Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[F‐18]AV‐1451 positron emission tomography retention in choroid plexus: More than “off‐target” binding

Johnson et al reported that cortical retention of tau PET ligand [F-18]AV-1451 (previously [F-18]T807) was higher in mild cognitively impaired (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients compared to cognitively normal elderly controls (NCs), correlated with cognitive impairment, and resembled known progression of tau lesions along neuropathologically defined stages in AD. Though these encouraging results suggest that [F-18]AV-1451 is a reliable radioligand for imaging AD tau pathology, an unexpected finding was that MCI and AD groups did not have significantly elevated [F-18]AV-1451 retention in the hippocampus, a brain area invariably affected with tau pathology in AD. The researchers speculated that this was due to “off-target” binding in adjacent structures. This presumed
Time-Domain Implementation of Cooray–Rubinstein Formula via Convolution Integral and Rational Approximation

One of the most popular techniques to take into account the finite ground conductivity in the evaluation of the radial component of the electric field generated by a lightning return stroke is the Cooray-Rubinstein (CR) formula. As this formula is derived in the frequency domain, its application in time-domain simulation codes for the analysis of lightning-induced overvoltages on overhead lines might be challenging. In this paper, two methods allowing a simple time-domain implementation of the formula are discussed. The first one is an enhanced version of an algorithm recently proposed by two of the authors, while the second consists of a new technique, based on a suitable rational approximation of the impedance term appearing in the CR formula. This second approach is characterized by an intrinsic easiness in time-domain implementation and a considerable computational efficiency compared with conventional methods.
Genistein Induces G2/M Arrest in Gastric Cancer Cells by Increasing the Tumor Suppressor PTEN Expression

Genistein, a major isoflavone found in soybeans, exhibits anticarcinogenic properties. The inhibitory effect of genistein on cell proliferation is associated with G2/M cell cycle arrest and inhibition of cdc2 activities. Here we assessed the role of PTEN in regulation of genistein-mediated G2/M cell cycle arrest in the gastric cancer cell lines (SGC-7901 and BGC-823). After 24 h following treatment, genistein induced a concentration-dependent accumulation of cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. The sustained G2/M arrest by genistein in SGC-7901 and BGC-823 cells is associated with increased phospho-cdc2 (Tyr15) and decreased cdc2 protein. Genistein treatment increased Wee1 levels and decreased phospho-Wee1 (Ser 642). Moreover, genistein substantially decreased the Ser473 and Thr308 phosphorylation of Akt and upregulated PTEN expression. Downregulation of PTEN by siRNA in genistein-treated cells increased phospho-Wee1 (Ser642), whereas decreased phospho-Cdc2 (Tyr15), resulting in decreased the G2/M cell cycle arrest. Therefore, induction of G2/M cell cycle arrest by genistein involved upregulation of PTEN.
The influence of mRNA stability on glucose transporter (GLUT1) gene expression.

One mechanism for modification of glucose transport activity occurs through regulation of the cellular content of transporter protein by alteration of transcript stability. Regulated mRNA decay has been shown to play an important role in control of posttranscriptional gene expression. Implicated, as a pivotal element in this regulation is the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of the message. Recent work from several labs has focused on sequence motifs within the 3'-UTR of glucose transporter (GLUT1) mRNA that serve as destabilizing or stabilizing elements and recognition of these elements by specific proteins. In this review, we address several critical studies each of which has identified elements in the GLUT1 3'-UTR that are involved in the control of transcript stability and demonstrated that these sequence motifs are recognized by specific binding proteins.
Relationships Among Grain Sorghum Quality Factors

ABSTRACT Correlations among grain sorghum quality factors (proximate composition, physical properties, and water absorption properties) were evaluated. Samples of 46 commercial hybrids (24 and 22 from crop years 1993 and 1994) were analyzed for starch, protein, crude free fat, test weight, absolute density, 1,000 kernel weight, percent kernel abraded, water absorption index, initial water absorption rate, and moisture saturation point. Test weight, absolute density, and percent kernel abraded were positively correlated among themselves (r > 0.5). Protein was negatively correlated with both test weight and absolute density (r < -0.5), while moisture saturation point showed negative correlations with test weight, absolute density, 1,000 kernel weight, and percent kernel abraded (r < -0.4). Principal component factor analysis through the covariance matrix explained 95% of the total variation of quality factors among hybrids (two factors), and, through the correlation matrix, 85% of the total variation (five .
A PMU-Based LOE Protection of Synchronous Generator in the Presence of GIPFC

The existence of a generalized interline power-flow controller (GIPFC) in the transmission lines changes the voltage and current signals which are measured with the protection relays of power system dynamically. In this paper, the effects of the GIPFC on the measured impedance by the loss of excitation (LOE) relay of the synchronous generator are first investigated by analytical and computational methods for different operating modes of the power system. The results indicate that the presence of GIPFC causes a substantial delay on the operation of the LOE relay. It is also shown that when partial LOE occurs, the GIPFC causes to the LOE relay under-reaching. Consequently, to readjust the relay in the presence of the GIPFC, a new modified LOE protection algorithm on the basis of synchronized phasor measurements received from phasor measurement units is presented. The most important advantage of this modified algorithm is that it is a general algorithm which considers all voltage-source-converter-based flexible ac transmission systems controllers. Regarding the simulations results, it is concluded that using the modified algorithm for the LOE relay can sufficiently decrease the delay and prevent the relay from under-reaching. The impacts of the unified power-flow controller and interline power-flow controller on the LOE relay are also demonstrated.
A Family of Three-Point Methods of Ostrowski's Type for Solving Nonlinear Equations

A class of three-point methods for solving nonlinear equations of eighth order is constructed. These methods are developed by combining two-point Ostrowski's fourth-order methods and a modified Newton's method in the third step, obtained by a suitable approximation of the first derivative using the product of three weight functions. The proposed three-step methods have order eight costing only four function evaluations, which supports the Kung-Traub conjecture on the optimal order of convergence. Two numerical examples for various weight functions are given to demonstrate very fast convergence and high computational efficiency of the proposed multipoint methods.
One-staged contralateral or ipsilateral total hip and total knee arthroplasty.

One-staged ipsilateral and contralateral total hip and total knee arthroplasties were compared. A total of 103 patients underwent a 1-staged total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty between January 1975 and July 1997 (67 contralateral and 36 ipsilateral patients). No prostheses were found to be loose or revised. The contralateral group had a 10.5% hip dislocation rate, and the ipsilateral group had an 8.3% hip dislocation rate. Most of the patients were discharged home (contralateral, 66%; ipsilateral, 56%). There was no significant difference in survival between the contralateral and ipsilateral groups. There was only 1 death within 3 months of the operation. The severity of these patients' deformity may necessitate these procedures be done at 1 operation with consideration of mortality and morbidity risks.
Neurobehavioral alterations and histopathological changes in brain and spinal cord of rats intoxicated with acrylamide

The aim of this project was to study the clinical manifestations, neurobehavioral, hematobiochemical, oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and histopathological changes during acrylamide toxicity in rats. A total of 30 adult male Wistar rats were divided in 5 equal groups and received 0, 10, 15, and 20 mg/kg body weight acrylamide as oral gavage, while group 5 was micronucleus (MN) control. Functional observational battery (FOB) parameters were studied at the 28th day of post treatment. Toxicological manifestations were evident in acrylamide-treated rats from 14th day onward. FOB revealed a significant change in central nervous system, neuromuscular, and autonomic domains. The hematological changes include significant decrease in concentration of hemoglobin, total erythrocyte count, packed cell volume, and mean corpuscular volume. The biochemical parameters aspartate aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, and albumin showed significant increase, while the levels of serum globulin and glucose were found to decrease significantly. The MN assay revealed the significant increase in frequencies of micronuclei and number of polychromatic erythrocytes. The oxidative stress parameters revealed no significant difference as compared to control rats. Histopathological changes observed in brain include neuronal degeneration, edema, and congestion, while spinal cord revealed demyelination in low-dose group and bilateral necrosis with malacia, liquefaction of white matter, and loss of myelin from gray matter in high-dose groups. The result indicates pathological alterations in brain and spinal cord and is responsible for neurobehavioral changes in rats. The FOB changes and histopathological alterations in spinal cord are in dose dependent to acrylamide intoxication. Various toxicological effects observed in experiment direct us to focus on a deep study and evaluate the possible causes pertaining to toxicity of this chemical. It would furnish the scientists with better options that would help them to search for a median path regarding the use of this chemical and take preventive measures to save the living beings from the hidden disasters of this chemical.
THE ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF SOME MARINE PHYTOPLANKTON 1

We analyzed the cellular content of C, N, P, S, K, Mg, Ca, Sr, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Cd, and Mo in 15 marine eukaryotic phytoplankton species in culture representing the major marine phyla. All the organisms were grown under identical culture conditions, in a medium designed to allow rapid growth while minimizing precipitation of iron hydroxide. The cellular concentrations of all metals, phosphorus, and sulfur were determined by high‐resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR‐ICPMS) and those of carbon and nitrogen by a carbon hydrogen nitrogen analyzer. Accuracy of the HR‐ICPMS method was validated by comparison with data obtained with 55Fe radioactive tracer and by a planktonic reference material. The cellular quotas (normalized to P) of trace metals and major cations in the biomass varied by a factor of about 20 among species (except for Cd, which varied over two orders of magnitude) compared with factors of 5 to 10 for major nutrients. Green algae had generally higher C, N, Fe, Zn, and Cu quotas and lower S, K, Ca, Sr, Mn, Co, and Cd quotas than coccolithophores and diatoms. Co and Cd quotas were also lower in diatoms than in coccolithophores. Although trace element quotas are influenced by a variety of growth conditions, a comparison of our results with published data suggests that the measured compositions reflect chiefly the intrinsic (i.e. genetically encoded) trace element physiology of the individual species. Published field data on the composition of the planktonic biomass fall within the range of laboratory values and are generally close to the approximate extended Redfield formula given by the average stoichiometry of our model species (excluding the hard parts): While clearly this elemental stoichiometry varies between species and, potentially, in response to changes in the chemistry of seawater, it provides a basis for examining how phytoplankton influence the relative distributions of the ensemble of major and trace elements in the ocean.
Cannabinoid CB1 receptors of the rat central amygdala mediate anxiety-like behavior: interaction with the opioid system

Cannabinoids, which are the active compounds of marijuana, produce some pharmacological effects similar to the opioids. In addition, there are functional interactions between the cannabinoid and opioid systems. In this study, we investigated the effects of intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of opioid drugs on responses induced by intracentral amygdala (intra-CeA) microinjection of cannabinoid CB1 receptor agents in rats, using the elevated plus maze test of anxiety. I.p. injection of morphine (6 and 9 mg/kg) 30 min before testing, increased the percentage open arm time (%OAT) and the percentage open arm entries (%OAE), but not locomotor activity, showing an anxiolytic-like response. I.p. administration of the opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone (1 mg/kg) 15 min before testing, significantly reduced %OAT, but not %OAE and locomotor activity. The drug, however, tended to decrease locomotor activity. Intra-CeA administration of arachidonylcyclopropylamide (ACPA, an agonist shown to selectively activate CB1 receptors; 1.25 and 5 ng/rat) increased %OAT and %OAE but not locomotor activity, indicating an anxiolytic-like response. Coadministration of morphine (6 mg/kg, i.p.) plus ACPA (0.125 ng/rat, intra-CeA) increased the anxiolytic-like response. Administration of naloxone reversed the effects of intra-CeA injection of ACPA. Intra-CeA administration of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist, AM251 (2.5, 25, and 100 ng/rat) did not alter %OAT and %OAE, but the higher doses of the drug (25 and 100 ng/rat) reduced locomotor activity. Coadministration of morphine (6 mg/kg) or naloxone (0.1 mg/kg) with AM251 showed an anxiolytic-like response. In conclusion, the results may indicate an anxiolytic-like effect for cannabinoid CB1 receptors of the CeA and the existence of an interaction between the cannabinoid and the opioid systems in the modulation of anxiety.
Racial differences in the willingness to use hospice services.

OBJECTIVE This study assesses whether racial differences exist in the willingness to use hospice services in the future among black and white adults and potential factors that may contribute to such differences. METHODS Data were collected from the City of Cincinnati component of the Greater Cincinnati Survey. A total of 510 random-digit-dialed telephone interviews were completed, with 473 adults included in the analyses (220 blacks, 253 whites). RESULTS Relative to whites, blacks were significantly less likely to consider using hospice if they were near the end of life because of a terminal illness and less likely to do so even if their doctor strongly recommended its use. This reluctance was related to their prior exposure to hospice as well as their trust in their doctor to make the right end-of-life care decisions. Like whites, blacks who had a positive prior exposure to hospice were more willing to consider using hospice than those who have not been exposed to hospice, but only for those blacks who trust their doctor. For blacks who do not trust their doctor, those with prior hospice exposure, regardless of their level of satisfaction, were less willing to consider hospice than those without prior exposure. CONCLUSIONS Efforts to increase utilization of hospice services among blacks requires greater insight into the experiences that they have with hospice services for their family members and friends as well as their level of trust in their physician's decision making about end-of-life care.
The visual variant of Alzheimer's disease

A 59-year-old man developed problems with reading and driving. When first examined, he had great difficulty locating and identifying items by sight. Visual acuity was normal, but contrast sensitivity for low spatial frequencies was severely impaired. The peripheral visual fields were moderately constricted with depressed flicker fusion frequencies, more on the right. Color identification was preserved. The difficulties in identifying and locating objects by sight were aggravated by increasing the complexity and multiplicity of the items in the field of vision and by changing the ambient illumination. Intellect and memory were relatively intact, except for difficulty with calculations. Over a 12-year course the visual defects steadily worsened, and eventually memory and language skills failed. Social manners, perseverance, and affect remained normal. Postmortem examination showed cortical atrophy, predominantly posterior, with abundant neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques. The density of the tangles was correlated with the severity of the atrophy, being highest in the occipitoparietal areas and lowest in the frontal lobes. Alzheimer's disease can preferentially affect the posterior cerebral hemispheres and cause a dementia presenting with, and dominated by, visual disturbances.
Influence of Synthetic Antiendotoxin Peptides on Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Recognition and LPS-Induced Proinflammatory Cytokine Responses by Cells Expressing Membrane-Bound CD14

ABSTRACT Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are proinflammatory bacterial products implicated in the pathogenesis of gram-negative sepsis and septic shock. Polymyxin B (PMB), a cyclic, cationic peptide antibiotic, inhibits biological activities of LPS through high-affinity binding to the lipid A moiety. Small synthetic peptides have been designed to mimic the primary and secondary structures of PMB to determine structural requirements for binding and detoxification of lipid A and to assess possible therapeutic potential. The purpose of this study was to compare and contrast the endotoxin-neutralizing activities of two synthetic antiendotoxin peptides (SAEP-2 and SAEP-4), PMB, and an LPS core-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb), WN1 222-5, based on their abilities to inhibit CD14-mediated target cell uptake of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated LPS, detected by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, and LPS-induced production of the proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), as measured by bioassays. PMB and SAEP-4 produced dose-dependent inhibition of FITC-LPS uptake by CD14-transfected Chinese hamster ovary fibroblasts (CHO-CD14 cells) and by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The anti-LPS MAb, WN1 222-5, also blocked LPS uptake by these cells and synergized with PMB and SAEP-4. LPS-induced IL-6 release was inhibited by PMB, SAEP-4, and MAb WN1 222-5, and these inhibitory activities were additive or synergistic. LPS-induced TNF-α release by PBMC was also inhibited by PMB and SAEP-4 alone and in combination with anti-LPS MAb. SAEP-2, in contrast, produced comparatively minor decrements in cellular uptake of LPS and LPS-induced cytokine responses, and did so only in the absence of serum, while a nonsense peptide exerted no discernible inhibitory effect on LPS uptake or LPS-induced cytokine expression in the presence or absence of serum. Thus, PMB and SAEP-4, like the LPS-reactive MAb, WN1 222-5, block proinflammatory activities of LPS in part by preventing LPS recognition by membrane-bound CD14-expressing target cells. Differences in peptide structure, however, like those exemplified by SAEP-2 and SAEP-4, may differentially affect the endotoxin-neutralizing potency of these peptides despite similar binding activity against lipid A, reflecting possible differences in peptide solubility or peptide regulation of intracellular signal transduction.
Regulation of G Protein-coupled Receptor Trafficking by Inefficient Plasma Membrane Expression

Despite the prevalence of G protein-coupled receptors as transducers of signals from hormones, neurotransmitters, odorants, and light, little is known about mechanisms that regulate their plasma membrane expression (PME), although misfolded receptors are recognized and retained by a cellular quality control system (QCS). Convergent evolution of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor (GnRHR) progressively decreases inositol phosphate production in response to agonist, validated as a measure of PME of receptor. A pharmacological chaperone that optimizes folding also increases PME of human, but not of rat or mouse, GnRHR because a higher percentage of human GnRHRs are misfolded structures due to their failure to form an apparent sulfhydryl bridge, and they are retained by the QCS. Bridge formation is increased by deleting (primate-specific) Lys191. In rat or mouse GnRHR that lacks Lys191, the bridge is non-essential and receptor is efficiently routed to the plasma membrane. Addition of Lys191 alone to the rat sequence did not diminish PME, indicating that other changes are required for its effects. A strategy, based on identification of amino acids that both 1) co-evolved with the Lys191 and 2) were thermodynamically unfavorable substitutions, identified motifs in multiple domains of the human receptor that control the destabilizing influence of Lys191 on a particular Cys bridge, resulting in diminished PME. The data show a novel and underappreciated means of posttranslational control of a G protein-coupled receptor by altering its interaction with the QCS and provide a biochemical explanation of the basis of disease-causing mutations of this receptor.
AutoCyte Prep system vs. conventional cervical cytology. Comparison based on 2,156 cases.

OBJECTIVE To compare the AutoCyte Prep system (Burlington, North Carolina) with conventional cervical cytology in a university medical center laboratory. STUDY DESIGN Split-sample conventional and AutoCyte Preps were examined for 2,156 cases. Same-patient conventional and Prep slides were submitted to separate cytotechnologists blindly. The results were compared on review by a cytopathologist. The Prep slides were subsequently scanned on the AutoCyte Screen automated interactive system, with manual review of the flagged cases. The results were compared with anatomic pathology follow-up when available. RESULTS Of the 158 squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) found by both methods, 78% were found by AutoCyte Prep, while 59% were found by conventional smear (P < .01). Among the discordant cases, thin-layer slides revealed 88% more LSIL lesions (P < .05), a comparable number of high grade SIL lesions and a single case of adenocarcinoma that was ambiguous on the conventional slide. The addition of AutoCyte assisted primary screening demonstrated a net benefit, recovering additional cases referenced as atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance and as high grade SIL. CONCLUSION The AutoCyte Prep system affords excellent cellular presentations and superior sensitivity for SILs when compared to the conventional technique. The use of AutoCyte Screen, for primary screening demonstrated performance equivalent to manual screening, with a significant improvement in sensitivity when measured against biopsy results.