Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Myostatin, insulin‐like growth factor‐1, and leukemia inhibitory factor mRNAs are upregulated in chronic human disuse muscle atrophy

Human disuse muscle atrophy frequently accompanies orthopedic injury, arthritis, or bed rest, and recovery is often incomplete despite current rehabilitation programs. We have studied the vastus lateralis muscle in 12 patients with chronic disuse atrophy associated with chronic osteoarthritis of the hip both preoperatively and after total hip arthroplasty. Semiquantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) demonstrated an increase in the level of expression of myostatin, insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) mRNAs compared to healthy control muscle. In all patients there was a significant correlation preoperatively between increasing myostatin mRNA expression and reduction in type 2A and 2B fiber area. In the 8 female patients there was a significant correlation between increased myostatin mRNA expression and the atrophy factor calculated for 2A and 2B fiber types preoperatively. We hypothesize that a complex interaction occurs between muscle growth regulating factors in the genesis of muscle wasting. Our results indicate that myostatin is a muscle‐wasting factor contributing to type 2B and 2A atrophy. Other muscle growth factors, such as IGF‐1 and LIF, may be upregulated in a counterregulatory fashion or may be involved in the fiber type switching seen in disuse muscle wasting. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 24: 893–899, 2001
Bacterial removal of mercury from sewage

Mercury‐resistant bacteria, which are able to reduce mercuric ion (Hg2+) to metallic mercury (Hg0), were examined for their ability to remove mercury from waste‐water aerobically. Growth studies in artificial medium indicated that mercury increases the lag phase, but does not effect the growth rate of these bacteria. Further studies demonstrated that growth was minimal during a phase of rapid mercury removal, after which growth resumed. Small but significant amounts of carbohydrates are required for the mercuric ion reduction. Prolonged periods of bacterial growth under nonsterile conditions was accomplished without the loss of the mercuric reducing ability of the culture. A continuous culture of the resistant organism was maintained on raw sewage for two weeks, during which time relatively high concentrations of mercury (70 mg/L) were removed from the sewage at a rate of 2.5 mg/L h and at efficiencies exceeding 98%.
A Lightweight MapReduce Framework for Secure Processing with SGX

MapReduce is a programming model used extensively for parallel data processing in distributed environments. A wide range of algorithms were implemented using MapReduce, from simple tasks like sorting and searching up to complex clustering and machine learning operations. Many of these implementations are part of services externalized to cloud infrastructures. Over the past years, however, many concerns have been raised regarding the security guarantees offered in such environments. Some solutions relying on cryptography were proposed for countering threats but these typically imply a high computational overhead. Intel, the largest manufacturer of commodity CPUs, recently introduced SGX (software guard extensions), a set of hardware instructions that support execution of code in an isolated secure environment. In this paper, we explore the use of Intel SGX for providing privacy guarantees for MapReduce operations, and based on our evaluation we conclude that it represents a viable alternative to a cryptographic mechanism. We present results based on the widely used k-means clustering algorithm, but our implementation can be generalized to other applications that can be expressed using MapReduce model.
Antistaphylococcal Activity of CB-181963 (CAB-175), an Experimental Parenteral Cephalosporin

ABSTRACT Among 265 methicillin-susceptible and -resistant staphylococci, CB-181963 (CAB-175) had a 50% minimum inhibitory concentration of 2 μg/ml and a 90% minimum inhibitory concentration of 4 μg/ml. All strains except two vancomycin-resistant S. aureus and 5 vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus strains were also susceptible to vancomycin and teicoplanin, and all were susceptible to linezolid, ranbezolid, tigecycline, and quinupristin-dalfopristin. Most methicillin-resistant strains were levofloxacin resistant. CB-181963 was bactericidal against all six methicillin-resistant strains at four times the MIC after 24 h.
Does the multiple choice question structure in examinations have an effect on student performance

BACKGROUND The existence of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) as an examination method has been around for more than a century. The attraction of MCQ tests/examinations is twofold. They allow a large amount of material to be tested over a short period of time and many cognitive abilities can be assessed. These tests can be marked relatively quickly and accurately. The majority of MCQs are structured with a stem (the question) with options (containing a single key and multiple distractors) (Cohen & Wollack, 2000). In addition the test can allocate negative marks for incorrect choices to avoid guessing or it can have no penalty for guesses. There are no hard and fast rules to determine the optimal number of distractors (Nitko, 2004).
ahpC, a gene involved in isoniazid resistance of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex

A gene conferring low‐level isoniazid (INH) resistance on Mycobacterium smegmatis was isolated from a cosmid library of the genome of an INH‐resistant Mycobacterium bovis strain. The gene had good homology with ahpC, the product of which is a subunit of alkyl hydroperoxide reductase, and also with a family of thiol‐specific antioxidant enzymes. A mutation was found in the promoter upon comparison with the equivalent DNA sequence from the INH‐sensitive parent strain. Promoter sequences from other INH‐sensitive and INH‐resistant M. bovis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains were sequenced and the mutation was found only in the INH‐resistant strains. An INH‐resistant M. tuberculosis strain also had an additional mutation in the promoter region. The wild‐type promoter and promoters with one and two mutations were ligated into a reporter plasmid containing the lacZ gene. The presence of the first mutation resulted in a sixfold induction of β‐galactosidase activity, and the presence of both mutations caused a 10‐fold induction. Increased expression of AhpC may account for some of the INH resistance of strains of the M. tuberculosis complex.
An 8 Channel Patient Specific Neuromorphic Processor for the Early Screening of Autistic Children through Emotion Detection

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopment disorder that affects children's development and can lead to handicap life if remain untreated. Scalp Electroencephalography (EEG) data can be used as a biomarker to characterize the human emotions on the valence-arousal scale. This work presents a machine learning patient-specific emotion detection (PSED) classification processor based on an eight-channel EEG signal. The proposed PSED classification processor integrates a hardware-efficient feature extraction engine and patient-specific support vector machine (SVM) classifier to discriminate the emotions in real-time. To utilize minimal hardware resources a hardware realizable feature set comprising of power spectral density (PSD), an absolute difference of inter-hemispheric power asymmetry (IHPD), and the scaled inter-hemispheric power asymmetry ratio (SIHPR) of eight electrode pairs are evaluated. To avoid high overhead of area and power consumption for an integer divider for SIHPR; simple LUT based divider is proposed that calculates the approximated value of SIHPR with a minimal overhead of 64 Bytes. The classification is performed using a Linear SVM and resulted in an accuracy of 63% and 60% for valence and arousal, respectively, based on the database for emotion analysis using physiological signals (DEAP). The PSED processor is synthesized using a 65nm CMOS technology with an overall energy efficiency of 10uJ/classification.
Changes in hepatocyte volume and liver weight in rats in the early phase after partial hepatectomy.

The weight of the liver remaining at various times after 2/3 partial hepatectomy (p.h.) was determined as a percentage of its weight at the time of operation, calculated from the known weight and percentage of liver removed. The percentage change in liver weight was shown to correlate closely to the percentage change in average "mononuclear" hepatocyte cell volume as determined by light microscope morphometry. Average hepatocyte volume remains within 10% of the initial value for the first 14 h after p.h. therefore increasing to 130% of initial volume at 24 h after p.h. Average hepatocyte volume in sham operated animals is reduced to 68% of initial volume by 0.5 h after operation, returning to normal by 24 h after operation. A similar decrease was observed in the average hepatocyte volume of animals starved for 19 h.
The privileged burial of the Pava Pieve (Siena, 8th Century AD).

RATIONALE The 6(th) archaeological excavation campaign performed at the 'Pieve di Pava' (San Giovanni d'Asso, Siena, Italy) unearthed a privileged stone burial of a single individual (US 2378), covered by a monolithic slab and placed in front of an altar. The skeletal remains of a young male (18-20 years old), not in anatomical connection, were found at the bottom floor of a tomb (160 cm long, 40 cm large and over 70 cm deep). METHODS A multidisciplinary study has been carried out concerning that privileged bone burial. The study combines paleopathology studies, stable isotope palaeodietary reconstruction, radiocarbon dating and archaeological analyses. RESULTS (14) C dating of the skeleton revealed a date between 650 and 688 AD. Stable isotope analysis (δ(18) O, δ(13) C, δ(15) N) attested that he was probably a member of the local population, whose diet was rather rich in animal proteins. The paleopathological study diagnosed a case of acromesomelic dysplasia, a congenital anomaly with disproportion of the limbs. Archaeological evidence regarding the circular delimitation of the bones suggested that the skeleton was a secondary deposition, transported to the church in a sack. CONCLUSIONS We argue that the relic was used for the re-consecration of the church, following the restoration work in the 8(th) century. We conclude that the skeleton belonged to an eminent personage (e.g., either the member of a local elite family or a saint).
Left ventricular function, twist, and recoil after mitral valve replacement.

BACKGROUND Preservation of the mitral subvalvular apparatus during mitral valve replacement (MVR) has become more popular, in part because of the clinically and experimentally demonstrated more optimal left ventricular (LV) performance after surgery; the mechanisms responsible for this beneficial influence, however, have not been clearly elucidated. METHODS AND RESULTS Fourteen dogs underwent placement of 26 myocardial markers into the LV and septum. One week later, the animals were studied while awake, sedated, and atrially paced (120 beats per minute) both under baseline conditions and after inotropic stimulation (calcium). The animals then underwent MVR and were randomized into either chord-sparing (MVR-Intact) or chord-severing (MVR-Cut) techniques. Two weeks later, the animals were studied under the same conditions. LV systolic function was assessed by the slope of the end-systolic pressure-volume relation (Ees); early LV diastolic filling was analyzed by the pressure-time constant of relaxation (tau). The instantaneous longitudinal gradient of torsional deformation for the LV (twist) was also calculated, as were the changes in twist with respect to time during systole and early diastole (LV recoil). Intergroup comparison showed a trend toward increased contractility (Ees, P = .061, before versus after MVR), as well as faster relaxation for the MVR-Intact group. Concurrent analysis of LV systolic function and the rate of systolic twist revealed a significant inverse relation, which disappeared after MVR when the chordae were severed. CONCLUSIONS These observations suggest that the mitral subvalvular apparatus acts as a modulator of LV systolic torsional deformation into LV pump (or ejection) performance.
Regulation of skeletal muscle mitochondrial function: genes to proteins

The impact of ageing on mitochondrial function and the deterministic role of mitochondria on senescence continue to be topics of vigorous debate. Many studies report that skeletal muscle mitochondrial content and function are reduced with ageing and metabolic diseases associated with insulin resistance. However, an accumulating body of literature suggests that physical inactivity typical of ageing may be a more important determinant of mitochondrial function than chronological age, per se. Reports of age‐related declines in mitochondrial function have spawned a vast body of literature devoted to understanding the underlying mechanisms. These mechanisms include decreased abundance of mtDNA, reduced mRNA levels, as well as decreased synthesis and expression of mitochondrial proteins, ultimately resulting in decreased function of the whole organelle. Effective therapies to prevent, reverse or delay the onset of the aforementioned mitochondrial changes, regardless of their inevitability or precise underlying causes, require an intimate understanding of the processes that regulate mitochondrial biogenesis, which necessitates the coordinated regulation of nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. Herein we review the current thinking on regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis by transcription factors and transcriptional co‐activators and the role of hormones and exercise in initiating this process. We review how exercise may help preserve mitochondrial content and functionality across the lifespan, and how physical inactivity is emerging as a major determinant of many age‐associated changes at the level of the mitochondrion. We also review evidence that some mitochondrial changes with ageing are independent of exercise or physical activity and appear to be inevitable consequences of old age.
The use of bioluminescence resonance energy transfer for the study of therapeutic targets: application to tyrosine kinase receptors

During recent years, the bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) methodology has emerged as a powerful technique for the study of protein–protein interactions. This review focuses on recent work demonstrating the power of BRET for the study of tyrosine kinase receptors, using insulin and IGF-1 receptors as models. The authors show that BRET can be used to monitor ligand-induced conformational changes within homodimeric insulin and IGF-1 receptors, as well as heterodimeric insulin/IGF-1 hybrid receptors. BRET can also be used to study, in real time and in living cells, the interaction of tyrosine kinase receptors with cellular partners negatively or positively involved in the regulation of intracellular signalling (protein tyrosine phosphatases, molecular adaptors). In addition, BRET can be used to develop high-throughput screening assays for the search of molecules with therapeutic interest and could, therefore, constitute a valuable tool for laboratories involved in drug discovery.
A Comparative Study of Force Measurements in Solution Using Micron and Nano Size Probe

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a device that is used for not only high-resolution imaging but also used for measuring forces. It is possible to quantify the surface density change for both colloid and nano probe as well as silica surface. By changing the quantity of ions within a potassium chloride solution, it then becomes possible to evaluate the quantity of ions that attach themselves to AFM colloid probe, nano probe and silica samples. In this study, the force was measured between AFM probes and silica surface in different ionic concentrations. Two different types of AFM probe were used: a colloid probe with a radius of 500 nano-meters and a nano probe with a radius of 10 nano-meters. This study is focused on measuring how the force magnitude, especially electrical double layer force, varied between the two types of probes by changing ionic concentrations. For all test trials, the results agreed with the electrical double layer theory. Although the micron probe was almost an exact match for all ranges, the nano probe was closest within its short-range forces. This is attributed to the formula use when analyzing the electrical double layer force. Because the formula was originally calculated for the micron probe, the shape and size of the nano probe created too many variables for an exact match. Along with quantifying the forces, this experiment allowed for an observation of Van der Waals force making it possible to calculate the Hamaker constant. Conclusively, all results show that the obtained surface charge density increases as the ionic concentration increases. In addition, through the comparison of the results obtained from the nano-sized probe and the micron-sized probe, it was concluded that nano size probe mapped higher surface charge density above the silica surface than the micron-sized probe under the same conditions.
Management of Gestational Gigantomastia

Background: Gigantomastia of pregnancy is a rare, severely debilitating condition characterized by massive enlargement of breasts and resulting in tissue necrosis, ulceration, infection, and, occasionally, hemorrhage. Typically, resolution of breast hypertrophy to near prepregnancy size occurs in the postpartum period. Treatment is controversial. Methods: The authors present a patient with gestational gigantomastia for whom nonoperative management failed and who subsequently required bilateral mastectomies. In addition, the authors performed a comprehensive review of reported cases and generated a treatment algorithm. Results: The patient tolerated the mastectomies well and went on to deliver a healthy child. Postpartum delayed breast reconstruction with tissue expansion and implant placement yielded good results. The literature review demonstrates that medical management has successfully avoided surgery during gestation in 39 percent of cases since 1968. However, 35 percent of patients eventually underwent breast reduction (12 percent) or mastectomy (88 percent) during pregnancy. Spontaneous or elective termination of the pregnancy accounted for 30 percent of outcomes. Patients who underwent breast reduction and then became pregnant had a 100 percent (four of four patients) chance of recurrence. Two women had mastectomy and subsequent pregnancies. One woman developed multiple small areas of recurrence that were surgically excised. The other woman had two additional pregnancies with no recurrence of symptoms. Conclusions: Medical therapies to manage gestational gigantomastia are inconsistent in outcome. Since some patients respond, these therapies are worth trying. However, if the patient and/or fetus are experiencing significant morbidity, then surgical intervention is warranted. Breast reduction or mastectomy with delayed reconstruction is the preferred procedure. If the mother is considering future pregnancies, mastectomy offers the lowest risk of recurrence.
Simultaneous Detection of Multiplex-Amplified Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 RNA, Hepatitis C Virus RNA, and Hepatitis B Virus DNA Using a Flow Cytometer Microsphere-Based Hybridization Assay

ABSTRACT The feasibility of performing a multiplex assay for the detection of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNAs and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA is demonstrated. This assay is based (i) on the coamplification of a 142-bp fragment from thegag region of the HIV-1 genome and a 142-bp HIV-1 quantitation standard fragment, a 244-bp fragment from the 5′ noncoding region of the HCV genome, and a 104-bp fragment from the pre-C and C gene regions of the HBV genome, using three sets of specific primers; (ii) on the capacity of these four biotinylated PCR products to hybridize to their specific oligonucleotide probe-coated microspheres; and (iii) on the ability of the flow cytometer to discriminate between distinct fluorescent-microsphere categories. Absence of cross-hybridization between the unrelated oligonucleotide probes and PCR products generated by the multiplex reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and the highly sensitive detection method allowed us to assess unambiguously the HIV-1 viral load and the infectious status of 35 serologically well-established clinical samples and 20 seronegative blood donor plasma samples tested. The results indicate that multiplex RT-PCR and flow cytometer microsphere-based hybridization assays, when combined, provide a rapid, sensitive, and specific method for the quantitation and detection of the major viral agents of infectious diseases in a single plasma sample.
Response to monensin in cattle during subacute acidosis.

A steer metabolism study was conducted to measure changes in ruminal and blood components in response to monensin level following an abrupt switch from forage to a concentrate diet. Six ruminal-cannulated crossbred steers (373 kg) were fed either 0, 150 or 300 mg monensin per head daily in a replicated 3 X 3 Latin-square design. In all treatments, ruminal pH declined to a low of 5.4 to 5.6 12 h post-feeding, suggesting steers experienced subacute acidosis. Also in the first 12 h post-feeding, all treatments exhibited nearly a twofold increase in total ruminal volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations, while peak ruminal lactate concentrations ranged from . 86 to 1.50 mM. During the entire 48-h period, there were no significant treatment differences in blood pH, HCO3- or ruminal lactate, although there was a trend of higher ruminal and blood lactate associated with increased level of monensin supplementation. Feeding higher levels of monensin resulted in higher pH and propionate with lower acetate and butyrate concentrations. Increasing the level of monensin fed resulted in reduced (P less than .01) total ruminal VFA concentrations. Ruminal pH was more highly correlated to total ruminal VFA concentrations (r = -.69, P less than .01) than lactate concentrations (r = -.14, P less than .10). Results from this study indicate the significance of total ruminal organic acid concentration rather than ruminal lactate concentration during subacute acidosis. Monensin maintained a higher ruminal pH by reducing concentrations of VFA.
Quality assurance of RapidArc in clinical practice using portal dosimetry.

OBJECTIVE Quality assurance data from five centres were analysed to assess the reliability of RapidArc radiotherapy delivery in terms of machine and dosimetric performance. METHODS A large group of patients was treated with RapidArc radiotherapy and treatment data recorded. Machine quality assurance was performed according to Ling et al (Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2008;72:575-81). In addition, treatment to a typical clinical case was delivered biweekly as a constancy check. Pre-treatment dosimetric validation of plan delivery was performed for each patient. All measurements and computations were performed at the depth of the maximum dose in water according to the GLAaS method using electronic portal imaging device measurements. Evaluation was carried out according to a gamma agreement index (GAI, the percentage of field area passing the test); the threshold dose difference was 3% and the threshold distance to agreement was 3 mm. RESULTS A total of 275 patients (395 arcs) were included in the study. Mean delivery parameters were 31.0±20.0° (collimator angle), 4.7±0.5° s(-1) (gantry speed), 343±134 MU min(-1) (dose rate) and 1.6±1.4 min (beam-on time) for prescription doses ranging from 1.8 to 16.7 Gy/fraction. Mean deviations from the baseline dose rate and gantry speed ranged from -0.61% to 1.75%. Mean deviations from the baseline for leaf speed variation ranged from -0.73% to 0.41%. The mean GAI of repeated clinical fields was 99.2±0.2%. GAI varied from 84.7% to 100%; the mean across all patients was 97.1±2.4%. CONCLUSION RapidArc can provide a reliable and accurate delivery of radiotherapy for a variety of clinical conditions.