Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Strain accommodation in the zygomatic arch of the pig: A validation study using digital speckle pattern interferometry and finite element analysis

It has been repeatedly suggested that mammalian cranial sutures act not only to allow growth but also to reduce the levels of strain experienced by the skull during feeding. However, because of the added complexity they introduce, sutures are rarely included in finite element (FE) models, despite their potential to influence strain results. Because sutures present different morphologies and with differing degrees of internal fusion, many different methods of modeling may be necessary to accurately measure strain environments. Alternatively, these variables may exert very little influence on the scale of a whole‐skull model. To validate suture modeling methods, four alternative ways of including a suture in 3D FE models of the pig zygomatic arch were considered and compared with ex vivo experimental data from digital speckle pattern interferometry (DSPI). The use of DSPI rather than traditional strain gauge techniques allows strain gradients around the suture as well as the motions of the two bones to be observed. Results show that the introduction of 3D elements assigned more compliant material properties than the surrounding bone, is the most effective way of modeling both morphologies of suture, both in tension and compression. However, models containing no suture are almost indistinguishable from these compliant suture models, beyond the high strain gradient immediately adjacent to the suture. Conversely, modeling the suture as an open break in the mesh, or with spring elements assigned suture properties, fails to reproduce the experiment. Thus, although a solid but flexible model of sutures is preferred, the similarity between these models and those without sutures tentatively suggests that such extra detail may be unnecessary in pigs if the behavior of the whole skull is of interest. J. Morphol. , 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Open Access Publishing in Higher Education: Charting the Challenging Course to Academic and Financial Sustainability

The benefits, pitfalls, and sustainability of open access publishing are hotly debated. Commercial publishers dominate the marketplace and oppose alternative publishing models that threaten their bottom line. Scholars’ use of open access remains relatively limited due to awareness and perceived benefits to their professional goals. Readership of open access publications is generally strong, but some people disagree that more readers leads to increased citations and research impact. Libraries have grown their influence by supporting and promoting open access, but these efforts come with significant financial costs. Today, open access has flourished most significantly as a philosophy: the belief that the world’s scholarship should be freely available to readers and that publicly funded research, in particular, should be accessible to the taxpayers who paid for it. Transforming a moral good into a sustainable publishing model rests with lawmakers, scholars, and institutions of higher education. Without laws designed to ensure participation by authors and publishers, Green Open Access cannot effectively replace journal subscriptions. Scholars need to call upon each other to archive their work, utilize open access repository web sites to find quality content, and embrace Gold Open Access journals as a professionally beneficial publishing venue. Institutions must allocate additional internal resources to spur more and better institutional and disciplinary archives, new Gold Open Access journals, and myriad other professional, technical, and financial services necessary to promote open access as a fiscally and academically sustainable publishing solution.
Two- to 9-Year Outcome After Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation of the Knee

Autologous cultured chondrocyte transplantation was introduced in Sweden in 1987 for the treatment of large (1.5-12.0 cm2) full thickness chondral defects of the knee. The clinical, arthroscopic, and histologic results from the first 101 patients treated using this technique are reported in this study. Patients were assessed retrospectively using three types of endpoints: patient and physician derived clinical rating scales (five validated and two new); arthroscopic assessment of cartilage fill, integration, and surface hardness; and standard histochemical techniques. Ninety-four patients with 2- to 9-years followup were evaluable. Good to excellent clinical results were seen in individual groups as follows: isolated femoral condyle (92%), multiple lesions (67%), osteochondritis dissecans (89%), patella (65%), and femoral condyle with anterior cruciate ligament repair (75%). Arthroscopic findings in 53 evaluated patients showed good repair tissue fill, good adherence to underlying bone, seamless integration with adjacent cartilage, and hardness close to that of the adjacent tissue. Hypertrophic response of the periosteum or graft or both was identified in 26 arthroscopies; seven were symptomatic and resolved after arthroscopic trimming. Graft failure occurred in seven (four of the first 23 and three of the next 78) patients. Histologic analysis of 37 biopsy specimens showed a correlation between hyalinelike tissue (hyaline matrix staining positive for Type II collagen and lacking a fibrous component) and good to excellent clinical results. The good clinical outcomes of autologous chondrocyte transplantation in this study are encouraging, and clinical trials are being done to assess the outcomes versus traditional fibrocartilage repair techniques.
Long-term Outcomes of Parathyroidectomy in Kidney Transplant Recipients with Persistent Hyperparathyroidism

Background/Aims: Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) is a common complication of chronic kidney disease and contributes to hypertension and cardiovascular risks. Successful kidney transplantation corrects abnormal mineral metabolism, but persistent HPT is still observed in up to 25% of patients one year after transplantation despite renal function improvement. The purpose of this study was to examine the long-term effects of parathyroidectomy (PTX) on blood pressure (BP) and graft function in patients with persistent post-transplant HPT. Methods: This is a retrospective study of renal allograft recipients at a single institute. Records from all the patients who received kidney transplantation at the Taipei Veterans General Hospital between 2004 and 2012 were reviewed and enrolled 19 patients who underwent PTX for persistent post-transplant HPT. Preoperative and postoperative clinical and biochemical data were compared. Matched controls (n = 19) in the corresponding time span were enrolled for graft function comparisons. Results: The mean systolic BP (127.7 ± 14.3 to 119.5 ± 12.7 mmHg, p = 0.028, 1 year after PTX; 127.7 ± 14.3 to 117 ± 12.4 mmHg, p = 0.007, 2 years after PTX) and pulse pressure (PP) (51.3 ± 10.7 to 44.3 ± 11.6, p = 0.019 1 year after PTX; 51.3 ± 10.7 to 44.9 ± 12.5 mmHg, p = 0.028, 2 years after PTX) reduced significantly at 1 year and 2 years of follow-up. However, no significant change of diastolic BP was observed. The improvement of SBP, DBP and PP was not correlated with the reduction of serum calcium level 1 year after PTX. The estimated glomerular filtration rate decreased significantly from 74.0 ± 20.5 mL/min/1.73m2 preoperatively to 68.2 ± 24.8 mL/min/1.73 m2 12 months after PTX but recovered at 15 months and lasted to 2 years after PTX. The all-cause hospitalization rate 1 year after PTX tended to be higher than that 1 year before PTX (105.3 versus 47.4 per 100 patient-years; RR, 2.22; 95 % CI: 0.97-5.54), but there was no significant difference between them. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated systolic BP and PP reduced 2 years after PTX and there was no significant difference between the peri-operative all-cause hospitalization rates. In addition, kidney allograft function impaired temporarily 12 months after PTX, but recovered 15 months after PTX.
Phonological skills in Puerto Rican and Mexican Spanish‐speaking children with phonological disorders

The effects of dialectal differences upon the speech production skills of children with phonological disorders are poorly understood. One might predict that the phonological profile of children using a radical dialect (e.g., Puerto Rican Spanish, which alters consonants in the syllable rhyme) will differ from that of children who use a conservative dialect (e.g., Mexican Spanish, which preserves such consonants). This study evaluated the impact of such dialectal differences by comparing the phonological skills of two groups of Spanish‐speaking children with phonological disorders. Six participants used the Mexican dialect; the other six used the Puerto Rican dialect of North American Spanish. All children were matched on number of segmental errors and age, which ranged from 4;4 to 5;6 (M = 4;10). A single‐word assessment instrument was used to elicit data, and independent and relational analyses were completed for each child. Measures included phonetic inventory complexity, vowel accuracy, consonant accuracy, sound class accuracy, percentage‐of‐occurrence of phonological patterns, and frequency and types of substitutions. Significant between‐group differences were not found for any measures. These findings do not support the hypothesis of significant phonological differences between phonologically disordered speakers of radical and conservative Spanish dialects.
Association between sedentary behavior and normal-range lactate dehydrogenase activity

ABSTRACT Objectives: Recent research demonstrates that lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity within the normal range may serve as a mediator in the (positive) relationship between physical activity and cardiovascular disease risk. Emerging work supports deleterious associations between sedentary behavior and health, independent of physical activity. Thus, this study evaluated if sedentary behavior was associated with normal-range LDH activity, independent of physical activity. Methods: Data from the 2003–2006 NHANES were used (N = 2,087 adults; 40–79 yrs). LDH activity levels were estimated from a blood sample using LX20 and LDH reagent; participants were included if they had LDH activity levels within the normal range (105–333 IU/L). Physical activity and sedentary behavior were assessed via accelerometry. Results: Sedentary behavior was inversely associated with normal-range LDH activity when physical activity was excluded from the model (OR = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.83–0.97, P = 0.009 for LDH activity quartile 4 vs. 1). However, sedentary behavior was no longer associated with normal-range LDH activity after controlling for physical activity and other covariates (OR = 1.00, P = 0.49 for LDH activity quartile 2 vs. 1; OR = 1.00, P = 0.72 for LDH quartile 3 vs. 1; and OR = 0.99, P = 0.36 for LDH quartile 4 vs. 1). Conclusion: Unlike physical activity, sedentary behavior is not independently associated with normal-range LDH activity.
Resolving the organization of the New World monkey third visual complex: The dorsal extrastriate cortex of the marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

We tested current hypotheses on the functional organization of the third visual complex, a particularly controversial region of the primate extrastriate cortex. In anatomical experiments, injections of retrograde tracers were placed in the dorsal cortex immediately rostral to the second visual area (V2) of New World monkeys (Callithrix jacchus), revealing the topography of interconnections between the “third tier” cortex and the primary visual area (V1). The data indicate the presence of a dorsomedial area (DM), which represents the entire upper and lower quadrants of the visual field, and which receives strong, topographically organized projections from the superficial layers of V1. The visuotopic organization and boundaries of DM were confirmed by electrophysiological recordings in the same animals and by architectural characteristics which were distinct from those found in ventral extrastriate cortex rostral to V2. There was no electrophysiological or histological evidence for a transitional area between V2 and DM. In particular, the central representation of the upper quadrant in DM was directly adjacent to the representation of the horizontal meridian that marks the rostral border of V2. The present results argue in favor of the hypothesis that the third visual complex in New World monkeys contains different areas in its dorsal and ventral components: area DM, near the dorsal midline, and a homolog of area 19 of other mammals, located more lateral and ventrally. The characteristics of DM suggest that it may correspond to visual area 6 (V6) of Old World monkeys. J. Comp. Neurol. 483:164–191, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A large Rab GTPase family in a small GTPase world

ABSTRACT More than 60 Rab GTPases exist in the human genome to regulate vesicle trafficking between organelles. Rab GTPases are members of the Ras GTPase superfamily that broadly control budding, uncoating, motility and fusion of vesicles in most cell types. Rab proteins interconvert between active, GTP-bound form and inactive, GDP-bound form. In their active conformation, they interact with various effector molecules to carry out diverse functions. Rab GTPases are usually small containing only a GTPase domain with a C-terminal prenylation site for membrane anchoring. Recently, we identified a large G protein, CRACR2A (CRAC channel regulator 2A), which uncovers novel functions of Rab GTPases. First, CRACR2A encodes a large Rab GTPase containing multiple functional domains contrary to small Rab GTPases. Second, CRACR2A plays an unexpected role in regulating intracellular signaling pathways important for T cell activation, unlike the canonical role of small Rab GTPases. Vesicles containing CRACR2A bud out from the proximal Golgi area and translocate into the immunological synapse to activate these signaling pathways. Third, instead of recycling, CRACR2A is consumed by a unidirectional pathway. These events are sequentially regulated by prenylation, GTP binding, protein interaction with a signaling adaptor Vav1, and degradation. Together, our findings reveal a novel function of a large Rab GTPase in intracellular signaling pathways, which may be shared by other large Rab GTPases, Rab44 and Rab45.
Recurrences of Dermatophyte Toenail Onychomycosis during Long-Term Follow-up after Successful Treatments with Mono- and Combined Therapy of Terbinafine and Itraconazole

Background: The influence of dosing regimens on the recurrence rates of onychomycosis has not been investigated. Objective: To compare recurrence rates for toenail dermatophyte onychomycosis between four dosing regimens. Methods: A prospective, investigator-blinded, long-term follow-up (1.25 to 7 years postenrolment) study of the following regimens was undertaken with or without booster therapy at week 36: overlapping continuous itraconazole and terbinafine (COMBO), continuous terbinafine (CTERB), intermittent terbinafine (TOT), and pulsed itraconazole (III). Results: One hundred six mycologically and 43 completely cured participants at week 48 were included. Recurrence rates (RR) for mycologically and completely cured participants were respectively termed mycologic recurrence (MRR) and complete cure recurrence (CRR) rates. No statistically significant difference was detected between the four regimens for the two rates. However, lower MRRs were obtained for CTERB (32%) and TOT (36%) compared to III (59%) and COMBO (57%). When participants who received booster therapy were excluded from the analysis, the MRR was lower for CTERB (21%) compared to TOT (39%). Conclusions: Itraconazole therapy was associated with higher RRs than terbinafine therapy. Combined therapy did not reduce the RRs compared to monotherapies. A difference might exist between continuous and intermittent antifungal regimens, but additional randomized clinical trials are needed for confirmation.
Efficacy of Entomopathogenic Steinernema and Heterorhabditis Nematodes Against White Grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Peanut Fields

ABSTRACT The efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) against the white grub Holotrichia parallela Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in the peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) fields was evaluated. In the first experiment with a high initial white grub population (24.65 ± 2.44 larvae per m2) in the field, Steinernema longicaudum X-7 and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora H06 at 10,000 and 5,000 infective juveniles (IJs) per plant contributed to significantly higher percentage reduction of the white grub larvae, lower percentage of the injured legume, and higher peanut yield compared with chlorpyrifos and other treatments. The peanut yields harvested from the plots treated with EPNs at 5,000 IJs per plant were at least 70% higher than that from the untreated control (water) and at least 30% higher than that from chlorpyrifos-treated plots. In the second experiment with a low initial white grub population (8.07±1.29 larvae per m2) in the field, EPN treatment did not increase peanut yield compared with the other treatments. But both S. longicaudum X-7 and H. bacteriophora H06 gained higher percentage reduction of the white grub larvae and lower percentage of the injured legume than Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) All and the control. The cost-benefit of using EPNs for white grub control was estimated to be comparable with that of using chemicals. S. longicaudum X-7 and H. bacteriophora H06 showed promise for white grub control in peanut fields.
Oestradiol inhibits smooth muscle cell proliferation of pig coronary artery

1 The effect of oestradiol 17β on vascular smooth muscle proliferation was examined in segments of the pig left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). It was established by cytochemical techniques that out‐growth from the segments was composed of vascular smooth muscle cells. 2 [3H]‐thymidine uptake by pig LAD segments was used as an index of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. Nitroprusside and forskolin significantly inhibited [3H]‐thymidine uptake and were used as positive controls. 3 Oestradiol 17β (180–360 nm) inhibited thymidine uptake by pig LAD segments (P < 0.05). The inhibition was observed only in the absence of phenol red, which is a weak oestrogen receptor agonist. The anti‐oestrogens tamoxifen and its more potent metabolite 4‐hydroxytamoxifen, both of which are partial oestrogen receptor agonists, also significantly inhibited thymidine uptake. However, pretreatment with either tamoxifen or 4‐hydroxytamoxifen did not signficantly block oestradiol 17β‐induced inhibition of thymidine uptake. 4 The LAD segments bound [3H]‐oestradiol 17β in a time‐dependent manner and about 20 to 30% was displaced by an excess of unlabelled oestradiol 17β. Autoradiography showed [3H]‐oestradiol 17β was evenly distributed in the cytosol and nuclei of cells in the three layers of the vessel wall. 5 The data suggest that oestradiol 17β inhibits smooth muscle cell proliferation in porcine LAD segments, possibly through an oestrogen receptor mechanism. This in vitro effect suggests an in vivo role for oestradiol 17β in directly protecting coronary arteries against myointimal proliferation in premenopausal women.
Fair and Efficient Relay Selection and Spectrum Allocation for Multi-User and Multi-Relay Cooperative Cellular Networks

This letter studies the joint relay selection (RS) and spectrum allocation (SA) problem for the multi-user and multi-relay (MUMR) cellular networks. Regarding the amount of spectrum resource that a relay is willing to contribute for a particular user as the cooperative strategy of the relay, the joint RS and SA problem can be formulated as a cooperative bargaining game. Since there exists a unique Nash bargaining solution (NBS) to the game, a Langrangian relaxation with iterative search approach is proposed to find the NBS. By comparing with the maximal-rate and the max-min based RS and SA schemes, simulation results show that the proposed bargaining game approach achieves a fair and efficient rates distribution among the competitive users in the Pareto optimal sense.
Regulation of Nitrite Stress Response in Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough, a Model Sulfate-Reducing Bacterium

ABSTRACT Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are sensitive to low concentrations of nitrite, and nitrite has been used to control SRB-related biofouling in oil fields. Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough, a model SRB, carries a cytochrome c-type nitrite reductase (nrfHA) that confers resistance to low concentrations of nitrite. The regulation of this nitrite reductase has not been directly examined to date. In this study, we show that DVU0621 (NrfR), a sigma54-dependent two-component system response regulator, is the positive regulator for this operon. NrfR activates the expression of the nrfHA operon in response to nitrite stress. We also show that nrfR is needed for fitness at low cell densities in the presence of nitrite because inactivation of nrfR affects the rate of nitrite reduction. We also predict and validate the binding sites for NrfR upstream of the nrfHA operon using purified NrfR in gel shift assays. We discuss possible roles for NrfR in regulating nitrate reductase genes in nitrate-utilizing Desulfovibrio spp. IMPORTANCE The NrfA nitrite reductase is prevalent across several bacterial phyla and required for dissimilatory nitrite reduction. However, regulation of the nrfA gene has been studied in only a few nitrate-utilizing bacteria. Here, we show that in D. vulgaris, a bacterium that does not respire nitrate, the expression of nrfHA is induced by NrfR upon nitrite stress. This is the first report of regulation of nrfA by a sigma54-dependent two-component system. Our study increases our knowledge of nitrite stress responses and possibly of the regulation of nitrate reduction in SRB.
Regulation of muscle growth in neonates

Purpose of reviewThis review reports recent findings on the multiple factors that regulate skeletal muscle growth in neonates. Recent findingsSkeletal muscle is the fastest growing protein mass in neonates. The high rate of neonatal muscle growth is due to accelerated rates of protein synthesis accompanied by the rapid accumulation of muscle nuclei. Feeding profoundly stimulates muscle protein synthesis in neonates and the response decreases with age. The feeding-induced stimulation of muscle protein synthesis is modulated by enhanced sensitivity to the postprandial rise in insulin and amino acids. Insulin and amino acid signaling components have been identified that are involved in the feeding-induced stimulation of protein synthesis in neonatal muscle. The enhanced activation of these signaling components in skeletal muscle of the neonate contributes to the high rate of muscle protein synthesis and rapid gain in muscle protein mass in neonates. SummaryRecent findings suggest that the immature muscle has a heightened capacity to activate signaling cascades that promote translation initiation in response to the postprandial rise in insulin and amino acids thereby enabling their efficient utilization for muscle growth. This capacity is further supported by enhanced satellite cell proliferation, but how these two processes are linked remains to be established.