Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Short reportManagement of venous thrombosis in fibular free osseomusculocutaneous flaps used for mandibular reconstruction : clinical techniques and treatment considerations

Background: Mandibular reconstruction by means of fibula transplants is the standard therapy for severe bone loss after subtotal mandibulectomy. Venous failure still represents the most common complication in free flap surgery. We present the injection of heparine into the arterial pedicle as modification of the revising both anastomoses in these cases and illustrate the application with a clinical case example. Methods: Methods consist of immediate revision surgery with clot removal, heparin perfusion by direct injection in the arterial vessel of the pedicle, subsequent high dose low-molecular weight heparin therapy, and leeches. After 6 hours postoperatively, images of early flap recovery show first sings of recovery by fading livid skin color. Results: The application of this technique in a patient with venous thrombosis resulted in the complete recovery of the flap 60 hours postoperatively. Other cases achieved similar success without additional lysis Therapy or revision of the arterial anastomosis. Conclusion: Rescue of fibular flaps is possible even in patients with massive thrombosis if surgical revision is done
Human Osteoclast Formation and Activity In Vitro: Effects of Alendronate

Recent advances in technique have made it possible to study human osteoclast (OC) formation and activity in vitro. The object of the present study was to determine the effects of alendronate (ALN) on human OCs generated from precursors obtained from standard peripheral blood samples. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 14 postmenopausal women were cocultured with ST2 stromal cells on bone slices in the presence of 10−7 M 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3, 10−8 M dexamethasone, and 25 ng/ml human macrophage colony‐stimulating factor. After 21 days, the cultures contained numerous OCs, which were characterized by multinuclearity, the presence of tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase, calcitonin and vitronectin receptors, and the ability to resorb substantial amounts of bone, which was inhibited by calcitonin. The percentage area of bone resorbed per slice was highly correlated (r = 0.89, p < 0.001) with the concentration of Type I collagen cross‐linked C‐telopeptides (CTx) released into the culture medium. When added to the medium, ALN inhibited bone resorption at concentrations ≤10−7 M. At 10−7 M, inhibition was achieved primarily by a reduction in OC activity without a marked effect on OC number. At the highest concentration studied (10−5 M), both OC number and resorption were profoundly decreased. Overnight preincubation of bone slices in ALN, without further exposure to ALN, resulted in an inhibition of resorption that was similar to that seen when ALN was present in the medium throughout the entire culture period. We conclude that, except at very high concentrations, the predominant mechanism of action of ALN is to inhibit the activity of differentiated human OCs with little or no effect on recruitment. Interaction between the OC and ALN on the bone surface is an important component of the inhibitory mechanism. Measurement of CTx in tissue culture medium is a convenient method for assessment of bone resorption in human OC cultures and offers a number of advantages over morphometric analysis of the bone slice.
Changes of brain gray matter structure in Parkinson's disease patients with dementia

Voxel-based morphometry is gaining considerable interest for studies examining Parkinson's disease dementia patients. In this study, 12 patients with clinically defined Parkinson's disease and dementia and 12 non-demented patients with Parkinson's disease were examined using a T1WI three-dimensional fast spoiled gradient echo sequence. Gray matter data were analyzed using a voxel-based morphometry method and independent sample t-test based on Statistical Parametric Mapping 5 software. Differences in gray matter volume were represented with statistical parametric mapping. Compared with Parkinson's disease patients without dementia, decreased gray matter volume in Parkinson's disease dementia patients was observed in the bilateral superior temporal gyrus, bilateral posterior cingulate and left cingulate gyrus, right parahippocampal gyrus and hippocampus, right precuneus and right cuneus, left inferior frontal gyrus and left insular lobe. No increased gray matter volume was apparent. These data indicate that gray matter atrophy in the limbic system and cerebral neocortex is related to the presence of dementia.
The current state of postoperative imaging in the presence of deep brain stimulation electrodes

For more than a decade, medically refractory movement disorders have been treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices. Bilateral DBS of the subthalamic nucleus (STN), globus pallidus, and thalamus have been effective in reducing the complications of medications in later-stage movement disorder patients. However, the effectiveness of the DBS device is highly dependent on the proper radiologic and electrophysiological identification of DBS target structures and the accurate placement of the DBS electrodes. The reasons for suboptimal results from DBS surgery could be related to several factors such as patient selection (preoperative), precision of DBS electrode placement (intraoperative), and inadequate device programming and follow-up (postoperative). It should be mentioned from the outset that, regardless of the target, the issues of postoperative MRI in the presence of electrodes hold true. Limited clinical improvement from DBS therapy may result from misplaced electrodes during the intraoperative procedure. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of DBS electrodes is the preferred method for confirming the anatomical location of electrodes given the amount of detail obtained. Recently, computerized topography (CT) has been used for electrode localization by fusing the postoperative CT with the preoperative MRI. This method could introduce more error given the fusion process required (eg, brain shift, CT air pockets). There is an implicit need for the localization of DBS electrodes with a postoperative MRI, and no amount of experienced DBS programming can compensate for a poorly placed electrode. Furthermore, a CT scan cannot replace invaluable MRI scan sequences that are used for diagnostic purposes (outside electrode localization). However, the current restrictions on the postoperative MRI of electrodes has resulted in many centers opting out of the procedure. Importantly, although the potential danger imposed by MRI scanning in the presence of electrodes should not be disregarded, the fear of such procedures should not impact patient care. The current viewpoint will assume that MRI scanning is being performed with both the leads and implantable pulse generator in place. Regardless of the patient, treating neurologist, or the implantation technique, postoperative MRI scanning is invaluable for proper electrode placement verification and diagnostic applications.
Stimulatory Heterotrimeric GTP-binding Protein Inhibits Hydrogen Peroxide-induced Apoptosis by Repressing BAK Induction in SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cells*

Heterotrimeric stimulatory GTP-binding protein (Gs) stimulates adenylate cyclases to activate the cAMP signaling pathway. Although the cAMP pathway has been reported to be involved in apoptosis, the role of the Gs-cAMP signaling pathway during reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated apoptosis, which is involved in the resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy and radiation, is not clearly understood. Thus, in this study we aimed to investigate the role of the α subunit of Gs (Gαs) in the ROS-induced apoptosis of cancer cells. The stable expression of constitutively active Gαs (GαsQL) inhibited the hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis of SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells and reduced the hydrogen peroxide-induced increase in Bak and the decrease in Bcl-xL protein expression. Exogenous Bak expression abolished these inhibitory effects of GαsQL, but Bak small interfering RNA decreased hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis. Gαs repressed hydrogen peroxide-induced Bak expression by inhibiting the transcription of Bak mRNA, which resulted from the inhibition of the hydrogen peroxide-induced activation of transcription factors such as AP1, NF-κB, and NFAT. Moreover, Gαs also inhibited the hydrogen peroxide-induced binding of AP1, NF-κB, and NFAT to the Bak promoter. Furthermore, hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis was reduced by treating cells with prostaglandin E2, which activates Gαs, but this was augmented by CCPA, which activates Gαi causing a decrease in cAMP levels. From the results, we conclude that Gαs protects neuroblastoma cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis by repressing Bak induction, which is mediated by the inhibition of the hydrogen peroxide-induced activations of AP1, NF-κB, and NFAT through cAMP-PKA-CREB signaling system.
Characterizing major depression phenotypes by presence and type of psychomotor disturbance in adolescents and young adults

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is phenomenologically heterogeneous, which has prompted investigation of intermediate MDD phenotypes based on specific key symptoms. Presence and type of psychomotor disturbance may be an important psychopathologic feature that differentiates clinically distinct forms of juvenile MDD. This study examined the phenotypic status of three putative MDD phenotypes in a community sample of 941 youths: (1) agitated depression (MDD with psychomotor agitation), (2) retarded depression (MDD with psychomotor retardation), and (3) agitated–retarded depression (MDD with psychomotor agitation and retardation within an episode). Hasler et al.'s [2004: Neuropsychopharmacology 29:1765–1781] criteria of specificity (degree of association with relevant symptoms and conditions related to the disease of interest versus other psychiatric conditions), stability (degree of stability over time), and heritability (degree of familial aggregation with relevant conditions) were used to evaluate the phenotypic significance of these subtypes. Results were suggestive that agitated depression was a relatively specific phenotypic syndrome characterized by irritability, arousal, physical complaints, and vulnerability to anxiety disorders and alcohol dependence; low stability across depressive episodes; and low heritability. Agitated–retarded depression was relatively specific and characterized by increased severity, recurrence, vegetative symptoms, suicidal ideation, social impairment, endogeneity, and vulnerability to anxiety disorders and bulimia; low stability across episodes; and modest heritability. Although retarded depression was associated with some specific distinguishing characteristics, most associations were explained by the increased severity of this phenotype. Retarded depression evidenced little stability or heritability. These findings offer partial support of the phenotypic status of agitated and agitated–retarded depression in youths. Depression and Anxiety 0:1–18, 2007. Published 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Performance Comparison of Different Feature Detection Methods with Gabor Filter

: This paper compares the performance of different edge detection methods like Sobel, Prewitt, Robert’s, Canny, Laplacian, Laplacian of Gaussian with Gabor filter on number of images. It has been concluded that in case of natural images a Gabor filter yields better results than other operators but in case of medical images like CT, PET, MRI, the Canny operator shows better results as it provides fine details of an image.
Affinity of talin-1 for the β3-integrin cytosolic domain is modulated by its phospholipid bilayer environment

Binding of the talin-1 FERM (4.1/ezrin/radixin/moesin) domain to the β3 cytosolic tail causes activation of the integrin αIIbβ3. The FERM domain also binds to acidic phospholipids. Although much is known about the interaction of talin-1 with integrins and lipids, the relative contribution of each interaction to integrin regulation and possible synergy between them remain to be clarified. Here, we examined the thermodynamic interplay between FERM domain binding to phospholipid bilayers and to its binding sites in the β3 tail. We found that although both the F0F1 and F2F3 subdomains of the talin-1 FERM domain bind acidic bilayers, the full-length FERM domain binds with an affinity similar to F2F3, indicating that F0F1 contributes little to the overall interaction. When free in solution, the β3 tail has weak affinity for the FERM domain. However, appending the tail to acidic phospholipids increased its affinity for the FERM domain by three orders of magnitude. Nonetheless, the affinity of the FERM for the appended tail was similar to its affinity for binding to bilayers alone. Thus, talin-1 binding to the β3 tail is a ternary interaction dominated by a favorable surface interaction with phospholipid bilayers and set by lipid composition. Nonetheless, interactions between the FERM domain, the β3 tail, and lipid bilayers are not optimized for a high-affinity synergistic interaction, even at the membrane surface. Instead, the interactions appear to be tuned in such a way that the equilibrium between inactive and active integrin conformations can be readily regulated.
Workplace ostracism, self-regulation, and job performance: Moderating role of intrinsic work motivation

ABSTRACT Drawing from a self-regulation perspective, we examine how intrinsic work motivation changes the relation between workplace ostracism and employee job performance via self-leadership. We test a moderated mediated model with data collected from 101 employees at two points in time. Results provide support for the hypothesis that ostracized employees who are more intrinsically motivated use self-leadership strategies to a greater degree to improve their job performance than their counterparts who are not intrinsically motivated. The findings contribute to research regarding boundary conditions of ostracism theory and have important practical implications.
Relational Scaffolding of School Motivation: Developmental Continuities in Students' and Parents' Ratings of the Importance of School Goals

Abstract The authors investigated whether parents and students are consistent, over grade levels, in the importance they assign to school goals. Elementary and high school students (n = 178) and their parents (n = 130) completed a questionnaire addressing the personal importance of students' school goals, defined in terms of school success. Parent-child consistencies in the rating patterns of school goals over grade levels were more common than were inconsistencies. These developmental consistencies support the position that students' school goals are embedded within the parent-child relationship (J. Youniss, 1980; J. Youniss & J. Smollar, 1985) and are scaffolded within it (J. S. Bruner, 1975; L. S. Vygotsky, 1978). Potential sources of relational and phenotypic influences on school goals are discussed, as is the need for effective friendship management and school performance in high school.
Echovirus 7 Entry into Polarized Caco-2 Intestinal Epithelial Cells Involves Core Components of the Autophagy Machinery

ABSTRACT Echovirus 7 enters polarized Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells by a clathrin-mediated endocytic process and then moves through the endosomal system before releasing its genome into the cytoplasm. We examined the possible role in virus entry of core components of the autophagy machinery. We found that depletion of Beclin-1, Atg12, Atg14, Atg16, or LC3 with specific small interfering RNAs inhibited echovirus 7 infection upstream of uncoating but had little or no effect on virus attachment to the cell surface. These data indicate that multiple autophagy-related proteins are important for one or more events that occur after the virus has bound its receptor on the cell surface but before RNA is released from the virus capsid. Although we have not determined the mechanism by which each protein contributes to virus entry, we found that stable depletion of Atg16L1 interfered with virus internalization from the cell surface rather than with intracellular trafficking. Autophagy gene products may thus participate in the endocytic process that moves virus into polarized Caco-2 cells.
Bridging phenomenon in contaminated transformer oil

The effect of cellulose particles contamination on transformer oil has been investigated. Different sizes and concentration levels of cellulose fibres were used to contaminate the transformer oil for the experiments. The conduction current was measured using electrodes of 10 mm diameter with a 10 mm gap and the optical microscopic images of bridge creation between the electrodes were also recorded. The bridge was thickened with increasing concentration level and the bridging time was shortened as the voltage increased. The conduction current increased with concentration level and voltage. Smaller size particles had stronger bond while creating the bridge and higher conduction current.
Further studies of Lp(a) lipoprotein/pre‐β1,‐lipoprotein in patients with coronary heart disease

The present study of 100 patients (46 of whom were included in a previous study) with suspected or proven coronary heart disease (CHD) confirms that Lp(a) lipoprotein and pre‐β1lipoprotein are closely related, if not identical, and that Lp(a) lipoprotein/pre‐β1lipoprotein occurs more frequently in patients with CHD than in healthy people. Analysis of this lipoprotein component may have predictive value with respect to CHD.
Opportunistic Relaying in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks With Controllable Delay–Throughput Tradeoffs

Driven by the fact that communication devices have become increasingly pervasive and have grown much faster than the infrastructure relay support, a specific wireless setup, which consists of a large number of source and destination nodes and a relatively small number of relays, has drawn significant attention recently. One of the notable works concentrating on this setup is the two-hop opportunistic relaying (THOR) scheme proposed by Cui et al. By connecting the receivers to the best transmitters for each hop individually, THOR maintains a linearly scalable network with affordable overhead. Notwithstanding the appealing implementation simplicity, THOR can suffer from communication and decoding delay, rendering it difficult to support delay-sensitive applications. The objective of this paper is to explore the possibility of achieving a controllable delay-throughput tradeoff without sacrificing linear throughput scaling. We begin with an opportunistic pair scheduling (OPS) scheme by restricting the relays to schedule only matched source-destination (S-D) pairs. This scheme is found to maintain throughput linearity and to reduce the end-to-end delay to the minimum as well. In particular, it is shown that OPS achieves a throughput scaling of Θ(-W-1(-n-1/m-1)) for Nakagami fading with the corresponding fading parameter m > 1, taking integer values and a throughput of Θ(log n) under Rayleigh fading. To achieve a different throughput-delay tradeoff in a controlled manner, we then develop this scheme further into a general L-scheduling scheme, which captures THOR and OPS as two extreme cases. By adjusting design parameter L, the desired tradeoff can be achieved, catering to applications with diverse delay and throughput requirements. Simulation results validate our theoretic findings and demonstrate the flexibility of the proposed schemes.
Infant mortality among twins born to teenagers in the United States. Black-white disparity.

OBJECTIVE To determine the magnitude of the disparity in infant mortality between twins born to black and white teenagers in the United States. STUDY DESIGN Analysis was performed on twins born to adolescents in the United States within the period 1995-1997. The generalized estimating equations framework was used to generate relative risks after capturing the effects of sibling correlations within twin pairs. RESULTS Infant mortality was 20% higher among black twins as compared to their white counterparts (adjusted OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.04-1.39). The black-white disparity in infant mortality occurred exclusively in the neonatal period (adjusted OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.11-1.54), with postneonatal estimates comparable (adjusted OR = 0.86, 95% CI = .63-1.17). The higher proportion of low-birth-weight infants--more specifically, those small for gestational age as opposed to preterm--among black twins was the most likely explanation for the lower survival probability among twins born to black teenagers. CONCLUSION Black-white disparity in infant mortality among twins occurred exclusively during the first 28 days of life rather than throughout infancy. Efforts to bridge the gap should be focused on this critical period and should preferentially target those twins who are small for gestational age.
LifeClef 2017 Plant Identification Challenge: Classifying Plants using Generic-Organ Correlation Features

This paper describes our proposal in the multi-organ plant identiﬁcation task (LifeClef2017 challenge [8]). The objective of the challenge is to evaluate to what extent machine learning and computer vision can learn from noisy data compared to trusted data. To address the challenge, we employ our recent proposed hybrid generic-organ convolutional neural network, abbreviated HGO-CNN [11] to train on diﬀerent composition of plant datasets. Overall, all the submitted runs obtained comparable results in the LifeClef2017 plant classiﬁcation task.
Synthesis and release of L‐serine by rat astroglia‐rich primary cultures

L‐serine is known to have important functions in the mammalian CNS other than being a constituent of proteins. It is the metabolic precursor of the neuroactive substances D‐serine and glycine, serves as a building block for phospholipid biosynthesis and is likely to be a neurotrophic factor. Based on the observation that rat astroglia‐rich primary cultures release L‐serine into their culture medium, the biosynthesis and release of L‐serine in these cultures has been investigated. Release of L‐serine is due to both biosynthesis from glucose and to proteolysis. Amino groups for L‐serine synthesis originate from transamination of amino acids that are either taken up from the extracellular space or produced intracellularly by proteolysis. The enzymes of the “phosphorylated pathway” of serine biosynthesis, i.e., 3‐phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase, phosphoserine aminotransferase and phosphoserine phosphatase are present in rat brain as well as in rat astroglia‐rich primary cultures and their specific activities have been determined. The presence of these enzymes indicates the operation of the “phosphorylated pathway” of L‐serine biosynthesis in brain. GLIA 30:19–26, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.