Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improvement of spasticity following intermittent theta burst stimulation in multiple sclerosis is associated with modulation of resting-state functional connectivity of the primary motor cortices

Background: Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) of the primary motor cortex improves transiently lower limbs spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the cerebral mechanisms underlying this effect have never been investigated. Objective: To assess whether modulation of spasticity induced by iTBS is underlined by functional reorganization of the primary motor cortices. Methods: A total of 17 patients with MS suffering from lower limbs spasticity were randomized to receive real iTBS or sham iTBS during the first half of a 5-week indoor rehabilitation programme. Spasticity was assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale and the Visual Analogue Scale at baseline, after the stimulation session and at the end of the rehabilitation programme. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed at the three time points, and brain functional networks topology was analysed using graph-theoretical approach. Results: At the end of stimulation, improvement of spasticity was greater in real iTBS group than in sham iTBS group (p = 0.026). iTBS had a significant effect on the balance of the connectivity degree between the stimulated and the homologous primary motor cortex (p = 0.005). Changes in inter-hemispheric balance were correlated with improvement of spasticity (rho = 0.56, p = 0.015). Conclusion: This longitudinal resting-state fMRI study evidences that functional reorganization of the primary motor cortices may underlie the effect of iTBS on spasticity in MS.
The TIDieR Checklist Will Benefit the Physical Therapy Profession.

The Editorial was originally published in Journal of Physiotherapy, 2016, however, this article contains a modified author list and amendments to the description about Pediatric Physical Therapy’s incorporation of the TIDieR checklist into its manuscript processing. It is republished with the kind permission of the Australian Physiotherapy Association. For citation purposes, please use the original publication details: Yamato T, Maher C, Saragiotto B, et al. The TIDieR checklist will benefit the physiotherapy profession. J. Physiother. 2016;62:57-58. DOI of original article: http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.jphys. 2016.02. 015
Solid lipid nanoparticles as oral delivery systems of phenolic compounds: Overcoming pharmacokinetic limitations for nutraceutical applications

ABSTRACT Drug delivery systems, accompanied by nanoparticle technology, have recently emerged as prominent solutions to improve the pharmacokinetic properties, namely bioavailability, of therapeutic and nutraceutical agents. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have received much attention from researchers due to their potential to protect or improve drug properties. SLNs have been reported to be an alternative system to traditional carriers, such as emulsions, liposomes, and polymeric nanoparticles. Phenolic compounds are widespread in plant-derived foodstuffs and therefore abundant in our diet. Over the last decades, phenolic compounds have received considerable attention due to several health promoting properties, mostly related to their antioxidant activity, which can have important implications for health. However, most of these compounds have been associated with poor bioavailability being poorly absorbed, rapidly metabolized and eliminated, which compromises its biological and pharmacological benefits. This paper provides a systematic review of the use of SLNs as oral delivery systems of phenolic compounds, in order to overcome pharmacokinetic limitations of these compounds and improved nutraceutical potential. In vitro studies, as well as works describing topical and oral treatments will be revisited and discussed. The classification, synthesis, and clinical application of these nanomaterials will be also considered in this review article.
Blur with depth: A depth cue method based on blur effect in augmented reality

In this paper, a depth cue method based on blur effect in augmented reality is proposed. Different from previous approaches, the proposed method offers an algorithm which estimates the blur effect in the whole scene based on the spatial information in the real world and the intrinsic parameters of the camera. We implemented a prototype using the proposed method and conducted two user tests on how the users might perceive the blur effect rendered by different blurring methods. The test settings are introduced and the results are discussed. The test results show that our blur estimation method is acceptable for moving virtual objects. We also find that the users might prefer a stronger contrast of blur than the blur consistent to the background.
Effects of mobile phone radiation on reproduction and development in Drosophila melanogaster

In this report we examined the effects of a discontinuous radio frequency (RF) signal produced by a GSM multiband mobile phone (900/1,900 MHz; SAR ∼ 1.4 W/kg) on Drosophila melanogaster, during the 10‐day developmental period from egg laying through pupation. As found earlier with low frequency exposures, the non‐thermal radiation from the GSM mobile phone increased numbers of offspring, elevated hsp70 levels, increased serum response element (SRE) DNA‐binding and induced the phosphorylation of the nuclear transcription factor, ELK‐1. The rapid induction of hsp70 within minutes, by a non‐thermal stress, together with identified components of signal transduction pathways, provide sensitive and reliable biomarkers that could serve as the basis for realistic mobile phone safety guidelines. J. Cell. Biochem. 89: 48–55, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rapid observation of unfixed, unstained human skin biopsy specimens with confocal microscopy and visualization.

The use of reflected light confocal microscopy is proposed to rapidly observe unfixed, unstained biopsy specimens of human skin. Reflected light laser scanning confocal microscopy was used to compare a freshly excised, unfixed, unstained biopsy specimen, and in vivo human skin. Optical sections from the ex vivo biopsy specimen of human skin and in vivo human skin were converted to red-green anaglyphs for threedimensional visualization. Contrast was derived from intrinsic differences in the scattering properties of the organelles and cells within the tissue. Individual cellular layers were observed in both tissues from the surface to the papillary dermis. Confocal microscopy of an unfixed, unstained biopsy specimen showed cells and cell nuclei of the stratum spinosum. Confocal microscopy of in vivo human skin demonstrated optical sectioning through a hair shaft on the upper hand. The combination of reflected light confocal microscopy and threedimensional visualization with red-green anaglyphs provides a rapid technique for observing fresh biopsies of human skin.
How To Use Analogies For Breakthrough Innovations

Analogies can trigger breakthrough ideas in new product development. Numerous examples demonstrate that substantial innovations often result from transferring problem solutions from one industry or domain to another. For instance, the designers of the new running show generation of Nike, "Nike SHOX", use the same suspension concept like the technologies applied for formula 1 racing cars, or the biological Lotus-effect leading to the evelopment of various self-cleaning surfaces. Academic research on analogical thinking has been so far heavily influenced by general theoretical work from cognitive psychology or systematic inventing. Only a small number of studies have investigated the application of analogies in the specific context of breakthrough innovation projects. This paper focuses on the question on how analogies can be systematically used in the early innovation phases of new product development and which factors influence the successful use of analogical thinking in innovating companies. Special attention is paid to organizational facilitators and the requests on people involved in this process.
Simultaneous Measurement of Liposome Extravasation and Content Release in Tumors

Objective: The success of liposome‐based drug delivery systems for tumor targeting relies on maximum extravasation of liposomes into tumor intersritium, as well as optimal release of contents from the liposomes once within the tumor. Liposome extravasation and content release are two separate processes that can be individually or jointly manipulated, so a method is needed to monitor these two processes independendy and simultaneously. In this report, we describe a method to measure liposome extravasation and content release in tumor tissues growing in a rat skinfold window chamber preparation.
Ligand-Induced Partitioning of Human CXCR1 Chemokine Receptors with Lipid Raft Microenvironments Facilitates G-Protein-Dependent Signaling

ABSTRACT Ligand binding to a chemokine receptor triggers signaling events through heterotrimeric G-proteins. The mechanisms underlying receptor-mediated G-protein activation in the heterogeneous microenvironments of the plasma membrane are unclear. Here, using live-cell fluorescence resonance energy transfer imaging to detect the proximity between CXCR1-cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) and fluorescence probes that label lipid raft or non-lipid raft microdomains and using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching analysis to measure the lateral diffusion of CXCR1-CFP, we found that interleukin-8 induces association between the receptors and lipid raft microenvironments. Disruption of lipid rafts impaired G-protein-dependent signaling, such as Ca2+ responses and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation, but had no effect on ligand-binding function and did not completely abolish ligand-induced receptor phosphorylation. Our results suggest a novel mechanism by which ligand binding to CXCR1 promotes lipid raft partitioning of receptors and facilitates activation of heterotrimeric G-proteins.
Differentiation of F9 embryonal carcinoma cells by synthetic retinoids: amplitude of plasminogen activator production does not depend on retinoid potency or affinity for F9 nuclear retinoic acid receptors.

Retinoic acid and analogues (retinoids) are able to induce the differentiation of F9 murine embryonal carcinoma stem cells into endoderm-like cells. The secretion of plasminogen activator (PA) which accompanies this differentiation is a good index of the biological response of F9 cells to retinoids. We have previously reported that the potency of a series of natural and synthetic retinoids, evaluated by the concentration which provokes half-maximal induction of PA, correlates well with the affinity of these compounds for the endogenous F9 nuclear retinoic acid receptors, but not for the cytosolic retinoic acid binding protein, CRABP. In this paper we show that various retinoids differ, not only in terms of potency, i.e. the dilution at which they are active, but also in terms of the amount of PA that they induce. This parameter, called amplitude, is used to quantify the extent of PA induction by a given retinoid relative to retinoic acid. The amplitude parameters of synthetic retinoids are found to vary over a wide range and are independent of both potency and binding affinity for F9 retinoic acid receptors. It is proposed that the amplitude of the biological response to a given retinoid is the resultant of three factors: (i) the total or partial agonist character of the retinoid; (ii) the binding spectrum of the retinoid for the various types of retinoic acid receptors; (iii) the chemical and metabolic stability of the retinoid in the test system.
Reinforcement-learning For The Control Of An Autonomous Mobile Robot

The non-deterministic characteristics of a real world robot environment means that an exact analytic be: haviour description for an autonomous mobile robot is possible only for simple tasks. In contrast to this, however, it is relatively easy to calculate the deviation between the desired and actual behaviour of the system using simple evaluation functions. Reinforcement-learning is a subsymbolic learning technique that, with the help of such evaluation functions, can teach particular behaviours. In the following, this method is introduced with specific reference to teaching an autonomous mobile robot a tracking behaviour.
Measurement of airway ion transport assists the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis

The nasal potential difference (PD) demonstrates the increased Na absorption and decreased Cl secretion typically found in cystic fibrosis (CF). It provides useful information for diagnostic purposes and measures the effect of new treatments on the ion transport defects found in CF. This study summarizes the nasal PD results in the respiratory tract of different groups of subjects, examines the responses in squamous epithelia and evaluates new ways to consider nasal PD results.
Validation of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for obstructive pulmonary diseases from the perspective of physiotherapists.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The 'Comprehensive ICF Core Set for obstructive pulmonary diseases' (OPD) is an application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and represents the typical spectrum of problems in functioning of patients with OPD. To optimize a multidisciplinary and patient-oriented approach in pulmonary rehabilitation, in which physiotherapy plays an important role, the ICF offers a standardized language and understanding of functioning. For it to be a useful tool for physiotherapists in rehabilitation of patients with OPD, the objective of this study was to validate this Comprehensive ICF Core Set for OPD from the perspective of physiotherapists. METHOD A three-round survey based on the Delphi technique of physiotherapists who are experienced in the treatment of OPD asked about the problems, resources and aspects of environment of patients with OPD that physiotherapists treat in clinical practice (physiotherapy intervention categories). Responses were linked to the ICF and compared with the existing Comprehensive ICF Core Set for OPD. RESULTS Fifty-one physiotherapists from 18 countries named 904 single terms that were linked to 124 ICF categories, 9 personal factors and 16 'not classified' concepts. The identified ICF categories were mainly third-level categories compared with mainly second-level categories of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for OPD. Seventy of the ICF categories, all personal factors and 15 'not classified' concepts gained more than 75% agreement among the physiotherapists. Of these ICF categories, 55 (78.5%) were covered by the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for OPD. CONCLUSION The validity of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for OPD was largely supported by the physiotherapists. Nevertheless, ICF categories that were not covered, personal factors and not classified terms offer opportunities towards the final ICF Core Set for OPD and further research to strengthen physiotherapists' perspective in pulmonary rehabilitation.
Differential Effect of Diazepam in Unstressed and Stressed Mice

Article history: Received on: 17/11/2016 Accepted on: 20/12/2016 Available online: 27/02/2017 Aim: Investigation of antidepressants like effect of diazepam in unstressed and stressed mice. Materials and methods: Male Swiss albino mice were used in the present study. Mice were stressed by immobilization for 2h. Mice subjected to immobilization were considered as stressed mice and mice not subjected to immobilization were considered as unstressed mice. Depression like behavioral alterations in unstressed and stressed mice was measured by tail suspension test (TST) followed by forced swim test (FST). Results: The present study showed that the immobilization stress of 2h significantly enhanced the immobility period of mice in both TST and FST. Fluoxetine (FLX) (20 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced the immobility period of both unstressed and stressed mice significantly as compared to their respective controls. Diazepam (DZP) (2 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly increased the immobility period of the unstressed mice whereas significantly reduced the immobility period of stressed mice in both TST and FST as compared to their respective controls. Administration of DZP (2 mg/kg, i.p.) and FLX (20 mg/kg, i.p.) to the unstressed mice reduced the immobility period of unstressed mice in both TST and FST significantly as compared to the vehicle and DZP (2 mg/kg, i.p.) treated unstressed mice in TST. The co-administration of DZP (2 mg/kg, i.p.) and FLX (20 mg/kg, i.p.) after the immobilization of 2h significantly reduced the immobility period of stressed mice significantly as compared to the vehicle treated stressed mice in both TST and FST. Conclusion: It is concluded that the administration of DZP (2 mg/kg, i.p.) to the stressed mice reduced the immobility period of stressed mice in both TST and FST. Thus DZP (2 mg/kg, i.p.) exerted the antidepressants like effect in the stressed mice.
Identification of families with cortical Lewy body disease

Until recently, cortical Lewy body disease (CLB) was considered essentially the same as dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). It is now known patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) with a later‐onset dementia (PD‐dementia) have the same pattern and extent of cortical Lewy body pathology. Inheritance patterns of CLB have not been evaluated previously. To identify genetic influence on CLB, all cases with this pathology need to be considered. We selected 180 cases meeting clinical and/or pathological criteria for DLB or PD (±dementia) from two patient groups: a PD and PD‐dementia brain donor program, and a case‐control study of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Cases meeting NINCDS‐ADRDA criteria for probable AD were excluded and non‐demented PD cases used as a comparison group. A detailed family history was taken analyzing onset and progression of dementia and PD phenotypes and a family tree constructed. The frequency of a positive family history of dementia and/or PD and risk of developing CLB in relatives was calculated. Fifty‐five percent of dementia and 52% of PD cohorts did not have relatives with clinical disease. There was no increased frequency of familial disease in the CLB cohort compared with PD. However, in half the CLB families, rather than a dominant dementia, the clinical presentation varied (dementia and/or PD). Unlike PD, there was an increased risk of dementia if CLB was present in a parent (∼20% risk) compared with another family member (∼5% risk), suggesting CLB is more likely than PD to occur in a pattern consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On Z2Z4[ξ]-Skew Cyclic Codes

Z2Z4-additive codes have been defined as a subgroup of Z2^{r} x Z4^{s} in [5] where Z2, Z4 are the rings of integers modulo 2 and 4 respectively and r and s positive integers. In this study, we define a new family of codes over the set Z2^{r}[\bar{\xi}] x Z4^{s}[\xi] where \xi is the root of a monic basic primitive polynomial in Z4[x]. We give the standard form of the generator and parity-check matrices of codes over Z2^{r}[\bar{\xi}] x Z4^{s}[\xi] and also we introduce skew cyclic codes and their spanning sets over this set.
Bringing gaze-based interaction back to basics

This paper argues for a joint development of an eye gaze -based, on-line communication aid running on a standard PC with a web -camera. Tracking software is to be provided as open source to allow for improvements and individual integrations with other aids. The interface design shall be defined by the achieved resolution of the tr acking system. The design of a type -to-talk system with 12 large on -screen keys is described in the paper. In order for gaze tracking systems to become widely used, the strive for mouse -pointer precision should be replaced by a focus on the broad potentials of low-resolution gaze-based interactive systems.
ON ECONOMIC PLANTS

The Ethnobotany of Copa~a (Copaifera) Oleoresin in the Amazon. --The common Brazilian name for trees in the genus Copaifera (family Caesalpiniaceae) is apparently derived from the Tupi Indian word "cupa-yba" for the "deposit tree," referring to the tree with the oleoresin stored inside (1, 2). The genus has at least 28 New World species of trees and shrubs (3), most of which occur in the Amazon (4), with four tropical African species (5). Neotropical Copaifera species produce liquid oleoresins while African species resin can harden to a copal like substance (5). About twenty South American Copaifera species are known sources of commercialized oleoresin; the main species in Brazil are: C. reticulata Ducke (80%), C. guianensis Desf. (10%); C. multijuga Hayne (5%), and C. officinalis L. (5%) (6). Oleoresin has also been harvested in the region from: C. bijuga Hayne, C. camibar Poveda and Sfinchez, C. canime Harms, C. confertiflora Benth. , C. coriacea Mart. , C. cuneata Tul. , C. duckei Dwyer, C. glycycarpa Ducke, C. langsdorffii Desf. , C. longicuspis Ducke, C. longifolia Huber, C. marginata Benth. , C. martii Hayne, C. pubiflora Benth, C. spruceana Benth, and C. venezuelana Pittier & Harms (3, 7, 8, 9, 10). Different species of this widely distributed genus are adapted to a range of habitats including flooded forests, lake and stream margins, upland rainforest, subtropical dry forest and savanna (3). Copaifera taxonomy, however, is still unresolved, and a Brazilian researcher is attempting to revise it. The link between scientific species and copafba trade names (Table 1) is, therefore, speculative. Copal"ba oleoresin is produced in the tree's inner bark, stems, and leaves. It is synthesized in parenchyma cells and secreted into adjoining canals or cavities (5) that may enlarge in the trunk to contain gallons of oleoresin (11). The liquid consists of large amounts of volatile oils (mostly sesquiterpenes), non-volatile resins and small quantities of acids (1). The combination of sesquiand diterpenes and phenolics may be responsible for the plant's resistance to many insect and microbial attacks (12, 13). The chemical composition, color, scent and viscosity of oleoresin vary widely among species with volatile oil content ranging from 20 to 90% (14). The "Pardi" variety of copafba oleoresin common in the Parfi and Amazonas states in Brazil comes from C. reticulata, C. multijuga and C. martii (15), and, according to one unverified report (3), C. duckei. Copaifera reticulata oleoresin is thick yellowish brown with a disagreeable smell (16). Copaifera multijuga oleoresin is fluid, pale-yellow, has a light agreeable smell (16) and more than 80% total sesquiterpenes (7). The broadly defined species C. langsdorffii is the main source of the "Maranh~o" or "Rio de Janeiro" variety of oleoresin with an olive oil consistency (14, 17). The "Maracaibo" variety principally comes from C. officinalis and the related C. guianensis in Venezuela, Colombia and the Guianas (14, 15). C. guianensis is thick, dark, and coumarin-scented (16).
Characterization of the Posttranscriptional Modifications in Legionella pneumophila Small‐Subunit Ribosomal RNA

It is generally accepted that posttranscriptional modifications in RNA play a role in the fine‐tuning of RNA function and the maintenance of RNA structure. This article describes the characterization of the posttranscriptional modifications in Legionella pneumophila 16S rRNA by mass spectrometry and reverse transcriptase assays. Eight modified nucleotides were identified and mapped in the 16S rRNA sequence. Situation of these data in relation to general 16S rRNA modification patterns shows that L. pneumophila is relatively less modified, and that the majority of the L. pneumophila 16S rRNA modifications are conserved among the bacteria characterized so far (Escherichia coli, Clostridium acetobutylicum, Thermus thermophilus, and Thermotoga maritima).