Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stent-Assisted Coiling in Endovascular Treatment of 500 Consecutive Cerebral Aneurysms with Long-Term Follow-Up

Five hundred aneurysms treated with a variety of self-expanding stents were clinically assessed and followed angiographically at 6–7 months postprocedure. Thromboembolic phenomena occurred in 21 patients and intraoperative rupture in 4. Initial complete occlusion was achieved in 42.2% progressing to 90.8% at follow-up. Early and late recanalizations were noted in 8% and 2%, respectively. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stent-assisted coil embolization has become one of the most preferred techniques in the treatment of wide-neck intracranial aneurysms; however, long-term patency and safety of the self-expanding neurostents and their role in durability of the endovascular treatment has remained ambiguous. We sought to retrospectively examine the long-term results of self-expanding stent usage in conjunction with coil embolization in treatment of wide-neck cerebral aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We coiled 500 wide-neck cerebral aneurysms with different types of self-expanding neurostent assistance in 468 patients. Patient and aneurysm characteristics, pharmacologic therapy protocol, complications, and initial occlusion grades were analyzed. Patients underwent angiographic follow-up at 6 months to 7 years after treatment. DSA or MRA images of all patients were analyzed to assess the occlusion rate of aneurysms and patency of the parent artery. RESULTS: Enterprise (n = 340), Solitaire (n = 98), Wingspan (n = 41), LEO (n = 16), and Neuroform (n = 5) stent systems were used in this series. Stent-related thromboembolic events occurred in 21 patients and intraoperative rupture occurred in 4 patients. Initially, complete occlusion was achieved in 42.2% of the aneurysms, and, according to the last follow-up data, the rate had progressed to 90.8%. Recanalization rate at 6 months was 8%, whereas the late recanalization rate was 2%. CONCLUSIONS: The use of stents in endovascular treatment provides high rates of complete occlusion and low rates of recurrence at a long-term follow-up study.
MODULI SPACES OF PARABOLIC HIGGS BUNDLES AND PARABOLIC K(D) PAIRS OVER SMOOTH CURVES: I

This paper concerns the moduli spaces of rank-two parabolic Higgs bundles and parabolic K(D) pairs over a smooth curve. Precisely which parabolic bundles occur in stable K(D) pairs and stable Higgs bundles is determined. Using Morse theory, the moduli space of parabolic Higgs bundles is shown to be a non-compact, connected, simply connected manifold, and a computation of its Poincare polynomial is given.
Flavokawain B, the hepatotoxic constituent from kava root, induces GSH‐sensitive oxidative stress through modulation of IKK/NF‐κB and MAPK signaling pathways

Kava (Piper methysticum Foster, Piperaceae) organic solvent‐extract has been used to treat mild to moderate anxiety, insomnia, and muscle fatigue in Western countries, leading to its emergence as one of the 10 best‐selling herbal preparations. However, several reports of severe hepatotoxicity in kava consumers led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and authorities in Europe to restrict sales of kava‐containing products. Herein we demonstrate that flavokawain B (FKB), a chalcone from kava root, is a potent hepatocellular toxin, inducing cell death in HepG2 (LD50=15.3±0.2 µM) and L‐02 (LD50=32 µM) cells. Hepatocellular toxicity of FKB is mediated by induction of oxidative stress, depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH), inhibition of IKK activity leading to NF‐κB transcriptional blockade, and constitutive TNF‐α‐independent activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, namely, ERK, p38, and JNK We further demonstrate by noninvasive bioluminescence imaging that oral consumption of FKB leads to inhibition of hepatic NF‐κB transcriptional activity in vivo and severe liver damage. Surprisingly, replenishment with exogenous GSH normalizes both TNF‐α‐dependent NF‐κB as well as MAPK signaling and rescues hepatocytes from FKB‐in‐duced death. Our data identify FKB as a potent GSH‐sensitive hepatotoxin, levels of which should be specifically monitored and controlled in kava‐containing herb products. —Zhou, P., Gross, S. , Liu, J.‐H. , Yu, B. ‐Y. , Feng, L. ‐L. , Nolta, J., Sharma, V. , Piwnica‐Worms, D. , Qiu, S. X. Flavokawain B, the hepatotoxic constituent from kava root, induces GSH‐sensitive oxidative stress through modulation of IKK/NF‐κB and MAPK signaling pathways. FASEB J. 24, 4722–4732 (2010). www.fasebj. org
Design and Analysis of a Dynamic Load Balancing Strategy for Large-Scale Distributed Association Rule Mining

Association rule mining is one of the most important data mining techniques. Algorithms of this technique search a large space, considering numerous different alternatives and scanning the data repeatedly. Parallelism seems to be the natural solution in order to be able to work with industrial-sized databases. Large-scale computing systems, such as Grid computing environments, are recently regarded as promising platforms for data and computation-intensive applications like data mining. However, to improve the performance and achieve scalability by using these heterogeneous platforms, new data partitioning approaches and workload balancing features are needed. The focus of this paper is to propose a dynamic load balancing strategy for parallel association rule mining algorithms in the context of a Grid computing environment. This strategy is built upon a distributed model which necessitates small overheads in the communication costs for load updates and for both data and work transfers. It also supports the heterogeneity of the system and it is fault
Improved gene transfer into baboon marrow repopulating cells using recombinant human fibronectin fragment CH-296 in combination with interleukin-6, stem cell factor, FLT-3 ligand, and megakaryocyte growth and development factor.

We have used a competitive repopulation assay in baboons to develop improved methods for hematopoietic stem cell transduction and have previously shown increased gene transfer into baboon marrow repopulating cells using a gibbon ape leukemia virus (GALV)-pseudotype retroviral vector (Kiem et al, Blood 90:4638, 1997). In this study using GALV-pseudotype vectors, we examined additional variables that have been reported to increase gene transfer into hematopoietic progenitor cells in culture for their ability to increase gene transfer into baboon hematopoietic repopulating cells. Baboon marrow was harvested after in vivo administration (priming) of stem cell factor (SCF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). CD34-enriched marrow cells were divided into two equal fractions to directly compare transduction efficiencies under different gene transfer conditions. Transduction by either incubation with retroviral vectors on CH-296-coated flasks or by cocultivation on vector-producing cells was studied in five animals; in one animal, transduction on CH-296 was compared with transduction on bovine serum albumin (BSA)-coated flasks. The highest level of gene transfer was obtained after 24 hours of prestimulation followed by 48 hours of incubation on CH-296 in vector-containing medium in the presence of multiple hematopoietic growth factors (interleukin-6, stem cell factor, FLT-3 ligand, and megakaryocyte growth and development factor). Using these conditions, up to 20% of peripheral blood and marrow cells contained vector sequences for more than 20 weeks, as determined by both polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis. Gene transfer rates were higher for cells transduced on CH-296 as compared with BSA or cocultivation. In one animal, we have used a vector expressing a cell surface protein (human placental alkaline phosphatase) and have detected 10% and 5% of peripheral blood cells expressing the transduced gene 2 and 4 weeks after transplantation as measured by flow cytometry. In conclusion, the conditions described here have resulted in gene transfer rates that will allow detection of transduced cells by flow cytometry to facilitate the evaluation of gene expression. The levels of gene transfer obtained with these conditions suggest the potential for therapeutic efficacy in diseases affecting the hematopoietic system.
People with Dementia Use Schemata to Support Episodic Memory

This paper describes two experiments which examine whether people with dementia use schemata, established knowledge stores associated with specific scenarios, to aid episodic memory. On all tests of memory, volunteers with dementia remembered less than their age-matched controls. There was evidence for an age-related decline in cognitive resources available for effortful memorising. For people with dementia, errors of commission in free recall, false recognition scores and reconstruction data were consistent with the use of shema to guide retrieval of items from memory. We conclude that retrieval support improves memory performance for both the healthy and dementing elderly. More importantly, pre-established schemata remain intact well into the course of dementia and can support recall of newly acquired episodic information.
Motor control schemes in the cerebellum and motor cortices

Introduction: The intricacies and complexities of the primate motor control system are simply mind-boggling. This is evident by looking at the magnitude of theories that are continuously being published, refined, and outright rejected on almost a weekly basis. Many times the problem comes down to the limited scope of the investigation. The primate motor control system is so incredibly multi-dimensional and non-linear that any engineer would tremble at the thought of characterizing such a juggernaut. But, no matter how complex the controller may be, it can be broken down into functional feedforward and feedback sensorimotor transformations. Almost any theory on motor control will define what roles one or both of these control schemes play [1-15]. A feedback control scheme uses state-related information (e.g. afferent signals) in the computation of the control signal. Feedforward control relies on an intrinsic model of the plant in its estimate of the control signal. While most researchers would attest to the fact that biological motor control systems inevitably take advantage of both control schemes, few provide any convincing physiological evidence on the sources of them in the brain. Since it is widely accepted that much of motor control in primates is distributed throughout the cerebellum and motor cortices of the cerebrum (e.g. primary, supplemental, premotor, and posterior parietal), the primary goal of this proposal is to answer the following: What control schemes are used in the cerebellum and motor cortices? The approach we will initially take is to classify each of the regions as primarily using feedback (using state information) or feedforward (prediction using intrinsic model). In route to addressing the proposal's primary goal, we will also put forward two related secondary goals that can be pursued in parallel to the primary goal and without adding too much complexity to the project. The secondary goals answer the following questions: 1) What are the relative responsibilities of the cerebellum and motor cortices in primate motor control? ; and 2) How is state information encoded in these two brain structures? (As an informal goal we'll either confirm or disprove the proposed control architecture illustrated in figure 1; the letters attached to each block will be used to refer to that block.). These three questions are motivated by many active issues in the discipline of motor control. Studies on BMI typically record from the cerebrum (motor cortices) and develop control laws based on those correlations with motor activity. …
Electrotonic coupling between neurones in the rat mesencephalic nucleus

Electrical stimulation of the trigeminal nerve evokes a ‘short latency depolarization’ (SLD) in the first order sensory neurones of the mesencephalic nucleus (MSN) of the Vth nerve in the rat. A series of experiments suggesting ‘electrotonic coupling’ as the mechanism for this SLD is provided.
A bi-patch loaded microstrip line based 1-D periodic structure with enhanced stop bandwidth and band switching characteristics

ABSTRACT A one-dimensional periodic structure comprising of eight unit cells each having two metallic patches sandwiched between microstrip line and ground plane has been investigated. Patches bearing dissimilar dimensions present distinct reactive loads, determined by their respective areas, to generate relatively wider bandgap. Patches can be selectively connected to ground or left floating through a combination of vias and externally controlled FET switches. Dispersion analysis of the structure has been carried out to determine the propagating modes of the line for all four possible states of the unit cell. A top-down, design guide approach has been adopted with the effect of parameters determining performance attributes captured. The proposed structure acts as an all pass filter from DC to 19.5 GHz with all patches floating and exhibits stopband characteristics from 6 to 19.5 GHz with different combinations of the switches offering an overall stop bandwidth greater than 100%. The proposed structure offers tunability from no bandgap to bandgap with added advantages of band switching capability with double the number of unique reconfigurable switch patterns as compared to conventional single patch structures.
miRNA let-7e Modulates the Wnt Pathway and Early Nephrogenic Markers in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation

This study indicates that embryonic stem cells [ESCs] cultured with retinoic acid and activin A significantly upregulate the miRNA let-7e. This specific miRNA modulates the Wnt pathway and the expression of early nephrogenic markers under these differentiation conditions. The differentiation markers WT1, Pax2 and Wnt4 were downregulated when miRNA let-7e was silenced, thus indicating the role of miRNA let-7e in the differentiation process. PKCβ, GSK3β phosphorylation (GSK3βP) and β-catenin expression was reduced in differentiated cells and reversed by miRNA let-7e silencing. Addition of a PKCβ inhibitor to the miRNA let-7e silenced cells abolished let-7e-derived effects in differentiation markers, and reversed the increase in GSK3βP and β-catenin, thus indicating that miRNA let-7e is involved in differentiation via the modulation of GSK3β phosphorylation and β-catenin production.
Current treatment of oligodendrogliomas.

That a neurological review is dedicated specifically to the oligodendroglioma is testimony to a decade of progress. The unique molecular features and chemosensitivity of the oligodendroglioma were not appreciated 10 years ago; yet today, these features merit such interest to clinicians and pathologists alike that the oligodendroglioma is separated from other types of primary brain tumors in both the laboratory and in practice.
Adaptive Regulation at the Cell Surface by N‐Glycosylation

The association of receptors and solute transporters with components of the endocytic machinery regulates their surface levels, and thereby cellular sensitivity to cytokines, ligands and nutrients in the extracellular environment. Most transmembrane receptors and solute transporters are glycoproteins, and the Asn (N)‐linked oligosaccharides (N‐glycans) can bind animal lectins, forming multivalent lattices or microdomains that regulate glycoprotein mobility in the plane of membrane. The N‐glycan number (sequence‐encoded NXS/T) and context‐dependent Golgi N‐glycan branching cooperate to regulate glycoprotein affinities for the galectin family of lectins. Galectin‐3 binding reduces EGF receptor trafficking into clathrin‐coated pits and caveolae lipid rafts, decreases ligand‐independent receptor activation and promotes α5β1 integrin remodelling in focal adhesions. N‐glycan branching in the medial Golgi increases glycan affinity for galectins, and the Golgi pathway is sensitive to uridine diphosphate‐N‐acetylglucosamine (UDP‐GlcNAc) supply, in turn hexosamine pathway metabolites (fructose‐6‐P, glutamine and acetyl‐CoA). Thus, lattice avidity and cellular responsiveness to extracellular cues are regulated in an adaptive manner by metabolism and Golgi modification to glycoproteins. Computational modelling of the hexosamine/Golgi/lattice has provided new insight on cell surface adaptation in cancer and autoimmune disease.
Membrane hyperpolarization and salt sensitivity induced by deletion of PMP3, a highly conserved small protein of yeast plasma membrane

Yeast plasma membranes contain a small 55 amino acid hydrophobic polypeptide, Pmp3p, which has high sequence similarity to a novel family of plant polypeptides that are overexpressed under high salt concentration or low temperature treatment. The PMP3 gene is not essential under normal growth conditions. However, its deletion increases the plasma membrane potential and confers sensitivity to cytotoxic cations, such as Na+ and hygromycin B. Interestingly, the disruption of PMP3 exacerbates the NaCl sensitivity phenotype of a mutant strain lacking the Pmr2p/Enap Na+‐ATPases and the Nha1p Na+/H+ antiporter, and suppresses the potassium dependency of a strain lacking the K+ transporters, Trk1p and Trk2p. All these phenotypes could be reversed by the addition of high Ca2+ concentration to the medium. These genetic interactions indicate that the major effect of the PMP3 deletion is a hyperpolarization of the plasma membrane potential that probably promotes a non‐specific influx of monovalent cations. Expression of plant RCI2A in yeast could substitute for the loss of Pmp3p, indicating a common role for Pmp3p and the plant homologue.
Combining microarrays and genetic analysis

Gene expression can be studied at a genome-wide scale with the aid of modern microarray technologies. Expression profiling of tens to hundreds of individuals in a genetic population can reveal the consequences of genetic variation. In this paper it is argued that the design and analysis of such a study is not a matter of simply applying the existing and more-or-less standard computational tools for microarrays to a new type of experimental data. It is shown how to fully exploit the power of genetics through optimal experimental design and analysis for two major microarray technologies, cDNA two-colour arrays and Affymetrix short oligonucleotide arrays.
2-Selmer groups of quadratic twists of elliptic curves

In this paper we investigate families of quadratic twists of elliptic curves. Addressing a speculation of Ono, we identify a large class of elliptic curves for which the parities of the “algebraic parts” of the central values L(E(d)/DQ, 1), as d varies, have essentially the same multiplicative structure as the coefficients ad of L(E/DQ, s). We achieve this by controlling the 2Selmer rank (à la Mazur and Rubin) when the Tamagawa numbers do not already dictate the parity.
Post-mating disparity between potential and realized immune response in Drosophila melanogaster

Reproductive costs are an essential component of evolutionary theory. For instance, an increase in reproduction is generally coupled with a decrease in immunocompetence shortly after mating. However, recent work in Drosophila melanogaster suggests that the potential to mount an immune response, as measured by the levels of immune gene expression, increases after mating. These data are in contrast to previous studies, which suggest that mating can reduce a fly's ability to survive an actual bacterial challenge (realized immunity). This pattern may be driven by some aspect of mating, independent of resource limitation, which reduces immune function by inhibiting the effective deployment of immune gene products. Though several studies have examined both the potential and the realized immunity after mating, none have examined these immune measures simultaneously. Here, we examined the link between the potential and the realized immunity in a sterile mutant of D. melanogaster. Shortly after mating, we found that female immune gene expression was high, but survival against infection was low. Surprisingly, this pattern was reversed within 24 h. Thus, estimates of immunity based on gene expression do not appear to reflect an actual ability to defend against pathogens in the hours following copulation. We discuss the possible mechanisms that may account for this pattern.
The shift-ACF: Detecting multiply repeated signal components

We propose a novel method for detecting multiply repeated signal components within a source signal. Whereas standard methods such as classical autocorrelation are usually tailored to detecting signal components that are repeated once, our approach, the so called shift-autocorrelation, can be used to improve detection performance by explicitly assuming multiply repeated components. In this paper we introduce the shift-autocorrelation formally and give theoretical evidence of its performance compared to classical autocorrelation. By defining tempograms based on shift-autocorrelation, we apply the method to the detection of underwater mammal sounds, showing its superiority to classical approaches in a practical evaluation.
Enhancing Acoustic Sensory Responsiveness by Exploiting Bio-inspired Feedback Computation

Engineering acoustic sensors and systems that can be sensitive to small sound levels even when immersed by background noise may require out-of-the-box thinking. Biology can provide inspiration for that, allowing the engineering landscape to borrow interesting ideas and thus solve current human problems. Biological sensor and system designs are a result of many million years of evolutionary processes, which make them very-power efficient and well-adapted to perform their function in a living organism. This paper presents a theoretical study of a bio-inspired signal processing concept. The assumption is that by exploiting feedback computation between a front-end acoustic detector and a back-end neuronal based processing, the overall acoustic responsiveness of a sensory system can be controlled and enhanced to target signals of interest. Here, two methods of feedback signal entrainment are compared namely 1:1 and 2:1 resonance modes.