Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shared and nonshared genomic divergence in parallel ecotypes of Littorina saxatilis at a local scale

Parallel speciation occurs when selection drives repeated, independent adaptive divergence that reduces gene flow between ecotypes. Classical examples show parallel speciation originating from shared genomic variation, but this does not seem to be the case in the rough periwinkle (Littorina saxatilis) that has evolved considerable phenotypic diversity across Europe, including several distinct ecotypes. Small ‘wave’ ecotype snails inhabit exposed rocks and experience strong wave action, while thick‐shelled, ‘crab’ ecotype snails are larger and experience crab predation on less exposed shores. Crab and wave ecotypes appear to have arisen in parallel, and recent evidence suggests only marginal sharing of molecular variation linked to evolution of similar ecotypes in different parts of Europe. However, the extent of genomic sharing is expected to increase with gene flow and more recent common ancestry. To test this, we used de novo RAD‐sequencing to quantify the extent of shared genomic divergence associated with phenotypic similarities amongst ecotype pairs on three close islands (<10 km distance) connected by weak gene flow (Nm ~ 0.03) and with recent common ancestry (<10 000 years). After accounting for technical issues, including a large proportion of null alleles due to a large effective population size, we found ~8–28% of positive outliers were shared between two islands and ~2–9% were shared amongst all three islands. This low level of sharing suggests that parallel phenotypic divergence in this system is not matched by shared genomic divergence despite a high probability of gene flow and standing genetic variation.
Molecular Mechanisms of Fat Preference and Overeating

Obesity is recognized as a worldwide health problem. Overconsumption of fatty foods contributes significantly to this phenomenon. Rodents, like humans, display preferences for lipid‐rich foods. Rodents thus provide useful models to explore the mechanisms responsible for this complex feeding behavior resulting from the integration of multiple oral and postoral signals. Over the last decades, the lipid‐mediated regulation of food intake has received considerable attention. By contrast, orosensory lipid perception was long thought to involve only textural and olfactory cues. Recent findings have challenged this limited viewpoint. These recent data strongly suggest that the sense of taste also plays significant roles in the spontaneous preference for fatty foods. This paper provides a brief overview of postoral regulation of food intake by lipids and then highlights recent data suggesting the existence of a “fatty taste” which might contribute to lipid overeating and hence to the risk of obesity.
Lysosomal Degradation on Vesicular Membrane Surfaces

According to a recent hypothesis (Sandhoff, K., and Kolter, T. (1996) Trends Cell Biol. 6, 98–103), glycolipids, which originate from the plasma membrane, are exposed to lysosomal degradation on the surface of intralysosomal vesicles. Taking the interaction of membrane-bound lipid substrates and lysosomal hydrolases as an experimental model, we studied the degradation of glucosylceramides with different acyl chain lengths by purified glucocerebrosidase in a detergent-free liposomal assay system. Our investigation focused on the stimulating effect induced by lysosomal components such as sphingolipid activator protein C (SAP-C or saposin C), anionic lysosomal lipids, bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate, and dolichol phosphate, as well as degradation products of lysosomal lipids, e.g. dolichols and free fatty acids. The size of the substrate-containing liposomal vesicles was varied in the study. Enzymatic hydrolysis of glucosylceramide carried by liposomes made of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol was rather slow and only weakly accelerated by the addition of SAP-C. However, the incorporation of anionic lipids such as bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate, dolichol phosphate, and phosphatidylinositol into the substrate carrying liposomes stimulated glucosylceramide hydrolysis up to 30-fold. Dolichol was less effective. SAP-C activated glucosylceramide hydrolysis under a variety of experimental conditions and was especially effective for the increase of enzyme activity when anionic lipids were inserted into the liposomes. Glucosylceramides with short acyl chains were found to be degraded much faster than the natural substrates. Dilution experiments indicated that the added enzyme molecules associate at least partially with the membranes and act there. Surface plasmon resonance experiments demonstrated binding of SAP-C at concentrations up to 1 μm to liposomes. At higher concentrations (2.5 μm SAP-C), liposomal lipids were released from the liposome coated chip. A model for lysosomal glucosylceramide hydrolysis is discussed.
Importance of Ethnicity Definitions and Pharmacogenomics in Ethnobridging

Concerns about ethnicity-related differences have resulted in a significant “drug lag” in regulatory approvals. The International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) document on Ethnic Factors in the Acceptability of Foreign Clinical Data, ICH E5, provides guidelines for assessing ethnicity as a cause of differences in drug treatment, and the use of bridging strategies to avoid unnecessary duplication of clinical trials without compromising the quality, safety and efficacy of the drug, with the goal of expediting the drug approval process. These guidelines have however not been fully adopted by all countries, and there are differences in the way the bridging concept is applied. An approach, which may provide the resolution to this dilemma, is the multi-regional parallel bridging method, or simultaneous drug development. However, the definition of ethnicity is currently too vague and imprecise for clinical trial data to be easily understood and extrapolated across borders. The integration of pharmacogenomics and biomarkers in drug development may provide greater clarity to the characterization of drug response variability between populations.
Face Recognition Techniques

Biometrics is becoming a buzz word because of the increasing demand for user-friendly systems that provide both secure and efficient services. At present, one needs to remember numbers and/or carry identifications (ID) all the time, for example, a badge ID entering an office building, a password for computer or ATM access, and a photo- ID as wall as an airline ticket for air travel. Although very reliable methods of biometric personal identification exist (e.g., fingerprint analysis and iris scans), these methods rely on the cooperation of the participants, whereas a personal identification system based on the analysis of frontal or profile images of the face is often effective without the participant's cooperation or knowledge. Face recognition is a fascinating research topic. On one hand, many algorithms and systems have reached a certain level of maturity after 35 years of research. For example, face detection technology has been used in digital cameras for automatic focus/exposure. On the other hand, the success of these systems is limited by the conditions imposed by many real applications. The focus of current face recognition research is to investigate various techniques to improve the robustness of existing face recognition systems while the ultimate goal is to build machine systems that are close to or even better than the human perception system. Keywords: machine recognition of faces; human perception of faces; pattern recognition; computer vision; psychology; neuroscience; appearance methods for face recognition; robust face recognition; brief development history; future directions
Major hepatectomy at interval debulking for stage IV ovarian carcinoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND Previous studies have reported the results of hepatic resection for metastatic ovarian cancer at the time of primary cytoreductive surgery and at the time of recurrence. CASE We present the first case of major hepatic resection performed at the time of interval cytoreduction for metastatic ovarian carcinoma. CONCLUSION Interval debulking with hepatic resection may be a promising approach for patients left with bulky parenchymal liver metastasis after primary cytoreductive surgery.
Apolipoprotein E polymorphism alters the association between body fatness and plasma lipoproteins in women.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations between total adiposity, body fat distribution, and plasma lipoprotein levels within groups of women defined on the basis of apolipoprotein E phenotypes, in order to verify whether apoE polymorphism could modify these associations. In women having only apolipoprotein E3 isoforms (n = 24), body fat mass, the waist: hip circumference ratio, and computed tomography-derived total and intra-abdominal fat areas were all positively correlated with very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) lipids and apolipoprotein B concentrations. These body fatness variables were also negatively correlated with plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration. These associations were, however, altered in the groups of women carrying either apoE2 or E4 isoforms. Indeed, in women carrying the apoE2 isoform (n = 22), body fatness variables were predominantly associated with VLDL components concentration (0.05 greater than P less than 0.01) and with LDL triglyceride content. No association was found between adiposity and LDL cholesterol or apolipoprotein B levels in these women. In contrast, no relationship was found between total adiposity, regional fat accumulation, and VLDL fraction in women carrying the apolipoprotein E4 isoform (n = 17). In this latter group, computed tomography-measured total abdominal fat accumulation was positively correlated with LDL apolipoprotein B (r = 0.58, P less than 0.05) concentration, whereas intra-abdominal fat accumulation was positively correlated with both LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B concentrations (P less than 0.05). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Magnetointersubband oscillations of conductivity in a two-dimensional electronic system.

Magnetoconductivity of the two-dimensional electron gas occupying two size-quantization subbands is studied theoretically. When the bottoms of subbands are separated by an integer number of Landau levels, the staircases of Landau levels in both subbands are completely aligned. For such values of magnetic field the intersubband scattering is enhanced. As it was pointed out by Polyanovsky, this results in additional Shubnikov\char21{}de Haas oscillations of conductivity with magnetic field, with period depending on subband separation, and amplitude depending weakly on temperature, provided that a large number of Landau levels in each subband are occupied. In the calculation of conductivity we make use of the self-consistent Born approximation generalized to the case of two subbands. An analytical theory for the case of strong disorder and numerical results for the case of weak disorder are presented.
Rings, bracelet or snaps: fashionable alternatives for Smc complexes

The mechanism of higher order chromosome organization has eluded researchers for over 100 years. A breakthrough occurred with the discovery of multi-subunit protein complexes that contain a core of two molecules from the structural maintenance of chromosome (Smc) family. Smc complexes are important structural components of chromosome organization in diverse aspects of DNA metabolism, including sister chromatid cohesion, condensation, global gene repression, DNA repair and homologous recombination. In these different processes, Smc complexes may facilitate chromosome organization by tethering together two parts of the same or different chromatin strands. The mechanism of tethering by Smc complexes remains to be elucidated, but a number of intriguing topological alternatives are suggested by the unusual structural features of Smc complexes, including their large coiled-coil domains and ATPase activities. Distinguishing between these possibilities will require innovative new approaches.
Replicative senescence of activated human hepatic stellate cells is accompanied by a pronounced inflammatory but less fibrogenic phenotype

Limited proliferative capacity is a characteristic of most normal human cells and results in a growth‐arrested state, called replicative senescence. Functional expression of the telomerase catalytic subunit (human telomerase reverse transcriptase; hTERT) in human activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) rescues them from death with immortalization and maintains an activated HSC phenotype. The aim of this study was to evaluate alterations in gene and protein expression of in vitro aged human activated HSCs and to define the pathway by which senescent‐activated HSCs are eliminated in culture. Altered patterns of gene expression in senescent human HSCs were assessed using DNA microarray analysis and compared with early passage HSCs or hTERT immortalized HSCs. Senescent HSCs showed higher expression of inflammation and stress‐associated genes as compared with early passage HSCs. Senescent HSCs expressed reduced levels of extracellular matrix proteins, including collagens, tenascin, and fibronectin. TUNEL staining of senescent HSCs showed approximately 21% positive cells, indicating DNA fragmentation and apoptosis. Apoptosis involved the mitochondrial pathway with decreased levels of Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xL protein, release of cytochrome c, and increased caspase‐3 activity. In contrast, 4% to 5% of early activated HSCs or telomerase positive HSCs were TUNEL positive. In conclusion, cultured human HSCs undergo a switch from a fibrogenic to an inflammatory phenotype, suggesting that senescent human HSCs might modulate chronic wound healing processes. Maintenance of telomere length represents an important survival factor for activated human HSCs.
Cervical Radiculopathy: A Review

This paper is a review of current information on cervical radiculopathy. The focus is on the natural history of the process, the accuracy of diagnostic tests to determine etiology, the differential diagnosis involved, and the surgical tactics available. The most important conclusions are the criteria for patient selection for surgery and a statistical demonstration of the adequacy of both the anterior and the posterior approaches for decompression of the cervical nerve root.
Lymphangiogenesis concurrent with haemangiogenesis in the human cornea

Background: Corneal transplant rejection can occur with and without neovascularization; therefore, it is necessary to elucidate what other factors allow for rejection. It has been suggested that the lymphatic system may play a role in graft failure, but it has also been held that the cornea is devoid of lymphatics. Use of a new monoclonal antibody against a lymphatic endothelial marker, D2‐40, has been used to detect lymphatics in other tissues. The purpose of this study was to use this new tool to determine if the human cornea can undergo lymphangiogenesis.
Ocular surface changes in keratoconjunctivitis sicca with silicone punctum plug occlusion

Purpose. To evaluate histopathologic and clinical response to silicone plug insertion in dry eye patients. Methods. Punctal plugs were placed in 32 eyes of 18 dry eye patients with aqueous deficiency who were on maximum medical therapy and who had Schirmer testing with topical anesthetic measuring less than 5 mm. Pre-treatment and posttreatment (6 weeks and 1 year) evaluations included temporal and inferior quadrant impression cytology examinations, Schirmer-1, BUT, corneal fluorescein and rose-bengal staining patterns and questionnaire scores. The cytology samples were graded according to the method described by Nelson. Results. There was an improvement in subjective symptoms of patients 6 weeks after punctal occlusion. Corneal fluorescein and rose-bengal staining scores decreased from a mean of 5.33 ± 1.74 to 1.37 ± 1.48 and from 5.90 ± 1.2 to 2.45 ± 1.89 (p < 0.05) respectively. BUT values increased from 2.98 ± 1.1 to 11.3 ± 3.1 seconds (p < 0.05) at 6 weeks posttreatment. Increase in goblet cell density was observed after punctal occlusion at 6 weeks (p < 0.05) and at 1 year (p < 0.05) compared to the pre-treatment values. After occlusion, 3% of temporal specimens had Grade 0 squamous metaplasia, 63% had Grade 1, 34% had Grade 2; while 25% of inferior specimens had Grade 0, 56% had Grade 1, 19% had Grade 2 squamous metaplasia. Conclusions. Punctum plug occlusion in keratoconjunctivitis sicca provides improvement of tear film stability, ocular surface staining scores, conjunctival squamous metaplasia grades and goblet cell density. Increased ocular surface exposure to essential tear components with punctal occlusion may be important for the genesis of these changes.
Palliative arterial switch for complete transposition with ventricular septal defect

Abstract A 28-year-old female patient with complete transposition, ventricular septal defect and persistence of the arterial duct underwent a palliative arterial switch procedure in 1976 at 7 years of age. Therefore, she has survived for 22 years and lives a near normal life. She is married, has been counselled against pregnancy and has increasing cyanosis with the typical features of the Eisenmenger syndrome.
Imaging Role of Imaging in Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection – A Report and Review of Literature

1. Interventional Cardiolgist; 5. Professor, Department of Cardiology, Michigan State University/Borgess Medical Center, East Lansing, Michigan, US; 2. Fellow; 4. Interventional Cardiologist, Department of Cardiology, Michigan State University/Sparrow Hospital, East Lansing, Michigan, US; 3. Resident Physician, Department of Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, US
Immunologic Uniqueness of the Genital Tract: Challenge for Vaccine Development

Although the genital tract is considered to be a component of the mucosal immune system, it displays several distinct features not shared by other typical mucosal tissues and external secretions. Both male and female genital tract tissues lack inductive mucosal sites analogous to intestinal Peyer's patches. Consequently, local humoral and cellular immune responses stimulated by infections [with e.g. Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, papilloma virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV‐1)] are weak or absent, and repeated local intravaginal immunizations result in minimal humoral responses. In contrast to typical external secretions such as intestinal fluid that contain secretory immunoglobulin A (S‐IgA) as the dominant isotype, semen and cervico‐vaginal fluid contain more IgG than IgA. Furthermore, irrespective of the route of infection, humoral immune responses to HIV‐1 are dominated by specific IgG and low or absent IgA antibodies in all external secretions. Because a significant proportion of IgG in genital tract secretions is derived from the circulation, systemic immunization may provide protective IgG antibody‐mediated immunity in the genital tract. Furthermore, combined systemic and mucosal (oral, rectal, and especially intranasal) immunization may induce protective humoral responses in both the systemic and mucosal compartments of the immune system.
A New Circuit Model for Carbon Nanotube Interconnects With Diameter-Dependent Parameters

In this paper, a new circuit model for the propagation of electric signals along carbon nanotube interconnects is derived from a fluid model description of the nanotube electrodynamics. The conduction electrons are regarded as a 2-D charged fluid, interacting with the electromagnetic field produced by the ion lattice, the conduction electron themselves, and the external sources. This interaction may be assumed to be governed by a linearized Euler's equation, which provides the nanotube constitutive equation to be coupled to Maxwell equations. A derivation of a circuit model is then possible within the frame of the classical multiconductor transmission-line (TL) theory. The elementary cell of this TL model differs from those proposed in literature, due to the definition of the circuit variable corresponding to the voltage. When considering small nanotube radius, we obtain values for the kinetic inductance and quantum capacitance that are consistent with literature. These values are corrected here to take into account the influence of larger values of radius properly. Conversely, the value of the per unit length resistance is roughly half of the value usually adopted in literature. The multiconductor TL model is used to study the scaling law of the parameters with the number of carbon nanotubes in a bundle.
The diffusion of collective violence.

Past explanations of violence have characteristically paid more attention to the issues of social conditions and psychocultural stimuli than to the issue of timing. Timing is the focus of this paper in which a differential equation model of the temporal diffusion of violence is developed. This model is derived from behavioral generalizations which indicate that aggression is both instigated and inhibited via direct and vicarious learning. The parameters of the model provide measures of the instigation and inhibition processes that take place throughout an outbreak. Twenty-five data sets representing a wide variety of collective outbreaks of violence are used to test the empirical fit and to evaluate the credibility of the assumptions of the model. The model describes the overtime distribution of incidents quite accurately and the assumptions and implications of the derivation appear to be consistent with the cultural conditions surrounding the outbreaks.
Nitric Oxide Inhibits ACTH-Induced Cortisol Production in Near-Term, Long-Term Hypoxic Ovine Fetal Adrenocortical Cells

We previously reported that in the sheep fetus, long-term hypoxia (LTH) resulted in elevated basal plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH1- 39) whereas the cortisol levels were not different from normoxic controls. We also showed that LTH enhances endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression in the fetal adrenal. This study was designed to determine the effect of NO on cortisol production in adrenocortical cells from LTH fetal sheep. Ewes were maintained at high altitude (3820 m) from ∼40 days’ gestation (dG) to near term. Between 138 and 141 dG, fetal adrenal glands were collected from LTH and age-matched normoxic control fetuses. Adrenal cortical cells were pretreated with sodium nitroprusside (SNP), nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), L-arginine, or diethyleneamine NO (DETA-NO) and then challenged with 10 nmol/L ACTH. Cortisol responses were compared after 1 hour. Adrenocorticotropic hormone -induced cortisol secretion was significantly higher in LTH versus control (P < .01). Enhancement of NO with L-arginine resulted in a significant reduction of ACTH-mediated cortisol production in the LTH group. DETA-NO also caused a significant decrease in ACTH-mediated cortisol production (P < .05). Inhibition of NOS with L-NAME significantly increased cortisol production in the LTH group (P < .05 compared to ACTH alone), whereas the effect on the control group was not significant. Nitric oxide synthase activity was significantly higher in the LTH group compared to control, but this difference was eliminated following ACTH treatment. These data indicate that LTH enhances adrenal cortical sensitivity to the inhibitory effects of NO on cortisol production. Nitric oxide may, therefore, play an important role in regulating ACTH-induced cortisol production in the LTH fetal adrenal.