Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of remote ischemic postconditioning on an intracerebral hemorrhage stroke model in rats

Abstract Background and purpose: While recent studies suggest that remote ischemic postconditioning (RIP) therapy may be of benefit to patients with acute ischemic stroke, RIP’s effects on intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) still remains unclear. In the present study, the use of RIP in a rat model ICH was investigated to elucidate any potential beneficial or detrimental effects as determined by motor testing, blood brain barrier integrity, and brain water content, as well as aquaporin-4 (AQP-4) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression. Methods: ICH was induced in Sprague–Dawley rats and they were randomized into either a control (n = 24) or RIP treatment (n = 24) group. RIP was performed by repetitive, brief occlusion and release of the bilateral femoral arteries. Functional outcome in each group was assessed by neurologic deficits on vibrissae-elicited forelimb placing test and a 12-point outcome scale. At 72 hours, brain blood volume, water content, blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability, and protein expression of AQP-4 and MMP-9 were determined. Results: This collagenase model yielded well-defined striatal hematomas. Vibrissae-elicited forelimb placement was significantly (P<0·01) affected by ICH. However, there was no significant difference between the RIP and control groups at either 24 or 72 hours. A 12-point neurological deficit score also failed to differentiate between the RIP and control. There were no significant differences between the two groups in cerebral blood volumes, brain water content, Evans blue extravasations, and expressions of AQP-4 and MMP-9. Conclusions: Although RIP did not show a beneficial effect in our ICH model, treatment with RIP did not exacerbate ICH.
A Silenced Population: Uncovering Correlates of Suicidal-Related Behavior Among Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Youth

Background: Given challenges that exceed the normal developmental requirements of adolescence, deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) youth are believed to be at elevated risk for engaging in suicide-related behavior (SRB). Unfortunately, little is known about the mechanisms that put these youth potentially at risk. Aims: To determine whether peer relationship difficulties are related to increased risk of SRB in DHH youth. Method: Student records (n = 74) were retrieved from an accredited educational center for deaf and blind students in the United States. Results: Peer relationship difficulties were found to be significantly associated with engagement in SRB but not when accounting for depressive symptomatology. Limitations: The restricted sample limits generalizability. Conclusions regarding risk causation cannot be made due to the cross-sectional nature of the study. Conclusion: These results suggest the need for future research that examines the mechanisms of the relationship between peer relationship difficulties, depression, and suicide risk in DHH youth and potential preventive interventions to ameliorate the risks for these at-risk youth.
Role of CXC Chemokine Ligand 13, CC Chemokine Ligand (CCL) 19, and CCL21 in the Organization and Function of Nasal-Associated Lymphoid Tissue1

Nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) orchestrates immune responses to Ags in the upper respiratory tract. Unlike other lymphoid organs, NALT develops independently of lymphotoxin-α (LTα). However, the structure and function of NALT are impaired in Ltα−/− mice, suggesting a link between LTα and chemokine expression. In this study we show that the expression of CXCL13, CCL19, CCL21, and CCL20 is impaired in the NALT of Ltα−/− mice. We also show that the NALT of Cxcl13−/− and plt/plt mice exhibits some, but not all, of the structural and functional defects observed in the NALT of Ltα−/− mice. Like the NALT of Ltα−/− mice, the NALT in Cxcl13−/− mice lacks follicular dendritic cells, BP3+ stromal cells, and ERTR7+ lymphoreticular cells. However, unlike the NALT of Ltα−/− mice, the NALT of Cxcl13−/− mice has peripheral node addressin+ high endothelial venules (HEVs). In contrast, the NALT of plt/plt mice is nearly normal, with follicular dendritic cells, BP3+ stromal cells, ERTR7+ lymphoreticular cells, and peripheral node addressin+ HEVs. Functionally, germinal center formation and switching to IgA are defective in the NALT of Ltα−/− and Cxcl13−/− mice. In contrast, CD8 T cell responses to influenza are impaired in Ltα−/− mice and plt/plt mice. Finally, the B and T cell defects in the NALT of Ltα−/− mice lead to delayed clearance of influenza from the nasal mucosa. Thus, the B and T cell defects in the NALT of Ltα−/− mice can be attributed to the impaired expression of CXCL13 and CCL19/CCL21, respectively, whereas impaired HEV development is directly due to the loss of LTα.
Comment on “Results of Proximal Medial Gastrocnemius Release for Achilles Tendinopathy”

Dear Editor: We read your recent publication of the article by Gurdezi et al. The authors presented the proximal surgical release as a simpler option for gastrocnemius lengthening, when physiotherapy is unsuccessful in the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy. We endorse this technique; the proximal medial gastrocnemius release (PMGR) is a simple and welltolerated procedure that preserves calf strength without any complications, and it is also our choice for cases in which the gastrocnemius is tight. However, the authors did not mention the history of this procedure, so we outline this here:
Characterising dialogue call-flows for pervasive environments

Algorithm design and analysis rapidly attained maturity with the introduction of time and space complexity measures. Dialogue call-ﬂow design and analysis for pervasive devices is a relatively nascent art, complicated by the variation in resource constraints. We investigate the problem of dialogue call-ﬂow characterisation for pervasive devices, with the objective of deﬁning complexity measures for dialogue call-ﬂows. A dialogue call-ﬂow executing on a pervasive device is an interplay among the device , the human and the speech system , and can therefore be completely characterised by the (cid:1) resource,usability,technology (cid:2) triple. Typical examples of re- source are memory and energy; usability is indicated in the number of questions; and technology is exempliﬁed in the accuracy of the speech recognition system. These are charateris-tics of the call-ﬂow , but the call-ﬂow characterisation itself is { device,human,speech system } - independent. We instantiate (cid:1) r,u,t (cid:2) with (cid:1) memory,questions,accuracy (cid:2) to introduce the (cid:1) m,q,a (cid:2) -characterisation of dialogue call-ﬂows. We select m,q, a metrics to deﬁne various (cid:1) m,q,a (cid:2) -complexity measures for a call-ﬂow. Every call-ﬂow thus has a complexity measure associated with it – a feature indispensable for the systematic analysis and design of dialogue call-ﬂows.
MWR Smear Effect: A Counts-Level Empirical Correction and Possible Causes

The microwave radiometer (MWR) is a Dicke radiometer on board of the Aquarius (AQ)/SAC-D satellite. It was developed by Argentine space agency, Comisión Nacional De Actividades Espaciales (CONAE), and operates at 23.8 and 36.5 GHz frequencies. After MWR initially turned on, the first brightness temperature (TB) measurements were obtained, observing an anomalous recurrent effect when analyzing land/water crossings. The effect is present for all frequencies and earth incidence angles (EIAs) and results in a smearing of TB observations near strong contrast radiometric scenes. This paper summarizes the main features and discoveries around this anomaly leading to a general description of the problem: coupling of sequential MWR measurements. Consequently, an empirical correction algorithm is derived and validated. Also, possible causes are investigated.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Pseudobagrus emarginatus (Siluriformes: Bagridae)

Abstract In this study, the total mitochondrial genome sequence of Pseudobagrus emarginatus (Siluriformes: Bagridae) was firstly sequenced and determined. The complete mtDNA genome sequence of P. emarginatus is 16,534 bp in length. It consists of 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, and a non-coding control region (D-loop). The overall-based composition was 31.5% A, 26.8% T, 14.9% G and 26.8% C, with a high A+T content (58.3%), which was nearly the same as other reported catfishes. These results will provide useful data to the natural resources conservation and systematics analysis of P. emarginatus and its related species in future.
Native Process Migration in Wireless Sensor Networks

This paper presents a novel architecture for native process migration (PM) in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) without the use of virtual execution environment. Resources in WSN are scarce; therefore creating virtual execution environment puts extra burden on already stringent resources. In addition, the proposed architecture is migrating with complete process instead of code only which also saves resources. The proposed architecture makes process migration decisions by continuously monitoring resources, such as remaining battery life and free memory space on a node. The architecture is suitable for networks with fewer expensive sensor nodes as it allows for better utilization of network resources. Transferring a live executing process from one node to another to meet processing demands dynamically improves fault tolerance, resource utilization, and network management in WSN. The architecture has been successfully tested and implemented on both COOJA simulator and a test bed of TelosB motes.
Plasma MicroRNAs as Diagnostically Sensitive and Specific Biomarkers of Tissue Injury

RESULTS: We observed increases in plasma concentrations of miR-122, miR-133a, and miR-124 corresponding to injuries in liver, muscle, and brain, respectively. miR-122 and miR-133a illustrated specificity for liver and muscle toxicity, respectively, because they were not detectable in the plasma of animals with toxicity to the other organ. This result contrasted with the results for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase, which were both increased with either organ toxicity. Furthermore, miR-122 exhibited a diagnostic sensitivity superior to that of ALT when the results were correlated to the liver histopathologic results. The miR-124 concentration increased in the plasma of rats 8 h after surgery to produce brain injury and peaked at 24 h, while the miR-122 and miR-133a concentrations remained at baseline values.
2 Measuring the Performance Implications of Business Model Design : Evidence from Emerging Growth Public Firms

Anchored in strategic network theory and in organizational design theory, this study develops hypotheses about the performance implications of business model design. A unique and detailed data set that contains financial data as well as rare information on business model design themes has been developed to empirically test these hypotheses. Our empirical analyses corroborate the basic premise that in a highly interconnected world engendered by advances in information technologies, one must look beyond firm and industry boundaries to evaluate how value is created by, and for, all stakeholders in a firm’s business model. We find strong support for the hypotheses that the more efficient the design of a business model and the more novel the design of the business model, the greater the value appropriated by the focal firm. We also find that increasing the complementarity embedded within the design of a business model does not increase the value appropriated by the focal firm.
Control of flatfish sperm motility by CO2 and carbonic anhydrase.

Sperm motility in flatfishes shows unique characteristics. The flagellar movement either in vivo or in permeabilized models is arrested by the presence of 25-100 mM HCO3-, or by gentle perfusion with CO2 gas. To understand the molecular basis of this property, sperm Triton-soluble proteins and flagellar proteins from several species were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. An abundant 29-kDa protein was observed only in flatfish species. Partial amino acid sequences identified this protein as a carbonic anhydrase, an enzyme involved in the interconversion of CO2 and HCO3-. 6-ethoxyzolamide, a specific inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase inhibits sperm motility, especially at low pH. In the case of HCO3(-)-arrested sperm, the motility is restored by addition of 6-ethoxyzolamide. Taken together, these results suggest that a novel pH/HCO3(-)-dependent regulatory mechanism mediated by carbonic anhydrase is involved in the motility control in flatfish sperm.
Circumcision with the Nd:YAG laser contact technique compared with conventional surgery.

OBJECTIVE The present study was undertaken to assess the degree of efficacy of the Nd:YAG laser contact technique as compared with conventional surgery in circumcision. BACKGROUND DATA Neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser in urology has many advantages over conventional surgical techniques. Clinical comparative studies between the Nd:YAG laser and conventional circumcision in boys have not yet been reported. METHODS This study compared the clinical effects of the Nd:YAG laser contact technique with those of a conventional technique on the grounds of certain perioperative parameters, including operative time, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications and morbidity. Seventy-five patients undergoing circumcision were reviewed retrospectively. Operative time, length of hospital stay, and postoperative morbidity were analyzed. Differences between contact Nd:YAG laser surgery and conventional surgery were compared. RESULTS Operative time in the Nd:YAG laser treated group was significantly increased compared with conventionally treated patients (31.6 +/- 3.6 min vs. 19.8 +/- 1.9 min, p < 0.001). The length of hospital stay and early and late postoperative morbidity were significantly decreased in circumcised patients with the Nd:YAG laser contact technique compared with the conventional technique regardless of the indication for surgery (9.71 +/- 4.5 h vs. 11.8 +/- 5.1 h, p < 0.05 and 2% vs. 9%, p < 0.05 and 0% vs. 7.2%, p < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that the Nd:YAG laser contact technique is an effective laser-assisted procedure alternative to the conventional technique in circumcision with virtually no significant postoperative morbidity.
Evaluation of PCR and high-resolution melt curve analysis for differentiation of Salmonella isolates

ABSTRACT Consumption of poultry products contaminated with Salmonella is one of the major causes of foodborne diseases worldwide and therefore detection and differentiation of Salmonella spp. in poultry is important. In this study, oligonucleotide primers were designed from hemD gene and a PCR followed by high-resolution melt (HRM) curve analysis was developed for rapid differentiation of Salmonella isolates. Amplicons of 228 bp were generated from 16 different Salmonella reference strains and from 65 clinical field isolates mainly from poultry farms. HRM curve analysis of the amplicons differentiated Salmonella isolates and analysis of the nucleotide sequence of the amplicons from selected isolates revealed that each melting curve profile was related to a unique DNA sequence. The relationship between reference strains and tested specimens was also evaluated using a mathematical model without visual interpretation of HRM curves. In addition, the potential of the PCR–HRM curve analysis was evaluated for genotyping of additional Salmonella isolates from different avian species. The findings indicate that PCR followed by HRM curve analysis provides a rapid and robust technique for genotyping of Salmonella isolates to determine the serovar/serotype.
Initiating a structural study of 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate aldolase from Escherichia coli.

2-Keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate aldolase (KDPG aldolase, E.C. 4.1. 2.14) is a member of the pyruvate/phosphoenolpyruvate aldolase family. It is also a synthetically useful enzyme, capable of catalyzing the stereoselective aldol addition of pyruvate to a range of unnatural electrophilic substrates. The recombinant protein was purified by a two-step HPLC protocol involving anion-exchange and hydrophobic chromatography. Dynamic light-scattering experiments indicated the protein to be monodisperse. Crystals were obtained using the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method, with PEG 6K as precipitant. Diffraction data were collected on a frozen crystal to a resolution of 2.26 A on station PX9.6 at the Daresbury synchrotron. The crystal belongs to space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 53.2, b = 77.9, c = 146.8 A.
Renal Function and Transplantation in Liver Disease

Abstract Kidney injury is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in liver transplant recipients. Since the introduction of the model for end-stage liver disease for the allocation of organs for liver transplantation in 2002, the heavy weighting of serum creatinine in the model for end-stage liver disease score has significantly increased the incidence of renal dysfunction seen among patients undergoing liver transplantation. As a result, the frequency of simultaneous liver-kidney (SLK) transplantation compared to liver transplantation alone (LTA) has also increased. The decision to perform SLK rather than LTA is an important one because the benefits to the liver transplant recipient receiving a kidney transplant must be balanced with the benefits of using that organ for a patient with end-stage renal disease. However, predicting whether or not a patient with liver failure has reversible kidney disease, and therefore does not also need a kidney transplant, is difficult. The severity and duration of pretransplant renal dysfunction, hepatitis c, diabetes, and other risk factors for kidney disease are associated with an increased risk of posttransplant end-stage renal disease. However, there are currently no clinical findings that accurately predict renal recovery post liver transplant. As a result, the rate of SLK versus LTA differs significantly between transplant centers. To increase consistency across centers, multiple guidelines have been proposed to guide the decision between SLK and LTA, but their poor predictive value has limited their uniform adoption. Nevertheless, adoption of uniform rules for the allocation of kidneys would reduce the variability between centers in rates of SLK transplant.
High‐Throughput Quantitation of Intracellular Trafficking and Organelle Disruption by Flow Cytometry

Current methods for the quantitation of membrane protein trafficking rely heavily on microscopy, which has limited quantitative capacity for analyses of cell populations and is cumbersome to perform. Here we describe a simple flow cytometry‐based method that circumvents these limitations. The method utilizes fluorescent pulse‐width measurements as a highly sensitive indicator to monitor the changes in intracellular distributions of a fluorescently labelled molecule in a cell. Pulse‐width analysis enabled us to discriminate cells with target proteins in different intracellular locations including Golgi, lyso‐endosomal network and the plasma membrane, as well as detecting morphological changes in organelles such as Golgi perturbation. The movement of endogenous and exogenous retrograde cargo was tracked from the plasma membrane‐to‐endosomes‐to‐Golgi, by decreasing pulse‐width values. A block in transport upon RNAi‐mediated ablation of transport machinery was readily quantified, demonstrating the versatility of this technique to identify pathway inhibitors. We also showed that pulse‐width can be exploited to sort and recover cells based on different intracellular staining patterns, e.g. early endosomes and Golgi, opening up novel downstream applications. Overall, the method provides new capabilities for viewing membrane transport in thousands of cells per minute, unbiased analysis of the trafficking of cargo, and the potential for rapid screening of inhibitors of trafficking pathways.
Improvement of Blood Oxygen Diffusion Capacity and Anginal Symptoms by Cholesterol Lowering with Simvastatin

Objective:To assess the hypothesis that a cholesterol-lowering regimen with sim- vastatin would improve red blood cell (RBC) oxygen diffusion,and that such improvement would correlate with the intensity of anginal symptoms and with exercise electrocardiogram (ECG) changes. Methods:Desaturated venous blood samples from 18 hypercholesterolemic volunteer subjects with exertional chest pain were collected before and after they took 40 mg of simvastatin daily for 12 weeks.Blood samples were standard- ized to a hematocrit of 40% and a hemoglobin correction factor of 13.5
Interleukin-3, -5, and Granulocyte Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Induce Adhesion and Chemotaxis of Human Eosinophils via p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase and Nuclear Factor κB

Hematopoietic cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-3, IL-5, and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) play a fundamental role in eosinophil functions in allergic asthma. The intracellular signal transduction mechanisms of these cytokines regulating the activation of eosinophils have been potential therapeutic targets. We investigated the roles of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) in IL-3, IL-5, and GM-CSF-induced adhesion, morphological changes, and subsequence transmigration of human eosinophils. IL-3, IL-5, and GM-CSF could augment the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and nucleus translocation of NF-κB in eosinophils. cDNA expression arrays demonstrated that the gene expression levels of several adhesion molecules including intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), α6, β2 integrin (CD18), and CD44 were upregulated by these cytokines. Results from functional assays showed that adhesion of eosinophils onto airway epithelial cells was enhanced after IL-3 and IL-5 but not GM-CSF stimulation. These cytokines could markedly induce shape change and augment the transmigration of eosinophils. Moreover, administration of either p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB 203580, or proteasome inhibitor, N-cbz-Leu-Leu-leucinal (MG-132), could inhibit the cytokine-induced adhesion, shape change, and transmigration of eosinophils. Together, our findings suggest that IL-3, IL-5, and GM-CSF regulated the adhesion and chemotaxis of human eosinophils through shared signaling pathways involving both p38 MAPK and NF-κB. Our results therefore shed light on the further development of more effective agents for allergic and inflammatory diseases.