Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Focal Cortical Malformations Can Show Asymmetrically Higher Uptake on Interictal Fluorine-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

Interictal fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) is a component of the presurgical evaluation of patients with medically intractable epilepsy, including patients with malformations of cortical development. The authors describe 3 cases of focal cortical malformations that displayed asymmetrically higher uptake on FDG-PET performed in the interictal state in patients undergoing evaluation for possible focal resection for refractory localization-related epilepsy. The evaluation included routine and prolonged video electroencephalography (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), interictal FDG-PET with concurrent EEG, and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). All 3 patients had focal cortical malformations on MRI corresponding to regions of asymmetrically higher uptake on FDG-PET. EEG confirmed that the FDG-PET studies were performed in the interictal state. The lesions included a large region of subcortical heterotopia in the right frontal lobe, a left temporal lobe dysplasia, and a region of subcortical heterotopia in the right occipital lobe. In both patients with subcortical heterotopia, there were other focal regions of cortical malformation that were not associated with abnormal or asymmetric uptake on FDG-PET. Previous reports describe decreased uptake on interictal PET in most cases of focal cortical malformations. Normal to increased uptake has been reported with band heterotopia. The authors demonstrate that other types of focal malformations of cortical development, including focal subcortical heterotopia and lobar dysplasia, can be associated with asymmetrically higher uptake on interictal FDG-PET.
Designing robust distributed average tracking (DAT) algorithms for multi-reference-signals produced by lipschitz-type dynamics

This article designs a DAT algorithm for multi-reference-signals produced by multiple Lipschitz-type dynamics. There is a nonlinear term in the reference signals' dynamics which satisfies the Lipschitz-type condition. Based on state-dependent-gain designing approaches, a class of robust distributed average tracking algorithm is designed without requiring the same initial condition. The agent can track the AVG of the multi-reference-signals. A numerical simulation is shown finally.
Uptake Kinetics of Arsenic in Upland Rice Cultivar Zhonghan 221 Inoculated with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) appear to be highly associated with arsenic (As) uptake in host plants because arsenate (As(V)) and phosphorus (P) share the same transporter, whereby AMF can enhance P uptake. A short-term experiment was conducted for low- (0 to 0.05 mM As) and high-affinity (0 to 2.5 mM As) uptake systems, to investigate the AMF role on As uptake mechanism in plants, which may explain As uptake kinetics in upland rice cultivar: Zhonghan 221. When concentration of As ranged from 0 to 0.05 mM, Funneliformis geosporum (Fg) significantly decreased arsenite (As(III)) and monomethylarsonicacid (MMA) uptake when (p < 0.05) compared to non-mycorrhizal (NM) treatment, since the major route for (As(III)) in rice roots—rice silicon transporter Lsi1 would be influenced by Fg inoculation at high As concentrations. Fg can also reduce As(V) uptake significantly (p < 0.05) under both uptake systems relative to NM treatment, whereas, Funneliformis mosseae (Fm) increased As(V) and MMA uptake in rice roots, with MMA uptake rate generally lower than As(III) and As(V). Using suitable AMF species inoculation with rice, As uptake and accumulation in rice grains can be reduced and the risk to human health, once consumed, can be minimized.
Quantitative Intracranial Atherosclerotic Plaque Characterization at 7T MRI: An Ex Vivo Study with Histologic Validation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In recent years, several high-resolution vessel wall MR imaging techniques have emerged for the characterization of intracranial atherosclerotic vessel wall lesions in vivo. However, a thorough validation of MR imaging results of intracranial plaques with histopathology is still lacking. The aim of this study was to characterize atherosclerotic plaque components in a quantitative manner by obtaining the MR signal characteristics (T1, T2, T2*, and proton density) at 7T in ex vivo circle of Willis specimens and using histopathology for validation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multiparametric ultra-high-resolution quantitative MR imaging protocol was performed at 7T to identify the MR signal characteristics of different intracranial atherosclerotic plaque components, and using histopathology for validation. In total, 38 advanced plaques were matched between MR imaging and histology, and ROI analysis was performed on the identified tissue components. RESULTS: Mean T1, T2, and T2* relaxation times and proton density values were significantly different between different tissue components. The quantitative T1 map showed the most differences among individual tissue components of intracranial plaques with significant differences in T1 values between lipid accumulation (T1 = 838 ± 167 ms), fibrous tissue (T1 = 583 ± 161 ms), fibrous cap (T1 = 481 ± 98 ms), calcifications (T1 = 314 ± 39 ms), and the intracranial arterial vessel wall (T1 = 436 ± 122 ms). CONCLUSIONS: Different tissue components of advanced intracranial plaques have distinguishable imaging characteristics with ultra-high-resolution quantitative MR imaging at 7T. Based on this study, the most promising method for distinguishing intracranial plaque components is T1-weighted imaging.
A multigene test for the risk of sporadic breast carcinoma

Although the identification of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have been of great interest, these genes account for less than 5% of all breast carcinoma cases. The remaining cases are sporadic. Reanalysis of a large twin study suggested that genetic factors may play a significant role in sporadic breast and other carcinomas. Sporadic breast carcinoma is polygenically inherited. Multiple genes are likely to have an additive effect, each gene accounting for a fraction of the variance. One factor that may have an impact on the development of hormonally responsive breast tumors is the duration of exposure of the breast to estrogen. Therefore, one of the demographic risk factors for breast carcinoma is an early age of onset of menarche. The current study was based on the hypothesis that genes that play a role in demographic risk factors may be breast carcinoma risk genes in their own right. The authors hypothesized that six genes relevant to the timing of the onset of menarche and related risk factors might be candidate genes for breast carcinoma. These were the leptin gene (LEP), the leptin receptor gene (LEPR), the catechol‐0‐methyltransferase gene (COMT), the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2), the estrogen 1 receptor gene (ESR1), and the androgen receptor gene (AR).
Acute effects of dokha smoking on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems among UAE male university students.

BACKGROUND In the United Arab Emirates (UAE) tobacco use is rampant. A less reported, yet widely used form of smoking native to UAE is midwakh or dhokha. The aim of the study is to assess the acute effects of smoking dokha (Arabian pipe) on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems among male university students in the UAE. METHOD A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 97 male volunteers aged more than 17 years. Blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate of each participant, were measured before and immediately after smoking. A self administered questionnaire was used to collect personal details and data about smoking pattern. RESULTS Mean increases in systolic blood pressures (12±1 mmHg), heart rates (20±2 bpm) and respiratory rates (4±1 breaths/min) were observed (p<0.001). A mean decrease in diastolic blood pressures (1±1 mmHg) was observed (p=0.483). CONCLUSION Smoking dokha has a significant acute effect on systolic blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate. Anti smoking campaigns must address the ill effects of this form of smoking. Results from the study warrant further research into this method of smoking which is becoming more popular.
Single-Stage Craniofacial Distraction Using Resorbable Devices

We report on the use of a new type of internal bone distraction devices designed for craniofacial applications. These resorbable devices allow a single operative procedure for device placement, eliminating the need for a second open operative procedure for hardware removal. We report on three models of resorbable devices. The midface orbital frontal device was used for midface and monoblock advancement. The mandibular adolescent device was used in older children and adolescents. In neonates and young children, the mandibular infant device was used. Twenty-one patients (9 female, 12 male) aged 6 days to 15 years (mean = 53 months) underwent bony expansion of the craniofacial skeleton over a 2-year period. A total of 39 devices were implanted: 32 in the mandible, 3 in the maxilla alone, and 4 in the maxilla and frontal bones. Expansion distances ranged from 15 to 30 mm. Expansion took place at 1 to 2 mm/d. Latency periods ranged from 48 to 72 hours. There were no device structural failures and no major complications.
Wideband microstrip patch antenna with planar PBG structure

Microstrip antenna technology has found applications in a wide variety of military and commercial applications due to its many advantages (e.g. low profile, light weight, ease of fabrication, low cost). However, a narrow impedance bandwidth is a major drawback for this type of antenna. Thus, much of the research on microstrip antennas has been devoted to various techniques for increasing the impedance bandwidth. An electrically thick substrate with a low dielectric constant increases the bandwidth, but the impedance locus becomes increasingly inductive, making impedance matching difficult. In addition, surface waves are excited that lower the antenna efficiency. One technique used to suppress surface wave propagation in the antenna substrate to achieve better performance is photonic band gap (PBG). We describe a square patch with a wide impedance bandwidth. The multiple resonance technique has been used to obtain wider the bandwidth for this single feed antenna. The antenna also provides circular polarization within the bandwidth with a good axial ratio (AR). This patch has further been investigated by integrating it with a planar PBG structure; a significant improvement has been observed in both impedance and AR bandwidth. Antennas and the PBG structure are modeled with the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method.
Hierarchical Commensurate and Power Prior Models for Adaptive Incorporation of Historical Information in Clinical Trials

Summary Bayesian clinical trial designs offer the possibility of a substantially reduced sample size, increased statistical power, and reductions in cost and ethical hazard. However when prior and current information conflict, Bayesian methods can lead to higher than expected type I error, as well as the possibility of a costlier and lengthier trial. This motivates an investigation of the feasibility of hierarchical Bayesian methods for incorporating historical data that are adaptively robust to prior information that reveals itself to be inconsistent with the accumulating experimental data. In this article, we present several models that allow for the commensurability of the information in the historical and current data to determine how much historical information is used. A primary tool is elaborating the traditional power prior approach based upon a measure of commensurability for Gaussian data. We compare the frequentist performance of several methods using simulations, and close with an example of a colon cancer trial that illustrates a linear models extension of our adaptive borrowing approach. Our proposed methods produce more precise estimates of the model parameters, in particular, conferring statistical significance to the observed reduction in tumor size for the experimental regimen as compared to the control regimen.
Effects of Cholesterol Depletion and Increased Lipid Unsaturation on the Properties of Endocytic Membranes*[boxs]

Lipid analogs with dialkylindocarbocyanine (DiI) head groups and short or unsaturated hydrocarbon chains (e.g. DiIC12 and FAST DiI) enter the endocytic recycling compartment efficiently, whereas lipid analogs with long, saturated tails (e.g. DiIC16 and DiIC18) are sorted out of this pathway and targeted to the late endosomes/lysosomes (Mukherjee, S., Soe, T. T., and Maxfield, F. R. (1999) J. Cell Biol. 144, 1271-1284). This differential trafficking of lipid analogs with the same polar head group was interpreted to result from differential partitioning to different types of domains with varying membrane order and/or curvature. Here we investigate the system further by monitoring the trafficking behavior of these lipid analogs under conditions that alter domain properties. There was a marked effect of cholesterol depletion on the cell-surface distribution and degree of internalization of the lipid probes. Furthermore, instead of going to the late endosomes/lysosomes as in control cells, long chain DiI analogs, such as DiIC16, were sorted to the recycling pathway in cholesterol-depleted cells. We confirmed that this difference was due to a change in overall membrane properties, and not cholesterol levels per se, by utilizing a Chinese hamster ovary cell line that overexpressed transfected stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1, a rate-limiting enzyme in the production of monounsaturated fatty acids. These cells have a decrease in membrane order because they contain a much larger fraction of unsaturated fatty acids. These cells showed alteration of DiI trafficking very similar to cholesterol-depleted cells. By using cold Triton X-100 extractability of different lipids as a criterion to determine the membrane properties of intracellular organelles, we found that the endocytic recycling compartment has abundant detergent-resistant membranes, in contrast to the late endosomes and lysosomes.
Genetic characterization of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and clinical evolution of human African trypanosomiasis in Côte d'Ivoire

Human African trypanosomiasis is a parasitic infection caused by protozoa belonging to Trypanosoma brucei subspecies. The clinical evolution of this disease is complex and might be because of the parasite itself, as genetic diversity has been observed in T. brucei ssp. We investigated the relationship between the genetic diversity of trypanosomes and the diversity of clinical patterns in Côte d'Ivoire. We studied clinical sleeping sickness cases, and genetically analysed the trypanosomes isolated from these patients. An important genetic monomorphism among stocks isolated in Côte d'Ivoire was observed by using various markers: isoenzymes electrophoresis, random amplified polymorphism DNA and PCR of microsatellite sequences. At the same time, the diversity of clinical patterns and evolutions was confirmed by clinical analysis. The existence of an individual susceptibility to disease (human trypanotolerance) should be taken into account even if our genetic conclusions might be distorted because the isolation success rates were particularly poor. In fact, we observed that the isolation success rate varied significantly depending both on the focus of origin (P=0.0002) and on the ethnic group (P=0.0317) of the patient. Further investigations are required in order to study a possible selective impact of the use of the kit for in vitro isolation of trypanosomes as an isolation technique.
Adaptive radiation of Darwin's finches revisited using whole genome sequencing

We recently used genome sequencing to study the evolutionary history of the Darwin's finches. A prominent feature of our data was that different polymorphic sites in the genome tended to indicate different genetic relationships among these closely related species. Such patterns are expected in recently diverged genomes as a result of incomplete lineage sorting. However, we uncovered conclusive evidence that these patterns have also been influenced by interspecies hybridisation, a process that has likely played an important role in the radiation of Darwin's finches. A major discovery was that segregation of two haplotypes at the ALX1 locus underlies variation in beak shape among the Darwin's finches, and that differences between the two haplotypes in a 240 kb region in blunt and pointed beaked birds involve both coding and regulatory changes. As we review herein, the evolution of such adaptive haplotypes comprising multiple causal changes appears to be an important mechanism contributing to the evolution of biodiversity.
Serial Control of Phonology in Speech Production: A Hierarchical Model

A dynamic oscillator-based model of the sequencing of phonemes in speech production (OSCAR) is described. An analysis of phoneme movement errors (anticipations, perseverations, and exchanges) from a large naturalistic speech error corpus provides a new set of data suitable for quantitative modeling and is used to derive a set of constraints that any speech-production model must address. The new computational model is shown to account for error type proportions, movement error distance gradients, the syllable-position effect, and phonological similarity effects. The model provides an alternative to frame-based accounts, serial buffer accounts, and associative chaining theories of serial order processing in speech.
Protein Kinase A-mediated Phosphorylation of the β2-Adrenergic Receptor Regulates Its Coupling to Gs and Gi

While classically viewed as a prototypic Gs and adenylyl cyclase-coupled G protein-coupled receptor, recent studies have indicated that some aspects of β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) signaling are inhibited by pertussis toxin, indicating that they are mediated by Gi/Go proteins. These signals include activation of ERK MAPKs and Akt activation, as well as hypertrophic and anti-apoptotic pathways in cardiac myocytes. Studies in cultured cells have suggested the hypothesis that protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated phosphorylation of the β2-AR regulates its coupling specificity with respect to Gs and Gi. Using a Chinese hamster ovary cell system, we show that mutant β2-ARs with Ala substituted for Ser at consensus PKA sites stimulate robust cyclic AMP accumulation (Gs) but are unable to activate ERK (Gi). In contrast, Ser → Asp mutants are dramatically impaired in their ability to activate adenylyl cyclase but are significantly more active than wild type receptor in activating ERK. Activation of adenylyl cyclase by wild type and Ser → Ala mutant receptors is not altered by pertussis toxin, whereas adenylyl cyclase stimulated through the Ser → Asp mutant is enhanced. Activation of ERK by wild type and Ser → Asp receptors is inhibited by pertussis toxin. To further rigorously test the hypothesis, we utilized a completely reconstituted system of purified recombinant wild type and PKA phosphorylation site mutant β2-ARs and heterotrimeric Gs and Gi. G protein coupling was measured by receptor-mediated stimulation of GTPγS binding to the G protein. PKA-mediated phosphorylation of the β2-AR significantly decreased its ability to couple to Gs, while simultaneously dramatically increasing its ability to couple to Gi. These results are reproduced when a purified recombinant Ser → Asp mutant β2-AR is tested, whereas the Ser → Ala receptor resembles the unphosphorylated wild type. These results provide strong experimental support for the idea that PKA-mediated phosphorylation of the β2-adrenergic receptor switches its predominant coupling from Gs to Gi.
Mesenchymal cells with leukocyte and lymphendothelial characteristics in murine embryos

The development of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) from deep embryonic veins or mesenchymal lymphangioblasts is controversially discussed. Studies employing quail‐chick grafting experiments have shown that various mesodermal compartments of the embryo possess lymphangiogenic potential, whereas studies on murine embryos have been in favor of a venous origin of LECs. We have investigated NMRI mice from embryonic day (ED) 9.5 to 13.5 with antibodies against the leukocyte marker CD45, the pan‐endothelial marker CD31, and the lymphendothelial markers Prox1 and Lyve‐1. Early signs of the development of lymphatics are the Lyve‐1‐ and Prox1‐positive segments of the jugular and vitelline veins. Then, lymph sacs, which are found in the jugular region of ED 11.5 mice, express Prox1, Lyve‐1, and CD31. Furthermore, scattered cells positive for all of the four markers are present in the mesenchyme of the dermatomes and the mediastinum before lymphatic vessels are present in these regions. Their number increases during development. A gradient of increasing CD31 expression can be seen the closer the cells are located to the lymph sacs. Our studies provide evidence for the existence of scattered mesenchymal cells, which up‐regulate lymphendothelial and down‐regulate leukocyte characteristics when they integrate into growing murine lymphatics. Such stem cells may also be present in the human and may be the cell of origin in post‐transplantation Kaposi sarcoma. Developmental Dynamics 235:1554–1562, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Disadvantages of methods for power indication during treadmill exercise for ergospirometry test

This paper will show basics and importance of ergospirometry. Parameters that affect the patient while running and walking will be shown together with principle for determining the Work Load during the test. The essence of the study and research was to analyze various formulas implemented for determining the power [W] on the basis of patient treadmill training during the ergospirometry performance test. Four types of calculation in methods of obtaining power (WorkLoad) measurement that are used in the majority of device manufacturers for ergospirometry were analyzed for the load during the ergospirometry test. It is shown that Jaeger formulas compared to ATS, Bruce and Modified ATS Formula, have the best results for different conditions of the experiment, and that they fit in the most testing conditions. This research has great importance for doctors that interpretate result of test, since using the best possible formula for determining Work Load is of critical importance and it can have influence on determining need for further tests that sometimes include invasive surgery. Paper also displays shortcomings of mentioned formulas and can be used as a reference when determining which formula is to be used for parameter calculation in a variety of situations.
Optimization of Tension Distribution for Cable-Driven Manipulators Using Tension-Level Index

Cable-driven manipulators (CDMs) are a special class of parallel manipulators driven by cables instead of rigid links. Due to the unilateral driving property of cables, CDMs require redundant actuation to maintain positive cable tensions. As a result of actuation redundancy, there exist an infinite number of possible cable tension solutions for a particular CDM pose. In this paper, a tension optimization method is proposed to obtain adjustable tension solution for CDMs. Adjustable tension solution is important because it enables the avoidance of tension limits and allows the stiffness of the CDM to be regulated. Tension-level indices are introduced to provide a systematic and practical way of setting the desired cable tensions level. The adjustable tension solution for each pose is obtained using a modified gradient projection method. The proposed method is generic and can be applied to CDMs with any number of redundant actuation. Simulation results show that the method is computationally efficient and the tension solutions can be manipulated by changing the tension-level indices. The simulation results have also been validated by experimental studies.