Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Voiced initial consonant perception deficits in older listeners with hearing loss and good and poor word recognition.

PURPOSE This study examined differences in voiced consonant-vowel (CV) perception in older listeners with normal hearing and in 2 groups of older listeners with matched hearing losses: those with good and those with poor word recognition scores. METHOD Thirty-six participants identified CVs from an 8-item display from the natural voiced initial consonants/b, d, g, m, n, eth, v and z/in three vowel contexts (/a, o, u/) spoken by a male and a female talker. RESULTS The listeners with hearing loss and poor word recognition scores (WRS) made more of the same types of errors, as well as errors not made by listeners with hearing loss and good word recognition. Errors above chance rates for these listeners were highest in the context of /a/ and were similar in the contexts of /o/ and /u/. Sequential information analyses (SINFAs) verified that information was transmitted least efficiently in the context of /a/. The results yielded a list of consonant confusions unique to listeners with poor WRS. CONCLUSIONS Listeners with poor WRS have more difficulty identifying voiced initial consonants in CV syllables than do listeners with good WRS. These listeners made some systematic errors, but most errors were nonsystematic, perhaps due to the low level of feature information transmitted.
Inhibition of Sirtuin 2 with Sulfobenzoic Acid Derivative AK1 is Non-Toxic and Potentially Neuroprotective in a Mouse Model of Frontotemporal Dementia

Tauopathies including tau-associated Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer’s disease are characterized pathologically by the formation of tau-containing neurofibrillary aggregates and neuronal loss, which contribute to cognitive decline. There are currently no effective treatments to prevent or slow this neural systems failure. The rTg4510 mouse model, which expresses a mutant form of the tau protein associated with FTD with Parkinsonism-17, undergoes dramatic hippocampal and cortical neuronal loss making it an ideal model to study treatments for FTD-related neuronal loss. Sirtuins are a family of proteins involved in cell survival that have the potential to modulate neuronal loss in neurodegenerative disorders. Here we tested the hypothesis that sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) inhibition would be non-toxic and prevent neurodegeneration in rTg4510 brain. In this study we delivered SIRT2 inhibitor AK1 directly to the hippocampus with an osmotic minipump and confirmed that it reached the target region both with histological assessment of delivery of a dye and with a pharmacodynamic marker, ABCA1 transcription, which was upregulated with AK1 treatment. AK1 treatment was found to be safe in wild-type mice and in the rTg4510 mouse model, and further, it provided some neuroprotection in the rTg4510 hippocampal circuitry. This study provides proof-of-concept for therapeutic benefits of SIRT2 inhibitors in both tau-associated FTD and Alzheimer’s disease, and suggests that development of potent, brain permeable SIRT2 inhibitors is warranted.
The aminobisphosphonate risedronate preserves localized mineral and material properties of bone in the presence of glucocorticoids.

OBJECTIVE Glucocorticoids (GCs) alter bone strength such that patients receiving these medications have a high rate of fragility-related fractures. The purpose of this study was to assess whether concurrent treatment with GCs (prednisolone) and risedronate (an aminobisphosphonate) would prevent the reduction in bone strength induced by GCs, in a mouse model of GC-induced bone loss and in patients enrolled in a clinical study. METHODS We evaluated mice treated with prednisolone pellets alone, GCs plus risedronate, or placebo alone and iliac crest biopsy specimens obtained from patients who were treated with GCs plus placebo or GCs plus risedronate for 1 year. We measured the mass, architecture, and physical and material properties of bone (subject to therapeutic treatments) at nanoscale to macroscopic dimensions, using synchrotron x-ray tomography, elastic modulus mapping, transmission electron microscopy, and small-angle x-ray scattering techniques. RESULTS GC treatment reduced trabecular bone mass, microarchitecture, and the degree of bone mineralization and elastic modulus within the trabeculae. Concurrent treatment with GCs and risedronate prevented the deterioration of trabecular bone architecture, reduced the degree of mineralization, and preserved elastic modulus within the trabeculae, in both mouse and human bone. In addition, treatment with risedronate plus GCs in mice appeared to preserve bone crystal orientation, compared with treatment with GCs alone. CONCLUSION Risedronate prevented the localized changes in mineral and material properties of bone induced by GCs, which may ultimately improve bone strength.
Interactive manipulation of large-scale crowd animation

Editing large-scale crowd animation is a daunting task due to the lack of an efficient manipulation method. This paper presents a novel cage-based editing method for large-scale crowd animation. The cage encloses animated characters and supports convenient space/time manipulation methods that were unachievable with previous approaches. The proposed method is based on a combination of cage-based deformation and as-rigid-as-possible deformation with a set of constraints integrated into the system to produce desired results. Our system allows animators to edit existing crowd animations intuitively with real-time performance while maintaining complex interactions between individual characters. Our examples demonstrate how our cage-based user interfaces mitigate the time and effort for the user to manipulate large crowd animation.
Bending Strength of Screwed Corner Joints with Different Materials

Tests were carried out in order to determine the bending strength with compression and tension force with and without glue in addition to screws on furniture corner joints in a construction case. The specimens were prepared with particleboard and medium density fiberboard (MDF) surfaced with a synthetic resin sheet. In the connection, two types of screws which have dimensions of 4/50 mm and 5/60 mm were used. For the glued joints, polyurethane Desmodur-VTKA adhesive was used. As a result of these tests it has been determined that the joints with glue are better than the ones without glue and the strength of fiberboard is better than particleboard. Keywords: Bending strength, compression test, tension test, particleboard, wood testing, screws.
Optimizing Druggability through Liposomal Formulations: New Approaches to an Old Concept

Developing innovative delivery strategies remains an ongoing task to improve both efficacy and safety of drug-based therapy. Nanomedicine is now a promising field of investigation, rising high expectancies for treating various diseases such as malignancies. Putting drugs into liposome is an old story that started in the late 1960s. Because of the near-total biocompatibility of their lipidic bilayer, liposomes are less concerned with the safety issue related to the possible long-term accumulation in the body of most nanoobjects currently developed in nanomedicine. Additionally, novel techniques and recent efforts to achieve better stability (e.g., through sheddable coating), combined with a higher selectivity towards target cells (e.g., by anchoring monoclonal antibodies or incorporating phage fusion protein), make new liposomal drugs an attractive and challenging opportunity to improve clinical outcome in a variety of disease. This review covers the physicochemistry of liposomes and the recent technical improvements in the preparation of liposome-encapsulated drugs in regard to the scientific and medical stakes.
Antiadrenergic therapy of chronic heart failure: surprises and new opportunities.

The great British-American scientist-philosopher Alfred North Whitehead divided progress into three stages, the second of which was termed precision, in which the “right ways and wrong ways” of an original idea are elucidated.1 During this period, reinterpretation of the basic idea occurs and is essential to progress. Whitehead’s message is that important ideas are dynamic instruments that are constantly changing as new and usually unexpected information becomes available. This is why tests of particular hypotheses, including those tested in Phase III clinical trials, are often unsupportive, and why therapeutic paradigms constantly change. Within such an ephemeral milieu, the key to ultimate success is to view each unexpected or negative result as an opportunity for constructing and testing even more novel and valuable hypotheses within the framework of the general idea, to ascend to the final stage where progress can be “generalized. ”1 Whitehead’s philosophical legacy is impressively in play in the area of antiadrenergic therapy of chronic heart failure (CHF). The unarguable basic idea is that the biologically powerful adrenergic compensatory mechanism plays a critical role in the natural history of CHF. It is the details or nuances within the general paradigm that continue to change, and lately, surprisingly so. As recently reviewed,2 the importance of dysfunctional adrenergic activation in CHF was first elucidated by work performed by Braunwald’s group at the National Institutes of Health in the 1960s. Among other things, this early work provided the first evidence of marked adrenergic activation in CHF. However, on the basis of reduction in myocardial tissue norepinephrine, and the short-term effects of large doses of antiadrenergic agents,3 the overall interpretation was that adrenergic support was deficient in CHF. This view prevailed for 10 to 15 years, and it contributed to the original logic behind developing Type III phosphodiesterase inhibitors …
Phrasal translation and query expansion techniques for cross-language information retrieval

Dictionary methods for cross-language information retrieval give performance below that for mono-lingual retrieval. Failure to translate multi-term phrases has been shown to be one of the factors responsible for the errors associated with dictionary methods. First, we study the importance of phrasal translation for this approach. Second, we explore the role of phrases in query expansion via local context analysis and local feedback and show how they can be used to significantly reduce the error associated with automatic dictionary translation.
A Direct Precision Measurement of the Intergalactic Lyα Opacity at 2 ≤ z ≤ 4.2

We measure the evolution of the intergalactic Lyα effective optical depth, τeff, over the redshift range 2 ⩽ z⩽ 4.2 from a sample of 86 high-resolution, high-S/N quasar spectra obtained with the ESI and HIRES spectrographs on Keck and with the MIKE spectrograph on Magellan. This represents an improvement over previous analyses of the Lyα forest from high-resolution spectra in this redshift interval of a factor of 2 in the size of the data set alone. We pay particular attention to robust error estimation and extensively test for systematic effects. We find that our estimates of the quasar continuum levels in the Lyα forest obtained by spline fitting are systematically biased low, with the magnitude of the bias increasing with redshift, but that this bias can be accounted for using mock spectra. The mean fractional error ⟨ Δ C/Ctrue⟩ is <1% at z = 2, 4% at z = 3, and 12% at z = 4. Previous measurements of τeff at z≳ 3 based on directly fitting the quasar continua in the Lyα forest, which have generally neglected this effect, are therefore likely biased low. We provide estimates of the level of absorption arising from metals in the Lyα forest based on both direct and statistical metal removal results in the literature, finding that this contribution is ≈6%-9% at z = 3 and decreases monotonically with redshift. The high precision of our measurement, attaining 3% in redshift bins of width Δ z = 0.2 around z = 3, indicates significant departures from the best-fit power-law redshift evolution [τeff = 0.0018(1 + z)3.92, when metals are left in], particularly near z = 3.2. The observed downward departure is statistically consistent with a similar feature detected in a precision statistical measurement using SDSS spectra by Bernardi and coworkers using an independent approach.
Early Postoperative Seizures in Neurosurgical Patients Administered Atracurium and Isoflurane

L'introduction de l'Atracurium et de l'Isoflurane en neurochirurgie semble etre a l'origine de crises epileptiques generalisees dans la salle de reveil. Cinq cas sont presentes. Le role de la dose administree est discute
Glutathione elevation by γ‐glutamyl cysteine ethyl ester as a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing oxidative stress in brain mediated by in vivo administration of adriamycin: Implication for chemobrain

Oxidative stress in heart and brain by the cancer chemotherapeutic drug adriamycin (ADR), used for treating solid tumors, is well established. Long‐term treatment with ADR in breast cancer patients has led to symptoms of cardiomyopathy. Less well recognized, but increasingly well documented, is cognitive dysfunction. After chemotherapy, free radical‐mediated oxidative stress has been reported in both heart and brain. We recently showed a significant increase in protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation in brain isolated from mice injected intraperitonially (i.p) with ADR. Systemic administration of ADR also induces tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), which leads to production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in brain. Circulating TNF also causes mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to apoptotic pathways in brain. Inducible nitric oxide synthase also plays a role in ADR‐induced TNF‐mediated neurotoxicity. In addition, we previously showed a significant decrease in glutathione (GSH) levels in brain isolated from ADR injected mice, along with increased expression of multidrug‐resistant protein‐1 (MRP‐1), glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR). There was a significant decrease in activity of brain GST. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that, by elevating brain levels of GSH, the brain would be protected against oxidative stress in ADR‐injected mice. γ‐Glutamyl cysteine ethyl ester (GCEE), a precursor of glutathione, injected i.p. (150 mg/ kg body weight) 4 hr prior ADR injection (20 mg/kg body weight) led to significantly decreased protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation in subsequently isolated mice brain compared with brain isolated from ADR‐injected mice without GCEE. The GSH levels were restored to the level of brain isolated from saline‐injected mice. Furthermore, the enzyme activity of GST was increased in brain isolated from ADR‐injected mice previously injected with GCEE compared with the brain isolated from ADR‐injected mice previously injected with saline. These results are discussed with regard to potential pharmacological prevention of brain cognitive dysfunction in patients receiving ADR chemotherapy. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Connective tissue remodeling induced by carbon dioxide laser resurfacing of photodamaged human skin.

OBJECTIVE To quantitatively examine the dynamics of molecular alterations involved in dermal remodeling after carbon dioxide (CO(2)) laser resurfacing of photodamaged human skin. DESIGN Serial in vivo biochemical analyses after laser therapy. SETTING Academic referral center, Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Subjects Volunteer sample of 28 adults, 48 to 76 years old, with clinically evident photodamage of the forearms. Intervention Focal CO(2) laser resurfacing of photodamaged forearms and serial biopsies at baseline and various times after treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction technology and immunohistochemistry were used to assess levels of type I and type III procollagens; matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 1, 3, 9, and 13; tropoelastin; fibrillin; primary cytokines interleukin 1beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha; and profibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor beta1. RESULTS Production of type I procollagen and type III procollagen messenger RNA peaked at 7.5 and 8.9 times baseline levels, respectively, 21 days after treatment and remained elevated for at least 6 months. Increases in messenger RNA levels of several cytokines (interleukin 1beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and transforming growth factor beta1) preceded and/or accompanied changes in collagen levels. Marked increases in messenger RNA levels of MMP-1 (39 130-fold), MMP-3 (1041-fold), MMP-9 (75-fold), and MMP-13 (767-fold) were noted. Levels of fibrillin and tropoelastin rose in a delayed fashion several weeks after treatment. CONCLUSIONS The biochemical changes seen after CO(2) laser resurfacing proceed through a well-organized and highly reproducible wound healing response that results in marked alterations in dermal structure. These quantitative changes may serve as a means for comparison as other therapeutic modalities meant to improve the appearance of photodamaged skin are evaluated.
Validation of the Fitbit wireless activity tracker for prediction of energy expenditure.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of the Fitbit wireless activity tracker in assessing energy expenditure (EE) for different activities. METHODS Twenty participants (10 males, 10 females) wore the Fitbit Classic wireless activity tracker on the hip and the Oxycon Mobile portable metabolic system (criterion). Participants performed walking and running trials on a treadmill and a simulated free-living activity routine. Paired t tests were used to test for differences between estimated (Fitbit) and criterion (Oxycon) kcals for each of the activities. RESULTS Mean bias for estimated energy expenditure for all activities was -4.5 ± 1.0 kcals/6 min (95% limits of agreement: -25.2 to 15.8 kcals/6 min). The Fitbit significantly underestimated EE for cycling, laundry, raking, treadmill (TM) 3 mph at 5% grade, ascent/descent stairs, and TM 4 mph at 5% grade, and significantly overestimated EE for carrying groceries. Energy expenditure estimated by the Fitbit was not significantly different than EE calculated from the Oxycon Mobile for 9 activities. CONCLUSION The Fitbit worn on the hip significantly underestimates EE of activities. The variability in underestimation of EE for the different activities may be problematic for weight loss management applications since accurate EE estimates are important for tracking/monitoring energy deficit.
Probiotics Blunt the Anti-Hypertensive Effect of Blueberry Feeding in Hypertensive Rats without Altering Hippuric Acid Production

Previously we showed that feeding polyphenol-rich wild blueberries to hypertensive rats lowered systolic blood pressure. Since probiotic bacteria produce bioactive metabolites from berry polyphenols that enhance the health benefits of berry consumption, we hypothesized that adding probiotics to a blueberry-enriched diet would augment the anti-hypertensive effects of blueberry consumption. Groups (n = 8) of male spontaneously hypertensive rats were fed one of four AIN ‘93G-based diets for 8 weeks: Control (CON); 3% freeze-dried wild blueberry (BB); 1% probiotic bacteria (PRO); or 3% BB + 1% PRO (BB+PRO). Blood pressure was measured at weeks 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 by the tail-cuff method, and urine was collected at weeks 4 and 8 to determine markers of oxidative stress (F2-isoprostanes), nitric oxide synthesis (nitrites), and polyphenol metabolism (hippuric acid). Data were analyzed using mixed models ANOVA with repeated measures. Diet had a significant main effect on diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.046), with significantly lower measurements in the BB- vs. CON-fed rats (p = 0.035). Systolic blood pressure showed a similar but less pronounced response to diet (p = 0.220), again with the largest difference between the BB and CON groups. Absolute increase in blood pressure between weeks 0 and 8 tended to be smaller in the BB and PRO vs. CON and BB+PRO groups (systolic increase, p = 0.074; diastolic increase, p = 0.185). Diet had a significant main effect on hippuric acid excretion (p<0.0001), with 2- and ~1.5-fold higher levels at weeks 4 and 8, respectively, in the BB and BB+PRO vs. PRO and CON groups. Diet did not have a significant main effect on F2-isoprostane (p = 0.159) or nitrite excretion (p = 0.670). Our findings show that adding probiotics to a blueberry-enriched diet does not enhance and actually may impair the anti-hypertensive effect of blueberry consumption. However, probiotic bacteria are not interfering with blueberry polyphenol metabolism into hippuric acid.
Long-Term Staphylococcal Enterotoxin C1 Exposure Induces Soluble Factor-Mediated Immunosuppression by Bovine CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells

ABSTRACT Regulatory T cells (Tregs) help control the development and maintenance of protective immunity and can lead to aberrant immune responses to some pathogens. Several lines of evidence suggest that Tregs are induced by exposure to superantigens (SAgs) in vitro or in vivo. In this study, bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were exposed in vitro to a relatively low dose (5 ng/ml) of staphylococcal enterotoxin C1 (SEC1) for up to 10 days. Upon stimulation, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells initially proliferated at similar rates. Subsequently, from days 6 through 10, most CD4+ and CD8+ T cells proliferated regardless of Vβ specificity, but the proliferation of CD8+ T cells occurred more vigorously. The transcription of CD25 and CD152 genes increased, whereas that of interleukin-2 (IL-2) decreased. γδ T cells appeared to be unresponsive. An increase in the transcription of IL-10 and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) genes in SEC1-stimulated cultures was attributed to the CD4+ CD25+ T-cell subpopulation. The expression of Foxp3 mRNA also increased and was accompanied by the upregulation of CD152 and the downregulation of IL-2 transcription, suggesting that cells in this subpopulation are Tregs. Functionally, SEC1-stimulated CD4+ T cells suppressed the proliferation of naive PBMC in response to heat-killed-fixed Staphylococcus aureus. The suppression was partially mediated by IL-10 and TGF-β, another characteristic of certain types of Tregs. The CD8+ T-cell population also suppressed naive PBMC through another mechanism not mediated by IL-10 or TGF-β. These results provide further insight into the potential mechanisms by which SAgs could contribute to evasion of the immune response, affecting the outcome of infection or colonization.