Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rodent models of tremor

This review focuses on rodent models of tremor, particularly those induced by pharmacological agents. Harmaline is one of the most frequently used tremor-generating drugs and harmaline-induced tremor is regarded as a model of essential tremor. Harmaline acts on inferior olive neurons, causing enhanced neuronal synchrony and rhythmicity in the olivocerebellar system. In addition, it selectively induces cerebellar Purkinje cell death, speculatively because of excessive glutamate release from nerve terminals of the olivocerebellar system onto Purkinje cells. Systemic administration of cholinomimetics can also produce generalized tremor, and muscarinic receptors on striatal neurons are thought to be the best candidate for the tremor-generating mechanism. On the other hand, dopaminergic neurotoxins, which are used in models of parkinsonism, have yet to be used for experimental analysis of tremor, because tremors induced by dopamine depletion in rodents are less remarkable than those induced by harmaline or cholinomimetics. Recently developed gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (A) receptor alpha-1 subunit knockout mice exhibit postural and kinetic tremors, and clearly reproduce the features of essential tremors. Although from a phenomenological point of view, rodent models of tremor cannot entirely mimic human tremor disorders, they have useful advantages in the analysis of pathophysiological mechanisms underlying tremor. Development of convenient and reproducible methods for evaluating rodent tremor is therefore recommended.
Automatic system for VLSI on-chip clock synthesizers characterization

Analyzing the ability of clock generation circuits to provide a high quality chip clock for synchronous systems is very critical. This is important in order to ensure stable functioning of such systems at the highest frequencies, in addition to ensuring reliable communications between core, on-chip peripherals, external peripherals and memory. We propose a clock synthesizer characterization system, which performs measurements automatically, according to the clock synthesizer's mode, frequency, power supply voltage and ambient temperature. The system is intended to work in both quiet and noisy environments. The accuracy of the measurements, together with the system's high flexibility and speed, allows on-the-spot characterizations, which in turn results in a detailed, statistically reliable picture of the clock signal's quality. Practical experience has shown that this system is effective, not only for clock synthesizer characterization, but for failure analysis as well.
A Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study of Metabolites in the Occipital Lobes in Epilepsy

Summary: Purpose: γ‐Amino butyric acid (GABA) and glutamate, respectively the principal inhibitory and excitatory neurochemicals in the brain, are visible to proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). We report a study of GABA+ (GABA plus homocarnosine) and GLX (glutamate plus glutamine) concentrations in the occipital lobes in patients with idiopathic generalised epilepsy (IGE) and in patients with occipital lobe epilepsy (OLE).
Process-Variation Effect, Metal-Gate Work-Function Fluctuation, and Random-Dopant Fluctuation in Emerging CMOS Technologies

This paper, for the first time, estimates the influences of the intrinsic-parameter fluctuations consisting of metal-gate work-function fluctuation (WKF), process-variation effect (PVE), and random-dopant fluctuation (RDF) on 16-nm-gate planar metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) and circuits. The WKF and RDF dominate the threshold-voltage fluctuation (¿V th) ; however, the WKF brings less impact on the gate capacitance and the cutoff frequency due to the screening effect of the inversion layer. The fluctuation of timing characteristics depends on the ¿V th and is therefore proportional to the trend of ¿V th. The power fluctuation consisting of the dynamic, short-circuit, and static powers is further investigated. The total power fluctuation for the planar MOSFET circuits is 15.2%, which is substantial in the reliability of circuits and systems. The static power is a minor part of the total power; however, its fluctuation is significant because of the serious fluctuation of the leakage current. For an amplifier circuit, the high-frequency characteristics, the circuit gain, the 3-dB bandwidth, the unity-gain bandwidth power, and the power-added efficiency are explored consequently. Similar to the trend of the cutoff frequency, the PVE and RDF dominate both the device and circuit characteristic fluctuations due to the significant gate-capacitance fluctuations, and the WKF is less important at this simulation scenario. The extensive study assesses the fluctuations on circuit performance and reliability, which can, in turn, be used to optimize nanoscale MOSFETs and circuits.
Drosophila phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 regulates apoptosis and growth via the phosphoinositide 3-kinase-dependent signaling pathway

Phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK-1) is a central mediator of the cell signaling between phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and various intracellular serine/threonine kinases including Akt/protein kinase B (PKB), p70 S6 kinases, and protein kinase C. Recent studies with cell transfection experiments have implied that PDK-1 may be involved in various cell functions including cell growth and apoptosis. However, despite its pivotal role in cellular signalings, the in vivo functions of PDK-1 in a multicellular system have rarely been investigated. Here, we have isolated Drosophila PDK-1 (dPDK-1) mutants and characterized the in vivo roles of the kinase. Drosophila deficient in the dPDK-1 gene exhibited lethality and an apoptotic phenotype in the embryonic stage. Conversely, overexpression of dPDK-1 increased cell and organ size in a Drosophila PI3K-dependent manner. dPDK-1 not only could activate Drosophila Akt/PKB (Dakt1), but also substitute the in vivo functions of its mammalian ortholog to activate Akt/PKB. This functional interaction between dPDK-1 and Dakt1 was further confirmed through genetic analyses in Drosophila. On the other hand, cAMP-dependent protein kinase, which has been proposed as a possible target of dPDK-1, did not interact with dPDK-1. In conclusion, our findings provide direct evidence that dPDK-1 regulates cell growth and apoptosis during Drosophila development via the PI3K-dependent signaling pathway and demonstrate our Drosophila system to be a powerful tool for elucidating the in vivo functions and targets of PDK-1.
Lack of response to artificial selection on the slope of reaction norms for seasonal polyphenism in the butterfly Bicyclus anynana

The tropical butterfly Bicyclus anynana shows adaptive phenotypic plasticity in response to wet–dry seasonality. The wet season form (WSF) has a conspicuous wing pattern with large eyespots, whereas the dry season form (DSF) lacks eyespots and therefore has a more cryptic appearance. Temperature is the main factor controlling this difference: rearing larvae at a low (<19°C) temperature in the laboratory results in the DSF, whereas rearing at a high (>23°C) temperature induces the WSF. We applied truncation selection in opposite directions in successive generations reared at two alternating temperatures (18.5°C and 23.5°C) to increase (for two High Plasticity (HP) lines), and decrease (for two Low Plasticity (LP) lines) wing pattern plasticity. Plasticity was assessed by partitioning full-sib families over four rearing temperatures (18.5°C, 20.5°C, 21.5°C and 23.5°C). Several wing pattern elements were measured for which the first principal component (PC1) provides a useful summary. The slopes of reaction norms for PC1 were significantly steeper in the HP lines than in the LP lines; however, the selection lines did not always differ significantly from the unselected stock. The results of crosses between the replicates of the selection lines gave no indication for effects of inbreeding. We argue that high, positive genetic correlations across temperatures retard a response to selection in opposite directions in different environments. This is discussed with respect to potential evolutionary constraints in natural populations in these butterflies.
Antimicrobial drug susceptibility of clinical isolates of Acinetobacter species (A. baumannii, A. haemolyticus, genospecies 3, and genospecies 6)

A total of 144 clinical isolates of Acinetobacter species, i.e., A. baumannii (n = 60), genospecies 3 (n = 48), A. haemolyticus (n = 12), and genospecies 6 (n = 24), were examined comparatively with the agar dilution method of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards for susceptibility to 25 antimicrobial drugs. Only minor species differences were noted.
Evaluation of the cobas Cdiff Test for Detection of Toxigenic Clostridium difficile in Stool Samples

ABSTRACT Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are reliable tools for the detection of toxigenic Clostridium difficile from unformed (liquid or soft) stool samples. The objective of this study was to evaluate performance of the cobas Cdiff test on the cobas 4800 system using prospectively collected stool specimens from patients suspected of having C. difficile infection (CDI). The performance of the cobas Cdiff test was compared to the results of combined direct and broth-enriched toxigenic culture methods in a large, multicenter clinical trial. Additional discrepancy analysis was performed by using the Xpert C. difficile Epi test. Sample storage was evaluated by using contrived and fresh samples before and after storage at −20°C. Testing was performed on samples from 683 subjects (306 males and 377 females); 113 (16.5%) of 683 subjects were positive for toxigenic C. difficile by direct toxigenic culture, and 141 of 682 subjects were positive by using the combined direct and enriched toxigenic culture method (reference method), for a prevalence rate of 20.7%. The sensitivity and specificity of the cobas Cdiff test compared to the combined direct and enriched culture method were 92.9% (131/141; 95% confidence interval [CI], 87.4% to 96.1%) and 98.7% (534/541; 95% CI, 97.4% to 99.4%), respectively. Discrepancy analysis using results for retested samples from a second NAAT (Xpert C. difficile/Epi test; Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA) found no false-negative and 4 false-positive cobas Cdiff test results. There was no difference in positive and negative results in comparisons of fresh and stored samples. These results support the use of the cobas Cdiff test as a robust aid in the diagnosis of CDI.
Prethymectomy plasmapheresis in myasthenia gravis

Plasma exchange before thymectomy may decrease the time on mechanical ventilation (MV) and shorten the stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) for patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). This study evaluated the effects of prethymectomy plasmapheresis. A total of 29 myasthenic patients, 18 women and 11 men aged 20–73 years, were treated with double filtration plasmapheresis (DFP) for two to five consecutive sessions over a period between 2 and 21 days (mean 8.1 days) before transsternal thymectomy. Acetylcholine receptor antibody (AchRAb) titers, vital capacity (VC), maximal inspiratory pressure (Pimax), and MG score were measured before and after the course of DFP. Three outcome measures including duration of postoperative hospital stay, duration of ICU stay, and duration of MV were analyzed for correlation with clinical variables. The duration of MV ranged from 6 to 93 h, with a median of 21 h. The median ICU stay was one day and the median postoperative hospital stay was 10 days. A higher removal rate of AchRAb was associated with a shorter duration of ICU and postoperative hospital stay (P = 0.001 and 0.019, respectively). Postoperative hospital stay was strongly correlated with post‐DFP Pimax (P = 0.010), and marginally correlated with pre‐DFP VC (P = 0.047) and to a lesser extent with pre‐DFP Pimax (P = 0.063). Univariate analysis using the log rank test revealed that removal rate of AchRAb <30% (P = 0.043) and pre‐DFP Pimax <−60 cmH2O (P = 0.024) were significantly associated with prolonged ICU stay. Risk factors for prolonged postoperative stay included post‐DFP Pimax <−60 cmH2O (P = 0.017), pre‐DFP Pimax <−60 cmH2O (P = 0.031), and post‐DFP VC < 1.0 L (P = 0.046). Our results confirmed the efficacy and safety of DFP in prethymectomy preparation for myasthenic patients. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2005 © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Is Waiting for Rehabilitation Services Associated with Changes in Function and Quality of Life in Children with Physical Disabilities?

Objectives. To determine whether longer waiting times for rehabilitation were associated with deterioration in child functional status and/or quality of life. Methods. Parents of 124 children (mean age 45 months) with physical disabilities (e.g., cerebral palsy, global developmental delay, spina bifida) who were referred to pediatric rehabilitation centers were interviewed every three months, from referral until admission into the rehabilitation program. Information from parental interviews included socio-demographics, parental empowerment (Family Empowerment Scale), function (WeeFIM: Functional Independence Measure for Children), and quality of life (PedsQL). Data on date of referral, age, gender, and diagnosis were obtained from hospital databases. Results. Half of the sample waited more than 9.1 months (95% confidence interval: 6.5–16.1) for admission to a public rehabilitation program. A total of 42% paid for some private services while waiting. Over the waiting period, there was statistically significant improvement in WeeFIM cognition and total scores but not in mobility scores. PedsQL psychosocial summary score declined over the waiting period (p < .05). Conclusion. Longer wait times for rehabilitation were associated with declining psychosocial quality of life. Reducing waiting times for rehabilitation services may allow rehabilitation specialists to address psychosocial problems for these children.
On the Reliability Function of Distributed Hypothesis Testing Under Optimal Detection

The distributed hypothesis-testing problem with full side-information is studied. The trade-off (reliability function) between the type 1 and type 2 error exponents under limited rate is studied in the following way. First, the problem of determining the reliability function of distributed hypothesis-testing is reduced to the problem of determining the reliability function of channel-detection codes (in analogy to a similar result which connects the reliability of distributed compression and ordinary channel codes). Second, a random-coding bound based on an hierarchical ensemble, as well as an expurgated bound, are derived for the reliability of channel-detection codes. The resulting bounds are the first to be derived for quantization-and-binning schemes under optimal detection.
Premenstrual syndrome: evidence for symptom stability across cycles.

OBJECTIVE This study assessed cycle to cycle symptom stability in women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). METHOD Symptom ratings obtained prospectively over three or more symptomatic cycles from 16 women with PMS were analyzed. Measures of symptom severity and change were used to generate a coefficient of variation and an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for each one of 14 symptoms across all cycles. In addition, symptoms were divided into three clusters, and the stability of the rank order of severity of symptoms within clusters and the correlation between symptom clusters were also calculated. RESULTS In the 65 cycles studied, mood symptoms were the most prevalent. Mood symptoms--anxiety, irritability, and mood lability--had the lowest coefficients of variation but also the lowest ICCs of all symptoms. Within their respective symptom clusters, both physical and mood symptoms showed remarkable stability across cycles of their rank order of severity, but only the mood symptom cluster was highly correlated with functional impairment. CONCLUSIONS Three mood symptoms--anxiety, irritability, and mood lability--were the most stable symptoms in this group of women with PMS. Mood and not somatic symptoms accounted for most of the functional impairment in this group of women. It is concluded that PMS is a stable syndrome that may best be viewed as part of the spectrum of recurrent mood disorders.
l-xylo-3-Hexulose Reductase Is the Missing Link in the Oxidoreductive Pathway for d-Galactose Catabolism in Filamentous Fungi*

Background: There is an oxidoreductive d-galactose pathway in filamentous fungi. Results: We identified an l-xylo-3-hexulose reductase that produces d-sorbitol and that is part of this pathway. Conclusion: This l-xylo-3-hexulose reductase is the missing link in the oxidoreductive d-galactose pathway. Significance: The alternative pathway for d-galactose catabolism in filamentous fungi is elucidated. In addition to the well established Leloir pathway for the catabolism of d-galactose in fungi, the oxidoreductive pathway has been recently identified. In this oxidoreductive pathway, d-galactose is converted via a series of NADPH-dependent reductions and NAD+-dependent oxidations into d-fructose. The pathway intermediates include galactitol, l-xylo-3-hexulose, and d-sorbitol. This study identified the missing link in the pathway, the l-xylo-3-hexulose reductase that catalyzes the conversion of l-xylo-3-hexulose to d-sorbitol. In Trichoderma reesei (Hypocrea jecorina) and Aspergillus niger, we identified the genes lxr4 and xhrA, respectively, that encode the l-xylo-3-hexulose reductases. The deletion of these genes resulted in no growth on galactitol and in reduced growth on d-galactose. The LXR4 was heterologously expressed, and the purified protein showed high specificity for l-xylo-3-hexulose with a Km = 2.0 ± 0.5 mm and a Vmax = 5.5 ± 1.0 units/mg. We also confirmed that the product of the LXR4 reaction is d-sorbitol.
Value Perplexities between Education and Money: The Phenomenon of Failing Students within Rural Areas in East Java

This study aims at unraveling the phenomenon of failing students and developing an entrepreneurship education pertinent to the potency and experiences of the targeted failing students. This study used descriptive qualitative approach and education development design targeted the failing students who decline their secondary school within Blitar Regency East Java. The results of this study showed that the phenomenon of failing students occurs on account of the economic development within the rural areas. In other words, it can be affirmed that economic development depreciates the important of education. In addition, the social and culture within the circumstance as well as the availability of education institution influence the concern of those failing students in pursuing education.
Increased serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor predict risk of progression in early B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

The present study is the first to evaluate serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). All 68 B‐cell CLL patients and 31 control subjects analysed had detectable serum levels of VEGF, with no statistically significant difference between two proups. An aberrant increase of circulating levels of VEGF was found in only 17.6% of cases. B‐cell CLL patients whose serum VEGF levels were higher than the median (i.e. 194.8 pg/ml) or 75th percentile (i.e. 288.5 pg/ml) values were more frequently at an advanced clinical stage. In contrast, no correlation with other clinico‐biological features representative of either tumour mass [bone marrow (BM) histology, peripheral blood (PB) lymphocytosis, beta‐2 microglobulin (β‐2m), LDH, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6)] or disease‐progression (DP) [lymphocyte doubling time (LDT)] was found. Serum levels of VEGF predicted the risk of DP in early CLL. Among 41 patients in Binet stage A, progression‐free survival (PFS) was significantly shorter in those patients whose VEGF serum concentrations were above the median value. Interestingly, characteristics of stage A patients stratified according to the median value of VEGF were similar with respect to many clinico‐biological features, thus suggesting a possible independent prognostic role for such a marker. Finally, when added to the Rai subclassification, VEGF serum levels identified two groups with different PFS within stages I–II. We conclude that increased serum levels of VEGF can be considered useful for predicting the risk of DP and add prognostic information to the Rai subclassification of stage A CLL.
Cervical lateral mass screw-rod fixation: Surgical experience with 2500 consecutive screws, an analytical review, and long-term outcomes

Background. Posterior lateral mass screw-rod fixation is a common procedure in patients who undergo multilevel cervical spine laminectomy. It has been widely used in the last decade due to its ease of application and better biomechanical stability when compared with other techniques. However, the main risk remains the possibility of violating the spinal nerve root, vertebral artery, and/or facet joint. Purpose. This study reviews the short- and long-term outcomes of patients who underwent posterior cervical screw-rod stabilisation using the Anderson–Sekhon technique. It investigates the safety and reliability of this technique in one of the largest reported case series. Methods. Both clinical and radiological indicators were retrospectively assessed in lateral mass fixation patients who were treated with the Anderson–Sekhon technique for screw insertion and trajectory. The sample included 430 patients with different cervical spine disorders who were treated with a total of 2500 lateral mass polyaxial screws from December 2005 until January 2014. Follow-up period ranged from 4 months to 8 years. No neural or vascular injury occurred. Twelve patients had wound infection, of whom 6 had deep infection. Twenty patients had C5 radicular pain that subsided over time; 2 required C5 screw modification; and another 3 required screw repositioning at different levels. Two patients had asymptomatic screw pull-out evident only on radiographs and required no treatment. Iatrogenic dural tear occurred in 12 patients with severe spondylosis, while CSF leakage from the tear was observed in 3 patients. Symptomatic adjacent segment disease was noted in 4 patients within the follow-up period and was treated with surveillance. Conclusion. Lateral mass screw-rod stabilisation using the Anderson–Sekhon technique can be applied safely and effectively for various cervical spine diseases, resulting in a low complication rate and favourable short- and long-term outcomes.