Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Crosslinking treatment of progressive keratoconus: new hope

Purpose of review A new method has been introduced for the treatment of progressive keratoconus using collagen crosslinking by the photosensitzer riboflavin and ultraviolet A-light. Biomechanical measurements have shown an impressive increase in corneal rigidity of 328.9% in human corneas after crosslinking. Recent findings The 3 and 5-year results of the Dresden clinical study have shown that in all treated 60 eyes the progression of keratoconus was at least stopped (‘freezing’). In 31 eyes there also was a slight reversal and flattening of the keratoconus by up to 2.87 diopters. Best corrected visual acuity improved slightly by 1.4 lines. So far, over 150 keratoconus patients have received crosslinking treatment in Dresden. Laboratory studies have revealed that the maximum effect of the treatment is in the anterior 300 μm of the cornea. As for the corneal endothelium, a cytotoxic level for endothelium was found to be 0.36 mW/cm2 which would be reached in human corneas with a stromal thickness of less than 400 μm. Summary Collagen crosslinking by the photosensitzer riboflavin and ultraviolet A-light is an effective means for stabilizing the cornea in keratoconus. Collagen crosslinking might become the standard therapy for progressive keratoconus in the future diminishing significantly the need for corneal transplantation. Preoperative pachymetry and individual control of the ultraviolet A-irradiance before each treatment are mandatory. The treatment parameters must not be varied.
Feature Ranking by Classification Accuracy Estimation of Multiple Data Samples

Abstract This article considers the gene ranking algorithm for the microarray data. The rank vector is estimated by classifications of the random data samples. At each iteration, the ranks of genes participating in the successful classification become higher. Unlike other methods of feature selection, the proposed algorithm allows increasing the generality of the classification models by construction of the balanced training samples and taking into account the descriptiveness of the gene combinations by the subset estimation.
Mitochondrial ND5 Gene Variation Associated with Encephalomyopathy and Mitochondrial ATP Consumption*

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy and lactic acidosis with strokelike episodes (MELAS) is a severe young onset stroke disorder without effective treatment. We have identified a MELAS patient harboring a 13528A→G mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation in the Complex I ND5 gene. This mutation was homoplasmic in mtDNA from patient muscle and nearly homoplasmic (99.9%) in blood. Fibroblasts from the patient exhibited decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and increased lactate production, consistent with impaired mitochondrial function. Transfer of patient mtDNA to a new nuclear background using transmitochondrial cybrid fusions confirmed the pathogenicity of the 13528A→G mutation; Complex I-linked respiration and Δψm were both significantly reduced in patient mtDNA cybrids compared with controls. Inhibition of the adenine nucleotide translocase or the F1F0-ATPase with bongkrekic acid or oligomycin caused a loss of potential in patient mtDNA cybrid mitochondria, indicating a requirement for glycolytically generated ATP to maintain Δψm. This was confirmed by inhibition of glycolysis with 2-deoxy-d-glucose, which caused depletion of ATP and mitochondrial depolarization in patient mtDNA cybrids. These data suggest that in response to impaired respiration due to the mtDNA mutation, mitochondria consume ATP to maintain Δψm, representing a potential pathophysiological mechanism in human mitochondrial disease.
The orphan nuclear receptor estrogen-related receptor alpha is a transcriptional regulator of the human medium-chain acyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase gene

Estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERR alpha) is an orphan member of the superfamily of nuclear hormone receptors. ERR alpha was initially isolated based on its sequence homology to the estrogen receptor but is not activated by classic estrogens. To identify possible physiologic functions for this orphan receptor, we cloned the mouse ERR alpha cDNA and used it to characterize the expression of ERR alpha transcripts and to identify potential ERR alpha target genes. RNA in situ hybridization studies detect ERR alpha transcripts in an organ-specific manner through mid- to late embryonic development, with persistent high-level expression in brown adipose tissue and intestinal mucosa. In the adult mouse, ERR alpha is most highly expressed in kidney, heart, and brown adipocytes, tissues which preferentially metabolize fatty acids. Binding site selection experiments show that ERR alpha preferentially binds to an ERR alpha response element (ERRE) containing a single consensus half-site, TNAAGGTCA. An ERRE is present in the 5'-flanking region of the gene encoding medium-chain acyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase (MCAD), a key enzyme involved in the mitochondrial beta-oxidation of fat. The MCAD nuclear receptor response element 1 (NRRE-1) interacts in vitro with ERR alpha expressed in COS-7 cells. Supershift experiments show that endogenous ERR alpha present in nuclear extracts obtained from a brown fat tumor cell line (HIB) interacts with NRRE-1. In the absence of its putative ligand, ERR alpha does not activate the MCAD promoter in transient transfection studies; however, a VP16-ERR alpha chimera activates natural and synthetic promoters containing NRRE-1. In addition, ERR alpha efficiently represses retinoic acid induction mediated by NRRE-1. These results demonstrate that ERR alpha can control the expression of MCAD through the NRRE-1 and thus may play an important role in regulating cellular energy balance in vivo.
Observe Locally Rank Globally

Most real world dynamic networks are evolving very fast with time. It is not feasible to collect the entire network at any given time to study its characteristics. This creates the need to propose local algorithms to study various properties of the network. In the present work, we estimate degree rank of a node without having the entire network. The proposed methods are based on the power law degree distribution characteristic or sampling techniques. We further study the efficiency and feasibility of these approaches in different contexts. The proposed methods are simulated on synthetic networks, as well as on real world social networks. Results show that the degree rank of a node can be estimated with high accuracy using only 1% samples of the network size. The accuracy of the estimation decreases from high ranked to low ranked nodes.
Outcome of reconstruction of cutaneous limb defects in dogs using hygroscopic “self‐inflating” tissue expanders

OBJECTIVES To describe the placement of self-inflating tissue expanders and clinical outcomes in 12 consecutive cases of reconstruction of distal cutaneous limb defects in dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cases of distal cutaneous limb defect were divided into three groups based on the location of the placement of the self-inflating tissue expanders: Group A (n=4): on, or proximal to, the elbow and stifle; Group B (n=4): distal to the elbow or stifle and proximal to the carpus or tarsus; and Group C (n=4): distal to the carpus or tarsus. Owner satisfaction and clinical outcome were documented. RESULTS Thirteen cases were originally included, but one was excluded because of incomplete follow-up. In one case, the self-inflating tissue expanders were removed before expansion started. A mean of five expanders were implanted per dog (range 2 to 9). Devices were removed after a mean of 24 days (range 13 to 42 days). Primary closure was achieved in eight of 11 cases, including all cases from Group A and 75% and 33% of cases from Groups B and C, respectively. All incompletely reconstructed defects or areas of wound dehiscence healed by second intention. Eight of 12 owners were satisfied. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Self-inflating tissue expanders can be used as an alternative for the reconstruction of limb defects in dogs in which direct primary closure would otherwise not be achievable. Defects below the carpus and tarsus are more challenging to treat with this method.
Sterilization of platelet concentrates at production scale by irradiation with short‐wave ultraviolet light

BACKGROUND: Bacterial contamination of platelet concentrates (PCs) is recognized as a serious threat to transfusion safety. We developed a simple method for sterilization of PCs with short‐wave ultraviolet light (UVC). The effects of treatment on the sterility of contaminated PCs and in vitro platelet (PLT) variables were evaluated.
Assessment of the relative contribution of COX‐1 and COX‐2 isoforms to ischemia‐induced oxidative damage and neurodegeneration following transient global cerebral ischemia

We investigated the relative contribution of COX‐1 and/or COX‐2 to oxidative damage, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production and hippocampal CA1 neuronal loss in a model of 5 min transient global cerebral ischemia in gerbils. Our results revealed a biphasic and significant increase in PGE2 levels after 2 and 24–48 h of reperfusion. The late increase in PGE2 levels (24 h) was more potently reduced by the highly selective COX‐2 inhibitor rofecoxib (20 mg/kg) relative to the COX‐1 inhibitor valeryl salicylate (20 mg/kg). The delayed rise in COX catalytic activity preceded the onset of histopathological changes in the CA1 subfield of the hippocampus. Post‐ischemia treatment with rofecoxib (starting 6 h after restoration of blood flow) significantly reduced measures of oxidative damage (glutathione depletion and lipid peroxidation) seen at 48 h after the initial ischemic episode, indicating that the late increase in COX‐2 activity is involved in the delayed occurrence of oxidative damage in the hippocampus after global ischemia. Interestingly, either selective inhibition of COX‐2 with rofecoxib or inhibition of COX‐1 with valeryl salicylate significantly increased the number of healthy neurons in the hippocampal CA1 sector even when the treatment began 6 h after ischemia. These results provide the first evidence that both COX isoforms are involved in the progression of neuronal damage following global cerebral ischemia, and have important implications for the potential therapeutic use of COX inhibitors in cerebral ischemia.
A novel role for proteomics in the discovery of cell‐surface markers on stem cells: Scratching the surface

The concept of cell‐based therapy has been advocated as a novel approach for treating diseases or conditions where regeneration of cells, tissue and/or potentially organs is required. A promising source for cell‐replacement therapies is provided by stem cells, but the success of this approach will ultimately rely on the ability to isolate primary stem or progenitor cells. Cell‐surface protein markers will play a critical role in this step. Current methodologies for the identification of cell‐surface protein markers rely primarily on antibody availability and flow cytometry, but many cell‐surface proteins remain undetectable. Proteomic technologies now offer the possibility to specifically identify and investigate the cell‐surface subproteome in a quantitative and discovery‐driven manner. Once a cell surface protein marker panel has been identified by MS and the antibodies become available, the panel should permit the identification, tracking, and/or isolation of stem or progenitor cells that may be appropriate for therapeutics. This review provides a context for the use of proteomics in discovering new cell‐surface markers for stem cells.
Novel 70-kDa Chondroitin Sulfate/Dermatan Sulfate Hybrid Chains with a Unique Heterogenous Sulfation Pattern from Shark Skin, Which Exhibit Neuritogenic Activity and Binding Activities for Growth Factors and Neurotrophic Factors*

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) and dermatan sulfate (DS) hybrid chains of proteoglycans are critical in growth factor binding, neuritogenesis, and brain development. Here we isolated CS/DS hybrid chains from shark skin aiming to develop therapeutic agents. Digestion with various chondroitinases showed that both GlcUA- and IdoUA-containing disaccharides are scattered along the polysaccharide chains with an unusually large average molecular mass of 70 kDa. The CS/DS chains were separated into major (80%) and minor (20%) fractions by anion-exchange chromatography. Both fractions had relatively low degrees of sulfation (sulfate/disaccharide molar ratio = 1.17 versus 0.87), showing a unique feature compared with the marine CS and DS isolated to date, most of which are oversulfated. They were highly heterogeneous and characterized by multiple disaccharides including GlcUA-GalNAc, GlcUA-GalNAc(6S), GlcUA-GalNAc(4S), IdoUA-GalNAc(4S), GlcUA-GalNAc(4S,6S), IdoUA-GalNAc(4S,6S), GlcUA(2S)-GalNAc(6S), and/or IdoUA(2S)-GalNAc(6S), IdoUA(2S)-GalNAc(4S) and novel GlcUA(2S)-GalNAc(4S), where 2S, 4S, and 6S represent 2-O-, 4-O- and 6-O-sulfate, respectively. The CS/DS chains bound two neurotrophic factors and various growth factors expressed in the brain with high affinity as evaluated for the major fraction by kinetic analysis using a surface plasmon resonance detector, and also promoted the outgrowth of neurites of both an axonic and a dendritic nature. The neuritogenic activity was abolished completely by digestion with chondroitinase ABC, AC-I, or B, suggesting the importance of both GlcUA- and IdoUA-containing moieties. It also showed anti-heparin cofactor II activity comparable to that exhibited by DS from porcine skin. Thus, by virtue of its unique structure and biological activities, DS will find a potential use in therapeutics.
Testing simulations of intra‐ and inter‐annual variation in the plant production response to elevated CO2 against measurements from an 11‐year FACE experiment on grazed pasture

Ecosystem models play a crucial role in understanding and evaluating the combined impacts of rising atmospheric CO2 concentration and changing climate on terrestrial ecosystems. However, we are not aware of any studies where the capacity of models to simulate intra‐ and inter‐annual variation in responses to elevated CO2 has been tested against long‐term experimental data. Here we tested how well the ecosystem model APSIM/AgPasture was able to simulate the results from a free air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) experiment on grazed pasture. At this FACE site, during 11 years of CO2 enrichment, a wide range in annual plant production response to CO2 (−6 to +28%) was observed. As well as running the full model, which includes three plant CO2 response functions (plant photosynthesis, nitrogen (N) demand and stomatal conductance), we also tested the influence of these three functions on model predictions. Model/data comparisons showed that: (i) overall the model over‐predicted the mean annual plant production response to CO2 (18.5% cf 13.1%) largely because years with small or negative responses to CO2 were not well simulated; (ii) in general seasonal and inter‐annual variation in plant production responses to elevated CO2 were well represented by the model; (iii) the observed CO2 enhancement in overall mean legume content was well simulated but year‐to‐year variation in legume content was poorly captured by the model; (iv) the best fit of the model to the data required all three CO2 response functions to be invoked; (v) using actual legume content and reduced N fixation rate under elevated CO2 in the model provided the best fit to the experimental data. We conclude that in temperate grasslands the N dynamics (particularly the legume content and N fixation activity) play a critical role in pasture production responses to elevated CO2, and are processes for model improvement.
Extracting iron and manganese from bacteria with ionophores—A mechanism against competitors characterized by increased potency in environments low in micronutrients

To maintain their metal ion homeostasis, bacteria critically depend on membrane integrity and controlled ion translocation. Terrestrial Streptomyces species undermine the function of the cytoplasmic membrane as diffusion barrier for metal cations in competitors using ionophores. Although the properties of the divalent cation ionophores calcimycin and ionomycin have been characterized to some extent in vitro, their effects on bacterial ion homeostasis, the factors leading to bacterial cell death, and their ecological role are poorly understood. To gain insight into their antibacterial mechanism, we determined the metal ion composition of the soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis after treatment with calcimycin and ionomycin. Within 15 min the cells lost approximately half of their cellular iron and manganese content whereas calcium levels increased. The proteomic response of B. subtilis provided evidence that disturbance of metal cation homeostasis is accompanied by intracellular oxidative stress, which was confirmed with a ROS‐specific fluorescent probe. B. subtilis showed enhanced sensitivity to the ionophores in medium lacking iron or manganese. Furthermore, in the presence of ionophores bacteria were sensitive to high calcium levels. These findings suggest that divalent cation ionophores are particularly effective against competing microorganisms in soils rich in available calcium and low in available iron and manganese.
Millimeter-wave SPST Waveguide switch based on reconfigurable MEMS surface

This paper presents a concept of a waveguide single-pole single-throw (SPST) switch based on a MEMS-reconfigurable surface. A set of vertical columns, split into two groups of movable and fixed sections which can be actuated laterally by integrated MEMS comb-drive actuators, allows for the transition between the transmissive and the blocking state. In the totally-blocking state, the vertical columns inhibit the wave propagation by short-circuiting the electrical field lines of the predominant TE10 mode. The paper reports on the integration method for fabricated chips into a WR-12 waveguide by using tailor-made flanges. The RF measurement of fabricated chips show that devices have better than 30 dB isolation in the OFF state and better than 0.65 dB insertion loss in the ON state for 60-70 GHz, which is mainly attributed to the integration into the waveguide and the measurement assembly setup. The actuation voltage is 44 V, and life-time measurements were carried out for 14 hours after which 4.3 million cycles were achieved without any indication on degradation.
Concanavalin A‐immobilized polystyrene nanospheres capture HIV‐1 virions and gp120: Potential approach towards prevention of viral transmission

To establish an effective tool for the prevention of HIV‐1 transmission, lectin‐immobilized polystyrene nanospheres were synthesized and examined for their HIV‐1 capture activity. When concanavalin A (Con A) was immobilized on the surface of polystyrene nanospheres (400 nm in diameter) with poly(methacrylic acid) branches and incubated with HIV‐1 suspension at room temperature for 60 min, the nanospheres (Con A‐NSs) achieved a >3.3 log and a 2.2 log reduction of viral infectivity in HIV‐1 (IIIB strain) suspension at a concentration of 2 and 0.5 mg/ml, respectively. Meanwhile, Con A‐free nanospheres, which were not immobilized with Con A, achieved only a 0.29 log reduction at 0.5 mg/ml. Con A‐NSs (2 mg/ml) could also reduce the gp120 level of IIIB and HE strains to <7.1% and 5.5% of each control, respectively. The combination of Con A‐NS treatment followed by filtration with a microporous membrane efficiently removed virion‐free gp120 as well as infectious viral particles from HIV‐1 suspension. Electron microscopic examination demonstrated that HIV‐1 virions were trapped on the surface of Con A‐NSs. Thus, Con A‐NSs can capture HIV‐1 virions and gp120 with high affinity, and may have potential as an effective tool for the prevention of HIV‐1 transmission. J. Med. Virol. 56:327–331, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mixing Simulated and Actual Hardware Devices to Validate Device Drivers in a Complex Embedded Platform

The structure and the functionalities of a device driver are strongly influenced by the target platform architecture, as well as by the device communication protocol. This makes the generation of device drivers designed for complex embedded platforms a very time consuming and error prone activity. Validation becomes then a nodal point in the design flow. The aim of this paper is to present a co-simulation framework that allows validation of device drivers. The proposed framework supports all mechanisms used by device drivers to communicate with HW devices so that both modeled and actual components can be included in the simulated embedded platform. In this way, the generated code can be tested and validated even if the final platform is not ready yet. The framework has been applied to some examples to highlight the performance and effectiveness of this approach.
Do Stringent Environmental Regulations Attract Foreign Direct Investment in Developing Countries? Evidence on the “Race to the Top” from Cross-Country Panel Data

ABSTRACT It is widely believed that environmental regulations in a developing country increase abatement costs for firms and, in turn, make the country a less attractive investment avenue for multinational firms from advanced economies. Using panel data of 120 developing countries from 2000 to 2014, this study empirically investigates whether stringent environmental regulations deter foreign direct investment (FDI) in developing countries. The empirical results are the exact opposite of the pollution haven effect, namely, stringent environmental regulations significantly attract FDI, a circumstance that causes a “race to the top. ” The results are robust when tested against various specifications.
Multiclass motor imagery classification based on the correlation of pattern images generated by spatial filters

This paper proposes a new motor imagery classification method. This method applies the Common Spatial Pattern (CSP) technique that projects Electroencephalography (EEG) filtered signals into a different time-space, where an optimal variance for discrimination of different motor imagery tasks is obtained. By using the training data set, RGB pattern images of each mental task are created through the features obtained by the CSP technique. Then the normalized cross-correlation coefficients of the RGB pattern images with the images representing the mental state of the user in a segment of two seconds are computed. The mean and variance values of the correlation coefficients and the obtained CSP features are used to train six binary Support Vector Machine classifiers, which discriminate between imagined left hand, right hand and foot movements and an idle state (a state without any imagery movement). The results show an average accuracy of 83.18% with the training data set and an 81.58% with the testing data set. These results demonstrate that the proposed method is competitive compared with existing methods and may represents a successful alternative for a multi-motor imagery classification.