Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased Vesicular γ‐GABA Transporter and Decreased Phosphorylation of Synapsin I in the Rostral Preoptic Area is Associated with Decreased Gonadotrophin‐Releasing Hormone and c‐Fos Coexpression in Middle‐Aged Female Mice

Hypothalamic glutamate (Glu) and γ‐GABA neurotransmission are involved in the ovarian hormone‐induced gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH)/luteinising hormone (LH) surge in rodents. Studies have shown that reduced Glu and increased γ‐GABA in the rostral preoptic area (rPOA) of the hypothalamus, where most activated GnRH neurones are located, play a key role in decreasing the reproductive function of female rats. However, the mechanism underlying the altered balance of these neurotransmitters is poorly understood. In the present study, we observed a decline in the function of GnRH neurones in the rPOA at the time of the GnRH/LH surge in middle‐aged intact female mice with regular oestrous cycles. In young mice, there is an increase of vesicular Glu transporter 2 on the pro‐oestrus afternoon, which is not observed in middle‐aged mice. By contrast, vesicular γ‐GABA transporter levels in young mice decrease at the time of the LH surge, whereas they increase in middle‐aged mice. Of note, we found that, in middle‐aged mice at the time of the GnRH/LH surge, the phosphorylation of synapsin I at Ser603 and Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent kinase IIα was significantly lower than in young mice. These data suggest that, in middle‐aged mice, higher levels of presynaptic stores of GABA, a lack of increase of Glu and a decreased ability of synaptic vesicle mobilisation could account for the imbalance of Glu and GABA in the rPOA, which decreases the activation of GnRH neurones.
A Brief Review: Stage-Convertible Power Amplifier Using Differential Line Inductor

In this review article, a stage-convertible RF power amplifier designed with a 0.18-μm RF CMOS process is described. A method to implement a low-power matching network is an essential technology for the stage-convertible power amplifier. Various low-power matching networks with distributed active transformers as an output power combiner are compared in terms of the amounts of undesired coupling, the chip size, and the amount of power loss. The feasibility of a differential line inductor for the stage-convertible power amplifier is assessed and explained. Finally, we show that the differential line inductor is a realistic means of reducing the overall chip size, enhancing the quality factor of the matching network, and minimizing the undesired coupling between the inter-stage matching network and any output matching network. Additionally, the operating mechanism of the stage-convertible power amplifier using the differential line inductor for a low-power matching network is described in detail.
Derepression of Synthesis of the Aminoacyl-Transfer Ribonucleic Acid Synthetases for the Branched-Chain Amino Acids of Escherichia coli

The kinetics of derepression of valyl-, isoleucyl-, and leucyl-transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) synthetase formation was examined during valine-, isoleucine-, and leucine-limited growth. When valine was limiting growth, valyl-tRNA synthetase formation was maximally derepressed within 5 min, whereas the rates of synthesis of isoleucyl-, and leucyl-tRNA synthetases were unchanged. Isoleucine-restricted growth caused a maximal derepression of isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase formation in 5 min and derepression of valyl-tRNA synthetase formation in 15 min with no effect on leucyl-tRNA synthetase formation. When leucine was limiting growth, leucyl-tRNA synthetase formation was immediately derepressed, whereas valyl- and isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase formation was unaffected by manipulation of the leucine supply to the cells. These results support our previous findings that valyl-tRNA synthetase formation is subject to multivalent repression control by both isoleucine and valine. In contrast, repression control of iso-leucyl- and leucyl-tRNA synthetase formation is specifically mediated by the supply of the cognate amino acid.
Screening for lung cancer: what have we learned?

OBJECTIVE The purposes of this article are to briefly review the history of lung cancer screening, discuss the results and implications of the National Lung Screening Trial, and address some of the questions that remain since the publication of this landmark study. CONCLUSION Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States and the world. The National Lung Screening Trial showed a 20% reduction in lung cancer mortality among individuals at high risk undergoing low-dose CT. The findings opened the door for clinical lung cancer screening and publication of lung cancer screening guidelines. However, many questions remain, including whom to screen, how often, and for how long. Furthermore, costs and effects on the health care system remain unclear.
Analysis and Comparison of Declustering Schemes for Interactive Navigation Queries

Declustering schemes enable parallel retrievals of raster-spatial data by allocating data among multiple disks. Previous work in the literature has focused on static range queries. In this paper, we focus on interactive navigation queries, which exhibit a new class of data access patterns. We analyze and compare the performance of previously known declustering schemes from the perspective of navigation queries. These schemes include a class of latin-square-based schemes, Disk Modulo, Fieldwise Exclusive-OR, Hilbert Curve Allocation Method, and a random assignment scheme. We show that, unlike the case of range queries, disk module outperforms other schemes and gives nearly optimal performance for navigation queries. In addition, we propose a new scheme under the constraint of bounded window size-a common constraint in practice due to resource limitation such as monitor resolution or memory size. Through extensive analysis, we establish guidelines on how these schemes can be tuned to provide guaranteed performance under the constraint of bounded window size.
Qualitative Study into Adapting Persuasive Games for Mental Wellbeing to Personality, Stressors and Attitudes

Our wider research project investigates the design of a persuasive game for preventing mental health problems and improving subjective wellbeing in a student population. In this paper, we explore how persuasive game elements and interactions can be adapted to different student personalities, active stressors and attitudes. In six focus groups we investigated (1) which key stressors are experienced by students, (2) what characteristics of students need to be considered for adapting game interactions and challenges, and (3) which approaches to personalisation could be applied. Participants were shown stories about a fictional student, conveying high and low levels of three personality traits (Conscientiousness, Emotional Stability and Extraversion), levels of active stressors, and varying attitudes towards change. Participants discussed how to tailor game interactions, activities and challenges to the characteristics of the fictional student. In general, participants perceived real-time personalisation using implicit measures as more effective, but recognised explicit profiling as a valuable complementary method. These findings have implications for the personalisation and design of persuasive game based interventions for health.
If we gave away mammograms, who would get them? A neighborhood evaluation of a no-cost breast cancer screening program.

BACKGROUND Low- and no-cost mammography programs have become a widespread strategy to increase access to breast cancer screening in low-income populations. However, rigorous evaluations of who remains unscreened in communities with these programs are lacking. We conducted a case-control study of African American older women in East Baltimore, Maryland, comparing attendees at a no-cost program to friends and neighbors not using no-cost venues. METHODS We recruited 288 women ages 50 and older, who attended a no-cost program at Johns Hopkins Hospital, to complete a 1(1/2) h home interview, answering semistructured and open-ended questions about cancer and health and a wide range of social and psychological items. For each case, we recruited one friend or neighbor, within 5 years of age, not receiving no-cost screening, to complete a similar control interview. Matched case-control analyses were used to compare program attendees to nonattendees within the target community. RESULTS Women using the no-cost program at least once were generally more poorly screened than their neighborhood control prior to the program, but had better recent screening history 3 years after the program began. In multivariate analyses, program attendees were more likely to have <10,000 dollars annual income (OR = 2.34, 95% CI 1.55,3.61), more likely to have had more children (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.04,1.24), and less likely to have health insurance (OR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.25,0.68). They were more likely to see a female primary care provider (OR = 1.82, 95% CI 1.24,2.70) and to see multiple providers (OR = 3.38, 95% CI 1.52,8.60). CONCLUSIONS Low-cost screening intervention programs reach women who might otherwise not receive screening. However, within target communities, improved partnerships with specific types of primary care providers could reach additional women.
Human apolipoprotein E: the Alzheimer's disease connection

Human apolipoprotein (apo) E, long known for its prominent role in cholesterol transport and plasma lipoprotein metabolism, has recently emerged as a major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder. In a variety of populations worldwide, one of the three common alleles of apoE, apoE4, is overrepresented in Alzheimer's subjects compared with age‐ and sex‐ matched controls. The genetic and epidemiologic evidence suggests that apoE is a major susceptibility gene for Alzheimer's disease; it likely accounts for a major portion of the genetic heterogeneity in the disease. Although its role in the development of Alzheimer's disease is unknown, biochemical and cell biology studies are providing important insights into how apoE may be involved in neurodegenerative disorders. Based on an understanding of the structure and function of apoE in lipid transport and cellular metabolism, it is suggested that apoE is involved in a final common pathway of neuronal repair and remodeling: apoE3 (most common allele) supporting effective repair and remodeling after neuronal injury by noxious agents, and apoE4 being less effective in these processes. —Weisgraber, K. H. , Mahley, R. W. Human apolipoprotein E: The Alzheimer's disease connection FASEB J. 10, 1485‐1494 (1996)
The Assessment of CD56 and CD117 Expressions at the Time of the Diagnosis in Multiple Myeloma Patients

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the CD56 and CD117 expressions and the clinical and laboratory findings in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Materials and Methods: Analyses of multiparametric flow cytometry data obtained from the diagnostic bone marrow aspirations of a total of 34 newly diagnosed MM patients were assessed retrospectively. CD56 and CD117 expressions of the patients were compared with their stages and clinical parameters. The staging was performed according to the International Staging System (ISS). Results: Of the patients, 58.8% had ISS stage 1-2 MM while 41.2% had stage 3 MM. The number of CD56-positive patients was 29, whereas the number of CD117-positive patients was 13. There was no statistical difference between the CD56 and CD117 expressions and extramedullary involvement and lytic bone lesions. The median beta-2 microglobulin level was higher in the CD117-negative group (p=0.047). CD56 and CD117 expression levels were found to be lower in advanced-stage patients than in early-stage ones (p=0.026 and p=0.017). The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were high in advanced-stage patients, and an inverse relationship was found between LDH level and CD117 expression. Conclusion: Our findings that the CD56 and CD117 expression levels are lower in advanced stages than earlier stages and that LDH level and CD117 expression have an inverse relationship in patients with newly diagnosed MM suggest that CD56 and CD117 expressions may be prognostic markers for MM.
Weight Sensation in Virtual Environments Using a Haptic Device With Air Jets

: The research presented in this paper is the design and implementation of a force feedback hand master called AirGlove. The device uses six ports arranged in a Cartesian coordinate frame setting to apply a point force to the user's hand. Compressed air is exhausted through the ports, creating thrust forces. The magnitude and direction of the resultant force are controlled by changing the flow rate of the air jets and by activating different ports. The AirGlove can apply an arbitrary point force to the user's hand. However, the main goal of this research is to reflect gravitational forces to the user so that sensation of weight of a virtual object can be created. After introduction of the main concept of the AirGlove, the paper presents design and implementation details of the device. Integration of the AirGlove with a virtual assembly system called VADE is explained next. Finally, details of experiments with the device are presented and discussed. Results indicate that users wearing the AirGlove can feel a minimum mass of about 100 grams (~1N weight) and the device can create a fairly realistic weight sensation.
Multi-factor Authentication Scheme for Shadow Attacks in Social Network

Nowadays, password-based authentication is one of the most widely used methods to authenticate a user before granting accesses to secured websites. Password reuses within the same website and across multiple ones can enable shadow attacks. In this project, we study web password reuses by analysing a large number of sample data and combine dynamic authentication factor to achieve better efficiency of website security. The authentication module usually obtains the most security concerns.
Improved pertussis vaccines based on adjuvants that induce cell-mediated immunity

Bordetella pertussis is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes the severe and sometimes lethal respiratory disease whooping cough in infants and children. There has been a recent resurgence in the number of cases of pertussis in several countries with high vaccine coverage. This has been linked with waning or ineffective immunity induced by current acellular pertussis vaccines. These acellular pertussis vaccines are formulated with alum as the adjuvant, which promotes strong antibody responses but is less effective at inducing Th1-type responses crucial for effective bacterial clearance. Studies in animal models have demonstrated that replacing alum with alternative adjuvants, such as toll-like receptor agonists, can promote more robust cell-mediated immunity and confer a high level of protection against infection following respiratory challenge.
Efficacy of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy and Bimanual Training in Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy in an Educational Setting

ABSTRACT We examined the efficacy of modified constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) and hand-arm bimanual intensive therapy (HABIT) in a special education preschool/kindergarten in Israel. Twelve children (1.5–7 years) with congenital hemiplegic cerebral palsy were randomized to receive modified CIMT (n = 6) or HABIT (n = 6). Occupational and physical therapists administered usual and customary care for 8 weeks; children then crossed over to receive CIMT or HABIT 2 hr/day, 6 days/week for 8 weeks from their occupational therapist. The Assisting Hand Assessment and Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test were administered 2 months prior to the intervention, immediately before, immediately after intervention, and 6 months after the first baseline assessment. Both groups demonstrated no change during baseline and comparable improvement following CIMT and HABIT (p < .001), which was maintained at 6-month follow-up. Results suggest that modified CIMT and HABIT provided in school-based settings can lead to improvements in quality of bimanual skill and movement patterns.
The Women's Interagency HIV Study. WIHS Collaborative Study Group.

The Women's Interagency HIV Study comprises the largest U.S. cohort to date of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive women (N = 2,058) with a comparison cohort of seronegative women (N = 568). The methodology, training, and quality assurance activities employed are described. The study population, enrolled between October 1994 and November 1995 through six clinical consortia throughout the United States (totaling 23 sites) represents a typically hard-to-reach study population. More than half of the women in each cohort were living below the federally defined levels of poverty. The women ranged in age from 16 to 73 years; approximately one-quarter self-identified as Latina or Hispanic, over one-half as African-American not of Hispanic origin, and less than 20% as white, non-Hispanic origin. Self-reporting of HIV exposure risk included injection drug use by 34% of the seropositive women and 28% of the seronegative women, heterosexual contact (42% vs 26%), transfusion risk (4% vs 3%) and no identified risk (20% vs 43%). Demographic and HIV exposure risk characteristics of the seropositive cohort were comparable with characteristics of nationally reported AIDS cases in U.S. women. This well characterized cohort of HIV-seropositive and high-risk seronegative women represents a rich opportunity for future studies of HIV disease progression and pathogenesis.
Movement Disorder in Down's syndrome: A possible marker of the severity of mental handicap

This study examined the nature and prevalence of abnormal movements in adults with Down's syndrome and also the clinical correlates of orofacial dyskinesia and the relationship between dyskinesia and the level of functional and intellectual disability. Movement disorder, language age, and disability were assessed in an epidemiologically based sample of 145 individuals with Down's syndrome. Abnormal involuntary movements were common, with >90% exhibiting dyskinesia, predominantly orofacial. Stereotypies were present in one‐third of the sample. There was an association between the severity of dyskinesia and both current language age and functioning in terms of self‐care and practical and academic skills, which suggested that dyskinesia may be a marker of the severity of mental handicap. The presence of dyskinesia was unrelated to neuroleptic exposure. Dyskinesia and stereotypies are very common in individuals with Down's syndrome and may represent an inherent manifestation of the disorder. The relationship between mental age and dyskinesia in Down's syndrome warrants further research.
Aspirin as an antiplatelet drug.

The past 10 years have witnessed major changes in our understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying vascular occlusion1,2 and considerable progress in the clinical assessment of aspirin and other antiplatelet agents3–5. The purpose of this review is to describe a rational basis for antithrombotic prophylaxis and treatment with aspirin. Basic information on the molecular mechanism of action of aspirin in inhibiting platelet function will be integrated with the appropriate clinical pharmacologic data and the results of randomized clinical trials. Mechanism of Action Aspirin induces a long-lasting functional defect in platelets, clinically detectable as a prolongation of the .
Effects of Ascorbic and Dehydroascorbic Acids on Apoptotic Cell Death in Hippocampal Slice Culture

Ascorbic acid (AA) and dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) are known to have protective effects in experimental central nerve system disorder models such as stroke, ischemia, and epileptic seizures. The present study was conducted to examine the protective effect of AA and DHA on kainic acid (KA) neurotoxicity using organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHSC). Protective effects of AA and DHA on KA-induced cell death were evaluated by analyzing caspase-3. In addition, to determine if the prooxidant effect of AA is related to iron, the effect of AA on cell death was examined using desferrioxamine (DFO), an iron chelator. After 12h-KA treatment, significant delayed neuronal death was detected in CA3 region, but not in CA1. The AA (500 μM) and DHA (100 and 500μM) pretreatments significantly prevented cell death by inhibiting caspase-3 activation in CA3 region. In the concentration of 1,000μM, however, AA pretreatment might have prooxidant effect, but AA-induced oxidative reaction is mainly not related to transition metal ions. These data showed that the pretreatments of intermediate-dose AA and DHA protected KA-induced neuronal damage in OHSCs and co-pretreatment of AA and DFO did not affect cell death except for a few cases. These data suggest that both AA and DHA pretreatment have antioxidant or prooxidant effect depending on doses treated on KA-induced neuronal injury and the possible prooxidant effect of AA may not depend on the Fenton reaction.
Block of external urethral sphincter contraction by high frequency electrical stimulation of pudendal nerve.

PURPOSE High frequency electrical stimulation (1 to 10 kHz) of the pudendal nerve was evaluated as a method to block the external urethral sphincter contractions and increases in intraurethral pressure induced by electrical stimulation of pudendal nerve efferent axons. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two stainless steel electrodes were positioned 5 to 10 mm apart on the decentralized pudendal nerve in alpha-chloralose anesthetized cats. The most central electrode was electrically stimulated (40 Hz) to activate the efferent input to the external urethral sphincter. The change in the neurally evoked urethral responses by high frequency electrical stimulation of the distal electrode using a sinusoidal waveform or biphasic charge balanced pulses was examined. RESULTS For the 2 waveforms stimulation frequencies between 6 and 10 kHz were most effective in blocking external urethral sphincter activation. Intraurethral pressures caused by contractions of the external urethral sphincter were decreased more than 90% by high frequency stimulation using effective frequencies. When high frequency stimulation was turned off, external urethral sphincter responses recovered rapidly. CONCLUSIONS Reversible block of the external urethral sphincter contractions by high frequency electrical stimulation of the pudendal nerves is a potential method for suppressing detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia and improving voiding in spinal cord injured patients.
Thermoanalytical study of praziquantel-loaded PLGA nanoparticles

Polymeric nanoparticles have received great attention as potential controlled drug delivery systems. Biodegradable polymers has been extensively used in the development of these drug carriers, and the polyesters such as polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid and their copolymers as poly-lactide-co-glycolide are the most used, considering its biocompatibility and biodegradability. Thermal analysis techniques have been used for pharmaceutical substances for more than 30 years and are routine methods for screening drug-excipient interactions. The aim of this work is to use thermal analysis to characterize PLGA nanoparticles containing a hydrophobic drug, praziquantel. The results show that the drug is in an amorphous state or in disordered crystalline phase of molecular dispersion in the PLGA polymeric matrix and that the microencapsulation process did not interfere with the chemical structure of the polymer, mantaining the structural drug integrity.