Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preference Versus Performance: Body Temperature of the Intertidal Snail Chlorostoma funebralis

Evolutionary theory predicts that, in variable environments, it is advantageous for ectothermic organisms to prefer a body temperature slightly below the physiological optimum. This theory works well for many terrestrial organisms but has not been tested for animals inhabiting the hypervariable physical environment of intertidal shores. In laboratory experiments, we allowed the intertidal snail Chlorostoma funebralis to position itself on a temperature gradient, then measured its thermal preference and determined an index of how its performance varied with temperature. Snails performed a biased random walk along the temperature gradient, which, contrary to expectations, caused them to aggregate where body temperature was 15 to 17 °C below their temperature of optimum performance and near the species’ lower thermal limit. This “cold-biased” behavioral response may guide snails to refuges in shaded cracks and crevices, but potentially precludes C. funebralis from taking full advantage of its physiological capabilities.
Decreased Sensitivity to Metocurine in Patients with Upper Motoneuron Disease

Responses to the nondepolarizing muscle relaxant, metocurine, were studied in eight hemiplegic and eight unmatched patients with normal motor strength during the general anesthetic given for various neurosurgical operations. Metocurine, 0.3 mglkg, was administered intravenously, and indirectly evoked thumb twitch tensions were measured on both sides in the hemiplegic patients, and on one side in the normal patients. Arterial blood samples were obtained as twitch tension was recovering, and serum metocurine concentrations were determined using a specific radioimmunoassay. Percentage of paralysis was plotted as a function of log [metocurine] and the data were compared by analysis of covariance. For the normal motor strength patients, r = 0.84; for the unaffected arm of the hemiplegic patients, r = 0.69; and for the affected arm of the hemiplegic patients, r = 0.86, all significant at P < 0.001. The mean plasma metocurine concentrations at 20, 25, 50, 75, and 80% paralysis were significantly different for all groups (P < 0.001). The regression lines, in turn, did not overlap and were significantly different, each from the other (P < 0.005). We were, howmer, unable to detect any significant deviation from parallelism among the three regression lines. We also measured time to 50% return of single twitch height for each data group as follows (mean ± SEM: for NMS patients, 242 ± 73 min; for the unaffected arm of hemiplegic patients, 116 ± 60 min; and for the affected arm of hemiplegic patients, 59 ± 36 min. By ANOVA and the Bonferroni test, each value was different from the other at P ≤ 0.01. We conclude that both the affected arm and the unaffected arm of hemiplegic patients exhibit decreased sensitivity to metocurine, and that the effect of stroke is, even in the long term, global. Thus thumb twitch monitoring in patients with hemiplegia may underestimate the degree of blockade of the muscles of respiration, no matter which side is monitored
Loss of Semantic Associative Categories in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

Deterioration of semantic memory is one of the primary neuropsychological deficits caused by Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we hypothesize that the breakdown of semantic memory in the mild-to-moderate stage of AD is due to the disruption of the semantic network that links the concepts. Furthermore, the loss of these links is not homogeneous through the semantic association categories (i.e., Superordinate, Contiguity, Part/Whole, Attribute, Function). Twenty-two subjects (11 patients with mild-to-moderate dementia and 11 control subjects matched on demographics) participated in the study. Both controls and patients with AD underwent extensive neuropsychological evaluation and three experimental tasks: (1) Naming Task, (2) Semantic Association Task, and (3) Semantic Knowledge Task. Results showed that: (1) The AD group was significantly different from the normal controls group in all the experimental tasks; (2) the Semantic Association Task was significantly worse than the other tasks; (3) for the AD group, the scores of the Function and Part/Whole association categories were higher than in the other categories; and (4) living stimuli were more impaired than nonliving. These data confirm prior research showing the semantic association is differently impaired in AD patients.
Cyclooxygenase 1 (COX1) polymorphisms in African‐American and caucasian populations

Cyclooxygenases (COXs) are the primary targets of aspirin and other non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and thus enzymes of major interest to pharmacology, pharmacogenetics, and epidemiology. Genetic variants that affect enzyme function, or the interaction with NSAIDs, could alter drug response. We have screened the human COX1 gene coding regions of 48 African‐American and 47 Caucasian individuals using DNA sequencing. We identified 13 coding‐region variants, of which seven were amino‐acid substitutions, and further five intronic polymorphisms within 60bp of an exon. All nonsynonymous variants were confirmed in an independent Caucasian population (n=94 unrelated individuals). Most of the discovered polymorphisms were rare, although some variants resulting in amino‐acid changes occurred at appreciable frequency in at least one population (≥4%: R8W, P17L, L237M). We used two sequence‐homology‐based software programs to predict the potential impact of these polymorphisms on COX1 function. The L237M substitution was predicted as most likely to alter protein function, whereas the glycine at position 230 may be specific to COX1 function. More detailed phenotypic characterizations of these COX1 polymorphisms remain to be undertaken. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Safety and efficacy of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants in non-valvular atrial fibrillation: a Bayesian meta-analysis approach

Introduction: Choosing between different non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is difficult due to the absence of head to head comparative studies. We performed a Bayesian meta-analysis to explore similarities and differences between different NOACs and to rank treatments overall for safety and efficacy outcomes. Areas covered: Through a systematic literature search we identified randomized controlled Phase III trials of dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban versus adjusted-dose warfarin in patients with NVAF. Expert opinion: Warfarin ranked worst for all-cause mortality and intracranial bleedings and had a nil probability of ranking first for any outcome. The risk of major bleeding versus warfarin was lower with apixaban, dabigatran 110 mg, and both doses of edoxaban. All agents reduced the risk of intracranial bleeding versus warfarin. Edoxaban 30 mg was the best among the treatments being compared for major and gastrointestinal bleeding. Dabigatran 150 mg was the best for stroke and systemic embolism. This study suggests that NOACs are generally preferable to warfarin in patients with NVAF. However, safety and efficacy differences do exist among NOACs, which might drive their use in specific subsets of AF patients, allowing prescribers to tailor treatment to distinct patient profiles.
Identification and Typing of Lactococcus lactis by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry

ABSTRACT Currently, the genus Lactococcus is classified into six species: Lactococcus chungangensis, L. garvieae, L. lactis, L. piscium, L. plantarum, and L. raffinolactis. Among these six species, L. lactis is especially important because of its use in the manufacture of probiotic dairy products. L. lactis consists of three subspecies: L. lactis subsp. cremoris, L. lactis subsp. hordniae, and L. lactis subsp. lactis. However, these subspecies have not yet been reliably discriminated. To date, mainly phenotypic identification has been used, with a few genotypic identifications. We discriminated species or subspecies in the genus Lactococcus not only by proteomics identification using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) but also by phenotypic and genotypic identification. The proteomics identification using differences in the mass spectra of ribosomal proteins was nearly identical to that by genotypic identification (i.e., by analyses of 16S rRNA and recA gene sequences and amplified fragment length polymorphism). The three ribosomal subunits 30S/L31, 50S/L31, and 50S/L35 were the best markers for discriminating L. lactis subsp. cremoris from L. lactis subsp. lactis. Proteomics identification using MALDI-TOF MS was therefore a powerful method for discriminating and identifying these bacteria. In addition, this method was faster and more reliable than others that we examined.
Factors Associated with Recent Increase of Multiple Births in Spain

Abstract The increased incidence of multiple deliveries in Spain, in addition to changes in age at maternity and parity, is attributed to assisted reproductive treatments, but the relative contribution of the latter to this rise remains uncertain, due to the scarce information provided by clinics practicing those treatments. Population based data (1984–2004), including information on mother's age, nationality, marital status, date of delivery, and the characteristics of each (parity, single or multiple), and sex of newborns were provided by the Spanish Institute of Statistics. Twinning and triplet deliveries relate to maternal age, parity, and nationality. For younger ages (≤ 19, 20–24, 25–29) rates remained constant over time, but for older women (30–34, 35–39, ≥ 40) rates increased after 1994. From 1984 to 2004 the percentage of twins of opposite sex increased from 24.31 to 36.58 per cent. Since 1997, Spanish and non-Spanish mothers differentiate with respect to multiple maternity at ages over 30. In addition to unmarried Spanish women, immigrants constitute a reliable reference group that determines the convenience of segregating information on multiple deliveries respecting origin. The proportion of twins and triplets of opposite sex, maternal age, and parity patterns observed are concordant with a differential access to reproductive treatments depending on the woman's age. The present norm regulating the maximum number of fertilizations per cycle and the demand for these treatments explain the high incidence of multiple deliveries in Spain. A modified logistic curve predicts a stabilization of multiple deliveries, which will probably continue to be high in Spain.
Association between intima-media thickness and wall shear stress in common carotid arteries in healthy male subjects.

BACKGROUND Atherosclerotic lesions lie in regions of low wall shear stress. No relationship between wall shear stress and intima-media thickness in vivo has been reported. Aims of the present study were to verify the reproducibility of wall shear stress measurement in vivo and to evaluate its association with intima-media thickness in the common carotid artery in healthy subjects. METHODS AND RESULTS Wall shear stress was calculated according to the following formula: Shear Stress = Blood Viscosity x Blood Velocity/Internal Diameter. Blood viscosity was measured by use of a cone/plate viscometer. Blood velocity, internal diameter, and intima-media thickness were measured by high-resolution echo Doppler. Twenty-one healthy male subjects were investigated. Peak and mean shear stress values were 29.5 +/- 8.2 and 12.1 +/- 3.1 dynes/cm-2 (mean +/- SD), respectively. Peak shear stress was inversely related to intima-media thickness (r = .62), age (r = .77), systolic blood pressure (r = .61), and body mass index (r = .59) (P < .001 for all coefficients). Mean shear stress yielded similar results. The relationship between shear stress and intima-media thickness was independent of age, blood pressure, and body mass index. The reproducibility, calculated by Kendall's W test, was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that common carotid artery wall shear stress measurement in vivo is reproducible. It inversely relates to intima-media thickness, age, systolic blood pressure, and body mass index. These findings confirm in vivo the role of shear stress in intima-media thickening.
On the use of statistical methods and models for predicting the end of life of electric power equipment

This paper is devoted to the problem of estimating the end of life of electric power equipment. Several statistical methods and models commonly used in reliability engineering are discussed, focusing on (a) the technical merit of each described method, and (b) the suitability of each method for determining the end of life of power equipment. Description of statistical methods considers both censored and uncensored observations. The problem of model selection for analysis of censored data is given special consideration: a novel approach is proposed for this. The points made in the text are illustrated by several numerical examples pertaining to the lifetime of transformers, however the methods can be applied for other types of electric or electronic equipment (e.g., electronic relays).
Vehicular backbone networking protocol for highway broadcasting using directional antennas

Vehicular Ad Hoc Network technology facilitates real time information dissemination by enabling efficient inter-vehicle communications for the wide broadcasting of public safety and other message flows. A key challenge in VANET broadcasting is to develop a networking mechanism to coordinate data transmissions among moving vehicles. We propose a Directional Vehicular Backbone Network (DVBN) protocol for the distribution of messages generated by a Road Side Unit located at a position along a linear highway to vehicles that travel along this highway. Using GPS (Global Positioning System), an election algorithm is used so that vehicles that are positioned close to those nominal positions are elected to act as relay nodes. The aim of this paper is two-fold: a. We examine the utility of using varying inter-RN nominal position ranges in contributing to the enhancement of the system's broadcast throughput rate. We show that when minimum inter-vehicular spacing requirements are imposed, it is effective to select equal inter-RN distance levels. b. We demonstrate the superior performance offered by this DVBN protocol when compared with a corresponding (VBN) protocol that employs omni-directional antennas. We illustrate scenarios under which broadcast throughput capacity rate gains as high as three to ten fold are achieved by the DVBN scheme.
Therapeutic targeting of platelet-derived growth factor receptors in solid tumors

Introduction: Genetic aberrations that are associated with platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) activity are frequently found in glioblastomas (10 – 15%), dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (≤ 100%) and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (5%). Sequencing studies have also identified mutations at lower frequency in common cancer types. Preclinical evidence further suggests tumor stimulatory roles of PDGFRs expressed by tumor stroma cells and indicates a deleterious effect of stromal PDGFRs on intratumoral drug uptake. Areas covered: This review summarizes the present understanding of PDGF signaling in solid tumors based on experimental studies and clinical findings. It also provides a discussion of selected ongoing efforts to develop novel cancer therapies involving PDGFR inhibition with tyrosine kinase inhibitors or PDGFR-targeting monoclonal antibodies. Expert opinion: An increased molecular understanding of response and resistance mechanisms will be essential for therapeutic advances in PDGFR-directed cancer therapy. Further developments rely on clinical studies where systematic analyses of target status in malignant cells and in cells of the tumor stroma are included. Studies with combination therapies will be facilitated by selective PDGFR inhibitors with reduced side effects. Finally, development of improved companion diagnostics is of critical importance for patient selection and monitoring of therapeutic effects.
Computed tomography liver volumetry using 3‐dimensional image data in living donor liver transplantation: Effects of the slice thickness on the volume calculation

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the slice thickness and the calculated volume in computed tomography (CT) liver volumetry through the comparison of the results from images [including 3‐dimensional (3D) images] with various slice thicknesses. Twenty potential adult liver donors (12 men and 8 women) with a mean age of 39 years (range = 24‐64 years) underwent CT with a 64‐section multidetector row CT scanner after the intravenous injection of a contrast material. Four image sets with slice thicknesses of 0.625, 2.5, 5, and 10 mm were used. First, a program developed in our laboratory for automated liver extraction was applied to the CT images, and the liver boundaries were determined automatically. Then, an abdominal radiologist reviewed all images onto which automatically extracted boundaries had been superimposed and then edited the boundaries on each slice to enhance the accuracy. The liver volumes were determined via the counting of the voxels within the liver boundaries. The mean whole liver volumes estimated with CT were 1322.5 cm3 from 0.625‐mm images, 1313.3 cm3 from 2.5‐mm images, 1310.3 cm3 from 5‐mm images, and 1268.2 cm3 from 10‐mm images. The volumes calculated from 3D (0.625‐mm) images were significantly larger than the volumes calculated from thicker images (P < 0.001). The partial liver volumes of right lobes, left lobes, and lateral segments were evaluated in a similar manner. The estimated maximum difference in the calculated volumes of lateral segments was −10.9 cm3 (−4.63%) between 0.625‐ and 5‐mm images. In conclusion, liver volumes calculated from 2.5‐mm‐thick or thicker images are significantly smaller than liver volumes calculated from 3D images. If a maximum error of 5% in the calculated graft volume will not have a significant clinical impact, 5‐mm‐thick images are acceptable for CT volumetry. If the impact is significant, 3D images could be essential. Liver Transpl, 2011. © 2011 AASLD.
Comparison of gene expression in CD34+ cells from bone marrow and G-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood by high-density oligonucleotide array analysis.

A prospective randomized trial has shown that there is a survival advantage for allogeneic transplant recipients who received granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (GPBMC) versus those who received bone marrow (BM) as a source of stem cells. The biological basis for this advantage is not clear and may be attributable to qualitative as well as quantitative differences in the CD34 cells, T cells, and/or the monocytes transplanted. To begin to address this issue, gene expression patterns in CD34 cells isolated from these 2 stem cell sources were compared to identify functional pathways that may distinguish these 2 populations. CD34 cells were isolated to purity from the BM and peripheral blood stem cells of multiple healthy donors. (The complete data set will be available at http://parma.fhcrc.org/lgraf upon publication.) Two separate RNA preparations from pooled samples from both sources were analyzed by Affymetrix Oligonucleotide Array chips for expression of over 6400 human genes. Comparative analyses among the samples showed that a small set of 28 sequences increased and 38 sequences decreased in expression more than 3-fold in both of the GPBMC samples compared to those in BM samples. More highly expressed genes include several for nuclear proteins and transcriptional factors. Functional categorization of the genes decreased in expression indicated sequences influential in cell cycle progression, in agreement with the recognized quiescence of circulating CD34 cells. Multiple transcriptional regulators and chemokines were also found to be decreased. These data emphasize that in addition to increased numbers of CD34 cells, G-CSF mobilization also results in significant qualitative changes. Whether they impact engraftment remains to be determined.
Phase II clinical trial of bortezomib and bevacizumab combination in recurrent glioblastoma.

Vorinostat, a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, has shown evidence of single-agent activity in glioblastoma (GBM), and in preclinical studies, we have demonstrated signiﬁcant synergistic cytotoxicity between HDAC inhibitors and proteasome inhibitors in GBM cell lines. We therefore conducted a phase II trial to evaluate the efﬁcacy of vorinostat in combination with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in patients with recurrent GBM. Vorinostat was administered at a dose of 400 mg daily for 14 days of a 21-day cycle, and bortezomib was administered at a dose of 1.3 mg / m 2 intravenously on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 of the cycle. A total of 37 patients were treated, and treatment was well tolerated: grade 3, 4 nonhematologic toxicity occurred in 30% of patients and consisted mainly of fatigue (14%) and neuropathy (5%); grade 3, 4 hematologic toxicity occurred in 37% of patients and consisted of thrombocytopenia (30%), lymphopenia (4%), and neutropenia (4%). The trial was closed at the predetermined interim analysis, with 0 of 34 patients being progression-free at 6 months. One patient achieved a partial response according to the Macdonald criteria. The median time to progression for all patients was 1.5 months (range, 0.5–5.6 months), and median overall survival (OS) was 3.2 months. Patients who had received prior bevacizumab therapy had a shorter time to progression and OS, compared with those who had not. On the basis of the results of this phase II study, further evaluation of the vorino-stat-bortezomib combination in GBM patients in this dose and schedule is not recommended. tumor with patient off corticosteroids or only receiving adrenal replacement maintenance. Progression was deﬁned as unequivocal increase in size of contrast enhancement or increase in mass effect as assessed by primary physician and quality control physicians or ap-pearance of new lesions. Patients with imaging ﬁndings not meeting criteria for complete response, regression, or progression were determined to have stable disease.