the CNS Is Delayed in Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 and -12 Null Mice

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are implicated in several activities within the nervous system. Although many functions of abnormally elevated MMPs are undesirable, the discrete expression of particular MMP members can have beneficial roles. We previously found that MMP-9 expressed locally around a demyelinating lesion of the spinal cord of adult mice facilitated remyelination. In the current study, we have addressed whether and how MMPs might be required for myelin formation in normal ontogeny. Using a probe for multiple MMPs and the developing mouse optic nerve, we found two members, MMP-9 and -12, to be upregulated during the period of myelin formation. These MMPs partake in myelinogenesis because myelination in the corpus callosum of MMP-9 and/or MMP-12 null mice was deficient from postnatal days 7 to 14 compared with that of wild-type mice. The deficient myelination was correlated with fewer mature oligodendrocytes, but similar precursor cell numbers, in MMP null animals compared with wild type. Because an important growth factor for oligodendrocyte maturation is insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), we addressed whether this was involved in the deficient myelination in MMP null mice. Indeed, the addition of IGF-1 normalized the lack of maturation of oligodendrocytes that occurred in cultures from MMP-12 null mice. Furthermore, we determined that IGF binding protein 6 (IGFBP-6), which sequesters IGF-1, was a substrate for MMP processing. Finally, we found IGFBP-6 levels to remain high in MMP-deficient mice. These results reveal a novel function for MMP-9 and -12 in developmental myelination likely through regulating IGF-1 bioavailability.
Does Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging Combined With Conventional Imaging Modalities Decrease the Rates of Surgical Margin Involvement and Reoperation?

AbstractThe objective of this study was to assess whether preoperative breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with conventional breast imaging techniques decreases the rates of margin involvement and reexcision.Data on patients who underwent surgery for primary operable breast cancer were obtained from the Changhua Christian Hospital (CCH) breast cancer database. The rate of surgical margin involvement and the rate of reoperation were compared between patients who underwent conventional breast imaging modalities (Group A: mammography and sonography) and those who received breast MRI in addition to conventional imaging (Group B: mammography, sonography, and MRI). A total of 1468 patients were enrolled in this study. Among the 733 patients in Group A, 377 (51.4%) received breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and 356 (48.6%) received mastectomy. Among the 735 patients in Group B, 348 (47.3%) received BCS and 387 (52.7%) received mastectomy. There were no significant differences in operative method between patients who received conventional imaging alone and those that received MRI and conventional imaging (P = 0.13). The rate of detection of pathological multifocal/multicentric breast cancer was markedly higher in patients who received preoperative MRI than in those who underwent conventional imaging alone (14.3% vs 8.6%, P < 0.01). The overall rate of surgical margin involvement was significantly lower in patients who received MRI (5.0%) than in those who received conventional imaging alone (9.0%) (P < 0.01). However, a significant reduction in rate of surgical margin positivity was only observed in patients who received BCS (Group A, 14.6%; Group B, 6.6%, P < 0.01). The overall BCS reoperation rates were 11.7% in the conventional imaging group and 3.2% in the combined MRI group (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in rate of residual cancer in specimens obtained during reoperation between the 2 preoperative imaging groups (Group A, 50%; Group B, 81.8%, P = 0.09). In multivariate analysis, multifocal/multicentric breast cancer (odds ratio = 2.38, P = 0.02) and without MRI use (odds ratio = 2.35, P < 0.01) were the major predisposing factors to margin involvement in patients received BCS.Preoperative breast MRI combined with conventional breast imaging results in a lower rate of surgical margin involvement and reoperations in patients who receive BCS.
The Left-Hander Syndrome: The Causes and Consequences of Left-Handedness

Left-handedness is a complex psychological and neurological phenomenon. Recent research suggests that left-handed people encounter psychological problems and have a shorter life expectancy, but display greater intelligence and creativity in some spheres. This book examines the phenomenon, considering the various difficulties that left-handed people face in a world designed for right-handed people and suggesting ways in which things can be made more comfortable and safer for them. It also investigates other aspects of "sidedness", including foot, ear and eye preferences.
Diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease in general practice: can the ankle–brachial index be measured either by pulse palpation or an automatic blood pressure device? *

Background: Despite its validity as a screening test for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and its prognostic value, the ankle–brachial index (ABI) is infrequently used in primary care, probably because a Doppler device is required, along with the requisite skill for its use. We hypothesized that ABI could be accurately measured either by pulse palpation (pABI) or automatic blood pressure devices (autoABI) instead of Doppler method (dABI).
Fiberboards Made from Corn Stalk Thermomechanical Pulp and Kraft Lignin as a Green Adhesive

The feasibility of incorporating purified kraft lignin, at different concentrations ranging from 5 to 29%, into fiberboards made from corn residues was studied. The lignin was obtained from black liquor, which is a residue of the paper industry. Corn stalk raw material and its thermomechanically produced fiber were characterized in terms of their chemical composition. The physical and mechanical properties of the resulting fiberboards were evaluated. The fiberboards produced following a wet process had good mechanical and water resistance properties that satisfied the requirements of the relevant standards. In addition, a Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) approach suggested that lignin-based fiberboards are environmentally preferable than those based on thermosetting resins.
Molecular Diversity of Candida albicans Isolated from Immunocompromised Patients, Based on MLST Method

Background: As regards multilocus sequence typing (MLST) method directly analyze the polymorphism within DNA sequences; we performed the first nationwide study on the genotypic relationships of Candida albicans strains obtained from oropharynx and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples from immunocompromised patients. Methods: Fourteen epidemiologically unrelated clinical strains of C. albicans were obtained from three hospitals in Mazandaran Province, Iran (2006 to 2012) from seven patients with pulmonary infections and the rest with oropharyngeal samples of immunocompromised patients. Seven loci of housekeeping genes were sequenced for all fourteen isolates. Results: MLST was applied to a subset of 14 unrelated isolates. Seventy-one (2.5%) nucleotide sites were found to be variable. Accordingly, 60 different alleles were identified in seven loci among the isolates, among which two new alleles were obtained. Furthermore, 12 independent diploid sequence types (DSTs) including five novel DSTs were identified. The fourteen unrelated isolates were placed in 10 clonal clusters (CC) while two isolates were singletons, by eBURST analysis. Most of the isolates belonged to CC461 of eBURST analysis from the clade 11 and two isolates assigned to CC172 from the clade 15. Conclusion: Pathogen distribution and relatedness for determining the epidemiology of nosocomial infections is highly recommended for pathogen control methods.
Ecological response to and management of increased flooding caused by climate change

River channels and their flood plains are among the most naturally dynamic ecosystems on earth, in large part due to periodic flooding. The components of a river's natural flood regime (magnitude, frequency, duration and timing of peak flows) interact to maintain great habitat heterogeneity and to promote high species diversity and ecosystem productivity. Flood regimes vary within and among rivers, depending on catchment size, geology and regional hydroclimatology. Geographic variation in contemporary flood regimes results in river–to–river variation in ecosystem structure, and therefore in potential river ecosystem response to increased future flooding. The greater the deviation in flood regime from contemporary or recent historical conditions, the greater the expected ecological alteration. Ecological response will also depend on how extensively humans have altered natural river dynamics through land–use practices. Examples of human–caused changes in flood regime (e.g. urbanization, agricultural practices) provide analogues to explore the ecological implications of region–specific climate change. In many settings where humans have severely modified rivers (e.g. through leveeing), more frequent larger floods will work to re–establish connections with severed flood–plain and riparian wetlands in human–dominated river valleys. Developing and implementing non–structural flood–management policies based on ecological principles can benefit river ecosystems, as well as human society.
Spread-spectrum signal acquisition: Methods and technology

A system and method of driect-sequence spread-spec trum TDMA (or TDD) digital communication, wherein acquisition and tracking occurs for a plurality of frames having a predetermined number of time slots. One of the predetermined number of time slots in each frame is assigned for acquisition purposes and carries acquisition and sync digital information. The remaining time slots in each frame have assigned header bytes for tracking purposes. The assigned acquisition time slot is spread with an acquisition direct-sequence spreading code. The remaining time slots are spread with a con munication direct-sequence spreading code. During acquisition, the signal strength in each successive time slot for each spread frame is measured for a given num ber of time frames. The peak is located within the given number of time frames through a major acquistion sweep and a refinement sweep. The major acquisition sweep and refinement acquisition sweep locate the frame and time slot boundaries of the transmitted signal. Once acquired, tracking occurs during the header bytes of each successive remaining time slot. Acquisition, tracking and demodulation of the digital data is per formed with the same circuitry.
Moving shadow and object detection in traffic scenes

We present an algorithm for segmentation of traffic scenes that distinguishes moving objects from their moving cast shadows. A fading memory estimator calculates mean and variance of all three color components for each background pixel. Given the statistics for a background pixel, simple rules for calculating its statistics when covered by a shadow are used. Then, MAP classification decisions are made for each pixel. In addition to the color features, we examine the use of neighborhood information to produce smoother classification. We also propose the use of temporal information by modifying class a priori probabilities based on predictions from the previous frame.
Ramified feline microglia selects for distinct variants of feline immunodeficiency virus during early central nervous system infection

It is widely accepted that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) invades the central nervous system (CNS) shortly after peripheral infection to establish a persistent infection of tissue-resident microglial cells. To what extent this early CNS infection is of pathogenic relevance is a matter of discussion. It is conceivable, however, that infected microglia releases virus variants of enhanced neurotropism and/or neurovirulence compared to peripheral isolates. Moreover, microglial variants may exhibit high resistance to antiviral therapeutics that poorly penetrate into brain tissue. The molecular basis of these biological properties is suspected to be associated with specific sequences in the viral env gene, particularly within the V3 loop. Therefore, we analyzed in the animal model of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection of cats lentiviral V3 sequences in highly purified microglial cells and blood from acutely infected animals. Compared to the inoculated virus, nucleotide sequence alterations in serum samples were rarely detectable, if at all. In contrast, up to 19 nucleotide exchanges could be identified within FIV V3 from microglia, resulting in a mutation frequency of up to 14.5% with respect to the deduced amino acid sequence. These findings suggest selection of specific virus variants by brain-resident target cells that might have implications for antiretroviral drug design.
Europeans only? : essays on identity politics and the European Union

The chief preoccupation of the dissertation revolves around the European Union's project of calling forth a collective sense of "European identity" amongst people in the Union. It focuses specifically on how the European Union's identity politics plays out once the ethnic minorities with immigrant background now living in the Union are brought into view. The main purpose can be described as twofold; involving, firstly, a mapping and examination of how the EU construes and defines the identity it seeks to mobilize, and, secondly, a thorough discussion of the types of consequences or implications that stem from this endeavour.In demonstrating the strong tendency on part of the EU to articulate a common identity for the Union in ethno-cultural terms — whereby the EU is conceived as primarily a cultural community whose members are said to share the same origin, cultural heritage, religion and history — the study goes to great length in discussing the excluding implications that an ethno-cultural identity politics gives rise to. The dissertation argues that such an ethno-cultural disposition partly must be seen in light of the European Union's gradual adjustment to a largely neoliberal order; an order which has worked restraining on the feasibility of a social and political articulation of identity and citizenship in the Union.An introductory chapter outlines the discourse theoretical approach which guides the analyses in five essays. The essays mainly explore how the European Union's discourse on identity manifests in various policy areas - immigration, citizenship and education - all of which in one way or another address the issues of culture, the multicultural society, ethnic exclusion, racism and the situation for ethnic minorities and migrants. The complex of problems concerning ethnic, cultural and social exclusion in today's European Union thus constitutes a central theme engaged with throughout the dissertation.
Mice with Decreased Cerebral Dopamine Function following a Neurotoxic Dose of MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, “Ecstasy”) Exhibit Increased Ethanol Consumption and Preference

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, “ecstasy”) administration to mice produces relatively selective long-term neurotoxic damage to dopaminergic pathways. There is strong evidence indicating that the dopamine system plays a key role in the rewarding effects of ethanol and modulates ethanol intake. Using a two-bottle free-choice paradigm, we examined the voluntary consumption and preference for ethanol in mice deficient in cerebral dopamine concentration and dopamine transporter density by previous repeated MDMA administration. The current study shows that mice pre-exposed to a neurotoxic dose of MDMA exhibited a higher consumption of and preference for ethanol compared with saline-treated animals. The D1 receptor full agonist SKF81297 [(6-chloro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine hydrobromide)] attenuated the enhanced ethanol intake, an effect that was reversed by SCH23390 [((R)-(+)-7-chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine hydrochloride], a D1 receptor antagonist. MDMA-exposed mice also showed a reduced release of basal dopamine in the nucleus accumbens compared with saline-injected animals and a modest increase in D1 receptor density in caudate-putamen and nucleus accumbens. Intraperitoneal administration of ethanol elevated extracellular dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens of saline-treated mice, but this effect was almost abolished in MDMA-treated mice. Differences between saline- and MDMA-treated animals did not appear to be secondary to changes in acute ethanol clearance. These results indicate that mice with reduced dopamine activity following a neurotoxic dose of MDMA exhibit increased ethanol consumption and preference and suggest that animals might need to consume more alcohol to reach the threshold for the rewarding effects of ethanol.