Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic effect comparison of hepatocyte-like cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in acute liver failure of rats.

GOALS To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) induced into hepatocyte-like cells and of un-induced BMSCs in acute liver failure rats. METHODS BMSCs in highly homogenous passage 3 were cultured using the whole bone marrow adherent culture method. Hepatic-related characters were confirmed with morphology, RT-PCR analysis, glycogen staining and albumin (ALB) immunofluorescence assay. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was injected intraperitoneally to establish an acute rat liver failure model. Hepatocyte-like cells or un-induced BMSCs were respectively injected into the models to examine rats' appearance, liver function assay and liver tissue pathology. RESULTS Hepatocyte-like morphology, higher expression of cytokeratin 18 (CK18) mRNA and ALB protein, and glycogen accumulation were confirmed in the induced BMSCs. The transplanted DAPI-labeled BMSCs were localized in the liver tissue 3-14 days after transplantation. The levels of liver function indicators (AST, ALT, ALP, and TBIL) from transplanted rats were significant decreased and pathology was improved, indicating the recovery of liver function. However, the differences were statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION Both hepatocyte-like cells and un-induced BMSCs had a similarly positively therapeutic efficacy on liver regeneration in rat liver failure model.
Drosophila Short stop as a paradigm for the role and regulation of spectraplakins

Spectraplakins are evolutionarily well conserved cytoskeletal linker molecules that are true members of three protein families: plakins, spectrins and Gas2-like proteins. Spectraplakin genes encode at least 7 characteristic functional domains which are combined in a modular fashion into multiple isoforms, and which are responsible for an enormous breadth of cellular functions. These functions are related to the regulation of actin, microtubules, intermediate filaments, intracellular organelles, cell adhesions and signalling processes during the development and maintenance of a wide variety of tissues. To gain a deeper understanding of this enormous functional diversity, invertebrate genetic model organisms, such as the fruit fly Drosophila, can be used to develop concepts and mechanistic paradigms that can inform the investigation in higher animals or humans. Here we provide a comprehensive overview of our current knowledge of the Drosophila spectraplakin Short stop (Shot). We describe its functional domains and isoforms and compare them with those of the mammalian spectraplakins dystonin and MACF1. We then summarise its roles during the development and maintenance of the nervous system, epithelia, oocytes and muscles, taking care to compare and contrast mechanistic insights across these functions in the fly, but especially also with related functions of dystonin and MACF1 in mostly mammalian contexts. We hope that this review will improve the wider appreciation of how work on Drosophila Shot can be used as an efficient strategy to promote the fundamental concepts and mechanisms that underpin spectraplakin functions, with important implications for biomedical research into human disease.
Cardiac functions in children with iron deficiency anemia

In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of iron deficiency (ID) on cardiac functions with M-mode, pulse Doppler, and tissue Doppler and to compare the findings with healthy individuals. Twenty one children with only ID (prelatent ID + latent ID + manifest ID/anemia) and completely healthy 23 children were included in the study. Of all patients, complete blood counts were studied, and serum iron (Fe), iron binding capacity (FeBC), and ferritin levels were measured. Echocardiographic assessment was performed for those who were diagnosed with Fe deficiency at the beginning of the study and after there covery of anemia and once at the beginning of the study for those who were healthy. There were significant differences between control group values and pre-treatment values of patients with manifest ID in terms of hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), red blood cell distribution width (RDW), ferritin, Fe, FeBC, aortic diameter (AD), and left atrial diameter (LAD). Between the pre- and post-treatment values of manifest ID (anemia) patients, there were significant differences in terms Hgb, Hct, MCV, MCH, MCHC, ferritin, Fe, FeBC, AD, LAD, left ventricular end systolic diameter, left ventricular end diastolic diameter, septal thickness, posterior wall thickness, ejection fraction, fractional short time, mitral, tricuspid, and septal isovolumetric relaxation time and septal isovolumetric contraction time. Diastolic and systolic cardiac dysfunction occurs at the stage of manifest ID where the value of Hgb decreased and these changes recover with treatment.
Discomfort and load on the upper trapezius muscle when operating a wordprocessor.

Abstract Surface electromyogram recordings from the descending part of the trapezius muscle and discomfort ratings were assessed for six female VDT wordprocessor operators during their work. Each operator was studied during three work periods of 3 to 5 hours on different days. During one of the work periods, short pauses (15 s) were introduced every sixth minute. A static local muscular load of 32 and 30% of the maximal voluntary contraction was found on the right and the left side, respectively. The median and peak muscular loads during work were low. There was a significant negative correlation between pauses and static load on the right upper trapezius muscle. The rating of perceived discomfort was less after the work periods with short pauses than after the work periods without.
Does elimination of afferent input modify the changes in rat motoneurone properties that occur following chronic spinal cord transection?

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 6–8 weeks of chronic spinal cord isolation (SI, removal of descending, ascending and afferent inputs), compared with the same duration of spinal cord transection (ST, removal of descending input only) on hindlimb motoneurone biophysical properties. Adult female Sprague–Dawley rats were placed into three groups: (1) control (no removal of inputs), (2) ST and (3) SI. The electrophysiological properties from sciatic nerve motoneurones were recorded from deeply anaesthetized rats. Motoneurones in SI rats had significantly (P < 0.01) lower rheobase currents and higher spike afterhyperpolarization amplitudes and input resistances compared with motoneurones in control rats. A higher percentage (χ2, P= 0.01) of motoneurones in SI than control rats demonstrated frequency‐current (f–I) relationships consistent with activation of persistent inward currents. Motoneurone steady state f–I slopes determined by increasing steps of 500 ms current pulses were significantly lower (P < 0.02) in SI than control rats. Motoneurone spike frequency adaptation measured using 30 s square‐wave current injections (1.5–3.0 nA above the estimated rhythmic firing threshold), was similar for control and SI motoneurones. Changes in motoneurone properties following SI did not differ from ST. These findings indicate that the removal of afferent and ascending inputs along with descending inputs has little additional affect on motoneurone properties than removal of descending inputs alone. This study is the first to demonstrate that intact ascending and afferent input does not modify the effects of spinal transection on basic and rhythmic firing properties of rat hindlimb motoneurones.
Identification and Biochemical Characterization of anArabidopsis Indole-3-acetic Acid Glucosyltransferase*

Biochemical characterization of recombinant gene products following a phylogenetic analysis of the UDP-glucosyltransferase (UGT) multigene family ofArabidopsis has identified one enzyme (UGT84B1) with high activity toward the plant hormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and three related enzymes (UGT84B2, UGT75B1, and UGT75B2) with trace activities. The identity of the IAA conjugate has been confirmed to be 1-O-indole acetyl glucose ester. A sequence annotated as a UDP-glucose:IAA glucosyltransferase (IAA-UGT) in theArabidopsis genome and expressed sequence tag data bases given its similarity to the maize iaglu gene sequence showed no activity toward IAA. This study describes the first biochemical analysis of a recombinant IAA-UGT and provides the foundation for future genetic approaches to understand the role of 1-O-indole acetyl glucose ester inArabidopsis.
Bacterial moving and shaking: the 11th blast meeting

Since their inception 20 years ago, the biennial blast (Bacterial Locomotion and Signal Transduction) meetings instantly became the place to be for exchanging and sharing the latest developments in the field of bacterial motility and signalling. At the 11th edition, held last January in New Orleans, LA, researchers reported on the myriad of mechanisms involved in bacterial movement, sensing and adaptation, ranging from the molecular level to multicellular behaviour. New insights into bacterial signalling phenomena were gained, revealing previously unsuspected layers of complexity, particularly in mechanisms ensuring signal transduction fidelity and novel links to metabolic processes.
Optimum quantization for detection

Vector quantization is a procedure widely used in communications. The problem has been solved for the basic detection situation using the locally optimal procedure and with some constraints on the quantization scheme. It is stated in its widest sense, which consists of finding the partition of the observation space and the values associated with it in such a way that the detection performance is optimal. It is solved completely with the deflection criterion, and the solution introduces the concept of quantization by a likelihood ratio procedure. >
Human prefrontal lesions increase distractibility to irrelevant sensory inputs

Neurological patients with focal lesions in either the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, temporal-parietal junction or the posterior hippocampus, and control subjects, were tested on a task requiring short-term retention of environmental sounds. Subjects had to indicate whether initial and subsequent test sounds were identical in two conditions. The initial and test sounds were separated by either a silent period varying from 4 to 12.6s (nodistractor condition) or a series of irrelevant tones (distractor condition). Prefrontal patients were significantly impaired by distractors at all delays, hippocampal patients were impaired only at longer delays, while temporal-parietal patients performed similar to controls. The findings suggest that dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is crucial for gating of distracting information during delay tasks.
Mechanism of peritectic reactions and transformations

AbstractThe following peritectic reactions in the Cu–Sn, Ag–Sn, and Al–Mn systems were studied by a unidirectional solidification technique α + L → β ( Cu – Sn ) , ɛ + L → η ( Cu – Sn ) , α + L → ζ ( Ag – Sn ) , γ + L.
Stochastic gradient identification of polynomial Wiener systems: analysis and application

This paper presents analytical, numerical, and experimental results for a stochastic gradient adaptive scheme that identifies a polynomial-type nonlinear system with memory for noisy output observations. The analysis includes the computation of the stationary points, the mean square error surface, and the stability regions of the algorithm for Gaussian data. Convergence of the mean is studied using L/sub 2/ and Euclidian norms. Monte Carlo simulations confirm the theoretical predictions that show a small sensitivity to the observation noise. An application is presented for the identification of a nonlinear time-delayed feedback system.
Role for Nucleolin/Nsr1 in the Cellular Localization of Topoisomerase I*

Nucleolin functions in ribosome biogenesis and contains an acidic N terminus that binds nuclear localization sequences. In previous work we showed that human nucleolin associates with the N-terminal region of human topoisomerase I (Top1). We have now mapped the topoisomerase I interaction domain of nucleolin to the N-terminal 225 amino acids. We also show that theSaccharomyces cerevisiae nucleolin ortholog, Nsr1p, physically interacts with yeast topoisomerase I, yTop1p. Studies of isogenic NSR1 + andΔnsr1 strains indicate that NSR1is important in determining the cellular localization of yTop1p. Moreover, deletion of NSR1 reduces sensitivity to camptothecin, an antineoplastic topoisomerase I inhibitor. By contrast,Δnsr1 cells are hypersensitive to the topoisomerase II-targeting drug amsacrine. These findings indicate that nucleolin/Nsr1 is involved in the cellular localization of Top1 and that this localization may be important in determining sensitivity to drugs that target topoisomerases.
Patient preferences for breast biopsy result notification

In the United States, approximately 1.6 million breast biopsies are performed annually. Minimally invasive breast biopsy is now the standard of care with between 86% and 89% of breast biopsies performed percutaneously. As the majority of minimally invasive breast biopsies are performed by radiologists, radiologists have taken an increasing role in disclosing biopsy results to patients. This study evaluates breast biopsy result notification from the patient’s perspective to better understand patients’ preferences. This prospective study was conducted at the breast clinic of an academic tertiary referral center. Institutional review board approval was obtained and informed consent was waived as no protected health information was obtained. English speaking patients 18 years or older were recruited consecutively for a survey (Appendix 1) immediately following image-guided biopsy during an 8-week period in 2015. Participation was voluntary. The survey obtained demographic characteristics, personal and family history of breast cancer, Internet access, preferred notification method and contact person, and priorities in result delivery. Responses and nonresponses of all surveys were recorded. Descriptive statistics were generated for demographic data and notification preferences. T, Fisher exact, logistic regression, Wilcoxon rank sum, and Kruskal-Walllis tests were used for further evaluation. A total of 160 consecutive women were given the survey, with 35 (21.8%) declining to participate. Respondent demographic data are presented in Table 1. Notification preferences are presented in Table 2. About 71.2% of all respondents preferred to receive their biopsy results via telephone. This preference was seen across all subgroups. A face-to-face meeting in clinic was the second-most preferred notification method (22.4%). African-American women (P = .0082), women without Internet access (P = .0029), and single women (P = .0421) were more likely to prefer face-to-face notification than other groups. No significant difference in preference existed across age, education level, distance from home to hospital, or personal history of breast cancer. TABLE 1 Demographic data of survey respondents
A prospective phase II study on photodynamic therapy with photofrin II for centrally located early-stage lung cancer. The Japan Lung Cancer Photodynamic Therapy Study Group.

PURPOSE A phase II study was conducted between June 1989 and February 1992 to evaluate the activity and toxicity of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with photofrin II in centrally located early-stage lung cancer and to determine the complete response (CR) rate as the primary end point. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients had histologically proven lung cancer and endoscopically superficial thickening or small protrusions. All lesions were located in subsegmental or larger bronchi. All patients had a performance status (PS) of 0 to 2 and arterial oxygen pressure tension (PaO2) > or = 60 mm Hg. No lymph node or distant metastases were present. All patients received photofrin II (2 mg/kg) intravenously 48 hours before PDT. Tumor lesions were superficially photoradiated by an argon dye laser or an excimer dye laser. RESULTS Of 54 patients with 64 carcinomas, 51 with 61 carcinomas were eligible for toxicity evaluation and 49 with 59 carcinomas were assessable for response. Of the 59 assessable carcinomas, 50 (84.8%; 95% confidence interval, 73.0% to 92.8%) showed a CR after initial PDT. The median duration of CR was 14.0+ months (range, 2.0+ to 32.4+). The multiple regression model indicates that estimated length of longitudinal tumor extent was the only independent prognostic factor for CR (P = .002). Five carcinomas that had a CR had a local recurrence at 6, 10, 12, 16, and 18 months after initial PDT, respectively. Toxicity assessment (World Health Organization [WHO] grade 2) showed transient elevation of ALT (1.9%), pulmonary toxicity (7.7%), and allergic reaction (7.7%), as well as sunburn (1.9%). CONCLUSION PDT with photofrin II has an excellent effect on patients with centrally located early-stage lung cancer who have limited tumor invasion extending over a small area (< or = 1 cm).
Reconstruction after Pancreatoduodenectomy in Patients with Periampullary Cancer following Radical Total Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

The number of patients with periampullary cancer who require pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer is small but growing. Early detection of gastric cancer from national screening programs, more aggressive surgical approaches for radical gastrectomy, a deeper understanding of tumor biology, and better efficacy of postoperative adjuvant treatment have resulted in longer survival [1]. Improved survival will increase the probability for a second primary cancer to occur [2]. If periampullary cancer occurs in patients with previous radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer, PD should be the standard treatment. PD itself, a complex procedure associated with a high incidence of postoperative morbidity, will only be more complex in patients with previous radical gastrectomy. Consequently, pancreatic surgeons need to be aware of intra-abdominal anatomic changes in patients with previous radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer, and be prepared for these challenging complex procedures. We have already described the complexity of PD as a second operation in patients with radical subtotal gastrectomy [2], offering several technical tips. First, understanding adhesion of the pancreas to the subhepatic area of the left hepatic lobe leading to upward traction of the pancreas can help surgeons identify the altered pancreas anatomy more easily. Second, taking extra care during dissection of the major vessels of the celiac trunk branches can help to avoid injury to them, because there is little soft tissue left around these vessels to buffer the electric insult during Bovie dissection. Third, the SMV and pancreatic neck portion at the inferior surface of the pancreas should be identified first for safe anatomical dissection in order to avoid the extensive adhesion at the superior border of the pancreas where extensive lymph node dissection at the hepatoduodenal ligament previously took place. Fourth, because there is no more remnant stomach for pancreatico-gastrostomy (PG) reconstruction, a familiarity with pancreatico-jejunostomy (PJ) reconstruction is needed. Finally, Roux-en-y fashioned reconstruction with an intact, functioning previous gastrojejunostomy can be recommended in patients with previous gastrojejunostomy (Billroth type II).
Effects of flooding and herbivores on variation in recruitment of palms between habitats

1 It is widely recognized that negative effects of anaerobic stress on growth and survival of flooded plants influence the distribution of numerous species. Less explored is the possibility that heterogeneity in abundance of plants between habitats with distinct flooding regimes may also result from variation in rates of herbivory or in the ability of plants to tolerate losses to herbivores. 2 Flooding and herbivores were tested as factors underlying variation in abundance of two tropical forest palms, Socratea exorrhiza (which is associated with lowlands adjacent to streams) and Oenocarpus bacaba (which is more abundant on plateaux and upper edges of slopes). 3 In a bench experiment, seeds of both palms were either completely immersed in water for a period of 101 days or not subject to inundation. Flooding inhibited germination of both species but, as expected, the adverse effects were much stronger on Oenocarpus. 4 In a field experiment, seeds of both palms were planted with increasing levels of protection against herbivores on plateaux and in lowlands. Seeds were either not protected or placed within poultry‐netting exclosures, half of which were sprayed with insecticide. 5 After 17 months, only Oenocarpus had experienced differential mortality between habitats, and this was clearly associated with the negative effects of flooding on seed germination in lowlands. In contrast, growth differed between habitats only for Socratea seedlings, where average above‐ground biomass was greater in lowlands. 6 Although protection with exclosures and insecticide increased survivorship of both species, herbivores caused similar proportions of mortality on plateaux and in lowlands, and had no significant effect on seedling growth. Therefore at this site, herbivores do not appear to influence variation in abundance of species between habitats.
Discrete-Time Modeling of the Thickness Mode Piezoelectric Transducer

The validity of using r-transform techniques to model piezoelectric thickness mode transducer behavior is demonstrated. By modeling the transducer as a recursive digital fiiter, the response to a variety of arbitrary input functions may be evaluated directly in the time domain. This eliminates the need for more conventional trans- formation techniques which are limited in extent or distort the time domain response under some conditions. The technique has been successfully employed to model transducer behavior over a wide range of practical operating conditions and this is verified by the experimen- tal results.