Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of Single Nucleotide Mutations That Prevent Developmentally Programmed DNA Elimination in Paramecium tetraurelia

Abstract The excision of internal eliminated sequences (IESs) occurs during the differentiation of a new somatic macronuclear genome in ciliated protozoa. In Paramecium tetraurelia, IESs show few conserved features with the exception of an invariant 5′-TA-3′ dinucleotide that is part of an 8-bp inverted terminal repeat consensus sequence with similarity to the ends of mariner/Tc1 transposons. We have isolated and analyzed two mutant cell lines that are defective in excision of individual IESs in the A-51 surface antigen gene. Each cell line contains a mutation in the flanking 5′-TA-3′ dinucleotide of IES6435 and IES1835 creating a 5′-CA-3′ flanking sequence that prevents excision. The results demonstrate that the first position of the 5′-TA-3′ is required IES excision just as previous mutants have shown that the second position (the A residue) is required. Combining these results with other Paramecium IES mutants suggests that there are few positions essential for IES excision in Paramecium. Analysis of many IESs reveals that there is a strong bias against particular nucleotides at some positions near the IES termini. Some of these strongly biased positions correspond to known IES mutations, others correlate with unusual features of excision.
Knee Position during Surgical Wound Closure in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Review

Abstract Study areas concerning maximizing knee range of motion (ROM) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have come under focus by surgeons. Among the perioperative factors that were identified to affect ROM after TKAs is knee position during surgical wound closure. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review the impact of knee position during TKA wound closure on: (1) postoperative ROM, (2) wound-related complications, (3) Knee Society Score (KSS), (4) postoperative pain, and (5) muscle strength and home functional recovery. A literature search was performed using PubMed, Ovid, and Google Scholar using various combinations of the following search terms: “wound closure,” “knee position,” “surgical closure,” and “knee arthroplasty. ” The studies were evaluated for outcomes after TKA and stratified based on the knee position at surgical closure. After application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, seven studies were analyzed. The total number of patients included was 516 patients (259 patients in the flexion group and 257 patients in the full extension group). Based on the reviewed literature, wound closure in flexion was associated with significant improvement in ROM recovery at earlier follow-ups after TKA (four positive and three neutral studies), better early postoperative pain scores (two positive and one neutral study), and faster physical recovery (two positive studies) (better muscle strength and early achievement of physical therapy milestones) compared with wound closure in extension. No difference was found between wound closure in flexion compared with closure in extension in terms of long-term ROM recovery, long-term postoperative pain scores, wound-related complications (seven neutral studies), knee function measured by KSS (five neutral studies), or patient satisfactions after TKA. Although the current review is limited by the number of studies that are available in the literature, it demonstrates that overall, compared with extension, surgical wound closure in flexion may provide better ROM, faster recovery, comparable patient satisfaction, and no risk of higher wound complications.
Characterization of human myoblast differentiation for tissue‐engineering purposes by quantitative gene expression analysis

Tissue engineering of skeletal muscle is an encouraging possibility for the treatment of muscle loss through the creation of functional muscle tissue in vitro from human stem cells. Currently, the preferred stem cells are primary, non‐immunogenic satellite cells ( = myoblasts). The objective of this study was to determine the expression patterns of myogenic markers within the human satellite cell population during their differentiation into multinucleated myotubes for an accurate characterization of stem cell behaviour. Satellite cells were incubated (for 1, 4, 8, 12 or 16 days) with a culture medium containing either a low [ = differentiation medium (DM)] or high [ = growth medium (GM)] concentration of growth factors. Furthermore, we performed a quantitative gene expression analysis of well‐defined differentiation makers: myogenic factor 5 (MYF5), myogenin (MYOG), skeletal muscle αactin1 (ACTA1), embryonic (MYH3), perinatal (MYH8) and adult skeletal muscle myosin heavy chain (MYH1). Additionally, the fusion indices of forming myotubes of MYH1, MYH8 and ACTA1 were calculated. We show that satellite cells incubated with DM expressed multiple characteriztic features of mature skeletal muscles, verified by time‐dependent upregulation of MYOG, MYH1, MYH3, MYH8 and ACTA1. However, satellite cells incubated with GM did not reveal all morphological aspects of muscle differentiation. Immunocytochemical investigations with antibodies directed against the differentiation markers showed correlations between the gene expression and differentiation. Our data provide information about time‐dependent gene expression of differentiation markers in human satellite cells, which can be used for maturation analyses in skeletal muscle tissue‐engineering applications. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prevalence of olfactory impairment in older adults.

CONTEXT Older adults represent the fastest-growing segment of the US population, and prevalences of vision and hearing impairment have been extensively evaluated. However, despite the importance of sense of smell for nutrition and safety, the prevalence of olfactory impairment in older US adults has not been studied. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of olfactory impairment in older adults. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A total of 2491 Beaver Dam, Wis, residents aged 53 to 97 years participating in the 5-year follow-up examination (1998-2000) for the Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study, a population-based, cross-sectional study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Olfactory impairment, assessed by the San Diego Odor Identification Test and self-report. RESULTS The mean (SD) prevalence of impaired olfaction was 24.5% (1.7%). The prevalence increased with age; 62.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 57.4%-67.7%) of 80- to 97-year-olds had olfactory impairment. Olfactory impairment was more prevalent among men (adjusted prevalence ratio, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.65-2.19). Current smoking, stroke, epilepsy, and nasal congestion or upper respiratory tract infection were also associated with increased prevalence of olfactory impairment. Self-reported olfactory impairment was low (9.5%) and this measure became less accurate with age. In the oldest group, aged 80 to 97 years, sensitivity of self-report was 12% for women and 18% for men. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that prevalence of olfactory impairment among older adults is high and increases with age. Self-report significantly underestimated prevalence rates obtained by olfaction testing. Physicians and caregivers should be particularly alert to the potential for olfactory impairment in the elderly population.
Regeneration of spines and pedicellariae in echinoderms: A review

Morphogenesis of tissues during regeneration of echinoderm spines and pedicellariae is reviewed. Regeneration of the skeleton is rather well documented while that of associated soft tissues is poorly investigated. In particular, little information is available on the early regeneration stages which follow wound healing. From the available information, it is suggested that regeneration of broken spines proceeds through a morphallactic process of which the organizational information, as well as the involved cells, lies in the stump. In contrast, regeneration of removed spines and pedicellariae may depend on an epimorphic process whose organizational information could be located in the mutable connective tissue that joins the appendage to the main body wall. Microsc. Res. Tech. 55:427–437, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
From microelectromechanical switches to nanoelectromechanical switches: Lessons and differences

Since a microelectromechanical (MEM) switch with an electrostatically actuated cantilever was first demonstrated by Petersen in 1978 [1], MEM switches and nanoelectromechanical (NEM) switches have actively been researched so far by many research groups. This is because they are considered as one of the ideal switching devices, thanks to their ideal zero leakage characteristic, nearly infinite sub-threshold slope, large On/Off current ratio, low power consumption, and immunity to harsh environments. Now, we are dreaming of a NEM IC in the future (Fig. 1). In this talk, we look at what lies behind these difficulties in MEM switches first. Then, we study what kind of bright ideas have been investigated to enhance the actuation voltage and switch endurance (lifetime) problems, respectively. Especially, we bring an idea that in order to increase the lifetime, an electromechanical contact is the most important part that we should pay attention to and that is the area where multi-dimensional disciplines are required. Some of the previous structural, material-wise, and nanotechnology-based approaches to enhance the lifetime are presented and discussed, from which we unveil the lessons learned.
MATLAB-VHDL design automation for MB-OFDM UWB

This paper presents a MATLAB - VHDL design automation flow, which can be used to generate an UWB communication system with desired parameters. A synthesizable VHDL model is created by a series of MATLAB scripts. The MATLAB scripts also generate the testbenches and call MODELSIM for VHDL simulations. These results are then fed back into MATLAB for comparison and verification. The MATLAB scripts can generate the following blocks with desired parameters: convolutional encoder, viterbi decoder, interleaver and deinterleaver, QPSK modulator and demodulator, OFDM modulator and demodulator. These are the commonly used communication blocks in OFDM systems. This automation system is used to create synthesizable VHDL model of digital parts of a MB-OFDM UWB system.
An index for breathlessness and leg fatigue

The features of perceived symptoms causing discontinuation of strenuous exercise have been scarcely studied. The aim was to characterize the two main symptoms causing the discontinuation of heavy work in healthy persons as well as describe the growth of symptoms during exercise. Breathlessness (b) and leg fatigue (l) were assessed using the Borg CR10 Scale® and the Borg CR100 (centiMax) Scale®, during a standardized exercise test in 38 healthy subjects (24–71 years). The b/l‐relationships were calculated for terminal perceptions (ERIb/l), and the growth of symptoms determined by power functions for the whole test, as well as by growth response indexes (GRI). This latter index was constructed as a ratio between power levels corresponding to a very strong and a moderate perception. In the majority (71%) of the test subjects, leg fatigue was the dominant symptom at the conclusion of exercise (P<0.001) and the b/l ratio was 0.77 (CR10) and 0.75 (CR100), respectively. The GRI for breathlessness and leg fatigue was similar, with good correlations between GRI and the power function exponent (P<0.005). In healthy subjects, leg fatigue is the most common cause for discontinuing an incremental exercise test. The growth functions for breathlessness and leg fatigue during work are, however, almost parallel.
Measurement of endothelial cell migration using an improved linear migration assay. Presented at the 1995 Microcirculatory Society Meeting.

OBJECTIVE The under-agarose migration assay developed for use with endothelial cells provides a measurement of the intrinsic migratory behavior of a cell population. However, the assay is labor intensive and lacks experimental flexibility. This migration assay has been refined and tested on human microvessel endothelial cells in the presence of a migration stimulus or on differing matrix-coated substrates. METHODS The improved assay retains the linear geometry and mathematical basis of the under-agarose assay. Cells migrating from a cell reservoir formed with a Delrin insert are counted using an automated image-analysis system utilizing a high-contrast, fluorescent nuclear stain. From the cell counts, a stochastic measure of random migration is calculated. RESULTS Values for random migration between the improved migration assay and the traditional under-agarose assay were very similar. Furthermore, a stochastic measure of endothelial cell migration on fibronectin was determined. CONCLUSIONS This improved linear migration assay permits readily obtainable measures of endothelial cell migration for a number of experimental conditions. Improvements in the assay include the use of a removable fence for forming cell reservoirs, a nuclear stain to facilitate cell counting, and a more comprehensive analysis of the cell migration.
Isolation of bovine kidney leucine aminopeptidase cDNA: comparison with the lens enzyme and tissue-specific expression of two mRNAs.

Aminopeptidases catalyze the hydrolysis of amino acid residues from the amino terminus of peptide substrates. Leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) from bovine lens is the best characterized aminopeptidase and the only LAP for which the amino acid sequence was determined by protein sequencing. Using this sequence information, we isolated a bovine kidney LAP cDNA and compared its deduced amino acid sequence to the published amino acid sequence for bovine lens LAP. Overall, the sequences are highly conserved. However, several differences are observed. The kidney LAP cDNA indicates a 26 amino acid extension at the amino terminus which is not found in the mature purified lens LAP. The cDNA also indicates an additional octapeptide in the C-terminal region which was not indicated in the published lens LAP amino acid sequence but which was required for best fit of crystallographic data regarding bovine lens LAP. Several other single amino acid changes were also noted. Levels of LAP transcripts were examined in bovine lens and kidney tissue as well as in cultured lens cells. Lens epithelial tissue showed only one LAP transcript (2.4 kb) whereas two transcripts (2.0 and 2.4 kb) were observed in cultured lens cells derived from epithelial tissue and in kidney tissue. Using Northern blot analysis, we correlated LAP mRNA levels with previously determined changes of LAP activity in aging lens tissue and in progressively passaged lens epithelial cells which were used to simulate aging in vitro. No differences were found in LAP mRNA levels in epithelial tissue from old and young lenses. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Empirical characterization of scattering pattern of built surfaces at mm-wave frequencies

Modeling radio wave propagation at millimeter-wave frequencies in urban environments requires knowledge of the reflection and scattering properties of built surfaces. Here, a measurement campaign has been conducted in order to empirically analyze the scattering patterns of two different built surfaces, i.e., brick and glass walls. Wideband millimeter-wave channel measurement system has been used to record transfer functions of the propagation channels from 69 to 74 GHz and in the post-processing reflected and scattered multipath components have been identified from the measured averaged power delay profiles. It is found that, e.g., for the brick wall, the reflection loss at the mirror reflection angles is 1-4 dB and the losses increase almost linearly up to 45 dB as a function of the observation angle. The reflection loss is larger for the glass wall because some part of the power propagates through the glass. The results of this work can be utilized, e.g., in geometry-based stochastic channel modeling.
Eisosomes and membrane compartments in the ascomycetes

Eisosomes are punctate structures located in the cytoplasmic side of the cell membrane of ascomycetes. In Saccharomyces cerevisiæ they coincide topologically with and are necessary for the organisation of specific membrane domains. The eisosomal proteins are universally and quite strictly conserved in the sub-phylum, however this evolutionary conservation is in apparent contradiction with an elusive functional significance. The comparative analysis of the eisosomes of S. cerevisiae and Aspergillus nidulans reveal striking differences in the assembly and developmental fate of these structures between these two model organisms.
IMMUNOMAGNETIC PURIFICATION OF CANCER CELLS FROM WHOLE BLOOD ON A CENTRIFUGAL MICROFLUIDIC PLATFORM

Based on our pioneering work on multi-force, centrifugo-magnetic particle separation presented at μTAS’11 [1] [2], we have substantially improved design (Fig. 1) and functionality to enable the direct immuno-separation of cancer cells from whole blood. The system presented here is shown to successfully extract a population of less than a hundred cancer cells from a background of many hundreds of thousands of blood cells. We outline the novel system design and notably refined working principle. The ability to “pick out” rare cells from whole blood on our platform bears the promise to leverage a host of interesting applications in biomedical diagnostics, therapeutics and point-of-care systems.
Overview of metformin: special focus on metformin extended release

Introduction: Diabetes is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and vascular alterations, leading to micro-vascular and macro-vascular complications, which account for increased morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. Cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of death in patients with diabetes. Due to its cardio-protective effects, metformin is recommended as the initial agent of choice in the treatment of T2DM. Results of UKPDS, one of the largest and longest studies, showed reductions in cardiovascular mortality in patients using metformin. Areas covered: This article reviews the history, structure, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, and safety of extended-release metformin (XR). It also highlights fact that its use has been shown to have the same clinical and metabolic benefits as standard metformin, but also improved adherence and reduced side effects. The paper provides a side-by-side comparison of the main differences in the use of metformin XR versus metformin IR, i.e., their effect on lipids, and gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. Studies included in this review were selected from PUBMED and Embase databases. Expert opinion: Given the chronic nature of diabetes, patient's adherence to therapy is very important in preventing complications of the disease. Compliance with the standard metformin formulation can be poor, due to multiple daily dosing and frequent GI side effects. Metformin XR can be given once daily and is associated with less GI side effects compared to immediate release metformin (IR); This leads to increased compliance, improved glycemic control and hence decreased risk of the associated micro- and macro-vascular complications.
Hand Gesture Recognition based on Digital Image Processing using MATLAB

- This research work presents a prototype system that helps to recognize hand gesture to normal people in order to communicate more effectively with the special people. Aforesaid research work focuses on the problem of gesture recognition in real time that sign language used by the community of deaf people. The problem addressed is based on Digital Image Processing using Color Segmentation, Skin Detection, Image Segmentation, Image Filtering, and Template Matching techniques. This system recognizes gestures of ASL (American Sign Language) including the alphabet and a subset of its words.
ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR THERAPY VERSUS PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION SECONDARY TO CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) compared with intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors alone or combined with PDT in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). Methods: Retrospective study of a consecutive series of 34 white patients (34 eyes) with angiographic evidence of choroidal neovascularization secondary to chronic central serous chorioretinopathy, divided into two groups followed for at least 12 months: 16 were treated with full fluence PDT (PDT group) and 18 with vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors (intravitreal [IVT] group). Results: In the PDT group, mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/40 (0.30 ± 0.69 logMAR) at baseline and did not change after 12 months (20/40; 0.30 ± 0.49 logMAR [P = 0.49]). In the IVT group mean, best-corrected visual acuity was 20/40 (0.30 ± 0.69 logMAR) at baseline and also did not change at the 12-month follow-up (20/32; 0.20 ± 0.49 logMAR [P = 0.20]). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of best-corrected visual acuity. A statistical significance difference was found in central macular thickness between the two groups with a better reduction of the thickening in the PDT group (P = 0.05); moreover, indocyanine green angiography analysis revealed that 50% of the polypoidal lesions were closed after PDT and 25% of the polypoidal lesions disappeared after anti–vascular endothelial growth factor therapy at 12-month follow-up. Conclusion: PDT and IVT inhibitors alone or combined show similar clinical effects in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy eyes with choroidal neovascularization.
Clinical Trials of Rotavirus Vaccines in Europe

Clinical trials of a live oral candidate rotavirus vaccine were started in 1982 and soon demonstrated that severe rotavirus disease can be prevented by vaccination. The first bovine candidate vaccine was withdrawn because of inconsistent efficacy, and studies of a rhesus rotavirus vaccine were initiated. A field trial of rhesus-human reassortant tetravalent rotavirus vaccine in Finland was pivotal for the licensure of this vaccine (RotaShield®) in the United States in 1998. However, this vaccine was withdrawn in 1999 because of association with intussusception. Safety therefore became a major issue in the development of new candidate rotavirus vaccines. A pentavalent bovine-human reassortant rotavirus vaccine (RotaTeq®) showed about 70% efficacy against any rotavirus disease and 100% efficacy against severe disease in Finland, according to the Clark scale. A large, multinational safety trial indicated no association of this vaccine with intussusception, and its licensure is under review in the EU. An attenuated human rotavirus vaccine (RIX4414; Rotarix™) was developed from G1 rotavirus strain 89–12. A trial in Finland showed efficacy comparable with that of RotaShield, and a larger trial is under way in several European countries. In the first epidemic season, vaccine efficacy was 73% against any and 90% against severe rotavirus (mostly G1) gastroenteritis, according to the Vesikari scale. A large scale safety trial, conducted in Latin America plus Finland, indicated no increased risk of intussusception among recipients of Rotarix compared with placebo. The licensure of Rotarix is in process in the European Union.