Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ontogeny of bidirectional connections between the medial nucleus of the amygdala and the principal bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in the rat

Nuclei in the amygdala and bed nuclei of the stria terminalis (BST) form functionally organized units that are linked by topographically organized connections. The posterodorsal part of the medial nucleus of the amygdala (MEApd) and the principal nucleus of the BST (BSTpr) share strong birectional connections that project primarily through the stria terminalis. The presence of structural and neurochemical sexual dimorphisms in both the MEApd and BSTpr suggests that connections between the nuclei may develop during the postnatal critical period for sexual differentiation. In this study, 1,1′dioctadecyl‐3,3,3′‐tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI) axonal labeling was used to define the ontogeny of this bidirectional pathway. Placement of DiI crystals into the MEApd of rats perfused on embryonic day (E) 20 resulted in DiI‐labeled fibers with axonal morphology in the BSTpr, but similar labeling was not evident in the MEApd until after birth. However, as early as E14, tracer implants into the caudal MEA (the presumptive MEApd) labeled elongated cellular processes in the region of the stria terminalis that extended into the presumptive BSTpr. Based on the correspondence of these DiI‐labeled processes with immunostaining for vimentin, these cellular processes are probably derived from glial cells. Implants of DiI into the posterior BST also labeled cellular processes that extended through the medial part of the stria terminalis, but they remained confined to the molecular layer of the MEApd from E14 through P1. Labeled axons derived from the BSTpr were not observed in the MEApd until P5, demonstrating that the bidirectional connections that exist between the MEApd and BSTpr in mature rats do not develop simultaneously. The density of connections between the BSTpr and MEApd increased during the postnatal period and was similar to that of adults by P15. These findings suggest that projections from the MEApd through the stria terminalis to the BSTpr may be specified initially by a glial substrate and that return projections to the amygdala from the BSTpr develop secondary to its innervation by the MEApd. J. Comp. Neurol. 489:42–58, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
“Rheumatoid nodules” and lymphoma!

A 63 year old woman presented with painful, stiff hands. There was swelling of the hands, ankles and feet but no systemic upset. On examination there was soft tissue thickening of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and metacarpal phalangeal (MCP) joints of the hands with pitting oedema of the hands, feet and lower legs. The remainder of the examination was unremarkable. The following investigations were negative or normal. Full blood count and differential, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor, nuclear antibody profile, thyroid function. Serological investigation for parvovirus B19 was negative. Radiographs of the hands revealed soft tissue swelling but no erosions. During the following six months the patient developed synovitis of PIP joints and wrists (fig 1) with bilateral dorsal sheath effusions (fig2). Multiple firm nodules were noted on both elbows and forearms measuring up to 1 cm (fig 2) and she developed symptoms …
Muscle function, dynamic loading, and femoral neck structure in pediatric females.

PURPOSE Muscle forces influence the development of bone mass and structure, but dynamic loading via impact exercise is considered particularly osteogenic. We hypothesized that indices of local muscle function and physical activity exposure would predict femoral neck (FN) structure in premenarcheal females. METHODS We tested this hypothesis in 76 healthy, premenarcheal girls (46 gymnasts and 30 nongymnasts). Height, weight, Tanner breast stage, and prior year nonaquatic, organized physical activity level (PAL) were recorded semiannually. Hologic dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans (whole body, left FN) yielded total body nonbone lean mass and bone outcomes, including narrow neck (NN) hip structural analysis data. Dynamometers assessed nondominant hand grip and left hip flexion/extension indices. Parsimonious regression models tested the following as predictors of bone outcomes: local muscle function, PAL, gymnast status, and lean mass, accounting for Tanner breast stage and height, as appropriate. RESULTS Hip flexion indices were significantly correlated with indices of FN mass, density, structure, and strength (P < 0.05). However, the entry of PAL, gymnast status, and lean mass into regression models supplanted local muscle function explanatory value. In contrast, for many variables, the significant association of gymnast status persisted after accounting for physical maturity, body size/lean mass, and PAL. For all skeletal indices except FNArea, NNwidth, NN endosteal diameter, and NN buckling ratio, gymnast status was more strongly associated with bone outcomes than PAL. CONCLUSIONS Greater activity doses and exposure to extreme dynamic loading provide independent benefits to FN structure during growth. Furthermore, weight-bearing activity and high-impact exercise exposure appear superior to local muscle force measures for prediction of FN structure.
Analysis of proliferative compartments in human tumors I. Renal adenocarcinoma

Vascular perfusion of 16 renal adenocarcinomas with radioactive DNA precursors provides a possibility to characterize proliferative compartments of this tumor type. Immediately after resection of the tumor‐bearing kidney, the organ is perfused via renal artery with dextran‐diluted, heparinized oxygenated blood at physiological temperature, pH, flow, and pressure in a recirculation system. DNA synthetizing cells are labeled by addition of 3H‐ or 14C‐thymidine or both isotopes at different intervals. Beta camera scans and whole‐tumor autoradiograms disclose a striking proliferative heterogeneity of the tumor. Cell proliferation depends on intratumoral localization, cellular differentiation, histological structure and vascular supply. Subpopulations of high proliferative activity are found at the invasive borderline near normal kidney, focally in subcapsular areas and in intrarenal metastases, but also immediately adjacent to necrotic areas in the tumor center. Quantitative evaluation of autoradiograms yields, at the cellular level, a significantly higher labeling index in granular cells (3.21%) than in clear cells (0.65%), with a large variability dependent on the histological structure. The highest number of DNA synthetizing cells is seen in papillary and mixed solid‐tubular zones and at peripheral parts of solid areas, whereas in central parts of solid tumor cords and in highly differentiated tubular areas lower labeling indices are observed. The labeling index decreases exponentially as a function of the distance from the supporting blood vessel. In solid cords, no labeled cells are seen at a distance of more than 200 μm from the capillary. The ts determined by 3H/14C‐thymidine double labeling is between 9.9 and 16.8 hr for granular cells and about 9.2 hr for clear cells. Potential population doubling time calculated for various subpopulations yields values between 4 and 50 days. It is concluded that cell loss is high, for granular cells in particular. Besides cell loss, a large nonproliferating compartment contributes to a delay of the tumor volume doubling time. Proliferative heterogeneity of advanced human tumors, as exemplified by the renal adenocarcinoma, bears important implications for therapy and prognosis.
Phytochemical investigations on the medicinal plant Acmella oleracea cultivated in Mizoram , India

Species of the genus Acmella are perennial plants and are well known as traditional medicines and as vegetables in tropical regions. Of these, A. oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen is the most widely used, and is cultivated as an ornamental plant and as a crop. In traditional medicine, it is used for the treatment of haemorrhage, helminthiasis, gingivitis, laceration, malaria, oral and gastric ulcer and infections, dysentery, urinary calculi, and inflammations. Biochemical tests of the methanol indicated presence of important bioactive compounds, such as phytosterols, and tannins. Assessment of the free radical scavenging activity showed that it has concentration-dependent antioxidant activity similar to that of the standard butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the plant extract was 13.773 mg/ml, while it was 28.098 mg/ml for BHT. The total antioxidant activity was 85 mg/ml calculated against the standard ascorbic acid. The total phenol content was estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu-gallic acid reaction, and was determined to be 1.38 GAE mg/g. Using the aluminum chloride-quercetin assay, the total flavonoid content was calculated to be 28.7 QE mg/g.
On the importance of prompt oxygen changes for hypofractionated radiation treatments

This discussion is motivated by observations of prompt oxygen changes occurring prior to a significant number of cancer cells dying (permanently stopping their metabolic activity) from therapeutic agents like large doses of ionizing radiation. Such changes must be from changes in the vasculature that supplies the tissue or from the metabolic changes in the tissue itself. An adapted linear–quadratic treatment is used to estimate the cell survival variation magnitudes from repair and reoxygenation from a two-fraction treatment in which the second fraction would happen prior to significant cell death from the first fraction, in the large fraction limit. It is clear the effects of oxygen changes are likely to be the most significant factor for hypofractionation because of large radiation doses. It is a larger effect than repair. Optimal dose timing should be determined by the peak oxygen timing. A call is made to prioritize near real time measurements of oxygen dynamics in tumors undergoing hypofractionated treatments in order to make these treatments adaptable and patient-specific.
Three‐dimensional matrix stiffness and adhesive ligands affect cancer cell response to toxins

There is an immediate need to develop highly predictive in vitro cell‐based assays that provide reliable information on cancer drug efficacy and toxicity. Development of biomaterial‐based three‐dimensional (3D) cell culture models as drug screening platforms has recently gained much scientific interest as 3D cultures of cancer cells have been shown to more adequately mimic the in vivo tumor conditions. Moreover, it has been recognized that the biophysical and biochemical properties of the 3D microenvironment can play key roles in regulating various cancer cell fates, including their response to chemicals. In this study, we employed alginate‐based scaffolds of varying mechanical stiffness and adhesive ligand presentation to further explore the role of 3D microenvironmental cues on glioblastoma cell response to cytotoxic compounds. Our experiments suggested the ability of both matrix stiffness and cell‐matrix adhesions to strongly influence cell responses to toxins. Cells were found to be more susceptible to the toxins when cultured in softer matrices that emulated the stiffness of brain tissue. Furthermore, the effect of matrix stiffness on differential cell responses to toxins was negated by the presence of the adhesive ligand RGD, but regained when integrin‐based cell‐matrix interactions were inhibited. This study therefore indicates that both 3D matrix stiffness and cell‐matrix adhesions are important parameters in the design of more predictive in vitro platforms for drug development and toxicity screening. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 443–452. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Shaft Torque Limiting Control Using Shaft Torque Compensator for Two-Inertia Elastic System With Backlash

This paper aims to present a solution for torsional vibration suppression and shaft torque limitation simultaneously in servo system with backlash. The existence of backlash, which would make conventional notch filter invalid, will aggravate the mechanical vibration and bring the risk of unsafety to the system. In order to solve that problem, a novel shaft torque compensator is proposed, which would make the system similar to a rigid system with one inertia. What is more, this compensator can limit shaft torque as expected, making the system relatively safe under any situation with different load inertias and torques. The limiting control is based on the adaptive online identification of load inertia in order to improve robustness of the system and ensure not only the accuracy, but also the arbitrariness of shaft torque limit. Simulation and experimental results are presented to illustrate the favorable behavior of the drive with the robust shaft torque compensator.
Recursive Gath-Geva clustering as a basis for evolving neuro-fuzzy modeling

A recursive extension of Gath-Geva clustering algorithm is proposed in this paper which is used as a basis for online tuning and development of neuro-fuzzy models. In comparison with other online modeling approaches which use spherical clusters for defining validity region of neurons, the proposed evolving neuro-fuzzy model (ENFM) has the ability to take advantage of elliptical clusters. This extension increases the ability of local linear neurons of ENFM to capture system behavior in more sophisticated regions which leads to decrease in number of neurons as well as increase in the modeling ability. The proposed model is capable of adapting to changes in system behavior by adding new neurons or merging similar existing fuzzy rules. Efficiency of evolving neuro-fuzzy model is investigated in prediction of Mackey-Glass and smoothed sunspot number time series. Results of these simulations show better performance of the proposed model as compared with other online modeling approaches.
Safety and efficacy of donepezil in African Americans with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND African Americans have a higher incidence and prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) than whites but have been underrepresented in clinical trials, including studies of cholinesterase inhibitors. PURPOSE The purpose of this 12-week, open-label study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of donepezil in African Americans with mild-to-moderate AD. METHODS Efficacy was assessed via the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Clinician's Interview-Based Impression of Change-Plus interview with the patient and caregiver (CIBIC-Plus) and Fuld Object Memory Evaluation (FOME), a measure that has been validated for use with elderly African Americans. RESULTS Significant improvements were observed in cognition (MMSE), global function (CIBIC-Plus) and memory (all four subscales of the FOME). Donepezil was well tolerated; 51% of patients experienced adverse events, most commonly diarrhea (5.6%), hypertension (5.6%) and urinary tract infection (4.8%). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that donepezil is effective and safe in treating African Americans with mild-to-moderate AD, and support the value of FOME in assessing efficacy in AD trials in diverse populations.
Feasibility and e ectiveness of the baby friendly community initiative in rural Kenya : study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Interventions promoting optimal infant and young child nutrition could prevent a fifth of under-5 deaths in countries with high mortality. Poor infant and young child feeding practices are widely documented in Kenya, with potential detrimental effects on child growth, health and survival. Effective strategies to improve these practices are needed. This study aims to pilot implementation of the Baby Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI), a global initiative aimed at promoting optimal infant and young child feeding practices, to determine its feasibility and effectiveness with regards to infant feeding practices, nutrition and health outcomes in a rural setting in Kenya. Methods: The study, employing a cluster-randomized trial design, will be conducted in rural Kenya. A total of 12 clusters, constituting community units within the government’s Community Health Strategy, will be randomized, with half allocated to the intervention and the other half to the control arm. A total of 812 pregnant women and their respective children will be recruited into the study. The mother-child pairs will be followed up until the child is 6 months old. Recruitment will last approximately 1 year from January 2015, and the study will run for 3 years, from 2014 to 2016. The intervention will involve regular counseling and support of mothers by trained community health workers and health professionals on maternal, infant and young child nutrition. Regular assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices on maternal, infant and young child nutrition will be done, coupled with assessment of nutritional status of the mother-child pairs and morbidity for the children. Statistical methods will include analysis of covariance, multinomial logistic regression and multilevel modeling. The study is funded by the NIH and USAID through the Program for Enhanced Research (PEER) Health. Discussion: Findings from the study outlined in this protocol will inform potential feasibility and effectiveness of a community-based intervention aimed at promoting optimal breastfeeding and other infant feeding practices. The intervention, if proved feasible and effective, will inform policy and practice in Kenya and similar settings, particularly regarding implementation of the baby friendly community initiative. Trial registration: ISRCTN03467700; Date of Registration: 24 September 2014
Modified Simple Peritoneal Wall Anchor Technique (PWAT) in Peritoneal Dialysis

♦ Background: Outflow obstruction, a common complication in patients with peritoneal dialysis (PD), usually results in unnecessary catheter removal or replacement. This study describes a modified simple method of anchoring a PD catheter on the anterior peritoneal wall without using a laparoscopic system (peritoneal wall anchor technique, PWAT). ♦ Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of consecutive PD catheter insertions, and compared the catheter survival rate between the traditional method and the modified simple PWAT. The traditional method was used in 54 cases and the modified simple PWAT was used in 17 cases. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of surgical catheter repair because of outflow obstruction by day 365. The secondary endpoint was the occurrence of catheter migration with obstruction requiring any interventions, including the alpha-replacement method by day 365. Catheter survival was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival curves. ♦ Results: Migration-free catheter survival was significantly (p = 0.02) higher in the PWAT group (100%, 17/17) than in the traditional group (72.2%, 39/54). Catheter survival without surgical repair or cessation of PD was also significantly (p = 0.04) higher in the PWAT group (100%, 17/17) than in the traditional group (77.8%, 42/54). Similarly, migration-free and surgery-free catheter survival rates in cases with a straight-type catheter in the PWAT group were significantly higher than those in cases with a straight-type catheter in the traditional group. ♦ Conclusions: Our results suggest that the modified simple PWAT provides a better catheter survival rate than the traditional method by preventing catheter migration with obstruction in PD.
The metabolic syndrome: a practical guide to origins and treatment: Part II.

The metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of metabolic abnormalities with insulin resistance as a major characteristic, has gone by several names over the past two decades. The diagnostic criteria proposed by the Adult Treatment Program III (ATP III) of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) have led to greater awareness of the components and treatment strategies.1 Five diagnostic traits are listed in the ATP III version of the MetS (Table; referred to as the “metabolic syndrome”), and the presence of any 3 of these factors is considered sufficient for diagnosis. This practical review will consider each in turn, providing advice for cardiologists, internists, and other health care providers who are diagnosing and treating persons with the syndrome in an effort to prevent a variety of clinical outcomes. View this table: Diagnostic Criteria for the Metabolic Syndrome The major adverse consequence of the MetS is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Several of the metabolic abnormalities associated with the syndrome, in fact, are CVD risk factors. One of these abnormalities, insulin resistance, also predisposes to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In age-adjusted estimates from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III in 1998 to 1994, approximately 24% of adult Americans had ≥3 of the 5 MetS criteria. Key determinants of greater prevalence were age and ethnicity. Prevalence rates were highest in Mexican Americans and were successively lower in white, African American and other racial groups.2 These published estimates included persons with diabetes mellitus who had met the 1998 fasting glucose criteria (≥126 mg/dL [8.0 mmol/L]) of the American Diabetes Association.3 This article will focus on the features of the MetS in persons without diabetes mellitus, although most persons with T2DM also have the MetS. Moreover, the therapeutic approaches to metabolic risk factors described here also can be applied to …
90-nm-gated AlGaN/GaN HEMT with fT&fmax of 132GHz&205GHz

AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) with about 90 nm gate and 18nm-thick AlGaN barrier were fabricated on SiC substrate. The DC and RF characteristics were measured. The device has achieved a maximum drain current density of 1.2A/mm at a gate bias of +1.0V and a peak extrinsic transconductance of about 300mS/mm. The current-gain cutoff frequency (f<sub>T</sub>) reached 132GHz, resulting in a f<sub>T</sub>×L<sub>g</sub> of 11.9GHz·um. The maximum oscillation frequency (f<sub>max</sub>) reached 205GHz.
Learning latent factor from review text and rating for recommendation

In this paper, we propose a model to recommend related products to users. Our model combines the metrits of latent factor model and probabilistic topic model such as latent Dirichlet allocation(LDA), aiming to learn latent user factors from observed reviews rating and latent items factors from reviews text. It provides an interpretable latent factor for users and items. Experiments on a realworld dataset show that our model outperform state-of-the-art methods on the task of recommender system.
Daydreaming about Our Metaphorical Tool Belt

The article “The Effect of Age and Cerebral Ischemia on Diffusion-Weighted Proton MR Spectroscopy of the Human Brain”[1][1] in this issue of AJNR showcases an MR imaging technique that is unusual (at least in my opinion) as compared with those that are commonly clinically employed: diffusion-