Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Effect of Acetyl L-Carnitine on Experimental Cisplatin Ototoxicity and Neurotoxicity

Introduction: Cisplatin (CDDP) is an effective and widely used chemotherapeutic agent for pediatric tumors, and ototoxicity is one of the dose-limiting side effects. Objective: It was the aim of our study to investigate the effect of acetyl L-carnitine (ALCAR) on experimental CDDP ototoxicity by audiologic tests, histomorphologic, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural examinations and to investigate the apoptotic pathways. Materials and Methods: Wistar albino rats (n = 28) were studied. Baseline audiological tests were performed in 4 groups: group 1, control; group 2, ALCAR; group 3, CDDP; group 4, CDDP + ALCAR-administered rats. Control audiological tests were performed on the 3rd day, and then the rats were sacrificed. Ear and brain specimens were examined by transmission electron microscopy, and caspase 3, 8 and 9 activities were investigated. Results: The CDDP-administered rats showed significant auditory brainstem response threshold shifts using all stimuli (clicks, 6-kHz and 8-kHz tone burst) compared with the control groups. The CDDP + ALCAR-administered rats showed significant auditory brainstem response threshold shifts by only click stimuli compared with the control groups. In the brain, spiral ganglion and organ of Corti, ultrastructural damage was prominent in group 3; the number of TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling)-positive cells and caspase 3, 8 and 9 immunostaining cells was significantly high in group 3. Conclusion: ALCAR improves CDDP-induced auditory impairment, and also antioxidative and antiapoptotic properties of ALCAR on CDDP ototoxicity were supported by the findings.
GalR3 activation promotes adult neural stem cell survival in response to a diabetic milieu

Type 2 diabetes impairs adult neurogenesis which could play a role in the CNS complications of this serious disease. The goal of this study was to determine the potential role of galanin in protecting adult neural stem cells (NSCs) from glucolipotoxicity and to analyze whether apoptosis and the unfolded protein response were involved in the galanin‐mediated effect. We also studied the regulation of galanin and its receptor subtypes under diabetes in NSCs in vitro and in the subventricular zone (SVZ) in vivo. The viability of mouse SVZ‐derived NSCs and the involvement of apoptosis (Bcl‐2, cleaved caspase‐3) and unfolded protein response [C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) Glucose‐regulated protein 78/immunoglobulin heavy‐chain binding protein (GRP78/BiP), spliced X‐box binding protein 1 (XBP1), c‐Jun N‐terminal kinases (JNK) phosphorylation] were assessed in the presence of glucolipotoxic conditions after 24 h. The effect of diabetes on the regulation of galanin and its receptor subtypes was assessed on NSCs in vitro and in SVZ tissues isolated from normal and type 2 diabetes ob/ob mice. We show increased NSC viability following galanin receptor (GalR)3 activation. This protective effect correlated with decreased apoptosis and CHOP levels. We also report how galanin and its receptors are regulated by diabetes in vitro and in vivo. This study shows GalR3‐mediated neuroprotection, supporting a potential future therapeutic development, based on GalR3 activation, for the treatment of brain disorders.
Tension-free vaginal tape and percutaneous vaginal tape sling procedures.

PURPOSE Midurethral synthetic sling procedures for treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) are gaining increased attention from surgeons specializing in female pelvic reconstructive techniques seeking successful patient outcomes through reproducible simplicity. This report describes the procedural steps and methods used to maximize the potential for successful outcomes using techniques of midurethral synthetic sling placement. Reported complications and surgical outcomes are reviewed with respect to patient selection and minimizing the potential for morbidity and mortality as long-term clinical experience is accumulated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Tension-free vaginal or transvaginal tape (TVT) and the recently introduced percutaneous vaginal tape (PVT) are two new procedural choices for placement of synthetic sling material at the midurethra. Both procedures use sling material composed of polypropylene mesh, a nonabsorbable synthetic material, placed at the level of the midurethra via an antegrade (PVT, using a percutaneous ligature carrier) suprapubic approach or retrograde (TVT, using vaginal trocars) vaginal approach. Patient selection, procedural techniques, and methods described are based on observations obtained or reported from clinical experience. Outcomes and complications for TVT are derived from a literature review of all published articles in Index Medicus from 1996 to 2000. RESULTS The experience with TVT for the last 5 years is encouraging. At 3-year follow-up for TVT, reported cure rates for SUI range from 80% to 95%. A multitude of worldwide reports on PVT with shorter follow-up support the findings of the TVT experience. Reproducible findings with midurethral synthetic slings are the short operative times recorded for the sling procedure, ease of technical performance, minimal patient discomfort, and a high rate of early return of normal voiding function. The rate of complications such as obstructive voiding or de novo instability (0-15%) and urinary retention necessitating a secondary procedure (2-4%) appear to be equal to the rates of contemporary competing technologies and procedures for treatment of SUI. CONCLUSIONS Preliminary reports and the experience at our institution suggest that the techniques of midurethral synthetic sling placement of TVT and PVT are reproducible, easy to master, and minimally invasive with respect to tissue handling. Although complications with all anti-incontinence procedures exist, understanding the anatomical considerations and methodology of these unique procedures should minimize patient morbidity, avoid patient mortality, and produce a high rate of durable success.
Issues in Trustworthy Software Systems

Lack of security in computing is most of the timedue to software vulnerabilities. To a broad extent, securitybreaches are not due to problems in cryptography nor in thecommunication medium or in computer hardware and microprocessors. In turn, software vulnerabilities are mainly due to limitations in current state of the art software testing. Unfortunately, no major breakthrough in software testing is expected, neither at this time nor in the near future. To this end, researchers tackled the problem of platform security from a different perspective: dividing the platform into two orthogonal execution environments: trusted execution environment (TEE) and untrusted or rich execution environment (REE). In the latter, a rich execution environment hosting unrestricted commercial off-the-shelf software executes, while in the former a minimalistic highly trusted software stack executes. Execution takes place most of the time in the REE, while only sensitive and security critical operations take place in the TEE. In this paper, we review and discuss the required and highly recommended properties that any code executing in the TEE must preserve, and we show how software, security and machine architects should cooperate for maintaining a secure TEE orthogonal to a rich REE in embedded computing devices.
Dead-time compensation and realization method for 3-level NPC Inverter

3-Level Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) Inverter has 4 switches in each leg. 2 pairs of switches of the inverter operate complimentarily, S1 and S3 is a pair, the other is S2 and S4. But short circuit fault can be occurred due to a time distinction of turning on/off the switch. Thus, short circuit fault can be prevented by giving dead-time when turning on the switches which complementarily operate mutually. But these dead-time occur error between reference voltage and output voltage of each leg, and distort 3-phase output voltage and current. In this paper, a compensation method and its simple realizing method are proposed to minimize effect from these dead-time. The proposed method is implemented on software and does not require an additional hardware. The proposed method is applied to 3-Level NPC inverter and verified its validity through simulation.
High frequency targeted mutagenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana using zinc finger nucleases

We report here an efficient method for targeted mutagenesis of Arabidopsis genes through regulated expression of zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs)—enzymes engineered to create DNA double-strand breaks at specific target loci. ZFNs recognizing the Arabidopsis ADH1 and TT4 genes were made by Oligomerized Pool ENgineering (OPEN)—a publicly available, selection-based platform that yields high quality zinc finger arrays. The ADH1 and TT4 ZFNs were placed under control of an estrogen-inducible promoter and introduced into Arabidopsis plants by floral-dip transformation. Primary transgenic Arabidopsis seedlings induced to express the ADH1 or TT4 ZFNs exhibited somatic mutation frequencies of 7% or 16%, respectively. The induced mutations were typically insertions or deletions (1–142 bp) that were localized at the ZFN cleavage site and likely derived from imprecise repair of chromosome breaks by nonhomologous end-joining. Mutations were transmitted to the next generation for 69% of primary transgenics expressing the ADH1 ZFNs and 33% of transgenics expressing the TT4 ZFNs. Furthermore, ≈20% of the mutant-producing plants were homozygous for mutations at ADH1 or TT4, indicating that both alleles were disrupted. ADH1 and TT4 were chosen as targets for this study because of their selectable or screenable phenotypes (adh1, allyl alcohol resistance; tt4, lack of anthocyanins in the seed coat). However, the high frequency of observed ZFN-induced mutagenesis suggests that targeted mutations can readily be recovered by simply screening progeny of primary transgenic plants by PCR and DNA sequencing. Taken together, our results suggest that it should now be possible to obtain mutations in any Arabidopsis target gene regardless of its mutant phenotype.
Hybrid bridgeless DCM SEPIC rectifier integrated with a modified switched capacitor cell

In this paper is proposed a novel single-phase PWM bridgeless rectifier, based on SEPIC converter topology, integrated with a modified switched capacitor cell. The structure has the absence of the diode bridge at the input port reducing the number of components and conduction losses. Besides, it has the presence of a switched capacitor cell, providing double gain at the output voltage. A comparison with the conventional SEPIC shows that the proposed converter has lower voltage stress on the semiconductors when both converters are designed for the same output voltage, and the same voltage stress across the semiconductors when the output voltage of the proposed converter is twice bigger than the conventional SEPIC. Therefore, the proposed structure can be applied in DCM SEPIC rectifiers improving the converter static gain, making it suitable for higher voltage applications. The paper also proposes a modified switched capacitor cell, which does not change the storage capacitor operation mode of the SEPIC rectifier. To validate the theoretical analyses a prototype of 500 W was built considering an input and an output voltage of 220 V and 400 V, respectively, and a switching frequency of 50 kHz.
Properties of Streptococcus sanguinis Glucans Formed Under Various Conditions

The aim of our study was to determine whether the structure of glucans formed by glucosyltransferase from Streptococcus sanguinis (GtfSs) on a surface differ from those formed in solution and to explore the effects of antiserum to Gtfs, control normal rabbit serum, starch hydrolysates (STH) and dextran on S. sanguinis (GtfSs) glucan. Linkage analyses showed that solution–formed glucans are predominantly α–1,6–linked and have a small amount of α–1,3–linked glucose. Surface–formed glucans have enhanced susceptibility to mutanase. Solution– and surface–formed glucans made in the presence or absence of sera, STH, and dextran contain linkages which differ in both amount and type from control glucans. The GtfSs enzyme in solution exposed to antiserum behaves as if it is adsorbed to a surface. Binding of Streptococcus mutans GS–5 and Actinomyces viscosus OMZ105E (Ny1) to S. sanguinis glucan differs if the glucan is formed in the presence of antiserum. The information could help to define the role of glucans in the formation of pellicle, colonization of tooth surfaces and the accumulation of dental plaque.
Lecture speech recognition by combining word graphs of various acoustic models

The aim of this work is to improve the performance of lecture speech recognition by using a system combination approach. In this paper, we propose a new combination technique in which various types of acoustic models are combined. In the combination approach, the use of complementary information is important. In order to prepare acoustic models that incorporate a variety of acoustic features, we employ both continuous-mixture hidden Markov models (CMHMMs) and discrete-mixture hidden Markov models (DMHMMs). These models have different patterns of recognition errors. In addition, we propose a new maximum mutual information (MMI) estimation of the DMHMM parameters. In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed method, we conduct recognition experiments on “Corpus of Spontaneous Japanese. ” In the experiments, a combination of CMHMMs and DMHMMs whose parameters were estimated by using the MMI criterion exhibited the best recognition performance.
Interactive videoconferencing versus audio telephone calls for dispatcher-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation using the ALERT algorithm: a randomized trial

Objectives The ALERT algorithm, a telephone cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) protocol, has been shown to help bystanders initiate CPR. Mobile phone communications may play a role in emergency calls and improve dispatchers’ understanding of the rescuer’s situation. However, there is currently no validated protocol for videoconference-assisted CPR (v-CPR). We initiated this study to validate an original protocol of v-CPR and to evaluate the potential benefit in comparison with classical telephone-CPR (t-CPR). Materials and methods We developed an algorithm for v-CPR, adapted from the ALERT t-CPR protocol. A total of 180 students were recruited from secondary school and assigned randomly either to t-CPR or to v-CPR. A manikin was used to evaluate CPR performance. Results The mean chest compression rate was higher in the v-CPR group (v-CPR: 110±16 vs. t-CPR: 86±28; P<0.0001), whereas depth was comparable between both groups (v-CPR: 48±13 vs. t-CPR: 47±16 mm; P=0.64). Hand positioning was correct in 91.7% with v-CPR, but only 68% with t-CPR (P=0.001). There was almost no ‘hands-off’ period in the v-CPR group [v-CPR: 0 (0–0.4) vs. t-CPR: 7 (0–25.5) s; P<0.0001], but the median no-flow time was increased in the v-CPR group [v-CPR: 146 (128–173.5) vs. t-CPR: 122 (105–143.5) s, P<0.0001]. The overall score of CPR performance was improved in the v-CPR group (P<0.001). Conclusion The v-CPR protocol allows bystanders to reach compression rates and depths close to guidelines and to reduce ‘hands-off’ events during CPR.
Simulating a Multi-Scale and Multi-Physics Model of a Dendritic Spine

The nervous system encompasses structure and phenomena at different spatial and temporal scales. In addition, different scales are described by different physical and mathematical formalisms. In neuroscience, there is an increasing need to study phenomena where multiple scales and physical formalisms are covered by a single model. Most models developed thus far are limited to one scale and one type of physical process, but in many cases it would be relatively easy to develop multi-scale and multi-physics models of the nervous system only by integrating existing models. However, the lack of interoperability between different simulators has made it difficult to reuse models. This project aims to be a preparatory work towards a framework for multi-scale modeling which builds on the concept of multi-simulations. We have built and studied a prototype model of the electrical activity and Ca2+-dynamics in a dendritic spine using two different simulators, MOOSE and NeuroRD. The combined system and the numerical methods used by both simulators are studied analytically and experimentally in terms of stability and accuracy.
Reliability of measurement of tempo-spatial parameters of gait after stroke using GaitMat II

Objective: (1) To find the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of raters using GaitMat II to measure tempo-spatial gait parameters of stroke patients. (2) To find if reliability is related to abnormality of footprint patterns. Design: A prospective agreement study. Setting: A movement analysis laboratory. Subjects: Nineteen adults who were at least six months after stroke and able to walk 4 metres with or without assistance participated as subjects in this study. There were five raters. Methods: Subjects completed at least two walks along GaitMat II. The raw footprint data were analysed independently by each of the five raters. Results: Mean intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for each rater within subject ranged from 0.8398 to 0.9318. However eight of the 17 parameters tested showed significant differences between raters (p = 0.0029 to p<0.0001). When the most inexperienced rater was excluded, differences between experienced raters (n = 4) was found to be statistically insignificant for all parameters. The association of the mean score and standard deviation of experienced raters was significant for nine parameters (r values 0.5087 to0.9459), i.e., as walking pattern became more abnormal, variation in scoring between raters increased. Conclusions: GaitMat II may have acceptable inter-rater reliability if raters have experience of gait analysis but disagreement may increase when stroke patients exhibit more abnormal gait patterns.
Synthesis of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha and interferons by mononuclear cells from Theileria annulata‐infected cattle

Bovine macrophage‐derived tumour necrosis factor‐alpha/ cachectin (TNF‐α) was synthesized when peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and purified adherent PBMC from naïve and Theileria annulata‐infected cattle were incubated in vitro with concanavalin A (Con‐A) or bovine recombinant interferon gamma (Bo rIFN‐γ). TNF‐α production was also induced when adherent PBMC were cultured with T. annulata macroschizont‐infected cells. In contrast, non‐adherent PBMC from sublethally infected cattle produced interferon (IFN) when incubated with Hu rIL‐2, Con‐A, phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) or T. annulata macroschizont‐infected cells growing as cell lines in vitro. Whilst PBMC from lethally infected cattle spontaneously produced IFN‐γ during advanced stages of infection, the sera of such animals contained type 1 IFN (alpha/beta). IFN was also produced by T. annulata macroschizont‐infected cell lines maintained in vitro. This work suggests that cytokines serve as crucial links between proliferating Theileira‐infected cells and the characteristic clinical symptoms of tropical theileriosis.
The Caenorhabditis elegans vulva: A post-embryonic gene regulatory network controlling organogenesis

The Caenorhabditis elegans vulva is an elegant model for dissecting a gene regulatory network (GRN) that directs postembryonic organogenesis. The mature vulva comprises seven cell types (vulA, vulB1, vulB2, vulC, vulD, vulE, and vulF), each with its own unique pattern of spatial and temporal gene expression. The mechanisms that specify these cell types in a precise spatial pattern are not well understood. Using reverse genetic screens, we identified novel components of the vulval GRN, including nhr-113 in vulA. Several transcription factors (lin-11, lin-29, cog-1, egl-38, and nhr-67) interact with each other and act in concert to regulate target gene expression in the diverse vulval cell types. For example, egl-38 (Pax2/5/8) stabilizes the vulF fate by positively regulating vulF characteristics and by inhibiting characteristics associated with the neighboring vulE cells. nhr-67 and egl-38 regulate cog-1, helping restrict its expression to vulE. Computational approaches have been successfully used to identify functional cis-regulatory motifs in the zmp-1 (zinc metalloproteinase) promoter. These results provide an overview of the regulatory network architecture for each vulval cell type.
Increased intestinal absorption of calcium in young and adult x‐linked hypophosphatemic mice after the administration of 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3

We have reported that X‐linked hypophosphatemic (Hyp) and normal mice respond equally to the administration of 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] with uptake of 45Ca from an oral test meal as judged by the isotope remaining in the fecal samples. To determine whether this was due to specific stimulation of calcium absorption, as opposed to changes in calcium secretion or transit time, 1,25(OH)2D3 was administered to 4‐week‐old (young) and 13‐week‐old (adult) normal and Hyp mice at a dose of 0.12 μg/kg per day by continual infusion from an Alzet minipump. After 3 days of infusion, absorption of 45Ca from the isolated duodenum was measured in situ. Malabsorption of calcium was shown in vehicle‐treated 4‐week‐old Hyp mice by significantly more 45Ca remaining in the intestinal segment and by significantly reduced plasma levels and reduced skeletal levels of 45Ca. Treatment of the young mice, both normal and Hyp, with 1,25(OH)2D3 resulted in increased absorption of 45Ca, increased plasma 45Ca, and increased incorporation of 45Ca into the femur. The young Hyp mice treated with 1,25(OH)2D3 showed a significant increase in femoral ash weight. At 13 weeks of age both normal and Hyp vehicle‐treated mice showed equivalent absorption of calcium, and both responded to 1,25(OH)2D3 administration with enhanced calcium absorption. At both ages plasma phosphate rose in only the Hyp mice treated with 1,25(OH)2D3, whereas plasma and urine calcium were increased in only the hormone‐treated normal mice. In conclusion, 1,25(OH)2D3 stimulates the absorption of calcium in the isolated duodenum of the young Hyp mouse with equal potency to that of young normal mice.
Identification of clinical factors associated with resistance to antidepressants in bipolar depression: results from an European Multicentre Study

This study is the first investigation to identify clinical factors associated with treatment resistance in bipolar depression (TRBD). TRBD is defined as failure to respond to at least two consecutive adequate antidepressant trials. The primary objective of this European Multicenter Study was to identify specific clinical and demographic factors associated with TRBD in a sample of bipolar patients treated for a major depressive episode. A total of 261 bipolar patients with major depressive episode were included in the analysis. Among them, 162 patients were considered as responders to treatment and the remaining 99 patients were considered as treatment resistant with a 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression Score remaining superior or equal to 17 after two consecutive adequate antidepressant trials. Cox regression analysis was used to examine the association between individual clinical variables and TRBD. We found four clinical variables to be significantly associated with TRBD: melancholia [P=0.01, odds ratio (OR)=2.4], comorbidity with social phobia (P=0.02, OR=2.3), current suicidal risk (P=0.02, OR=1.8) and severe intensity of current depressive episode (P=0.01, OR=1.8). Our findings identify four clinical variables associated with TRBD, which could be further investigated in controlled prospective trials.