Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diffusion-weighted MR imaging in the brain in children: findings in the normal brain and in the brain with white matter diseases.

PURPOSE To establish quantitative standards for age-related changes in diffusion restriction of cerebral white matter in healthy children and to compare data with results in children with white matter diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed in 44 children (age range, 7 days to 7.5 years) without brain abnormalities and in 13 children with proved leukodystrophy. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and apparent anisotropy (AA) were measured in 11 regions of interest within white matter. Age-related changes were analyzed with regression analysis. RESULTS During normal brain myelination, ADCs in different anatomic regions were high at birth (range, 1.04 x 10(-9) m(2)/sec +/- 0.05 [SD] to 1.64 x 10(-9) m(2)/sec +/- 0.09) and low after brain maturation (range, 0.75 x 10(-9) m(2)/sec +/- 0.02 to 0.92 x 10(-9) m(2)/sec +/- 0.02). AA was low at birth (range, 0.05 +/- 0.01 to 0.52 +/- 0.04) and high after brain maturation (range, 0.25 +/- 0.02 to 0.85 +/- 0.03). Age relationship could be expressed with monoexponential functions for all anatomic regions. Anisotropy preceded the myelination-related changes at MR imaging. ADC and AA in four children with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease were identical with results in healthy newborn children and showed no age dependency. In peroxisomal disorders, Krabbe disease, and mitochondriopathy, demyelination on T1- and T2-weighted MR images led to expected findings at diffusion-weighted MR imaging, with high ADC and low AA, whereas in Canavan disease and metachromatic leukodystrophy, the opposite findings were revealed, with low ADC within the demyelinated white matter. CONCLUSION During early brain myelination, diffusion restriction in normal white matter increases. Anisotropy precedes myelination changes that are visible at MR imaging. Compared with T1- and T2-weighted MR imaging, diffusion-weighted MR imaging in white matter diseases reveals additional information.
Efficacy and Tolerability of Nimesulide in Elderly Patients with Osteoarthritis: Double-Blind Trial versus Naproxen

A double-blind trial was carried out to assess the therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of nimesulide versus naproxen in the treatment of elderly patients with osteoarthritis. A total of 40 elderly female patients with osteoarthritis of the hip and/or knee were entered into the study and treated with either 200 mg/day nimesulide or 500 mg/day naproxen for 28 days. Both treatments were very effective in alleviating spontaneous pain, pain on movement, morning stiffness and joint mobility. Nimesulide was better tolerated than naproxen with fewer and less serious side-effects being reported. The results of this study show nimesulide to be effective and well tolerated in the treatment of elderly patients with osteoarthritis.
Production of Tyrosol by Candida albicans Biofilms and Its Role in Quorum Sensing and Biofilm Development

ABSTRACT Tyrosol and farnesol are quorum-sensing molecules produced by Candida albicans which accelerate and block, respectively, the morphological transition from yeasts to hyphae. In this study, we have investigated the secretion of tyrosol by C. albicans and explored its likely role in biofilm development. Both planktonic (suspended) cells and biofilms of four C. albicans strains, including three mutants with defined defects in the Efg 1 and Cph 1 morphogenetic signaling pathways, synthesized extracellular tyrosol during growth at 37°C. There was a correlation between tyrosol production and biomass for both cell types. However, biofilm cells secreted at least 50% more tyrosol than did planktonic cells when tyrosol production was related to cell dry weight. The addition of exogenous farnesol to a wild-type strain inhibited biofilm formation by up to 33% after 48 h. Exogenous tyrosol appeared to have no effect, but scanning electron microscopy revealed that tyrosol stimulated hypha production during the early stages (1 to 6 h) of biofilm development. Experiments involving the simultaneous addition of tyrosol and farnesol at different concentrations suggested that the action of farnesol was dominant, and 48-h biofilms formed in the presence of both compounds consisted almost entirely of yeast cells. When biofilm supernatants were tested for their abilities to inhibit or enhance germ tube formation by planktonic cells, the results indicated that tyrosol activity exceeds that of farnesol after 14 h, but not after 24 h, and that farnesol activity increases significantly during the later stages (48 to 72 h) of biofilm development. Overall, our results support the conclusion that tyrosol acts as a quorum-sensing molecule for biofilms as well as for planktonic cells and that its action is most significant during the early and intermediate stages of biofilm formation.
Recognition of facial expressions in children, young adults and elderly people

Desenvolveu-se um estudo para avaliar o reconhecimento de expressoes faciais em diferentes faixas etarias, com inclusao de grupos compostos por: 1) 21 criancas com idade media de 7,7 anos; 2) 19 adultos jovens com idade media de 20,1 anos; e 3) 9 idosos com idade media de 74,7 anos. Na situacao de teste, foi solicitado aos participantes que identificassem expressoes faciais de alegria, tristeza, medo e raiva em diferentes intensidades emocionais. Os resultados indicaram que os jovens apresentaram um melhor desempenho no reconhecimento de expressoes faciais, quando comparados a criancas e idosos. Criancas apresentaram um desempenho similar aos idosos, apoiando a hipotese de que as capacidades de reconhecimento de expressoes faciais aperfeicoam-se na idade adulta e diminuem na velhice.
A Trace Amount of the Human Pro-apoptotic Factor Bax Induces Bacterial Death Accompanied by Damage of DNA*

An amount of human pro-apoptotic Bax as low as 0.01% of total protein was sufficient to cause cell death inEscherichia coli. The bacterial cell death was examined using a viable bacteria-specific fluorescence indicator system and loss of colony formation ability. Co-expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL showed a modest inhibitory effect on the cell death caused by Bax. The trace amount of Bax elongated E. coliand accumulated monounsaturated fatty acids, suggesting an unusual metabolism of redox in the host. In fact, an increase of KCN-dependent O2 consumption accompanied the expression of Bax. At the same time, a fluorescent pH indicator showed the apparent accumulation of protons outside the cell, suggesting that the membrane is intact. Bax increased the level of superoxide anion as measured by the expression of superoxide-dependent promoter. Nicked DNA was significantly generated, and the frequency of mutations resistant to rifampicin was increased by 30-fold, depending upon the expression of Bax. It is proposed that trace amounts of Bax increase oxygen consumption, triggering generation of superoxide, which affects DNA, leading to bacterial death.
Seasonal changes in calcium homeostasis affect the incidence of postoperative tetany in patients with Graves' disease.

BACKGROUND We have found that postoperative tetany occurs in patients with Graves' disease who have secondary hyperparathyroidism caused by a deficiency in calcium and vitamin D concomitant with transient hypoparathyroidism after surgery. There are seasonal variations in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of seasonal changes in calcium homeostasis on the incidence of postoperative tetany in patients with Graves' disease who undergo subtotal thyroidectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS A prospective study was carried out to investigate sequential changes in serum levels of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), calcium and other electrolytes, 25(OH)D, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25[OH]2D) in female patients with Graves' disease who underwent subtotal thyroidectomy during the summer (n = 89) and during the winter (n = 89). RESULTS The serum levels of calcium, magnesium, and 25(OH)D were significantly higher, but iPTH levels and 1,25(OH)2D levels were lower in summer than in winter. The percentage of vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D < 25 nmol/L) was 23% in summer and 62% in winter (P < .001). iPTH was below the detection limit on the first postoperative day in 15 patients (13.8%) in summer and in 13 patients (11.4%) in winter. In summery, tetany developed in only 4 of 15 patients and in one patient whose iPTH level was below normal (incidence of tetany, 5.6%). In winter, however, tetany developed in 6 of 13 patients and in 4 patients whose iPTH level was below normal (incidence of tetany, 11.2%). CONCLUSIONS Patients with Graves' disease are more susceptible to calcium and vitamin D deficiency during the winter than during the summer, resulting in the tendency toward a higher incidence of postoperative tetany in winter.
Semi-distributed parameter optimization and uncertainty assessment for large-scale streamflow simulation using global optimization / Optimisation de paramètres semi-distribués et évaluation de l'incertitude pour la simulation de débits à grande échelle par l'utilisation d'une optimisation globale

Abstract In catchments characterized by spatially varying hydrological processes and responses, the optimal parameter values or regions of attraction in parameter space may differ with location-specific characteristics and dominating processes. This paper evaluates the value of semi-distributed calibration parameters for large-scale streamflow simulation using the spatially distributed LISFLOOD model. We employ the Shuffled Complex Evolution Metropolis (SCEM-UA) global optimization algorithm to infer the calibration parameters using daily discharge observations. The resulting posterior parameter distribution reflects the uncertainty about the model parameters and forms the basis for making probabilistic flow predictions. We assess the value of semi-distributing the calibration parameters by comparing three different calibration strategies. In the first calibration strategy uniform values over the entire area of interest are adopted for the unknown parameters, which are calibrated against discharge observations at the downstream outlet of the catchment. In the second calibration strategy the parameters are also uniformly distributed, but they are calibrated against observed discharges at the catchment outlet and at internal stations. In the third strategy a semi-distributed approach is adopted. Starting from upstream, parameters in each subcatchment are calibrated against the observed discharges at the outlet of the subcatchment. In order not to propagate upstream errors in the calibration process, observed discharges at upstream catchment outlets are used as inflow when calibrating downstream subcatchments. As an illustrative example, we demonstrate the methodology for a part of the Morava catchment, covering an area of approximately 10 000 km2. The calibration results reveal that the additional value of the internal discharge stations is limited when applying a lumped parameter approach. Moving from a lumped to a semi-distributed parameter approach: (i) improves the accuracy of the flow predictions, especially in the upstream subcatchments; and (ii) results in a more correct representation of flow prediction uncertainty. The results show the clear need to distribute the calibration parameters, especially in large catchments characterized by spatially varying hydrological processes and responses.
Identifying intertemporal relationships in corporate R&D expenditures

Estimates are empirically derived for the determinants of the research and development (R&D), dividend, investment, and financing decisions of 303 firms during the 1978-82 period. Composite variables are constructed to gain insights into the intertemporal relationships among the firms' financial decision variables. Empirical estimates are provided for tradeoffs among decision variables and these relationships are incorporated into a model that sets R&D, dividend, financing, and investment policies in a manner that is consistent with stock price maximization.
Cortical activation pattern of compensatory movement in stroke patients.

OBJECTIVE Little is known about the cortical activation pattern of compensatory movement (CM) in stroke patients. We attempted to investigate the cortical activation pattern of compensatory movement in stroke patients, using functional MRI (fMRI). METHODS Eight hemiparetic stroke patients were recruited for this study. We measured the shoulder abduction angle when each subject was simulating eating in a sitting position, which was considered as the degree of CM. The fMRI was performed at 1.5T using an elbow motor task at a frequency of 0.5 Hz. RESULTS There was an inverse correlation between the shoulder abduction angle of the affected side and the LI (Laterality Index) (r=-0.745; p< 0.05). The shoulder abduction angle of the affected side was significantly related to the sum of activated voxels in all regions of interest (r=0.776; p< 0.05) and the activated voxels of the supplementary motor area (r=951; p< 0.05). However, we did not find any correlation between the shoulder abduction angle and the activated voxels of other brain areas. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that a greater shoulder abduction angle on the affected side requires more cortical activation. Therefore, CM appears to be related to the change of the cortical motor control toward greater recruitment of cortical neurons.
Interaction of Antithymocyte Globulins with Dendritic Cell Antigens

The polyclonal rabbit antithymocyte globulins (ATGs), Thymoglobulin and ATG‐Fresenius S, are widely used for prevention and therapy of allograft rejection and graft versus host disease. Dendritic cells (DC) govern immune responses and thus the interaction of ATGs with these cells could potentially contribute to the clinical effects of ATG therapy. Currently there is little information on the DC‐antigens targeted by ATGs. In this study we have used a new methodology to identify DC surface antigens recognized by ATGs. By screening an eukaryotic expression library generated from DC with ATGs we could identify several novel ATG antigens including CD81, CD82, CD98, CD99 and CD147. Furthermore, we engineered cells to express previously described ATG antigens and probed them with Thymoglobulin and ATG‐Fresenius S. Our results demonstrated strong binding to some but not all of these molecules. We show that previously described antigens and antigens identified in this study account for around 80% of the DC reactivity of ATGs. Analysis of molecules induced by ATG–DC interaction are more in support for an activation of these cells by ATGs than for a specific induction of a tolerogenic DC phenotype.
Deregulated p21(WAF1) overexpression impacts survival of surgically resected esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients.

BACKGROUND Prognostic effects of cell cycle regulation associated tumor suppressor genes for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients are controversial. Clarifying the effects of these genes is beneficial for optimizing patient's outcome. METHODS Forty esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients were included in the study. Tissue samples were analyzed for cell proliferation, DNA content, mutation of p53 gene, and expression of p21 and p53 proteins. Prognostic effects of these parameters were assessed by multivariate analysis. RESULTS Seventy-five percent of tumors exhibited aneuploid DNA content. Significantly higher S-phase fractions were detected in tumor samples (p < 0.001). The p53 gene mutated in 52.5% (21 of 40) of tumor samples, p53 immunostaining was detected in 62.5% (25 of 40) of tumor tissues and 50% of tumors over expressed p21. Overexpression of p21 protein did not correlate with p53 gene status, but significantly correlated with abnormal DNA content (p = 0.028). Advanced pTNM stage, lymph node metastasis and p21 overexpression conferred survival disadvantages in univariate analysis (p = 0.013, 0.045 and 0.017, respectively). A Cox multivariable analysis revealed pTNM stage (IIB/III/IV vs. I/IIA; p = 0.024) associated with p21 overexpression (positive vs. negative; p = 0.035) as independent prognostic factors in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas. Surprisingly, p21 overexpression significantly compromised the survival of patients with mutated p53 gene (p = 0.035). However, no significant dismal effect of p21 overexpression can be seen in patients with wild-type p53 gene (p = 0.175). CONCLUSIONS Overexpression of p21 correlates with chromosomal instability and serves as an adverse prognostic predictor for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Its adverse effect is more prominent when the p53 gene is mutated.
Luzindole (N-0774): a novel melatonin receptor antagonist.

The pharmacological potencies of 2-substituted N-acetyltryptamines were determined on the presynaptic melatonin receptor site of rabbit retina labeled in vitro with [3H]dopamine. Calcium-dependent release of [3H]dopamine was elicited by electrical stimulation at 3 Hz for 2 min (20 mA, 2 msec). Melatonin (5-OCH3-N-acetyltryptamine) and 6-chloromelatonin were equipotent in inhibiting the calcium-dependent release of [3H]dopamine (IC50 = 40 pM). 2-Substituted N-acetyltryptamines with a methyl (i.e., 6,7-dichloro-2-methylmelatonin, IC50 = 10 pM) or iodine (i.e., 2-iodomelatonin, IC50 = 5 pM) group were more potent than melatonin in inhibiting [3H]dopamine release. I report here the pharmacological properties of the novel N-acetyltryptamine, 2-benzyl-N-acetyltryptamine (N-0774, luzindole) on the presynaptic melatonin receptor of rabbit retina. Luzindole (0.1-10 microM) did not affect the spontaneous outflow of radioactivity or the stimulation-evoked release of [3H]dopamine when added alone. However, luzindole (0.1-10 microM) shifted the concentration effect curve for melatonin to the right in a parallel fashion. The pA2 extrapolated from the Schild plot (slope, 0.91) was 7.7, with a KB = 20 nM. The dissociation constants for luzindole (KB), determined in the presence of 6,7-dichloro-2-methylmelatonin (10 pM-1 nM) or 6-chloromelatonin (10 pM-100 nM) were 16 and 40 nM, respectively. These data suggest that luzindole and the various melatonin agonists are competing for the same presynaptic melatonin receptor site in the rabbit retina. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The passive optical properties of a silicon nanoparticle-embedded benzocyclobutene polymer waveguide

The passive optical properties of a silicon nanoparticle-embedded benzocyclobutene (BCB) waveguide were investigated. The silicon nanoparticles, of a size varying from 6 to 25 nm, were prepared by vapor condensation. The transmission modes and losses were examined by the prism coupler and cut-back methods. A He–Ne laser beam with a wavelength of 6328 Å was used to measure the effective index and thickness of the waveguide. Laser light could be efficiently coupled into the BCB waveguide when the embedded Si nanoparticles were smaller than 6 nm. The film thickness and effective index of the Si-embedded BCB waveguide were measured to be 1.825 µm and 1.565, respectively. The optical transmission losses of the pure BCB and Si-embedded ridge waveguides measured by the cut-back method were 0.85 and 1.63 dB cm−1, respectively. Although the optical loss was increased by the embedded Si, the disturbance of the output contour was quite small. This result demonstrates that the nanoparticle-embedded polymer waveguide may be used for optoelectronic integrated circuits.
Do Open Access Electronic Theses and Dissertations Diminish Publishing Opportunities in the Sciences?

In academia, there is a growing acceptance of sharing the final electronic version of graduate work, such as a thesis or dissertation, in an online university repository. Though previous studies have shown that journal editors are willing to consider manuscripts derived from electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs), faculty advisors and graduate students continue to raise concerns that online discoverability of ETDs negatively impact future opportunities to publish those findings. The current study investigated science journal policies on open access ETDs and found that more than half of the science journals responding (51.4%) reported that manuscripts derived from openly accessible ETDs are welcome for submission and an additional 29.1 percent would accept revised ETDs under certain conditions.
Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of Transphyseal Versus Physeal-Sparing Techniques

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is becoming more common in skeletally immature individuals, and it may be performed with transphyseal or physeal-sparing techniques. A number of studies have assessed the outcomes of these techniques, but there is a need to systematically evaluate the pooled data from these studies. Purpose: To compare the differences in demographics and outcomes of transphyseal and physeal-sparing techniques by assessing (1) demographics, (2) incidence of growth disturbances, and (3) graft survivorship in the pediatric population. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: A thorough review of 3 databases was performed to identify all studies that evaluated outcomes after pediatric reconstruction based on transphyseal or physeal-sparing techniques. After completing our search and cross-referencing for additional sources, 43 reports were identified for this review. Reports were analyzed for differences in demographics as well as incidence of leg-length discrepancies, angular deformities, and graft survivorship. After review of manuscripts, 27 studies were included for review (21 transphyseal and 6 physeal-sparing studies). Results: Those who had transphyseal reconstruction were more likely to be female (39% vs 20%; P = .0001), while those with the physeal-sparing surgery were younger (12 vs 13.5 years of age; P = .0001). The transphyseal and physeal-sparing cohorts demonstrated similar incidence rates of leg-length discrepancies (0.81% vs 1.2%, respectively; P = .64) and angular deformities (0.61% vs 0%, respectively; P = .36). The transphyseal and physeal-sparing cohorts also showed similar rates of rerupture (6.2% vs 3.1%, respectively; P = .11). Conclusion: Although the study groups were not well matched with regard to age and sex, our results show that these surgical techniques have no differences in incidence of growth disturbances or graft survivorship. Younger males tend to undergo physeal-sparing reconstruction. Future research should focus on long-term outcome metrics with the physeal-sparing techniques, as there remains a paucity of studies regarding them.