Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tau associates with actin in differentiating PC12 cells

The microtubule‐associated protein tau may be involved in cell morphogenesis and axonal maintenance. In addition to microtubules, tau has been shown to interact with actin in vitro. In the present study interaction of tau and actin was investigated in PC12 cells. No interaction between tau and actin was observed without NGF treatment. Under NGF stimulation, tau distributed at ends of cellular extensions, where it associated with actin in a microtubule‐independent manner. F‐actin disruption revealed that relocalization and assembly of F‐actin at the ends of cellular extensions were necessary for NGF‐induced tau reorganization and association with actin. A truncated tau‐GFP (tau(1–186)‐GFP, N‐terminal of tau) did not associate with actin. However, tau23(174–352)‐GFP (carboxyl‐terminal of Tau23) did associate with actin and the requirement for NGF was lost. Nevertheless, NGF boosted tau23(174–352)‐GFP interaction with actin and promoted colocalization at the ends of cellular extensions. This suggests that the C‐terminal of tau is required for associating with actin and the tau N‐terminal may play a regulatory role in this process. A possible role for tau‐actin interaction in neurite outgrowth is postulated—Yu, J.‐Z. , Rasenick, M. M. Tau associates with actin in differentiating PC12 cells. FASEB J. 20, 1452–1461 (2006)
Adequacy of screening cervical cytology among human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive women.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the adequacy of cytology in detecting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive women compared to controls. METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out evaluating 241 HIV-seropositive women and 991 controls (404 HIV seronegative and 587 of unknown HIV status) at risk for CIN attending a vaginitis clinic. All patients had a Pap smear and a standard colposcopic examination of the lower genital tract. Cervical biopsies were taken as indicated by colposcopy. Cytology and histology slides were read by a cytopathologist blinded to patients' serostatus. False-negative cytologic cases were reviewed by three independent cytopathologists to estimate sampling and screening error rates. Sensitivity, specificity, and false-negative rate of cytologic smears were compared between HIV seropositives and controls. We estimated the sampling and screening error rates among cases with false-negative cytology. RESULTS Among seropositives, the sensitivity, specificity, and the false-negative smear rate for CIN were 73.4% (47/64), 97.1% (134/138), and 26.6% (17/64), respectively. The corresponding figures in controls were 83.8% (83/99), 99.04% (825/833), and 16.2% (16/99), respectively, and did not differ significantly from those of seropositives. The negative predictive value of cytology was lower among seropositives (134/151) than in controls (825/841, chi2 = 34.8, P < .001). The agreement between cytologic readings and combined colposcopy and histology was stronger among controls (kappa = 0.789, 95% CI 0.723 to 0.856) than among seropositives (kappa = 0. 593, 95% CI 0.475 to 0.712). Three independent cytopathologists were unable to detect atypical cells in 52.9% (9/17) of false-negative smears taken from seropositive women as opposed to 37.5% (6/16) of controls. CONCLUSIONS The sensitivity, specificity, and false negative rate of screening cytology for CIN among HIV seropositive women are comparable with those in the general population. Since almost 50% of false-negative results could be attributed to sampling errors, more frequent cytological screening may prove to be beneficial to this high-risk group.
Enzyme Studies in Tardive Dyskinesia. I. One‐Year Biochemical Follow‐up

Over a 1-year period we followed 12 female in-patients with and 13 without persistent tardive dyskinesia. Clinical signs of tardive dyskinesia as well as plasma dopamine-β-hydroxylase and platelet monoamine oxidase activities remained stable over time in spite of medication changes. Tardive dyskinesia was associated with higher plasma dopamine-β-hydroxylase and lower monoamine oxidase activities, both initially and at follow-up. In two patients, an apparent elevation in dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity preceded the onset of clinical dyskinesia, suggesting that elevated plasma dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity might be a potential risk marker for the development of tardive dyskinesia.
GPU-Based Simulation of Ultrasound Imaging Artifacts for Cryosurgery Training

This study presents an efficient computational technique for the simulation of ultrasound imaging artifacts associated with cryosurgery based on nonlinear ray tracing. This study is part of an ongoing effort to develop computerized training tools for cryosurgery, with prostate cryosurgery as a development model. The capability of performing virtual cryosurgical procedures on a variety of test cases is essential for effective surgical training. Simulated ultrasound imaging artifacts include reverberation and reflection of the cryoprobes in the unfrozen tissue, reflections caused by the freezing front, shadowing caused by the frozen region, and tissue property changes in repeated freeze–thaw cycles procedures. The simulated artifacts appear to preserve the key features observed in a clinical setting. This study displays an example of how training may benefit from toggling between the undisturbed ultrasound image, the simulated temperature field, the simulated imaging artifacts, and an augmented hybrid presentation of the temperature field superimposed on the ultrasound image. The proposed method is demonstrated on a graphic processing unit at 100 frames per second, on a mid-range personal workstation, at two orders of magnitude faster than a typical cryoprocedure. This performance is based on computation with C++ accelerated massive parallelism and its interoperability with the DirectX-rendering application programming interface.
Lung cancer stigma as a barrier to medical help‐seeking behavior: Practice implications

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of perceived lung cancer stigma and timing of medical help‐seeking behavior in symptomatic individuals. Data sources:A convenience sample was recruited from an academic thoracic oncology clinic and community hospital‐based outpatient radiation center in a large city in the southeastern United States. This descriptive, cross‐sectional study used survey methodology and semistructured interviews to examine the relationship of perceived lung cancer stigma and delayed medical help seeking finding a statistically significant positive correlation. Additional examination revealed positive correlations between the stigma and shame, social isolation, and smoking‐related stigma subscales and delay. The discrimination‐related subscale was not associated with delay. In addition, smoking status was not related to perceived lung cancer stigma. Conclusions:Findings support an association between lung cancer stigma and delayed medical help‐seeking behavior. Therefore, lung cancer stigma is a potential barrier to timely medical help‐seeking behavior in lung cancer symptoms, which can have important patient outcome implications. Implications for practice:As primary care nurse practitioners, awareness that lung cancer stigma exists for patients is essential regardless of smoking status and efforts to decrease this barrier to timely health care are important.
Carbon-Based Resistive Memories

Carbon-based nonvolatile resistive memories are an emerging technology. Switching endurance remains a challenge in carbon memories based on tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C). One way to counter this is by oxygenation to increase the repeatability of reversible switching. Here, we overview the current status of carbon memories. We then present a comparative study of oxygen-free and oxygenated carbon-based memory devices, combining experiments and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.
The new consumer.

Health care is undergoing a revolution, according to experts, as Americans wrest more control from providers and payers. The groundswell of consumerism is fueled by the Internet, regulatory changes, the rising popularity of nontraditional care, and frustration over how patients and their families feel they have been mistreated by the system.
Regional fat deposition and cardiovascular risk in HIV infection: the FRAM study

Abstract HIV-infected individuals are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and lipodystrophy, but the relationship between regional adipose tissue (AT) depots and CVD risk is not well described. We determined regional AT volumes and CVD risk in an analysis of 586 HIV-infected and 280 control FRAM study subjects using whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the Framingham Risk Score (FRS). Median FRS and FRS >10% were higher in HIV than control men (4.7% vs. 3.7%, p=0.0002; 16% vs. 4%, p<0.0001). HIV and control women had similarly low FRS (1.1% vs. 1.2%, p=0.91). In controls, total AT and all regional AT depots showed strong positive correlations with FRS (p<0.001) in men and weaker positive correlations in women. Greater visceral AT (VAT) and lower leg subcutaneous AT (SAT) volumes were associated with elevated FRS in HIV subjects with a trend for upper trunk SAT. Controls in the lowest quartile of leg SAT had the lowest FRS (1.5%), whereas HIV with similarly low leg SAT had the highest FRS (4.0%, p<0.001 vs. controls). Increased VAT is associated with CVD risk, but the risk is higher in HIV-infected individuals relative to controls at every level of VAT. Peripheral lipoatrophy (as measured by leg SAT) is associated with striking increased CVD risk in HIV-infected patients even after controlling for VAT, whereas low leg SAT is associated with low CVD risk in controls.
TR-2014008: Supporting GENP and Low-Rank Approximation with Random Multipliers

We prove that standard Gaussian random multipliers are expected to stabilize numerically both Gaussian elimination with no pivoting and block Gaussian elimination and that they also are expected to support the celebrated randomized algorithm for low-rank approximation of a matrix even without customary oversampling. Our tests show similar results where we apply random circulant and Toeplitz multipliers instead of standard Gaussian ones. 2000 Math. Subject Classification: 15A52, 15A12, 15A06, 65F22, 65F05
Sensory input to cells of origin of uncrossed spinocerebellar tract located below Clarke's column in the cat.

1. Sensory inputs to and locations of uncrossed spinocerebellar tract neurones in the lower lumbar cord were studied in chloralose‐anaesthetized cats. 2. Neurones with axons ascending in the ipsilateral thoracic funiculi and projecting to the cerebellum were found mainly dorsal to the central canal (laminae V and VI) in the L5‐L6 segments, i.e. at levels caudal to Clarke's column. Axons considered to originate from these cells were located in the dorsal half of the lateral funiculus at the level of L2, intermingled with axons of the dorsal spinocerebellar tract originating at the levels of Clarke's column. 3. Synaptic actions of primary afferents on neurones with antidromic invasion following stimuli applied to ipsilateral thoracic funiculi or to the cerebellum were investigated using intracellular or extracellular recording in the caudal lumbar segments. 4. Monosynaptic excitatory effects were evoked by electrical stimulation of group I muscle afferents of the hindlimb ipsilateral to the cell body. The majority of neurones received monosynaptic excitation from two or more muscles, predominantly extensors. They were frequently co‐excited by group Ia muscle spindle and group Ib tendon organ afferents. 5. Volleys in cutaneous afferents produced excitation with short central latencies. In addition to the monosynaptic and disynaptic excitation from low‐threshold cutaneous afferents, there were indications of monosynaptic effects from slightly slower conducting fibres. The majority of these neurones also received monosynaptic excitation from group I muscle afferents. Neurones with cutaneous input tended to be located more dorsally compared with those responding only to muscle afferents. 6. Volleys in joint afferents produced monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in the neurones with EPSPs from group I or group I and cutaneous afferents. 7. Some neurones were disynaptically inhibited from group I muscle afferents. Convergence of monosynaptic group I excitation and disynaptic group I inhibition occurred in varieties of patterns. 8. Polysynaptic excitation, inhibition or mixed effects of both were evoked from ipsilateral cutaneous afferents and high‐threshold muscle and joint afferents, whereas effects from the controlateral afferents were feeble. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Identification of bacterial pathogens and antimicrobial resistance directly from clinical urines by nanopore-based metagenomic sequencing

Objectives The introduction of metagenomic sequencing to diagnostic microbiology has been hampered by slowness, cost and complexity. We explored whether MinION nanopore sequencing could accelerate diagnosis and resistance profiling, using complicated urinary tract infections as an exemplar. Methods Bacterial DNA was enriched from clinical urines (n = 10) and from healthy urines ‘spiked’ with multiresistant Escherichia coli (n = 5), then sequenced by MinION. Sequences were analysed using external databases and bioinformatic pipelines or, ultimately, using integrated real-time analysis applications. Results were compared with Illumina data and resistance phenotypes. Results MinION correctly identified pathogens without culture and, among 55 acquired resistance genes detected in the cultivated bacteria by Illumina sequencing, 51 were found by MinION sequencing directly from the urines; with three of the four failures in an early run with low genome coverage. Resistance-conferring mutations and allelic variants were not reliably identified. Conclusions MinION sequencing comprehensively identified pathogens and acquired resistance genes from urine in a timeframe similar to PCR (4 h from sample to result). Bioinformatic pipeline optimization is needed to better detect resistances conferred by point mutations. Metagenomic-sequencing-based diagnosis will enable clinicians to adjust antimicrobial therapy before the second dose of a typical (i.e. every 8 h) antibiotic.
CD133+ Stem Cells in the Treatment of Patients With Refractory Angina.

The study by Wojakowski et al1 published in this issue of Circulation Research is a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating the use of transendocardial delivery of (NOGA catheter) bone marrow–derived CD133+ cells in patients with refractory angina, but without significant left ventricular failure. The study included 31 patients with Canadian Cardiovascular Society class II to IV angina despite optimal medical therapy. The patients had ≥1 myocardial segment with inducible ischemia as detected by Tc-99 m single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Sixteen individuals were allocated to receive CD133+ cells and 15 received placebo. The primary end point was absolute change in myocardial ischemia by SPECT. Secondary end points were left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and volumes by magnetic resonance imaging and angina severity. The NOGA procedure was safe, but there was no significant change between cell and placebo-treated patients in the extent of inducible ischemia in summed perfusion difference scores, absolute differences in summed perfusion difference scores, and total perfusion deficits after 4- and 12-month follow-up. …
Consumer Acceptance and Use of Information Technology: Adding consumption theory to UTAUT2

This paper studies IT acceptance in a consumer context. It firstly takes economics factors into consideration, and proposes a theoretical model by incorporating consumption theory into UTAUT2 (which studies consumer acceptance by extending UTAUT). The consumption theory, which is prominent in Economics but not yet applied in IS, provides explanation for consumers' acceptance of technology. Consumption theory suggests income (absolute income, relative income, and permanent income) to be critical to consumersâ intention. Our plan is to show that economic perspectives should be considered in analyzing consumers' acceptance and use of information technology, and empirically that the extended UTAUT2 with Consumption theory provides better explanatory value than UTAUT2 without the Consumption Theory, and generate theoretical and managerial implications for future
Recurrent Miscarriage Syndrome and Infertility Due to Blood Coagulation Protein/Platelet Defects: A Review and Update

Three-hundred fifty-one women were referred for thrombosis and hemostasis evaluation after suffering recurrent miscarriages. All patients were referred by a high-risk obstetrician or reproductive medicine specialist after anatomic, hormonal or chromosomal defects had been ruled out. These patients were assessed over a three year period. The mean patient age at referral was 34 years and the mean number of miscarriages was 2.9 (2-9). All patients underwent a thorough evaluation for thrombophilia and, when indicated, a hemorrhagic disorder. Of the 351 patients, 29 (8%) had no defect. Of the remaining 322 patients, 7 (2%) had a bleeding disorder: 3 with platelet dysfunction, 1 with Factor XIII deficiency, 3 with von Willebrand’s and 3 with Osler-Weber-Rendu. The remainder of the patients had a thrombophilia as follows: 195 (60%) had antiphospholipid syndrome, 64 (20%) had Sticky Platelet Syndrome, 38 (12%) had MTHFR mutation, 23 (7.1%) had PAI-1 polymorphism, 12 (3.7%) had Protein S deficiency, 12 (3.7%) had Factor V Leiden, 3 (1%), had AT deficiency, 3 (1%) had Heparin-Cofactor II deficiency, 3 (1%) had TPA deficiency, and 6 (2%) had Protein C deficiency. There were a total of 364 defects found in the 312 patients harboring thrombophilia; thus, several harbored two and a few harbored three separate defects. All patients with thrombophilia were treated with preconception ASA at 81 mg/day with the immediate post-conception addition of heparin or LMW heparin (Dalteparin). Both ASA and heparin/LMW heparin were used to term. The first 120 patients were treated with unfractionated heparin at 5,000 U every 24 hours, subcutaneously and the last 192 have been treated with Dalteparin at 5,000 U/day subcutaneously. The patients with MTHFR were also treated with folate at 5 mg/day + pyridoxine at 50 mg/day. All patients were carefully monitored with CBC and platelet counts, anti-Xa levels, frequent ultrasounds and physical exams. Only 2 of the thrombophilia patients suffered another miscarriage; all others had a normal term delivery. There were no pregnancy-related thromboses, no delivery complications and no episodes of post-partum thrombosis. The only bleeding consisted of 1-4 cm bruises at injection sites. No episodes of thrombocytopenia (HIT) were noted. In our experience, thrombophilia is a common cause of recurrent miscarriage and all patients with no anatomical, hormonal or chromosomal defect should be evaluated for thrombophilia or a bleeding disorder. The success rate of normal term delivery in these 312 patients was 94% using ASA + heparin or Dalteparin. In addition, side effects of therapy were minimal.
REMINERALIZATION OF EARLY CARIES LESIONS WITH GLASS IONOMER CEMENTS

In this paper we have compared clinical results after remineralization procedures with glass ionomer cements (GIC) and classical treatment with professional topical fluoride application. In young children aged 12 to 30 months 45 white spot lesions were covered with GIC and glass ionomer bond (Fuji II LC, Fiji Bond LC GC Japan), while 35 were treated topically with fluoride twice a week, as a control group. Both groups were included in the same program of oral health education, with the same measures for cleaning the teeth recommended. After two months of monitoring, the results indicate complete absence of cavities in experimental, and 17 (48%) in control group. These cavities had to be further restored with GIC. This research indicates a higher rate of safeness when early caries lesions are protected with GIC.
Knowledge and attitudes regarding preventative HIV vaccine clinical trials in Italy: Results of a national survey

Abstract We carried out a telephone survey to assess willingness to participate in HIV vaccine trials. The survey was conducted by interviewing randomly selected callers to the Italian National AIDS Help line. The questionnaire consisted of four sections: demographic information, knowledge about HIV vaccines and vaccines in general, factors related to participation in HIV vaccine trials, and acceptability of a future HIV vaccine. Over 50% of the sample had adequate knowledge about HIV and vaccines. Among the individuals interviewed, 37% would volunteer for a vaccine trial; those reporting high-risk behaviours were more likely to volunteer. Of the participants, 83% would agree to be vaccinated with a highly effective vaccine, and 92% would pay for the vaccine. Although the limits of telephone surveys should not be neglected, the results of this survey are encouraging.
Ketanserin, a serotonin 2A receptor antagonist, alleviates ischemia‐related biliary fibrosis following donation after cardiac death liver transplantation in rats

Biliary fibrosis is a major complication after donation after cardiac death (DCD) liver transplantation. In this process, the roles of serotonin [5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT)] and the 5‐HT2A receptor subtype are still unknown. In this study, we analyzed markers of portal fibroblast (PF)/myofibroblast (MF) transdifferentiation such as transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1), phosphorylated smad2/3, α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), collagen I, and collagen III in a primary culture system of PFs after the administration of 5‐HT or 5‐HT plus ketanserin (a selective 5‐HT2A receptor antagonist). A rat DCD transplant model was established with 30 minutes of warm ischemia and 4 hours of cold ischemia during organ procurement. Recipients were intraperitoneally injected with ketanserin (1 mg·kg−1·day−1) or normal saline. Grafts without in situ warm ischemia instead of minimal cold storage (30 minutes) served as controls. The serum biochemistry, the liver contents of 5‐HT and hydroxyproline (HYP), and the expression of fibrosis‐related genes (including TGF‐β1, matrix metalloproteinase 2, procollagen α1, and α‐SMA messenger RNA) were determined. The extent of biliary fibrosis was also assessed histopathologically. The results indicated that ketanserin inhibited 5‐HT–activated TGF‐β1–smad2/3 signaling in vitro and thereby depressed the MF conversion of PFs. Rats receiving DCD livers showed increased liver contents of 5‐HT and HYP, impaired biliary function, up‐regulation of fibrosis‐related genes, and aggravated biliary fibrosis. However, these phenomena were alleviated by treatment with ketanserin. We concluded that the profibrotic activity of 5‐HT occurred through the activation of TGF‐β1 signaling and the 5‐HT2A receptor. Thus, these data suggest that the 5‐HT2A receptor may be a potential therapeutic target for ischemia‐related biliary fibrosis after DCD liver transplantation. Liver Transpl 20:1317‐1326, 2014. © 2014 AASLD.