Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cortical mechanisms involved in praxis

In patients who have undergone complete section of the corpus callosum for intractable epilepsy, lateralized presentation of visual nonverbal stimulation showed that the coordination of motor acts by either hand is controlled exclusively by the contralateral hemisphere. When two patients had serial operations consisting of an initial division of the splenium and posterior 3 cm, followed by complete callosal division, an opportunity arose to test the explicit cortical pathways involved in ipsilateral control. Between operations, these patients could not coordinate movements of the hand ipsilateral to the hemisphere receiving the command. This suggested that for visual nonverbal stimulation, the posterior 3 cm of corpus callosum is necessary for control of the ipsilateral hand; the rostra1 callosum cannot transfer sensorimotor commands. Also, contrary to current views, each hemisphere can carry out sequentially dependent motor activity.
Stacked piezoelectret microphones of simple design and high sensitivity

Pressure-chamber and free-field measurements of high sensitivity piezoelectret microphones of two different designs are reported. High sensitivity is achieved by (1) an increase of the piezoelectric d33 -coefficient of the cellular polypropylene films by a pressure expansion procedure and (2) stacking of the films. The pressure expansion results in large d33-coefficients of up to 600 pC/N in the audio frequency range. Microphones consisting either of cemented stacks or edge-clamped but otherwise loose and non-cemented stacks of up to six expanded films were built. For all investigated microphones, sensitivities of about 2.3 mV/Pa per film were found, resulting in an open circuit sensitivity of 15 mV/Pa at 1 kHz for a six-film-microphone. The equivalent noise level is about 37 dB(A) for a single-film transducer and 26 dB(A) for a five-film microphone. Distortion is less than 1 % at a sound pressure level (SPL) of 164 dB. Advantages of the new piezoelectric transducers include their simple design, consisting essentially only of the cellular film or films and electrical shielding. Other advantages are low cost, small weight, as well as a large range of shapes and sizes possible with such microphones
Trends in Electrical Machines Control: Samples for Classical, Sensorless, and Fault-Tolerant Techniques

This article has given a significant number of examples of contemporary control techniques for EDs. Of course, many more special machines or specific applications can be investigated as well. However, with IMs, PMSMs, SRMs, and hydrogenerators, the most current industrial applications have been addressed. Most of the presented techniques are not yet fully used in industry and are still under evaluation before diffusion at a large scale in the industry. Therefore, many control techniques, such as FTC schemes, are still under investigation for industrial applications with reliability requirements. Even if there are no standard schemes to implement these modern control techniques, it has been commonly admitted that sensorless and fault-tolerant structures will be used more and more in the future and that they are fully implementable on low-cost digital platforms with a high degree of integration.
Smoking Cessation Counseling by Primary Care Women Physicians: Women Physicians' Health Study

ABSTRACT Objectives: The Women Physicians' Health Study (WPHS) offers a unique opportunity to examine the counseling and screening practices of women physicians. The objectives of this study were to: describe the prevalence of self-reported smoking cessation counseling among primary care women physicians and determine the association between physician demographic, professional, and personal characteristics and smoking cessation counseling. Methods: Conducted in 1993–1994, WPHS is a nationally representative cross-sectional mailed survey of U.S. women physicians and included 4,501 respondents representing all major specialties. Primary care physicians included 5 specialty areas and were grouped into 3 categories: (1) general primary care; (2) obstetrics/gynecology (ob/gyn); and (3) pediatrics. Frequent counseling was defined as having counseled patients who were known smokers at every visit or at least once a year. Results: Women physicians in general primary care (84%) and ob/gyn (83%) were more likely to frequently counsel their patients about cessation than were pediatricians (41%). Perceived relevance of counseling to a physician's practice was significantly associated with frequent counseling. Personal characteristics (current smoking status, personal or family history of a smoking-related disease, or living with a smoker as an adult or child) were not significantly correlated with counseling. Conclusion: The majority (71%) of physicians reported frequently counseling their patients. However, there was significant variation by physician specialty. In addition, perceived relevance of counseling was strongly associated with counseling behavior. Physician counseling on cessation can reduce tobacco-related morbidity and mortality. Increasing perceived relevance, implementing system changes, and creating accountability can facilitate cessation counseling by physicians.
Development and application of an automated, low‐volume chromatography system for resin and condition screening

A small‐volume chromatography system was developed for rapid resin and parameter screening and applied to the purification of a therapeutic monoclonal antibody from a key product‐related impurity. Accounting for constraints in peripheral volume, gradient formation, column integrity, and fraction collection in microtiter plates, the resulting system employed 2‐mL columns and was successfully integrated with plate‐based methods for rapid sample analysis (e. g., use of automated liquid handlers, plate readers, and HPLC). Several cation‐exchange chromatography resins were screened using automated programs and tailored gradients for the combination of a particular resin and a given antibody feedstock produced during Phase 1 development. Results from the tailored gradient runs were used to select a resin, and to arrive at efficient stepwise elution schedules for the chosen resin. By maintaining a constant residence time, final operating parameters were successfully scaled to representative bed heights and column diameters up to 2.6 cm (106 mL). This approach significantly improved throughput while reducing development time and material consumption.
Plasma Cytokines and Portopulmonary Hypertension in Patients With Cirrhosis Waiting for Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

Portopulmonary hypertension (PPHTN) is a rare complication in patients with portal hypertension. A role of endothelin 1 (ET-1) and other cytokines was demonstrated in primary pulmonary hypertension but not in PPHTN. We evaluated the possible role of ET-1, interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in the pathogenesis of PPHTN. Plasmatic concentrations of ET-1, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α were measured in patients with pulmonary systolic arterial pressure (PAPs) >30 mm Hg and in patients with cirrhosis. In all, Six out of 11 patients with PAPs >30 mm Hg had PPHTN on right heart catheterization. The remaining 10 patients had an hyperdynamic circulation (HC). In PPHTN patients, ET-1 and IL-6 were significantly higher compared with HC and patients with cirrhosis. Endothelin 1 and IL-6 could be implicated in the pathogenesis of PPHTN. On the basis of these results, ET-1 receptor antagonists or anti-IL-6 could have a rationale in the treatment of PPHTN.
Melatonin promotes adventitious‐ and lateral root regeneration in etiolated hypocotyls of Lupinus albus L.

Abstract: Melatonin is a well‐known animal substance, which has recently been detected in plant tissues. However, there are only a few studies concerning its possible physiological role in plants. In this paper, we investigate the possible effect of melatonin on the regeneration of lateral and adventious roots in etiolated hypocotyls of Lupinus albus L. compared with the effect of indole‐3‐acetic acid. We performed this study by measuring both molecules in roots. Six‐day‐old derooted lupin hypocotyls immersed in several melatonin or indole‐3‐acetic acid concentrations were used to induce roots. A macro‐ and microscopic study of the histological origin of the adventitious and lateral roots was made, while melatonin and indole‐3‐acetic acid in the roots were quantified using liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The data show that both melatonin and indole‐3‐acetic acid induced the appearance of root primordia from pericicle cells, modifying the pattern of distribution of adventitious or lateral roots, the time‐course, the number and length of adventitious roots, and the number of lateral roots. Melatonin and indole‐3‐acetic acid were detected and quantified in lupin primary roots, where both molecules were present in similar concentrations. The physiological effect of exogenous melatonin as root promoter was demonstrated, its action being similar to that of indole‐3‐acetic acid.
Balance and ankle range of motion in community-dwelling women aged 64 to 87 years: a correlational study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE This study investigated the relationship between balance measures and ankle range of motion (ROM) in community-dwelling elderly women with no health problems. Identification of modifiable factors associated with balance may enable clinicians to design treatments to help reduce the risk of falls in elderly people. SUBJECTS The sample consisted of 34 women between the ages of 64 and 87 years (mean=74.7, SD=6.0). METHODS Goniometry was used to determine bilateral ankle active-assistive range of motion (AAROM) and passive range of motion. Balance capabilities were measured with the Functional Reach Test (FRT) and the Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA). Balance data for the FRT, POMA balance subtest, POMA gait subtest, and POMA total score were correlated with ankle ROM using the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient (PCC). RESULTS Correlations between ROM and balance scores were found, ranging from.29 to.63. The POMA gait subtest and FRT resulted in higher correlations with ROM than did the POMA balance subtest (left total AAROM PCC=.63,.51, and.31). Correlations using composite ankle ROM scores were higher than individual motions. The strongest correlation existed between bilateral, total ankle AAROM and the POMA gait subtest scores (PCC=. 63) CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION Correlations exist between ankle ROM and balance in community-dwelling elderly women. Additional research is needed to determine whether treatment directed at increasing ankle ROM can improve balance.
The UCLA population studies of chronic obstructive respiratory disease: XI. Impact of air pollution and smoking on annual change in forced expiratory volume in one second.

We assessed the relative impact of residential exposure to community air pollution and habitual cigarette smoking on lung function by comparing the annualized rate of change in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) in current, former, and never-smokers 25 to 59 yr of age residing in three demographically similar areas of the Southern California air basin who had been chronically exposed to (1) moderate levels of photochemical oxidants and very low levels of other pollutants (Lancaster); (2) very high levels of photochemical oxidants, sulfates, and particulate matter (Glendora); and (3) high levels of sulfates, oxides of nitrogen, and probably hydrocarbons (Long Beach), together with moderate levels of sulfur dioxide. Of the 621 to 763 nonsmokers, 317 to 479 former smokers and 472 to 691 continuing smokers residing in the three areas who were studied initially, 53 to 64, 49 to 59, and 43 to 54%, respectively, were retested. For male residents, area of residence and smoking category each had highly significant effects on FEV1 decline (two-way ANCOVA; p < 0.001) without significant interaction (p > 0.4). After adjustment for baseline FEV1, age, height, and a history of allergy, the mean decline in FEV1 attributable to living in Long Beach compared with living in Lancaster was 23.6 ml/yr, which was 71% of the rate of decline in FEV1 (33.3 ml/yr), attributable to smoking > 1 pack of cigarettes per day. For female residents, a significant interaction was noted between area and smoking (p < 0.05). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Milk Protein Synthesis in the Lactating Mammary Gland: Insights from Transcriptomics Analyses

© 2012 Bionaz et al., licensee InTech. This is an open access chapter distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Milk Protein Synthesis in the Lactating Mammary Gland: Insights from Transcriptomics Analyses
Salivary biomarkers of periodontal disease in response to treatment.

BACKGROUND Salivary biomarkers of periodontitis were assessed longitudinally to determine response to therapy. METHODS A 6-month case-controlled study of adults with chronic periodontitis was performed, with 33 participants receiving oral hygiene instructions (OHI) alone and 35 with scaling and root planing (SRP) combined with OHI. Saliva samples collected at week 0, 16 and 28 were analysed for interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF)-α. Clinical measures of periodontal disease were recorded at each visit. RESULTS All parameters of periodontal health improved significantly in both groups by week 16 (p<0.0001) with the SRP group demonstrating greater benefit at week 16 and 28. Baseline OPG and TNF-α levels changed significantly at both follow-up visits (p<0.03), regardless of treatment group. IL-1β and MMP-8 levels decreased significantly from baseline (p<0.04) in the SRP group only. OPG, MMP-8, and MIP-1α were significantly reduced in responders compared with non-responders (p=0.04, 0.01, 0.05, respectively). In receiver-operating characteristic analyses, MMP-8 produced the highest area under the curve (0.7; p=0.01). CONCLUSION Salivary levels of IL-1β, MMP-8, OPG, and MIP-1α reflected disease severity and response to therapy suggesting their potential utility for monitoring periodontal disease status.
NADPH oxidases: a perspective on reactive oxygen species production in tumor biology.

SIGNIFICANCE Reactive oxygen species (ROS) promote genomic instability, altered signal transduction, and an environment that can sustain tumor formation and growth. The NOX family of NADPH oxidases, membrane-bound epithelial superoxide and hydrogen peroxide producers, plays a critical role in the maintenance of immune function, cell growth, and apoptosis. The impact of NOX enzymes in carcinogenesis is currently being defined and may directly link chronic inflammation and NOX ROS-mediated tumor formation. RECENT ADVANCES Increased interest in the function of NOX enzymes in tumor biology has spurred a surge of investigative effort to understand the variability of NOX expression levels in tumors and the effect of NOX activity on tumor cell proliferation. These initial efforts have demonstrated a wide variance in NOX distribution and expression levels across numerous cancers as well as in common tumor cell lines, suggesting that much remains to be discovered about the unique role of NOX-related ROS production within each system. Progression from in vitro cell line studies toward in vivo tumor tissue screening and xenograft models has begun to provide evidence supporting the importance of NOX expression in carcinogenesis. CRITICAL ISSUES A lack of universally available, isoform-specific antibodies and animal tumor models of inducible knockout or over-expression of NOX isoforms has hindered progress toward the completion of in vivo studies. FUTURE DIRECTIONS In vivo validation experiments and the use of large, existing gene expression data sets should help define the best model systems for studying the NOX homologues in the context of cancer.
Transfusion of fresh murine red blood cells reverses adverse effects of older stored red blood cells

BACKGROUND: Although a subset of recent studies have suggested that red blood cell (RBC) storage length is associated with adverse patient outcomes, others have shown no such relationship. Adults may be transfused with RBC units of different storage lengths, and existing studies do not take into consideration that fresh RBCs may alter responses to concurrently transfused stored RBCs. To test this possibility, we utilized a murine model and investigated transfusion outcomes of fresh, stored, or fresh‐plus‐stored RBCs.
Mosaic tetrasomy 12p

Mosaic tetrasomy 12p is a dysmorphic syndrome which has been described under the name of Pallister mosaic syndrome and Teschler‐Nicola/Killian syndrome and has sometimes been incorrectly interpreted as tetrasomy 21. Here we report the first case to be diagnosed prenatally and confirmed by enzyme assays, and we summarize the clinical and biological characteristics of all the cases reported so far under various names.
Fenretinide upregulates DR 5 / TRAIL-R 2 expression via the induction of the transcription factor CHOP and combined treatment with fenretinide and TRAIL induces synergistic apoptosis in colon cancer cell lines

Fenretinide (N-[4-Hydroxyphenyl]retinamide; 4HPR) is a semisynthetic retinoid that induces apoptosis in a variety of malignancies. Fenretinide has been examined in clinical trials as a cancer chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent. Oxidative stress induced by fenretinide has been shown to mediate apoptosis through a mitochondrial pathway by the induction of a transcription factor CCAAT/ enhancer binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) and Bak. In this study, we report that fenretinide induces death receptor 5 (DR5)/TRAIL-R2 up-regulation via the induction of the transcription factor CHOP in colon cancer cell lines. Fenretinide induced DR5 expression at protein and mRNA levels. Furthermore, fenretinide increased DR5 promoter activity and the enhanced activity decreased by mutation of the CHOP binding site. CHOP was also up-regulated by fenretinide at the promoter level. We also showed that combined treatment with fenretinide and TRAIL induced synergistic apoptosis in colon cancer cell lines. The synergistic apoptosis was markedly blocked by DR5/Fc chimeric protein. Fenretinide and TRAIL cooperatively activated caspase-3, -8, -10 and -9 and cleavage of Bid and PARP, and this activation was also blocked in the presence of DR5/Fc chimeric protein. These results indicate that fenretinide-induced apoptosis is sensitized by TRAIL. Therefore, combined treatment with fenretinide and TRAIL might be a promising model for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
Role of Vα 14 NKT cells in the development of impaired liver regeneration in vivo

Although we have previously demonstrated that IL‐12 stimulation increases the number of hepatic natural killer (NK) T (NKT) cells and enhances liver injury during the early phase of liver regeneration, the role of NKT cells has remained unknown. We therefore evaluated the influence of NKT cells activated by IL‐12 or by α‐galactosylceramide (α‐GalCer) on murine liver regeneration using Vα 14 NKT knockout (Jα 281−/−) mice. Levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (sALT) 24 hours after partial hepatectomy were enhanced in Jα 281+/+ but not in Jα 281−/− mice by both procedures. Hepatic NKT cells expressed considerably more interferon (IFN) γ and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) messenger RNA (mRNA) after stimulation with both factors in Jα 281+/+ mice. Either anti‐IFN‐γ or TNF‐α antibody inhibited the enhancement of liver injury. Furthermore, recombinant TNF‐α injection similarly caused injury in hepatectomized livers of both Jα 281+/+ and Jα 281−/− mice; indeed, adoptively transferred TNF‐α+/+ NKT cells enhanced liver injury after hepatectomy in TNF‐α knockout mice. TNF receptor expressions on hepatocytes increased and peaked 24 hours after partial hepatectomy. In conclusion, simultaneous TNF‐α synthesis and high levels of TNF receptor expression on hepatocytes cause severe liver damage by activated NKT cells during liver regeneration.
Trypanosome TOR as a major regulator of cell growth and autophagy

Trypanosomatid protozoa parasites are responsible for tropical diseases, and undergo complex life cycles involving developmental forms adapted to insect vectors and vertebrate hosts. During their life cycle these parasites proceed through different forms in response to dramatic environmental changes and/or developmentally regulated programs. Successful progression of the parasite through its life cycle is highly dependent on the capacity of adaptation to distinct stresses involving processes such as autophagy. In eukaryotes, Target Of Rapamycin (TOR) protein kinases act as a sensor, which integrates the nutritional and energetic status, adjusting cell metabolism and growth. Compromising cell viability in yeast and mammals leads to a reduction of TOR function, triggering processes aimed to overcome unfavourable conditions. This is partly achieved by TOR-mediated regulation of protein synthesis and recycling of cellular components by autophagy. In the last few years, autophagy has been described during developmental differentiation processes in Trypanosomatids. However, no link between TOR signalling, autophagy and differentiation has been described so far. This addendum is a commentary to the work published by our group,1 where we discuss the possible role of TOR kinases, as a controller of cell growth and autophagy, in the regulation of differentiation processes during Trypanosomatids life cycles.
Fostering Interprofessional Learning in a Rehabilitation Setting: Development of an Interprofessional Clinical Learning Unit

Purpose The development and implementation of interprofessional (IP) clinical learning units as a method to enhance IP clinical education and improve patient care in a rehabilitation setting are described. Methods Using a community‐based participatory research approach, academia and healthcare delivery agencies formed a partnership to create an IP clinical learning unit in a rehabilitation setting. Preimplementation data from surveys and focus group data identified areas for improvement to enhance IP understanding and collaboration. A working group developed and implemented initiatives to enhance IP practice. Findings Preimplementation, eight themes emerged from which the working group identified goals and implemented strategies to strengthen IP learning. Goals included Creation of an IP Learning Environment, Increased Awareness of IP Practice, Role Clarification, Enhanced IP Communication, and Reflection and Evaluation. Postimplementation data revealed six themes: Communication, Informal IP Learning, Role Awareness, Positive Learning Environment, Logistics, and Challenges. Conclusions The development of the IP clinical learning unit was successful and rewarding, but not without its challenges. Formal IP education was necessary to enhance collaborative practice, even in a multidisciplinary environment. Commitment and support from all participants, particularly managers and administrators from the healthcare agency, were critical to success. Clinical Relevance The focus of this unit was on a stroke rehabilitation unit; however, the development and implementation principles identified may be applicable to any team‐based clinical setting.