Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Damage to the medial motor system in stroke patients with motor neglect

Background and objectives: Motor neglect (MN) is a clinically important condition whereby patients with unilateral brain lesions fail to move their contralateral limbs, despite normal muscle strength, reflexes, and sensation. MN has been associated with various lesion sites, including the parietal and frontal cortex, the internal capsule, the lenticulostriate nuclei, and the thalamus. In the present study, we explored the hypothesis that MN depends on a dysfunction of the medial motor system by performing a detailed anatomical analysis in four patients with MN. Methods: Ten patients participated in the study: four with MN, four with left visual neglect but without MN, and three patients with left hemiplegia without MN. We used specific scales for clinical and neuropsychological assessment. We drew the lesion borders directly onto the original brain images of each patient, and plotted the lesions on anatomical atlases for gray and white matter. Results: Lesion locations were highly heterogeneous in our MN patients, and included frontal and parietal sites, basal ganglia, and white matter. The only consistently damaged structure across all MN patients was the cingulum bundle, a major pathway of the medial motor system important for motor initiative, and a key connection with limbic structures crucial for motivational aspects of actions. Three MN patients with additional damage to lateral fronto-parietal networks had also signs of contralesional visual neglect. The cingulum bundle was intact in all the control patients with visual neglect or hemiplegia. Conclusions: Cingulum damage may induce MN through unilateral dysfunction of the medial motor system. Additional lateral fronto-parietal dysfunction can result in the association with visual neglect.
Influence of Selected Variables on Monocular, Interocular, and Binocular Visual Acuity

Purpose. The accurate determination of a patient's monocular and binocular visual acuity (VA) is a key feature of any ophthalmic examination. The work reported here was undertaken to inform the acuity assessment procedure by establishing the influence of test sequence, patient gender, and sensori-motor laterality preference on monocular, interocular, and binocular VA values. Methods. The test protocol required the determination of independent monocular acuities (testing right and left eyes in a randomized sequence), followed by the binocular value, in each of 100 prepresbyopic subjects conforming to specific selection criteria. A set of Landolt-ring logMAR charts for use at 20 ft (6 m) was produced for this task. In addition, the sighting eye and preferred hand of each subject were established using recognized techniques. Results. The order of monocular vision testing was found to have no statistically significant influence on the VA level recorded. The group mean acuity of the left eye exceeded that of the right by 0.005 logMAR units, a difference of no statistical significance. Compared with female subjects, males revealed a consistently, statistically significant higher group mean acuity of about 0.02 logMAR units (≥1 logMAR chart symbol). However, the clinical significance of this outcome and the relatively superior left acuity might both be regarded as doubtful. Binocular visual resolution was 13% greater than the mean monocular value. Associations between combinations of preferred eye, writing hand, and better-sighted eye were at levels no greater than chance would predict. Conclusion. Informed by these results obtained upon visually-normal subjects, the importance of technique and the need to test a patient's VA to threshold is stressed, not only in the context of appropriate clinical case handling but also with regard to accurate record keeping.
Aspergillus infections in birds: a review

Aspergillosis is an infectious, non-contagious fungal disease caused by species in the ubiquitous opportunistic saprophytic genus Aspergillus, in particular Aspergillus fumigatus. This mycosis was described many years ago, but continues to be a major cause of mortality in captive birds and, less frequently, in free-living birds. Although aspergillosis is predominantly a disease of the respiratory tract, all organs can be involved, leading to a variety of manifestations ranging from acute to chronic infections. It is believed that impaired immunity and the inhalation of a considerable amount of spores are important causative factors. The pathogenesis, early diagnostic methods and antifungal treatment schedules need to be further studied in order to control this disease. The aim of the present review is to present the current knowledge on aspergillosis with the main emphasis on A. fumigatus infections in captive and free-living birds rather than domestic poultry. The review covers aetiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical signs and lesions, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Acute effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on early ventricular arrhythmias after coronary occlusion in rats

Objectives: To evaluate the acute effects of colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on ventricular arrhythmias after coronary occlusion in rats. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats (10 weeks) received G-CSF (100 μg.kg-1) or vehicle. Thirty minutes later, animals were infarcted by coronary occlusion under artificial respiration. Electrocardiogram was monitored for 30 min to evaluate ventricular arrhythmias. Results: G-CSF treatment reduced the number of premature ventricular beats and the number and duration of ventricular tachycardia. The incidence of ventricular fibrillation was significantly reduced by G-CSF (MI-Cont: 11.2 ± 2.4 vs. MI-GCSF: 5.4 ± 1 events; P < 0.05). However, total duration of ventricular fibrillation was not altered (MI-Cont: 84 ± 16 vs. MI-GCSF: 76 ± 13 sec). Conclusions: Acute administration of G-CSF before coronary ligature in rats reduces the incidence of ventricular premature beats and ventricular tachycardia, suggesting a possible direct electrophysiological effect of this cytokine independently of its genomic effects. However, the data suggest that G-CSF treatment may affect the spontaneous recovery from ventricular fibrillation. Acute G-CSF administration acts directly on cardiac electrophysiology, different from chronic treatment.
Building of a Brain

confronted, was losing his hold on the continent when the Mayflower anchored in Plymouth Bay, and is now rapidly disappearing. It remains to be seen if the Anglo-Saxon race, which has ventured upon a continent that has proved the tomb of antecedent races, can be more fortunate than they in maintaining a permanent grasp upon this western world. One thing, at least, is sure? it will fail, as previous races
Increased Functional Connectivity and Brain Atrophy in Elderly with Subjective Memory Complaints

Subjective memory complaints (SMC) are common among elderly. Although subtle changes in memory functioning can hardly be determined using neuropsychological evaluation, neuroimaging studies indicate regionally smaller brain structures in elderly with SMC. Imaging of resting-state functional connectivity is sensitive to detect changes in neurodegenerative diseases, but is currently underexplored in SMC. Here, we investigate resting-state functional connectivity and brain structure in SMC. We analyzed magnetic resonance imaging data of 25 elderly with SMC and 29 age-matched controls (mean age of 71 years). Voxel-based morphometry and volume measurements of subcortical structures were employed on the structural scans using FSL. The dual regression method was used to analyze voxel-wise functional connectivity in relation to eight well-characterized resting-state networks. Group differences were studied with two-sample t-tests (p<0.05, Family-Wise Error corrected). In addition to gray matter volume reductions (hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), medial prefrontal cortex, cuneus, precuneus, and precentral gyrus), elderly with SMC showed increased functional connectivity in the default mode network (hippocampus, thalamus, posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), cuneus, precuneus, and superior temporal gyrus) and the medial visual network (ACC, PCC, cuneus, and precuneus). This study is the first which demonstrates that, in addition to smaller regional brain volumes, increases in functional connectivity are present in elderly with SMC. This suggests that self-reported SMC is a reflection of objective alterations in brain function. Furthermore, our results indicate that functional imaging, in addition to structural imaging, can be a useful tool to objectively determine a difference in brain integrity in SMC.
Cosmological multi-black-hole solutions.

We present simple, analytic solutions to the Einstein-Maxwell equation, which describe an arbitrary number of charged black holes in a spacetime with a positive cosmological constant Λ. In the limit Λ=0, these solutions reduce to the well-known Majumdar-Papapetrou (MP) solutions. Like the MP solutions, each black hole in a Λ > 0 solution has charge Q equal to its mass M, up to a possible overall sign. Unlike the Λ = 0 limit, however, solutions with Λ > 0 are highly dynamical. The black holes move with respect to one another, following natural trajectories in the background de Sitter spacetime. Black holes moving apart eventually go out of causal contact. Black holes on approaching trajectories ultimately merge. To our knowledge, these solutions give the first analytic description of coalescing black holes
Enzymatic modification by point mutation and functional analysis of an omega-6 fatty acid desaturase from Arctic Chlamydomonas sp.

ABSTRACT Arctic Chlamydomonas sp. is a dominant microalgal strain in cold or frozen freshwater in the Arctic region. The full-length open reading frame of the omega-6 fatty acid desaturase gene (AChFAD6) was obtained from the transcriptomic database of Arctic Chlamydomonas sp. from the KOPRI culture collection of polar micro-organisms. Amino acid sequence analysis indicated the presence of three conserved histidine-rich segments as unique characteristics of omega-6 fatty acid desaturases, and three transmembrane regions transported to plastidic membranes by chloroplast transit peptides in the N-terminal region. The AChFAD6 desaturase activity was examined by expressing wild-type and V254A mutant (Mut-AChFAD6) heterologous recombinant proteins. Quantitative gas chromatography indicated that the concentration of linoleic acids in AChFAD6-transformed cells increased more than 3-fold [6.73 ± 0.13 mg g−1 dry cell weight (DCW)] compared with cells transformed with vector alone. In contrast, transformation with Mut-AChFAD6 increased the concentration of oleic acid to 9.23 ± 0.18 mg g−1 DCW, indicating a change in enzymatic activity to mimic that of stearoyl-CoA desaturase. These results demonstrate that AChFAD6 of Arctic Chlamydomonas sp. increases membrane fluidity by enhancing denaturation of C18 fatty acids and facilitates production of large quantities of linoleic fatty acids in prokaryotic expression systems.
Extracellular matrix modulates sensitivity of hepatocytes to fibroblastoid dedifferentiation and transforming growth factor β–induced apoptosis

Hepatocytes in culture are a valuable tool to investigate mechanisms involved in the response of the liver to cytokines. However, it is well established that hepatocytes cultured on monolayers of dried stiff collagen dedifferentiate, losing specialized liver functions. In this study, we show that hepatocyte dedifferentiation is a reversible consequence of a specific signaling network constellation triggered by the extracellular matrix. A dried stiff collagen activates focal adhesion kinase (FAK) via Src, leading to activation of the Akt and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 pathways. Akt causes resistance to transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β)–induced apoptosis by antagonizing p38, whereas ERK1/2 signaling opens the route to epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Apoptosis resistance is reversible by inhibiting Akt or Src, and EMT can be abrogated by blocking the ERK1/2 pathway. In contrast to stiff collagen, a softer collagen gel does not activate FAK, keeping the hepatocytes in a state where they remain sensitive to TGF‐β–induced apoptosis and do not undergo EMT. In this culture system, inhibition of p38 as well as overexpression of constitutively active Akt causes apoptosis resistance, whereas constitutively active Ras induces EMT. Finally, we show that matrix‐induced EMT is reversible by replating cells from dried stiff to soft gel collagen. Our results demonstrate that hepatocyte dedifferentiation in vitro is an active process driven by FAK‐mediated Akt and ERK1/2 signaling. This leads to similar functional and morphological alterations as observed for regenerating hepatocytes in vivo and is reversible when Akt and/or ERK1/2 signaling pathways are antagonized. Conclusion: Hepatocytes can exist in a differentiated and a dedifferentiated state that are reversible and can be switched by manipulating the responsible key factors of the signaling network. (HEPATOLOGY 2009.)
Eurographics/siggraph Symposium on Computer Animation (2003) Finite Volume Methods for the Simulation of Skeletal Muscle

Since it relies on a geometrical rather than a variational framework, many find the finite volume method (FVM) more intuitive than the finite element method (FEM). We show that the FVM allows one to interpret the stress inside a tetrahedron as a simple " multidimensional force " pushing on each face. Moreover, this interpretation leads to a heuristic method for calculating the force on each node, which is as simple to implement and comprehend as masses and springs. In the finite volume spirit, we also present a geometric rather than interpolating function definition of strain. We use the FVM and a quasi-incompressible, transversely isotropic, hyperelastic constitutive model to simulate contracting muscle tissue. B-spline solids are used to model fiber directions, and the muscle activation levels are derived from key frame animations.
Neuraxial Anesthesia for the Prevention of Postoperative Mortality and Major Morbidity: An Overview of Cochrane Systematic Reviews

BACKGROUND:This analysis summarized Cochrane reviews that assess the effects of neuraxial anesthesia on perioperative rates of death, chest infections, and myocardial infarction. METHODS:A search was performed in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews on July 13, 2012. We have included all Cochrane systematic reviews that examined subjects of any age undergoing any type of surgical (open or endoscopic) procedure, compared neuraxial anesthesia to general anesthesia alone for the surgical anesthesia, or neuraxial anesthesia plus general anesthesia to general anesthesia alone for the surgical anesthesia, and included death, chest infections, myocardial infarction, and/or serious adverse events as outcomes. Studies included in these reviews were selected on the same criteria. RESULTS:Nine Cochrane reviews were selected for this overview. Their scores on the Overview Quality Assessment Questionnaire varied from 4 to 6 of a maximal possible score of 7. Compared with general anesthesia, neuraxial anesthesia reduced the 0- to-30-day mortality (risk ratio [RR] 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53–0.94; I2 = 0%) based on 20 studies that included 3006 participants. Neuraxial anesthesia also decreased the risk of pneumonia (RR 0.45; 95% CI, 0.26–0.79; I2 = 0%) based on 5 studies that included 400 participants. No difference was detected in the risk of myocardial infarction between the 2 techniques (RR 1.17; 95% CI, 0.57–2.37; I2 = 0%) based on 6 studies with 849 participants. Compared with general anesthesia alone, adding neuraxial anesthesia to general anesthesia did not affect the 0- to-30-day mortality (RR 1.07; 95% CI, 0.76–1.51; I2 = 0%) based on 18 studies with 3228 participants. No difference was detected in the risk of myocardial infarction between combined neuraxial anesthesia–general anesthesia and general anesthesia alone (RR 0.69; 95% CI, 0.44–1.09; I2 = 0%) based on 8 studies that included 1580 participants. Adding a neuraxial anesthesia to general anesthesia reduced the risk of pneumonia (RR 0.69; 95% CI, 0.49–0.98; I2 = 9%) after adjustment for publication bias and based on 9 studies that included 2433 participants. The quality of the evidence was judged as moderate for all 6 comparisons. The quality of the reporting score of complications related to neuraxial blocks was 9 (4 to 12 [median {range}]) for a possible maximum score of 14. CONCLUSIONS:Compared with general anesthesia, neuraxial anesthesia may reduce the 0-to-30-day mortality for patients undergoing a surgery with an intermediate-to-high cardiac risk (level of evidence moderate). Large randomized controlled trials on the difference in death and major outcomes between regional and general anesthesia are required.
Real-Time Unity

We propose Real-Time Unity in which the Unity operators are generalized to bounded forms. This is done in such a way that for k=infinity the bounded forms specialize to the unbounded forms. Hence Real-Time Unity includes Unity as a sub-theory. Real-Time Unity appears to be especially appropriate for reasoning about the interplay of real-time progress and safety properties. We argue that this sort of interplay is fundamental to the development of real-time programs and give a number of examples of the application of the theory to programs which require such an interplay. We then propose topics for further research.
Transcriptional regulation of the heme oxygenase 1 gene by pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate

Heme oxygenase 1 (HO‐1), a stress response protein, is highly induced in response to various agents causing oxidative stress including ultraviolet irradiation, sodium arsenite, hyperoxia, and glutathione depletors. We recently characterized the induction of HO‐1 gene expression by nitric oxide (NO) and postulated that the addition of an antioxidant, such as pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), would attenuate HO‐1 induction in response to NO. Surprisingly, PDTC was a very potent inducer of HO‐1 gene expression, causing increases in the steady‐state level of HO‐1 mRNA in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle (aVSM) cells in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent manner. PDTC‐induced HO‐1 gene expression correlated with a rise in protein levels and was dependent on both increased gene transcription and mRNA stability. Deletional analyses of the proximal promoter and the entire 5′ distal upstream region of the HO‐1 gene (11 kbp) were performed including the two 5′ distal enhancers, SX2 and AB1, located 4 kbp and 10 kbp upstream of the transcription site, respectively. Plasmid vectors containing various fragments of this region were linked to a chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) reporter gene, stably transfected into RAW 264.7 cells, and transfectants were assayed for CAT activity after treatment with PDTC. We show that the AB1 distal enhancer plays an important role in mediating PDTC‐induced HO‐1 gene transcription. Mutational analyses of this enhancer showed that the activator protein 1 (AP‐1) regulatory element is crucial for PDTC‐induced HO‐1 gene transcription. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays supported this data, demonstrating increased AP‐1 DNA binding activity after PDTC treatment. Taken together, our data demonstrate that the antioxidant PDTC enhances HO‐1 gene transcription and that the induction appears to be mediated by AP‐1 activation of regulatory elements specific to the distal enhancer AB1. —Hartsfield, C. L. , Alam, J., Choi, A. M. K. Transcriptional regulation of the heme oxygenase 1 gene by pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate. FASEB J. 12, 1675–1682 (1998)
Engineering super mycovirus donor strains of chestnut blight fungus by systematic disruption of multilocus vic genes

Significance Allorecognition, termed “vegetative incompatibility” (vic), in filamentous fungi limits the efficacy of virulence-attenuating mycoviruses for biological control (hypovirulence). Because mycoviruses lead exclusive intracellular lifestyles, horizontal transmission relies on cytoplasmic exchange during hyphal fusion (anastomosis). Fusion between vic-incompatible strains results in localized cell death restricting mycovirus transmission. We report the systematic disruption of multilocus vic genes and excision of exogenic genes to generate strains of the chestnut blight fungus able to transmit hypovirulence to strains with genotypic differences at any or all of the defined vic loci. The results demonstrate the feasibility of modulating fungal allorecognition to promote transmission of virulence-attenuating mycoviruses for enhanced biocontrol potential. Transmission of mycoviruses that attenuate virulence (hypovirulence) of pathogenic fungi is restricted by allorecognition systems operating in their fungal hosts. We report the use of systematic molecular gene disruption and classical genetics for engineering fungal hosts with superior virus transmission capabilities. Four of five diallelic virus-restricting allorecognition [vegetative incompatibility (vic)] loci were disrupted in the chestnut blight fungus Cryphonectria parasitica using an adapted Cre-loxP recombination system that allowed excision and recycling of selectable marker genes (SMGs). SMG-free, quadruple vic mutant strains representing both allelic backgrounds of the remaining vic locus were then produced through mating. In combination, these super donor strains were able to transmit hypoviruses to strains that were heteroallelic at one or all of the virus-restricting vic loci. These results demonstrate the feasibility of modulating allorecognition to engineer pathogenic fungi for more efficient transmission of virulence-attenuating mycoviruses and enhanced biological control potential.
Interdiffusion Databanks of γ, γ′ and β Phases in NiAl-Based Ternary Systems

Advanced modern gas-turbine engines strongly rely on high-temperature thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) for the improved efficiency and power. Interdiffusion between the bond coat and the underlying Ni-based superalloy is one key factor limiting the lifetime of TBCs. In order to assist the engineering-oriented lifetime assessment and even design new TBCs, reliable composition- and temperature-dependent interdiffusivity databanks for γ, γ′ and β phases in different types of bond coats and Ni-based superalloys are the prerequisite. This chapter starts from a very brief introduction of the state-of-art experimental techniques and calculation methods for interdiffusivity determination in ternary systems. After that, the status of the interdiffusion databanks of γ, γ′ and β phases in NiAl-based ternary systems is then summarized, with a special focus on the demonstration of interdiffusivity data measured by means of single-phase diffusion couple/multiple techniques in combination with Matano-Kirkaldy method or numerical inverse method. Several typical results for NiAl-based γ, γ′ and β phases are also given. Finally, two examples of successful applications of the available interdiffusion databanks of ternary NiAl-based γ, γ′ and β phases are presented. One lies in the Re-substitutional element searching in potential new-generation Ni-based superalloys, while the other is the phase-field modeling of interdiffusion microstructure in ternary mode NiAlCr-based TBCs without/with the effect of temperature gradient.