Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DJ-1 Is a Copper Chaperone Acting on SOD1 Activation*

Background: DJ-1 and SOD1 are proteins involved in Parkinson disease and ALS, respectively. Results: A novel DJ-1 copper binding site is characterized together with its ability to activate SOD1 through copper transfer. Conclusion: We have identified a putative role for DJ-1 as a copper chaperone. Significance: Alterations of the coordination of the copper ion in DJ-1 may affect neurodegenerative etiopathogenesis. Lack of oxidative stress control is a common and often prime feature observed in many neurodegenerative diseases. Both DJ-1 and SOD1, proteins involved in familial Parkinson disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, respectively, play a protective role against oxidative stress. Impaired activity and modified expression of both proteins have been observed in different neurodegenerative diseases. A potential cooperative action of DJ-1 and SOD1 in the same oxidative stress response pathway may be suggested based on a copper-mediated interaction between the two proteins reported here. To investigate the mechanisms underlying the antioxidative function of DJ-1 in relation to SOD1 activity, we investigated the ability of DJ-1 to bind copper ions. We structurally characterized a novel copper binding site involving Cys-106, and we investigated, using different techniques, the kinetics of DJ-1 binding to copper ions. The copper transfer between the two proteins was also examined using both fluorescence spectroscopy and specific biochemical assays for SOD1 activity. The structural and functional analysis of the novel DJ-1 copper binding site led us to identify a putative role for DJ-1 as a copper chaperone. Alteration of the coordination geometry of the copper ion in DJ-1 may be correlated to the physiological role of the protein, to a potential failure in metal transfer to SOD1, and to successive implications in neurodegenerative etiopathogenesis.
The Effect of Hypertonic (3%) Saline With and Without Furosemide on Plasma Osmolality, Sodium Concentration, and Brain Water Content After Closed Head Trauma in Rats

Adding furosemide (F) to mannitol causes a greater decrease of brain volume, intracranial pressure, and brain water content (BW) as compared with mannitol alone. We examined whether adding F to hypertonic saline (HS) causes less increase of BW early after closed head trauma (CHT) as compared with HS alone. With institutional approval, 125 rats underwent sham surgery or CHT and then immediately received no treatment, HS (1.2 g/kg, 3% solution), or HS + F (2 mg/kg). In groups 1-10 (n = 8/group), the percent BW content was determined at 30, 60, or 120 minutes. In groups 11-14 (n = 8/group), physiologic values were determined at 0, 30, 60, and 120 minutes. At 120 minutes, the increase of BW caused by CHT (sham = 78.9 ± 0.6% and CHT = 81.5 ± 2.2%, mean ± SD) was prevented by HS + F (78.0 ± 0.8%) but not by HS (80.7 ± 2.2%). Both HS and HS + F similarly increased plasma osmolality and sodium concentration. Post-CHT hypotension and acidosis (30 and 60 minutes) and decrease of hemoglobin concentration (120 minutes) were less with HS + F than with HS. We conclude that adding F to HS decreases BW without causing more increase of osmolality and Na than that caused by HS alone.
Genotype–epigenotype–phenotype correlations in females with frontometaphyseal dysplasia

Frontometaphyseal dysplasia (FMD) belongs to a group of overlapping skeletal dysplasias, the common molecular basis of which are mutations of FLNA, the gene encoding filamin A. The nature of the mutation has been considered the major determinant of the phenotype within this group that comprises the otopalatodigital syndromes (OPD1, OPD2) and Melnick–Needles syndrome besides FMD. However, to date the molecular pathomechanisms are not well understood. In FMD only few FLNA mutations have been reported which do not cluster in a specific region of the protein. We report on a novel de novo mutation 5182G → T in exon 31 of the FLNA gene in a girl with manifestations of FMD and OPD1. This mutation is predicted to lead to the exchange of a highly conserved glycine residue at position 1,728 by cysteine (G1728C) in repeat 15 of the filamin A rod domain. In a second family with FMD, we identified a known mutation (S1186L) in a mother and her son. In contrast to most previous reports on manifesting females or carriers of the FLNA‐related skeletal dysplasias, the affected females presented here showed only mild to moderate skewing of X‐inactivation against the mutant allele. Our data may indicate that in females, genotype–phenotype correlation between certain FLNA mutations and OPD1 and FMD, respectively, is less strict than previously assumed. We propose that X‐inactivation is an important epigenetic modifier of the phenotype in females with the FLNA‐related skeletal dysplasias. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Efficient Software Test Case Generation Using Genetic Algorithm Based Graph Theory

In orthodox software testing approach we generally use modeling based testing approach for generating the test cases of a given problem. This leads to confusion of the test input and the expected output for a given test case. More over we also can miss some of the test cases due to lack of clarity in the test paths. To over come such sort of predictive modeling we propose graph theory based genetic approach to generate test cases for software testing. At first we will create a directed graph of all the intermediate state of the system for the expected behavior of the system. Then we will create a population of all the nodes of the graph as the base population of genetic algorithm. From this population we can find a pair of node the parents and perform genetic crossover and mutation on them for the getting the optimum child nodes as the out put. We should continue this process of genetic operation until all the nodes are covered or any of the nodes, which are visited more than once, should be discarded form the population. Then follow the same process for the generation of test case in the real time system. This technique will be more concrete in case of network testing or any of the system testing where the predictive model based tests are not optimized to produced the out put.
Reconstruction of incomplete cell paths through a 3D-2D level set segmentation

Segmentation of fluorescent cell images has been a popular technique for tracking live cells. One challenge of segmenting cells from fluorescence microscopy is that cells in fluorescent images frequently disappear. When the images are stacked together to form a 3D image volume, the disappearance of the cells leads to broken cell paths. In this paper, we present a segmentation method that can reconstruct incomplete cell paths. The key idea of this model is to perform 2D segmentation in a 3D framework. The 2D segmentation captures the cells that appear in the image slices while the 3D segmentation connects the broken cell paths. The formulation is similar to the Chan-Vese level set segmentation which detects edges by comparing the intensity value at each voxel with the mean intensity values inside and outside of the level set surface. Our model, however, performs the comparison on each 2D slice with the means calculated by the 2D projected contour. The resulting effect is to segment the cells on each image slice. Unlike segmentation on each image frame individually, these 2D contours together form the 3D level set function. By enforcing minimum mean curvature on the level set surface, our segmentation model is able to extend the cell contours right before (and after) the cell disappears (and reappears) into the gaps, eventually connecting the broken paths. We will present segmentation results of C2C12 cells in fluorescent images to illustrate the effectiveness of our model qualitatively and quantitatively by different numerical examples.
Fluorescent dopamine tracer resolves individual dopaminergic synapses and their activity in the brain

We recently introduced fluorescent false neurotransmitters (FFNs) as optical tracers that enable the visualization of neurotransmitter release at individual presynaptic terminals. Here, we describe a pH-responsive FFN probe, FFN102, which as a polar dopamine transporter substrate selectively labels dopamine cell bodies and dendrites in ventral midbrain and dopaminergic synaptic terminals in dorsal striatum. FFN102 exhibits greater fluorescence emission in neutral than acidic environments, and thus affords a means to optically measure evoked release of synaptic vesicle content into the extracellular space. Simultaneously, FFN102 allows the measurement of individual synaptic terminal activity by following fluorescence loss upon stimulation. Thus, FFN102 enables not only the identification of dopamine cells and their processes in brain tissue, but also the optical measurement of functional parameters including dopamine transporter activity and dopamine release at the level of individual synapses. As such, the development of FFN102 demonstrates that, by bringing together organic chemistry and neuroscience, molecular entities can be generated that match the endogenous transmitters in selectivity and distribution, allowing for the study of both the microanatomy and functional plasticity of the normal and diseased nervous system.
Effects of consecutive eccentric training at different range of motion on muscle damage and recovery.

UNLABELLED This study compared two training regimens in which knee extensor exercises were performed at different range of motion. METHODS Sixteen males performed bouts of 90 maximal isokinetic eccentric contractions over 6 consecutive days (B1-B6) at either small (n=8) or large (n=8) range of motion. Average of peak torque (Mp) of each of the 90 contraction trials were calculated, plasma creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities were measured before, 24 h, 48 h and 6 d after B1. Muscle soreness was evaluated every day during the experiment. RESULTS At B3 Mp reduced more in group L than in group S. From B1 to B6 group S increased Mp, while in group L Mp did not return to the baseline level. In both groups CK activity elevated 24 h following B1. CK activity was significantly higher in group L 6d after B1. In group L muscle soreness was higher at 48 h, 72 h, 4 d and 5 d after B1. CONCLUSION High-intensity, consecutive eccentric knee extensor exercise training at large range of motion may induce greater development of muscle damage and force deficit, than training at small range of motion. Training at small range of motion may induce early adaptation in voluntary torque production.
Changes in blood flow in locally heated intestine of rats

Male Fischer rats were surgically castrated through a lower midline incision and a 5-8cm long segment of small intestine was fixed to the interior of the right scrotum. Two weeks after the surgery, the herniated intestine was heated by immersing the scrotum into a water bath at different temperatures and the blood flow in the intestine was measured with the radioactive microsphere method. The blood flow in the herniated intestine increased 1.5-2.0 times when the scrotum was heated with 42.5 and 43.50C water baths for 60-90 min, but began to decrease when heated longer, although the blood flow after heating for 120 min at these temperatures was still slightly larger than the blood flow before heating. Upon heating the scrotum with 44.5 C water bath, the blood flow in the herniated intestine increased to 3-fold of control by 90min and then rapidly recessed. Massive histological damage was observed 24h after heating with 44.50C water bath for 60 min. The blood flow in the intestine measured 1 day after 60min heating with 43.50C and 44.50C water bath was found to be only slightly decreased. Given the relatively small decrease in blood flow, the severe damage in the intestine 24h after heating may be attributed to direct damage to parenchymal cells.
A voltage stress optimization method of capacitive power transfer charging system

This paper proposed a component voltage stress optimization method for high-power capacitive power transfer (CPT) charging system. A double CLC compensation topology is utilized at both primary and Secondary sides distribute the voltage stress in CPT system. Detail analysis of the compensation topology characteristic is done based on fundamental harmonic approximation method. This topology not only can realize effective power transfer, but also achieves unity power factor for the high-frequency power source. The component voltage stress optimization method analysis are presented in detail, and the system component stress can be distributed according to the desired requirement effectively. With the proposed method, a 1kW capacitive power transfer system set up to verify the performance of proposed system. The prototype has achieved 1kW output power with 88.88% efficiency from DC to DC at 1MHz switching frequency.
Management of midgut carcinoids

Midgut carcinoids developing in the small intestine represent the most common cause of the carcinoid syndrome, with severe symptoms of flush, diarrhoea, and fibrotic valvular heart disease. The tumours may be histologically identified with specific chromogranin A or synaptophysine immunostainings, and by serotonin reactivity, which supports a midgut origin. Urinary 5‐HIAA excretion and serum chromogranin A measurements are used as biochemical tumour markers for clinical diagnosis, and as important monitors of treatment effects and prognostic predictors. The midgut carcinoids have typically slow proliferation and extended disease course, and surgical treatment has become increasingly important for their management. Surgery should aim to remove primary tumours and mesenteric metastases, which may cause long‐term abdominal complications, by typical fibrotic intestinal entrapment and small bowel ischaemia due to encasement of mesenteric vessels. Attempts should also be made to surgically remove or ablate liver metastases, since this may significantly contribute to palliation of the carcinoid syndrome. In patients with this syndrome surgery is combined with continuous biotherapy with long‐acting somatostatin analogues and interferon, which may alleviate symptoms and cause stable disease with slow progression. Favourable survival and life‐quality can be expected with this treatment also in patients with advanced midgut carcinoids. J. Surg. Oncol. 2005;89:161–169. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An estimation of jatropha yield as an alternate fuel resource through the concatenated rule sets

The supply chain of jatropha has got much attention due to the issues related to alternate fuels demand. The cultivation of jatropha seed and its yield estimation of jatropha in near future will have more rigorous effect. Cultivating jatropha seed in the unutilized land can improve the alternate fuels production. In this paper the estimation of jatropha yield is focused. The yield is mainly depending on the climatic and various other attributes. Hence the yield is estimated based on the major attributes that affects the jatropha seed growth. The identification of major attributes is being carried out with the Matlab software using Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS). Based on the attributes identified a general heuristic rule has been framed to estimate the total yield of jatropha. The computations of yield estimation is being carried out with the logic of concatenation using MS excel. From the yield estimation results, the future production capacity of jatropha in any given land can be justified.
Comparison Between the Timing of JNK activation, c‐Jun Phosphorylation, and Onset of Death Commitment in Sympathetic Neurones

Abstract: We have investigated the relationship between c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) activity, apoptosis, and the potential of survival factors to rescue primary rat sympathetic neurones deprived of trophic support. Incubation of sympathetic neurones in the absence of nerve growth factor (NGF) caused a time‐dependent increase in JNK activity, which became apparent by 3 h and attained maximal levels that were three‐ to fourfold higher than activity measured in neurones maintained for the same periods with NGF. Continuous culture in the presence of either NGF or the cyclic AMP analogue 4‐(8‐chlorophenylthio) cyclic AMP (CPTcAMP) not only prevented JNK activation from occurring, but also suppressed JNK activity that had been elevated by prior culture of the neurones in the absence of trophic support. When either NGF or CPTcAMP was added to cultures that had been initially deprived of neurotrophic support for up to 10 h, this resulted in complete suppression of total JNK activity, arrest of apoptosis, and rescue of >90% of the neurones that did not display apoptotic morphology by this time. However, when either agent was added after more protracted periods of initial neurotrophin deprivation (≥ 14 h), although this also resulted in near‐complete suppression of total JNK activity and short‐term arrest of apoptosis, not all of the neurones that appeared to be nonapoptotic at the time of agent addition were rescued. The lack of death commitment after 10 h of maintained JNK activity was not due to a late induction of c‐Jun expression, because the majority of newly isolated sympathetic neurones had already been expressing high levels of c‐Jun in their nuclei for several hours, yet were capable of being rescued by NGF. Elevation of JNK activity as a result of neurotrophic‐factor deprivation was also associated with enhanced phosphorylation of c‐Jun, assessed by immunoblot analysis and immunocytochemistry, and addition of NGF to cultures previously deprived of neurotrophic support resulted in a reversion of the state of phospho‐c‐Jun to that observed in cultures that had been maintained in the continuous presence of trophic support. We conclude that activation of JNK and c‐Jun phosphorylation are not necessarily rate‐limiting for apoptosis induction. In some neurones undergoing prolonged NGF deprivation, suppression of JNK activity and c‐Jun dephosphorylation by NGF may be insufficient to effect their rescue. Thus, if c‐Jun mediates death by increasing the expression of “death” genes, these must become effective very close to the death commitment point.
Proximal Medial Gastrocnemius Release in the Treatment of Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis

Background: Isolated gastrocnemius contracture has been implicated as the cause of a number of foot and ankle conditions. Plantar fasciitis (PF) is one such condition that can be secondary to altered foot biomechanics as a result of gastrocnemius contracture. In this paper, we report our results with an isolated release of the proximal medial head of gastrocnemius for recalcitrant PF. Methods: We prospectively followed a consecutive series of 21 heels in 17 patients following a Proximal Medial Gastrocnemius Release (PMGR). PF was diagnosed clinically and confirmed radiologically in all cases. To be included, at least 1 year of conservative treatment must have been tried and an isolated gastrocnemius contracture confirmed clinically using Silfverskiold's test preoperatively. Outcome measures included a 5-point Likert scale as well as subjective and objective calf weakness assessments. Final followup was on average 24 (range, 8 to 36) months after the surgery. Results: Seventeen of the 21 heels (81%) reported total or significant pain relief following the surgery and none reported worsening of their symptoms. The majority did not have subjective or objective evidence of calf weakness. There were no ‘major’ complications and only one case that suffered a ‘minor’ complication. Conclusion: We believe a PMGR is a simple way of treating a patient with PF who has failed to respond to conservative management. In our series, the results were favorable, the recovery fast and the morbidity low. Level of Evidence: IV, Retrospective Case Series
Application of the principles of enzyme kinetics to clonal growth rate assays: An approach for delineating interactions among growth promoting agents

The interaction of mitogenic factors on a single cell type and the comparative activity of a given factor in diverse cell types have been studied byapplying the principles of Michaelis‐Menten kinetics to clonal growth data. Such comparisons are facilitated by derivation of two parameters; K mmitogen , the mitogen concentration that gives half‐maximal clonal growth and a theoretical maximal growth rate, R MAXT . Both parameters are analogous to the Km and VMAX as applied to enzymatic reactions. Use of these parameters permits meaningful comparisons between cells with different growth rates.
A crowd evacuation simulation model based on 2.5-dimension cellular automaton

A new idea of 2.5 dimensional cellular automaton models is provided. It discloses that the environmental altitude is an important factor which has an active function on the crowd evacuation model related to stadium. The research uses the agent technology in virtual agent's movement-decision-making for their evacuating action. It suggests using the attraction weighing value of cellular-automaton-grid as an important parameter, which considers the objective factor, for selecting agent's suitable evacuation path. Meanwhile, the agent's subjective factor, which would influence their evacuation, has also been considered. The agent's evacuating movement regulation is established by these two factors. And finally, a practical and well-visibility system for crowd evacuation has been developed; a related instance is used to prove that the 2.5D-CA-model is practicable and reasonable for crowd evacuating simulation.
Pathological brain detection based on wavelet entropy and Hu moment invariants.

With the aim of developing an accurate pathological brain detection system, we proposed a novel automatic computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) to detect pathological brains from normal brains obtained by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning. The problem still remained a challenge for technicians and clinicians, since MR imaging generated an exceptionally large information dataset. A new two-step approach was proposed in this study. We used wavelet entropy (WE) and Hu moment invariants (HMI) for feature extraction, and the generalized eigenvalue proximal support vector machine (GEPSVM) for classification. To further enhance classification accuracy, the popular radial basis function (RBF) kernel was employed. The 10 runs of k-fold stratified cross validation result showed that the proposed "WE + HMI + GEPSVM + RBF" method was superior to existing methods w.r. t. classification accuracy. It obtained the average classification accuracies of 100%, 100%, and 99.45% over Dataset-66, Dataset-160, and Dataset-255, respectively. The proposed method is effective and can be applied to realistic use.