Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cytotoxic Doses of Ketoconazole Affect Expression of a Subset of Hepatic Genes

Ketoconazole is a widely prescribed antifungal drug, which has also been investigated as an anticancer therapy in both clinical and pre-clinical settings. However, severe hepatic injuries were reported to be associated with the use of ketoconazole, even in patients routinely monitored for their liver functions. Several questions concerning ketoconazole-induced hepatic injury remain unanswered, including (1) does ketoconazole alter cytochrome P450 expression at the transcriptional level? , (2) what types of gene products responsible for cytotoxicity are induced by ketoconazole? , and (3) what role do the major metabolites of ketoconazole play in this pathophysiologic process? A mouse model was employed to investigate hepatic gene expression following hepatotoxic doses of ketoconazole. Hepatic gene expression was analyzed using a toxicogenomic microarray platform, which is comprised of cDNA probes generated from livers exposed to various hepatoxicants. These hepatoxicants fall into five well-studied toxicological categories: peroxisome proliferators, aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists, noncoplanar polychlorinated biphenyls, inflammatory agents, and hypoxia-inducing agents. Nine genes encoding enzymes involved in Phase I metabolism and one Phase II enzyme (glutathione S-transferase) were found to be upregulated. Serum amyloid A (SAA1/2) and hepcidin were the only genes that were downregulated among the 2364 genes assessed. In vitro cytotoxicity and transcription analyses revealed that SAA and hepcidin are associated with the general toxicity of ketoconazole, and might be usefully explored as generalized surrogate markers of xenobiotic-induced hepatic injury. Finally, it was shown that the primary metabolite of ketoconazole (de-N-acetyl ketoconazole) is largely responsible for the hepatoxicity and the downregulation of SAA and hepcidin.
Supraretinacular endoscopic carpal tunnel release: surgical technique with prospective case series

Current techniques for endoscopic carpal tunnel release use an infraretinacular approach, inserting the endoscope deep to the flexor retinaculum. We present a supraretinacular endoscopic carpal tunnel release technique in which a dissecting endoscope is inserted superficial to the flexor retinaculum, which improves vision and the ability to dissect and manipulate the median nerve and tendons during surgery. The motor branch of the median nerve and connections between the median and ulnar nerve can be identified and dissected. Because the endoscope is inserted superficial to the flexor retinaculum, the median nerve is not compressed before division of the retinaculum and, as a result, we have observed no cases of the transient median nerve deficits that have been reported using infraretinacular endoscopic techniques. Level of evidence: IV.
Falls in the Community-Dwelling Elderly With a History of Cancer

Background: Falls place older adults at risk for injuries, resulting in functional decline, hospitalization, institutionalization, higher healthcare costs, and decreased quality of life. Objective: This study examined community-dwelling elderly to identify if individuals with a history of cancer fall at a higher rate than those without cancer, and if the occurrence of falls was influenced by individual characteristics, symptoms, or function. Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study, in 2007, examining 7,448 community-dwelling elderly 65 years or older in a state in the Midwest. Fallers were identified based on a diagnosis of cancer, age, sex, race and ethnicity, poor vision, reduced activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs, cognition, incontinence, pain, or depression. Results: Findings indicated that 2,125 (28.5%) had at least 1 fall. Of those who fell, 967 (13.0%) had cancer, and 363 (4.9%) with cancer had a fall. Conclusion: Predictors of falls in this population included race, sex, ADLs, incontinence, depression, and pain, all with P <. 05. Cancer was not a predictor of falls in this study. Implications for Practice: This study found a high frequency of falls and suggests a predictive model for fall risk in the vulnerable, community-dwelling elderly and will be used to inform future studies.
Classification of heart sounds using discrete and continuous wavelet transform and random forests

This study proposes an integrated approach to heart sound classification using wavelet analysis and random forests classifiers. The heart sounds were first segmented through detection of the S1 and S2 heart sounds using Shannon energy. Time- and frequency-based features derived from Discrete and Continuous Wavelet Transforms were used as feature vectors for the random forest classifier that categorized heart sounds into Normal, Murmur, Extrasystole, and Artifact. The segmentation process produced lower errors compared to related literature using the same dataset. In our study, the classification using features derived from DWT recorded the highest total precision for the noiser samples while CWT did the same for the less noisy samples. Overall, the proposed approach performed better than previous related studies.
Molecular evidence of apoptotic death in malignant brain tumors including glioblastoma multiforme: Upregulation of calpain and caspase‐3

Cell death in the core of human brain tumors is triggered by hypoxia and lack of nutrients, but the mode of cell death whether necrosis or apoptosis is not clearly defined. To identify the role of apoptosis in brain tumor cell death, we investigated macromolecular (RNA and protein) synthesis and activity in the central to peripheral region of benign [desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma (DIG) and transitional meningioma (TMG)] and malignant [ependymoma (END), anaplastic astrocytoma (APA), and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)] brain tumors derived from five patients who had not received previously radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Normal brain tissue (NBT) served as control. RT‐PCR analysis of tumor tissues covering central to peripheral regions detected mRNA overexpression of pro‐apoptotic gene bax in malignant tumors, indicating a commitment to apoptosis. The mRNA expression of calpain (a Ca2+‐dependent cysteine protease) and calpastatin (endogenous calpain inhibitor) was altered resulting in an elevated calpain/calpastatin ratio. Calpain content and activity were increased, suggesting a role for calpain in cell death. In the mitochondria‐dependent death pathway, caspase‐9 and caspase‐3 were also overexpressed in tumors. The increased caspase‐3 activity cleaved poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP). Agarose gel electrophoresis detected a mixture of random and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in malignant brain tumors. Overexpression of pro‐apoptotic bax, upregulation of calpain and caspase‐3, and occurrence of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation are now presented indicating that one mechanism of cell death in malignant brain tumors is apoptosis, and that enhancement of this process therapeutically may promote decreased tumor growth. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Usage of symmetry in the simulation of interdigital transducers

This paper discusses the application of the finite element method to the simulation of surface acoustic wave generation on piezoelectric substrates and the possibility of reducing the number of computations by taking into account the symmetry of the problem. It is shown that the computations can be performed in only one half of the structure provided that the substrate assumes particular orientations. The class of allowed orientations encompasses the majority of crystal cuts used in practice. A test computation of the electric admittance agrees well with experimental results. The perfectly matched layer method is implemented to truncate the computational domain.
Synchronization Technique Research of Chinese DTTB Standard

Chinese Digital Television Terrestrial Broadcasting System Standard has been published in August, 2006. Correct time and frequency synchronization are important for the performance of receiving terminal supporting this standard. In this paper, some fundamental contents of this standard are introduced and two new synchronization algorithms suitable for multi-carrier mode and single carrier mode respectively are proposed. Besides, we analyze the key points of synchronization design and compare the performance of these two algorithms by simulation. The future research directions of the synchronization scheme of the standard are also given.
Evaluation of an Immunoradiometric Assay for Bone Alkaline Phosphatase Mass Concentration in Human Sera

The performance characteristics of an immunoradiometric assay for bone alkaline phosphatase mass concentration in human sera are reported. Within-run imprecision (n = 20) was 12.1% (mean = 7.8 micrograms/l) and 3.6% (mean = 22.8 micrograms/l), between-day imprecision (n = 8) was 10.1% (mean = 20.3 micrograms/l) and 2.8% (mean = 84.3 micrograms/l). There was a linear relationship between the concentrations of the standards employed and the counts per minute up to 120 micrograms/l. The detection limit was 0.3 micrograms/l. In 102 apparently healthy persons (51 males and 51 females; range of age: 18-56 years) the following reference intervals were established: 3.8-21.3 micrograms/l (males) and 3.4-15.0 micrograms/l (females). We compared the values obtained using the immunoassay with those obtained by precipitating of bone alkaline phosphatase with wheat-germ lectin (alkaline phosphatase activity concentration was determined at + 25 degrees C by the optimized standard method according to the Recommendations of the German Society for Clinical Chemistry). For the reference individuals the relationship between the results of the two methods is given by the following regression equation: Bone alkaline phosphatase activity concentration [U/l] = 14.81 + 3.28 x bone alkaline phosphatase mass concentration [micrograms/l] (r = + 0.783). In 89 sera from 32 patients before and after renal transplantation (range of bone alkaline phosphatase mass concentration: 2-39 micrograms/l) comparison between the two methods yielded a linear correlation coefficient of r = + 0.886. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Study of human body transmission characteristic as nonuniform medium

Human body transmission characteristic is investigated as nonuniform medium. The body is divided into multilayer and modeled with nonuniform transmission line. The analytical result is obtained with this simple and novel method. Numerical simulation is applied to validate this analytical method. The difference between them is within 0.01V/m.
Temporal changes in pulmonary expression of key procoagulant molecules in rabbits with endotoxin-induced acute lung injury: elevated expression levels of protease-activated receptors

Summary Recently a new concept has emerged implicating thrombin signaling as the “bridge” that connects tissue damage to hemostatic and inflammatory responses. In view of this concept, we hypothesized that induction of protease-activated receptor (PAR) expression may play a critical role in endotoxin-induced tissue injury through the cellular actions of thrombin. Thus, in this study, temporal changes in expression of key precoagulant molecules, including PARs, in lungs from rabbits rendered endotoxemic by 100 μg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were examined with measurements of variables reflecting acute lung injury (ALI). ALI induction by LPS was confirmed by blood gas derangement, lung vascular hyperpermeability, and histopathological changes, and was characterized by the deposition of fibrin in the alveolar spaces, bronchioles and vessels. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and tissue factor (TF) were highly expressed in lungs after LPS injection. While the peaks in levels of PAI-1 and TF were comparable (12∼13-fold from control), their expression time-courses were different: PAI-1 exhibited a bell-shaped expression pattern and peak at 6 h, whereas TF level reached maximum at 10 h. Of note, LPS induced a rapid and significant increase in levels of PAR-1 compared to control, with a peak level at 1 h (3.3-fold). Although declining thereafter, it remained significantly higher than the control level throughout the study period. Expressions of PAR-2, -3, and -4 were also increased by LPS with different time courses from PAR-1 expression. Immunofluorescence staining for PAR-1 were localized in blood vessels, bronchial epithelium, and alveolar pneumocytes after LPS. These results suggest that the increased expression levels of PARs, in addition to PAI-1 and TF, may, in part, underlie the development of ALI occurring during endotoxemia.
Inhibition of mixed lymphocyte response by a rat monoclonal antibody to a novel murine lymphocyte activation antigen (MALA-2).

A novel surface antigen expressed on activated and proliferating murine lymphocytes has been identified by a rat monoclonal antibody. The antigen, termed MALA-2, is also expressed on various lymphoid cell lines, but it is absent or present at very low densities on the majorities of unstimulated thymocytes and lymph node cells. Some cells in normal spleen and bone marrow seem to express the antigen at relatively high densities and they may represent proliferating cells in these tissues. MALA-2 has an apparent m.w. of 95,000 to 100,000 under both reducing and nonreducing conditions. The monoclonal antibody YN1/1.7 that reacts with this antigen partially inhibits Con A stimulation of spleen cells, but its inhibition of LPA stimulation is negligible. Furthermore, the antibody profoundly inhibits MLR. The inhibition of MLR by YN1/1.7 antibody is comparable to that caused by anti-transferrin receptor. The time course study suggests that the antibody may directly inhibit proliferating cell populations in MLR.
Ocular Freezing Avoidance in Antarctic Fish

SUMMARY A series of experiments was undertaken to determine the underlying mechanism of ocular freezing avoidance in a variety of antarctic fish. The three possible mechanisms that were examined include the depression of the freezing point through (1) colligative or (2) non-colligative means or (3) the supercooling of the ocular fluids. The ocular fluids of antarctic fish, like those of most vertebrates, are slightly hypotonic with respect to plasma and contain very low levels of serum proteins. The chief means of ocular freezing avoidance appears to involve supercooling of the ocular fluids. The presence of suitable barriers to prevent ice propagation into the eye has been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo.
Diagnosis of Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a disease, caused by alternation in the retinal blood vessels. It is a strong sign of early blindness and if it is not treated may tend to complete blindness and the vision lost once cannot be restored once again. In this paper different image processing techniques are used to differentiate between the normal and the diseased image. The attempt is made to see where the problem actually lies so that proper diagnosis of patient can be done. Pre processing of an image, optic disk detection, Blood vessels extraction, Exudates detection are some of the methods that are applied here. Other algorithms are designed to obtain the desired result. A large number of populations are affected by this disease around the world.
Measurement of Intracellular Ions by Flow Cytometry

The recent development of a number of new fluorescent probes makes it possible to measure the concentrations of various intracellular free ions in single living cells. Among these ions are calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and hydrogen (pH). This unit describes flow cytometric protocols using the dyes Indo‐1 AM, Fluo‐3, and Fura Red AM to measure intracellular calcium concentration. Support protocols detail the use of calcium buffers to calibrate a flow cytometric calcium assay, and methods to facilitate dye loading; an alternate protocol describes the use of a spectrofluorimeter to measure intracellular calcium for those investigators without access to a flow cytometer.
Aphasia in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy: As Severe as Progressive Non-Fluent Aphasia.

BACKGROUND Adynamic speech is characteristic of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), but higher language deficits have been reported inconsistently, in the context of clinical and pathological overlaps with progressive non-fluent aphasia (PNFA). OBJECTIVE The present study tested two hypotheses: 1) PSP and PNFA display impaired single word repetition, object naming, semantic knowledge, and syntactic comprehension; and 2) PSP have reduced speed on timed cognitive tasks. METHODS Structured clinical and neuropsychological assessments of language were performed on patients with clinically defined PSP and PNFA. Language was tested using the Sydney Language Battery (SYDBAT) and the Test of Reception of Grammar (TROG). RESULTS In total, 144 participants were studied (PSP 22, PNFA 29, and Control 93). PSP patients had prominent eye movement abnormalities, parkinsonism, and falls. All 4 PSP patients who underwent postmortem examination had 4-Repeat tauopathy, with PSP pathology in 3. The frequency and severity of impairment on the SYDBAT (naming, word comprehension, semantic association), and TROG (syntactic comprehension) did not differ between PSP and PNFA, but PSP were significantly slower on timed non-language cognitive tests. CONCLUSION Tested formally, aphasia may be seen in PSP, with a severity similar to that seen in PNFA.
Intérêts et limites des données « CatNat » pour un inventaire des inondations. L’exemple des « crues rapides » liées à de violents orages (Bassin parisien, Nord de la France)

Depuis deux decennies, des phenomenes de «crues rapides» lies a de violents orages sont frequemment observes sur les plateaux limoneux du Bassin parisien (Nord de la France). Ces crues souvent appelees a tort «coulees de boue» ou «crues turbides» sont toujours associees a du ruissellement erosif. Quoique frequentes, elles n’en restent pas moins mal connues et peu etudiees sur ces regions. L’objectif de cet article est de proposer un inventaire des inondations causees par ces «crues rapides» a partir de la base «CatNat» dans le but de mieux connaitre leur occurrence spatiale. D’un point de vue scientifique, l’exploitation de la base de donnees permet de travailler uniquement sur la sinistralite des zones touchees. La demarche consiste a traiter cette base statistique en vue de creer notre propre base de donnees, puis une fois spatialisees, ces donnees permettent de localiser les communes ou le nombre de declarations est le plus eleve. Des problemes imputables aux objectifs reglementaires et a l’architecture de la base de donnees apparaissent toutefois rapidement et en limitent son utilisation. Il devient alors indispensable d’analyser les dossiers presentes devant la commission interministerielle qui statue sur la reconnaissance de l’etat de «catastrophe naturelle». Suivant les informations recoltees, nous pouvons selectionner uniquement les «crues rapides» et dresser un inventaire detaille des zones sinistrees tout en affinant considerablement l’analyse statistique initiale.
Face recognition using phase-based correspondence matching

This paper proposes a 2D face recognition algorithm using phase-based correspondence matching. The phase information obtained from 2D DFT (Discrete Fourier Transform) of images contains important information of image representation. The phase-based image matching is successfully applied to sub-pixel image registration tasks for computer vision applications and image recognition tasks for biometric authentication applications. Hierarchical block matching using phase information, i.e, phase-based correspondence matching, can find the corresponding points on the input image from the reference points on the registered image with sub-pixel accuracy. For face recognition, the phase-based correspondence matching is useful for minute change of texture, such as facial expression change, illumination change, etc. Experimental evaluation using the CSU Face Identification Evaluation System with the FERET database demonstrates efficient recognition performance of the proposed algorithm compared with the conventional face recognition algorithms.
Emotion-inspired age and gender recognition systems

In this work, emotion-inspired age and gender recognition systems are developed. In the beginning, speakers' utterances with emotions of angry, happy, calm and sad are analyzed to identify their ages and genders where the recognition engine adopts a Support Vector Machine (SVM). According to the experimental results, the accuracies of the age and gender recognitions under a low arousal emotion tend to be worse and better than those under a high arousal emotion, respectively. In practical applications, a specific emotion may not appear in a speaker's utterance. Hence, according to the emotional arousal intensity, speech frames of a speaker's utterance are classified into two groups which are above and below the mean of arousal intensities of speech frames. After that, the age and gender recognitions are conducted at speech frames with higher and lower arousal intensities. Our experiments reveal that the proposed emotion-inspired age and gender recognition systems can be better that those without considering arousal intensities by 8.5% and 9.5% improvements, respectively. Therefore, the recognition systems proposed herein can effectively increase the age and gender recognition accuracy for various multimedia applications.
Analytic Characterization of a Class of Three-contact Frictional Equilibrium Postures in Three-dimensional Gravitational Environments

Quasistatic legged locomotion over uneven terrains requires characterization of the mechanism’s feasible equilibrium postures. This paper characterizes the feasible equilibrium postures of mechanisms supported by three frictional point contacts in a three-dimensional gravitational environment, for a subclass of contact arrangements, called tame , for which the friction cones lie above the plane spanned by the contacts. The kinematic structure of the mechanism is lumped into a single rigid body Β having the same contacts with the environment and a variable center of mass. The equilibrium postures associated with a given set of contacts become the center-of-mass locations of Β that maintain a feasible equilibrium with respect to gravity. The paper establishes the relations between the feasible equilibrium region and the classical support polygon principle. For tame 3-contact arrangements, the paper identifies and characterizes geometrically three types of boundary curves of the feasible equilibrium region, where two of them are obtained is closed-from, and the third is given implicitly as a solution of a set of nonlinear equations, which can be traced numerically. The three types of boundary curves are then associated with the onset of three different modes of non-static contact motions. Finally, the paper reports on experimental results that verify the theoretical predictions by using a 3-legged prototype.