Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Wideband Microwave Tomography System With a Novel Frequency Selection Procedure

In this paper, we describe a 2-D wideband microwave imaging system intended for biomedical imaging. The system is capable of collecting data from 3 to 6 GHz, with 24 coresident antenna elements connected to a vector network analyzer via a 2 × 24 port matrix switch. As one of the major sources of error in the data collection process is a result of the strongly coupling 24 coresident antennas, we provide a novel method to avoid the frequencies where the coupling is large enough to prevent successful imaging. Through the use of two different nonlinear reconstruction schemes, which are an enhanced version of the distorted born iterative method and the multiplicative regularized contrast source inversion method, we show imaging results from dielectric phantoms in free space. The early inversion results show that with the frequency selection procedure applied, the system is capable of quantitatively reconstructing dielectric objects, and show that the use of the wideband data improves the inversion results over single-frequency data.
The impact of weather extremes on urban resilience to hydro-climate hazards: a Singapore case study

Abstract Changing frequencies and intensities of extreme weather events directly affect settlement vulnerability; when combined with rapid urbanization, these factors also influence urban resilience to climate-related hazards. This article documents how urban resilience can generally be maximized, before examining how it is impacted by extreme hydro-climatic events (i.e. droughts and floods), with a specific case examination for Singapore. In particular, analysis of Singapore’s climate from 1950 to 2015 indicates (1) a warmer environment, and (2) recent periods of more intense surface dryness. Lastly, this article suggests how specific climate information regarding extreme event attribution can aid municipal stakeholders involved in urban resilience policy.
Profitability of Volume-based Momentum and Contrarian Strategies in the Indian Stock Market

This article investigates the relationship of trading volume with the profitability of momentum and long-run contrarian strategies for the Indian stock market. The result of the study provides support to Lee and Swaminathan (2000, The Journal of Finance, 55(5), 2017–2069) argument that trading volume predicts both the magnitude as well as the persistence of momentum in the long run. The portfolio of heavily traded securities earned higher momentum and contrarian returns as compared to low-trading securities portfolio in the Indian stock market. Hence, returns from both momentum and contrarian portfolios are positively related to the level of trading activity in the security. Further, the results provide evidence in favour of volume-based investment strategies. Both volume-based momentum strategy and volume-based contrarian strategy generate higher return in the Indian stock market as compared to pure momentum and contrarian strategy. In addition, the study provides support to momentum life cycle theory in explaining the relation between trading volume and momentum returns in the Indian stock market. These findings cast strong implication for Indian investors who are continuously engaged in identifying profitable investment strategies that can generate higher returns.
The Amygdala, Synaptic Plasticity, and Fear Memory

Abstract: The nature and mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in the amygdala and the relation of amygdaloid plasticity to behavior are exciting new areas of study in neuroscience. These issues were at the heart of presentations by Paul Chapman, Michael Fanselow, Patricia Shinnick‐Gallagher, and Michael Rogawski in a session entitled “Long‐Term Plasticity in Amygdala Synaptic Transmission” that was held at the conference featured in this volume. In this chapter, I briefly summarize these talks and give my perspective on the presentations as the session chair. I argue that we must first understand the role of the amygdala in learning and memory in order to understand the contribution of amygdaloid synaptic plasticity to behavior. Although it is generally agreed that the amygdala is involved in several forms of emotional learning and memory such as pavlovian fear conditioning, a recent debate has emerged concerning the precise role of the amygdala in learning versus performing fear responses. I discuss data from my laboratory that unravel this issue. I argue that the basolateral complex of the amygdala (BLA) normally plays an essential role in associative processes in fear conditioning. Nonetheless, rats with BLA lesions acquire and express conditional fear under some conditions. A neuroanatomical model that accounts for these data is presented.
From Left to Right: Processing Acronyms Referring to Names of Political Parties Activates Spatial Associations

In line with previous studies, showing that abstract concepts like “power” or “god” implicitly activate spatial associations, in the present study we hypothesized that spatial associations are coactivated during the processing of acronyms referring to names of political parties as well. In four studies, it was found that the reading of these acronyms was accompanied by the implicit activation of spatial left–right associations. That is, participants responded faster to left-wing parties by means of a left-hand button press and vice versa for right-wing parties (Experiments 1 to 3), and participants responded faster when a political acronym was presented at the side of the screen corresponding to the political orientation of the acronym (Experiment 4). Interestingly, a correlation was observed between the effect size for left-wing parties and participants’ political preferences, suggesting that the reaction time effects reflect the perceived distance of a party to one's own political orientation. Together these findings indicate that spatial representations activated in response to political acronyms do not simply reflect lexical–semantic associations or spatial metaphors, but representations of parties’ political orientation relative to one's own sociopolitical position.
Detection kinetics for positive blood culture bottles by using the VITAL automated system

The VITAL system principle is based on homogeneous fluorescence technology. During an 11-month period, a total of 19,706 blood cultures from adult patients hospitalized in various establishments of the Montpellier Teaching Hospital were collected in VITAL bottles, of which 1,939 were declared positive. Only 204 bottles (1.04%) were false positives. The 1,735 true-positive bottles were collected from 130 patients. The final visual control permitted the detection of 10 falsely negative bottles (0.05%), of which 5 contained clinically significant microorganisms from four patients. The kinetics of detection for all microorganisms showed that 66.6% were detected within 24 h, 83.1% within 48 h, 95.5% within 120 h, and 100% within 150 h. No clinical episode would have been missed had a 5-day protocol been used instead of a 7-day protocol. Among the positive bottles, 65.7% were detected by the SLOPE algorithm, 20.1% by the DELTA algorithm, and 14.2% by the THRESHOLD algorithm. This retrospective study of our results shows that a 5-day protocol is sufficient for the detection of septic episodes using the VITAL system.
Live and Heat-Killed Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG: Effects on Proinflammatory and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines/Chemokines in Gastrostomy-Fed Infant Rats

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), a probiotics, ameliorates intestinal and other organ inflammation in infant rats. The hypothesis is that live and heat-killed LGG have similar effects on decreasing the inflammatory response induced by E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the infant rat. Using a gastrostomy-fed rat model, 7-d-old rat pups were gastrostomy fed with or without live LGG (108 or 1012 cfu · L−1 · kg−1 · d−1) for 6 d. In a separate experiment, LPS was administered to rat pups with or without live or heat-killed LGG (108 cfu · L−1 · kg−1 · d−1). Cytokine/chemokine proteins were determined by ELISA or multiplex assay. Both live and heat-killed LGG decreased LPS-induced cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1) production in liver and plasma (p < 0.05) and also showed a trend (p = 0.09) in lungs. Live and heat-killed LGG ameliorated LPS-suppressed IL-10 level in lungs (p < 0.05). Both forms of LGG decreased IL-1b production in liver. There was no difference between low and high doses of live LGG in the production of CINC-1, TNF-α, and myeloperoxidase (MPO). There was a trend of increase of claudin-1 in both live and heat-killed groups (p = 0.08). In conclusion, both live and heat-killed LGG provided by the enteral route decrease LPS-induced proinflammatory mediators and increase anti-inflammatory mediators.
Efficacy of a lutein-based dye (Phacodyne™) for visualizing anterior capsulorhexis during cataract surgery by phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel lutein-based dye for the anterior capsulorhexis during phacoemulsification in cataract surgery in humans. METHODS Twenty-five eyes from 25 patients were operated by 25 different surgeons who performed continuous circular capsulorhexis (CCC) guided by a lutein-based dye (Phacodyne™) during cataract surgery by phacoemulsification. A questionnaire assessed the surgeon’s opinion regarding the efficacy of the dye. Follow-up examinations were performed at 1, 7, and 30 days post-surgery. Eyes were evaluated by full ophthalmic examination, corneal topography/pachymetry, and corneal endothelial cell count. RESULTS As revealed by the answers to the questionnaire, the dye facilitated the CCC procedure in all eyes. Baseline nuclear cataract classification (according to the Lens Opacities Classification System III; LOCS III) was 3.24 (± 1.12). Preoperative BCVA (logMAR) was 0.89 ± 0.59 and improved to 0.23 ± 0.22 on day 30 after surgery. The intraocular pressure (IOP) remained stable and the inflammatory reaction subsided in all cases within the first 7 days after surgery. The pre-operative values of corneal pachymetry and IOP were similar to those found on follow-up day 30. Loss in endothelial cell number was similar to earlier reports. CONCLUSION Phacodyne™ was efficient when used for anterior capsulorhexis during cataract surgery by phacoemulsification and
Surface marker expression in acute myeloid leukaemia at first relapse

Surface markers were studied at first relapse in 66 cases of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), using a panel of five monoclonal antibodies directed to CD13, CD14, CD15, CD33 and CD34 antigens. At time of relapse, there was increased expression of CD33 (P=0·002) and CD34 (P=0·0001), and decreased expression of CD13 (P=0·004) and CD15 (P=0·0001) antigens by comparison to initial diagnosis. There was no strict correlation with the FAB classification. However, CD13 and CD33 expression changes preferentially affected granulocytic leukaemias. At relapse, CD14 and CD34 were significantly more expressed in monocytic than in granulocytic AML (P=001 and 0·003 respectively). In a multivariate analysis, CD34 expression was associated with a low CR rate (P=0·001) and short survival (P=0·05), whereas CD15 expression was associated with long survival (P=0·0004). These results suggest that AML tends to relapse with a less differentiated phenotype than observed at diagnosis and that AML with less differentiated phenotype is of poor prognosis after first relapse, as also observed at diagnosis.
Effect of N alpha-methyl-histamine on acid secretion in isolated cultured rabbit parietal cells: implications for Helicobacter pylori associated gastritis and gastric physiology.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori has been shown to produce the unusual metabolite N alpha-methyl-histamine. This compound is known to be a potent agonist at inhibitory histamine H3 receptors. There is increasing evidence implicating this receptor in the control of gastric acid secretion but the mechanism for this remains to be clarified. AIMS: To investigate the effect of N alpha-methyl-histamine on the acid secretory activity of parietal cells and to determine the mechanism for such effects, thus helping to determine the role of this compound in the pathophysiology of H pylori infection. METHODS: Rabbit parietal cells were isolated and enriched by collagenase-EDTA digestion and centrifugal elutriation. Following culture on Matrigel coated plates, acid secretion was assessed by 14C aminopyrine accumulation. RESULTS: N alpha-methyl-histamine (100 microM) was as potent as histamine (100 microM) in stimulating acid secretion. This effect was reversed by ranitidine indicating it was mediated via the H2 receptor. N alpha-methyl-histamine potentiated the effects of both carbachol (increased by 280%) and gastrin (by 350%) (p < 0.01). N alpha-methyl-histamine had no inhibitory actions on forskolin or carbachol stimulated acid secretion suggesting that there is not an inhibitory H3 receptor located directly on the parietal cell. CONCLUSIONS: Bacterially produced N alpha-methyl-histamine directly stimulates acid secretion by parietal cells and this may contribute to the increased acid secretion that contributes to duodenal ulceration.
The functional status and columnar organization of single cells responding to cutaneous stimulation in neonatal rat somatosensory cortex S1.

1. An investigation was carried out on single cells in 7 day old rat primary somatosensory cortex, which responded to cutaneous stimulation using mechanical pulses. 3 percent of cells encountered showed stable spontaneous activity, whereas 88 percent were silent in the absence of intentional stimulation. The remainder showed unstable spontaneous activity. In contrast, the great majority of adult cells were spontaneously active in the absence of stimulation, under similar conditions of urethane anaesthesia. 2. The distribution within cortical layers of cutaneously driven cells was similar in adult and 7 day old rats, and similar to that found in adult mammalian cortex by other workers. 3. 7 day old cells showed diminished excitability to cutaneous stimulation with stimuli at intervals below 10–15 sec, whereas adult cells could be successfully repetitively driven with stimuli at intervals of 500 msec. The low ability of the immature cells to follow repetitive cutaneous stimulation is not due to an overall depression of these cells excitability per se. Latencies of unitary responses in these immature cells were about sixfold those found in equivalent cells at maturity. 4. Columnar organization at seven days of age was similar in outline to that of the adult, but much less discrete. Receptive fields were considerably larger at 7 days and evidence is given that this may be due to inadequate surround inhibition. Immature vibrissae‐driven units were directionally selective. 5. At 7 days of age, long inter‐spike intervals were rare in spontaneously active cells with the result that inter‐spike interval histogram distributions (i.h.s.) were approximately normal. Corresponding i.h. s. of adult cells invariably showed skew distributions. 6. Tactile stimulation of centre receptive fields produced an increase in short and long intervals from spontaneously active cells at each age. In contrast to adult cells, the immature cells commonly responded cyclically, with alternating phases of increased and decreased firing rate for periods of up to 3 sec following punctate stimulation. 7. Decrease in spontaneous firing rate, following the first phase of excitation, was profound in 7 day old cells, and implied that inhibitory mechanisms operate at an early age in the rat somatosensory system. These mechanisms also appear to contribute to cyclical activity of 7 day old cells when driven by punctate cutaneous stimulation.
Raloxifene- and estradiol-mediated effects on uterus, bone and B lymphocytes in mice.

Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator approved for the prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. It is selective by having estrogen-agonistic effects on bone, vessels and blood lipids while it is antagonistic on mammary and uterine tissue. Our aim was to study the agonistic and antagonistic properties of the raloxifene analogue LY117018 (LY) on uterus, bone, B lymphopoiesis and B cell function. Oophorectomized and sham-operated animals were treated with s.c. injections of equipotent anti-osteoporotic doses of 17beta-estradiol (E2) (0.1 mg/kg) or LY (3 mg/kg) or vehicle as controls. Effects on bone mineral density (BMD) were studied using peripheral quantitative computed tomography, uterine weight was examined, B lymphopoiesis was examined using flow cytometry and B cell function in bone marrow and spleen was studied by the use of an ELISPOT assay. E2 and LY had similar effects on BMD and bone marrow B lymphopoiesis, while LY had a clear antagonistic effect on endogenous estrogen in uterine tissue and no stimulating effect on the frequency of Ig-producing B cells in sham-operated animals. Our results are discussed in the context of estrogen receptor biology, relations between the immune system and bone metabolism and also with respect to the estrogen-mediated effects on rheumatic diseases.
Clinical implications of TP53 mutations in myelodysplastic syndromes treated with hypomethylating agents

We screened TP53 mutations in 168 MDS patients who were treated with HMA and evaluated predictive and prognostic value of TP53 mutations. Overall response to HMA was not different based on TP53 mutation status (45% vs. 32% in TP53-mutated and wild type [WT], respectively, P = 0.13). However, response duration was significantly shorter in TP53-mutated patients compared to WT patients (5.7 months vs. 28.5 months, P = 0.003). Longitudinal analysis of TP53 mutations after HMA showed that TP53 mutations almost always persisted at times of disease progression. TP53-mutated patients showed significantly worse overall survival (OS) compared to WT patients (9.4 months vs. 20.7 months, P <0.001). Further, TP53 mutations distinguished prognosis in the subgroup of patients with complex karyotype and Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R) defined very high-risk disease. Multivariate analysis showed that TP53 mutation status is significantly prognostic for OS after adjusting prognostic effect from other factors. The current study provides evidence that TP53 mutations are independently prognostic in MDS patients treated with HMA. While TP53-mutated MDS patients initially respond well to HMA, their duration of response is significantly shorter than WT patients. Novel strategies to improve duration of response in TP53-mutated MDS are urgently needed.
Monitoring Cytomegalovirus Infection in Adult and Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Recipients by a Real-Time PCR Assay Performed with Blood Plasma

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the advantages of cytomegalovirus (CMV) real-time PCR in blood plasma to monitor CMV infection in a population of adult and pediatric bone marrow recipients in comparison with the pp65 antigenemia method. Fifty allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients from our center, including 23 adults and 27 children, were enrolled. A CMV real-time PCR designed to amplify a well-conserved region of the UL123 gene was evaluated for its results with whole blood and blood plasma. The CMV real-time PCR assay and the CMV antigenemia method were performed in parallel with 558 blood samples. The results obtained by the two techniques were significantly correlated (r = 0.732; P < 0.0001). Twenty patients developed at least one episode of CMV replication, with a total of 24 episodes detected by CMV PCR; antigenemia assays were positive in 17 of these 24 episodes. The first positive PCR test preceded the first positive antigenemia by a median of 8 days. The median time interval necessary to obtain a negative CMV PCR test after implementation of preemptive treatment was 28 days. CMV PCR of plasma was positive in two children with CMV disease (one with early CMV pneumonia and one with CMV gastroenteritis), while CMV antigenemia remained negative. The use of CMV PCR with plasma to guide both implementation and discontinuation of CMV preemptive therapy might reduce the risk of occurrence of CMV disease since patients would be treated earlier, and it might also help to reduce the duration of treatment, which could attenuate the side effects of antiviral drugs.
Ig‐Isotype Patterns of Primary and Secondary B Cell Responses to Plasmodium Chabaudi Chabaudi Correlate with IFN‐γ and IL‐4 Cytokine Production and with CD45RB Expression by CD4+ Spleen Cells

In this work, the authors analysed T and B lymphocyte subsets and cytokine production in the spleen of BALB/c mice during polyclonal lymphocyte activation (primary infection) and parasite‐specific response to Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi (secondary infection). The secondary response was evaluated in fully immunoprotected animals, 60 days after a chloroquine‐cured infection. The authors observed that in polyclonal lymphocyte activation antibody‐secreting cells of all isotypes increased, with predominance of IgG2a and IgG3 classes. At that time, IFN‐γ was largely produced, but IL‐4/IL‐5 were just slightly enhanced. In mice re‐infected after 60 days, the Ig‐isotype pattern was restricted to IgG1 and only IL–4/IL‐5 were produced. In both responses, however, the levels of IL‐2 were greatly reduced, while those of IL‐10 were enhanced to similar levels. The different involvement of Th1 and Th2 cells in both responses was confirmed through analysis of CD45RB expression by CD4+ cells. The authors observed that CD45RBhigh cells were the major CD4+ subpopulation in primary infected mice, while CD45RBlow cells predominated in 60 days re‐infected animals. Moreover, the great majority of activated (large) CD4+ cells in the primary infection belonged to the CD45RBhigh subset, while after re‐infection most of the CD4+ large had a CD45RBlow phenotype.
Differentiation of cGMP-dependent and -independent nitric oxide effects on platelet apoptosis and reactive oxygen species production using platelets lacking soluble guanylyl cyclase

Summary Platelet activation is an irreversible process resulting in platelet apoptosis and necrosis, and circulating platelets contain many components of the apoptotic machinery. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) generated by nitric oxide (NO) activated soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) plays a crucial role in preventing platelet activation. However, in addition to activation of sGC, cGMP-independent NO effects in platelets have been described. To differentiate between cGMP-dependent and -independent NO effects on platelet apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, we generated platelet-specific sGC-deficient mice (PS-GCKO). Platelet apoptosis was induced by a combination of thrombin/convulxin (Thr/Cvx) and assessed by phosphatidylserine (PS) surface exposure, and loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential. NO-induced inhibition of PS externalisation was mediated only by cGMP-dependent mechanisms. Inhibition of the mitochondrial membrane potential decrease at low NO concentration was also cGMP-dependent but became cGMP-independent at high NO concentrations. In contrast, inhibition of ROS formation at any NO concentration was mediated by cGMP-independent mechanisms, very likely due to direct radical scavenging. NO inhibits platelet apoptosis by cGMP-dependent mechanisms and ROS production by cGMP-independent mechanisms. The PS-GCKO mouse model is an important tool for the differentiation of cGMP-dependent and -independent NO effects on platelets.