Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of sperm forward motility‐related proteins in human seminal plasma

Seminal plasma, an amorphous material that exists in semen, contains proteins related to sperm forward motility. Employing affinity chromatography with ConA beads and protein ultrafiltration, we isolated and concentrated proteins from heated human seminal plasma. Results of computer‐assisted semen analyses (CASA) demonstrated that the forward motility index of bovine spermatozoa from the epididymal caput, incubated with proteins and theophylline, was significantly different from that of spermatozoa incubated with theophylline alone (P < 0.01). The electrophoreses revealed that the protein bands with high molecular weights in the gel of PAGE changed into low molecular weights in the gel of SDS–PAGE. Furthermore, proteins from a separated portion of the PAGE gel were still able to stimulate spermatozoa from the epididymal caput to gain forward motility. Two‐dimensional (2D)‐gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry indicated that spots focused on the portion seemed, according to their amino acid sequences, to be like human alpha‐1‐antitrypsin and zinc‐alpha‐2‐glycoprotein (ZAG) precursors. Western blot analysis showed the presence of these two proteins in seminal plasma. These proteins, related to the forward motility of spermatozoa in human seminal plasma, may play important roles during maturation of spermatozoa, from the epididymis through fertilization in the female reproductive tract. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 1124–1131, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Teaching Emotions to Children by Using Video Games

Video Games can make people to feel a wide range of emotions like if they actually were in the virtual world they are playing. Emotional Intelligence more and more is taught in schools to children. The aim of this work is giving an introduction to be able to find the way of linking an educational program for teaching emotions to preschool children with game mechanics. To achieve this goal, we have started by learning about emotional intelligence and we have studied some programs and tools used to teach it. We have analyzed also how different media produce emotions. As a result, we propose a set of requirements based in previous study in order to be able to fix a base for game design to fun children while adults can evaluate how these young people are learning to identify emotions and deal feelings they produce.
Liquid-Based Cytology Preparation Can Improve Cytological Assessment of Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration

Objective: This study investigated whether liquid-based cytology (LBC) can improve diagnostic values of cytological assessment of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). Study Design: A cohort of 600 cases in West China Hospital was prospectively studied from June 2012 to September 2013. EBUS-TBNA was carried out in outpatients under local anesthesia and moderate sedation. The procedure was performed with an echobronchoscope (BF-UC160F-OL8, Olympus, Tokyo, Japan). Histological cores were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for further study. Additional immunohistological analysis was performed for establishing a reliable diagnosis when necessary. Aspirates were smeared on glass slides and separate aspirates were processed by the monolayer SurePath method. Results: In total, 480 malignant tumors and 120 benign lesions were confirmed by histological examination. The sensitivity of SurePath liquid-based preparations and conventional smears was 82.1 and 56%, and the specificity was 87.5 and 82.5%, respectively. The combined specificity was 100%. Positive predictive values of the two groups were 96.3 and 92.8%, whereas negative predictive values were 54.9 and 31.9%, respectively. The difference between the two groups was significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions: LBC preparation can improve cytological assessment of EBUS-TBNA. Histological study is necessary in cases in which the cytological diagnosis is obscure.
Interaction of cardiac and muscle mechanical afferents on baroreflex control of the sinus node during dynamic exercise

The effects of cardiopulmonary baroreceptors and muscle mechanoreceptors stimulation on cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), and heart rate variability (HRV) were evaluated by measuring continuously and non‐invasively systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse interval (PI) during upright and supine passive cycling. BRS and HRV were evaluated with the cross‐correlation method (xBRS) and in the frequency domain, respectively. At rest, the shift from upright to supine posture enhanced xBRS from 16.4±12.1 to 23.4±12.9 ms/mmHg, and the high frequency (HF, 0.15–0.4 Hz) power of HRV from 48.9±18.6 to 55.1±14.7 normalized units (NU), while it attenuated the low‐frequency (LF, 0.04–0.15 Hz) power from 51.1±18.6 to 44.9±14.7 NU (P<0.05), respectively. During both upright and supine passive exercise, xBRS and the HF power were attenuated (10.0±8.0 and 12.5±9.0 ms/mmHg; 41.1±21.2 and 41.5±12.7 NU, respectively; P<0.05) and the LF power increased (58.8±21.2 and 58.5±12.7 NU, P<0.05), compared with rest. The effect of mechanoreflex activation overrides that of the cardiopulmonary baroreceptors loading resulting in decreased cardiac vagal outflow and reduced BRS during supine passive exercise.
Sensorless direct torque control for PM-assisted synchronous motors with injection high-frequency signal into stator flux reference frame

A new sensorless direct torque control method for PM-Assisted synchronous motor drives is proposed in this paper. The stator flux linkage amplitude and electromagnetic torque are the two controlled variables which are regulated in stator flux frame. Unlike the two most conventional sensorless methods at low speeds, high frequency (HF) rotating carrier voltage injection into stationary reference frame and HF pulsating carrier voltage injection into estimated rotor reference frame, in this presented method, a HF flux signal is superimposed into the amplitude of the flux reference, i.e., to the stator flux reference, and then rotor position is estimated by demodulating the flux responses coming from flux observer. The advantage of the proposed method is that the HF signal is closed loop controlled thanks to the high bandwidth of the flux loop and that low pass filter (LPF) in torque and flux feedback loop is not required. Experimental results validate the feasibility of the proposed sensorless control technique and prove that the rotor position can be estimated accurately in both steady states and dynamics.
Neurophysiologic Correlates of Ketamine Sedation and Anesthesia: A High-density Electroencephalography Study in Healthy Volunteers

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated inconsistent neurophysiologic effects of ketamine, although discrepant findings might relate to differences in doses studied, brain regions analyzed, coadministration of other anesthetic medications, and resolution of the electroencephalograph. The objective of this study was to characterize the dose-dependent effects of ketamine on cortical oscillations and functional connectivity. Methods: Ten healthy human volunteers were recruited for study participation. The data were recorded using a 128-channel electroencephalograph during baseline consciousness, subanesthetic dosing (0.5 mg/kg over 40 min), anesthetic dosing (1.5 mg/kg bolus), and recovery. No other sedative or anesthetic medications were administered. Spectrograms, topomaps, and functional connectivity (weighted and directed phase lag index) were computed and analyzed. Results: Frontal theta bandwidth power increased most dramatically during ketamine anesthesia (mean power ± SD, 4.25 ± 1.90 dB) compared to the baseline (0.64 ± 0.28 dB), subanesthetic (0.60 ± 0.30 dB), and recovery (0.68 ± 0.41 dB) states; P < 0.001. Gamma power also increased during ketamine anesthesia. Weighted phase lag index demonstrated theta phase locking within anterior regions (0.2349 ± 0.1170, P < 0.001) and between anterior and posterior regions (0.2159 ± 0.1538, P < 0.01) during ketamine anesthesia. Alpha power gradually decreased with subanesthetic ketamine, and anterior-to-posterior directed connectivity was maximally reduced (0.0282 ± 0.0772) during ketamine anesthesia compared to all other states (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Ketamine anesthesia correlates most clearly with distinct changes in the theta bandwidth, including increased power and functional connectivity. Anterior-to-posterior connectivity in the alpha bandwidth becomes maximally depressed with anesthetic ketamine administration, suggesting a dose-dependent effect.
Systematic Reviews and Meta- and Pooled Analyses Cytochrome P-450 2D6 ( CYP2D6 ) Genotype and Breast Cancer Recurrence in Tamoxifen-Treated Patients: Evaluating the Importance of Loss of Heterozygosity

Tamoxifen therapy for estrogen receptor – positive breast cancer reduces the risk of recurrence by approximately one-half. Cytochrome P-450 2D6, encoded by the polymorphic cytochrome P-450 2D6 gene ( CYP2D6 ), oxidizes tamoxifen to its most active metabolites. Steady-state concentrations of endoxifen (4-hydroxy- N -desmethyltamoxifen), the most potent antiestrogenic metabolite, are reduced in women whose CYP2D6 genotypes confer poor enzyme function. Thirty-one studies of the association of CYP2D6 genotype with breast cancer survival have yielded heterogeneous results. Some in ﬂ uential studies genotyped DNA from tumor-in ﬁ ltrated tissues, and their results may have been susceptible to germline genotype misclassi ﬁ cation from loss of heterozygosity at the CYP2D6 locus. We systematically reviewed 6 studies of concordance between genotypes obtained from paired nonneoplastic and breast tumor – in ﬁ ltrated tissues, all of which showed excellent CYP2D6 genotype agreement. We applied these concordance data to a quantitative bias analysis of the subset of the 31 studies that were based on genotypes from tumor-in ﬁ ltrated tissue to examine whether genotyping errors substantially biased estimates of association. The bias analysis showed negligible bias by discordant genotypes. Summary estimates of association, with or without bias adjustment, indicated no clinically important association between CYP2D6 genotype and breast cancer survival in tamoxifen-treated women.
IMOTA: an interactive multi-omics tissue atlas for the analysis of human miRNA–target interactions

Abstract Web repositories for almost all ‘omics’ types have been generated—detailing the repertoire of representatives across different tissues or cell types. A logical next step is the combination of these valuable sources. With IMOTA (interactive multi omics tissue atlas), we developed a database that includes 23 725 relations between miRNAs and 23 tissues, 310 932 relations between mRNAs and the same tissues as well as 63 043 relations between proteins and the 23 tissues in Homo sapiens. IMOTA also contains data on tissue-specific interactions, e.g. information on 331 413 miRNAs and target gene pairs that are jointly expressed in the considered tissues. By using intuitive filter and visualization techniques, it is with minimal effort possible to answer various questions. These include rather general questions but also requests specific for genes, miRNAs or proteins. An example for a general task could be ‘identify all miRNAs, genes and proteins in the lung that are highly expressed and where experimental evidence proves that the miRNAs target the genes’. An example for a specific request for a gene and a miRNA could for example be ‘In which tissues is miR-34c and its target gene BCL2 expressed? ’. The IMOTA repository is freely available online at https://ccb-web.cs. uni-saarland.de/imota/.
Novel Checkpoint Response to Genotoxic Stress Mediated by Nucleolin-Replication Protein A Complex Formation

ABSTRACT Human replication protein A (RPA), the primary single-stranded DNA-binding protein, was previously found to be inhibited after heat shock by complex formation with nucleolin. Here we show that nucleolin-RPA complex formation is stimulated after genotoxic stresses such as treatment with camptothecin or exposure to ionizing radiation. Complex formation in vitro and in vivo requires a 63-residue glycine-arginine-rich (GAR) domain located at the extreme C terminus of nucleolin, with this domain sufficient to inhibit DNA replication in vitro. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer studies demonstrate that the nucleolin-RPA interaction after stress occurs both in the nucleoplasm and in the nucleolus. Expression of the GAR domain or a nucleolin mutant (TM) with a constitutive interaction with RPA is sufficient to inhibit entry into S phase. Increasing cellular RPA levels by overexpression of the RPA2 subunit minimizes the inhibitory effects of nucleolin GAR or TM expression on chromosomal DNA replication. The arrest is independent of p53 activation by ATM or ATR and does not involve heightened expression of p21. Our data reveal a novel cellular mechanism that represses genomic replication in response to genotoxic stress by inhibition of an essential DNA replication factor.
Adenoviral‐mediated gene transfer in wound healing

The application of gene transfer strategies to wound healing is not an obvious use of this technology until one considers the important role of cytokines and growth factors in the normal wound healing response. Several gene transfer strategies have been proposed, from in vitro retroviral‐mediated gene transfer with autologous transplantation, to in vivo plasmid based gene transfer as retroviral gene transfer. The limitations of these approaches have been efficiency of gene transfer, transgene expression and biologic response. Adenoviral‐mediated gene transfer in wound healing is a relatively new application of this vector. The advantage of the adenovirus as a gene transfer vector lies in its ability to transduce nondividing cells of all types at very high efficiency without integration into the host cell's genome. The disadvantage of adenovirus as a vector is the relatively short duration of transgene expression and the inflammatory response it elicits. In the setting of wound healing brief duration of high levels of transgene may be all that is necessary to favorably influence wound healing. Secondly, as wound healing is fundamentally an inflammatory response, the inflammation elicited by the adenovirus may not be detrimental as long as the transgene is a growth factor with significant vulnerary effects such as platelet‐derived growth factor‐B. This review summarizes the current state of adenoviral‐mediated gene transfer in experimental models of impaired wound healing which have laid the groundwork for proposed phase I clinical trials of adenoviral‐mediated gene transfer of platelet‐derived growth factor‐B in chronic venous leg ulcers and chronic nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers. Adenoviral‐mediated gene transfer is a useful tool in the study of the role of specific cytokines and growth factors in normal and impaired wound healing. Adenoviral‐mediated gene transfer may hold significant promise for clinical application as a means of efficient growth factor delivery in correcting impaired wound healing.
The multifaceted role of inhibition in epilepsy: seizure-genesis through excessive GABAergic inhibition in autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy

Purpose of reviewWhile epilepsy describes a heterogeneous array of syndromes, the conventional view is that there is a common underlying failure in the ability of GABAergic inhibition to overcome excessive synaptic excitation. This review explores the possibility that enhanced GABAergic inhibition in the neocortex could also be proepileptogenic. Recent findingsRecently, two mouse strains carrying mutant alleles of the α4 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor that are associated with autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy have been found to show spontaneous seizures. Recordings from neocortical pyramidal neurons in vitro show that the autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy mutations are associated with large selective increases in nicotine-evoked GABAergic inhibition, which may be key factor in epileptogenesis, as the seizures in vivo are blocked by subconvulsive doses of the GABAA receptor antagonist, picrotoxin. SummaryThe precise links between the observed gain of neocortical inhibition and development of seizures in autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy mice remain unknown. Recent insights into the functional properties of cortical GABAergic circuits, however, suggest several possible pathways to be explored, whose elucidation could enable selective therapeutic interventions.
Temperature cycling improves in vivo recovery of cold‐stored human platelets in a mouse model of transfusion

BACKGROUND: Platelet (PLT) storage at room temperature (RT) is limited to 5 days to prevent growth of bacteria, if present, to high levels. Storage in cold temperatures would reduce bacterial proliferation, but cold‐exposed PLTs are rapidly cleared from circulation by the hepatic Ashwell‐Morell (AM) receptor, which recognizes PLT surface carbohydrates terminated by β‐galactose. We cycled storage temperature between 4 and 37°C to preserve PLT function and reduce bacterial growth.
Endophthalmitis after pars plana vitrectomy. The Postvitrectomy Endophthalmitis Study Group.

PURPOSE To describe the clinical course and incidence of culture-proven postvitrectomy endophthalmitis in 18 patients from five academic centers and three private practices. METHODS Patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy for recent trauma or endophthalmitis were excluded. The average age was 58 years (range, 21-85 year). Sixty-one percent of the patients (11/18) had diabetes mellitus. The indication for initial vitrectomy was vitreous hemorrhage (n = 10), macular epiretinal membrane (n = 3), recurrent retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (n = 2), retinal detachment with retinoschisis (n = 1), proliferative diabetic retinopathy with tractional retinal detachment (n = 1), and dislocated intraocular lens (n = 1). None of these eyes received prophylactic intraocular antibiotics during the vitrectomy. RESULTS All eyes were treated with intraocular antibiotics after the diagnosis of postvitrectomy endophthalmitis was made. Final visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to no light perception and included five eyes with 20/50 or better visual acuity and 11 eyes with less than 5/200 visual acuity. Nine eyes had a final visual acuity of no light perception. Of the 16 eyes infected with a single organism, 71% (5/7) of eyes infected with coagulase-negative staphylococci retained 20/50 or better final visual acuity compared with no eyes (0/9) infected with other organisms (P = 0.005). Two eyes infected with both coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and Streptococcus had a final visual acuity of 20/400. Three eyes with a total hypopyon later had enucleation or evisceration. Based on the data from four medical centers, the incidence of endophthalmitis after pars plana vitrectomy performed over the last 10 years was 9/12,216 (0.07%). CONCLUSION Endophthalmitis after vitrectomy is rare. Postvitrectomy bacterial endophthalmitis caused by organisms other than coagulase-negative staphylococci has a poor visual prognosis.
Qualitative evaluation of a novel contingency management-related intervention for patients receiving supervised injectable opioid treatment.

AIM To evaluate a novel contingency management (CM)-related intervention for people experiencing complex drug problems, thereby increasing understanding of CM implementation in real-world settings. Objectives are to provide new insights into (i) how context influences intervention delivery; (ii) aspects of intervention delivery that influence outcomes; and (iii) intervention outcomes. DESIGN Qualitative realist evaluation of a novel CM-related intervention: conditional budgets (CB). SETTING Supervised injectable opioid treatment (IOT) clinic in England (May 2014-March 2015). PARTICIPANTS Twenty IOT clinic patients (14 men; six women); 10 IOT clinic staff (seven men; three women). MEASUREMENTS Semi-structured interviews systematically coded relating to knowledge and views of the intervention, experiences of delivering/receiving the intervention, and effectiveness of the intervention. INTERVENTION Personal budgets provided to patients who reduced their supervised IOT while demonstrating ongoing stability. FINDINGS (i) Contextual factors influencing intervention delivery included patient motivation; clarity of intervention information; prior trust in the treatment system; patient and staff involvement in intervention design; stability of the treatment setting. (ii) Aspects of delivery influencing outcomes included transparency of the eligibility criteria, rules and operating processes; rule enforcement; continued verbal information about the intervention; speed of incentive processing and receipt. (iii) Reduced drug use was difficult to attribute to CBs, as patients who did well were those most motivated to change before the intervention started. Unintended outcomes were positive (improved patient psychological wellbeing, staff job satisfaction, staff/patient relationships) and negative (patient relapse, increased staff work-load, tensions in clinic relationships). CONCLUSIONS A 'qualitative realist' evaluation of a contingency management intervention to help address complex substance use disorder problems suggests that the programmes need to have stakeholder input, implement consistent eligibility criteria, rules and processes and be introduced into stable treatment settings where relationships are trusting and patients and staff feel secure.
Proulcerogenic effect of water extract of Boswellia sacra oleo gum resin in rats

Abstract Context: The water extract of Boswellia sacra Flueck. (Burseraceae) is used in the treatment of gastric and hepatic disorders in the Arab countries. Objective: The effect of Boswellia sacra water extract on gastric secretion and experimentally induced gastric ulcers in rats was studied. Materials and methods: Acetic acid-induced chronic gastric ulcers, pylorus ligation, aspirin-induced, ethanol-induced, and restraint plus cold stress-induced gastric ulcer models were employed. The effect on normal rats was also studied. The water extract of B. sacra was administered orally at doses of 2 and 5 ml/kg once daily ranging from single dose to 30 d treatment depending on the model. The extract was subjected to GC-MS analysis to determine the presence of various phytoconstituents. Results: Boswellia sacra water extract (5 ml/kg, p.o (per os)) aggravated acetic acid-induced chronic ulcers, wherein an increase in ulcer index (p < 0.01) and ulcer score (p < 0.05) was observed. In pylorus-ligated rats, the extract increased gastric content volume (p < 0.01), free acidity (p < 0.01), total acidity (p < 0.01), ulcer index (p < 0.01), and pepsin activity (p < 0.05). There was no significant effect on the development of ethanol-induced and aspirin-induced ulcers while an increase in the development of stress-induced ulcers was observed (p < 0.01). The extract did not produce any ulcers when administered to normal rats. The dose of 2 ml/kg was less proulcerogenic compared with 5 ml/kg. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of several phytoconstituents that included menthol, 3-cyclohexen-1-ol, and octanoic acid. Conclusion: Boswellia sacra water extract has proulcerogenic activity due to its gastric hypersecretory effect.