Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Use of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Parkinson Disease With Residual Axial Symptoms Partially Unresponsive to L-Dopa: A Pilot Study

Introduction Mental dysfunction and especially gait disorders, such as freezing and postural instability in “on phase,” are partially unresponsive to dopaminergic therapy late in the course of Parkinson disease (PD). Some of them have been related to decreased sensitivity of postsynaptic dopaminergic receptors, and it is known that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) enhances the sensitivity of these receptors. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of ECT in patients with advanced Parkinson disease with symptoms partially unresponsive to L-dopa. Methods Neurologic (Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale, Tinetti Scale, and the Sit-to-Stand test), psychiatric (structured interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) and neuropsychological (Mini Mental State Examination, executive functions, declarative and procedural memory, visual processing, and reaction time) evaluation was performed on 9 patients with a diagnosis of L-dopa–resistant PD by the Movement Disorders Working Group. This evaluation was done before and after 8 sessions of bitemporal ECT. Six patients completed the study. Results Statistically significant differences were found in the number of steps and freezing episodes in the on phase when they were compared before and after the ECT administration. However, no statistically significant differences were found in the “off” phenomena, motor fluctuations, or dyskinesias before and after ECT administration. No patient showed psychiatric symptoms before, during, or after the ECT. No statistically significant differences were observed in the neuropsychological results between the pretreatment and posttreatment evaluations. All patients showed transient amnesia after the ECT administration, which lasted for 48 hours. Conclusions Electroconvulsive therapy could be a safe and effective therapeutic option in L-dopa–resistant patients with PD with predominantly axial “on” phenomena; nevertheless, it needs to be confirmed in later studies.
Construction of stable LamB-Shiga toxin B subunit hybrids: analysis of expression in Salmonella typhimurium aroA strains and stimulation of B subunit-specific mucosal and serum antibody responses

The complete Shiga toxin B subunit and two N-terminal segments of the B subunit have been inserted into a cell surface exposed loop of the LamB protein, and expression of the hybrid proteins from three different promoter systems, i.e., (i) an in vitro-inducible tac promoter that provides high-level expression, (ii) the iron-regulated aerobactin promoter presumably induced in vivo under the iron-limiting conditions of the intestinal mucosal environment, and (iii) a synthetic, modified beta-lactamase promoter providing moderate level constitutive expression, has been analyzed in Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and attenuated antigen carrier strains of S. typhimurium (aroA mutants). The hybrid vaccine strains were used to immunize mice by the oral and intraperitoneal routes. S. typhimurium aroA mutants apparently have a membrane export defect which prevents the transport of LamB and its derivatives across the cytoplasmic membrane. High-level expression of hybrid proteins through use of the tac promoter proved deleterious to the vaccine strains and prevented the production of viable cells at reasonable cell densities. The lower levels of gene expression observed with the beta-lactamase and aerobactin promoters did not have this effect. Immunization of mice with S. typhimurium aroA strains carrying the hybrid genes expressed from these two promoters resulted in significant B subunit-specific mucosal and serum antibody responses. This suggests that such expression systems may be useful when incorporated into candidate antidysentery live oral vaccines for inducing protection against the effect of Shiga toxin in infections caused by Shigella dysenteriae 1 and other Shiga toxin-or Shiga-like toxin-producing pathogens.
Interaction of antimicrobial dermaseptin and its fluorescently labeled analogues with phospholipid membranes.

Dermaseptin, a 34 amino-acid residue antimicrobial polypeptide [Mor, A. , Nguyen, V. H. , Delfour, A. , Migliore-Samour, D. , & Nicolas, P. (1991) Biochemistry 30, 8824-8830] was synthesized and selectively labeled at its N-terminal amino acid with either 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole-4-yl (NBD), rhodamine, or fluorescein. The fluorescent emission spectra of the NBD-labeled dermaseptin displayed a blue-shift upon binding to small unilamellar vesicles (SUV), reflecting the relocation of the fluorescent probe to an environment of increased apolarity. Titrations of solutions containing NBD-labeled dermaseptin with SUV composed of zwitterionic or acidic phospholipids were used to generate binding isotherms, from which were derived surface partition constants of (0.66 +/- 0.06) x 10(4) M-1 and (2.8 +/- 0.3) x 10(4) M-1, respectively. The shape of the binding isotherms, as well as fluorescence energy transfer measurements, suggests that some aggregation of membrane-bound peptide monomers occurs in acidic but not in zwitterionic vesicles. The preferential susceptibility of the peptide to proteolysis when bound to zwitterionic but not to acidic SUV suggests that these aggregates might then penetrate a relatively short distance into the hydrophobic region of the acidic membrane. Furthermore, the results provide good correlation between the peptide's strong binding and its ability to permeate membranes composed of acidic phospholipids, as revealed by a dissipation of diffusion potential and a release of entrapped calcein from SUV.
Heat dissipation guides activation in signaling proteins

Significance As with their macroscopic counterparts, the moving parts of nanoscale protein machines grow hot while in operation. A portion of the energy biomolecules harness to perform meaningful work is always dissipated as heat into the surroundings. Here, we feature a methodology by which dominant dissipative trajectories can be extracted from detailed models of protein dynamics. In two important classes of signaling proteins [kinases and G-protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs)], we find that the regions of phase space in which heat is evolved are closely connected to the structural dynamics these proteins use to transmit signals. This schematic might be used to probe the true functional dynamics of biomolecules that drive a wide array of cellular architectures and ultimately sustain the steady state of life. Life is fundamentally a nonequilibrium phenomenon. At the expense of dissipated energy, living things perform irreversible processes that allow them to propagate and reproduce. Within cells, evolution has designed nanoscale machines to do meaningful work with energy harnessed from a continuous flux of heat and particles. As dictated by the Second Law of Thermodynamics and its fluctuation theorem corollaries, irreversibility in nonequilibrium processes can be quantified in terms of how much entropy such dynamics produce. In this work, we seek to address a fundamental question linking biology and nonequilibrium physics: can the evolved dissipative pathways that facilitate biomolecular function be identified by their extent of entropy production in general relaxation processes? We here synthesize massive molecular dynamics simulations, Markov state models (MSMs), and nonequilibrium statistical mechanical theory to probe dissipation in two key classes of signaling proteins: kinases and G-protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs). Applying machinery from large deviation theory, we use MSMs constructed from protein simulations to generate dynamics conforming to positive levels of entropy production. We note the emergence of an array of peaks in the dynamical response (transient analogs of phase transitions) that draw the proteins between distinct levels of dissipation, and we see that the binding of ATP and agonist molecules modifies the observed dissipative landscapes. Overall, we find that dissipation is tightly coupled to activation in these signaling systems: dominant entropy-producing trajectories become localized near important barriers along known biological activation pathways. We go on to classify an array of equilibrium and nonequilibrium molecular switches that harmonize to promote functional dynamics.
State Recognition of Pedicle Drilling With Force Sensing in a Robotic Spinal Surgical System

Spinal orthopedic surgery is one of the typical high-risk surgeries. During the surgery, bone screws need to be inserted into the narrower vertebral pedicles and any failures in the screw-path-drilling process will directly hurt the important nerves and vessels of the patient. In this paper, a robotic spinal surgical system (RSSS) for assisting pedicle screw insertion surgery is proposed. The novel structural configuration of the RSSS can balance the gravity effects of the arms, and the workspace envelope of the RSSS can better fit the requirements of spinal surgery. The procedure of the screw insertion operation with the proposed RSSS is presented. To simulate the hand feel of the surgeon in surgical operations, a real-time force-sensing algorithm is developed for the screw-path-drilling process using a spherical or a twist drill. With the force sensing, five key states, including the initial state, the outer cortical state, the cancellous state, the transitional state, and the inner cortical state, are recognized. In particular, the clear recognition of the transitional zone between the cancellous bone and the inner cortical bone is very important as the drilled screw path ends in this zone. State recognition with force sensing can effectively improve the quality of the screw paths so as to enhance the quality of the spinal surgery. Experiments were carried out to verify the state recognition effects of the pedicle drilling process with force sensing.
Comparison of water-use efficiency of seedlings from two sympatric oak species: genotype x environment interactions.

Seedlings of two sympatric oak species, Quercus robur L. and Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. , were grown in common garden conditions to test for potential interspecific differences in intrinsic water-use efficiency (WUE). Intrinsic water-use efficiency was estimated based on carbon isotope composition of shoots (delta13C) and on gas exchange measurements (ratio of net CO2 assimilation rate to stomatal conductance (A/g(sw))). In addition, genotype x environment interactions were tested by subjecting the seedlings to four irradiance treatments (8, 18, 48 and 100% of incident solar irradiance) imposed by neutral shading nets, and, in the 100% irradiance treatment, two watering regimes. In all treatments, initial growth of Q. robur was faster than that of Q. petraea. In both species, there was a tight correlation between delta13C and A/g(sw). Intrinsic water-use efficiency increased with increasing irradiance (almost doubling from 8 to 100% irradiance), and this effect paralleled the increase in A with increasing irradiance. In full sun, WUE of Q. petraea seedlings was 10-15% higher than in Q. robur seedlings, with the difference attributable to a difference between the species in g(sw). The interspecific difference in WUE was maintained during drought, despite the appreciable increase in WUE and decrease in growth imposed by drought. No interspecific differences in WUE were observed at low irradiances, suggesting a strong genotype x environment interaction for WUE. These findings confirm the existence of interspecific genetic differences in WUE, but also show that there is large intraspecific variability and plasticity in WUE. The initially greater height and biomass increments in Q. robur seedlings illustrate the ability of this species to out-compete Q. petraea in the early stages of forest regeneration. For adult trees growing in closed canopies, the high WUE of Q. petraea may contribute significantly to its survival during dry years, whereas the low WUE of Q. robur may account for the frequently observed declines in adult trees of this species following drought.
Modeling a stripline ferrite phase shifter

A model is proposed for the behavior of transmission lines on ferrite substrates. This may be the first time a model has correctly described the absorption below the gyromagnetic resonant frequency corresponding to the magnetization at saturation, or /spl gamma/4/spl pi/M/sub s/. This new model should allow accurate prediction of impedances and propagation constants for frequencies operating close to this cutoff frequency, permitting more accurate transmission lines and transformers to be designed. Comparison with measured data from a low-temperature co-fired (LTCC) ferrite stripline phase shifter is given.
RigiScan data under long-term testosterone therapy: improving long-term blood circulation of penile arteries, penile length and girth, erectile function, and nocturnal penile tumescence and duration

Abstract Background: Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) presents with low serum testosterone (TT) levels and sexual and nonsexual symptoms. Erectile dysfunction affects a man’s self-esteem and as a result partner relationship and quality of life. Objectives: To investigate the andrological clinical profile outcomes of testosterone therapy (TTh) in men (n = 88) with symptomatic LOH complaints and symptoms. Main outcome measures: Erectile function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 questionnaire at baseline and at 6 and 12 months of TTh. In addition, penile length was measured at baseline and 12 months. We also evaluated nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT, using RigiScan) and blood flow of cavernous arteries (penile Doppler ultrasonography) at baseline and 12 months of TT. Materials and methods: Eighty-eight LOH men (Mage 51.1 years) with erectile dysfunction, all with serum TT <10.4 nmol/L before TTh. Patients received intramuscular long-acting testosterone undecanoate for 12 months. Results: Following TTh, in all patients, serum TT levels were restored within 3 months to normal levels. Compared with baseline values, erectile function significantly improved at 6 (mean score increase 1.95) and 12 months (mean score increase 2.16). No significant changes in penile length were observed. NPT significantly improved at 12 months in terms of both the frequency (mean increase 1.27 times) and duration of rigidity (mean increase 5.12 min). As regards the blood flow of the cavernous arteries, we observed a significant improvement (decrease of 1.16 cm/s) and end diastolic velocity of the penile arteries. Conclusion: TTh in men with LOH resulted in improvement of the erectile function, NPT, and to some extent the blood flow of the cavernous arteries.
No Evidence That Nitrogen Limitation Influences the Elemental Composition of Isopod Transcriptomes and Proteomes.

The field of stoichiogenomics aims at understanding the influence of nutrient limitations on the elemental composition of the genome, transcriptome, and proteome. The 20 amino acids and the 4 nt differ in the number of nutrients they contain, such as nitrogen (N). Thus, N limitation shall theoretically select for changes in the composition of proteins or RNAs through preferential use of N-poor amino acids or nucleotides, which will decrease the N-budget of an organism. While these N-saving mechanisms have been evidenced in microorganisms, they remain controversial in multicellular eukaryotes. In this study, we used 13 surface and subterranean isopod species pairs that face strongly contrasted N limitations, either in terms of quantity or quality. We combined in situ nutrient quantification and transcriptome sequencing to test if N limitation selected for N-savings through changes in the expression and composition of the transcriptome and proteome. No evidence of N-savings was found in the total N-budget of transcriptomes or proteomes or in the average protein N-cost. Nevertheless, subterranean species evolving in N-depleted habitats displayed lower N-usage at their third codon positions. To test if this convergent compositional change was driven by natural selection, we developed a method to detect the strand-asymmetric signature that stoichiogenomic selection should leave in the substitution pattern. No such signature was evidenced, indicating that the observed stoichiogenomic-like patterns were attributable to nonadaptive processes. The absence of stoichiogenomic signal despite strong N limitation within a powerful phylogenetic framework casts doubt on the existence of stoichiogenomic mechanisms in metazoans.
On the Edge Distribution in Triangle-free Graphs

Two problems on the edge distribution in triangle-free graphs are considered: (1) Given an 0 < ? < 1. Find the largest s = s(? ) such that for infinitely many n there exists a triangle-free graph G on n vertices in which every ? n vertices span at least sn2 edges. This problem was considered by Erdos, Faudree, Rousseau, and Schelp in (J. Combin. Theory Ser. B45 (1988), 111-120). Here we extend and improve their results, proving in particular the bound s < 136 for ? = 12; (2) How much does the edge distribution in a triangle-free graph G on n vertices deviate from the uniform edge distribution in a typical (random) graph on n vertices with the same number of edges? We give quantitative expressions for this deviation.
Growth response to cytokines of circulating myeloid progenitors from myelodysplastic patients at diagnosis and more than 600 days after diagnosis

Abstract: Myeloid colony growth from the peripheral blood of myelodysplastic (MDS) patients was assessed for abnormal in vitro response to haemopoietic growth factors (granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF), macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (M‐CSF), granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF), interleukin‐1 (IL‐l), interleukin‐3 (IL‐3)). Abnormal colony growth, increased or reduced, was observed with each of the factors. No specific growth pattern was related to any of the French‐American‐British classification (FAB) types of disease. MDS patients who had survived >600 days after diagnosis (n = 34) showed significantly fewer abnormalities than patients assayed at the time of diagnosis (n = 37), the major difference being less frequent stimulation of colony growth. These findings indicate that the time of sampling relative to diagnosis needs to be considered when interpreting the in vitro response to growth factors of myeloid colonies from MDS patients.
Dynamic deep learning algorithm based on incremental compensation for fault diagnosis model

As one of research and practice hotspots in the field of intelligent manufacturing, the machine learning approach is applied to diagnose and predict equipment fault for running state data. Despite deep learning approach overcomes the problem that the traditional machine learning approaches for fault diagnosis is difficult to characterize the complex mapping between the massive fault data, the exponentially grown and newly generated data is learned repeatedly, and these approaches cannot incrementally correct the model to adapt the situation that the states and properties of equipment are changed over time, resulting in the increase of time costs and the decrease of diagnosis accuracy of model. In this paper, a dynamic deep learning algorithm based on incremental compensation is proposed. Firstly, the feature modes of the newly generated data are extracted by using deep learning algorithm; it is then compared with the fault modes extracted from the historical data. Next, a similarity computing model is presented to dynamically adjust the weights of incrementally merged modes. Finally, the SVM algorithm is employed to classify the weighted modes by supervised way, and the BP algorithm utilized to fine tune the model, in order to complete the dynamic and compensatory adjustment of deep learning with original modes and incremental modes. The experimental results of bearing running data demonstrate that the proposed approach could significantly improve the accuracy of diagnosis and save the time cost, contributing to meet the varied needs of the real-time equipment fault diagnosis.
TGF-ß1 polymorphism determines the progression of joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis

Objective: To determine whether transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to analyse whether they can affect the progression of radiographic severity. Methods: A total of 143 RA patients and 148 healthy unrelated controls were tested for the TGF-β1 polymorphisms using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: The TGF-β1 polymorphisms were not associated with susceptibility to RA, although there was a trend that −509C/T and the 869T/C polymorphisms were associated with RA in the male population. The progression of radiographic severity, which was defined by a modified Sharp score plotted against disease duration, was significantly faster in the carrier of T allele at the −509 (p=0.048). Conclusion: Our data support the hypothesis that TGF-β1 polymorphism may determine the progression of joint destruction in RA.
What Types of Policy Uncertainties Matter for Business?

This paper reports data from the author's original survey of Japanese companies concerning the distributions on subjective uncertainties over economic policies and their effects on business operations. Companies perceive uncertainty over the future course of certain economic policies, such as the social security system and international trade policy. Policy uncertainty regarding the tax system, trade policy and environmental policy can have substantial effects on managerial decisions, especially on equipment investment and overseas activities. According to the companies' subjective probability distributions on their sales outlook, manufacturers face greater uncertainty than non‐manufacturing companies do. Uncertainty over economic policies substantially reduces the expected sales growth rate.
The value of childhood combination vaccines: From beliefs to evidence

Although vaccination is one of the most cost-effective health care interventions, under-vaccination and variation in coverage rates lower than policy targets is rising in developed countries, partly due to concerns about vaccination value and benefits. By merging various antigens into a single product, combination vaccines represent a valuable tool to mitigate the burden associated with the numerous injections needed to protect against vaccine preventable infectious diseases and increase coverage rate, possibly through various behavioral mechanisms which have yet to be fully explored. Beyond their cost-effectiveness in protecting against more diseases with fewer injections, combination vaccines also have several other benefits, for children, their parents/carers, as well as for the health system and the population as a whole. The objectives of this review are to identify and illustrate the value of combination vaccines for childhood immunization. Evidence was classified into 2 groups: benefits for society and benefits for public health and healthcare systems. This article also highlights the value of innovation and challenges of combination vaccine development as well as the need for an increased number of suppliers to mitigate the impact of any potential vaccine shortage. Increasing public confidence in vaccines and combination vaccines is also critical to fully exploit their benefits.