Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A probabilistic atlas of the human motion complex built from large‐scale functional localizer data

Accurate motion perception is critical to dealing with the changing dynamics of our visual world. A cluster known as the human MT+ complex (hMT+) has been identified as a core region involved in motion perception. Several atlases defined based on cytoarchitecture, retinotopy, connectivity, and multimodal features include homologs of the hMT+. However, an hMT+ atlas defined directly based on this region's response for motion is still lacking. Here, we identified the hMT+ based on motion responses from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) localizer data in 509 participants and then built a probabilistic atlas of the hMT+. As a result, four main findings were revealed. First, the hMT+ showed large interindividual variability across participants. Second, the atlases stabilized when the number of participants used to build the atlas was more than 100. Third, the functional hMT+ showed good agreement with the hMT+ atlases built based on cytoarchitecture, retinotopy, and connectivity, suggesting a good structural–functional correspondence. Fourth, tests on multiple fMRI data sets acquired from independent participants, imaging parameters and paradigms revealed that the functional hMT+ showed higher sensitivity than all other atlases in ROI analysis except that connectivity and multimodal hMT+ atlases in the left hemisphere could infrequently attain comparable sensitivity to the functional atlas. Taken together, our findings reveal the benefit of using large‐scale functional localizer data to build a reliable and representative hMT+ atlas. Our atlas is freely available for download; it can be used to localize the hMT+ in individual participants when functional localizer data are not available.
MicroRNA signatures and Foxp3+ cell count correlate with relapse occurrence in follicular lymphoma

First line drug treatment of follicular lymphoma (FL) patients is followed by a highly variable disease-free time before relapse in about one third of patients. No molecular marker is able to predict efficiently the risk of relapse. We investigated the expression profile of microRNAs (miRNAs) by microarrays and of the tumor microenvironment by immunohistochemistry in 26 FLs and 12 reactive lymph nodes (rLN) as reference. Twenty-nine miRNAs were differentially expressed in FLs compared to rLNs and some of them discriminated grade 1 from 3a FLs. Both FLs and rLNs displayed molecular heterogeneity. FLs grouped into two clusters mostly driven by the tumor T-cell content. Among 21 drug-treated FL patients with an average follow-up of 13.5 years, eight cases relapsed. Twenty-six miRNAs discriminated between relapsed and non-relapsed FLs. Ten miRNAs also correlated with Foxp3+ cells number. Notably, Foxp3+ cells were significantly less in relapsed patients and lower Foxp3+ cell number associated with shorter time-to-relapse. Foxp3+ cells did not co-expressed follicular helper T-cell markers and were therefore classified as regulatory T cells rather than follicular regulatory T-cells. These findings introduce new knowledge about the relationship between miRNA alterations and infiltrating immune cells and show that Foxp3+ cells might be predictive of disease relapse.
Fluoride rinsing and dental health inequalities in 11-year-old children: an evaluation of a supervised school-based fluoride rinsing programme in Edinburgh.

OBJECTIVES Previous studies have shown that fluoride mouthrinsing programmes are effective in reducing caries among children and adolescents. National surveys of child dental health in the UK confirm that there is variation in oral health. In particular, children of low socioeconomic status in Scotland have a disproportionately high share of dental disease. This study aimed to evaluate an existing school-based fluoride mouthrinsing programme on dental caries in populations stratified by socioeconomic status. METHODS A random sample of 1333 children surveyed by the National Dental Inspection Programme with average age 11.4 years was included in the study. Caries prevalence data were collected for the 661 rinsers and 672 nonrinsers. Chi-squared tests and t-tests were carried out to test differences in proportion and in mean D(3)MFT, respectively. The data were modelled using multilevel logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, deprivation and rinse status. RESULTS There is a strong negative association between deprivation and prevalence of D(3)MFT = 0. There is no significant difference in prevalence of D(3)MFT between rinsers and nonrinsers, however, mean D(3)MFT is greater for nonrinsers within each deprivation category. After adjusting for age, sex and deprivation, the odds of a tooth being decayed missing or filled for a child who rinsed are 0.79 (0.64, 0.98) compared with those of a child who did not. CONCLUSIONS Fluoride rinsing can be effectively targeted at children from deprived areas through school-based initiatives. There are some difficulties in recruiting all children from the more deprived backgrounds, but overall reductions in D(3)MFT were observed.
Analytical and micropreparative peptide mapping by high performance liquid chromatography/electrospray mass spectrometry of proteins purified by gel electrophoresis

We report the use of microbore reverse‐phase high performance liquid chromatography connected on‐line to an electrospray mass spectrometer for the separation/detection of peptides derived by proteolytic digestion of proteins separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A small fraction (typically 10% of the total) of the peptides eluting from the column was diverted through a flow‐splitting device into the ion source of the mass spectrometer, whereas the majority of the peptide samples was collected for further analyses. We demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining reproducible peptide maps from submicrogram amounts of protein applied to the gel and good correlation of the signal detected by the mass spectrometer with peptide detection by UV absorbance. Furthermore, independently verifiable peptide masses were determined from subpicomole amounts of peptides directed into the mass spectrometer.
Development of a statistical model for cervical cancer cell death with irreversible electroporation in vitro

Purpose The aim of this study was to develop a statistical model for cell death by irreversible electroporation (IRE) and to show that the statistic model is more accurate than the electric field threshold model in the literature using cervical cancer cells in vitro. Methods HeLa cell line was cultured and treated with different IRE protocols in order to obtain data for modeling the statistical relationship between the cell death and pulse-setting parameters. In total, 340 in vitro experiments were performed with a commercial IRE pulse system, including a pulse generator and an electric cuvette. Trypan blue staining technique was used to evaluate cell death after 4 hours of incubation following IRE treatment. Peleg-Fermi model was used in the study to build the statistical relationship using the cell viability data obtained from the in vitro experiments. A finite element model of IRE for the electric field distribution was also built. Comparison of ablation zones between the statistical model and electric threshold model (drawn from the finite element model) was used to show the accuracy of the proposed statistical model in the description of the ablation zone and its applicability in different pulse-setting parameters. Results The statistical models describing the relationships between HeLa cell death and pulse length and the number of pulses, respectively, were built. The values of the curve fitting parameters were obtained using the Peleg-Fermi model for the treatment of cervical cancer with IRE. The difference in the ablation zone between the statistical model and the electric threshold model was also illustrated to show the accuracy of the proposed statistical model in the representation of ablation zone in IRE. Conclusions This study concluded that: (1) the proposed statistical model accurately described the ablation zone of IRE with cervical cancer cells, and was more accurate compared with the electric field model; (2) the proposed statistical model was able to estimate the value of electric field threshold for the computer simulation of IRE in the treatment of cervical cancer; and (3) the proposed statistical model was able to express the change in ablation zone with the change in pulse-setting parameters.
Mechanisms of the hyperkalaemia caused by nafamostat mesilate: effects of its two metabolites on Na+ and K+ transport properties in the rabbit cortical collecting duct

1 The present experiments were undertaken to determine the mechanism(s) of hyperkalaemia caused by nafamostat mesilate (NM), a serine‐protease inhibitor. 2 We investigated the effects of luminal addition of two metabolites of NM, p‐guanidinobenzoic acid (PGBA) and 6‐amidino‐2‐naphthol (AN), on Na+ and K+ transport properties of the collecting duct (CD) cell in the isolated perfused cortical collecting duct (CCD) from rabbit kidneys, because these metabolites, but not NM, were mainly excreted into the urine. 3 Addition of PGBA at 10−5 and 10−4 M in the lumen resulted in a hyperpolarization of VA in parallel with increases in transepithelial resistance (RT) and fractional apical membrane resistance (fRA). PGBA added to the luminal perfusate at 10−5 and 10−4 M changed VA, RT and fRA in a dose‐dependent manner. These effects were completely inhibited by pretreatment with luminal amiloride (50 μm). PGBA at 10−6 M in the lumen had no effect on the electrical parameters. 4 Luminal addition of AN at 10−4 M also caused the apical membrane to hyperpolarize in parallel with increases in RT and fRA. These effects were also completely inhibited by pretreatment with luminal amiloride (50 μm). AN at 10−5m in the lumen had no effect on the electrical parameters. 5 We conclude that two metabolites of NM, PGBA and AN, act on the apical membrane of the CD cell and inhibit the amiloride‐sensitive Na+ conductance, resulting in an inhibition of K+ secretion. This direct action of these metabolites, rather than NM, on the CCD might contribute to the NM‐induced hyperkalaemia.
Education in the Japanese life-cycle : implications for the United States

This study describes and analyzes the varieties of educational experiences of Japanese from infancy through to old age. It also compares and contrasts these experiences with those of Americans. It is an integration of the major findings of American and Japanese scholars of education, the author's own research, and the reactions of American scholars. Each chapter contains both general information and illustrative case studies. It examines not only the formal education systems but also the roles of the family, the adult kendo or English conversation club, workplace on-the-job training, and senior citizens organizations providing another perspective on the subject.
Transcriptome-wide identification and functional investigation of the RDR2- and DCL3-dependent small RNAs encoded by long non-coding RNAs in Arabidopsis thaliana

ABSTRACT The involvement of the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in small RNA (sRNA)-related pathways remains elusive. Taking advantage of the public sRNA sequencing data, we searched for RNA-dependent RNA polymerase 2 (RDR2)- and Dicer-like 3 (DCL3)-dependent sRNAs generated from the lncRNAs of Arabidopsis thaliana. First, 55,162 sRNAs were identified to be RDR2- and DCL3-dependent. These sRNAs were then mapped onto the lncRNAs. As a result, a total of 26,643 sRNAs found their loci on 3,834 lncRNAs, and 29,388 sRNAs found their loci on 4,174 reverse complementary (RC) sequences of the lncRNAs. To support the formation of the double-stranded precursors for sRNA generation, double-stranded RNA sequencing (dsRNA-seq) reads were mapped onto the sense and antisense strands of the lncRNAs with RDR2- and DCL3-dependent sRNA loci. As a result, 1,075 regions longer than 100 nt were identified to be covered by dsRNA-seq reads on 390 sense strands of the lncRNAs, and 1,352 regions were identified on 544 RC strands. Besides, 2,238 out of 3,211 dsRNA-seq read-covered sRNA loci were supported by degradome sequencing data on the sense strands of the lncRNAs. Interestingly, dozens of dsRNA-seq read-covered regions with AGO4-associated sRNA loci showed site-specific chromatin modification patterns. Thus, some of the lncRNAs were integrated into the RDR2- and DCL3-dependent sRNA biogenesis pathway. Moreover, our results indicated that the site-specific chromatin modifications mediated by the AGO4-associated sRNAs might play a regulatory role on the transcription activity of the lncRNA genes.
Improved echo volumar imaging (EVI) for functional MRI

Echo volumar imaging (EVI) is a 3D modification of echo‐planar imaging (EPI) that allows data from an entire volume to be acquired following a single RF excitation. EVI provides a high rate of volumar data acquisition, which is advantageous for functional MRI (fMRI). However, few studies to date have applied EVI to fMRI, since because of gradient hardware limitations EVI generally has to be used with long sampling times, resulting in high sensitivity to susceptibility‐induced distortions. In this study we modified the EVI sequence to improve its suitability for fMRI. The sampling time is reduced by the use of a high gradient‐switching frequency, a small number of echoes, and outer volume suppression (OVS); rewind gradients ameliorate Nyquist ghosting; and phase correction via a calibration scan reduces ghosting and distortion. It is shown that the modified EVI sequence allows fMRI data to be acquired with a temporal resolution of 167 ms. Magn Reson Med, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Monoclonal antibody CL5 recognizes the amino terminal domain of human phagocyte flavocytochrome b558 large subunit, gp91phox

Abstract: Human phagocyte flavocytochrome b558 (Cytb) is a heterodimeric integral membrane protein that serves as the electron transferase of the β‐nicotinamide adenine dinucleotidephosphate, reduced (NADPH)‐oxidase, an enzyme complex important in the host defense function of phagocytic cells. In this study, we report the characterization of monoclonal antibody (mAb) CL5 that is specific for the large subunit, gp91phox, of the oxidase protein. This antibody recognizes gp91phox by immunoblot analysis of membrane extracts and samples of the immunopurified gp91phox/p22phox heterodimer, prepared on anti‐p22phox affinity matrices. Phage display analysis confirmed this specificity, indicating that the CL5 epitope contains the region 135‐DPYSVALSELGDR of gp91phox. The antibody was used to probe for the presence of gp91phox in membrane preparations from neutrophils of patients with nine genetically distinct forms of X‐linked chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). The causative mutations included missense errors as well as nonsense errors that result in premature termination of gp91phox synthesis. Analysis of the CGD samples by immunoblotting indicated that CL5 recognizes only the full‐length wild‐type and two missense mutations, consistent with the absence of stable short gp91phox peptide expression in CGD neutrophils. Interestingly, CL5 was also shown to be cross‐reactive with cytosolic and membrane‐bound gelsolin, identified by purification, mass spectrometry and immunoblot analysis. CL5 probably cross‐reacts with the sequence 771‐DPLDRAMAEL in the C‐terminus of gelsolin. We conclude that mAb CL5 is a useful probe for detection of full length and possibly truncated N‐terminal fragments of gp91phox from membranes of Cytb‐producing cells.
Metabolic syndrome, its components and mortality: A population-based study

Background: The association between Metabolic syndrome (MetS), its components and mortality has not been clearly established. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Mets and its components on all cause and cause-specific mortality and to examine whether MetS or its components were better predictors of mortality. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we used data from the Zanjan Healthy Heart Study performed in 2003 on 4000 persons. Based on the definitions provided by the NCEP- ATPIII, 1051 participants with MetS and 1219 with none or one of its components at study entry were enrolled. Information regarding the mortality and morbidity of 502 participants with MetS and 523 controls was collected in 2013 by telephone. Cause of death was defined as Cardio-Vascular Disease (CVD) or non-CVD. Data were analyzed using the Cox Proportional Hazards model to estimate the hazard ratios predicted by MetS and its individual components. Results: The median duration of follow-up was 104±10.7 months. Thirty-five deaths occurred, including 18 cardiovascular deaths. The proportion of those with CVD, hypertension, diabetes or hospital stay was statistically higher in MetS patients than controls (p<0.0001). The hazard ratios of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality for those with MetS were 1.75 (%95CI: 0.88-3.47) and 3.66 (%95CI: 1.2-11.1) higher than controls, respectively. Among the components of MetS, only hypertension predicted a higher risk of all-cause and CVD mortality after adjusting for age and sex. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that MetS was associated with a higher risk of CVD mortality, morbidity, and hospital stay. Among the components of MetS, the association of hypertension was stronger compared to MetS as a whole. Therefore, this study confirms that MetS is a risk factor for CVD mortality, but not beyond the risk associated with its individual components.
β‐Endorphin expression in the mouse retina

Evidence showing expression of endogenous opioids in the mammalian retina is sparse. In the present study we examined a transgenic mouse line expressing an obligate dimerized form of Discosoma red fluorescent protein (DsRed) under the control of the pro‐opiomelanocortin promoter and distal upstream regulatory elements to assess whether pro‐opiomelanocortin peptide (POMC), and its opioid cleavage product, β‐endorphin, are expressed in the mouse retina. Using double label immunohistochemistry we found that DsRed fluorescence was restricted to a subset of GAD‐67‐positive cholinergic amacrine cells of both orthotopic and displaced subtypes. About 50% of cholinergic amacrine cells colocalized DsRed and a large fraction of DsRed‐expressing amacrine cells was positive for β‐endorphin immunostaining, whereas β‐endorphin‐immunoreactive neurons were absent in retinas of POMC null mice. Our findings contribute to a growing body of evidence demonstrating that opioid peptides are an integral component of vertebrate retinas, including those of mammals. J. Comp. Neurol. 518:3130–3148, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Low Hemoglobin Is Associated With Low Bone Mineral Density and High Risk of Bone Fracture in Male Adults: A Retrospective Medical Record Review Study

The aim of this study was to examine the association between serum hemoglobin level, bone mineral density, and fracture risks based on the estimated score of the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) in Asian male adults. The medical records of 662 male patients who underwent health examinations at a regional teaching hospital in southern Taiwan were reviewed. The medical history, demographic characteristics, clinical laboratory results, and bone mineral density of the patients were ascertained from their medical records. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the association of hemoglobin levels with bone mineral density, the 10-year risk of hip fracture, and the 10-year risk of major osteoporotic fracture (clinical spine, forearm, hip, or shoulder fracture) as assessed by FRAX. The mean age of the patients was 53.1 years. Results from simple linear regression analysis indicated that hemoglobin was positively associated with bone mineral density but inversely associated with both hip fracture risk and major osteoporotic fracture risk. Similar results were obtained when potential confounding variables were adjusted using multiple linear regression analysis. Low serum hemoglobin levels might be an important indicator for predicting bone mineral loss and the risk of both major osteoporotic fracture and hip fracture in male patients. Bone mineral density should be closely monitored in patients receiving treatment for anemia.
Derivatives: Markets, Valuation, and Risk Management

Preface. Acknowledgments. About the Author. PART ONE: Derivative Markets. Chapter 1: Derivative Contracts and Markets. PART TWO: Fundamentals of Valuation. Chapter 2: Assumptions and Interest Rate Mechanics. Chapter 3: Relation between Return and Risk. PART THREE: Forwards/Futures/Swap Valuation. Chapter 4: No-Arbitrage Price Relations: Forwards, Futures, Swaps. Chapter 5: Risk Management Strategies: Futures. PART FOUR: Option Valuation. Chapter 6: No-Arbitrage Price Relations: Options. Chapter 7: Valuing Standard Options Analytically. Chapter 8: Valuing Nonstandard Options Analytically. Chapter 9: Valuing Options Numerically. Chapter 10: Risk Management Strategies: Options. PART FIVE: Stock Derivatives. Chapter 11: Stock Products. Chapter 12: Corporate Securities. Chapter 13: Compensation Agreements. PART SIX: Stock Index Derivatives. Chapter 14: Stock Index Products: Futures and Options. Chapter 15: Stock Index Products: Strategy Based. PART SEVEN: Currency Derivatives. Chapter 16: Currency Products. PART EIGHT: Interest Rate Derivatives. Chapter 17: Interest Rate Products: Futures and Options. Chapter 18: Interest Rate Products: Swaps. Chapter 19: Credit Products. Chapter 20: Valuing Interest Rate Products Numerically. PART NINE: Commodity Derivatives. Chapter 21: Commodity Products. PART TEN: Lessons Learned. Chapter 22: Key Lessons 773 APPENDICES. A. Elementary Statistics. B. Regression Analysis. C. Statistical Tables. D. Glossary. ABOUT THE CD-ROM. INDEX.
‘Malignant transformation’ of mature cystic teratoma

Recently we observed an endometrioid carcinoma with clear cell changes in the background of an endometriotic cyst of the right ovary (T1c) adjacent to a mature cystic teratoma (MCT) in a 51-year-old woman. Minimal microscopic focus of grade 1 endometrioid adenocarcinoma confined to endometrium was found in the uterine corpus. We read with great interest two papers published in The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research. Kim et al. described a case of synchronous mucinous adenocarcinoma (MA) and strumal carcinoid tumor from one of two ovarian MCT (one in each ovary) with synchronous cervical cancer. Ulker et al. reported six cases of malignant transformation arising from ovarian MCT. Histologically, three of six cases were squamous cell carcinomas, two cases were carcinoid tumors and one case was an MA. One case in the series reported by Ulker et al. has been reported in a previous paper that the authors did not cite. This case was an MA of the ovary arising in an MCT during pregnancy in a 38-year-old woman. The origin of MA from a teratomatous component has not been found. The malignancy found in an MCT may be considered of ‘teratomatous’ origin only when the following histological features are present: the continuity of cystic teratomatous epithelium with the adenocarcinoma and the strong unity of both components. MA in association with MCT may be a coincidental primary ovarian carcinoma of the surface epithelium rather than a neoplasm of teratomatous origin. In this case, the two neoplasms should be considered independent and the term ‘malignant transformation’ should be avoided. In the paper by Kim et al., the description of MA in MCT is very accurate and the two neoplasms may be considered of teratomatous origin. In the Results section of the paper by Ulker et al., the histology has not been described and the origin of malignancy from the teratomatous component is not documented. Consequently the term ‘malignant transformation’ is not justified.