Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Dmca1D channel mediates Ca2+ inward currents in Drosophila embryonic muscles

We studied, in a genetic model organism, Drosophila melanogaster, the channel mechanisms underlying membrane excitation in the embryonic body wall muscle whose biophysical properties have been poorly characterized. The inward current underlying the action potential was solely mediated by a high-threshold class of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, which exhibited slow inactivation, Ca2+ permeability with saturation at high [Ca2+]OUT, and sensitivity to a Ca2+ channel blocker, Cd2+. The Ca2+ current in the embryonic muscle was completely eliminated in Dmca1D mutants, indicating that the Dmca1D-encoded Ca2+ channel is the major mediator of inward currents in the body wall muscles throughout the embryonic and larval stages.
Specific detection of Helicobacter pylori and non-Helicobacter pylori flora in small- and large-cell primary gastric B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

BACKGROUND Primary gastric non-Hodgkin's lymphomas possibly develop in response to local infection by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). We investigated the presence of H. pylori and non-H. pylori flora histologically in small- and large-cell primary gastric lymphoma using a specific staining method. MATERIALS AND METHODS Specimens of 52 cases of primary gastric lymphoma (17 small cell, 35 large cell) were stained with modified Giemsa (MG) and immunohistochemically using a polyclonal antibody against H. pylori (IHC). RESULTS Thirty-two cases (61.5%) (small cell 76% versus large cell 53%, P > 0.05) showed immunoreactivity for H. pylori in the mucosa surrounding the tumor. Remarkably, there was localization of H. pylori in the neck of the gastric glands in 3 cases. Non-H. pylori flora was seen in 35 cases (76.3%) (small cell 53% versus large cell 74%, P > 0.05). In 20 cases, this non-H. pylori flora was mixed with H. pylori. Five cases showed no bacterial flora at all. CONCLUSIONS (1) Using immunohistochemistry, the prevalence of gastric lymphoma cases with H. pylori (61.5%) approximates that of H. pylori in the normal population. (2) No statistical difference was found between the occurrence of H. pylori and non-H. pylori bacterial flora in small- versus large-cell lymphoma. (3) Our results suggest that H. pylori may not be the only etiologic factor in primary gastric lymphoma.
CACNA1A R1347Q: a frequent recurrent mutation in hemiplegic migraine

Of the 18 missense mutations in the CACNA1A gene, which are associated with familial hemiplegic migraine type 1 (FHM1), only mutations S218L, R583Q and T666M were identified in more than two independent families. Including the four novel families presented here, of which two represent de novo cases, the R1347Q mutation has now been identified in six families. A genotype–phenotype comparison of R1347Q mutation carriers revealed a wide clinical spectrum ranging from (trauma triggered) hemiplegic migraine with and without ataxia, loss of consciousness and epilepsy. R1347Q is the third most frequent mutation in hemiplegic migraine patients and should therefore be screened with priority for confirmation of clinical diagnosis. This study clearly demonstrates that the availability of multiple families better reflects the full clinical spectrum associated with FHM1 mutations.
An Epidemic of HIV Type I CRF07_BC Infection Among Injection Drug Users in Taiwan

Summary: The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) epidemic in Taiwan is rapidly escalating because of an increasing number of injection drug users (IDUs). A molecular epidemiological study of HIV-1-infected IDUs in Taiwan was conducted from January 2004 to April 2005. Of the 131 HIV-1-positive specimens collected, all contained detectable sequences, including 105 from the C2-V3 region of env and 87 from the protease and reverse transcriptase genes of pol. Phylogenetic analysis of these sequences indicated that 128 individuals harbored CRF07_BC, which resembles the dominant strains circulating among IDUs in China. Twenty-three individuals had a history of travel to the southwest provinces of China and shared needles or apparatuses there. This suggests that CRF07_BC might have been transmitted from China into Taiwan, thereby causing an outbreak among IDUs in Taiwan. This is the first report in the English literature of the appearance of HIV-1 CRF07_BC in Taiwan. These provide information relevant to the development of antiviral therapy and vaccine in Taiwan and may assist public health workers in the prevention of HIV-1 spread.
Modulation of rat oligodendrocyte precursor cells by the chemokine CXCL12

Migration, proliferation, and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells are essential for the assembly of myelin in the central nervous system. Knowledge on the regulation of these precursor cells is therefore of great importance for the understanding of developmental myelination and remyelination in demyelinating diseases. Here, we show that primary rat oligodendrocyte precursor cells express the chemokine receptor CXCR4. Stimulation with the ligand CXCL12 (SDF-1&agr;) leads to intracellular Ca2+ elevation. Furthermore, 10 ng/ml CXCL12 augmented differentiation of precursors into mature oligodendrocytes. Migration toward growth factor conditioned medium was inhibited by CXCL12, while proliferation was only slightly modulated. The effect of CXCL12 on both migration and differentiation was blocked using a G protein antagonist. These data suggest a role for CXCL12 and oligodendroglial CXCR4 receptors during developmental myelination and repair in demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system.
Towards next‐generation biodiversity assessment using DNA metabarcoding

Virtually all empirical ecological studies require species identification during data collection. DNA metabarcoding refers to the automated identification of multiple species from a single bulk sample containing entire organisms or from a single environmental sample containing degraded DNA (soil, water, faeces, etc.). It can be implemented for both modern and ancient environmental samples. The availability of next‐generation sequencing platforms and the ecologists’ need for high‐throughput taxon identification have facilitated the emergence of DNA metabarcoding. The potential power of DNA metabarcoding as it is implemented today is limited mainly by its dependency on PCR and by the considerable investment needed to build comprehensive taxonomic reference libraries. Further developments associated with the impressive progress in DNA sequencing will eliminate the currently required DNA amplification step, and comprehensive taxonomic reference libraries composed of whole organellar genomes and repetitive ribosomal nuclear DNA can be built based on the well‐curated DNA extract collections maintained by standardized barcoding initiatives. The near‐term future of DNA metabarcoding has an enormous potential to boost data acquisition in biodiversity research.
Modélisation dynamique des mécanismes de signalisation induits par l'hormone folliculo-stimulante et l'angiotensine

La signalisation cellulaire induite par les r ecepteurs a sept domaines transmembranaires (R7TM) controle les principales fonctions physiologiques humaines. Ces R7TMs sont cibles de m edicaments et initient de larges reseaux d'interactions. Nous avons modelise dynamiquement les reseaux de signalisation du recepteur a l'hormone folliculo-stimulante (FSH) regulant la fonction de reproduction et du recepteur angiotensine, un R7TM modele regulant la tension pour comprendre le fonctionnement de ces reseaux et predire des donnees inaccessibles experimentalement. Notre modelisation a utilise des equations differentielles ordinaires, en assimilant une variable par espece et un parametre par constante cinetique. Les parametres manquant ont ete determines par optimisation parametrique. Puis, nous avons d eveloppe un environnement afin de comparer plusieurs algorithmes d'optimisation et de creer une nouvelle methode hybride plus performante et adaptee a la parametrisation des reseaux de signalisation.
Reasoning about self and others

Dit proefschrift gaat over hoe mensen redeneren over andermans denken - hun kennis, gedachten en intenties. Het redeneren over andermans denken is noodzakelijk in sociale interacties, om het gedrag van anderen te begrijpen. In tegenstelling tot andere studies, die impliceren dat ‘sociaal redeneren’ complex is en gelimiteerd door cognitieve capaciteiten, laten wij zien dat mensen beter kunnen worden in deze vaardigheid. Cognitieve limieten verdwijnen door simpele ingrepen, zoals stapsgewijs trainen, visuele ondersteuning en het stellen van vragen. Ons onderzoek laat tevens zien dat suboptimale uitkomsten in sociale interacties soms te wijten zijn aan het gebruik van verkeerde strategieen. Simpele ingrepen kunnen ook hier uitkomst zijn: door mensen te helpen betere strategieen te ontdekken en toepassen. De belangrijkste bevinding van dit proefschrift is dat mensen sociale interacties daadwerkelijk interpreteren in termen van andermans denken, ook al is een niet-mentale interpretatie die formeel equivalent is, mogelijk. Zo wordt een rationale computer opponent niet hetzelfde behandeld als een equivalent mechaniek, ook al is de uitkomst in beide situaties hetzelfde. Bovendien is het spelen van een spel vanuit het perspectief van een ander moeilijker dan het spelen van datzelfde spel vanuit het eigen perspectief. Met andere woorden, sociaal redeneren gaat echt over andermans denken. Als zodanig, is het een unieke cognitieve vaardigheid.
Individual and Group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Psychotic Disorders A Pilot Investigation

The present study is an uncontrolled pilot investigation of individual and group cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for patients with positive symptoms of psychosis (n = 6). While previous studies have utilized either individual or group CBT for schizophrenia, the present investigation is the first to include both components for patients in the chronic phase of a psychotic illness. The results of this pilot study suggest that this approach may be useful for both positive and negative symptoms of psychosis. In addition, depression, anxiety, and hopelessness scores all decreased dramatically. The majority of the gains made during treatment were maintained over an 11-month follow-up period. A combined CBT treatment program may offer benefits in terms of delusional thinking, depression, and anxiety when used as an adjunctive treatment to medication. While the present study demonstrated positive effects from treatment, results are limited by the small sample size.
Revisions of the international criteria for neuroblastoma diagnosis, staging, and response to treatment.

PURPOSE AND METHODS Based on preliminary experience, there was a need for modifications and clarifications in the International Neuroblastoma Staging System (INSS) and International Neuroblastoma Response Criteria (INRC). In 1988, a proposal was made to establish an internationally accepted staging system for neuroblastoma, as well as consistent criteria for confirming the diagnosis and determining response to therapy (Brodeur GM, et al: J Clin Oncol 6:1874-1881, 1988). A meeting was held to review experience with the INSS and INRC and to revise or clarify the language and intent of the originally proposed criteria. Substantial changes included a redefinition of the midline, restrictions on age and bone marrow involvement for stage 4S, and the recommendation that meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scanning be implemented for evaluating the extent of disease. Other modifications and clarifications of the INSS and INRC are presented. In addition, the criteria for the diagnosis of neuroblastoma were modified. Finally, proposals were made for the development of risk groups that incorporate both clinical and biologic features in the prediction of prognosis. The biologic features that were deemed important to evaluate prospectively included serum ferritin, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH); tumor histology; tumor-cell DNA content; assessment of N-myc copy number; assessment of 1p deletion by cytogenetic or molecular methods; and TRK-A expression. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Modifications of the INSS and INRC made at this conference are presented. In addition, proposals are made for future modifications in these criteria and for the development of International Neuroblastoma Risk Groups.
A new genetic feature selection with neural network ensemble

A neural network ensemble is a learning paradigm in which a finite collection of neural networks is trained for the same task. Ensembles generally show better classification and generalization performance than a single neural network does. In this paper, a new feature selection method for a neural network ensemble is proposed for pattern classification. The proposed method selects an adequate feature subset for each constituent neural network of the ensemble using a genetic algorithm. Unlike the conventional feature selection method, each neural network is only allowed to have some (not all) of the considered features. The proposed method can therefore be applied to huge-scale feature classification problems. Experiments are performed with four databases to illustrate the performance of the proposed method.
Design of microstrip sensor for non invasive blood glucose monitoring

Diabetes mellitus affects millions of people worldwide. At present, the technology used by diabetics for determining blood glucose concentration is invasive which requires a blood sample and is thus painful. Bloodless and painless technology to monitor blood glycaemic levels could improve the life of diabetes patients. This paper presents the design of microstrip sensor modeled in the form of microstrip antenna, which can be used for non invasive blood glucose monitoring. The approach followed is based on the notion that, variation in concentration of glucose in blood results in the variation in properties (dielectric) of blood which in turn results in the change in near field coupling and electromagnetic transmission of antenna. This will affect the input impedance of antenna and which in turn will affect its resonant frequency. This frequency shift can be used to observe the change in blood's permittivity and conductivity, which will be used to estimate the concentration of glucose in blood. The proposed electromagnetic sensor can be located close to the human skin at a fixed distance in order to avoid perspiration. The microstrip antennas with microstrip feed line and coaxial feed are initially designed using transmission line model and thereafter optimized and validated with simulations using CST microwave suite.
Multiple keratoacanthomas in a young woman: report of a case emphasizing medical management and a review of the spectrum of multiple keratoacanthomas

A 27‐year‐old white woman was referred for consultation with regard to the presence of extensive multiple keratotic lesions. She began to develop these lesions at the age of 9 years, with healing of the lesions resulting in scar formation. A biopsy was performed at the age of 16 years, but the patient was unsure of the results. Since then, she had not had any treatment or biopsies, and stated that she had not suffered from any health problems during the intervening period. She was most concerned about the tumors on her heels and soles, which caused difficulty with ambulation. The family history was negative for skin diseases, including melanoma, nonmelanoma skin cancer, psoriasis, and eczema, and positive for Type II diabetes mellitus. A relative reported that the patient's grandfather had similar lesions, but the patient's parents and siblings were healthy. She was married and had one child, a 9‐year‐old daughter. Her child had no skin lesions. The patient's only medication was Ortho‐Tricyclene birth control pills. She had no known drug allergies.
Modification of sugarcane bagasse with acetic anhydride and butyric anhydride in ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride

Bagasse acetate butyrates were prepared homogeneously in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C4mim]Cl) ionic liquid from ball-milled sugarcane bagasse by acylation with acetic anhydride and butyric anhydride. The parameters, including reaction temperature, reaction time, feeding method of adding anhydrides, the dosage of total anhydrides to SCB, and the molar ratio of acetic anhydride to butyric anhydride, were considered, and the extent of acylation was measured by weight percent gain (WPG). The results showed the positive effects of reaction duration and total anhydride dosage on WPG and the negative effects of reaction temperature and molar ratio of AA/BA on WPG. The feeding method of acetylation after butyrylation resulted in the increased WPG compared with acetylation before butyrylation. FT-IR and 1H–13C correlation 2D NMR (HSQC) studies provided evidence for acylation. The bagasse acetate butyrates showed increased thermal stability after acylation. This study provides a new way for high value-added utilization of renewable lignocellulosic biomass.
Experimental study on the use of a vortex whistle as a flowmeter

A vortex whistle has a simple structure, good linearity in the relationship between flow and sound frequency and a wide range in that frequency. This paper suggests that the vortex whistle can be used as a frequency detecting flowmeter. First, we investigated characteristics of the vortex whistle. We describe a pressure loss model that was built by experimental results. Visualization experiments carried out by using a very high speed camera showed that vortexes coming from the outlet of the whistle included flow components whose flow line changed in synchronizing with the frequency of the vortex whistle sound. From these results, we confirmed the existence of precession motion of flow around the outlet area. Further, from numerical analysis of the inside of the vortex whistle, we discovered that the sound signal with the best S/N ratio was detected when the microphone was set parallel to the wall of this outlet of the whistle. Furthermore, the vortex whistle has the characteristics of a conventional volumetric flow meter.
Cumulative Gender Disadvantage in Contract Employment1

Women’s wages do not grow with experience or tenure as much as men’s do. Many accounts of this cumulative gender disadvantage attribute it to women’s underinvestment in firm‐specific skills. Yet if that were true, this disadvantage would not exist where firm‐specific skills are not rewarded by the labor market. This article investigates this argument in the context of contract employment, where demand for firm specificity is minimal. Contrary to expectations, men still receive higher rewards than women over time. Drawing on quantitative evidence and qualitative fieldwork using job histories of high‐skill contractors affiliated with a staffing firm, the author finds support for two sources of women’s disadvantage: lower rates of movement across clients on the supply side and unmeasured demand‐side factors by which similar levels of tenure and client transitions accrue lower rewards to women. Implications for research on gender stratification and career advancement in nonformalized labor markets are discussed.
Anterior tracheal indentation in infancy and early childhood: normal or abnormal?

Anterior tracheal indentation in the infant and young child, just below the level of the thoracic inlet, is believed to be vascular in origin and, in all but a few cases, of no clinical significance. It disappears as the child grows older and is probably present in the first place because of a combination of "overcrowding" of the superior mediastinum and a somewhat "anomalous" origin of the innominate artery.In a few cases, symptoms of tracheal obstruction are present, but for the most part anterior tracheal indentation should be considered a normal variation. Only occasionally is it associated with definite tracheal obstruction.
Nucleotide Polymorphism in the Wheat Transcriptional Activator Spa Influences Its Pattern of Expression and Has Pleiotropic Effects on Grain Protein Composition, Dough Viscoelasticity, and Grain Hardness[W][OA]

Storage protein activator (SPA) is a key regulator of the transcription of wheat (Triticum aestivum) grain storage protein genes and belongs to the Opaque2 transcription factor subfamily. We analyzed the sequence polymorphism of the three homoeologous Spa genes in hexaploid wheat. The level of polymorphism in these genes was high particularly in the promoter. The deduced protein sequences of each homoeolog and haplotype show greater than 93% identity. Two major haplotypes were studied for each Spa gene. The three Spa homoeologs have similar patterns of expression during grain development, with a peak in expression around 300 degree days after anthesis. On average, Spa-B is 10 and seven times more strongly expressed than Spa-A and Spa-D, respectively. The haplotypes are associated with significant quantitative differences in Spa expression, especially for Spa-A and Spa-D. Significant differences were found in the quantity of total grain nitrogen allocated to the gliadin protein fractions for the Spa-A haplotypes, whereas the synthesis of glutenins is not modified. Genetic association analysis between Spa and dough viscoelasticity revealed that Spa polymorphisms are associated with dough tenacity, extensibility, and strength. Except for Spa-A, these associations can be explained by differences in grain hardness. No association was found between Spa markers and the average single grain dry mass or grain protein concentration. These results demonstrate that in planta Spa is involved in the regulation of grain storage protein synthesis. The associations between Spa and dough viscoelasticity and grain hardness strongly suggest that Spa has complex pleiotropic functions during grain development.
Erythropoietin‐deficient anemia associated with autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type I

Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type I (APS1), a relatively common disorder in some populations, is frequently associated with adrenal insufficiency, hypoparathyroidism, and other endocrine and skin abnormalities. We describe an 18‐year‐old male with APS1, as documented by genotyping, who presented with hypoparathyroidism and a normocytic, hypoproliferative, isolated anemia. An extensive hematological work‐up revealed a low serum erythropoietin, without any other hematological abnormalities. His renal function was normal, and he did not have many of the laboratory or clinical findings associated with an anemia of chronic disease. His anemia was responsive to superphysiologic doses of erythropoietin. We thus suggest that erythropoietin deficiency may be one of the endocrine abnormalities associated with APS1, and clinicians should be cognizant of the association of treatable anemia in patients with APS1. Am. J. Hematol. 75:84–88, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
IMPLEMENTATION OF PARALLELIZING MULTI-LAYER NEURAL NETWORKS BASED ON CLOUD COMPUTING

Background: Cloud computing, as a technology developed under the rapid development of modern network, is mainly used for processing large-scale data. The traditional data mining algorithms such as neural network algorithm are usually used for processing small-scale data. Therefore, the calculation of large-scale data using neural network algorithm must be based on cloud computing. Materials and Methods: Firstly a Hadoop system was established taking MapReduce as the programming framework. Then the parallelized traditional data mining algorihtm was investigated based on cloud computing cluster to verify its feasibility in processing large-scale data. Finally, the speed and training precision of the algorithm were tested. Results: It was feasible to process large-scale data with cloud computing based parallelizing multi-layer neural network algorithm. The speed of parrallel processing was faster if data size was larger, especially if the sample was in a size of more than 1 million. It was more superior to the serial back propagation network in training preciseness. Conclusion: Parallelizing multi-layer neural network based on cloud computing platform can process large-scale data effectively in the perspectives of time and quality.