Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuronal Vacuolation in the Basal Nucleus of Meynert Caused by Fetal Hydrocephalus

The basal nucleus of Meynert, which provides the major source of cholinergic input to the cerebral cortex, was investigated in fetal hydrocephalic brains (n = 5) in comparison to controls (n = 5). To detect alterations, the neurons of the basal nucleus were immunostained with an antibody against the calcium-binding protein calbindin. In the basal nucleus of hydrocephalic brains, a moderate number of vacuolated neurons were observed. Such vacuolation was not seen in control brains. Vacuolation is interpreted as a degenerative change after injury of basal nucleus axons in cases of fetal hydrocephalus. The neuronal alterations in the basal nucleus may account at least in part for residual deficits observed after shunt placement.
Cerebellar medulloblastoma in adults.

IN A RECENT survey of 97 consecutive cases of verified medulloblastomas, we noted that 30 patients were 16 years of age or older (fig. 1). The syndrome of the cerebellar medulloblastoma in childhood has been repeatedly emphasized, whereas the occurrence of similar tumors in the adult has received scant attention in the literature. Cushing,1in 1930, reported 61 cases of medulloblastoma, in 21 per cent of which, or 13, the patients were over the age of 16. Ten patients were between the ages of 16 and 30, and 3 were in the age group over 30. His oldest patient was 38. Dyke and Davidoff2discussed a series of 16 cases of verified medulloblastoma, in which the oldest patient was 24 years of age. They were impressed with the fact that 3 of their 16 patients were over 20 years of age. In our own series, of 97 patients,
Reliability and Validity of the Load–Velocity Relationship to Predict the 1RM Back Squat

Abstract Banyard, HG, Nosaka, K, and Haff, GG. Reliability and validity of the load–velocity relationship to predict the 1RM back squat. J Strength Cond Res 31(7): 1897–1904, 2017—This study investigated the reliability and validity of the load–velocity relationship to predict the free-weight back squat one repetition maximum (1RM). Seventeen strength-trained males performed three 1RM assessments on 3 separate days. All repetitions were performed to full depth with maximal concentric effort. Predicted 1RMs were calculated by entering the mean concentric velocity of the 1RM (V1RM) into an individualized linear regression equation, which was derived from the load–velocity relationship of 3 (20, 40, 60% of 1RM), 4 (20, 40, 60, 80% of 1RM), or 5 (20, 40, 60, 80, 90% of 1RM) incremental warm-up sets. The actual 1RM (140.3 ± 27.2 kg) was very stable between 3 trials (ICC = 0.99; SEM = 2.9 kg; CV = 2.1%; ES = 0.11). Predicted 1RM from 5 warm-up sets up to and including 90% of 1RM was the most reliable (ICC = 0.92; SEM = 8.6 kg; CV = 5.7%; ES = −0.02) and valid (r = 0.93; SEE = 10.6 kg; CV = 7.4%; ES = 0.71) of the predicted 1RM methods. However, all predicted 1RMs were significantly different (p ⩽ 0.05; ES = 0.71–1.04) from the actual 1RM. Individual variation for the actual 1RM was small between trials ranging from −5.6 to 4.8% compared with the most accurate predictive method up to 90% of 1RM, which was more variable (−5.5 to 27.8%). Importantly, the V1RM (0.24 ± 0.06 m·s−1) was unreliable between trials (ICC = 0.42; SEM = 0.05 m·s−1; CV = 22.5%; ES = 0.14). The load–velocity relationship for the full depth free-weight back squat showed moderate reliability and validity but could not accurately predict 1RM, which was stable between trials. Thus, the load–velocity relationship 1RM prediction method used in this study cannot accurately modify sessional training loads because of large V1RM variability.
Children using Digital Ink for Writing

This paper describes an empirical study that considered the immediate usability of digital ink with two groups of children. The first group comprised children aged between 5 and 6 and the second group were aged between 8 and 9. The experiment is described together with a discount method for evaluating the readability of digital ink for children. This method is used to derive readability and usability results. These results demonstrate that digital ink provided a good experience for most of the older children but for the younger children, without modification, the technology was not suitable. A discussion of appropriate metrics for the evaluation of text input with recognition based digital ink input is provided and areas for further work are highlighted.
A 5′ RNA Stem-Loop Participates in the Transcription Attenuation Mechanism That Controls Expression of theBacillus subtilis trpEDCFBA Operon

ABSTRACT The trp RNA-binding attenuation protein (TRAP) regulates expression of the Bacillus subtilis trpEDCFBAoperon by transcription attenuation. Tryptophan-activated TRAP binds to the nascent trp leader transcript by interacting with 11 (G/U)AG repeats. TRAP binding prevents formation of an antiterminator structure, thereby promoting formation of an overlapping terminator, and hence transcription is terminated before RNA polymerase can reach the trp structural genes. In addition to the antiterminator and terminator, a stem-loop structure is predicted to form at the 5′ end of the trp leader transcript. Deletion of this structure resulted in a dramatic increase in expression of atrpE′-′lacZ translational fusion and a reduced ability to regulate expression in response to tryptophan. By introducing a series of point mutations in the 5′ stem-loop, we found that both the sequence and the structure of the hairpin are important for its regulatory function and that compensatory changes that restored base pairing partially restored wild-type-like expression levels. Our results indicate that the 5′ stem-loop functions primarily through the TRAP-dependent regulatory pathway. Gel shift results demonstrate that the 5′ stem-loop increases the affinity of TRAP for trpleader RNA four- to fivefold, suggesting that the 5′ structure interacts with TRAP. In vitro transcription results indicate that this 5′ structure functions in the attenuation mechanism, since deletion of the stem-loop caused an increase in transcription readthrough. An oligonucleotide complementary to a segment of the 5′ stem-loop was used to demonstrate that formation of the 5′ structure is required for proper attenuation control of this operon.
Unpalatable plants facilitate tree sapling survival in wooded pastures

Summary 1. In endangered wooded pasture ecosystems established tree saplings are frequently found in spatial association with protective structures, suggesting nurse effects. This associational resistance is thought to be a driving force behind tree regeneration in wooded pastures. Experimental evidence for associational resistance is, however, scarce. We studied the effects of unpalatable plants on tree sapling performance in a wooded pasture ecosystem in Switzerland and tested the associational resistance hypothesis experimentally. 2. We transplanted 600 Picea abies saplings of two size classes (5 cm and 10 cm) in plots: (i) with unpalatable plants (either Gentiana lutea or Cirsium acaule, representing a chemically and mechanically defended species, respectively); (ii) with one of both unpalatable plants clipped to the ground; and (iii) without any unpalatable plants. Grazing intensity was measured once in each plot and tree sapling performance was followed for 2 consecutive years. 3. Grazing intensity was significantly higher in plots without unpalatable plants, and significantly higher in plots with Cirsium than with Gentiana. Correspondingly, sapling survival (21? 5% and 10? 6% after 1 and 2 grazing years, respectively) was significantly higher near unpalatable plants, and significantly higher in plots with Gentiana than with Cirsium . Large tree saplings survived significantly better than small ones, and depended less on the unpalatable plants for survival. 4. Except for saplings planted near Gentiana, sapling removal by cows and horses was the major cause of death, the extent varying between unpalatable species and treatments. 5. The growth in height of the saplings was unaffected by the treatments. 6. Synthesis and applications. This study shows that unpalatable plants can enhance tree regeneration in wooded pastures. Sapling survival was significantly higher near unpalatable plants where grazing intensity was significantly lower. Protection against cattle is particularly important for small saplings. These results have important management implications for the endangered and disappearing wooded pastures in western Europe. Transplanting tree saplings near unpalatable plants could be an alternative reforestation technique in intensively grazed wooded pastures. On the other hand, removal of unpalatable plants and shrubs might prevent or slow down undesired tree encroachment in less intensively grazed areas. Key-words: associational resistance, cattle, Cirsium acaule, Gentiana lutea, grazing, Picea abies, tree regeneration
Induction of C Chemokine XCL1 (Lymphotactin/Single C Motif-1α/Activation-Induced, T Cell-Derived and Chemokine-Related Cytokine) Expression by HIV-1 Tat Protein1

HIV-1 Tat has been proposed as a key agent in many AIDS-related disorders, including HIV-1-associated neurological diseases. We have recently shown that Tat expression induces a significant increase in T lymphocytes in the brains of Tat transgenic mice. The CNS infiltration of T lymphocytes has been noted in AIDS patients. In the present study using this unique genetic system we attempted to understand the underlying mechanisms of Tat expression-induced infiltration of T lymphocytes by examining chemokine expression. RNase protection assay revealed that in addition to CCL2 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1), CCL3 (macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α)), CCL4 (MIP-1β), CCL5 (RANTES), CXCL2 (MIP-2), and CXCL10 (inducing protein-10), XCL1 (lymphotactin/single C motif-1α/activation-induced, T cell-derived and chemokine-related cytokine) was identified to be up-regulated by Tat expression. XCL1 is a C chemokine and plays a specific and important role in tissue-specific recruitment of T lymphocytes. Thus, we further determined the relationship between Tat and XCL1 expression. Tat-induced XCL1 expression was further confirmed by XCL1-specific RT-PCR and ELISA. Combined in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical staining identified astrocytes, monocytes, and macrophages/microglia as XCL1-producing cells in vivo. Using human astrocytes, U87.MG cells, as an in vitro model, activation of XCL1 expression was positively correlated with Tat expression. Moreover, the XCL1 promoter-driven reporter gene assay showed that Tat-induced XCL1 expression occurred at the transcriptional level. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Tat directly trans-activated XCL1 expression and suggest potential roles of Tat-induced XCL1 expression in the CNS infiltration of T lymphocytes during HIV-1 infection and subsequent HIV-1-induced neurological diseases.
A membrane glucocorticoid receptor mediates the rapid/non‐genomic actions of glucocorticoids in mammalian skeletal muscle fibres

• Glucocorticoids are stress hormones used in the treatment of many chronic inflammatory diseases including asthma. They exert most of their physiological/pharmacological actions by regulating the activity of genes involved in the inflammatory response. However, they also have rapid/non‐genomic effects whose functions are poorly understood. • In this study we used two widely prescribed glucocorticoids, beclomethasone dipropionate and prednisolone acetate, to investigate whether these hormones have rapid/non‐genomic effects in mammalian skeletal muscles. • Both glucocorticoids increased maximum force in slow‐twitch muscle fibres/cells without significantly affecting that of fast‐twitch muscle fibres. • The increase in force occurred within 10 min and was blocked by an inhibitor of the glucocorticoid receptor and a protein (antibody) that binds the receptor. • These findings suggest that these hormones/drugs have rapid/non‐genomic effects in mammalian skeletal muscles; these effects are mediated by a membrane glucocorticoid receptor and are physiologically/pharmacologically beneficial, especially in slow muscles.
The Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein Functions as an Endocytic Receptor for Decorin*

Decorin is a small leucine-rich proteoglycan that modulates the activity of transforming growth factor type β and other growth factors and thereby influences the processes of proliferation and differentiation in a wide array of physiological and pathological reactions. Hence, understanding the regulatory mechanisms of decorin activity has broad implications. Here we report that the extracellular levels of decorin are controlled by receptor-mediated catabolism, involving the low density lipoprotein receptor family member, low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP). We show that decorin is endocytosed and degraded by C2C12 myoblast cells and that both processes are blocked by suppressing LRP expression using short interfering RNA. The same occurs with CHO cells, but not with CHO cells genetically deficient in LRP. Finally, we show that LRP-null CHO cells, transfected to express mini-LRP polypeptides containing either the second or fourth LRP ligand-binding domains, carry out decorin endocytosis and lysosomal degradation. These findings point to LRP-mediated catabolism as a new control pathway for the biological activities of decorin, specifically for its ability to influence extracellular matrix signaling.
Histopathologic characteristics of gastric ulcers created by endoscopic submucosal dissection.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM We have previously reported that gastric ulcers artificially created by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) would heal within 8 weeks regardless of size and location. The details of the healing process remain unclear, and we aimed to clarify the mechanism by histopathological investigation. PATIENTS AND METHODS 21 post-ESD ulcers were examined histopathologically, using surgically resected specimens from patients who had subsequently undergone gastrectomy due to submucosal invasion and/or lymphovascular infiltration by the tumor. The grade of ulcer, appearance of regenerative mucosa, scar formation, and extent of fibrosis were evaluated. RESULTS Fibrosis and wall thickening were observed from 2 weeks after ESD, but regenerative mucosa was not observed until 5 weeks. Among 12 patients who underwent gastrectomy later than 8 weeks after ESD, a mucosal defect was still observed in two patients. In these two patients the lesion was associated with severe fibrosis due to previous peptic ulcer or submucosal invasion by the lesion. CONCLUSION Size reduction in these ulcers occurs by contraction in the early phase, then regenerative mucosa covers the remaining mucosal defect within 8 weeks. If there is fibrosis under the lesion before ESD, there is a possibility that the artificially created ulcer will not heal within 8 weeks.
Can Ultrasound Cause Genetic Damage?

Confronted by the specter of health hazards that may result from use of modern technology, yet tantalized by the information, services, and pleasures provided by these innovations, society has difficulty arriving at a unified posture regarding their development and implementation. Thus, concern is being expressed regarding the safety of ultrasound, at a time when its use has become standard and its applications are proliferating. It is standard policy to invoke the “risk-benefit ratio” as a guide toward use of new technology, but risks are much harder to quantify than benefits, and those promoting new machines or methods generally focus on benefits. Furthermore, even if risks are established, they are usually not absolute. Although they may be large relative to that in groups with no exposure (consequently “statistically significant”), the risks may be small in terms of the actual increase in numbers of persons affected. Risks are difficult to determine because most of the deleterious effects of interest to human society only appear many years, perhaps generations, after exposure. For example, the legacy of the naive abuse of radioactive materials in the dawn of the atomic age was cancer: e.g., the radiologists who tested their Xray machines by placing their hands in the beam and the persons who painted watch dials with radium. ’ These are examples of tragedies that alerted mankind to the fact that unqualified acceptance of new technology may not be wise. This caveat is tempered with the realization that waiting 20 or 30 years after the introduction of new technology to see if long-term harm results (e.g., to see if cancer rates are elevated) is not a satisfactory approach in assessing safety. Nor is it reasonable or feasible to reject all technology categorically, based on our experience with ionizing radiation. Solutions to this dilemma involve: (1)
Shifts in Non-Literary Translation: with focus on EU translation

Tato diplomova praca sa zaobera problematikou posunov v preklade neliterarnych textov pomocou metody, ktoru vypracovala finska lingvistka Hilkka Pekkanen. Dana metoda bola povodne urcena na analýzu literarnych prekladov, cieľom tejto diplomovej prace vsak je pokusiť sa o jej aplikaciu na neliterarne texty. Ďalsim cieľom je zaroveň využiť tuto metodu na sledovanie posunov v preklade textov EU, ktore predstavuju specificku kategoriu neliterarnych textov. V ramci EU sa kladie veľký doraz na prekladovu ekvivalenciu, takže by tieto dokumenty mohli obsahovať menej posunov. Tretim a posledným cieľom je porovnať posuny v textoch EU s inými typmi neliterarneho prekladu a zistiť, ci v prekladoch EU existuju nejake znaky, ktorým by sa tieto preklady odlisovali od iných neliterarnych prekladov.
Use of Biodegradable Plates and Screws in a Rabbit Model

During the last decade, rigid internal fixation with miniplates and screws has gained widespread acceptance in the correction of both congenital and acquired craniomaxillofacial deformities. Recent studies have proposed that the currently employed metallic plates and screws may require removal because of potential facial growth restriction in growing children. Others have reported bone resorption under the plate due to stress shielding, infection, extrusion, and palpability in regions where there is minimal tissue coverage. Because these implants are radiopaque, they generate significant artifacts that interfere with radiological studies and with radiation therapy in patients undergoing treatment for malignancies. There is no question that the use of a biodegradable plating system would eliminate each of these potential or real problems, because stability is necessary only for a reasonably short period until the fracture segments have become united.We report the initial phase of a long-term study examining various materials that will be available for fabrication of a biodegradable plate and screw system. We evaluated a commercially developed biodegradable plate and screw system to treat zygomatic arch fractures in a rabbit model. Fractures were surgically created at the midpoint of each zygomatic arch. The experimental animals were then divided into three equal groups. Fractures in the first group were permitted to heal without any form of stabilization. In the second group, segments were secured with standard titanium plates and screws. Biodegradable plates and screws were employed for stabilization in the experimental group. Animals were then killed, and radiographs were obtained at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. Zygomatic complexes were removed en bloc, and routine hematoxylin and eosin slides were obtained for light microscopy. Without fixation, fracture segments became significantly displaced. Findings were almost identical in the two treatment groups. This biodegradable system appears to have promise in the care of patients with maxillofacial trauma of the midface.
Relationships among progesterone, androgen, and estradiol in corpora lutea and nonluteal ovarian compartments of pseudopregnant rats: effects of decidual tissue.

Rats (200–275 g) were rendered pseudopregnant on the morning of estrus (day 1) by cervical stimulation. On day 5 of pseudopregnancy (PS), the rats (8–12/group) were subjected to either hysterectomy (HX) or unilateral or bilateral decidual cell reactions (uni- or bi-DCR). Control pseudopregnant (C-PS) rats were sham operated on day 5. On days 8 and 12, the rats were killed by decapitation. Blood was collected, and serum was saved for RIA of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), androgen (A), and gonadotropins. Corpora lutea (CL) and the nonluteal ovarian compartment (NLO) were incubated separately in vitro for 2 h in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer, and steroid concentrations were determined in CL and NLO (before and after incubation) and in incubation media. On day 8 of PS, P and A levels in the serum in bi-DCR rats were higher than those in C-PS but not in uni-DCR and HX-PSP rats; however, on day 12, serum P and A levels in bi-DCR rats were higher than the levels of other PS groups, with the exception of C-P.
Effect of metformin on progression of head and neck cancers, occurrence of second primary cancers, and cause-specific survival.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the effect of metformin on progression of head and neck cancers, occurrence of second primary cancers, and cause-specific survival. METHODS This study analyzed a retrospective cohort of 1,151 consecutive patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who were treated at our hospital. Patients were divided into three groups: nondiabetic, nonmetformin, and metformin. Clinical characteristics, recurrence of index head and neck cancer, occurrence of second primary cancer, and survival were compared among the different groups. RESULTS Of 1,151 patients, 99 (8.6%) were included in the metformin group, 79 (6.8%) were in the nonmetformin group, and 973 (84.5%) were in the nondiabetic group. Diabetic status and metformin exposure had no significant impact on index head and neck cancer recurrence or second primary cancer development (p > .2). The nonmetformin group showed relatively lower overall (p = .017) and cancer-specific (p = .054) survival rates than the other groups in univariate analyses, but these results were not confirmed in multivariate analyses. CONCLUSION Metformin use did not show beneficial effects on index tumor progression, second primary cancer occurrence, and cause-specific survival in patients with head and neck cancer compared with nonmetformin users and nondiabetic patients.
Episodic but not continuous hypoxia elicits long‐term facilitation of phrenic motor output in rats

1 Intermittent hypoxia elicits long‐term facilitation (LTF) of phrenic motor output in anaesthetized rats. We tested the hypothesis that an equal cumulative duration of continuous hypoxia would not elicit phrenic LTF. 2 Integrated phrenic nerve activity was recorded in urethane‐anaesthetized, vagotomized, paralysed and ventilated rats exposed to: (1) 3 × 3 min hypoxic episodes (inspired O2 fraction (FI,O2) = 0.11) separated by 5 min hyperoxia (FI,O2= 0.5; n= 6), (2) 9 min continuous hypoxia (n= 6), or (3) 20 min continuous hypoxia (n= 7). Isocapnia was maintained throughout the protocol. 3 Consistent with previous studies, phrenic amplitude was significantly elevated for at least 1 h following intermittent hypoxia (78 ± 15% 60 min post‐hypoxia; P < 0.05) with an associated increase in burst frequency (11 ± 2.1 bursts min−1; P < 0.05). In contrast, 9 or 20 min continuous hypoxia did not elicit LTF of either phrenic amplitude (4.7 ± 5.1 and 10.1 ± 10.2% 60 min post‐hypoxia, respectively; P > 0.05) or frequency (4.6 ± 1.3 and 5.1 ± 2 bursts min−1 60 min post‐hypoxia, respectively; P > 0.05). 4 The results indicate that hypoxia‐induced long‐term facilitation of phrenic motor output is sensitive to the pattern of hypoxic exposure in anaesthetized rats.