Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sodium butyrate rescues dopaminergic cells from alpha-synuclein-induced transcriptional deregulation and DNA damage

Alpha-synuclein (aSyn) is considered a major culprit in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathophysiology. However, the precise molecular function of the protein remains elusive. Recent evidence suggests that aSyn may play a role on transcription regulation, possibly by modulating the acetylation status of histones. Our study aimed at evaluating the impact of wild-type (WT) and mutant A30P aSyn on gene expression, in a dopaminergic neuronal cell model, and decipher potential mechanisms underlying aSyn-mediated transcriptional deregulation. We performed gene expression analysis using RNA-sequencing in Lund Human Mesencephalic (LUHMES) cells expressing endogenous (control) or increased levels of WT or A30P aSyn. Compared to control cells, cells expressing both aSyn variants exhibited robust changes in the expression of several genes, including downregulation of major genes involved in DNA repair. WT aSyn, unlike A30P aSyn, promoted DNA damage and increased levels of phosphorylated p53. In dopaminergic neuronal cells, increased aSyn expression led to reduced levels of acetylated histone 3. Importantly, treatment with sodium butyrate, a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), rescued WT aSyn-induced DNA damage, possibly via upregulation of genes involved in DNA repair. Overall, our findings provide novel and compelling insight into the mechanisms associated with aSyn neurotoxicity in dopaminergic cells, which could be ameliorated with an HDACi. Future studies will be crucial to further validate these findings and to define novel possible targets for intervention in PD.
Adoption of 3-D Virtual Worlds for Education

As an emerging phenomenon, virtual world education is rarely researched in MIS literature. With stiff competition among institutions using virtual worlds for education, a legitimate research question is: What factors influence students’ intention to adopt 3-D virtual world environment for their education needs? Drawing on existing technology acceptance models and studies in other IS contexts, we developed a model to predict students’ acceptance of a 3-D virtual world education environment and plan to empirically test the model using survey data collected from college students. From the academic research perspective, studies on the use of the new technology for education will provide insights on how virtual world environment contributes to virtual education that is now part of the mainstream of education. From the practitioner perspective, the study provides useful insights to educational institutions and assists institutions in evaluating whether investing in virtual world education is a sound strategy.
Briefly Noted

The association of intradialytic hypotension and mortality was assessed using different definitions of hypotension from HEMO study data (1409 patients) and data on 10,392 patients in a single dialysis organization (3). For patients with a predialysis BP <160 mmHg, the definition most strongly associated with mortality was a systolic BP <90; for those with higher predialysis BP, a systolic BP <100 mmHg correlated best with mortality. The extent of the drop in BP, the presence or absence of symptoms and various intervention criteria did not add any predictive value to these absolute BP criteria.
Mice Can Use Second-Order, Contrast-Modulated Stimuli to Guide Visual Perception

Visual processing along the primate ventral stream takes place in a hierarchy of areas, characterized by an increase in both complexity of neuronal preferences and invariance to changes of low-level stimulus attributes. A basic type of invariance is form-cue invariance, where neurons have similar preferences in response to first-order stimuli, defined by changes in luminance, and global features of second-order stimuli, defined by changes in texture or contrast. Whether in mice, a now popular model system for early visual processing, visual perception can be guided by second-order stimuli is currently unknown. Here, we probed mouse visual perception and neural responses in areas V1 and LM using various types of second-order, contrast-modulated gratings with static noise carriers. These gratings differ in their spatial frequency composition and thus in their ability to invoke first-order mechanisms exploiting local luminance features. We show that mice can transfer learning of a coarse orientation discrimination task involving first-order, luminance-modulated gratings to the contrast-modulated gratings, albeit with markedly reduced discrimination performance. Consistent with these behavioral results, we demonstrate that neurons in area V1 and LM are less responsive and less selective to contrast-modulated than to luminance-modulated gratings, but respond with broadly similar preferred orientations. We conclude that mice can, at least in a rudimentary form, use second-order stimuli to guide visual perception. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT To extract object boundaries in natural scenes, the primate visual system does not only rely on differences in local luminance but can also take into account differences in texture or contrast. Whether the mouse, which has a much simpler visual system, can use such second-order information to guide visual perception is unknown. Here we tested mouse perception of second-order, contrast-defined stimuli and measured their neural representations in two areas of visual cortex. We find that mice can use contrast-defined stimuli to guide visual perception, although behavioral performance and neural representations were less robust than for luminance-defined stimuli. These findings shed light on basic steps of feature extraction along the mouse visual cortical hierarchy, which may ultimately lead to object recognition.
Influence of inflammatory bowel disease on different dimensions of quality of life

Objective To establish the impairment of different dimensions of quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Design Prospective observational study. Participants 289 patients [160 with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 129 with Crohn's disease (CD)]. Measures Health-related quality of life was assessed by means of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) and the Psychological General Well Being Index (PGWBI). Results In active IBD, all dimensions of the quality of life scored significantly lower than in inactive IBD, indicating a poor quality of life. Social impairment was the least impaired dimension of the IBDQ in active UC and CD, compared with digestive and systemic symptoms. In inactive IBD, the systemic symptoms domain received the lowest score (P < 0.01). In a subgroup of 22 patients studied before and after remission, emotional function was the most impaired dimension after achieving remission. The Psychological General Well Being Index was significantly impaired in active UC [78.5 (range 64–89)] and CD [76.5 (range 69–97)] relative inactive IBD [104 (range 93–111)] vs 106 (95–113), respectively;P < 0.05]. Conclusions Quality of life is impaired in IBD. During relapse, clinicians should pay attention to digestive symptoms and psychological distress. In remission, they should be sensitive to systemic symptoms.
On the effect of very large nodes in Internet graphs

We analyse a random graph where the node degrees are (almost) independent and have a distribution with finite mean but infinite variance - a region observed in empirical studies of the Internet. We show that the existence of very large nodes has a great influence on the connectivity. If N denotes the number of nodes it seems that the distance between two randomly chosen nodes of the giant component grows as slowly as log log(N). The essential observation is that very large nodes form a spontaneously arising "core network", which plays a crucial role in the connectivity, although its proportional size goes to zero as N /spl rarr/ /spl infin/. Several results related to the core are proven rigorously, and a sketch of a full proof is given. Some simulations providing illustration of the findings are presented. Consequences of the results are discussed.
A Circuit-Based Model for the Interpretation of Perfect Metamaterial Absorbers

A popular absorbing structure, often referred to as Perfect Metamaterial Absorber, comprising metallic periodic pattern over a thin low-loss grounded substrate is studied by resorting to an efficient transmission line model. This approach allows the derivation of simple and reliable closed formulas describing the absorption mechanism of the subwavelength structure. The analytic form of the real part of the input impedance is explicitly derived in order to explain why moderate losses of the substrate is sufficient to achieve matching with free space, that is, perfect absorption. The effect of the constituent parameters for tuning the working frequency and tailoring the absorption bandwidth is addressed. It is also shown that the choice of highly capacitive coupled elements allows obtaining the largest possible bandwidth whereas a highly frequency selective design is achieved with low capacitive elements like a cross array. Finally, the angular stability of the absorbing structure is investigated.
GENDER DIFFERENCES IN HIV RISK BEHAVIORS AMONG YOUNG INJECTORS AND THEIR SOCIAL NETWORK MEMBERS

Using epidemiological and social network research methods, this study examines gender differences in HIV risk and protective behaviors and social network characteristics among 193 young injection drug users (IDUs) and 127 referred members of their social networks. Respondents reported on their drug use, sexual behavior, and relationships within three types of social networks: hang out (i.e., friendship); drug use; and sexual networks. Most respondents were homeless and had experienced numerous life stressors. Females' social networks consisted more predominantly of drug injectors, and members more frequently appeared in multiple networks. Females reported needle sharing more frequently than males, but also reported more protective behaviors such as needle exchange use and carrying clean syringes. Young female IDUs may compound their risk by having sex and injecting with higher risk partners. However, their propensity to practice protective behaviors may provide an opening for interventions to reduce their HIV risk and that of their social network members.
Power System Real-Time Monitoring by Using PMU-Based Robust State Estimation Method

Accurate real-time states provided by the state estimator are critical for power system reliable operation and control. This paper proposes a novel phasor measurement unit (PMU)-based robust state estimation method (PRSEM) to real-time monitor a power system under different operation conditions. To be specific, an adaptive weight assignment function to dynamically adjust the measurement weight based on the distance of big unwanted disturbances from the PMU measurements is proposed to increase algorithm robustness. Furthermore, a statistical test-based interpolation matrix H updating judgment strategy is proposed. The processed and resynced PMU information are used as priori information and incorporated to the modified weighted least square estimation to address the measurements imperfect synchronization between supervisory control and data acquisition and PMU measurements. Finally, the innovation analysis-based bad data (BD) detection method, which can handle the smearing effect and critical measurement errors, is presented. We evaluate PRSEM by using IEEE benchmark test systems and a realistic utility system. The numerical results indicate that, in short computation time, PRSEM can effectively track the system real-time states with good robustness and can address several kinds of BD.
Prenatal indicators of congenital cytomegalovirus infection.

OBJECTIVE To assess the validity of a diagnostic protocol designed to predict the outcome of newborns of mothers suspected to have primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection during the first 4 months of pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN Anti-CMV immunoglobulin (Ig) M detection by enzyme immunoassay and immunoblot together with the determination of anti-CMV IgG avidity allowed us to classify 456 women as (1) uninfected, (2) undergoing either a primary or a recurrent infection, or (3) having an undefined serologic condition. Prenatal diagnosis was carried out at 21 to 23 weeks' gestation for women. The presence of the virus in the amniotic fluid was determined by culture, polymerase chain reaction, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Macroscopic and histologic examinations were undertaken on tissue from aborted fetuses, whereas for newborns culture was performed on urine sampled during the first week of life. RESULTS Congenital infections were found exclusively among women undergoing a primary infection. The quantitative determination of CMV DNA in the amniotic fluid of at least 10(3) genome equivalents gave a 100% certainty of detecting an infected fetus. Higher viral loads were associated with fetuses or newborns with symptoms. CONCLUSIONS IgM tests and the IgG avidity determination can identify all women at risk of transmitting CMV. Furthermore, a high CMV DNA load in amniotic fluid could be an indicator of symptomatic congenital infection at a relatively early stage of pregnancy.
Context‐dependent functional substitution of α‐skeletal actin by γ‐cytoplasmic actin

We generated transgenic mice that overexpressed γ‐cyto actin 2000‐fold above wild‐type levels in skeletal muscle. 7‐cyto actin comprised 40% of total actin in transgenic skeletal muscle, with a concomitant 40% decrease in α‐actin. Surprisingly, transgenic muscle was histologically and ultrastructurally identical to wild‐type muscle despite near‐stoichiometric incorporation of γ–cyto actin into sarcomeric thin filaments. Furthermore, several parameters of muscle physiological performance in the transgenic animals were not different from wild type. Given these surprising results, we tested whether overexpression of γ‐cyto actin could rescue the early postnatal lethality in α‐sk actin‐null mice (Acta1–/–). By quantitative Western blot analysis, we found total actin levels were decreased by 35% in Actal–/– muscle. Although transgenic overexpression of γ‐cyto actin on the Actal /_ background restored total actin levels to wild type, resulting in thin filaments composed of 60% γ‐cyto actin and a 40% mixture of cardiac and vascular actin, the life span of transgenic Actal–/– mice was not extended. These results indicate that sarcomeric thin filaments can accommodate substantial incorporation of γ‐cyto actin without functional consequences, yet γ‐cyto actin cannot fully substitute for α‐sk actin. —Jaeger, M. A. , Sonnemann, K. J., Fitzsimons, D. P., Prins, K. W. , Ervasti, J. M. Contextdependent functional substitution of a‐skeletal actin by y‐cytoplasmic actin. FASEB J. 23, 2205–2214 (2009)
Molecular Epidemiology of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Strains in the North-West and West of Iran

Background: Identifying Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) transmission type is a key step in the control of this disease. Aim: This study aimed to determine the path and transmission type of MTB and the insertion sequence IS6110 band number and verify their relationship to demographic and clinical risk factors. Subjects and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 64 MTB patients from three border provinces of Iran were selected after full clinical history and physical evaluation design. The drug susceptibility testing was carried out using the standard proportion technique on sputum samples. Isolates tested with restriction fragment length polymorphism technique used IS6110. Results: Recent transmission of disease was 33/50 (66%) based on clustering rate. The IS6110 band number had a significant relationship with drug resistance detected in proportion method tested by univariate linear regression (P = 0.01). Furthermore, the IS6110 band number had association with Bacillus Calmette–Guérin vaccination history (P = 0.02), sex (P = 0.01), and purified protein derivative (PPD) reaction size (P = 0.01) tested by multiple analysis. The risk of recent transmission inferred from the clustering rate was significantly higher in patients from Western provinces compared to those from the North-West province (P = 0.048). However, age (P = 0.39), gender (P = 0.16), vaccination history (P = 0.57), drug susceptibility, and PPD (P = 0.6) were independent of clustering. The largest cluster of up to six subjects was found in the Western provinces. Conclusion: Recent MTB transmission was much more common in the West compared to the North-West of Iran. Large MTB clusters with strong epidemiological links may be reflective of a disease outbreak. Correlation noted between the IS6110 band number and vaccination history; PPD size and female gender necessitates further studies.
On the accuracy of cellular mobile station location estimation

This paper analyzes the accuracy of the multilateration techniques of possible application in mobile communications networks. A general mathematical framework including all the multilateration techniques that process absolute and/or relative distance measurements between the mobile station and multiple base transceiver stations is introduced. Based on this scheme, a general measure of positioning accuracy is first derived and then analyzed in the special cases defined by three techniques of possible implementation in GSM-based systems. A geometrical interpretation of the formulas that define the location accuracy and a comparison between the techniques from the geometric conditioning point of view are also given.
Psychophysical acceptability as a constraint in manual working capacity.

Psychophysical theory and its use in establishing maximum acceptable workloads are briefly reviewed. A distinction is made between psychophysical criteria for static strength, and psychophysical criteria for dynamic strength. The experimental protocol and equipment developed during the series of Liberty Mutual studies is described. These studies used industrial workers in a controlled environment to develop maximum acceptable weights and forces for the basic manual handling tasks. Two recent experiments investigating task frequency and object size are also described. It is concluded that minor changes should be made in the tables of maximum acceptable weights and forces published by Snook [576].
Acamprosate inhibits the binding and neurotoxic effects of trans-ACPD, suggesting a novel site of action at metabotropic glutamate receptors.

BACKGROUND Several reported effects of acamprosate within the glutamatergic system could result from interactions with metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). The following experiments were performed to determine whether acamprosate could compete with trnas-ACPD (+/--1-aminocyclopentane-trans-1,3-dicarboxylic acid, an equimolecular mixture of 1S, 3R and 1R, 3S-ACPD and an agonist at both group I and group II mGluRs) sensitive binding sites and protect against trans-ACPD-induced neurotoxicity in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures. METHODS A P2 membrane preparation of cortices, cerebellums, and hippocampi of adult, male Sprague Dawley rats was used to determine the abilities of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) and trans-ACPD to displace [3H]glutamate in both the absence and the presence of the sodium salt of acamprosate (sodium mono N-acetyl homotaurine or Na-acamprosate). A comparison of the effects of 100 microM guanosine 5'-triphosphate on unlabeled glutamate, trans-ACPD, and Na-acamprosate was performed in the same paradigm. For the neurotoxicity studies, organotypic hippocampal slice cultures from male and female 8-day-old neonatal rats were exposed to either 500 microM -ACPD or 50 microM NMDA for 24 hr in normal culture medium containing serum on day 20 in vitro. The effects of Na-acamprosate and 2-methyl-6-(2-phenylethenyl)pyridine (SIB-1893), a noncompetitive antagonist at metabotropic type 5 receptors (mGluR5s), were assessed by determining differences in propidium iodide uptake as compared with neurotoxic challenges alone. RESULTS Na-acamprosate displaced 31% of [3H]glutamate but did not compete with NMDA for [3H]glutamate binding sites. Na-acamprosate displayed total competition with trans-ACPD. The presence of 100 microM guanosine 5'-triphosphate differentially altered the displacing capabilities of the two mGluR agonists, unlabeled glutamate and trans-ACPD, as compared with Na-acamprosate. Na-acamprosate (200-1000 microM) and SIB-1893 (20-500 microM) both were neuroprotective against trans-ACPD induced neurotoxicity that likely results from mGluR potentiation of NMDARs. In turn, Na-acamprosate and SIB-1893 had no direct effects on NMDA-induced neurotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS Na-acamprosate demonstrates the binding and functional characteristics that are consistent with a group I mGluR antagonist. The functional similarities between Na-acamprosate and SIB-1893 support an interaction of Na-acamprosate at mGluR5s. The neuroprotective properties of acamprosate and possibly its ability to reduce craving in alcohol-dependent patients may result from its alterations in glutamatergic transmission through mGluRs.
POSTMORTEM EVALUATION OF REINTRODUCED MIGRATORY WHOOPING CRANES IN EASTERN NORTH AMERICA

Reintroduction of endangered Whooping Cranes (Grus americana) in eastern North America has successfully established a migratory population between Wisconsin and Florida. Eighty birds (47 males, 33 females) were released between 2001 and 2006, and all birds were tracked following release with satellite and/or VHF monitoring devices. By the end of 2006, 17 deaths (12 males, five females) were recorded from this population. Postmortem findings and field data were evaluated for each bird to determine the cause of death. Causes included predation (n=8, 47%), trauma (n=2, 12%), and degenerative disease (n=1, 6%); the cause of death was undetermined for 35% (n=6) of the birds. Based on physical evidence, the primary predator of the birds was the bobcat (Lynx rufus). Limited roosting habitat availability or bird behavior were likely prime factors in the occurrence of predation. Traumatic injuries and mortality were caused by gunshot, electrical utility lines, and an unknown source. The lone case of degenerative disease was due to chronic exertional myopathy associated with translocation. Available postmortem testing did not indicate the presence of infectious disease in this limited sample.