Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum concentrations of intact parathyroid hormone in healthy children.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) plays an important role in calcium homeostasis by maintaining the concentration of ionized calcium within the precise limits necessary to achieve metabolic and neuroregulatory functions of this essential mineral (1)(2)(3). PTH produces calcium mobilization from the large skeletal stores into the extracellular fluid, increases absorption of dietary calcium, and decreases renal clearance of urinary calcium (3)(4). Serum PTH assays are an important aid in the assessment of calcium metabolism disorders. The aim of this study was to determine serum intact PTH in a large group of healthy children according to their ages. We selected 794 healthy children (409 girls, 385 boys), ages 2–16 years, arriving for routine clinical check-ups in the Department of Pediatrics over 4 years (1994–1998). Sample sera were taken at 0800 from non-fasting children. None of the subjects was receiving …
Cortico-amygdala circuits: Role in the conditioned stress response

The amygdala plays a crucial role in the orchestration and modulation of the organism response to aversive, stressful events. This response could be conceived as the result of two interdependent components. The first is represented by sets of visceral and motor responses aimed at helping the organism to cope with the present event. The second is the acquisition and modulation of memories relative to the stressful stimulus and its context. This latter component contributes to the instatement of conditioned stress responses that are essential to the capability of the organism to predict future exposures to similar stimuli in order to avoid them or counteract them effectively. In the amygdala, these two components become fully integrated. Massive networks link the amygdala to the hypothalamus, midbrain and brainstem. These networks convey visceral, humoral and nociceptive information to the amygdala and mediate its effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis as well on autonomic and motor centers. On the other hand, interactions between the amygdala and interconnected cortical networks play a crucial role in acquisition, consolidation and extinction of learning relative to the stressful stimulus. Within the scope of this review, current evidence relative to the interaction between the amygdala and cortical networks will be considered in relationship to the integration of the conditioned response to stress.
Single‐breath clinical imaging of hyperpolarized 129xe in the airspaces, barrier, and red blood cells using an interleaved 3D radial 1‐point Dixon acquisition

We sought to develop and test a clinically feasible 1‐point Dixon, three‐dimensional (3D) radial acquisition strategy to create isotropic 3D MR images of 129Xe in the airspaces, barrier, and red blood cells (RBCs) in a single breath. The approach was evaluated in healthy volunteers and subjects with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
SWIFT: Accelerated Proximity Queries Using Multi-Level Voronoi Marching

We present an accelerated proximity query algorithm between moving convex polyhedra. The algorithm combines Voronoi-based feature tracking with a multi-level-of-detail representation, in order to adapt to the variation in levels of coherence and speed up the computation. It provides a progressive refinement framework for collision detection and distance queries. We have implemented our algorithm and have observed significant performance improvements in our experiments, especially on scenarios where the motion coherence is low.
Methyltestosterone efficiently induces male development in the self‐fertilizing hermaphrodite fish, Kryptolebias marmoratus

A hermaphrodite fish, Kryptolebias marmoratus, is the only known vertebrate that reproduces by self‐fertilization. In nature, males have been rarely observed. Low‐temperature treatment during late embryonic stages is known to induce males but its efficacy is variable. Here we report that 17α‐methyltestosterone (MT) treatment of the embryos converted most of the fish to males. We examined a time course of this male induction with histological and marker gene expression analyses. Oogenesis started in the gonads of the control embryo at hatching; spermatogenesis did not start until two months after hatching. In the MT‐treated fish, oogenesis started initially as in the control but stopped completely within one month after hatching. Instead, spermatogonial proliferation started earlier than in the control fish and progressed to full spermatogenesis. Expression profiles of the sex‐specific marker genes corresponded well with histological observations. From one month after hatching, expression of an oocyte‐specific marker, figα, and a testicular somatic cell marker, dmrt1, started to increase in the control and in the MT‐treated fish, respectively. genesis 44:495–503, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Introduction to single carrier FDMA

Single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) which utilizes single carrier modulation at the transmitter and frequency domain equalization at the receiver is a technique that has similar performance and essentially the same overall structure as those of an OFDMA system. One prominent advantage over OFDMA is that the SC-FDMA signal has lower peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR). SC-FDMA has drawn great attention as an attractive alternative to OFDMA, especially in the uplink communications where lower PAPR greatly benefits the mobile terminal in terms of transmit power efficiency. SC-FDMA is currently a working assumption for the uplink multiple access scheme in 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE). In this paper, we give an in-depth overview of SC-FDMA with focus on physical layer and resource management aspects. We also show some research results on PAPR characteristics and channel-dependent resource scheduling of SC-FDMA.
Applied Mixed Generalized Additive Model to Assess the Effect of Temperature on the Incidence of Bacillary Dysentery and Its Forecast

Background Association between bacillary dysentery (BD) disease and temperature has been reported in some studies applying Poisson regression model, however the effect estimation might be biased due to the data autocorrelation. Furthermore the temperature effect distributed in the time of different lags has not been studied either. The purpose of this work was to obtaining the association between the BD counts and the climatic factors such as temperature in the form of the weighted averages, concerning the autocorrelation pattern of the model residuals, and to make short term predictions using the model. The data was collected in the city of Shanghai from 2004 to 2008. Methods We used mixed generalized additive model (MGAM) to analyze data on bacillary dysentery, temperature and other covariates with autoregressive random effect. Short term predictions were made using MGAM with the moving average of the BD counts. Main Results Our results showed that temperature was significant linearly associated with the logarithm of BD count for temperature in the range from 12°C to 22°C. Optimal weights in the temperature effect have been obtained, in which the one of 1-day-lag was close to 0, and the one of 2-days-lag was the maximum (p-value of the difference was less than 0.05). The predictive model was showing good fitness on the internal data with R2 value 0.875, and the good short term prediction effect on the external data with correlation coefficient to be 0.859. Conclusion According to the model estimation, corresponding Risk Ratio to affect BD was close to 1.1 when temperature effect goes up for 1°C in the range from 12°C to 22°C. And the 1-day incubation period could be inferred from the model estimation. Good prediction has been made using the predictive MGAM.
A dose-response analysis of methoxychlor-induced alterations of reproductive development and function in the rat.

In the present study rats were dosed from weaning, through puberty and gestation, to Day 15 of lactation with methoxychlor at 25, 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg/day. Morphological landmarks of puberty were measured, including the ages at vaginal opening, first estrus, and first estrous cycle in females and at preputial separation in males. In the female, estrous cyclicity, fertility, litter size, number of implantation sites, organ weights, and ovarian and uterine histology were also measured. The viability of the offspring (F1) and their fertility were evaluated using a continuous breeding protocol. Males were necropsied after breeding, the reproductive organs were weighed, and the cauda epididymal sperm counts were determined. One testis was used for histopathology, while the other was used to quantify interstitial fluid (IF) content, IF testosterone concentration, and testicular sperm production. Testosterone and androgen-binding protein were measured in the caput epididymis, and sperm motility and morphology were evaluated from a caudal sample. The serum and pituitary were saved for hormonal determinations. Methoxychlor accelerated the age at vaginal opening and first estrus, and the vaginal smears were cornified. Growth was retarded at 100 and 200 mg/kg/day and fertility was reduced when the females were bred with untreated or similarly treated males. In the highest-dose group, the mated females went from constant estrus into pseudopregnancy following mating, but they had no implants. In males, methoxychlor treatment markedly reduced growth, seminal vesicle weight, cauda epididymal weight, caudal sperm content, and pituitary weight. Puberty was delayed in the two highest-dosage groups. Testicular sperm measures were much less affected than caudal measures. Testis weight and histology were slightly affected, and testicular sperm production, sperm morphology, and motility were unaffected. Endocrine function of the testes and pituitary was altered by methoxychlor administration. Leydig cell testosterone production, in response to human chorionic gonadotropin challenge, was reduced and pituitary levels of prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were altered. In contrast, serum levels of prolactin, FSH, and luteinizing hormone were unaffected. Serum TSH was reduced by 50% of control at 100 and 200 mg/kg/day, while pituitary levels were increased. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone concentration in the mediobasal hypothalamus was also elevated. In spite of the many reproductive alterations, the fertility of treated males was not reduced when they were mated with untreated females. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Multi‐genic pattern found in rare type of hypopituitarism: a whole‐exome sequencing study of Han Chinese with pituitary stalk interruption syndrome

Pituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS) is a rare type of hypopituitarism manifesting various degrees of pituitary hormone deficiency. Although mutations have been identified in some familial cases, the underpinning mechanisms of sporadic patients with PSIS who are in a vast majority remain elusive, necessitating a comprehensive study using systemic approaches. We postulate that other genetic mechanisms may be responsible for the sporadic PSIS. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a study in 24 patients with PSIS of Han Chinese with no family history using whole‐exome sequencing (WES) and bioinformatic analysis. We identified a group of heterozygous mutations in 92% (22 of 24) of the patients, and these genes are mostly associated with Notch, Shh, Wnt signalling pathways. Importantly, 83% (20 of 24) of the patients had more than one mutation in those pathways suggesting synergy of compound mutations underpin the pathogenesis of sporadic PSIS.
Endogenous Glutamatergic Control of Rhythmically Active Mammalian Respiratory Motoneurons In Vivo

The transmission of rhythmic drive to respiratory motoneurons in vitro is critically dependent on glutamate acting primarily on non-NMDA receptors. We determined whether both non-NMDA and NMDA receptors contribute to respiratory drive transmission at respiratory motoneurons in the intact organism, both in the state of anesthesia and in the same animals during natural behaviors. Twenty-seven rats were implanted with electroencephalogram and neck electrodes to record sleep–wake states and genioglossus and diaphragm electrodes for respiratory muscle recordings. Microdialysis probes were inserted into the hypoglossal motor nucleus (HMN). Under anesthesia, non-NMDA or NMDA receptor antagonism significantly decreased respiratory-related genioglossus activity, indicating a contribution of each receptor to respiratory drive transmission at the HMN. However, despite the presence of respiratory-related genioglossus activity in the same rats across sleep–wake states, neither non-NMDA receptor antagonism at the HMN nor glutamate uptake inhibition had any effect on respiratory-related genioglossus activity. These results showed that, compared with anesthesia, respiratory drive transmission through the non-NMDA receptor is low in the behaving organism. In contrast, glutamate uptake inhibition increased tonic genioglossus activity in wakefulness and non-rapid-eye-movement sleep, indicating a functional endogenous glutamatergic modulation of tonic, but not respiratory, motor tone. Such an effect on tonic drive may contribute to the suppression of both tonic and respiratory-related genioglossus activity in wakefulness and sleep with NMDA receptor antagonism at the HMN. These data do not refute previous identification of a glutamatergic (mostly non-NMDA receptor activating) respiratory drive to hypoglossal motoneurons, but this mechanism is more prominent in anesthetized or in vitro preparations.
Increasing maneb doses induces reactive oxygen species overproduction and nephrotoxicity in adult mice

Abstract Background and purpose: The aim of this study was to elucidate the biochemical, molecular and histopathological aspects of the kidney injuries as well as the hematological perturbations induced after adult mice exposure to increasing doses of maneb (MB). Material and method: Adult mice were intraperitoneally treated for seven days with four graded doses of MB, corresponding to 1/8, 1/6, 1/4 and 1/2 of its lethal dose (LD50=1500 mg/kg body weight). Results: Hematological analysis revealed a significant disruption in total white blood cells and platelets and a significant decrease in the plasmatic levels of ferrozine in mice treated with 1/8, 1/6 and 1/4 of MB LD50. However, the ferrozine levels increased significantly in the group treated with 1/2 of MB LD50. Evenly, our results showed a significant increase in the levels of malondialdehyde, lipid hydroperoxides, hydrogen peroxide and advanced oxidation protein products in all treated groups. The activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase decreased significantly in all MB treated mice. Additionally, all treated groups exhibited strong nephrotoxicity signs, including increases in plasma urea, creatinine and albumin levels and lactate dehydrogenase activity, as well as a significant decrease in uric acid levels. Electrophoresis analysis revealed nucleic acid degradation, testifying the genotoxicity of MB. Moreover, the histopathological observations showed severe renal injuries, which could be related to the above mentioned data. Conclusions: Our data showed, for the first time, that the MB tested doses led to oxidative stress installation causing renal cell damages and lowering all defense systems capacities.
Subpixel urban land cover estimation: comparing cubist, random forests, and support vector regression

Three machine learning subpixel estimation methods (Cubist, Random Forests, and support vector regression) were applied to estimate urban cover. Urban forest canopy cover and impervious surface cover were estimated from Landsat-7 ETMimagery using a higher resolution cover map resampled to 30 m as training and reference data. Three different band combinations (reflectance, tasseled cap, and both reflectance and tasseled cap plus thermal) were compared for their effectiveness with each of the methods. Thirty different training site number and size combinations were also tested. Support vector regression on the tasseled cap bands was found to be the best estimator for urban forest canopy cover, while Cubist performed best using the reflectance plus tasseled cap band combination when predicting impervious surface cover. More training data partitioned in many small training sites generally produces better estimation results.
Selective Retrieval of Abstract Semantic Knowledge in Left Prefrontal Cortex

Research into the representation and processing of conceptual knowledge has typically associated perceptual facts with sensory brain regions and executive retrieval mechanisms with the left prefrontal cortex. However, this dichotomy between knowledge content and retrieval processes leaves unanswered how the brain supports concepts less reliant on direct sensory experiences. We used neuroimaging methods to investigate whether an increased abstractness in semantic decisions, in contrast to increased response difficulty, is associated with increased left prefrontal activation. Participants were presented with concrete animal names and asked to verify sensory and abstract properties that corresponded only to the animal category. Candidate semantic regions were localized in left inferior, frontopolar, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in contrast to a pseudoword control. Activity in each of these prefrontal regions was associated with significantly increased activity for abstract relative to sensory semantic decisions, regardless of increased response difficulty and even when controlling for the response times of participants. These results suggest that more abstract, or verbally-mediated, semantic knowledge of concrete items, in contrast to more sensory-based properties, is specifically supported by the left prefrontal cortex. Semantic retrieval mechanisms may rely on abstract representations, likely coded through a verbal format, to mediate task demands when perceptual information is insufficient.
[Clinical characteristics and management of adolescents admitted to the emergency ward for alcohol intoxication in the region of The Hague during the period 1999-2001].

OBJECTIVE To analyse the findings in adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 who were admitted to the emergency ward as a result of excessive alcohol consumption. DESIGN Retrospective. METHOD The clinical characteristics, laboratory findings and treatment policy were studied in adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 who were admitted for alcohol intoxication (> or = 1/1000) to the emergency wards of Leiden University Medical Centre, Juliana Children's Hospital, Haaglanden Medical Centre (Westeinde location) or the Leyenburg Hospital (all hospitals in the area of The Hague, The Netherlands) during the period 1999-2001. RESULTS In the three successive years, the number of patients was 19, 18 and 51, respectively; there were a total of 58 boys and 30 girls. Laboratory determinations and other investigations were carried out and/or recorded in varying numbers of patients. The cause of the intoxication was usually the consumption of spirits together with friends; 60% of the patients had a Glasgow coma score < 15 and 30% were admitted to hospital. In 25% the visit to the emergency ward was preceded by an accident in which alcohol played a part. Little attention seems to have been paid to aftercare in the form of a follow-up visit.
Adaptation by Streptococcus mutans to acid tolerance.

Our previous continuous culture studies with strains of Streptococcus mutans have indicated that the organism has the capacity of adapt to growth in acidic environments. This study was undertaken to examine this question in more detail. S. mutans Ingbritt and the phosphotransferase system (PTS)-defective mutant, S. mutans DR0001/6, were grown in continuous culture at pH 7.5 and 5.5 or 5.1, and the pH optimum for glucose uptake and glycolysis and the capacity of the cells to generate pH gradients were determined over the pH range 4.5 to 8.0 with steady state, washed cells. In addition, the proton permeability of the cells was measured over the pH range by an acid pulse technique. The results indicate that the pH optimum for glucose uptake by S. mutans Ingbritt grown at pH 7.5 was 7.5 and this optimum shifted to 7.0 and 6.0 for cells grown at pH 5.5 and 5.1, whereas with the S. mutans DR0001/6, the optimum shifted from 7.5 to 7.0 for the pH 5.5 cells. A similar shift in the pH optimum for glycolysis was observed for the 2 strains, and this was particularly pronounced for cells incubated with glucose in the presence of gramicidin to dissipate proton gradients. The capacity of the cells to generate pH gradients was related to their metabolic activity, and although larger gradients were not formed by the pH 5.5 cells, these cells were nevertheless capable of maintaining gradients at a lower pH; S. mutans DR0001/6 generated 2-fold larger pH gradients at pH 5.5 than S. mutans Ingbritt. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Application of Raman Spectroscopy and Infrared Spectroscopy in the Identification of Breast Cancer

Raman spectroscopy and infrared (IR) spectroscopy are both techniques that allow for the investigation of vibrating chemical particles. These techniques provide information not only about chemical particles through the identification of functional groups and spectral analysis of so-called “fingerprints”, these methods allow for the qualitative and quantitative analyses of chemical substances in the sample. Both of these spectral techniques are frequently being used in biology and medicine in diagnosing illnesses and monitoring methods of therapy. The type of breast cancer found in woman is often a malignant tumor, causing 1.38 million new cases of breast cancer and 458 000 deaths in the world in 2013. The most important risk factors for breast cancer development are: sex, age, family history, specific benign breast conditions in the breast, ionizing radiation, and lifestyle. The main purpose of breast cancer screening tests is to establish early diagnostics and to apply proper treatment. Diagnoses of breast cancer are based on: (1) physical techniques (e.g., ultrasonography, mammography, elastography, magnetic resonance, positron emission tomography [PET]); (2) histopathological techniques; (3) biological techniques; and (4) optical techniques (e.g., photo acoustic imaging, fluorescence tomography). However, none of these techniques provides unique or especially revealing answers. The aim of our study is comparative spectroscopic measurements on patients with the following: normal non-cancerous breast tissue; breast cancer tissues before chemotherapy; breast cancer tissues after chemotherapy; and normal breast tissues received around the cancerous breast region. Spectra collected from breast cancer patients shows changes in amounts of carotenoids and fats. We also observed changes in carbohydrate and protein levels (e.g., lack of amino acids, changes in the concentration of amino acids, structural changes) in comparison with normal breast tissues. This fact verifies that Raman spectroscopy and IR spectroscopy are very useful diagnostic tools that will shed new light in understanding the etiology of breast cancer.