Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The signal functions of early infant crying

In this article I evaluate recent attempts to illuminate the human infant cry from an evolutionary perspective. Infants are born into an uncertain parenting environment, which can range from indulgent care of offspring to infanticide. Infant cries are in large part adaptations that maintain proximity to and elicit care from caregivers. Although there is not strong evidence for acoustically distinct cry types, infant cries may function as a graded signal. During pain-induced autonomic nervous system arousal, for example, neural input to the vocal cords increases cry pitch. Caregivers may use this acoustic information, together with other cues, to guide caregiving behavior. Serious pathology, on the other hand, results in chronically and severely abnormal cry acoustics. Such abnormal crying may be a proximate cause of adaptive infant maltreatment, in circumstances in which parents cut their losses and reduce or withdraw investment from infants with low survival chances. An increase in the amount of crying during the first few months of life is a human universal, and excessive crying, or colic, represents the upper end of this normal increase. Potential signal functions of excessive crying include manipulation of parents to acquire additional resources, honest signaling of need, and honest signaling of vigor. Current evidence does not strongly support any one of these hypotheses, but the evidence is most consistent with the hypothesis that excessive early infant crying is a signal of vigor that evolved to reduce the risk of a reduction or withdrawal of parental care.
High Modulated Output Power Over 9.0 dBm With 1570-nm Wavelength SOA Assisted Extended Reach EADFB Laser (AXEL)

With a view to realizing a light source for future access networks, we demonstrated a 1570-nm (L-band) wavelength semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) assisted extended reach electroabsorption-modulater integrated with a distributed feedback (EADFB) laser (AXEL) for a high modulated light output power (Pavg) of more than 9.0 dBm. We first compared the static lasing characteristics of the AXEL with those of a conventional EADFB laser fabricated on the same wafer. We found that the light output power of the AXEL was significantly higher and the power conversion efficiency of the AXEL was more than double that of the EADFB laser. Second, we experimentally estimated the effect of the integrated SOA. Under typical driving conditions, a net SOA gain of 4.9 dB was obtained, and the excellent chirp compensation effect of the SOA was observed. Next, we investigated the AXEL driving condition in terms of power conversion efficiency and found that the AXEL with commonly driven laser diode and SOA sections approached the most efficient driving condition even when the electroabsorption modulator bias voltage was applied. Finally, the 10-Gbit/s transmission characteristic was examined. A sufficient P avg of 9.0 dBm was achieved, revealing the potential for access network applications. Furthermore, the transmission distance was successfully extended to 80 km thanks to the chirp compensation effect of the SOA.
Increase in efficiency and reduction in Ca2+ dependence of exocytosis during development of mouse inner hair cells

Developmental changes in the coupling between Ca2+ entry and exocytosis were studied in mouse inner hair cells (IHCs) which, together with the afferent endings, form the primary synapse of the mammalian auditory system. Ca2+ currents (ICa) and changes in membrane capacitance (ΔCm) were recorded using whole‐cell voltage clamp from cells maintained at body temperature, using physiological (1.3 mm) extracellular Ca2+. The magnitudes of both ICa and ΔCm increased with maturation from embryonic stages until postnatal day 6 (P6). Subsequently, ICa gradually declined to a steady level of about −100 pA from P13 while the Ca2+‐induced ΔCm remained relatively constant, indicating a developmental increase in the Ca2+ efficiency of exocytosis. Although the size of ICa changed during development, its activation properties did not, suggesting the presence of a homogeneous population of Ca2+ channels in IHCs throughout development. The Ca2+ dependence of exocytosis changed with maturation from a fourth power relation in immature cells to an approximately linear relation in mature cells. This change applies to the release of both a readily releasable pool (RRP) and a slower secondary pool of vesicles, implying a common release mechanism for these two kinetically distinct pools that becomes modified during development. The increased Ca2+ efficiency and linear Ca2+ dependence of mature IHC exocytosis, especially over the physiological range of intracellular Ca2+, could improve the high‐fidelity transmission of both brief and long‐lasting stimulation. These properties make the mature cell ideally suited for fine intensity discrimination over a wide dynamic range.
Optimizing Drug Regimens in Cancer Chemotherapy by an Efficacy-Toxicity Mathematical Model

In cancer chemotherapy, it is important to design treatment strategies that ensure a desired rate of tumor cell kill without unacceptable toxicity. To optimize treatment, we used a mathematical model describing the pharmacokinetics of anticancer drugs, antitumor efficacy, and drug toxicity. This model was associated with constraints on the allowed plasma concentrations, drug exposure, and leukopenia. Given a schedule of drug administrations, the mathematical model optimized the drug doses that can minimize the tumor burden while limiting toxicity at the level of the white blood cells. The main result is that the optimal drug administration is an initial high-dose chemotherapy up to saturation of constraints associated with normal cell toxicity and a maintenance continuous infusion at a moderate rate. Data related to etoposide investigations were used in a feasibility study. Simulations with the optimized protocol showed better performances than usual clinical protocols. Model-based optimal drug doses provide for greater cytoreduction, while limiting the risk of unacceptable toxicity.
Characterization and expression of the plasmid-borne bedD gene from Pseudomonas putida ML2, which codes for a NAD+-dependent cis-benzene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase

The catabolic plasmid pHMT112 in Pseudomonas putida ML2 contains the bed gene cluster encoding benzene dioxygenase (bedC1C2BA) and a NAD+-dependent dehydrogenase (bedD) required to convert benzene into catechol. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence upstream of the benzene dioxygenase gene cluster (bedC1C2BA) revealed a 1,098-bp open reading frame (bedD) flanked by two 42-bp direct repeats, each containing a 14-bp sequence identical to the inverted repeat of IS26. In vitro translation analysis showed bedD to code for a polypeptide of ca. 39 kDa. Both the nucleotide and the deduced amino acid sequences show significant identity to sequences of glycerol dehydrogenases from Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundii, and Bacillus stearothermophilus. A bedD mutant of P. putida ML2 in which the gene was disrupted by a kanamycin resistance cassette was unable to utilize benzene for growth. The bedD gene product was found to complement the todD mutation in P. putida 39/D, the latter defective in the analogous cis-toluene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase. The dehydrogenase encoded by bedD) was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified. It was found to utilize NAD+ as an electron acceptor and exhibited higher substrate specificity for cis-benzene dihydrodiol and 1,2-propanediol compared with glycerol. Such a medium-chain dehydrogenase is the first to be reported for a Pseudomonas species, and its association with an aromatic ring-hydroxylating dioxygenase is unique among bacterial species capable of metabolizing aromatic hydrocarbons.
Tenascin-X haploinsufficiency associated with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

CONTEXT The gene for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency, CYP21A2, is flanked by the gene encoding tenascin-X (TNXB), a connective tissue extracellular matrix protein that has been linked to both autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). A contiguous deletion of CYP21A2 and TNXB has been described. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to determine the frequency and clinical significance of TNXB haploinsufficiency in CAH patients. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A total of 192 consecutive unrelated CAH patients being seen as part of an observational study at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (Bethesda, MD) were prospectively studied during 2006-2010. Patients were evaluated for clinical evidence of EDS, including cardiac evaluation. DNA was analyzed by PCR, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, Southern blot, and TNXB sequencing. Tenascin-X expression was evaluated by Western blot analysis of fibroblasts and immunostaining of the skin. CAH patients with TNXB haploinsufficiency were compared with age-matched CAH patients with normal TNXB (controls). Phenotyping of 7 parents with TNXB haploinsufficiency was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The frequency of TNXB haploinsufficiency among CAH patients and the frequency of EDS symptomatology among CAH patients with TNXB haploinsufficiency and controls. RESULTS TNXB haploinsufficiency, here termed CAH-X syndrome, was present in 7% of CAH patients. Twelve of 91 patients carrying a CYP21A2 deletion (13%) carried a contiguous deletion that extended into TNXB. One patient carried a TNXB premature stop codon. Twelve of 13 patients with CAH-X had EDS clinical features. Patients with CAH-X were more likely than age-matched controls to have joint hypermobility (P < .001), chronic joint pain (P = .003), multiple joint dislocations (P = .004), a structural cardiac valve abnormality by echocardiography (P = .02), and reduced tenascin-X expression by Western blot and immunostaining. A subset of parents had clinical findings. CONCLUSIONS Clinical evaluation for connective tissue dysplasia should be routinely performed in CAH patients, especially those harboring a CYP21A2 deletion.
Evaluation of Vinegar as a Disinfectant for Extracted Human Teeth - An in-Vitro Study.

INTRODUCTION In dentistry, extracted human teeth are routinely used to learn technical and preclinical skills. Since human teeth harbour many pathogens these should be disinfected before use to minimize the risk of infections. Some commonly used disinfectants in laboratories are 10% formalin, 3% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), 5.25% Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl), 70% alcohol and normal saline which have their own disadvantages like carcinogenicity, toxicity, cost effectiveness etc. Many studies have been conducted using these solutions but there is no evidence to suggest a suitable alternative for disinfecting extracted teeth. Vinegar is a sour liquid comprised mainly of acetic acid. It is cheap and commercially available shown to be effective in the prevention and control of microbial contamination. AIM The present study was conducted for evaluation of vinegar as a disinfectant for extracted teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study a total of 40 (n=40) extracted non carious teeth were taken which were disinfected with various physical methods such as sterilization, autoclaving and chemical methods by using Vinegar, 70% Alcohol, 10% Formalin, 3% Hydrogen peroxide and 5.25% NaOCL. Later, teeth from each group were placed individually in separate test tubes containing 10ml of brain heart infusion broth at 37°C for 48 hrs to observe the evidence of growth of microorganisms. RESULTS Results were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test. Vinegar, 10% Formalin and 3% Hydrogen peroxide were effective. The results were statistically significant with Kruskal-Wallis test value 28.053 and p-value was <0.001. CONCLUSION Vinegar can be used as an effective disinfectant for extracted human teeth.
Can sebum reduction predict acne outcome?

Sebum excretion has generally been accepted as an important factor in the development of acne vulgaris. However, the relationship of sebum excretion and acne outcome has not yet been clearly demonstrated quantitatively. The objective of this analysis was to explore the correlation of sebum and acne by combining data from studies of various acne treatments that have demonstrated effects on both sebum excretion and acne outcome. Acne measures included total lesion count, inflammatory lesion count and acne severity grade. For each acne measure, data were pooled and analysed at the 3‐ and 4‐month endpoints, when sebum reduction has generally equilibrated and efficacy in acne is approaching the maximum effect for most treatments. A linear model was used to describe the percentage reduction in each acne measure as a function of percentage reduction in sebum excretion. Slope values were similar for the three acne parameters and all were significantly different from zero (P < 0·025), suggesting a significant correlation of sebum and acne. The projected sebum reduction required to achieve 50% reduction in acne measures ranged from 30% to 50%. The results shown here suggest that the collective data across multiple studies may provide a useful generalization of the association of sebum reduction and acne outcome. As the relationship apparently remains consistent regardless of the treatment, it can be inferred that extrapolation to novel exploratory treatments may be valid.
The role of transsphenoidal surgery in the treatment of craniopharyngiomas.

OBJECT The optimal approach for the surgical treatment of craniopharyngiomas is still debated. In all cases involving the sella turcica, the authors have exclusively used transsphenoidal surgery (TSS), assuming that this approach is less traumatic than an intracranial one. Moreover, TSS was also performed in some cases of purely suprasellar craniopharyngiomas. In this study the surgical indications and the results obtained in all patients who had undergone TSS were analyzed. METHODS In a series of 92 patients who underwent surgery for craniopharyngiomas, TSS was the first choice of approach in 57 cases (62%) consisting of 29 female and 28 male patients with ages ranging from 12 to 79 years (mean 35 years). The follow-up duration ranged from 2 to 20 years. A standard transsphenoidal approach was used in patients with an exclusively intrasellar (11 patients) or an intrasellar and suprasellar tumor (37 patients); in nine cases of tumors located exclusively above the sella turcica, a transsphenoidal presellar approach (seven patients) or a transsellar-transdiaphragmatic approach (two patients) was used. Total removal was performed in 36 patients (63%). All patients had good clinical results. Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 10 cases, but only one case required a surgical repair of the sella. Two patients died of late complications (3.5%). There were eight cases (14%) of tumor regrowth. CONCLUSIONS The authors assert that, when used in appropriately located craniopharyngiomas and by neurosurgeons with extensive experience in pituitary surgery, TSS offers excellent results with minor risks.
Who Picks Psychiatry? Perceptions, Preferences and Personality of Medical Students

Objectives: This study aimed to characterise the personality profiles of junior medical students most likely to choose psychiatry as a career, determine aspects of psychiatry that most attract potential recruits, and identify misperceptions about psychiatry that may dissuade students from pursuing this specialism. Method: A total of 580 second-year medical students from the University of New South Wales, Australia completed a set of questionnaires that measured the likelihood with which various medical specialties were being considered as careers, personality traits using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), and the degree to which students perceived each specialty as attractive across a number of parameters. Results: Only 86 students (15%) indicated a strong likelihood of choosing psychiatry, compared to other specialties which attracted higher proportions of students (range 19–49%). These 86 students had significantly higher openness scores than those who indicated a lesser likelihood of pursuing psychiatry. Students who were highly interested in psychiatry ranked it as very attractive in respect to providing interesting and challenging subject matter, and relatively attractive in respect to financial reward, work enjoyment, good lifestyle, having a bright and interesting future, and association with colleagues. However, psychiatry remained less attractive with respect to prestige, perceived low effectiveness of treatments, degree to which it draws upon aspects of medical training, and lack of reliable scientific foundation. Within the entire sample, psychiatry was ranked most unattractive compared to the other specialties across eight of the 13 parameters assessed. Conclusions: Students interested in psychiatry are more likely to be ‘open’ and view the specialty as interesting and challenging. Such characteristics should be promoted more widely along with countering myths that as a specialty, psychiatry lacks a scientific foundation or is somehow different from mainstream medicine in terms of training and outcomes. Championing psychiatry in this manner may attract more recruits and enhance its prestige.
Arterial blood pressure responses to graded transient arousal from sleep in normal humans.

During obstructive sleep apnea, transient arousal at the resumption of breathing is coincident with a substantial rise in blood pressure. To assess the hemodynamic effect of arousal alone, 149 transient stimuli were administered to five normal subjects. Two electroencephalograms (EEG), an electrooculogram, a submental electromyogram (EMG), and beat-to-beat blood pressure (Finapres, Ohmeda) were recorded in all subjects. Stimulus length was varied to produce a range of cortical EEG arousals that were graded as follows: 0, no increase in high-frequency EEG or EMG; 1, increased high-frequency EEG and/or EMG for < 10 s; 2, increased high-frequency EEG and/or EMG for > 10 s. Overall, compared with control values, average systolic pressure rose [nonrapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep 10.0 +/- 7.69 (SD) mmHg; rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep 6.0 +/- 6.73 mmHg] and average diastolic pressure rose (NREM sleep 6.1 +/- 4.43 mmHg; REM sleep 3.7 +/- 3.02 mmHg) over the 10 s following the stimulus (NREM sleep, P < 0.0001; REM sleep, P < 0.002). During NREM sleep, there was a trend toward larger blood pressure rises at larger grades of arousal (systolic: r = 0.22, 95% confidence interval 0.02-0.40; diastolic: r = 0.48, 95% confidence interval 0.31-0.62). The average blood pressure rise in response to the grade 2 arousals was approximately 75% of that during obstructive sleep apnea. Arousal stimuli that did not cause EEG arousal still produced a blood pressure rise (mean systolic rise 8.6 +/- 7.0 mmHg, P < 0.0001). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Altered expression and activity of topoisomerases during all-trans retinoic acid-induced differentiation of HL-60 cells.

Regulation of topoisomerase II (TOPO II) isozymes alpha and beta is influenced by the growth and transformation state of cells. Using HL-60 cells induced to differentiate by all-trans retinoic acid (RA), we have investigated the expression and regulation of TOPO II isozymes as well as the levels of topoisomerase I (TOPO I). During RA-induced differentiation of human leukemia HL-60 cells, levels of TOPO I remained unchanged, whereas the levels and phosphorylation of TOPO IIalpha and TOPO IIbeta proteins were increased twofold to fourfold and fourfold to eightfold, respectively. The elevation of TOPO II (alpha and beta) protein levels and phosphorylation was apparent at 48 hours of treatment with RA and persisted through 96 hours. The increased level of TOPO IIbeta protein was also detected in differentiated cells subsequently cultured for 96 hours in RA-free medium. Pulse chase experiments in cells labeled with 35S-methionine showed that the rate of degradation of TOPO IIbeta protein in control cells was about twofold faster than that in the differentiated RA-treated cells. The level of decatenation activity of kDNA was comparable in nuclear extracts from control or RA-treated cells. Whereas etoposide (1 to 10 micromol/L) -induced DNA cleavage was not significantly different, apoptosis was significantly lower (P = .012) in RA-treated versus control cells after exposure to 10 micromol/L etoposide. Consistent with unaltered levels of TOPO I, camptothecin (CPT) -induced DNA cleavage was similar in control or RA-treated cells. However, apoptosis after exposure to 1 to 10 micromol/L CPT was significantly lower (P = .003 to P < .001) in RA-treated versus control cells. Results suggest that TOPO IIbeta protein levels are posttranscriptionally regulated and that degradation of TOPO IIbeta is decreased during RA-induced differentiation. Furthermore, whereas the total level of TOPO II (alpha + beta) is increased with RA, the level of TOPO II catalytic activity and etoposide-stabilized DNA cleavage activity remains unaltered. Thus, TOPO IIbeta may have a specific role in transcription of genes involved in differentiation with RA treatment.
A Fully Implantable Stimulator With Wireless Power and Data Transmission for Experimental Investigation of Epidural Spinal Cord Stimulation

Epidural spinal cord stimulation (ESCS) combined with partial weight-bearing therapy (PWBT) has been shown to facilitate recovery of functional walking for individuals after spinal cord injury (SCI). The investigation of neural mechanisms of recovery from SCI under this treatment has been conducted broadly in rodent models, yet a suitable ESCS system is still unavailable. This paper describes a practical, programmable, and fully implantable stimulator for laboratory research on rats to explore fundamental neurophysiological principles for functional recovery after SCI. The ESCS system is composed of a personal digital assistant (PDA), an external controller, an implantable pulse generator (IPG), lead extension, and stimulating electrodes. The stimulation parameters can be programmed and adjusted through a graphical user interface on the PDA. The external controller is placed on the rat back and communicates with the PDA via radio-frequency (RF) telemetry. An RF carrier from the class-E power amplifier in the external controller provides both data and power for the IPG through an inductive link. The IPG is built around a microcontroller unit to generate voltage-regulated pulses delivered to the bipolar electrode for ESCS in rats. The encapsulated IPG measures 22 mm × 23 mm × 7 mm with a mass of ~ 3.78 g. This fully implantable batteryless stimulator provided a simplified and efficient method to carry out chronic experiments in untethered animals for medical electro-neurological research.
Evaluation of satisfaction measures of analog and digital hearing aid users.

AIM The objective of this study was to investigate the satisfaction measure of analog and digital hearing aid users. STUDY DESIGN Clinical with transversal cohort. MATERIAL AND METHOD Among the 40 interviewed subjects, 20 were analog hearing aid users (Group I) and 20 were digital hearing aid users (Group II). The subjects had mild to moderate sensorineural hearing impairment, and were aged 45 to 95 years old. RESULTS The inventory of self-assessment completed by the hearing aid users was the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA--Portuguese version) proposed by Cox et al. (2002). The users of Group II used the hearing aid longer every day than the analog hearing aid users (Group I). The users of Group II have fewer difficulties with the amplification at some situations than the users of Group I. Despite the fact that users of Group I have presented mode deficit than the users of Group II, the results agree that all the subjects reported satisfaction with their hearing aids.