Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nerve Decompression Surgery as Treatment for Peripheral Diabetic Neuropathy: Literature Overview and Awareness Among Medical Professionals

Peripheral diabetic neuropathy (PDN) is one of the major complications arising in patients with diabetes. Since PDN is traditionally considered an irreversible disorder, treatment has been aimed to prevent the development of complications. In a novel concept, however, it is postulated that decompression surgery of the affected nerve may reverse the natural course of PDN. In this review, we will discuss experimental and human studies that addressed the value of nerve decompression surgery in PDN. Furthermore, we report on the awareness of this novel treatment strategy among medical professionals that are primarily involved in diabetes care.
Classification of limiting shapes for isotropic curve flows

with a 5 0, and initial condition x(p, 0) = xzo(p). This produces a family of curves yt = x(Si, t). Here n is the curvature, and n is the outward-pointing unit normal vector. These equations are particularly natural in that they are isotropic (equivariant under rotations in the plane) and homogeneous (equivariant under dilation of space, if time is also scaled accordingly). The main aim of this paper is to provide a complete description of the behaviour of embedded convex curves moving by equations of the form (1.1). In certain cases this description has already been provided: If a = 1 then Equation (1.1) is the curve-shortening flow, for which the following holds:
Widespread Distribution in Polar Oceans of a 16S rRNA Gene Sequence with Affinity to Nitrosospira-Like Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria

ABSTRACT We analyzed the phylogenetic compositions of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria of the β subclass of Proteobacteria from 42 Southern Ocean samples. We found a Nitrosospira-like 16S rRNA gene sequence in all 20 samples that yielded PCR products (8 of 30 samples from the Ross Sea and 12 of 12 samples from the Palmer Peninsula). We also found this sequence in Arctic Ocean samples, indicating a transpolar, if not global, distribution; however, slight differences between Arctic and Antarctic sequences may be evidence of polar endemism.
Bidirectional regulation of fragile X mental retardation protein phosphorylation controls rhodopsin homoeostasis

Homoeostatic regulation of the light sensor, rhodopsin, is critical for the maintenance of light sensitivity and survival of photoreceptors. The major fly rhodopsin, Rh1, undergoes light-induced endocytosis and degradation, but its protein and mRNA levels remain constant during light/dark cycles. It is not clear how translation of Rh1 is regulated. Here, we show that adult photoreceptors maintain a constant, abundant quantity of ninaE mRNA, which encodes Rh1. We demonstrate that the Fmr1 protein associates with ninaE mRNA and represses its translation. Further, light exposure triggers a calcium-dependent dephosphorylation of Fmr1, which relieves suppression of Rh1 translation. We demonstrate that Mts, the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), mediates light-induced Fmr1 dephosphorylation in a regulatory B subunit of PP2A (CKa)-dependent manner. Finally, we show that blocking light-induced Rh1 translation results in reduced light sensitivity. Our results reveal the molecular mechanism of Rh1 homoeostasis and physiological consequence of Rh1 dysregulation.
Testing the lucas critique: A review

Claims that the parameters of an econometric model are invariant under changes in either policy rules or expectations processes entail super exogeneity and encompassing implications. Super exogeneity is always potentially refutable, and when both implications are involved, the Lucas critique is also refutable. We review the methodological background; the applicability of the Lucas critique; super exogeneity tests; the encompassing implications of feedback and feedforward models; and the role of incomplete information. The approach is applied to money demand in the u.S.A. to examine constancy, exogeneity, and encompassing, and reveals the Lucas critique to be inapplicable to the model under analysis.
Characteristics of Transient Eddy Fluxes during Blocking Highs Associated with Two Cold Events in China

In Eastern Asia, two categories of cold air outbreaks, ordinary type and extensive and persistent type, usually occur during boreal winter, with obviously different circulation backgrounds. Blocking highs, which play an important role in cold events, are closely related to the evolution of transient eddies in their dynamical mechanism. This paper investigates the characteristics of thermal-dynamical transport of transient eddies associated with blocking events in two cold air events: a low-temperature, snowfall, and freezing event in early 2008 and a cold wave in January 2016. The results suggest that there is a convergence of transient eddy momentum and heat transport around blocking high locations during both cold events, which are beneficial for establishing and maintaining the blocking events. Moreover, the convergence of transient eddy momentum and heat transport is stronger in the 2016 event than in the 2008 event, with a northward shift of the convergence centers. Further analysis shows that the blocking high location is controlled by the convergence of Eliassen-Palm (E-P) flux in both events, which contributes to the westerly wind deceleration and provides a beneficial background for the development of blocking events. Moreover, the anticyclonic Rossby wave breaking (RWB) event occurs two days prior to the onset of blocking and weakens along with the collapse of blocking in both cold events; however, the RWB has a longer duration, stronger intensity, and more north-eastward location in the 2016 event than for the 2008 event. These results indicate that the effect of a synoptic-scale eddy is one important factor influencing different characteristics of the blocking highs and is related to different weather phenomena during the two cold events.
The role of F3 in the vocal expression of emotions

The present study investigates the role of F3 in the perception of valence of emotional expressions by using a vowel [a:] with different F3 values: the original, one with F3 either lowered or raised by 30% in frequency, and one with F3 removed. The vowel [a:] was extracted from the simulated emotions, inverse filtered and manipulated. The resulting 12 synthesized samples were randomized and presented to 30 listeners who evaluated the valence (positiveness/negativeness) of the expressions. The vowel with raised F3 was perceived more often as positive than the sample with original (p=0.063), lowered (p=0.006) or removed F3 (p=0.066). F3 may affect perception of valence if the signal has sufficient energy in high frequency range.
MafB is required for islet β cell maturation

Pancreatic endocrine cell differentiation depends on transcription factors that also contribute in adult insulin and glucagon gene expression. Islet cell development was examined in mice lacking MafB, a transcription factor expressed in immature α (glucagon+) and β (insulin+) cells and capable of activating insulin and glucagon expression in vitro. We observed that MafB−/− embryos had reduced numbers of insulin+ and glucagon+ cells throughout development, whereas the total number of endocrine cells was unchanged. Moreover, production of insulin+ cells was delayed until embryonic day (E) 13.5 in mutant mice and coincided with the onset of MafA expression, a MafB-related activator of insulin transcription. MafA expression was only detected in the insulin+ cell population in MafB mutants, whereas many important regulatory proteins continued to be expressed in insulin− β cells. However, Pdx1, Nkx6.1, and GLUT2 were selectively lost in these insulin-deficient cells between E15.5 and E18.5. MafB appears to directly regulate transcription of these genes, because binding was observed within endogenous control region sequences. These results demonstrate that MafB plays a previously uncharacterized role by regulating transcription of key factors during development that are required for the production of mature α and β cells.
A Meta‐Analysis of Genetic Correlations between Plant Resistances to Multiple Enemies

Genetic correlations between plant resistances to multiple natural enemies are important because they have the potential to determine the mode of selection that natural enemies impose on a host plant, the structure of herbivore and pathogen communities, and the success of plant breeding for resistance to multiple diseases and pests. We conducted a meta‐analysis of 29 published studies of 16 different plant species reporting a total of 467 genetic correlations between resistances to multiple herbivores or pathogens. In general, genetic associations between resistances to multiple natural enemies tended to be positive regardless of the breeding design, type of attacker, and type of host plant. Positive genetic correlations between resistances were stronger when both attackers were pathogens or generalist herbivores and when resistance to different enemies was tested independently, suggesting that generalists may be affected by the same plant resistance traits and that interactions among natural enemies are common. Although the mean associations between resistances were positive, indicating the prevalence of diffuse selection and generalized defenses against multiple enemies, the large variation in both the strength and the direction of the associations suggests a continuum between pairwise and diffuse selection.
Perspectives of Physical Education Specialists who Teach in Large Class Settings

This paper examines the perspectives of eight elementary physical education specialists who teach children’s physical education in classes with large student: teacher ratios. The physical education specialists taught classes with student: teacher ratios of up to 54:1 per class. Interviews were conducted with each physical education specialist. The questions were written to inquire about specific variables that effect elementary physical education: biggest issue faced when teaching, delivering daily quality physical education, class management time, adequate equipment, safe learning environment, learning opportunities, adequate opportunity for moderate to vigorous physical activity, class size ratios, administrator attitudes toward physical education and class sizes, professional consideration from peers, discouraging issues, and promising things that kept them going. Results indicated that large class sizes interfered with their ability to offer quality physical education programs to children. The physical educator specialists indicated that they, as well as their profession, were marginalized by others’ attitudes. In spite of teaching environments that include large class sizes, lack of administrative support, peer apathy toward physical education as a legitimate academic discipline, and insufficient equipment to provide maximum participation for all students, the participants in this study were driven by a desire to see their students excel and develop a positive attitude toward physical activity.
Determinant of Balance of Trade: Case Study of Pakistan

The core object behind this study is to explore the long run as well as short run determinant of trade deficit with reference to Pakistan by using Johansen co-integration approach and Error correction model (ECM). The finding of this study suggests that foreign income, foreign direct investment, domestic house hold consumption and real effective exchange rate are significantly affect the trade deficit. To highlight the short run dynamics VECM (Vector Error correction model) was used. The result of VECM pointed out that there is disequilibrium in the short run which will be adjusted within one year.
Modulatory Effect of Dopamine on High‐Affinity Glutamate Uptake in the Rat Striatum

Abstract: In vivo electrical stimulation of the frontal cortical areas was found to enhance sodium‐dependent high‐affinity glutamate uptake (HAGU) measured in rat striatal homogenates. This activating effect was counteracted by in vivo administration of apomorphine and by in vitro addition of dopamine (DA; 10–8M) in the incubation medium, and potentiated by in vivo haloperidol administration. At the doses used, the dopaminergic compounds had no effect on basal HAGU. α‐Methylparatyrosine pretreatment was found to enhance slightly basal HAGU as well as the activating eifects of cortical stimulation. Interestingly enough, lesion of dopaminergic neurons by substantia nigra injection of 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) did not cause any significant change either in basal HAGU or in the effect of cortical stimulation. Measurement of DA effects in vitro in experiments combined with in vivo manipulations of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal and corticostriatal systems showed that the capacity of DA to inhibit striatal HAGU depends directly on the level of the uptake activation reached over basal value. These results suggest that under physiological conditions, the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway exerts a modulatory presynaptic action on corticostriatal glutamatergic transmission, counteracting increasing glutamatergic activity. In the case of chronic DA depletion induced by 6‐OHDA, striatal adaptations may occur modifying the mechanisms acting at corticostriatal nerve terminal level.
POMC maintains tumor‐initiating properties of tumor tissue‐derived long‐term‐cultured breast cancer stem cells

The identification and understanding of the molecular network of cancer stem cells (CSCs) have had a profound impact on our view of carcinogenesis and treatment strategy. Unfortunately, a major problem is that serial passages of CSCs from clinical solid tumor specimens currently are not available in any lab, and thus, reported data are difficult to confirm and intensively interrogated. Here, we have generated two tumor tissue‐derived breast CSC (BCSC) lines that showed prolonged maintenance over 20 serial passages in vitro, while retaining their tumor‐initiating biological properties. We then deciphered the intrinsic mechanism using analyses of mRNA expression array profiles. It has been determined that pro‐opiomelanocortin (POMC) is closely related with protein phosphorylation mediated by G‐protein‐coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) in BCSC. Following, knockdown of POMC inhibits properties of mammosphere formation, CD44+CD24− population, CD44 expression, and clonogenicity ability in BCSC. We found that inhibition of POMC attenuates phosphorylation of AKT2 and GSK3β in BCSC. Further in vivo investigations demonstrated that POMC interference regulates proliferation of BCSC‐bearing tumors. Combination of the clinical results that POMC positive expression is frequently upregulated in human breast cancer and POMC positivity correlated with a poor prognosis, POMC is a potential therapeutic target for BCSC. In conclusion, we have successfully established two long‐term‐cultured BCSC from clinical specimens. We further indicated that POMC acts as a potential therapeutic target and prognostic marker for future treatment of BCSC.
Routine Measurement of Serum Amylase in Acute Abdomen.

BACKGROUND Acute abdominal pain is a common condition presenting to both the emergency department (ED) and surgical admission unit. Increase in serum amylase levels are found in much gastrointestinal pathology. Serum amylase level is consistently high in acute pancreatitis though high values are not pathognomonic of pancreatitis . The aim of this study to assess the level of serum amylase in various diseases presenting with acute abdominal pain and to evaluate the role of routine measurement of serum amylase in the screening of patient with acute abdominal pain for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis in a prospective series. METHODS A prospective observational study was performed from 15th May 2014 - 15th Nov 2014 (6 months) at Department of Surgery of Kathmandu medical College Teaching Hospital; Kathmandu. All consecutive patients presented at emergency department and required admissions in surgical ward were included. A multivariate analysis was performed to assess the level of serum amylase in various diseases presenting with acute abdominal pain including acute pancreatitis. RESULTS Overall, 318 patients were included during a period of 6 months among them 48 patients were excluded. 34 cases (12.6 %) were diagnosed of acute pancreatitis. three cases (1.1%) of non pancreatic pathology with raised serum amylase level (> 1000 U\L). CONCLUSIONS Routine assessment of serum amylase is helpful in excluding differential diagnosis of patient presenting with acute abdomen and this study identified serum amylase as a good screening tool if done in cases with clinical suspicion.
Effect of torso boundaries on electric potential and magnetic field of a dipole

A numerical model of a human torso was used to study and compare the effect of outer torso, lung, and intracavitary blood mass boundaries on the body surface distribution of electric potential and normal component of magnetic field due to a single current dipole placed at various locations in the heart. Results are presented in the form of isopotential and isofield maps and are also compared to the maps of a dipole in a semi-infinite homogenous model in the context of single dipole inverse solutions. The inclusion of the boundaries has a large effect on the magnitudes of the maps and modest effects on their topology. The electric and magnetic maps show similar responses to the boundaries for X (leftward) and Y (upward) directed dipoles. The electric maps of Z (back-to-front) dipoles are comparatively unaffected by the boundaries, unlike the magnetic maps of Z dipoles, to which the outer boundary makes a substantial contribution. The results indicate electric and magnetic maps have complementary sensitivities for certain dipole components in the presence of realistic boundaries. <<ETX>>
Developmental Changes in Agonist-Mediated Gastric Smooth Muscle Contraction in the Rabbit

ABSTRACT: We studied smooth muscle strips from rabbit proximal stomach to explore the age-related changes in agonist-mediated contraction. Strips from neonatal (1 d) and weanling (11 wk) rabbits were oriented to measure isometric tension in circular muscle. Bethanechol stimulated maximal tension in both age groups. Although the potencies for bethanechol were similar (ED50 ∼5 μM), the maximal response was nearly 4-fold greater in weanling (1140 ± 73 mN/cm2) versus neonate (305 ± 54 mN/cm2), p < 0.001. Maximum stress increased with age for bethanechol, high extracellular K+, and substance P, but not for serotonin, cholecystokinin octapeptide, neurotensin, or bombesin. Only bombesin stimulated larger contraction in neonates (152 ± 37 mN/cm2) versus weanlings (86 ± 20 mN/cm2), p < 0.05. Potencies did not change with age, except for substance P and serotonin. Substance P and serotonin induced early phasic and prolonged tonic contractions, which were unaffected by tetrodotoxin or atropine. ED50 for the phasic and tonic components of substance P-stimulated contraction in neonates were 1.8 and 7.7 nM. Substance P was 60-70 times more potent in neonates versus weanlings (p < 0.001). ED50 for serotoninstimulated contraction in neonates (33 and 22 nM, respectively) were 20-30 times more potent than in weanlings (p < 0.05). Motilin, morphine, epidermal growth factor, and gastrin did not stimulate contraction at either age. We conclude that age-dependent changes in agonist potency and efficacy may be one factor to explain in part the changes that occur in gastric motility during postnatal development.
Recombinant Luteinizing Hormone supplementation in poor responders undergoing IVF: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract The results of several studies about the effectiveness of recombinant luteinizing hormone (rLH) supplementation in poor responder in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients were conflicting. To evaluate the current available data regarding the efficacy of rLH supplementation in poor responders, a meta-analysis was performed. A systemic search was performed without language limitation but restricted to randomized controlled trial (RCT). We mainly explored MEDLINE, EMBASE, CNKI and Cochrane Library for the relevant studies. Three studies were considered eligible for inclusion. The meta-analysis indicated that rLH supplementation did not increase the ongoing pregnancy rate in poor responders (OR 1.30, 95% CI: 0.80, 2.11). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the number of oocytes retrieved, total dose of rFSH used, total duration of stimulation, number of retrieved metaphase II oocytes and cycle cancellation rate between the study and control groups. In conclusions, the available evidence does not support the addition of rLH in poor responders treated with rFSH and GnRHa for IVF. It was inconclusive. Future research should be based on strict criteria to define poor responders, and large, well-designed RCTs are necessary to definitively answer the important question of whether there was need to use rLH in poor responders undergoing IVF.
EMIC Waves Converted From Equatorial Noise Due to M/Q = 2 Ions in the Plasmasphere: Observations From Van Allen Probes and Arase

Equatorial noise (EN) emissions are observed inside and outside the plasmapause. EN emissions are referred to as magnetosonic mode waves. Using data from Van Allen Probes and Arase, we found conversion from EN emissions to electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves in the plasmasphere and in the topside ionosphere. A low‐frequency part of EN emissions becomes EMIC waves through branch splitting of EN emissions, and the mode conversion from EN to EMIC waves occurs around the frequency of M/Q = 2 (deuteron and/or alpha particles) cyclotron frequency. These processes result in plasmaspheric EMIC waves. We investigated the ion composition ratio by characteristic frequencies of EN emissions and EMIC waves and obtained ion composition ratios. We found that the maximum composition ratio of M/Q = 2 ions is ~10% below 3,000 km. The quantitative estimation of the ion composition will contribute to improving the plasma model of the deep plasmasphere and the topside ionosphere.
Determinants of Bond Flows to Emerging Markets: How Do They Change Over Time?

The recent episodes of capital flows to emerging market economies in the aftermath of the global financial crisis once again highlighted the importance of appropriate policy design to cope with strong and volatile capital flows, that are effective not only during surges but also during reversals, in order to ensure financial and macroeconomic stability in recipient countries. The design of such policies necessitates a good understanding of the determinants of capital flows to EMEs, as well as an exploration of how their relative importance changes over time. In this paper we investigate the time varying nature of the determinants of bond flows with a focus on the global financial crisis period. We estimate a time varying regression model using Bayesian estimation methods, where the posterior distribution is approximated by Gibbs sampling algorithm. Our findings suggest that the interest rate differential is the most significant pull factor of portfolio bond flows during the examined period, along with the inflation rate, while the growth rate does not seem to play a significant role. Among the push factors, global liquidity is the most important driver of bond flows. We find that it mattered the most, when unconventional monetary easing policies were first announced; and that its importance as a determinant of portfolio bond flows seems to decrease over time, starting with the Eurozone crisis, and diminishing with the tapering talk. Global risk appetite and the risk perception towards the emerging countries are also found to have relatively small and stable significant effects on bond flows.