Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transferrin receptor upregulation: in vitro labeling of rat mesenchymal stem cells with superparamagnetic iron oxide.

PURPOSE To prospectively evaluate the influence of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) or ultrasmall SPIO (USPIO) particles on the surface epitope pattern of adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by regulating the expression of transferrin receptor and to prospectively evaluate the influence of transfection agents (TAs) on the uptake of SPIO or USPIO particles in MSCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was approved by the institutional animal care committee of the University of Tübingen. MSCs were isolated from the bone marrow of four rats. To obtain highly homogeneous MSC populations, MSCs from one rat were single-cell cloned. One MSC clone was characterized and selected for the labeling experiments. The MSCs, which were characterized with flow cytometry and in vitro differentiation, were labeled with 200 microg/mL SPIO or USPIO or with 60 microg/mL SPIO or USPIO in combination with TAs. Aggregations of labeled cells were accommodated inside a defined volume in an agar gel matrix. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed to measure SPIO- or USPIO-induced signal voids. Quantification of cellular total iron load (TIL) (intracellular iron plus iron coating the cellular surface), determination of cellular viability, and electron microscopy were also performed. RESULTS Labeling of MSCs with SPIO or USPIO was feasible without affecting cell viability (91.1%-94.7%) or differentiation potential. For MR imaging, SPIO plus a TA was most effective, depicting 5000 cells with an average TIL of 76.5 pg per cell. SPIO or USPIO particles in combination with TAs coated the cellular surface but were not incorporated into cells. In nontransfected cells, SPIO or USPIO was taken up. MSCs labeled with SPIO or USPIO but without a TA showed enhanced expression of transferrin receptor, in contrary to both MSCs labeled with SPIO or USPIO and a TA and control cells. CONCLUSION SPIO or USPIO labeling without TAs has an influence on gene expression of MSCs upregulating transferrin receptor. Furthermore, SPIO labeling with a TA will coat the cellular surface.
POLYPHONIC PITCH DETECTION WITH CONVOLUTIONAL RECURRENT NEURAL NETWORKS

Recent directions in automatic speech recognition (ASR) research have shown that applying deep learning models from image recognition challenges in computer vision is beneficial. As automatic music transcription (AMT) is superficially similar to ASR, in the sense that methods often rely on transforming spectrograms to symbolic sequences of events (e.g. words or notes), deep learning should benefit AMT as well. In this work, we outline an online polyphonic pitch detection system that streams audio to MIDI by ConvLSTMs. Our system achieves state-of-the-art results on the 2007 MIREX multi-F0 development set, with an f-measure of 83% on the bassoon, clarinet, flute, horn and oboe ensemble recording without requiring any musical language modelling or assumptions of instrument timbre.
Continuation and Satisfaction of Reversible Contraception

OBJECTIVE: To estimate 12-month satisfaction and continuation rates of intrauterine device (IUD) and implant users enrolled in the Contraceptive CHOICE Project and compare these measures with women using the oral contraceptive pills (OCPs). METHODS: We analyzed 12-month data from the first 5,087 participants enrolled in a prospective cohort study of women in the St. Louis region offered contraception at no cost for 3 years. The primary purpose of CHOICE is to promote the use of long-acting reversible contraception (IUDs and implants) and to reduce unintended pregnancies in our region. This analysis includes those participants who received their baseline contraceptive method within 3 months of enrollment and who reached the 12-month follow-up telephone survey time point (n=4,167). RESULTS: Sixty-eight percent of our participants chose a long-acting reversible contraception method (45% levonorgestrel intrauterine system, 10% copper IUD, and 13% subdermal implant), 23% chose combined hormonal methods (11% OCPs, 10% vaginal ring, and 2% transdermal patch), and 8% chose depot medroxyprogesterone acetate. Long-acting reversible contraception users had higher 12-month continuation rates (86%) than OCP users (55%). The two IUDs had the highest 12-month continuation rates: levonorgestrel intrauterine system (88%) and copper IUD (84%). Women using the implant also had very high rates of continuation at 1 year (83%). Satisfaction mirrored continuation: more than 80% of users were satisfied with the IUD compared with 54% satisfied with OCPs. CONCLUSION: IUDs and the subdermal implant have the highest rates of satisfaction and 12-month continuation. Given that long-acting reversible contraception methods have the highest contraceptive efficacy, these methods should be the first-line contraceptive methods offered to patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II
A range of simple summary genome‐wide statistics for detecting genetic linkage using high density marker data

A simple approach to design and analysis of genome‐wide linkage scans is described, based on an approximation to the joint distribution of likelihood ratio statistics at a large number of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci. The approximation is readily calculated and makes it feasible to study the test properties of a range of summary statistics for the entire sequence of point‐wise test values. Both the null distribution in the absence of genetic effects and the alternative distribution under various models of single or multi‐gene inheritance can readily be simulated. This allows the power of a variety of statistics to be evaluated. The most powerful statistics proved to be the “quantile statistics” defined as quantiles of the set of pointwise test statistics. As a proof of principle study, the method was applied to a small dataset of 40 individuals from 8 families known to be segregating mutations in one or other of the DNA mismatch repair genes, MLH1 and MSH2. These included seven affected sib pairs and 11 discordant sib pairs, who were genotyped at 57,429 autosomal SNPs using the Affymetrix GeneChip Human Mapping 50 k Xba 240 Array. While the sample size was not sufficient to detect the linkage, there was a clear signal at the MLH1 location indicating that relatively small sample sizes would have been adequate to detect linkage to this gene. Genet. Epidemiol. 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection of synthetic glucocorticoids by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in patients being investigated for Cushing's syndrome

Background We report a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the detection of four commonly prescribed steroid drugs (prednisolone, dexamethasone, betamethasone and beclomethasone dipropionate) while simultaneously measuring 24-h urine free cortisol and cortisone in patients. Methods Two hundred and fifty microlitre aliquots of urine were spiked with internal standard and extracted with dichloromethane. The MS instrument was operated with positive electrospray and multiple reaction monitoring. Two transitions were monitored for each analyte of interest and the ratio of the intensities of the product ion fragments was established. Results The LC-MS/MS method for the measurement of urine free cortisol and cortisone was established. The assay was linear up to 788 nmol/L for cortisol and 777 nmol/L for cortisone, with a limit of quantitation of 5.0 nmol/L for both. Analysis time per sample was seven minutes. Transitions for four synthetic glucocorticoids were included, and they were identified based on the ratio of the intensities of product ion fragments. Analysis of 219 samples collected from 154 patients (55 male and 99 female) revealed the presence of prednisolone in five samples from three patients. Dexamethasone was detected in samples from four patients, and betamethasone was detected in one sample. Conclusion This is the first LC-MS/MS method in routine use to combine quantification of urinary cortisol and cortisone and detection of synthetic glucocorticoids in patients being investigated for Cushing's syndrome. Since the most common quoted cause of Cushing's syndrome is steroid treatment, this is a valuable diagnostic tool.
FETAL ORIGINS OF CORONARY HEART DISEASE AND HYPERTENSION AND ITS RELEVANCE TO INDIA : REVIEW OF EVIDENCE FROM THE MYSORE STUDIES

Reduced growth in utero has been associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease and hypertension. The rising rates of coronary heart disease in India are not explained by the prevalence of risk factors such as high blood pressure, hypercholesterolaemia, smoking or obesity. The fetal origins hypothesis may therefore be particularly relevant to India. Studies conducted at the Holdsworth Memorial Hospital, Mysore show that poor fetal growth is associated with an increased risk of adult coronary heart disease. However, the association is not mediated by hypertension, left ventricular mass or arterial compliance. This suggests that the way in which the intrauterine environment influences coronary heart disease differs between Indian and Western populations. The fact that the Mysore men and women are insulin resistant, and that coronary heart disease and its risk factors have been linked to features of the insulin resistance syndrome lead to the speculation that insulin resistance may be partially responsible.
Investigational sigma-1 receptor antagonists for the treatment of pain

Introduction: The sigma-1 receptor (σ1R) is a ligand-regulated molecular chaperone that interacts with other proteins, including NMDA and opioid receptors, to modulate their activity. Convergent evidence indicates that σ1R antagonists exert inhibitory effects (and agonists stimulatory effects) on pain by stepping down the intracellular signaling cascades involved in transduction of noxious stimuli and plastic changes (i.e., sensitization phenomena) associated with chronic pain states. Areas covered: This review addresses three primary domains. The first focuses on mechanisms underlying the antinociceptive effects of σ1R antagonists. The second addresses evidence gained using pharmacological tools and experimental drugs in the discovery phase and clinical development. Finally, the article outlines the potential benefits of σ1R antagonists, alone or in combination, in the context of available pain therapeutics. Expert opinion: There is a critical need for new analgesics based on new mechanisms of action. Target identification requires convincing evidence relating targets to function. In turn, target validation requires confirmation of therapeutic benefits, ideally in humans. Current preclinical evidence provides strong rationale for σ1R antagonists in pain. The outcome of clinical studies with the most advanced investigational σ1R antagonist, S1RA (E-52862), will be of great interest to ascertain the potential of this new therapeutic approach to pain management.
EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITY TO USE SET I OF ADVANCED PROGRESSIVE MATRICES AS A SHORT FORM OF STANDARD PROGRESSIVE MATRICES

The present paper aimed to explore the possibility of using the Advanced Progressive Matrices ‒ Set I (APM-Set I) as a short form of Standard Progressive Matrices for sound assessment of general mental ability in a short time frame. Confirmatory factor analysis for dichotomous data attested the unidimensionality of APM-Set I, and then the Rasch model was applied. All items showed an acceptable fit, and the increasing order of items difficulty level was partially confirmed. Validity measures were also performed. Results supported the possibility of using APM-Set I as a short form of the Raven Matrices test.
Robust Image Watermarking using Fractional Sinc Transformation

The increased utilization of internet in sharing and dissemination of digital data makes it is very difficult to maintain copyright and ownership of data. Digital watermarking offers a method for authentication and copyright protection. Digital image watermarking is an important technique for the multimedia content authentication and copyright protection. This paper present a watermarking algorithm making a balance between imperceptibility and robustness based on fractional calculus and also a domain has constructed using fractional Sinc function (FSc). The FSc model the signal as polynomial for watermark embedding. Watermark is embedded in all the coefficients of the image. Cross correlation method based on Neyman-Pearson is used for watermark detection. Moreover fraction rotation expression has constructed to achieve rotation. Experimental results confirmed the proposed technique has good robustness and outperformed another technique in imperceptibility. Furthermore the proposed method enables blind watermark detection where the original image is not required during the watermark detection and thus making it more practical than non-blind watermarking techniques.
Tissue-Specific Apocarotenoid Glycosylation Contributes to Carotenoid Homeostasis in Arabidopsis Leaves1

Apocarotenoid glycosides contribute to carotenoid biosynthetic pathway flux compensation. Attaining defined steady-state carotenoid levels requires balancing of the rates governing their synthesis and metabolism. Phytoene formation mediated by phytoene synthase (PSY) is rate limiting in the biosynthesis of carotenoids, whereas carotenoid catabolism involves a multitude of nonenzymatic and enzymatic processes. We investigated carotenoid and apocarotenoid formation in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) in response to enhanced pathway flux upon PSY overexpression. This resulted in a dramatic accumulation of mainly β-carotene in roots and nongreen calli, whereas carotenoids remained unchanged in leaves. We show that, in chloroplasts, surplus PSY was partially soluble, localized in the stroma and, therefore, inactive, whereas the membrane-bound portion mediated a doubling of phytoene synthesis rates. Increased pathway flux was not compensated by enhanced generation of long-chain apocarotenals but resulted in higher levels of C13 apocarotenoid glycosides (AGs). Using mutant lines deficient in carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs), we identified CCD4 as being mainly responsible for the majority of AGs formed. Moreover, changed AG patterns in the carotene hydroxylase mutants lutein deficient1 (lut1) and lut5 exhibiting altered leaf carotenoids allowed us to define specific xanthophyll species as precursors for the apocarotenoid aglycons detected. In contrast to leaves, carotenoid hyperaccumulating roots contained higher levels of β-carotene-derived apocarotenals, whereas AGs were absent. These contrasting responses are associated with tissue-specific capacities to synthesize xanthophylls, which thus determine the modes of carotenoid accumulation and apocarotenoid formation.
The data warehouse and data mining

THERE IS A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP between the activity of data mining and the data warehouse—the architectural foundation of decision support systems. The data warehouse sets the stage for effective data mining. Data mining can be done where there is no data warehouse, but the data warehouse greatly improves the chances of success in data mining. How does the data warehouse set the stage? Consider the nature of a data warehouse, which includes:
Bridging the research-practice gap: the role of the link nurse.

There has been much discussion about the need to reduce the gap between nursing research and nursing practice ( Polit and Hungler 1993 ). McKenna ( 1995 ) argued that while strict research activity is the job of only a small number of individuals within any profession, the ability to recognise research findings as important and the need to use those findings must be a major part of the role of any professional. This view is supported by Robinson ( 1994 ) who emphasised that it is important to dispel the myth that all practitioners should carry out research, though they should use elements of the research process to develop a questioning and evaluative approach to care.
Experimental verification of sensitivity improvement in near field probes using single negative metamaterials

In this work, we present the first experimental verification of the sensitivity improvement of evanescent field probes using single negative (SNG) metamaterials. The response of an electrically small probe to an electrically small target is investigated. The deviation in the phase of reflection coefficient due to the target is measured. When an SNG layer is employed, phase shift due to presence of a target is improved 9 times compared to a classical probe.
Increasing the CD4+ T Cell Precursor Frequency Leads to Competition for IFN-γ Thereby Degrading Memory Cell Quantity and Quality1

The precursor frequency of naive CD4+ T cells shows an inverse relationship with the number of memory cells generated after exposure to cognate Ag. Using the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) model, we show here that only when the initial number of naive virus-specific CD4+ T cell precursors is low (≤104 per spleen) do they give rise to abundant and homogeneous memory cells that are CD62Llow, IL-7Rhigh, and imbued with an enhanced capacity to produce cytokine, proliferate, and survive over time. Furthermore, memory cells derived from a high naive precursor number show functional deficits upon secondary exposure to virus. The negative effect of higher naive precursor frequency was not attributable to competition for limiting amounts of Ag, because LCMV-naive CD4+ TCR-transgenic CD4 T cells were recruited into the LCMV-induced response even when their initial number was high. Instead, the T cells appear to compete for direct IFN-γ signals as they differentiate into memory cells. These results are consistent with a model of T cell development in which the most fit effector T cells that receive sufficient direct IFN-γ signals are selected to differentiate further into memory cells.
Immunodepression associated with concomitant toxoplasma and malarial infections in mice.

The effects of infections of mice with both Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium berghei yoelii were investigated. Mortality, loss of body weight, and spleen size were all greater in the animals infected with T. gondii before P. berghei yoelii. Malarial parasitemia was more severe and more prolonged, and anemia was greater in the doubly infected animals. Titers of both Sabin-Feldman antibody (Toxoplasma) and fluorescent antibody (malaria) were depressed in the groups infected with T. gondii before P. berghei yoelii. No evidence of protection, i.e., interferon, from either T. gondii or P. berghei yoelii was seen in the doubly infected animals. It is suggested that immunodepression in this situation is due to antigenic competition. There has been much recent interest in the effects of protozoa on the host's immunologic response. It has been shown that some protozoa at times stimulate immune mechanisms, while on other occasions they are immunodepressive [1]. For example, malaria can induce production of interferon [2], but can also cause immunodepression [3-10]. Toxoplasma gondii can also induce interferon [11, 12], and chronic infections with Toxoplasma protect the host against viruses [13], bacteria [14], fungi [15], and tumors [16].
Possible role for mast cell-derived cathepsin G in the adverse remodelling of stenotic aortic valves.

AIMS Aortic stenosis (AS) is characterized by extensive remodelling of the valves, including infiltration of inflammatory cells, extracellular matrix degradation, and fibrosis. The molecular mechanisms behind this adverse remodelling have remained obscure. In this article, we study whether cathepsin G, an angiotensin II (Ang II)-forming elastolytic enzyme, contributes to progression of AS. METHODS AND RESULTS Stenotic aortic valves (n = 86) and control valves (n = 17) were analysed for cathepsin G, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), and collagens I and III with RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Valvular collagen/elastin ratio was quantified by histochemistry. In stenotic valves, cathepsin G was present in mast cells and showed increased expression (P < 0.001), which correlated positively (P < 0.001) with the expression levels of TGF-beta1 and collagens I and III. TGF-beta1 was also present in mast cell-rich areas and cathepsin G induced losartan-sensitive TGF-beta1 expression in cultured fibroblasts. Collagen/elastin ratio was increased in stenotic valves (P < 0.001) and correlated positively with smoking (P = 0.02). Nicotine in cigarette smoke activated mast cells and induced TGF-beta1 expression in cultured fibroblasts. Fragmented elastin was observed in stenotic valves containing activated cathepsin G-secreting mast cells and in normal valves treated with cathepsin G. CONCLUSION In stenotic aortic valves, mast cell-derived cathepsin G may cause adverse valve remodelling and AS progression.
Proteomic Analysis of Human Nop 56 p-associated Pre-ribosomal Ribonucleoprotein Complexes POSSIBLE LINK BETWEEN Nop 56 p AND THE NUCLEOLAR PROTEIN TREACLE RESPONSIBLE FOR TREACHER COLLINS SYNDROME *

From the ‡Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, §Integrated Proteomics System Project, Pioneer Research on Genome the Frontier, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology of Japan, and the ¶Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minami-ohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan
Frequency-Modulated Charge Pumping With Extremely High Gate Leakage

Charge pumping (CP) has proved itself to be one of the most utilitarian methods to quantify defects in MOS devices. In the presence of low-to-moderate gate leakage, CP quantification is most often implemented via a series of measurements at multiple frequencies. However, this approach is ill-equipped to handle excessive leakage currents common in advanced technologies. In this paper, we transform multifrequency CP from a quasi-dc measurement into a true ac measurement. This ac detection scheme, called frequency-modulated CP, is far better equipped to deal with high levels of leakage currents and thereby extends the usefulness of CP to current and future device technologies where excessive leakage is the norm. Additionally, we show that multifrequency CP has a long overlooked error that becomes significant in high-leakage situations. We discuss the origins of this error in detail and outline mitigation methodologies. Finally, we explore timing and voltage limitations of waveform generators and how these experimental boundary conditions impact on both frequency-dependent and FMCP.
Enhancement of gamma-linolenic acid production by the fungus Mucor sp LB-54 by growth temperature

A linhagem de Mucor sp LB-54, considerada uma potencial produtora de acido gama-linolenico (GLA), foi selecionada para o estudo de diferentes temperaturas de cultivo em agitador rotativo. A linhagem usada neste experimento era capaz de acumular uma quantidade alta de lipideos intracelulares, 20,73 % do peso seco de biomassa e conteudo de GLA de 15 % dentre os acidos graxos totais de sua constituicao apos 5 dias de incubacao a 28°C. Quando a temperatura de cultivo foi diminuida de 28oC para 12°C, o conteudo de GLA aumentou de 15 para 24% dentre os acidos graxos totais de sua constituicao. Com o objetivo de otimizar as condicoes de cultivo para a producao rapida de biomassa e producao de lipideos contendo conteudo alto de GLA, o fungo foi cultivado em duas combinacoes de temperaturas associadas com a suplementacao de fonte de carbono (glicose). A producao maxima de GLA (74mg/l) pela linhagem de Mucor sp LB-54 foi obtida apos 5 dias de incubacao a 28°C em meio base, seguida da adicao de glicose (7% p/v) no meio de cultura e uma posterior incubacao por mais 3 dias a 12°C. A identidade do GLA foi confirmada pelo sistema acoplado cromatografo a gas - espectrometro de massa.