Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electrical activity and exocytotic correlates of biphasic insulin secretion from β-cells of canine islets of Langerhans: Contribution of tuning two modes of Ca2+ entry-dependent exocytosis to two modes of glucose-induced electrical activity

Biphasic insulin secretion in response to glucose, consisting of a transient first phase followed by a progressive second phase, is a well described in pancreatic islets. Using single canine β-cells we have compared the time courses of electrical activity and insulin granule exocytosis to biphasic insulin secretion. Short trains of action potentials, similar those found during first phase insulin secretion, trigger phasic exocytosis from a small pool of insulin granules, likely an immediately releasable pool docked near voltage activated Ca2+ channels. In contrast, plateau depolarizations to between −35 and −20 mV resembling those during second phase insulin secretion, trigger tonic exocytosis from a larger pool of insulin granules, likely a highly Ca2+-sensitive pool farther from Ca2+ channels. Both phasic and tonic modes of exocytosis are enhanced by glucose, via its metabolism. Hence, in canine β-cells two distinct components of exocytosis, tuned to two components of electrical activity, may contribute significantly to biphasic insulin secretion.
Comparative Genomic Analysis for Genetic Variation in Sacbrood Virus of Apis cerana and Apis mellifera Honeybees From Different Regions of Vietnam

Abstract Sacbrood virus (SBV) is one of the most common viral infections of honeybees. The entire genome sequence for nine SBV infecting honeybees, Apis cerana and Apis mellifera, in Vietnam, namely AcSBV-Viet1, AcSBV-Viet2, AcSBV-Viet3, AmSBV-Viet4, AcSBV-Viet5, AmSBV-Viet6, AcSBV-Viet7, AcSBV-Viet8, and AcSBV-Viet9, was determined. These sequences were aligned with seven previously reported complete genome sequences of SBV from other countries, and various genomic regions were compared. The Vietnamese SBVs (VN-SBVs) shared 91–99% identity with each other, and shared 89–94% identity with strains from other countries. The open reading frames (ORFs) of the VN-SBV genomes differed greatly from those of SBVs from other countries, especially in their VP1 sequences. The AmSBV-Viet6 and AcSBV-Viet9 genome encodes 17 more amino acids within this region than the other VN-SBVs. In a phylogenetic analysis, the strains AmSBV-Viet4, AcSBV-Viet2, and AcSBV-Viet3 were clustered in group with AmSBV-UK, AmSBV-Kor21, and AmSBV-Kor19 strains. Whereas, the strains AmSBV-Viet6 and AcSBV-Viet7 clustered separately with the AcSBV strains from Korea and AcSBV-VietSBM2. And the strains AcSBV-Viet8, AcSBV-Viet1, AcSBV-Viet5, and AcSBV-Viet9 clustered with the AcSBV-India, AcSBV-Kor and AcSBV-VietSBM2. In a Simplot graph, the VN-SBVs diverged stronger in their ORF regions than in their 5′ or 3′ untranslated regions. The VN-SBVs possess genetic characteristics which are more similar to the Asian AcSBV strains than to AmSBV-UK strain. Taken together, our data indicate that host specificity, geographic distance, and viral cross-infections between different bee species may explain the genetic diversity among the VN-SBVs in A. cerana and A. mellifera and other SBV strains.
Post‐operative pain treatment in Denmark from 2000 to 2009: a nationwide sequential survey on organizational aspects

In Denmark, the first acute pain service (APS) was introduced in 1993. An important objective became to facilitate implementation of accelerated post‐operative rehabilitation programmes (ACC) in selected procedures in abdominal, gynaecological and orthopaedic surgery. Therefore, it is of considerable interest to study the association between the developments of post‐operative pain management and the ACC by sequential analyses from 2000 to 2009.
Anti-Hypertensive Prescription and Cost Patterns in an Outpatient Department of a Teaching Hospital in Lagos State Nigeria

Introduction: Hypertension is a public health problem with a high prevalence in Nigeria. The cost of prescription medications is thought to be a barrier for many patients to access the healthcare they need. This study was aimed at identifying associated co-morbid conditions, the prescribing patterns and cost of prescription for the treatment of hypertension in an outpatient clinic at Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out. A total of 147 prescriptions were obtained from the case notes of patients treated at the LUTH outpatient department between February 2012 and August 2012. For each prescription, the number of drugs, the class and combinations of antihypertensives were recorded. The monthly cost of a 30-day anti-hypertensive supply based on the recommended daily dose was calculated. Results: The mean age of the patients was 54(+/-14) years and of the 147 prescriptions, 77(52.4%) was for females and 70(47.6%) was for males. The mean systolic blood pressure was 141.6 mmHg (+/-20.5SD) and mean diastolic blood pressure was 86.5 mmHg (+/-13.3SD). Of the 147 prescriptions, 112(76.2%) were for patients with co-morbidities. The frequency of prescription of the various classes of anti hypertensives are; diuretics 117(79.6%), angiotensin receptor blockers 78(53.1%), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors 65(44.2%), calcium channel blockers 65 (44.2%) beta blockers 54(36.7%) and centrally acting agents 12(8.2%). Average cost per month was =N=6611.47 (US$44). There was a statistically significant association between co morbid conditions and high cost of prescriptions with 73.7% of those with diabetes and 63.2% of those with renal disease having cost of prescriptions within the high cost group (p
Experiences with the two incision minimal invasive hip replacement in 150 cases with a proximally hydroxyapatite coated implant.

BACKGROUND In this retrospective study we describe our experiences in minimally invasive two incision total hip replacement (THR). METHODS We performed 150 fluoroscopy-assisted two incision minimally invasive THR on 148 patients using a proximally coated hydroxyapatite implant. Clinical (Harris Hip Score (HHS), surgical time, blood loss, length of hospital stay) and radiographic data (leg length discrepancy, cup abduction angle, stem alignment) were collected. RESULTS The HHS increased from 54.7 preoperatively to 92.6 postoperatively. Mean surgical time was 103 minutes. Mean intra- operative blood loss was 410 ml. There were 11 (7.3%) complications including two dislocations (1.3%), one deep wound infection (0.7%), three minor calcar fractures (2.0 %), one periprosthetic femur fracture (0.7 %), two subsided stems (1.3%) and two femoral nerve palsies (1.3%). One of the femoral nerve palsies remained unresolved. The prevent femoral nerve palsies we used somato-sensory evoked potentials (SSEP) after the 48th case and there were no further nerve palsies. Ten complications were in the first 48 cases. In the first 28 cases the anterior skin incision was parallel to the femoral neck and then changed to parallel the intertrochanteric line. Mean length of stay was 2.2 days. Mean cup abduction angle was 39.4 degrees and mean cup anteversion was 34.6 degrees. CONCLUSION The initial complication rate can be related to the learning curve using a new surgical technique. In the subsequent 102 surgeries there was one stem subsidence. The minimally invasive approach in THA remains new technique and carries additional risks. Secondary to the learning curve comparable short and long term follow up's are necessary.
Genetic evidence for inducibility of recombination competence in yeast.

Recombination between unirradiated chromosomes was induced by UV or x-ray irradiation of haploids followed by a mating with heteroallelic diploids of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The selected event of intragenic recombination did not involve the participation of the irradiated chromosome and apparently was not caused by lesions introduced into the unirradiated chromosomes by some indirect process. The results favor the idea that recombination is repressed in the majority of vegetative cells and that one effect of radiation is the release of some factor(s) necessary for recombination. Consequently, the proportion of competent cells (i.e., cells able to recombine) in the population increases. This competent state seems necessary not only for the recombinational repair of radiation-induced lesions but also, since recombinants are produced in the absence of such lesions, for spontaneous recombination. Photoreactivation of the UV-irradiated haploids led to a decrease in the production of recombinants. Hence, lesions in the DNA appear to be responsible for the induction of the recombinational ability.
Top-Down-Mediated Facilitation in the Visual Cortex Is Gated by Subcortical Neuromodulation

Response properties in primary sensory cortices are highly dependent on behavioral state. For example, the nucleus basalis of the forebrain plays a critical role in enhancing response properties of excitatory neurons in primary visual cortex (V1) during active exploration and learning. Given the strong reciprocal connections between hierarchically arranged cortical regions, how are increases in sensory response gain constrained to prevent runaway excitation? To explore this, we used in vivo two-photon guided cell-attached recording in conjunction with spatially restricted optogenetic photo-inhibition of higher-order visual cortex in mice. We found that the principle feedback projection to V1 originating from the lateral medial area (LM) facilitated visual responses in layer 2/3 excitatory neurons by ∼20%. This facilitation was reduced by half during basal forebrain activation due to differential response properties between LM and V1. Our results demonstrate that basal-forebrain-mediated increases in response gain are localized to V1 and are not propagated to LM and establish that subcortical modulation of visual cortex is regionally distinct. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Reciprocal connectivity among brain regions is a prominent feature of all sensory cortices. In primary visual cortex (V1), top-down signals from association areas aid in context-dependent perception of visual scenes by altering the response properties of individual neurons. Sensory-evoked responses in V1 are also highly dependent on subcortical neuromodulation pathways that regulate brain state. Here, with cell-type-specific resolution, we addressed how corticocortical and subcortical pathways interact to regulate responsiveness of V1. Our results provide insight into the rules and conditions governing activity propagation in reciprocally connected networks.
Ultrastructural and immunocytochemical study of P1, protamine localization in human testis

Summary. Two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against human protamine P1 were realized. Anti‐P1 specificity was assessed by western‐blot and confirmed by elisa. Monoclonal antibody 97‐3 was selected. Protamine P1, was specifically demonstrated in human testis by immunoelectron microscopy, using 97‐3 MAb and an indirect post‐embedding immunogold technique. Our results clearly demonstrated the precise time of appearance of P1 protamine in the nuclei of human spermatids. P1, first appeared in the nucleus of step 5 spermatids and its concentration was increased in steps 6–8 spermatids, cytoplasm was not labelled.
Neural cell adhesion molecule stimulates survival of premyelinating oligodendrocytes via the fibroblast growth factor receptor

Axonal signals are critical in promoting the survival and maturation of oligodendrocytes during myelination, with contact‐dependent signals thought to play a key role. However, the exact nature of these signals remains unclear. Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) is expressed by both axons and oligodendrocytes and is ideally localized to transduce signals from the axon. This study sought to investigate the influence of NCAM on premyelinating oligodendrocytes in vitro. Both a soluble molecule comprising the extracellular domain of NCAM and a peptide derived from the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) binding motif within the first fibronectin domain stimulated a dose‐dependent increase in survival of premyelinating oligodendrocytes in vitro. The survival effect was blocked by a mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor and an FGFR inhibitor, suggesting that activation of MAPK signalling pathways following interaction with the FGFR is involved in the survival effect of NCAM. Furthermore, NCAM presented in a cellular monolayer induced an increase in radial process outgrowth of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. These data suggest that NCAM may play a role in axon–oligodendrocyte signalling during myelination, leading to an increase in oligodendrocyte survival and process outgrowth following axonal contact. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inclusion body myositis

We treated eight patients who had inclusion body myositis (IBM) with oral prednisone therapy, and we performed muscle biopsies before and after treatment. We documented the patients' clinical response to therapy and changes in serum CK. Although the serum CK level fell, muscle strength worsened after prednisone treatment. In addition, while inflammation decreased in the muscle biopsy specimens, the number of vacuolated and amyloid-positive fibers increased after oral prednisone therapy. These observations indicate that the inflammatory response in IBM may play a secondary role in the pathogenesis of IBM. The unique findings of intracellular amyloid deposits and rimmed vacuoles distinguishing IBM from other inflammatory myopathies, and recognition that suppression of inflammation has no effect on the clinical course, suggest that IBM may represent a degenerative muscle disorder.
Maternal vitamin D predominates over genetic factors in determining neonatal circulating vitamin D concentrations 1 – 3

Background: There are multiple potential regulators of neonatal vitamin D status of environmental, genetic, and epigenetic origins. The relation between these factors and circulating neonatal vitamin D has yet to be fully characterized. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relative contribution of genetic factors, maternal circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations, and the placental methylation level of the gene that encodes the primary catabolic enzyme of active vitamin D [25(OH)D-24-hydroxylase encoded by CYP24A1] to neonatal 25(OH)D concentrations. Design: We used the classical twin study design to determine the genetic contribution to neonatal 25(OH)D. A total of 86 twin pairs (32 monozygotic and 54 dizygotic twin pairs) were included in this study. Serum 25(OH)D was measured by using a 25(OH)D kit. CYP24A1 promoter DNA methylation was measured by means of matrix-assisted laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Results: Maternal and neonatal 25(OH)D showed a strong association (R = 0.19). Monozygotic and dizygotic within-pair serum 25(OH)D correlations were similar (R = 0.71 and 0.67, respectively), which suggested no genetic effect. Placental CYP24A1 methylation did not show an association with maternal or neonatal 25(OH)D
Restricted Identification of Clinical Pathogens Categorized as Biothreats by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry

These days, many public and private clinical microbiology laboratories use matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) as a primary means of identification of bacterial isolates ([1][1]). In our laboratory, we use a MALDI Biotyper (Bruker Daltonics,
Annual increments of juniper dwarf shrubs above the tree line on the central Tibetan Plateau: a useful climatic proxy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Dendroclimatology is playing an important role in understanding past climatic changes on the Tibetan Plateau. Forests, however, are mainly confined to the eastern Tibetan Plateau. On the central Tibetan Plateau, in contrast, shrubs and dwarf shrubs need to be studied instead of trees as a source of climate information. The objectives of this study were to check the dendrochronological potential of the dwarf shrub Wilson juniper (Juniperus pingii var. wilsonii) growing from 4740 to 4780 m a.s. l. and to identify the climatic factors controlling its radial growth. METHODS Forty-three discs from 33 stems of Wilson juniper were sampled near the north-eastern shore of the Nam Co (Heavenly Lake). Cross-dating was performed along two directions of each stem, avoiding the compression-wood side as far as possible. A ring-width chronology was developed after a negative exponential function or a straight line of any slope had been fit to the raw measurements. Then, correlations were calculated between the standard ring-width chronology and monthly climate data recorded by a weather station around 100 km away. KEY RESULTS Our study has shown high dendrochronological potential of Wilson juniper, based on its longevity (one individual was 324 years old), well-defined growth rings, reliable cross-dating between individuals and distinct climatic signals reflected by the ring-width variability. Unlike dwarf shrubs in the circum-arctic tundra ecosystem which positively responded to above-average temperature in the growing season, moisture turned out to be growth limiting for Wilson juniper, particularly the loss of moisture caused by high maximum temperatures in May-June. CONCLUSIONS Because of the wide distribution of shrub and dwarf shrub species on the central Tibetan Plateau, an exciting prospect was opened up to extend the presently existing tree-ring networks far up into one of the largest tundra regions of the world.
Effects of walking on mortality among nonsmoking retired men.

BACKGROUND The potential benefit of low-intensity activity in terms of longevity among older men has not been clearly documented. We examined the association between walking and mortality in a cohort of retired men who were nonsmokers and physically capable of participating in low-intensity activities on a daily basis. METHODS We studied 707 nonsmoking retired men, 61 to 81 years of age, who were enrolled in the Honolulu Heart Program. The distance walked (miles per day) was recorded at a base-line examination, which took place between 1980 and 1982. Data on overall mortality (from any cause) were collected over a 12-year period of follow-up. RESULTS During the follow-up period, there were 208 deaths. After adjustment for age, the mortality rate among the men who walked less than 1 mile (1.6 km) per day was nearly twice that among those who walked more than 2 miles (3.2 km) per day (40.5 percent vs. 23.8 percent, P=0.001). The cumulative incidence of death after 12 years for the most active walkers was reached in less than 7 years among the men who were least active. The distance walked remained inversely related to mortality after adjustment for overall measures of activity and other risk factors (P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS Our findings in older physically capable men indicate that regular walking is associated with a lower overall mortality rate. Encouraging elderly people to walk may benefit their health.
Energy-efficient system design for mobile processing platforms

Portable electronics has fueled the rich emergence of multimedia applications that have led to the exponential growth in content creation and consumption. New energy-efficient integrated circuits and systems are necessary to enable the increasingly complex augmented-reality applications, such as high-performance multimedia, "big-data" processing and smart healthcare, in real-time on mobile platforms of the future. This thesis presents an energy-efficient system design approach with algorithm, architecture and circuit co-design for multiple application areas. A shared transform engine, capable of supporting multiple video coding standards in real-time with ultra-low power consumption, is developed. The transform engine, implemented using 45 nm CMOS technology, supports Quad Full-HD (4k x 2k) video coding with reconfigurable processing for H.264 and VC-1 standards at 0.5 V and operates down to 0.3 V to maximize energy-efficiency. Algorithmic and architectural optimizations, including matrix factorization, transpose memory elimination and data dependent processing, achieve significant savings in area and power consumption. A reconfigurable processor for computational photography is presented. An efficient implementation of the 3D bilateral grid structure supports a wide range of non-linear filtering applications, including high dynamic range imaging, low-light enhancement and glare reduction. The processor, implemented using 40 nm CMOS technology, enables real-time processing of HD images, while operating down to 0.5 V and achieving 280x higher energy-efficiency compared to software implementations on state-of-the-art mobile processors. A scalable architecture enables 8x energy scalability for the same throughput performance, while trading-off output resolution for energy. Widespread use of medical imaging techniques has been limited by factors such as size, weight, cost and complex user interface. A portable medical imaging platform for accurate objective quantification of skin condition progression, using robust computer vision techniques, is presented. Clinical validation shows 95% accuracy in progression assessment. Algorithmic optimizations, reducing the memory bandwidth and computational complexity by over 80%, pave the way for energy-efficient hardware implementation to enable real-time portable medical imaging. Thesis Supervisor: Anantha P. Chandrakasan Title: Joseph F. and Nancy P. Keithley Professor of Electrical Engineering
Ecological Linkages Between Aboveground and Belowground Biota

All terrestrial ecosystems consist of aboveground and belowground components that interact to influence community- and ecosystem-level processes and properties. Here we show how these components are closely interlinked at the community level, reinforced by a greater degree of specificity between plants and soil organisms than has been previously supposed. As such, aboveground and belowground communities can be powerful mutual drivers, with both positive and negative feedbacks. A combined aboveground-belowground approach to community and ecosystem ecology is enhancing our understanding of the regulation and functional significance of biodiversity and of the environmental impacts of human-induced global change phenomena.
A study of customer satisfaction with online shopping: evidence from the UAE

The critical importance of customer satisfaction in online shopping stores has been recognised in academic research and its literature, in particular. However, studies in this area remain broad and to some extent fragmented. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to test empirically the integrated model of customer satisfaction with online shopping that has been developed by Lee and Joshi (2006). This study draws on 242 questionnaire surveys of university students in Dubai, UAE. The analysis of these surveys reveals that attitudes toward online shopping and the intention to shop online in the UAE are not only affected by ease of use, usefulness, and enjoyment, but also by some other factors such as perceived Web-store traits, channel traits and consumer traits.