Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multiple sclerosis: magnetization transfer histogram analysis of segmented normal-appearing white matter.

PURPOSE To investigate and characterize the global distribution of magnetization transfer (MT) ratio values of normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) and test the hypothesis that the MT histogram for NAWM reflects disease progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS Conventional and MT magnetic resonance (MR) images were obtained in 23 patients and 25 healthy volunteers. Clinical tests for comparison with the MT histogram parameters included the Extended Disability Status Scale and the ambulation index. Lesion load calculated with T2-weighted MR images and whole-brain and white matter volumes were measured. RESULTS The location of the MT histogram peak and the mean MT ratio for NAWM were significantly lower in patients with MS than in control subjects. In longitudinal studies, the histogram peak location and mean MT ratio shifted in the direction of normal values as the duration of disease increased. A mean of 26.5% of the volume of new lesions identified on the later studies were demonstrated to have originated in NAWM corresponding to "lost" pixels on the histogram. CONCLUSION MT histogram analysis of NAWM, including longitudinal analysis, may provide new prognostic information regarding lesion formation and increase understanding of the course of the disease.
Stable isotopes identify dispersal patterns of stonefly populations living along stream corridors

SUMMARY 1. Populations in different locations can exchange individuals depending on the distribution and connectivity of suitable habitat, and the dispersal capabilities and behaviour of the organisms. We used an isotopic tracer, 15 N, to label stoneflies (Leuctra ferruginea) to determine the extent of adult flight along stream corridors and between streams where their larvae live. 2. In four mass, mark-capture experiments we added 15 NH4Cl continuously for several weeks to label specific regions of streams within the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, NH, U.S.A. We collected adult stoneflies along the labelled streams (up to 1.5 km of stream length), on transects through the forest away from labelled sections (up to 500 m), and along an 800-m reach of adjacent tributary that flows into a labelled stream. 3. Of 966 individual adult stoneflies collected and analysed for 15 N, 20% were labelled. Most labelled stoneflies were captured along stream corridors and had flown upstream a mean distance of 211 m; the net movement of the population (upstream + downstream) estimated from the midpoint of the labelled sections was 126 m upstream. The furthest male and female travelled approximately 730 m and approximately 663 m upstream, respectively. We also captured labelled mature females along an unlabelled tributary and along a forest transect 500 m from the labelled stream, thus demonstrating crosswatershed dispersal. 4. We conclude that the adjacent forest was not a barrier to dispersal between catchments, and adult dispersal linked stonefly populations among streams across a landscape within one generation. Our data on the extent of adult dispersal provide a basis for a conceptual model identifying the boundaries of these populations, whose larvae are restricted to stream channels, and whose females must return to streams to oviposit.
The evaluation of Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI) test in dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD) treated with cyclosporine or prednisone.

The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical state of dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD) by use of CADESI test in own modification during the first visit in the Dermatology Consult Room as well as during the treatment. The study was performed in two groups (I-E and II-C) of 20 dogs in each group. In dogs which were qualified to the I-E group, as antiallergic, anti-inflammatory and antipruritic treatment, prednisone (oral preparation Encorton--Polfa Pabianice) at dose 0.5 mg/kg b.w. /day was administered, while in dogs qualified to the II-C group--cyclosporine (oral preparation Sandimmun Neoral--Novartis Pharma) at a dose of 5 mg/kg b.w. /day; the treatment was continued for 6 weeks in both groups. During the study, skin lesions were assessed in 15 specified body areas using 4 parameters and 5-point scale. In group I-E and II-C the amount of received points in CADESI test was decreased by 82.26% and by 83% respectively, after the treatment. Statistical analyses of the results obtained revealed no statistically significant (P = 0.05) differences between means of I-E and II-C groups in consecutive examinations, which indicates comparable clinical efficacy of both drugs. Statistically significant differences (P = 0.05) of the parameters assessed were found after secondary dermatoses treatment, and after every two weeks of antipruritic and anti-inflammatory treatment.
In vitro measurement of ambient pressure changes using a realistic clinical setup

Many attempts to find a non-invasive procedure to measure the local blood pressure have been made. In the last decade independent experiments have indicated that the amplitude of the subharmonic response from contrast agents is sensitive to the ambient pressure. This paper presents a new experimental setup for measuring the acoustic response of a contrast agent when subjected to ambient over pressure. The setup is very flexible offering completely arbitrary excitation and data acquisition, fast and accurate ambient pressure control, and precise timing. More importantly, it resembles a realistic clinical setup using a single array transducer for transmit and receive. In this experiment, the acoustic response of SonoVue (Bracco, Milano, Italy) was measured twice at six different ambient hydrostatic pressures in the interval 0 to 25 kPa with an accuracy within 0.5 kPa. The acquired RF data was filtered and beamformed before further processing. To compensate for variations in bubble response and to make the estimates more robust, the relation between the energy of the subharmonic and the fundamental component was chosen as a measure over the subharmonic peak amplitude. The results of the first measurement sequence show an ambient pressure sensitivity of 0.42 dB/kPa having a linear correlation coefficient of 0.94. In the second sequence, a sensitivity of 0.41 dB/kPa with a correlation coefficient of 0.89 was found.
Genetics of the serine cycle in Methylobacterium extorquens AM1: identification of sgaA and mtdA and sequences of sgaA, hprA, and mtdA

In a previous paper, we reported identification of the 5' part of hprA of Methylobacterium extorquens AM1, which encodes the serine cycle enzyme hydroxypyruvate reductase (L. V. Chistoserdova and M. E. Lidstrom, J. Bacteriol. 174:71-77, 1992). Here we present the complete sequence of hprA and partial sequence of genes adjacent to hprA. Upstream of hprA, the 3' part of an open reading frame was discovered, separated from hprA by 263 bp. This open reading frame was identified as the gene encoding another serine cycle enzyme, serine glyoxylate aminotransferase (sgaA). Cells containing an insertion mutation into sgaA were unable to grow on C1 compounds, demonstrating that the gene is required for C1 metabolism. Sequencing downstream of hprA has revealed the presence of another open reading frame (mtdA), which is probably cotranscribed with hprA. This open reading frame was identified as the gene required for the synthesis of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase. Our data suggest that this enzyme plays an integral role in methylotrophic metabolism in M. extorquens AM1, either in formaldehyde oxidation or as part of the serine cycle.
Interactive Responses of a Thalamic Neuron to Formalin Induced Lasting Pain in Behaving Mice

Thalamocortical (TC) neurons are known to relay incoming sensory information to the cortex via firing in tonic or burst mode. However, it is still unclear how respective firing modes of a single thalamic relay neuron contribute to pain perception under consciousness. Some studies report that bursting could increase pain in hyperalgesic conditions while others suggest the contrary. However, since previous studies were done under either neuropathic pain conditions or often under anesthesia, the mechanism of thalamic pain modulation under awake conditions is not well understood. We therefore characterized the thalamic firing patterns of behaving mice in response to nociceptive pain induced by inflammation. Our results demonstrated that nociceptive pain responses were positively correlated with tonic firing and negatively correlated with burst firing of individual TC neurons. Furthermore, burst properties such as intra-burst-interval (IntraBI) also turned out to be reliably correlated with the changes of nociceptive pain responses. In addition, brain stimulation experiments revealed that only bursts with specific bursting patterns could significantly abolish behavioral nociceptive responses. The results indicate that specific patterns of bursting activity in thalamocortical relay neurons play a critical role in controlling long-lasting inflammatory pain in awake and behaving mice.
A phase diagram for gene selection and disease classification

Identifying a small subset of discriminate genes is important for predicting clinical outcomes and facilitating disease diagnosis. Based on the model population analysis framework, we present a method, called PHADIA, which is able to output a phase diagram displaying the predictive ability of each variable, which provides an intuitive way for selecting informative variables. Using two publicly available microarray datasets, it’s demonstrated that our method can selects a few informative genes and achieves significantly better or comparable classification accuracy compared to the reported results in the literature. The source codes are freely available at: www.libpls. net.
Relationships between Exercise as a Mood Regulation Strategy and Trait Emotional Intelligence

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between perception of emotional intelligence and beliefs in the extent to which exercising leads to mood-enhancement. Methods Volunteer participants (N=315) completed a 33-item self-report measure of trait emotional intelligence and an exercise-mood regulation scale. Results Emotional intelligence significantly correlated with beliefs that exercise could be used to regulate mood (r =0.45, P<0 .01). Conclusion Findings demonstrate that using exercise to regulate mood relates significantly to emotional intelligence and suggest that individuals who use exercise to enhance mood report higher scores of emotional intelligence.
Pharmacological characterization of rat amylin receptors: implications for the identification of amylin receptor subtypes

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Amylin (Amy) is an important glucoregulatory peptide and AMY receptors are clinical targets for diabetes and obesity. Human (h) AMY receptor subtypes are complexes of the calcitonin (CT) receptor with receptor activity‐modifying proteins (RAMPs); their rodent counterparts have not been characterized. To allow identification of the most clinically relevant receptor subtype, the elucidation of rat (r) AMY receptor pharmacology is necessary.
Variation in predictors of primary care career choice by year and stage of training

CONTEXT: It is not known whether factors associated with primary care career choice affect trainees differently at different times or stages of medical education.OBJECTIVE: To examine how role models, encouragement, and personal characteristics affect career choice at different stages (medical school vs residency) and periods (1994 vs 1997) of training.DESIGN: A split-panel design with 2 cross-sectional telephone surveys and a panel survey in 1994 and 1997.PARTICIPANTS: A national probability sample of fourth-year students (307 in 1994, 219 in 1997), 645 second-year residents in 1994, and 494 third-year residents in 1997. Of the fourth-year students interviewed in 1994, 241 (78.5%) were reinterviewed as third-year residents in 1997.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Primary care (general internal medicine, general pediatrics, or family medicine) career choice.RESULTS: Having a primary care role model was a stronger predictor of primary care career choice for residents (odds ratio [OR], 18.0; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 11.2 to 28.8 in 1994; OR, 43.7; 95% CI, 24.4 to 78.3 in 1997) than for students (OR, 6.5; 95% CI, 4.3 to 10.2; no variation by year). Likewise, peer encouragement was more predictive for residents (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 3.3 to 8.9 in 1994; OR, 16.6; 95% CI; 9.7 to 28.4 in 1997) than for students (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.3 to 3.2; no variation by year). Orientation to the emotional aspects of care was consistently associated with primary care career choice across stages and years of training.CONCLUSIONS: The effect of peer encouragement and role models on career choice differed for students and residents and, in the case of residents, by year of training, suggesting that interventions to increase the primary care workforce should be tailored to stage of training.
Intrachromosomal tandem duplication and repeat expansion during attempts to inactivate the subtelomeric essential gene GSH1 in Leishmania

Gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase encoded by GSH1 is the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of glutathione and trypanothione in Leishmania. Attempts to generate GSH1 null mutants by gene disruption failed in Leishmania infantum. Removal of even a single allele invariably led to the generation of an extra copy of GSH1, maintaining two intact wild-type alleles. In the second and even third round of inactivation, the markers integrated at the homologous locus but always preserved two intact copies of GSH1. We probed into the mechanism of GSH1 duplication. GSH1 is subtelomeric on chromosome 18 and Southern blot analysis indicated that a 10-kb fragment flanked by 466-bp direct repeated sequences was duplicated in tandem on the same chromosomal allele each time GSH1 was targeted. Polymerase chain reaction analysis and sequencing confirmed the generation of novel junctions created at the level of the 466-bp repeats consequent to locus duplication. In loss of heterozygosity attempts, the same repeated sequences were utilized for generating extrachromosomal circular amplicons. Our results are consistent with break-induced replication as a mechanism for the generation of this regional polyploidy to compensate for the inactivation of an essential gene. This chromosomal repeat expansion through repeated sequences could be implicated in locus duplication in Leishmania.
A Dynamic Programming Approach to the Parisi Functional

G.Parisi predicted an important variational formula for the thermodynamic limit of the intensive free energy for a class of mean field spin glasses. In this paper, we present an elementary approach to the study of the Parisi functional using stochastic dynamic programing and semi-linear PDE. We give a derivation of important properties of the Parisi PDE avoiding the use of Ruelle Probability Cascades and Cole-Hopf transformations. As an application, we give a simple proof of the strict convexity of the Parisi functional, which was recently proved by Auffinger and Chen in [2].
Current status of open partial nephrectomy

Purpose of review To assess the current status of open partial nephrectomy (OPN) for the treatment of renal tumors. Recent findings Today, the standard indications for open nephron-sparing surgery are renal tumors in solitary kidneys, bilateral renal masses, tumors in patients with impaired renal function and unilateral masses smaller than 4 cm in diameter with a normal functioning contralateral kidney. For the latter, OPN is increasingly being challenged by laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, which in the hands of experts appears to achieve comparable oncological results, although at a higher complication rate. In selected situations, OPN appears justified in intermediate-risk patients with tumors up to 7 cm in diameter. Long-term outcome data indicate that OPN has cancer-free survival rates comparable to those of radical surgery with better preservation of renal function, decreased overall mortality and reduced frequency of cardiovascular events. Summary OPN remains the standard of care for small renal masses and is increasingly advocated in selected patients with tumors up to 7 cm in diameter.
Connectivity Analysis of One-Dimensional Ad Hoc Networks with Arbitrary Spatial Distribution for Variable and Fixed Number of Nodes

In this paper, we propose an analytical approach to compute the probability of connectivity for one-dimensional ad hoc networks. The proposed analysis gives the exact probability of connectivity for an arbitrary distribution of nodes, provided that nodes are independently and identically distributed. We conduct separate analyses for two cases; in the first case, the number of nodes varies by time under a stationary distribution and in the second case, there is a fixed (known) number of nodes in the network. Using the approaches presented in this work, we are able to derive closed-form formulas for the probability of connectivity for some spatial distributions, while for more complicated distributions, our approach leads to tractable numerical algorithms. As an example, we apply our method to a special case (uniform distribution) and derive a closed-form formula for its probability of connectivity. Finally, we confirm the validity of our analytical approach by simulation for several distributions and show higher accuracy and applicability of the proposed approach compared with existing methods.
Dense and Nondense Mammographic Area and Risk of Breast Cancer by Age and Tumor Characteristics

Background: Mammographic density (MD) is a strong breast cancer risk factor. We previously reported associations of percent mammographic density (PMD) with larger and node-positive tumors across all ages, and estrogen receptor (ER)–negative status among women ages <55 years. To provide insight into these associations, we examined the components of PMD [dense area (DA) and nondense area (NDA)] with breast cancer subtypes. Methods: Data were pooled from six studies including 4,095 breast cancers and 8,558 controls. DA and NDA were assessed from digitized film-screen mammograms and standardized across studies. Breast cancer odds by density phenotypes and age according to histopathologic characteristics and receptor status were calculated using polytomous logistic regression. Results: DA was associated with increased breast cancer risk [OR for quartiles: 0.65, 1.00 (Ref), 1.22, 1.55; Ptrend <0.001] and NDA was associated with decreased risk [ORs for quartiles: 1.39, 1.00 (Ref), 0.88, 0.72; Ptrend <0.001] across all ages and invasive tumor characteristics. There were significant trends in the magnitude of associations of both DA and NDA with breast cancer by increasing tumor size (Ptrend < 0.001) but no differences by nodal status. Among women <55 years, DA was more strongly associated with increased risk of ER+ versus ER− tumors (Phet = 0.02), while NDA was more strongly associated with decreased risk of ER− versus ER+ tumors (Phet = 0.03). Conclusions: DA and NDA have differential associations with ER+ versus ER− tumors that vary by age. Impact: DA and NDA are important to consider when developing age- and subtype-specific risk models. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(5); 798–809. ©2015 AACR.
Electron–boson spectral density function of correlated multiband systems obtained from optical data: Ba0.6K0.4Fe2As2 and LiFeAs

We introduce an approximate method which can be used to simulate the optical conductivity data of correlated multiband systems for normal and superconducting cases by taking advantage of a reversed process in comparison to a usual optical data analysis, which has been used to extract the electron–boson spectral density function from measured optical spectra of single-band systems, like cuprates. We applied this method to optical conductivity data of two multiband pnictide systems (Ba0.6K0.4Fe2As2 and LiFeAs) and obtained the electron–boson spectral density functions. The obtained electron–boson spectral density consists of a sharp mode and a broad background. The obtained spectral density functions of the multiband systems show similar properties as those of cuprates in several aspects. We expect that our method helps to reveal the nature of strong correlations in the multiband pnictide superconductors.
Particle filter for underwater terrain navigation

In an earlier contribution a particle filter for underwater (UW) navigation is proposed, and applied to an experimental trajectory. This paper focuses on performance improvements and analysis. First, the Cramer Rao lower bound (CRLB) along the experimental trajectory is computed, which is only slightly lower than the particle filter estimate after initial transients. Simple rule of thumbs for how performance depends on the map and sensor quality are derived. Second, a more realistic five state model is proposed, and Rao-Blackwellization is applied to decrease computational complexity. Monte-Carlo simulations on the map demonstrate a performance comparable to the CRLB.
Oxidative and non-oxidative mechanisms in the inactivation of cardiac mitochondrial electron transport chain components by doxorubicin.

The quinonoid anthracycline, doxorubicin (Adriamycin) is a potent anti-neoplastic agent whose clinical use is limited by severe cardiotoxicity. Mitochondrial damage is a major component of this cardiotoxicity, and rival oxidative and non-oxidative mechanisms for inactivation of the electron transport chain have been proposed. Using bovine heart submitochondrial preparations (SMP) we have now found that both oxidative and non-oxidative mechanisms occur in vitro, depending solely on the concentration of doxorubicin employed. Redox cycling of doxorubicin by Complex I of the respiratory chain (which generates doxorubicin semiquinone radicals, O2-, H2O2, and .OH) caused a 70% decrease in the Vmax. for NADH dehydrogenase during 15 min incubation of SMP, and an 80% decrease in NADH oxidase activity after 2 h incubation. This inactivation required only 25-50 microM-doxorubicin and represents true oxidative damage, since both NADH (for doxorubicin redox cycling) and oxygen were obligatory participants. The damage appears localized between the NADH dehydrogenase flavin (site of doxorubicin reduction) and iron-sulphur centre N-1. Succinate dehydrogenase, succinate oxidase, and cytochrome c oxidase activities were strongly inhibited by higher doxorubicin concentrations, but this phenomenon did not involve doxorubicin redox cycling (no NADH or oxygen requirement). Doxorubicin concentrations of 0.5 mM were required for 50% decreases in these activities, except for cytochrome c oxidase which was only 30% inhibited following incubation with even 1.0 mM-doxorubicin. Our results indicate that low concentrations of doxorubicin (50 microM or less) can catalyse a site-specific oxidative damage to the NADH oxidation pathway. In contrast, ten-fold higher doxorubicin concentrations (or more) are required for non-oxidative inactivation of the electron transport chain; probably via binding to cardiolipin and/or generalized membrane chaotropic effects. The development of agents to block doxorubicin toxicity in vivo will clearly require detailed clinical studies of doxorubicin uptake in the heart.
Tractability and Structural Closures in Attribute Logic Type Signatures

This paper considers three assumptions conventionally made about signatures in typed feature logic that are in potential disagreement with current practice among grammar developers and linguists working within feature-based frameworks such as HPSG: meet-semi-latticehood, unique feature introduction, and the absence of subtype covering. It also discusses the conditions under which each of these can be tractably restored in realistic grammar signatures where they do not already exist.