Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Readjustment of retinotectal projection following reimplantation of a rotated or inverted tectal tissue in adult goldfish.

1. The pattern of visual projection from the retina on to the optic tectum following reimplantation of a piece of the tectal tissue was studied with neurophysiological mapping methods in adult goldfish. 2. When a rectangular piece of the tectum was dissected, lifted free, and then reimplanted to the same tectum after rotation by 180 degrees around the dorsoventral axis, the re‐established visual projection later showed a complete reversal of retinotopic order within the reimplanted area with reference to the normal projection on to the intact surrounding area of the same tectum. The localized reversal was observed as early as 65 days, and also as late as 721 days after the 180 degree rotated reimplantation. 3. If a square piece of the tectal tissue was reimplanted after rotation by 90 degrees anticlockwise around the dorsoventral axis, the restored visual projection later showed a corresponding localized 90 degrees rotation within the reimplanted ares. 4. When the entire laminar structure of a dissected tectal tissue was inverted, and the reimplanted upside‐down along the same rostrocaudal axis of the tectum, the restored visual projection on to the inverted tectal reimplant was found to be organized in a reverse retinotopic order along only the mediolateral axis within the reimplanted area. The restored visual projection retained a correct retinotopic order along the rostrocaudal axis. The same trends were also observed after regeneration of the optic fibres following section of the contralateral optic nerve. 5. If the inverted tectal tissue was reimplanted along the same mediolateral axis of the tectum, the re‐established visual projection showed a localized reversal of retinotopic order along only the rostrocaudal axis within the reimplanted area. Sectioning the contralateral optic nerve made no difference to the result. 6. These results suggest that a piece of adult tectal tissue retains its original topographic polarity regardless of the orientation of reimplantation after either a rotation or an inversion. Furthermore the retention is not a short‐lived transitory phenomenon. It persisted as long as the reimplanted tissue survived. 7. Histological examination of the operated tecta revealed that the reimplanted tectal tissues underwent a severe derangement in their laminar structures. It was impossible to identify the main target zone of retinotectal projection (the stratum fibrosum et griseum superficiale) or the central cellular layer (the stratum griseum centrale) in the reimplants. The prominent feature of the deranged tectal tissue was irregular vortices of tangled fibre bundles. Sparse tectal neurones of bipolar and granular types were irregularly scattered in the deranged structure of the reimplant. 8. Thus, the retention of original topographic polarity did not require an integrity of the cytoarchitectonic structure of the reimplanted tectal tissue.
An active current reconstruction and balancing strategy with DC-link current sensing for a multi-phase coupled-inductor converter

This paper proposes an active technique to reconstruct and balance the phase currents in multi-phase dc-dc converters implementing current-mode control. Only one current sensor at the dc-link is required to measure and reconstruct the phase currents. Multiple current samples in the PWM switching period are synchronized with the carrier waveforms to actively reconstruct the phase currents using a simple active balancing algorithm that is implemented in a digital controller. The proposed technique improves system performance, stability, efficiency, and prevents inductor saturation. A 5 kW four-phase dc-dc converter prototype for battery charging application is built to experimentally verify the proposed algorithm.
Trends of Venereal Infections among Healthy Blood Donors at Karachi.

BACKGROUND To determine the prevalence and trends of venereal infections, including the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and treponema pallidum in healthy blood donors over a decade. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross-sectional descriptive study conducted at the Blood Bank of Liaquat National Hospital, extended from January 2005 to December 2014, in which 148268 healthy donors were enrolled. Screening for HIV was done by Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay and Chemiluminescent immunoassay techniques. Syphilis screening was done by Treponema pallidum particle agglutination and Chemiluminescent Immunoassay methods. RESULTS Out of the 148268 total donors, 147684 (99.6%) were replacement donors and remaining 584 (0.4%) were voluntary donors with a mean age of 29.09 ± 7.04 years. Overall, there were 147939 (99.8%) males and 329 (0.2%) females. A total of 1536 (1.03%) donors were reactive. Among the replacement donors, 1535 (1.03%) were found to be reactive for HIV and treponema pallidum. Of these, 172 (0.11%) donors were positive for HIV, while 1363 (0.91%) were positive for treponema pallidum. All reactive donors were male (99.94%), except for one female (0.06%). The prevalence of HIV and syphilis were higher in the younger age group (18 - 30 years). Out of 584 voluntary donors, only one (0.1%) donor was positive for HIV, while all donors were negative for treponema pallidum. The positive rates among replacement and voluntary donors were 1.03% and 0.1%, respectively. Co-infectivity was observed in two (0.001%) donors. CONCLUSION The prevalence of venereal infection was higher in replacement donors as compared with voluntary donors. The prevalence of syphilis in our series was high compared with earlier studies. It emerges that syphilis positivity rate appears to escalate; however, HIV infection remains static over a decade. Higher prevalence in younger donors is alarming and adversely affects the prospective blood donation pool. Stringent donor selection, emphasis on voluntary donation, and vigilant donors screening are highly recommended to ensure the maximum safety of blood recipient.
The assessment of Ki-67 as a prognostic marker in neuroendocrine tumours: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP NETs) are classified according to tumour mitotic count or Ki-67 labelling index (LI). Aim(s) To systematically review articles reporting the prognosis of patients by Ki-67 LI and thereby improve the ability of clinicians to prognosticate for their patients. Method 265 abstracts were identified relating Ki-67 and survival. After exclusion criteria were applied, 22 articles remained. Articles were excluded if they described non-human specimens, were non-English language, published prior to 2000, reported non-GEP NETs, reported subgroups selected by treatment modality or included <20 cases. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to combine studies to estimate survival proportions. Results Authors used varied methods in which to present 5-year survival, with often limited survival information. This reduced the number of studies that could be included in the meta-analysis. 5-year survival for patients with grade 1 and 2 GEP NETs were estimated to be 89% (95% CI 85% to 92%, m=12 studies, n=977 participants) and 70% (95% CI 62% to 79%, m=9, n=726), respectively. Using an alternative grade 1/2 boundary of 5%, 5-year survival rates for Ki-67≤5% and 5–20% were estimated as 89% (95% CI 84% to 94%, m=7, n=654) and 51% (95% CI 44% to 59%, m=4, n=183), respectively. For Ki-67>20%, 5-year survival was estimated to be 25% (95% CI 12% to 38%, m=10, n=208). Conclusions Standardisation of grade boundaries has allowed us to combine data from multiple studies and amass a body of evidence linking Ki-67 and survival.
Reduced glutamine synthetase in hippocampal areas with neuron loss in temporal lobe epilepsy

Background: Increased levels of glutamate have been reported in the epileptogenic hippocampus of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). This sustained increase, which may contribute to the initiation and propagation of seizure activity, indicates impaired clearance of glutamate released by neurons. Glutamate is predominantly cleared by glial cells through the excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2) and its subsequent conversion to glutamine by the glial enzyme glutamine synthetase (GS). Methods: The authors examined the hippocampal distribution of GS, EAAT2, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) by immunohistochemistry in TLE patients with (HS group) and without hippocampal sclerosis (non-HS group), and in autopsy controls. In hippocampal homogenates the authors measured relative protein amounts by immunoblotting and GS enzyme activity. Results: In the autopsy control and non-HS group GS immunoreactivity (IR) was predominantly found in glia in the neuropil of the subiculum, of the pyramidal cell layer of all CA fields, and in the supragranular layer of the dentate gyrus. In the HS group, GS and EAAT2 IR were markedly reduced in subfields showing neuron loss (CA1 and CA4), whereas GFAP IR was increased. The reduction in GS IR in the HS group was confirmed by immunoblotting and paralleled by decreased GS enzyme activity. Conclusions: Glial glutamine synthetase is downregulated in the hippocampal sclerosis (HS) hippocampus of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients in areas with severe neuron loss. This downregulation appears to be pathology-related, rather than seizure-related, and may be part of the mechanism underlying impaired glutamate clearance found in the hippocampus of TLE patients with HS.
Not so old Archaea – the antiquity of biogeochemical processes in the archaeal domain of life

Since the archaeal domain of life was first recognized, it has often been assumed that Archaea are ancient, and harbor primitive traits. In fact, the names of the major archaeal lineages reflect our assumptions regarding the antiquity of their traits. Ancestral state reconstruction and relaxed molecular clock analyses using newly articulated oxygen age constraints show that although the archaeal domain itself is old, tracing back to the Archean eon, many clades and traits within the domain are not ancient or primitive. Indeed many clades and traits, particularly in the Euryarchaeota, were inferred to be Neoproterozoic or Phanerozoic in age. Both Eury‐ and Crenarchaeota show increasing metabolic and physiological diversity through time. Early archaeal microbial communities were likely limited to sulfur reduction and hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis, and were confined to high‐temperature geothermal environments. However, after the appearance of atmospheric oxygen, nodes containing a wide variety of traits (sulfate and thiosulfate reduction, sulfur oxidation, sulfide oxidation, aerobic respiration, nitrate reduction, mesophilic methanogenesis in sedimentary environments) appear, first in environments containing terrestrial Crenarchaeota in the Meso/Neoproterozoic followed by environments containing marine Euryarchaeota in the Neoproterozoic and Phanerozoic. This provides phylogenetic evidence for increasing complexity in the biogeochemical cycling of C, N, and S through geologic time, likely as a consequence of microbial evolution and the gradual oxygenation of various compartments within the biosphere. This work has implications not only for the large‐scale evolution of microbial communities and biogeochemical processes, but also for the interpretation of microbial biosignatures in the ancient rock record.
Focal adhesion stabilization by enhanced integrin-cRGD binding affinity

Abstract In this study we investigate the impact of ligand presentation by various molecular spacers on integrin-based focal adhesion formation. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) arranged in hexagonal patterns were biofunctionalized with the same ligand head group, cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp [c(-RGDfX-)], but with different molecular spacers, each of which couples the head group to the gold. Aminohexanoic acid, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyproline spacers were used to vary the distance between the binding motif and the substrate, and thus the presentation of integrin binding on anchoring points. Adherent cells plated on nanopatterned surfaces with polyproline spacers for peptide immobilization could tolerate larger ligand spacing (162 nm) for focal adhesion formation, in comparison to cells on surfaces with PEG (110 nm) or aminohexanoic acid (62 nm) spacers. Due to the rigidity of the polyproline spacer, enhanced access to the ligand-binding site upon integrin-cRGD complex formation increases the probability of rebinding and decreases unbinding, as measured by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) analysis, compared to the analogues with aminohexanoic acid or PEG-containing spacers. These findings indicate that focal adhesion formation may not only be stabilized upon tight integrin clustering, but also by tuning the efficiency of the exposure of the cRGD-based ligand to the integrin extracellular domains. Our studies clearly highlight the importance of ligand spatial presentation for regulating adhesion-dependent cell behavior, and provide a sound approach for studying cell signaling processes on nanometer-scale, engineered bioactive surfaces under chemical stimuli of varying intensities.
A Bovine Adrenocortical Kv1.4 K+ Channel Whose Expression Is Potently Inhibited by ACTH*

We have cloned a bovine adrenal cortical (bKv1.4) K+ channel cDNA whose expression is rapidly inhibited by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). The 4386-nucleotide cDNA is homologous to other voltage-gated, rapidly inactivating Kv1.4 channels, and includes a 1986-nucleotide coding region and large 5′- and 3′-untranslated regions. Bovine Kv1.4-specific mRNA from adrenal zona fasciculata (AZF) cells was rapidly and potently reduced by ACTH, with a t 1 2 of approximately 1 h and an IC50 of 1.2 pm. The membrane-permeable cAMP analog 8-pcpt-cAMP also reduced bKv1.4 mRNA expression with kinetics similar to that observed with ACTH. Reduction of bKv1.4 mRNA expression by ACTH and 8-pcpt-cAMP was only partially inhibited by the selective protein kinase A antagonist H-89. Consistent with their effect on bKv1.4 mRNA, ACTH and 8-pcpt-cAMP both dramatically reduced the expression of bKv1.4-associated A-type current measured over 72 h. These results demonstrate that bovine AZF cells synthesize a Kv1.4-type channel whose expression is inhibited at the pretranslational level by ACTH and 8-pcpt-cAMP by a mechanism that is partially dependent on the activation of protein kinase A. The rapid, potent reduction of bKv1.4 mRNA produced by ACTH and 8-pcpt-cAMP indicates that the expression of this K+ channel is under tonic inhibitory control of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The basic electrical properties of AZF cells might be tightly regulated at the transcriptional level by the normal diurnal pattern of ACTH secretion, and altered during bouts of stress by the enhanced release of this pituitary peptide. Under conditions of prolonged stress or adrenal insufficiency, persistent ACTH-induced changes in the electrical properties of AZF cells could be coupled to parallel changes in cortisol secretion.
High Tone Spreading and Phonological Phrases in Bàsàá

High Tone Spreading (HTS), by which an underlying High tone associated with a mora spreads rightwards and associates with one or several following moras, is a major tonal process in Bàsàá (Cameroon, Bantu A43). We here examine the domain of application of this process and establish that HTS allows us to determine the right edge of Phonological Phrases. We discuss apparent counterevidence to this claim: in the postverbal domain, the distinction between arguments and adjuncts is neutralized, and HTS seems to apply in a purely linear fashion. We offer an account of this pattern using MATCHPHRASEMAX ([11]) and MAX-BIN ([22]). Alternatively, we propose that prosody might here simply provide a window into the unexpected, but not so unusual syntax of this Bantu language.
Ultrastructural observations of hoof horn from dairy cows: changes in the white line during the first lactation

Slivers of hoof horn were taken from the outer claw of the right hindfoot of 16 first calving dairy heifers one month before calving and one, 10 and 20 weeks after calving. The gross appearance of all four feet, and the presence and degree of solar haemorrhage were recorded. Ultra-thin sections of the white line were examined in the transmission electron microscope. Good quality horn showed good cellular structure and no amorphous or filamentous intercellular material. Horn of moderate quality showed areas of material in the intercellular spaces which caused the individual cells to separate and were accompanied by a loss of internal, cellular structure. Poor quality horn showed large areas of cellular destruction, red blood cells in intercellular spaces and a disruption of the pattern of keratinisation. The ultrastructural appearance of the white line was a sensitive indicator of the quality of the horn. At the start of the study all the heifers had good feet with minimal or no solar haemorrhage. Four of the eight heifers with poor quality horn one month before calving went on to develop severe solar haemorrhage 10 to 20 weeks after calving, two developed moderate (grade 3) haemorrhage and two developed slight haemorrhage. The eight heifers with good quality horn at the start of the study all showed little or only moderate solar haemorrhage by 20 weeks after calving.
Noise reduction and detection of weak, coherent signals through phase-weighted stacks

SUMMARY We present a new tool for efficient incoherent noise reduction for array data employing complex trace analysis. An amplitude-unbiased coherency measure is designed based on the instantaneous phase, which is used to weight the samples of an ordinary, linear stack. The result is called the phase-weighted stack (PWS) and is cleaned from incoherent noise. PWS thus permits detection of weak but coherent arrivals. The method presented can easily be extended to phase-weighted cross-correlations or be applied in the z-p domain. We illustrate and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of PWS in comparison with other coherency measures and present examples. We further show that our non-linear stacking technique enables us to detect a weak lowermantle P-to4 conversion from a depth of approximately 840 km on array data. Hints of an 840 km discontinuity have been reported; however, such a discontinuity is not yet established due to the lack of further evidence.
Adverse health behaviours among colorectal cancer survivors: a case study from Iran.

BACKGROUND Cancer survivors are at greater risk of developing secondary tumours, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis. A part of this is because they share the similar lifestyle factors. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of adverse health behaviours and its determinants among colorectal survivors. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted in Babol city located in North of Iran. The pathologic information and demographic characteristics were collected from the population based-cancer registry. Colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors between 2007-2013 were included in this study. A questionnaire includes socioeconomic status, lifestyle behaviours [smoking, physical activity (PA), fruit & vegetable consumption], and clinical factors were completed via home visit by trained interviewers. RESULTS The majority of CRC survivors were male and were more than 50 years of age, more than half of them resided in urban areas. About 67% of survivors had at least one comorbid condition. In general, the majority of them were not meeting the recommendation for PA (89%), about 87% of them consumed less than 5 daily serving of fruit & vegetable and 14.6% of participants were smoke either cigarette or hookah. Female genders, illiteracy, comorbidities, and place of residency were the most important determinants of having adverse health behaviours. CONCLUSIONS The minority of people with CRC were not meeting the PA or 5-A-day recommendations. It is important to notify the health policy makers and to develop a comprehensive educational program to enhance the adherence to healthy lifestyle recommendation among CRC survivors.
Imaging in scoliosis: what, why and how?

Scoliosis may be a spinal manifestation of underlying disease and although most cases of scoliosis are idiopathic, imaging plays a very important role in determining the underlying aetiology and in monitoring the changes of the deformity that take place with growth. As a clinical problem scoliosis may present directly to the radiology department through a primary healthcare referral, or it may be referred from the paediatric, orthopaedic, spinal and neurosurgical hospital services. Growth affects all types of scoliosis irrespective of cause. There are no reliable predetermined algorithmic steps in the management of scoliosis, and treatment decisions require the inclusion of multiple extrinsic (e.g age, menarche) and intrinsic (curve magnitude, vertebral anomaly) factors. It is important to remember that most of what is known about curve behaviour and its progression applies to idiopathic scoliosis, and it is inappropriate to apply these criteria to the other specific types of scoliosis. It is imperative that radiation techniques are used judiciously to minimize the radiation burden. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has had a significant impact in the understanding of the scoliotic deformity, it is still evolving and it may well eventually play a very important role in uncovering the underlying aetiology of 'idiopathic' scoliosis.
Role of CT Virtual Colonoscopy in Diagnosis of Colo-Rectal Neoplasms

Purpose: to assess the role of CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) as a non-invasive imaging technique in detection and diagnosis of colorectal neoplasia using conventional colonoscopy and/or operative findings as a reference standard, as well as highlighting its advantages and possible pitfalls. Methods: sixty patients were examined by CT after standard bowel preparation, rectal insufflation and IV contrast injection. Imaging was performed in both supine and prone positions. Evaluation consisted of review of the transverse CT images, sagittal and coronal reformations and 3D endoluminal lmages. CT colonographic findings were correlated with standard conventional colonoscopic and/or operative findings. Results: Virtual colonoscopy correctly identified all 6 carcinomas (100%), 12 out of the 13 polyps that measured 10mm or more (92.3%), 19 of the 23 polyps that measured 6 - 9 mm (82.6%) and 28 out of 48 polyps that measured 5mm or less (58.3%). There were 11 false positive findings of polyps by virtual colonoscopy and no false positive findings of cancer. Virtual colonoscopy also detected 35 incidental extracolonic findings in 25 patients while non were detected by conventional colonoscopy. 17 of the 24 patients who had no lesions during conventional colonoscopy were considered free of lesions by CT colonography yielding a per-patient specificity of 70.8% Conclusion: CT colonography has high sensitivity for the detection of clinically important polyps and cancer as well as multiple advantages over conventional colonoscopy in imaging of colorectal neoplasms