Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of natural killer cells in infection with the mouse pneumonitis agent (murine Chlamydia trachomatis)

Natural killer (NK) activity is increased in both spleen and lung early in pulmonary infection by murine Chlamydia trachomatis in both susceptible nude and resistant heterozygous (nu/+) mice. Ablation of the rise in NK activity by giving the mice antiasialo GM-1 antibody or stimulation of NK activity by immunomodulators did not affect quantitative tissue counts of the mouse pneumonitis biovar of C. trachomatis or significantly affect survival. Studies are needed to further define the role of NK cells in host defense, immunoregulation, and immunopathology during chlamydial infection.
5-Hydroxytryptamine 1 A Receptors , Major Depression , and Suicidal Behavior

Background: Several lines of evidence suggest a clear relationship between serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) hypoactivity and suicidal behavior across several psychiatric diagnoses. Few data are available, however, regarding the possible specific role of 5-HT1A receptors in the biology of suicidality. Therefore, the aim of our study was to use a neuroendocrine strategy to test the hypothesis of a role for 5-HT1A receptors in the biology of suicidal behavior. Methods: Hormonal (adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH], cortisol, prolactin [PRL]) and temperature responses after administration of flesinoxan, a highly potent and selective 5-HT1A receptor full agonist, were assessed in 40 inpatients with major depression, divided into two subgroups (20 suicide attempters and 20 nonattempters), compared with 20 normal control subjects matched for gender and age. Results: Compared with nonattempters, suicide attempters exhibited significantly lower PRL (p ! .01), cortisol (p ! .014), and temperature (p ! .0002) responses. Prolactin (p ! .007), cortisol (p ! .04), and temperature (p ! .00003) responses were also decreased in suicide attempters compared with normal control subjects. In contrast, we did not observe any significant differences in hormonal or temperature responses to flesinoxan between depressed patients without a history of suicide attempt and normal control subjects. Conclusions: The present study tends to confirm the role of 5-HT and more specifically 5-HT1A receptors in the biology of suicidal behavior in major depression.
Effects of Dietary Calcium Levels on Growth-performance and Digestive Function in Cattle Fed a High-fat Finishing Diet

Abstract Plascencia, A. , Alvarez, E.G., Montañto, M. , Salinas-Chavira, J. and Zinn, R.A. 2009. Effects of dietary calcium levels on growth-performance and digestive function in cattle fed a high-fat finishing diet. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 179–184. A growth performance and digestion trial was conducted to evaluate the influence of dietary calcium level on the feeding value of a high-fat (11%) finishing diet. Treatments consisted of three levels of dietary Ca: 0.50, 0.70 and 0.90% (DM basis). Ca source was limestone and yellow grease was included as supplemental fat. There were no treatment effects (P>0.20) on DMI. Increasing dietary Ca level enhanced ADG (P<0.10) and feed conversion (F:G, P<0.05). There were both linear (P<0.05) and quadratic (P<0.10) effects on dietary NE. Increasing Ca level from 0.7 to 0.9% increased dietary NEg by 8.0%,. Carcass dressing percentage and LM area increased (P<0.10) with increasing dietary Ca level. There were no treatment effects (P>0.10) on total tract digestion of OM, ADF, lipid, starch or N. However, increasing Ca level from 0.7 to 0.9% decreased ruminal digestion of OM (P<0.05), ADF (P<0.10) and feed N (P<0.05), but enhanced (P<0.10) ruminal microbial efficiency and (P<0.01) ruminal N efficiency. Postruminal Cci disappearance tended to be greater (P<0.10) with 0.9% dietary Ca. Increasing dietary calcium level did not affect (P>0.20) either ruminal pH or ruminal soluble Ca. It is concluded that dietary Ca levels greater than 0.7% (DMB) are necessary to achieve optimal performance of feedlot steers fed a high-fat finishing diet.
The Fundamental Limit of Flash Random Write Performance: Understanding, Analysis and Performance Modelling

The understanding, analysis and modelling of the fundamental limit of the sustained random write performance and endurance of Flash solid state drives (SSDs) are critical for Flash SSD vendors and storage system designers and practitioners. This not only helps design high-performance Flash SSDs, but also dictates how Flash can be integrated into today’s memory and storage hierarchy. This paper analyzes the fundamental limit of the sustained random write performance of Flash SSDs. An empirical model is developed to compute the write amplification and performance slowdown factor for the greedy garbage collection policy under a pure random write workload. Potential causes of the commonly observed performance slowdown are investigated, and remedies suggested. In particular, we quantitatively demonstrate the potential for enhancing the random write performance and endurance by separating long-lived data from short-lived data inside Flash SSDs. Moreover, our theoretical results suggest a tiered storage system in which cold (i.e., infrequently used) data blocks are moved to a hard disk drive (HDD) to improve cost effectiveness and to reduce Flash memory utilization, which improves garbage collection performance.
Executive Function Impairment in Community Elderly Subjects with Questionable Dementia

Background: The neurocognitive profile of community-dwelling Chinese subjects with ‘questionable’ dementia was studied. Methods: One hundred and fifty-four ambulatory Chinese subjects were recruited from local social centers for the elderly. Each subject was examined using the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), the Cantonese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (CMMSE), the Chinese version of the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale – Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog), the Category Verbal Fluency Test (CVFT), digit and visual span tests, and the Cambridge Neurological Inventory. The neurocognitive profile of nondemented subjects (CDR 0) was compared with that of subjects with ‘questionable’ dementia (CDR 0.5). Results: Subjects with ‘questionable’ dementia were older, and had lower educational levels and global cognitive assessment scores than the controls (CMMSE and ADAS-Cog; t tests, p < 0.001). In addition, they also had significantly lower scores in delayed recall, reverse span, verbal fluency tests and worse performance in complex motor tasks related to executive function (Mann-Whitney tests, p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that ADAS-Cog, CVFT, and reverse visual span were significant predictors for the CDR of ‘questionable’ dementia. Conclusion: Aside from memory impairment, executive function deficits were also present in subjects with ‘questionable’ dementia. To identify groups cognitively at risk for dementia, concomitant assessments of memory and executive function are suggested.
A histochemical study of human seminal vesicle epithelium.

Biochemical investigations have shown (Mann, 1964) that the seminal vesicles play an important role in the formation of seminal plasma. In man, constituents of the semen such as fructose (Mann, 1946) and sialic acid (Warren, 1959) have been attributed to seminal vesicle secretion. In spite of this, no studies concerning the human seminal vesicle have been found in the histochemical literature apart from incidental reports (Glenner, Folk & McMillan, 1962) and scattered data mentioned by Lillie (1965). The present histochemical investigation of the epithelium, which supplements an examination of its fine structure (Riva, 1967), has been particularly focused on substances and enzymes related to fructose metabolism; other constituents of seminal vesicle epithelium such as ribonucleoproteins, lipids, lipofuscins, and sialic acid containing mucins have also been studied.
Clinical aspects of cancer in the elderly. Treatment decisions, treatment choices, and follow‐up

Fifty‐five percent of human cancer occurs in individuals 65 years of age and older; the most common sites are the stomach, colon, rectum, prostate, and breast. Patient delay in seeking care for symptoms may result in diagnosis at a more advanced stage than that seen in younger individuals. Treatment decisions may be impacted by comorbid illness and by physician reluctance to treat the elderly patient as they do the younger. Age alone never should be the factor that modifies a cancer treatment plan. Clinical trials rarely are available to the elderly; it is time that such treatment bias ceased.
Mathematical Models for the Prediction of Heat Flux from Fire Balls

The aim of this article is to summarize two mathematical models for the prediction of heat flux from Fire Ball in the context of the flammable substances safety aspects. The contribution deals with possible scenarios of accidents associated with transport and storage facilities. The study presents the results of determination of hazardous zone in the event of two various chemicals of release. For calculations, the BLEVE static model, BLEVE dynamic models included in the program EFFECTS 9.0. 8. were used and results obtained were compared with the modified Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research model developed by authors and programmed in NetBeans 7.4 for this study. This model can make a contribution towards solving the problems facing the flammable alternative fuels. Scenarios modeled within this study represent a possible approach to the preliminary assessment of risk that should be verified by more detailed CFD modeling. These scenarios can also be used for a quick estimation of areas endangered by an incident or accident. The results of modeling of the hazardous zones contribute to a reduction in risk of major accidents associated with these potential alternative energy sources and with the environmental safety. Key-Words: Accident, Effect modeling, Fire Ball, Heat Flux, Liquid Flammable Gas, Safety
Differential motor speech outcomes in children treated for mid-line cerebellar tumour

Primary objective: To investigate the nature of the motor speech impairments and dysarthria that can arise subsequent to treatment for childhood mid-line cerebellar tumours (CMCT). Research design: The motor speech ability of six cases of children with CMCT was analysed using perceptual and physiological measures and compared with that of a group of non-neurologically impaired children matched for age and sex. Main outcome and results: Three of the children with CMCT were perceived to exhibit dysarthric speech, while the remaining three were judged to have normal speech. The speech disorder in three of the children with CMCT was marked by deviances in prosody, articulation and phonation. The underlying pathophysiology was linked to cerebellar damage and expressed as difficulty in co-ordinating the motor speech musculature as required for speech production. These deficits were not identified in the three non-dysarthric children with CMCT. Conclusion: Differential motor speech outcomes occur for children treated for CMCT and these are discussed within the realm of possible mechanisms responsible for these differences. The need for further investigation of the risk factors for development of motor speech impairment in children treated for CMCT is also highlighted.
Autoradiographic and histological studies of postnatal neurogenesis. IV. Cell proliferation and migration in the anterior forebrain, with special reference to persisting neurogenesis in the olfactory bulb

The properties and fate of the cells of the subependymal layer of the anterior lateral ventricle and its rostral extension into the olfactory bulb were examined. In one experiment, histological analysis was made of this structure in a large group of rats, ranging in age from newborn to adults. It was established that the ventricular subependymal layer and its rostral extension are present as proliferative and migratory matrices throughout the period studied, with relatively little reduction in size from birth to adulthood. In another, autoradiographic study, the proliferation and migration of cells of this system, and their destination and mode of differentiation, were studied in rats that were injected with thymidine‐H3 at 30 days of age and killed at intervals ranging from 1 hour to 180 days. There was a declining gradient in cell proliferation in a caudorostral direction from a high level near the lateral ventricle to the absence of cell proliferation in the olfactory bulb. The labeled cells that were present in high proportion near the lateral ventricle in the rats killed 1–24 hours after injection had further multiplied and moved to the middle portion of the “rostral migratory stream” by the third day, and were located in the subependymal layer of the olfactory bulb by the sixth day after injection. By the twentieth day the labeled cells disappeared from the subependymal layer of the olfactory bulb and were distributed throughout the internal granular layer. The differentiated cells were tentatively identified as granular nerve cells and neuroglia cells. These results established that the major target structure of cell production in the subependymal layer of the lateral ventricle in young‐adult rats is the olfactory bulb, with only moderate contribution made to the anterior neocortex and basal ganglia. It was postulated that the function of cell migration to the olfactory bulb is the renewal of its cell population.
Dynamic 2D/3D Registration

Image and geometry registration algorithms are an essential component of many computer graphics and computer vision systems. With recent technological advances in RGB-D sensors, such as the Microsoft Kinect or Asus Xtion Live, robust algorithms that combine 2D image and 3D geometry registration have become an active area of research. The goal of this course is to introduce the basics of 2D/3D registration algorithms and to provide theoretical explanations and practical tools to design computer vision and computer graphics systems based on RGB-D devices. To illustrate the theory and demonstrate practical relevance, we briefly discuss three applications: rigid scanning, non-rigid modeling, and realtime face tracking. Our course targets researchers and computer graphics practitioners with a background in computer graphics and/or computer vision. An up-todate version of the course notes as well as slides and source code can be found at http://lgg.epfl. ch/2d3dRegistration.
Primary Spinal Epidural Mantle Cell Lymphoma: Case Report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCEMantle cell lymphoma is a distinct clinicopathological type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that often presents at an advanced stage, with systemic spread. Spinal involvement is uncommon and generally occurs as part of advanced disease or generalized relapses. Primary spinal epidural lymphoma is a rare initial manifestation of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma with initial presentation in the spinal epidural space is extremely rare, having been previously reported in only two cases. CLINICAL PRESENTATIONWe report a case of a 71-year-old man who presented with increasing weakness and numbness of the legs. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a spinal epidural mass in the lumbosacral region. INTERVENTIONThe patient underwent a partial L4 and L5–S1 laminectomy, with incomplete resection of the mass for spinal decompression and tissue diagnosis. Mantle cell lymphoma was diagnosed in the pathological examination. CONCLUSIONAfter radiotherapy, the disease recurred with a soft-tissue mass in the anterior maxillary area of the face. The patient underwent restaging and was treated with chemotherapy, with only a partial response. Mantle cell lymphoma with primary spinal epidural presentation is rare. This diagnosis can be established and other causes of spinal cord compression can be ruled out by obtaining tissue for proper histopathological examinations. Because of its aggressive behavior and poor prognosis, mantle cell lymphoma should be treated using a combined-modality approach.
The Genetics of Gambling and Behavioral Addictions

ABSTRACT Behavioral addictions are considered as the repetitive occurrence of impulsive behaviors without consideration of their potential negative consequences. These addictions represent an increasing cost to society and are an important new field of research in psychiatric genetics. There has been a growing body of evidence on the familial aggregation and genetic influences on the development of behavioral addictions and mainly on pathological gambling. The aim of this article is to critically review findings of family and molecular genetic studies on behavioral addictions, focusing on pathological gambling and commenting on other disorders where appropriate. This review provides a comprehensive approach to genetic studies on behavioral addiction and points out the necessity of expanding the genetic research in this field. Future directions for genetic studies in this field are also discussed.
Knee muscle isometric strength, voluntary activation and antagonist co-contraction in the first six months after stroke

Purpose: Muscle weakness may contribute to functional problems after stroke, but is rarely addressed during rehabilitation. Functional problems are commonly thought to be caused by abnormal movement patterns or possibly disuse atrophy. We investigated voluntary isometric strength, activation and the extent of co-contraction in the knee muscles during the first six months during stroke. Methods: Twelve stroke patients (58 3 years, mean SEM, 7 female) were studied bilaterally on admission for rehabilitation (21 1 days after stroke) and then at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months. Twenty healthy controls (61 5 years, 17 female) were tested once on their preferred leg. Subjects performed maximal voluntary contractions of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles. Simultaneous measurements were made of agonist force and surface EMG from agonist and antagonist muscles. Voluntary activation was estimated using the twitch superimposition technique. Results: Both paretic muscles showed lower (p 0.01-0.0005) voluntary strength than both non-paretic and control muscles until three months after stroke. Co-contraction of antagonists was similar in all groups and greater during knee extension than flexion. Stroke patients showed considerable bilateral voluntary activation failure (25-40%, p 0.01-0.001) throughout the study while most control subjects did not (group mean 7%). Conclusions: The muscle weakness and bilateral activation failure in the stroke patients was not explained by either excessive antagonist activity or disuse atrophy. They had potential for increased voluntary strength and if this were addressed during rehabilitation, then the rate and extent of functional recovery might be enhanced.
THE SODIUM-HYDROGEN EXCHANGER NHX1 DRIVES LATE ENDOSOME- VACUOLE MEMBRANE FUSION

This dissertation reports the function of Nhx1, an endosomal Na+ (K+)/H+ exchanger, in late endosome – vacuole membrane fusion in the model eukaryote S. cerevisiae. Nhx1 is found on the late endosome (LE) where it is known to play a pivotal role in endocytosis. Specifically, loss-of-function mutations in NHX1 block delivery of internalized surface proteins and newly synthesized proteins to the vacuole, the equivalent of the metazoan lysosome in yeast. Because membrane fusion between late endosomes and vacuoles is the final event necessary for protein delivery, and because Nhx1 binds Gyp6, a Rab-GTPase activating protein that is predicted to regulate membrane fusion, I hypothesized that Nhx1 may play a role in LE – vacuole membrane fusion. Unfortunately, there are no existing assays that directly measure this fusion event. Thus, to test this hypothesis, I first devised and optimized an in vitro LE – vacuole membrane fusion assay, which relies on the assembly of complementary β-lactamase fragments to form an active enzyme upon lumenal content mixing. I then used this biochemical assay to characterize the ions and protein machinery responsible for this fusion event. I then demonstrate that Nhx1 is important for LE-vacuole fusion, but its role in this process is independent of its interaction with Gyp6. Together, these results support a model of LE – vacuole fusion that requires H+-transport by Nhx1 upstream of SNARE mediated bilayer mixing.
Prevalence of physical activity among Chinese adults: results from the International Collaborative Study of Cardiovascular Disease in Asia.

OBJECTIVES Determining physical activity levels in the community provides a context for the development and implementation of programs aimed at increasing these activity levels. Therefore, we assessed overall, work-related, and leisure-time physical activity in a representative sample of Chinese adults, aged 35 to 74 years, using data from the International Collaborative Study of Cardiovascular Disease in Asia. METHODS Being physically active was defined as participating in 30 or more minutes of moderate or vigorous activity daily. Work-related and leisure-time physical activities were defined as being physically active and participating in any moderate or vigorous activity at work or during leisure time, respectively. RESULTS In rural and urban China, 78.1% and 21.8% of residents, respectively, were physically active; 75.8% and 16.5%, respectively, participated in work-related activity; and 28.9% and 7.9%, respectively, participated in leisure-time physical activity. In both rural and urban settings, younger adults, men, and southern residents were more likely to be physically active and to participate in work-related and leisure-time physical activity than older adults, women, and northern residents. CONCLUSIONS Intervention strategies to promote leisure-time physical activity, especially among urban residents, should be considered a major health priority in China.
Differences in tissue characterization of restenotic neointima between sirolimus-eluting stent and bare-metal stent: integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound analysis for in-stent restenosis.

AIMS The pathogenesis of in-stent restenosis (ISR) after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to analyse tissue characterizations of neointima in restenosis lesions after sirolimus-eluting stent (SES), comparing with those after bare metal stent (BMS) using integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound (IB-IVUS). METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 54 consecutive patients who had ISR lesions after SES (n = 20) or BMS (n = 34) implantation were enrolled. For tissue characterization of neointima, IB-IVUS was performed by cross-sectional (at the minimum lumen area) and volumetric (within the stented segment) analyses. In addition, angiographic patterns of restenosis were evaluated with division into focal and diffuse. The focal angiographic pattern of restenosis was predominantly observed in the SES group (SES vs. BMS; 80.0 vs. 26.5%; P = 0.0001), whereas the diffuse pattern was more common in the BMS group (SES vs. BMS; 20.0 vs. 73.5%; P = 0.0001). On both cross-sectional and volumetric IB-IVUS analyses, the neointimal tissue in restenosis lesions after SES implantation had a significantly larger percentage of lipid tissue (cross-sectional: 23.3 ± 12.7 vs. 15.7 ± 11.9%; P = 0.033; volumetric: 22.8 ± 10.4 vs. 16.3 ± 7.0%; P = 0.008) and a significantly smaller percentage of fibrous tissue compared with that after BMS implantation (cross-sectional: 73.6 ± 11.6 vs. 82.0 ± 11.2%; P = 0.011, volumetric: 73.8 ± 9.5 vs. 80.5 ± 6.7%; P = 0.004). CONCLUSION This IB-IVUS study indicates that larger amounts of lipid tissue are present in neointima of SES when compared with BMS, suggesting that neoatherosclerosis may in part be responsible for ISR after SES implantation.