Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intravenous Administration of Arsenic Trioxide Encapsulated in Liposomes Inhibits the Growth of C6 Gliomas in Rat Brains

Abstract Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is a potent anti-tumor agent used to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), and more recently solid tumors including gliomas. However, the dose of ATO required to suppress gliomas is markedly higher than that used to treat APL, which leads to toxicity and undesirable side-effects, even though the local concentration of ATO in brains is relatively low after systemic administration. In an attempt to minimize the toxicity, enhance the penetrating activity across the bloodbrain barrier, and reduce enzyme degradation, we prepared ATO encapsulated in liposomes, and investigated its therapeutic effect on C6 gliomas established in rat brains. The prepared ATO liposomes were stable at room temperature for 3 days and the latency rate was over 90% within 72 h. Intravenous injection of ATO liposomes led to a much higher concentration of ATO (5- fold, compared with ATO solution) in rat brains, resulting in inhibition of C6 gliomas in brains and prolonging the survival of rats bearing brain gliomas. ATO-liposome therapy resulted in fewer side effects, compared with free ATO solution. ATO-liposome therapy inhibited tumor angiogenesis by downregulating the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and inducing cell apoptosis. The results warrant future investigation of the use of ATO encapsulated in liposomes to treat gliomas.
Differential effects of NT‐4, NGF and BDNF on development of neurochemical architecture and cell size regulation in rat visual cortex during the critical period

Development of inhibition is a crucial determinant of the time course of visual cortical plasticity. BDNF strongly affects interneuron development and the onset and closure of the critical period for ocular dominance plasticity. Less is known on the effects of NT‐4 despite a clear involvement in ocular dominance plasticity. We have investigated the effects of NT‐4 on interneuron development by supplying NT‐4 with osmotic minipumps during two time windows overlapping the onset (P12–20) and the peak (P20–28) of the critical period. We assessed the expression of interneuronal markers and soma size maturation either after the end of the infusion periods or at the end of the critical period (P45). We found that NT‐4 was very effective in regulating interneuron development. NPY, SOM and PARV neuron somata grew faster during both infusion periods whereas CR neurons only responded during the early infusion period. The effects of soma size elicited during the earlier infusion period were still present at P45. In PARV neurons, NT‐4 caused a long‐lasting stabilization of CB and NPY expression. Furthermore, NT‐4 accelerated the expression of GAD‐65 mRNA in a subset of non‐PARV neurons of layer V, which normally up‐regulate GAD‐65 towards the end of the critical period. Most of these effects were shared by NT‐4 and BDNF. Some were unexpectedly also shared by NGF, which promoted growth of layer V PARV neurons, stabilized the CB expression and accelerated the GAD‐65 expression. The results suggest that neurotrophins act on critical period plasticity by strengthening inhibition.
Control of MT1-MMP transport by atypical PKC during breast-cancer progression

Significance We characterize a mechanism through which the polarity protein atypical PKCι controls invasion and matrix remodeling by tumor cells by regulating endosome-to-plasma membrane traffic of the membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) in breast-cancer cells. Further analysis shows that atypical PKCι and MT1-MMP are co–up-regulated in hormone receptor-negative breast tumors in association with higher risk of metastasis. These findings provide previously unidentified avenues for the design of therapeutic interventions. Dissemination of carcinoma cells requires the pericellular degradation of the extracellular matrix, which is mediated by membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP). In this article, we report a co–up-regulation and colocalization of MT1-MMP and atypical protein kinase C iota (aPKCι) in hormone receptor-negative breast tumors in association with a higher risk of metastasis. Silencing of aPKC in invasive breast-tumor cell lines impaired the delivery of MT1-MMP from late endocytic storage compartments to the surface and inhibited matrix degradation and invasion. We provide evidence that aPKCι, in association with MT1-MMP–containing endosomes, phosphorylates cortactin, which is present in F-actin–rich puncta on MT1-MMP–positive endosomes and regulates cortactin association with the membrane scission protein dynamin-2. Thus, cell line-based observations and clinical data reveal the concerted activity of aPKC, cortactin, and dynamin-2, which control the trafficking of MT1-MMP from late endosome to the plasma membrane and play an important role in the invasive potential of breast-cancer cells.
Algal extracellular release in river-floodplain dissolved organic matter: response of extracellular enzymatic activity during a post-flood period

River-floodplain systems are susceptible to rapid hydrological events. Changing hydrological connectivity of the floodplain generates a broad range of conditions, from lentic to lotic. This creates a mixture of allochthonously and autochthonously derived dissolved organic matter (DOM). Autochthonous DOM, including photosynthetic extracellular release (PER), is an important source supporting bacterial secondary production (BSP). Nonetheless, no details are available regarding microbial extracellular enzymatic activity (EEA) as a response to PER under variable hydrological settings in river-floodplain systems. To investigate the relationship between bacterial and phytoplankton components, we therefore used EEA as a tool to track the microbial response to non-chromophoric, but reactive and ecologically important DOM. The study was conducted in three floodplain subsystems with distinct hydrological regimes (Danube Floodplain National Park, Austria). The focus was on the post-flood period. Enhanced %PER (up to 48% of primary production) in a hydrologically isolated subsystem was strongly correlated with β-glucosidase, which was related to BSP. This shows that—in disconnected floodplain backwaters with high terrestrial input—BSP can also be driven by autochthonous carbon sources (PER). In a semi-isolated section, in the presence of fresh labile material from primary producers, enhanced activity of phenol oxidase was observed. In frequently flooded river-floodplain systems, BSP was mainly driven by enzymatic degradation of particulate primary production. Our research demonstrates that EEA measurements are an excellent tool to describe the coupling between bacteria and phytoplankton, which cannot be deciphered when focusing solely on chromophoric DOM.
Strengthening of lateral activation in adult rat visual cortex after retinal lesions captured with voltage-sensitive dye imaging in vivo

Sensory deprivation caused by peripheral injury can trigger functional cortical reorganization across the initially silenced cortical area. It is proposed that intracortical connectivity enables recovery of function within such a lesion projection zone (LPZ), thus substituting lost subcortical input. Here, we investigated retinal lesion-induced changes in the function of lateral connections in the primary visual cortex of the adult rat. Using voltage-sensitive dye recordings, we visualized in millisecond-time resolution spreading synaptic activity across the LPZ. Shortly after lesion, the majority of neurons within the LPZ were subthresholdly activated by delayed propagation of activity that originated from unaffected cortical regions. With longer recovery time, latencies within the LPZ gradually decreased, and activation reached suprathreshold levels. Targeted electrode recordings confirmed that receptive fields of intra-LPZ neurons were displaced to the retinal lesion border while displaying normal orientation and direction selectivity. These results corroborate the view that cortical horizontal connections have a central role in functional reorganization, as revealed here by progressive facilitation of synaptic activity and the traveling wave of excitation that propagates horizontally into the deprived cortical region.
Resolution of sexual dysfunction during double-blind treatment of major depression with reboxetine or paroxetine

The selective noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitor reboxetine may have advantages over the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors fluoxetine and citalopram, in effects on sexual function and satisfaction. The effects of reboxetine and paroxetine on sexual function were compared by examining data from the UK centres in an international double-blind flexible-dose parallel-group multi-centre randomized controlled trial of acute treatment of patients with DSM-IV major depression. Patients were randomly assigned to receive reboxetine (4mg b.d.) or paroxetine (20mg mane) using a double-dummy technique to preserve the blind. The dosage could be increased at day 28 (to reboxetine 4mg mane, 6mg nocte; or paroxetine 20mg b.d.). Antidepressant efficacy was assessed by the 21-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and Clinical Global Impression Scale for Severity (CGI-S) at all study visits, and the Clinical Global Impression of Improvement (CGI-I) at each visit after randomization. Sexual function and satisfaction was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) items of the Rush Sexual Inventory completed at baseline and days 28 and 56. There were no significant differences between groups in demographic or clinical features at baseline. There was a gradual reduction in severity of depressive symptoms (reboxetine, 14.3; paroxetine, 12.0: observed case analysis), with no significant differences between groups. There were significant differences (p 0.05), with advantages for reboxetine, at Week 4 and Week 8 on the VAS item assessing ability to become sexually excited, and non-significant trends with advantages for reboxetine, in frequency of sexual thoughts at Week 4 (p 0.05) and Week 8 (p 0.08); and in desire to initiate sexual activity at Week 4 (p 0.09). Exclusion of patients who had ever experienced sexual dysfunction with any medication prior to participation in this study (n 10) reduced the statistical significance of the findings, although there were still numerical advantages for reboxetine. Sexual function and satisfaction in depressed patients improves during double-blind acute treatment with reboxetine or paroxetine, but this improvement is greater and more rapid with reboxetine.
Programmable self-assembly

Electronics as well as mechanical components are shrinking and becoming cheaper and cheaper, therefore it is more and more important to keep the assembly costs of products as low as possible by efficient automation. One new approach is self-assembly, where components assemble themselves with the help of suitable surface coatings and patterns thereon. In this paper we analyse a new method that we call programmable self-assembly which is based on programmable interactions to perform the assembly process. Genetic algorithm is used to create interaction patterns for the proposed method.
SEVA3D: Autonomous Vehicles Parking Simulator in a three-dimensional environment

This paper describes a simulation system proposed in order to study and to implement intelli- gent autonomous vehicle control. The developed system can automatically drive a vehicle, implementing a robust control system capable of simulating in a realistic way autonomous parking in a parallel park- ing space. The system controls the vehicles based on the reading of sonar sensors and automatically generates acceleration and steering commands, parking it in a parallel parking space. The controller was implemented using a rule-based nite state automaton, and the results obtained in our simulations demonstrated that the proposed controller is perfectly able to correctly park the vehicle in different situ- ations.
Double Disaster: Mental Health Of Survivors of Wildfires and Earthquake in a Part of Greece

This paper investigates stress related psychological morbidity in individuals who experienced two disasters 11 months apart (wildfire and earthquake) in a rural area of Greece. A sample of 150 participants has been assessed after the wildfires and after the earthquake using the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised. Survivors had elevated levels of psychopathology in all subscales of the SCL-90–R after the earthquake. Significant risk factors for further development of psychopathology were damages to property and complete loss of property from both disasters. Double disasters can cause considerable psychological symptoms in victims and there are reasons for policy makers to create services in order to help and improve the mental health of those affected but also to help them rebuild their property.
Using Mobile Agents for Secure Biometric Authentication

This paper deals with the definition of a strong authentication model, coupling usual password/PIN based methods with a biometric matching, over a Multi Agent distributed infrastructure. When the user authentication procedure involves personal devices, the Multi Agent System model helps in the distribution of data and algorithms thanks to a better partitioning of roles and responsibilities, enhancing robustness to eavesdropping and tampering by properly moving agents around the system itself. The system architecture is based on specialized agents tied to the different devices, which safely communicate using both symmetric encryption for messages and asymmetric encryption to check principals’ roles. Moreover, agents can carry on biometric parameters matching algorithms, bringing computation on those nodes with enough computing power. A complete authentication protocol has been developed and two different demos have been devised and tested. They differ for the tasks assigned to the mobile devices in use. Experiments show that agent capabilities, together with their power of migration, help in maintaining a higher level of security when mobile devices are involved.
COFACTOR: an accurate comparative algorithm for structure-based protein function annotation

We have developed a new COFACTOR webserver for automated structure-based protein function annotation. Starting from a structural model, given by either experimental determination or computational modeling, COFACTOR first identifies template proteins of similar folds and functional sites by threading the target structure through three representative template libraries that have known protein–ligand binding interactions, Enzyme Commission number or Gene Ontology terms. The biological function insights in these three aspects are then deduced from the functional templates, the confidence of which is evaluated by a scoring function that combines both global and local structural similarities. The algorithm has been extensively benchmarked by large-scale benchmarking tests and demonstrated significant advantages compared to traditional sequence-based methods. In the recent community-wide CASP9 experiment, COFACTOR was ranked as the best method for protein–ligand binding site predictions. The COFACTOR sever and the template libraries are freely available at http://zhanglab.ccmb. med.umich. edu/COFACTOR.
Adaptive training with noisy constrained maximum likelihood linear regression for noise robust speech recognition

Adaptive training is a widely used technique for building speech recognition systems on non-homogeneous training data. Recently there has been interest in applying these approaches for situations where there is signiﬁcant levels of background noise. This work extends the most popular form of linear transform for adaptive training, constrained MLLR, to reﬂect additional uncertainty from noise corrupted observations. This new form of transform, Noisy CMLLR, uses a modiﬁed version of generative model between clean speech and noisy observation, similar to factor analysis. Adaptive training using NCMLLR with both maximum likelihood and discriminative criteria are described. Experiments are conducted on noise-corrupted Resource Management and in-car recorded data. In preliminary experiments this new form achieves improvements in recognition performance over the standard approach in low signal-to-noise ratio conditions.
Hypertension and Chronic Exposure to Noise

Abstract The effects of noise on various cardiovascular parameters are conflicting and uncertain. In the current study, the authors studied 52 workers who were employed in a bedframe factory who were chronically exposed to noise and who had poor hearing. An additional group of 65 workers who had jobs in the light-metal sector and another group of 64 office workers served as two control groups; none of the controls were exposed to noise, and none had hearing defects. Blood pressure was measured for each person in the supine and standing positions, and an electrocardiogram was also performed. Sound-level measurements were taken in the workplaces. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures and diastolic blood pressure distributions were significantly higher in the noise-exposed group than in both control groups. Among the three groups, there were significantly different frequencies of hypertension, drops in blood pressure, and electrocardiogram anomalies. Within the group of bedframe workers, those exposed to a personal daily level of exposure (i.e., equivalent continuous noise level for exposure to noise for each individual workers in an 8-hr shift) that exceeded 90 dBA had a higher mean diastolic blood pressure and a higher frequency of diastolic hypertension than workers exposed to a personal daily level of exposure of < 90 dBA. The findings suggested that (a) work performed by the bedframe group had some effects on the cardiovascular system, (b) noise is a cardiovascular risk factor, and (c) cardiovascular effects are relative to intensity and type of exposure. Vascular damage often accompanies auditory damage, but—depending on individual susceptibility—the cardiovascular system can respond in various ways.
A multi-resolution approach to heat kernels on discrete surfaces

Studying the behavior of the heat diffusion process on a manifold is emerging as an important tool for analyzing the geometry of the manifold. Unfortunately, the high complexity of the computation of the heat kernel -- the key to the diffusion process - limits this type of analysis to 3D models of modest resolution. We show how to use the unique properties of the heat kernel of a discrete two dimensional manifold to overcome these limitations. Combining a multi-resolution approach with a novel approximation method for the heat kernel at short times results in an efficient and robust algorithm for computing the heat kernels of detailed models. We show experimentally that our method can achieve good approximations in a fraction of the time required by traditional algorithms. Finally, we demonstrate how these heat kernels can be used to improve a diffusion-based feature extraction algorithm.
Focus on treatment complications and optimal management: radiation oncology.

BACKGROUND Esophagitis and pneumonitis are the most important treatment complications and dose-limiting toxicities in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with radiotherapy (RT) alone or combined modality therapy. METHODS A literature research was performed to identify published articles relating clinical and dosimetric parameters associated with significant radiation pneumonitis (RP) and esophagitis in NSCLC patients treated with three-dimensional conformal RT. RESULTS Possible clinical parameters associated with acute and or late esophagitis are concurrent chemoradiation, hyperfractionated and accelerated radiation regimens, dysphagia and neutropenia during treatment. Mean dose <34 Gy is currently used as standard dosimetric recommendation. Addition of chemotherapy and hyperfractionation are also associated with the risk of pneumonitis. Both the V20 and the mean lung dose are used as dosimetric parameter to correlate with the risk of high-grade radiation pneumonitis. CONCLUSIONS A variety of clinical and dosimetric parameters have been associated with acute and late toxicity. Treatment consist mainly in symptomatic relieve. Further research is necessary, as many studies led to different and sometimes even contradictory results.
Improved fault detection and identification for nonlinear hybrid systems using self switched CDKF

The main objective of this paper is to develop a novel and improved method of fault detection for a class of nonlinear hybrid plants with emphasis on identification. An approach has been presented here to evolve techniques which enable efficient fault detection and their type and range identification using a bank of self-switched Central Difference Kalman Filter which is numerically simpler than EKF. Validation of developed methods would be done with hybrid models of real-life systems. Different ranges of clogging faults and leakage faults of different radii of a three tank system have been considered here to demonstrate the effectiveness of the scheme. The inflow of tank 1 has been considered noisy. Simulation results show that different ranges of clogging faults and leakage faults can be successfully detected and their ranges can be identified using this scheme. It has been shown that the CDKF based scheme not only can detect the fault accurately but also identify its type and range properly.
Patterns of Deep-Sea Genetic Connectivity in the New Zealand Region: Implications for Management of Benthic Ecosystems

Patterns of genetic connectivity are increasingly considered in the design of marine protected areas (MPAs) in both shallow and deep water. In the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), deep-sea communities at upper bathyal depths (<2000 m) are vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbance from fishing and potential mining operations. Currently, patterns of genetic connectivity among deep-sea populations throughout New Zealand’s EEZ are not well understood. Using the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I and 16S rRNA genes as genetic markers, this study aimed to elucidate patterns of genetic connectivity among populations of two common benthic invertebrates with contrasting life history strategies. Populations of the squat lobster Munida gracilis and the polychaete Hyalinoecia longibranchiata were sampled from continental slope, seamount, and offshore rise habitats on the Chatham Rise, Hikurangi Margin, and Challenger Plateau. For the polychaete, significant population structure was detected among distinct populations on the Chatham Rise, the Hikurangi Margin, and the Challenger Plateau. Significant genetic differences existed between slope and seamount populations on the Hikurangi Margin, as did evidence of population differentiation between the northeast and southwest parts of the Chatham Rise. In contrast, no significant population structure was detected across the study area for the squat lobster. Patterns of genetic connectivity in Hyalinoecia longibranchiata are likely influenced by a number of factors including current regimes that operate on varying spatial and temporal scales to produce potential barriers to dispersal. The striking difference in population structure between species can be attributed to differences in life history strategies. The results of this study are discussed in the context of existing conservation areas that are intended to manage anthropogenic threats to deep-sea benthic communities in the New Zealand region.